b777-800

The day some colleagues and I launched Canada's National Observer in 2015 , we thought climate change was still years away. None of us imagined how quickly it would arrive. A decade later, we’re racing against time. But solutions are emerging, and they’re coming rapidly. Through Canada’s National Observer’s solutions-focused reporting, we’ve highlighted so many innovative policies, breakthrough technologies, and community-driven initiatives this year, solutions that are making a real difference. These stories show that progress is not only possible, it’s happening – even in the face of significant challenges, and these stories inspire action across Canada and beyond. Building on Our Impact Your support has also enabled us to expose corporate influence networks and the money behind climate denial. When our reporting triggered parliamentary inquiries and drove policy changes, that was your impact in action. Your support has also helped us report on dozens of solutions this year — stories that spark hope and show a path forward. Over the past few weeks, you’ve heard directly from our editors and journalists about the most impactful stories they did in 2024. Those letters show how your support powered investigations that made a difference — holding decision-makers accountable, exposing corruption, and showcasing the wonderful solutions that drive change. As our winter campaign aims to raise $150,000, we want to expand our capacity to do even more next year, because the news is not always negative. This funding will allow us to: Your donation today will ensure we have the resources to amplify stories of hope and action while getting the public the necessary information. We reached 2.5 million Canadians last year and we hope to expand our audience in 2025 through paid campaigns that introduce new readers to CNO. But we can’t do much without your help. Tax receipts are available for donations of $100+, see specific instructions at the end. The Stakes for Canada In 2025, the risks to climate policy are closer to home than ever. The forces of climate denial are becoming more sophisticated, trading outright rejection for greenwashing tactics that delay meaningful action. At the same time, cross-border misinformation campaigns are influencing Canadian public opinion and policy decisions. Despite these challenges, I remain cautiously optimistic. Solutions exist, and they are within reach. With accurate reporting, governments and businesses can be held accountable to act on them. Your Role in the Solution If you’re reading this, you’re already part of the CNO community. Your support powers everything we do. You make it possible for us to produce journalism that informs policymakers, sparks change, and inspires action. Thank you for your support to date. Next year will bring new challenges — but also new opportunities to create change. With your help, we can hold powerful interests accountable, shine a light on the path forward, and ensure that stories of progress and possibility are told. Your support has never been more important. Let’s continue this work together

Daily Post Nigeria Don’t succumb to influences of disgruntled politicians — Ebonyi APC chairman warns workers Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Politics Don’t succumb to influences of disgruntled politicians — Ebonyi APC chairman warns workers Published on December 5, 2024 By Casmir Nwankwo The chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, Mr Stanley Okoro Emegha, has called on Ebonyi workers not to allow those he described as disgruntled politicians to manipulate them into joining forces against the present administration in the state. The chairman, who x-rayed the notable achievements of Governor Francis Nwifuru in the area of welfare and human capital development, stated that the governor was the first person under the present democratic dispensation to increase workers’ take-home package even before the negotiation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. Disclosing this in a statement, Emegha added: “I wish to admonish workers to always employ dialogue in ironing out issues of interest rather than applying archaic and immature measures to frustrate the state government and make mockery of themselves under a system whereby their welfare is in the first-line charge.” According to him: “In all honesty, the recent and aborted industrial action embarked upon by Ebonyi State civil servants does not only reflect their weaknesses and ability to retrace their steps on the instruction of the leader of the state and Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru but it also raised a significant concern bothering on who actually played the drum. “In as much as their recent action, despite the commendable efforts of the governor towards increasing their take-home, apart from other incentives, remains unwarranted and odious. I wish to ask them whether they were more comfortable with the era of executive rascality, impunity, and abandonment. “To say that civil servants in Ebonyi State could contemplate embarking on strike just because some of their leaders succumbed to the undue pressure from greedy, malicious and uncircumcised politicians is difficult to comprehend because Governor Nwifuru has done exceptionally well in changing their narrative through several means. “Firstly, the Governor increased their salaries by 20%, awarded one hundred thousand naira as a Christmas bonus last year to each of them among other incentives. He is the first person under the present democratic dispensation to increase workers’ take-home package even before the negotiation of the new national minimum wage of N70,000. He did not only give his consent to it but he increased it to N75,000. “Apart from these interventions aimed at cushioning the effect of economic downturn in the country, the civil servants also benefit from numerous government empowerment programs. “Recall also that His Excellency, the Governor, voluntarily, on assumption of office, paid the gratuities arrears of all the state retired civil servants from 1996 to 2023 and currently working assiduously hard to ensure that local government workers get theirs soon. “Although it is heartwarming that they have come with the directive of the Governor and have since returned to their various duty posts, which is a sign of gratitude to the numerous incentives they are enjoying presently in the state, they should not allow a few disgruntled politicians whose relevance have since died a natural death to hoodwink or manipulate them into carrying out their mischievous and spiteful plans against their wishes and the state government. “Through words and actions, the governor has reiterated that the civil service is the engine room of government and would not relent in charting a course that will improve the well-being of the state workforce. This is also contained in his People’s Charter of Needs agenda, compass of the administration.” Emegha commended Governor Nwifuru for always “taking a firm and proactive posture in addressing headlong matters of importance to the state and her good people.” Related Topics: Ebonyi APC Stanley Okoro Emegha Don't Miss Zamfara APC rejects state’s 2025 budget proposal You may like Defection: Ebonyi APC chair assures PDP, LP, others of equal treatment Economic Hardship: Let’s go back to farming – Ebonyi APC Chairman advises Nigerians Supreme Court Judgement: Close ranks with govt to develop Ebonyi – APC to opposition Rerun election: Ebonyi APC zones senatorial seat to Onicha LGA I’ll be governor for all – Ebonyi APC governor-elect, Nwifuru vows APC chairman, Okoro, 171 ward councillors trade words over LG election nullification Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There's more than just school pride and bragging rights to all that bellyaching over who might be in and who might be out of college football 's first 12-team playoff. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There's more than just school pride and bragging rights to all that bellyaching over who might be in and who might be out of college football 's first 12-team playoff. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — There’s more than just school pride and bragging rights to all that bellyaching over who might be in and who might be out of college football ‘s first 12-team playoff. Try the more than $115 million that will be spread across the conferences at the end of the season, all depending on who gets in and which teams go the farthest. According to the College Football Playoff website, the 12 teams simply making the bracket earn their conferences $4 million each. Another $4 million goes to conferences whose teams get into the quarterfinals. Then, there’s $6 million more for teams that make the semifinals and another $6 million for those who play for the title. Most of this bonanza comes courtesy of ESPN, which is forking over $1.3 billion a year to televise the new postseason. A lot of that money is already earmarked — more goes to the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference than the Big 12 or Atlantic Coast — but a lot is up for grabs in the 11 games that will play out between the opening round on Dec. 20 and the final on Jan. 20. In all, the teams that make the title game will bring $20 million to their conferences, all of which distribute that money, along with billions in TV revenue and other sources, in different ways. In fiscal 2022-23, the Big Ten, for instance, reported revenue of nearly $880 million and distributed about $60.5 million to most of its members. The massive stakes might help explain the unabashed lobbying coming from some corners of the football world, as the tension grows in advance of Sunday’s final rankings, which will set the bracket. Earlier this week, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark lit into the selection committee, which doesn’t have a single team higher than 15 in the rankings. That does two things: It positions the Big 12 as a one-bid league, and also threatens to makes its champion — either Arizona State or Iowa State — the fifth-best among conference titlists that get automatic bids. Only the top four of those get byes, which could cost the Big 12 a spot in the quarterfinals — or $4 million. “The committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes,” Yormark said this week, while slamming the idea of teams with two losses in his conference being ranked worse than teams with three in the SEC. The ACC is also staring at a one-bid season with only No. 8 SMU inside the cut line of this week’s projected bracket. Miami’s loss last week all but bumped the Hurricanes out of the playoffs, a snub that ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said left him “incredibly shocked and disappointed.” “As we look ahead to the final rankings, we hope the committee will reconsider and put a deserving Miami in the field,” Phillips said in a statement. The lobbying and bickering filters down to the campuses that feel the impact. And, of course, to social media. 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. One of the most entertaining episodes came earlier this week when athletic directors at Iowa State and SMU went back and forth about whose team was more deserving. There are a few stray millions that the selection committee cannot really influence, including a $3 million payment to conferences that make the playoff. In a reminder that all these kids are going to school, after all, the conferences get $300,000 per football team that meets academic requirements to participate in the postseason. (That’s basically everyone). ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Advertisement Advertisement

Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, coming up on two years after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: President Joe Biden has scheduled a state funeral in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9. Biden also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the U.S. Carter, the longest-lived former president, died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100. Biden also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday praised Carter for his significant contributions to international peace through the Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal treaties. “President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency,” Guterres said in a statement. "He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations. “President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity,” Guterres said. King Charles III joined leaders from around the world in issuing their condolences and sharing their reflections on the former president. “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Carter," the king said in a public statement. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977." President Joe Biden broke from his family vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to remember Carter, recalling his predecessor as a role model and friend. America and the world lost a “remarkable leader” with Carter’s death, Biden said, adding that he had spoken to several of the former president's children and was working with them to formalize memorial arrangements in Washington. Speaking for roughly 10 minutes, Biden remembered Carter as a humanitarian and statesman, someone he couldn't imagine walking past a person in need without trying to help them. He represented “the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away,” Biden said. The president repeatedly praised Carter's “simple decency” and his values, saying some will see him as a man of honesty and humility from a bygone era. “I don’t believe it’s a bygone era. I see a man not only of our time, but for all times,” Biden said. “To know his core, you need to know he never stopped being a Sunday school teacher at that Baptist church in Plains, Georgia.” Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said on X that Carter's significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel "will remain etched in the annals of history.” He went on to say Carter's “humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood.” Carter will be remembered as “one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity,” el-Sissi said. President Joe Biden will speak about Carter Sunday evening. The president will make his address from a hotel in St. Croix, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he is on a holiday vacation with his family. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had one of the great love stories and political partnerships in U.S. presidential history. The former president sometimes called his wife, who died Nov. 19. 2023, “Rosie,” which is a good way to remember how her name actually is pronounced. It is “ROSE-uh-lyn,” not, repeat NOT, “RAHZ-uh-lyn.” They were married more than 77 years but their relationship went back even further. Jimmy’s mother, “Miss Lillian,” delivered Eleanor Rosalynn Smith at the Smith home in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927. The nurse brought her eldest child back a few days later to visit, meaning the longest-married presidential couple met as preschooler and newborn. She became his trusted campaign aide and White House adviser, surprising Washington by sitting in on Cabinet meetings. Then they traveled the world together as co-founders of The Carter Center. Most of the nation saw the former president for the last time at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. Jason Carter is now the chairman of The Carter Center’s board of governors. He said his grandparents “never changed who they were” even after reaching the White House and becoming global humanitarians. He says their four years in Washington were just one period of putting their values into action and that the center his grandparents founded in Atlanta is a lasting “extension of their belief in human rights as a fundamental global force.” Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter traveled the world advocating for democracy and fighting disease, but Jason Carter said they weren’t motivated by pity, or arrogance that a former American president had all the answers — they ventured to remote places because they could “recognize these people.” They too were from “a 600-person village” and understood that even the poorest people “have the power ... the ability ... the knowledge and the expertise to change their own community.” As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “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,” Starmer said. To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “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.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. stock rises Tuesday, still underperforms marketThe Tomatin Distillery cask was auctioned at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh, in November, raising the highest amount out of all the lots. It was donated by cask investment company Whisky 1901 and was distilled on May 6, 2015. It has an ABV of 60.1 per cent and an estimated yield of 281 bottles; i The auction was part of a fundraising event organised by respite charity Leuchie, which supports those with neurological conditions such as MS, MND, Parkinson's and stroke. The event featured more than 75 other lots, including Leuchie provides short breaks with nursing and care, therapies, social activities, outings, accessible self-catering accommodation and at-home support for individuals and families living with neurological conditions. Lana Bambridge, director of income and communications at Leuchie, said: "We are very grateful to Whisky 1901 for donating a whisky cask which sold for a whopping £7,000, with two supporters splitting the bid. "The money will help Leuchie provide its vital respite services and aim to double our impact by 2026. "Overall, the event raised £172,600 and we still can’t quite believe it – s Leuchie has hosted the annual fundraising event since 2022. This is the second year that Whisky 1901 has supported the event. Last year, the company donated two lots: a Kirkcowan cask from the Bladnoch distillery and a bottle of Dalmore 2007 vintage. The lots raised £4,600 and £260 respectively, contributing to the overall sum of £130,000 raised. Aaron Damiano Sparkes, founder and CEO of Whisky 1901, said: "We’re delighted to contribute to the success of this fundraising event for the second year running, raising vital funds for Leuchie, who provide a wonderful service to those facing long-term physical conditions and their families."

WASHINGTON — After days of threats and demands, Donald Trump had little to show for it once lawmakers passed a budget deal in the early hours of Saturday, narrowly averting a pre-Christmas government shutdown. The president-elect successfully pushed House Republicans to jettison some spending, but he failed to achieve his central goal of raising the debt limit. It demonstrated that despite his decisive election victory and frequent promises of retribution, many members of his party are still willing to openly defy him. A glance at Trump’s agenda shows a cascade of opportunities for similar showdowns in the years to come. He wants to extend tax cuts that he signed into law seven years ago, slash the size of government, increase tariffs on imports and crack down on illegal immigrants. Many of those efforts will need congressional buy-in. “Stay tuned. Buckle up. Strap in,” said Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., a senior appropriator. For many of Trump’s supporters, disruption could be its own goal. Thirty-seven percent of those who voted for him this year said they wanted “complete and total upheaval,” according to AP VoteCast, a broad survey of more than 120,000 voters. An additional 56% said they wanted “substantial change.” Trump could face difficulties in quickly fulfilling his goals, especially with Republicans holding only thin majorities in the House and the Senate next year. Some lawmakers already seem weary of the apparent lack of a unified strategy. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said the budget battle was “a valuable lesson in how to get our act together.” The trouble started when top lawmakers released a copy of the bill, known as a continuing resolution, that was required to keep the federal government functioning until March. It wasn’t the president-elect but Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a Trump confidant, who first began whipping up opposition to the legislation on social media by calling it excessive spending. Trump eventually waded into the fight. He ordered Republicans to cancel the bipartisan deal they made with Democrats. He also demanded they increase the debt limit — the cap on how much the government can borrow — in hopes of preventing that thorny issue from coming up while he is in charge of the government. He ratcheted up the pressure even as his demands shifted. First he wanted to eliminate the debt limit altogether. Then he wanted to suspend it until 2027. Then he floated an extension until 2029. “Without this, we should never make a deal,” he wrote on Truth Social, his social media site. If he didn’t get what he wanted, Trump said, there should be a government shutdown. Democratic President Joe Biden would take the blame, Trump insisted. He also said members of his own party would face primary challenges if they refused to go along, saying “Republican obstructionists have to be done away with.” He singled out Rep. Chip Roy of Texas by name and with insults. “All Republicans, and even the Democrats, should do what is best for our Country, and vote “YES” for this Bill, TONIGHT!” Trump wrote Thursday, before a vote on a version of the bill that included a higher debt limit. Instead, 38 Republicans voted no. In the end, lawmakers left out that debt ceiling increase, and a final deal passed early Saturday. Musk and other Trump allies tried to frame it as a win because the final legislation was significantly slimmed down and omitted unpopular items such as a pay raise for members of Congress. Charlie Kirk, the prominent conservative activist, wrote on X that Trump “is already running Congress before he takes office!” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he was in “constant contact” with Trump, who he added was “certainly happy about this outcome.” If Trump agreed, he didn’t say so himself. After days of frequent social media messages, Trump again went silent Friday. He did not offer a reaction to the final vote or issue any statements. Instead, he went golfing at his Florida resort. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, said the president-elect helped prevent an original deal “full of Democrat pork and pay raises for members of Congress.” “In January, President Trump and DOGE will continue this important mission to cut the waste out of Washington, one bill at a time,” she said. DOGE is a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory panel that will be led by Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. During Trump’s first term, a budget standoff led to a government shutdown when he demanded money for his U.S.-Mexico border wall. After 35 days — the longest shutdown in U.S. history — he agreed to a deal without the money he wanted. An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll at the time showed 60% of Americans blamed Trump for the shutdown. Trump pressuring reluctant Republican senators to get on board with some of his most controversial Cabinet choices, such as anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary and Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary. Concerns about deficit spending could intensify if Trump pushes expensive tax cuts that he promised during the campaign, such as eliminating taxes on tips, Social Security and overtime pay. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he'll “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole. Trump said that he will direct the Department of Justice to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated.” Trump was vague on what specific actions he may take. 21 dead as Mozambique erupts in violence after election court ruling MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Violence that engulfed Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed ruling party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections has killed at least 21 people, including two police officers. Mozambique Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%. Prosecutors find workers in 'slavery like' conditions at Chinese car company site in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — A task force led by Brazilian prosecutors says it has rescued 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like” conditions at a construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is building a factory. The Labor Prosecutor’s Office released videos of the dorms where the construction workers were staying, which showed beds with no mattresses and rooms without any place for the workers to store their personal belongings. In a statement issued Monday, the prosecutor’s office said the workers had been hired in China by Jinjian Group, one of the contractors on the site, which is located in Camaçari, a city in the Salvador metropolitan region. NFL players who use platform to share their faith say it's their duty to spread their love of Jesus ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of Jesus. A month later, Bates told The Associated Press it is a duty to share his faith. The NFL is filled with players and coaches who feel the same way, such as Houston's C.J. Stroud, Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano HONOLULU (AP) — Lava is erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano for the second straight day. The eruption has stayed within Kilauea’s summit caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and no homes are threatened. Molten rock began spewing out of the volcano before dawn on Monday when fissures opened in the caldera floor and shot lava high into the air. It then oozed across the caldera floor. Scientists expect activity to fluctuate in coming days. The lava paused Monday afternoon but fountains reemerged Tuesday morning. The eruption has occurred in an area that’s been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards including crater wall instability and rockfalls. Haiti gang attack on journalists covering a hospital reopening leaves 2 dead, several wounded PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association confirms that two reporters were killed and others wounded in a gang attack on the re-opening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas eve attack. The killed journalists were identified as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. An unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which was blamed on the Viv Ansanm gang. Hurricane-force winds bear down on California, latest in stretch of extreme weather LOS ANGELES (AP) — California has been hit hard by extreme weather over the past several weeks. Atmospheric rivers, which are long stretches of wet air that can produce heavy rains, brought a record-setting rainfall before Thanksgiving. A series of atmospheric rivers are producing strong waves and storms near Santa Cruz this week. Thousands were left under evacuation warnings and orders because of a fire around Malibu. Climate change means that strong storms will be responsible for a greater share of the state's yearly precipitation and the periods between those events will be drier. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled.Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office

Trump leading LA Olympics planning with IOC president after infamous interaction in first termPetro decorates Mujica with Colombia's highest distinctionCollege Football Playoff rankings show: Live coverage, updates, bracket reveal

DETROIT – The Tuesday after the Detroit Lions’ Week 7 win over the Minnesota Vikings felt like any other day for Megan Stefanski — or so she thought. She’d clocked out from her job as a school librarian and swung by her family’s restaurant, Yooperman’s Bar and Grill in Goetzville, to meet a friend for a drink. Nothing out of the ordinary. But the moment she walked through the doors, everything changed. Detroit Lions mascot Roary, the cheerleaders, members of the marketing team and even the iconic Lions superfan Crack Man were waiting inside, holding signs and cheering: “Congrats! You’re going to the Super Bowl!” The Lions had selected Stefanski as their 2024 Fan of the Year, kicking off what could be described as a whirlwind experience. Since the announcement, her calendar has been filled with interviews, appearances, tailgates and more – all part of the fanfare surrounding her recognition as one of the team’s most dedicated supporters. On Thursday, Stefanski was among a group diehard Lions fans and social media influencers at a meet-and-greet for Detroit Lions legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. The event was held at The Shadow Gallery in Detroit’s Eastern Market, a fitting backdrop just hours before the Lions squared off against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. Stefanski took a moment to reflect with MLive , sharing her thoughts on the surreal journey to the Super Bowl, her game-day predictions and what it would mean to watch the Lions make history by playing in the NFL’s biggest game. You’re already heading to the Super Bowl, but how much sweeter would it be if the Lions were the team playing in it? Been dreaming of it my whole life. It’s... We took over New Orleans last December (for Week 13). If it’s the Super Bowl, it’s going to be all Lions fans everywhere. Tonight’s game is a big one against the division rival Green Bay Packers. It won’t necessarily decide the division, but it’s crucial for the standings. How are you feeling about it? It’s must-win football, and the guys know that. And nothing stopped them so far. They know what they have to do and how many games they have to go. So I don’t think anything’s going to stop us. Nothing. Who do you think will be the biggest difference-makers in tonight’s game on both offense and defense? I think the boys (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) are going to be running. You’re going to see both Sonic and Knuckles just going for it today. I think Ben Johnson is going to pull some fun stuff out. And our defense? Those new guys, they’re ready to go to WAR for (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn). They’re just going to come in (and) they don’t need plays. They’re just going to be running and blitzing like crazy. The Lions have 13 defensive players on injured reserve. Does that worry you at all? I mean, it’s not the greatest, but we have so much depth that I believe it’s just next man up. They’re all ready to go. What about Green Bay? Is there anything about their offense or defense that concerns you? No. I mean, yeah, they’re ready to win. Every team’s ready to win. But I think the home-field advantage is going to be huge for us today. You know, we’re basically the 12th man. Seattle (Seahawks fans) have always claimed it, just like the Dallas (Cowboys) claimed to be America’s team. But nobody wants it as much as Detroit right now. That makes a big difference. What’s your score prediction for the game? I think we’ll have (multiple) touchdowns on them. I think we’ll give up one, maybe two, but maybe 42–18. 42–18? That’s a big one! I think they’re going to put points down. Ben Johnson’s ready to play today.MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich fans protested against Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the teams’ Champions League match on Tuesday. The supporters in Bayern's stadium's Südkurve held up several banners making clear their opposition to the Qatari businessman during the first half of Bayern's 1-0 win. One banner showed Al-Khelaifi’s face with a line over it, another accused him of being “plutocratic” with an expletive, and more banners read: “Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA ExCo member & ECA chairman all in one?” The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is unpopular among the Bayern fans for his influence on European soccer as chairman of the European Club Association, Qatar Sports Investments — the owner of PSG — and the Qatari state-owned beIN media group. He also joined UEFA’s executive committee in 2019. Al-Khelaifi has long drawn scrutiny for apparent conflicts of interest because of his various roles. The ECA has a big influence on shaping the Champions League's playing format and commercial strategy, while beIN is one of the competition's major broadcast partners. In 2022, UEFA left Al-Khelaifi unpunished despite finding PSG guilty of misconduct for confrontations with match officials after losing in the Champions League. There were heated scenes involving Al-Khelaifi and then-PSG sporting director Leonardo after a defeat to Real Madrid. UEFA sanctioned Leonardo but did not cite Al-Khelaifi in its disciplinary statement, nor did it say why. Al-Khelaifi, a former tennis professional, is a longtime friend of Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani , an International Olympic Committee member who is influential in global sports. Bayern fans had long protested against their own club’s sponsorship deals with Qatar, which was accused of human rights abuses before it hosted the 2022 World Cup. The fans eventually got their way last year when Bayern’s long-running sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways was not renewed. The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported at the time that the decision came from Qatar. Sheikh Tamim was reportedly unhappy with the Bayern fans’ constant criticism and the club’s failure to distance itself from their protests. Kim Min-jae’s first-half header was enough for Bayern's victory, its seventh straight without conceding across all competitions. PSG forward Ousmane Dembelé was sent off early in the second half. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerWhen people open their banking app or log into their account to pay a bill, most will complete their task quickly so they can move on to something else. But if a customer is being talked into transferring their cash to a scammer, there are subtle shifts in behaviour that leave a digital trail of clues. In these cases, banks say, the customer might spend longer than usual logged in, or they could move their mouse in a less purposeful way – such as by drawing circles on the screen – as they listen to the scammer’s instructions over the phone. Banks can detect suspicious transactions from information such as how frequently a user is touching their screen. Credit: iStock If the unsuspecting victim has allowed a scammer to take control of their computer, there can be other clues. The customer may not touch their phone’s screen as frequently as they usually do, or the criminal who has taken over might type faster than the customer usually does. Banks can now see all these clues, and use that information to spot suspicious transactions. “When I log in, and I know why I’m logging in, I behave with purpose,” says Tim Dalgleish, one of the architects of BioCatch Trust, a system that looks for data such as this to detect scams and fraud. Loading “In one of these scam scenarios, you’re basically being coached, coerced, tricked or bullied to do something different.” Late this year, major banks signed up to the BioCatch system as part of the banking industry’s effort to stem a $2.7 billion wave of scams. While it’s early days, it’s hoped these sorts of digital clues – alongside lots of other information – can be used to stop more scams in the milliseconds before a customer sends their cash, after which it can be much harder to retrieve the money. The banking industry’s war on scams is a long-running fight in which businesses face fierce pressure to do more to prevent customer losses, but there are tentative signs of progress. It’s a battle in which speed is everything, and co-operation between banks, telcos, tech giants and authorities is vital. ‘Speed is everything’ Time is of the essence when fighting scammers. The rise of near-instant money transfers between bank accounts, which launched in Australia in 2018, means once someone is tricked into clicking “send” on a payment, there is very little time to put a halt on the transaction. It is up to banks to sift through millions of transactions, detect the suspicious ones and raise a red flag, in near-real time. But how do you detect a payment to a scammer in mere milliseconds? This is an area where banks have invested millions in systems that crunch reams of data and raise alerts or block payments from going through. National Australia Bank’s executive for group investigations, Chris Sheehan, has high hopes that over time, the BioCatch system will make it very difficult for scammers to operate in Australia. National Australia Bank’s executive for group investigations, Chris Sheehan. More broadly, he says it is an example of collaboration that wouldn’t be possible in markets overseas – one due to Australian banks’ history of data-sharing to fight scams, as well as the fact our banking market is relatively small and concentrated. “This type of industry-wide collaboration – it is a global first,” says Sheehan, a former Australian Federal Police senior officer. “And frankly, I don’t think anywhere else in the world can do it the way we’ve done it here.” While banks’ anti-scam systems have historically focused on detecting and responding to scams, he says that won’t cut it any more. The BioCatch move is an example of where banks need to focus – on stoping scams before the money’s been transferred. “We need to be stopping the scam, stopping the crime, before it occurs,” he says. More broadly, it’s also an example of the co-operation between banks that goes back to 2016, when the industry launched the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX), a bank-backed group of which Sheehan is a director. The exchange allows member banks to quickly report fraud as well as share intelligence on scams with other businesses such as telcos or technology firms. Sheehan says that when this intelligence loop is “fully mature”, it will allow a bank to pass on a scam URL or dodgy phone number to, say, Telstra or Google, and have the number or website taken down immediately. Commonwealth Bank’s head of group fraud, James Roberts, says this scheme – known as “the loop” is another example of Australia leading the charge globally through fast sharing of information between telcos, banks, social media companies and regulators. “Speed is everything. The faster we can take down a link or a dodgy advertisement ... the less people will get scammed by it, so you’re reducing the blast radius,” says Roberts, who is also a director of the AFCX. There will be extra refinements in the new year as banks face continuing pressure to curb scam losses. Australian Payments Plus (AP+), a payments organisation, will in 2025 launch an industry-wide name-checking system , which checks the name of accounts to which cash is being transferred. Some banks already offer this service. “The solution has been built. It’s in testing at the moment and will be going live across the banks throughout 2025,” says AP+ chief executive Lynn Kraus. Losses still way too high Of course, banks have been touting anti-scam technology for years, and it hasn’t stopped a wave of losses that hit $2.7 billion in 2023 – a 13 per cent fall on 2022 levels but a figure that is still far too high. Will these new anti-scam measures make a more meaningful difference? Even banks don’t claim anti-scam technology can solve the problem on its own. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones unveiled the government’s anti-scam laws in October. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer There is widespread agreement on the need for closer work between banks and social media companies, and new laws unveiled by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones in October will require these businesses to report scams as soon as they are detected, with the threat of $50 million fines. “Our scams crackdown will cut off the avenues scammers use to target Australians by setting a high bar for what businesses must do to prevent them,” Jones said. Consumer advocates maintain there should also be more emphasis on requiring banks to compensate scam victims, an approach that has been adopted in the UK but resisted by the federal government. Yet despite all the work still to be done, there are tentative signs of progress. CBA’s Roberts notes the banking giant reported a 50 per cent reduction in customer scam losses last financial year. Other banks have also reported declines. NAB’s full-year results showed a 20 per cent fall in customer losses from scams, Westpac said scam losses were down 29 per cent, and ANZ reported a 46 per cent drop in customer scam losses. Roberts says the reduction in scam losses seen in Australia is better than the situation in some peer countries, though he adds the problem remains significant. “It does not mean the problem is solved – and it has tragic consequences for consumers, but at least there’s a trend directionally,” he says. Loading NAB’s Chris Sheehan also says the $2.7 billion in industry-wide scam losses in 2023 was “way too high”, and he stresses the battle against scanners must continue. But he, too, says there are some encouraging signs. Ultimately, he says, there is no silver bullet in the fight against scams and the bank expects to be constantly changing its defences as the scammers also evolve. Scam-fighting is also a part of finance where banks put aside their commercial rivalry and frequently work together to share information against a common enemy. Indeed, last year the competition watchdog gave the Australian Bankers’ Association and its members permission to talk together to develop industry standards for anti-scam measures. Not only does information-sharing help to spot the scammers, there’s also no public benefit in a situation in which some banks have far better anti-scam systems than others, because you can be sure that the criminals will cotton on to any vulnerabilities. “When it comes to fighting crime and preventing the impact of crime on our customers, we don’t compete on that,” Sheehan says. “We realise that we have to work together because otherwise we’ll just get picked off individually.” The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the day’s trading. Get it each we e kday afternoon . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Scams Big four National Australia Bank Commonwealth Bank Westpac Banking Corporation ANZ Bank Clancy Yeates is deputy business editor. He has covered banking and financial services, and was previously national business correspondent in the Canberra bureau. Connect via Twitter . Most Viewed in Business Loading

GB News host makes career announcement after co-stars' shock exitsThe unnamed dead of Honolulu may be revealed through DNA testingJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. Jet crash disaster in South Korea marks another setback for Boeing WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 South 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, an airline 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. South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree this month amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant on Monday. Investigators plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With 99% percent of the vote counted Sunday, Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011.

Flag football uses talent camps to uncover new starsCozy winter fare: Make a French-style cassoulet at homeNone

QNET, LFBI Partner To Combat Malnutrition In 1,000 Lagos KidsThe Latest: State funeral for Jimmy Carter will be Jan. 9

Cozy winter fare: Make a French-style cassoulet at home

2024 in pop culture: In a bruising year, we sought out fantasy, escapism — and cute little animalsTexas Border To Get $264 Million Overhaul