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2025-01-09   

711 jili

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. Biden welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. That's when power will transfer to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82. Until Inauguration Day, the president and first lady Jill Biden will continue a busy run of festivities that will double as their long goodbye. The White House schedule in December is replete with holiday parties for various constituencies, from West Wing staff to members of Congress and the White House press corps. Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys, named for the official flower of the president's home state of Delaware. “The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop the table to Biden's right. “Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point, drawing laughter from an overflow crowd that included Cabinet members, White House staff and their families, and students from 4H programs and Future Farmers of America chapters. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield. Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, the group that has gifted U.S. presidents Thanksgiving turkeys since the Truman administration after World War II. President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989. With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center near Waseca in southern Minnesota. The center's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America. Separately Monday, first lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room. The 18.5 foot (5.64 meters) Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene . Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said at the event. The Bidens also traveled to New York City on Monday for an evening “Friendsgiving” event at a Coast Guard station on Staten Island. Biden began his valedictory calendar Friday night with a gala for hundreds of his friends, supporters and staff members who gathered in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn, with a view out to the Lincoln Memorial. Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and his longest-serving staff members came together to hear from the president and pay tribute, with no evidence that Biden was effectively forced from the Democratic ticket this summer and watched Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on Nov. 5. “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event. Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.” The first lady toasted her husband with a nod to his 2020 campaign promise to “restore the soul of the nation,” in Trump’s aftermath. With the results on Election Day, however, Biden’s four years now become sandwiched in the middle of an era dominated by Trump's presence on the national stage and in the White House. Even as the first couple avoided the context surrounding the president's coming exit, those political realities were nonetheless apparent, as younger Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden's Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg not only raised their glasses to the president but held forth with many attendees who could remain in the party's power circles in the 2028 election cycle and beyond. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.None

ITV I'm A Celebrity fans rumble 'real reason' all stars sent on trial amid camp tensions

Philadelphia star quarterback Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol and has been ruled for Sunday's game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, with the Eagles expected to start Kenny Pickett. Hurts missed practice all week, and head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed before Friday's session that Hurts remains in the concussion protocol, adding, "It's going to be tough for him to make it this week." Hurts and Pickett (ribs) were both injured during last weekend's 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders, but Pickett was a full participant in Thursday's practice and was limited on Friday. The Eagles also have Tanner McKee as the emergency third quarterback and signed Ian Book to the practice squad this week. Pickett, who grew up as an Eagles fan in Ocean Township, N.J., will have a chance to help Philadelphia (12-3) clinch the NFC East title in his first start for the franchise. "I'm very excited. It's a big opportunity," he told reporters Thursday. "I've been working hard to stay ready and I felt like I was in a good position last game with my preparation and now having a week to practice, I'll feel even better going into the stadium. So, I'm excited. I just want to get the win." Pickett relieved Hurts in the first quarter against Washington and completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Prior to that, he had appeared in three games in mop-up duty. "He's done a great job," Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said on Friday. "He did a great job last week. I know he had a few hiccups, but overall he's doing a great job. It's not his first rodeo. We have a lot of confidence in him, I do, and I'm excited. "(He's) poised, confident. He comes in, he's commanding the huddle and that's what you want to see." Pickett, 26, compiled a 14-10 record as the starter for the Steelers from 2022-23 after being drafted by Pittsburgh in the first round (20th overall) in 2022. After the Steelers acquired Russell Wilson in March, Pickett was traded along with a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Eagles in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-rounders. Pickett has completed 62.3 percent of his pass attempts for 4,622 yards with 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 29 career games. He has rushed for 303 yards and four scores. Hurts, 26, has completed 68.7 percent of his passes this season for 2,903 yards with 18 TDs and five picks in 15 starts. He has rushed for 630 yards and is tied for the NFL lead with 14 rushing touchdowns. --Field Level MediaA teenager who died in a crash in an allegedly stolen car has been remembered as a “beautiful young man with a huge heart”. Kai McDonald was killed when the allegedly stolen Audi he was a passenger in collided with a station wagon on the Princes Hwy at Pakenham in Melbourne about 4pm on Thursday. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teen killed after allegedly stolen car crashes on Vic highway. The Audi rolled and crashed into nearby trees and a power pole. The 16-year-old was rushed to hospital but died a short time later. Another 16-year-old boy allegedly behind the wheel of the Audi remains in a critical condition, while a fellow 15-year-old passenger is stable. McDonald’s mother told 7NEWS that her son was not involved in the alleged car theft, and that his only mistake was to accept a lift with a friend. Outpourings of support and grief from McDonald’s devastated community continue to flow, as family, friends and local sports clubs share their shock at the news. McDonald’s football club said he was a “much loved friend and teammate”. “The Carrum Downs Junior Football Club committee, players and supporters wish to pass on our deepest condolences to Samantha and family on the tragic passing of Kai McDonald,” the club said. “Kai was a much-loved friend and teammate of our Under 17’s. Forever a part of the team, forever in our hearts.” Chelsea Baseball Club, where McDonald also played, said he was a “beautiful young man” taken too soon. “It is with great sadness that we have heard the news of a passing of one of our own. Kai, you were a beautiful young man with a huge heart taken way too soon,” they said. “Fly high, buddy, sending love to all of your family and friends in this sad time. “He had a huge passion for baseball and football. Even though you were only with us for a short time, you made a big impact. Never forgotten. RIP Kai.” Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and said on Friday that they believe the Audi was stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne North on Sunday “Police are investigating reports the Audi was seen driving erratically on the Princes Hwy prior to the collision,” Victoria Police said. Police urge anyone with relevant information to come forward.

When you match your career high in points in back-to-back games during the same week, there is a high probability that the conference will take notice. The Mountain West Conference did on Monday. Utah State guard Mason Falslev was named the Mountain West Men’s Basketball Player of the Week on Monday. Off to a 5-0 start, the Aggies have received votes the past two weeks in the AP Top 25 Poll. Helping USU stay perfect this past week was Falslev. The sophomore from Benson played a big part in the Aggies’ 95-83 win over Montana in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and then an even bigger role in USU’s 77-69 victory against Iowa in Kansas City. Falslev put up 25 points in each game against the Grizzlies and Hawkeyes, which matches his best scoring game set last season against Boise State. However, Falslev did much more than score. No. 12 set a career-high mark in steals against Montana with five. Against Iowa, he grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds. The double-double against the Hawkeyes was his first at the collegiate level. “Mason played 36 minutes against Iowa, but if we had needed him to play 40, he would have,” USU head coach Jerrod Calhoun said on Monday. “... Not only did Mason play 36 minutes, have 25 (points) and double-digit rebounds, but he also led us in deflections. That’s something that nobody looks at. It’s defense, it’s guarding. When he was on the floor, we held them to less than a point per possession. He impacted that game in a huge way.” Yes, he did. Falslev scored the first points of the game against the Hawkeyes on one of his moves in the paint. Later in the first half he hit a 3-point shot and grabbed a rebound and scored just before halftime as USU went into the break down four. In the second half against Iowa, Falslev scored 16 points, including two big-time 3-pointers as the shot clock was set to expire. Both those treys came with less than seven minutes to play and when the Aggies were in need of a bucket to stay in front. He sealed the victory with a dunk with 34 seconds to play. “I think it’s my first double-double, so that’s pretty cool,” Falslev said after the game against Iowa. “I’m happy about that. It’s awesome.” Against Montana, he had 14 points in the first half, including nine of the final 11 of the opening half for the Aggies as they took a 49-35 lead into halftime. In the second half against the Grizzlies, Falslev hit a huge 3-pointer to end to end a field-goal drought for USU and end a 12-0 run by Montana, who had pulled within two. For the week, Falslev shot 62.5 percent (20 of 32) from the floor, 62.5 percent (5 of 8) from 3-point range and 83.3 percent (5 of 6) at the free throw line. In the two games, he averaged 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 3.5 steals per contest. “Mason Falslev was certainly unbelievable in huge moments,” Calhoun said. This is the first MW Player of the Week honor for Falslev. After spending a few days practicing in Logan, the Aggies will be heading out again to play in the Preseason NIT in Orlando, Florida, later this week. They face St. Bonaventure on Thanksgiving Day at 3:30 p.m. The Bonnies (6-0) beat Bryant Sunday, 85-70. The four-team event will conclude on Friday with a championship and third-place game. Northern Iowa and North Texas are the other two teams playing in Orlando.

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