JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Greg McGarity had reason to be concerned. The Gator Bowl president kept a watchful eye on College Football Playoff scenarios all season and understood the fallout might affect his postseason matchup in Jacksonville. What if the Southeastern Conference got five teams into the expanded CFP? What if the Atlantic Coast Conference landed three spots? It was a math problem that was impossible to truly answer, even into late November. Four first-round playoff games, which will end with four good teams going home without a bowl game, had the potential to shake up the system. The good news for McGarity and other bowl organizers: Adding quality teams to power leagues — Oregon to the Big Ten, Texas to the SEC and SMU to the ACC — managed to ease much of the handwringing. McGarity and the Gator Bowl ended up with their highest-ranked team, No. 16 Ole Miss, in nearly two decades. "It really didn't lessen our pool much at all," McGarity said. "The SEC bowl pool strengthened with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. You knew they were going to push traditional SEC teams up or down. Texas ended up pushing just about everyone down." The long waiting game was the latest twist for non-CFP bowls that have become adept at dealing with change. Efforts to match the top teams came and went in the 1990s and first decade of this century before the CFP became the first actual tournament in major college football. It was a four-team invitational — until this year, when the 12-team expanded format meant that four quality teams would not be in the mix for bowl games after they lose next week in the first round. "There's been a lot of things that we've kind of had to roll with," said Scott Ramsey, president of the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. "I don't think the extra games changed our selection model to much degree. We used to look at the New York's Six before this, and that was 12 teams out of the bowl mix. The 12-team playoff is pretty much the same." Ramsey ended up with No. 23 Missouri against Iowa in his Dec. 30 bowl. A lot of so-called lesser bowl games do have high-profile teams — the ReliaQuest Bowl has No. 11 Alabama vs. Michigan (a rematch of last year's CFP semifinal), Texas A&M and USC will play in the Las Vegas Bowl while No. 14 South Carolina and No. 15 Miami, two CFP bubble teams, ended up in separate bowls in Orlando. "The stress of it is just the fact that the CFP takes that opening weekend," Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said. "It kind of condenses the calendar a little bit." Bowl season opens Saturday with the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The first round of the CFP runs Dec. 20-21. It remains to be seen whether non-CFP bowls will see an impact from the new dynamic. They will know more by 2026, with a planned bowl reset looming. It could include CFP expansion from 12 to 14 teams and significant tweaks to the bowl system. More on-campus matchups? More diversity among cities selected to host semifinal and championship games? And would there be a trickle-down effect for everyone else? Demand for non-playoff bowls remains high, according to ESPN, despite increased focus on the expanded CFP and more players choosing to skip season finales to either enter the NCAA transfer portal or begin preparations for the NFL draft. "There's a natural appetite around the holidays for football and bowl games," Kurt Dargis, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, said at Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum last week in Las Vegas. "People still want to watch bowl games, regardless of what's going on with the playoff. ... It's obviously an unknown now with the expanded playoff, but we really feel like it's going to continue." The current bowl format runs through 2025. What lies ahead is anyone's guess. Could sponsors start paying athletes to play in bowl games? Could schools include hefty name, image and likeness incentives for players participating in bowls? Would conferences be willing to dump bowl tie-ins to provide a wider range of potential matchups? Are bowls ready to lean into more edginess like Pop-Tarts has done with its edible mascot? The path forward will be determined primarily by revenue, title sponsors, TV demand and ticket sales. "The one thing I have learned is we're going to serve our partners," Saccenti said. "We're going to be a part of the system that's there, and we're going to try to remain flexible and make sure that we're adjusting to what's going on in the world of postseason college football."Timberwolves push back start time vs. Spurs because of issue with game court646 lodi 。

Rested Ducks take on Flyers, Oilers at home this weekend

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn More The artificial intelligence arms race heated up Friday as Amazon announced an additional $4 billion investment in Anthropic, doubling its stake to $8 billion in a move that signals the cloud computing giant’s ambitious bid to compete with Microsoft and Google in the fast-evolving AI landscape. The deal, which maintains Amazon as a minority investor, establishes AWS as Anthropic’s primary cloud and training partner. Most significantly, it commits Anthropic to using Amazon’s custom-designed Trainium and Inferentia chips for training and deploying its advanced AI models — a major win for Amazon’s semiconductor strategy. Amazon’s calculated investment positions the company at the center of AI infrastructure development. While Microsoft has captured headlines and market momentum through its OpenAI partnership , Amazon is taking a different approach by building a comprehensive AI stack from silicon to software. The commitment to use AWS Trainium chips is particularly notable, as it gives Amazon’s custom silicon program the kind of high-profile validation it needs to compete with Nvidia’s dominance in AI acceleration. How Amazon plans to challenge Microsoft’s AI dominance The expanded partnership has already shown promising results. According to Anthropic, tens of thousands of customers are using its Claude models through Amazon Bedrock, including major enterprises like Pfizer , which reported tens of millions in operational cost savings. The European Parliament has also adopted Claude to power a document analysis system that processes 2.1 million official documents. The timing of this deal aligns with a crucial shift in enterprise AI adoption. As companies move from AI experimentation to production deployment, they’re increasingly focused on security, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. By integrating Anthropic’s technology directly into the AWS ecosystem, Amazon is positioning itself to capture this next wave of enterprise AI adoption. Inside the battle for AI cloud supremacy This move significantly reshapes the competitive dynamics in cloud AI services. While Microsoft’s OpenAI partnership gave it an early lead in the generative AI race, Amazon’s deeper integration with Anthropic could prove more sustainable in the long run. The focus on custom silicon and tight hardware-software integration mirrors the successful playbook Apple used in personal computing — but at cloud scale. The deal also creates an interesting dynamic with Google, which invested $2 billion in Anthropic last year. With both tech giants now holding significant stakes, Anthropic has effectively positioned itself as a Switzerland of sorts in the AI wars, maintaining independence while leveraging the resources of multiple tech giants. What Amazon’s AI investment means for enterprise technology For enterprise customers, this partnership addresses several critical concerns. First, it promises more cost-effective AI deployment through optimization for AWS’s custom chips. Second, it provides a clear path to scale AI applications through Amazon’s global infrastructure. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a more secure and compliant way to adopt advanced AI capabilities. Anthropic’s latest Computer Use feature , which allows AI to operate computers like humans, will be available first to AWS customers. This exclusivity period could give Amazon’s enterprise customers a significant head start in automating complex workflows. The future of cloud computing: AI takes center stage The real significance of this deal lies in its long-term implications for the cloud computing industry. As AI becomes increasingly central to enterprise operations, the ability to offer optimized, integrated AI services could become the key differentiator in the cloud market. Amazon’s investment suggests a belief that the future of cloud computing will be built on AI infrastructure. The deal also reflects a broader industry trend toward vertical integration in AI, with major players seeking to control every layer of the stack from chips to applications. This could lead to a more concentrated market structure, with a few large players dominating the AI infrastructure landscape. As enterprise AI adoption accelerates, this partnership could prove pivotal in determining which technology giants emerge as the dominant forces in the AI era. With the generative AI market projected to exceed $1 trillion within the decade, Amazon’s expanded investment in Anthropic represents a strategic bet on shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily By subscribing, you agree to VentureBeat's Terms of Service. Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here . An error occured.

The Giants probably won’t land the No. 1 pick anymore. According to ESPN’s live tracker , the Giants’ chances of drafting first overall in 2025 plunged to a measly 5% after their 45-33 over the Colts on Sunday. Naturally, fans across social media were upset. They wanted the ticket to draft Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward — which the Giants would have gotten if they had lost out. The players, meanwhile, couldn’t care less about where they stand in the draft order. BUY GIANTS TICKETS: STUBHUB , VIVID SEATS , TICKETMASTER “We don’t care,” said cornerback Dru Phillips. “We’re trying to win a football game, man. It don’t matter. At the end of the day, you don’t go out there to lose. You’re trying to win, so forget about it. You live with what you live with. The Giants won today, so I’m in a good mood.” They sure played like they weren’t a tanking team. The Giants totaled 309 passing yards on 389 yards from scrimmage in large part thanks to a dominant performance from rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (171 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions). Nabers, who was spotted throwing a football with Sanders in the streets of Manhattan earlier this month, was mum when asked about the draft implications of the win. “I ain’t really got nothing to say about that,” said Nabers. The draft’s going to be the draft.” Veterans Jermaine Eluemunor and Darius Slayton offered a bit more wisdom. Sure, the better draft position is nice, but losing 13 straight games (which is what it would have required) might have been detrimental to the “culture” the Giants are trying to build. “You’d rather your team go out there and fight for every inch than lay down and just take an a**-whooping,” Eluemunor said. “Yeah, you get your pick that you wanted, but what is that player coming into? You’ve got to establish some sort of culture. “We’re trying to establish a culture that can lead into next year...I’m sure everything will still work out how this franchise needs it to work out.” “This isn’t basketball, it’s not golf, it’s not tennis,” said Slayton. “Football, you get hit. I’m not finna go out there and just let people tee off on me to tank. I’m not about to let people dive at my knees for free. At the end of the day, we’re trying to win and today showed that fight.” According to TankAThon, the Giants have the best strength of schedule among three-win teams (they face the Eagles in their final game next week), so it’s highly unlikely they’ll leapfrog teams like the Browns, Titans or Patriots, who now own the No. 1 pick, next week. Sunday’s win opens up countless questions about what the Giants now might do in the offseason. Will they trade up to No. 1? Or perhaps pivot to a bridge quarterback instead of reaching in a weaker class? Either way, the players are focused on one thing: Beating the Eagles in Week 18 — even if it means taking another nosedive down the draft board. “That’s more of an upstairs thing,” Brian Burns said. “They’ll figure out however they want to play those cards.” Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Ryan Novozinsky may be reached at rnovozinsky@njadvancemedia.com . You can follow him on X @ryannovo62.

Up to 14 criminals killed in 168 encounters with police this year KP Police personnel patrol area after an attack in Swat. — AFP/File PESHAWAR: The Capital City Police has clashed with robbers and street criminals 168 times in the last one year, killing at least 14 alleged gangsters and injuring 180 others, a report disclosed. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); The force in the provincial capital has adopted an aggressive policy against street criminals since last year after witnessing an increase in snatching, robberies and violence. An official said during the last 12 months, 168 cases were registered after encounters with street criminals. Apart from killing 14 street criminals and injuring 180 others, police arrested 257 criminals involved in violent attacks, snatching, robberies and other crimes. “We have adopted aggressive policing against street criminals. Over 120 encounters took place with robbers and snatchers in the last six months,” Capital City Police Officer(CCPO), Qasim Ali Khan, told The News. The CCPO added a number of measures had been taken at the police station level while the Ababeel Force was reshuffled to improve policing the streets. He continued the situation in urban, suburban and rural areas had improved in the last few months. For the last few years, incidents of snatching of phones and cash, lifting of bikes and cars and thefts from houses, shops and public places started happening daily in areas of almost all the police stations. Hardly a few of the cases were registered when the matter was brought to the notice of bosses. Apart from dozens of people losing lives in street crimes, a large number of people were robbed in different areas of Peshawar. The crime rate in the provincial capital and other districts recorded a significant increase in the last few years, mostly because of inflation, joblessness and an increase in the use of drugs. There were reports that a huge majority of the cases go unreported either because police avoid registration of FIR or roznamcha or the victims don’t approach the cops since they don’t have any hope from the force. Senior police officials claimed time and again that they have busted a large number of gangs and arrested hundreds of their members involved in street crimes. However, the incidents of robberies, snatching and lifting of cars and bikes continued. In many cases, robbers and snatchers went violent and opened fire without any provocation. Most of the cops at police stations don’t consider mobile snatching or theft from houses and shops even a crime anymore and that is why hundreds of cases go unreported. The situation for the last couple of years forced many people to take precautions mostly after sunset and avoid deserted streets and roads. According to the experts, one of the major factors behind an unprecedented increase in incidents of snatching, robberies, theft and acts of violence in the last few years is the growing number of ice addicts in the society. Apart from theft from houses and shops, hundreds of ice and heroin addicts daily uproot iron fences, benches, pipes and even cat-eyes from the road to sell it for a meager amount only to arrange money for ice. The ice or methamphetamine addicts are more violent compared to those consuming heroin, hashish, or other drugs. Police investigators say many of those involved in the street crimes were found to be ice addicts. These addicts become violent when they consume the drug and can kill anyone for offering little or even no resistance. Since it is more harmful to society and any individual, ice needs to be treated differently from other drugs. Many believe that effective fresh laws by the government against ice are needed. Also, instead of mere eyewash and actions only for the consumption of social media, more aggressive actions by police, ANF, the Excise Department and other relevant departments against the mafias are needed.Milei to seek privatizations, pensions and labor reform in 2025Russia had prepared for “genocide” against Ukrainians, including the creation of kill lists and mass burials , according to the head of Ukraine 's Main Intelligence Directorate. Kyrylo Budanov made the claims during a forum, the Kyiv Post reported. Budanov alleged that before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Russian troops were briefed on where to locate mass graves. “ Russia ’s preparation for genocide against the Ukrainian people before the full-scale invasion included the creation of kill lists, mobile crematoriums, and plans for mass burials,” he said. “Russian propaganda, top state authorities, high-ranking officials, and the entire state apparatus, emboldened by their leader, have repeatedly called for the destruction of Ukrainians.” Budanov also claimed Russia created “kill lists” targeting Ukrainian public figures, journalists and scientists. “The genocide of Ukrainians is not just a state policy of the Russian Federation but also an ingrained social belief imposed from above,” Budanov said. Ukraine filed a case at the International Court of Justice just days after Russia ’s February 2022 invasion, alleging that Moscow used false claims of genocide in Luhansk and Donetsk to justify its attack. Ukraine claimed that “ Russia has turned the Genocide Convention on its head — making a false claim of genocide as a basis for actions on its part that constitute grave violations of the human rights of millions of people across Ukraine .” Russia described the case as an “abuse of process,” and sought to have judges throw it out. Earlier this year, the ICJ said it did not have jurisdiction to rule on whether Russia ’s invasion violated the 1948 genocide convention.

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a groundbreaking move, Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) and Lucky Eagle Casio & Hotel have announced a strategic enterprise partnership that will revolutionize the gaming and hospitality industry in the Washington market, setting the stage for a dynamic synergy between technology and hospitality. The software deployment has been completed and training will begin soon. The state-of-the-art platform is expected to enhance operations, optimize service and ensure guests have an unparalleled experience. JaNessa Bumgarner, CEO of Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "We at Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with QCI. The QCI platform is a game-changer, and we believe it will not only streamline our operations but also elevate the level of service and entertainment we provide to our valued guests. With QCI's innovative solutions, we are confident in our ability to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience in the Washington market. This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to excellence and innovation." Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, echoed this sentiment, expressing his satisfaction with the newly formed partnership, "At QCI, we value partnerships that are built on mutual respect, shared vision, and commitment. Our collaboration with Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel is the epitome of such a relationship. We've been deeply impressed by the Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel team, their passion for excellence, and their unwavering dedication to enhancing guest experiences. I'm proud and excited about the journey ahead and confident that together, we'll set new standards in the Washington market." ABOUT Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel is proudly owned and operated by The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation. The Chehalis Tribe is a vital community with rich cultural traditions that have endured for centuries. They honor their proud history and advance their vision by expanding business opportunities, educational resources and healthcare and outreach services. Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel is an award winning casino resort located in Rochester, Washington. We offer the newest in slots, table games, bingo, sportsbook, pet friendly hotel, award winning restaurants and much more! To learn more about us, please visit our website luckyeagle.com . ABOUT QCI Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 175 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and The Bahamas. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $24 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI's data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com . About Andrew Cardno Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master's level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew's innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today's mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew's impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew's work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors. Contact: Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence Phone: 858-349-8354

Scoreboard: Class AA boys wrestling rankingsGiant cyborg cockroaches could be the search and rescue workers of the futureHouse approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsThe Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City

Anthony Albanese has defended his handling of the suspected terror attack where a synagogue was firebombed after he was heckled during a visit. or signup to continue reading The Adass Israel Synagogue at Ripponlea in Melbourne's southeast, was set alight in a pre-dawn attack with people inside on Friday. The prime minister said he was briefed the morning after the arson by federal police, responded on radio and through a statement, spoke to local Jewish community leaders as well as the local MP. The government had been working behind the scenes in the days following to ensure security funding was available for the community, he said. "Australians are respectful people. Australians want to live peacefully, side by side, and Australians reject this abhorrent criminal behaviour," he told ABC radio on Wednesday. "This is not a political act. This does not change anything that is occurring on the ground in the Middle East. This is an attack against their fellow Australians." Mr Albanese visited the synagogue on Tuesday, where he promised to support its rebuild, but was jeered by some angry with his handling of the situation. As he was leaving a woman called out: "Your words are cheap and late" and "You are late. You let this happen, buddy". Another asked if he was "going to the Australian Open" referring to Mr Albanese playing tennis on the weekend. Government minister Clare O'Neil, who visited the site later that afternoon and spoke to community members, said that reaction wasn't universal and some hecklers weren't locals. "People were grateful that the prime minister was there, they were pleased to have him there and of course to see him make that commitment to help rebuild the synagogue," she told Seven's Sunrise program. "I'm sure there were angry and upset people there but I don't think that was the universal experience of having the PM there." Yumi Rosenbaum, whose family have been in its congregation for three generations, said community members had already made attempts to practise their faith since the attack. "We're resilient people, we're not the type to get too down and we don't give up easily," he told AAP. "There are other synagogues in town, you can always go to different synagogues, but we want to have our synagogue as well." Mr Rosenbaum said Adass Israel members had been allowed to use a nearby school's synagogue. A full reconstruction of the destroyed synagogue could take several years despite an outpouring of community donations and government funding. Mr Albanese spoke to Jewish community leaders after inspecting the extent of the damage inside the synagogue. "This arson attack is an act of terrorism that was fuelled by anti-Semitism and it was stoked by hatred," he said. He committed his government to provide support to rebuild the synagogue, will provide funding for the restoration of the salvageable scrolls, and the replacement of those that are beyond repair. Victoria's government announced that 15 community organisations would receive $950,000 in security funding. Grants of up to $200,000 were available to Jewish community organisations to support the purchase, installation or improvement of security equipment at community facilities. Those set for the boost include Yeshivah shule in St Kilda East, St Kilda shule, South Caulfield shule and Maccabi Victoria. Three people are on the run following the arson after it was declared a terror attack on Monday. Terrorism investigators from Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and spy agency ASIO are in charge of the probe. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement

Which touchless trash cans are best? Touchless trash cans are one of the latest innovations in automated kitchen technology. They use infrared motion sensors to automatically lift the lid, allowing users to dispose of trash without touching the can. This hands-free operation makes them not only efficient and easy to use but also improves kitchen hygiene as it helps reduce contact with germs, bacteria and parasites that are often found in household waste. Choosing the ideal touchless trash can for your home will depend on several factors, from the number of people in your household to the shape, size and material that best suits your decor. What to look for in a quality touchless trash can Shape and size As with regular trash cans, there are many different shapes and styles available. The most common shapes are round, oval, square or rectangular. While shape can play a factor in determining which trash can to get, it is more important to find the right size trash can for your space. A 13-gallon trash can is standard for a kitchen. However, a smaller 5- to 10-gallon option would be better if you want to place it in a cabinet. For large families that generate a lot of waste, a larger 20 to 30-gallon trash can may be preferable. Material The most common materials are either metal or plastic. While plastic is certainly the cheaper option, metal trash cans are more durable. A stainless steel trash can is a good option, as it will match kitchen appliances and won’t rust or tarnish with time. However, metal trash cans are more pricey, retailing between $100 and $200, depending on their size and features. Power source There are only two choices when it comes to a power source: battery or mains. A mains-powered trash can requires a permanent power source, restricting its location options. Battery-powered trash cans can be placed wherever you like and are particularly suitable for bathrooms. Look for a model that gives a warning when the batteries need replacing to avoid any inconvenience. Features of a touchless trash can The features of a trash can significantly impact the price, so it is important to decide which features you would like. Some trash cans have carbon filters that absorb unpleasant odors; however, remember that the filters must be replaced periodically. Other trash cans may feature a locking mechanism, which is handy if you have pets or small children because the lid will remain closed even if it’s knocked over. The best touchless trash cans simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can What you need to know: An elegant-looking option available in a range of metallic and colored finishes. What you’ll love: It has a smooth and quiet motor. The surface is protected with an antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria. What you should consider : At 36 inches tall, it’s too big to fit inside a cabinet. iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can with Lid and Odor Filter What you need to know: It is available in a range of shapes and sizes, and it has a fingerprint-proof stainless steel body. What you’ll love: A choice of either battery or mains power provides versatility. It has a built-in natural carbon odor filter and a lockable lid. What you should consider : It doesn’t come with batteries or a mains adapter. SensorCan MT04SS-9 Touchless Trash Can What you need to know: With a 4-gallon capacity, this trash can is ideal for use in a kitchen cabinet or a bathroom. What you’ll love: It effectively filters odors and comes with a lemon-scented fragrance cartridge. What you should consider : Although the body is made from metal, the lid is made from plastic, so it may not be as durable. iTouchless 16 Gallon Touchless Sensor Kitchen Trash Can and Recycle Bin with Wheels What you need to know: This versatile option makes separating your recyclables from your waste easy because it has two removable inner buckets with handles. What you’ll love: This trash can can be powered by batteries or an AC adapter. It can be easily moved around the kitchen with optional casters. What you should consider : The battery compartment is below the trash level, so you need to be careful to avoid getting the batteries wet. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.Unlocking New Potential in AI: Where Should Investors Look Next?

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Monsignor Nicholas J. Soares, the pastor emeritus of St. Clement-St. Michael R.C. Church in Mariners Harbor, died on Wednesday, according to a church social media announcement. In announcing the loss of the beloved pastor, the Parish of St. Clement-St. Michael issued a post on Facebook Wednesday night. This evening our parish prays for the eternal rest and peace of Monsignor Nicholas J. Soares. He faithfully served this... Featured ObituariesATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on 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, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the 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. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. 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. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.