Anze Kopitar scored a pair of third-period goals, Adrian Kempe added a goal and an assist, and the Los Angeles Kings rallied for a 5-4 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday to increase their home winning streak to seven games. Kevin Fiala and Warren Foegele added goals and David Rittich made 17 saves for the Kings, who improved to 10-2-2 dating to Nov. 27, with a pair of victories over the Flyers in the stretch. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. As property values continue to outpace inflation, property taxes are taking a bigger bite out of homeowners’ wallets. A new analysis from Construction Coverage breaks down property tax rates by state, county, and city to reveal where homeowners have the greatest burden. Click for more. Where Are U.S. Property Taxes Highest and Lowest? A State, County, and City AnalysisThe plane wreckage from the crash site is seen at Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, Dec. 29 Yonhap A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company's jets crash-landed in Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday's incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines who is now a consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. In January this year, a door plug blew off a 737 Max while it was in flight, raising more questions about the plane. Jeju Air to face rigorous safety inspections over repeated landing gear issues: gov't 2024-12-30 11:37 | Society Jeju Air flight returns after takeoff over similar landing gear issue found in Muan crash 2024-12-30 09:15 | Society The Boeing 737-800 that crash-landed in Korea, Price noted, is “a very proven airplane. "It’s different from the Max ... It’s a very safe airplane.’’ For decades, Boeing has maintained a role as one of the giants of American manufacturing. But the past year's repeated troubles have been damaging. The company's stock price is down more than 30 percent in 2024. The company's reputation for safety was especially tarnished by the 737 Max crashes, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019 and left a combined 346 people dead. In the five years since then, Boeing has lost more than $23 billion. And it has fallen behind its European rival, Airbus, in selling and delivering new planes. Last fall, 33,000 Boeing machinists went on strike, crippling the production of the 737 Max, the company's bestseller, the 777 airliner and 767 cargo plane. The walkout lasted seven weeks, until members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers agreed to an offer that included 38 percent pay raises over four years. A crane removes the plane wreckage from the crash site at Muan International Airport in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, Dec. 29. Yonhap In January, a door plug blew off a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. Federal regulators responded by imposing limits on Boeing aircraft production that they said would remain in place until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration regulators who approved the 737 Max. Acting on Boeing’s incomplete disclosures, the FAA approved minimal, computer-based training instead of more intensive training in flight simulators. Simulator training would have increased the cost for airlines to operate the Max and might have pushed some to buy planes from Airbus instead. (Prosecutors said they lacked evidence to argue that Boeing’s deception had played a role in the crashes.) But the plea deal was rejected this month by a federal judge in Texas, Reed O’Connor, who decided that diversity, inclusion and equity or DEI policies in the government and at Boeing could result in race being a factor in choosing an official to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the agreement. Boeing has sought to change its culture. Under intense pressure over safety issues, David Calhoun departed as CEO in August. Since January, 70,000 Boeing employees have participated in meetings to discuss ways to improve safety. (AP)gcash fortune gems 。

Minutes after the University of North Carolina announced it had hired Bill Belichick as its next head football coach, the Tar Heels’ Instagram account posted a photo of the legendary NFL coach — at no more than 3 years old — sitting in the UNC bleachers. “Welcome home, Coach,” the post reads , dredging up the memory of when the young Belichick shadowed his father, Steve, who was a UNC assistant from 1953 to 1955. As news of his hiring spread around the NFL world, the reaction ranged from excitement at seeing him back on the sideline to disbelief. The most decorated coach in NFL history after earning six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, and two more as the defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, Belichick is officially making his next challenge college football after agreeing to a five-year deal with UNC. “I will have to see him on the sideline to believe that’s happening,” Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury joked Thursday. “We’ll see how the NFL job search goes and all that. I will have to see him on the sideline coaching in Chapel Hill to believe that’s happening." While Belichick’s knowledge of the sport, and his success, are unquestioned, there has been debate among those who have played for the 72-year-old coach during his 40-plus years in football about how well his style will translate to the college game. Some of his former players believe his skill set will work at any level. That list apparently includes Tom Brady, the quarterback during all six of Belichick’s Super Bowl wins with New England. “Congrats, coach. The Tar Heel way is about to become a thing,” Brady posted on Instagram on Thursday, referencing “The Patriot Way” that he popularized in New England. Some cautioned that the players he brings into the UNC program should prepare to have their limits tested like never before. “I think he’s going to do good,” said Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, who played under Belichick during his final three years in New England. “Bill does a good job of developing players, developing young men. I think it will be a challenge for the young man. He’s a tough coach, which we all know. But I think it will be good for certain players that have the right mindset.” Bourne's advice? Always stay locked in mentally. “Just stay tough,” Bourne said. “Have a gritty mindset because it’s not going to be easy, but in the end, it’s going to be worth it." Though some have questioned why the Tar Heels would even consider hiring Belichick after parting ways with 73-year-old Mack Brown this season, current Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said good coaching is ageless. “To me, it doesn’t matter if you’re a young man or a 10-year vet in the league, he’s a great teacher,” said Mayo, who played eight seasons under Belichick, winning a Super Bowl during the 2014 season, and then succeeded him as head coach after last season. "I wish him nothing but the best. It doesn’t really matter what level, I think he’ll be successful.” NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is a relative newcomer to the college game himself. He spent three seasons at Jackson State before going to Colorado in 2023. In a message posted to the X social media platform, he welcomed Belichick as a competitor. “Coach Bill Belichick is a coaches coach to all us Coaches along with my man coach (NIck) Saban,” Sanders posted. “They’re game changers and they know how to move people forward. I know this is a great thing for College Football & for North Carolina. God bless u Coach, if you’re happy I am 2.” But former Patriots defensive back Je’Rod Cherry wonders how well Belichick’s old-school coaching style will be received in an era in which in-your-face methods don't always fly as well as they did when Belichick began his career. “You can’t coach hard anymore,” Cherry said during an appearance on ESPN GameNight. “You can’t yell at guys, curse at guys and that’s what he does. You are going to have to find guys who are going to accept that brand of coaching and will accept someone constantly getting on them." New York Jets safety Jalen Mills, who played for Belichick with the Patriots from 2021 to 2023, said he was surprised by the news. “I thought he definitely was going to try to wait it out until after the season and come back to the NFL,” Mills said. "But I think it’s gonna be a good thing for him because now you get a guy who has won and, of course, he’s going to try to turn that program around. But he also gets to connect with the younger generation and kind of modify and adjust to this younger generation of football on top of what he already knows. So I think that’ll just help him as far as coaching. And then, of course, he’ll give those guys, those young guys, structure as far as what the NFL looks like, too.” Just how much the Belichick on the college sidelines will resemble the one in the cutoff hooded sweatshirt who patrolled NFL sidelines is unclear. Belichick hinted they will be one and the same. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN prior to agreeing to the UNC job, Belichick laid out what his approach at the college level would be. “The program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players than have the ability to play in the NFL,” Belichick said. “It would be a professional program — training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques — that would transfer to the NFL. It would be an NFL program at a college level.” ___ AP National Writer Howard Fendrich and Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflHegseth Cabinet Nomination: Less Than 20% Of US Adults Approve Of Trump’s Defense Secretary Pick, Poll Finds

Former US President Jimmy Carter, who had been in hospice care since February 2023, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 in his Georgia home, surrounded by his family, as confirmed by the Carter Center. Carter, the 39th president of the United States, is remembered for his dedication to peace, human rights, and public service. Born in Plains, Georgia, Carter’s journey to the presidency began with his humility and commitment to public service. An engineer by profession, Carter served as Georgia's governor before running for president in 1976. His campaign stood out for its transparency and honesty, appealing to a nation grappling with the aftermath of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. Is President Biden taking too much time off? A record-breaking 40 percent of his tenure are vacation days Carter's famous promise, “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me,” resonated deeply with voters. Running as a political outsider, he narrowly defeated incumbent President Gerald Ford, focusing on rebuilding trust in government. During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, Carter achieved significant milestones, including brokering the Camp David Accords, a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. However, his term was also marked by challenges such as the Iran hostage crisis and economic struggles. In 1980, Carter faced a tough re-election campaign and was defeated by Ronald Reagan in a landslide victory. Despite this, Carter transitioned into private life with dignity and went on to become an influential figure in humanitarian work. In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his dedication to promoting democracy, human rights, and resolving conflicts globally. Through the Carter Center, an organization he established, he worked relentlessly to improve global health and foster peace. Carter's humanitarian work extended to India, where he developed a special bond with a village in Haryana. During a visit in 1978, the village, then known as Daulatpur Nasirabad, was renamed Carterpuri in his honour. His relationship with the village was cemented further by his mother’s earlier visit as part of the Peace Corps. The village celebrates January 3 as a local holiday, commemorating Carter’s visit, and honours him again when he received the Nobel Prize. In recent years, Jimmy Carter dealt with health problems, including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. In February 2023, he decided to receive hospice care and spent his last days at home with his family. Rosalynn Carter, his wife, passed away on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96. Former US President Jimmy Carter makes rare appearance at wife Rosalynn's memorial Carter is remembered for shaping lasting policies in the Middle East, China, and Russia. His work after the presidency earned him respect as a champion of peace and justice. “My father was a hero to me and to everyone who values peace, human rights, and love,” said his son, Chip Carter.As the year draws to a close, China has set its sights firmly on the future, with a roadmap laid out during the recently concluded annual Central Economic Work Conference. The focus is clear — scientific and technological innovation will be the cornerstone of the nation's economic strategy heading into 2025. The goal is nothing short of transformative — to create new quality productive forces and overhaul China's industrial system, building a framework for a modernized, tech-driven economy. As a journalist, I find it fascinating to see how the country is positioning itself at the forefront of the next industrial revolution. With major technological projects and large-scale demonstrations of new technologies, China is laying the groundwork for fostering new quality productive forces. This initiative, which centers around emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things, promises to dramatically reshape industries across the board. The government is keen to foster innovation in emerging sectors, nurturing the industries of the future while ensuring that China maintains its competitive edge in strategic technological areas. Yu Hongjun, former vice-minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, explained that China's push into digital infrastructure is already paying off. Over the past few years, the country has made major strides in establishing a robust digital economy. The widespread adoption of 5G and the development of 6G satellite communication systems have set the stage for what Yu calls a smart, connected economy. He said during the World Internet of Things Convention held recently in Beijing that the rise of new IoT, new data and new business models are quietly but powerfully reshaping China's economic landscape. This is the bedrock of the new quality productive forces the country is betting on for long-term success. As I dug deeper into the details, I realized the scale of what's unfolding here. He Xuming, chairman of the World Internet of Things Convention Executive Committee, said the global digital economy, driven by IoT technologies, is growing at an annual rate of 20 percent. This year, global IoT connections are expected to increase by more than 23 percent to surpass 25 billion. What's even more impressive is that China is leading the charge in IoT infrastructure construction and innovative development in the digital economy. China is poised to build over 4.3 million 5G base stations this year, helping to connect over 3 billion IoT devices, said He, adding that the traditional digital economy in China is projected to reach an annual output value of over 70 trillion yuan ($9.59 trillion), growing at a rate of more than 20 percent. With nearly a million companies already operating in the IoT space, the groundwork for China to lead in new quality productive forces is well underway. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this push is its potential to trigger the fourth industrial revolution. Wei Jianguo, former vice-minister of commerce, said the core of this revolution is the convergence of digital technologies with manufacturing processes. The digitalization of industry, Wei argues, will redefine global production systems, and China, with its advanced manufacturing supply chains and digital leadership, is uniquely positioned to spearhead this transformation. Wei further emphasized that the fourth industrial revolution will not only drive economic growth, but also profoundly impact China's social structure, economic models, and the relationship between humans and nature. As I reflect on these developments, it's clear that the shift toward new quality productive forces, driven by AI, IoT and other next-generation technologies, will inevitably position China as a global innovation powerhouse. The government's proactive approach to fostering these changes is strategic, forward-thinking and deeply embedded in its broader economic goals for the next few years. The story unfolding here isn't just about economic growth — it's about reshaping the very fabric of industry and society in ways we're only just beginning to comprehend. As 2025 approaches, all eyes will be on China to see how it executes this ambitious plan and whether it can truly lead the world into the next industrial revolution.

The Latest: State funeral for Jimmy Carter will be Jan. 9

The King is scheduled to attend the show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday which will see Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish present a musical number from their new show The Devil Wears Prada – based on the 2006 Oscar-nominated film. Cast members Vanessa Williams, who plays Miranda Priestly, and Matt Henry, who stars as art director Nigel, were among those posing on the red carpet ahead of the performance which showcases an original score by Sir Elton. The variety show will also see debuts from British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor with her hit track Murder On The Dancefloor while Eurovision winner Nemo is also featured on the bill. Also posing on the carpet were US magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller, whose performance marks their 50th anniversary. Comedy will come from Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, writer and comic Scott Bennett, Scottish comedian Larry Dean and political comic Matt Forde – who posed on the red carpet with a crutch after undergoing surgery for cancer on his spine. Among the arrivals was TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, who will make an appearance in this year’s show with her Change And Check Choir led by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow. The choir, made up of women from across the UK who detected their breast cancer through Kelly’s campaign, will perform Love Is All Around, which is being re-released to raise awareness of breast cancer early detection. It comes hours after Camilla insisted the “show must go on” after pulling out of attending the performance on Friday evening as doctors advised that she should prioritise rest. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest. “With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.” A royal source said the Queen was “naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on'”. “She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,” the source added. The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in December. Money raised from the show will go to help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance, with the Royal Variety Charity launching an initiative to help those with mental health issues this year.President Biden commutes sentences of nearly 1,500 people

The Portuguese arrived in Manchester last month to replace Erik ten Hag and the board at the Premier League giants have a lot of faith in the 39-year-old being the one to take the club back to the top of the English game. It has been a mixed start to life at Man United for the young coach, however, United’s win over Viktoria Plzen on Thursday saw at the Manchester club. Having changed the system at Old Trafford, one player Amorim has not fancied is Marcus Rashford as the local hero has not been a regular starter since the Portuguese coach took over. The England star began the last two Premier League games from the bench, which will not go down well with the winger. The 27-year-old has been underperforming at the Manchester club for two seasons now and many fans of the Red Devils have had enough of the player. A report from states that if Amorim can’t fit Rashford into his system throughout the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, the winger could be sold next summer. Barcelona ready to look into signing Man United star Marcus Rashford Should Man United be open to selling Rashford next summer, the report states that Barcelona are likely to emerge as the top contenders to sign the winger. The La Liga giants are interested in the 27-year-old and would look into a potential deal more closely in the new year if they suspect he could be acquired after previously being sceptical about tempting him away from the Manchester club. PSG and Bayern Munich have also been named as potential destinations for the Englishman. given his recent performances and it remains to be seen if Barcelona can afford that. The Catalan club continue to deal with financial issues and given they already have incredible wingers, the Spanish giants may decide to spend that money on other areas.