guide to blackjack

DALLAS — The sweepstakes to land Japanese hard-throwing right-hander Roki Sasaki are underway. The posting process for Sasaki to make the move to Major League Baseball began Tuesday, and his agent, Joel Wolfe, estimated that three or four teams already had submitted initial presentations to pitch their organization to the phenom. Among them? The Chicago Cubs. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer confirmed Wednesday that the Cubs sent theirs to Sasaki’s agency as the organization looks to land another Japanese star alongside Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, two of the franchise’s best and highest-paid players. “I know we’re very appealing to Japanese players,” Hoyer said Wednesday at the winter meetings. “Obviously Shota and Seiya have had really good experiences.” Wolfe is not sure yet what Sasaki will want to prioritize when picking his team. Money is one consideration that is not expected to factor heavily into his decision. Teams are limited in what they can financially offer Sasaki. Because he is an international amateur free agent, the money must come from an organization’s international bonus pool. The 2025 signing period begins Jan. 15; Sasaki’s posting window runs until 4 p.m. Jan. 23. “There were some accusations, allegations — all of them false — made about predetermined deals, things like that,” Wolfe said Tuesday. “However, MLB rightly wanted to make sure that this was going to be a fair and level playing field for everyone, so they did their due diligence and interviewed numerous parties ahead of time to make sure that that was the case. They wanted to make sure that Roki would most likely, while he would have the opportunity to sign in ’24, give himself the best opportunity to get the best deal for him and for Chiba, and that Chiba would also have that opportunity. So, it made sense to post at this time so that he could go into the ’25 pool when the teams have much more substantial international bonus money.” Teams’ pools range from $7.55 million — the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners among them — to $5.14 million — the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. The Cubs have $6.26 million along with 11 other teams. Once the 2025 signing period opens, teams can trade for international pool money, in $250,000 increments, up to 60% of their initial total. Although Wolfe didn’t pinpoint many specifics of what Sasaki will value when weighing his options, he did note the pitcher has paid attention to teams’ success both this year and recent history and kept an eye on what his World Baseball Classic teammates have done. Sasaki, 23, has talked with a lot of players, including foreign players who have been on his Nippon Professional Baseball team, Chiba Lotte, and asks a lot of questions about weather, comfortability and pitching development. Wolfe plans to meet with Sasaki in person over the next couple of days and map out a schedule to meet with teams “hopefully” beginning next week. He does not know how many teams will get a meeting with Sasaki. The right-hander plans to return to Japan before Christmas and possibly stay one to two weeks. Before returning to the States, Wolfe expects they would discuss whether Sasaki at that point travels to see some cities or returns to have more in-person meetings. “We’re going to leave it open-ended depending on how the first round of meetings go, how many meetings he actually has, how many total meetings he plans to have,” Wolfe said. “But we didn’t give teams a hard deadline to submit (presentations) because we want them to be able to put the time in to do it right. Obviously some teams were already working on these things, some of them for months, I believe.” Joel Wolfe, agent for Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, speaks with reporters at the Major League Baseball winter meetings on Dec. 10, 2024, in Dallas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP) Signing Sasaki would be a coup for a Cubs organization that has invested time and resources to making inroads in Japan, evident by their signings of Suzuki and Imanaga. Sasaki who dealt with shoulder inflammation/soreness in 2024, posted a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts over 111 innings (18 games) for Chiba Lotte. He could have set himself up for a massive payday like Yoshinobu Yamamoto got from the Dodgers last offseason if he waited two more years to be posted. Related Articles Chicago Cubs | 2025 MLB draft order is set: White Sox get the No. 10 pick and Cubs land at No. 17 Chicago Cubs | Column: Dizzying sports week includes Dick Allen’s journey, a CFP grievance and Melody Rogers on Abe Gibron Chicago Cubs | Seiya Suzuki would consider waiving his no-trade clause if the Chicago Cubs want to move the outfielder Chicago Cubs | Chicago Cubs great Ryne Sandberg, 65, says his cancer has relapsed and spread to other organs Chicago Cubs | Mike Tauchman goes from North Side to South Side after agreeing to contract with White Sox Wolfe called it a difficult question to answer as to why Sasaki wanted to be posted now. “Some of it is Japanese culture, some of it is just Roki Sasaki — there are no absolutes in baseball, and through Roki’s eyes, there are no absolutes in life,” Wolfe explained. “He does not take anything for granted. It is not an absolute lock, as some people in baseball have assumed that two years from now, he’s going to get a Yamamoto contract. Baseball just doesn’t work that way. If you look at the epidemic of injuries, it’s not just here. They have the same potential issues. He could have Tommy John surgery. He’s had two shoulder injuries; he’s had oblique injuries. Things may not go the way they want. “The other thing is, it’s always been his dream to come to the major leagues since he was in high school. He’s grown up idolizing players like Yu Darvish and (Masahiro) Tanaka and (Daisuke) Matsuzaka. This is something he has always wanted to do, and when he went to WBC and he was around some of these major-league players, it really rubbed off on him that he became sure that this is what I want to do as soon as possible.” Wolfe assumes the Padres will be a team Sasaki seriously considers because of Darvish’s presence. The Dodgers have long been speculated to be among the front-runners too. The restrictions of being signed within an international bonus pool help even the playing field, and Wolfe indicated Sasaki will “absolutely” consider all market sizes. “I think that there’s an argument to be made that a small- or mid-market team might be more beneficial for him as a soft landing coming from Japan,” Wolfe said. “Given what he’s been through and not having an enjoyable experience with media, it might be. It might be. I’m not saying it will be, but I don’t know how he’s going to view it.” Playing on the West Coast, closer to Japan, versus elsewhere hasn’t been brought up, Wolfe said, and seems unlikely to be a factor. He estimated at least half of major-league teams scouted Sasaki this year. Hoyer and the Cubs are among those who have gotten in-person looks. “The success of Seiya, the success of Shota, hopefully, has shown the other players around the NPB that Chicago is a destination that really thrives in that type of environment, and we’re excited to showcase that and use those guys to showcase that,” general manager Carter Hawkins said. Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga reacts after striking out the last batter of the seventh inning during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sept. 4, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The Cubs possess an advantage of understanding what goes into helping Japanese players make the transition on and off the field when coming to the majors. On the baseball side, there are adjustments to the strike zone and how to attack big-league hitters. Having access to more analytical information and data than in the NPB means knowing how to best convey and utilize that for Japanese players, something Imanaga appreciated during his rookie season in learning how to meld it with trusting the feel for his pitches. “What we’re most proud of, though, is the foundational things from an environment perspective,” Hawkins said. Adapting culturally sometimes can be tougher than getting used to a new league. Hawkins credited major-league video coordinator and Pacific Rim liaison Nao Masamoto and his wife for helping assimilate the families of Japanese players over the years. Shingo Murata, part of their research and development department, has been vital in helping interpret some of the intricacies of the language that the Cubs use on the baseball side with their coaching staff and directly to the player. Other infrastructure, including nutrition and strength and conditioning, have helped ensure Japanese players are getting what they need in every facet. The Cubs have developed a general blueprint for attracting Japanese players to their organization the previous three years with their successful pitches to Suzuki and Imanaga. That doesn’t mean they run it back the same each time they make a presentation. The Cubs have learned from each experience, and it is expected to help guide their approach with Sasaki. “At the end of the day, you realize that these guys are competitive baseball players that want to be better at baseball,” Hawkins said. “And so yes, I’m most proud of the things that we’ve done off the field because they’re just less obvious. But in terms of what’s most important, it’s how do we help these players be the best versions of themselves? That’s what we’ve learned, that’s where the focus has to be. “Making sure that we’re focusing on ways to enhance and optimize their game, that’s something that we’ve definitely learned, and then definitely made sure we don’t sell ourselves short that way.”AGNC Investment Corp. Declares Monthly Common Stock Dividend of $0.12 per Common Share for December 2024

Campaigners have hit out at a “woefully inadequate” financial package for developing nations agreed at Cop29 – with one charity condemning it as a “death sentence for millions”. A 300 billion dollar (£239.5 billion) deal to help combat the impact of global warming was announced at the international conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. The money falls far short of the $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, but is three times the $100bn a year deal from 2009 that is expiring. UN climate chief Simon Steill hailed it as an “insurance policy” for humanity, while Energy secretary Ed Miliband described it as a "critical 11th-hour deal at the 11th hour for the climate". But Christian Aid said people who needed a life raft had been given a plank of wood instead. And the charity Water Aid said it was a "death sentence for millions" and a "mere fraction" of what was needed. Lesley Pories, lead policy analyst for WaterAid, said: "While experts touted needs around one trillion dollars annually for the new collective quantified goal (NCQG), an agreement for 300 billion dollars was reached - a mere fraction of the finance we all know is desperately needed.” They said that from hurricanes and flash flooding to wildfires and worsening drought, the global water crisis was a “growing tragedy” and that it was “deeply shameful that... governments could not set aside their differences for the sake of the most vulnerable." Jasper Inventor, head of the Cop29 Greenpeace delegation, said: "The agreed finance goal is woefully inadequate and overshadowed by the level of despair and scale of action needed.” But US President Joe Biden said that while "substantial work" remained to be done, the conference had set an "ambitious international climate finance goal". "While some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution that’s under way in America and around the world, nobody can reverse it - nobody," he said. Friends of Earth head of policy Mike Childs credited the UK delegation for playing a productive role in the talks, but warned that they “failed to solve the question of climate finance". "Instead they have again kicked the can down the road. Developing countries are being hammered by climate extremes now, predominantly fuelled by the current and historic polluting activities of rich nations, like the UK." The Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital had been due to finish on Friday but ran on as negotiators from nearly 200 countries struggled to reach a consensus on a climate funding plan for the next decade.Ace Baldwin Jr. collected 23 points and 10 assists as Penn State topped visiting Penn 86-66 on Sunday in University Park, Pa. Yanic Konan Niederhauser chipped in 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Nittany Lions (11-2) ended the calendar year by winning their third straight game. Penn State shot just 4 of 18 from 3-point range, but the hosts authored a crisp 22-of-26 showing from the foul line, including 12 of 12 by Baldwin. Nick Kern added 13 points, while Puff Johnson and Fred Dilione V each contributed 11 points for the Nittany Lions. Michael Zanoni recorded 27 points for the Quakers (4-9), while Nick Spinoso pitched in with 13 points. Penn shot just 38.6 percent (22 of 57) from the floor and committed 17 turnovers, including nine by Spinoso. The Quakers were 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Penn State led by two early in the second half when Konan Niederhauser and Dilione combined for all the offense in a 7-0 run that opened a 45-36 lead. With about 11 1/2 minutes left, AJ Levine's 3-pointer drew Penn within 51-44 before Penn State scored 16 of the next 18 points to end any chances of an upset. Johnson had a three-point play early in that sequence before he capped the run with a 3-pointer to make it 67-46 with 6:29 to play. Baldwin's two free throws with 3:02 left increased the lead to 25 for the first time. The Nittany Lions led by as many as 26 points down the stretch in improving to 8-0 at home. The first half was tight throughout, as neither team led by more than four points until Johnson's layup gave Penn State a 32-27 lead with 2:18 left in the half. Penn responded with buckets from Spinoso and Zanoni, but Konan Niederhauser's dunk in the final minute sent the Nittany Lions into the break with a 34-31 lead. The score remained close early in the second half. Spinoso's 3-pointer drew the Quakers within 38-36 with 17:40 remaining, but that was the end of the highlights for Penn. --Field Level Media

Chuck Woolery Dies: Former ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Love Connection’ Host Was 83Krispy Kreme said in an SEC filing that it's navigating a cybersecurity incident. The company is experiencing operational disruptions, including with online orders in the US. Krispy Kreme said the related costs will likely impact its "financial condition." Krispy Kreme said hackers had disrupted operations, including online ordering in certain parts of the United States. Advertisement In an SEC filing on Wednesday, Krispy Kreme said it learned of "unauthorized activity on a portion of its information technology systems" in November. Customers can still place orders in person without issue. Krispy Kreme said the incident has affected — and will likely continue to affect — its business operations until recovery efforts are "complete." Advertisement "The expected costs related to the incident, including the loss of revenues from digital sales during the recovery period, fees for our cybersecurity experts and other advisors, and costs to restore any impacted systems, are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations and financial condition," the filing said. Krispy Kreme said it notified federal law enforcement about the "cybersecurity incident." Brandon Bell/Getty Images The company said it is working to address the cybersecurity incident in a statement to Business Insider. "Upon detecting the unauthorized activity, we immediately began taking steps to investigate, contain, and remediate the incident with the assistance of leading cybersecurity experts and other advisors," the statement said. "We, along with them, continue to work diligently to respond to and mitigate the impact from the incident, including the restoration of online ordering. Our fresh doughnuts are available in our shops as always!" Advertisement Krispy Kreme notified federal law enforcement and said an investigation is ongoing.

This actress won the prestigious Miss India crown and appeared in over 25 films, gracing the covers of 108 magazines. Despite her success, she never had a solo hit. Can you guess this actress? Published: November 24, 2024 9:57 PM IST By Edited by This actress rose to fame in the 2000s, starring in several blockbuster films alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. She was also crowned Miss India and was the runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant. The actress is currently celebrating her 43rd birthday in Australia. Can you guess which actress are we talking about? Meet actress who quit Bollywood forever after becoming... Her name is none other than Celina Jaitley. She starred in superhit films like No Entry and Golmaal Returns. Her last appearance was in the 2011 film Thank You, featuring Akshay Kumar and Bobby Deol. She also made a cameo in the Kannada film Shrimathi in the same year. In 2012, Celina gave birth to twin boys and took a step back from the industry. Although Celina Jaitley has distanced herself from films, she remains active on social media, often sharing throwback photos, videos, and stories related to her film career. She also frequently posts pictures and videos with her children. Birthday Reflections On her birthday, Celina Jaitley shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, reflecting on her achievements and challenges. She posted a picture of herself striking a pose on the floor. Celina wrote, “Birthday Girl (hashtag). As I stand at another milestone, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey that has brought me here. From winning the Miss India crown to being the runner-up at Miss Universe...” She continued, “25 films, 36 brand endorsements, 108 top magazine covers, the blessing of twin boys, a Filmfare Award, the Harvey Milk Foundation’s Leela Watson Award, United Nations Ambassadorship, and countless unforgettable moments... I am here.” What does Celina do for a living? Celina shared how each achievement, experience, and challenge has shaped the woman she is today. “A woman who is grateful for the past and excited for what’s to come. Today is not just another birthday; it’s a day of transformation, rejuvenation, and watching myself grow. Stay with me, because so much more is to come!” For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . Topics

NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is about to take office in weeks, a major rift has emerged between immigration hardliners and his supporters over how much tolerance the incoming administration should have for skilled immigrants on work visas, The New York Times reported Saturday. "The tech industry has long relied on foreign skilled workers to help run its companies, a labor supply that critics say undercuts wages for American citizens," the report said. The dispute, which late Thursday exploded online into finger-pointing and accusations of censorship, presents a policy challenge for Trump. Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and fervent Trump loyalist, helped set off the altercation earlier this week by criticizing Trump's selection of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian American venture capitalist, to be an adviser on artificial intelligence policy. "It's alarming to see the number of career leftists who are now being appointed to serve in Trump's admin when they share views that are in direct opposition to Trump's America First agenda," Loomer wrote on X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. "Loomer's comments surfaced a simmering tension between longtime supporters of Trump, who embrace his virulent anti-immigrant rhetoric, and his more recently acquired backers from the tech industry, many of whom have built or financed businesses that rely on the government's H-1B visa program to hire skilled workers from abroad," said the report. Musk posted regularly this week about the lack of homegrown talent to fill all the needed positions within American technology companies. The expertise needed by U.S. companies "simply does not exist in America in sufficient quantity," he posted on X.Travis Hunter Makes College Football History on SaturdayNone

ANGOLA, N.Y., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This year marks the 30th anniversary of a game-changing technological breakthrough in the world of telecommunications: TX RX Systems' Tower Top Amplifier (TTA) patent. Developed by TX RX's engineers under founder Daniel P. Kaegebein and first patented in 1986, the Tower Top Amplifier has since become a crucial component in communication systems worldwide, enhancing signal strength, reducing noise, and improving the overall reliability of communication networks. The Tower Top Amplifier was invented to address a fundamental issue in wireless communication: signal loss between the antenna and the receiver due to long coaxial cable runs. The TTA optimizes system performance by placing low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) close to the receiving antenna, significantly reducing interference and maintaining signal integrity. This pioneering solution paved the way for more reliable communications in critical industries such as public safety, telecommunications, and emergency response, and it remains a cornerstone technology in modern communication systems. The Birthplace of Innovation This technological breakthrough originated right here in Angola, NY, where TX RX Systems' engineers sought to solve a persistent challenge faced by radio networks, overcoming interference and minimizing noise in signal transmission. This task required not only a deep understanding of RF technology but also forward-thinking ingenuity that led to the creation of the Tower Top Amplifier. Thirty years later, this once-groundbreaking innovation has become a standard solution for communication towers and networks globally, underpinning critical communication systems from urban centers to remote areas. A Legacy of Technological Advancements Over the years, TX RX Systems has continued to push the boundaries of RF technology, securing several other patents that have had a transformative impact on the industry. Among these innovations is the Bi-directional Filter System, which enables the amplification of signals in separate frequency bands, and the Notch Filter Network, designed to isolate and eliminate unwanted frequencies with precision. These advancements are now widely used in sectors ranging from government to commercial telecommunications. Additionally, TX RX Systems developed the Parallel Fed Collinear Antenna Array, enhancing multi-frequency transmission, and the Temperature Compensation Apparatus, which stabilizes frequency performance in varying environmental conditions. Each of these innovations has further cemented the company's reputation as a leader in RF infrastructure, contributing to the reliability of critical communication systems worldwide. The Global Reach of Local Innovation TX RX Systems' patented technologies are not only used in local and national communication infrastructures but also serve as the backbone of global communication systems. These innovations ensure that vital industries—such as public safety, transportation, and healthcare—are equipped with the tools they need to maintain secure, efficient communication channels in any scenario. The 30-year anniversary of the Tower Top Amplifier is a testament to TX RX Systems' long-standing commitment to technological excellence and innovation. This milestone celebrates not just a single invention but a legacy of ingenuity that continues to shape the future of communication technologies worldwide. About TX RX Systems For nearly 50 years, TX RX has been at the forefront of the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) market, developing mission-critical RF conditioning products and services that support industries such as public safety, telecommunications, and government. With an emphasis on innovation and quality, TX RX continues to lead the industry with cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance communication reliability and performance. For more information about TX RX Systems and its patented technologies, visit www.txrx.com/patents Media Contact: Jay Slomba Director of Business Development & Strategic Marketing jslomba@txrx.com Direct: 716-217-3117 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.BOSTON — A spike in whooping cough and pneumonia cases has prompted public health officials to closely monitor case levels at the local and state levels and emphasize the importance of vaccinations. Robert Goldstein, commissioner of the Department of Public Health, said these infectious bacterial respiratory illnesses are mostly affecting children and adolescents, adding that pneumonia-related emergency room visits are at increased levels over the past several weeks, especially among these age groups. However, medical professionals stress that whooping cough is a vaccine-preventable disease, and a solution to counteract the current high rates of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, within Massachusetts. Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sundeep Shukla attributes the increases in rates of pertussis to various causes, among them fewer people being vaccinated, more social interactions and the lack of mask wearing. “We’re amplifying the message that getting vaccinated today will benefit you, your family, your friends and your community in the future,” Goldstein said, highlighting that whooping cough cases are at pre-pandemic levels, with 75% of cases from this year being children. According to data collected by the state’s Department of Public Health, there have already been more than 250 pertussis patients through July, which had been approximately a yearly average before the pandemic. However, from 2021-2023, the recorded number of pertussis patients numbered 24 in total, according to the state’s data. Goldstein also said that while cases of other respiratory illnesses — such as influenza, COVID-19 and RSV — remain low, they are expected to increase in the winter season. This occurs mainly because people gather together inside more as outdoor temperatures drop, he said. People who have contracted whooping cough can start by experiencing mild symptoms, Goldstein said. However, those symptoms can progress to a severe cough, or a whoop, and even vomiting in some cases. Article continues after... Cross|Word Flipart Typeshift SpellTower Really Bad Chess Gasping for air, said Shukla, is often the telltale sign of pertussis, and preventions include hand washing, being vaccinated and being conscientious about the spread of saliva droplets. Those experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially during the first two weeks of symptoms when the risk of contagion is severe. In particular, Shukla recommends pregnant mothers and those with pre-existing respiratory illnesses seek help. Shukla strongly recommends pregnant mothers be vaccinated since immunity is shared with the unborn baby — a vital measure to ensuring the safety of an infant that is at acute risk for hospitalization if it catches the bacterial disease. Adults in general should be regularly updating their TDAP vaccine every 10 years, which can alleviate the severity of infection if pertussis is contracted, and can minimize the risk of pneumonia after having contracted whooping cough, said Shukla. TDAP protects against tetanus, diptheria and whooping cough. As for bacterial pneumonia, which is also called mycoplasma pneumoniae, symptoms may begin with a cough, fever and fatigue, said Goldstein. People who are experiencing mild symptoms may not need hospitalization, but antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce symptoms and decrease outbreaks. For those who do get sick, Paxlovid can help treat COVID-19 cases within five days of developing mild symptoms, he said. Free telehealth services are also offered by the state’s Department of Public Health. Goldstein noted the Department of Public Health is echoing the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services’ “Risk Less. Do More” nationwide campaign to promote vaccinations for respiratory viruses. Getting vaccinated for respiratory illnesses can “significantly cut the risk of getting really sick or being hospitalized,” he said. Residents can get vaccinated for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV at various sites across the state, including pharmacies, community health centers and mobile vaccination clinics. In-home vaccination programs for COVID-19 and influenza are also viable options for people who can’t get to community vaccination centers. Staff writer Samuel Gelinas contributed to this report. Sophia Falbo writes for the Greenfield Recorder as part of the Boston University Statehouse Program.

Chuck Woolery Dies: Former ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Love Connection’ Host Was 83The Onion's rejected purchase of Infowars in an auction bid supported by families of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting dealt them a new setback Wednesday and clouded the future of Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform, which is now poised to remain in his control for at least the near future. What's next for Infowars and Sandy Hook families' long-sought efforts to hold Jones accountable over calling one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history a hoax was unclear, after a federal judge in Houston late Tuesday rejected The Onion's winning bid for the site . U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston said he did not want another auction but offered no roadmap over how to proceed. One possibility includes ultimately allowing Sandy Hook families — who comprise most of Jones' creditors — to return to state courts in Connecticut and Texas to collect on the nearly $1.5 billion in defamation and emotional distress lawsuit judgments that Jones was ordered to pay them. “Our hope is that when this process ends, and it will end, and it will end sooner rather than later, is that all assets that Alex Jones has available are paid to the families, and that includes Infowars, and that as a result of that process Alex Jones is deprived of the ownership and control of the platform that he’s used to hurt so many people,” Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families, said in a phone interview Wednesday. The families, meanwhile, were preparing the mark the 12th anniversary of the Dec. 14 shooting. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay the $1.5 billion. Jones was sued for repeatedly saying on his show that the 2012 massacre of 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to spur more gun control. Lopez said there was a lack of transparency in the bidding process and too much confusion about The Onion's bid. He also said the amount of money offered in the only two bids was too low and there needed to be more effort to try to raise as much money possible from the selling of Infowars' assets. The Onion's parent company, Global Tetrahedron, submitted a $1.75 million cash offer with plans to kick Jones out and relaunch Infowars in January as a parody . The bid also included a deal with many of the Sandy Hook families for them to forgo $750,000 of their auction proceeds and give it to other creditors. Lopez called it a complex arrangement that led to different interpretations of the bid's actual value as well as last-minute changes to a proposed sale order. The other bidder was First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements and planned to let Jones stay on the Infowars platforms. It offered $3.5 million in cash and later, with Jones, alleged fraud and collusion in the bidding process. Lopez rejected the allegations, saying that while mistakes were made there was no wrongdoing. Christopher Murray, the trustee who oversaw the auction, said he picked The Onion and its deal with the Sandy Hook families because it would have provided more money to Jones' other creditors. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday. The judge directed Murray to come up with a new plan to move forward. Murray and representatives of The Onion did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The judge said there was a possibility there could be a trial in 2025 to settle Jones' bankruptcy. He said Murray could try to sell the equity in Infowars' parent company. He also said Murray could abandon the efforts, which could allow the Sandy Hook families to return to the state courts where they won their lawsuits against Jones and begin collection proceedings against him. The judge said he wanted to hear back from Murray and others involved in the bankruptcy within 30 days on a plan to move forward. Mattei, who represented the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, said everyone is waiting to see what plan the trustee comes up with. Jones, meanwhile, continued to allege fraud and collusion on his show Wednesday and threatened legal action over what he called an attempted “rigged auction.” On the social media platform X, he called the judge's ruling a “Major Victory For Freedom Of The Press & Due Process." “I don’t want to have to go after these people, lawsuit-wise, but we have to because if you don’t then you’re aiding and abetting and they do it to other people. They made some big mistakes," he said. It's a solemn and heartbreaking week for relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The 12th anniversary is Saturday, and some of the victims' relatives were traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence on Wednesday evening. The families usually mark the anniversary out of the public eye. Many of the families said their lawsuits against Jones bought back the unbearable pain of losing their loved ones, as well as the trauma of being harassed and threatened by believers of Jones' hoax conspiracy. Relatives said they have been confronted in public by hoax believers and received death and rape threats. Robbie Parker, whose 6-year-old daughter Emilie was killed, testified at the Connecticut lawsuit trial in 2022 that the decade of abuse his family suffered made them move across the country to Washington state, and even there he was accosted in person. The families have not received any money from Jones since winning the trials. Jones has been appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments, and has since conceded that the shooting did happen. Last week, a Connecticut appeals court upheld most of the judgment in that state but reduced it by $150 million. Associated Press writer Juan A. Lozano in Houston contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden and Donald Trump have led tributes to former US President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100. Carter, who lived longer than any president in history, died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia. Biden described him as "a man of principle, faith and humility," while Trump said all Americans owe Carter a "debt of gratitude". Carter rose from a peanut farmer to become president in 1977, before being forced out of the White House after just one four-year term when Ronald Reagan stormed to victory in the next election. After leaving the White House with low approval ratings, his reputation was restored through humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian," President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said in a statement. "To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning - the good life - study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility," they added. "He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people - decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong." President-elect Trump posted on Truth Social: "The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. "For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude." Trump previously mocked Carter's single term on the campaign trail ahead of his victory in this year's presidential election, and previously described him in 2019 as: "He's a nice man. He was a terrible president." This came after Carter called Trump an "illegitimate president", claiming he was helped into the White House by Russian interference in the 2016 election, something Moscow and Trump deny. World leaders also paid tribute to Carter. King Charles III said "his dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977". UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Carter was "motivated by his strong faith and values" and that he "redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Carter "was a leader who served during a time when Ukraine was not yet independent, yet his heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom". French President Emmanuel Macron said he had been a "steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace". Before becoming president in 1977, Democrat Carter was governor of Georgia, a lieutenant in the US navy and a farmer. Carter's presidency will be remembered for his struggles in dealing with acute economic problems and several foreign policy challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, which ended with the deaths of eight Americans. There was, however, a notable foreign policy triumph in the Middle East when he helped broker an accord between Egypt and Israel, signed at Camp David in the US in 1978. But that seemed a distant memory two years later, when voters overwhelmingly chose Republican Ronald Reagan, who had portrayed the president as a weak leader unable to deal with inflation and interest rates at near record highs. Carter lost the 1980 election by a landslide, winning only six US states plus Washington DC. After leaving the White House, he became the first and only president to return full-time to the house he lived in before politics — a humble, two-bedroom ranch-style home. He chose not to pursue the lucrative after-dinner speeches and publishing deals awaiting most former presidents, telling the Washington Post in 2018, that he never really wanted to be rich. Instead, he spent his remaining years trying to address global problems of inequality and disease. He founded the Carter Center in 1982 to pursue his vision of world diplomacy, and received the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts with the foundation to promote human rights around the world. He also teamed up with Nelson Mandela to found The Elders, a group of global leaders who committed themselves to work on peace and human rights. Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn, who he was married to for 77 years, died in November 2023. Announcing his death, Carter's son Chip said his father was "a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love". "My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together." Since 2018 and the death of George HW Bush, Carter was the oldest surviving US president. Carter stopped medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last year and instead began receiving hospice care at his home. He had suffered from health issues including a melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Another leading tribute came from Barack Obama, who reflected on spending time with Carter, saying that "he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service". Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, where Carter taught Sunday school well into his 90s, "will be a little quieter on Sundays", Obama said. "But President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels." Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also spoke of Carter's faith. "President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end," they said in a statement. — BBC < Previous Page Next Page >Mid-Day Top News: Dust storm in West Asia is making Mumbai air quality and more

In Gaza's crowded tent camps, women wrestle with a life stripped of privacyDEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza City (AP) — For Gaza’s women, the hardships of life in the territory’s sprawling tent camps are compounded by the daily humiliation of never having privacy. Women struggle to dress modestly while crowded into tents with extended family members, including men, and with strangers only steps away in neighboring tents. Access to menstrual products is limited, so they cut up sheets or old clothes to use as pads. Makeshift toilets usually consist of only a hole in the sand surrounded by sheets dangling from a line, and these must be shared with dozens of other people. Alaa Hamami has dealt with the modesty issue by constantly wearing her prayer shawl, a black cloth that covers her head and upper body. “Our whole lives have become prayer clothes, even to the market we wear it,” said the young mother of three. “Dignity is gone.” Normally, she would wear the shawl only when performing her daily Muslim prayers. But with so many men around, she keeps it on all the time, even when sleeping — just in case an Israeli strike hits nearby in the night and she has to flee quickly, she said. Israel’s 14-month-old campaign in Gaza has driven more than 90% of its 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of them are now living in squalid camps of tents packed close together over large areas. Sewage runs into the streets , and food and water are hard to obtain. Winter is setting in. Families often wear the same clothes for weeks because they left clothing and many other belongings behind as they fled. Everyone in the camps searches daily for food, clean water and firewood. Women feel constantly exposed. Gaza has always been a conservative society. Most women wear the hijab, or head scarf, in the presence of men who are not immediate family. Matters of women’s health — pregnancy, menstruation and contraception — tend not to be discussed publicly. “Before we had a roof. Here it does not exist,” said Hamami, whose prayer shawl is torn and smudged with ash from cooking fires. “Here our entire lives have become exposed to the public. There is no privacy for women.” Wafaa Nasrallah, a displaced mother of two, says life in the camps makes even the simplest needs difficult, like getting period pads, which she cannot afford. She tried using pieces of cloth and even diapers, which have also increased in price. For a bathroom, she has a hole in the ground, surrounded by blankets propped up by sticks. The U.N. says more than 690,000 women and girls in Gaza require menstrual hygiene products, as well as clean water and toilets. Aid workers have been unable to meet demand, with supplies piling up at crossings from Israel. Stocks of hygiene kits have run out, and prices are exorbitant. Many women have to choose between buying pads and buying food and water. Doaa Hellis, a mother of three living in a camp, said she has torn up her old clothes to use for menstrual pads. “Wherever we find fabric, we tear it up and use it.” A packet of pads costs 45 shekels ($12), “and there is not even five shekels in the whole tent,” she said. Anera, a rights group active in Gaza, says some women use birth control pills to halt their periods. Others have experienced disruptions in their cycles because of the stress and trauma of repeated displacement. The terrible conditions pose real risks to women’s health, said Amal Seyam, the director of the Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza, which provides supplies for women and surveys them about their experiences. She said some women have not changed clothes for 40 days. That and improvised cloth pads “will certainly create” skin diseases, diseases related to reproductive health and psychological conditions, she said. “Imagine what a woman in Gaza feels like, if she’s unable to control conditions related to hygiene and menstrual cycles,” Seyam said. Hellis remembered a time not so long ago, when being a woman felt more like a joy and less like a burden. “Women are now deprived of everything, no clothes, no bathroom. Their psychology is completely destroyed,” she said. Seyam said the center has tracked cases where girls have been married younger, before the age of 18, to escape the suffocating environment of their family’s tents. The war will “continue to cause a humanitarian disaster in every sense of the word. And women always pay the biggest price,” she said. Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Its count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel launched its assault in retaliation for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others. With large swaths of Gaza’s cities and towns leveled, women wrestle with reduced lives in their tents. Hamami can walk the length of her small tent in a few strides. She shares it with 13 other people from her extended family. During the war, she gave birth to a son, Ahmed, who is now 8 months old. Between caring for him and her two other children, washing her family’s laundry, cooking and waiting in line for water, she says there’s no time to care for herself. She has a few objects that remind her of what her life once was, including a powder compact she brought with her when she fled her home in the Shati camp of Gaza City. The makeup is now caked and crumbling. She managed to keep hold of a small mirror through four different displacements over the past year. It’s broken into two shards that she holds together every so often to catch a glimpse of her reflection. “Previously, I had a wardrobe that contained everything I could wish for,” she said. “We used to go out for a walk every day, go to wedding parties, go to parks, to malls, to buy everything we wanted." Women “lost their being and everything in this war," she said. "Women used to take care of themselves before the war. Now everything is destroyed.” Associated Press writer Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report.