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lottery hk The Los Angeles Lakers continue to clumsily move through the regular season. The current roster is a mishmash of talent, with very little crossover into how head coach JJ Redick would like his team to play. Furthermore, LeBron James has begun to show signs of his age despite still putting up incredible averages. One serious area of concern for the Lakers has been their inconsistent offense. On some nights, they look like a team capable of contending for a championship, while on others, they appear to be on a fast track to a full-scale rebuild. Speaking to ESPN's Dave McMenamin , Redick detailed the fine margins the Lakers are facing and how slight tweaks could turn their season around. “I would probably point immediately to our shot profile,” Redick said. “Over the last 13 [games], we're taking five more non-paint twos — we're shooting 39% on those. And for all the people that hate math, I shared this with the team this morning and I think it's really interesting. We're last, or second to last, in the last 13 in our offense. Those five extra non-paint twos, if we shot them at the same rate as Phoenix — who shoots 49% on non-paint twos — our offense would go from 29th to 12th.” The problem is that it's easy to point to the slender margins on a stat sheet but far harder to make the necessary adjustments on the court. We've all seen the Lakers make bad decisions on offense this season, from poor shot selection to trying to play hero ball. Yes, making some of those shots would change how we speak about the Lakers' current struggles, but it would just be papering over the cracks. Redick needs a younger team that he can mold. He has a modern outlook on how the game should be played, but outside of James and Anthony Davis, he lacks the talent to translate his ideas onto the floor. He would be better served with young high-upside players who can develop within his system. Dalton Knecht and Austin Reaves already fit that bill. Redick was always seen as a long-term hire. The Lakers want to build a system and style of play and begin developing their own talent. If that's the future Jeanie Buss envisions , it makes no sense to hang Redick out to dry with a team that doesn't fit together. Yes, the Lakers are within striking distance of figuring things out. However, any uptick in performance is unlikely to be sustainable long-term. Sooner or later, the front office must give Redick the chance to build his own team. Only then can we see what his system is truly capable of.LIVERPOOL, England (AP): The Premier League table is starting to have a 1979 kind of feel to it — with Liverpool at the top of the standings and Nottingham Forest in second place as the closest challenger. Liverpool padded its lead with a 5-0 rout of West Ham on Sunday while upstart Nottingham Forest climbed into second place by beating Everton 2-0 to continue its surprising push for a Champions League place. Forest was runner-up behind Liverpool in the English top tier in 1979 – the same year it won the first of two straight European Cups under Brian Clough – but hasn’t finished that high in the domestic first division since then. The club’s long-suffering fans finally have reason to believe that the good times are back under Nuno Espirito Santo. Although the Portuguese manager was the first to point out that his team may not stay in second place for very long. “It doesn’t mean anything,” Nuno said of his team’s position. “We haven’t achieved anything yet.” Forest could find themselves back in fourth place by January 1 as they are only one point above Arsenal and two ahead of Chelsea, with both London clubs having a game in hand. Liverpool could prove a lot harder to overtake, though, as Arne Slot’s team only seems to be growing stronger and stronger. The performance at West Ham was one of their most impressive yet, with five different players getting on the scoresheet — including Mohamed Salah, who netted the team’s third for his league-leading 17th of the season. Salah also had an assist to take his tally to 52 goal contributions in all competitions for the calendar year 2024 — 29 goals and 23 assists. Salah was asked after the match if he would soon have good news for fans about his future beyond the end of this season, when his contract expires. The Egyptian told Sky Sports: “No, we are far away from that.” “The only thing on my mind is I want Liverpool to win the league, and I want to be part of that,” Salah said. “I will do my best for the team to win the trophy. There are a few other teams catching up with us,nd we need to stay focused and humble and go again.” Liverpool are nine points ahead of Arsenal and 10 above Chelsea, with all three teams having played 18 games. Manchester City are 14 points back, having played 19 games, after beating Leicester 2-0 away. Guardiola marks milestone with win In his 500th game in charge of Man City, Pep Guardiola had some reasons to smile again. City marked Guardiola’s milestone with a win and a goal from Erling Haaland – things that the Spaniard used to take for granted but have been increasingly rare of late for the struggling four-time defending Premier League champions. Savinho also netted his first goal for the club in a much-needed win although the team still looked far from the juggernaut that has dominated English football for much of the Spaniard’s reign. Leicester had several chances for an equaliser before Savinho set up Haaland for the second in the 74th as City ended a five-game winless run in all competitions. “Just relief, that is the word to express how all of us feel,” Guardiola said. “It was not the ideal performance, but hopefully, the victories will give our mood a better position. Hopefully in the new year we can bounce back a bit from a bad moment.” Other results : Tottenham 2-2 Wolves; Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth; Crystal Palace 2-1 Southampton.

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Govt all-out to ensure stability, growth in country: Tarar

Pune: Western Maharashtra witnessed major political upsets as Congress stalwarts Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat faced defeat in their strongholds, falling to candidates who strategically capitalised on local rivalries and shifting voter dynamics. In Sangamner, Congress heavyweight and eight-time MLA Thorat was unseated by Shiv Sena’s Amol Khatal, who made his electoral debut. Khatal, a former RTI activist, defeated Thorat by a margin of over 10,500 votes. The victory was backed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and his son Sujay, long-time rivals of Thorat in local politics. Khatal attributed his success to grassroots support. “This is a victory for the Mahayuti workers and the common citizens who stood up against a big leader,” he said. Sujay Vikhe Patil accused Thorat of “gundagardi” (strong-arm politics), adding, “The people saw through it and voted him out.” In Karad South, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan suffered a stunning defeat to BJP’s Atul Bhosale, ending a decades-long Congress dominance in the constituency. Chavan, seeking a third term, was unable to withstand BJP’s growing influence in the region. Bhosale, who has strong ties to local cooperatives through his control of two sugar factories, leveraged the BJP’s developmental narrative and criticised Chavan for “failing to deliver”. He also benefited from a decade of sustained support from BJP’s leadership, particularly Devendra Fadnavis, and the financial and social influence of his political family. “I thank the people of Karad South, the party workers, and Fadnavis for trusting me,” Bhosale said after his victory. Chavan, despite attempts to rally Maratha support, including his outreach to pro-quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, could not overcome the BJP’s consolidation of voters. Lack of cooperation from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) workers, stemming from strained ties with the party’s leadership, further weakened his campaign. In another surprising result, Babasaheb Deshmukh of the Shetkari Kamgar Party defeated Shiv Sena’s Shambhuraje Patil in Sangola. Patil, famous for his dialogue “Kay Zadi, Kay Dongar” (what beautiful trees, what beautiful hills) during Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, could not retain his seat. Deshmukh, grandson of veteran leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh, capitalised on strong rural voter base and discontent with Patil’s performance. The results underscore a significant shift in western Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the Mahayuti alliance capitalising on local issues, strategic alliances, and the erosion of Congress’s traditional strongholds.The European Union has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, and there are strong signals that EU policymakers will approve a new target to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040. The science is clear on what must be done to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels: rapid and dramatic cuts in emissions and the removal of 6-10 gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. And yet the former receives far more attention than the latter. This must change – and fast. Removal of atmospheric CO2 will require scaling up investment in carbon-removal technologies from $5-13bn today to $6-16tn by 2050. For comparison, this is at least double the amount of revenues generated by the oil and gas industry each year. Setting aside the moral – one could say existential – obligation to protect the climate, there is a business case for deploying carbon-removal technology across the EU. By 2050, a global carbon-removal industry capable of achieving net-zero emissions could be worth between $300bn and $1.2tn. Besides private- and public-sector investments, carbon markets – where companies purchase credits to offset their emissions – have emerged as one of the most important sources of finance for carbon-removal projects. By putting a price on carbon, businesses are incentivized to improve energy efficiency and develop and deploy green solutions across their operations. Today, there are two main approaches to carbon pricing: compliance and voluntary carbon markets. The compliance market is regulated by mandatory carbon-reduction regimes, mainly targeting high-emitting industries such as steel, oil, and transportation, while the voluntary market operates independently, without direct regulatory oversight. The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), the bloc’s compliance market, works on a cap-and-trade principle, whereby firms in specific sectors receive emission allowances, the supply of which is capped at a level that reduces total CO2 emissions. They can sell unused allowances on the market, often to companies that require additional ones. By contrast, voluntary carbon markets allow businesses and individuals to purchase credits from verified offset projects in order to meet sustainability goals independently from any emission allowances. These markets use different methodologies to ensure that the emissions reductions are real, measurable, and permanent. Unfortunately, despite the urgency of climate action, recent debates about voluntary carbon markets have cast doubt on their usefulness. Sceptics argue that the lack of transparency and inconsistent standards lead to low-quality credits based on offsets that fail to deliver the promised emissions reductions. In their view, these markets allow large companies to engage in a sophisticated form of greenwashing. The controversy came to a head earlier this year, when naysayers questioned the legitimacy of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which develops the global standards and tools that enable companies to set GHG targets in line with reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The SBTi’s decision to allow firms to include voluntary carbon credits in the calculation of their indirect emissions triggered a significant backlash, with many challenging the credibility of such instruments. A few months later, the SBTi revised its position, clarifying that environmental attribute certificates – including carbon credits – cannot be used to offset a company’s value-chain emissions. These developments have held up critical financing for climate solutions – especially carbon removal. Neither the EU ETS nor the bloc’s voluntary carbon markets can sustainably fund carbon-removal technologies. Many have suggested using advanced technology to improve the transparency and accountability of carbon markets. But given the situation’s complexity and the lack of unified voluntary standards, scaling up carbon removal requires another tool: regulation. Japan serves as a good example. The country’s compliance carbon market now accepts credits from carbon-removal methods, including direct air capture and bioenergy carbon capture and storage. California’s Carbon Dioxide Removal Market Development Act could likewise foster the widespread adoption and deployment of this technology by defining which types of emissions it can counterbalance. The EU should require companies to reduce emissions to a certain threshold and purchase “negative emissions credits” to compensate for their remaining climate impact. Equally important, clear rules for certifying carbon-removal practices to ensure their effectiveness and long-term storage will incentivize businesses to invest in these technologies. Some progress has already been made. The EU’s adoption of the carbon removals certification framework this year was an important first step toward regulating this technology. But more must be done. For starters, it is unclear how this new framework will work with existing regulations, including the ETS. Moreover, standards-setting organisations such as the SBTi must better integrate “beyond value chain mitigation” – a firm’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions outside of its own business activities – and carbon removal into short-term corporate climate targets to help guide the regulatory response. As the EU prepares to revise the ETS in 2026, it must take advantage of this opportunity to take the lead in promoting a crucial green technology. Disclosure: The authors of this article are, respectively, the CEO of a company that certifies credits for voluntary carbon markets and an investor with a stake in the company. — Project Syndicate, Ludovic Chatoux is CEO and Co-founder of Riverse, a carbon-crediting platform. Sophia Escheu is an investor in climate and industrial technology companies at Speedinvest. Related Story GCC agreements to enhance carbon market services, liquidity Qatar establishes WEF's Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution

Transparency had only recently celebrated the finding by Brazil ’s federal prosecution service that claims it had sought to benefit from fines paid by companies to settle corruption cases were unfounded. But supreme court justice Dias Toffoli – who had instigated the original inquiry – decided to continue the investigation anyway. Transparency categorically rejects the claims it did anything wrong and dismisses the investigation as harassment. It believes it is being targeted because of its previous high-profile support for the anti-corruption effort that came to be symbolised by the historic Car Wash probe. “It is worrying but also a signal that we are on the right path,” says Bruno Brandão, the organisation’s executive director in Brazil. [ Rot at heart of Brazilian democracy exposed amid dark charges against Bolsonaro and military Opens in new window ] Transparency’s recent travails are an illustration of how the subsequent implosion of Car Wash, which uncovered evidence of multibillion-euro kickback schemes involving Brazilian companies, has seen the country’s fight against corruption go into reverse. The accusations made against Transparency have been levelled by Brazilian meat-processing giant J&F, one of whose owners infamously recorded himself on tape discussing bribes with then-president Michel Temer. J&F is now seeking the fines levelled against it after it confessed multiple crimes annulled. The case is before Toffoli who has declined to recuse himself even though his wife Roberta Rangel represents J&F. With most Brazilians no longer much interested in cases that once obsessed the nation, this conflict of interests causes little indignation. Brazil is a society that for now seems resigned to official impunity after the tumultuous heave against corruption of the last decade ended with the judges and prosecutors who led it in disgrace. Brazil’s supreme court had always been a somewhat reluctant supporter of Car Wash, forced to follow the path blazed by crusading judge Sergio Moro and the team of federal prosecutors in southern Brazil which targeted companies that won public contracts by paying kickbacks and the politicians who received them. [ Over 160 workers in ‘slavery-like conditions’ found at BYD factory site in Brazil Opens in new window ] Moro oversaw a sophisticated public relations campaign to win over public opinion and thus the space to pick holes in decades of jurisprudence that ensured the rich and powerful were rarely punished for wrongdoing. But the operation started to unravel after revelations in the media of illegal collusion between Moro and Car Wash prosecutors. This provided the supreme court the excuse to move against them under cover of correcting the errors and excesses it had tolerated when Moro enjoyed the status of national hero. “Did the crimes revealed by Car Wash happen? Of course they did. Nobody doubts there was a corruption scheme involving some of Brazil’s biggest companies and political parties. Car Wash revealed so much,” says Eloísa Machado de Almeida, professor of constitutional law at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in São Paulo. “But the judiciary missed its opportunity to make Car Wash a great example of the republican application of the law. It was a great chance for the country to rethink all these [corrupt] practices. But it was a huge waste as Car Wash collapsed because of its own errors.” While acknowledging the operation’s errors, Transparency’s Brandão sees an alternative explanation for the supreme court’s move against Car Wash. “In fact the operation was only liquidated when it reached the judiciary and threatened to reveal corruption among judges in the higher courts. The legislature and executive were unable to halt it. But the judiciary was.” [ Brazil’s president Lula leaves hospital after brain surgery Opens in new window ] Supreme court justice Toffoli is central to this interpretation of history. He has been the most prominent member of the supreme court in overturning convictions in lower court. This included his unilateral decision to annul evidence of wrongdoing provided by executives from the construction giant Odebrecht. Among the evidence tossed was an email in which Car Wash’s most notorious witness – Odebrecht’s president – asked two colleagues whether a deal had been reached with “the friend of the friend of my father”, whom he later told prosecutors referred to Toffoli, then Brazil’s attorney general. The shifting fates of Car Wash at the hands of a supreme court that appears more attentive to politics than jurisprudence also highlights the potential risks in the future for other high-profile cases, including the investigation into former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn his defeat in 2022′s presidential election. This is because the process against Bolsonaro and his circle of serving and retired generals is being conducted by Toffoli’s supreme court colleague Alexandre de Moraes. In this role, he has taken on the task of lead investigator as well as judge in a case in which he also figures as one of the potential victims of the plotters, allegedly having been targeted for assassination. Critics have warned that this confusion of roles risks leaving the case open to similar charges of judicial overreach that Moro faced and could provide grounds for appeal and the eventual overturning of any future conviction. But in an echo of the euphoria that gripped the country when seeing powerful businessmen and politicians arrested for corruption, Moraes has become something of a national hero for facing down Bolsonaro’s coup-mongering, even among those on the left who denounced him as a “fascist” when he was first appointed to the court in 2017. He has shown no sign of recusing himself from the case and instead appears to be enjoying the protagonist role it has brought him. [ Man jailed for 10 years after admitting smuggling €21.6m cocaine on cargo ship from Brazil Opens in new window ] Moraes has already ensured Bolsonaro’s exclusion from running for public office until 2030 because of his public efforts to undermine the presidential election he lost in 2022. But the former president remains the biggest vote-getter on the right, and he and his circle have made clear they will seek the promise of amnesty from anyone seeking his endorsement in the 2026 presidential election. His supporters are also using Moraes’s handling of the cases against Bolsonaro as an excuse to launch impeachment proceedings against him. For now Bolsonaro and his coterie are facing almost certain trial, given the evidence federal police have already gathered of their coup-plotting. But a political swing back towards the right after 2026 could create the political conditions for the unwinding of another investigation that uncovered evidence of wrongdoing but in the shadow of accusations of judicial overreach. Standing in the way of the hard right’s hopes of a return to power is President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the country’s most popular politician of recent decades. He staged one of the great political comebacks, emerging from 580 days in jail after his conviction by Moro, to evict Bolsonaro from the presidency, benefiting from the supreme court’s move to kill Car Wash. But he will be 81 at the next election and a majority of Brazilians tell pollsters they do not want him to seek a fourth term. Without him, the race between left and right will likely be far more competitive. The future of the judicial cases facing Bolsonaro should not depend on the political weather. But in Brazil it almost certainly does.Whether you wanted to dance to a top DJ or down a few pints with your mates, Kent has been home to some first-class pubs and clubs over the decades. Sadly, some of our most loved venues have closed down, leaving us with just our memories of the times we spent there. Here, we take a look at some of the biggest, best places to be over the years - where we’d love to return for one more night out. Amadeus/Passion, Rochester No nostalgia piece about Kent’s most iconic venues could go without Amadeus, the £5 million club at Medway Valley Leisure Park which opened in a blaze of glory in 1997. There’s a good chance a lot of people visiting it in its current form as a Hollywood Bowl have no idea of the mayhem that used to take place behind those walls, whether it be jamming to garage music, hooking up with fellow punters or throwing up after one too many shots. Every weekend, hundreds of glammed-up dancers would head to the club, make the most of £1 drinks before 11pm, buy grub from the burger bar and battling to keep track of your friends – it was a huge venue. Lovingly labelled "Amadangerous", there even used to be a bus service taking people from pub to pub. It was sold in 2003 but the tunes kept coming for eight more years, ending life under the name Passion before it was finally time to say goodbye. All we have now are those memories, with punters often taking to social media to relive those heavy nights . Atomics, Maidstone In 1991, Maidstone DJ Mick Clark converted an old warehouse on Hart Street into Atomics, which became a legendary dance music venue. Among those to grace the decks were Boy George, Carl Cox, Paul Oakenfold and Judge Jules and the county town’s now-famous son Nic Fanciulli cut his teeth there. Home to the infamous Club Class nights, Atomics looked different every week, decorated with banners, inflatables and lasers. It welcomed clubbers from as far away as France and Germany, as well as all over the south east, who danced to hardcore, happy house, drum ‘n’ bass and house over the years. It wasn’t to last though. Atomics closed after 11 years and the building was eventually converted into apartments. Warehouse, Maidstone Of course, you can’t mention Atomics without giving fellow Maidstone club Warehouse a shoutout. Described by some as the birthplace of British dance music, the club easily rivalled London venues in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Warehouse opened in 1979 in a former industrial warehouse, opposite where the Fremlin Walk car park now stands, and DJs led clubbers on a musical journey over the years, playing cheesy 80s, jazz funk, soul, disco and house. When it closed 12 years later, it was a rave club. Music would be lighthearted until 11pm when the DJ would drop a track such as acid techno favourite Spice by Eon and it would be hard rave for the next three hours. Bridge Country Club, Canterbury From a £100 Led Zeppelin gig to its legendary 'grab-a-granny' nights, few places had quite the hedonistic reputation as Bridge Country Club between the 60s and 90s. The historic mansion on the outskirts of Canterbury was the most popular rock and roll and disco venue in the county, embracing the music of the era. Among the bands who performed there were the Moody Blues, the Kinks, the Yardbirds and Manfred Mann, as well as jazz legends Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball. It has since been transformed into a luxury hotel - The Pig at Bridge. Onyx/The Priz, Folkestone Whether your era was La Parisienne, Club Indigo or Onyx, a night out at ‘the Priz’ was a rite of passage for generations who grew up in Folkestone. The seafront nightclub was the heartbeat of the town’s party scene for almost three decades, but eventually, the sound system fell silent and the dancefloor cleared for the final time in October 2015. Then, just months after the party was over for good, the building was hit by a suspected arson attack. Now, the foundations of the nightclub are nowhere to be seen, hidden under shingle on Folkestone beach. Whether throwing shapes to dance tracks in the main room, or revelling in the cheesiest hits of the decades next door, it was always a top night. Stage Three, Leysdown Leysdown venue Stage Three used to be a major attraction for lovers of jazz, funk and soul music in the late 70s and early 80s – as long as you didn’t mind the drive to the far side of the Isle of Sheppey. Founded by Robert and Mark Wilson in 1979, it took influences for its lighting and sound from famous New York haunts like Studio 54 and Paradise Garage. World-famous DJs including Pete Tong used to perform sets there, but it was forced to shut after a fire in September 1989. The site is now a car park that sometimes hosts a market. The much-loved former club had a popular reunion night in 2014. Dusty’s/Liquid, Ashford The 123-year-old flour mill in East Hill has had many names and spent a long time as an iconic late-night venue after it closed as a working mill in 1972. It hit the headlines in 1974 when a catastrophic fire devastated part of the building but was soon transformed into Ashford's first nightclub, Dusty's and the Jolly Miller, in 1981. The club closed in 1990, when the owner of the mill reportedly abandoned the business owing thousands of pounds, then became Cales Nightclub and Flatfoot Sam's for 11 years before undergoing a £500,000 facelift and being rebranded as Liquid in 2002. It shut in 2014 and has since fallen into more serious dereliction with multiple attacks of vandalism and trespassing over the years. M20, Ashford What is now a place to enjoy a plate of peri peri chicken was once an exciting raving destination. The M20 nightclub opened in the early Noughties in Eureka Park, in what would become Nando's. It became the first club in Britain to receive a Superclub award in 2004 but shut in 2005 and remained empty for three years until reopening as Strawberry Moons. It then became Rain, and finally Arena Live before the restaurants moved in. Excalibur, Gillingham This one was a legendary clubbing destination within the King Charles Hotel. The club in Gillingham was demolished to make way for houses in 2019 but in the 80s and 90s it welcomed rap duo Salt-N-Pepa, cult icon Rick Astley and heartthrobs Bros. It was known as The Regency in 1982 before its final incarnation as Excalibur - which enjoyed a hugely successful run from 1989 until its close in 1998. In 2018, a 90s themed goodbye night was hosted before the building was demolished to make way for houses. JJ's, Sittingbourne JJ's has had a few names, including Base and Fat Sam's and was found within the Bell Shopping Centre in Sittingbourne. It was eventually lost to the town, and the shopping centre collapsed in 2013. Plans had been in the works to transform the derelict site into 165 flats, a medical centre and a pharmacy but the site is now up for sale. The Front, Herne Bay The Front was part of Talk of the Town right on the seafront and shared the building amusement arcade and casino. It has had various names over the years, including New York and Show Bar. The owners sold the venue in 2018 after contending with rising taxes and the costs of the casino. After the sale, Talk of The Town became an events venue called Vibe and a cocktail bar called Captain Jack's. The Funky Monkey, Dover One that was still recently with us, the Funky Monkey closed in December two years ago. The building is part of an ambitious plan to transform that "neglected" part of Dover. It was one of the town’s most popular venues and "created a lot of memories" for those who graced its dancefloor. After running for 16 years, work to demolish it started last year. Moo Moo, Gillingham This Canterbury Street nightclub wasn’t always known by the cow-sound name, having previously lived life as Bliss and Preach. Dating back to the 1970s, the club was known under many guises: Joanna's, The Zone, Ritzy, Preach, and Bliss. Renamed Moo Moo in 2016, it became famous in its later years for freshers' events, and UV parties with foam, paint and ball pits – becoming a rite of passage for students from the University of Kent's Medway campus. The club closed down in 2019 and was demolished earlier this year . Franks, Cliftonville This clubbing venue in Ethelbert Crescent, was previously run by Frank Thorley who sadly passed away last year. It was once a popular spot with two-for-one offers, ladies' nights and under-18s events. In 2009, it closed down and was sold. The Margate location's ground floor is now home to a community space and was formerly Rendezvous restaurant, while the top floor is the Faith in Strangers events space. AMP/SOS, Tonbridge At the time of its closure on Christmas Eve 2017, AMP, which was previously known as Source of Sound, was Tonbridge's only nightclub. There was heartbreak among regulars as plans revealed the disco would be turned into 14 new flats and a gym. After closing, it was a community creative space called Hub for a while. The site has not been transformed as of yet, despite two separate planning applications for the development of apartments. The Jolly Sailor, Canterbury A pub first stood on the corner of Northgate Street as early as 1619. Sadly, almost 400 years later, it was serving its final pint. It was then known as the Black Swan, before changing its name to the Jolly Sailor between 1780 and 1830. The pub was popular with students and had been taken over by Ian Blackmore, a former uni student in the city, in 2008 before he had to give it up 10 years later. It was bought by the Kings School in 2019 after its closure, with the latest plans to do something with the site causing controversy . The Court House/Wig and Gown, Dartford Having shut twice in the past 10 years, this Spital Street boozer was sold earlier this year after its operating costs doubled. When it shut for the first time in 2016, the Court House had been going since the late 1990s. The building was first erected in 1850 as part of the methodist church opposite but was converted into a Crown Court within 10 years. A short-lived revival saw the name change after reopening in 2018, but the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis plunged it back into trouble. The Saracens Head, Deal Closing in March last year, this 19th-century pub has been the centre of a planning row after a bid to turn it into a home was launched. Despite the pub originally thriving, its last tenants, Matthew and Martine Brett, left after 13 months saying it had been “ impossible to make a profit ”. Strawbs frontman Dave Cousins joined a fight to protect it from developers in 2016 when it was made an asset of community value. The building is thought to date back as far as 1806 when it housed a carpenter’s shop and several apartments before becoming a pub 15 years later. Cross Keys, Canterbury This 17th-century Oaten Hill pub was forced to close in December 2019 when a huge hole and 20ft deep shaft opened up in the toilet floor . There were hopes of seeing it reopen within a couple of years but as of now, it remains an eyesore. It was originally referred to as the Trumpet in 1687 before changing its name less than 10 years later, and in the 1950s also housed a bakery. Older customers will remember when Charringtons and Co and Whitbread Fremlin included the Cross Keys in a pub swap in 1972. The Railway Tavern, Teynham When it closed in 2015, the writing had been on the wall for some time for this pub between Sittingbourne and Faversham. The owner had said a year before it was no longer commercially viable and his efforts to turn it back into a house once prompted Swale Borough Council to visit him out of fears he was suicidal. But dating back to 1857, the tavern had a proud history with many locals visiting the Lower Road over the years. It was originally built as a farmhouse and had been a Barclay’s, Courage and Enterprise Inns establishment. Duke of Kent/Braces, Ramsgate This quirky-looking inn has gone through many names including Cobblers, Duke of Kent and Swiss Cottage. It was more recently called Braces and closed in 2009 and then became a favourite haunt of trespassers. In 2017, permission was granted for Braces to be demolished, but nothing happened and the building went up for sale in 2019. Finally, in 2020 it was demolished, and flats were built in its place. Millers Cottage, Gravesend This once-charming inn in Shrubbery Road made headlines in 2009 when its bar staff got their kit off for a charity calendar. Built in 1695, the original building has since undergone many changes and was still grinding wheat to serve its original purpose until the last miller to occupy the cottage, one Michael Slaughter Woolett, left in 1842. It was then opened as a public house where the drinks flowed until 2018, two years after it went up for sale. The building was soon converted into a property, though the nearby Windmill Tavern remains. The Greyhound, Rochester The Greyhound was a traditional backstreet boozer and was found on Rochester Avenue. For decades, landlady Wendy Stenhouse served up sound advice, good grub and pints. She even took one regular out clothes shopping when she didn't approve of his fashion sense, and she and her late husband Bill used to go on holidays abroad with their customers. After Bill died, Wendy kept running the business for a few years but eventually pulled the last pint in 2002. The King’s Arms, Headcorn This High Street property opened as a boozer in the 1830s but was the setting for Catholic intrigue before then. Local Jacobites - supporters of the deposed James II and his descendants in their claim to the British throne after the Revolution of 1688 - used the house as a secret rendezvous while it was also seen as a “seedy joint” thanks to its ties with the Hawkhurst Gang. After closing in 2016, it became an Indian restaurant and then an opticians. The Elephants Head, Sevenoaks This pub was once visited by an actual elephant, which had been forced to walk from Wales to Maidstone when the cricus she was travelling in was taken off the road. Lizzy, as she was known, sadly died of a heart attack soon after. The watering hole started serving in 1867 but sadly closed in 2009. The site is now occupied by Sevenoaks Veterinary Surgery. The Mounted Rifleman, Luddenham The Mounted Rifleman near Faversham has a vibrant history. Most interestingly, it had no bar. There was just a cellar below and the landlord, John Austin, would bring up drinks on a tray. There was huge uproar from locals when the closure of the pub was announced in the early 1990s and the news reached local TV. The pub had been owned by the same family for well over 100 years before it was sold and became a private house. However, the painted sign on the front of the building has been kept.

The New Statesman’s A-Z of 2024

Hyderabad: Members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC) on Sunday, December 29, alleged that they received threat calls for attacking actor Allu Arjun’s house in Hyderabad over the stampede during Pushpa 2: The Rise premier at the Sandhya Theater. Following the threat calls, members of the JAC approached the Hyderabad police and filed a complaint. A JAC member in a video statement said, “Since being released on bail, we’ve received several calls asking how dare we attacked Allu Arjun’s House. We have filed a complaint against all those who threatened us.” Defending the attack on Allu Arjun’s house the OU JAC said that the actor needs to realise that he is not above law, adding that the attack was carried out in response to “injustice” done to a boy who fell unconscious due to the stampede during the premier of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theater at RTC X roads on December 4. “When 15 people came and ransacked your house, you were rattled. Imagine when 30 lakh students from universities across Telangana come to your house,” said the man, threatening the actor of protests. The man further said that the OU JAC is not backed by any political party. “We on behalf of students urge you to stay humble and ask your fans not to threaten us,” he concluded. Earlier, the Jubilee Hills police had arrested six persons when they staged a protest and damaged flower pots at the house of the actor on Sunday, December 22. All of them were later released on bail by the court. A group of miscreants attacked Allu Arjun’s residence on December 22. The group reportedly associated with the OU JAC created chaos while raising slogans demanding justice for Revathi’s family. They also intercepted Allu Arjun’s staff while continuing to throw tomatoes at the residence. Unverified reports suggest that stones were also thrown during the attack, damaging flower pots. Man accused of attacking Allu Arjun's house over #Puspa2TheRule stampede threatens to repeat the offence , this time with a larger group. #Hyderabad @TheSiasatDaily #AlluAjun @alluarjun pic.twitter.com/YJiArIb76WAP Trending SummaryBrief at 11:43 p.m. ESTB.C. man who flipped 14 homes in four years is fined $2M for tax evasion

Travel expert Gabe Saglie explains his top holiday travel tips on ‘Your World.’ Some people may want to consider being a bit more ... diplomatic. That's the overall assessment of commenters on a viral Reddit thread after a man described the experience of going for a nature hike with his brother while on vacation in Arizona — then shared his blunt response to a question his brother asked him after their hike was done. "I am a guy who, when I don't enjoy something, I'll tell you I don't," Reddit user "Ness_Lucas" wrote at the start of his post on the social media site a few days ago. FLIGHT PASSENGER CALLS OUT FELLOW FLYERS FOR BAD HABIT, SHARES FIX FOR PROBLEM As of Sunday, the post had accumulated over 6,000 reactions. He added, "But if I commit to something, I'll see it through to the end without complaining." A man described the experience of going for a nature hike with his brother (not pictured) while they were on vacation — and social media commenters had a field day with the account. (iStock) He said the issue "came to a head" when he was " on vacation with my older brother in Arizona, who wanted to do a lot of nature hikes." Wrote the man on Reddit, " Nature hikes are fine. I don't mind them, but I do dislike walking up large hills." "Walking uphill ... is very draining and leaves me sweaty." He added, "Walking downhill is the easiest thing ever. It's like being nature's passenger princess. You just put your foot forward and let gravity do all the work." ‘GATE LICE’ AND ‘SEAT SQUATTERS’ AMONG 2024'S MOST VIRAL TRAVEL TRENDS He went on, "Walking uphill, conversely, is very draining and leaves me sweaty." He continued, "I don't make a point to complain about something when I do it, so when I was walking uphill, despite not liking it much, I held [a] basic conversation with my brother." "When I was walking uphill, despite not liking it much, I held [a] basic conversation with my brother," wrote a man on social media as others weighed in on his dilemma. (iStock) However, once the pair began to head back down, the man said his brother "asked me if I was having fun — and I said no." He added, "Not because of any fault of my brother. I just didn't find the activity fun. Not even bad, just satisfactory." "I don't like it when people ask for my opinion and get upset when I give my honest answer." Later, when the brother was driving the Reddit poster to the airport for his flight home, the man said his brother told him, "If I ask you if you're having fun, don't say 'no.'" HOT TRAVEL TREND HAS PEOPLE PRIORITIZING WELLNESS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: ‘KEEPS ME MENTALLY SHARP’ Wrote the Redditor, "I understand that it can be demoralizing to hear someone's not having fun." However, "I don't like it when people ask for my opinion and get upset when I give my honest answer," he said. "Sometimes in life you have to walk uphill to get to where you're going," wrote one responder on the viral Reddit thread. (iStock) "If I'm not having fun, I'll just say I'm not having fun." Responders on the Reddit page known as "Am I the a--hole" had a field day with the post — rendering their general assessment that the man was indeed the "a--hole" for the way he replied to his family member . "People want to hear that you're enjoying their company." Wrote one commenter in the top-rated response, "'It's been a fun day hanging with you, but, man, this hike is steep' [or] 'I'm looking forward to the downhill bit!' That's the sort of polite answer people are looking for." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The same person added, "You acknowledge you're enjoying your brother's company, which was what he was looking for, but you can also acknowledge the hike is hard/difficult etc. It doesn't matter how much the activity sucks — people want to hear that you're enjoying their company ." A man turned to Reddit for insights into his personal dilemma — and was blasted by most people for his blunt comments to his brother. (iStock) Another individual put it this way, responding to the first commenter, "Exactly! It's a small social nicety that expresses that 'I'm happy to spend time with you, even if I don't enjoy the activity.'" For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle Yet another person said pointedly, "You are perched on your self-anointed pedestal and expecting everyone to treat you like a little princess. Your brother probably regrets ever going on a hike with you. Sometimes in life you have to walk uphill to get to where you're going." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP A different commenter let the Reddit poster off the hook but shared this suggestion: "Not everyone is into hiking. That's a personal choice. But a better option would be to talk with your brother and compromise on doing something you will BOTH enjoy." Fox News Digital reached out to a psychologist for thoughts. Maureen Mackey is managing editor of lifestyle at Fox News Digital.WASHINGTON — Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as U.S. president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, has died, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Sunday. He was 100. A Democrat, he served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California governor. Carter lived longer after his term in office than any other U.S. president. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president -- a status he readily acknowledged. His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office. In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on Nov. 19, 2023, at age 96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair. Carter left office profoundly unpopular but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th U.S. president. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 and elevated Ford from vice president. "I'm Jimmy Carter and I'm running for president. I will never lie to you," Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile. Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: "The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader." Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former president. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Center in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world. A Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency - walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade. The Middle East was the focus of Carter's foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David Accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbors. Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unraveling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy. The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20% and soaring gas prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter's presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term. HOSTAGE CRISIS On Nov. 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a U.S. hospital. The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the hostages, with eight U.S. soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert. Carter's final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom. In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the U.S. Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow. Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade. Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full U.S. ties with China. Carter created two new U.S. Cabinet departments -- education and energy. Amid high gas prices, he said America's "energy crisis" was "the moral equivalent of war" and urged the country to embrace conservation. "Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he told Americans in 1977. In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his "malaise" speech to the nation, although he never used that word. "After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America," he said in his televised address. "The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America." As president, the strait-laced Carter was embarrassed by the behavior of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: "I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer." 'THERE YOU GO AGAIN' Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary. Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election. Reagan dismissively told Carter, "There you go again," when the Republican challenger felt the president had misrepresented Reagan's views during one debate. Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide. James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine program and left to manage the family peanut farming business. He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called "the most important thing in my life." They had three sons and a daughter. Carter became a millionaire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia's governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election. With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration," despite decades of just such domination. Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford actually won more states -- 27 to Carter's 23. Not all of Carter's post-presidential work was appreciated. Former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by Carter's freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere. In 2004, Carter called the Iraq war launched in 2003 by the younger Bush one of the most "gross and damaging mistakes our nation ever made." He called George W. Bush's administration "the worst in history" and said Vice President Dick Cheney was "a disaster for our country." In 2019, Carter questioned Republican Donald Trump's legitimacy as president, saying "he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf." Trump responded by calling Carter "a terrible president." Carter also made trips to communist North Korea. A 1994 visit defused a nuclear crisis, as President Kim Il Sung agreed to freeze his nuclear program in exchange for resumed dialog with the United States. That led to a deal in which North Korea, in return for aid, promised not to restart its nuclear reactor or reprocess the plant's spent fuel. But Carter irked Democratic President Bill Clinton's administration by announcing the deal with North Korea's leader without first checking with Washington. In 2010, Carter won the release of an American sentenced to eight years hard labor for illegally entering North Korea. Carter wrote more than two dozen books, ranging from a presidential memoir to a children's book and poetry, as well as works about religious faith and diplomacy. His book "Faith: A Journey for All," was published in 2018.

Smith's career-high 205 yards rushing carries San Diego past Morehead State 37-14Topline President-elect Donald Trump has named Sebastian Gorka as senior director for counterterrorism, after he briefly served in Trump’s first administration, though Gorka has also faced criticism for appearing to support a far-right Hungarian political group the U.S. says is linked to the Nazis. Key Facts Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . What Are Gorka’s Ties To Vitezi Rend? While attending Trump’s Inaugural Ball on Jan. 20, 2017, Gorka was pictured wearing a medal associated with Vitezi Rend, a Hungarian national group the State Department designated as having worked under the direction of Germany’s Nazi government. The group was founded as the Vitez Order in 1920 as a Hungarian nationalist group that contested the country’s communist rule, and is now recognized as a far-right group with antisemitic views. Vitezi Rend spokesperson Andras Horvaz told NBC News the group was “really proud” Gorka wore the medal, while some members told the outlet Gorka was a well-known associate of the group. One of the organization’s leaders told CNN that Gorka was not a pledged member, however, and denied claims the group was linked with the Nazis. Gorka has denied wearing the medal as a nod to Vitezi Rend and said he instead wore it to honor his father, who Gorka said was honored for fighting the communist regime in Hungary. Gorka told the Telegraph that he had “inherited the title of Vitez through the merits of my father,” though he never “swore allegiance formally” to the group. The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, a civil rights group, called for Gorka to resign “or be fired” over his association with the group. Meanwhile, a group of Democratic senators requested the Justice Department and Homeland Security to investigate whether Gorka misled immigration officials about his ties to Vitezi Rend before becoming a U.S. citizen. Was Gorka Fired During Trump’s First Administration? Gorka was forced out of his role as an advisor during Trump’s first presidency after John Kelly, Trump’s chief of staff, became disinterested in keeping him, administration officials told the New York Times. Gorka’s appearances on various talk shows gained favor with Trump, though Kelly opposed his often combative interviews, a person familiar with the situation told CNN . One White House official told CNN that Gorka had resigned, while another disputed this claim and said Gorka was “no longer with the White House.” In a resignation letter obtained by Politico , Gorka said “forces” in opposition to Trump’s policies had forced him out. Tangent In August 2017, several Democratic legislators demanded the White House remove Gorka, Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller from their roles as advisors to Trump. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus accused the three advisors of having supported the views of white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups in the lead-up to a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a man killed a woman after driving his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. Before the rally, Gorka, who had previously worked under Bannon as an editor at the right-wing outlet Breitbart, suggested white supremacists were not a concern for U.S. counterterrorism efforts, the Times reported . The caucus also cited Gorka’s “extensive ties” to Vitezi Rend. Chief Critic John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, called Gorka a “con man” after Trump tapped him Friday to return to the White House: “I wouldn’t have him in any U.S. government.” Gorka’s new role isn’t “going to bode well for counterterrorism efforts,” Bolton told CNN. Key Background On Friday, Trump announced Gorka would be returning to the White House after serving as a “tireless advocate” for his policies. Gorka earned a doctorate in political science from Corvinus University of Budapest and worked as a national security expert with a focus on Islamist extremism, the Times reported. He has reportedly made claims that violence is a “fundamental” part of the Islamic faith and wrote a book, “Defeating Jihad: The Winnable War,” that argued the U.S. should refer to Islamic terrorism as a “global jihad” instead of “violent extremism.” Several experts have criticized Gorka’s credentials, including Daniel Nexon, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University, who told CNN that Gorka’s claims do not “deploy evidence” and described Gorka’s dissertation on terrorism as “inept.” Further Reading

Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang Are Highlighted in an Exclusive In-Game Experience Filled with Nostalgia, Prizes, and Fun! HERZLIYA, Israel , Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This New Year, Solitaire Grand Harvest is bringing joy, nostalgia, and a bit of winter magic with everyone's favorite beagle, Snoopy,! Starting December 29 , players can experience Snoopy, Woodstock, and the Peanuts gang in a special month-long event that's bound to bring back cherished memories while adding a little sparkle to your solitaire game. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/playtika/9222155-en-solitaire-grand-harvest-featuring-snoopy Solitaire Grand Harvest, the #1 highest-grossing solitaire game in the U.S.**, is transforming into a Peanuts-themed winter wonderland just in time to ring in 2025. Whether you're sipping cocoa by the fire or counting down to midnight, the Peanuts ® takeover will warm your heart and make every win feel a bit more magical. Starting December 29 , players will discover Snoopy and his Winter Fair Collection, featuring charming in-game mini-games and exclusive prizes inspired by the classic Peanuts characters. But the fun doesn't stop when the ball drops! Between January 1-12 , players may add Snoopy and Woodstock to their collection, alongside their in-game special pet companions, making it a New Year's celebration that keeps on giving. Players get to keep their favorite characters with them forever with the permanent in-game Snoopy collection. Roi Glazer, General Manager of Solitaire Grand Harvest , shared his excitement, saying: "Snoopy has been a beloved part of so many of our lives for generations. This partnership with Peanuts allows us to combine the nostalgia of Snoopy with the excitement of Solitaire Grand Harvest in a way that brings joy to our players during the New Year celebration." Scott Shillet , Vice President of Global Hardlines at Peanuts , said: "We are thrilled to bring Snoopy and the beloved Peanuts gang to Solitaire Grand Harvest, allowing us to continue our mission of spreading joy through new and engaging experiences. By integrating our timeless characters into the game, our fans will find fresh ways to connect with Peanuts while enjoying the fun world Solitaire Grand Harvest has to offer." Solitaire Grand Harvest is available to download for free on the App Store and Google Play (in-app purchases available). To follow along, visit Solitaire - Grand Harvest on Facebook and on Instagram . About Solitaire Grand Harvest ® Solitaire Grand Harvest is the top Solitaire game in the U.S.**, with hundreds of thousands of daily players across multiple platforms. Solitaire Grand Harvest, developed by Supertreat GmbH, allows its community to experience the fun side of farming as they grow and harvest crops, build and design their personal farm and progress through thousands of challenging Solitaire levels. The game provides high value content, and players are exposed to new features and provided with the opportunity to connect with other members of the Solitaire Grand Harvest community online. About Playtika Playtika Holding Corp. PLTK is a mobile gaming entertainment and technology market leader with a portfolio of multiple game titles. Founded in 2010, Playtika was among the first to offer free-to-play social games on social networks and, shortly after, on mobile platforms. Headquartered in Herzliya, Israel , and guided by a mission to entertain the world through infinite ways to play, Playtika has employees across offices worldwide. **According to App Annie , Solitaire Grand Harvest is the highest-grossing Solitaire game in the U.S. based on in-app purchases, from January 2024 – October 2024 . About Peanuts The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment ( Japan ) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz , who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown , Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ring-in-2025-with-solitaire-grand-harvests-new-year-celebration-featuring-snoopy-302338478.html SOURCE Playtika Holding Corp. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.By Dharamraj Dhutia MUMBAI, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Indian government bond yields were little changed on Monday, even as U.S. Treasury yields remained elevated, with market participants seeking a firm direction towards the end of the year. The 10-year yield was at 6.7873% as of 10:00 a.m. IST, compared with its previous close of 6.7852%. "With benchmark bond yield around par levels, there is no trading interest from any segment, and people are just waiting to enter the new quarter and new year," trader with a private bank said, referring to the bond's coupon of 6.79%. The daily average trading volume has dropped to around 381 billion rupees ($4.46 billion) over the last two weeks from 719 billion rupees in the prior fortnight, data from the Clearing Corp of India showed. Traders were also monitoring the movement in the rupee, which plummeted to record lows over the last few days, and could trigger further foreign outflows in the bond market. Foreign investors have net sold bonds linked to JPMorgan's emerging market debt index worth 27 billion rupees over the last three weeks, after net purchase of 94 billion rupees in the first week of the month. The widening banking system liquidity deficit has also made investors cautious of avoiding portfolio losses at the end of the fiscal year's third quarter. Globally, the 10-year U.S. yields moved higher on Friday and was at 4.60% in Asia hours, as investors pare debt holdings ahead of the year-end and await the new year uncertain about interest rate cuts. The underlying sentiment in the world's largest economy has turned cautious since last week when the Federal Reserve lowered its rate cut forecast for 2025 to 50 basis points from 100 bps earlier. The odds of a pause in January are at 89%, according to CME's FedWatch Tool. ($1 = 85.4750 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Dharamraj Dhutia; Editing by Varun H K)

Dialogue remains essence of democracy: Irfan Siddiqui

WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request after it experienced trouble with its flight operating system, or FOS. The airline blamed technology from one of its vendors. As a result, flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 36% of the airline's 3,901 domestic and international flights leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company; 51 flights were canceled. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the FOS system. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS went down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Hours after the ground stop was lifted, Tajer said the union had not heard about "chaos out there beyond just the normal heavy travel day." He said officials were watching for cascading effects, such as staffing problems. On social media, however, customers expressed frustration with delays that caused them or their family members to miss connecting flights. One person asked if American planned to hold flights for passengers to make connections, while others complained about the lack of assistance they said they received from the airline or gate agents. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Bobby Tighe, a real estate agent from Florida, said he would miss a family Christmas Eve party in New York because his American flight was repeatedly delayed. The delays made him miss a connecting flight, leaving him the choice of going to his destination — Westchester, N.Y. — on Christmas Day or taking another flight to Newark, N.J., scheduled to land Tuesday evening. He chose the latter. "I'm just going to take an Uber or Lyft to the airport I was originally supposed to go to, pick up my rental car and kind of restart everything tomorrow," Tighe said. He said his girlfriend was "going through the same exact situation" on her way from Dallas to New York. Cirium noted the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 39% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays, Cirium said. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site did not post any American Airlines flights Tuesday morning, but it showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms were developing in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That's because finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so it had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The Transportation Security Administration said it expected to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Be the first to knowWhether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decides to stay or go, the country could be heading toward a spring election and the government’s current legislative agenda would be relegated to the archives. Some of the bills that are in jeopardy include the controversial Online Harms Act, which targets issues like child pornography and would create a new hate crime offence punishable by life imprisonment. Entering the last year of its mandate, the minority Liberal government has been able to pass a number of major pieces of legislation, whether around the regulation of information or firearms. Other big pieces, like those pertaining to dental care and pharmacare, were brought forward and passed as part of the Liberals’ commitment to the NDP in exchange for keeping the government in power until June 2025. Now that the NDP has announced fully reversing its stance, promising to take down the government instead of supporting it on confidence votes, it appears the future of a few impactful government bills is in question. Whether this comes by a spring election or Trudeau proroguing Parliament to avoid this outcome remains to be seen. The prime minister has been under increased pressure to step down from his own caucus since Chrystia Freeland resigned from cabinet on Dec. 16. In any case, House business ground to a halt during the fall sitting and there is no indication to date that conditions will be different when the House resumes sitting on Jan. 27. The opposition led a filibuster in recent months in response to the government not fully complying with a House order to submit all documents pertaining to the federal green fund SDTC to the RCMP. Another factor impacting the approval of remaining bills is their stage in the parliamentary review process. Virani said his government would aim to pass the first portion of the bill that deals with protecting children online. This portion would also create a Digital Safety Commission to regulate social media companies. The government bill to amend the Canada Elections Act is also at risk of dying before the next election. Bill C-65 would create two additional days of advance polling and would strengthen measures to combat foreign interference. Conservatives have also said the Liberals and the NDP have sought to make this change so that MPs who stand to lose their seats in the October election would qualify for their pensions. MPs first elected in 2019 will qualify on Oct. 21, 2025, after six years of service.Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. 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By MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Related Articles National Politics | Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.By MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Related Articles National Politics | H5N1 virus in Louisiana bird flu patient shows mutations that could increase transmissibility to humans National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.