2 pesos philippine bill value

For a few more weeks, Biden retains the responsibilities and powers of the nation’s highest office. If he believes his words, he must take urgent action to strengthen our democracy, even as he works to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. President-elect Donald Trump has made little secret of his desire for unchecked power, whether to be a dictator on day one, weaponize the Department of Justice against perceived enemies or strip broadcast licenses from disfavored media outlets. But this has yet to come to pass. America only has one president at a time. If Biden’s campaign ad was more than political bluster — and his lifetime of dedicated public service suggests it was heartfelt — he must now do everything he can to safeguard our fundamental rights. So what can he do? First, he can shore up protections for the dedicated career civil servants who keep us safe. Doctors, scientists and bank inspectors ensure the prescribed drugs are safe, our water is free of toxins, our jobs won’t cause us injury and our life’s savings won’t disappear when we make a deposit. Civil servants in agencies such as the FBI, CIA and Defense Department keep us safe from terrorists and foreign adversaries. With his billionaire Cabinet picks and quid-pro-quo style, Trump will replace servants of the people with those who serve him. He doesn’t want career civil servants to blow the whistle when his actions sacrifice Americans’ safety and well-being to benefit his wealthy friends. Solidifying job protections for civil servants gives them what authoritarians hate most: the ability to stand up, speak truth and ensure our laws are followed. Biden says he’s the most labor-friendly president in a generation. Now he must aggressively side with public workers in contract negotiations and offer whistleblower training to put our health and safety over the interests of billionaires. Second, Biden can recognize the Equal Rights Amendment to protect women. Many in Trump’s orbit are pushing him to use draconian measures to block Americans’ access to reproductive care. His nominee for defense secretary has said he believes women are less effective fighters and shouldn’t serve in ground combat units. Trump also could scale back efforts to combat sex discrimination in the workplace and health care. The ERA could offer vital constitutional protections. Virginia ratified it in 2020 and was the last state needed to bring it into force, but it has yet to be formally recognized as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. This is the case even as the nation’s leading scholars and the American Bar Association argue it has already been adopted. Biden has the power to clarify this once and for all. Finally, Biden should do all he can to prepare our military, law enforcement and intelligence communities to uphold the rule of law and push back against attempts to weaponize them against law-abiding citizens. The Republican-led House of Representatives has passed two bills to safeguard journalists and stop the government from purchasing Americans’ private location, web history and search data without a warrant. Biden must press the Senate to take immediate action on these bills. Through training and guidance, he also can reiterate that presidential immunity does not shield military and law enforcement officers from the legal requirement to follow only lawful orders. Additionally, his administration can lay out constraints on the domestic deployment of federal forces, even if they are ultimately reversed. Biden’s term isn’t over, nor is his responsibility to the children and grandchildren watching him, waiting to see what kind of America they will inherit. Urgent actions are sitting on the most powerful desk in America. We must now ask the lifelong statesman and patriot who sits behind it: What will you do to protect our democracy?Jimmy Carter, the longest-lived American president died on Sunday, the accolades flowed in emails from Connecticut lawmakers and elected officials, many of whom knew the former president. Carter, was a 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. He died 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. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said Sunday, “President Carter leaves us just when we need his spirit more than ever. But as an American, and a kid who grew up during his presidency, I am ever grateful that Jimmy Carter showed us the way. A way forward for America that is just and fair, and takes care of each other. “A way for a human being to serve other people as completely and vigorously as he did. I am not sure we’ll ever see another Jimmy Carter in my lifetime. But for our sake, I desperately hope that we do,” Tong said. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, said Carter appointed him U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. “Jimmy Carter was a public servant for all seasons—leading by example, passionately and unstintingly, over deeply different and sometimes difficult phases of his life and the nation’s,” Blumenthal said. “The diversity and longevity of his public service is staggering—as a military officer, Governor and President, home builder, health care activist, and much more. He certainly showed that leadership in elected office is only one of many ways to give back to our great nation. He believed fervently in the opportunity and obligation of every single person to make a difference and better the lives of others. I’ll always be grateful for his appointing me as U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, which is how I first came to know him. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2, said he spoke on the House Floor recounting Carter’s exceptional service, including in the U.S. Navy, and his connection to Connecticut. “America lost a great man today. President Jimmy Carter personified the highest form of public service, not just as Governor and President, but as an ensign in the U.S. Navy who rose to be one of Admiral Hyman G. Rickover’s select officers at the birth of the ‘Nuclear Navy,'” Courtney said. “In 2005, when the Navy sought to close Submarine Base New London, former President Carter stood by ‘Team Connecticut’ in opposition to a plan which would have moved the Base’s fleet to his home state of Georgia. His decision to support ‘Team Connecticut’ in the face of political pressure at home represents the integrity and honor he served with throughout his life. Today, eastern Connecticut maintains our proud role as Submarine Capital of the World thanks to former President Carter. I join the American people in sending my deepest condolences and gratitude to the Carter family for his lifetime of service.” U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5, said, “Today, our nation mourns the passing of Nobel laureate and former President Jimmy Carter. “During his presidency and in the decades after, President Carter served as an advocate for peace, human rights, and democracy,” she said. “His work with Habitat for Humanity inspired me to introduce my students to service and has helped build strength, stability and self reliance for so many through shelter.” “My thoughts and prayers are with the Carter family during this time and I thank him for his lifetime of service.” U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said, “Few people have modeled what it means to live a life dedicated to the service of others more than President Jimmy Carter. “He led with compassion, humility, and moral clarity even when it came at a political cost. Helping others was his calling, and President Carter didn’t need the White House to change millions of lives. From his work at the Carter Center to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, he worked every day to build a more just world. “In a 1979 speech, President Carter warned the nation we have two paths to choose from – one toward fragmentation and self-interest and another toward common purpose. It’s a warning that rings true still today. “My heart is with the Carter family as the nation mourns the loss of a giant.” Gov. Ned Lamont said, “President Carter will be remembered in history as one of our nation’s most humble presidents, whose honorable service to the United States began when he enlisted in the Navy and was stationed for several years in Connecticut at Naval Submarine Base New London. “Upon being elected to office as governor of Georgia and continuing throughout his presidency, he championed many of the biggest and most notable causes of the era, including desegregation, human rights, early childhood development programs, prison reform, and more. He has one of the most noteworthy and prominent post-presidency careers of any U.S. president, volunteering his time on the international stage to provide diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts in places such as Israel, Palestine, North Korea, South Africa, and Syria, and maintaining an active level of involvement as an advocate for Habitat for Humanity to promote for the availability of housing for all. “President Carter’s style of leadership set an example that ought to be emulated by public officials nationwide, most notably his self-effacing and kind disposition. He carried himself with grace and integrity, treated others with dignity and respect regardless of whether they were a political ally or foe, and above all worked to implement policies that make our country a more equitable place for all to live and thrive. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I extend my deepest condolences to the Carter family. Our hearts are with them at this time of mourning, and we thank them for everything they have given to our country.” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said, “Jimmy Carter represented the best of us. A man of generosity, patience – and above all, kindness. I had the privilege of witnessing those qualities firsthand when in 1978, President Carter joined Governor Ella Grasso in Hartford to fundraise for her second term. “As a student journalist for my high school newspaper, I met President Carter during that visit. He was very patient and took the time to answer my questions. The following year, his press secretary Jody Powell was kind enough to invite our high school newspaper to attend a presidential press conference at the White House. Experiences like these are what ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in public service, law, and advocacy. “Throughout his presidency, and even after he left office, President Carter was known for committing his time and talents to the service of others. He made democracy and human rights a central focus – consistently focused on peacekeeping and diplomacy efforts. As a former secretary of the state, I always appreciated his work to promote free and fair elections in our country and around the world. Led by his faith to help the less fortunate, President Carter dedicated countless hours to building homes with Habitat for Humanity. “Jimmy Carter was a man from humble beginnings who went on to change the world. He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to his country, his steadfast belief in democracy, and ultimately his kindness and sacrifice. My heart goes out to his family.” The Associated Press Contributed to this post.2 pesos philippine bill value 。

NoneReport: Pittsburgh Steelers expect to play regular season Ireland game in 2025

Best gifts for fitness lovers and wellness enthusiasts you want to treat this ChristmasJimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never 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 said. Keep up with the latest NKY news with our daily newsletter Sign up Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief” and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise” speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter’s diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Before you go.... Can you help us make a difference? The reporters and editors at LINK nky are dedicated to covering Northern Kentucky and providing you with the information you need to be an informed citizen. If you value what you get from LINK nky, please join us with a tax-deductible donation so we can continue doing the local reporting that matters to you. Will you chip in to LINK nky today? YES, I'LL CHIP IN! SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS DONATE

SHAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: Halper Sadeh LLC Investigates AVAV, CTV, AE, PLL on Behalf of Shareholders

Some companies operate in very specific industries, whether that's a supermarket business, a retailer, or something else in an exact sector. But, a few (ASX: XJO) shares have operations spread across a wide array of areas, providing . One of the great things about having diversification within a company is that it lowers the risk of any one segment going poorly, and it also means the company has multiple avenues to pursue growth. They can choose which area of their diverse operations they see as the best opportunity to invest for the biggest return. With that in mind, I think the below two stocks are two of the most diverse ASX 200 shares. Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd ( ) I think this company, commonly called Soul Patts, is the most diverse business because it already represents a wholly diversified portfolio. It started as a pharmacy business 120 years ago but has since made a number of investments in various other industries and assets. For example, it's invested and . This diversified portfolio provides to Soul Patts, which then enables a resilient, growing dividend. It has paid a dividend every year since it was listed 120 years ago, and it has grown its annual ordinary dividend every year since 2000, which is the best record on the ASX. Wesfarmers Ltd ( ) Wesfarmers is another of the oldest businesses on the ASX. The ASX 200 share can trace its history back to 1914 as a Western Australian farmers' cooperative. It's now one of the largest Australian companies. It has operations across home improvement, building supplies and outdoor living products (Bunnings), general merchandise and apparel (Kmart and Target), office and technology products (Officeworks), health, beauty and wellbeing products and services (Priceline), a retail subscription program, wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical goods, manufacturing and distribution of chemicals and fertilisers, a lithium project including mine, concentrator and refinery, industrial and safety product distribution, and gas processing and distribution (WesCEF). The ASX 200 share has made Kmart and Bunnings two of the country's most impressive retailers, with market-leading positions in their categories. Kmart is looking to grow its earnings by taking its Anko brand products to international markets, while Bunnings is looking to grow through bolt-on acquisitions (such as Beaumont Tiles) and growing in new product categories, such as auto care and pet care. I think there's more growth to come.

Denmark will spend more than $1.5 billion on the defense of Greenland, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said on Tuesday, days after US President-elect Donald Trump declared that he wants the territory under American “ownership and control.” Speaking to Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten newspaper, Poulsen said that Copenhagen will spend a “double digit billion amount” of krone, or at least $1.5 billion, on a package of measures aimed at increasing the Danish military presence in Greenland. The package includes two patrol boats, two long-range drones, two sled dog teams, and funding to upgrade one of the territory’s civilian airports to accommodate F-35 fighter jets, he said. “For many years we have not invested enough in the Arctic, now we are planning a stronger presence,” he told the newspaper. Two days earlier, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that “for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” Trump made similar comments during his first term in office, offering to buy Greenland from Denmark in what he said would be “essentially...a large real estate deal.” Poulsen told Jyllands-Posten that the decision to increase military spending in Greenland was planned in advance, and that it was an “irony of fate” that it was announced immediately after Trump’s comments. Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, issued an angry response to Trump’s post. “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” he declared, before adding that he welcomed increased trade and cooperation with the US. Greenland gained home rule status from Denmark in 1979, although its defense and foreign policy is still decided in Copenhagen. Around 80% of the island is covered by a thick ice sheet, and two thirds of its territory lies above the Arctic Circle. Greenland is home to a large US Space Force base, which is the northernmost American military facility in the world. Gaining control of Greenland would dramatically expand American access to the Arctic Ocean. At present, 50% of the Arctic coastline is Russian territory, and the region is of key strategic and sovereign importance for Moscow. Trump is not the first US president to suggest purchasing Greenland. The idea was first floated by Andrew Johnson in the 1860s. Johnson ended up negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867.Freedom is the ability to make choices without encroaching on another person’s rights. It also relates to the power to earn and to live in any way you choose. Individuals who feel free and empowered have more control over their lives, resulting in higher levels of productivity. The advantages of freedom are massive and can lead to a greater sense of wellbeing, a higher GDP per capita and a happier society. Freedoms can be categorized in various ways: the most obvious are freedom of speech, freedom to join political parties, trade unions or clubs and the right to protest. These are essential to society and allow individuals to express their opinions, ideas, values and beliefs freely. Another form of freedom involves the personal freedom to live where you want to, work in any job you choose and pursue any hobby or passion that you desire. This personal freedom can help build self-esteem, allowing individuals to grow and become who they want to be. It can also result in higher levels of personal wealth and a happier and healthier lifestyle. One of the most significant benefits of freedom is that it allows individuals to express themselves and create new ideas that can address societal issues. Freedom of expression can help with scientific and technological breakthroughs, and it can also help to reduce poverty and inequality within a society. The concept of freedom also relates to the ability to live in a country that respects human rights and does not violate the dignity of its citizens. This can include a range of activities, from being able to vote in elections to traveling freely around the world. The right to travel can also provide people with the opportunity to experience different cultures and learn about other countries. There are many different images of freedom, but perhaps the most powerful is that of a freed slave or prisoner. It is this image that has been used most often to illustrate the value of freedom and it is this which we will use as our main illustration. Using the app, you can block distracting apps and websites and set them to be active for a specified period of time. This will allow you to focus and improve your productivity and screen time habits. Freedom users report gaining an average of 2.5 hours of productive time each day. They are more fulfilled, happier with their work and family life and have a healthier relationship with their technology. This tool is ideal for writers, software developers, learners of all kinds and entrepreneurs who need to be able to focus when they are working. It is also useful for people who struggle with procrastination or who are easily distracted by social media, shopping websites and games. It is easy to setup and easy to use. You can get started for free with 7 free Start Now sessions and then upgrade to a Premium account at any time to access all their features.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year announced on social media his intention Friday to leave after his junior season. He helped the seventh-ranked Vols go 10-3 with a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff where Sampson was limited by an injured hamstring. Sampson thanked his family, Tennessee coaches and fans, saying he learned so much and had the chance to be part of something special. Tennessee went 3-7 in 2020, and he leaves with the Vols having won 30 games over his three seasons. “I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community,” Sampson wrote. “With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.” Sampson set a school record running for 1,491 yards. He also set a program record with a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years. He was part of coach Josh Heupel's first full signing class in December 2021 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also set school records for total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games with 10, averaging 114.7 yards rushing per game, points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). He finished this season tied for fifth all-time in the SEC ranks for rushing TDs in a single season with Leonard Fournette of LSU. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballBy DAVID BRANDT SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it’s usually a backhanded compliment. They say he’s a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn’t try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here’s the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that’s hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. “I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they’re a huge part of our success,” Allar said Dec. 29 at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. “For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don’t do that, there’s nobody more frustrated than us.” The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for the Jan. 1 game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar’s no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. “If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we’d all be pretty rich,” offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. “I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism.” The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that’s largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. “I’ve been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy,” Allar said. “I think that’s been a huge difference for me this year.” The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn’t capable of winning the big games. He’s 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks’ 45-37 victory. He wasn’t great in the CFP’s first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. “For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm,” Allar said. “Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game.” Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that’s not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback’s ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. “He’s a football player,” Warren said. “He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he’s just a football player and that fires up our offense.” Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don’t show up in big games. Not that he’s worried about what other people think. “I think it’s a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise,” Allar said. “Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad.”

Strictly Come Dancing fans have voiced 'he has to go' after a star stumbled during the quarter finals. The BBC show returned on Saturday (November 30) for Musicals Week, which saw the remaining six couples taking classic musical songs to the ballroom. They were Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe, Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Škorjanec, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley and Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał's. During the show, former TOWIE star Pete was seen stumbling during the Waltz to Somewhere from West Side Story. Although the judges and his dance partner brushed off the mistakes, viewers were quick to flock to social media and request his exit. "Pete's time is up I am sorry but he cannot make a good semi-finalist in any world . It'll be a complete injustice if anyone else is eliminated over him this week," one X user wrote. A second penned: "Sorry but Pete actually needs to leave tonight...it's his time." While a third said: "I'm sorry it's week 11 and Pete is tripping over his feet doing the most basic choreography...he needs to go." Implying that the judges favour Pete, another wrote: "Why is Pete the ONLY contestant that never receives criticism? He messes up constantly, but they’re happy to ignore it, because it’s Pete? If it was ANYONE else, they’d be ripped apart and scored accordingly. #strictly" Despite backlash from viewers, Pete and Jowita scored 26 points. The quarter final comes after EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas were voted off after a tense dance-off against Olympian Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. After landing a near-perfect 32 points from the judges on Saturday night (November 23), the duo were left fighting for a spot in the competition and the judges ultimately chose to save Montell and her professional partner. However, last weekend wasn't all bad news for the dancers, as Love Island star Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec became the first duo in the 2024 series to score a perfect 40 out of 40 points from the judges, after their impressive American Smooth performance. The remaining couples - Montell and Johannes, Sarah and Vito, Tasha and Aljaz, Chris and Dianne, JB and Lauren, and Pete and Jowita - will face the judges again during Sunday's Strictly Come Dancing results show. Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

A lot is happening in carbon, and we sat down with Magnus again after speaking with him in 2022 . What are you currently most excited about in the carbon markets? Two things excite me the most: First, the real, quiet shift towards removal, and second, the increasing adoption of long-term portfolios. While the big-bang purchases of removal remain being executed by a very small number of buyers that essentially stayed the same over the past years and often require payment at delivery in the future, we now see an expansion of removal investments within portfolios that happens more quietly but seems more resilient with actual spot purchases of nature-based, hybrid, and engineered removals. On average, we’ve seen an increase in removal share of over 30% year-on-year. These are transactions that often come with normal payment terms and allow early cash-in for project developers and aren’t necessarily used for large marketing announcements. It’s rather a real risk perspective that drives them. Similarly, this increase drives companies to think about balanced portfolios for the long term. With net-zero ambitions in 2030, the target years are no longer in a distant future for many companies. As buyers have made their experiences in the market, they’re starting to be more aware of the supply and price risk that is to come. Rather than focusing on short-term project investments with flashy narratives, buyers are starting to construct portfolios with a 3 to 5-year time horizon. At CEEZER , we advocate for this approach, which mirrors the required build-up of high-quality supply. By spreading investments across various technologies, geographies, registries, and years, corporates increasingly pursue a risk-hedging strategy that helps supply-side growth at scale. This strategy enables risk mitigation and offers the opportunity to support high-quality, high-cost removal projects while reducing long-term market risks. Since we last spoke, how has financing and transparency on the quality of projects developed? Since our last discussion in late 2022, financing and transparency in carbon projects have seen significant advancements. 2023 posed what I would call “positive challenges” for carbon market players, with declines in carbon credit issuances and retirements of certain credit categories following controversial news that impacted the market’s reputation. Expectations were high for COP28 and Article 6 negotiations to give “UN-sanctioned” guidance, but unfortunately, they did not yield the anticipated results. Something that might have driven a sudden increase in the market. However, amidst these challenges, regulatory changes and increased public scrutiny have led to elevated quality standards for carbon credits. There are a few private market initiatives that, while early, are prone to wider adoption. For example, on June 6th, the Integrity Council of the Voluntary Carbon Market announced the first carbon-crediting methodologies that meet its high-integrity Core Carbon Principles. This will allow buyers to eventually look for ‘CCP-labeled’ credits, hopefully giving them confidence that these are aligned with an industry-leading standard. That said, the process of accreditation is still ongoing and it remains to be seen how robust the CCP label will be in a very quickly evolving market. Also, both for buyers and suppliers, the competing quality frameworks are starting to be a bit of a headache. We focus on “credit fundamentals,” i.e. metric-driven properties of carbon credits that we collect, vet, and harmonize to be able to quickly derive adherence to any possible standard. For now, that seems to be the only way to manage the variety of quality definitions out there. Luckily, deepened collaborations among major players in the Voluntary Carbon Market, including ICVCM, VCMI, SBTi, and others, are at least signaling a concerted effort to build trust and confidence in the market. A quick harmonization will be crucial if we want companies to act. What spurred controversy was the announcement of the Science Based Targets Initiative’s potential acceptance of carbon credits towards Scope 3 targets, and the VCMI’s beta Scope 3 flexibility claim. There remain large differences within the carbon world on the best and most impactful way to deploy negative emissions as part of the decarbonization journey. While the concern around negative emissions as an “easy way out” is probably shared by everyone, a parallel deployment of removal next to internal reduction is necessary in most market scenarios. First, to make sure supply can grow quickly. Then, to “derisk” the often ambitious decarbonization timelines towards 2050 with removals before target years. In practice, we’ve hardly seen corporates investing significant amounts into removal when an internal decarbonization plan was not in place. Initiatives like the SBTi are central to corporate climate commitments but ultimately also rely on corporations adhering to their principles voluntarily. That is not an easy balance to keep – but even if discussions are controversial, that exchange is crucial at the current time. Removals are part of almost any climate scenario, and the time for “either/or” has long passed. If you were purchasing carbon credits for an enterprise or a government, how would you approach it? I firmly believe that no matter who is purchasing carbon credits, it’s essential to adopt a data-driven approach that aligns with long-term climate goals and optimizes the climate impact of investments. In any case, the first step is accurately measuring the carbon footprint across all activities, followed by identifying and implementing abatement initiatives. Once reduction efforts are initiated, buyers should define a strategy for compensating remaining emissions (ideally both along the way towards net zero, and definitely the residual emissions at net-zero). Advanced buyers today come with a set of requirements that we help to translate into objective metrics. As said, we’ve seen a significant increase in removals and help our partners understand what differences there are in terms of permanence, reversal risk, co-benefits, etc. When purchasing, CEEZER strongly advocates for creating a balanced portfolio that takes into account these specific risks as well as supply and price risks. Additionally, portfolio design is best done over multiple years, taking into account current and projected market dynamics. For example, it might make sense to secure specific project types like hybrid removals with a smaller pipeline but a large projected demand already today. For other project types, like really experimental technologies, it might be more beneficial to do some initial forward contracts but keep the flexibility to re-contract at lower prices later. Increasingly, buyers are concerned with the post-purchase part of things, also thanks to regulations like the VCMDA in California or CSRD in Europe. Transparent reporting and communication are important and should be easy. Making sure the use of credits is tracked and logged internally across all parts of the company is equally challenging when working across different registries. What is useful financing, and what is useless financing? Useful financing is investing in projects that contribute to tangible climate action and carbon reduction goals. Maybe this is controversial, but at large I believe the financing gap is less on the VC side of things, but really in project finance. The financial profile of carbon projects is similar to that of energy assets and other comparable investments. You have a relatively high upfront investment that can be earned back over a long period of time with regular issuances. The key difference is that off-take prices for carbon are hard to understand and predict at the moment. That challenges traditional financing solutions like energy project finance with predictable and often state-guaranteed feed-in tariffs. In short, for a bank, carbon projects are pretty risky for the long time horizon they cover. However, there is a real opportunity there for banks and mezzanine capital can play a huge role. It requires a certain risk appetite for sure but should be doable. In practice, corporate and private buyers can still help. This can include investing in high-quality carbon credits as a long-term off-take contract or supporting early-stage carbon removal technologies to encourage the development of new solutions with the ability to generate significant discounts. Clearly, this requires buyers to take a larger risk. Determining the risk profile of a project requires a thorough, data-driven approach. CEEZER has gathered and analyzed millions of data points and conducts a rigorous vetting process for every project and complements that with external ratings to help guide buyers into the right decision. Further, buyers can engage with high-quality projects early via the CEEZER Carbon Coalition , a collection of early-stage carbon removal players we guide to market. As a player with the data and the firm demand points, we also play our own role in backing long-term carbon portfolios with external financing. This allows later cash-out for buyers and early cash-in for project developers. Useless financing I’d say is the kind that does not actually happen. A lot of larger removal deals run as “payment on delivery.” So the headline reads that multiple millions went into carbon removal, while the suppliers haven’t yet seen a single dollar. The financing pressure hence remains on the often smaller suppliers. The buyers who truly lead have to do more these days. What is the main product offering of CEEZER, and what’s the future of your product suite? CEEZER’s platform enables enterprises to screen, purchase, and manage negative emissions. CEEZER uniquely combines the broadest supply overview with harmonized quality data to direct investments into impactful projects in balanced portfolios. We allow buyers to focus on mitigating risk and maximizing impact – while CEEZER takes care of the rest: Transaction handling in the registry, retirement, payment alignment, and post-purchase management of carbon assets. I feel like we are unique in how we look at quality and risk, with a data- and science-driven approach that is ingrained into every part of the platform. We allow you to leverage over 13 million data points on quality, volume, and pricing and have up to 530 data points for a single project that we can translate into meaningful information. In sum, we offer a tool that simplifies carbon purchases, reduces long-term quality and volume risk, and facilitates accurate reporting and communications from CDP to CSRD. Looking ahead, we focus on three things. First, the need for longer volume commitments requires a different view on long-term risk within projects, both around quality and volume availability. We are actively testing new ways to manage and mitigate that risk right on platform to make sure buyers get what they need, when they need it. Second, we’re offering additional tooling to manage already purchased credits within your organization — or make them available to external parties like suppliers and customers in case they want to. Transparency and a bullet-proof record are key there of course. Lastly, we have a larger role to play in financing carbon credit portfolios. As said above, the worst kind of financing is the one that doesn’t happen. A lot of what we do we can leverage to make carbon portfolios more bankable — allowing timely cash-in for the supply side. What trends do you think are overlooked in cleantech and climate? In the public debate and news coverage the fact that buyers, and especially large corporates, are increasingly quality-conscious, is cut short. There is an actual shift towards improving climate action that we see in every portfolio we manage, going far beyond the few landmark deals that are being talked about. Companies are starting to think about their climate strategy in longer cycles, leading to an increasing share of long-term off-take agreements and a shift towards higher-quality removal. Additionally, we see many companies that were considered traditional buyers are now looking at carbon as a potential revenue stream. Particularly in the process industries, companies with existing technological capabilities and suitable supply chains are realizing that deploying DACCS and BECCS within their supply chain is not only a means to reduce their own emissions but might be a potential source of income in a net-zero world. This will bring significant opportunities for equipment manufacturers, verifiers, and other players. That said, the practical use cases are far from clear. There are quite some questions around the additionality and applicability of CDR from traditional industrial supply chains that remain open — and will likely be subject to emerging regulation as well. Where would you like to see CEEZER in 3 years? In 3 years, I see CEEZER playing a pivotal role as the global carbon infrastructure, facilitating scalable CDR portfolios for every company, not just a few. We’re really looking at three perspectives on the way there. First, we focus on large corporates in approaching carbon management with the same rigor as financial performance. By providing robust tools and data-driven insights, we help make informed decisions and integrate negative emissions into crucial decisions. Second, we continue to focus on balanced portfolios to lower the entry threshold into permanent removals. If done right, this maximizes climate impact today while helping secure supply in the future. Last, we continue to invest in the broader ecosystem that brings together different stakeholders across the whole carbon value chain. There are gaps at every stage and we have a careful eye on where we can add value. In the current phase of the market, I believe it makes sense to look at where the market should be going forward and do your part to get it there. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook X Email Mastodon Reddit