NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Daylen Berry scored 27 points as Charleston Southern beat Columbia International 95-89 on Saturday. Berry had 10 rebounds for the Buccaneers (4-11). RJ Johnson scored 25 points while shooting 7 for 19 (0 for 6 from 3-point range) and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line and added seven assists. Keenan Wilkins went 4 of 12 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) to finish with 11 points, while adding six rebounds. JJ Vaughan finished with 24 points for the Rams. Columbia International also got 22 points from Christian Howard. Brandon Hunt also had 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None
Suriname's government announced Saturday that the small South American nation will not hold a state funeral for its ex-president Desi Bouterse, who this week died a fugitive from justice aged 79. Current President Chan Santokhi "has decided, based on his powers and advice received, that there will be no state funeral... No period of national mourning," Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told a press conference. Bouterse was a former military man who twice mounted coups, in 1980 and again in 1990, to take charge as a dictator. He eventually returned to power after being elected president in 2010 and governed for a decade. He died Tuesday in the unknown location where he had been holed up as a fugitive, with in-absentia convictions for cocaine trafficking and murder. Bouterse's body was dropped off at his residence in the capital Paramaribo. An autopsy was ordered, though police said there were "no signs of criminal activity." Bouterse had been sentenced to 20 years in prison in December 2023 for the 1982 execution of political opponents, including lawyers, journalists, businessmen and military prisoners. He remained a popular figure with the poor and working class in the former Dutch colony. The foreign minister said that, out of respect for Bouterse's status as an elected former president, flags would be flown at half-staff on government buildings on the day of his funeral, whose date has not yet been given. str-jt/rmb/acbEU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the same charger came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste. Manufacturers are now obliged to fit devices sold in the 27-nation bloc with a USB-C, the port chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging electronic tools. "Starting today, all new mobile phones, , digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port," the EU Parliament wrote on social media X. The EU has said the single charger rule will simplify the life of Europeans and slash costs for consumers. By allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger, it will also reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers, the bloc has argued. The law was first approved in 2022 following a tussle with US tech giant Apple. It allowed companies until December 28 this year to adapt. Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, to also follow suit. Most devices already use these cables, but Apple was more than a little reluctant. The firm said in 2021 that such regulation "stifles innovation", but by September last year it had begun shipping phones with the new . Makers of electronic consumer items in Europe had agreed on a single charging norm from dozens on the market a decade ago under a voluntary agreement with the European Commission. But Apple, the world's biggest seller of smartphones, refused to abide by it and ditch its Lightning ports. Other manufacturers kept their alternative cables going, meaning there were about half a dozen types knocking around, creating a jumble of cables for consumers. USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and can serve to hook up to external displays. At the time of its approval, the commission said the law was expected to save at least 200 million euros ($208 million) per year and cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste every year. "It's time for THE ," the European Commission wrote on X on Saturday. "It means better-charging technology, reduced e-waste, and less fuss to find the chargers you need." © 2024 AFP( MENAFN - UkrinForm) Every fourth Ukrainian has a need for accessibility, with 27% of citizens having sick relatives and 22% having family members with disabilities. These statistics were presented by Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska during an expanded session of the Barrier-Free Council, which included local government representatives, reports a Ukrinform correspondent. “Currently, a quarter of Ukrainians face health issues, 27% have sick relatives, 22% have family members with disabilities, and 28% have young children. These figures come from a UNICEF survey... So, every fourth person has a need for barrier-free environments,” Zelenska explained. Reflecting on the progress made under the Barrier-Free Strategy, Zelenska highlighted developments in inclusive education, access to rehabilitation services, and opportunities for people with disabilities to re-skill or start their own businesses. She noted real changes while visiting various Ukrainian communities over the past year. "During my visit to Ternopil this year, I familiarized myself with the work of the Employment Center. Unfortunately, the space cannot yet be described as physically barrier-free, but the center actively helps internally displaced persons from affected communities adapt. The Administrative Service Center (CNAP) in Rivne proved to be an example of welcoming administrators and barrier-free space for absolutely all visitors, including those with disabilities. City Hospital No. 4 in Dnipro has been providing rehabilitation services for several years now, with patients themselves attesting to their high quality. Moreover, they have started training specialists from other hospitals. The Inclusive Resource Center in Slavutych works exemplarily with children with special educational needs," the First Lady said. Zelenska emphasized the importance of supported living programs, citing the Ukrainian Catholic University project in Lviv, where young people with Down syndrome live with assistance from social workers. “This is a crucial form of inclusion. I've seen how it works in the United States. In Ukraine, such projects have mainly relied on foreign funding. It's encouraging that this year, the government passed a resolution to finance supported living from the state budget. Communities, please engage with the Ministry of Social Policy to access this option,” she urged. Zelenska reminded attendees that the Barrier-Free Guidebook has been expanded with practical manuals and solutions. “Imagine the barrier-free route is for you. Test it with a stroller, an elderly relative, or with your eyes closed on a slippery day. Try accessing a service during an air raid alert or waiting for a bus, or just finding a seat at a clinic,” she suggested. Zelenska reiterated that accessibility is not charity or a holiday gesture; it's about creating a society for everyone. In 2020, the First Lady initiated a nationwide conversation on creating a barrier-free society. More than 50,000 people participated in discussions on inclusivity and accessibility. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree in December 2020 to develop a National Strategy for a Barrier-Free Environment, which the Cabinet approved in April 2021, setting goals through 2030. MENAFN24122024000193011044ID1109028511 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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DETROIT (AP) — Detroit and Green Bay , longtime rivals and current contenders, will have much at stake when they meet Thursday night in the Motor City. The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) are aiming to stay ahead of Philadelphia (10-2) in the race for the conference's best record and Minnesota (10-2) in the NFC North with a win against the Packers. Detroit can also clinch a spot in the playoffs with an 11th straight victory that would set a franchise record. “We’re in playoff football right now,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “This is the type of stuff that you live for and it’s also the type of stuff that gets you ready for the tournament.” Green Bay (9-3) also has a lot to play for because it can pull within a game of the Lions if it can split the season series with a slight upset as 3 1/2-point underdogs, according to BetMGM. “This game is going to be important for us moving forward toward the end of this thing and we’re going to treat it as such,” Packers safety Xavier McKinney said. Green Bay’s ability to slow down Detroit’s run game might be pivotal. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the first teammates in league history to run for at least 10 touchdowns in consecutive seasons, have combined to average more than 140 yards on the ground per game. The Packers limited San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey to 31 yards on 11 attempts and held Miami to 39 yards rushing in their past two games. It was the first time since 1995, and just the second time since 1950, that they gave up fewer than 45 yards rushing in two straight weeks. Montgomery ran 17 times for 73 yards and Gibbs had 65 yards rushing and a touchdown on 11 carries last month at Green Bay. “They played Montgomery the whole first half and then the second half they came with Gibbs,” McKinney recalled. “They got a good 1-2 punch.” Home field has not been an advantage in the series lately. The road team has won four straight games, going back to Detroit closing the 2022 regular season and Aaron Rodgers' career with the Packers in a 20-16 win at Lambeau Field. Green Bay has won five straight NFC North road games, including last year at Detroit on Thanksgiving. McKinney and Lions safety Kerby Joseph each have an NFL -high seven interceptions, leading the rest of the league by at least two. Joseph had a pick-6 in the most recent meeting against Green Bay and has picked off four passes in four games against the Packers. “He’s a ballhawk,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “He’s going to make the plays when the ball’s in the air, so he’s definitely a guy you’ve got to know where he’s at.” Lions coach Dan Campbell was taken aback at a news conference recently when a reporter informed him Gibbs had a post on social media showing some of the team's strategy. “I'd rather our stuff not be out there,” Campbell said. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur feels the same way, though he said it doesn't provide a competitive edge to see another team's terminology on a whiteboard. “Guys understand that nobody wants their information out there for the whole world to see, so we try to keep everything in house here,” LaFleur said. “But I don’t think it’s like the end of the world, either.” Both teams will play a third game in 12 days. “How the whole organization has handled this has been really impressive,” said Packers defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness, who had a sack in each of his past two games. After the game, each team will get a break. The Lions will host the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills on Dec. 15 and Green Bay plays at Seattle later that night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLConor McGregor calls rape accuser a ‘vicious liar’ and slams ‘kangaroo court’For the second time this season, DeVonta Smith will miss a game for the Philadelphia Eagles due to an injury. Back in Week 4, Smith missed the team's blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion. Heading into their Week 12 contest against the Los Angeles Rams, Smith will miss the NFC showdown with a hamstring injury. USA Today Sports Smith has been banged up for most of the season with lower body injuries. Sunday will be a chance for him to "get right" ahead of the team's key games down the stretch. But with the former Heisman Trophy no longer available, the Eagles will need additional players to step up for them. Yes, stars like A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert are all still on the roster, but even one member of the Eagles missing time is usually a bad sign for the organization. To Philadelphia, Sunday will be a golden opportunity for additional players across the receiver position to step up. Related: Eagles Defense Preparing For Main Part Of Sean McVay's Offense Whether it's former first-round pick Jahan Dotson, the return of special teams ace Britain Covey, or rookies such as Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith, the Eagles have plenty of weapons to remain competitive against the high-flying Rams. In that regard, anything less than their usual average of points scored will not do with quarterback Jalen Hurts leading the way. Smith's loss is a big issue for the Eagles moving forward, but for Sunday, it's a chance that the team can show they are more than just their star players. Related: Eagles' Star Currently in Top 10 In Statistic
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TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus has granted asylum to a former Polish judge who faced espionage charges at home following his defection in May to the Kremlin-allied country. A decree published Friday by Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’ autocratic president, described Tomasz Szmydt as being “prosecuted for political reasons” in Poland. The country is an EU and NATO member that has lent vocal support to Ukraine in . Szmydt’s defection to Belarus in May trained the focus on Poland as a key target for Russian intelligence activity and ignited a bitter political row over the circumstances of his rapid ascent through the ranks of the Polish justice system. Poland’s prosecutors and special services launched an investigation the same month after Belarus media reported that Szmydt arrived in the country and asked for protection. Warsaw responded days later by , a step toward an international arrest warrant on spying allegations that would restrict his ability to travel internationally. Polish officials have been working to determine how harmful Szmydt’s knowledge of any classified information might be to the interests of Warsaw and its Western allies. Poland’s Prime Minister has publicly called him a traitor. Szmydt fled to Belarus after resigning from his post as a judge at the Warsaw Administrative Court, saying in a public statement that he was doing so in protest against Poland’s “harmful and unjust” policy toward Belarus and Russia. A short time later, he appeared at a press conference in Belarus, praising Lukashenko’s regime and presenting himself as a victim of repression. A Polish court later that month lifted Szmydt’s immunity, allowing him to be tried in absentia for spying allegations that he has denied. Szmydt was notorious in Poland for having engaged in a 2019 online smear campaign against other judges that was sponsored by the . Three years later, he appeared to switch sides, appearing in a TV documentary to expose what he said was unethical behavior by judges close to the ruling party. Szmydt’s defection came as a shock in Poland, which has a history of distrust of Russia. Belarus has been one of the Kremlin’s few close allies since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Lukashenko has relied on Moscow’s subsidies and support. In return, he has allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory to send troops and weapons into the neighboring state, and to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil. Authorities in Minsk have been ratcheting up repressive measures ahead of a presidential election in January in which the strongman leader is seeking a seventh term, including by who have shown solidarity with Kyiv. Authorities responded to massive protests following the widely disputed with a wide-ranging crackdown in which about 65,000 people were arrested. Major opposition figures were either imprisoned or fled the country, and human rights activists say Belarus is holding about 1,300 political prisoners.