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real money slot game It's no secret that the Boston Red Sox are in pursuit of multiple starting pitchers this offseason, both in free agency and on the trade market. One starting pitcher trade target has drawn more attention from teams than any other, and that is Garret Crochet of the Chicago White Sox. Crochet's market has been the source of speculation for some time, with some MLB insiders saying the White Sox's asking price continues to rise. With the Red Sox holding four top prospects that the front office and fans have little-to-no interest in trading away, what would a trade for Crochet look like? "Based on what the White Sox are saying, I think a package of (Triston) Casas, (Wilyer) Abreu and Connor Wong probably gets close to landing Crochet," wrote Jim Bowden of The Athletic. "The Red Sox could then replace Abreu with prospect Roman Anthony in right field, replace Connor Wong with Kyle Teal at catcher, move (Rafael) Devers to first base and sign either Alex Bergman or Wily Adames in free agency." Casas was formerly ranked as the Red Sox's No. 1 prospect, first debuting in September 2022. Since then, the 24-year-old has slashed .250/.357/.473 with an OPS of .830 (125 OPS+) in 222 games. Parting ways with Casas would be a polarizing decision as the first baseman has quickly become a fan favorite for his outspoken personality, his unique approach to the game, and his poise and power at the plate. The White Sox have reportedly set the asking price for any potential Crochet trade high, but if the Red Sox are not willing to part ways with one of their four coveted prospects, it could mean a very tough decision on the future of a homegrown slugger under team control until 2029. More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Eye Signing Not One, But Two Premier Free Agent AcesCOLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people convicted in the slayings of police and military officers, as well as federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move weeks before the president-elect takes office. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner, Bryan Hurst, was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the killer's execution "would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House. But Hurst’s widow, Marissa Gibson, called Biden's move distressing and a "complete dismissal and undermining of the federal justice system,” in a statement to The Columbus Dispatch . Tim Timmerman, whose daughter, Rachel, was thrown into a Michigan lake in 1997 to keep her from testifying in a rape trial, said Biden's decision to commute the killer's sentence offered families “only pain.” "Where’s the justice in just giving him a prison bed to die comfortably in?” Timmerman said on WOOD-TV. Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a 2017 South Carolina bank robbery, called the commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post. “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” Corey Groves, whose mother, Kim Groves, was murdered in a 1994 plot by a New Orleans police officer after she filed a complaint against him, said the family has been living with the “nightmare” of her killer for three decades. “I have always wanted him to spend the rest of his life in prison and have to wake up every morning and think about what he did when he took our mother from us," Groves said in a statement through his attorney. Families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church have long had a broad range of opinions on Roof's punishment. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Risher, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out federal death row. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Risher said in a statement. Risher, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, said during a Zoom news conference that families “are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come.” Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director, said Biden was giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of their political motivations to kill. “When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden has shown "the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” But Ed Dowd Jr., the U.S. attorney in St. Louis at the time of the robbery and now a private attorney, criticized Biden's move. “This case was a message to people who wanted to go out and shoot people for the hell of it, that you’re going to get the death penalty,” Dowd said. Now, "Biden is sending a message that you can do whatever you want and you won’t get the death penalty.” This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Rev. Sharon Risher's name. Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri; Stephen Smith in New Orleans, and Corey Williams in Detroit contributed.

The field of artificial intelligence (AI) isn't just some fad Wall Street is currently obsessed with but will fade into utter insignificance soon. While some of the hype will die down eventually, the technology has the potential to make corporations more efficient and increase profits over the long run. So, investing in excellent AI companies remains a great idea. In that spirit, let's consider one AI stock that looks like an excellent investment opportunity for 2025 and beyond: Meta Platforms ( META 2.50% ) . Meta Platforms' AI angle Some companies are offering various AI-related services to corporations or consumers. Others are taking on AI-based initiatives to improve their businesses. Many, like Meta Platforms, are doing both. The company's Meta AI is a platform, available for free, that is looking to rival ChatGPT on a range of performance metrics. This AI assistant can perform tasks, from basic search queries to image generation, all for the price of a Facebook or Instagram account -- something many people already have. Besides the generative capabilities of Meta AI, Meta Platforms has released various iterations of its open-source large language model , Llama. These may be free for now, but don't think Meta Platforms doesn't plan on monetizing these efforts eventually. Elsewhere, the company has used AI to increase engagement on platforms like Facebook and Instagram through recommendation algorithms. It also helps companies looking to advertise on its websites and apps through AI-based tools that help them quickly create ads. How are all these initiatives working? Pretty well, according to the company. Meta AI had over 500 million monthly active users as of the third quarter. Meta Platforms also reported that AI-powered video-feed recommendations have helped increase the time people spend on Facebook by 8% and on Instagram by 6% this year. Further, companies using Meta's advertising tools have increased conversions by 7%. So, Meta Platforms' AI business is helping improve its financial results. In the third quarter, the company's revenue increased by 19% year over year to $40.6 billion. The company's Q3 earnings per share of $6.03 was up 37% compared to the year-ago period. Meta also ended the quarter with 3.29 billion daily active users (DAUs). Meta Platforms increasing its DAUs may not have anything to do with AI, but when they spend more time on Facebook and Instagram because of AI, that can directly impact the company's revenue. Looking beyond AI AI could be an important long-term tailwind for Meta Platforms, especially as it seeks to find more ways to monetize some of its current initiatives in the field. It's not a race. Meta Platforms acquired WhatsApp in 2014. Its monetization efforts on this platform have been slow. Meta is ramping up things like paid messaging on WhatsApp, but it represents a tiny percentage of its overall revenue. The point, though, is that Meta Platforms has a massive ecosystem. For now, it continues to make strong revenue and earnings from its advertising business. But that could change in the long run. Whether through AI, WhatsApp, e-commerce, or its metaverse ambitions, Meta Platforms will find many other monetization opportunities. Here are two other reasons to invest in the stock. First, Meta Platforms has a strong competitive advantage, particularly from the network effect . For people or businesses who are on Instagram or Facebook, these platforms only get more useful for almost any purpose as more users join. That's why Meta Platforms' ecosystem is second to none in the social media landscape, and it ensures that the company will remain a leader for the foreseeable future. Second, Meta Platforms is now a dividend-paying company. We can't call it a great dividend stock yet, but maybe it will be that in a decade. In the meantime, opting to reinvest the company's payouts will help boost what should already be strong returns in the next decade.After 36 years reporting the news, 12 of them as ABC foreign correspondent in London and Washington, DC, Lisa Millar never would have dreamt a show about farm dogs would become a career highlight. But for the “little kid from country Queensland who dreamt of becoming a journalist”, Muster Dogs is a joyous homecoming. After narrating two seasons of the reality contest, which crowns the best of five dogs-in-training around Australia, Millar takes an on-screen role in the four-part follow-up, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now? Lisa Millar with Zoe and her dog Buddy on Muster Dogs: Where are They Now? “Being in regional Australia feels familiar to me ... When I go out on a Back Roads trip or Muster Dogs , and you can see the stars, you hear the roosters in the morning, I love it,” says Millar, from Bali, where she is “fixing the work-life balance” after exiting ABC News Breakfast in August. It’s the first time she has visited Indonesia without reporting on “terrorist attacks or Australians doing the wrong thing”. Grateful that she accepted what she initially thought was an unusual offer to narrate Muster Dogs in 2022, Millar is blown away by its success. By the second season, which aired in January, more than 1 million Australians were tuning in. Overseas audiences have – pun warning – lapped it up, with fan mail streaming in from the US and the UK. Israeli viewer Shai Lieberman was so inspired he contacted trainer Frank Finger, who owns season one winner Princess Annie the kelpie. Lieberman appears in the special, learning the trade at Finger’s Clermont property in Queensland, with the aim of operating a therapy farm back home. “None of us expected Muster Dogs to take off as much as it has,” says Millar. “We must all desire a bit of kindness. We need people not backstabbing each other. It’s something kids can watch with their families. Whether you’re in the city or the country, people love dogs, and also, their dogs love dogs. The number of videos that I got from people wanting to share their dogs getting excited when it was Muster Dogs time and barking at the television. That happened on the first night it went to air.” Millar travels the length and breadth of the country to check in with the series’ stars, including season two winner, Buddy the border collie, trained by Zoe Miller on a Northern Territory cattle station. Season two contestant Lily with her dog Snow and some new pups. “Of course, people want to know, did the dogs end up working well?” says Millar. “Is Lucifer still a bad boy? What happened to Lucky, the deaf dog? Have the dogs had pups? We’ve also spent time with the trainers to reveal a bit more about what it meant for them to be thrust into the spotlight. “I think the reason Muster Dogs worked is that it’s so authentic. They’re not signing up to boost their Instagram followers. They have some funny stories about how they’ll be in the middle of nowhere and people will stop to get selfies with the dogs.” Living in an apartment in Melbourne, and juggling a hectic filming schedule, Millar doesn’t own a dog. She grew up with a family dog, but not a working one. Back then, she was more interested in honing her interviewing skills on her father, the late National Party MP Clarrie Millar. She treasures a cassette of one such “grilling”, recorded when she was 10 years old. “I’d asked him about the Olympics and politics and boycotts, and he was doing such a lovely job of answering me seriously and trying to help me learn, and I’m cutting him off, like, ‘Well, thanks very much Clarrie!’” Miller will soon head off to shoot another episode of Back Roads , a program she treasured watching with her late mother after returning from overseas postings. With that, season three of Muster Dogs under way, and its second companion book out on December 4, Millar is content doing, “the best job at the ABC”. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and it’s a wonderful feeling.” Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now? premieres on Sunday, December 1, at 7.30pm on the ABC. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday .

NoneEagles QB Jalen Hurts is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His status for Sunday is uncertain

Bad news for Pakistan as US may offer deadly F-35A fighter jet to India to counter Pakistan’s..., this may change...., what makes this jet so Lethal?Xreal Beam Pro And Air 2 Pro Glasses Review: The Best Entry-Level ARNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Justin Thomas was long off the tee and made a few long putts on the back nine to overtake Scottie Scheffler with a 6-under 66 and build a one-shot lead Saturday over golf's best player going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge. Thomas is trying out a 46-inch driver — a little more than an inch longer than normal — that he previously used for practice at home to gain speed and length. He blasted a 361-yard drive to 8 feet on the par-4 seventh hole and led the field in driving distance. But it was a few long putts that put him ahead of Scheffler, who had a 69. Thomas was on the verge of falling two shots behind when he made an 18-foot par putt on the par-3 12th hole. On the reachable par-4 14th, he was in a nasty spot in a sandy area and could only splash it out to nearly 50 feet. He made that one for a most unlikely birdie, while behind him Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole and made his lone bogey of a windy day. Scheffler never caught up to him, missing birdie chances on the reachable 14th and the par-5 15th. Thomas hit his approach to 3 feet for birdie on the 16th after a 343-yard drive. Scheffler made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th to close within one. Scheffler missed birdie chances on the last two holes from the 10-foot and 15-foot range, while Thomas missed an 8-foot birdie attempt at the last. “I had a stretch at 13, 14, 15 where I felt like I lost a shot or two there, but outside of that I did a lot of really good things today,” Scheffler said. Thomas hasn't won since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, and a victory at Albany Golf Club wouldn't count as an official win. But the two-time major champion has made steady progress toward getting his game back in order. “I'm driving it great. I've had a lot of confidence with it,” Thomas said of his longer driver. “I feel like I've been able to put myself in some pretty good spots going into the green. I’m still not taking advantage of some of them as much as I would like, but that’s golf and we're always going to say that.” Thomas was at 17-under 199 and will be in the final group Sunday with Scheffler, who is trying to end his spectacular season with a ninth title. Tom Kim put himself in the mix, which he might not have imagined Thursday when he was 3 over through six holes of the holiday tournament. Kim got back in the game with a 65 on Friday, and then followed with 12 birdies for a 62. He had a shot at the course record — Rickie Fowler shot 61 in the final round when he won at Albany in 2017 — until Kim found a bunker and took two shots to reach the green in making a double bogey on the par-3 17th. Even so, he was only two shots behind. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (68) was four back. “Feel like I’ve been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want and that’s all I can do,” Thomas said. “I can’t control everybody else or what’s going on, I’ve just got to keep playing as good as I possibly can and hope that it’s enough come Sunday.” AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. ___ Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Thomas Adamson And John Leicester, The Associated PressAs the final seconds came off the clock last Friday night at Canvas Stadium and the Colorado State football team rushed across the field to get their hands on the Bronze Boot, it was only fitting that the longest tenured Ram, Dane Olson, got his hands on it first.

With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Mr Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on January 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Mr Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned that “this was just a first run”. “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Mr Milanovic, the most popular politician in Croatia, has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, the 58-year-old has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and continuous sparring between the two has been a recent hallmark of Croatia’s political scene. Mr Plenkovic has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and Nato. He has labelled Mr Milanovic “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him (Mr Primorac) and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme commander of the military. Mr Milanovic has criticised the Nato and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, thought it is a member of both Nato and the EU. Mr Milanovic has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a Nato-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war”. His main rival in the election, Mr Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East”. However, his bid for the presidency has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and which featured prominently in pre-election debates. Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudic, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a snap parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.Relief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutations

NEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded "the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety” The Associated PressIn the ever-evolving realm of gaming, a groundbreaking concept is whispered on the winds of innovation: Supernicro . Emerging from the cutting-edge intersection of microscopic technology and gaming, Supernicro promises to revolutionize how we interact with virtual worlds, offering unprecedented precision and immersion. Imagine a gaming interface so refined that it can respond to the subtlest nuances of your movements. This is the promise of Supernicro. Combining nanotechnology with gaming peripherals, Supernicro systems utilize microscopic sensors to capture and interpret a player’s actions at an astonishing level of detail. By embedding these barely-visible sensors into controllers, wearables, and even directly onto skin-safe patches, gamers can achieve an entirely new level of in-game control. What sets Supernicro apart is its capability to enhance virtual reality (VR) experiences exponentially. With these advanced sensors, VR can move beyond headsets and hand controllers to a holistic, body-sensitive system. Imagine navigating a game world where every tilt of your wrist, shift of your posture, or even your heartbeat could influence gameplay, creating a more personalized and engaging experience. Industry pioneers suggest that Supernicro could also have significant implications beyond entertainment, potentially influencing sectors like rehabilitation therapies, sports training, and even remote work environments. The fine-tuned interaction capabilities of Supernicro technology could help shape the future of digital interaction, making the impossible possible. In an age where gamers demand more immersive experiences, Supernicro technology offers the next frontier of digital evolution. Keep this on your radar—it’s not just the future of gaming, but a transformation in how we live alongside technology. Unveiling Supernicro: The Next Big Leap in Gaming Technology In the fast-paced world of gaming innovations, Supernicro stands out as a revolutionary advancement that’s poised to redefine interactive experiences. Emerging from the convergence of microscopic technology and gaming, Supernicro offers unprecedented precision and immersion that could transform not only gaming but also other industries. Features and Specifications Supernicro’s foundation rests on the integration of microscopic sensors into gaming peripherals. These sensors are designed to capture minute player motions and nuances, allowing for an unparalleled level of control and interaction. The technology can be embedded into various gaming accessories, ranging from controllers to wearables, or even onto the skin with specialized patches that are both effective and safe for regular use. Innovations and Insights One of the standout innovations of Supernicro is its potential impact on virtual reality (VR). Unlike traditional VR systems that focus primarily on headsets and hand controllers, Supernicro introduces a more holistic, body-sensitive interaction. Imagine a VR setting where each minor movement, whether a wrist tilt or a posture adjustment, influences gameplay, enhancing immersion like never before. Furthermore, the technology is not limited to entertainment. Its applications can extend to rehabilitation therapies, allowing for precise monitoring and assistance in patient movements. In sports training, athletes could gain insights into their performances with real-time feedback on their body dynamics. Even remote work could benefit, with Supernicro enabling more natural and intuitive digital interactions. Market Analysis and Predictions The gaming technology market, known for its rapid evolution, is likely to embrace Supernicro as a notable milestone. Industry experts anticipate that its adoption could lead to increased investments in similar microscopic technologies, broadening the landscape of gaming peripherals and accessories. As gamers continuously seek deeper engagement, technologies like Supernicro will be in high demand. Looking ahead, the potential for Supernicro is vast. If fully harnessed, it could pave the way for more intuitive and responsive digital environments, blurring the line between physical and virtual worlds. Trends and Comparisons In comparison to existing technologies, Supernicro represents a significant leap forward due to its microscopic precision and versatility. Current gaming interfaces, though advanced, generally focus on larger motion detection which can limit the finer details that Supernicro effortlessly captures. This positions Supernicro not just as a competitor, but as a frontrunner in the next generation of interactive technology. Final Thoughts As gaming enthusiasts and industry players keep a keen eye on the future, Supernicro emerges as a beacon of what’s possible at the intersection of technology and imagination. Its potential applications and market implications suggest a transformation not just in gaming, but in how we integrate technology into life itself. Stay tuned for developments that are certain to revolutionize the digital landscape. For more groundbreaking advancements in gaming technology, visit TechRadar .

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Job search 2025: 3 key ways AI will make an impact on recruitmentWASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok's Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. The legislation is drawing unusual support in Congress In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. Influencers descend on Washington But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. ____ AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. ___ This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille. Haleluya Hadero, The Associated PressEnvelope Paper Market Future Business Opportunities 2024-2031

Dual power structure: Discordant political notes leave trails of confusion - Greater KashmirHONOLULU (AP) — Michael Rataj had 16 points in Oregon State's 74-65 win over Charleston at the Diamond Head Classic on Sunday. Rataj also had 12 rebounds for the Beavers (9-2). Damarco Minor also scored 16 points, going 5 of 11 from the floor, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line. Parsa Fallah shot 6 of 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 14 points. The Cougars (8-3) were led by Lazar Djokovic, who recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Derrin Boyd added 13 points for Charleston. Deywilk Tavarez also had 10 points. Oregon State took the lead with 15:29 to go in the first half and never looked back. The score was 35-26 at halftime, with Fallah racking up 13 points. Oregon State closed out the victory in the final half, while Minor led the way with a team-high 14 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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