phmacao 777 A couple who bought the vacant home next door without ever looking inside have shocked the internet by revealing what they found when they finally entered. Homeowners Ray, 57, and Tracey, 53, who reside in Chicago, bought their second home in New Buffalo, Michigan, several years ago after falling in love with the lakefront location. Three years ago, they learned that the house next door was vacant, and rather than letting it lay dormant, they wanted to revive it. Tracey told Newsweek that they've "bought and renovated several other homes" in New Buffalo, and they love being able to transform a space into something beautiful. But there was one problem: they'd never seen inside the property and if they wanted it, they would have to buy the house without ever seeing inside, known as sight unseen. "The seller wouldn't allow us to go inside the house, show us pictures, or tell us anything as far as floor plan, number of beds, baths," Tracey said. "All the windows and doors were completely covered up too. She continued: "We had no idea what was inside, but knew the land itself was valuable because of the lakefront location. And even more valuable to us because we wanted to prevent someone from tearing it down and building next door to us." It was a big risk to buy the home without knowing what was inside, and Tracey said "there weren't any perks" to it. They would have much preferred seeing what they were working with, but the first time they saw the interior was when they picked up the keys on December 14, 2024. The couple were "very nervous" as they opened the front door and stepped inside the home. They were incredibly shocked by the chaos inside that awaited them. "We hadn't been told anything about the condition of the home. We had no idea what we'd find when we walked in," Tracey told Newsweek . "We were taken aback by the amount of stuff that was still in there, and by all the personal belongings they left behind and the condition they were left in. It looked like the house had been ransacked." As they made their way round the lakefront home, the couple found rooms filled with old furniture, stacks of boxes filled with belongings, and even a hidden attic room that was completely untouched. Needless to say, Tracey and Ray have a huge task on their hands to turn this outdated home into a modern and vibrant place people want to stay in. They've found mold in some of the rooms, and damp throughout, which will need to be addressed. They've started by clearing out the items inside the house, and then will be able to start on the renovations , which they expect to take at least six months. "We hope to keep as much of the original structure as possible, but a lot depends on what we find when we open up the walls," Tracey continued. "There's a lot of water damage, but we weren't that surprised since the roof is covered by a tarp." Social Media Reaction The couple started documenting the experience of buying the house sight unseen on social media (@houseontheharbor on TikTok ) and the clips went viral. The first video, showing what they found when they walked in , had amassed over 1 million views and 22,200 likes at the time of writing. Alongside the clip, the caption joked that they've "bitten off more than we could chew." Despite the challenge, Tracey tells Newsweek that they "don't regret it at all" and they're excited about the DIY project that awaits. Tracey said: "The social media response is a total surprise. We've been trying to buy this house for three years, and when we finally got the keys, we thought it'd be fun to document seeing the house for the first time, and that's how the post came to be." As for the advice they'd share with anyone else considering buying sight unseen , Tracey jokes that they should put very little stock in the structure being entirely stable, and just "hope you're pleasantly surprised." The couple's decision to buy the neigbor's home without seeing inside has astounded many people, leading to more than 590 comments on the viral TikTok video. Indeed, there are plenty of social media users who look forward to following along with their renovation journey in the months ahead. Yep, definitely in over our heads!😳 #homerenovation #homemakeover #homeremodel #beforeandafter #diy #diyproject #interiordesign #fyp #foryoupage One comment on the TikTok post reads: "It's in good shape. As someone who used to buy and flip properties, you are EXTREMELY lucky." Another TikTok user wrote: "Some beautiful old pieces there! Just go slow, it all has great potential." While another commenter added: "I actually think it has the bones to be a charming mid-century house!" Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.Big Ten Signing Day: Late flips push Oregon ahead of Ohio State and Michigan in rankings

Costa Rica's digital identity reflects its international growthMentalist George “The Amazing Kreskin” Kresge, a longtime “Tonight Show” guest, has died in his New Jersey home. He was 89. Kreskin boasted of having appeared on “The Tonight Show” 88 times when it was hosted by Johnny Carson. Carson is credited with adding “Amazing” to the New Jersey performer’s nickname. Kreskin frequently performed live shows and recorded YouTube videos prior to his death Tuesday. “The only thing the Amazing Kreskin cared about was performing for all of you, it brought so much joy to his life,” says an announcement on Kreskin’s social media pages. “As Kreskin would say at the end of every show, ‘This is not goodbye, but to be continued.’ ” That message, which notes Kreskin would’ve turned 90 next month, said Christmas was his favorite time of year. He hosted an annual party in the Caldwell, N.J., home where he died. The illusionist’s cause of death wasn’t mentioned. In addition to mind reading and sleight-of-hand tricks, Kreskin made himself available to weigh in on cultural happenings. In 2013, he told the Daily News that he could help Mets slugger Ike Davis become a better hitter through “hypnotic technique.” Davis left the team in 2014. In 2015, he clarified that “there is the immense power of suggestion but hypnosis is BS” when a Florida school district paid $600,000 to the families of students reportedly put into a trance by their principal. One of Kreskin’s less successful stunts was his 2002 guarantee that a UFO would appear over Las Vegas on June 2. When that didn’t happen, radio host Art Bell banned him from his paranormal-based radio show. Kreskin claimed the bad prediction was a stunt to prove a point about media manipulation. He hosted a couple of 1970s television shows in Canada. Those program features Kreskin seeming to read audience members’ thoughts. He also authored several books inspired by his experiences with mental manipulation. Kreskin fans were treated to a 2018 Off-Broadway run at Theatre Row where the magician challenged audience members to hide his paycheck, which he would earn by finding it. When he was unable to do so during one April performance, he told The News he’d donate that money to an animal shelter.

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CHARLESTON, Utah ( ) – Slow and steady, 25-year-old Jake Harvath rode his trusty white mare, Bella, down Highway 189 toward Charleston, Utah, with his other two mustangs, Denver and Eddy, in tow. Drivers roared by in the comfort of their modern modes of transport, but the trio clip-clopped along unphased, not even by the loudest semitrailers. They were on their last leg of what’s been a 14-month, 6,000-mile journey across the country. Just three more miles along a highway was nothing compared to what they’d already overcome. They dipped down side streets and neighborhoods wherever they could along their route to avoid the busy highway, but got help from a police escort along Main Street in Heber City, where traffic was most hectic for three horses and one cowboy. After passing through 25 states — from Utah to the coastline in New Jersey and back — braving busy roads, navigating remote backcountry trails, trudging through blizzards, even taking a harrowing swim across the Delaware River, and at times knocking on doors to ask for safe places to sleep and eat, Jake and his horses’ ride was almost at an end. Jake coined the journey the “Year of the Mustang.” His mission? Raise awareness of the power and plight of the wild horse. How grazing, population growth and development pressures have made life increasingly difficult for these animals, even though they’re idolized as a patriotic symbol for their role in helping settle the West. Jake Harvath rides through Heber City on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, just a few miles from completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. | (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Traffic, as it turns out, would be among the biggest challenges Jake said he confronted along his ride, and it was representative of the entire issue he wanted to highlight — how wild horses “feel constricted and out of place in a human world.” That’s fitting, given the automobile has replaced the horse as a practical use in today’s reality. “That’s the struggle of wild horses, isn’t it?” he told Utah News Dispatch in an interview reflecting on his journey. But by proving their mettle with a modern-day cross-country ride, Jake hoped to inspire others to consider adopting a Bureau of Land Management mustang as one of the many needed solutions to the complex wild horse crisis. Last year, the BLM spent nearly $159 million on efforts to manage wild horse and burro populations across the U.S. — and yet, at more than 73,000 as of March of this year, their numbers continue to be triple what the federal government has deemed as sustainable. To show the country how valuable mustangs are as both companions and work horses even in today’s modern world, Jake rode his steeds all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and back. He hoped to prove they’re just as capable and trustworthy as any other breed — and that they make especially tough trail horses because their survival depends on it in the wild. Police provide an escort as Jake Harvath rides through Heber City, Utah, on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, just a few miles from completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. |(Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) All three of Jake’s mustangs were adopted from the BLM — Bella and Denver from Nevada, and Eddy from New Mexico. Their ages and training levels varied, though, at the start of their journey. Bella, now 18, was the oldest and most experienced. She helped teach Jake when he first started learning how to be a horseman at the age of 14, and they formed a tight bond, leading her previous owner to eventually gift Bella to Jake. Eddy, 13, was previously trained but he was the newest to Jake’s herd, so the two were still learning to trust each other as their ride began. And Denver, now 7, was the youngest and a rookie. Even in the days leading up to their trip, Denver still had a lot to learn about being a pack horse, and Jake was still training him. Now, though, after 6,000 miles, they’re all experts. As they drew closer to her home barn, Sage Creek Equestrian Center in Charleston, Bella’s ears perked up and she began sniffing the air. Her pace quickened. From atop her back, Jake noticed her anticipation build. “She smells home,” he said. Jake Harvath hugs his father, Daniel, as he arrives at Sage Creek Equestrian in Charleston on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. | (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) While doling out more hugs, Jake and his dad led his three horses to Sage Creek’s indoor arena, where Jake waited for the crowd to quiet down before giving a heartfelt speech, thanking them for their support and sharing his gratitude. “I’m shaking,” he said. “I can’t believe it. It doesn’t feel real.” Jake said it’s been a “remarkable experience, being able to help loads of people start the adoption process to adopt their first wild horses. And also just to be some people’s first experience with horses.” Alongside to his goal to raise awareness of the wild horse crisis, Jake also set out to possibly break a record for the longest continuous horse pack trip done in the U.S. within a year’s time. Although he had originally aimed to trek 7,000 miles — with a route that crossed through California before heading back to Utah — Jake changed his plans when he realized it would be difficult to make it back to Utah before winter fully descended in the West. It took him a little over a year, but he still rode 6,000 miles. And based on what he’s been able to research, Jake believes he has indeed set a record for the longest continuous ride in the U.S. within a year. From Sept. 25, 2023, to Sept. 25, 2024, he said he rode 4,570 miles. The most comparable documented horse ride Jake has been able to find was one completed by Lucian Spataro in 1989. In 150 days, Spataro rode 3,000 miles coast to coast, from Los Angeles to Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, according to his website. He crossed through 15 states — the most ever done at the time with the same horses. Jake said he plans to submit an application to The Long Riders Guild, as well as one to Guinness World Records to set an official record. It remains to be seen if they’ll accept it. But to Jake, while the record would be a cherry on top, it wasn’t the point. The horses were. “These horses have suffered, bled, worked, and sweat to no end to get us here to the end, through storms, rivers, over hundreds and hundreds of mountains,” Jake told his supporters. “They’ve proven their worth again and again. I owe my very life to them.” Gus Warr, wild horse and burro manager for the BLM’s Utah office, came to Jake’s homecoming celebration. After Jake’s speech, Warr stood next to him in the indoor arena, thanking him for his work to “bring exposure” to the wild horse crisis while proving mustangs have a “long list” of capabilities, including “endurance, adaptability, stamina, love and partnership.” “The mustang is another horse. It’s another member of people’s family that can do anything a domestic horse can do,” Warr said. He told Jake, “You’ve proven to the world that, you know what, they’re there for everybody.” Warr told Utah News Dispatch that Jake was the best “ambassador” for the BLM’s wild horse and burro adoption program the government could ask for, at no taxpayer expense. “We have animals we need to find homes for,” Warr said. “And he’s been a banner for that.” As of the BLM’s last monthly report issued in September, nearly 63,000 horses were in “off range” holding facilities, cared for in either corrals or pastures. The BLM is tasked with the “management and protection” of both wild horses and the health of public lands. Despite efforts to reduce overpopulation — including round ups and fertility control treatments — wild horse and burro populations remain about three times what federal range managers believe is an appropriate balance with rangeland resources, at about 27,000. Since 2013, herd sizes have more than doubled, though in 2020 populations dipped slightly, according to the BLM. Some wild horse activists advocate against round ups, saying they can be cruel and mustangs have been made scapegoats for rangeland damage most often caused by taxpayer-subsidized cattle grazing. The BLM says it doesn’t remove wild horses to simply make room for cattle grazing on public lands — but rather it does so to “ensure rangeland health” in accordance with land-use plans and to carry out the BLM’s mission to manage public land for multiple uses while also protecting the land’s resources. Still, it’s an expensive problem. Of the $158 million the BLM spent last year alone, $109 million was to care for the animals in off-range holding facilities. While fertility treatments are also expensive and difficult to administer, the agency relies on rehoming horses to save taxpayer money and reduce herd sizes. In 2023, the BLM reported it placed about 8,000 animals into new homes (the second-highest placement rate in more than 20 years), which it estimated saved taxpayers about $181 million. Jake said he sees adoption as not the only solution, but an important one to the wild horse crisis. “The BLM will of course need to apply multifaceted means to controlling wild horse populations if they want to get to stable numbers that the land can sustain, and that means applying perhaps more effective and more supportive means of contraception in mares,” Jake said, as well as “finding more off-range pasture contracts so that more horses in holding facilities can just be retired to a better living situation and they can live more like wild horses do but not competing with other species.” Along with adoption and other methods, Jake said “that will be what it takes to overcome” the issue. Though he acknowledged adoption isn’t the best solution for a majority of horses, he said it’s how more Americans can be part of the solution. While mustangs may be perceived as dangerous or uncontrollable, he wants to encourage existing and perhaps future horse owners against disregarding them in favor of other breeds. “That’s something I think the horse world needs to acknowledge,” Jake said. “That there are qualities these horses have that are absolutely very desirable for many horsemen, and for that reason they should be counted as something worthwhile for horse owners.” Adoption, Warr agreed, is a “huge part of solving the problem,” because the BLM can “only do so much fertility control.” “They’re wild animals. We literally cannot inoculate, capture, vaccinate all the animals we need to,” he said. “It’s overwhelming. So we’re going to continue to do gathers, which means we’re going to have excess animals we’re going to need to find homes for.” Jake’s efforts have indeed directly raised interest in the BLM’s adoption program, Warr said, adding that he’s been contacted by dozens of people “from all over the country” asking about it after they saw Jake on social media, in the news or in person. Jake’s journey also made dozens of local headlines throughout the year. “Him bringing exposure to it is going to help find homes for probably thousands of animals,” Warr said. Police provide an escort as Jake Harvath rides through Heber City on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, just a few miles from completing a 6,000-mile, 14-month ride around the U.S. | (Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) To those who argue wild horses should just be left alone on rangelands and their populations will naturally regulate, Warr said the BLM would be neglecting its government mandate to maintain public lands for multiple uses while balancing rangeland health. Additionally, he said overpopulation could lead horses to starve, suffer and die. For both of those reasons, he said, “We can’t turn our back on them.” Adoption, though, has its own challenges. Americans, too, are facing increased cost-of-living pressures — and of course not everyone can afford to own a horse. They’re a luxury item, and it’s a lifestyle that’s becoming increasingly out of reach. Over his 30 years with the program, Warr said it’s become more difficult to adopt out animals. “It’s definitely part of the equation,” Warr said. “People aren’t using equines like they used to, and it’s getting to be a challenge.” That’s why Jake’s efforts to inspire, he said, may be more important than ever. A little over a year ago when he first embarked on his trip, Jake’s face was clean shaven. For his return, he sported a grizzly beard and a weather-worn face. “He came back a mountain man,” one of his supporters remarked with a laugh at his welcome home party. His horses changed, too. When they first embarked on their trip last year, the youngest, Denver, was still learning the ins and outs of packing. And Eddy, while he was a more experienced trail horse, was still getting to know and trust Jake. Now they’ve both got 6,000 miles of experience in the backcountry through all types of terrain — desert, mountains, snow, rivers, and busy city streets. Jake estimated he’d ride about four to six days a week with week-long breaks in Arkansas and New Jersey. He said they averaged about 20 miles a day for the entire trip, though some days were shorter or longer. Remarkably, Denver and Eddy completed the entire ride, switching between carrying Jake and his belongings, and Jake said he never used a trailer to move his horses forward for any portion of their journey. Bella, however, at 18 years old, worried Jake several months into their ride when he saw she was losing weight. Not wanting to risk her health, Jake arranged a trailer in Arkansas to take her back home to Sage Creek Equestrian Center so she could rest. She returned in March and quickly recovered, Jake said. But hoping to finish out the ride with Bella — the seasoned trail horse that helped teach Jake when he was first learning to be a horseman — one of his friends brought her to the Wyoming-Utah state line. She joined Denver and Eddy to trek the last 115 miles or so of the trip. “It was so cool to get her back to be with us for the last week,” Jake told Utah News Dispatch in an interview the day after his homecoming, reflecting on the integral role Bella played. “She was the horse — really the only horse that was truly ready when we got going. The other two had a lot to learn still,” he said. “And I look back and I realize, if it hadn’t been for her, we just never would have made it from the beginning. She taught those boys how to do their job.” That training and trust was put to the ultimate test in Pennsylvania, when Jake’s plans to cross the Delaware River by riding his horses across the Washington Crossing bridge fell through. He said New Jersey bridge commission officials would not give him permission to bring his horses on the pedestrian path. “My heart sank,” he said, since it was the only way he could get to his destination in New Jersey, where he planned to conclude his trek east at the coastline in Middletown. Otherwise, he’d have to trailer, which wasn’t consistent with his goal. So, Jake said he decided to use satellite imagery of the Delaware River to find a place to cross like “real cowboys,” as he said in a video from that day posted on his YouTube channel — by swimming. “I think we’re going to go for it. Like the old days, folks.” Jake was grinning before he, Eddy and Denver took the plunge. Then the video cut to him emerging from the river soaking and breathless. He praised his horses, laughed with relief, and poured water out of his boots before telling the camera: “That was not easy. I wish I could have filmed that for you guys but that was not a time to be holding a phone.” Recalling the swim months later, Jake said it was an “incredible story that everyone loved,” but he added it was an “extremely risky and scary experience.” The rocks were slippery and the current was strong, threatening to sweep them down the river. Eddy and Denver were hesitant at first, but he said he steered them straight until their hooves lifted off and they were both swimming. “I had to commit, there was no turning around,” Jake said. “If I had any shot of getting it done at all, I had to be completely confident. And that’s what I applied to everything we had to overcome.” As much as the Year of the Mustang was about the mustangs themselves and the special relationships they can form with humans, its success also relied on human relationships — not just friends and family, but also complete strangers. “One of the things that surprised me most about the Year of the Mustang journey,” Jake told his supporters, “was the people who wanted to help us. Everywhere I went.” Jake said his trip could not have been possible without the help he received along the way — the farmers, ranchers and other “horse people” who let him camp overnight on their property, in their barns or stay in their homes. With each state he passed through, Jake said he relied on a network of support that grew thanks to social media and word of mouth. His GoFundMe page also pulled in donations to fund the trip, topping $38,000. Some nights Jake said he’d even have to knock on doors to ask for a place to stay, which he said was rarely rejected. In all, he guessed several hundred people helped him along the way. While he estimated he spent about a quarter of the 437-day trip camping on public land, the rest of the time he said he relied on “people’s private situations, whether that was camping on their land or staying in a barn.” “I always thought this out in my mind as a very solo experience, but it became a very national effort, in a way,” Jake said, adding that he found himself talking to groups about the wild mustang crisis and advocating for their adoption. “Maybe that’s a lot to say, but it definitely felt that way when I was speaking to the masses about wild horses,” he said. “I’m glad I got to share with everyone and to see how many people wanted to be a part of it as we went along — whether they were helping us or wanted to help me spread the word.” Jake had planned for years to do this ride, so he didn’t intentionally plan it for a presidential election year — a time when American polarization is on full display — but it happened to work out that way. Especially as November came around, Jake said that reality was “definitely” noticeable because “it was on everyone’s mind.” He said political differences never really became an issue, though he recognized he was mostly dealing with people from similar backgrounds: farmers, ranchers and other horse people. “I’m one of the personalities that I can make friends with anybody, and that helped me throughout this entire trip,” he said. “So I’m very much able to sit down and talk with complete strangers, wherever they’re coming from, and find ways to get along with anybody. So I never really saw that as a challenge.” During his welcome home party, when speaking to his supporters, Jake said even though he’d get asked all the time whether one state was better than another, “I didn’t meet a bad person.” “And I really do genuinely believe it’s a narrative that gets fed to us,” he said. “I’ve come to find that there’s good people everywhere.” Jake said some would wrinkle their noses when he’d explain he’d be riding to New Jersey and back, asking why he chose that state. It was a matter of logistics, he said, because he’d be able to cross one more state off his list with just three days of riding time to the ocean. Though he ran into more obstacles, like the Delaware River crossing, Jake said he enjoyed his time there, in a state where it truly was an unusual sight to see a cowboy with two horses walking down the street. “It just brightened up everyone’s day to see horses walking through their neighborhood or down the middle of town, Princeton, and everything,” he said. “Everyone was super excited to meet me, like everywhere else. It was funny. Just the different experience and perception I got compared to what other people outside of New Jersey had.” Though some states were more scenic than others (Colorado, he said, had the best views), Jake said he doesn’t have a favorite state. “When you really get down to it and you’re meeting people, it’s like, you know, they’re just people,” he said. “They’re good people.” He does have a favorite moment, though. “It was hitting the beach,” he said, in Middletown. “When I rode those horses up to the ocean and rode them in the water, New York City in the back ... it felt great.” So what’s next for Jake now that he’s home? He said he intends to keep advocating for wild horses, in partnership with the BLM and otherwise. He also plans to continue creating content for his social media platforms, and he hopes to make a career out of it. “I’m going to go back out into the country. Not on horse so much this time, (I’ll) probably drive a little more, to catch other people’s stories — ranchers, horse trainers, farmers,” Jake said. “Also, going and telling my story in bigger and better ways to everyone.” So while he may be home in Utah for now, don’t expect it to last long. “We’re going to take this to the whole world.” To remove this article -

The day after a judge ruled Hamilton's previous encampment ban wasn't infringing on Charter rights, the mayor says the city is looking to put an end to tents in parks. "What's clear about what our city is doing is trying to get to a place where we no longer have tents in parks," said Mayor Andrea Horwath at a news conference Tuesday. "That's exactly what we're trying to achieve in a compassionate way, a responsible way, but in a way that makes those spaces available to all." Ontario Superior Court Justice James Ramsey dismissed the Charter challenge 14 applicants had filed against the city. The applicants, who've all experienced homelessness, were seeking a total of $445,000 in damages when they were evicted from park encampments between August 2021 and 2023. Their lawyers, on behalf of the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, argued the city's encampment ban — in place until last summer — violated their right to life, liberty and security, and was discriminatory as women, people with disabilities and Indigenous people were disproportionately impacted. Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath and general manager Grace Mater held a news conference Dec. 24, 2024, after a judge ruled in the city's favour over its handling of encampments. (Samantha Beattie/CBC) But Ramsey ruled on Monday the city was in its right to keep parks free of tents to uphold public health and safety and social and economic wellbeing of all residents. "I observe that the most vulnerable includes not only the homeless but also the elderly person and the child who want to use a sidewalk or a city park without tiptoeing through used needles and human faeces," he wrote in his decision. Ramsey also determined people hadn't been evicted from encampments overnight, only during the day, which helped the city's case. Applicants reviewing decision The applicants' lawyer Sharon Crowe said in a statement they're disappointed with the decision and currently reviewing it. The decision, however, reaffirms it is against the Charter for municipalities to clear encampments overnight or when shelters are full — similar to two previous Ontario court rulings, Crowe said. "Municipalities must continue to comply with their Charter obligations, which are now beyond doubt," she said. City of Hamilton wins encampment case as judge rules it can enforce tent ban in parks Judge denies Kingston's application to clear encampment This fall and winter, the city is expanding its shelter capacity by 80 per cent, Grace Mate, general manager of healthy and safe communities, told reporters. The city is in the process of adding 272 beds, including 80 at an outdoor shelter, bringing the total to 612. City staff are working on a report for council about what changes can be made to the current encampment protocol, which allows tents in parks if they're set distances away from playgrounds, schools and private property, among other stipulations. "While this [court] decision does not result in immediate changes to how encampments are managed across the city, I want to assure you our staff are working diligently on a set of recommendations," Mater said.Michele Morrone supports Blake Lively during legal battle with Justin Baldoni: ‘She was in pain'

Teenage West Ham goalkeeper dies aged 15 after cancer battle

Big Ten Signing Day: Late flips push Oregon ahead of Ohio State and Michigan in rankingsFLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — This was not the homecoming scenario Kirk Cousins would have scripted. Cousins' return to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018 through 2023, on Sunday comes as he is hearing speculation about his job security in Atlanta. Cousins has thrown six interceptions with no touchdowns in the Falcons' three-game losing streak. That includes four picks in last week's 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, his most in a decade. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Boost for FTSE as investors pile into UK shares: But £317m inflow may be temporary reprieve By GEOFF HO Updated: 22:00 GMT, 4 December 2024 e-mail 4 View comments Britain’s beleaguered stock market enjoyed a reprieve after a three-and-a-half year exodus as investors piled £317million into equity funds last month. Figures published yesterday by funds network Calastone showed London-listed shares enjoyed inflows for the first time since May 2021. However it barely made a dent in the £25.3billion pulled out since then. And Calastone’s global head of markets, Edward Glyn, warned that it was likely to be a temporary reprieve. ‘The inflow is likely to be a hiatus rather than a break in the trend,’ he said. ‘There is no major catalyst on the horizon to prompt a wholesale resurgence of interest in the much-unloved UK stock market.’ In November, investors ploughed into equity investment funds – both UK and overseas – with overall inflows soaring to a record £3.1billion. That reversed record withdrawals in October as they tried to escape capital gains tax hikes in the Budget. Turning point? Figures published by funds network Calastone provided a rare positive for London-listed shares as the market enjoyed inflows for the first time since May 2021 Steven Fine, chief executive of broker Peel Hunt, last week voiced alarm that money was ‘draining out’ of UK funds. The trend reflects the declining market, which has struggled to attract flotations and seen an exodus of listings due to takeovers and defections to stock exchanges overseas. Yesterday, Bloomberg data showed 45 companies have delisted from London this year, up 10 per cent on last year. In comparison, latest EY figures show just ten companies either joined the London Stock Exchange or AIM, its junior market, in the first nine months of the year. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Korean crisis in abeyance - now let's hope Trump goes easy... Gold miner backed by property tycoon Nick Candy snaps up... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account The firms to have left this year include Virgin Money – bought by Nationwide for £2.9billion – and cybersecurity group Darktrace and Keywords Studios, taken over by private equity firms in deals worth £4.3billion and £2.1billion respectively. The exodus is set to continue, as Royal Mail’s £3.6billion takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky awaits government approval, while Carlsberg has a £3.3billion deal in place to acquire Britvic. And yesterday, digital training group Learning Technologies agreed an £802million takeover by a US private equity firm AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: ‘The takeovers are the results of 15, 20-year trends and it is going to take something big to reverse this.’ Veteran City commentator David Buik said: ‘Britain has many world-class, innovative small to medium sized businesses and this is where we need to concentrate as this is where the future lies. ‘If we give them support, it will boost growth.’ DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Boost for FTSE as investors pile into UK shares: But £317m inflow may be temporary reprieve e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.

Proceeds to be used primarily to acquire bitcoin and repurchase existing convertible notes due 2026 Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA) (“MARA” or the “Company”), a global leader in leveraging digital asset compute to support the energy transformation, today announced the closing on December 4, 2024 of its offering of 0.00% convertible senior notes due 2031 (the “notes”). The aggregate principal amount of the notes sold in the offering was $850 million. MARA also granted the initial purchasers an option to purchase an additional $150 million aggregate principal amount of the notes within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which the notes were first issued. The notes were sold in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were approximately $835.1 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions but before estimated offering expenses payable by MARA. MARA expects to use approximately $48 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the notes to repurchase approximately $51 million in aggregate principal amount of its existing convertible notes due 2026 (the “existing 2026 convertible notes”) in privately negotiated transactions with the remainder of the net proceeds to be used to acquire additional bitcoin and for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, strategic acquisitions, expansion of existing assets, and repayment of additional debt and other outstanding obligations. The notes are unsecured, senior obligations of MARA. The notes will not bear regular interest and the principal amount of the notes will not accrete. MARA may pay special interest, if any, at its election as the sole remedy for failure to comply with its reporting obligations and under certain other circumstances, each pursuant to the indenture. Special interest, if any, on the notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2025 (if and to the extent that special interest is then payable on the notes). The notes will mature on June 1, 2031, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms. Subject to certain conditions, on or after June 5, 2029, MARA may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if the last reported sale price of MARA’s common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for a specified period of time ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date MARA provides the notice of redemption. If MARA redeems fewer than all the outstanding notes, at least $75 million aggregate principal amount of notes must be outstanding and not subject to redemption as of the relevant redemption notice date. Holders of notes may require MARA to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes on June 4, 2027 and on June 4, 2029 or upon the occurrence of certain events that constitute a fundamental change under the indenture governing the notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase. In connection with certain corporate events or if MARA calls any note for redemption, it will, under certain circumstances, be required to increase the conversion rate for holders who elect to convert their notes in connection with such corporate event or notice of redemption. The notes are convertible into cash, shares of MARA’s common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of MARA’s common stock, at MARA’s election. Prior to March 1, 2031, the notes are convertible only upon the occurrence of certain events and during certain periods, and thereafter, at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The conversion rate for the notes is initially 28.9159 shares of MARA’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $34.5830 per share. The initial conversion price of the notes represents a premium of approximately 40.0% over the U.S. composite volume weighted average price of MARA’s common stock from 2:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, December 2, 2024, which was $24.7022. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. In connection with any repurchase of the existing 2026 convertible notes, MARA expects that holders of the existing 2026 convertible notes who agree to have their notes repurchased and who have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such notes (the “hedged holders”) will unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying MARA’s common stock and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to MARA’s common stock. The amount of MARA’s common stock to be purchased by the hedged holders or in connection with such derivative transactions may be substantial in relation to the historic average daily trading volume of MARA’s common stock. This activity by the hedged holders could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of MARA’s common stock, including concurrently with the pricing of the notes, resulting in a higher effective conversion price of the notes. MARA cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or MARA’s common stock. The notes were sold to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The offer and sale of the notes and the shares of MARA’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the notes and any such shares may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The offering of the notes was made only by means of a private offering memorandum. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes, nor shall there be any sale of the notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Nothing in this press release shall be deemed an offer to purchase MARA’s existing 2026 convertible notes. About MARA MARA (NASDAQ:MARA) is a global leader in digital asset compute that develops and deploys innovative technologies to build a more sustainable and inclusive future. MARA secures the world’s preeminent blockchain ledger and supports the energy transformation by converting clean, stranded, or otherwise underutilized energy into economic value. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to MARA’s use of the net proceeds of the offering. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of MARA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 28, 2024, as amended on May 24, 2024, the “Risk Factors” section of MARA’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 1, 2024, the “Risk Factors” section of MARA’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024 and the risks described in other filings that MARA may make from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and MARA specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. MARA Company Contact: Telephone: 800-804-1690 Email: ir@mara.comThe Kansas City Chiefs will look to get back in the win column on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. The Chiefs lost their first game of the season last week against the Buffalo Bills. Kansas City allowed 30 points in the loss, marking the first time they've allowed more than 28 points in a game since 2022. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Old Dominion University conferred approximately 1,624 degrees on Dec.14 during its 141st commencement ceremonies at Chartway Arena. The event was the first of its kind since the July 1 integration of EVMS into ODU, forming Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. The first ceremony at 9 a.m. recognized graduates from the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Sciences, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science. The 12:30 p.m. ceremony celebrated students from the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, the Graduate School, the Strome College of Business and Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University’s Ellmer College of Health Sciences, Ellmer School of Nursing and EVMS School of Health Professions. This ceremony also marked a historic milestone with the first two graduates from Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at ODU — both receiving Doctorates in Medical Science. ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., shared a thought-provoking message with graduates as they contemplate their unique journeys ahead. “I would like you to think about the vital role an educated person plays in our society,” he said. “You are among the most fortunate people in one of the most fortunate countries on earth. “Because of the special status you hold as an educated person, others will look to you for leadership. I am confident that they will find in you what they find in so many Monarchs, and that is the heartfelt commitment to public service and social justice.” Kelly Till ’94, the first female president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, served as the keynote speaker for both ceremonies and Kay Kemper ’80, ODU’s first female vice president and former Board of Visitors rector, penned a letter to students offering advice for the future. President Hemphill presented Till and Kemper with honorary Doctor of Business degrees, making them both double alumnae of ODU. During her remarks, Till recalled her own graduation day three decades ago. “I left ODU in 1994 with big dreams, and looking back, I couldn’t be prouder to be a Monarch,” she said. She imparted four timeless lessons to graduates — hoping they will shape and inspire them as they have her: Embrace the journey. Stay true to your values and believe in yourself. You are only as good as the people you choose to surround yourself with. Leave a legacy. Till shared her story as a first-generation college student and daughter of a single mother, saying when she began her journey, she never imagined it would lead to speaking from the commencement stage. She reflected on how losing her first job post-graduation was a setback that unexpectedly launched her 28-year career. Till reminded graduates that their journeys are uniquely theirs and to trust themselves to take bold risks. “You don’t need anyone’s permission to pursue your dreams,” Till said. She reminded graduates that no one achieves success alone and to find people who inspire, challenge and hold them accountable. Till, mother to an ODU alumna and a current student, ended with a heartfelt message that success isn’t measured in accolades but defined by the lives you touch and the difference you make. “Go forth boldly, lead with purpose and always carry your Monarch pride wherever life takes you,” she said. In the written letter graduates received from Kay Kemper ’80, she congratulated them and offered “a few lessons I’ve gathered since I sat where you are now.” She offered four pieces of advice: Take calculated risks. Don’t stress if you don’t have a 10-year plan. Step out of your comfort zone. Love life. “Embrace its mystery and wonder,” she wrote. “Take risks, live fully and don’t let anything hold you back. Or, to borrow the words of Dylan Thomas, ‘Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light!’” Kemper also offered additional pointers she’s found useful, including make as few enemies as possible, it’s rarely too late to pursue something meaningful, don’t let intellectual pride keep you from learning from everyone you meet, start saving money early and get to know yourself well. Kemper ended by congratulating students and wishing them an “extraordinary” journey. “You can and will make a difference,” she wrote. ### Kenya Godette Old Dominion University 757-683-4988 kgodette@odu.edu

Keishon Porter scores 20 to guide North Carolina Central to 77-70 victory over Longwood