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bet 12 Twin Cedars has announced the Royal Court for the 12th annual Behind the Mask Mardi Gras Ball. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, a non-profit that offers programs for abused and neglected children, child advocacy, residential programs, foster care and much more. The event will be held on Feb. 1. Each year, Twin Cedars names a “Royal Court” comprised of community volunteers who raise money for the non-profit by vying to be crowned the annual King and Queen of the Mask. The royal court seeks “votes” in the form of donations to Twin Cedars. Every dollar donated to the candidate equals one vote for them. The candidates with the most votes are crowned king and queen during the Behind the Mask Ball. This year’s Royal Court includes: KING CANDIDATES P.T. Alford Peter (P.T.) Thomas Alford Jr. is married to Alyssa Alford. They are expecting a baby girl, Annie Alford, in March of 2025. Alford was born in LaGrange, where he has lived the majority of his life. He graduated from LaGrange High School in 2015 and LaGrange College in 2020. Alford graduated from the Mercer Law School in 2023, and after law school, he returned to LaGrange to practice law with his dad at the Alford Law Group, where he primarily practices civil domestic law, criminal defense, juvenile law and personal injury law. Alford is the lead parent attorney in the Troup County Juvenile Court in dependency cases. In summary, I am the parent’s attorney in litigation against DFCS. He loves to play golf, play guitar and spend time with his wife and friends. They attend St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Logan Burns Logan Xavier Burns was named after characters from the Marvel comic book team, the X-Men. The 33-year-old is a proud member of the Right Hand Roofing team and enjoys passionately evangelizing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Shelby, have two little girls—Saylor, who’s five going on 15, and Indie, our adventurous 16-month-old. Burns likes to live by the quote: “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him; therefore, do not waste your life on selfish ambitions.” Jeremy Dockins Jeremy Dockins is currently the Special Agent in Charge of the GBI West Georgia Gang Task Force, where he oversees the agents, budget and daily operations of the unit. Originally from Griffin, GA, Dockins came to play baseball at LaGrange College, where he earned a business management degree. He later earned a master’s degree in public safety administration from Columbus State University while attending Command College. Dockins is married with two children. His family lives in LaGrange and attends Wesley Methodist Church of LaGrange. Dockins has also coached baseball and football for the past 13 years. Brent Hester Brent Hester is the owner of H&H Solutions, a local Technology and Security company here in LaGrange. Brent is dedicated to giving back to his community by supporting local sports teams, as well as The Callaway Cavalier Chorus. He enjoys watching all the teams in the Miracle League, where he proudly sponsors the Miracle League’s Hotshots. In his spare time, Brent enjoys traveling, camping, and riding side-by-side. Married for 17 years to his wife Samantha, and they have two wonderful children, Makinley and Mason. Passionate about supporting Twin Cedars, he believes that stronger families lead to a stronger community. Evan Kirby Evan Kirby is the Preaching Minister for the Broad Street Church of Christ in LaGrange. He, his wife Kristin, and their three daughters, Ella, Lydia, and Iris, have lived here since 2018. Kristin is the director of First Presbyterian Montessori School as well as the Children’s Minister at Broad Street Church of Christ. Ella, Lydia, and Iris are students at Hillcrest Elementary, where they participate in many events and activities. Evan is a 2020 graduate of Leadership Troup and will graduate with his Masters of Ministry in Ministerial Counseling in May of 2025. The Kirby girls love to participate in Tumble Town 2, recreational sports, Strings Attached, and Panther Buddies, among many other activities. Not only are the children active in the community, but Evan and Kristin are heavily involved with the work at Branches of Hope, LaGrange Boardgame Society, and the benevolence ministries at Broad Street Church of Christ. Mitchell Turnham Mitchell Turnham is the Director of Radiology at Wellstar West Georgia, where he has been for almost six years now. Turnham currently resides in Valley, AL, with his wife of 20 years, Amber. They have two children: Mason, 19, and Mady, 17. “Twin Cedars has such a strong history of helping others from all sorts of backgrounds. Their mission to have programs that allow children and families to reach their full potential is something that I admire. I always encourage my own children to strive to reach their goals. Once I read about the great work Twin Cedars does for the children and families of the surrounding areas, I knew I wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization. I’m motivated by the values of this team to encourage, lead and guide, and support others that need it,” Turnham said. QUEEN CANDIDATES Keri Drake Keri Drake is the current Community Director for The Yard on Mill. As an Alabama native, Keri received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from The University of Alabama in 2019. She obtained her Master of Science in Sports Management in December 2023 from LSU and is currently seeking her MBA. Keri settled into LaGrange in 2020 and has become an enthusiastic resident of LaGrange and Troup County. Under her leadership, her resident community has won Best Apartment Complex in Troup County four years in a row. Keri supports community initiatives as an active member of the local graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Theta Xi Omega chapter. She is a member of the Troup County Chamber of Commerce, and in 2023, Keri was tapped to participate in Leadership Troup. Traci Nixon Traci Nixon was born and raised in Coweta County. She has always had a passion for helping and serving others and dreamed of working in the medical field. Nixon relocated to LaGrange in 2018, where she found her passion and a wonderful work family at Hometown Family Medicine. She has been employed there now for six years and has grown close to the Troup County community, and loves being there to serve our patients. Traci has been married to T.C. Nixon for four years. They have four children: Julianna (17), Peyton (17), Brady (16) and Jaxon (14). Ameia Cotton-Williams Ameia Cotton-Williams is the daughter of Roger and Wanda Cotton and is the baby out of four beautiful girls. Ameia was born and raised in LaGrange, GA. She has built a remarkable career dedicated to community service, leadership, and empowerment. As a daughter, mother, wife, and active member of her community, she embodies the values of service, advocacy, and growth. Ameia’s educational background, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Miles College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Strayer University, laid the foundation for her influential career in both the public and private sectors. She made an impactful contribution as Vice President and Co-owner of Hamil and Associates, Inc., a probation services company, where she managed operations and worked closely with probationers, law enforcement, and government agencies. Her role enabled her to shape policies and contribute to the rehabilitation of individuals within the justice system. Tasha Hubbard-Davenport Tasha Hubbard-Davenport is currently employed with The Troup County Sheriff’s Office as the Accounting and Purchasing Coordinator. She is also a part-time Supervisor with United Parcel Service. Tasha received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Marketing from The University of Phoenix in July of 2018. She is a Certified Peace Officer and has been employed with The Sheriff’s Office for 25 years. Tasha said she loves serving the community. She is a member of Confidence Missionary Baptist Church. She is also the Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of LaGrange. Tasha is married to Eric C. Davenport, and together they have six children, Eric (Jennifer), Justin, Deontae, Kimberly (DeQuan), Andre, and Gabriel (Zandra), and seven wonderful grandkids, Kaileigh, Jairus, Cadence, Laila, Zoee’, Laila, and Dj. Tasha said It is her honor to be one of Twin Cedar’s Queen Candidates. Every contribution made will benefit families that Twin Cedars serve and will help make a positive impact in their lives. Sarah Beth Childress Sarah Beth Childress is a Macon, GA native who recently moved to LaGrange in May of 2024 with her husband, Drake Childress. Sarah Beth obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of West Georgia in 2020. She currently works for Piedmont Healthcare as a Provider Onboarding Associate. In her free time, you can find Sarah Beth on the McCluskey tennis court, enjoying a cheat meal at her favorite restaurant, Charlie Joseph’s, or on the LaGrange Thread walking her Aussie doodle, Masters. Childress is a member of LaGrange Junior Service League, where she can serve the community through different service projects. One of her favorite projects has been delivering beds to children who may not have one in their home. Seeing little faces light up after a new bed, comforter, and pillow are delivered is a constant source of joy. Kristina Moore Kristina Moore is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker KPDD and certified yoga instructor at The Center For Mindful Exploration, Yoga at Hillside, with a passion for helping people turn their dreams of homeownership into a reality. She is deeply involved in helping our community not only grow but thrive. Moore has volunteered at various events, from Yoga In The Field to speaking at our local schools and supporting causes that make a difference, especially those focused on youth development, home ownership, and wellness. Nikki Franklin Nikki Franklin is an Alabama native with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and a minor in Management Information Systems. She and her husband Larry are proud owners of EmberGlow GA, a local artisan collective in Downtown LaGrange, offering handmade, locally sourced, and fair trade retail gifts. They also own The Copper Carrot Bakery, with locations in West Point and LaGrange. Franklin is the founder and driving force behind the annual Spring Artisan Market in Downtown LaGrange and is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Symone Brown Symone Brown is the Branch Manager at Community Bank & Trust and is actively involved in several community organizations, including JSL, United Way, and Read-Learn-Grow. In addition to her work at the bank, she is committed to supporting initiatives that positively impact our local community. Brown has a 9-year-old daughter, Brynlie, who inspires her every day to give back. Dr. Kerry Hensarling Hensarling grew up in Auburn, AL, and graduated from Auburn High School in 1995 before spending the next eight years in Mobile, Alabama, at the University of South Alabama for undergrad and medical school. After medical school, Hensarling moved to Lexington, KY, where she completed her residency at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Obstetrics and Gynecology before returning home to the loveliest village on the plains in 2007. Hensarling has been married to her husband, Robert, for 17 years, and they have five boys together—Kyle, Craig, Tanner, Ellis, and Quinn.LOS ANGELES — It certainly seems calculated. Pete Carroll, scheduled to begin teaching at USC this spring, has reportedly expressed interest in the Chicago Bears' head coaching job. Likely of no coincidence is that the Seattle Seahawks — the team Carroll coached for 14 seasons — visit the Bears on "Thursday Night Football." The broadcasters are spoon-fed a talking point while noting that the Bears have lost nine games in a row, including all three under interim coach Thomas Brown. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Israel’s attorney general has ordered police to open an investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife on suspicion of harassing political opponents and witnesses in the Prime Minister’s corruption trial. The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.When the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was gunned down in Manhattan Wednesday, the tragedy was expected to evoke sorrow and outrage. Instead, it unleashed an avalanche of biting humour and scornful commentary over the death of the 50-year-old father of two. A Facebook post mourning his loss, shared by UnitedHealth Group, racked up more than 71,000 laugh emojis as of Friday – dwarfing other interactions before the counter was disabled. The aftermath here exposes the simmering anger, resentment, helplessness and frustration of millions of Americans with the US health insurance industry that serves as a gatekeeper to its $4.5 trillion health care system. Here’s what we know. Brian Thompson’s death ignited a wave of fury on social media, with users directing their anger at health insurers over denied claims and alleged corporate greed. Wendell Potter, a former CIGNA executive turned whistleblower, told USA Today , “I’ve been hearing for years now from people frustrated by denials or delays of care. This became an opportunity for people to vent and take out their anger against someone who just became known to them.” People believe that even the words written on ammunition found at Thompson’s shooting scene — “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” — echoed tactics insurers use to avoid paying claims. One social media user remarked, “CEOs are making money hand over fist—by DENYING care. I feel terrible for his family, but can’t say I’m surprised.” Others fixated on the killer’s looks, dubbing him the “hot assassin” or comparing him to movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Timothee Chalamet. Meanwhile, a young musician named Joe DeVito was going viral with a folk song titled “Deny, Defend, Depose,” a rallying cry against medical corporate greed, featuring sharp lyrics like, “If you ain’t coughing cash, then go cough in your basement.” Even doctors on one of the internet’s largest forums for medical professionals joined the fray, posting satirical comments on the “medicine” subreddit that mimicked the jargon often found in insurance denial letters, such as “lack of prior authorisation” and “failure to prove medical necessity.” For Tim Anderson, the tragedy brought back memories of his wife Mary, who died from ALS in 2022 after facing multiple coverage denials by UnitedHealthcare. “All of a sudden, I am fired up again,” he told AP . Anderson said they couldn’t get coverage for machines to help his wife breathe or talk — toward the end, she communicated by blinking when he showed her pictures. The family had to rely on donations from a local ALS group, he said. “The business model for insurance is don’t pay,” said Anderson, 67, of Centerville, Ohio. “When Mary could still talk, she said to me to keep fighting this,” he added. “It needs to be exposed.” Why are people angry about insurance companies? Universal healthcare is a standard in most developed nations, but in the US, coverage remains fragmented across private insurers, government programmes, and a significant uninsured population. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or “Obamacare,” addressed some of the insurance system’s most anti-consumer practices issues like, requiring coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Yet, gaps persist, leaving patients grappling with rising costs and complex hurdles like prior authorisations and limited doctor networks. “Patients are already spending a lot of money on healthcare, and then they’re still facing problems with the service,” University of Pennsylvania researcher Michael Anne Kyle told AP . UnitedHealthcare denies approximately one-third of all claims, according to research by ValuePenguin, making it the highest among insurance companies and double the industry average. Anderson, whose wife faced multiple denials from UnitedHealthcare before her death, admitted his initial reaction to the CEO’s shooting was to question if it was linked to a coverage denial. “I definitely do not condone killing people,” he told AP, “but I wondered if somebody had a spouse whose coverage was denied.” As the largest US insurer, UnitedHealthcare covers around 50 million people and reported $16.4 billion in profits in 2023. During that year, CEO Brian Thompson earned over $10 million in compensation that included base pay and stock options, sparking further criticism. Hans Maristela, a California caregiver, echoed the public’s frustration. While he sympathised with Thompson’s family, he pointed out the disparity between the CEO’s lucrative pay and the financial burdens on patients. “Healthcare is a business, I understand, but the obsession with share price, with profit, has to be reevaluated,” he said. With input from agenciesInnovative Gate Drivers with Isolators Revolutionize Power Efficiency in Electric Vehicle Systems 12-23-2024 07:14 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire In the rapidly evolving landscape of electric vehicle (EV) technology, every component counts in maximizing power efficiency and minimizing system footprint. A significant breakthrough in this domain is the introduction of innovative gate drivers with isolators, which are transforming the way powertrain systems operate. These advanced gate drivers not only enhance power efficiency but also reduce the printed circuit board (PCB) space and eliminate the need for external components, paving the way for more compact and efficient EV systems. The Rise of High-Powered SiC and GaN Devices Electric vehicle powertrains require robust and efficient power devices to deliver the raw horsepower that drivers expect. Silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) materials have emerged as the front-runners in this space due to their superior thermal conductivity and high switching capabilities. For instance, SiC MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) offer high thermal conductivity, enabling the powertrain system to operate at temperatures exceeding those of standard silicon-based devices. Similarly, GaN MOSFETs in DC/DC converters reduce capacitor and magnetics while maintaining high switching capabilities, significantly boosting the overall efficiency of the EV system. The Role of Capacitive Isolation in Gate Drivers [ https://www.shinecomponents.com/isolators/isolators-gate-drivers ] Powertrains experience a high volume of noise and vibration, which necessitates a robust isolation method to ensure stable and efficient operation. Capacitive isolation, implemented through isolated gate drivers, is the preferred method to cope with these design challenges. These gate drivers are capable of handling high data rates and mitigating excess noise throughout the system, ensuring that the powertrain operates smoothly and efficiently. The Advantages of Isolated Gate Drivers Isolated gate drivers are particularly well-suited for wide bandgap solutions, as they handle high voltage applications and fast switching functionalities ranging from 100 kHz to MHz. Their ability to eliminate external components such as pulse transformers and discrete isolators allows designers to reduce the system's cost, weight, and PCB footprint. Furthermore, these gate drivers provide functional safety diagnostics, helping to minimize faults within the powertrain system. One such example is the UCC5870-Q1 isolated gate driver from Texas Instruments (TI). This device is designed to drive high-powered SiC and GaN power devices, reducing PCB space and eliminating external components while increasing power efficiency in EV systems. According to TI, the UCC5870-Q1 is capable of providing functional safety diagnostics, helping the powertrain system, and maximizing power density by 50%. The Evolution of Gate Driver Technology Analog Devices (ADI) has also made significant strides in gate driver technology with its small form factor isolated gate drivers. These drivers are designed for the higher switching speeds and system size constraints required by power switch technologies such as SiC and GaN. They leverage ADI's proven iCoupler isolation technology combined with high-speed CMOS and monolithic transformer technology to enable ultralow propagation delay without sacrificing common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) performance. The high pulse fidelity architecture of these gate drivers enables motor power efficiency to meet new required efficiency levels. Additionally, their superior timing performance stability reduces voltage distortion, as well as harmonic and output power content on solar inverters. The iCoupler family of digital isolation products has been tested and approved by various regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance with safety standards. Market Offerings and Choices The market for isolated gate drivers is bustling with a variety of offerings from leading manufacturers such as Infineon Technologies, Analog Devices, and Texas Instruments. These manufacturers provide a range of gate drivers tailored to different applications and power requirements. For instance, Infineon's Eicedriver family offers isolated gate drivers with high CMTI capabilities, making them ideal for SiC-based power systems. When selecting an isolated gate driver, it is crucial to consider factors such as switching speed, isolation voltage, propagation delay, CMTI performance, and package size. These factors will determine the suitability of the gate driver for a particular application and help in optimizing the overall performance of the EV system. The Future of EV Powertrain Systems As the EV market continues to grow, the demand for more efficient and compact powertrain systems will also increase. Isolated gate drivers with isolators will play a pivotal role in meeting these demands. By reducing PCB space, eliminating external components, and increasing power efficiency, these gate drivers are enabling the development of more advanced EV systems. Moreover, ongoing research and innovation in gate driver technology will lead to the development of even more efficient and reliable devices. Future gate drivers are likely to incorporate advanced features such as integrated power supplies, modulation and demodulation circuits, and bidirectional signal transmission capabilities. These features will further enhance the performance of EV powertrain systems and pave the way for the adoption of electric vehicles on a global scale. In conclusion, isolated [ https://www.shinecomponents.com/isolators/isolators-gate-drivers ] gate drivers with isolators are revolutionizing the power efficiency of electric vehicle systems. By leveraging advanced materials and technologies, these gate drivers are enabling the development of more compact, efficient, and reliable EV systems. As the EV market continues to grow, the role of isolated gate drivers in shaping the future of electric transportation will become even more significant. Media Contact Company Name: SHINE EVER (HONGKONG) CO., LIMITED Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=innovative-gate-drivers-with-isolators-revolutionize-power-efficiency-in-electric-vehicle-systems ] Phone: 86755-83220118 Address:Room 606, Side of Building 405, Shangbu Industrial Zone, No. 156, Zhenxing Road, Huahang Community, Huaqiangbei Street, Futian District City: Shenzhen City State: Guangdong Country: China Website: https://www.shinecomponents.com/ This release was published on openPR.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it will redeem all outstanding shares of its Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series MM (CUSIP No. 060505FR0), liquidation preference $25,000 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), and the corresponding depositary shares each representing a 1/25 th interest in a share of the Preferred Stock (CUSIP No. 060505FQ2) (the "Depositary Shares"). The Depositary Shares will be redeemed simultaneously with the Preferred Stock on the upcoming dividend payment date on January 28, 2025 (the "Redemption Date"), at a redemption price of $1,000 per depositary share. Declared dividends of $21.50 per depositary share in respect of the outstanding Depositary Shares for the full current semi-annual dividend period from, and including, July 28, 2024 to, but excluding, January 28, 2025 will be paid separately on January 28, 2025 , to holders of record on January 1, 2025 , in the customary manner. Accordingly, the redemption price of $1,000 per depositary share does not include any accrued and unpaid dividends. Dividends on the redeemed Depositary Shares will cease to accrue on the Redemption Date. The Depositary Shares are held through The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and will be redeemed in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. Payment to DTC for the Depositary Shares will be made by Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., collectively, as redemption agent. The address for the redemption agent is as follows: Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Attn: Corporate Actions 150 Royall St. Canton, MA 02021 This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption under the certificate of designation governing the Preferred Stock or the deposit agreement governing the Depositary Shares. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States , serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States , its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions difficult to predict or beyond our control. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider the uncertainties and risks discussed under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 , and in any of our subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts . www.bankofamerica.com Investors May Contact: Lee McEntire , Bank of America Phone: 1.980.388.6780 lee.mcentire@bofa.com Jonathan G. Blum , Bank of America (Fixed Income) Phone: 1.212.449.3112 jonathan.blum@bofa.com Reporters May Contact: Jocelyn Seidenfeld , Bank of America Phone: 1.646.743.3356 jocelyn.seidenfeld@bofa.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bank-of-america-announces-full-redemption-of-its-series-mm-preferred-stock-and-related-depositary-shares-302338391.html SOURCE Bank of America CorporationThe House Ethics Committee’s bombshell report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ethical conduct lays out evidence that the Florida Republican held drug-fueled sex parties with women who received payments from him or an intermediary, including one who was underage. The report, which cites witness testimony, financial records, and text message exchanges, found that Gaetz violated Florida law and House ethics rules while he was a member of Congress, and concluded Gaetz “acted in a manner that reflects discreditably upon the House.” Gaetz is a staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, and he was Trump's initial choice for attorney general , before withdrawing from consideration in the face of Senate opposition. He resigned from Congress last month. Gaetz has maintained his innocence, attacked the credibility of the Ethics Committee, and on Monday published a series of posts on X with snippets of witness testimony that he said refute the committee's findings. “Giving funds to someone you are dating - that they didn’t ask for - and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he wrote . The former Congress member said last week that he "often sent funds" to women he dated but “I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court − which is why no such claim was ever made in court." Gaetz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY. Here are the report's six key allegations: Paying for sex The Ethics Committee report said Gaetz spent “tens of thousands of dollars” on women “with whom he had a shared understanding that they would be compensated for sexual activity.” The committee said it spoke to more than a half-dozen witnesses, and “nearly every young woman that the committee interviewed confirmed she was paid for sex.” The payments came either from Gaetz himself or an intermediary, the committee’s report said. The activity happened between 2017 and 2020, while he was a member of Congress. The committee called this “commercial sex” and said it violates Florida prostitution law. “Representative Gaetz took advantage of the economic vulnerability of young women to lure them into sexual activity for which they received an average of a few hundred dollars after each encounter,” the report said. Sex with a 17-year-old The committee found “substantial evidence” that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old in July 2017, when he was 35. The woman, identified as Victim A in the report, “had just completed her junior year of high school.” The age of consent in Florida is 18. The report said the pair had sex twice at a party, including one time that there were witnesses, and that the woman “recalled receiving $400 in cash” from Gaetz that night. The report said the woman used ecstasy that night, and that she had seen Gaetz use cocaine at the party. The report said that the woman did not inform Gaetz of her age; that he didn’t ask; and that he was not aware of her being under 18. However, the report said Gaetz maintained contact with the woman, and met up with her for “commercial sex” again after she turned 18. Cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana The report said there was “substantial evidence” that Gaetz used cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana, even setting up “a pseudonymous email account from his House office in the Capitol complex for the purpose of purchasing marijuana.” He denied the allegations, the report said. The report said Gaetz’s then-girlfriend “brought drugs with us” on the Bahamas trip. Another said she “brought cocaine to at least one event with Representative Gaetz and that she witnessed him taking cocaine or ecstasy on at least five occasions,” the report said. “Several other women observed Representative Gaetz to be under the influence of drugs,” the report said. “Additionally, nearly every witness interviewed observed Representative Gaetz using marijuana.” Use of his congressional office to help a woman Gaetz paid for sex The report said Gaetz used his congressional office to get a passport for a woman he paid for sex. The report said he met her in 2018 and on the night they met, she had sex with Gaetz and his intermediary sent her money, but she also told him that day she needed a new passport. The report said Gaetz connected her with a top aide, who worked with a representative of the State Department to get her a passport “within days of their first meeting.” The woman was not a constituent because she didn’t live in Gaetz’s district, but an email from the State Department obtained by the committee sought to confirm with Gaetz’s office “an appointment for your constituent.” The report said it was unusual for a top aide to process passport requests, and usually lower-level staff in the district perform that task. The report said the woman continued to “meet up” with Gaetz and have sex. Gaetz's trip to the Bahamas violated gift rules The report said Gaetz violated the House’s rules against impermissible gifts when he took a trip with two other men and six women to the Bahamas in September 2018. The report said he did not provide evidence of how he paid for the travel costs, other than a commercial flight he took to get there. The report said one of the other men in the group paid for the vacation rental where the group stayed, and that Gaetz returned to Florida on a private plane with one other man and three of the women. “While there were no specific payments to the women in connection with the Bahamas trip, according to one woman, ‘the trip itself was more so the payment,’” the report said. Obstruction of the Ethics Committee investigation The report said Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed,” implicating federal criminal laws of false statements and obstruction of Congress. The report said he pointed to exculpatory evidence but failed to produce it, that he “intentionally withheld information,” and that he “declined to provide testimony voluntarily and did not appear when subpoenaed.” The report pointed to Gaetz’s public letter he published to X in September saying he would no longer voluntarily cooperate with the inquiry. The report said he wrote the letter after asking the committee for additional time to respond to written questions, and said he had an “uncooperative approach throughout the review.”

The King and the Prime Minister have paid tribute to Jimmy Carter following the former US president’s death on Sunday aged 100. In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/IaKmZcteb1 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 29, 2024 US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Vice President Kamala Harris said Mr Carter “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion”. “His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” she said. “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Gordon Brown, another former prime minister, said it was a “privilege” to have known Mr Carter, who “will be mourned, not just in America, but in every continent where human rights are valued”. Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public serviceInnovative Gate Drivers with Isolators Revolutionize Power Efficiency in Electric Vehicle Systems

Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100The Israeli Justice Ministry made the announcement in a message late on Thursday, saying the investigation would focus on the findings of a recent report by the Uvda investigative programme into Sara Netanyahu. The programme uncovered a trove of WhatsApp messages in which Mrs Netanyahu appears to instruct a former aide to organise protests against political opponents and to intimidate Hadas Klein, a key witness in the trial. The announcement did not mention Mrs Netanyahu by name and the Justice Ministry declined further comment. Earlier on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu blasted the Uvda report as “lies”. It is the latest in a long line of legal troubles for the Netanyahus, highlighted by the PM’s ongoing corruption trial. Mr Netanyahu is charged with fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases alleging he exchanged favours with powerful media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies the charges and says he is the victim of a “witch hunt” by overzealous prosecutors, police and the media.

A DUP minister rebuffed a suggestion that there could be an extension of pub opening hours in Northern Ireland to celebrate the golden jubilee of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, declassified files show. Stormont minister Maurice Morrow told an official he would not raise the issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, despite similar measures being considered in England and Wales. A file on planning arrangements for the jubilee celebrations reveals a series of civil service correspondences on how Northern Ireland would mark the occasion. It includes a letter sent on January 11 2001 from an official in the Office of the First Minister/Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to the Department of Social Development, advising that a committee had been set up in London to consider a programme of celebrations. “It is felt that the golden jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 is likely to be an occasion on which many public houses and similar licensed premises would wish to stay open beyond normal closing time.” The letter said a paper had been prepared on the issue of extending opening hours. It adds: “You will note that paragraph seven of the paper indicates that the devolved administrations ‘would need to consider deregulation separately within their own jurisdictions’. “I thought that you would wish to be aware that this issue is receiving active consideration for England and Wales and to consider whether anything needs to be done for Northern Ireland.” Some months later a “progress report” was sent between officials in OFMDFM, which again raised the issue of licensing laws. “In both cases, primary legislation would be required here and would necessitate consultation and the minister has ruled out any consultation process.” The correspondence says individual licensees could still apply for an extension to opening hours on an ad hoc basis, adding “there the matter rests”. “Ministers may well come under pressure in due course for a relaxation and/or parity with GB.” The document concludes “That’s it so far...making haste slowly?” Emails sent between officials in the department the same month said that lord lieutenants in Northern Ireland had been approached about local events to mark the jubilee. One message says: “Lord lieutenants have not shown any enthusiasm for encouraging GJ celebrations at a local level. “Lady Carswell in particular believes that it would be difficult for LLs to encourage such activities without appearing political.”Last week our two leaders came together in Paris to mark Armistice Day . This was the first time British and French leaders have done so in Paris since 1944, commemorating those who sacrificed their lives to defeat the attempt to rule by brute force. This week, we will meet in London for the first time since becoming Foreign Ministers – holding talks just opposite 4 Carlton Gardens, General de Gaulle’s headquarters during the occupation of Paris. By launching his illegal and unprovoked full-scale war of aggression in Ukraine 1,000 days ago this week , not only did Vladimir Putin accelerate the largest war on the European continent since the Second World War, he also sought to rewrite the international order. The annihilation of the global architecture that has been the cornerstone of international peace and security for generations. All to justify his illegal and intolerable aggression against a sovereign European country. The UK and France will not let him do so. Together with our allies, we will do everything that is necessary to put Ukraine in the best position to achieve a just and lasting peace. Indeed, what has happened in Ukraine is nothing short of the largest violation of territorial integrity of our time. From the bombing of civilians to the abduction and deportation of children, Vladimir Putin ’s Russia has violated international law in countless ways. The risks are not only to European security, but the world at large. Putin’s aim is to set a new precedent that upends the rules-based international system, whereby countries feel they can invade their neighbours with total impunity. That brutality risks becoming the new norm and threatening peace everywhere. And as the war in Ukraine is spreading beyond Europe, we see the consequences of this attempted “Putinisation” for the world. North Korea is leveraging its relationship with Russia to flex its muscles on the battlefield in an attempt to strengthen its hand and further destabilise Asia, starting with its immediate neighbour. Iran is also toughening its stance by providing Russia with drones and missiles , while refraining from rolling back its nuclear programme and destabilising the entire Middle East via its proxies. As two founding nations of the UN and permanent members of the Security Council, the UK and France will relentlessly fight this campaign of “Putinisation”. Learning from history, we believe that international relations should be grounded in justice. Any just and durable peace cannot be achieved through violence nor maintained by force. This is why we have condemned the barbaric terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other terrorist groups on 7 October, 2023, and why we have sanctioned the perpetrators. This is also why we continue to call for a ceasefire in Gaza , the release of all hostages, the massive scale-up of humanitarian assistance, and the cessation of violent settlers’ activities in the West Bank in the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians. We know the Palestinian issue will not go away until a two-state solution is implemented, with mutual recognition and security guarantees. Similarly, we are no doubt that diplomacy, not violence, is the only way to achieve peace and security for Israel and Lebanon. We need an immediate ceasefire and a political solution consistent with the principles of UN Security Council resolution 1701. Read Next Putin’s threat to Europe is growing – this is what the UK could do about it We reiterate our full support to UNIFIL and the important work it does every day. Further violence leading to civil casualties and population displacements risks forcing the country into chaos, fuelling even greater instability in the region. In all crises around the world, the UK and France stand united on the side of humanitarian law. We’ve demonstrated it once again this week by championing a UN Security Council resolution for the protection of civilians in Sudan where the worst crisis in the world is unravelling – an effort shamelessly opposed by Putin’s Russia, who stood alone in casting a veto. In those exceptionally challenging times, we believe that the most pressing global problems need multilateral solutions. After the Bletchley Park AI Summit last year, we will work together to make the AI Action Summit in Paris a success in February. We will address the challenges and seize the opportunities of AI, and ensure we narrow the digital divide between developed and developing countries. Protecting our populations also requires protecting our planet. We will step up action on climate change through the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Ten years after its adoption, we will keep pushing for the highest possible level of ambition, on the road to COP30 in Belem. The ocean is one lung of our planet. After adopting the BBNJ treaty, we now need to push the ambition further towards the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, next June. In the face of major crises and huge challenges, more than a century after the signing of the “Entente Cordiale”, the UK and France stand united in the same spirit. We are strengthening our bilateral relationship, and working toward enhanced relations between the UK and the European Union. We are offering a credible alternative to the world’s “Putinisation” and fragmentation. An alternative grounded in technological progress, international law and multilateral action. The world can count on the UK and France to advocate these principles in the years ahead. David Lammy is the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot is Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France

DUP ministers Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds were sanctioned in 2000 by Stormont’s leaders over their plan to disrupt the powersharing Executive. Minutes of an Executive meeting from June of that year state further action would be considered “as appropriate” if the DUP went ahead with a threat to rotate its ministers. The minutes are within files which have been declassified at the Public Record Office in Belfast. Devolved powersharing had been restored to Northern Ireland in May 2000 when Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble had received the backing of his party to go back into the Assembly, despite there having been no decommissioning of IRA arms at that point. Then DUP deputy leader Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds took up the offices as ministers for regional development and social development, but refused to attend Executive meetings due to the presence of Sinn Fein ministers. The party also said it would rotate its ministerial posts to prevent other parties from taking them. A minute of an Executive meeting on June 8 said Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds had refused a request from First Minister Mr Trimble and deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to meet with them “to discuss recent public comments by the DUP concerning their positions as ministers”. The minute records that the Executive endorsed a proposal from the First and deputy First Ministers to write again to the two DUP ministers setting out sanctions against them. It says: “The First Minister and and Deputy First Minister would assume responsibility for representing the Executive Committee on transport matters at the British-Irish Council in place of the Minister for Regional Development. “The Minister for Social Development and the Minister for Regional Development would not be nominated to attend meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee. “Pending the receipt of satisfactory assurances from DUP Ministers regarding the confidentiality and integrity of Executive Committee business, the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would not receive Executive Committee papers as of right. “The First Minister and Deputy First Minister would seek briefing, as appropriate, from officials in the Department for Regional Development and Department for Social Development.” The minute continues: “If the DUP carried out their threat to change the holders of the two Ministerial offices on a frequent basis, the Executive Committee would consider other action as appropriate.” Mr Robinson and Mr Dodds resigned as ministers on June 27 and were replaced by party colleagues Gregory Campbell and Maurice Morrow. A minute from an Executive meeting that day says: “The Executive Committee noted that the Minister for Social Development and Minister for Regional Development would be resigning their posts that afternoon, and expressed concern at the proposed rotation of the ministries held by their Party Members.”

“Forty Love” Highlights Tennis as a Sport for Life, Laughter, and Longevity in DallasFormer Australian all-rounder Shane Lee still chuckles at a mistake his champion brother Brett Lee made prior to a remarkable Test debut against India in Melbourne 25 years ago. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer . Having decimated a Western Australian team featuring Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn and Mike Hussey days earlier, the younger Lee was added to the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test. The 23-year-old had bowled with fire and fury in the Sheffield Shield game at the WACA, breaking former Test quick Jo Angel’s arm on the way to man of the match honours . In a chat with Fox Sports during the pandemic, Lee confessed that even now he is not particularly comfortable with the events that preceded his call-up for the Australian team. Wanting to impress the “who’s who” of Australian cricket playing in that match, with the Test captain Steve Waugh standing in slips alongside stars of the sport, he unleashed on WA. “There was a moment which I’m not particularly proud of,” Lee said. “(I warned Jo), ‘You’ve got two options here, mate. Either tread on your wicket and get out, or I’ll come around the wicket and break your arm’. I felt horrible.” But it did the trick. Steve Waugh approached national selector Geoff Marsh at the WACA after the Shield game and told him to get him into the team because “the Indians will hate it”. The following day, Lee was photographed outside the WACA after confirmation that he would join a team that had thrashed India in Adelaide for the second Test in Melbourne. Shane Lee, who had featured in the Shield match that led to Lee earning his first baggy green, grabbed a couple of close mates from home and headed down to Victoria. Before touching on the pride he has for a younger brother whose “pies” he once belted around the backyard as boys back in Wollongong, the older Lee sibling still laughs about a mishap that Brett experienced ahead of his Boxing Day debut. “A funny memory of that is that he had tried to put some highlights in his hair to blond his hair up a bit — he was trying to impress the young ladies back then — but his hair went slightly orange, so we gave him a bit stick about that,” Shane Lee told Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast. When relayed that tale last week, Angel had a laugh about it. Between breaking the Western Australia’s arm and the ‘hair-tastrophe’ prior to his debut, Lee had broken bread with the big man in hospital in Perth and there was never any bad blood between the pair. “He always liked to be a pretty boy, I think, Binga,” Angel said. “If you muck around with that sort of hair dye stuff, you are guaranteed to come unstuck at some stage. But that would be a good stage to do it on, before your first Test. You are going to make sure you get noticed, aren’t you? “But when you can bowl that quick, and swing the ball like he did, people are going to notice you, so I definitely wouldn’t have thought you were going to need highlights in the hair.” A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Brett Lee was a bundle of nerves on the morning of the Boxing Day Test. Fresh from bowling more than 150km/h at the WACA, Lee had posed for photoshoots leading into the game, with the expectation that he would be unleashed against India. In a recent chat with The Follow On podcast, Lee said he was still not sure whether or not he would get the nod ahead of Michael Kasprowicz to debut until the morning of the match. That is understandable, for the friendly ghost “Kasper” had snared seven wickets against Pakistan in Perth during late November when preferred to the newcomer from New South Wales. “Probably just the whole build up, there was a lot of expectation and a lot of conjecture around, ‘Would I play or not?’” he told The Follow On. “Michael Kasprowicz was looking to get the nod ahead of me and then I found out on the morning of the match that I was playing, so all of those memories flicking back to when I was a nine-year-old kid flooded in and all the hard work, the sacrifices, the injuries, overcoming adversity, the people saying I was not good enough, those (thoughts) flashed through my mind in that instant. “I was like, ‘You know what? I’ve worked so hard to get here, let’s just have fun and enjoy it’. And that is exactly what I did.” But those who had watched Lee in the Sheffield Shield match a week earlier were far from surprised, with Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist saying his quality demanded a debut. “It was just dynamic. We all knew at that point in time that Australian cricket had an unbelievable talent on their hands,” he said. “It was just a matter of when he would make the transition from state cricket up to the biggest stage. And there is no bigger stage than the Boxing Day Test match and he looked very comfortable right from the start.” So rapidly was Lee bowling, Mark Waugh was forced to stand further back in the slips cordon than ever before in the Sheffield Shield match and was certain he would play. “We knew how good he was,” he said. “He had done well for New South Wales and when you are bowling 150km/h and you can swing the ball as well — he could swing the ball and a couple of his deliveries did swing away from the left-handers and back into the right-handers — and he had the intimidation factor as well.” Angel, who played the last of his four Tests for Australia against England in 1995, could testify to that. “It was no real surprise because he bowled beautifully in Perth. He bowled quickly but he swung the ball. And he did the same in Melbourne in that Test match against India,” he said. “When you can bowl that quick, that is one thing, but when you are swinging the ball, it is just a double-edged sword. It is a bit like when Mitchell Starc is at the top of his game. That is when he is swinging the ball, because he bowls quick enough, but then you have to factor in the swing as well, and it makes it very hard. “Binga bowled brilliantly in Perth and he just carried it on in the Test match. They got him in while he was doing well and he went from strength to strength from there.” THE PUPPY DOG UNLEASHED: “HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A HANDFUL” Lee may have felt nervous but he had time to settle after Australia batted first at the MCG, in a weather-interrupted innings as they sought to further their dominance of India. While none of Australia’s star-studded top order made centuries, several scored heavily as the hosts batted through to the third day on the way to a first innings total of 405. Michael Slater top-scored with 91, while Gilchrist made 78 and Ricky Ponting 67 batting at No.6. But in a sign that Lee, who batted at No.10, had an appetite for the occasion, he shared a 59-run partnership with Damien Fleming before falling caught and bowled to Javagal Srinath for 27. It was not long before he demonstrated the nightmare he would become for rival batsmen, with Waugh deciding he would give the emerging star “a crack at it” before lunch. As Lee stood at the top of his mark when introduced into the attack in the fifth over of the Indian innings, he took a moment to “enjoy the experience”. While the MCG was not at its 100,000 capacity, it felt like that to the young Australian living out a boyhood dream as he prepared to bowl with Indian champion VVS Laxman and the left-hander Sadagoppan Ramesh at the crease. “It is weird, because being an Australian and having 100,000 people there — 90-odd thousand were barracking for Australia — and being the new kid on the block, I think a lot of people want to see that young kid do well,” Lee said. “People, I think, appreciate fast bowling. It wasn’t a hard sell for me. I wanted to make sure I delivered and hopefully get some wickets. “But personally, and looking at the calibre of players I had around me — Steve and Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath — I could not believe I was in the team, to be honest. It was the most surreal, unbelievable feeling.” On his fourth delivery, Lee ran in and knocked Ramesh’s off-stump over. A star was born. “I remember him charging in and looking a little bit nervous, but then the fourth ball cluttered into the stumps and he got his first wicket,” Gilchrist said. “It was like a big sigh of relief from him, not just to make his debut, but to have an impact, and he ticked that box. Then he really just got into his work and it was so impressive.” In an interview not long after his debut, Lee conceded he was “anxious” and that he was “happy to hit the pitch first-up”. But it sparked his appetite further. “I thought now I have taken one wicket, I wouldn’t mind a few more. And that becomes that love affair that you have with cricket,” he said. The second wicket was a special one, with Lee tempting Rahul Dravid into a luxurious bid for a cover drive that he instead edged through to Gilchrist behind the stumps. “He was just like a big puppy dog who had been let off the lead,” Mark Waugh said. “He had that raw energy and he just lifted the mood of the dressing room because he was always smiling. I wouldn’t have liked to bat against him but he was always good to play with if he was on your side. I don’t think there is anything more exciting in cricket than watching a fast bowler rip in and when he is on your side, it is even more exciting. “India would not have seen much of him, so those factors — the raw pace, that he could swing the ball, the intimidation, charging in like a puppy dog off a leash — he was always going to be a handful.” “HE GAVE AS GOOD AS HE GOT”: FROM THE BACKYARD TO THE BIG TIME It is no surprise that Lee initially thought of his boyhood in the instant after being told he would debut for Australia, because it was in the backyard where his skills were honed. That ability to swing the ball? Early lessons controlling a taped tennis ball helped. His defiance with the bat? As a little boy pitted against Shane, he wore some blows. “We used to cut the edges off the bat, so they were quite thin. We would tape up the tennis balls, so we could swing it both ways,” Shane Lee said. “And like Bradman used to do with a cricket stump against a corrugated iron tank, we would do similar things and try and make it harder for us in the backyard, so that when you finally went out into the middle, it was a lot easier. “I have really fond memories of growing up down on the south coast, (because) having a young fast bowler Brett Lee was always good practice in the backyard.” It was not the only lesson Lee learned when pitted against Shane and their younger brother Grant, who the Australian star once said could well have been the best of them all. He was also taught that life in the middle is never easy, no matter how skilled you are. “My highest score in the backyard was 434 and then I bowled Brett out about second ball and I went inside and Brett was crying and mum gave me a smack and said, ‘Go out and bowl to your brother. He has just bowled at you for four hours’,” Shane Lee said. “So I did that (and) I think I knocked him over for 12 in the second innings. (But) it was always good fun. “He gave as good as he got and he always had a beautiful action from a young age. It was very, very rhythmic and very strong. I think Brett bowled 150km/h for nearly 20 years and he was a tremendous athlete.” While Lee was a handful immediately at Test level, from the Boxing Day Test he was taught by the “Little Master” that international cricket was a step up from the domestic scene. Sachin Tendulkar was imperious at the MCG, making a superb 116 when playing an almost lone hand, though he did share a 77-run partnership with Sourav Ganguly. “I think Sachin scored one of the great hundreds in that innings but he faced some terrorising bowling from Brett, and that was the start of a really healthy rivalry between those two and a very healthy rivalry between us and that Indian group of players as well,” Gilchrist said. LEE LEVELS WITH LILLEE IN HISTORIC DEBUT After Glenn McGrath secured Ganguly, Lee returned to the fray, with his pace and swing proving far too good for the Indian lower order in a dazzling burst of brilliance. In the space of an over — the 59th of the Indian innings — Lee bowled MSK Prasad and trapped Ajit Agarkar LBW to set up a hat-trick ball. That eluded him but at the end of the over he claimed his fifth wicket for the innings when Srinath fended a short-pitched delivery to Mark Waugh at second slip. In commentary, the excitement in former English captain Tony Greig’s voice was clear. “What a day. Five wickets on debut. Brett Lee has brought the MCG alive,” Greig said. In finishing with 5-47 from 16 overs, the new sensation became the first Australian fast bowler since Dennis Lillee in Adelaide during the 1970/71 Ashes to take five wickets on debut. “I played as good as I possibly could but to pick up five wickets against India at the MCG in 1999, with close to 100,000 people watching, I still can’t believe it happened, to be honest,” Lee said. Determined to chase quick runs in a rain-marred Test, Gilchrist was promoted to No.4 and made 51 from 73 balls, while Mark Waugh finished unbeaten on 55 as Australia declared at 5-208, setting India a target of 376 to win in four sessions. It was never going to happen. The Aussies steamrolled India for 195, with Lee snaring the wickets of Dravid and Srinath for the second time in the match to finish with figures of 2-31 from 19 overs. It was a debut that caught the attention of world cricket, with old rival England in particular keeping a close watch on the new speedster from the south. “I do remember his debut because I was watching it and I thought, ‘Oh no. I might have to face him soon’. He was barging in with those blond locks and bowling rockets,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said. “He had a pure action, so he actually showed you the ball, but when it is coming at 92 to 95m/ph, and there was always a bit of away shape to the right hander, it didn’t matter that he had a pure action and you can see it, because it was coming down at a huge rate of knots. “And he was nasty. He is a beautiful guy. A lovely guy off the pitch who will do anything for you. But when he had a ball in his hand, he wanted to hurt you. As a batter, that is never nice.” THE FAST TRACK TO A FULFILLING FRIENDSHIP Lee played 76 Tests and sits in Australia’s elite bracket in terms of wickets at that level with 310 at an average of 30.81, retiring after a match against South Africa at the MCG in 2008. The Fox Cricket expert also secured 380 wickets in 221 one-day internationals for Australia and played professionally until 2015. His deeds at the MCG are among his favourite, with good reason, for it was the start of a positive relationship with India and its cricketers that he has cultivated for three decades. “I’ve been coming to India for 30 years and I think my count is 165 times that I have been there,” he told The Follow On. “I have been through several passports in terms of the book being filled up, but I have just taken so many great memories away from India. “The hospitality — people over there are so generous — and when they find out that you have played cricket and you have been lucky enough to represent your country, you get looked after pretty well in India.”During the Town of Amherst’s final town council meeting of the year on Dec. 16, a motion was passed approving funding for two initiatives. The Community Support Grants Policy, Social Equity Fund allowed for a $5,000 contribution to be made to the Amherst Community Christmas Dinner. The free dinner is open to anyone in the town and beyond providing an inclusive environment for anyone experiencing food insecurity. The welcome holiday meal is free and open to anyone. Another contribution was made on behalf of the Social Equity Fund in the amount of $3,100 being made to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Amherst. The library provides books to more than 220 children in the area to inspire their quest for learning. Council appointed Rae Burke as a citizen member of the Town of Amherst Audit Committee for a term ending on October 31, 2025. The seat was vacant following the election of Rob Small as mayor. An expression of interest was advertised in local media and on the Town of Amherst social media pages. Amherst Town Council believes involving youth in the community adds value to youth development. They also want to empower young people to be active participants in their community and democracy. Council believes the youth perspective is an important one in the decisions they make everyday and welcome their opinions. That’s why in June 2024 an expression of interest was highlighted for young people to join the Amherst Youth Town Council. The seats are capped at 15 members and there were seven interested applicants over the summer. Last week, two new students were recruited, bringing the total number of members to nine. Town Council appointed Isla Crocker and Hanna Brunt to the Amherst Youth Town Council last week. Town Council approved the purchase of 10 body-worn cameras for Town Police in the 2024/25 Capital Budget. The amount to purchase the devices was estimated at $50,000 but the prices have changed considerably since the approval. Staff are now recommending the equipment be leased now instead of purchasing it. Council passed a new motion to remove the purchase of 10 police body worn cameras from the 2024/25 Capital Budget and authorize the lease. The new lease will be for 12 police body-worn cameras at a cost of approximately $20,000 annually. This new approval will be funded from the Police Department Operating Budget. In leasing the equipment, the provider will make sure the existing technology, data storage in the cloud, repairs and equipment replacement will be up to date.

Upgrade Your Coffee Setup With This Black Friday Sale, Save 40%Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) official Lindy Li shocked NewsNation host Markie Martin on Friday when she said she supported Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump 's embattled pick for defense secretary. Hegseth and Republican backers have made a full court offensive to try and charm senators and shore up support for his nomination, which has remained under intense scrutiny due to a growing list of controversies surrounding him. This week, however, he received a vote of confidence from an unlikely source. "I think you were maybe looking for someone to oppose his nomination, but I've had personal interactions with—because I've been on Fox & Friends— I've met Pete, he's my fellow Princetonian. I actually think he's a pretty good guy," Li said during her appearance on Morning in America . Martin responded: "Wow, I was not expecting this from you Lindy." Li, a Democratic strategist who is also on the DNC's finance committee, added: "I know, but fair is fair, right? I'm not here to gaslight anybody. I'm just here to present the facts as I know it. I know a lot of people are saying his nomination is in trouble, we'll see. He's definitely a fighter. As he told Megyn Kelly, he said Trump told him to be 'tough as blank ,' and he's certainly that way." Li highlighted Senator Joni Ernst , an Iowa Republican, as the "lynchpin" for Hegseth's U.S. Senate confirmation, saying, "We'll just see if Joni Ernst can come around." Li later added that America is "the country of second chances" and urged senators to "keep an open mind" if Hegseth is really "a changed man." "This has never happened before when a nominee's mom is going there to make the case for her son to say that he's different, he's changed, he's committed to his family, he's doubled down on his faith," she said. "I think we should maybe extend a little bit of grace." Li, who has made several appearances on Fox & Friends following this year's presidential election, made headlines for criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris ' campaign as a "$1 billion disaster " and for saying that the Harris campaign took a "self-congratulatory" tone during a call with top donors last month. "I'm just frankly stunned that there was no sort of post-mortem or analysis of how we can do better," as a party, Li said during a previous NewsNation appearance. "It was really just patting each other on the back, congratulating each other for, I'm not sure what." Newsweek has reached out by email on Saturday morning to the DNC for comment. Hegseth Faces Multiple Allegations When Trump announced that Hegseth, a former Fox News host and veteran, would lead the Department of Defense, initial criticism focused on Hegseth's perceived lack of experience to hold one of the most significant roles in the country, if not the world. Hegseth and his supporters have defended his resume, which includes degrees from Princeton and Harvard and intermittent service over 20 years in the Army National Guard, which included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, achieving the rank of major, and advocating for veterans. However, Hegseth quickly found himself facing challenges to his character, starting with the revelation of a 2017 sexual assault allegation. Police never brought charges against Hegseth, and he has vigorously denied the allegations, but the further revelation that he paid the woman a settlement in 2020 over concerns that the allegation could cost him his job has only complicated the issue for him. The New York Times then published an email that Hegseth received from his mother in 2018 that criticized his treatment of women. In the letter, Penelope Hegseth told her son that he needed to "get some help and take an honest look at yourself," writing "on behalf of all women (and I know it's many) you have abused in some way." This week, Penelope Hegseth spoke with Fox News' Steve Doocy and defended her son, saying he is "a new person. He's redeemed, forgiven, changed" and that he's "not that man he was seven years ago." "And I hope people will hear that story today and the truth of that story," his mother added. However, this week also saw reports that Hegseth had a problem with excessive drinking, with 10 current and former Fox employees expressing concerns that included claims that "everyone would be talking about it behind the scenes" and that Hegseth would sometimes show up to work smelling of alcohol. Hegseth again denied those allegations and promised to "fight like hell" to achieve confirmation, even as reports started to circulate that Trump was considering alternatives for the defense secretary nomination, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis . That changed somewhat on Friday as Trump came out in vocal support of Hegseth, writing on Truth Social that "Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" In a clip released ahead of his first post-election network interview , which will air Sunday on NBC News' Meet the Press , Trump dismissed concerns about Hegseth's reported drinking problems, telling host Kristen Welker he had received calls from senators to tell him they thought Hegseth was "fantastic." One of his final hurdles remains the support of senators, however. Trump admitted to Welker that he had received no assurances from any senators they would support Hegseth. Ernst, a former U.S. Army National Guard member and retired lieutenant colonel, has made combating sexual harassment in the military a primary focus during her time on Capitol Hill, and indicated Thursday that she isn't ready yet to support Hegseth for defense secretary. "As Senator Ernst has said, she is not seeking to be secretary of defense, there is no 'campaign' against Pete, and is continuing the vetting process,' a spokesperson for Ernst told Newsweek earlier this week.