strange circus

strange circus Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Bill Clinton is out of the hospital after being treated for the flu National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Mbappé scores as Madrid moves closer to Barcelona in Spanish league ahead of tough test at Liverpool

Race to be next Oakland mayor somewhat stalled as Rep. Barbara Lee makes up her mindHow Rosalynn Carter shaped Jimmy Carter's presidency, volunteerismPollies, peace deals, and the unravelling of a billionaire: The WA civil court rows that dominated 2024

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Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams

Gasperini: ‘Atalanta will not hold back’ after best ever Serie A startThe Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Sunday said there was no way the private plane of privileged Nigerians, including the Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Bible Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, can leave the country directly from their airstrips without first securing clearance from relevant authorities. Keyamo made the clarification when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today. His statement comes barely two months after members of the House of Representatives called for a revocation of airstrip licences issued to certain individuals and private organisations, citing security reasons. The House also called for an immediate halt to new airstrip licences for individuals and organisations. But Keyamo insisted that there was no way a plane or drone, even if it belongs to the military, can leave or come into the country without first getting a nod from the agency. When asked if the airstrip of Oyedepo also passed through the same due process, Keyamo nodded. Related News Nigeria committed to reducing aviation's carbon footprint - Keyamo Oyedepo’s church airstrip under FG’s management – Keyamo Reps seek to ban private airstrips He said, “Oh yes, absolutely. That’s no problem. They were only concerned about the fact that they thought that somebody can take off from a private airstrip and fly out of Nigeria or fly into Nigeria. It is not possible. “You must land in an international airport first. Then the Customs, immigration and NDLEA will process you before you take off from there to your private airstrip. If you are also flying out, you must land at an international airport. You will go through Customs, immigration and all the normal process before flying out. “So nobody uses an airstrip for any such purpose without seeking clearance. At every point in time, the authorities must approve.” When quizzed on how many airstrips the country is operating at the moment, Keyamo said they are in the range of 40. “We have a number of them, more than 40. For the federal airport, we have 23. The state airport has about eight or nine now. “And then the airstrips are about 40 or thereabouts. I have been there myself,” he stated.

Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use

Texans who worked with Jimmy Carter remembered him as a principled and compassionate leader — the last Democrat to win the state in a presidential election. Carter died Sunday afternoon at his Georgia home at age 100. The peanut farmer turned politician was praised for philanthropic efforts that continued well into his ninth decade after a single-term presidency that began with his 1976 defeat of Republican President Gerald Ford. “He’s exactly the kind of human being that needs to be president,” John Pouland, Carter’s state coordinator for the 1976 Democratic primary, said soon after learning that Carter would receive hospice care. “He lived the life that he felt was the right way to live as a Christian.” Born and raised in Plains, Georgia, Carter actively served in the Navy for eight years before returning to his home state to take over the family’s peanut-growing business after his father’s death in 1953. Carter went on to serve in the Georgia Senate and as governor before winning the 1976 presidential election. Texas’ 26 electoral votes helped put Carter over the top, a victory he couldn’t repeat in his landslide loss to Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. Carter became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Brownsville during a campaign stop in the closing days of the 1980 election season. He praised the area’s farmland, viewed during a low-altitude plane trip from Houston; extolled his record on education; and boasted about appointing more than 200 Hispanic Americans to senior positions, “more than any other previous administration in history.” With the polls pointing toward defeat, his speech in Brownsville also veered into the philosophical, with Carter speaking about the burden of making “the final judgment in the loneliness of the Oval Office.” “Sometimes it has been a lonely job, but with the involvement of the American people, it’s also a gratifying job,” he said in the Nov. 1, 1980, speech. He ended up losing Texas by nearly 14 percentage points, starting a losing streak for Democratic nominees that has lasted through the next 10 presidential elections. A pair of Texans may have played a part in that defeat. In 1980, former Texas Gov. John B. Connally Jr., ran for the Republican nomination to challenge Carter. When Connally lost, he threw his support behind GOP nominee Ronald Reagan. That summer, Connally and former Texas Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes took a trip to the Middle East, meeting with heads of state in various capitals. In the midst of the campaign, the Carter administration was embroiled in the Iranian Hostage Crisis, in which 52 Americans were held captive in Iran. Nightly news of the crisis strained Carter's support and left him vulnerable to charges of ineptitude. During the trip, according to Barnes, Connally told the Middle Eastern leaders to deliver a message to Iran that Reagan would give them a better deal if they waited to release the hostages until after the election. Barnes kept silent about the trip for decades, only revealing it to the New York Times in March after it was announced that Carter had entered hospice care. Connally died in 1993. Connally told an Arab leader in their first meeting, “‘Look, Ronald Reagan’s going to be elected president and you need to get the word to Iran that they’re going to make a better deal with Reagan than they are Carter,’” Barnes told the Times. “He said, ‘It would be very smart for you to pass the word to the Iranians to wait until after this general election is over.’ And boy, I tell you, I’m sitting there and I heard it and so now it dawns on me, I realize why we’re there.” Former Carter aides have speculated that they might have won if they had returned the hostages before the election. The 52 Americans were released on the day Reagan took office. Texans were introduced to Carter in the 1976 Democratic primary, when he faced U.S. Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, a politically established Texan. “The ‘Jimmy who?’ line was not made up,” Pouland said. “We probably heard that refrain more than anything.” Carter defeated Bentsen — the Georgian was established as the party’s standard bearer by the time Texas held its primary — and Pouland attributed Carter’s success to his Navy service and Christian values, characteristics that appealed to Texas voters. freestar At the time, Texas was at the tail end of a century-long, post-Civil War era of domination by Democrats in state politics. There were 133 Democrats in the 150-member state House, and 28 in the 31-member state Senate. The most significant political divides were among liberal and conservative Democrats, not Democrats and Republicans. But in presidential politics, Republicans had made inroads. Richard Nixon had won the state by 33 percentage points four years earlier, breaking a streak for three straight Democratic victories. Carter won the state with 51% of the vote. But the state was changing fast as conservatives flocked to the GOP. The state elected its first Republican governor since Reconstruction, Bill Clements, two years after Carter was elected. Pouland said Carter served as a model for attracting moderate Southern Democrats, something former President Bill Clinton tried but failed to replicate. Garry Mauro, a former Texas land commissioner who worked for Carter’s 1976 presidential bid, remembered the candidate as genuine and earnest. Mauro said it never occurred to Carter to filter people out, and he didn’t restrict access to himself even as his campaign built momentum. Mauro recalled numerous occasions when he dialed a campaign number, only to have the candidate’s wife, Rosalynn Carter, answer the phone. “He really was the people’s president,” Mauro said. Carter’s influence on Texas Democrats was immense, reshaping the state party’s power base to accommodate new faces on his team, Mauro said. “Jimmy Carter empowered a whole new generation of leadership in Texas,” Mauro said. His many years in politics did not change Carter’s altruistic outlook, Pouland added, and Carter took an active role in advancing human rights through his nonprofit organization, the Carter Center, after leaving office. Carter, Pouland said, “went to his same church, worked on his same farm, kept his same friends and continued to live his life as an example for the very thing that he was an advocate of, and that was compassion.” Though Carter was the last Democrat presidential candidate to win Texas, his legacy is still evident in the party, said state Rep. John Bryant, D-Dallas. “He was committed to human rights and gave Democrats the confidence to be for human rights and for peace and for honesty in government,” said Bryant, who served as Carter’s campaign manager in Dallas County during Carter’s first presidential campaign. Bryant points to Carter’s post-presidential years as some of his most impactful. “Instead of serving on corporate boards, or making big speaking fees, or playing golf, he was going to Habitat for Humanity. He was at the [Carter Center]. And he wrote 30 books, the proceeds of which went to nonprofits,” Bryant said, adding that Carter was “just a great example for how to live a life devoted to the public interest. “He lived his faith. He practiced what he preached,” Bryant said. “That’s very important for the country to see that.” In August 2007, Carter joined South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu in calling Texas to stop the execution of Kenneth Foster, an inmate who was on death row for acting as the getaway driver during a killing. Then-Gov. Rick Perry commuted Foster’s sentence to life in prison hours before the execution was scheduled. After the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Carter joined four other former presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Clinton and George H.W. Bush — in appealing for donations to help in the recovery. The effort raised more than $41 million in response to the costliest natural disaster of 2017, when extreme flooding in Houston and the surrounding area caused more than $125 billion in damage. Carter maintained his commitment to service through his life, helping to build and repair Dallas homes for Habitat for Humanity as a 90-year-old in 2014. “No matter what your faith may be, we are taught to share what we have with poor people,” he told The Dallas Morning News at the time. “It’s very difficult to cross that divide between people that have everything and people that have never had a decent house. Habitat makes it easy to cross that line.”

Valve's innovative handheld, the Deck, was hugely popular at launch - and it's no surprise. The bridges the gap between PC and handheld gaming, allowing you to play your Steam library on the go. The Steam Deck isn't perfect, however, so it was welcome news when Valve released the , an upgraded version of the handheld that adds an screen and promises better battery life and performance. But is the Steam Deck OLED worth buying over the original model? We've put the Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED through their paces, and we're here to tell you the key similarities and differences between them so you can decide which is worth your hard-earned cash. Once you decide which to get, make sure you fill your Steam library with the and . You can buy the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED directly from the Valve via the . Fortunately, while stock was hard to get when both first launched, it's now much easier, with Valve estimating delivery in three to five days. At the time of writing, there's only one Steam Deck model available: the 256GB LCD version. This model costs $399 / £349 / AU$649 and comes with a carry bundle and a Steam profile bundle. Unsurprisingly, the Steam Deck OLED is more expensive, but there are two models available. The 512GB Steam Deck OLED is priced at $549 / £479.00 / AU$899 and comes with a carry case and Steam profile bundle, like the LCD model. If you want more storage and don't mind spending a bit more, you can get the 1TB Steam Deck OLED for $649 / £569 / AU$1049, which comes with a Steam profile bundle, exclusive startup movie, keyboard theme, and a carry case with a removable liner. The 512GB OLED model is just over $100 more than the LCD model but offers twice the storage and several other improvements highlighted below. As such, it's worth considering spending that extra cash to get the latest model if you can afford it, especially if you have a chunky Steam library. In my opinion, if you plan to pick up an OLED, the 512GB model is the best option unless you plan to make use of that 1TB of space. While these handhelds are still pricey, they're good value when you consider gaming PCs are easily over $1000 - and you can't take them on the go. Here is the full list of specs for the Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED. There aren't many major differences between the design of the Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED. The biggest is, of course, that the OLED has a 7-inch OLED screen, while the Steam Deck has a 7-inch LCD screen. This means the OLED offers more vivid visuals with brighter contrast and richer color than the Steam Deck. During testing, we found the difference between the two to be noticeable. This screen doesn't make the Steam Deck OLED larger than the Steam Deck, though. The two have the same dimensions, and the OLED is actually slightly lighter than the Steam Deck. It's worth noting, however, that the size of both models means they aren't as portable as the , for example. The two models also have the same overall form factor and sleek black colorway, though there are some minor differences in the OLED's design, such as an orange power button instead of a black one. Regardless of which model you go for, both boast a high-quality build and great design. This is where the differences between the Steam Deck OLED and the Steam Deck become more apparent. Firstly, there's the storage capacity. The Steam Deck LCD currently only comes in a 256GB model, while the OLED is available in 512GB or 1TB. This means the OLED can store more than two to three times more games than the Steam Deck, and you can fit several sizeable games on your handheld before you need to make room. In addition, the slight improvement in memory means the OLED should run a bit faster than its predecessor, while improved WiFi and Bluetooth make connectivity more efficient. Then there's the screen itself. In addition to more vivid visuals, the OLED's screen refresh rate is up to 90Hz, as opposed to the 60Hz of the Steam Deck. This means your games are more likely to perform well and your frame rate to remain steady, but don't expect flawless performance with either device. During testing, we found several "Deck Verified" titles still struggled on the Steam Deck OLED. Perhaps the most welcome difference between the Steam Deck OLED and the Steam Deck, though, is the increased battery life of the OLED. The Steam Deck's battery life has always been contentious, as it only allows for two to eight hours of play. The Steam Deck OLED, on the other hand, allows for three to 12 hours. If performance and battery life are important factors for you when choosing a handheld, the Steam Deck OLED is definitely the better machine. While the Steam Deck is reliable, the OLED addresses some of its issues - just don't expect perfection. The Steam Deck OLED is the definitive Steam Deck model, offering improved visuals and performance alongside a longer-life battery. While the Steam Deck is a solid handheld if you're on a tighter budget, the OLED is better for future-proofing, especially as games become increasingly demanding on hardware. Just be aware that both models can struggle with certain games and aren't the easiest to take with you on the go. If these are deal-breaking factors for you, you can find great alternatives on our list of the .Drake eases by Stetson 49-10 to secure a second straight outright Pioneer Football League titleThe United States Postal Service might have found a way to unite a nation bitterly divided after this month's election: It will release a Betty White stamp. The beloved actor known for roles in "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Boston Legal" and others will be on a 2025 Forever stamp, USPS announced this past week. White died in late December 2021 , less than three weeks before her 100th birthday. The Postal Service hasn't announced a release date for the stamp. Betty White speaks Sept. 17, 2018, at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. “An icon of American television, Betty White (1922–2021) shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston . “The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals.” Boston-based artist Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration from Alston's photo. "I'd love to send a letter back to my 18-year-old self with this stamp on it and tell him that everything is going to be OK," Stephanos posted on Facebook . Regardless of personal politics, self-proclaimed supporters of Republican President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris reacted with delight on social media. "Betty White was my hero, all of my life! I actually had a doll when I was a little girl I named Betty White," one Trump supporter posted on X , formerly Twitter. “Something to make this awful week a little better: We’re getting a Betty White stamp,” a pro-Harris X account posted. White combined a wholesome image with a flare for bawdy jokes . Her television career began in the early 1950s and exploded as she aged. “The only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party," Seth Meyers posted on Twitter after her death. "A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.” Allen Ludden and his wife Betty White, who love to play games, continue a two year gin rummy battle in which she's ahead by a cumulative 6,000 points in Westchester, N.Y. on April 29, 1965. They do it professionally on TV. He's the master of ceremonies on "Password," and she makes frequent guest appearances on game shows. They play games to relax at home. (AP Photo/Bob Wands) Allen Ludden and his wife Betty White admire magnolia blossoms on the lawn of their country home in Westchester, N.Y. on May 14, 1965. (AP Photo/Bob Wands) Actress Betty White in 1965. (AP Photo) Betty White shares a moment backstage at the 28th annual Emmy Awards with Ted Knight after they each won an Emmy for their supporting roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." On the series Miss White played Sue Ann Nivens while Knight played newscaster Ted Baxter. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17, 1976: (L-R) "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" co-stars - Ed Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight - all won awards at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Shubert Theatre on May 17, 1976 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by TVA/PictureGroup/Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images) Actress Betty White with Ted Knight at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 1981. (AP Photo/Randy Rasmussen) Betty White and Anson Williams don't seem to faze Buckeye, a St. Bernard, during an awards ceremony during which Williams was honored by the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a friend and lover of animals. Ms. White presented a humanitarian plaque to Williams at the event, which was held in Hollywood, California, Friday, May 1, 1982. (AP Photo/Marc Karody) Actress Betty White with actor John Hillerman arriving at Emmy Awards, Sept. 22, 1985 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/LIU) Actresses Betty White Ludden, left, and Mary Tyler Moore, right, smile at each other in Los Angeles, Friday, June 22, 1985 during Annual Meeting of Morris Animal Foundation, at which Ludden announced her retirement as President of the animal health group, held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) These four veteran actresses from the television series "The Golden Girls" shown during a break in taping Dec. 25, 1985 in Hollywood. From left are, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur and Betty White. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Actress Betty White poses in Los Angeles, Ca. in June, 1986. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Betty White stands backstage at the NBC TV Bob Hope "I Love Lucy" special on Sept. 16, 1989. (AP Photo/Djansezian) Michael J. Fox and Betty White, winners of Emmys for best actor and actress in a comedy series, stand backstage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, Sunday, Sept. 21, 1986 after receiving their honors. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac) Comedienne Betty White places her hand on the star that was presented posthumously to her husband, Allen Ludden, during ceremonies inducting him into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Thursday, March 31, 1988. Ludden was honored with the 1,868th star of the famed walkway — between those of White and Tyrone Power. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Estelle Getty, who plays Sophia, poses with her new husband, who plays Max, and the other "Golden Girls" after taping of episode on Friday, night, Nov. 5,1988 in Hollywood. Left to right are Rue McCLanahan (Blanche), Getty, Gilford, Bea Arthur (Dorothy) and Betty White. (AP Photo/Ira Mark Gostin) Former cast members of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, sans Mary Tyler Moore, are reunited for the Museum of Television and Radio's 9th annual Television Festival in Los Angeles Saturday, March 21, 1992. From left are Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Betty White and Ed Asner. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii) Actress Betty White, left, writer/producer David E. Kelley, actress Bridget Fonda, and actor Oliver Platt pose at the premiere of their movie "Lake Placid," Wednesday night, July 14, 1999, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Betty White, from "Golden Girls," and Mr. T, Lawrence Tureaud, from "The A Team," pose for photographers at NBC's 75th Anniversary Party, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura) Actors Betty White, left, Georgia Engel, second left, Gavin MacLeod, center, Valerie Harper, second right, and John Amos pose for photographers during arrivals at CBS's 75th anniversary celebration Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano) Actress Betty White laughs as an African eagle roosts overhead at the Los Angeles Zoo Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, in Los Angeles, where White was honored as Ambassador to the Animals by the city for her decades of dedication to the humane treatment of animals. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Betty White poses for photographers on the red carpet before Comedy Central's "Roast of William Shatner," Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura) Betty White arrives at the 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, on Friday, June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Beatrice Arthur, left, Betty White, center, and Rue McClanahan, of the Golden Girls, arrive at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Actor Henry Winkler, center, is seen Beatrice Arthur, right, and Betty White at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) In this Nov. 24, 2009 file photo, actress Betty White poses for a portrait following her appearance on the television talk show "In the House," in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) Actress Betty White poses for a portrait on the set of the television show "Hot in Cleveland" in Studio City section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Actress Betty White is seen on stage at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Betty White, a cast member in "You Again," poses with fans holding Betty White masks at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Actress Betty White wears a U.S. Forest Ranger hat after being named an Honorary Forest Ranger by the US Forest Service, at the Kennedy Center in Washington Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. White has stated in numerous interviews that her first ambition as a young girl was "to become a forest ranger, but they didn't allow women to do that back then". (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Betty White, left, Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson arrive at the MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Calif., on Sunday, June 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Betty White, left, Kristen Bell, center, and Jamie Lee Curtis, cast members in "You Again," pose together at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Betty White, left, accepts the Life Achievement Award from Sandra Bullock at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) From left, actresses Betty White, Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, and Jane Leeves pose for a portrait on the set of the television show "Hot in Cleveland" in Studio City section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Alec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Betty White attends a book signing for her book 'If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)' at Barnes & Noble in New York, Friday, May 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes) Actress Betty White attends a press conference prior to the taping of "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute To America's Golden Girl" on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci) Actress Betty White arrives on a white pony as she is honored at a Friars Club Roast sponsored by Godiva, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Marion Curtis) Betty White, at left, attends her wax figure unveiling at Madame Tussauds on Monday, June 4, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Katy Winn/Invision/AP) From left, Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Shuck, Actress Betty White and The 2012 American Hero Dog Gabe pose during 2012 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Invision/AP) Betty White and Cloris Leachman onstage at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the JW Marriott on Saturday, April 20, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP) Ellen DeGeneres, left, presents Betty White with the award for favorite TV icon at the People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Betty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

The Washington Capitals have confirmed that captain Alex Ovechkin will miss 4-6 weeks after suffering a fracture to his left fibula during Monday night’s game against the Utah Hockey Club . The injury occurred following a knee-on-knee collision, marking what is likely to become the longest injury-related layoff of Ovechkin’s illustrious NHL career. Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin underwent further evaluation with team doctors. It was confirmed that Ovechkin has a fracture to his left fibula and is anticipated to miss 4-6 weeks. Ovechkin, who underwent further evaluation with team doctors in Washington, has been one of the league’s top performers this season. His 15 goals through 18 games not only paced the rest of the NHL in terms of goal-scoring but also kept him on track in his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky ’s all-time NHL goals record. It’s a given now that he won’t break Gretzky’s record faster than the “Great One” even though he might still set the record eventually. The injury comes at an especially challenging time for the Capitals, who are vying for playoff positioning in a highly competitive Eastern Conference. Capitals PR initially listed Ovechkin as “week-to-week” pending further evaluation, but the confirmation of the fibula fracture now solidifies a recovery timeline that could sideline the superstar until late December or early January. Will Ovechkin Catch Gretzky This Season? This setback is significant for both Ovechkin and the Capitals. For the 39-year-old forward, each game missed represents a delay in his historic chase of Gretzky’s goal-scoring record. And, it’s not just time missed, but how long it will take for the dynamic star to get up to speed when he returns. For Washington, losing their captain and offensive leader will test the team’s depth. Ovechkin’s blazing start to the season had been one of a few bright spots for a Capitals team that is rebounding this season over a problematic 2023-24 campaign. His absence will hopefully not have a domino effect on other players. Where they find their scoring will be an intriguing storyline to watch. The team called up Ivan Miroshnichenko just prior to announcing the Ovechkin news. This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.Jets' Rodgers insists he'll play despite knee issue, rookie Fashanu placed on IR with foot injury

The British singer-songwriter, 36, launched Weekends With Adele at Caesars Palace in November 2022 and performed her 100th show on Saturday. Her run of sell-out shows at the venue, which seats around 4,000 people, has been a success but has also taken its toll. In July, she announced she would be taking a “big break” from music after her current run of shows. Videos posted online from her concert on Saturday show the singer getting tearful as she bid farewell to Vegas. “It’s been wonderful and I will miss it terribly and I will miss you terribly”, she said. “I don’t know when I next want to perform again.” She also said she got “closure” when Canadian singer Celine Dion came to watch her perform, admitting that she cried for a “whole week” afterwards. “It was just such a full circle moment for me because that’s the only reason I ever even wanted to be in here”, she added. Adele shared an emotional embrace with Dion after she spotted the singer in the audience during her Las Vegas show last month. In footage shared online, the British star can be seen breaking down in tears as they hug in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, which was built for Dion’s residency. The Rolling In The Deep singer has been vocal about her love for Dion over the years, hailing her as “Queen Celine” after attending one of her performances in an Instagram post in 2018. Dion reciprocated the love at the time, sharing a photo to social media of her posing alongside Adele, who was wearing the singer’s merchandise. She wrote: “Wasn’t able to do all my shows, but was thrilled that @Adele came to one of them.... I love her so much!! – Celine xx”. After their encounter at the venue, Adele said in an Instagram post: “Words will never sum up what you mean to me, or what you coming to my show means, let alone how it felt seeing you back in your palace with your beautiful family.”DELAND, Fla. (AP) — Luke Bailey threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns with only five incompletions and Drake eased by Stetson 49-10 on Saturday to secure a second straight outright Pioneer Football League title. Davion Cherwin rushed for 161 yards on 11 carries and scored two times for Drake. Jun Ahn and Luke Woodson also had rushing scores. Cherwin scored a 91-yard touchdown, the longest run in the PFL this season, to make it 21-7 early in the second quarter. Kemani Wilson made a diving interception at the Drake 25-yard line with just over two minutes left in the first half and seven plays later, Bailey found Hunter Johnson for a 24-yard touchdown to make it 28-10 at halftime. Drake defensive lineman Finn Claypool forced a fumble on the third play of the second half and his teammate recovered it. Then Bailey lofted a pass to Jaxon Laminack for a touchdown and a 35-10 lead. Drake (8-2, 7-1) was coming off a 29-20 loss to Morehead State to end a 17-game PFL winning streak — the longest active conference winning streak in the FCS. Stetson (2-9, 0-7) quarterback Brady Meitz was intercepted three times and Matt O’Connor had one of his four pass attempts intercepted. 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-football

Since Luka Doncic’s arrival, Mavericks have become a Christmas Day regular: ‘It’s special’The pressure was on for COP29 to deliver a new climate finance package as the clock ticks towards an uncertain deadline Friday for the conclusion of the latest climate change negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan. But Pacific voices remain loud and clear in the negotiation rooms, as Pacific leaders, negotiators and delegates continue to fight for the survival of their communities on the front line of climate change impacts. A key and contentious issue is the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. On Thursday, a new draft of the COP29 NCQG was released by the COP Presidency. While it is more streamlined than previous versions, it still does not include an agreed target figure for the final goal. Pacific countries are amongst vulnerable nations seeking US$1.3 trillion to deal with damage from climate change and to adapt to it. The figure is being debated along with other details such as how much is grants or loans, and who contributes. The COP Presidency convened a special plenary to hear views from parties and negotiators. “We’ve said this before and we will say it again here, we have got to keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach,” said Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, Biman Prasad, who expressed serious concern with the mitigation text and objected to backsliding on commitments. He noted that “we are not at the beginning of this process, we are at the twilight to deliver,” and “through the work we are doing, the special circumstances of SIDS and LDCs must be protected in line with the principles of the Convention and Paris Agreement.” Samoa, as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), reminded that the stakes are incredibly high as COP29 work to deliver a package that meets the world’s urgent needs. “The time for political games is over,” said Samoa’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster. “Implementing all aspects of the Paris Agreement requires the sense of urgency that the global climate crisis demands. “The package needs to protect the space for deep emissions reductions and stronger mitigation efforts on the ground in this critical decade. If we lose these elements, the implementation of the Paris Agreement’s goals will fall out of balance.” On the NCQG, while AOSIS appreciates the efforts to streamline the text, Minister Toeolesulusulu said an “overall number” is the critical missing piece of the puzzle. Tuvalu’s Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment, Hon. Maina Talia, reiterated that his country continues to suffer from the impacts of climate change. “We cannot delay action,” he said. This is a life and death issue for us. The world needs to move away from fossil fuels, there is no future in fossil fuels, all that’s found there is death and destruction.” Marshall Islands Climate Envoy, Tina Stege said the text released on Thursday is disconnected and is unacceptable in the view of negotiators like herself, and many colleagues from the Pacific, who travel for days every year to attend these COP meetings. “We cannot play geopolitics with the lives of our citizens,” she said. “The package as it stands fails the people of Marshall Islands.” Vanuatu, as the Chair of Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS), said the progress of COP29 has been quite frustrating and for negotiators, it has been a stressful process. Vanuatu’s Head of Delegation, Abraham Nasak, said while it has been good to see a text giving negotiators an idea of common landing space on many of the thematic areas, the sprint to the final hour will be intense. He underscored that the dialogue on GST implementation must establish a process for follow-up on all GST outcomes to keep the 1.5°C goal alive. The Pacific’s lead negotiator on climate finance, Wayne King, of the Cook Islands, said negotiators will need to buckle up for the remaining hours of COP29. “There are two things that need to happen, one is that the Presidency needs to be strong and determined, and we don’t know if that’s happening at this stage. The second thing is for AOSIS, together with LDCs, which is half of G77 and China, is to make it known that our circumstances need to be reinforced,” said King. “From here onwards, we will continue into the day and into the night to try and reach an agreement on this text. The text so far in terms of NCQG for the Pacific is looking pretty reasonable because it’s got our stuff in it. In terms of mitigation, it’s pretty weak.” Joseph Sikulu, 350.org Pacific Director and Pacific Climate Warrior, said the text comes with no clear grant-based core money. “Nothing less than one trillion dollars in grants per year will be enough to see those most impacted by climate change on a just transition towards a safe, equitable future,” he said. “Rich countries must stop dithering, and start delivering – this is not charity, it’s time for them to pay their debt.” Niue’s Minister for Natural Resources, Mona Ainuu, who is the Pacific’s political champion for gender, however, remains optimistic. “I’m hoping that the final text, and I know there is going to be a lot of work that will go into it, will reflect the importance of why we are here, firstly to voice our concerns, as well as to find solutions for disparities we have for our women and our girls,” she said. “For me I’m hoping that whatever happens in the next 48 hours we can come to some solutions because at the end of the day, nature doesn’t wait for anyone, we are all impacted, especially for women and girls.” Critics say a lot of the tough issues that are unlikely to be agreed upon in Baku will be moved to the next COP in Brazil next year. Minister Ainuu said the work must continue. “This is an ongoing process, and we will not solve everything in one meeting so if it means we will continue next year in Brazil so be it,” she said. “I will never stop fighting for our communities, and for women and girls who are impacted by climate change because I have a 13 year girl who is swimming in the ocean this morning and I want her to continue that, and I want other girls like her to enjoy the same privilege, whether they’re from Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe, Asia, or wherever. So, let’s hope there will be some good outcomes, and we will continue to keep pushing, said Minister Ainuu.... PACNEWS/SPREP

There should not be any surprise to the fact that Bayern Munich is currently doing everything in their power to agree on a new contract extension with Jamal Musiala. He is a generational talent that has already established himself as one of the great, global rising stars in the game let alone as one of the best players in Europe all around. He is absolutely worth his weight in gold for both Bayern and the German national team and it should come with great elation that Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg is now reporting that the plan for Musiala and the club is to sign an extension that would keep him at the club through 2029. With the proposed agreement on the table, Musiala could earn up to €25 million gross per year, which would make him the club’s highest earner alongside Harry Kane. For a talent like Musiala, though, former Bayern and Germany midfielder Lothar Matthäus feels the club should spare absolutely no expense to get Musiala to agree to stay long term even though Bayern is notorious for not wanting to stray too far away from their wage structure. “Just as there was no limit for Messi, for me there’s no limit for Musiala either. You need him not only for sporting reasons, but also as the face of FC Bayern, where some active players will soon be leaving. You need Musiala as an advertising face for international marketing. That’s a value that you cannot pay for with money,” Matthäus stressed on Sky Sport (via @ iMiaSanMia ). Musiala staying long term would certainly help break the mold and sentiment that Bundesliga talents winds up getting shipped off to the Premier League or one of Barcelona or Real Madrid after they really establish themselves. In the same way that Kane’s move from Tottenham to Bayern affected the polarity between the Premier League and the Bundesliga and English and German football as a whole. Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images For Matthäus, Musiala is already in the category of some of club’s greats like himself, Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, Franz Beckenbauer, and others that have historically been in and amongst the club’s top earners. Financial figures across the decades would, of course, look different, but in relative terms, players in the highest earning brackets are predominantly comprised of club legends, which Musiala has already established himself as one ever since joining from the Chelsea youth ranks. “In my opinion, Musiala has a free choice. He can practically write down the numbers himself, just like Franz Beckenbauer once said about me. If Manuel Neuer and Lewandowski earn or have earned 25 million a year, I think Musiala belongs in that category too. Five years 25 million/year plus a signing fee, that would be 150 million. That would be a good price and, in my opinion, a reasonable sum,” Matthäus rationalized. All signs right now are pointing towards Musiala and Bayern reaching an agreement in the near future that would see him stay until 2029, but in the event that something were to fall through, Matthäus feels that 150 million euros should be the benchmark and price tag to try to lineup an ample replacement. “If Bayern were to look for a replacement for Musiala, he would first have to want to join - and Bayern would have to pay 150 million in transfer fees for a new player of this category,” he urged. Looking for some talk on the prospect of Bayern Munich teaming up Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala? What about the rumors that Hansi Flick is planning a raid on Bayern Munich? Also, how good is this German national team squad? Awesome, then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works Show on Patreon , Spotify , or below: Support Bavarian Podcast Works on Patreon! If you like our podcasts and want more, or just want to listen our episodes ad-free, then support us on Patreon! Every single dollar will be used to help boost the coverage of the team we all love. Mia San Mia. DONATE NOW! Related Hermann Gerland reveals how Jupp Heynckes almost cost Bayern Munich the services of Thomas Müller Daily Schmankerl: Is Bayern Munich sweating the allure of Hansi Flick for big stars?; Neymar catching strays all over; Manchester City to give Erling Haaland a big raise?; Additional praise on Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz; + MORE!With Republicans determined to make her arrival in Congress a spectacle, Sarah McBride is decidedly shutting it down as a “distraction” from their agenda. America’s first openly transgender member of Congress has been far from the most vocal candidates on the Democratic side after their party sustained losses in the Senate and presidential races, while seeing the balance of power change little in the House. But McBride, an incoming representative from Delaware, now finds herself in the center of the House GOP ’s crosshairs. Republican officials unveiled a bill that would specifically bar transgender women from using the women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill, a move that the resolution’s author Nancy Mace has said was explicitly aimed at McBride. Mace, a bomb-thrower in the House GOP caucus , is now resorting to nodding along as a Fox News host openly taunted McBride and other transgender officials such as assistant health secretary Rachel Levine, as she contends for the spotlight after GOP victories in congressional and presidential races. She posted a video of herself ripping down transgender flags around the Hill, she raged about trans people on social media in hundreds of posts within a matter of days, and she filed legislation to ban trans people from bathrooms that align with their gender at any federal facility nationwide. “I know that’s not a woman!” Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy said in her interview with Mace on Sunday, referring to Levine. Campos-Duffy and Mace repeatedly linked the congresswoman’s effort to ban McBride and other transgender people on the Hill from using the bathrooms of their respective gender identities to Mace’s survival of sexual assault. They repeatedly referred to transgender women as “men” in the interview, and Mace also fired back at a Democratic congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who accused her of putting society on a path towards women and girls facing“inspections” of their genitalia before they are admitted into restrooms. The Republican from South Carolina said that accusation was “disgusting.” “That's really disgusting, and to say that about me, a survivor of rape and sexual abuse?” Mace remarked to Campos-Duffy. But McBride is largely staying above the fray. While she did make appearances on Sunday news shows this week, she did so while vowing to respect any resolutions governing restroom use passed by House Republicans in the Capitol. ”There’s certainly been a lot of noise around me, but I’ve remained focused,” she said in an interview on MSNBC’s The Weekend . “It is an attempt to distract from what they are actually doing,” she added. “Every single time we hear them say the word ‘trans,’ look what they’re doing with their right hand. Look at what they’re doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare.” McBride told Face the Nation on CBS that she ran for Congress in response to the experience she had caring for her late husband during his cancer battle. “We both knew how lucky we were,” said the incoming congresswoman. “We knew how lucky Andy was to have health insurance that would allow him to get care that would hopefully save his life. And we both knew how lucky we were to have flexibility with our employers.” She continued: “That allowed Andy to focus on the full time job of getting care, and me to focus on the full time job of being there by his side to care for him, to love him, to marry him, and to walk him to his passing.” Some conservative members of McBride’s party — unhappy with Kamala Harris’s stunning election defeat against Donald Trump, and the blame being tossed around over the failure of Democrats to turn out younger voters and working-class voters — have urged the Democratic Party to abandon support for transgender rights in the wake of the 2024 election, echoing rhetoric that emerged from Republican officials and right-wing groups. One of them was Tom Suozzi of New York, famous for taking back his district for the Democrats after his predecessor lost it to disgraced former congressman George Santos. “The Democrats have to stop pandering to the far left,” he told The New York Times after Harris’s defeat. “I don’t want to discriminate against anybody, but I don’t think biological boys should be playing in girls’ sports.”