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Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney generalA federal lawmaker, Mustapha Tijjani, has called for the adoption of a homeschooling model as a solution to the challenges of poor access to education in the country. Homeschooling is an educational method in which parents or private tutors educate their children at home instead of sending them to traditional schools. Consequently, lawmakers have sponsored two bills that were recently introduced on the floor of the Green Chamber. The bills are the “Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and “Child’s Rights Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.” The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act aims to provide a legal framework for homeschooling, addressing issues of access, quality, and inclusivity in education. In an interview with journalists on Friday, Tijjani, who represents Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi Federal Constituency of Kano State, explained the bill’s motivation, citing the lessons learnt during COVID-19. He said, “In the advanced world, children are not hindered; their education has not been hindered. But in this part of Africa and Nigeria in particular, the educational system has been hindered. This shouldn’t have been because a child should have a right to education.” He added that when a child is not learning at his/her formative stage, the intelligence quotient would be affected, thereby altering his/her future prospects. The New Nigeria People’s Party lawmaker lamented the huge number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, stressing that homeschooling can help bridge the gap. “The bill gives parents the option to educate their children at home, either by hiring a local teacher or teaching them personally, using the Nigerian curriculum,” he said. Related News Reps back bills to boost digital, technical education NWF prioritises wrestlers’ education ahead of national trials 2025 budget: Kano varsity applauds gov for 31% allocation to education He added that this initiative would benefit vulnerable children, including those in remote areas and Almajiri children, by providing them with opportunities for formal education. The lawmaker highlighted the potential economic advantages of homeschooling, saying, “Parents who choose homeschooling reduce the strain on government infrastructure and resources. It also minimises costs associated with uniforms, transportation, and other school-related expenses.” He also spoke on the moral dimension of the homeschooling model, noting that parents can better monitor their children’s moral development and shield them from negative influences often encountered in schools. “There are issues of immorality that happen in our primary and secondary schools. Therefore, we have to protect that. Parents do try as much as possible to give their children morals, to give them a good attitude,” he added. When asked about the challenges of implementing homeschooling, including the cost of technology and data for online learning, Tijjani clarified that the bill incorporates both online and traditional homeschooling methods. “Parents don’t necessarily need to connect to online platforms. They can follow the Nigerian curriculum with the help of local teachers or by teaching their children directly,” he said. Addressing concerns about a potential decline in educational standards, the Kano lawmaker argued that homeschooling could enhance quality by allowing personalised and focused learning. “Public schools often have overcrowded classrooms, making it hard for teachers to give individual attention. Homeschooling creates an environment where children can receive one-on-one guidance,” he said. He further added that the bill is not meant to replace conventional schooling but to act as an alternative form of learning. “It is optional. Parents who prefer conventional schools can continue, but those unable to afford it can now have a legal option to educate their children at home,” he said.
TikTok's future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * TikTok's future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? TikTok’s future in the U.S. appeared uncertain on Friday after a federal appeals court rejected a legal challenge to a law that requires the social media platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company or be banned by mid-January. A panel of three judges on The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled unanimously that the law withstood constitutional scrutiny, rebuffing arguments from the two companies that the statute violated their rights and the rights of TikTok users in the U.S. The government has said it wants ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest its stakes. But if it doesn’t and the platform goes away, it would have a seismic impact on the lives of content creators who rely on the platform for income as well as users who use it for entertainment and connection. Here are some details on the ruling and what could happen next: What does the ruling say? In their lawsuit, TikTok and ByteDance, which is also a plaintiff in the case, had challenged the law on various fronts, arguing in part that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and was an unconstitutional bill of attainder that unfairly targeted the two companies. But the court sided with attorneys for the Justice Department who said that the government was attempting to address national security concerns and the way in which it chose to do so did not violate the constitution. The Justice Department has argued in court that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its connections to China. Officials say that Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok’s U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread, or suppress, information. However, the U.S. hasn’t publicly provided examples of that happening. The appeals court ruling, written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg, said the law was “carefully crafted to deal only with control by a foreign adversary.” The judges also rejected the claim that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. Furthermore, Ginsburg wrote the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to “suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. What happens next? TikTok and ByteDance are expected to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, but it’s unclear whether the court will take up the case. TikTok indicated in a statement on Friday the two companies are preparing to take their case to high court, saying the Supreme Court has “an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech.” “We expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue,” a company spokesperson said. Alan Morrison, a professor at The George Washington University Law School, said he expects the Supreme Court to take up the case because of the novelty of the issues raised in the lawsuit. If that happens, attorneys for the two companies still have to convince the court to grant them an emergency stay that will prevent the government from enforcing the Jan. 19 divestiture deadline stipulated in the law, Morrison said. Such a move could drag out the process until the Justices make a ruling. Tiffany Cianci, a TikTok content creator who has supported the platform, said she was not shocked about the outcome of the court’s ruling on Friday because lower courts typically defer to the executive branch on these types of cases. She believes the company will have a stronger case at the Supreme Court. “I believe that the next stages are more likely to produce a victory for TikTokers and for TikTok as a whole,” Cianci said. What about Trump? Another wild card is President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the recent presidential campaign that he is now against such action. The Trump transition team has not offered details on how Trump plans to carry out his pledge to “save TikTok.” But spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement last month that he plans to “deliver” on his campaign promises. After Trump takes office on Jan. 20th, it would fall on his Justice Department to enforce the law and punish any potential violators. Penalties would apply to any app stores that would violate a prohibition on TikTok and to internet hosting services which would be barred from supporting it. Some have speculated that Trump could ask his Justice Department to abstain from enforcing the law. But tech companies like Apple and Google, which offer TikTok’s app on their app stores, would then have to trust that the administration would not come after them for any violations. Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said enforcement discretion — or executive orders — can not override existing law, leaving Trump with “limited room for unilateral action.” There are other things Trump could potentially do. It’s possible he could invoke provisions of the law that allow the president to determine whether a sale or a similar transaction frees TikTok from “foreign adversary” control. Another option is to urge Congress to repeal the law. But that too would require support from congressional Republicans who have overwhelmingly supported the prospect of getting TikTok out of the hands of a Chinese company. In a statement issued Friday, Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said he was “optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok” and allow its continued use in the United States. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Is anyone trying to buy TikTok? ByteDance has said it won’t sell TikTok. And even if it wanted to, a sale of the proprietary algorithm that powers TikTok is likely to get blocked under Chinese export controls that the country issued in 2020. That means if TikTok is sold without the algorithm, its likely that the buyer would only purchase a shell of the platform that doesn’t contain the technology that made the app a cultural powerhouse. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in buying it. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital. The spokesperson did not disclose the identity of the participants. Advertisement Advertisement..NYCN charges FG on youth friendly policies The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reassured Nigerian youths that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is dedicated to involving them in all levels of governance. Speaking at the grand finale of the 60th Anniversary celebration of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Port Harcourt, Shettima emphasized that youth inclusion in governance is a cornerstone of the current administration. Represented by his Technical Adviser on Women and Youth Engagement, Hauwa Liman, the Vice President highlighted that the Tinubu administration is the first to offer extensive opportunities to the nation’s youth, underscoring the administration’s strong belief in the aspirations of Nigerian youths. He said: “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assembled some of the finest young people in the country to form the backbone of his government and this is based on his conviction that you cannot plan for the future without the young ones at the decision making table . So youth inclusion to us is not just a promise, it is the cornerstone of our administration’s vision for Nigeria. “From the outset, we have worked to ensure that young Nigerians are not only seen and heard but also have the power and included at every level of governance”. He pointed out that the Tinubu administration has created numerous opportunities for youths to thrive in various fields, which he believes reflects the government’s commitment to empowering the youth and driving the real change the country requires. “Today, we stand as a government that has opened doors for young people like never before. Many of our ministers are your peers. “Your inclusion is more than a presentation. It is about creating opportunities that translates into real change. This administration has prioritised initiatives that empowers young people to excel in education, entrepreneurship and the creative and data industry. “We have launched the transformative programme like the Presidential Initiative for Youths Enterprise Clusters backed by N110bn Naira to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology and industry. The Youths Investment Fund continue to provide critical financial support for start-ups and small businesses and ensuring that young Nigerians can turn their ideas into thriving ventures. “In the digital and creative sector where our youths have already proven their global competitiveness, we have rolled out a $618m United Dollars initiative designed to support tech and creative enterprises,” Shettima added. He stated that, to reinforce these commitments, the government is working on establishing a National Youth Development Bank and a youth data bank to provide young Nigerians with the resources, information, and opportunities they need to succeed. Shettima also highlighted the National Education Fund and the student loan scheme as additional government initiatives aimed at securing the future of Nigerian youths. The Vice President further encouraged the nation’s youth to take full advantage of the many opportunities available to improve their lives and contribute to the country’s progress. “Dear young Nigerians, the opportunity before you are vast, you are part of a generation that has the tools, skills and platforms to transform not only Nigeria but the world. “The digital economy and the creative space are yours to dominate. This administration is committed to providing you with the resources and support needed to succeed. “As we celebrate this milestone, I challenge you to cease this moment, embrace innovation, creativity and hardwork. Let your generation be the one that transformed Nigeria into a beacon of democracy, development and progress. Your voices are heard, your contributions are valued and your future is being shaped by the decisions you influence today,” he said. In his speech at the event, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Chief of Staff of the Government House, Ehie Edison, said that his administration is deeply focused on youth development. He emphasized that this is why many young people have been given the opportunity to hold leadership positions. He pointed out that in Rivers State, the majority of local council chairmen, their deputies, and councillors are youths, with three of them being members of the NYCN. “This government is surrounded by youths who are very resourceful and are contributing immensely to governance, development of the state. We have commissioners who are youth ambassadors, large percentage of executive chairmen and vice chairmen are youths in their primes. Councillors are youths and this goes a long way to show that the governor is very very youth friendly,” he said. Ehie, stated further that the governor is investing in programmes and policies that intends to showcase the raw talents of Rivers youths and to empower them meaningfully, adding that across various tertiary institutions, there are scholarships for deserving youths who are hardworking currently ongoing and sponsored by Rivers State Government. While congratulating the National Executives on the celebration, he praised the National President, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, for maintaining the legacy of the youth council. Ehie also encouraged the youth to avoid negative behaviors and instead focus on positive actions while engaging with the government at all levels. “I want to call on the NYCN to continually engage peacefully with governments at all levels, multinationals, Nationally Assembly to propose youth friendly legislations and for the multinational companies to engage our youths and also for government to propose programmes that would benefit the youths while also advocating for our youths to desist from crimes, criminality and tap into the skill acquisition opportunities which is the in-thing today across the country,” Ehie stated. Earlier, the National President of NYCN, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government for hosting Nigerian youths during their 60th anniversary celebration. He highlighted that for six decades, the Council has been actively involved in shaping the future of Nigerian youths through positive initiatives. Sukubo took the opportunity to urge government officials at all levels to implement policies that will improve the country’s situation and alleviate the current hardships being faced. The youth leader also encouraged Nigerian youths to acquire skills and not solely depend on white-collar jobs, which are not easily accessible in the country. “I charge Nigerian youths to look beyond what they call white-collar jobs and focus on skills and we should grow in technology to impact on the society. We should not wait anymore for government. “We should look for how to also support the federal government and our state governors to see how to reduce insecurity and also support our National Assembly to make laws that can create employment opportunities for young people and also to enact policies that can grow our economy. “We are also appealing to the Federal Government to make policies that can accelerate economic growth in our dear country,” Sukubo said.
Maharashtra’s Largest Cuboid Anamorphic Screen 'Aayam' Launched At Nexus Seawoods Mall In Navi MumbaiMIAMI — Jonnu Smith had been so involved in the Miami Dolphins’ offense in recent weeks. But over the first 60 minutes of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium, Smith appeared to be missing. No catches. One target. It all changed in overtime though. Smith made all three of his catches in the extra period including a 10-yard touchdown reception in traffic from Tua Tagovailoa to lift the Dolphins to a much-needed 32-26 comeback victory. “I lost my voice out there going crazy,” Smith said. “It’s my faith that has me prepared for any moment. I didn’t blame the first, second, third quarter. Individually, it wasn’t the game I’ve been having the past couple of weeks but I didn’t blink at all. I’m just excited about continuing to have offensive success going forward and when my time comes, I just have to be there to make the play that counts.” The Dolphins (6-7), who basically cannot afford another loss this season if they are to somehow sneak into the playoffs, are now tied with the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) and two games behind the Denver Broncos (8-5) for the final wild-card spot in the AFC. The loss eliminated the Jets (3-10) from postseason contention for the 14th consecutive season. It was the Dolphins’ first overtime game in the three seasons since Mike McDaniel became head coach and Miami’s first overtime win since Dec. 22, 2019 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. It took Miami erasing two fourth quarter deficits to make it happen. And it took some Tagovailoa-to-Tyreek Hill magic to make that happen. With the Dolphins winning the coin toss and gaining the first and would-be lone possession of overtime, Smith first caught a short pass from Tagovailoa and turned it into a 20-yard gain to the 50. Miami followed with basically the same play on which Smith picked up another 14 yards. Four more plays put the Dolphins at the Jets’ 10, setting up Tagovailoa’s well-timed throw into Smith’s hands for the game-winning score. “I think Jonnu came up and said something to Mike or had to have to get more included and that’s what happened,” Tagovailoa said. “He didn’t say anything during the game. Not seeing the ball can be discouraging. He never blinked and just took advantage of his opportunities.” The Dolphins trailed 23-15 entering the fourth quarter and later 26-23 near the end of regulation. Jason Sanders booted a 52-yard field goal to tie the game with seven seconds remaining to force overtime. Sanders also made a 57-yard field goal earlier in the game and missed an extra point, but went 4 for 4 on field goals for the game. It was the eighth time Tagovailoa has led a fourth quarter comeback in his career and second this season, having also brought Miami back in its season-opening win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was also his 10th game-winning drive overall. Tagovailoa completed 33 of 47 passes for 331 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. “Tua has been playing lights out,” Hill said. “I don’t think he gets enough credit for the things that he does outside of making plays whether it’s getting us lined up right correctly. Me and him had a moment whenever I ran the wrong way he came to tell me exactly how I needed to run it. He’s a great leader for this team. We just gotta follow him and follow his standard.” Reestablishing the Tagovailoa-to-Hill combination late in the game saved Miami’s season. Facing a third-and-10 from their own 40, Tagovailoa found Hill open in a crease in the Jets’ secondary where he made a leaping catch for a first down to New York’s 42. After Miami’s red zone issues seemed to cost them another score, the Dolphins went for it on fourth and goal from the 4. Tagovailoa found Hill just inside the goal line for a touchdown with 9:04 to go. He then connected with Jaylen Waddle for a 2-point conversion to knot the game at 23. “Nobody batted an eye, nobody flinched. We just kept going to work,” Calais Campbell said. “Good team win. Perseverance. Playing together and found a way to win.” Aaron Rodgers nearly derailed the Dolphins’ comeback, however, as he directed an 11-play, 63-yard drive capped by a 42-yard field goal by Anders Carlson. Rodgers completed 27 of 39 passes and finished with a season-best 339 yards passing, one touchdown and no interceptions. Garrett Wilson (114 yards on seven catches) and Davante Adams (109 yards and a touchdown on nine catches) also both finished with 100 or more yards in a game for the first time this season. Just over a week after he had a costly muffed punt in a loss at Green Bay, Malik Washington’s kickoff return to the Dolphins’ 46-yard line set Miami’s game-tying drive at the end of regulation in motion. And so, the Dolphins held serve again, winning one of the games they needed to win against a sub-.500 — albeit AFC East division rival. The win was crucial in that regard with Miami facing likely its toughest opponent remaining on its schedule next Sunday when they travel to Houston to face the 8-5 Texans, who were idle this week. “The players chose to not give up in this game and when you do that and survive adversity, the thing on the other side, that’s the best stuff,” McDaniel said. “In life, easy is way overrated and not usually worth it.” ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CrowdStrike Earnings Beat. Cybersecurity Firm's Quarterly Revenue Tops $1 Billion.In pictures: Dazzling light show returns to SalfordSANTA ANA, Calif., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NKGen Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: NKGN) (“NKGen” or the “Company”), today announced it received a notice (the “Notice”) on November 20, 2024 from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) stating that the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Rule”) because it had not timely filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024 (the “Form 10-Q”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on or before November 19, 2024, the extended period provided for the filing under Rule 12b-25(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The delay is in part due to the additional time required for valuation and review of various derivative securities as the Company has taken on more reporting responsibility internally. The Notice from Nasdaq has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market. The Company is actively working with its auditors and advisors and intends to file the Form 10-Q as promptly as possible. On November 20, 2024, subsequent to the Company’s receipt of the Notice, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq (the “Decision Letter”) granting a temporary exception to the Rule and the minimum market value of listed securities requirement in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(2)(A) (the “MVLS Rule”) until January 7, 2025. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court (the “Court”) is expected to announce its decision on the rehabilitation of NKMax Co. Ltd (“NKMax”) and the Company’s proposal to acquire a majority interest in NKMax on or before such date. In accordance with the Decision Letter, the Company must advise the Nasdaq Hearings Panel (the “Panel”) of the outcome of the Court’s decision. If the Company is successful in its bid to acquire a majority interest in NKMax, the Company must advise the Panel no later than January 7, 2025, on its plan for regaining compliance with the Rule and MVLS Rule, for the Panel’s further consideration. The Company may request that the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council (the “Council”) review the Panel’s determination in the Decision Letter, by written request received by the Council by December 5, 2024. In such event, the Company would be required to submit a fee of $15,000.00 to Nasdaq to cover the cost of the review. The Council may determine to review any Panel decision by January 4, 2025. The Company does not intend to appeal the Decision Letter at this time and intends to deliver an updated plan of compliance to the Panel no later than January 7, 2025. For additional information regarding the Nasdaq notifications and related terms, please see the Current Report on Form 8-K the Company filed with the SEC on November 26, 2024, which is available at sec.gov . Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “continue”, “expect”, “estimate”, “may”, “plan”, “outlook”, “future” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s plans and expected timing for developing SNK01, including the expected timing of completing and announcing further results from its ongoing clinical studies; and the Company’s expected timing for developing its product candidates and potential benefits of its product candidates. Risks that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements include: the Company’s ability to execute its plans and strategies; risks related to performing clinical studies; the risk that initial and interim results of a clinical study do not necessarily predict final results and that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues, following more comprehensive reviews of the data, and as more patient data become available; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment and completion of clinical studies and the reporting of data therefrom; the risk that studies will not be completed as planned; the risk that the abstract will not be published as planned including delays in timing, format, or accessibility; and NKGen’s ability to raise additional funding to complete the development of its product candidates. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s filings and reports, which may be accessed for free by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website under the subheading “Investors—Financial and Filings”. Investors should take such risks into account and should not rely on forward-looking statements when making investment decisions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. Internal Contact: Denise Chua, MBA, CLS, MT (ASCP) SVP Corporate Affairs 949-396-6830 dchua@nkgenbiotech.com External Contacts: Chris Calabrese Managing Director LifeSci Advisors, LLC ccalabrese@lifesciadvisors.com Kevin Gardner Managing Director LifeSci Advisors, LLC kgardner@lifesciadvisors.com
Clara Strack and Georgia Amoore each scored 21 points on Saturday to help No. 16 Kentucky beat visiting Western Kentucky 88-70 in Lexington. Teonni Key netted 15 points, Amelia Hassett paired nine points with 12 rebounds and Saniah Tyler scored 11 off the bench for the Wildcats (11-1), who won their fourth straight game. The Lady Toppers (9-3) got 18 points from Alexis Mead, 14 from Acacia Hayes, 11 from Destiny Salary and 10 from Josie Gilvin. Western Kentucky has lost three of five following a 7-0 start. Kentucky used a 9-0 run in the second quarter to take a double-digit lead that it held for the rest of the game. Strack bookended the surge with a layup and a 3-pointer that pushed the hosts ahead 36-22 with 1:01 remaining in the first half. The Wildcats' lead peaked at 23 points after Amoore scored five straight late in the fourth quarter to make it 88-65. Saturday marked the final nonconference game for both teams this season. Kentucky hosts Mississippi State to begin Southeastern Conference play on Thursday, while Western Kentucky starts its Conference USA slate by hosting Liberty the same night. --Field Level MediaNone
Distribution Dates and Amounts Announced for Certain BlackRock Closed-End Funds
Sunday's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket reveal officially set the stage for the most anticipated postseason the sport has ever seen. Eight more spots in the playoff field have created two extra rounds to determine a national champion, which could come from the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference or even the Mountain West! Now that the initial matchups are set, it's time to examine the FanDuel odds for the first-round games and, of course, the latest national championship odds. CFP Bracket: Odds for First-Round Games Oregon's win over Penn State in the Big Ten championship locked the Ducks into the No. 1 seed, while Georgia's overtime triumph over Texas for the SEC crown moved the Bulldogs up to No. 2. Boise State slotted in at No. 9 in the final CFP rankings but is the No. 3 seed thanks to its win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship. With SMU losing to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, No. 12-ranked Arizona State is the four seed after it throttled Iowa State to win the Big 12. The top four teams get a bye, with the 5-12 seeds meeting in the first round. 12-seed Clemson (+330) vs. 5-seed Texas (-11.5) Texas was favored to win the SEC and lock down a top-four seed, but Clemson was not expected to beat SMU for the ACC title. The Longhorns will therefore hunt redemption, while Dabo Swinney's team is essentially playing with house money. The winner will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. 9-seed Tennessee (+215) vs. 8-seed Ohio State (-7.5) The third-highest-ranked team from the SEC (No. 7 Tennessee) will face off with the third-highest-ranked squad from the Big Ten (No. 6 Ohio State). This game brings the Buckeyes a chance at redemption for their embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to play Oregon. 11-seed SMU (+240) vs. 6-seed Penn State (-7.5) Concerns over strength of schedule dog both teams. Both have 11-2 records and were runners-up in their respective conferences. Penn State's only win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 19 Illinois in Week 4, while SMU has knocked off then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pittsburgh. The winner will meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 10-seed Indiana (+230) vs. 7-seed Notre Dame (-7.5) The Hoosiers may be the biggest surprise in college football this season, although their inclusion came with a few concerns over the strength of their schedule. After falling flat in a potential statement game against then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, Indiana can prove its might against a Fighting Irish squad that won its last 10 games. The winner will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. National Championship Odds and Picks Oregon was the betting favorite (odds via FanDuel) prior to the final rankings reveal at +230. Post-reveal, Texas and Georgia are co-favorites at +360, followed by Oregon at +380, Ohio State at +500 and Penn State at +600. Boise State is the biggest long shot at +7500 despite having a first-round bye. Like Boise State, Arizona State saw its odds go from +3500 to +6000 even though it doesn't play until the quarterfinals. The Picks are In... First-Round Best Bet: Indiana-Notre Dame UNDER 51.5-both teams have solid offenses but will find it difficult to move the ball against the other's defense. Upset Special: Clemson (+340) over Texas-Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against the Texas secondary, but the Clemson defense could be up for the challenge against Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense. National Championship Winner: Favorite-Oregon +380; Dark Horse-Notre Dame +1200; Long Shot-Arizona State +6000 --Field Level MediaWith Avalanche franchise behind him, Mittelstadt confident better days ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government's files on former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to be national intelligence director. The former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” A spokesperson for Gabbard on the Trump transition team on Thursday denounced the appeal as an “unfounded” and “partisan” attack. Avril Haines, the current director of national intelligence, when asked Thursday whether intelligence sharing with allies could be in jeopardy under the next administration, cited the importance of those relationships and noted the strong bipartisan support for them in Congress. The question, at a Council on Foreign Relations talk, focused on the especially close intelligence sharing among the Five Eyes — the U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It did not mention Gabbard by name. “It is hard for me to believe that anybody coming in wouldn’t want to maintain those relationships,” Haines said. “So I wouldn’t think of them as being in significant risk,” she added. “I certainly hope that will continue.” Among those who signed the letter to Senate leaders were former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, former national security adviser Anthony Lake, and numerous retired ambassadors and high-ranking military officers. They wrote to current Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and incoming Republican Majority Leader John Thune on Wednesday to urge the closed briefings as part of the Senate's review of Trump's top appointments. They requested that Senate committees “consider in closed sessions all information available to the U.S. government when considering Ms. Gabbard’s qualifications to manage our country’s intelligence agencies, and more importantly, the protection of our intelligence sources and methods.” The letter singles out Gabbard's 2017 meetings in Syria with President Bashar Assad, who is supported by Russian, Iranian and Iranian-allied forces in a now 13-year war against Syrian opposition forces seeking his overthrow. The U.S., which cut relations with Assad's government and imposed sanctions over his conduct of the war, maintains about 900 troops in opposition-controlled northeast Syria, saying they are needed to block a resurgence of extremist groups. Gabbard, a Democratic member of Congress from Hawaii at the time of her Syria trip, drew heavy criticism for her meetings with a U.S. adversary and brutal leader. As the letter notes, her statements on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine have aligned with Russian talking points , diverging from U.S. positions and policy. Gabbard throughout her political career has urged the U.S. to limit military engagement abroad other than combatting Islamic extremist groups. She has defended the Syria trip by saying it is necessary to engage with U.S. enemies. In postings on social media earlier this year she confirmed that the U.S. had for a time placed her “on a secret terror watch list” as a “potential domestic terror threat.” She blamed political retaliation. Neither she nor U.S. authorities have publicly detailed the circumstances involved. Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for Gabbard with the Trump team, called the letter sent to the Senate leaders “a perfect example” of why Trump chose Gabbard for this position. “These unfounded attacks are from the same geniuses who have blood on their hands from decades of faulty ‘intelligence,’" and use classified government information as a "partisan weapon to smear and imply things about their political enemy," Henning said. A spokesperson for Thune did not immediately respond to questions about the request. —- Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed.
Clara Strack, Georgia Amoore help No. 16 Kentucky rout Western Kentucky
SAN DIEGO , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BSD Builders, Inc. today announced it has received seismic certification from California's OSHPD/HCAi for its state-of-the-art Microgrid Solutions. Developed in partnership with 2G Energy Inc., the BSD Special Seismically Certified (SSC) Microgrid product is set to revolutionize energy resilience and efficiency for all types of buildings. The BSD SSC Microgrid system, consisting of a cogeneration power plant and fuel storage, was initially designed to support California skilled nursing facilities' compliance with California Assembly Bill 2511, which California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on September 29, 2022 . This bill requires these facilities to have an alternative power source to protect resident health and safety for at least 96 hours during any type of power outage. This microgrid power solution is a self-contained electrical system that can operate independently from the main power grid. With the seismic certification, it is now available for any type of building that needs uninterruptable power. "At BSD Builders, we're passionate about creating solutions that make a difference in people's lives. We have developed a proprietary solution that not only meets but exceeds California's stringent seismic requirements while providing a reliable and efficient source of power, especially during unexpected power loss or natural disasters," said Jeff Blair , CEO of BSD Builders, Inc. "This solution offers long-term benefits not only by lowering utility costs, it can also help to improve the stability of the regional electric grid and reduce carbon emissions." Key features of the BSD SSC Microgrid Solution include: "2G Energy is proud to partner with BSD on the BSD SSC Microgrid System designing it for a wide range of applications, providing a reliable and cost-effective energy solution for skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, data centers, pharmaceutical labs, research facilities, cold storage units, data centers, and more," stated Darren Jamison , Managing Director of 2G Energy North America. "The design utilizes proprietary technologies to offer clients reduced utility costs and increased reliability. It is designed for continuous parallel operation with the utility as well as stand-alone island mode," concluded Jamison. For more information about the BSD SSC Microgrid System or to schedule a consultation, please visit bsdbuilders.com . About BSD Builders, Inc . - BSD Builders, Inc. is a leading general contractor specializing in the healthcare industry. Focusing on exceeding industry standards and delivering exceptional value to clients, BSD Builders, Inc. continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the construction and energy sectors. About 2G Energy – 2G Energy is a globally recognized leader in the development and production of combined heat and power (CHP) systems. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, 2G Energy provides cutting-edge solutions that optimize energy efficiency and environmental performance. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bsd-builders-inc-advanced-microgrid-solutions-receives-california-seismic-certification-for-uninterruptible-power-supply-302324334.html SOURCE BSD Builders, Inc.Pair of original MLS clubs to play for Cup title
Some quotations from Jimmy Carter: We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary – which is wonderful – but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”Rebranding and reality
