At the beginning of the year, we looked to our correspondents for tips of Among them was hope for change for millions of people who were to vote in elections in 50 countries. At least in the United States, that change turned out to be more of the same. Among the surprises, however, there was the end of a dynasty in Syria and the beginning of another in Indonesia. Here are some of the biggest stories of the past 12 months: If 1992 was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s , then it’s hard to know how she’d have ranked this year for ’s royal family. In January, her son and successor, Charles III, put out a rather benign statement that he would attend hospital the following week for a . The statement was made shortly after it was revealed his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was expected to be in hospital for 10 to 14 days after undergoing abdominal surgery. Things would snowball from there. Weeks later, the King would announce he had been diagnosed with cancer. Catherine’s recovery was kept under wraps until the . A family photo was released, and it was a disaster. Even more questions were asked. Suddenly came an announcement: . Neither have been given the all-clear but have returned to light duties. Charles joined with Queen Camilla for a royal visit to Australia. But his relationships with son Harry and brother Andrew have continued to plague him. Our own Princess Mary, was in January after her mother-in-law, to make way for her son, Frederik. Two decades on from Mary’s fairytale wedding, she waved to the crowds in Copenhagen as the sovereign’s wife. Rumours have swirled about , and the Danish royals showed it ain’t just the Brits who have their problems. But 2024 was the year of the election. In Britain, Labor after 14 years of Conservative rule, with Keir Starmer moving into 10 Downing Street in a landslide victory. Within weeks, however, his popularity would start to tumble in a string of scandals and misjudgments. In the across the continent. ’s after beating Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD to second place in the European Parliament elections with 16 per cent. His problems at home reached a peak in December when he lost a confidence vote. In , the EU results triggered an electoral earthquake. after his party was resoundingly defeated by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. That result left the country without a clear winner but one clear loser: Macron. He continues to struggle to grasp any real power. But it was another story in France that shocked the nation and the world. Seventy-two-year-old grandmother Gisele Pelicot bravely retold , to stop rape from being swept under the carpet. In mass protests were sparked by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the EU and push back on Russian influence. In the end, a pro-Russia former Manchester City footballer, . An election in , with the result annulled and voters to go back to the polls next year. In May, ’s Prime Minister attempt, during which he was shot five times. He recovered and is one of many populists slowly diluting Europe’s unity towards Ukraine and against . Another blow for that cause was ’s far-right Freedom Party, as they celebrated an , aligned himself closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his self-styled “illiberal democracy”. Kickl had also spoken of becoming Volkskanzler (people’s chancellor), which for some Austrians carries echoes of the term used to describe Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. War continues in after almost three years. Where and when it ends, no one knows. . President Volodymyr Zelensky has laid out a plan for peace. It’s likely many will die before that happens. s Vladimir Putin is scrambling to conquer as much territory as possible before those peace talks begin. Last month, while suffering its highest casualty rates of the war. This year, continued its re-engagement strategy with Australia, and finally agreed to trade and two beef exporters, ending the $20 billion of economic sanctions slapped on Australian industries during the Morrison government. Federal Treasurer when he went to Beijing in September. His trip tapped into ongoing concerns about China’s struggling economy and the flow-on impact on Australia. But the rapprochement has not dimmed security concerns posed by China’s increasingly aggressive tactics in the Indo-Pacific, which included confrontations with Australian naval forces and repeated clashes with Filipino vessels in the South China Sea this year that heightened fears of sparking a full-blown conflict. In the face of a drumbeat of negativity from economic analysts and investors, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to reverse course in the second half of the year and began pursuing into his beleaguered housing sector. inaugurated drawing the ire of Beijing, which regards him as a “dangerous separatist” and responded by encircling the island. A second round of drills in October piled pressure onto Taiwan’s stretched defence systems. ’s Prime Minister as his government slid to record low approval ratings. His replacement in calling a snap election proved costly, leaving the governing Liberal Democratic Party scrambling to form a minority government. In November, on subversion charges under its Beijing-led national security crackdown, in a case that drew international condemnation for its perceived silencing of political dissent. It also reignited the . And in December, virtually imploded under President Yoon Suk Yeol who misread his electorate and fellow politicians, and only to have to . , he now awaits a court decision to confirm the parliamentary move. The year closed with the future of the Sino-American relationship, and hence global stability, facing a new era of uncertainty under the incoming second presidency of Donald Trump. Trump’s appointment of to key administration positions, and his , has set the stage for more turbulence between the two nations. After two failed attempts against Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto finally realised his decades-long dream of becoming president of . Widodo was constitutionally barred from running for a third term, so when his sniffing around for ways to run again went nowhere, the president and Prabowo teamed up for some win-win. Prabowo, the former son-in-law of late autocrat Suharto, enlisted Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to be his vice presidential running mate. Widodo then turned his back on his own party and threw his considerable political and popular weight behind his former enemy. Never mind his dodgy human rights track record as a military strongman, in a canter. After backroom deals with self-interested politicians and parties in the months leading up to October’s inauguration, the 73-year-old now sits atop a massive coalition, troubling democracy watchers. , too, underwent . Lee Hsien Loong stepped down in May after 20 years as prime minister, handing the reins to his deputy, Lawrence Wong. Wong inherited a middle power punching way above its weight division, a stable and wealthy nation in a region of regular upheaval. He is an erudite statesman and seems eminently capable, but he has shown little interest in loosening the government’s tight grip on free expression. leadership transition, meanwhile, was a bin fire. , which many Thais and observers consider a big-time cog in the self-serving military and royalist establishment. Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party won the most votes in the 2023 election but was blocked from forming government by an unelected senate. Amid the chaos, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of controversial and once-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Vice President , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, crossed into the unhinged. In October, she warned “Bong Bong” she would dig up his old man’s bones and throw them into the sea. Last month, she told the press of her if she was killed first. She really said this. The feud is unfolding amid investigations into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds and her dad’s bloody “war on drugs”. It is not a great time for toxic politics in the Philippines, which is clashing almost weekly with China in the West Philippine Sea. In , which has its own claims to the South China Sea, To Lam inherited the job of Communist Party secretary-general after 80-year-old statesman . In his 12 years at the top (not to mention nearly three decades in the Politburo), Trong significantly reduced poverty rates, strengthened ties with the United States and implemented a fierce anti-corruption drive dubbed the “blazing furnace”. As is often the case in South-East Asia, and Communist regimes more broadly, he also preferred his dissenters in jail. Meanwhile, those who hoped leader Hun Manet’s considerable Western education might yield democratic changes . He was gifted the job by his ruthless and ageing father Hun Sen, who still pulls strings, only now as president of the Senate. If anything, the intimidation of opposition and arrests of protesters have only increased. The most high-profile arrest was journalist Mech Dara, whose reporting touched on the businesses of Ly Yong Phat, a senator, tycoon and Hun Sen adviser, . Dara was bailed several weeks after his October arrest after a coerced public apology, a typical ploy of the Huns’ regime that they think demonstrates their beneficence. , a nation with so much economic potential, continued to suffer repeated wrecking by military men. Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, still holds onto power through force despite serious losses to myriad armed opposition groups. ASEAN, a wet lettuce leaf among regional blocs, has been unable to bring the general to heel. Underscoring the complexity of this multi-front civil war, one of came at the hands of a group fighting the junta, when the Arakan Army slaughtered hundreds of innocent Rohingya Muslims near the border of Bangladesh in August. In recent weeks, however, two major armed rebel groups – Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and ally the Ta’ang National Liberation Army – signalled they were ready for peace talks. The most tragic case closer to Australia in South East Asia was the methanol poisoning of backpackers in in November, among them. , and investigations continue. The biggest election ever staged delivered a shock result in . Ahead of the national poll, concluded on June 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to romp home. But once the 642 million ballots were counted his , he needed to rely on other parties to control parliament. Modi has dominated Indian politics for the past decade, but now faces a more uncertain era of coalition government. Elsewhere on the subcontinent, 2024 was marked by political turmoil. In , Sheikh Hasina, prime minister for 20 of the past 28 years, was driven out by a vast display of people power on the streets of the capital city, Dhaka. After she made a dramatic escape to neighbouring India on August 5, her government was replaced by military-backed , an 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, economist and social entrepreneur. Yunus has the difficult task of building consensus for much-needed reforms and staging a fair election. There was political change in as well when the little-known former Marxist, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emerged the surprise winner in a presidential election held in September. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of a debilitating financial crisis in 2022. In the continues to roil politics and society. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), did surprisingly well in February elections and his supporters have since staged huge and sometime violent protests demanding his release. The power dynamics in the Middle East were dramatically reshaped this year, with on the ascendancy and its bitter rival, , substantially weakened. Iran’s President in May, and things only got worse from there for the hard-line rulers in Tehran. Israel and Iran traded missile fire at several points throughout the year, setting off fears of an all-out regional war. Thanks to Israel’s Iron Dome system and support from Western nations, the Iranian strikes caused minimal damage, while Iran’s missile-production capability was crippled. After the monumental intelligence failure of last year’s October 7 attacks, the Jewish state regrouped and achieved some significant strategic victories. The Israeli military assassinated the mastermind of the October 7 attacks, , in Gaza and Hezbollah leader in Beirut. After a year of tit-for-tat fighting on its border with Lebanon, Israel escalated the fight against Hezbollah. This began with the shock September against the Iranian proxy group and culminated in a ground invasion and air strikes on Lebanon. It ended on favourable terms for Israel, with Lebanese civilians paying a heavy price for a conflict many did not want to be involved in. Meanwhile, the devastating war in Gaza continues and there is still no clear vision for what will come when it is over. Almost 45,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war and over 100 Israeli hostages still remain in Gaza. In November, the against Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, reflecting widespread international horror at the war. At home, though, Netanyahu’s popularity has been creeping up. In the most surprising development of all, in a matter of days in December. Syrian rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took advantage of Assad’s key allies – Russia and Iran – being distracted by fighting elsewhere and stormed into Damascus with remarkable ease. This has injected new uncertainty into the region, with Iran again the loser after losing a crucial ally in Assad. By contrast, ’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is emboldened and empowered after backing the rebel forces. This year was meant to culminate in an election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But after imploding on a debate stage in June, the ’ oldest president was forced to withdraw his bid for a second term, setting in motion one of the most extraordinary political comebacks in history. While Biden’s decision to upended the trajectory of the 2024 campaign and sparked fresh enthusiasm among voters, it was not enough to dent the anger millions of Americans felt over soaring cost-of-living pressures or immigration. In a victory so resounding even some Republicans were shocked, Trump not only won all seven battleground states, he also narrowly secured the popular vote and helped Republicans take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was a remarkable turnaround for a former president who began the year facing 91 charges and four criminal trials: one in Washington for trying to subvert the 2020 election; one in Georgia for election interference in that state; another in Florida for mishandling classified documents; and one in New York for falsifying business records to cover up a . In the end, only the New York “hush money” trial would eventuate, resulting in Trump becoming the first convicted felon to run for the White House. A US Supreme Court decision to grant presidents substantial immunity for acts conducted in office helped him thwart all the other trials. Trump’s ascendancy was also fuelled by an at a rally in Pennsylvania – an event that shocked the world, reignited the debate over political violence, and created one of the most iconic images in political history. Two months later came – this time by a lone gunman hiding in the bushes of his golfing resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. In other North America news, environmental scientist Claudia Sheinbaum was elected ’s first female president; the war in Gaza sparked student uprisings at elite universities across the US; and Taylor Swift continued her global dominance, concluding her 149-show in after becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Interest in South America rose briefly in Australian minds last month owing to Prime Minister , for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation annual summit, overshadowed by incoming US president Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Albanese then went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for this year’s G20. Neither , except to serve as further demonstration of in the region where it has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure. Take the new $5.6 billion port President Xi Jinping – who arrived pushing for an “orderly multipolar world” – inaugurated in Chancay, north of Lima. The intended continental logistics hub creates a direct route between Asia and South America across the Pacific Ocean. Apart from allowing Beijing to look beyond Australia and Asia for imports such as iron ore, wine and soybeans, the port could also, says the US, . China’s influence in the region could also extend to ground stations for Chinese satellites. In former president along with 36 others in a failed coup to reverse the last election and overthrow the government of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in a US Capitol-inspired takeover of Congress in 2022. He denies the charges, which add to his long list of legal woes. Lula, 79, had emergency brain surgery to relieve bleeding but was back to work in a few days. In the election of right-wing Trump-like disruptor and cloned-dog owner President provided some relief to the US, after to the alternative BRICS – the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group that has evolved to admit myriad other countries, and hopes to launch an alternative trade currency to the US dollar. In new elections to power, but no one believed the results, which the opposition said were stolen and the UN human rights watchdog is investigating. The crisis-torn country was also in the headlines owing to campaign-mode In December, prominent human rights lawyer Claudio Grossman quit the International Criminal Court in The Hague over what he said was its failure to prosecute members of Maduro’s government for crimes against humanity. In early December, Argentina, Brazil, , and , under the bloc , signed a blockbuster free trade deal with the European Union. If ratified, it will create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, covering a market of 780 million people. But in France, the Netherlands and other countries with big dairy and beef industries, critics say it will create unfair competition. In , the year started with a large to discuss action against changes proposed by the new coalition government of Prime Minister Chris Luxon, including the watering down of policies previously designed to elevate Maori language and recognition. Tuheitia said the Treaty of Waitangi was not open for reinterpretation. , with King Charles leading the tributes, saying “a mighty tree has fallen”. His daughter, 27-year-old , was chosen by a council of 12 male elders to succeed him, over her two older brothers, although the crown is not automatically inherited. Tensions over the government’s “race-based” changes, and the introduction of a bill to reinterpret the treaty, spilt over when thousands participated in a , where that made headlines around the world. , in May after an electoral reform approved in Paris triggered protests and the . It sent hundreds of police to help stem the riots, including soldiers to secure the port and airports, which were closed, . . His government later blamed . Continuing its efforts to keep closer to Australia than to China, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese headed to PNG and along with Prime Minister James Marape, did a two-day Kokoda hike, complete with . It was all part of Anzac commemorations and soft diplomacy, which continues with the , helped along by . And a in later December, causing many deaths, hundreds of injuries and crippling the nation’s electricity, water and communications systems. – In , after the vote that ended apartheid and brought it to power. President Cyril Ramaphosa managed to retain his job after a coalition deal with the country’s second-biggest party, the Democratic Alliance. In added to evidence that two human species lived side-by-side 1.5 million years ago, in a closing reminder that humans are capable of getting along.The NBA fined Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards $75,000 on Monday for criticizing the referees of Saturday's game between Minnesota and the visiting Golden State Warriors. In a release, the league said Edwards used "inappropriate and profane language" during a postgame media session after the Timberwolves' 113-103 loss. It marks the second time in two weeks Edwards' postgame comments have cost him some cash. The 23-year-old was fined $25,000 on Dec. 9 for using profane language during an interview after Minnesota won at Golden State 107-90 three days earlier. A two-time All-Star, Edwards leads the Timberwolves (14-13) with 25.6 points per game this season to go along with 5.4 rebounds and four assists per contest. --Field Level Media$100 no deposit bonus real money casino 。

FIUGGI, Italy (AP) — Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The top diplomats met for the final time before a new U.S. administration takes office with wars raging in the Mideast and Ukraine. “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the so-called “Arab Quintet,” as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. “Everyone favors a ceasefire in both scenarios,” Tajani told reporters, adding that Italy had offered to take on an even greater peacekeeping role in Lebanon to oversee any ceasefire deal. As the ministers arrived in Italy, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Mike Herzog, told Israeli Army Radio on Monday a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached “within days.” Several Arab ministers reiterated calls for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza during a G7-affiliated conference in Rome. “We need a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire. That will stop the killings and stop the destruction and restore a sense of normalcy to life,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told the conference. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, for his part, reaffirmed that Cairo would host a minister-level conference next Monday on mobilizing international aid for Gaza. The so-called “Quintet” has been working with the U.S. to finalize a “day after” plan for Gaza. There is some urgency to make progress before the Trump administration takes over in January. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pursue a policy that strongly favors Israel over the aspirations of the Palestinians. Tajani added another item to the G7 agenda last week after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief. Italy is a founding member of the court and hosted the 1998 Rome conference that gave birth to it. But Italy’s right-wing government has been a strong supporter of Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, while also providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. The Italian government has taken a cautious line, reaffirming its support and respect for the court but expressing concern that the warrants were politically motivated. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Tajani acknowledged consensus hadn't been reached among the G7 members but hoped for agreement to have a unified position. He noted that all sides need Netanyahu to make any deal. “We can also not agree with how his government has led the reaction after the massacre of Oct. 7, but now we have to deal with Netanyahu to arrive at peace in Lebanon, peace in Palestine,” Tajani said. Nathalie Tocci, director of the Rome-based Institute for International Affairs think tank, warned that inserting the ICC warrant into the G7 agenda was risky, since the U.S. is the lone member that is not a signatory to the court and yet tends to dictate the G7 line. “If Italy and the other (five G7) signatories of the ICC are unable to maintain the line on international law, they will not only erode it anyway but will be acting against our interests,” Tocci wrote in La Stampa daily this weekend, recalling Italy’s recourse to international law in demanding protection for Italian U.N. peacekeepers who have come under fire in southern Lebanon. The other major talking point of the G7 meeting is Ukraine , and tensions have only heightened since Russia attacked Ukraine last week with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strike was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. The G7 has been at the forefront of providing military and economic support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and G7 members are particularly concerned about how a Trump administration will change the U.S. approach. Trump has criticized the billions of dollars that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. “It’s hugely important that this G7, that all colleagues across the G7 continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it lasts,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said as he arrived. He announced new sanctions on vessels of Russia's “shadow fleet” of ships that are evading sanctions to export Russian oil. “And we are confident that Ukraine can have the funds and the military equipment and kit to get through 2025,” Lammy said. The G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, the second of the Italian presidency after ministers gathered in Capri in April , is being held in the medieval town of Fiuggi southeast of Rome, best known for its thermal spas. On Monday, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ministers were attending the inauguration of a red bench meant to symbolize Italy’s focus on fighting gender-based violence. Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched in Rome to protest gender-based violence , which in Italy so far this year has claimed the lives of 99 women, according to a report last week by the Eures think tank.Pride, bragging rights and more than $115M at stake when final college playoff rankings come outFor the third straight season, the College of the Redwoods football team will host the Grizzly Bowl at the Redwood Bowl on Friday night against the 6-4 Coalinga College Falcons. The Corsairs will head into the bowl game after losing two of the last three regular season games, but they also went up against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the American Pacific 7 conference, falling to undefeated De Anza and 7-3 College of the Siskiyous. CR will enter Friday’s game at 7-3 with newly announced league Defensive Most Valuable Player Conner Long, who was one of 11 Corsairs named to the American Pacific 7 All-Conference team. They’ll need all the help they can get on defense, facing a Falcons offense that’s averaging 43.1 points per game on the season. Friday will be the first time this season Coalinga and College of the Redwoods will face off, but the two schools did face each other last season in Humboldt where the Falcons left with a 27-21 win. The matchup was a narrow win for Coalinga, with the game being tied at 21-21 with less than five minutes to play before the Falcons connected for a game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass. With a season gone by, both teams will be looking different now than how they appeared in last year’s matchup, with each school having a new quarterback for the 2024 season. The Falcons have turned the keys over to sophomore Logan Johnson while the Corsairs have started freshman Bryton Livingston all season. Both quarterbacks have enjoyed success, with Johnson throwing 31 touchdowns to just nine interceptions and racking up 2,820 passing yards. Livingston’s numbers are less daunting, with 17 passing touchdowns, eight picks and 1,963 passing yards but he’s done that on 94 fewer passing attempts. Falcons sophomore wide receiver Porter Needs has been Johnson’s favorite target, totaling 51 catches, 12 of which were touchdowns, and 756 yards on the season. Coalinga has a pair of game-breaking sophomore defensive ends on the other side of the ball, with Derrick Taylor and Terrell Eackles. They’ve combined for 22 tackles for losses and seven sacks on the season. The Corsairs don’t lack firepower by any means, with redshirt freshman running back Isaiah Hemmings racking up 920 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, while adding another 257 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Hemmings was named All-Conference as was two Corsair receivers, Jaydan Burns and all-purpose player Glen “Phat” Williams Jr. The two receivers combined for 838 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Despite the two teams having not played each other, they’ve played nine of the same opponents, with CR going 6-3 against common opponents while Coalinga went 5-4. Both teams lost to College of the Siskiyous, De Anza and Monterey Peninsula while the Falcons lost to San Jose 50-48 while the Corsairs defeated them 30-21. With CR hosting the Grizzly Bowl for the third straight season, the Corsairs hope to give themselves a winning record in the bowl game. Last year, the Corsairs demolished Hartnell College 63-0 but in 2022 CR fell to Monterey Peninsula 42-21. In the three years under Jason White since CR football returned in 2022, the Corsairs have been a Grizzly Bowl staple with a chance on Friday to clinch two bowl wins in three years since resuming the program. Fans can tune into the radio at 107.3 FM or 1340 AM to hear the game, with it also being live-streamed on the College of the Redwoods YouTube channel. Dylan McNeill can be reached at 707-441-0526.

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Rodgers' thoroughbreds are galloping towards another title... but skipper McGregor refuses to accept it's all over Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By STEPHEN MCGOWAN Published: 09:30 AEDT, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 09:34 AEDT, 6 December 2024 e-mail View comments Three weeks till Christmas and the race for the Scottish league title has witnessed more fallers than Becher’s Brook. Three defeats and two draws left Rangers clambering to catch the leading pack. Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen matched Celtic point for point until they clattered into the obstacles put up by St Mirren, Hibs and Hearts. Suddenly the team in second place can feel the breath of Philippe Clement’s side on their necks as they thunder up on the rails, slowly gaining momentum. On a night of gale force winds and Biblical rain, Celtic put some clear blue sky between themselves and the chasing pack. Reo Hatate’s late goal condemned Aberdeen to their first home defeat of the season and four games without a win. A seven-point lead at the top of the table tells only half the story. Win their game in hand and the gap will stretch to ten. With a far superior goal difference, they can add another point for good measure. Barring a Devon Loch-style calamity, they will be champions of Scotland for a fourth straight year. While others are able to make that claim, Brendan Rodgers and his players know how dangerous it can be to tempt fate. In October last year, Michael Beale was sacked as Rangers manager after a third league loss in seven games. Clear at the top by seven points, Celtic allowed their lead to slip after a Rangers revival led by Clement. Callum McGregor enjoys the moment but insisted his side would be taking nothing for granted Brendan Rodgers salutes the visiting fans at Pittodrie after a statement win over Aberdeen Reo Hatate hails his moment of magic that ultimately proved the difference between the sides ‘I think we were seven or eight points clear last year and then ended up seven behind,’ recalled captain Callum McGregor. ‘That shows you how quickly football can change and you have to learn from that experience as well. ‘We understand it’s a good start, of course it is, but the reason why it’s been a good start is because of the way we’re approaching the game, the way that we’re training, the relentless nature of the coaches and the players. ‘We’ve ended up in a good position, but we’re not even halfway through yet, so we know there’s so much football to be played.’ For manager Brendan Rodgers, the key to Celtic’s domestic stranglehold is remaining calm. His players hear the word ‘calm’ repeated so often they should finish every session with yoga, a bout of tai chi and a deep muscle massage. Opponents get in their faces, hassle and harry, and do what they can to ruffle them up. Taking their cue from Club Brugge, Aberdeen did their best to press high and hard, forcing man of the moment Nicolas Kuhn backwards every time. The conditions did the rest, relentless rain and a howling wind blowing every high ball in the general direction of the Orkneys and levelling the playing field no end. Barcelona sent young Alex Valle to Scotland to toughen him up a bit. Beset by a north east monsoon, the weather in Aberdeen would have tested the foundations of the Sagrada Familia. Booked in the first half, the left-back was a walking red card until Rodgers replaced him at half-time with the experienced Greg Taylor. A much-maligned figure, Taylor’s ball popped over the top allowed Reo Hatate to produce the game’s one moment of genuine quality, chesting the ball down and steering it low past Ross Doohan. On a night which asked some different questions, Celtic found a way. Calm and composure steered a course through the storm. Kevin Nisbet earned an early yellow card for his foul on Alex Valle, who had a difficult evening ‘It was quite bad,’ acknowledged captain McGregor, ‘but it’s December in Scotland. ‘It’s difficult but the players handled it really well. I thought we showed a really good level technically and tactically. I thought we were excellent.’ Heading into the final 20 minutes, a point had looked the likeliest outcome. The simplest of passes would be blown off the pitch. Aberdeen were defending stoutly, closing down the space and forcing their opponents to feed on scraps. In the wet and wild conditions, Celtic could have taken the point, showered, changed, and sought refuge on a warm bus back down the A96. Having finally started asking some questions of Dons stand-in keeper Doohan, they wanted more than that. ‘I don’t think that’s in our DNA at Celtic,’ added McGregor. ‘At this club, you have to win every game. ‘The way we played, I think if you’d come away with a draw and never got the goal, performance-wise you’d have been reasonably happy. ‘But straight away, you’d have then been thinking: “Dropped points” and everyone feels differently about the game. ‘It showed a really good mentality that, even on a difficult night, we can produce that level of quality to get us the win.’ Auston Trusty gets the better of Vicente Besuijen on a night when Celtic were made to work hard Wednesday night marked the first time Celtic had failed to score twice or more in 23 domestic games. Where class wins the day in most of their matches, Pittodrie called for character and attitude. Players unaccustomed to a Scottish winter had to dig in, roll up their sleeves and do the dirty stuff. Job done, the message from Rodgers and his captain was clear. With the season not even at its halfway point, nothing’s won yet — no matter what the outside world might think. ‘I’ll be backed up by a lot of senior players, a lot of good senior pros,’ said McGregor. ‘Our building’s full of them. ‘The staff are unbelievable, they work tirelessly. The work they put in every single day, the players respect that and the coaches respect the players. ‘It’s a brilliant place to work. If anybody’s having any days like that [taking it easy], then it’s very quickly nailed. We move on and we try to work in the right way.’ Share or comment on this article: Rodgers' thoroughbreds are galloping towards another title... but skipper McGregor refuses to accept it's all over e-mail Add comment

NICOSIA, Cyprus , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — BC.GAME , a premier cryptocurrency i-Gaming platform, announced its decision to withdraw its license specifically from Curaçao. This move reflects Curaçao’s increasingly hostile environment for operators in recent years. Despite ongoing efforts to modernize Curaçao’s i-Gaming law, proper legal protection for all operators established in Curaçao is severely lacking, such as its bankruptcy law which dates to 1931 via the “ Curaçao Bankruptcy Decree ” which can easily be exploited by malicious actors and used against legitimate operators. Therefore, on 5 th December 2024 , BC.GAME decided to officially withdraw its Curaçao license. This will in no way affect BC.GAME’s wider international operations. Separately from Curaçao, BC.GAME holds gaming licenses in multiple other jurisdictions, and its international operations remain fully compliant with its applicable regulatory obligations. Adapting to industry trends As the global gaming industry faces an increasingly complex regulatory environment, this move by BC.GAME is essential in enhancing and maintaining its operational strategy to ensure continuity and to realign BC.GAME with suitably evolved and robust regulatory frameworks for the benefit of its international operations. Most importantly, it ensures the safety, reliability and security of service for BC.GAME users. Consistency in legal and financial obligations Contrary to recent rumours inaccurately circulated questioning BC.GAME’s financial position, BC.GAME further reaffirms to its stakeholders and the public in general that its financial position remains in good health. All BC.GAME’s international operations remain unaffected and BC.GAME will continue to fulfil all of its ongoing legal and financial obligations. About BC.GAME BC.GAME is a leading global cryptocurrency i-Gaming platform focused on providing users with a secure and diverse entertainment experience. BC.GAME offers a range of services, including sports betting, and electronic gaming whilst ensuring adequate player protection and an increased focus on preventing gambling addiction. With a strong emphasis on technological innovation and regulatory compliance, BC.GAME continues to expand its presence in international markets in maintaining its reputation of being the leading entertainment provider offering a wide range of gaming services. SOURCE BC.GAMEThe Tirupati district police have arrested two men associated with Finnbul Technologies Private Limited for harassing a woman and threatening her over defaulting one installment of a loan. The woman, a software engineer from Sullurpeta, currently working in Bengaluru, had taken a loan from the Hyderabad branch of the company. After making five payments on time, she faced delays in repaying the sixth installment. District SP L. Subba Rayudu said on Friday that the company's recovery team allegedly morphed her photographs and sent them to her and her family via WhatsApp, threatening to share them with her contacts if the loan was not repaid. Based on the victim’s complaint, the Sullurpeta police arrested two suspects. The accused were identified as recovery team manager Marka Bharath Yadav who is a resident of RK Puram, Neredmet, Malkajgiri, and recovery team member Putamsetti Ramakrishna, who is a resident of Film Nagar, Hyderabad. The SP cautioned the public against unethical practices by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and loan app operators. He emphasised that any complaints of harassment or inappropriate behaviour by recovery agents would result in strict legal action against the respective companies and individuals involved. The Tirupati police arrested a 73-year-old man for placing a red Santa Claus hat on the statue of Annamacharya at the Rayala Cheruvu Road Circle on December 23. According to the police, the suspect, identified as Bandhu Dharji Jawanar from Maharashtra, had been wandering from place to place after leaving his home. About 15 days ago, he arrived in Tirupati, scavenging waste paper and living on city platforms. On the afternoon of December 23, he found a red Santa Claus hat near the Annamacharya statue and placed it on the statue’s head. The incident was deemed provocative, with the potential to incite communal tensions and hurt Hindu sentiments. Following an investigation using technical evidence and intelligence, the police traced the suspect and arrested him near Tiruchanoor. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton point guard Steven Ashworth likely won't play Tuesday in the No. 21 Bluejays' game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday, and coach Greg McDermott said he didn't know how long he would be out. “He stepped on a guy's foot on a 3-point shot and you're defenseless in that situation," McDermott said after the game. "He torqued it pretty good.” An athletic department spokesman said Monday that Ashworth's status was doubtful for the game against the Aztecs. Ashworth is Creighton's second-leading scorer with 16 points per game and leads the team with 6.4 assists per game. He also is 23 of 23 on free throws. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Former Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene is transferring to Michigan with one year of eligibility remaining. Confirming earlier reports, Keene posted an image of himself in a Wolverines uniform on social media on Monday. Keene passed for 2,892 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2024. Fresno State opened the season with a 30-10 loss at Michigan on Aug. 31, with Keene throwing for 235 yards with one touchdown and two picks. Including two seasons at UCF (2021-22), Keene has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 8,245 yards with 65 TDs and 28 interceptions in 39 games. Keene's competition for the starting job at Michigan includes incoming freshman Bryce Underwood, the 247Sports Composite's No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. --Field Level MediaNone

UK regulator says Apple, Google blocking innovation in mobile browsersSAN MARCOS, Calif., Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Affirmed Housing, a leading provider of affordable housing throughout California, announces the completion of Estrella, a GreenPoint Rated, affordable housing development comprised of 96 apartment homes for families earning between 30 and 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). Estrella joins sister development Alora, concluding the two-phase redevelopment of a former affordable-housing complex, Mariposa, and resulting in a net gain of 126 new affordable housing apartments overall. To increase the city's housing stock, Affirmed Housing demolished the original single-story, 70-unit complex and recorded a new parcel map to make way for both new projects. In addition to Estrella's new 96 apartments, Alora, which was completed last year, brought another 100 apartments online for families and individuals earning between 30 and 80 percent AMI. "The completion of Estrella underscores our commitment to offer housing opportunities for everyone in San Marcos," shared San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones. "Estrella led San Marcos to achieve 10% restricted affordable housing out of all residential housing available in the city. The development of much-needed affordable housing options like Estrella and its sister project, Alora, expands accessibility to services that enhance the well-being of our community and meet their needs. Projects like these are key to preserving our exceptional quality of life for all." In developing Estrella, Affirmed Housing used a big-picture, sustainability-minded approach that aims to support residents' overall health and wellbeing. In addition to featuring the latest energy-saving and water-wise technologies throughout the complex, Estrella is intentionally designed to foster community engagement and accessibility. Residents have exclusive access to complimentary, on-site services intended to support those in need, such as computer training and resume-building resources and programs focused on health and wellness, financial literacy and parenting. A dedicated service coordinator is in place, in partnership with Compass for Affordable Housing, to plan and organize community-building activities and holiday events. "These projects demonstrate the City's leadership and commitment to providing quality resources that enhance everyday living for hardworking families and individuals," said Affirmed Housing President Jimmy Silverwood. "Estrella is an investment in the people of San Marcos, which is the best investment a city can make. This community raises the bar and serves as an example of what can happen when stakeholders align and focus on the common goal of doing what is right." Estrella features four residential buildings containing a mixture of one-, two, and three-bedroom apartments, and each has its own shared laundry facility. A separate community building incorporates several shared amenities that encourage resident engagement, including a kitchenette, computer room, barbecue area and bicycle parking. Four tot lots and a teen recreation area are also incorporated on the site. A total of 171 parking spaces are available, including eight EV-designated spots. Conveniently located within walking distance of Estrella are several off-site resources that promote residents' seamless living. In close proximity, there are grocery stores, a pharmacy, a neighborhood library, public parks and access to public transportation. A middle school is adjacent to the complex. Affirmed Housing's development partners for Estrella include the City of San Marcos, the County of San Diego, Compass for Affordable Housing, WNC, Banner Bank, DAHLIN Group Architecture Planning, Masson and Associates, and form/work Landscape Architecture. About Affirmed Housing Affirmed Housing is a leader in affordable, multifamily housing development, delivering safe, sustainable, high-quality communities for families, veterans, seniors and people experiencing homelessness. The company works with municipalities and private owners throughout California to promote housing stability and neighborhood well-being by leveraging deep expertise in public finance, low-income housing tax credits, and tax-exempt bond finance, as well as site selection, engineering, architecture, construction, relocation and marketing. Since 1992, Affirmed Housing has financed nearly $3 billion in affordable and supportive development, with more than 6,000 apartment homes developed or under development in more than 70 communities. The company has offices in San Diego and San Jose. Visit: www.affirmedhousing.com . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

In its efforts to facilitate innovation and driving digital transformation, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has launched a campaign called ‘Digital Transformation: A New Reality’ under its Government Digital Transformation Programme – Tahawul. The initiative highlights the extensive range of digital services provided by government entities, emphasising their role in improving efficiency, enhancing public services and elevating the quality of life for citizens and residents. Running for a month and a half, the campaign seeks to deepen public understanding of digital transformation while building trust by showcasing key achievements and successes. It aims to demonstrate the convenience and efficiency of digital solutions, encouraging adoption of these as the primary channel for accessing government services and enhancing user satisfaction. The campaign underscores the transformative potential of digital platforms in simplifying government procedures, improving productivity and boosting efficiency. For businesses, the shift to digital offers numerous benefits, including increased agility, better planning and cost savings by reducing reliance on traditional paper-based processes. The convenience of remote transactions is also highlighted, showcasing how these save time and effort by eliminating the need for physical visits. Aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, the campaign seeks to promote public awareness on advanced digital technologies and encourage adoption of these across society. Tahawul will leverage a variety of platforms to market the campaign, including social media, traditional and modern media outlets, and billboard advertisements. The ‘Digital Transformation: A New Reality’ campaign underscores Tahawul’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and accelerating progress across all sectors. Future campaigns will continue to spotlight other digital services offered by government entities, reaffirming the centrality of digital transformation as a cornerstone of Oman’s sustainable development journey.Start the year off by joining the Kent Street Activity Centre. 2025 memberships are on sale now. A year membership is only $43 and gives you an opportunity to participate in 17 different activity groups, receive member pricing for all Kent Street Activity Centre special events and receive $5 off any day excursion. Come check us out and discover all the amazing activities and programs we have to offer. Call 604- 541-2199 for more information. • The Kent Street Senior Society is asking for donations of books for the upcoming book and bake sale on Saturday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kent Street Activity Centre auditorium. Hundreds of gently used books in virtually all categories will be sold at very reasonable prices. All proceeds from the sale go to support Kent Street Activity Centre’s projects and programs for seniors living in the community. • The first Wednesday night dance of the year will be on Jan. 8 when the Silver Stars take the stage. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with social dancing 7 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is only $7 for Kent Street Activity Centre members or $9 for non-members. Call 604-541-2199 for more information. • Have you always wanted to learn Spanish but did not know where to start? Beginner Spanish with instructor Carlos Rabago begins Thursday, Jan. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Kent Street Activity Centre. This six-session course will get you started on basic conversation in a supportive, informal setting. Call 604-541-2199 to register or online at whiterockcity.ca/register. • Are you a person that enjoys getting your exercise at the start of the day? Drop into Body Works 55+ on Mondays, 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. or Fit Camp 55+ 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., both at the Kent Street Activity Centre. These full body workouts will keep you fit and ready for your active lifestyle. Senior drop-in price is only $5.75 or purchase an Active 10 or 20 pass for an even better discount. Call 604-541-2199 for more information or check out the drop-in schedule at whiterockcity.ca/guide. • The Vancouver Tea Tour still has a few spots available on Jan. 13. Explore some of the city’s most charming tea shops. Enjoy High Tea in Kerrisdale featuring a variety of tea flavours and delicious treats. To register for this 55+ excursion call 604-541-2199 or online at whiterockcity.ca/register. Transportation is in our 23 passenger minibus. • The Kent Street Coffee Shop will reopen on Jan. 6 for the sale of coffee and sweets. Soup and sandwiches will return on Jan. 13 and frozen meals on Jan. 20. Coffee shop hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • Are you looking for a fun activity to join, get some exercise and meet some new friends? Drop into the Kent Street Activity Centre every Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon for some Carpet Bowling. Don’t worry if you have never played before. This friendly group will help you learn how to play the game. After Carpet Bowling, enjoy a delicious lunch or snack in the Kent Street Coffee Shop. Call 604-541-2231 for more information.

A former Florida Republican said he's breathing a "sigh of relief" that Pam Bondi is now Donald Trump's new attorney general choice, noting that she's not only qualified, she hasn't been embroiled in any sex scandals. Legal analysts debated ethics and experiences during Friday's MSNBC discussion about Bondi. Former Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) confessed that he's a friend of Bondi's and he sees her as completely qualified for the job. She also has the added benefit of not having had any sex scandal, he said. The previous appointee was former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who resigned from Congress ahead of an Ethics Committee vote on whether to release a report on an investigation into allegations against him. Some details of the report have dripped out, including testimony from two witnesses who spoke to the committee. Also Read: Pro-Trump super PAC fined for election law violation Despite calls from Trump and lobbying efforts with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance , Gaetz withdrew his promised nomination on Thursday. "We should breathe a little sigh of relief," said Jolly about Bondi. "The big difference between Matt Gaetz and Pam Bondi is this. Pam Bondi is qualified to run the department. ... She hasn't been accused of sexual misconduct or sex trafficking." But it was Andrew Weissmann, former top prosecutor for special counsel Robert Mueller, who said that the standard should be higher than not having been investigated by the Justice Department. "One thing that is important is for our viewers not to recalibrate simply because there is a new normal that she is not Matt Gaetz," said Weissmann. "That's not the standard for whether somebody should be the attorney general of the United States." He pointed out that it is also not a qualification to be a state prosecutor for years. "Absolutely, she has that experience, but the real issue is, I think, sort of the second part of what David was talking about, which is, one: Does she believe that facts and law are what is supposed to govern the Department of Justice and all decision-making?" asked Weissmann. "Two: Do you think it is right for the president to say who you should prosecute and who you should not prosecute?" he continued. "And so, questions like 'Do you believe there is a stolen election in 2020,' are totally appropriate ones. When she talks about going after, you know, political enemies of Donald Trump, is that the appropriate role for the Department of Justice? She shouldn't have to walk them back because that is the critical issue." See the discussion below or at the link here . - YouTube www.youtube.comNone