711bet real or fake Jimmy Carter, a man of implacable faith, lived his valuesNew 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns

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The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) of Brazil, have signed a $1.2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance private sector development in fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural finance. According to a press release issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, State House, Nr Abiodun Oladunjiye, the MoU was signed on behalf of the government by the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, and the President of FGV, Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, at FGV Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The agreement marked a new phase of strategic collaboration between Nigeria and FGV, the Green Imperative Project (GIP) lead implementer, one of the largest international agricultural technology transfer initiatives. Conceived in 2018, GIP was a 1.2 billion dollar cooperative effort between Brazil and Nigeria, designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector through Brazilian expertise in tropical agriculture. Since the MoU was conceived in 2018, both parties have engaged in many meaningful discussions to advance its design and implementation. The project, supported by Deutsche Bank, aimed to deliver transformative agricultural technologies and knowledge transfer over its 10-year duration. Over the next five years, the project would identify and support one agribusiness in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas with technical and financial resources, driving sustainable development and economic growth. “This partnership paves the way for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural sector. Together with FGV, we are poised to unlock the potential of private sector investment in key areas critical to our food security,” Fashedemi said at the signing ceremony. Under the MOU, private-sector projects on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural financing were projected to attract $4.3 billion in private-sector investment. Senior members of Nigeria’s presidency, officials of FMAFS and FGV’s leadership attended the signing ceremony.

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Jimmy Carter was the epitome of a servant leader, said Rocky Face resident George Sutherland. "It was never about him," said Sutherland. "It was about what was best for the community, for the state, for the nation." Carter, a former president and governor of Georgia, passed away in Plains on Sunday about 3:45 p.m. at age 100. Carter had been in hospice care since February 2023. Sutherland grew up in Plains and knew Carter since Sutherland was a boy. Carter returned to Plains in 1953, leaving the U.S. Navy to take over the family peanut farm and warehouse after the death of his father. "He was a very personable individual," Sutherland said. "My dad was a peanut farmer like the Carters. He'd do business with the Carter warehouse. I remember being there. He was very hands on. I remember siting on a sawhorse while he was building something and talking to him. I was probably 10 or 11 years old. He was very easy to talk to." Sutherland recalls that Carter quickly became a leader in the community. In 1957, Carter served as the president of the Plains Lions Club, and under his leadership, the club built and began to operate a community swimming pool. "That's one of the first things I remember him doing," Sutherland said. "He also organized a group of businessmen to recruit a doctor when the only doctor in Plains retired." Dalton attorney Terry Miller first got to know Carter while working as an intern in the governor's office during Carter's tenure. He would later have some interaction with Carter while working for U.S. Rep. Ed Jenkins during Carter's term as president. "I attended Emory University in Atlanta from 1968 to 1972, and some of my college days overlapped with his service in the governor's mansion (1971 to 1975)," Miller said. "While I was in school, I believe it was his administration that initiated the governor's intern program. The summer after my third year of college, I applied for and was accepted by that program with a number of other college students from around the state. I was assigned that summer and the next summer, because I did it for two summers, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles." Miller described the internship as a tremendous learning experience. "The governor's key people would hold seminars for us about state government," he said. "It was an interesting time." He said he didn't have a great deal of interaction with Carter, but the time he did spend with him left a big impression on him. "I, and I believe that most if not all of the other students in the intern program, felt that both Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter were interested in us," he said. "I think that was the reason he organized that opportunity for students. The two of them would organize a reception at least once a month for the students at the governor's mansion. They were gracious hosts, very kind." "The people who worked for him in the governor's office, many of whom went with him to Washington, were very loyal to him," Miller said. "And he was definitely a man of faith." Miller said there was a sense of urgency in the governor's office. "The thing I remember is that governors were limited to one term in those days," he said. "The window of opportunity to get things done was really the first two years. A lot of times, their ability to get things done in their final year, maybe final two years, was limited because people in the legislature knew they weren't going to be there much longer." Miller said Jenkins told him "there probably wasn't a finer person in public service." "That was one of the impressions I had, too" Miller said. "Of course, I didn't have a lot of interaction with him personally, but I did interact with members of his administration, both in Atlanta and Washington, and I enjoyed being around them. Something that Mr. Jenkins and I talked about often was that whether you agreed with Carter on an issue or disagreed, you felt that he had an honorable intention behind his position." Miller said Carter was a student of the Middle East, probably because of his strong faith. "He had an enormous heart for peace in the Middle East. I think that's why he was able to get (Egyptian president Anwar) Sadat and (Israeli prime minister Menachem) Begin together to reach that accord." "I believe that his reputation will only increase as we look back through the years," Miller said. Dalton State College professor Ken Ellinger was 17 when Carter first ran for president in 1976. "It was the first political campaign I was personally involved in," he said. "My dad sponsored the Young Democrats at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. I went door-to-door with the Young Democrats campaigning for Carter. All of those young college kids were extremely fired-up about Jimmy Carter." Ellinger said Carter's sincerity appealed to that generation. "It seems hokey today because there is so much cynicism today," he said. "But he was such a breath of fresh air coming out of Watergate, so forthright, so earnest. He answered hard questions, and he gave thoughtful answers." Seventeen candidates sought the Democratic presidential nomination that year, and several started the race with greater name recognition than the one-term governor of Georgia. "When he started out he was such a dark horse," Ellinger said. "People were saying 'Jimmy who?'" Ellinger said he takes issue with those who say Carter had a failed presidency, pointing to accomplishments such as the Middle East peace deal between Egypt and Israel and the treaties that gave Panama control of the Panama Canal. "I think he was committed to doing the right thing even if it wasn't the popular thing," he said. Ellinger pointed to the unconditional pardon Carter granted to those who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War. "I'm sure he knew that would hurt him politically but it was the right thing to do," he said. After leaving office in 1981, Carter remained active in world affairs through the Carter Center in Atlanta, but he continued to call Plains home. "I think it's neat that he came back to Plains and never gave up his house," Ellinger said. In 2003, Ellinger and his family traveled to Plains and took part in a Sunday School class Carter conducted at Maranatha Baptist Church. "He was an excellent Sunday School teacher," he recalled. "My daughter, who was 16 at the time, said it was the best Sunday School lesson she'd ever heard. He related the Bible to things going on in the world." Dalton attorney Warren Coppedge and his wife Patti were among the volunteers on Carter's 1971 run for governor. "As was typical of the day, a candidate would visit the Oakwood Cafe at meal time, walk in the front door and shake hands with customers," Warren Coppedge recalled in a written account. "Jimmy Carter visited the Oakwood, but he entered through the kitchen and shook hands with the employees first." Coppedge was later part of the Peanut Brigade, a group of volunteers, mostly from Georgia, who campaigned across the country for Carter during his 1976 presidential run.NEW YORK (AP) — Anthony Edwards was fined $100,000 by the NBA on Sunday for using profanity during a live television interview, with the league increasing the amount after penalizing the Minnesota Timberwolves star for the third time in three weeks. This penalty was for comments Edwards made after the Timberwolves rallied for a 113-112 victory Friday in Houston. The NBA said in the announcement that it was taking into account “Edwards’ history of using profane language during media interviews.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. For all previous Pro Picks, head here . ___ Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. The Lions-49ers wrap up the weekend on Monday night. Pro Picks goes for another winning week. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) at New England (3-12) Line: Chargers minus 4 The Chargers would clinch a wild-card spot with a victory over the Patriots, who battled hard against the Bills. Los Angeles is 9-2 against the spread as favorites. Justin Herbert is 9-0 ATS in the Eastern time zone in his career. The Patriots have lost eight straight home games in December. BEST BET: CHARGERS: 23-16 Denver (9-6) at Cincinnati (7-8) Line: Bengals minus 3 Joe Burrow and the Bengals have to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They’re favorites for the 12th time this season despite a losing record. The Broncos would clinch a wild-card berth with a win. They’re 11-4 ATS. UPSET SPECIAL: BRONCOS: 23-22 Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Line: Chiefs minus 3 The Chiefs can set a franchise record for wins in the regular season and wrap up the No. 1 seed along with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs as they continue their quest for a third straight Super Bowl title. Kansas City got another playmaker when wide receiver Marquise Brown made his season debut. Mahomes is 3-0 with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions in his career vs. Pittsburgh. The scuffling Steelers are trying to snap a two-game losing streak after missing an opportunity to clinch the AFC North. Wide receiver George Pickens should return from a hamstring injury and he’ll open up the passing game for Wilson and the offense. CHIEFS: 24-20 Baltimore (10-5) at Houston (9-6) Line: Ravens minus 5 1/2 The Ravens have won five in a row over the Texans, including 34-10 in a divisional playoff game last season. Baltimore can move into first place in the AFC North with a win and loss by Pittsburgh. But Jackson and Derrick Henry face a tough challenge against Houston’s defense. Stroud and the Texans are reeling after losing receiver Tank Dell to a devastating knee injury. RAVENS: 23-19 Seattle (8-7) at Chicago (4-11) Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2 The Seahawks have to win to maintain slim playoff hopes. The Bears have lost nine straight. Geno Smith and Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have a big day against Chicago’s pass defense. SEAHAWKS: 26-20 Arizona (7-8) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6) Line: Rams minus 6 A four-game winning streak has the Rams on the verge of securing the NFC West. Los Angeles aims to avenge a lopsided loss to Arizona in Week 2. The Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs and are reduced to playing spoiler. With Kyren Williams leading the rushing attack, the Rams don’t have to rely on Matthew Stafford’s passing as much. RAMS: 26-16 New York Jets (4-11) at Buffalo (12-3) Line: Bills minus 10 The Bills will know going in if they have a shot at the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If the Chiefs beat the Steelers and lock it up, Buffalo’s main priority will be keeping Josh Allen and everyone healthy. Still, they can rest in Week 18. After a subpar effort against the Patriots, the Bills can’t take Aaron Rodgers and the Jets lightly. BILLS: 27-16 Las Vegas (3-12) at New Orleans (5-10) Line: Raiders minus 1 The Raiders already hurt their draft positioning by beating the Jaguars last week. Another win could further knock them down and negatively impact their quest for a franchise quarterback. But coach Antonio Pierce wants to win and the players don’t care about draft slots. The Saints can’t get to the end of the season fast enough. RAIDERS: 20-16 Carolina (4-11) at Tampa Bay (8-7) Line: Buccaneers minus 8 The Panthers have embraced the spoiler role and coach Dave Canales will try to derail his former team’s playoff hopes. Bryce Young keeps improving and Chuba Hubbard is having a career year. The Buccaneers would’ve lost to Carolina last month if Hubbard didn’t fumble in overtime. Baker Mayfield and a turnover-prone offense have to overcome a depleted defense that couldn’t stop Cooper Rush and the Cowboys. BUCCANEERS: 26-20 Tennessee (3-12) at Jacksonville (3-12) Line: Jaguars minus 1 The winner of this one really loses because it’ll be costly in the race for draft positioning. TITANS: 19-17 Indianapolis (7-8) at New York Giants (2-13) Line: Colts minus 8 The Giants have come too far to lose the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Colts are clinging to slim playoff hopes. Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson combined for 308 yards and four TDs against the Titans. They could have similar results against New York. COLTS: 27-16 Dallas (7-8) at Philadelphia (12-3) Line: Eagles minus 9 1/2 The Cowboys are left to play for a winning record after being eliminated from the playoff race. The Eagles still need a win to secure the NFC East, but are almost locked into the No. 2 seed. If Jalen Hurts can’t play because of a concussion, Dallas has a shot against Kenny Pickett. Saquon Barkley is 268 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He could have a big day facing the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL. EAGLES: 24-17 Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota (13-2) Line: Vikings minus 1 The Vikings are two wins away from the NFC’s No. 1 seed with Sam Darnold. Let that sink in. But those won’t be easy victories. Minnesota has to beat Green Bay and then Detroit on the road to win the NFC North and get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Vikings defeated the Packers 31-29 in Green Bay in September. They’re getting the Packers on short rest off a Monday night rout. The Vikings have been overlooked and underrated. This is a statement game. VIKINGS: 27-22 Miami (7-8) at Cleveland (3-12) Line: Dolphins minus 6 1/2 Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins still have slim playoff changes and get an opportunity to win a game in cold weather. A loss helps the Browns hold onto a top-five pick in the draft. DOLPHINS: 25-16 Atlanta (8-7) at Washington (10-5) Line: Commanders minus 4 The Falcons regained control of their NFC South hopes when the Buccaneers lost. Now, they have a tough test against the Commanders with Michael Penix Jr. making his second start facing off against Jayden Daniels in another matchup between rookie QBs. Daniels beat Caleb Williams and the Bears earlier this season on a Hail Mary. Washington clinches a playoff berth with a win or a loss by Tampa Bay. COMMANDERS: 24-23 Detroit (13-2) at San Francisco (6-9) Line: Lions minus 4 The Lions aim to avenge their loss in the NFC championship game, though this matchup lost its luster because the 49ers are eliminated from the playoff race. Detroit clinches the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win if the Packers beat the Vikings. If Minnesota beats Green Bay, the Lions have to beat the Vikings in Week 18 to win the division and secure the top seed so the result against San Francisco won’t matter. In that case, Dan Campbell could choose to rest some of his starters in preparation for a winner-take-all regular-season finale. LIONS: 26-23 ___ Last week: 12-4. Against spread: 8-7-1 Overall: Straight up: 168-72. Against spread: 131-105-4. Prime-time: Straight up: 39-14. Against spread: 29-23-1. Best Bet: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 8-8. Upset Special: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 9-7. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Rob Maaddi, The Associated PressPNC Financial Services Group Inc. Increases Stock Holdings in Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL)

World leaders sent condolences to South Korea on Sunday after the country suffered its deadliest airplane crash, with 179 people killed when their aircraft went up in flames. Only two people survived when the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 plane skidded off the runway and slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport. As relatives of those on board gathered at the airport in grief, leaders expressed their sympathy. – China ‘shocked’ – Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was “shocked” to learn of the crash, in a message to South Korea’s acting president Choi Sang-mok. “I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims’ families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” he said, quoted by China’s state broadcaster CCTV. – EU ‘heartbroken’ – EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she was “heartbroken to see images of the plane crash in Muan”. “As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief,” the European Commission president said. – Pope offers prayers – Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told worshippers at the Vatican that he joins “in prayer for the survivors and the dead”. “My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic plane crash,” Francis said. – France mourns ‘terrible toll’ – France’s foreign ministry said that Paris learnt “with great emotion the terrible toll” and sent condolences to the affected families. – Germany sees ‘incredible loss’ – German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the crash is “yet another blow to the nation’s heart” after “a difficult period” — alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul. Related News Plane crash: Nigeria offers condolences to South Korea 96 die in South Korea plane crash Putin apologises to Azerbaijan over plane crash “This is an incredible loss and pain” for the friends and families of those killed, Steinmeier said. – Greece ‘profoundly saddened’ – “Profoundly saddened by the tragic incident”, Greece’s foreign affairs ministry said on X, sending condolences “during this difficult time”. – Iran sends condolences – Tehran expressed its “condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand”, the departure point of the plane which had two Thai nationals on board. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed “the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured of this tragic incident”. – IATA ‘shocked’, ‘saddened’ – “We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew on the flight and their loved ones,” the International Air Transport Association, which represents some 340 airlines that comprise 80 percent of air traffic, said in a statement. – Serbia ‘disbelief’ – “As we watch with disbelief the horrific scenes from the crash site, our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives,” President Aleksandar Vucic wrote on X, adding that he was “deeply shaken”. – Spain ‘profoundly shocked’ – Spain’s foreign ministry said that Madrid was “profoundly shocked by the terrible accident”, sending condolences and “all our solidarity” to those affected. – Turkey ‘deeply saddened’ – “We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on X. AFP

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