True freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid. Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season. Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday's contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense. Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards. Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams. The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards. The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers. Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida. --Field Level MediaPilenko's four decades of energy and infrastructure expertise adds operational leadership depth as LanzaTech continues global deployment and scaling of its carbon management solution CHICAGO, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNZA) ("LanzaTech” or the "Company”), the carbon recycling company transforming above-ground carbon into sustainable fuels, chemicals, materials, and protein, today announced the appointment of Thierry Pilenko, former Executive Chairman of TechnipFMC plc ("TechnipFMC”), to its Board of Directors. With more than 40 years of experience in the energy and industrial sectors, Pilenko brings invaluable expertise and leadership related to large-scale infrastructure development, technology deployment, and profitable growth. Pilenko's extensive experience and industry acumen are expected to provide valuable guidance as LanzaTech advances the commercial deployment of its technology and accelerates its timeline to profitability. "We are thrilled to welcome Thierry to our Board of Directors,” said LanzaTech Chair and CEO Dr. Jennifer Holmgren. "His proven track record of deploying innovative technologies and driving large-scale infrastructure projects will bring key insights as we execute LanzaTech's ambitious growth strategy. Thierry spent the first 20 years of his career with Schlumberger Limited, deploying technologies on five continents. He then continued on to become a seasoned public company executive who successfully led TechnipFMC, Technip, and Veritas DGC. Throughout his exceptional career, Thierry developed a deep understanding of the global industrial landscape and the evolving competitive dynamics of the energy industry and the energy transition. Thierry's operational leadership in global, complex and capital-intensive industries is central to advancing our mission to provide resilient, reliable technology that advances above-ground carbon recycling and produces commercial-scale ethanol that can be used in a wide range of applications, including sustainable aviation fuel.” During his tenure as Executive Chairman of TechnipFMC, and Chairman and CEO of Technip, Thierry led a large global team delivering energy solutions across 45 countries and was pivotal in overseeing Technip's transformation and merger with FMC Technologies. This merger demonstrated the power of integration to significantly reduce costs and improve economics of large-scale projects while reducing corporate overhead costs. Under Pilenko's leadership, Technip successfully executed landmark projects such as Shell's $12 billion Prelude floating LNG facility and the $20+ billion Yamal LNG project. "It is an honor to join LanzaTech's Board of Directors and contribute to the company's pioneering and commercially proven carbon management solution,” said Pilenko. "Having spent my career in the energy sector, I understand the critical importance of deploying replicable technology solutions and know first-hand what it takes to successfully put steel in the ground and achieve desired returns. LanzaTech's innovative approach to carbon reuse offers a unique and proven solution that will have a substantial impact on the energy transition. I am deeply committed to advancing these technologies and ensuring their widespread adoption for a more sustainable future.” In addition to joining LanzaTech's Board, Pilenko currently serves on the boards of Arkema, a leading specialty materials company, and Trident Energy, an oil and gas production company. He is also the Board Chair of Rely, a green hydrogen-focused joint venture, and a co-founder of P6 Technologies, a SaaS platform for carbon lifecycle analysis. The appointment of Pilenko as an independent director increases LanzaTech's board of directors to seven members, filling a previously vacant seat and further strengthening the Company's corporate governance. About LanzaTech LanzaTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNZA) is the carbon recycling company transforming waste carbon into sustainable fuels, chemicals, materials, and protein for everyday products. Using its biorecycling technology, LanzaTech captures carbon generated by energy-intensive industries at the source, preventing it from being emitted into the air. LanzaTech then gives that captured carbon a new life as a clean replacement for virgin fossil carbon in everything from household cleaners and clothing fibers to packaging and fuels. By partnering with companies across the global supply chain like ArcelorMittal, Coty, Craghoppers, REI, and LanzaJet, LanzaTech is paving the way for a circular carbon economy. For more information about LanzaTech, visit https://lanzatech.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the plans, strategies, and prospects, both business and financial, of LanzaTech. These statements are based on the beliefs, assumptions, projections and conclusions of LanzaTech's management. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are outside LanzaTech's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. LanzaTech cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and you should not rely on forward-looking statements. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including those concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes,” "estimates,” "expects,” "projects,” "forecasts,” "may,” "will,” "should,” "seeks,” "plans,” "scheduled,” "anticipates,” "intends” or similar expressions. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: timing delays in the advancement of projects to the final investment decision stage or into construction; failure by customers to adopt new technologies and platforms; fluctuations in the availability and cost of feedstocks and other process inputs; the availability and continuation of government funding and support; broader economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, supply chain disruptions, employment conditions, and competitive pressures; unforeseen technical, regulatory, or commercial challenges in scaling proprietary technologies, business functions or operational disruptions; and other economic, business, or competitive factors, and other risks and uncertainties, including the risk factors and other information contained in LanzaTech's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other existing and future filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement herein is based only on information currently available to LanzaTech and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. LanzaTech undertakes no obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Investor Relations Kate Walsh VP, Investor Relations & Tax [email protected] Media Relations Kit McDonnell Director of Communications [email protected]
To fashion girlies, fall/winter is widely considered the best sartorial season of them all. I mean, these months provide the perfect climate for maximum closet optimization. You can layer your favorite warm-weather clothes and turn them into cozy outfits, not to mention your entire jacket collection finally gets resurrected—nothing is off the table. That said, the most joyous sartorial aspect of the season is fashion's annual return to . Chelsea boots, over-the-knee boots, ankle boots, and UGG boots are all styles we collectively go back to year after year. Beloved for their wearability and innate statement-making capabilities, these shoes are considered the GOATs every fall and winter. As always, these staples will make their return, but this year there are several new styles on the menu, as well. For one, are back, waking up from a 10-year slumber to take center stage once more. The classic riding boot, too, is having a resurgence, offering a modern take on the 2010 Pinterest aesthetics of yore. Meanwhile, have become a must-have style that no shoe collection is complete without. This is all to say: there are a whole lot of iterations to choose from. And now that the new year is here, it's time to refresh and refine your personal collection. Ahead, I invite you to peruse these and more types of stylish boots. Platform boots Platform boots are the bad bitch's best friend. They're innately edgy, punk, and surprisingly functional, due to the added traction of the chunky sole (I wear mine instead of snow boots). Knee-highs, ankle boots, even over-the-knee—no shoe style can't be improved with a flatform sole. Try these: ASOS DESIGN Carmen Chunky Flat Knee Boots Cowboy Boots Beyoncé didn't invent these, but she might as well have. C'mon, ? That plus the coastal cowgirl trend... It's safe to say Western-inspired footwear has taken over the fashion scene. Typically, these are made of durable leather, with intricate and ornate embossing and embroidery. Pointed-toe styles are the most popular, but you can shop square toes, as well. Try these: Tecovas The Annie Star UGG Boots Ok, this is a brand name and not a shoe style, but UGG has more than earned its place on this list. It made the padded, round-toe shoe style famous and now, it's utterly ubiquitous. Usually, these boots are lined with thick fur and have a suede outer, for optimum insulation and comfort. UGG Women's Classic Chillapeak Knee-High Boots Knee-high boots are really in their main character era. These are one of (if not ) trendiest boot designs of the moment, having successfully climbed the fashion ranks until they reached complete market domination. You can shop them in every fabric imaginable, from leather and suede to snakeskin, leopard print, croc, and more. Try these: Marc Fisher Lalita Foldover Dress Boot Combat Boots Combat boots are basically the chill older sister of the pop-punk platform. Inspired by OG military boots, these feature a lace-up front and a rounded toe—usually made of black leather. They pair well with girly dresses and mini-skirts. Vivaia Round-Toe Lug Sole Lace-Up Ankle Boots (Florence) Biker Boots Though —otherwise known as motorcycle boots—have been a staple in the motorcycle enthusiast crowd for, well, , they've also been the subject of interest among fashion girlies for a while now. You can spot a moto boot because of its rounded toe and buckled detailing. Aerosoles Comfortable Women's Knee High Squared Toe Engineer Boot Mid-Calf Boots Mid-calf boot styles are equal parts chic and practical. Because of their casual-cool design, these might be the most versatile options on the list. You can wear them with pretty much anything, during pretty much any season. Sarto Amari Mid Calf Boot Chelsea Boots Chelsea boots are a stylish unisex shoe style beloved by all. They usually hit at mid-calf or ankle height and are typically categorized by the stretchy panel on each side of the shoe. Said panel acts as a chic design detail and also makes for easy slip-on. Try these: Madewell The Idris Ankle Boot Riding Boots Equestrians did it first! But now that the horse girl aesthetic is here to stay, as are these knee-high flat boots. Though they were originally created for *actual* horseback riding, they look just as good on the subway. Try these: NATURALIZER Jessie Knee High Riding Boot Ankle Boots Ankle booties are the mini skirt's best friend. The two go hand-in-hand, working together to show off every inch of those legs. Designs run the gamut, from olive green stilettos to chunky lug-sole styles—Chelsea boots, too, are considered ankle boots, ICYWW. Mix No. 6 Tasea Bootie Over-the-Knee Boots Easily the most statement-making boot type on the list, these babies are bold by definition—and only for the brave of heart. Solid-colored styles are the easiest to style, but you can choose from heeled versions, flat, or platform, if you're really feeling feisty. Try these: Jeffrey Campbell Overlook Over The Knee Boots Why trust Cosmo: Cosmo’s team of fashion experts—which includes senior director of commerce , senior accessories editor , and fashion editor —have decades of experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore Page and conduct research across retailers of all kinds to bring you the best clothing and accessory picks for every season. Basically, we've curated a chic little corner of the internet for you like it’s our job (because it is, heh). We have pretty high standards when it comes to clothing and accessory recommendations. Each of our shopping articles adheres to the and includes products for all sizes. And you better believe we read those product reviews (and test many of the brands IRL) so you don't have to. You're welcome! Kelsey (she/her) is a freelance digital fashion editor and writer with a knack for turning top-performing content into top-selling content. She has extensive experience in editorial and e-commerce strategy, having worked in both divisions during her years at Seventeen and Bustle. With more than a decade of experience in digital media, she also offers creative and social media consulting, as well as copywriting services. She enjoys cheeseburgers, traveling, and vintage hauls. Follow her on Instagram at . Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at , where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for , , and . Follow her on to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is .Srinagar, Dec 29: The year 2024 proved to be a landmark for Jammu and Kashmir’s education sector, defined by bold reforms, critical challenges, and remarkable milestones. From schools to universities, the year saw significant shifts in policies and priorities, reshaping the region’s academic landscape. At the school level, the government’s decision to restore the November session brought both nostalgia and logistical hurdles, with students in junior classes navigating two annual exams in a single year. Meanwhile, recruitment efforts in the School Education Department (SED), including the long-awaited advertisement for 575 lecturer posts, offered a glimmer of hope for addressing long-standing faculty shortages. In higher education, a steep decline in college admissions raised red flags, prompting fresh strategies to boost enrollment. At the same time, universities oscillated between setbacks and achievements while the University of Kashmir (KU) slipped in national rankings, University of Jammu (JU) climbed the NIRF ladder and secured a historic NAAC A++ grading. Other institutions, like Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), showcased growth in research and innovation, underscoring the evolving academic aspirations of the region. As the schools reopened in March 2024, post winter vacations, the students from all the classes appeared in their annual (2023) examination and later joined their new classes in April. On October 30 of 2024, the J&K Chief Minister along with the Education Minister announced the restoration of the November session for schools up to class 9th from the current academic session. The announcement was followed by the issuance of a formal order to restore the previous November examination session in the schools. In wake of this a uniform date sheet was notified by the Directorate of the School Education Kashmir (DSEK) and the students appeared in their annual exams (assessment) as the November session. With the restoration of the November session, the junior class students appeared in annual exams of two classes in one year. Besides a ‘major decline’ in the admissions in the Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) across J&K, the year 2024 marked the completion of the three years of the first NEP-2020 Batch and the students will enter in their 4th year in 2025. As per the NEP, the colleges have to ensure the research and internship of the students in their 4th year. However it remains to be seen if the colleges will be able to ensure the two important aspects because colleges are not well equipped in terms of faculty and equipment. At the University level, some major decisions were taken by the J&K government in which two sitting Vice Chancellors got extension of two years while the VC Jammu University was re-appointed for a tenure of three years. The incumbent VC of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) was given an extension of two years in July 2024. He was appointed as VC of IUST in 2021 as the fourth Vice Chancellor. In another development, the term of incumbent Vice Chancellor of the SKUAST-Kashmir Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganaie was extended for two years. The order for extension came into effect from December 16 of 2024, the date of completion of his existing three year term. Also, the incumbent VC of the Jammu University Prof. Umesh Rai was re-appointed as the VC for three years with effect from April 5 of 2025. The year 2024 also saw the appointment of new VCs in two universities. Senior Professor in the Institute of Management in Keralain University of Kerala Prof K S Chandrasekar was appointed as the VC of Cluster University (CU) Jammu while Prof Jawaid Iqbal, Professor, Department of West Asian and North African Studies, Aligarh Muslim University was appointed as the new VC of BGSBU, Rajouri. Besides administrative decisions, the universities in 2024 witnessed some achievements and challenges as well. The Kashmir University slipped by 12 notches in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 announced in August 2024. The varsity slipped to 45th rank among universities assessed across the country from 33rd in NIRF 2023, indicating a noticeable decline, though it figured among the top 50 universities. Contrary to it, Jammu University (JU) went up by at least 13 slots to figure at rank 50 from the 2023 rank of 63 in the NIRF ranking. Also, the JU was awarded A++ grade with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.72 in the recent reaccreditation cycle by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), creating a history in Jammu and Kashmir for being awarded NAAC A++ Grade. The IUST Awantipora, achieved remarkable growth in admissions during the 2024 session with a significant increase by 30 percent as compared to the previous year (2023). The university also secured an aggregated financial support of Rs 13 crores in 2024 under the DPIIT Start-up India Fund Scheme, the DST NIDHI i-TBI initiative, and the CIED-IUST Seed Fund. IUST was given a 4-star ranking by the Indian Innovation Council. IUST published 335 research papers indexed in globally recognized databases, Scopus and Web of Science in 2024. The IUST’s research excellence is reflected in its impressive h-index, which stands at 59 on Scopus and 44 on Web of Science. In 2024, the SKUAST-Kashmir doubled its undergraduate programs, expanding from seven courses in 2018 to 13 courses in 2024. Under the Mission Skill, SKUAST-K conducted 650 Skill Development Programs in 2024 as compared to 550 programs in 2024. As 2024 concludes, the duality of progress and challenges across Jammu and Kashmir’s education sector sets the stage for a critical year ahead, where the outcomes of these pivotal reforms will begin to unfold.
How Blake Lively once complicated her advocacy against Hollywood predators
Ban use of dogs for certain kinds of hunting, Tucson group asks Arizona
True freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid. Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season. Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday's contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense. Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards. Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams. The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards. The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers. Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida. --Field Level MediaOver the weekend, Blake Lively elevated herself into the pantheon of famous Hollywood women who have taken monumental, #MeToo-inspired stands against sexual predation in the entertainment industry. The 37-year-old star not only publicly detailed her own painful experience with sexual harassment on the set of her movie, “It Ends With Us,” in a legal complaint and in , she also chronicled the way she was allegedly targeted by a sophisticated social media “smear campaign” during the film’s release in August. The purpose of this campaign, allegedly orchestrated by cunning and craven Hollywood publicists, was to damage her reputation for the sake of advancing the career and the personal brand of her alleged harasser, co-star and director Justin Baldoni. In a statement to the New York Times, Lively valiantly said, “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.” Nearly seven years ago, during the rise of the #MeToo movement. But unlike now, Lively’s purported advocacy for women speaking up against sexual misconduct was met with skepticism and even backlash. That’s because Lively had chosen to publicly support one of the industry’s most famous alleged predators, Woody Allen. Among other things, Lively praised Allen for his “very empowering” direction after she co-starred in his 2016 film “Cafe Society.” During press interviews for the film, she also refused to address the sexual assault allegations made against him by his own daughter, Dylan Farrow. Indeed, one prominent person speaking out against Lively in late 2017 and early 2018 was Dylan Farrow, who originally accused the filmmaker of molesting her in 1992, when she was 7 years old. While Dylan Farrow praised women in the industry for “taking a stand” to effect change in Hollywood, that Lively and other celebrity #MeToo advocates who had worked with her father were actually complicit “in the culture they are fighting against.” “The people who join this movement without taking any kind of personal accountability for the ways in which their own words and decisions have helped to perpetuate the culture they are fighting against, that’s hard for me to reconcile,” Dylan Farrow said When Lively was initially cast in Allen’s “Cafe Society” in 2015, the former TV actor no doubt relished the chance to gain serious acting credibility by working with Allen, then still revered as one of world cinema’s best-loved auteurs. A year later, after “Cafe Society” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Lively gushed about joining an elite class of actresses who could be considered Allen “muses,” telling that it was “really cool to work with a director who’s done so much.” But it was during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival that public opinion began to turn against Allen, and Lively began to feel some heat. The change was led by Allen’s own son, journalist Ronan Farrow, whose later reporting on the alleged sex crimes of producer Harvey Weinstein helped spur the #MeToo movement. In for The Hollywood Reporter, Farrow reminded movie fans — and A-list stars like Lively — that his father had allegedly “groomed” his sister with inappropriate touching as a young girl and sexually assaulted her when she was 7. The allegations against Allen first became public in the 1990s, amid his stormy break-up from longtime girlfriend Mia Farrow, Ronan and Dylan’s mother. As Allen vehemently denied the molestation allegations involving Dylan, his “PR engine revved into action,” Ronan Farrow explained in his op-ed. Similar to what Lively would say about Baldoni, Allen had savvy and aggressive publicists working on his behalf to spin a narrative to the public that was favorable to him and harmful to his alleged victim, according to Ronan Farrow. In Allen’s case, this narrative sought to enlist journalists and news outlets in discrediting his own daughter’s account of being molested, Ronan Farrow said. Also similar to Baldoni, Allen’s aim was to salvage his reputation and to continue his career as a filmmaker. Ronan Farrow described how this narrative held power for more than 20 years, largely because media outlets, fearful of Allen’s power in the industry, didn’t want to consider his sister’s side of the story. The journalist described his sister’s “agony in the wake of powerful voices sweeping aside her allegations” and “the press often willing to be taken along for the ride.” He said that it also hurt his sister to see A-list actors, some of whom were personal heroes, line up to star in his movies. The day after Ronan Farrow published his op-ed piece, on being one of the actors who presumably hurt Dylan Farrow by lining up to star in her father’s movies. She demurred, saying she hadn’t read the piece. “I think that’s dangerous,” she said. “I don’t want to speak about something I haven’t read.” Lively also that any news coverage of Allen’s personal life didn’t register with her when she was making the movie. “I could (only) know my experience,” she said. “And my experience with Woody is he’s empowering to women.” Lively came to Allen’s defense in other ways by ripping into a Cannes official who made a joke about Dylan Farrow’s allegations before the “Cafe Society” screening, She said film festivals are meant to be “beautiful” events for the purpose of celebrating movies and artists, and they shouldn’t be tarnished by someone making jokes about “something (like sexual abuse) that wasn’t funny.” More than a year later, Ronan Farrow, writing for the New Yorker, joined New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor in publishing investigative stories that revealed Harvey Weinstein’s decades-long history of alleged sexual harassment and assault against scores of women. The Weinstein revelations quickly spurred many other women to come forward about sexual misconduct perpetrated by powerful men in media. As the #MeToo movement took off, Dylan Farrow gained a new platform to re-litigate her claims against her father in the court of public opinion. She in which she called out Lively, Kate Winslet and Greta Gerwig for choosing to work with her father but then refusing to “answer questions about it.” Now in 2024, Lively has become a #MeToo-style hero by going public with her allegations against Baldoni. That status was helped by the fact that her claims were detailed by the New York Times report, in a report co-authored by Twohey, one of the reporters who originally broke the Weinstein story. As with Lively’s bombshell legal complaint filed in California, the Times story also focuses on the alleged efforts by Baldoni and his publicists to damage Lively’s reputation, in order to pre-empt her claims about his sexually inappropriate behavior on set. But over the years, Lively still has not addressed her support for Allen or her refusal to discuss Dylan Farrow’s allegations. Unlike Greta Gerwig and some other actors, she also has not voiced regret for choosing to work with Allen, even after Ronan Farrow presented evidence of his father’s P.R. efforts to discredit his own daughter. But given Lively’s recent, allegedly harrowing experience with Baldoni, maybe she’ll finally feel willing to speak up about whether she regrets working for Allen.
The League of Northern Democrats (LND), said the Nigerian government response to the allegation of planned destabilisation of Niger Republic by its military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, raises more questions than answers. The league had challenged the Federal Government to react to the allegations because to keep silent would erode public confidence. LND in a statement on Friday, expressed worry at what it described as “France’s well-documented history of destabilising regions to secure access to natural resources.” The statement by the spokesman Dr. Ladan Salihu, said critical analysis of the Nigerian government’s denial and its supporting arguments reveals significant gaps in logic and veracity. “The government categorically denies colluding with France to destabilise Niger. However, France’s track record in Africa – supporting insurgencies and covert operations to secure resources – casts doubt on this outright dismissal,” the league added. It wondered why Boko Haram, ISWAP and other terror groups continued to acquire sophisticated weapons, including drones, which, it noted, are accessible only through state-sponsored channels or illicit global arms networks, if Nigeria was committed to combating terrorism. “Who are the actors facilitating these supplies and why has the government failed to curtail these supply lines for nearly two decades?” it asked. The league recalled that President Bola Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS had openly backed military invasion of Niger Republic “but for the refusal of the EU and the international community. “Nigeria’s support for ECOWAS sanctions and even military invasion against Niger following the military coup undermines this claim of fostering peace. These sanctions have exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Nigeriens and strained bilateral relations, indicating a misalignment between rhetoric and actions.” According to the statement, the Nigerian government’s denial of hosting foreign military bases does not address the central issue of “the presence of highly sophisticated weaponry in the hands of insurgents. “The claim that Nigeria safeguards its sovereignty does not explain how international arms and funding networks continue to fuel terrorism within its borders. “If Nigeria is indeed independent in its security operations, why has it been unable to intercept these networks or identify their sources?” It noted that the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Kano-Maradi Railway highlighted as evidence of its commitment to Niger’s development, were faced with delays and controversies, which it said, was often attributed to instability in the region. “If Nigeria truly prioritises these initiatives, its inability to address the root causes of regional insecurity, such as arms proliferation and terrorist funding, calls into question its sincerity. “The government’s denial of the existence of a Lakurawa terrorist headquarters in Sokoto State is undermined by the documented presence of insurgent strongholds within Nigeria’s borders. “While Operation Forest Sanity III is cited as a countermeasure, such initiatives have yet to produce lasting results. The persistence of terrorism suggests either a lack of capacity or complicity, and dismissing these allegations without transparency only fuels skepticism,” the league argued. Arewa Think Tank blames desperate politicians Meanwhile, a Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has blamed politicians for being behind the allegations by Tchiani, saying that the claims by the Niger Republic leader were the imagination and calculated moves by “desperate politicians to frustrate President Tinubu from giving Nigerians the much needed dividends of democracy.” In a statement on Friday by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the Arewa Think Tank argued that Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France or any other country to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country. “We are therefore warning desperate politicians not to mismanage our relationship with Niger Republic and cause acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. Nigeria has the history of living peacefully with the world, not to talk of living peacefully with its neighbours. The election has come and gone, it is time for governance. Politicians should wait until the whistle is blown for another election before they will start doing what they want to do for the electioneering campaign. “For now, we want peace in the country so that we can enjoy the dividends of democracy. These desperate politicians should allow President Tinubu to govern well. If they have issues with him, they should meet him for an amicable settlement, but not to rock the boat. They should not show their desperation to destabilise the country because there must be a country before anybody can govern. “Desperate politicians should not collaborate with foreign enemies to destroy this country. They have been trying to destroy this great country for a long time. We won’t allow them to do it. By God’s grace they will not succeed, Tinubu will succeed.” The Northern group said: “Arewa Think Tank strongly rejects allegations made in a viral video by the military leader of Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, claiming non-existent collusion between Nigeria and France to destabilize his country. “These claims exist solely in the realm of imagination, as Nigeria has never engaged in any overt or covert alliance with France – or any other country – to sponsor terrorist attacks or destabilize the Niger Republic in the wake of the undemocratic change in the leadership of that country. “It is on record that President Tinubu as Chairman of ECOWAS, has demonstrated exemplary leadership, keeping the doors of the sub-regional body open to re-engaging the Niger Republic despite the political situation in the country. “We believe that Nigeria remains committed to fostering peace, harmony, and historic diplomatic ties with Niger. We are happy that Nigeria’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with partners in the Multinational Joint Task Force, are succeeding in curbing terrorism within the region. It is, therefore, absurd to suggest that Nigeria would conspire with any foreign power to undermine the peace and security of a neighbouring country.” ATT said as a group committed to peace and unity of our country, Arewa Think Tank knows that no part of Nigeria has been ceded to any foreign power for subversive operations in Niger Republic. “We will continue to encourage Nigerian government officials for their untiring commitment to fostering peace and security between the government and people of Nigeria and Niger Republic, and for their efforts towards stronger cooperation in the ECOWAS region.” the statement said.
Florida State pounds Charleston Southern for second victory of seasonWall Street’s holiday cheer ended abruptly today, with all three main benchmarks slumping in a broad-based sell-off affecting even tech and growth stocks that had driven markets higher through much of the shortened trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was 0.98% lower at 1.39 p.m. ET, falling 422.63 points to 42,903.17. The index is on course to snap a five-session winning streak following a 10-session decline, its worst losing stretch since 1974. The S&P 500 slipped 1.38%, or 83.08 points, to 5,954.51, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 1.85%, or 371.34 points, to 19,649.01. The sell-off thwarted the seasonal Santa Claus rally, in which stocks traditionally rise during the last five sessions of December and the first two of January. Since 1969, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.3% on average, according to the Stock Trader’s Almanac. “If nothing else, today is a reminder that just because a Santa Claus rally is a statistical likelihood, it is far from guaranteed,” said Steve Sosnick, chief market strategist at Interactive Brokers. Thursday’s session hinted at momentum stalling, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting marginal losses to end multi-session winning runs. Rising U.S. Treasury yields had been catching investors’ attention, with the benchmark 10-year note hitting a more than seven-month high in the previous session. The yield hovered close to that mark today, at 4.61%. Higher yields are seen as hampering growth stocks, as they raise borrowing costs for business expansion. These stocks, especially the so-called Magnificent Seven technology megacaps which had been key drivers of the market’s 2024 rally, were also caught up in Friday’s sell-off. For the second successive day, Tesla led decliners among the group, off 4.4%. Amazon.com, Microsoft and Nvidia also shed more than 2%. All 11 major S&P sectors fell. The worst performers today were the three indexes that have been 2024’s leading lights: consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services. The trio were trading between 1.5% and 2.1% lower on the day. “Tech, which has had a tremendous run, is starting to pull back. It is the beginning of a healthy correction that will get focused in on over the next four to eight weeks as we switch administrations,” said Jay Woods, chief global strategist at Freedom Capital Markets. Despite Friday’s travails, all three indexes were set for weekly gains, with the S&P 500 now about 2.3% below its all-time high of 6,099.97 points clinched on Dec. 6. News events helped some stocks to buck the market sell-off. Amedisys gained 4.7% after the home health service provider and insurer UnitedHealth extended the deadline to close their $3.3 billion merger. Lamb Weston climbed 4.1% after a filing showed activist investor Jana Partners is working with a sixth executive to push for changes at the French fry maker, a move which could result in a majority of the company’s board being replaced. Trading volumes in this holiday-shortened week have been below the average of the last six months and are likely to remain subdued until Jan. 6. The next major focus for markets will be the December employment report due on Jan. 10.Jimmy Carter, 100, gained Nebraska admirers during and after his presidency
South Decatur opened the Arrow Container Holiday Classic against Madison in the final of four games on the opening day of the tournament. The Lady Cubs outscored South 27-16 in the second half to pull away to the 50-37 victory. Madison jumped out to a big first quarter lead 17-9. The Lady Cougars answered in the second quarter, doubling up the Lady Cubs 12-6 to cut the halftime deficit to 23-21. Madison limited South to five points in the third quarter and extended the lead to 34-26 heading to the fourth quarter. For South, Raegan Benge and Makayla Somers both had nine points to share top scoring honors. Dalilah Martin was next for South with seven points. Makayla Puckett scored five points. Taylor Somers added four points. Riley Benge had two points and Paige McQueen had one point. The Lady Lions traveled north to the Interra Classic hosted by Class 4A No. 7 Northridge. Rushville opened the tournament against the host school and fell by the final of 72-36. The Raiders (12-2) jumped out to a big 28-2 lead after the first quarter. Rushville (6-7) outscored Northridge 14-11 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 39-16 at the half. Northridge extended the lead to 62-32 after three quarters. For the Lady Lions, Leonie Boyer led the way in scoring with 11 points. Makenna Ripberger and Audrey Angle both scored eight points. Gracie Buzzard added five points. Mikayla Herbert and Kelsey Morgan both scored two points. Hauser Tournament Hauser 42, Greenwood Christian 37 Southwestern (Hanover) 44, Columbus East 32 North Decatur 47, Paoli 32 Madison 50, South Decatur 37 Scottsburg Tournament Scottsburg 62, Batesville 46 Columbus North 50, Bedford North Lawrence 42 Northridge Tournament Northridge 72, Rushville 36 Floyd Central 56, Andrean 27
South Korea’s parliament impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo, dealing another blow to a government already reeling after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s suspension less than two weeks ago for his brief martial law decree. Lawmakers voted 192-0 in favor of Prime Minister Han’s impeachment on Friday, according to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. He said before the vote that a simple majority in the 300-seat parliament was needed for the motion to pass, instead of the two-thirds required to suspend a president. The main opposition Democratic Party, which holds 170 seats, filed the motion to impeach Han on Thursday after he resisted pressure to immediately appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, which would boost the likelihood of a ruling to finalize Yoon’s removal from power. Dozens of ruling party members protested by chanting slogans calling for Woo’s resignation and boycotting the vote. Han said in a statement that he would respect the National Assembly’s decision and suspend his duties. This is the first time an acting president has been impeached in South Korea. Han took over the role after Yoon was impeached by parliament following his Dec. 3 decision to impose martial law, a move that was reversed six hours later. The crisis has rattled financial markets and disrupted Seoul’s diplomacy efforts with partners like the U.S., all while the country’s facing mounting economic challenges and nuclear threats from North Korea. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who now steps in as interim leader, said he will work to minimize any confusion in government operations. He has also instructed the Joint Chiefs of Staff to increase monitoring of North Korea to prevent any provocations that might arise, he said in a statement. It would be nearly impossible for Choi to effectively manage all the roles including finance minister, acting president and acting prime minister simultaneously, according to Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University in Seoul. “This is not a normal situation in a country,” he said. The South Korean won declined 0.6 percent against U.S. dollar after the vote. The currency earlier fell as much as 1.1 percent to the lowest since 2009 on Friday. Han said in an emergency public address Thursday that he would hold off on approving the three judges nominated by parliament. He added that the right to approve the judges rests with the president of the nation. Choi didn’t indicate in his statement whether he would follow Han’s position on the appointment of judges. The Democratic Party has called on Choi to make the appointments immediately. Court process The court, which can still rule with six judges, held its first pre-trial hearing Friday and has until June to make a decision. Yoon has vowed to fight in court, saying he declared martial law to protect the nation from an opposition that’s trying to paralyze the government with impeachment motions and cuts to budget plans. The case against the president is more important and urgent than any other impeachment motion involving government officials, Constitutional Court judge Cheong Hyungsik said at the hearing on Friday, according to a pool report. The court has scheduled the next preliminary hearing for Jan. 3. The political turmoil adds to the risks facing South Korea’s economy, which is expected to grow at a slower pace next year. Export momentum is weakening due to lower semiconductor demand, and companies are bracing for Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his protectionist policies. Recent surveys show confidence among South Korean consumers and businesses has slumped the most since the COVID-19 pandemic. Policymakers have pledged “unlimited liquidity” if needed to reassure market participants and mitigate the economic fallout. The central bank said it would cut its benchmark interest rate next year while considering financial risks and economic conditions. Shin said the political uncertainty could spark an outflow of foreign capital. This would worsen the balance sheets of companies due to their large amounts of dollar-denominated debt, he added.
Key moments in the life of Jimmy Carter