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IRVING, Texas (AP) — A rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL's entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show, won’t impact the league's relationship with the music mogul. “We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday after the conclusion of the league's winter meetings. "We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt . The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation, one of his companies. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game on Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.
While Mbappe remains a crucial player for the French team, it is clear that he is no longer the only star shining bright. Players like Antoine Griezmann, N'Golo Kante, and Raphael Varane have all played vital roles in the team's recent successes, showing that the team is more than capable of performing well even without Mbappe at his best.Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel says he was surprised by reports of Shaq Barrett's unretirement plan
In the current financial landscape, stock margin trading has long been an integral part of investment strategies for many individuals and institutions. To further streamline and enhance stock margin trading, recent developments have seen significant improvements in the form of extending loan terms, increasing the maximum financing ratio, and introducing specialized loans for stock buybacks. These enhancements have not only provided investors with more flexibility and opportunities but have also optimized the overall stock margin trading experience.As we eagerly await the release of the remake next year, the anticipation continues to build among fans and critics alike. With its rich narrative, challenging puzzles, and innovative gameplay, "The Talos Principle" has secured its place as a modern classic in the world of video games. And with the upcoming remake, we can all look forward to experiencing this captivating journey once again in all its glory.As the clock ticks closer to the opening of A shares, the energy and anticipation are palpable. Traders are ready to seize the opportunities that lie ahead, armed with knowledge, experience, and a hunger for success. The trading floor is abuzz with activity, with shouts of excitement and anticipation echoing through the halls.
SOME of the most prestigious and successful names in Greek shipping walked off with major awards at the 21st Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards on the evening of Friday, December 6 – coincidentally St Nicholas’ Day, commemorating the patron saint of seafaring. Dry bulk carrier owner and operator DryDel Shipping (formerly Meadway Shipping & Trading) was named Dry Cargo Company of the Year while Evangelos Marinakis’ Capital Group scooped the Tanker Company of the Year Award, primarily for its extraordinary investments in an ‘energy-transition’ fleet of gas carriers but also an ambitious construction programme for dual-fuel tankers. Angelicoussis Group won The Sustainability Award in recognition not only of its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through building vessels of the latest technology, but also for its gender diversity, education and personnel welfare policies. Star Bulk Carriers won the inaugural Deal of the Year Award for its merger with Eagle Bulk Shipping. The addition of the new ‘Deal of the Year’ has brought the number of competitive award categories to 19. Personalities winning individual awards were led by Womens’ International Shipping & Trading Association President Elpi Petraki. She was named ‘Greek Shipping Personality of the Year’ for 2024, shortly after accepting the International Personality of the Year Award on behalf of its winner, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez. Mr Dominguez was unable to attend in person due to a busy week for the IMO in London that centred on the organisation’s Maritime Safety Committee meeting. Themistocles Vokos, the Chairman of Posidonia Exhibitions and founder of the Seatrade Organisation, was recognised for a remarkable career with the Lloyd’s List / Propeller Club Lifetime Achievement Award. Goldenport Group Chief Executive John Dragnis was unveiled as ‘Newsmaker of the Year’ after a period of making headlines across the tanker, dry bulk, offshore support vessel, FSRU and superyacht construction sectors. Sifis Vardinoyannis, director of bunkering company Sekavin, won the Next Generation Shipping Award. With live music from the aptly-named Prestige Band, a popular Athens-based band that expanded for the evening into a six-piece with the addition of bass and saxophone, the event entertained an international audience of about 1,100 guests. But – as it has done throughout its two decades of history – the world’s biggest shipping awards event proved to be a platform that reflected and engaged with serious and urgent issues, too. Accomplished young sailor Amalia Provelengiou won a special Woman of the Sea Award. As stated in the citation for the award, courage and determination are traditionally characteristics of a good sailor but Ms Provelengiou also exemplified these qualities in successfully bringing Greece’s first “MeToo” case against the sailing coach who had abused her. The Award was an expression of solidarity from Greece’s shipping industry at a time when many Greek shipping companies are attracting more women officers and more women are eyeing a maritime career. Ms Provelengiou’s story provides the basis of a brand new documentary film, ‘Tack’, directed by Vania Turner and produced by Onassis Culture. The ‘Person of the Sea Award’ is a rarely-given special award that is then personalised as either ‘Man of the Sea’ or ‘Woman of the Sea’ depending on the recipient. The Safety Award went to EUNAVFOR Operation Aspides, the EU’s maritime security operation shielding shipping from attacks by the rebel Houthi faction in Yemen. The operation, which is of geopolitical as well as humanitarian importance, is under the leadership of Greece and headquartered in Larissa. As ‘Ship of the Year’, the judging panel chose the FSRU “Alexandroupolis”, the converted LNG carrier that is at the heart of Gastrade’s LNG terminal in the northern Greek port of Alexandroupolis. The Passenger Line of the Year Award was won by Variety Cruises, a Greece-based family-run boutique cruise operation that has celebrated its 75th year in 2024. In contrast to the megaships dominating today’s cruise industry, it offers life-enriching, human scale cruises that focus on respect and discovery of the cultures visited by their ships, providing travelers with authentic experiences that reflect cultural and ecological sustainability and inclusiveness, leaving a minimal footprint behind. A highlight of the awards ceremony was the presentation of the Award for Achievement in Education or Training to the Tsakos Merchant Marine Academy, recently opened in Chios under the auspices of the Maria Tsakos Public Benefit Foundation – International Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition. The award was accepted personally by Captain Panagiotis Tsakos whose vision and determination was fulfilled by establishing what is the first non-state and non-profit academy in Greece. Several other important awards recognised excellence and value in Greece’s maritime cluster. Neptune Maritime Leasing was voted ‘Shipping Financier of the Year’, while dry bulk chartering specialist Diamond Shipbroking was named ‘Shipbroker of the Year’. YES Forum, a platform for connecting high-school and university students with the shipping and sea tourism industries, won the Piraeus International Centre Award. The Marine Technical Managers Association, better known as Martecma, was presented with the Technical Achievement Award. The Lloyd’s List Intelligence Big Data Award was won by Harbor Lab. Captain Michalis Lignos and Captain Stamatis Kalfamanolis, master and reserve master of Blue Star Ferries’ ro-ro passenger ferry Blue Star Paros, were honoured as Seafarer of the Year for outstanding conduct on the night of September 18 this year in rescuing six passengers from a speedboat taking on water off the island of Paros. The rescue was completed just seconds before the small craft sank. In a welcome address, the Minister of Shipping & Island Policy Christos Stylianides offered his congratulations to the nominees as well as the winners of the 2024 Awards. “The Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards are a leading institution that recognises and rewards the excellence, innovation and contribution of all those who have made Greek shipping a world-leader,” he said. Neptune Maritime Leasing was the overall lead sponsor of the Greek Shipping Awards once again. Guests enjoyed a pre-dinner drinks reception hosted by Allegiant (Shipping) while CMB Financial Leasing offered the traditional champagne toast to the health of Greek shipping. A donation from proceeds of the event went to ‘Argo’, the charity supporting children with disabilities in the families of Greek seafarers. The donation was kindly presented to Argo by Ilias Bolis, director at Allied Shipbroking, which also sponsored the Gallery of Winners, an entrance chamber chronicling past honorees of the event launched in 2004. The annual awards recognise achievement and meritorious activity in the Greek shipping industry and promote Greece as a maritime centre. Winners are chosen by an independent panel of judges representing a broad cross-section of the Greek shipping industry. The Greek Shipping Awards thanked all the Greek and international sponsors of the prestigious event, many of which have loyally supported the Awards for many years. This year saw the IRI / The Marshall Islands Registry complete 10 years of support for the event, a milestone recognised in the form of an honorary statuette presented to the sponsor. Source: Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards5. Charcoal Grills Indoors: Cooking with a charcoal grill indoors, such as in a poorly ventilated space or during a power outage, can also release dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. It is important to always use charcoal grills outside in well-ventilated areas.
Why University of Rwanda has reverted back to four-year degree programsDolphins coach Mike McDaniel says he was surprised by reports of Shaq Barrett's unretirement plan
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he was caught off guard by reports early Tuesday that linebacker Shaq Barrett wants to unretire. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in March, then abruptly announced his retirement on social media in July, just days before the start of Miami's training camp. “Just to be candid, obviously there's a reason why you target and sign somebody," McDaniel said Tuesday afternoon. “I was fully caught off guard, or caught by surprise this morning as I found out.” McDaniel indicated the Dolphins have not had any conversations with Barrett recently. Miami holds the 32-year-old’s contractual rights. ESPN first reported the news. “It was kind of news as you guys got it,” McDaniel said. He also said he hasn't had a chance to think about Barrett potentially rejoining the team, and that his immediate focus is on Miami's Thursday night game at Green Bay. “The team is counting on me to think about the Packers,” he said. "I'll get with (GM) Chris (Grier), and we'll work through that. There's a ton of implications that go along with it in terms of team and roster stuff, so we'll work through that as we just got the news today.” Barrett has 400 tackles, 59 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and three interceptions in nine seasons — four with Denver and five with Tampa Bay. He was a second-team All-Pro with the Buccaneers in 2019, with a league-high 19 1/2 sacks. The Dolphins waived veteran safety Marcus Maye on Tuesday and activated rookie safety Patrick McMorris from injured reserve. Maye, who signed with the Dolphins in June, played in 11 games with three starts for Miami this season. He had 30 tackles and a tackle for loss. He could re-sign to the team's practice squad if he clears waivers. Maye previously played for New Orleans, but was cut in a money-saving move in March after two seasons with the Saints. Maye's release made room on the roster for McMorris, who was drafted in the sixth round by Miami in April. He began the season on injured reserve because of a calf injury. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
By MARY CLARE JALONICK and MATT BROWN WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Maine Sen. Susan Collins on Wednesday as he pushed to win enough votes for confirmation. He said he will not back down after allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump will ring the New York Stock Exchange bell. It’ll be a first for him National Politics | The Trump and Biden teams insist they’re working hand in glove on foreign crises National Politics | ‘You don’t know what’s next.’ International students scramble ahead of Trump inauguration National Politics | Trump is threatening to raise tariffs again. Here’s how China plans to fight back National Politics | Trump won’t be able to save the struggling US beef industry Collins said after the hourlong meeting that she questioned Hegseth about the allegations amid reports of drinking and the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies. She said she had a “good, substantive” discussion with Hegseth and “covered a wide range of topics,” including sexual assault in the military, Ukraine and NATO. But she said she would wait until a hearing, and notably a background check, to make a decision. “I asked virtually every question under the sun,” Collins told reporters as she left her office after the meeting. “I pressed him both on his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him, so I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover.” The meeting with Collins was closely watched as she is seen as more likely than most of her Republican Senate colleagues to vote against some of Trump’s Cabinet picks. She and Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a fellow moderate Republican, did not shy from opposing Trump in his first term when they wanted to do so and sometimes supported President Joe Biden’s nominees for the judicial and executive branches. And Hegseth, an infantry combat veteran and former “Fox & Friends” weekend host, is working to gain as many votes as he can as some senators have expressed concerns about his personal history and lack of management experience. “I’m certainly not going to assume anything about where the senator stands,” Hegseth said as he left Collins’ office. “This is a process that we respect and appreciate. And we hope, in time, overall, when we get through that committee and to the floor that we can earn her support.” Hegseth met with Murkowski on Tuesday. He has also been meeting repeatedly with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a military veteran who has said she is a survivor of sexual assault and has spent time in the Senate working on improving how attacks are reported and prosecuted within the ranks. On Monday, Ernst said after a meeting with him that he had committed to selecting a senior official to prioritize those goals. Republicans will have a 53-49 majority next year, meaning Trump cannot lose more than three votes on any of his nominees. It is so far unclear whether Hegseth will have enough support, but Trump has stepped up his pressure on senators in the last week. “Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” Trump posted on his social media platform last week.
Title: Red Devil Outcast Shines in Ligue 1! Scored 11 Goals in 14 Rounds, Set to Play Champions League Next YearAs the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the emergence of sophisticated threats like DroidBot underscores the critical need for ongoing vigilance and collaboration within the cybersecurity community. By staying informed, adopting best practices, and remaining proactive in addressing emerging threats, users can bolster their defenses against malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain.