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The legal fray builds in a very close North Carolina Supreme Court electionIowa turns to former walk-on QB to start against MarylandNumbers of children with complex needs predicted to double in WalesDo tree-shaped Reese’s actually taste better than a regular peanut butter cup?
Microsoft flags $0.8M writedown on stake in GM-backed CruisePhrank Shaibu, ex-VP Atiku Abubakar's aide, has cautioned the Tinubu administration to exercise caution in its dealings with France Shaibu's warning comes as France's influence in the region wanes, with countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger rejecting French dominance He advised that Nigeria must prioritise its sovereignty and regional leadership aspirations, scrutinising any alliance with France through the lens of national interest CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Abuja , FCT - Phrank Shaibu, special assistant on public communication to ex-VP Atiku Abubakar, has warned that the Tinubu administration must tread carefully in its dealings with France, citing concerns about Paris's neo-colonial ambitions in West Africa. Shaibu made his position known in an op-ed titled See Paris And Die! released on Thursday, December 26. France's waning influence in West Africa Shaibu's warning comes amidst a backdrop of France's waning influence in the region, with several countries rejecting French dominance. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! France is facing a diplomatic crisis in Africa , particularly in West Africa, where it has maintained significant influence over its former colonies for decades. Read also FG breaks silence on terror links with France to destabilise Niger Republic: “A dangerous attempt” However, countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger are increasingly rejecting French dominance, with military coups leading to the expulsion of French troops and businesses. France and Nigeria: A new alliance? Amidst this backdrop, France appears to be seeking a new alliance with Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration. In November, President Tinubu embarked on a three-day working visit to France following President Emmanuel Macron's invitation. However, Shaibu raised concerns about this development, recalling the historical tensions between France and Nigeria. According to him, France has traditionally viewed Nigeria as a competitor and threat to its influence in West Africa, while Nigeria has not forgotten France's support for Biafran secessionists during the civil war. Tread carefully, Shaibu advises Tinubu's govt Shaibu warned that the brewing alliance has far-reaching implications for Nigeria. He cautioned that Nigeria risks becoming a pawn in France's neo-colonial ambitions, undermining its sovereignty and regional leadership aspirations. Read also Year in review: 7 political events that shaped Nigeria in 2024 He urged the Tinubu administration to tread carefully, emphasising that Nigeria cannot afford to become a stepping stone for France's resurgence in West Africa. Shaibu stressed the importance of scrutinising any alliance with France through the lens of national interest and historical experience. His words: "The Tinubu administration must tread carefully. Nigeria cannot afford to become a stepping stone for France’s resurgence in West Africa, nor can it allow itself to be manipulated into a subservient role in a relationship historically marked by exploitation. The romance with France must be approached with vigilance and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty, dignity, and leadership in Africa. "The question, therefore, is not just where this alliance is heading, but whether it is worth the price Nigeria may have to pay. Only time will tell if this partnership will serve Nigeria’s interests or if it will reduce the nation to yet another pawn in France's relentless quest for dominance in Africa." Read also Presidency spits fire as Peter Obi addresses tragic stampedes across Nigeria: “You lack decency” Read more about Nigeria-France relations Nigerian state visit signals shift in France's Africa strategy Peter Obi Knocks Tinubu Over Visit to France FG Breaks Silence on Alleged Links with France to Destabilise Niger Republic Nigerian president woos French investment on state visit Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu said Nigeria is "open for business" as he embarked on a state visit to France, with Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent. The 72-year-old president met with his French counterpart, Macron, during the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades. Macron, 46, who has sought a "renewal" between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election, said his country would "continue to invest" in Nigeria when France's influence on the continent wanes following military coups and changing attitudes. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngSAN FRANCISCO — Once general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and her Golden State Valkyries staff had decided who to pick in the WNBA expansion draft, the first challenge became reaching each player with the news before she heard it anywhere else. That meant considering practice times, game schedules, time zones and potential sleep times. It all seemed worthwhile on Friday night when the roster began taking shape. The way Nyanin looks at it, they are all part of history, about to join something being built from the ground up. "I just want these players to be happy," Nyanin said. "I want them to understand the opportunity that they have to come and be historians. Once you get to put on that jersey and you get to sit in front of a packed Chase Center, your whole experience is going to change." The Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert from Atlanta, guards Veronica Burton of Connecticut and Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde from Chicago with their initial picks on Friday, the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that's set to begin play next season. Golden State rounded out its 11-woman roster with Indiana center Temi Fagbenle; Las Vegas guard Kate Martin; forwards Steph Talbot of Los Angeles, Cecilia Zandalasini of Minnesota, Kayla Thornton of New York and Monique Billings of Phoenix; and Washington guard Julie Vanloo. The Valkyries did not choose a player from Seattle. Thornton is riding high after helping the Liberty to a WNBA title. Martin, a second-round draft pick this year who played with Caitlin Clark at Iowa, could get more playing time and enjoy a big jump in productivity after she averaged 11.5 minutes and 2.6 points as a rookie with the Aces. Nyanin described the process of starting a new team as "complex." "I think these athletes are a really good step forward in our journey," said Nyanin, who also had conversations about trades. "I was so excited about the blank canvas, and then behind closed doors it was blank. Nobody's name just appeared or anything so there was a lot of work that myself and my team put into it. The complexities around it is what I want to continue to highlight because these are 11 humans, right? They all thought one thing and they woke up today or are still sleeping and they're a part of the Golden State Valkyries." The team plans to be active when free agency starts in February. Golden State did extensive scouting work and had discussions on each player to determine how she might fit in a new system. "It's a long process but it's also a great process for us," coach Natalie Nakase said. "We kind of did this cycle, where we collaborate, we discuss and then we go watch film, then do it again ... and that went over and over again for about two months. And finally we decided, we picked the best players that fit our culture. So we're excited and can't wait to get going." This marked the WNBA's first expansion draft in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State was free to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. The Valkyries can also choose one player from the league who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, the 5-year-old home of the Golden State Warriors, and practice across the bay in the organization's Oakland training facility. Warriors star Draymond Green sported a Valkyries jersey with No. 25 on the back — for the inaugural campaign of 2025 — while sitting out injured during Thursday's win over the Houston Rockets. There is already plenty of hype in San Francisco and beyond. And there was excitement on both sides during those initial calls to the players. "We got some really good reactions," Nyanin said. "We talked about it just internally the three of us, like, 'Should we have taped that, should we have kind of screen recorded or something?' I'm very happy that we didn't. That's a moment that we will get to share just the four of us with each of the different athletes." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's passing on Tuesday at the age of 92 triggered an outpouring of condolence messages and tributes from political leaders from both sides of the aisle and industry titans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Singh one of India's "most distinguished leaders" in a post on X. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party defeated Singh's Congress alliance in the 2014 elections and has been in power since. Singh was a "respected economist," Modi added, who left "a strong imprint" on India's economic policy. Before he became prime minister in 2004, Singh served as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India in 1982 and as minister of finance in 1991. As finance minister, he led a series of reforms that deregulated India's economy and opened the country to foreign investment. Facing an acute balance of payments crisis, then-Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and Singh liberalized the economy that paved the way for its rapid expansion in the following decades. "History will forever honour his pivotal role in the transformative 1991 reforms that reshaped India and opened its doors to the world," wrote Gautam Adani, India's second-richest person and chairperson of Indian conglomerate Adani Group. Singh returned to politics in 2004 when a Congress-led coalition swept the elections, and party leader Sonia Gandhi appointed him prime minister. Under his tenure between 2004 and 2014, India's gross domestic product initially expanded rapidly, allowing Singh to deploy the new wealth to programs such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act , which guaranteed jobs for the poor. The later years of Singh's stint as prime minister were, however, marred by sclerotic growth, a stalling of reforms and allegations of corruption against certain members of the government. Singh played a pivotal role in strengthening India's ties with Washington, visiting the U.S. multiple times as prime minister. In 2006, when U.S. President George W. Bush visited India, Singh managed to broker a deal that gave India access to U.S. nuclear technology. "Dr. Singh was one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-India strategic partnership, and his work laid the foundation for much of what our countries have accomplished together in the past two decades," wrote the U.S. Department of State on Singh's passing. Apart from the U.S., Singh also strengthened India's ties with Russia. He was a regular attendee of the India-Russia Annual Summit, which began in 2000, and aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries and among BRIC nations. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said on X that "Dr Manmohan Singh's contribution to our bilateral ties was immeasurable."
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Diesel instead of hydrogen in the Taunus – trains too prone to failure Since its launch, hydrogen technology has caused problems in rail traffic in the Taunus region. Now trains with diesel engines are temporarily being used again on one route. As a consequence of the problems with hydrogen trains in the Taunus, the Rhein-Main Transport Association (RMV) is temporarily using trains with diesel engines again on one route. In January, a total of 16 diesel-powered trains will gradually replace the hydrogen trains between Bad Homburg and Brandoberndorf (line RB15), the RMV announced. An emergency timetable is currently in effect on the route, and passengers sometimes have to change to replacement buses. The diesel replacement vehicles will gradually take over journeys in January and are rented until the end of next year. The fact that there is a replacement for the failure-prone hydrogen trains from the manufacturer Alstom is the result of months of effort. Alstom will bear the costs. The launch of the world’s largest fleet with the environmentally friendly technology in the Taunus network was planned for December 2022. But there were problems right from the start. The provision of the trains was delayed, then their operation proved unreliable. However, hydrogen trains are still running in the Taunus: on the RB12 Königstein–Frankfurt. Between Friedberg and Friedrichsdorf (RB 16), however, diesel trains are already running as a replacement. When the diesel vehicles are then in use on the RB15, manufacturer Alstom will carry out a general overhaul of the fault-prone technical components of the hydrogen trains. The aim is “to ensure permanently reliable operation in the Taunus network beyond 2025,” explained the RMV. RMV supervisory board chairman Ulrich Krebs, district administrator of the Hochtaunus district, explained that the diesel trains would ensure a reliable range of journeys. However, the drive has no long-term future. “It is all the more regrettable that Alstom has done a disservice to trust in new types of drive with the two-year series of breakdowns,” added the CDU politician. Reliable operation on the route was finally achieved in the summer, but then there were technical problems again in late summer, explained RMV managing director Knut Ringat. Alstom has now taken measures to ensure that there are sufficient hydrogen trains available for the emergency timetable. Production of important spare parts has been ramped up and workshop staff are working additional shifts. “Alstom must make intensive use of the coming year to finally get the fleet fit and reliable in the long term,” demanded Ringat. Passenger information is also to be improved. To this end, ten displays have been purchased for six stations on the RB15 line, the RMV announced. READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Diesel instead of hydrogen in the Taunus – trains too prone to failure, Centrica Says Hydrogen Can Reduce Household Bills by £35 a Year (Bloomberg) — Centrica Plc said hydrogen storage can help cut UK electricity bills, even as the economic viability of the technology is questioned... Omega Seiki Mobility to Launch Hydrogen-Powered Three-Wheelers in India by 2024 A New Era in Sustainable Transport Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) is setting the stage for a breakthrough in India’s commercial vehicle segment... Liquid Wind raises €44 million in Series C financing with Uniper, HYCAP and Samsung Ventures to meet increasing demand for low-carbon fuels The €44 million ($47m USD) raise is one of the largest funding rounds in Europe...The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels
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NoneRobinson has 15 in Delaware State's 80-77 win against LoyolaSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Valerie Starkey was driving through Northern California to visit relatives when she suddenly felt shaking and feared her car had broken down, only to realize later that it was an earthquake so powerful that it triggered a tsunami warning for hundreds of miles of the U.S. West Coast. The epicenter of Thursday's 7.0 magnitude shaker occurred in what’s known as California’s “earthquake country” because it’s where three tectonic plates meet. The temblor was the most powerful to rattle the state since a 7.1-magnitude quake hit Ridgecrest in 2019. Its intensity shocked Starkey and many of the 5.3 million other people along nearly 500 miles (805 kilometers) of the California and Oregon coasts who were under the tsunami warning for about an hour. It was lifted after no major waves arrived. “I thought my axles had fallen apart,” said Starkey, a Del Norte County supervisor representing Crescent City, a town of fewer than 6,000 near the Oregon border. “That’s what I was feeling ... ‘My axles are broken now.’ I did not realize it was an earthquake.” The quake struck at 10:44 a.m. west of Ferndale, a small city in coastal Humboldt County, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) from the Oregon border, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The shaking knocked items off grocery store shelves and sent children scrambling under desks at schools. It was felt as far south as San Francisco, some 270 miles (435 kilometers) away, where residents described a rolling motion for several seconds. It was followed by multiple smaller aftershocks. There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries from the quake. The tsunami warning issued shortly after the quake struck spanned from the edge of California’s Monterey Bay north into Oregon. “It was a strong quake. Our building shook. We’re fine, but I have a mess to clean up right now,” said Julie Kreitzer, owner of Golden Gait Mercantile, a store packed with food, wares and souvenirs that is a main attraction in Ferndale. "I have to go. I have to try and salvage something for the holidays because it’s going to be a tough year,” Kreitzer said before hanging up. The region — known for its redwood forests, scenic mountains and the three-county Emerald Triangle’s legendary marijuana crop — was struck by a magnitude 6.4 quake in 2022 that left thousands of people without power and water. The northwest corner of California is the most seismically active part of the state because it’s where three tectonic plates meet, seismologist Lucy Jones said on the social media platform BlueSky. Shortly after the quake, phones in Northern California buzzed with the tsunami warning from the National Weather Service that said: “A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters. Move to high ground or inland now. Keep away from the coast until local officials say it is safe to return.” Numerous cities urged people to evacuate to higher ground as a precaution. In Santa Cruz, authorities cleared the main beach, taping off entrances with police tape. Aerial footage showed cars bumper-to-bumper heading to higher ground on California highways 1 and 92 in the Half Moon Bay area south of San Francisco. Cindy Vosburg, the executive director for the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce, said she heard alarms sound just before shaking began, and the city's cultural center downtown started to creak. “Just as it would start to subside, the building would roll again," Vosburg said. White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said President Joe Biden was briefed on the earthquake and that FEMA officials are in touch with their state and local counterparts in California and Oregon. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off on a state of emergency declaration to quickly move state resources to impacted areas along the coast. State officials were concerned about damage in the northern part of the state, Newsom said. Crews in Eureka, the biggest city in the region, were assessing if there was any damage. Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel, who works at a middle school, said lights were swaying and everyone got under desks. “The kids were so great and terrified. It seemed to go back and forth for quite a long time,” she said. Some children asked, “Can I call my mom?" The students were later sent home. Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said residents experienced cracks in their homes’ foundations, as well as broken glass and windows, but nothing severe. Honsal said he was in his office in the 75-year-old courthouse in downtown Eureka when he felt the quake. “We’re used to it. It is known as ‘earthquake country’ up here,” he said. “It wasn’t a sharp jolt. It was a slow roller, but significant.” The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, known as BART, stopped traffic in all directions through the underwater tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland, and the San Francisco Zoo’s visitors were evacuated. This quake was a strike-slip type of temblor that shifts more horizontally and is less prone to cause tsunamis, unlike the more vertical types, said National Weather Service tsunami program manager Corina Allen in Washington state. Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Christopher Weber, Jaimie Ding and Dorany Pineda in Los Angeles; Martha Mendoza in Santa Cruz, California; Sophie Austin and Tran Nguyen in Sacramento, California; and Seth Borenstein in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
JuJu Watkins scores 21, No. 6 USC downs Oregon 66-53 in Big Ten openerSkattebo and Arizona State to the playoff after 45-19 win over Iowa State in Big 12 title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Big 12 newcomer Arizona State will represent the conference in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Cam Skattebo ran for 170 yards and two scores while adding a touchdown catch the 12th-ranked Sun Devils beat No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 championship game. The Sun Devils with 34-year-old head coach Kenny Dillingham are 11-2 after being the preseason pick to finish at the bottom of their new 16-team league. They have won six games in a row. Iowa State is 10-3, already the first 10-win season in the program's 133-year history. Boise State makes the College Football Playoff as Big 12's 1st-round bye chances dim INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The first big win in college football’s postseason goes to Boise State. The have Broncos captured the Mountain West Conference title and earned their spot in the sport’s first 12-team playoff. As for the losers, there was UNLV, which fell 21-7 to Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos in the conference title game. But more than that, it was the Big 12, which saw one path to a first-round bye in those playoffs blocked off by Jeanty and Company. Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn finished in the middle of the pack in a pair of lower-level downhill events as she competed for the first time in nearly six years. The 40-year-old Vonn is on the comeback trail after stepping away from the sport because of injuries. Vonn wasn't concerned with times and places in the races so much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races she had enough points to enter World Cup events. Man City drops more points after draw with Crystal Palace and Man United loses again Manchester City’s Premier League title defense has taken another blow after a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Four-time defending champion City ended a seven-game winless run on Wednesday by beating Nottingham Forest. But City has dropped more points on Saturday after the draw at Selhurst Park. It could have been worse for City after Palace led twice. Pep Guardiola’s team is fourth in the standings and eight points behind leader Liverpool. Liverpool has a game in hand after its derby with Everton was postponed due to a storm. Amber Glenn becomes first US woman in 14 years to win figure skating Grand Prix Final GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Amber Glenn has become the first American to win the women’s Grand Prix Final competition since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago. Glenn landed a triple axel on her way to a total score of 212.07 points to beat Japan's Mone Chiba and triple world champion Kaori Sakamoto. That continues a stunning breakout season at the age of 25 for Glenn. The U.S. could win two more titles later Saturday. Ilia Malinin leads the men’s event ahead of the free skate and Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the ice dance. Norris takes pole for season-ending Abu Dhabi GP and Hamilton 18th in Mercedes farewell ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Lando Norris took pole position for the last Formula 1 race of the season alongside teammate Oscar Piastri to put McLaren on the verge of a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Norris’ last lap put him .209 of a second faster than Piastri, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. .020 further back. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton qualified 18th for his last race with Mercedes after a bizarre incident wrecked his final qualifying lap. A plastic pole marking the inside of a corner was knocked loose by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Hamilton drove over it. Big 12's Yormark brings up hard choices for fans before sparsely attended title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — College football fans are facing some hard choices in the expanded playoff system with some teams set to play away from home multiple times. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark raised that point before the sparsely attended title game between No. 12 Arizona State and 16th-ranked Iowa State. There were thousands of empty seats at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Yormark says he remains committed to having a Big 12 title game. Besides the issues of fans, there have been suggestions that some leagues might be better off without title games as it relates to playoff hopes. Everton vs. Liverpool postponed because of Storm Darragh. Other Premier League games remain on LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed because of Storm Darragh's dangerous winds and heavy rain on the west coast. The Met office says parts of Wales have experienced wind gusts of over 90 mph. The four other Premier League games Saturday remained on as planned. Manchester United will host Nottingham Forest at 5:30 p.m. local time at Old Trafford. The remaining games start at 3 p.m. local time. Aston Villa hosts Southampton and urged fans to use extra time to get to Villa Park in Birmingham. In London, Brentford will host Newcastle, and Crystal Palace will host Manchester City. Ashton Jeanty lets his play do the talking for CFP-bound Boise State BOISE, Idaho (AP) — After Ashton Jeanty streaked through the middle of UNLV’s defense on his way to a 75-yard touchdown run Friday night in the Mountain West Conference title game, he didn’t strike the Heisman pose. He didn’t even lobby for it after the game, instead letting his play do the talking in No. 10 Boise State's 21-7 victory over No. 19 UNLV 21-7. Jeanty added another 209 yards — his sixth game over 200 yards this season — to push his total to 2,497 — just 132 yards short of passing Barry Sanders’ FBS season rushing record. The Broncos earned a spot in the College Football Playoff with the victory. No. 24 Army wins AAC championship in first attempt as Daily runs for 4 TDs in 35-14 win over Tulane WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Bryson Daily rushed for four touchdowns to tie the American Athletic Conference championship game record, and No. 24 Army completed a perfect first season in the league by beating Tulane 35-14. Kanye Udoh rushed for 158 yards, including a 72-yarder to set up a Daily TD, and a score. Daily added 126 yards on the ground for the Black Knights, who overwhelmed AAC opponents with their bruising, clock-eating rushing attack during their first around the league, then ran it to perfection in the championship game. Army moved to 11-1. Daily had runs of 5, 3, 4 and 7 yards.