COLLEGE PARK — Off to its best start in six years, the Maryland women’s basketball team took the court Sunday against No. 19 Michigan State looking to prove its unbeaten record was more than the result of a relatively soft early-season schedule. In their first major test in more than a month, the No. 8 Terps built a large early lead, took the Spartans’ best counterpunch and pulled it out in the end, getting key plays down the stretch — including a layup by Christina Dalce with 36 seconds left — to help secure a hard-earned 72-66 win before an announced 9,200 at Xfinity Center. “Every league game is going to be like this. It’s going to be every possession matters,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “I thought we were really resilient when you talk about staying the course for 40 minutes.” “Confidence can’t be shaken when you have so much trust and love for each other, and I think we proved that tonight,” guard Shyanne Sellers said. “I think we put our best foot forward today. It’s huge ... It’s a great win for us, but we’re not done yet.” With the win, the Terps (2-0 in the Big Ten) are off to a 12-0 start for the first time since 2018, despite a roster that includes 10 newcomers and seven transfers. To match the school-record 18-0 start of 2006, however, they still have plenty of work ahead of them, with tough matchups against No. 4 Southern California and No. 5 Texas on tap over the next three weeks. “It’s one of the most competitive groups I’ve ever coached,” Frese said. “It’s not really about being undefeated. Of course, we love it. ... I think it shows the work that they’re putting in. But for us, as long as we just continue to keep our head down and work hard through this process, I think that’s where you’re seeing the results pay off. This group hates to lose, and that’s where you want to be as a coaching staff.” Maryland forward Christina Dalce celebrates with Saylor Poffenbarger against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle drives against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Bri McDaniel puts up a shot against Michigan State on Sunday. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers drives against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle celebrates a basket against Michigan State on Sunday at Xfinity Center in College Park. Smikle scored a team-high 19 points. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland coach Brenda Frese waves during a game against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland forward Christina Dalce celebrates with Saylor Poffenbarger against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Kaylene Smikle scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures for the Terps, who built a 37-20 lead after a pair of free throws by Bri McDaniel (12 pounds) midway through the second quarter. But Michigan State (11-2, 1-1) clawed back into it with intense half-court defense, forcing 15 second-half turnovers and scoring nine straight points to open the fourth quarter. When Spartans guard Theryn Hallock (20 points) drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 6:06 to play, Michigan State had tied it at 57. In desperate need of a score, the Terps turned to guard Saylor Poffenbarger, who answered with a 3-pointer of her own to break a 4:54 scoreless streak to start the fourth quarter and give her team the lead for good. “Ironically, we had a whole lesson about momentum yesterday,” Poffenbarger said. “They obviously were going on a run, and I think just getting the momentum back on our side was really important for us. I think that shot did that for us.” Almost. The Spartans still one more run in them, getting the lead to two when Jadden Simmons sank a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left. The Terps, however, were then able to close it out, with Dalce first scoring a key layup, then stealing the ball from Hallock in the paint at the other end. Teammates Sarah Te-Biasu and Sellers each hit one of two free throws to seal the win, as the Terps closed out the game with 15 of the final 24 points. All told, Michigan State shot 32% from the field, including 6 of 24 from 3-point range. “It was probably one of our better defensive efforts,” Frese said. “You could tell the will to really get stops at the defensive end.” The schedule only becomes more difficult from here, with six more opponents currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. There are now six other Big Ten teams in the poll. “It will be the hardest conference slate we’ve ever faced, [and] I love to be facing it with this team,” Frese said. “With 18 conference games [and] only one team is a double, every gamer matters. Now you have head-to-head if it comes down to a tiebreaker with Michigan State. ... Our players love to be in these games, in these big moments. Fortunately for us, there’s a lot more to go.” Thursday, 7 p.m. Big Ten Plus'Those Who Consider Power As Birthright...': PM Modi Rips Into OppositionRussian president Vladimir Putin has created a new law which would wipe £75,000 of debt for every Russian who fights in Ukraine . Putin , 72, confirmed the new legislation would allow Russian citizens to sign a one-year contract to fight in Ukraine after December 1 that would free them of existing debts. This deal would also cover their spouses. The total amount covered by the law, which only takes on debts accrued and given notice by an enforcement before December 1, 2024, is 10 million rubles (£76,500). Parliament approved the bill earlier this month, with the bill designed to provide a stronger incentive for some to join up, experts say. It comes as the nearly three-year conflict continues, with Russia continually looking for new recruits. It is believed the legislation has been introduced to target younger Russians who may have loans or debts, with those in their 30s and younger targeted. Extremely high interest rate levels in Russia, where many people have no cash savings, could drive the number of recruits up. Sergei Krivenko of advocacy group Citizen Army Law told Vazhniye Istorii Telegram channel: "Previously (for those fighting) there was only provision for taking repayment holidays on loans." New legislation also applies to those taken on as conscriptions made to bolster the national service and for those in the so-called "special military operation," news.com.au reported. Political analyst Georgy Bovt suggested Russian authorities "are strengthening the motivation to sign a contract," as it offers young Russians a route to solving possible personal debt crises. He added it was "another way to get rid of an unbearable burden of credit, at least for several hundred thousand people." Over 13 million Russians have three or more loans, according to a central bank report released last month covering the first two quarters. The average amount owed by those with three or more loans is 1.4 million rubles (£10,700 at current rates). Putin's offer of a debt wipe for conscripts comes as he announces several other changes to the law in Russia. The Russian president has also signed into law a bill which banned the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal. Further changes were made by the Kremlin leader who approved legislation that outlaws the spread of material that encourages people not to have children, The Mirror reported. Both Russia's houses of parliament approved the bill previously, with the law one in a series of suppressions made against sexual minorities and a bolstering of longstanding conventional values of Russian life. Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has since spoken on the latest adoption restrictions, with a post to Telegram revealing the reasoning behind the decision.
Lifestyle Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Exercise mojo MIA? Not for much longer. Take your summer training next-level with fresh classes guaranteed to deliver results. Is it just us, or can summoning the motivation to work out regularly feel harder than securing tickets to the Oasis reunion tour? Finding a free window to break a sweat can be even trickier as we speed towards Christmas – cue calendars literally jam-packed with social gatherings. With the holiday season on the horizon, could the key to staying in our fitness stride be this simple: to try something fresh? So in the spirit of exercise variety, we sought out three hot new workouts to get your heart rate up and help you hit those summer fitness goals. See you there! Les Mills Ceremony Best for: A full body workout Les Mills, the brand behind the global sensation that is BODYPUMP, has just unleashed a new workout onto the world. Ceremony, a 45-minute circuit-style workout, has all the hallmarks of a classic Les Mills class - it works the whole body, focuses on building strength and there are modifications of each movement available for those who need them. What makes this new iteration stand out from the fitness crowd is that it’s designed to deliver results like improved agility and cardio fitness as well as strength, while also offering specific benefits like a stronger core, more toned arms and enhanced flexibility through a combination of exercises that enhance natural human movement - think everything from using a rowing machine or SkiErgs to short sprints or squats. When the workout debuted in the new Fitness First Richmond club in Melbourne in August it created serious buzz, so much the class will soon roll out at other locations, starting with Fitness First Balaclava in St Kilda - so watch this space! Try it at: Fitness First Richmond in Melbourne was the first club in the country to offer the workout, but due to its popularity there are plans to roll it out across other states in coming months. Les Mills, the brand behind the global sensation that is BODYPUMP, has just unleashed a new workout onto the world. Image: Supplied Joy in movement infrared workout Best for: Core toning and strength Taking the concept of a ‘hot new workout’ literally, Joy in Movement (J.I.M) is using state-of-the-art infrared technology to offer 30-minute group workouts – yep, heated classes. Each sweat sesh (emphasis on sweat) involves doing low-impact moves (think Pilates or yoga) guided by instructions on a screen. Founded by personal trainer Jarad Hobbs, the idea is that by combining low-impact exercise with infrared heat, you can achieve twice the results in half the time. “Our infrared workouts are designed to help sculpt, tone and strengthen the body, while also detoxifying, helping you sleep better and improving circulation,” explains Hobbs. Note: as infrared workouts increase your core temperature, it’s wise to consult with a GP before taking your first class. Try it at: There are currently six locations in NSW with three more opening before the end of the year and over 20 more studios set to launch in 2025. Find your nearest studio here. Taking the concept of a ‘hot new workout’ literally, Joy in Movement (J.I.M) is using state-of-the-art infrared technology to offer 30-minute group workouts. Image: Supplied Rumble boxing Best for: Targeting arms and abs This high-energy offering is one of the most hyped exercise classes to come out of the US. With a starry list of celeb fans, including Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Kevin Hart, this full-body boxing workout consists of 10 rounds that combine punching drills on the bags with strength and conditioning exercises on the floor. Classes run between 45 minutes to one hour in length and each is set to a soundtrack of pumping DJ beats, with a trainer on hand to keep you motivated and provide modifications for different fitness levels. Never boxed before? No problem – according to Rumble, zero experience is necessary. Expect a great workout for toning arms, abs, butt and thighs, as well as improving your strength and agility, thanks to the fact boxing is reliant on a mix of both balance and coordination. Try it at: There are currently Rumble Boxing studios across multiple states in Australia including New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Find one near you here. Rumble boxing is a great workout for toning arms, abs, butt and thighs, as well as improving your strength and agility. Image: Supplied Padel Best for: Getting back into fitness If you’ve not heard of Padel yet, where have you been? This social and fun variation of tennis is a racquet sport on the rise, as it’s not only one of the fastest growing sports in the world but also gaining traction Down Under too. The finals of the first Australian Padel Open were played during the Australian Open’s Finals Festival in January 2023 and there are now 31 courts across the country, a number which is predicted to grow to over 200 by 2026. The courts look a lot like tennis courts - only smaller and they’re surrounded by reinforced glass, allowing for the ball to be bounced off walls as well as on the court. Padel is simple to learn and easy for all ages and abilities to try and start playing straight away, so it’s the ideal sport to have a go at if you haven’t been working out lately but want to get back into it and improve your fitness. It’s also a social game, as the sport is traditionally played as doubles, meaning a group of four is the ideal number for a game. So rope some friends into giving this sport a go with you, or join an existing club and meet new people along the way. Try it at: You can find Padel courts all over the country, in cities from Sydney to Perth. Find your nearest court here. More Coverage This is set to be the most popular sport this summer Sarah Mitchell A workout that doubles as a recovery session? Sign us up Mia Erickson Originally published as Hot new workouts to fire up your fitness More related stories Lifestyle Flight upgrade hack that could save you $1k Want to score a business class seat without the enormous price tag? These are the tricks and tips that could save you big time. Read more VWeekend The surprise men’s fashion trend celebs can’t get enough of 2024 was the year menswear got mischievous. Here’s the surprising new look in men’s fashion. Read moreRomania's pro-European Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was leading in the first round of presidential elections Sunday according to exit polls, with the far right not yet assured of a place in the second round, despite a breakthrough in support. With 25 percent of the vote according to two exit polls, Ciolacu appeared to be well ahead of far-right challengers looking to capitalise on this EU member's concerns about inflation and the war in neighbouring Ukraine. The same exit polls gave second place to centre-right former journalist turned small-town mayor Elena Lasconi at 18 percent, with two far-right candidates scoring 15 and 16 percent. In the absence of an outright winner in the first round -- scoring more than 50 percent -- the top two candidates go through to a second-round run-off in the poor NATO member on December 8. Ciolacu, a Social Democrat, is leading a field of 13 contenders in the race to take over from President Klaus Iohannis in the largely ceremonial post. He welcomed the exit polls putting him in the lead, but said all the votes would have to be counted before he knew who he would face in the second round. Lasconi too, was cautious. "The scores are very tight, it's not yet time to celebrate," said the 52-year-old politician. Far-right leader George Simion, 38, who some had forecast might take second place, is for the moment in fourth. Exit polls put him just behind the 62-year-old pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu. But Simion said Sunday evening: "We'll see the results of the ballot boxes at 11:00 pm (2100 GMT)." Ciolacu's party has shaped Romania's politics for more than three decades, and as he voted Sunday he promised stability and a "decent" standard of living. But political analyst Cristian Parvulescu told AFP: "The far right is by far the big winner of this election." Simion saw his popularity surge by tapping into voter anger over record inflation while promising more affordable housing. Looking for a new election breakthrough for European far-right parties, Simion warned of possible "fraud" and "foreign interference" when voting. But he added: "I am happy that we are giving Romanians hope and the prospect of a better future." The stakes are high for Romania, which has a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Ukraine and has become more important since Russia invaded its neighbour in 2022. More from this section The Black Sea nation now plays a "vital strategic role" for NATO -- as it is a base for more than 5,000 soldiers -- and the transit of Ukrainian grain, the New Strategy Center think tank said. Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election has further "complicated" Romania's choice, political analyst Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP. Known for his fiery speeches, Simion is a Trump fan who sometimes dons a red cap in appreciation of his idol. Simion opposes sending military aid to Ukraine, wants a "more patriotic Romania" and frequently lashes out against what he calls the "greedy corrupt bubble" running the European Union. Having campaigned hard to win over Romania's large diaspora working abroad, he said the country had only "minions and cowards as leaders". Pirvulescu predicted that if Simion reached the second round his AUR party would get a boost in the December parliamentary election. "Romanian democracy is in danger for the first time since the fall of communism in 1989," he said. "I'm really afraid we'll end up with Simion in the second round," 36-year-old IT worker Oana Diaconu told AFP, expressing concern about the far-right leader's unpredictable nature and attacks on the European Union. The campaign was marked by controversy and personal attacks, with Simion facing accusations of meeting with Russian spies -- a claim he has denied. Ciolacu has been criticised for his use of private jets. Some observers had tipped Lasconi, now mayor of the small town of Campulung and head of a centre-right opposition party, as a surprise package. Sunday's exit polls appeared to suggest they were right. During campaigning, she had said she wanted a future "where no one has to pack their suitcases and leave" the country and for "institutions that work". bur/js-jj/Dec 13 (Reuters) - Software firm Databricks is nearing a deal that could become one of the largest venture capital funding rounds in history, as investors have shown a strong appetite to own a piece of the fast-growing data analytics firm, three sources said on Friday. The round, almost twice oversubscribed, could top $9.5 billion when it is finalized next week, exceeding the company's original goal and higher than what was discussed earlier , the sources told Reuters, cautioning the final number could still go up. The San Francisco-based company, which helps enterprises process and analyze their data, is expected to fetch a valuation of over $60 billion at a price of $92.50 per share. That price is considered a bargain in the eyes of some investors, given that the company's projected revenue for the next fiscal year is $3.8 billion, said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss private matters. Thrive Capital and returning investors Andreessen Horowitz, Insight Partners, as well as Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC are expected to lead this mega round, according to one of the sources. In conjunction with the equity raise, the company is also in talks to raise $4.5 billion in debt financing, including a $2.5 billion term loan from direct lenders, one of the sources added. Bloomberg first reported on the private debt raise. Databricks, founded in 2013, is a data analytics and artificial-intelligence company. It provides a cloud-based platform to help enterprises build and govern data and AI applications. Databricks and Thrive Capital declined to comment. Insight, Andreessen Horowitz and GIC did not immediately respond to request for comment. This high-profile round would mark a jump in valuation for the 11-year-old company that has yet to make a profit. The firm was valued at $43 billion in September. The move would also be a major win for early employees, as the company plans to dedicate the funding to buy back expiring restricted stock units from early employees and cover the associated tax costs. As part of the deal, the company plans to issue preferred shares to investors participating in the round, the sources said. Databricks has benefited from the AI boom by selling more tools that help clients build and deploy AI applications using the growing volume of data they already store with the company. It competes with Snowflake (SNOW.N) , opens new tab , which commands a market cap of about $56 billion with expected revenue of $3.4 billion in the fiscal year ending in January 2025. The move to raise outsized funding specifically to address the expiring employee options issue, instead of adding to its balance sheet, mirrors a move by payment company Stripe, which raised $6.5 billion last year at a valuation of $50 billion. Such mega deals highlight the amount of funds available in the venture capital system and the appetite for top-notch names. Investors are doubling down on AI companies and supporting firms to remain private longer, enabling rarely seen round sizes such as OpenAI's $6.5 billion raise at a $165 billion valuation and xAI's $6 billion raise. The move signals that Databricks and other top public market candidates are in no rush to go public, despite expectations of a resurgence of venture capital-backed initial public offerings in 2025. Sign up here. Reporting by Krystal Hu in Toronto, Kenrick Cai in Vancouver and Echo Wang in New YorkEditing by Matthew Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Krystal reports on venture capital and startups for Reuters. She covers Silicon Valley and beyond through the lens of money and characters, with a focus on growth-stage startups, tech investments and AI. She has previously covered M&A for Reuters, breaking stories on Trump's SPAC and Elon Musk's Twitter financing. Previously, she reported on Amazon for Yahoo Finance, and her investigation of the company's retail practice was cited by lawmakers in Congress. Krystal started a career in journalism by writing about tech and politics in China. She has a master's degree from New York University, and enjoys a scoop of Matcha ice cream as much as getting a scoop at work. Thomson Reuters Kenrick Cai is a correspondent for Reuters based in San Francisco. He covers Google, its parent company Alphabet and artificial intelligence. Cai joined Reuters in 2024. He previously worked at Forbes magazine, where he was a staff writer covering venture capital and startups. He received a Best in Business award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing in 2023. He is a graduate of Duke University. Thomson Reuters Echo Wang is a correspondent at Reuters covering U.S. equity capital markets, and the intersection of Chinese business in the U.S, breaking news from U.S. crackdown on TikTok and Grindr, to restrictions Chinese companies face in listing in New York. She was the Reuters' Reporter of the Year in 2020.
*Warning, this review contains spoilers if you haven't seen Gladiator II* Gladiator II could have easily fallen into the many pitfalls that sequels to a classic do, however, Ridley Scott has avoided most of them for a thoroughly enjoyable film. Advertisement Irish star Paul Mescal proves a worthy successor to Russell Crowe's Maximus in the 2000 film. It's a very different showing, and viewers should also expect a very different film to the original, but it does not disappoint. Lucius (Mescal) is absolutely full of rage, and he must go on a journey to harness it in the brutal surroundings of Rome's Colosseum. Some of the brutal fight scenes are visually stunning, and suitably gory. Advertisement In this version of Rome, twin-brother emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) rule over a city which has declined into disorder and decadence. The terrifying and unstable duo serve as villain's until the real one takes off his mask. That brings us to Denzel Washington, who puts on a tour de force as Macrinus, a wealthy gladiator owner who is intent on climbing the political ladders of Rome. Denzel Washington is brilliant as Macrinus in Gladiator II. He does this in a cunning and sly way, every bit the Roman politician, albeit with a deadly streak. While Mescal and Washington are certainly the standout performers in the film, Pedro Pascal (Marcus Acacius) plays a beloved general, married to Connie Nielson's Lucilla and they are both impressive. The film plays out at a relentless pace, typical of Ridley Scott, and the two and a half hours fly by as viewers are immersed in a chaotic but visually stunning Rome. ****
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday he would work to end the "inconvenient" custom of moving clocks forward one hour every spring, which he said was imposing an unnecessary financial burden on the United States. "The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn't! Daylight Saving Time (DST) is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation," Trump posted on his website, Truth Social. DST was adopted by the federal government during World War I but was unpopular with farmers rushing to get produce to morning markets, and was quickly abolished. Many states experimented with their own versions but it wasn't reintroduced nationwide until 1967. The Democratic-controlled US Senate advanced a bill in 2022 that, like Trump's plan, would bring an end to the twice-yearly changing of clocks, in favor of a "new, permanent standard time." But The Sunshine Protection Act called for the opposite switch -- moving permanently to DST rather than eliminating it -- to usher in brighter evenings, and fewer journeys home in the dark for school children and office workers. The bill never made it to President Joe Biden's desk, as it was not taken up in the Republican-led House. It had been introduced in 2021 by a Republican, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is about to join the incoming Trump administration as secretary of state. He said studies had shown a permanent DST could benefit the economy. Either way, changing to one permanent time would put an end to Americans pushing their clocks forward in the spring, then setting them back an hour in the fall. More from this section Colloquially the practice is referred to as "springing" forward and "falling" back. The clamor has increased in recent years to make DST permanent especially among politicians and lobbyists from the Northeast, where frigid conditions are normal in the early winter mornings. "It's really straightforward. Cutting back on the sun during the fall and winter is a drain on the American people and does little to nothing to help them," Rubio said in a statement ahead of the vote. "It's time we retire this tired tradition." Rubio said the United States sees an increase in heart attacks and road accidents in the week that follows the changing of the clocks. Any changes would be unlikely to affect Hawaii and most of Arizona, the Navajo Nation, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, which do not spring forward in summer. ft/nro
Jannik Sinner, Italy beat Netherlands to win 2nd straight Davis CupHIGH POINT, N.C. (AP) — D'Maurian Williams scored 18 points as High Point beat Pfeiffer 81-50 on Saturday. Williams went 8 of 13 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) for the Panthers (8-1). Kezza Giffa scored 14 points, going 3 of 8 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 7 for 8 from the line. Kimani Hamilton shot 4 for 8, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.
Pacioretty has 2 goals and an assist as Maple Leafs beat Ducks 3-2 for second straight winSocial media a 'threat to democracy' new report findsBrown's 17 lead Rhode Island over Charleston (SC) 91-53
Women will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Larson Financial Group LLC Has $41,000 Stock Holdings in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDXJ)
Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty give this year's Heisman Trophy ceremony a different vibe
Former California congressman TJ Cox expected to plead guilty in fraud caseTikTok makes teenagers happy, says researcher
I visited the winter destination with one of Europe’s longest slides, two Christmas markets and ‘gluhwein’Currently a 100 per cent council tax premium is applied to homes that have been empty for two years in Huntingdonshire, but the district council has now agreed to apply the premium earlier. (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire) Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to our free email newsletter to receive the latest breaking news and daily roundups Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Council tax bills for homes that have been left empty for a year in Huntingdonshire are set to double from 2026. It is hoped the tax increase will encourage the homeowners to bring the properties back into use and “go someway to easing the housing crisis”. Huntingdonshire District Council is also planning to double council tax for second homes in the area. The new charges are due to be introduced from April 1, 2026, after councillors voted to support the change at a full council meeting this week (December 11). Currently the owners of empty homes in Huntingdonshire only have to start paying extra council tax after the property has been empty for two years, at which point a 100 per cent premium is applied. After a property has been empty for five years a 200 per cent premium is added and after 10 years a 300 per cent premium is added to the council tax bill. In August the empty homes council tax premium was applied to 143 properties, 29 of which had been empty for between five to 10 years, and 19 had been empty for over 10 years. The district council said as of August 1, there were 269 properties classed as second homes in the area, with 34 per cent of their owners living either outside of the district or abroad. A number of exemptions to the council tax premiums have been proposed, including a 12 month exemption for properties undergoing probate, or homes that are actively being marketed. Properties that are undergoing major repairs will also be exempt from the empty homes premium. Job-related homes where a person is required to live in a specific place as part of their work, and seasonal homes where people are not allowed to live year-round, will be exempt from the second home premium. Councillor Stephen Ferguson (Independent), executive councillor for resident services and corporate performance, said the number of empty homes in the country was increasing, which he said had “a number of negative consequences”. He said: “Reduced housing supply drives up local prices, especially in the rental market, making it difficult for people to enter the property market, this contributes to the housing crisis and, to a certain extent, economic stagnation. “In areas where there are a large number of empty houses it can contribute to neighbourhood decline and reduce community cohesion, and obviously empty properties are easy targets for crime in terms of vandalism, arson, and squatting, which reduces community safety. “When you consider there are 1.3million people on the social housing waiting list in England and Wales and there are 1.3million unfurnished empty properties in the country, it is easy to conclude that making more of these homes habitable will go someway, but obviously not the whole way, to easing the housing crisis.” Concerns about unintended consequences of the council tax changes were raised by some councillors. Councillor Ross Martin ( Conservative ) said the core aims of the plans to incentivise people to bring empty homes back into use and to manage the number of second homes in the area was “positive”. However, he said it was important to assess any potential impacts of the change to make sure it was “effective and equitable”. Cllr Martin raised the question on whether the increased council tax bills might “inadvertently create financial strain on those unable to comply due to genuine reasons [such as] probate, or legal complexities”. Councillor Paul Hodgson-Jones (Conservative) said he had concerns that the council tax premium might not apply to people who rent a second home in Huntingdonshire. He said the district council should not “penalise people for owning property as opposed to those people who rent properties for their purposes to avoid having to buy a property and pay a premium on it”. However, Councillor Nathan Hunt ( Liberal Democrat ) said there was a “housing crisis in Britain" and shared hopes the council tax changes could help. He said: “Encouraging empty properties into use by reducing the time taken for the empty home premium to apply and placing a council tax premium on second homes are two of the levers the council can pull to alleviate this crisis. They are not the whole solution, but they are part of a viable solution.” He highlighted there were proposed exemptions when there was a legitimate reason for the property being empty. Cllr Ferguson said he heard the concerns that had been raised by some councillors and said they had his commitment that these would be addressed. He added that they would also treat all exemptions "compassionately and fairly” to make sure no one was “unfairly taxed”. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow CambridgeLive Facebook X (Twitter) Comment More On Huntingdonshire District Council Housing
Jimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former US president and Nobel peace laureate who rose from humble beginnings to lead the United States from 1977 to 1981, has died. Carter had been in hospice care since mid-February 2023 at his home in Plains, Georgia – the same small town where he was born and once ran a peanut farm before becoming governor of the Peach State and running for the White House. Carter died "peacefully" at his home in Plains, "surrounded by his family," The Carter Center, his non-profit foundation, said in a statement. "My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love," Chip Carter, the former president's son, said in the statement. Carter was the oldest living ex-US leader and the nation's longest-lived president – an outcome that seemed unlikely back in 2015 when the Southern Democrat revealed he had brain cancer. But the US Navy veteran and fervent Christian repeatedly defied the odds to enjoy a long and fruitful post-presidency, after four years in the Oval Office often seen by critics as disappointing. During his single term, Carter placed a commitment on human rights and social justice, enjoying a strong first two years that included brokering a peace deal between Israel and Egypt dubbed the Camp David Accords. He also made an impact in Argentina, where he encouraged US diplomats to detail and record disappearances of individuals at the hands of the 1976-1983 military dictatorship. The shift in rights policy contributed to the end of the junta’s reign of terror and in 2017, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Liberator San Martín – the highest honour the nation can bestow on foreign government officials. Carter, who visited Argentina eight times in total, said he was “deeply honoured” by the award. But Carter’s administration also hit numerous snags – the most serious being the taking of US hostages in Iran and the disastrous failed attempt to rescue the 52 captive Americans in 1980. He also came in for criticism for his handling of an oil crisis. In November of that year, Republican challenger Ronald Reagan clobbered Carter at the polls, relegating the Democrat to just one term. Reagan, a former actor and governor of California, swept into office on a wave of staunch conservatism. As the years passed, a more nuanced image of Carter emerged – one that took into account his significant post-presidential activities and reassessed his achievements. He founded the Carter Center in 1982 to pursue his vision of world diplomacy, and he was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his tireless efforts to promote social and economic justice. He observed numerous elections around the world and emerged as a prominent international mediator, tackling global problems from North Korea to Bosnia. Carter, known for his toothy smile, said basic Christian tenets such as justice and love served as the bedrock of his presidency. He taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist, his church in Plains, well into his 90s. In recent years, he had received various hospital treatments, including when he revealed in August 2015 that he had brain cancer and was undergoing radiation. US Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who is the pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King Jr preached, wished the Carter family comfort as the former president entered hospice last year. "Across life's seasons, President Jimmy Carter, a man of great faith, has walked with God," Warnock wrote on X, then Twitter. "In this tender time of transitioning, God is surely walking with him." In April 2021, US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, met with the Carters at their home in Plains. The White House later released a photo showing the couples smiling together, although only Rosalynn was seen by the press outside, bidding the Bidens farewell while using a walker. Rosalynn, Carter's wife of 77 years, died on November 19, 2023 at age 96. The former president, who looked frail, poignantly appeared at her memorial service in a wheelchair, with a blanket on his lap bearing their likenesses. Carter is survived by the couple's four children, three sons and a daughter. – TIMES/AFP Ads Space Ads SpaceIndia News | Countdown Begins for ISRO's Space Docking Experiment Onboard PSLV-C60 RocketJimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees acquired All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin on Friday. The Yankees also will send more than $1 million to the Brewers as part of the trade. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn't make his season debut until July 28 . Williams was 14 for 15 in save chances with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. His fastball averaged 94.7 mph and he threw it on 53.5% of his pitches, mixing in 45% changeups — known as the “Airbender” — around 1.5% cutters. An All-Star in 2022 and 2023, Williams was a second-round pick in the 2013 amateur draft and is 27-10 with a 1.83 ERA and 68 saves in 78 chances over six seasons, striking out 375 and walking 112 in 235 2/3 innings over 241 games. Milwaukee declined a $10.5 million club option in favor of a $250,000 buyout last month, making Williams eligible for arbitration. Cortes, who turned 30 on Tuesday, was an All-Star in 2022 when he went 12-4 with a career-best 2.44 ERA in 28 starts. He made just one start after May 30 in 2023 because of a strained left rotator cuff and was sidelined late in the 2024 season by a flexor strain in his left elbow. He returned for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and entered in the 10th inning of the opener, retiring Shohei Ohtani on a foulout with his first pitch and giving up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman on his second. Cortes, know for his many deliveries, is 33-21 with a 3.80 ERA in 86 starts and 49 relief appearances over seven seasons. He is eligible for arbitration and also can become a free agent after next season. New York had an excess of starters after reaching a $218 million, eight-year agreement with left-hander Max Fried that is pending. The rotation also is projected to include ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, with Marcus Stroman also available. Durbin, who turns 25 in February, hit .287 with 10 homers, 60 RBIs and 29 stolen bases this year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was with the big league team last spring training and hit .312 with five homers, 21 RBIs and 29 steals in 24 games at the Arizona Fall League. “I think he’s a stud," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last month. "Great bat-to-ball, elite ability on the bases as a base stealer, good defender in the middle of the diamond, second base. He’s really started over the last year-plus to create some position flexibility, too. He's played some short, he's played some third. We introduced him to some outfield this year.” This story has been corrected to note New York is sending cash to Milwaukee, not the other way around. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb