slotvip register TEHRAN – Germany, Britain, and France have told the United Nations that they are ready to trigger the so-called “snapback” mechanism which would bring back anti-Iran international sanctions lifted in 2015 under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under the JCPOA, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany possess the authority to reinstate international sanctions against Iran if Tehran is deemed non-compliant. The U.S., having unilaterally withdrawn from the agreement in 2018 and subsequently re-imposed its own sanctions, has forfeited this right. The JCPOA, signed between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries namely the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Russia, and China, aimed to curtail Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, this benefit evaporated for Tehran within three years of the agreement's signing, following the U.S. withdrawal and the re-imposition of sanctions. The situation worsened with the European signatories, who not only failed to mitigate the impact of U.S. sanctions but also implemented their own bans. The European Troika told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that it would return UN sanctions as well if it deems the move necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The E3 will lose the ability to take such action on October 18 next year. Iran argues that while Britain, Germany, and France have not officially left the JCPOA, they lack the moral and legal standing to trigger the snapback mechanism as they have failed to fulfill their commitments since the U.S. withdrawal. In a letter to the President of the UN Security Council on Thursday, Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya reaffirmed Iran’s stance while blaming the U.S. and three European countries for rendering the JCPOA ineffectual. He said the four states are attempting to falsely portray Iran as responsible while dismissing their repeated violations of the pact. Nebenzya asserted that Iran remains ready to resume compliance, contingent upon reciprocal action from Western parties, but that this condition has yet to be met. Although the potential re-imposition of UN sanctions is unlikely to significantly exacerbate Iran's already difficult situation—given the pervasive impact of existing U.S. sanctions—it's widely viewed as a setback for diplomatic efforts to address Iran's nuclear program. Some Iranian officials have said Tehran would look into leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if Europe triggers the snapback. Growing Iranian skepticism toward dialogue with the West is fueling domestic calls for nuclear weapons development. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei issued a fatwa (religious decree) years ago that banned the country from developing weapons of mass destruction. He has yet to rescind that fatwa.

Topline The mother of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Defense Secretary, previously accused Hegseth of having abused “many women,” the New York Times reported , marking the latest claims that could complicate Hegseth’s confirmation process. Timeline What To Watch For Hegseth, or any cabinet nominee that requires Senate approval, can afford to lose only three Republican votes to be confirmed for the job as the GOP will hold a slim 53-47 majority beginning next year. Hegseth and Vice President-elect JD Vance are lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill, and other GOP senators have expressed support, including Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., who met with Hegseth on Thursday and told Politico he is a “strong nominee” who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power—not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” What Are The Allegations Against Hegseth? The sexual assault allegations first surfaced several days after Trump announced Hegseth as his pick to lead the defense department via a memo sent to his transition team from a woman who said she was friends with the accuser. The accuser told police she went to the hospital, where a rape kit was performed, after having flashbacks to the incident several days after returning home from the conference, according to the police report. What Is Hegseth’s Response To The Allegations? Hegseth has firmly denied the allegations through his lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, who said Hegseth paid the woman a settlement in 2020 as part of a nondisclosure agreement. Parlatore said Hegseth entered into the agreement when he learned the woman and her husband hired a lawyer and told other people she planned to file a lawsuit against him. Hegseth told police he was intoxicated that night and did not know why the accuser returned to his hotel room with him, but that they had consensual sex, according to the police report. He said the woman “showed early signs of regret” the next morning, and he assured her that he would not tell anyone about the encounter, the report states. Has Hegseth Been Charged With A Crime? No. Police recommended the case to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review, but charges were never filed. What Are Hegseth’s Views On The Military? Hegseth—who served in the National Guard—has intensely criticized military leadership, castigating their handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. He has also drawn controversy for criticizing diversity initiatives within the military, and calling for the dismissal of military leaders he believes are connected to “woke” policies. He has publicly and privately advocated for members of the military accused of war crimes. Meanwhile, The Guardian reported Hegseth wrote in his 2020 book “American Crusade” that if President Joe Biden won the election, the military and police would be “forced to make a choice” and that there would be “some form of civil war.” Trump has previously suggested he would use the military to go after domestic political opponents, which he described as “the enemy from within.” What Has Hegseth Said About Women In The Military? Hegseth has argued women should not serve in combat roles, drawing some criticism . In his 2024 “The War on Warriors,” recapped by The Guardian, Hegseth reiterated his stance that only men should serve in combat roles. “If we’re going to send our boys to fight—and it should be boys—we need to unleash them to win,” he wrote, adding they need “to be the most ruthless” and “the most uncompromising. The most overwhelmingly lethal as they can be.” What Has Trump Said About Hegseth? Trump called Hegseth a “warrior” and “a true believer in America First” in a statement announcing the nomination on Nov. 12. The statement touts his service in the Army National Guard and his deployments to Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan, along with his eight years as a Fox News host. A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team told the Associated Press in response to the police report being made public Thursday it “corroborates what Mr. Hegseth’s attorneys have said all along: the incident was fully investigated and no charges were filed because police found the allegations to be false.” The report does not say whether officials made a determination about the allegations. Further Reading New Sexual Assault Allegation Details Against Pete Hegseth Emerge: Here’s What To Know As Trump Defends Defense Secretary Nominee (Forbes) Police Report Details 2017 Sexual Assault Allegation Against Pete Hegseth (Forbes) Trump’s Defense Secretary Pick Pete Hegseth Named In 2017 Sexual Assault Probe (Forbes)WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — It wasn’t how Duke drew up the final play, but it worked out perfect for the Blue Devils in Saturday’s 23-17 victory over Wake Forest. Maalik Murphy threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Moore as time expired, allowing Duke to end the regular season with three consecutive victories. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

BETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock for December 2024 . The dividend is payable on January 10, 2025 to common stockholders of record as of December 31, 2024 . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in New Jersey and nearby states. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious activity of unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform X . “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Pentagon also has said they are not U.S. military drones. The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk till 11 p.m. The flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has grown greatly since then. Drones were also spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted air space. It’s also possible that a single drone has been seen and reported more than once, officials said. Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” the drones. The drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car accident victim in Branchburg Township in Somerset County late last month due to drones hovering near the planned landing zone, according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday that it does not have a report on this incident. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Witnesses say the drones they think they have seen in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.

Belichick's bid to reshape UNC football latest sign of pro influence on college levelFabio Galindo Takes Future Climate to International Recognition AwardThe health of our nation is shaped not only in health facilities but also in the environments where we live, learn, and grow. Schools, where Filipino youth spend much of their childhood, are more than places for academic learning—they are vital settings for cultivating lifelong health and well-being. Schools play a critical role in shaping not just the health of our youth, but their overall well-being. Education and health are deeply interconnected. Studies show that individuals with higher educational attainment tend to lead healthier lives. However, health-promoting behaviors are shaped by more than just academic knowledge—they are influenced by the environments students inhabit, the relationships they build, and the support they receive. In the Philippines, challenges such as teenage pregnancy, mental health problems, and substance abuse continue to disproportionately affect young people. These are not simply matters of personal choice; they are shaped by the environments where students grow up, study, and socialize. Schools play a pivotal role in shaping these environments. Behavior change, however, cannot be achieved through information alone. It requires creating nurturing environments where making healthy decisions becomes natural and easier, if not default. Healthy Learning Institutions: A holistic approach to student development. The Healthy Learning Institutions (HLI) Framework envisions schools as environments that promote not only academic success but also holistic development. Aligned with the World Health Organization’s Health Promoting Schools model, the HLI Framework is built on six core pillars: (1) policies supporting health promotion, (2) safe and healthy environments, (3) supportive social surroundings, (4) health education embedded in the curriculum, (5) accessible health services, and (6) engagement with families and communities. These pillars create environments where students thrive, fostering physical, mental, and social well-being. Beyond health, school sports and youth formation programs cultivate discipline, leadership, and teamwork, developing well-rounded individuals. Health cannot be treated as an isolated service in schools. It must be embedded in the core of the education system. Under the HLI Framework, health promotion is not an add-on but is woven into the curriculum, ensuring that learners develop essential life skills—from managing their mental and physical health to navigating relationships and making informed decisions about their well-being. As of 2024, over 1,554 schools—many in underserved communities—have adopted the HLI Framework, ensuring integrated health promotion and holistic development for their students. To support this, 94 nurses have been hired to address the shortage of health professionals in schools, especially in areas with limited access to health services. Expanding this effort will help meet the needs of learners while providing opportunities for homegrown nurses. The HLI Program’s impact extends beyond health services. Its integration of school sports and co-curricular activities helps students develop healthy habits, leadership, and resilience—skills that will benefit them long after they leave school. The promise of healthier, more well-rounded futures. The potential impact of the HLI Framework goes beyond health. By investing in healthy schools, we are shaping healthier, more well-rounded individuals, families, and communities. When students learn healthy behaviors and life skills early, they carry them for life. Schools are not only shaping students academically, they are shaping the future of our nation. The journey toward Universal Health Care in the Philippines cannot be confined within the walls of hospitals and clinics. It must extend into classrooms, playgrounds, sports fields, and every part of the school environment. By embedding health, well-being, and holistic development throughout the learner’s journey, we are building a foundation for healthier, more resilient communities. Through the HLI Framework, we are creating schools where learning is not just about academic achievement—it’s about life. By nurturing the health, resilience, and growth of our youth, we are shaping a stronger, more vibrant future for our nation. This is not just about reaching for the promise of universal health care—it’s about making that promise real, lived, and felt in every classroom, playground, and community. A future where each Filipino child thrives isn’t an aspiration; it’s a commitment we make today, in the places where they learn and grow. —————- Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Dr. Miguel Angelo S. Mantaring, MD, MPM, is Director IV of the Bureau of Learner Support Services at the Department of Education. He is also an active participant in consultations and technical working groups of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom II), for the priority area on safe learning institutions.

DAMASCUS — Thousands of Syrians gathered Friday in Damascus' historic main mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, while giant crowds celebrated in the capital's largest square and across the country. The gatherings were a major symbolic moment for the dramatic change of power in Syria, nearly a week after insurgents swept into Damascus, ousting the Assad-led state that had ruled the country for a half century with an iron grip. It came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region looking to shape the transition, calling for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop after talks in Jordan and Turkey — which backs some of the Syrian insurgent factions. So far, U.S. officials have not talked of direct meetings with Syria's new rulers. The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has been working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday. The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned over extremist jihadis among the rebels. The insurgents' leadership says it has broken with its extremist past, though HTS is still labeled a terrorist group by the United States and European countries. HTS's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” “I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people,” he said. “And then after we will work to build this country and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.” Huge crowds, including some insurgents, packed Damascus' historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital's old city, many waving the rebel opposition flag — with its three red stars — which has swiftly replaced the Assad-era flag with with its two green stars. According to Arab TV stations, the Friday sermon was delivered by Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister installed by HTS this week. The scene resonated on multiple levels. The mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria had been tightly controlled under Assad's rule. Also, in the early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, protesters would leave Friday prayers to march in rallies against Assad — before he launched a brutal crackdown that turned the uprising into a long and bloody civil war. “I didn’t step foot in Umayyad Mosque since 2011," because of the tight security controls around it, said one worshipper, Ibrahim al-Araby. “Since 11 or 12 years, I haven’t been this happy.” Another worshipper, Khair Taha, said there was “fear and trepidation for what’s to come — but there is also a lot of hope that now we have a say and we can try to build.” Blocks away in Damascus' biggest roundabout, named Umayyad Square, thousands gathered, including many families with small children — a sign of how, so far at least, the country's transformation has not seen violent instability. “Unified Syria to build Syria,” the crowd chanted. Some shouted slurs against Assad and his late father, calling them pigs, an insult that would have previously led to offenders being hauled off to one of the feared detention centers of Assad’s security forces. One man in the crowd, 51-year-old Khaled Abu Chahine — originally from the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising first erupted — said he hoped for “freedom and coexistence between all Syrians, Alawites, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze.” The interim prime minister, al-Bashir, had been the head of a de facto administration created by HTS in Idlib, the opposition's enclave in northwest Syria. The rebels had been bottled up in Idlib for years before fighters broke out in a shock offensive and marched across Syria in 10 days. Similar scenes of jubilation took place in major cities across Syria, including in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Raqqa. Al-Sharaa, HTS' leader, has promised to bring a pluralistic government to Syria, seeking to dispel fears among many Syrians — especially its many minority communities — that the insurgents will bring a hard-line, extremist rule. Another key factor will be winning international recognition for a new government in Syria, a country where multiple foreign powers have their hands in the mix. The Sunni Arab insurgents who overthrew Assad did so with vital help from Turkey, a longtime foe of the U.S.-backed Kurds . Turkey controls a strip of Syrian territory along the shared border and backs an insurgent faction uneasily allied to HTS — and is deeply opposed to any gains by Syria's Kurds. The U.S. has troops in eastern Syria to combat remnants of the Islamic State group and supports Kurdish-led fighters who rule most of the east. Since Assad's fall, Israel has bombed sites all over Syria, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands, and has seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone. After talks with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Blinken said there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the U.S. on what they would like to see in Syria. That starts with an "interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said. Fidan said the priority was “establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant” — referring to the Islamic State group and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Ankara considers the PKK within Turkey's borders a terrorist group — as it does the Kurdish-backed forces in Syria backed by the U.S. A U.S. official said that in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fidan both told Blinken that Kurdish attacks on Turkish positions would have to be responded to. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks. The U.S. has been trying to limit such incidents in recent days and had helped organize an agreement to prevent confrontations around the northern Syrian town of Manbij, which was taken by Turkey-backed opposition fighters from the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces earlier this week. In Baghdad, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, saying both countries wanted to ensure the Islamic State group — also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh — doesn't exploit Syria's transition to re-emerge. “Having put Daesh back in its box, we can’t let it out, and we’re determined to make sure that that doesn’t happen," Blinken said. The U.S. official who briefed reporters said that Blinken had impressed upon al-Sudani the importance of Iraq exercising its full sovereignty over its territory and airspace to stop Iran from transporting weapons and equipment to Syria, either for Assad supporters or onward to the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon. Lee reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara contributed to this report.Quest Partners LLC Buys Shares of 5,852 O-I Glass, Inc. (NYSE:OI)

Homeland Security shares new details of mysterious drone flights over New Jersey A New Jersey lawmaker from part of the state where several mysterious drones have been spotted in recent week says the devices appear to avoid detection by traditional methods. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia was among state officials who met Wednesday with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security. She says lawmakers were told the drones have dodged detection by helicopters and radio. Fantasia says DHS described the devices as up to 6 feet in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights off. The Morris County Republican made the comments in a post on X shortly after she and several other state and local lawmakers met with state police and Homeland Security officials. Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract. The Mets agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. New York agreed to assist Soto’s family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed he gets uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses. Rape allegation against Jay-Z won’t impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won’t impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017. Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets’ fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2. What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones’ Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion’s bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion’s bid. NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally IRVING, Texas (AP) — The NFL’s desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game’s global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL’s exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years. George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89 NEW YORK (AP) — George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin’s friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks — whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books. Albertsons sues Kroger for failing to win approval of their proposed supermarket merger Kroger and Albertsons’ plan for the largest U.S. supermarket merger in history has crumbled. The two companies have accused each other of not doing enough to push their proposed alliance through, and Albertsons pulled out of the $24.6 billion deal on Wednesday. The bitter breakup came the day after a federal judge in Oregon and a state judge in Washington issued injunctions to block the merger, saying that combining the two grocery chains could reduce competition and harm consumers. Albertsons is now suing Kroger, seeking a $600 million termination fee, as well as billions of dollars in legal fees and lost shareholder value. Kroger says the legal claims are “baseless.” Keynote Selena Gomez spotlights prioritizing mental health during Academy Women's Luncheon LOS ANGELES (AP) — While surveying a room packed with Hollywood’s most influential figures, “Emilia Pérez” star Selena Gomez took center stage at the Academy Women’s Luncheon to spotlight a critical issue: Prioritizing mental health and supporting underserved communities often left behind in the conversation. The singer-actor has been public about her mental health struggles, revealing she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Gomez was the keynote speaker Tuesday at the event held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with attendees including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina.

The Washington Post abruptly removed its politics editor without giving him a reason for the decision, he claimed — the latest shakeup at the left-leaning paper owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Dan Eggen, a veteran political writer who was named senior politics editor just two years ago, said he was “crushed” after being informed he will be “removed” from his role, according to an email he sent that was obtained by Lachlan Cartwright . “I struggled with how to write this message since there is an element of begging to it that is not particularly attractive. But what the hey: I was informed Monday that I will be removed as senior politics editor at the end of the year. I will leave it to others to explain why,” the email said. It was not clear whether Eggen will remain with publication. A WaPo spokesperson said they don’t comment on personnel decisions when contacted by the New York Post on Thursday. Eggen did not respond to The Post’s request for comment. At the time of his promotion in 2022, Eggen had worked on the Washington Post’s politics desk for over a decade and had “established himself as one of our sharpest and most agile editors, elevating our daily report by driving scoops and accountability reporting on some of journalism’s most competitive beats,” the paper said. His dismissal as politics editor comes as WaPo scrambles to come to grips with Donald Trump’s return to the White House. The publication was roiled by Bezos’ decision to kill an endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris just weeks before the election. Several veteran staffers resigned , including members of the editorial board, and the paper lost about 10% of its total subscribers , over 250,000 people. Bezos defended the move in an Oct. 28 op-ed , saying that endorsements create a “perception of bias” the paper was “failing” in its mission to be a trusted news source. He reportedly wants to hire more conservative opinion writers . The paper — which gained fame for its Watergate coverage — has faced accusations of liberal bias. The Trump campaign alleged to the FEC that WaPo made illegal in-kind contributions to Harris’ campaign after it was reported that the company was paying to boost stories critical of Trump on social media platforms. Earlier this week, WaPo columnist Jen Rubin — who had threatened to quit the paper if Trump won, but has since backtracked — faced backlash for claiming Republicans “ want to kill your kids ” on an episode of her podcast. “You have to boil it down to nuts and bolts and you have to be pithy. What do I mean by pithy? How about this: Republicans want to kill your kids. It’s actually true,” she said in the viral clip. The Washington Post isn’t the only paper rethinking its approach to political coverage following Trump’s victory. LA Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, who also blocked his paper from making an endorsement, has vowed the outlet will have a “ new Editorial Board ” and promised that “voices from all sides [will] be heard.” “If it’s news, it should just be the facts, period. And if it’s an opinion, that’s maybe an opinion of the news, and that’s what I call now a voice,” he told Fox News.The Buffalo Bills are looking a bit banged up heading into their showdown Sunday with the Detroit Lions. No injury designation for Keon Coleman, so he’s good to go. Hamlin, Rapp, Kincaid among those questionable. https://t.co/fykF0hU6Gv The Bills held a full practice Friday after being snowed out on Thursday. Cornerback Rasul Douglas has been ruled out for Sunday with a knee injury. A host of other players, including tight end Dalton Kincaid and safeties Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin, are all nursing various injuries and are all questionable for Sunday. Rasul Douglas is already OUT for the #Bills on Sunday. Here's a quick look at Dalton Kincaid and Keon Coleman from Friday's practice as they try to make their returns vs. the Lions, plus Damar Hamlin in a red non-contact jersey. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/1IWayLJfKZ It isn't all bad news, however, as rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, who missed the last four games with a wrist injury, practiced in full and is planning to suit up against Detroit. Head coach Sean McDermott addressed the abridged practice schedule this week. "We find a way — that's what we do," he said. “That's our goal now. That's the vision. That's what we talked about on the Zoom yesterday. We'll figure it out. We find a way and we go play our best and coach our best football. That's what you do." Kickoff on Sunday is set for 4:25 p.m.