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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation with the launch of a new Digitalization and Technical Processing Center, alongside the unveiling of the Unified Documents and Records Platform. These initiatives were announced by Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser during a ceremony attended by senior officials and industry leaders, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency. The new center and platform are part of the ministry’s broader strategy to accelerate digitalization in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the Vision 2030 goals. A primary aim of these efforts is to increase the transport and logistics sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product from 6 percent in 2021 to 10 percent by 2030. This would generate an additional SR45 billion ($11.9 billion) in non-oil revenues annually. To achieve these goals, the NTLS prioritizes infrastructure development and operational improvements. Key plans include expanding the railway network by approximately 8,080 km, which features the 1,300 km “Landbridge” project, and enhancing port infrastructure to accommodate over 40 million containers annually. Additionally, the strategy envisions increasing air freight capacity to over 4.5 million tonnes annually, as well as expanding international flight destinations to over 250. Improving service quality and safety is another critical focus. The NTLS aims to position Saudi Arabia among the top 10 countries in the Logistics Performance Index and secure 6th place in the Road Infrastructure Quality Index. It also seeks to reduce road traffic accidents and fatalities by over 50 percent and cut fuel consumption in the transport sector by 25 percent. In conjunction with the digitalization efforts, the ministry also inaugurated a historical exhibition that highlights key documents, photographs, and equipment used throughout the history of Saudi Arabia’s transport sector. The exhibition also includes specialized laboratories for document restoration and sterilization, as well as a centralized destruction center to safeguard the security and confidentiality of information. Bandar Al-Roqi, general supervisor of the ministry’s Document and Archive Center, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, acknowledging the contributions of various ministry departments in its successful realization. The project reflects the ministry’s commitment to integrating modern technologies to drive digital transformation while preserving the country’s transport history.Romania PM fends off far-right challenge in presidential first roundWomen will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." November 7, 2024: Trump Victory We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Longest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mind

Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor embarks on coaching career in Prince AlbertBy JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company’s collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Related Articles Enron’s new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand’s tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that “We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company’s website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70

One Punch - The BEST Music Boxing Machines Brand In The World Launches One Punch V2 12-03-2024 10:06 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: The Branded Word The wait is over! The much-anticipated One Punch V2 Music Boxing Machine [ https://one-punch.co/products/onepunch%E2%84%A2-music-boxing-machine-v2 ] has officially launched, setting a new standard in home fitness innovation. Packed with cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and unrivalled features like music and lights sync, the smart One Punch V2 is here to revolutionize the way you work out, blending fitness, entertainment, and motivation like never before. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/11/8caaccf7a4d16250c0fd7a6b05493856.jpg Bringing Home Workouts & Fitness To a Whole New Level Imagine punching to the beat of your favourite tracks, while vibrant lights sync perfectly with every move. The One Punch Music Boxing Machines [ https://one-punch.co/ ] transforms your workout space into a high-energy arena, motivating you to push your limits and enjoy every second of your fitness journey. Designed for users of all skill levels, this new model is more than a fitness machine-it's an experience. Building on the incredible success of the original One Punch [ https://one-punch.co/products/onepunch-music-boxing-machine-v3 ], the V2 Version takes everything our customers loved and amplifies it. From its advanced music synchronization to enhanced durability, every detail of this machine has been crafted to deliver an unparalleled boxing workout. What Makes the One Punch V2 a Must-Have? * Music and Lights, Perfectly Synced: Stay motivated and energized with a one-of-a-kind workout experience where beats and lights respond to your punches in real time. * All-New Features: Improved motion sensors and precision tracking ensure every jab, cross, and hook is counted, giving you accurate performance metrics to smash your fitness goals. * Sleek, Compact Design: The V2 is designed to fit effortlessly into your home, blending functionality with a modern aesthetic. * Gamified Training: With our one punch mobile app you can unlock achievements, level up, and challenge friends in a fun, interactive environment that keeps you coming back for more. * Enhanced Durability: Built with premium materials, the One Punch V2 is tougher, stronger, and ready to handle even the most intense workouts. Get Ready to Sweat, Burn Calories, and Have Fun The One Punch V2 is the affordable version of the V3. Our machine isn't just about getting in shape-it's about making fitness fun and accessible at home without wasting time in traffic. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just beginning your fitness journey, the One Punch V2 is designed to meet you where you are and help you achieve your goals. "This is more than just a boxing machine," said Danny from One Punch. "It's a revolution in home fitness. The One Punch V2 combines the science of exercise with the excitement of music and gaming, creating a workout experience that's unlike anything else." Be Part of the Fitness Revolution The One Punch V2 Music Boxing Machine is now available at $450 on our website. Visit our website and learn more. Don't miss your chance to be among the first to experience the next big thing in fitness! Join the Movement Follow us on Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556311320352 ] and our One Punch youtube [ https://www.youtube.com/@OnePunch-Boxing-Machine ] channel for updates, tips, and exclusive content about the One Punch V2. Share your workouts using #OnePunchV2 and be part of the growing community redefining fitness. Contact Danny at support@one-punch.co Media Contact Company Name: One Punch Contact Person: Danny Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=one-punch-the-best-music-boxing-machines-brand-in-the-world-launches-one-punch-v2 ] Country: United States Website: https://one-punch.co/ This release was published on openPR.Browns get 497-yard performance from QB Jameis Winston and lose anyway in season long gone sour

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2024-- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that Stuart Canfield, CFO, will present at the Nasdaq 51 st Investor Conference on Tuesday, December 10, in London, England. During the course of this event, EA may disclose material developments affecting its business and/or financial performance. Listeners may access the event via live audio webcast at http://ir.ea.com . Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Presentation at 8:30 AM GMT / 3:30 AM EST Duration: 30 Minutes Speaker: Stuart Canfield, CFO Webcast: http://ir.ea.com Please note the presentation time is subject to change, and significant deviations from the posted time will be announced on our investor relations website. Please contact the financial institution hosting the conference for additional details. An audio webcast replay will be available following the live event at http://ir.ea.com . Updates regarding EA’s business are available on EA’s blog at www.ea.com/news . About Electronic Arts Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers. In fiscal year 2024, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FCTM, BattlefieldTM, Apex LegendsTM, The SimsTM, EA SPORTSTM Madden NFL, EA SPORTSTM College Football, Need for SpeedTM, Dragon AgeTM, TitanfallTM, Plants vs. ZombiesTM and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news . EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, FIFA and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements During the course of the presentation, Electronic Arts may make forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company that are subject to change. Statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “predict,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “may,” “likely,” “should,” “could” (and the negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and reflect management’s current expectations. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed in Part II, Item 1A of Electronic Arts’ latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors”, as well as in other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. We assume no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203781615/en/ CONTACT: Andrew Uerkwitz Vice President, Investor Relations 650-674-7191 auerkwitz@ea.comJustin Higgs Vice President, Corporate Communications 925-502-9253 jhiggs@ea.com KEYWORD: EUROPE UNITED STATES UNITED KINGDOM NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ELECTRONIC GAMES MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE SOURCE: Electronic Arts Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/03/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/03/2024 04:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203781615/enVasily Podkolzin vowed there's more to come after his first goal as an Edmonton Oiler. Podkolzin scored the game's first goal and Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist for the Oilers in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday. Podkolzin was all over opposing nets in recent games and was finally rewarded when he beat Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick for his first goal this season, his first as an Oiler and his first goal since last March for a span of 42 regular season games. "It took much longer than I thought, but sometimes God gives you a little bit of challenges for the life, and for being a better hockey player or better person," Podkolzin said. "It's tough, but sometimes you need these challenges in your life to be a better hockey player. Be patient, keep working, and try to think positive. Have a strong mentality." Connor McDavid scores to become the 4th-fastest NHL player to reach 1,000 points Leon Draisaitl dropped the puck back to Podkolzin whose one-timer went in off the post with 2:26 left in the first period. The 23-year-old Russian forward was a 10th overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, but he was traded to the Oilers in the summer for a fourth-round draft pick. Draisaitl's been impressed by Podkolzin's play and was thrilled to see finally see him get rewarded. "He's really underrated and does a lot of things that go unnoticed that a lot of people that don't really understand hockey, they don't pick up on it," Draisaitl said. "I am very happy for him to get on the board. He's had plenty of looks. Hopefully this opens the floodgates for him a little bit." Podkolzin said Draisaitl has been very supportive through his scoring drought. Leon Draisaitl potted a goal against the Rangers in the second period. He assisted on another goal Saturday night. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) "He tells me, after almost every game, 'Keep going. Everything is good. Work hard, and this stuff will come,'" he said. "And finally, I scored. And I'm going to score more." Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist and Darnell Nurse also scored short-handed for the Oilers (11-9-2) who have gone 5-2-1 in their last eight outings. Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown each had a pair of assists for Edmonton. "There is a lot to build off of," Nurse said. "It's one of those foundation games that you can gain some momentum off of if we can take it and use it the right way. You want to be good on home ice, especially against good teams, and we did that tonight." It was Nurse's first game back in the lineup after a check to his head by Toronto's Ryan Reaves a week earlier. Reaves was slapped with a five-game suspension. The Rangers' Jacob Trouba, left, tries to defend against Connor McDavid, right, during Saturday's game. McDavid had three points on the night, scoring twice and assisting once. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) Stuart Skinner made 33 saves in net for the Oilers. Artemi Panarin replied with a pair of goals for the Rangers (12-6-1) who have lost two straight after opening a four-game road trip with a pair of victories. "We're leaving our goalies out to dry in the first period especially and we have to come out with a lot more urgency and we have to dig deep here and look at ourselves in the mirror before the next game," said New York forward Vincent Trocheck. Quick had 34 saves for the Rangers.In the lives of public figures a tale often takes hold and that narrative becomes their story. In the case of Jimmy Carter, it goes like this: A humble peanut farmer and former Georgia governor defies extraordinary odds and wins the White House, through a combination of virtue, decency and a post-Watergate political cleansing. Over the next four years he is overwhelmed and over-matched by inflation and Iran’s ayatollah. He scolds his countrymen and wears a sweater like a hairshirt. He’s attacked by a “killer rabbit ” and loses reelection — in an electoral college landslide — to the buoyant and swaggering Ronald Reagan. But, then, in a great and noble second act, the former president travels the world spreading goodness, peace and light while helping build safe and affordable housing for the needy and fighting the twin scourges of poverty and disease . There is much that is accurate about that account. But it also overlooks a good deal, and distorts some of the rest. “There’s been this easy shorthand about him that is actually a real disservice to the complex truth,” said Jonathan Alter, a political journalist and author of the 2020 biography “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life.” In Alter’s considered judgment, Carter, who died Sunday at 100 , “was an underrated and under-appreciated president and an appropriately appreciated but slightly overrated former president.” Politics is a zero-sum profession, its score-keeping writ in black and white. Either you win or lose. “If you’re president and you’re defeated for a second term — that, in our system, is the definition of failure,” said Les Francis, a California Democratic strategist who worked in the Carter White House and both his presidential campaigns. Francis, now retired in the Sierra foothills, is quite mindful of the Carter narrative — lousy president, sainted ex-president — and reacted to its mention in a tone that mixed weariness with resignation. “It rankles those of us who worked for him,” Francis said, “and I know it rankled him because it ignores the substantial accomplishments of his presidency.” Those include a doubling of the national park system; the first national legislation funding green energy; major civil service and government ethics reforms; creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency ; the Middle East peace accord between Egypt and Israel; normalization of relations with China; and moves that helped bring about the end of the Soviet Union. In their most recent survey, released in February, presidential historians ranked Carter’s performance 22nd among the nation’s 46 presidencies. To give some perspective, Abraham Lincoln was first and Donald Trump came in dead last. Of course, there were plenty of reasons that Carter lost his 1980 reelection bid. A stiff primary challenge from the liberal leviathan, Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The toxic mix of high inflation and high unemployment, dubbed “stagflation.” Gas lines. The Iranian hostage crisis and, in particular, a failed rescue attempt that ended in wreckage and humiliation in the country’s Great Salt Desert . Carter also had a self-righteousness that could present as starchy and sanctimonious, a trait he exhibited even in his good works once he left the White House. “Sometimes, as a former president, he operated as a kind of freelance secretary of State and he did some things to complicate the lives of his successors that don’t look so great in retrospect,” Alter said. “I think he sometimes let his own ego get in the way a little bit.” The body language on those occasions Carter gathered alongside presidents past and present was telling. He stood among them but always seemed somehow apart. At bottom, Carter was a fundamentally good and caring man, who lived his Christian faith and whose uprightness and personal probity offer a model for those who’ve followed him into the Oval Office. (His more than year-long survival after entering hospice and refusing further medical treatment was both stirring and surprising. Carter’s last public appearance came in late November, at the funeral of his wife, Rosalyn, who died two days after entering hospice at age 96.) In 1976, during the presidential campaign, there was a flap when Carter told Playboy magazine he “looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The controversy seems quaint now, compared to the criminally-indicted Trump’s 2016 boast of grabbing women “by the pussy” and getting away with it. It’s just one example of how low our politics have sunk , and it casts some of the criticisms of Carter in a fresh light. Maybe being a micro-manager and a little uptight weren’t such horrible things after all. After news broke that Carter had entered hospice, writer and GOP political consultant Stuart Stevens was one of many offering public reappraisals of the former president. “The first article I published in a national magazine was a snarky piece ... calling Jimmy Carter a failure,” Stevens said on Twitter, as the site was then known. “Looking back on it, my smugness was disgusting. I can’t imagine he read it & if he did, I’m sure he didn’t care but still, I wish I had found a way to apologize.” In a follow-up email, Stevens said his original piece came “from the perspective of a Southerner who felt that Carter was an embarrassment. Not in a policy sense but just his manner and approach. “There was no appreciation,” Stevens said, “for the basic decency of a man trying to do what he felt was right.” In the summer of 1984, after his forced exit from the White House, Carter paid a return visit to Washington. It was a rarity. The former president was never much liked inside the Beltway, and the feeling was mutual. But Carter, as dutiful Democratic soldier, headlined a reception and chicken dinner to raise money for his f ormer vice president, Walter Mondale , while Mondale prepared to accept the party’s presidential nomination. (And, it turned out, the opportunity to be buried a few months later in yet another Reagan landslide .) With the leadership mantle passing from the former president to his understudy, Mondale offered a laudatory summation of the Carter administration. “We told the truth,” he said. “We obeyed the law and we kept the peace. And that’s not bad.” Not bad at all.

Israeli police set to probe Netanyahu’s wife over ‘harassment of witnesses’South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he will lift his martial law decree, giving in to the parliament’s opposition, just hours after his dramatic move imposing it Tuesday. Yoon said in a televised address early Wednesday that he will “accept the National Assembly’s demand and lift the martial law through a cabinet meeting,” which he said he had called but its members hadn’t yet arrived. He will immediately lift the martial law when they convene, he said. Yoon, 63, stunned the nation, lawmakers and investors earlier by declaring martial law in a high-stakes move he claimed would prevent the opposition from trying to paralyze his administration amid a political rift that is set to deepen markedly. The South Korean leader’s political future will be put to test after his daring move, which caught even his fellow party members and foreign allies like the US by surprise. “I request the National Assembly to immediately stop the reckless acts of paralyzing the functions of the state through repeated impeachments, legislative manipulation, and budget manipulation,” Yoon said in his earlier televised address. After Yoon announced he would lift the decree, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said its troops that had been mobilized for the martial law declaration have returned to their original posts as of 4:22 a.m., Yonhap reported. No unusual activities have been spotted from North Korea, it added. The move was viewed by analysts as a risky political play that was likely to backfire rather than an attempt to return to military-led regimes of the past. With the his own government and party kept in the dark alongside the US and other friendly nations, Yoon created a chaotic moment that left him isolated and even further from controlling the political agenda going forward. Early Wednesday morning, 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament unanimously voted to demand the lifting of martial law. The president had said his move was intended to protect freedom and constitutional order, that it wouldn’t have an impact on South Korea’s foreign policy, and that it would help eradicate the influence of North Korean supporters. A proclamation released after the address banned all political activities and strikes and said media would be subject to control of the Martial Law Command.Korean assets were battered during New York trading. The won suffered its sharpest drop since the global financial crisis to hit 1444.65 its lowest in over two years, before paring losses. Samsung Electronics’ London-listed shares fell as much as 7.2% then regained some ground. The finance minister and central bank chief met and promised to provide unlimited liquidity to markets if needed. The Bank of Korea will meet early Wednesday, just a week after a surprise rate cut partly triggered by heightened uncertainty generated by US President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory. Adding to the sense of chaos, the nation’s largest union federation called a general strike in defiance of Yoon’s order. The shock announcement to impose martial law for the first time since the democratization of South Korea in 1987 caught even Yoon’s own party off guard. Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, condemned the move and vowed to stop it, in a sign of the president’s increasing isolation and his lack of consultation. The move also surprised the White House, prompting Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to say that the Biden administration was watching the developments with “grave concern.” Yoon’s abrupt decision came after months of wrangling and deadlock in parliament between the president’s minority government and the main opposition Democratic Party, but with little expectation that the president would take such a drastic step. The opposition has been trying to force its budget proposal through parliament and has submitted an impeachment motion against the chief prosecutor after months of also trying to get Yoon’s wife prosecuted. Adding to the fractious political rift, the DP’s leader has faced multiple court cases and was convicted last month of election-law violations, barring him from running for president if it is finalized. Amid the political standoff, Yoon had vetoed a string of bills passed by parliament and at times angering his own party. His latest act ramped up tensions considerably domestically, while also creating high uncertainty abroad for the outlook of one of the world’s key suppliers of semiconductors and a stalwart US ally in an increasingly complex security environment in Asia. Even though the martial law order lasted less than a day, the political instability it will generate is set to last two or three years, according to Lee Won-Jae, a sociology professor at at Kaist Graduate School of Culture Technology in Daejeon. “Martial law has lost its effect, so from this moment on, all state institutions exercising physical force, including the military and police of the Republic of Korea, are obligated not to follow unlawful or unfair instructions,” Han, the leader of Yoon’s party, said in a Facebook post. Yoon’s moves came at a time of high uncertainty for the nation as its trade-dependent economy faces potential tariffs from Trump’s incoming US administration. Bloomberg Economics estimates that full imposition of tariffs on China, South Korea and other US trading partners could reduce Seoul’s exports to the US by as much as 55%. Meanwhile, North Korea continues to present a security concern as it deepens its ties with Russia, having sent thousands of troops there to help in Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s defense minister visited Pyongyang last week in the latest sign of talks between the two countries. Russia may help provide North Korea key technology for its weapons programs including its intercontinental ballistic missiles. “We shouldn’t be fooled - this has nothing at all to do with North Korea and all to do with domestic politics,” said Defense Priorities Fellow Daniel DePetris. China suggested its citizens residing in South Korea keep calm and try to avoid going outdoors for anything non-essential, the country’s embassy said in a post on social media Tuesday night. The embassy also asked Chinese citizens to comply with official orders from the Korean government and “use caution” over sharing political opinions. “The domestic uncertainty adds to the external pressures in recent weeks as the market is starting to price in the rise of higher US tariffs under the new Trump administration,” said Aroop Chatterjee, a strategist at Wells Fargo. “Korea is an open economy sensitive to shifts in global export demand and spillovers from a weaker China.” What Bloomberg Economics Says... “The declaration of martial law appears to be motivated primarily by domestic politics rather than stresses in the relationship with North Korea.” — Ben Baris, economist For the full report, click here While it remains to be seen if the short-lived declaration of martial law will have a lasting impact on markets and the economy, Yoon’s high-stakes move is certain to knock confidence in his leadership and his reliability as a bullwark of democracy in a nation with many authoritarian neighbors. “US officials look to South Korea now as a beacon of democracy so for a president to pull a fast one like this is certainly shocking and unprecedented.” said DePetris. Read: Text of South Korean President’s Speech Imposing Martial Law Bank of Korea’s monetary board, which unexpectedly cut the key rate last week, will also hold an extraordinary meeting Wednesday morning to discuss steps to shield the economy and markets. “From a near-term policy standpoint, apart from the market disruptions, uncertainty could also arise in the event of cabinet changes,” Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts Goohoon Kwon and Kamakshya Trivedi wrote in a note Tuesday. With assistance from Maria Elena Vizcaino. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.In the past three years , News Corp’s executive chairman Australia, Michael Miller , has featured in the top 10 of the Mediaweek 100 list. For the 2024 list, he has edged his way higher to occupy the top spot. Arguably, he could have received that recognition two years ago when he noted that News Corp Australia had its best year in a decade. He has been placed at the top this year though for steering the giant publisher through a tougher market. When the economy goes south, News Corp Australia feels it all over. In Australia, the company has deep tentacles into the news business via investments in print, digital and broadcast. The company was an early adopter in digital and news.com.au has been a leader in the commercial online space almost since inception. At a time when others are experimenting with paywalls, news.com.au has steadfastly kept the site free to view. When News Corp decided to get into audio, it did so with a growing range of podcasts. Leading the way was the incredible success Hedley Thomas had first with The Teacher’s Pet . Now he is doing it again with the Bronwyn series. The print titles initially offered free access to their digital versions. They all now sit behind paywalls and they have a combined subscription audience of 1m. Miller was not able to attend the Mediaweek 100 Lunch, and he sent the managing director & publisher, The Australian and prestige titles, Nicholas Gray , to accept the award on behalf of the company. Before he left Australia on his recent trip, Miller spoke to Mediaweek . See the complete list: MEDIAWEEK 100 – 2024 Our discussion started around the business climate in 2024. “It’s been a tougher year for the country,” stated Michael Miller. “ It’s not just interest rates that are on hold. It feels like Australia is on hold. People face cost pressures and aren’t spending like they were. As a result, companies have been more constrained and that has impacted all in the media.” When asked about what Miller and his teams are forecasting in terms of 2025, he explained: “We are going to have to work our way through uncertainty around the economy. It will be an election year too which outs some people on pause. We expect the first half to be challenging, but we are hopeful the second half sees some normalisation.” Mediaweek reported on a number of organisational changes within the Australian business in recent times. “I would say that every major company this year has restructured,” said Miller. “Some are still going through that. You’re seeing what’s happening at Seven and Nine in terms of their news divisions. “We’ve seen changes in the sales leadership at Seven and their structures changed. Southern Cross has gone through its own evolution. “ The industry has gone through a lot of change and we’ve probably made bigger changes because we better planned it than others. “Unfortunately, those plans became a bit more public than we would have liked. But to get it right, sometimes you’ve got to engage with groups of people.” A major concern when any media group cuts staff is the impact it could have on the product. How has News Corp gone in that regard? “Others have commented on this, that there’s been less impact on frontline journalists. We’re doing far better at sharing our journalism around the group.” He added investing in the product remains a priority. “ If I was able to get any extra dollars, I would put them into better journalism. ” Keeping the news brands fresh can be difficult with shrinking teams. Yet Miller said they have plenty up their sleeves for 2025. “We do, but we probably won’t flag them with you just yet, sorry.” “This week we launched health as an example on The Australian . You’re seeing a lot more video journalism. Things like ‘Charlotte’s Wish’ around the network his month. “If you look at what happened in Queensland, Voter Verdict [in The Courier- Mail] was a new way of reality TV on elections. The 5 @ 5 on The Daily Telegraph has done remarkably well. So they’re examples of the areas we’re leaning into.” Michael Miller with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and editor-in-chief of The Australian Michelle Gunn at the newspaper’s 60th anniversary Miller marks nine years in the role at News Corp Australia this year. In 2015 there were a number of changes at the top of News Corp Australia. Julian Cark retired and his role of CEO was taken over by Peter Tonagh , formerly COO. Michael Miller, was CEO of APN, but rejoined the company as executive chairman of News Corp Australasia. Tonagh soon handed over his responsibilities to Miller when Tonagh was appointed Foxtel CEO. Miller reports to News Corporation CEO Robert Thomson , head of the global operations. Having a period of stable leadership at News seems to have been beneficial. “I compare ourselves to football teams – and we own a share of the Brisbane Broncos,” explained Miller. “When you’ve got consistency, you tend to play better. “In both the player group and leadership group, back office, front office. News has shown that we perform consistently well through consistency of strategy and leadership . Whenever people change, they want to change things. “That doesn’t always build upon what you’ve already got, those foundations. I’m lucky I work for a company that has that mantra and that is part of our DNA.” As to media coverage about News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch spending more time in Australia these days, Miller commented: “I would say he’s been spending more time in Australia now for many years. It’s no different now to how it was four or five years ago. He spends a lot of time travelling as well. “We know that all the Murdochs are very passionate about news media and are great supporters of journalism.” There’s been a good supply of Australians to head office too in New York. That has been highlighted by the recent decision of group CFO Susan Panuccio to step away. Miller reminded Mediaweek there are a few others still there in addition to Robert Thomson – Damian Eales (now the CEO of Realtor.com) and Ruth Allen (chief human resources officer). “It’s good to have Aussie accents in the head office,” grinned Miller. Both Miller and Thomson have spoken about the dangers of big tech on both the industry and consumers, young and old. Miller called out The Sydney Morning Herald for what he said was its good work in the investigation it titled The 101 ways Google serves up Australians to known scammers . “One of the things that does trend is scams. Australians are waking up every morning to another hoax or fake message. “We are also very concerned about youth suicide. And also the broader impacts on all businesses. With search and social now, if you’re not on it and you’re not prominently on it and not paying to be prominent on it, it’s hard to have a business. Is that right in terms of a functioning competitive market? “I’d argue no, and I think that’s where our government’s starting to show some movement. There’s been a policy launch every week now, and I suspect there’s a few more in the coming few weeks.” Michael Miller with News Corp’s Lou Barrett and Pippa Leary Miller might have complimented Nine on their recent Google investigation, but they remain fierce competitors. Nine recently fired a broadside at News Corp when they labelled a campaign a “vendetta” to oust Kevin Rudd as US ambassador. An editorial in The SMH called the campaign a “disgrace”. Miller wasn’t about to join the fray. “I’d say as an industry, we’re working really well. We print and distribute for Nine, for example. “ Our competition is probably not each other any more. “We’re seeing that [our competition] is the tech platforms. We’re aligned on the importance of trusted media. “As an industry, we are probably far closer than what many would consider. We might have different audiences and different stories to run. I understand that if they have a different opinion, they should be able to write that. “I have lived with that sort of niggle for a good 40 years, and I’m not going to start worrying about it now.” News Corp and Nine Entertainment Co are still heavily in the print business seven days a week. When asked if News Corp runs the numbers on the print model about not publishing every paper, every day, Miller replied: “I do run the numbers and they’re still profitable. “I’ll continue to run the numbers. When it gets to a point where it becomes evident they’re not profitable [we will reconsider]. There are close to a million papers consumed every day in Australia on the weekends. Most categories would be pretty happy with that sort of day-to-day penetration.” The ad loads in those products indicate marketers still find many of the products as a useful way to reach an audience. “All traditional mass media, and TV particularly, even radio through streaming, have been disrupted. For some categories, print is still reaching a pretty defined audience, being older, wealthy Australians. ” Keeping the product daily is key to maintaining that audience. “It’s a bit like TV programming. It’s about habit, regular scheduling. Some people are in the habit of reading the printed product every day. You change it and you put that at risk. While there are some days that people are more likely, like the weekends, to consume, they’re still consuming in those large numbers, Monday to Friday, and we’ll still continue to serve that need.” See also: Michael Miller on News Corp revenues, growth targets and growing client solutions

Published 19:09 IST, December 22nd 2024 POEM-4, the fourth stage of ISRO's PSLV rocket, will test seed germination in space, robotic debris capture, and green propulsion systems, all in orbit. New Delhi: Demonstration of seed germination in outer space, a robotic arm to catch a tethered debris there, and testing of green propulsion systems are some of the experiments planned on the POEM-4 -- the fourth stage of ISRO's PSLV rocket that remains in orbit after launching a satellite. The PSLV-C60 mission, slated for an yearend launch, is scheduled to place the twin satellites 'Chaser and Target' to demonstrate the space docking technologies that are crucial for building India's space station. The PSLV Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) will carry 24 experiments -- 14 from various ISRO labs and 10 from private universities and start-ups -- to demonstrate various technologies in space. ISRO plans to grow eight cowpea seeds from seed germination and plant sustenance until the two-leaf stage in a closed-box environment with active thermal control as part of the Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The Amity Plant Experimental Module in Space (APEMS), developed by Amity University, Mumbai, plans to study the growth of spinach in a microgravity environment. Two parallel experiments will be carried out simultaneously -- one on POEM-4 in space and one on the ground at the university. The experiment's outcome will provide insights into how higher plants sense the direction of gravity and light. The Debris Capture Robotic Manipulator, developed by VSSC, will demonstrate the capturing of tethered debris by a robotic manipulator using visual servoing and object motion prediction in the space environment. The robotic manipulator will be capable of capturing free-floating debris and refuelling tethered and free-floating spacecraft in future POEM missions. Mumbai-based start-up Manastu Space will test Vyom-2U, the green propulsion thruster, that uses a blend of hydrogen peroxide and in-house additives as fuel, with the goal of providing a safer and higher-performing alternative to hydrazine for space applications. The Varuna payload, developed by Piersight Space-Ahmedabad, is an in-orbit demonstration of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in a CubeSat form factor. This mission marks the initial step towards establishing a constellation of SAR and Automatic Identification System (AIS) satellites, aiming to provide persistent, near real-time monitoring of all human and industrial activity at sea. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.) Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 19:09 IST, December 22nd 2024

Peyton Smith scores 12 points as Fairfield earns 67-66 win over VermontAmazon is selling the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro for a penny when you enroll in Boost Mobile's two-year installment plan. It's a great deal if you're looking for a fresh start or already a Boost Mobile customer. All models, except for the Pro Max, are in stock. The catch is that you'll have to pay for Boost Mobile's networking plan, which starts at $65 per month. You'll have to pay off the phone if you end the two-year contract early. The " free phone " deal is nothing new in the consumer space, and if you've clicked into this article with a bit of skepticism, that's normal. Such offers are almost always too good to be true, whether promoted by AT&T, T-Mobile, or Best Buy . For the right customer, however, they're the perfect opportunity to own a new phone for less than retail. Also: The best Cyber Monday deals still live The latest variation of the "free phone" comes via Boost Mobile , which previously sold the iPhone 15 series for a penny, and has now moved on to the more recent iPhone 16 series. With this Cyber Monday deal, you can score one of the latest iPhone 16 models -- I'm seeing the base iPhone 16 and 16 Pro for one cent. The iPhone 16 Plus and 16 Pro Max are not included. So, what's the deal with this deal? Let me break down the fine print for you. Buying one of the best iPhones on the market for almost no money is a no-brainer for anyone, but digging into the offer details shows that you must meet three other qualifications to reap the benefits: You must enroll in a 36-month installment plan under Boost Mobile. A Boost Infinite wireless plan is required and starts at $65 per month. The iPhone will be locked to the Boost Mobile network and will be unusable by other carriers. Basically, the one-cent iPhone is Boost Mobile's way of reeling you into a three-year agreement. The wireless plan that you have to sign up for is how the carrier makes its money back. Also: Why I'm recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I'm not alone) If you ever opt out of the contract, you'll have to pay off the rest of the iPhone. Conversely, once you get through the three-year term, you can always resell the iPhone and get some money back. These qualifications shouldn't surprise you, especially if you've purchased a phone from a carrier before. In fact, if you're already under a monthly data plan that costs roughly the same (if not more), your existing handset has been paid off, and you're ready to try a new (and possibly better) mobile service, this deal is not as bad as it seems. Best of all, you don't have to trade in any qualifying devices. Before you take the offer , here are the key differences between every iPhone 16 model to help you decide which is best for you: iPhone 16: Most standard iPhone 16 experience, with a 6.1-inch display and a slew of bold colorways iPhone 16 Plus: A long-lasting iPhone with a big 6.7-inch screen, but has a 60Hz refresh rate panel iPhone 16 Pro: Similar feature set as the Pro Max but with a smaller form factor and battery size iPhone 16 Pro Max: The largest display and battery on an iPhone, with all the fix-ins, including Camera Control Model Battery life Typical price Camera iPhone 16 (6.1 inches) 22 hours of video playback, 80 hours of audio playback $800 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, 2X optical zoom iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inches) 27 hours of video playback, 100 hours of audio playback $900 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, 2X optical zoom iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inches) 27 hours of video playback, 85 hours of audio playback $1,000 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, 5X optical zoom iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.8 inches) 33 hours of video playback, 105 hours of audio playback $1,200 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, 5X optical zoom Looking to broaden your scope? Check out our roundup of the best Cyber Monday phone deals still available now. When will this deal expire? Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com . When is Cyber Monday? Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024, the first Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. However, expect retailers to begin early discounts and sales weeks before. Best Cyber Monday deals Best Cyber Monday TV deals Best Cyber Monday streaming deals Best Cyber Monday AirPods dealsAn elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.

DETROIT — Fifty years later, a man who grew up in suburban Detroit tried to return a very overdue baseball book to his boyhood library. The answer: You can keep it — and no fine. Chuck Hildebrandt, 63, of Chicago said he visited the public library in Warren while in town for Thanksgiving, carrying a book titled “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars.” He borrowed it in 1974 as a 13-year-old “baseball nut” but never returned it. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago holds the book “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars,” which was due Dec. 4, 1974, at the Warren, Mich., library, on Dec. 10. “When you’re moving with a bunch of books, you’re not examining every book. You throw them in a box and go,” said Hildebrandt, who lived in many cities. “But five or six years ago, I was going through the bookshelf and there was a Dewey decimal library number on the book. ‘What is this?’” Inside the book was a slip of paper indicating it was due back at the Warren library on Dec. 4, 1974. Hildebrandt told The Associated Press he decided to keep the book until 2024 — the 50th anniversary — and then try to return it. He figured the library might want to publicize the long overdue exchange. Chuck Hildebrandt of Chicago shows the library slip in the overdue book "Baseball's Zaniest Stars" on Dec. 10. He said he recently met library director Oksana Urban, who listened to his pitch. Hildebrandt said he hasn’t heard anything since then, though Urban told the Detroit Free Press that all is forgiven. “Some people never come back to face the music,” she said of patrons with overdue books. “But there was really no music to face because he and the book were erased from our system.” So “Baseball’s Zaniest Stars” is back on Hildebrandt’s shelf. In return, he’s now trying to raise $4,564 for Reading is Fundamental , a nonprofit literacy group. The amount roughly represents a 50-year overdue library fine. Hildebrandt seeded the effort with $457. - Draft: 11th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 457 - Career stats: 214 wins, 3.15 earned run average, 1.08 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Missouri (Columbia, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 75.0 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1990 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,499 - Career stats: 468 home runs, .303 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 85.3 - Draft: 48th overall pick in 1978 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,001 - Career stats: 431 home runs, .276 batting average, .788 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Aberdeen HS (Aberdeen, Md.) - Wins above replacement: 95.9 - Draft: 19th overall pick in 1983 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 709 - Career stats: 354 wins, 3.12 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 139.2 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 1989 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,322 - Career stats: 521 home runs, .301 batting average, .974 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Auburn University (Auburn, Ala.) - Wins above replacement: 73.8 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Catcher - Games played: 2,158 - Career stats: 389 home runs, .267 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Binger HS (Binger, Okla.) - Wins above replacement: 75.1 - Draft: 333rd overall pick in 1989 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,543 - Career stats: 612 home runs, .276 batting average, .956 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Illinois Central College (East Peoria, Ill.) - Wins above replacement: 73.1 - Draft: 8th overall pick in 1995 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 2,247 - Career stats: 369 home runs, .316 batting average, .953 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.) - Wins above replacement: 61.8 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 2004 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 518 - Career stats: 260 wins, 3.25 earned run average, 1.12 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Old Dominion University (Norfolk, Va.) - Wins above replacement: 81.7 - Draft: 428th overall pick in 1988 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,103 - Career stats: 130 home runs, .299 batting average, .794 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: University of Arizona (Tucson, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 68.4 - Draft: 29th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,707 - Career stats: 317 home runs, .305 batting average, .857 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: El Segundo HS (El Segundo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 88.6 - Draft: 25th overall pick in 2009 - Position: Centerfielder - Games played: 1,518 - Career stats: 378 home runs, .299 batting average, .991 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Millville Senior HS (Millville, N.J.) - Wins above replacement: 86.1 - Draft: 7th overall pick in 2006 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 425 - Career stats: 210 wins, 2.48 earned run average, 1.00 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Highland Park HS (Dallas, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 79.7 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 1973 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,856 - Career stats: 251 home runs, .285 batting average, .772 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: William Howard Taft Charter HS (Woodland Hills, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 77.4 - Draft: 55th overall pick in 1969 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 692 - Career stats: 287 wins, 3.31 earned run average, 1.20 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Santiago HS (Garden Grove, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 94.5 - Draft: 295th overall pick in 1965 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 807 - Career stats: 324 wins, 3.19 earned run average, 1.25 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Alvin HS (Alvin, Texas) - Wins above replacement: 81.3 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1992 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,747 - Career stats: 260 home runs, .310 batting average, .817 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Central HS (Kalamazoo, Mich.) - Wins above replacement: 71.3 - Draft: 96th overall pick in 1976 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 3,081 - Career stats: 297 home runs, .279 batting average, .820 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Oakland Technical HS (Oakland, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 111.1 - Draft: 30th overall pick in 1971 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,404 - Career stats: 548 home runs, .268 batting average, .908 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Ohio University (Athens, Ohio) - Wins above replacement: 106.9 - Draft: 6th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Outfielder - Games played: 2,986 - Career stats: 762 home runs, .298 batting average, 1.051 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.) - Wins above replacement: 162.8 - Draft: 86th overall pick in 1977 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,573 - Career stats: 28 home runs, .262 batting average, .666 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 76.9 - Draft: 1st overall pick in 1993 - Position: Shortstop - Games played: 2,784 - Career stats: 696 home runs, .295 batting average, .930 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Westminster Christian School (Miami, Fla.) - Wins above replacement: 117.6 - Draft: 402nd overall pick in 1999 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 3,080 - Career stats: 703 home runs, .296 batting average, .918 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods (Kansas City, Mo.) - Wins above replacement: 101.4 - Draft: 3rd overall pick in 2006 - Position: Third baseman - Games played: 1,986 - Career stats: 342 home runs, .264 batting average, .804 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 58.6 - Draft: 4th overall pick in 1986 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 486 - Career stats: 211 wins, 3.28 earned run average, 1.22 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, Ga.) - Wins above replacement: 67.8 - Draft: 17th overall pick in 1995 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 416 - Career stats: 203 wins, 3.38 earned run average, 1.18 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Arvada West HS (Arvada, Colo.) - Wins above replacement: 64.2 The Major League Baseball draft is unique among professional sports drafts. The 30 organizations pick teenagers and college students who will not join their big league clubs for years—if ever. These athletes will spend that time honing their craft in the minor leagues, where long bus rides and minuscule paychecks are the norm. A few will move quickly up the ranks, seizing playing time opportunities to advance their careers and making their names known to scouts, fans, and other observers around the country. Some of the best will become MLB stars, but there's minimal correlation to draft position. Four of the players on this list were picked after hundreds of other diamond darlings, and only two were #1 overall selections. There's also more than a handful who didn't do much for the teams that drafted them, including superstars such as Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Randy Johnson. Each of these players was traded before they evolved into Hall of Famers. Still, calling the draft a "crapshoot" might be going too far. College players are " slightly more likely " than high schoolers to reach the revered stadiums of the majors, and third-rounders have a better chance than fifth-rounders, for example, though the margins are slim, as Vice reported. Teams not only make picks based on years-in-advance projections but also whether they can sign players, a step that must be completed before those youngsters begin playing professionally. To see how clubs have fared since the inaugural draft in 1965, ATS.io compiled a list of the best draft pick by each franchise using data from Baseball Reference . The players were ranked using career wins above replacement , so not one recent choice was named. The amazing Mike Trout, a 32-year-old selected in 2009, is the youngest player. Unsigned picks were not considered, and players who were traded as picks were credited to their acquiring teams. Data is as of June 5, 2024. - Draft: 31st overall pick in 1984 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 744 - Career stats: 355 wins, 3.16 earned run average, 1.14 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: Valley HS (Las Vegas, Nev.) - Wins above replacement: 106.6 - Draft: 76th overall pick in 2007 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,589 - Career stats: 417 home runs, .258 batting average, .874 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Notre Dame HS (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 44.3 - Draft: 2nd overall pick in 1985 - Position: First baseman - Games played: 1,976 - Career stats: 284 home runs, .303 batting average, .880 on-base plus slugging - College/HS: Mississippi State University (Mississippi State, Miss.) - Wins above replacement: 56.5 - Draft: 36th overall pick in 1985 - Position: Pitcher - Games played: 618 - Career stats: 303 wins, 3.29 earned run average, 1.17 walks plus hits per inning - College/HS: University of Southern California (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Wins above replacement: 101.1 Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant is skipping his final college season to enter the NFL draft. Grant, a key part of the Wolverines' 2023 national championship team, announced his decision Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Fellow Michigan interior lineman Mason Graham had already declared for the draft. Both are projected as likely first-round picks. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound Grant was a third-team Associated Press All-American. He had 32 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. Grant helped Michigan upset Ohio State in the Big Ten regular-season finale, making four tackles. Cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland have also declared for the draft leading up to Michigan's game against No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football The Associated Press