ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.Social welfare dept’s website ‘out of service’ for 5 years
Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck taken off on stretcher with ankle injury in loss to BarcelonaWatchdog finds FBI missteps before Jan. 6 riot, but no undercover agents were presentIn a surprising turn of events, Nezha Motors, a leading Chinese automobile manufacturer, has recently found itself in a legal battle as a judgment debtor with a hefty execution target of over 9.11 million RMB. This development has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry and raised concerns about the financial stability of the company.FBI Director Wray says he intends to resign before Trump takes office in January
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year as well as inquiries into Biden and his son. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, whom he appointed during his first term. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director well before his term was up and Wray resigning to avert a collision with the incoming administration. “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me," Wray said. “I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorized to discuss the private gathering by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice" and saying that Patel's confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again.” If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI's Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators," raising alarms that he might seek to wield the FBI's significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Trump's perceived enemies. Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to "a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one.” It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions throughout the years, including as recently as the past week. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Trump said, “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed by the Justice Department special counsel that brought them in light of Trump's November victory. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association, said in a statement that Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, the self-professed "low-key, understated" Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. He also sought to avoid public conflict when possible with the Trump White House, distancing himself and his leadership team from the FBI's Russia investigation over errors that took place before he took office and announcing dozens of corrective actions meant to prevent the recurrence of the surveillance abuses that plagued the inquiry. But there were other instances when he memorably broke from Trump — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of the Russia investigation as a “witch hunt." He made known his displeasure when the White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide and contradicted a Trump talking point by stating that Ukraine had not interfered in the 2016 election. He repeatedly sought to keep the focus on the FBI's day-to-day work, using the bulk of his resignation announcement to praise the bureau's efforts in countering everything from violent crime and cyberattacks to Chinese espionage and terrorism. Yet as he leaves office at a time of heightened threats , much of the public focus has been on the politically sensitive investigations of his tenure. Besides the inquiries into Trump, the FBI in recent years also investigated Biden's handling of classified information as well as Biden's son Hunter for tax and gun violations. Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father last week. A particular flashpoint came in August 2022, when FBI agents searched Mar-a-Lago — an action officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that search and has kept up his criticism ever since. Trump was angered by Wray's comment at a congressional hearing that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the “Bridgegate” scandal. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.Just in Time for the Holidays: Tesla Mezcal Re-Releases a Limited Edition Collaboration with Nosotros Mezcal
December's full cold moon: What to knowIn addition to the new hero and content updates, Season 38 will also introduce new gameplay features and optimizations aimed at enhancing the overall player experience. From improved matchmaking algorithms to better network stability, the developers have been hard at work ensuring that Season 38 is the best one yet.
Australia backs Gaza ceasefire, supports Palestine aidIt’s a new year, and to help celebrate the month of January 2025, we have a bunch of stellar games, including a remaster of a beloved Vita game and the next entry of a popular action franchise. You’ll also blow heads off in excessive detail as you fire your powerful weaponry in Sniper Elite: Resistance. Dynasty Warriors Origins (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) Publisher: Koei Tecmo Developer: Koei Tecmo Price: $69.99 Release Date: January 17 Trailer The Dynasty Warriors series looks as epic as ever in this next entry. As a nameless hero protagonist, you’re stepping into the field of hundreds of warriors. You’ll be utilizing fast-paced combos and abilities called arts to take down these foes. There’s also a strategic element to the visual madness on screen as you command your allies to advance or cavalry charge to victory (or failure). You’ll also have to manage the morale of your forces, which should be quite the challenge. Hopefully, you’ll still be able to enjoy the breakneck action despite the strategic elements of this new entry. “Omega Force and Koei Tecmo have taken a lot of the staples from the franchise like massive-scale battles and expanded them while also improving the overall game through better storytelling, more interesting combat, and a player character-driven focus,” said our preview . It will be launched on consoles and PC systems on January 17 . Those who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition can start on January 14. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC) Publisher: Binary Haze Interactive Developer: Adglobe, Live Wire Price: $19.99 Release Date: January 22 Trailer An indie highlight from the January 2025 games lineup is Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist . It’s a sequel to the critically acclaimed Metroidvania Ender Lilies : Quietus of the Knights. The sequel was previously launched through Steam Early Access and has an impressive Overwhelmingly Positive 97% rating on Steam . In this entry, you play as an attuner named Lilac, who can summon the power of the Homunculi. In this journey, you wake up from a laboratory, try to find your lost memories and save “precious friends in the Land of Fumes,” according to the Steam page. You’ll come across pretty 2D art and 30 different unique skills from the companions you meet as you explore this post-apocalyptic world. There’s also a lot of equipment, relics, and items to find on your adventure. Freedom Wars Remastered (PS4, PS5, Switch, PC) Publisher: Bandai Namco Developer: Dimps Price: Unannounced (as of the time of writing) Release Date: January 10 Trailer The PlayStation Vita hidden gem Freedom Wars finally gets a remaster on modern platforms on January 10. It has a unique scenario for this co-op action game. You begin your life as a criminal for just being born, and you’re fighting enemies and finishing missions to reduce your sentence. Bandai Namco says the game supports a 4K resolution and 60 frames per second on all current-gen platforms. Additionally, the game has upgraded textures, but to be honest, from the screenshots and footage so far, you can still tell it was originally a Vita game. The game has an overhauled weapon crafting system, new difficulty options, and more gameplay upgrades in Freedom Wars Remastered. As you play through the game, you’ll be given Thorn weapons to help you traverse each level and take down enemies. These weapons let you set traps, provide healing, and more benefits to your team. The materials you gather from fallen enemies will let you upgrade your weapons, similar to the Monster Hunter series. The original Vita release of Freedom Wars received an 8/10 score from our review , so the remaster may be worth checking out. Sniper Elite: Resistance (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC) Publisher: Rebellion Developer: Rebellion Price: $49.99 Release Date: January 30 Trailer Sniper Elite: Resistance takes us back to World War 2 as we snipe Nazis in a hidden war amongst occupied France. We play as Harry Hawker, an operative tasked with eliminating the Wunderwaffe, a weapon that would guarantee the Nazis victory in the war. Sniper Elite ‘s X-ray kill cam is back in this game as it gives us the visceral details of a bullet entering the noggin (and other body parts) of your enemies. You’ll need to consider gravity, wind, and even your heart rate to get the perfect shot. As you play through Sniper Elite: Resistance, you’ll be able to customize and upgrade your weapons with all manner of scopes, stocks, barrels, magazines and other attachments. You’ll also get the ability to use armor-piercing shells to finish your task when the game drops onto physical and digital store shelves on January 30. Tales of Graces f Remastered (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) Publisher: Bandai Namco Developer: TOSE CO. LTD Price: $49.99 Release Date: January 17 Trailer Asbel’s adventures return in Tales of Graces f Remastered when Bandai Namco releases this JRPG for modern platforms on January 17. This new version of the adventure includes graphical improvements, auto-save functionality, the ability to turn off enemy encounters, and the addition of dashing rather than the slower running. You can also skip cutscenes with this release, and icons have been added to the UI to make the experience clearer. Most of the original DLC from the PS3 version is included in the package. The story revolves around three kingdoms vying for control of the world. Our heroes, such as Asbel, Richard, and Sophie, must work together to save the beautiful world Ephinea. While playing this on the PS3, my teenage self loved the probably corny storyline, which focused on the friendship between the characters that grow from childhood; hopefully, it ages well. Honorable Mentions The January 2025 games lineup has many remasters and ports. They include the Wii platformer Donkey Kong Country Returns HD , and the new remaster of the PS1 classic Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles . Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 also finally arrives on PC in January. Airborne Empire Early Access (PC) – January 13 Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access (PC) – January 16 Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Switch) – January 16 Border Town Early Access(PC) – January 23 Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC) – January 23 Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) – January 28 Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (PC) – January 28 Cuisineer (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – January 29 Hello Kitty Island Adventure (Switch, PC) – January 30 Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PC) – January 30 Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero (PS4, PS5, Switch) – January 30
1. Tesla Model Y: One of the most anticipated electric vehicles of the year, the Tesla Model Y combines the versatility of an SUV with the performance and efficiency of Tesla's electric technology. With a sleek design and cutting-edge features, the Model Y is expected to be a game-changer in the electric vehicle market.
WASHINGTON , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Internationally celebrated Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima has been named a Trustee at the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF), further strengthening her influential role in promoting cross-cultural exchange and collaboration. She has been a leader both in promoting the role of women in architecture, and in redefining the use of public space for community purposes. Sejima, a founder of Kazuyo Sejima & Associates and co-founder of SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates), is known for her groundbreaking work in minimalist architecture and her dedication to creating spaces that connect people with their surroundings. Her architectural contributions have earned global recognition, including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, awarded jointly with co-founder Ryue Nishizawa in 2010. Sejima's architectural accomplishments span numerous internationally renowned projects, such as the New Museum in New York City , the Rolex Learning Center in Switzerland , and the Louvre-Lens in France . In Japan , she has designed iconic public spaces, including Kanazawa's 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the New Kagawa Prefectural Sports Arena. Her minimalist design philosophy emphasizes transparency and harmony, seamlessly blending built and natural environments. In 2023, Sejima won the Jane Drew Prize for Architecture for her contribution to raising the profile of women in architecture. The Jane Drew Prize is given annually as part of the W Awards, a program held by The Architectural Review and Architects' Journal, which was previously known as the Women in Architecture Awards. "Beyond the formal, structural, and material experimentation of her work, Sejima is one of too few female architects to have established themselves on the international stage," said The Architectural Review editor Manon Mollard . "Her courage, tenacity, and success are critical reminders that it is possible." "Sejima-san will contribute her insightful perspective and deep understanding of art, architecture, and culture, enhancing the Foundation's mission of supporting initiatives that advance social, economic, and cultural connections," said Lawrence K. Fish , USJF board chair. "As an architect who has consistently challenged conventions and expanded the possibilities of design, Sejima-san brings a unique, innovative approach to the Foundation's programs." Sejima said, "When I was a child, an American family moved next door, and I have fond memories of them introducing me to many worlds I had never known. Because of that, I am honored to now be involved in passing on various activities to the next generation." For more information on Kazuyo Sejima's appointment and ongoing work with the US-Japan Foundation, please contact: info@us-jf.org View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/renowned-architect-kazuyo-sejima-appointed-to-united-states-japan-foundation-board-302320062.html SOURCE United States-Japan FoundationTORONTO — The injury-ravaged Toronto Maple Leafs placed Matthew Knies on injured reserve Friday and signed fellow forward Alex Nylander to a one-year contract, recalling him from the AHL Marlies. Knies was hurt in a mid-ice check by Las Vegas defenceman Zach Whitecloud in the Toronto's 3-0 home win Wednesday. Knies did not return and has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to Wednesday with an upper-body injury. Toronto is already missing captain Auston Matthews, Max Domi, David Kampf, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok due to injury, as well as Ryan Reaves, who is one game into his five-game ban for felling Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse with an illegal check to the head. Whitecloud, who stood up as he delivered the hit, was not penalized for the punishing check despite video review, but got a minor roughing penalty for tangling with Simon Benoit, who got a four-minute roughing call for his attempted retribution. "They thought it was a clean hit so it's a clean hit," Leafs coach Craig Berube said after the game, referencing the league. "Really there's nothing to say." Under league rules, a player placed on Injured reserve is ineligible to compete in NHL games for at least seven days. Toronto (12-6-2) hosts Utah on Sunday before heading to Florida to play at the Panthers on Wednesday. Veteran Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson missed practice Friday due to illness. The club recalled defenceman Philippe Myers from a conditioning stint with the Marlies. The 27-year-old from Moncton, who signed as a free agent in July, has appeared in one game with the Leafs this season. Nylander's contract is worth $775,000. The 26-year-old Nylander, the younger brother of Leafs star William Nylander, has eight goals and four assists in 14 games with the Toronto Marlies this season. The six-foot-one 205-pounder has 222 career points (102 goals, 120 assists) in 344 regular-season AHL games split between Toronto, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rockford and Rochester. The younger Nylander has 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists) in 121 career NHL games split between Columbus, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Buffalo. He won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships. Alex Nylander joined the Toronto organization as a free agent, signing a one-year AHL contract in July. He was originally selected by the Sabres in the first round (eight overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. The injuries have promoted a string of call-ups for the Leafs. Fraser Minter scored his first NHL goal Wednesday in his season debut and fifth career NHL game while Russian Nikita Grebenkin made his NHL debut. --- This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. The Canadian Press
NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYTX) pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's initial public offering conducted on February 8, 2024 (the "IPO"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 7, 2025 . So what: If you purchased Kyverna common stock you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Kyverna class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32239 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 7, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, the registration statement and prospectus used to effectuate Kyverna's IPO misstated and/or omitted facts concerning the results of Kyverna's ongoing evaluation of KYV-101, Kyverna's lead product candidate, in clinical trials. Specifically, Kyverna touted patient "improvement" in certain indicators while failing to disclose adverse data regarding one of Kyverna's trials, which adverse data was known to Kyverna at the time of the IPO. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Kyverna class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32239 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kytx-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-kyverna-therapeutics-inc-nasdaq-kytx-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302330619.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.Elon Musk sparked widespread discussion with a tweet about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “The final step of @DOGE is to delete itself,” Musk wrote. The post was a response to Vivek Ramaswamy, who co-leads the department. Ramaswamy tweeted earlier, “Most government projects should come with a clear expiry date. That’s why we set one for @DOGE: July 4, 2026.” DOGE is an ambitious advisory council that seeks to transform the federal government. Ramaswamy, a businessman and previous Republican presidential candidate, and Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), are among its leaders. In order to create government changes, the agency intends to work with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Bold Proposals to Shrink GovernmentMusk has pledged to reduce the yearly government budget by $2 trillion. Over one-third of the government's current expenditures are represented by this. As part of his proposal, there would be 99 federal agencies instead of 428. Ramaswamy outlined yet another ambitious goal: a 75% cutback in the government workforce. There are almost 2 million civilian employees of the government. This strategy calls for the elimination of 1.5 million jobs. Critics cautioned that such extreme restrictions may affect vital services like food aid and defense operations. Marjorie Taylor Greene Joins the EffortMarjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman, has been selected for a crucial position. She will likely serve as the head of a brand-new House panel tasked with carrying out personnel cuts. The DOGE subcommittee has not yet been formally approved. Greene is renowned for her advocacy of government downsizing and was a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. She is supposed to provide detailed strategies for firing government workers. Bipartisan Reactions to DOGETrump's plan for government reform included the introduction of DOGE. Despite having Republican leadership, the effort has garnered interest from people of all political persuasions. Recently, Senator Bernie Sanders showed unanticipated support for the department. "Elon Musk is right," Sanders said, in keeping with DOGE's objective to simplify federal processes. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.
[Word count: 413]In addition to traditional forms of stimulus such as tax relief and subsidies, the forthcoming policies are expected to leverage digital technologies and innovative approaches to incentivize consumer spending. This could involve the implementation of digital payment platforms, e-commerce promotions, and targeted marketing campaigns to enhance the overall shopping experience and encourage greater consumer engagement.The international community has expressed growing concern over the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, with calls for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution to the conflict gaining momentum. The United Nations and European Union have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.