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https://mnl168.net ( MENAFN - Caribbean News Global) USA / SURINAME – An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Anastasia Guscina conducted discussions with the Surinamese authorities during October 29-November 12 on the 2024 Article IV and reached a staff level agreement on the 8th review of the 36-month Extended Fund Facility that was approved by the IMF's Executive Board in December 2021 . At the conclusion of the discussions, Guscina issued the following statement: “The IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the authorities on the eighth review of Suriname's economic reform program that is supported by the EFF arrangement. All quantitative targets for the eighth review were met except the primary fiscal balance target. The authorities are taking corrective actions to meet the end-year primary balance target. Structural reforms are progressing with a strong impetus. This staff-level agreement is subject to approval by the IMF's executive board, contingent on the fulfillment of all relevant Fund policies. Upon completion of this review, Suriname will have access to SDR 46.7 million (about USD 61.3 million), bringing total program disbursements to date to SDR 383.8 million (about USD 503.8 million). “The authorities' commitment to maintaining prudent macroeconomic policies and difficult reforms are showing results in terms of macroeconomic stability and investor confidence. Economic growth is projected to reach 3 percent this year, inflation is on a steady downward trend, donor support is increasing, investor confidence is returning, and international reserves are increasing. The authorities face important near-term risks, including capacity constraints and policy implementation challenges reflecting the increasingly difficult socio-political environment. Suriname's medium-term outlook has improved significantly with the announcement of the final investment decision (FID) paving the way for offshore oil production beginning in 2028. “The fiscal path for 2024-25 has been loosened to accommodate unanticipated fiscal needs against the backdrop of the improving medium-term debt dynamics arising from the FID. The end-September primary balance target was missed because the electricity company (EBS) transferred insufficient resources to the state budget and an overrun on social assistance spending. The EBS has been hit hard by the ongoing drought (forcing a switch from hydroelectric to more expensive thermal generation) and weak bill collection. There was also a need to help rice farmers that have lost their crops due to the drought. The government is putting in place new fiscal rules and the supporting institutional arrangements to enable the country efficiently and transparently manage the upcoming oil wealth. Broader structural reforms are necessary to increase the efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the energy sector. “Protecting the poor and vulnerable remains high on the agenda. The government met the indicative target on social assistance spending for end-September 2024. Stronger efforts are needed to address the challenges in the execution of the social beneficiary program to ensure the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, particularly in the country's interior regions. The authorities should promptly implement the recently completed strategic plan to enhance the effectiveness of social protection with the support of development partners. “Excellent progress has been made with debt restructuring. Agreements have been reached with all official and most commercial creditors and negotiations with the remaining commercial creditors are ongoing. An umbrella agreement with the Paris Club for the second phase of the debt treatment was signed in October and negotiations with individual creditors are ongoing. Domestic debt arrears have been repaid and Suriname should be ready to re-access domestic debt market in the second half of 2025. The authorities are strengthening commitment controls to prevent accumulation of supplier arrears. “The continued restrictive monetary policy stance has further reduced inflation. The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) is monitoring monetary developments and will continue to diligently implement open market operations to maintain the reserve money path consistent with the program targets. The CBvS remains committed to a flexible, market-determined exchange rate and is working to improve the functioning of the foreign exchange market, including through the launching of an electronic foreign exchange trading platform. “Vulnerabilities in the banking system are being addressed. Timely completion of recapitalization plans of banks with capital shortages, and prudent monitoring of capital adequacy, liquidity and asset quality of banks are essential to preserve stability in the banking sector. The CBvS also needs to increase its monitoring of non-bank financial institutions, particularly with respect to their interconnectedness with the banking system. “The authorities need to push ahead with their ambitious structural reform agenda to strengthen institutions and governance. A strong CBvS balance sheet is crucial for operational independence and the robust implementation of monetary policy. The central bank recapitalization plan, as required by the Central Bank Act, should be implemented as planned. Looking ahead, it is also important to push ahead with the broader governance reforms in anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), anti-corruption, and public sector procurement to prepare the country for the oil wealth. “The mission would like to thank the authorities for a collaborative and fruitful dialogue. Meetings were held with the president and vice president of the Republic of Suriname, the minister of finance and planning, the minister of agriculture, the minister of justice and police, the minister of internal affairs, the minister of labor, the minister of transport, communications and tourism, the central bank governor, the leadership and the finance committee of the National Assembly, other senior government officials, civil society organizations, women leaders, representatives of the private sector, and development partners. IMF Communications Department The post IMF – Suriname eighth review of the extended arrangement under the EFF appeared first on Caribbean News Global . MENAFN22112024000232011072ID1108916433 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Title: "From Sacking Managers to Overhauling Man United: The Perpetual Face-Plants of the Glazer-Driven Revamp"

Real Madrid, the reigning champions, have faced their fair share of challenges this season but have shown resilience and determination in their pursuit of another title. With a star-studded lineup including the likes of Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos, Real Madrid are a force to be reckoned with as they aim to defend their championship.As the transfer window closed without Neymar securing a move back to Barcelona, the footballing world was left to ponder what could have been. The tantalizing prospect of Neymar reuniting with Messi and Suárez in the iconic trident that had conquered Europe in the past remains a distant dream for now. However, the lessons learned from Neymar's failed transfer bid serve as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that can arise in the world of modern football.

Table of contents: Levi's Stadium key facts Levi's Stadium seating map Levi's Stadium bag policy Levi's Stadium parking and transportation options Hotels near Levi's Stadium Full event schedule at Levi's Stadium FAQ The Bay Area is famous for its innovation in technology, historic landmarks and bustling cities. The region also boasts a variety of professional sports teams, and the Bay's beloved 49ers play at Levi's Stadium. Actually located about 45 miles south of San Francisco, Levi's Stadium is the home venue for the 49ers. Since opening in 2014, the stadium has hosted several Pac-12 football championship games, the 2019 College Football Playoff national championship game and Super Bowl 50. BUY NOW: Tickets for events at Levi's Stadium on StubHub Are you planning a trip to the Bay Area and want to visit Levi's Stadium? We're here to help. Here's everything you need to know about Levi's Stadium, including a full schedule of upcoming events that will be held at the venue. Levi's Stadium key facts Address: 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, Calif. 95054 Capacity: 68,500 Built: 2012-2014 Opened: July 17, 2014 Levi's Stadium is located at 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way in Santa Clara, Calif. Levi's Stadium seating map Football seating map You can see the full layout for football games below. If you need information on accessible seating for individuals with disabilities, you can check out accessibility resources on the Levi's Stadium website . Ticketmaster Concert seating map Levi's Stadium alters its seating map for concerts. The map below gives you the general layout for a concert, though it can change depending on how a performer sets up the stage. TicketIQ Blog Levi's Stadium bag policy All bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC (12x6x12 measurements). You can also bring a small clutch bag into Levi's Stadium (4.5x6.5x2 measurements). Levi's Stadium does not offer a bag valet service. Any non-permitted bags must be returned to your car or hotel. If you have questions about specific prohibited and approved bags, visit the Levi's Stadium website . Levi's Stadium parking options and cost There are plenty of parking options around Levi's Stadium. It is recommended to purchase parking passes in advance for events at Levi's Stadium in order to avoid higher parking rates on site. Parking lots typically open 3 1/2 hours before the start of 49ers games. Specific times for other events can be found on the Levi's Stadium website . Parking at Levi's Stadium can cost anywhere between $50 and $100 on game and event days depending on the type of parking and location. Tailgating is permitted in the Premium Red Lots, Pink Lots 4 and 8, most Blue Lots and Green Lot 1. Tailgating is not permitted in Red Lot 2, Pink Lot 5, Blue Lot 3, Green Lot 6, the RV Green Lot and any Premium Yellow Lots. Levi's Stadium Levi's Stadium transportation, rideshare and taxi options If you are using a rideshare app, taxi or bus service to travel to an event at Levi's Stadium, you can direct the vehicle to the designated drop-off and pick-up zones. Rideshare drop-off is located along the bus stop south of Great America Parkway, and pick-up is located at Red Lot 7. Those interested in public transportation can use the VTA Light Rail with drop-off and pick-up at the Great America Station. The VTA Bus is also an option as well as Caltrain for those coming from San Francisco. Hotels near Levi's Stadium There are several hotels within minutes of Levi's Stadium. The two closest options are the Hilton Santa Clara and Hyatt Regency Santa Clara. The Santa Clara Marriott and Avatar Hotel Santa Clara are also good options. 49ers schedule at Levi's Stadium 2024 Here is a look at the 49ers' schedule in 2024. You can find the cheapest tickets to games on StubHub . (Home games at Levi's Stadium in bold ) Date Opponent Sept. 9 vs. Jets Sept. 15 at Vikings Sept. 22 at Rams Sept. 29 vs. Patriots Oct. 6 vs. Cardinals Oct. 10 at Seahawks Oct. 20 vs. Chiefs Oct. 27 vs. Cowboys Nov. 10 at Buccaneers Nov. 17 vs. Seahawks Nov. 24 at Packers Dec. 1 at Bills Dec. 8 vs. Bears Dec. 12 vs. Rams Dec. 22 at Dolphins Dec. 30 vs. Lions TBD at Cardinals Event schedule at Levi's Stadium 2024-25 Below is a list of other events and concerts being held at Levi's Stadium this year. For a more comprehensive schedule, visit Levi's Stadium's website . June 1, 2025: CONCACAF Gold Cup June 20-22, 2025: Metallica Sept. 13, 2025: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Football Club FAQs Does Levi's Stadium use mobile tickets? Levi's Stadium uses mobile tickets for all events. Guests must display their passes on mobile phones in order to enter. Screenshots and physical tickets will not be scanned or accepted. Where do I enter Levi's Stadium? Guests may enter at any of the five general admission gates surrounding the facility. Can I re-enter Levi's Stadium? Re-entry is not allowed at Levi's Stadium under any circumstances. Tickets to games and events are good for one-time entry only, unless in the case of emergency. Can I bring my purse into Levi's Stadium? You can only bring a regular purse into Levi's Stadium if it's a small clutch bag or meets the clear bag policy . Can I bring my baby or child to an event/game at Levi's Stadium? Yes, but all guests two years of age and older must have a ticket in order to attend a 49ers home game. All infants must be seated on an adult's lap and not interfere with the sightlines of other guests. Can I bring outside food or beverages into Levi's Stadium? No, you can't bring outside food and beverages into Levi's Stadium. The stadium will only allow guests to bring in plastic water bottles (factory sealed, no alcohol, less than 24 ounces) or reusable transparent water bottles (no alcohol, less than 24 ounces). Can I bring my vape into Levi's Stadium? No, you can't bring a vape into Levi's Stadium. It is a completely non-smoking facility. All guests are prohibited from smoking (including electronic cigarettes, vaporizers or similar products) inside or outside of the stadium. Does Levi's Stadium have wifi? Yes, Levi's Stadium has free wifi for all guests and attendees. Does Levi's Stadium sell alcohol? Levi's Stadium has alcoholic beverages available for purchase at concession stands and bars around the stadium. You can view the location of every concession stand and bar in the stadium by clicking here . Is Levi's Stadium a cashless stadium? Yes, Levi's Stadium is a cashless stadium. Only credit, debit and gift cards are accepted at concession stands. Does Levi's Stadium have a sportsbook? No, Levi's Stadium does not have a sportsbook. Airports near San Francisco The closest airport to Levi's Stadium is San Jose International (SJC). It is approximately five miles away from the facility. Tourist attractions in the Bay Area There's plenty to see and do when visiting the Bay Area. In San Francisco, visitors enjoy stopping by the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and Golden Gate Park. Marin County, Napa County and Sonoma County are all good spots for a day trip. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >

Chris Cenac Jr., the top center in the Class of 2025 according to the ESPN100, has committed to play for the Houston Cougars. The five-star recruit announced his decision Tuesday via the Bleacher Report's B/R App. Cenac previously said he wouldn't make his decision until the spring, but his stock soared over the summer after his impressive play on the Puma Pro 16 circuit with Dallas-based YGC, vaulting him into the national top-10 rankings. The 6-foot-10 New Orleans native was reportedly choosing between LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Kentucky, Tennessee and others before making the decision to join Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson's team. "I just like the coaching staff a lot, I like their plan to develop me and I like coming into a winning program," Cenac told 247Sports. "I'm looking forward to producing and just helping them win more. But the main thing was development and them being able to get me better so I can be ready for that next level." Cenac's rating of .9978 by 247Sports Composite makes him the Cougars' highest-rated commit in the modern era, according to multiple outlets. "They see me as a four who can kind of play all over the court and do everything," Cenac told 247Sports. "I can get rebounds, push the ball, shoot and play all over the floor." With Cenac joining other Houston commits like five-star shooting guard Isaiah Harwell, four-star point guard Kingston Flemings and three-star wing Bryce Jackson, Houston's Class of 2025 is ranked No. 2 in the nation by 247Sports and ESPN. --Field Level MediaMarcus Johnson and Bowling Green take down New Mexico State 61-60

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Venu Holding Corporation (NYSE American: VENU) (“VENU” or the “Company”), a premier hospitality and live music company dedicated to crafting luxury, experience-driven entertainment destinations, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at public offering price of $10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $12 million prior to deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. In addition, VENU has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 180,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any. The shares of common stock are expected to begin trading on the NYSE American under ticker symbol “VENU” on November 27, 2024. The offering is expected to close on November 29, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the expansion of its business operations, further development of Company services, business promotion activities, and for working capital and general corporate purposes, including general market expansion and due diligence efforts to explore the opening of new restaurant, entertainment, and music venues. ThinkEquity is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities referred to in this press release, nor will there be any sale of any such securities, in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-281271) relating to the shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on November 12, 2024. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41st Floor, New York, New York 10004. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov . About Venu Holding Corporation Venu Holding Corporation (“VENU”) (NYSE American: VENU) founded by Colorado Springs entrepreneur J.W. Roth, is a premier hospitality and live music venue developer dedicated to crafting luxury, experience-driven entertainment destinations. VENU’s campuses in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Gainesville, Georgia, each feature Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, The Hall at Bourbon Brothers, and unique to Colorado Springs, Notes Eatery and the 8,000-seat Ford Amphitheater. Expanding with new Sunset Amphitheaters in Oklahoma and Texas, VENU’s upcoming large-scale venues will host between 12,500 and 20,000 guests, continuing VENU’s vision of redefining the live entertainment experience. VENU has been recognized nationally by The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Denver Post, Billboard, VenuesNow, and Variety for its innovative and disruptive approach to live entertainment. For more information, visit venu.live. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126642783/en/ For media inquiries contact Chloe Hoeft atchoeft@venu.liveor 719-895-5470 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA COLORADO INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER TRAVEL RESTAURANT/BAR DESTINATIONS TRAVEL MUSIC EVENTS/CONCERTS RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT SOURCE: Venu Holding Corporation Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 06:10 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 06:10 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126642783/enStepping onto the stage for the first time must have been a daunting experience for the former host. The live nature of theater means that there are no retakes or editing, and every performance is a unique and unrepeatable moment. The pressure to deliver a flawless performance and connect with the audience in real-time can be overwhelming, especially for someone who is used to the controlled environment of a television studio.NDP will not support Liberal GST holiday bill unless rebate expanded: Singh

Adding to the buzz surrounding Sun Ce and Yue Yun, news of several new skins being released for these iconic characters has generated further excitement among fans. The upcoming skins promise to bring fresh and unique designs to the game, allowing players to customize their favorite heroes in exciting new ways. From sleek and stylish outfits to intricate and elaborate armor designs, the new skins are sure to provide players with a wide range of options to enhance their gaming experience.

Doug Pederson knows that playing the Texans on Sunday will be a challenge

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was an ugly scene at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Following a loss against Michigan , multiple fights broke out between the Wolverines and Ohio State football players. The OSU police department issued a statement on the situation shortly after. “Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation,” the statement read. “During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.” Latest Ohio State Buckeyes news Watch Ohio State football’s Skull Session ahead of game vs. Michigan (video) Maxwell Roy, 4-star defensive lineman: Ohio State Signing Day 2025 player profile Ohio State coach Ryan Day deserves brunt of blame after fourth straight loss to Michigan — Jimmy Watkins What Ohio State football coach Ryan Day said after extending skid vs. Michigan Who are The 40 Most Influential People in Cleveland Sports when it comes to fan happiness? See our list and how we ranked them. The fight centered around Michigan players trying to plant a flag on the 50-yard line. Coach Ryan Day said after the game that his players, while embarrassed, had too much pride to let the Wolverines do that. Police were in the middle of the skirmish, with video surfacing of some officers using pepper spray to try simmering the situation.

ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.

While football fans around the world may be taken aback by these unexpected forecasts, it is important to remember that football is a game full of surprises and anything can happen on the pitch. The Champions League is known for its drama and unpredictability, and the beauty of the game lies in its ability to defy expectations.SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chilean President Gabriel Boric is under investigation for sexual harassment, authorities confirmed Tuesday after his personal lawyer sought to portray the head of state as a victim of online stalking. The country’s attorney general, Cristián Crisosto, in a statement said prosecutors have opened “a criminal case related to" allegations filed by an unidentified woman in September. The complaint alleges sexual harassment as well as the leaking of private images. Crisosto did not provide details of the alleged events, or say when or where they took place. Boric, 38, has denied the accusations through his attorney, Jonatan Valenzuela, who in a statement described the president as “the victim of systematic harassment via email.” The alleged harassment occurred between July 2013 and July 2014, when Boric was an intern in the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas, near the Patagonia, and was already a well-known figure in national politics thanks to his role in student-led protests a couple of years earlier. Valenzuela said Boric “never had an emotional or friendly relationship” with the woman and both have not been in communication since July 2014 when she is alleged to have sent the last of dozens of emails, some with explicit images, to the now president. Valenzuela said his team handed authorities all communications between Boric and the woman after learning of her complaint, to “clarify the status of the president as a victim.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn’t think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump’s campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president’s pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer’s YouTube channel series to shoot an under-50 round of golf while engaging in chitchat with his partner. “I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn’t be a good president,” said the 18-year-old first-time voter. “I think he’s a great guy now.” Verhaeghe isn't alone among his friends in suburban Detroit or young men across America. Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that swung sharply toward Trump. More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, while Democrat Joe Biden had won a similar share of this group four years earlier. White men under 30 were solidly in Trump’s camp this year — about 6 in 10 voted for Trump — while young Latino men were split between the two candidates. Most Black men under 30 supported Democrat Kamala Harris, but about one-third were behind Trump. Young Latino men’s views of the Democratic Party were much more negative than in 2020, while young Black men’s views of the party didn’t really move. About 6 in 10 Latino men under 30 had a somewhat or very favorable view of the Democrats in 2020, which fell to about 4 in 10 this year. On the other hand, about two-thirds of young Black men had a favorable view of the Democrats this year, which was almost identical to how they saw the party four years ago. “Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued," said Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group that focused on reaching young Hispanic voters for Republicans this year. “They're looking for someone who fights for them, who sees their potential and not just their struggles.” Struve cited the attempted assassination of Trump during a July rally in Pennsylvania as one of the catalyzing moments for Trump’s image among many young men. Trump, Struve said, was also able to reach young men more effectively by focusing on nontraditional platforms like podcasts and digital media outlets. “Getting to hear from Trump directly, I think, really made all the difference," Struve said of the former president's appearances on digital media platforms and media catering to Latino communities, like town halls and business roundtables Trump attended in Las Vegas and Miami. Not only did Trump spend three hours on Joe Rogan's chart-topping podcast, but he took up DeChambeau's “Break 50” challenge for the golfer's more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Trump already had an edge among young white men four years ago, although he widened the gap this year. About half of white men under 30 supported Trump in 2020, and slightly less than half supported Biden. Trump's gains among young Latino and Black men were bigger. His support among both groups increased by about 20 percentage points, according to AP VoteCast — and their feelings toward Trump got warmer, too. It wasn’t just Trump. The share of young men who identified as Republicans in 2024 rose as well, mostly aligning with support for Trump across all three groups. “What is most alarming to me is that the election is clear that America has shifted right by a lot,” said William He, founder of Dream For America, a liberal group that works to turn out young voters and supported Harris’ presidential bid. With his bombastic demeanor and a policy agenda centered on a more macho understanding of culture , Trump framed much of his campaign as a pitch to men who felt scorned by the country’s economy, culture and political system. Young women also slightly swung toward the former president, though not to the degree of their male counterparts. It's unclear how many men simply did not vote this year. But there's no doubt the last four years brought changes in youth culture and how political campaigns set out to reach younger voters. Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign rolled out policy agendas tailored to Black and Latino men, and the campaign enlisted a range of leaders in Black and Hispanic communities to make the case for the vice president. Her campaign began with a flurry of enthusiasm from many young voters, epitomized in memes and the campaign's embrace of pop culture trends like the pop star Charli XCX's “brat” aesthetic . Democrats hoped to channel that energy into their youth voter mobilization efforts. “I think most young voters just didn’t hear the message,” said Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, a liberal group that engages younger voters. Mayer said the Harris campaign’s pitch to the country was “largely convoluted” and centered on economic messaging that he said wasn’t easily conveyed to younger voters who were not already coming to political media. “And I think that the policies themselves were also very narrow and targeted when what we really needed was a simple, bold economic vision,” said Mayer. Trump also embraced pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games and appearing alongside comedians, music stars and social media influencers. His strategists believed that the former president’s ability to grab attention and make his remarks go viral did more for the campaign than paid advertisements or traditional media appearances. Trump's campaign also heavily cultivated networks of online conservative platforms and personalities supportive of him while also engaging a broader universe of podcasts, streaming sites, digital media channels and meme pages open to hearing him. “The right has been wildly successful in infiltrating youth political culture online and on campus in the last couple of years, thus radicalizing young people towards extremism,” said He, who cited conservative activist groups like Turning Point USA as having an outsize impact in online discourse. “And Democrats have been running campaigns in a very old fashioned way. The battleground these days is cultural and increasingly on the internet.” Republicans may lose their broad support if they don't deliver on improving Americans' lives, Struve cautioned. Young men, especially, may drift from the party in a post-Trump era if the party loses the president-elect's authenticity and bravado. Bienvenido, for one group, will double down in the coming years to solidify and accelerate the voting pattern shifts seen this year, Struve said. “We don’t want this to be a one and done thing,” he said. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, and AP polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report.Why Georgia replaced Carson Beck with Gunner Stockton in the SEC championship game

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