online games with free bonus US sanctions founder of Georgia’s ruling political partyThe South Carolina women's basketball team has been defeated for the first time since March 31, 2023. The No. 1 Gamecocks fell Sunday in Los Angeles as Lauren Betts posted a double-double effort to lead No. 5 UCLA to a 77-62 triumph. The Gamecocks (5-1) suffered their first defeat after 43 consecutive victories, dating back to the loss to Iowa 77-73 in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. South Carolina defeated Iowa last season for the national championship. Betts finished with 11 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks to power the Bruins (5-0) to a historic victory. UCLA also got 15 points from Londynn Jones on 5-of-5 shooting from 3-point range, 13 points from Elina Aarnisalo and 11 each from Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jacquez. It's the first time UCLA has beaten South Carolina since 1981. The Bruins lost twice to the Gamecocks in the 2022-23 season, including in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Te-Hina Paopao had 18 points for South Carolina on 4-of-4 3-point shooting, while Tessa Johnson had 14 points. UCLA won the rebounding battle 41-34, marking the second time this season the Gamecocks have been outrebounded. South Carolina also got outscored in the paint 26-18. It's rare that a Dawn Staley-coached team -- units that typically revolve around dominant centers from A'ja Wilson to Aaliyah Boston to Kamilla Cardoso -- gets beat in the paint and on the glass, but with 6-foot-7 Betts, UCLA had the recipe to outmuscle the Gamecocks in those areas of the game. South Carolina never led after UCLA began the game with an 18-5 run, capped off by back-to-back 3-pointers from Jones. The Gamecocks cut the deficit to nine points in the second quarter, but the Bruins responded with a 17-5 run and entered halftime ahead by 21 points. Aarnisalo scored seven points during that run. From there, the Gamecocks never got within single digits of the lead in the second half. It's the first time in 21 tries that UCLA has beaten an AP-ranked No. 1 team. And it's the first time South Carolina lost a true road game since 2021, a streak of 33 games. The schedule doesn't get any easier for South Carolina. While UCLA faces UT Martin next on Friday, the Gamecocks play No. 8 Iowa State on Thursday. --Field Level Media

The Lakes Region’s future: Balancing natural beauty and urban growthPakistan has joined a coalition of climate-vulnerable countries advocating for a global fossil-fuel non-proliferation treaty, which seeks an equitable transition away from coal, oil, and gas. The proposed treaty, designed to complement the Paris Agreement, emphasises the need for financial and technological support to ensure fair energy transitions for developing nations. Ranked among the top ten countries most vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change, Pakistan is the first nation in South Asia to engage with this initiative, and aims to address its severe climate challenges, such as catastrophic flooding and rising temperatures, while urging wealthier nations to lead the global energy transition, said a press release. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also underscored the importance of climate justice during COP29 and called for greater international support to foster the resilience and sustainability of vulnerable nations in the face of looming environmental threats. Back home, Pakistan has actively undertaken initiatives at the policy and implementation level to foster environmental sustainability. As part of its safeguarding efforts, the government has introduced the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) Policy, which aims at transitioning 30% of all new vehicles—both imported and locally manufactured—to electric power by 2030. The policy incorporates a variety of technologies, and the government has announced subsidies worth PKR 4 billion to encourage adoption. According to the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) of Pakistan, the transport sector alone accounts for 30% of the country’s total energy consumption, worth approximately $1.3 billion each month, which places significant strain on the economy and foreign exchange reserves. Environmentalists and automobile experts view the policy as a game changer for Pakistan’s energy and automobile sectors, and the environment. The transition could address Pakistan’s persistent air pollution woes, particularly the chronic smog problem plaguing urban centres. Widespread adoption of EVs can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce particulate matter, resulting in improved air quality and better public health. The policy is expected to drive innovation and modernization in the automobile sector, fostering long-term growth and sustainability. Local manufacturing of EVs is expected to significantly boost the economy while providing users with access to the latest vehicle models—an upgrade for Pakistani users who have long been compelled to purchase outdated models. While the government has introduced subsidies to encourage EV adoption, experts emphasize the need for further measures, such as tax breaks, and low-interest financing options, to make EVs accessible to a broader population. Such initiatives will augment Pakistan’s initiative in environmental protection and agency in ensuring climate justice globally.

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Shaheen blames 'unelected billionaire' for shutdown riskDALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Doncic won last season’s scoring title with a career-best 33.9 points per game and is fifth in the NBA this season averaging 28.9, and seventh in assists, averaging 8.2. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance last Sunday with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 143-133 win at Golden State. The defending Western Conference champions are 18-10, fourth in the West, and have won 13 of their last 16 games following their only losing streak of the season, a four-game skid from Nov. 8-14. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

The fired head coach Mike Brown on Friday, the team announced in a press release. The Kings are 13-18 and are in 12th place in the Western Conference. They have lost five consecutive games and have won just five of their past 17 games after an 8-6 start. Doug Christie, an assistant coach under Brown who played for the Kings on some of their best teams, has been named the Kings' interim coach. “This was a difficult decision, and I want to thank Mike for his many contributions to the organization,” Kings GM Monte McNair said in the team's statement. The Kings have not progressed the way that ownership and the front office had expected after making the playoffs with a 48-34 record in 2022-23. They were a play-in team last season, but did not make the eight-team playoff field in the Western Conference after beating Golden State but losing to New Orleans. Brown, who previously was a head coach for Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers and spent six seasons as an assistant with Golden State under Steve Kerr, was 107-88 in two-plus seasons with the Kings. Brown signed an extension with the Kings in July. “Mike has done a tremendous job leading our team and this extension is well-deserved,” McNair said in a statement at the time. “His commitment to success is second to none, and I look forward to building on the foundation he’s helped establish in Sacramento.” Brown took over Sacramento in 2022 just as the Kings looked like they were headed in the right direction with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis leading the team on the court. The Kings lost to Golden State in seven games in the 2023 playoffs, and the future looked promising. But even a 46-36 record last season only got the Kings into ninth place in the West, illustrating how talented the West is. That’s even more true this season with teams like Memphis and Houston emerging as top teams in the West and San Antonio displaying growth with Victor Wembanyama. The Kings lost to Detroit 114-113 at home Thursday after leading 98-83 with 8:12 left in the fourth quarter and 107-97 with 2:46 remaining in the fourth. Sacramento, which resumes play Saturday against the Lakers, is 21⁄2 games behind 11th-place San Antonio and three games behind Phoenix, Minnesota and Golden State, who are all 15-14.From launching a war on disinformation to being a trailblazer for equal cancer treatment options and giving new freedom to those living with a disability, Australia has said "thanks" to this year's most remarkable mature citizens. or signup to continue reading Standing tall among state winners of the in November, were their Senior counterparts including celebrity scientist , former AFL health physician Dr Peter Brukner and women's cancer specialist Associate Professor Penelope Blomfield. The latter spoke with ACM's following her Tasmanian award and admitted she wasn't very good at retirement. The 65-year-old has dedicated her life to improving the quality and longevity of life for women affected by gynaecological cancers and has remained a beacon of the advancement of medical research. "I made sure that whether a woman was in the public system or in the private system, they got prompt access and best care irrespective of what system they were in," she said. Read more about . Inspired by the efforts of a disadvantaged friend, Peter and Marilyn Ralston and vision impaired and founded Canberra's first chapter of the Achilles Running Club. Together, they have helped pair volunteer guides with people with disability so they can enjoy the health benefits of running and walking. Read more about the . Michael Foley, 84, has dedicated most of his life to giving back by donating his time to better other peoples , community and helping seniors in his community. He was named NT's Senior Australian of the Year, as a "proud example of the value seniors bring to our society",said Mark Fraser, National Australia Day Council CEO. Read more about . Charles Jackson OAM has used his multiple languages, skills and educational opportunities to bridge cultural divides and improve the lives of others and has been honoured with the SA Senior Australian of the Year award. Among the roles he's held are a services coordinator, cultural awareness teacher, marriage celebrant and NDIS officer. He was the first in Australia to become a JP in 1978. He is a knowledge holder for Flinders Ranges Nation and is working towards getting Wilpena Pound on the World Heritage List. Mr Jackson's new business, Urndu, helps the Aboriginal community through offering culturally appropriate training and giving support and resources for people with disabilities or age-related impairments. "The way that we live, the way that we walk, the way that we talk and, and how we communicate... that's where respect comes from," he said. Popular scientist, author and media personality Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been named NSW Senior Australian of the Year for his ongoing efforts to educate the public about science. "At the moment I have five full time jobs and I'm about to start a sixth," he said. He works for the University of Sydney and the ABC, is a highly sought after corporate and public speaker, has a new TV show in development and is currently working on another book. As for that soon to be added sixth job, it could be an absolute game changer. Trying to counteract the spread of disinformation has long been a key goal for Dr Karl. It was a baby's death from whooping cough due to vaccine disinformation that convinced him to walk away from a job in paediatric medicine to pursue a career in the media as a science educator. Fed up with constantly seeing disinformation shared on his social media feeds, he is putting together a team to develop an AI chatbot in a bid to change minds. Dr Karl will work with AI experts and psychologists to develop the technology. Read more about . Out of a factory workshop in Perth, more than 61,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in 81 developing countries and remote Australian First Nation communities thanks to Christian Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett. The 84-year-old co-founded along with the Rotary Club of Scarborough in 1996 and is this year's WA Senior Australian of the Year. "The wheelchairs mean the little kids can get off the ground, go to the village school to get an education and they can grow up and get a job and then contribute to their communities," said Olly. Read more about . Once on the verge of "obese", Peter Brukner wants to use his newfound accolade - VIC Senior Australian of the Year - to tell everyone to eat better. As a sports medicine physician for AFL clubs and team manager of the Sydney Olympics, somehow the kilos slowly crept on due to following (like many Australians, he said) the wrong nutrition advice. "We've been told for 30 or 40 years now to stop eating fat and I think that was probably the wrong emphasis," Dr Brukner said. "Ever since we've started doing that, we've just got fatter and sicker... Now, people are increasingly understanding that it wasn't necessarily fat that was a problem, [it] was more sugar and processed foods." Read more about . has spent most of her adulthood working to improve the lives and experiences of others especially families in crisis and those who face homelessness. Last year, at the age of 90 the long-time social worker proved learning is for life when she received her PhD after completing her thesis on the generational impacts of homelessness. This year at 91, she has been named the Australian Senior of the Year for Queensland. Dr Herbert stopped working in social work at 81 - a time when most people are well into retirement, so she could concentrate on writing her thesis. At her PhD graduation from the University of Queensland' s she was an inspiration for all the other graduates. Read more about The state and territory award recipients will join together for the national awards to be presented in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day, January 25, 2025. ACM, publisher of this masthead, is official media partner of the . Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement

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Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) may have been forced to withdraw from Donald Trump's nomination for attorney general, at a cost to the GOP and Trump's ability to control the caucus . But the battle to prevent unqualified nominees from controlling critical agencies is just beginning, The Washington Post editorial board wrote Friday. This comes as multiple other picks for the Trump administration deal with sexual misconduct scandals of their own, just after Gaetz was derailed by an ethics investigation into accusations he engaged in child sex trafficking. "Mr. Trump has privately told allies that he hopes Mr. Gaetz’s failure will ease confirmation of other controversial nominees," wrote the board. "It should do the opposite, steeling senators to conduct the scrutiny required of Mr. Trump’s remaining picks. Several are plainly unworthy of high office." This includes Fox News personality Pete Hegseth for Pentagon chief, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for secretary of Health and Human Services, despite promoting conspiracy theories about vaccines, COVID, AIDS, and Jews ; and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, even though she has pushed pro-Russian conspiracy theories. ALSO READ: A giant middle finger from a tiny craven man For that matter, wrote the board, even Trump's pick to replace Gaetz, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, has a questionable record — even if she is significantly more qualified as a prosecutor. "She sued to invalidate the Affordable Care Act," wrote the board. "She took contributions from prominent Scientologists and declined to pursue allegations against the church. Mr. Trump’s charity contributed $25,000 to a political group backing Ms. Bondi in 2013, around the time she decided not to pursue fraud complaints against Mr. Trump’s for-profit seminar business." She also acted as a foreign agent to lobby for Qatar. Moreover, noted the board, she led "Lock Her Up" chants against Hillary Clinton in 2016, and pushed conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, neither of which suggest an impartial law enforcement official. Senators should not let her off the hook just because they're relieved Trump didn't pick Gaetz, the board concluded. "In Ms. Bondi’s confirmation hearings, senators should ask: What would be her red lines? What could Mr. Trump ask her to do that would prompt her to resign?"Arsenal moves up to second in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over IpswichNEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH) between April 25, 2023 and October 22, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 11, 2025. SO WHAT: If you purchased Enphase common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Enphase Energy class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25593 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 11, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Enphase’s business and operations. Specifically, defendants systematically overstated Enphase’s ability to maintain its pricing levels and market share for microinverter products in Europe in the face of competition from low-cost, Chinese alternatives. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Enphase class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25593 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com

Willmar, Minnesota, to pursue joint powers agreement for use of state land for Nordic skiing