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https www haha777 tv m home The Mirror and the Light: the series takes Hilary Mantel’s manifesto for historical fiction to heartRomania's far-right candidate Calin Georgescu on Saturday urged voters to go to polling stations despite the country's top court having scrapped the presidential elections over alleged irregularities amid claims of Russian interference. The court's shock ruling, coming just before the presidential run-off which had been due Sunday, opens the way for a new electoral process starting from scratch in the EU and NATO member state bordering war-torn Ukraine. The annulment follows a spate of intelligence documents declassified by the presidency this week detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of "massive" social media promotion and cyberattacks. Georgescu -- who unexpectedly topped last month's first round of voting -- called for voters on Sunday "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power", said a statement from his team. "Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right," said the statement. "That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow." Georgescu himself would go to a polling station near Bucharest at 0600 GMT, said his team. Earlier Saturday, police raided three houses in Brasov city in central Romania as part of the investigation "in connection with crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, computer forgery". Among the houses searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, a TikTok user who according to the declassified documents allegedly paid $381,000 to those involved in the promotion of Georgescu, Romanian media reported. Peschir has compared his support for Georgescu to the world's richest man Elon Musk's backing of US president-elect Donald Trump. Little-known outsider Georgescu, a 62-year-old former senior civil servant, was favourite to win the second round on Sunday against centrist pro-EU mayor Elena Lasconi, 52, according to several polls. But the constitutional court on Friday unanimously decided to annul the entire electoral process as it was "marred... by multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation". President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday that he had discussed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and they agreed on the "need to strengthen the security of social media". The European Commission announced earlier this week that it had stepped up monitoring TikTok after Romania's authorities alleged "preferential treatment" of Georgescu on the platform -- a claim the company has denied. Following the court's decision, the United States said it had faith in Romania's institutions and called for a "peaceful democratic process". Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on X branded the vote's cancellation an "attempt at rigging the outcome" and "denying the will of the people". Georgescu called it "a formalised coup d'etat" and said democracy was "under attack". His team on Saturday declined to comment on the raids, saying they "will not comment or provide answers until we have exact data". Georgescu and another far-right party, the AUR, have said they plan to appeal the decision to stop the voting to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. A past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu, an EU and NATO sceptic, in recent days had reframed himself as "ultra pro-Trump," vowing to put Romania "on the world map" and cut aid for neighbouring Ukraine. In an interview with US broadcaster Sky News on Saturday, Georgescu said there were no links between him and Russia. Political scientist Costin Ciobanu told AFP that the annulment has "further polarised Romanian society". With trust in institutions and the ruling class already low, the vote's cancellation poses a "major danger that Romanians will think that it doesn't matter how they vote", Ciobanu added. Elsewhere in the EU, Austria annulled presidential elections in 2016 because of procedural irregularities. In Romania, a new government is expected to set another date for the presidential vote. In last weekend's legislative elections, the ruling Social Democrats came top. But far-right parties made big gains, securing an unprecedented third of the ballots on mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in Ukraine. In a joint appeal on Wednesday, the Social Democrats and three other pro-EU parties -- together making up an absolute majority in parliament -- signed an agreement to form a coalition, promising "stability". bur-jza/jj

ALEXANDRIA, VA. — The sprawling, windowless warehouses that hold rows of high-speed servers powering almost everything the world does on phones and computers are increasingly becoming fixtures of the American landscape, popping up in towns, cities and suburbs across the United States. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years because of the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and urban and rural governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to move into more densely populated areas, abutting homes and schools, parks and recreation centers, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. In Northern Virginia, more than 300 data centers dot the rolling hills of the area’s westernmost counties and butt up against wooded bike trails winding through the suburbs. But one of the latest proposals in the area, Plaza 500, would see a 466,000-square-foot facility and adjacent electrical substation built a few hundred feet from townhomes, playgrounds and a community center. The pitch from Starwood Capital Group, the private investment firm founded by billionaire Barry Sternlicht, to Fairfax County officials promised jobs and a significant property tax revenue boost. But data center critics say the incentives aren’t enough to counteract the consequences of building the facilities so close to homes. Tyler Ray, a leader in the fight against the Virginia project, worries that more data centers in the area could compromise the already stressed power grid: More than 25% of all power produced in Virginia in 2023 went to data centers, a figure that could rise as high as 46% by 2030 if data center growth continues at its current pace. Some estimates also show a mid-size data center commands the same water usage every day as 1,000 households, prompting concerns over the cost of water. Ray also frets over air quality, as the massive diesel generators that help power the data centers’ hardware send plumes of pollutants into the atmosphere. He and his neighbors tried to stop the development, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. In September, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said all newly proposed data centers must adhere to stricter zoning rules, but the Plaza 500 project was exempt. “I don’t know how a general resident, even someone who has been engaging intently on an issue, has any chance to go up against the data center industry,” Ray said the night the supervisors voted. For local governments, attracting data centers to their municipalities means a financial boon: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Virginia’s data centers brought in $1 billion in tax revenue this year. With average-size facilities, data centers offer a small number of direct jobs — often fewer than 100 positions. Google announced recently that its investment in nearby Loudoun County, which included two data centers, created about 150 direct jobs, a figure data center opponents say isn’t worth the hassle. Data center advocates contend the number of indirect jobs like construction, technology support and electrical work make the projects worthwhile. In that same announcement, Google said its investment created 2,730 indirect jobs. Kathy Smith, the vice chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, voted in favor of the Plaza 500 proposal because, in her estimation, data center growth is inevitable in the region and Fairfax County should reap the benefits. “I have a responsibility to step back from what we do and look at the big picture,” Smith said. “Data centers are not going away.” On the other side of the country, in Morrow County, Oregon, Amazon Web Services built at least five data centers surrounding the 4,200-resident town of Boardman, nestled among vast stretches of farmland flecked with mint patches and wind turbines, next to the Columbia River. Last year, AWS paid roughly $34 million in property taxes and fees stipulated in the agreements after receiving a $66 million tax break. Those payments, in addition to $1.7 million in charitable donations from the company in 2023, have been instrumental in updating infrastructure and bolstering services. This funding has gone toward a new ladder fire engine, a school resource officer and $5,000 grants for homebuyers so far totaling at least $2.8 million. “This road right here? Wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for AWS,” said Boardman Mayor Paul Keefer, riding in the passenger seat of Police Chief Rick Stokoe’s cruiser and pointing out the window at construction workers shifting dirt and laying pavement. AWS cultivated relationships with local officials, including Keefer and Stokoe, who have both been in positions to vote on whether to authorize tax breaks for the company. Some former county commissioners and residents worry that those relationships are too cozy. Kevin Miller, AWS’s vice president of global data centers, said “our interest is in being a model corporate citizen, to really be partners with those communities.” Skepticism of the deals started years ago, when three elected officials allegedly helped approve data center deals while also owning a stake in a company that contracted with AWS to provide fiber optic cables for the data centers. In June, they each paid $2,000 to settle an ethics complaint. Those officials are no longer in office. But the latest data center deal struck between Morrow County officials and AWS, which gives the company an estimated $1 billion in tax breaks spread over the 15 years to build five new data centers, again raised eyebrows. Two former Morrow County commissioners, Jim Doherty and Melissa Lindsay, pushed unsuccessfully in 2022 for AWS to pay more in taxes in new data center negotiations. “We didn’t want to blow it up. We didn’t want to run them off,” Lindsay said. “But there were better deals to be made.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that the United States will hit its statutory debt ceiling around the middle of January, a development she said will prompt the Treasury to resort to “extraordinary measures” to prevent the government from defaulting on its obligations. Yellen outlined the looming fiscal challenge in a Dec. 27 letter to congressional leaders, urging them to act to protect the nation’s economic credibility and preserve fiscal stability. She noted that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 temporarily suspended the debt ceiling through Jan. 1, 2025, enabling lawmakers to avert default during contentious budget negotiations. A day after that deadline—on Jan. 2—a new debt limit will be set based on the total amount of outstanding debt subject to the statutory limit as of the end of Jan. 1. Yellen noted that the debt is projected to temporarily decrease by $54 billion on that date due to scheduled Medicare trust fund redemptions, providing a brief reprieve before extraordinary measures become necessary. “Treasury currently expects to reach the new limit between January 14 and January 23, at which time it will be necessary for Treasury to start taking extraordinary measures.” Yellen wrote. Extraordinary measures, often described as accounting maneuvers, allow the Treasury to free up cash and delay default. These measures, however, are a short-term solution. Once exhausted, they leave the government unable to meet its financial obligations without congressional intervention. Yellen emphasized the urgency of action, warning that a failure to address the debt ceiling would severely damage the nation’s economic credibility. “I respectfully urge Congress to act to protect the full faith and credit of the United States,” she wrote. Yellen’s warning comes as the national debt has climbed to a staggering $36 trillion, driven by decades of government spending outpacing tax revenue under both Republican and Democratic administrations. High inflation that soared after the pandemic led the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates, increasing borrowing costs and debt service payments. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) recently noted that interest payments on America’s public debt have nearly tripled since 2020 and in 2024 were higher than spending on Medicare and national defense. The nonprofit estimated that interest payments will continue climbing over the next decade and beyond, exceeding Social Security spending by 2051 to become the top expense. “The alarm bells are clearly ringing when it comes to our unsustainable national debt,” CRFB analysts wrote in the note. “Policymakers should put in place reforms that reduce the growth of debt and stabilize it as a share of the economy before interest and debt spiral further out of control.” President-elect Donald Trump has proposed eliminating the debt ceiling altogether, or at least extending it through 2029, a move that would give his incoming administration more breathing room by avoiding repeated debt cap standoffs on Capitol Hill. Congress first established a debt limit of $45 billion in 1939 and has since raised it 103 times as government spending has consistently exceeded tax revenue. As of October 2024, publicly held debt hit 98 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a sharp increase from 32 percent in October 2001. CBO projects that public debt will rise to 122 percent of gross domestic product in 2034. Maya MacGuineas, president of CRFB, warned in a recent statement that the risks of rising debt include slower economic growth, higher inflation, and constrained fiscal flexibility that would hamper the government’s ability to respond to economic downturns or global crises.Got a PlayStation 5 but not sure what to play next? With the massive library available, it’s easy to get a little lost scrolling through titles. From award-winning adventures to intense action RPG experiences, there’s a world of incredible games to explore. You’ve got options across every genre, whether you’re into fast-paced shooters, immersive stories that will suck you in for hours, like Elden Ring, or epic multiplayer challenges. And let’s not forget those exclusive gems that make the PS5 shine, like Demon’s Souls or the latest Final Fantasy installment. Even if you’re a seasoned gamer, sometimes you just need a little inspiration to dive back into the console and discover new worlds. Whether you’re after complex game modes that push your skills or just want a taste of that next-gen power, these PS5 games will give you plenty of reasons to keep your controller close. So, if you’re ready for the ultimate adventure (or maybe just an excuse to escape for a while), we’ve got some suggestions that will keep the boredom at bay. Read more: The best SSDs for PS5 Quick Overview Astro Bot More options $60 at Amazon $65 at Walmart $60 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Neva $20 at PlayStation Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition $60 at Amazon Control Ultimate Edition $35 at Amazon Horizon Zero Dawn / Horizon Forbidden West More options $50 at Amazon $50 at Walmart $50 at Target Stray More options $20 at Walmart $30 at GameFly $30 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Dead Space More options $30 at Amazon $38 at Walmart $50 at HSN Gran Turismo 7 More options $45 at Amazon $70 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Humanity $30 at PlayStation Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess $50 at PlayStation God of War Ragnarök $59 at Amazon The Last of Us Part I and II $49 at Amazon Rollerdrome $30 at PlayStation Ghost of Tsushima $60 at Amazon Deathloop More options $10 at Amazon $70 at HSN $40 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Marvel's Spider-Man series More options $20 at Amazon $50 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) $20 at antonline Neon White More options $22 at Amazon $39 at GameFly OlliOlli World $30 at PlayStation Persona 5 Royal More options $35 at Amazon $40 at Macy's Resident Evil Village More options $18 at Amazon $18 at Walmart $20 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Returnal More options $30 at Amazon $49 at StockX $70 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Tchia $30 at PlayStation Tunic $30 at PlayStation See 18 more Best PS5 games for 2025 PlayStation Astro Bot Read our full Astro Bot review Astro Bot is a gorgeous 3D platformer with an adorable protagonist, dozens of planets to explore and a wide range of ultra-satisfying mechanics to perfect. It requires patience, awareness and a high degree of platforming skill, though resets are generous and failure doesn't cost anything other than your time. The main character, Astro, is endlessly charming as he flies among galaxies on a mission to rescue 300 of his friends, many of whom embody characters from Sony’s library and the wider gaming world — bots from Capcom, Konami and Sega franchises abound. Many of the planets that Astro lands on introduce new mechanics, such as spring-loaded boxing gloves that look like frog faces, an octopus that blows Astro up like a balloon, a mouse backpack that shrinks him at will, a penguin-propelled swimming booster, and a stopwatch that temporarily freezes time. Stages are designed around these unique mechanics and the diversity on display is impressive. Beyond pure cuteness, Astro Bot is beautiful. Its landscapes are sharp and alive with interactive details, and it seems like every pixel has been polished to perfection. But it’s the game’s physics that energize everything — when Astro lands on top of a giant inflatable daisy, the material buckles under his little feet, indenting with each step and sway, and making the entire scene look utterly squeezable. When rain hits Astro’s umbrella hat, the sound is mirrored perfectly on the DualSense, along with the feeling of raindrops on the grips. Astro Bot ’s sound effects, haptics, graphics and physics harmonize flawlessly, transforming every surface into a playground. It’s magical. Astro Bot feels purpose-built for video game fans. It’s a skill-driven celebration of everything that makes the format so memorable and joyful, and at the same time, it’s an excellent introduction to the language of games. With precise and responsive controls, lovable characters, and an exciting variety of mechanics and environments, Astro Bot is easily one of the best games that Sony has ever produced. — Jessica Conditt, Senior Reporter $60 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $65 at Walmart $60 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Devolver Digital Neva Read our full Neva review Neva is a perfect platformer. It stars Alba, a seasoned warrior with a cloud of silver hair, and her wolf companion, Neva, who grows from a cub into a fierce fighter as the seasons progress. Alba and Neva are deeply connected — there’s a button that makes Alba call out, “Neva,” in varying degrees of distress — and together they're on a mission to rid the world of an evil black decay. On top of a powerful narrative arc, Neva is a light and responsive platformer, with twitchy dodging and slashing mechanics, and its puzzles are satisfying to solve. The game comes from Nomada Studio, the indie team behind Gris , and it’s a testament to their sense of artistry, mechanical fidelity and emotional storytelling. Neva is infused with magical realism, blending the familiar with the impossible in a format that looks like a living children’s book. Otherworldly terror creeps around the edges of each landscape and the game’s animations are anime-smooth. Neva looks incredible and it plays just as beautifully — a rare and powerful combination. Just like Alba and Neva. — J.C. $20 at PlayStation Epic Games Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition Alan Wake 2 is part gritty cop drama, part paranormal thriller and part Nordic rock opera — but mostly, it’s just a fantastic game . It’s a third-person survival horror experience starring two people whose worlds are colliding: FBI special agent Saga Anderson and the famous writer Alan Wake, who’s been lost in purgatory for 13 years. Players swap between Saga and Alan as they investigate a string of ritualistic murders tied to Alan’s past, fighting off dark specters and flitting among twisted realities. Saga’s Mind Place and Alan’s Writer’s Room provide space for players to put together clues and unlock new bits of the story, while a flashlight and a pistol round out the action sequences. Alan Wake 2 tells an introspective tale of murder, monsters and the Old Gods, and it contains all of the moody psychological flair that Remedy Entertainment is known for. The original Alan Wake is also worth booting up, but Alan Wake 2 is fully accessible to new players and it’s fine to dive straight in. — J.C $60 at Amazon 505 Games Control Ultimate Edition Developer Remedy Entertainment might be best-known for the Alan Wake series, but 2019’s Control exemplifies the company’s mysterious aesthetic and world-building that’ll turn your brain upside down. In it, you’ll explore the Federal Bureau of Control and its Manhattan headquarters, The Oldest House. The FBC is all about investigating paranormal activity, and The Oldest House is appropriately paranormal itself. Protagonist Jesse Faden starts off trying to find some information about her missing brother and is quickly swept up trying to keep all hell from breaking loose. The story is not easy to sum up, and even as you play it’ll get pretty baffling (but in a fun way). It’s augmented by some memorable gameplay mechanics, though, as Faden quickly gets her hands on a variety of telekinetic powers and a shape-shifting service weapon that make blasting through the various ghoulish creeps a delightful experience. Between her many powers and the different ways you can upgrade weapons and your powers throughout the game, everyone’s going to come across a different play style that works for them. And while the brutalist design of The Oldest House could get repetitive, Remedy throws enough variation in the different areas you explore to keep things fresh and interesting. While Control was originally released for prior-generation consoles, Remedy has since released an “Ultimate Edition” with all the game’s DLC and extras that runs specifically on the PS5. — Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Editor $35 at Amazon PlayStation Horizon Zero Dawn / Horizon Forbidden West I’m a sucker for Sony’s narrative-driven, single-player adventure games — and for my money, 2017’s Horizon Zero Dawn and its apocalyptic sci-fi story might be my favorite in all of gaming. You play as Aloy, a hunter in a mysterious world that somehow feels both pre- and post-technology. Much of the world is inhabited by nomadic clans with little obvious technology to speak of, but the world is also populated by massive machines modeled after different birds and beasts. The story has two main narrative thrusts that intersect in fascinating ways — Aloy tries to battle a threat to the world as she knows it, but the only way to do so is to find out what happened to the world hundreds of years prior. A few reveals that happen throughout the adventure are some of the most chilling dystopian storytelling I can remember. But Horizon Zero Dawn, which was just remastered for the PS5, and its 2022 sequel Horizon Forbidden West aren’t just great stories. They are masterful adventure games that feature one of the most exquisitely-rendered open worlds I have ever played. Whether it be sun-baked deserts and mountains, snow-capped peaks or lush jungles, the world is gorgeous and incredibly detailed (I’d kill for a Zelda game that looks this good). As with most games like this, there’s a main quest and tons of activities you can do to find out more about the world and improve your skills. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, some of those side adventures get a little repetitive. But at their best, both games combine masterful storytelling alongside an extremely intricate combat system that you use against a host of mechanical enemies, each with their own weak points you’ll need to learn and exploit. A button-masher this is not — it’s a monster-hunter of the best kind, and you can spend hours tackling progressively more giant threats and figuring out strategies to take down massive mechanical beasts. While it’s hard to top the surprises and dramatic reveals found in Zero Dawn , Forbidden West is still a successful sequel , improving the first game’s already-stunning visuals, giving you an even larger world to explore and upping the stakes of the story throughout. The scope of the two games is mighty and massive, as are the enemies you encounter throughout — and with any luck, it’s all leading to some sort of epic finale in an as-yet-unannounced/ but highly likely third entry in the series. But, it’s not just about the epic — there are small touches throughout the games that manage to make the story more intimate. It’s not an easy needle to thread, but developer Guerilla Games skillfully pulls it off. Horizon Zero Dawn was just remastered , and it’s a $10 upgrade for anyone who owns the original PS4 version. If you plan on playing this game, either for the first time or if you’re jumping back in, get that remaster. The game’s world is even more beautiful than before, player animations have been greatly improved, and it runs smoothly at 60FPS. There’s detailed haptic feedback and adaptive trigger pressure on the Dualsense controller, and the PS5 Pro will unlock even more visual splendor. It’s the definitive way to play this classic, and it’s worth dropping $10 to upgrade your older copy. — N.I. $50 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $50 at Walmart $50 at Target iam8bit Stray Read our full Stray review If you love cats, you’ve got to play Stray . If you don’t, Stray might change your mind. It’s a short, fairly simple game that excels at atmospheric detail. You control a little stray cat who gets separated from his crew and tossed into a creepy, retro-future city. The environment is exquisitely rendered, the music sets the mood perfectly and, most importantly, your cat is adorable. They’re also perfectly animated, with spot-on classic cat behaviors like scratching rugs, flopping over to play, or... riding in a bucket through a dystopian underground wasteland. There’s even a dedicated “meow” button for when you just need to let it out, a tool you can use to occasionally hilarious effect once you start interacting with the robot citizens of the underworld you explore. In some ways, Stray is a classic third-person adventure game, though the focus is on puzzle and exploration far more than combat. But switching the protagonist from a person to a cat does wonders for the whole vibe of the game, as well as the ways you can explore — as a kitty, there’s very little in the way of vertical boundaries. But, you know, you can’t talk. That’s where your mysterious virtual companion B-12 comes in. B-12 is trying to recover its memories, and the bonding of a cat and a bodiless intelligence is one of the more unusual and unexpectedly moving pairings in recent game history. As well as puzzle-solving, ledge-leaping and blob-dodging, Stray introduces a world of lighthearted dystopia, where robots don’t hate the humans that came before them. Instead, they attempt to cultivate plants that can survive in the dark, just because people would have liked that. Compared with most dystopian cyberpunk games, Stray is downright joyful and one of the best PlayStation 5 games you can get. — N.I. $20 at Walmart Explore More Buying Options $30 at GameFly $30 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Electronic Arts Dead Space Read our full Dead Space review The Dead Space remake feels like a warm, juicy hug from a murderous necromorph, and we mean that in the best way possible. The latest version of Dead Space spit-shines the mechanics that made the original game so magically horrific back in 2008, and it doesn’t add any unnecessary, modern bloat. The remake features full voice acting, new puzzles and expanded storylines, and it introduces a zero-gravity ability that allows the protagonist, Isaac Clarke, to fly through sections of the game in an ultra-satisfying way. None of these additions outshine the game’s core loop: stasis, shoot, stomp . Isaac gains the ability to temporarily freeze enemies and he picks up a variety of weapons, but he never feels overpowered; he’s always in danger. Mutilated corpse monsters appear suddenly in the cramped corridors of the space station, charging at Isaac from the shadows, limbs akimbo and begging to be shot off. The first Dead Space popularized the idea that headshots don’t matter and the remake stays true to this ethos — yet its combat rhythm still feels fresh. $30 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $38 at Walmart $50 at HSN PlayStation Gran Turismo 7 If you enjoy sim-style racing games, Gran Turismo 7 is the PS5’s only real choice. The main tenets that’ve made Gran Turismo a gaming staple are still here: a handling and physics model that demands precision but isn’t so realistic that you need a wheel or intense skill to play; the intensity of learning how a specific car meshes with a specific track; truly stunning visuals; that odd mix of rock, jazz and orchestral music in the soundtrack. Most of all, there remains a deep love of the automobile, from sexy speed demons to unwieldy boxes from years ago. More than this, Gran Turismo 7 is romantic about cars, not just for how they look, but how they represent years of collective labor and passion. There’s a singular style and voice here that just doesn’t exist in most sports games. There was lots of anger around Gran Turismo 7’s microtransactions, amount of content and event payouts around launch — just look at that Metacritic user score — and the fact that it’s effectively always-online is still a major detraction. But if you’re starting today, you’ll have hundreds of hours of things to do, and you shouldn’t feel the need to grind for credits until far down the road. And that’s assuming you aren’t interested in racing against other players online, which is where the game should be most lively for years to come. — Jeff Dunn, Senior Reporter $45 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $70 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Sony Humanity Fans of head-scratching logic puzzle games will be hard pressed to find many better than Humanity . This peculiar game sees you playing as an ethereal Shina Ibu. Your mission is to bark directional commands at waves of humans to direct them toward a goal. If you can get giant gold figures to accompany these gangs, so much the better. Developer tha LTD ramps up the difficulty at a fairly gradual clip, introducing new ideas, commands and obstacles slowly enough so as not to overwhelm you but fast enough so that nothing ever gets stale — just wait until you see the strange boss battles and the lightsaber wars. Humanity has more to offer than brain-bending puzzles though, as there's a surprisingly deep story that embraces optimism and the benefits of working as a collective. — Kris Holt, Contributing Reporter $30 at PlayStation Capcom Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is one of the most beautiful games of this generation, and we’re not just saying that because we have a thing for gross demons. Gameplay is a blend of tower defense and hack-and-slash action, and each stage features a variety of eerily captivating evil creatures to dispatch. In Kunitsu-Gami , a disgusting defilement has destroyed the lands of Mt. Kafuku and cocooned its villagers in black ooze. Players are Soh, the protector of the maiden Yoshiro, and together they’re on a mission to cleanse the mountain with Yoshiro’s dancing ritual. During the day, Soh clears a path for Yoshiro, and at night, players defend her from hordes of murderous monsters. Soh also rescues villagers and then deploys them for battle, assigning roles like healer, marksman, ninja and cannoneer, and strategically placing them around the map. Soh’s swordplay style is rhythmic and responsive, and each boss demon requires a unique tactic to cleanly take it down. Between fights, players mend the cleansed settlements and upgrade Soh’s abilities in tranquil scenes of post-defilement life. There’s a soothing cadence of tension and peace built into Kunitsu-Gami , and the game provides ample opportunity for players to sit back and admire the beauty before them — whether it’s a lovely piece of mochi or a giant sludge-filled beast. — J.C. $50 at PlayStation PlayStation God of War Ragnarök In the span of just about five years, the three original God of War games redefined the modern hack-and-slash by combining cutting-edge graphics (for the time, anyway), brutal violence, clever level design and a surprising amount of story. But the series stalled out after 2010’s God of War III , at least until Sony’s Santa Monica Studio reinvented Kratos in spectacular fashion in the 2018 God of War . Rather than a one-note rage machine, Kratos had mellowed after leaving ancient Greece in ruins. Now a father inhabiting the world of Norse mythology, he and his son Atreus are inevitably forced into an open-world quest, with the requisite story path and side adventures to take on. But this is a series where the story surprisingly takes center stage, with the cold but caring father and headstrong son dynamic giving the series more humanity than it ever had. Fortunately, Santa Monica Studio didn’t skimp on the combat either. Kratos mainly wields a new weapon, the Leviathan Axe, an incredibly devastating tool that you can use for ranged attacks and magically recall it to hack away at up-close enemies. Throwing and retrieving that axe is incredibly satisfying, and as Kratos’ abilities expand throughout the game you truly do feel like a god. As with many sequels, God of War Ragnarok was less of a reinvention and more of a good thing . There’s certainly enough new here to make it an easy recommendation — Kratos and Atreus remain the core of the game, but your son is a lot more capable this time, giving an even larger variety of ways to attack the hordes of enemies that come your way. There are more realms to visit, more side quests than ever and an endgame sequence that’s up there with the biggest battles any God of War game has ever put to screen. The backdrop for all this is some of the most beautifully detailed and varied environments you can find, from the swampy confines of Vanaheim and the fiery to the frozen tundra of Midgard. The God of War series is big-budget, big-studio gaming at its best. — N.I. $59 at Amazon Playstation The Last of Us Part I and II Read our full The Last of Us review The Last of Us and its sequel were originally made for the PS3 and PS4, respectively. But both games are now available natively for the PS5 and are the best way to experience the brutal and engrossing story and gameplay the series is known for. The Last of Us Part I is a complete visual remake for the PS5 of the 2013 original, with massively improved character models and environments, along with native 4K visuals or frame rates up to 120 fps. The Last of Us Part II originally launched for the PS4 in 2020, and developer Naughty Dog released a remastered version earlier this year to bring the game up to par with Part I . That means native 4K, high frame rates in Performance mode, improved use of the DualSense controller’s haptic features and adaptive triggers and a host of graphics improvements. There’s also a new roguelike mode called No Return that puts the focus on the game’s excellent combat system. Both games feature a sprawling post-pandemic adventure story, following survivors Joel and Ellie through a gorgeously rendered but terrifying world where zombie-like Infected and regular humans alike are out for your blood. You’ll never really feel like you have enough supplies to survive, so you need to make every shot count – or figure out how to sneak around enemies or craft tools that’ll get you out of tight spots. There’s an ever-present sense of danger in these games, while the stories focus on human connection in all its messy glory; the tone is often extremely grim, but there are moments of levity, humor and hope sprinkled throughout the ruined world. The Last of Us Part I and Part II both put you through an intense, violent and emotional experience, but they remain a journey worth taking. — N.I. $49 at Amazon Sony Rollerdrome Rollerdrome is lush. It’s incredibly stylish, taking cues from 1970s Hollywood sci-fi but with an attractive cel-shaded filter over every scene. Even better than its stunning visuals, Rollerdrome has smooth, precise mechanics that allow players to fall into a flow in every level. The game is all about gliding through the environments on rollerblades, picking up speed and doing tricks while dodging and shooting enemies, managing weapons and controlling time — and it all comes together in a thrilling dystopian bloodsport. It’s a joy to dodge, dodge, dodge and then leap into the air, slow down time and take out the people shooting at you, refilling ammo and collecting health in the process. Meanwhile, an unsettling story of corporate greed unfolds beneath the rollerblading bloodshed, keeping the stakes high. Rollerdrome was a sleeper hit of 2022, so if you’ve been napping on this one, now’s the time to wake up and play. — J.C. $30 at PlayStation Sony Ghost of Tsushima Ghost of Tsushima is a near-perfect distillation of what Sony's in-house game studios do better than just about anyone these days: blockbuster action aligned with an absorbing story. Here, you play as Jin Sakai, a samurai who helps lead an attempt to repel a Mongol fleet that infiltrates Tsushima. But the battle ends in favor of the invaders, who conquer the island. Jin realizes that he can't defeat the Mongols by sticking to traditional samurai methods, so he embraces stealthier, sneakier tactics and relies on allies for help. It's a compelling morality tale of honor and revenge that works in concert with terrific gameplay. You have a lot of flexibility over how to carry out attacks on enemy camps and how to complete missions. Sucker Punch's game is set in a beautiful open world that balances the brutality with moments of serenity, such as when you stop to compose a haiku or follow an adorable fox to a collectible item. Meanwhile, those who don't have a PS5 (or PS4) no longer have to miss out: Sony has released an excellent PC port of Ghost of Tsushima that runs pretty smoothly on the Steam Deck. — K.H. $60 at Amazon Bethesda Deathloop Deathloop , from the studio that brought you the Dishonored series, is easy enough to explain : You’re trapped in a day that repeats itself. If you die, you go back to the morning to repeat the day again. If you last until the end of the day, you still repeat it again. Colt must “break the loop” by efficiently murdering seven main characters, who inconveniently are never in the same place at the same time. It’s also stylish, accessible and fun. While you try to escape from this time anomaly, you’ll also be hunted down by Julianna, another island resident who, like you, is able to remember everything that happens in each loop. She’ll also lock you out of escaping an area, and generally interfere with your plans to ditch the time loop. As you play through the areas again (and again), you’ll equip yourself with slabs that add supernatural powers and pick up more potent weapons and trinkets. You’re able to customize your playstyle to survive Julianna and nail that assassination. Each time period and area rewards repeated exploration, with secret guns, hidden conversations with NPCs and lots of lore to discover for yourself. $10 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $70 at HSN $40 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Playstation Marvel's Spider-Man series Read our full Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales review Yes, Marvel’s Spider-Man (and the two games that follow it, Miles Morales and Spider-Man 2 ) are yet another variation on the open-world, story-driven adventure story. But if you like that sort of game, all three games are a must-play. Fitting with the Spider-Man ethos, they’re a lot more lighthearted than, say, God of War or The Last of Us. But Insomniac Games has put together an original series of Spider-Man stories that feel right at home in the classic superhero’s universe, and you’ll end up facing long odds against some terrifying and powerful foes to save NYC. For example, the first Spider-Man game from 2018 pits you against not one, not two, but six of Peter Parker’s most iconic enemies. Insomniac does a great job building the stakes, with the last third of the game really kicking things into desperate overdrive. 2023’s Spider-Man 2 doesn’t have the same massive cast, but it makes up with that by telling the story of Venom, perhaps one of the most famous bad guys around. And the game smartly gives equal time to the story of Miles Morales — a world in which NYC has two Spider-Men works on both narrative and gameplay levels. Parker and Morales are largely similar in their moves, but there’s enough difference in their special powers and the way you can customize their abilities to make switching between the two characters a lot of fun. Perhaps most importantly, though, web-swinging around NYC is one of the most delightful game mechanics I’ve ever come across. Right from the beginning, swinging through the intricately-rendered version of Manhattan, floating between buildings, running up walls and finding citizens in need of help is a pure delight. And naturally, the Spider-Men get faster, more agile and more adept as the games progress, making traversal a surprisingly fun part of the game — it’s the kind of game where I don’t really care to use the fast travel features very much. While you can jump into any game in this series without fully knowing what came before, we definitely recommend giving the whole series a shot. — N.I. $20 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $50 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) $20 at antonline Skybound Games Neon White Like all good games, Neon White is simple to learn and difficult to master. The basic ask is that you vanquish every demon from a level and head to a finish marker. It plays like a fast-paced first-person shooter, with the complexity coming from your weapons, which are cards that can either fire or be spent for a special movement or attack ability. The real challenge comes from the scoring system, which grades you based on the time you took to complete a level. There are just shy of 100 levels, all begging to be learned, repeated and perfected. Despite its first-person shooter visuals, it plays out more like a cross between Trackmania and a platformer. You'll quickly turn that bronze medal into a gold, and then an "ace" that is supposedly your ultimate target. Then you'll see the online leaderboards and realize you've left some seconds on the table. Then you'll randomly achieve the secret red medal on a level, say "oh no" and realize that there's a hidden tier of perfection for you to attain. — Aaron Souppouris, Executive Editor $22 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $39 at GameFly Private Division OlliOlli World Every so often, you come across a game where the core mechanic is just so satisfying it’s impossible to stop playing. OlliOlli World is one of those games . The goal is simple: become a skateboarding god. You do that by progressing through five worlds, each of which has a dozen or more individual stages, each with a wildly unique course to traverse. Unlike the earlier games in the OlliOlli series, World is a bit more forgiving at first. It’s much easier to pick up and pull off wild moves and combos than ever before. But it’s still fiendishly difficult – if you want to beat every challenge, you’ll need lightning-fast reflexes and the mental stamina to change up your tricks and moves constantly. But once you get fluent in the game’s mechanics, you can enter a flow state where you’re just making moves purely on instinct. The level and character design in OlliOlli World only enhances this effect. Like the earlier games, each of the five biomes has its own unique characteristics, but in all cases the levels are extremely colorful and interactive, with tons of eye candy and bizarre creatures hanging out in the background. And you can customize your character with clothing and items you pick up for completing challenges, letting you express your personal style in a variety of ways. There are also competitive aspects, like the daily challenge where you compete against nine other skaters to post the top score in your group. And every time you visit a level, you’ll see a “rival” score to try and beat. There’s always something pushing you to skate even better in OlliOlli World . — N.I. $30 at PlayStation SEGA Persona 5 Royal The Persona series can seem daunting to new players, but we’re here to tell you that Persona 5 Royal is the perfect place to start. Persona 5 is easily the most accessible series installment, and Persona 5 Royal is the definitive version of this game, adding a full school term, extra characters and improved combat mechanics to an already-stacked experience. There’s a lot to do in Persona 5 Royal . As a moody teen in Tokyo, players attend school, go to work, build friendships, make enemies and date everyone, but the bulk of the game’s combat plays out in the metaverse. Here, players and their friends battle distorted versions of people in their real world using powerful personas — warrior manifestations of personality traits — and a stylish turn-based system. Everything about the game is stylish, in fact. The Persona 5 Royal hole goes much deeper than just this description, of course. If you’re even a little bit curious about this lauded franchise, it’s absolutely worth your time to jump in, and Persona 5 Royal makes for a perfect diving board. — J.C. $35 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $40 at Macy's Capcom Resident Evil Village Resident Evil Village is delightful. It’s a gothic fairy tale masquerading as a survival-horror game, and while this represents a fresh vibe for the franchise, it’s not an unwelcome evolution. The characters and enemies in Village are full of life — even when they’re decidedly undead — and Capcom has put a delicious twist on the idea of vampires, werewolves, sea creatures, giants and creepy dolls. The game retains its horror, puzzle and action roots, and it has Umbrella Corporation’s fingerprints all over it. On PS5, the game is gorgeous and it plays nicely with the DualSense controller, adding haptic feedback to weapons and terrifying situations alike. It simply feels like developers had fun with this one, and so will you. And yep, this is the one with Lady Dimitrescu . It’s also the only Resident Evil game that’s available on PlayStation VR2, and it’s one of the best — and most horrific — experiences that system has to offer. Go on, strap in. — J.C. $18 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $18 at Walmart $20 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Playstation Returnal Read our full Returnal review Returnal is a third-person action game, a roguelike, a bullet-hell shooter and an extreme challenge, but perhaps not in that order. The setup is basically that you’re stuck in a death loop, but you’re aware of it and must learn the patterns and weaknesses of enemies — while mastering your own — in order to progress. As Devindra Hardwar explains , it leans heavily on the dark sci-fi of Alien, Edge of Tomorrow and Event Horizon, but makes something new and unique in the process. It’s made by Housemarque — the studio behind Resogun , Nex Machina and Super Stardust HD — and as you’d expect from a team that’s spent decades making arcade shooters, Returnal ’s movement, gunplay and enemy attack patterns are incredibly well tuned. $30 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $49 at StockX $70 at Books-A-Million (BAM!) Sony Tchia Tchia is an excellent introduction to the 3D open-world format for younger games. While there are a few fairly harrowing plot points, the game has limited combat and many secrets to discover across a stunning New Caledonia-inspired archipelago.You play as the titular character, a young girl who goes in search of her kidnapped father. Tchia has a powerful soul-jumping ability at her disposal. This lets her take control of various animals and inanimate objects. You can take to the skies as a bird or rampage through waters as a shark. This is a real charmer, and it's one that the whole family can enjoy together. — K.H. $30 at PlayStation Tunic Tunic You know how, at the beginning of most 2D platformers, the character can only walk to the right? There may be a little bit of the level to the character’s left, but it generally just ends after a few steps, forcing the player to turn around and travel on the correct path, to the right. I know this to be a truth about game design, but I still start every one of these titles by going left first, just in case. Tunic was created for players like me. It’s an isometric adventure built around the moves that players rarely make, and it rewards curiosity at every turn. You play as an anthropomorphic fox in a cartoonish 3D world, and you start with zero indication of what to do or how to progress. Just play , is the unspoken prompt. From there, you collect the pages of a game guide composed in an unknown language, and the experience unfurls beautifully and in truly surprising ways. Tunic ’s map is stacked with secrets and combat hits Soulsborne levels of difficulty, but mostly, it’s about the joy of discovery. This is a gaming experience unlike any other. Just play. — J.C. $30 at PlayStation Check out our entire Best Games series including the best Nintendo Switch games , the best PS5 games , the best Xbox games , the best PC games and the best free games you can play today.

President Biden and his family arrived Thursday in St. Croix for what may be the final unpaid vacation of his presidency at the home of wealthy businesspeople — after consistent freebies as commander-in-chief drew ethics questions and an outcry over his failure to report the gifts. Biden, 82, first lady Jill Biden and fist daughter Ashley Biden landed aboard Air Force One on the afternoon following Christmas and motorcaded straight to the beachfront villa of Bill and Connie Neville. The president hosted the couple at his first state dinner in 2022 and typically grants them an audience on the tarmac while leaving the island after the new year. The White House did not confirm that the Bidens were again residing at the Nevilles’ deluxe property, which features an in-ground pool, direct beach access and sweeping views of an offshore island, but the motorcade separated near the north shore home. The property typically lists as a VRBO rental available for roughly $900 per night. Biden stayed at the same house at the end of 2022 and 2023 for post-Christmas trips to celebrate New Year’s Eve — and also stayed there during his vice presidency, a fact that was used on promotional material. Unlike President-elect Donald Trump, who regularly stayed at his own properties during his first term, drawing different ethics issues, Biden as president has sought out unpaid stays with prominent supporters, in many cases generating concern about the homeowners securing access and influence. The Nevilles operate the US Viking software company, which makes an online content platform called ENPS marketed by The Associated Press and used by news outlets. The couple scored coveted tickets to Biden’s first state dinner, featuring French President Emmanuel Macron and a select group of the two countries’ business elite, 26 days before the Bidens’ first presidential trip to the Nevilles’ home. Although the precise sequence of events ahead of the initial trip to the beach house are unclear, the Bidens months later directly asked another homeowner , Maria Allwin, the widow of a prominent hedge fund operator, if they could use without payment her vacation mansion in Kiawah Island, S.C. Biden additionally has enjoyed four Thanksgiving-week stays at billionaire private equity titan David Rubenstein’s Nantucket compound — and in a small token of gratitude spoke this September at a lunch hosted by Rubenstein in Washington. Those four stays are presumed to have been unpaid, though neither party has confirmed it. This August, Biden’s family spent five days for free at the sprawling California ranch of medical technology billionaire Joe Kiani, whose substantial government contracts during the Biden administration and appointment by Biden to an advisory board drew Republican outcry. Last August, the Biden family spent nine days at billionaire climate investor Tom Steyer’s waterfront Lake Tahoe retreat in Nevada. The White House initially claimed the Bidens would pay for the stay, prompting a short-lived local investigation of Steyer’s lack of a rental permit, which was called off without explanation. Critics of the stays say they reek of corruption and that Biden’s consistent failure to report the gifts on annual ethics forms could be criminal, though Biden aides have taken the view that they don’t need to be listed due to the lack of clarity in federal law. Mark Paoletta, the incoming top lawyer for the White House budget office, who served in the same role during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, slammed Biden’s reporting omissions in May. “His habit of taking over donors’ homes for vacations and not paying nor disclosing is consistent with his family’s long history of grift and corruption,” Paoletta told The Post after the release of Biden’s annual disclosure forms again showed the omissions. Republicans have accused the media of a double standard in aggressively reporting on conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas not disclosing trips with billionaire developer Harlan Crow, who had no known business before the court. Intentionally leaving gifts off the forms could amount to Biden violating federal law by making false statements — a crime punishable by up to five years in prison under 18 U.S. Code § 1001, former George W. Bush White House ethics lawyer Richard Painter previously told The Post. “It really hurts the Democrats because they have always been claiming to be the party of the people, and yet, time and time again, you find the president in the United States staying in the house of a billionaire,” said Painter, now a Democrat, after Biden stayed again at Rubenstein’s compound. “The problem is the not disclosing. And it makes us very hard for those of us who are very critical of the Supreme Court justices who are not disclosing this kind of stuff.”

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa's teammates have used words like “commanding” and “lights out” to describe the way he has played recently. The quarterback has had one of the best stretches of his career since he returned from a concussion in Week 8, keeping alive the playoff hopes for the Miami Dolphins. Tagovailoa threw for 331 yards and two touchdowns — including the winning TD in overtime — to lead Miami to the victory against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Sunday. With the win, the Dolphins (6-7) have the same record as Indianapolis, and they two games back of Denver (8-5) for the final AFC wild card. “I don’t think two years ago this game occurs,” coach Mike McDaniel said Sunday of Tagovailoa. “He continues to get better. ... It’s a lot of work, and all of his work is paying off because he’s a naturally gifted quarterback, not only the skill sets but people gravitate towards him. He makes people better. That’s an incredibly important part of that position.” After an up-close look at the way Tagovailoa operates Miami's offense by throwing with anticipation, Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich called him one of the fastest processors in the NFL. Tagovailoa's teammates had just as much praise about his impact. “He’s been playing lights out. He’s been a great leader for this team, not only on offense but also for defense, getting those guys going," wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. "We’ve just got to follow him, man, like follow his standard because the standard is the standard, and he’s been playing at a high level and guys around him just got to match it.” The numbers back up Hill's words: Sunday was Tagovailoa's third straight 300-yard passing performance, joining Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks in Dolphins history to record three consecutive games with that many yards. Tagovailoa entered Sunday's game with a league-best 74.5% completion rate. He recorded his seventh straight game with a completion rate of 70% or better, tying the third-longest streak in NFL history. Going back to Week 10 against the Rams, Tagovailoa has attempted 184 passes without throwing an interception, which is the second-longest streak in his career, and he has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 34 of his last 35 games. He was 6 for 7 for 67 yards on the Dolphins' winning touchdown drive Sunday, which he capped with a 10-yard throw to tight end Jonnu Smith. “He was commanding," receiver Jaylen Waddle said. “He really made sure we didn’t kill ourselves with penalties. He wanted everybody to lock in and just hone in on the details. That’s was big. He came through, made big plays, was calm in the pocket, o-line had great protection, he delivered the ball.” What's working A big part of Tagovailoa's growth has been his ability to not force plays down the field that aren't there. Unlike earlier in his career, he is much more willing to take checkdowns or dump the ball off to running back De'Von Achane or the tight end Smith, who have been excellent this season at gaining yards after the catch. What needs help Third down continues to pose problems for the Dolphins. Miami converted just 1 of 9 third-down attempts and are 9 of 35 on third downs in its last three games. Stock up Receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Hill had his first 100-yard receiving game since the opener with 115 yards on 10 catches. With his 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, Hill has a TD catch in four of the past five games. Waddle caught nine passes for 99 yards that gave him 4,085 in his career — the most in a player's first four seasons in Dolphins history. Stock down The secondary, which allowed a combined 223 yards by Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams and 339 yards passing from Aaron Rodgers. It was just the second time this season that Miami's defense has allowed more than 300 yards passing. There were also several instances of miscommunication in the secondary. Injuries LT Terron Armstead was limited to just five snaps because of a knee injury that he's been dealing with for weeks. Armstead was visibly frustrated when he came out of the game and was replaced by rookie Patrick Paul. ... LB Anthony Walker Jr. appeared to re-aggravate a hamstring injury that happened last week. Key number 0 — The number of times Tagovailoa was hit Sunday on 47 pass attempts. Next steps Three of Miami's final four games are on the road, starting at Houston on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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NoneDeep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards BigBear.ai Hldgs BBAI , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in BBAI usually suggests something big is about to happen. We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 32 extraordinary options activities for BigBear.ai Hldgs. This level of activity is out of the ordinary. The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 46% leaning bullish and 46% bearish. Among these notable options, 3 are puts, totaling $75,075, and 29 are calls, amounting to $2,330,271. Predicted Price Range Taking into account the Volume and Open Interest on these contracts, it appears that whales have been targeting a price range from $1.0 to $7.0 for BigBear.ai Hldgs over the last 3 months. Insights into Volume & Open Interest Looking at the volume and open interest is an insightful way to conduct due diligence on a stock. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for BigBear.ai Hldgs's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of BigBear.ai Hldgs's whale activity within a strike price range from $1.0 to $7.0 in the last 30 days. BigBear.ai Hldgs Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days Biggest Options Spotted: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume BBAI CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/15/27 $2.4 $2.3 $2.3 $3.50 $219.6K 9.6K 6.6K BBAI CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/15/27 $2.9 $2.6 $2.9 $2.00 $209.6K 1.6K 2.7K BBAI CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/15/27 $2.8 $2.5 $2.5 $3.50 $141.0K 9.6K 8.3K BBAI CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/15/27 $2.85 $2.8 $2.8 $2.00 $140.0K 1.6K 836 BBAI CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/15/27 $2.55 $2.4 $2.4 $3.50 $131.0K 9.6K 633 About BigBear.ai Hldgs BigBear.ai Holdings Inc is a technology-led solutions organization, that provides both software and services to its customers. Its AI-powered decision intelligence solutions are leveraged in three markets; supply chains & logistics, autonomous systems, and cybersecurity. It operates in two segments; Cyber & Engineering segment and Analytics segment. Following our analysis of the options activities associated with BigBear.ai Hldgs, we pivot to a closer look at the company's own performance. Current Position of BigBear.ai Hldgs Trading volume stands at 93,999,331, with BBAI's price up by 21.59%, positioned at $4.54. RSI indicators show the stock to be may be overbought. Earnings announcement expected in 70 days. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access . Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest BigBear.ai Hldgs options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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A two-year-old boy from north London who was the youngest person to be treated for cancer with Nanoknife technology is now cancer-free. George, from Camden, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a type of soft tissue cancer in his liver and bile duct, in the summer of 2023. “I will never forget that moment,” said his father Jonathan. “It felt like my entire world had collapsed.” After three rounds of chemotherapy, he was treated using Nanoknife technology at King’s College Hospital, which uses electrical current to destroy areas of cancer. Dr Sam Godfrey, science engagement lead at Cancer Research UK, described Nanoknife as a state of the art, experimental treatment. By using electrical currents it allows surgeons to get a better margin of clearance around a tumour so that the cancer can be removed. King’s College Hospital had to apply for a licence to use the Nanoknife and performed the operation on the NHS. George was the youngest person in the world to have the procedure and the first child in the UK to receive Nanoknife treatment to his liver, Cancer Research UK said. Dr Godfrey said George’s “cutting edge surgical treatment will inform the treatment of children around the world.” “The surgeons managed to remove all the tumour and had clear margins all the way around the removed section of his liver,” Jonathan said. “This was the news we’d been hoping and praying for. “From the day George was diagnosed, all we did was push and push to get him the treatment he needed. “We loved that the Nanoknife was something new and ground-breaking and we felt we had some input into making it happen.” After 18 months, George was cancer-free and started nursery school in September. George has been awarded the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award for the courage he showed throughout his treatment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What's New The MAGA universe has been riven by an ongoing online debate over the H-1B visa program in the U.S. Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump have taken aim, in particular, at Vivek Ramaswamy , the one-time GOP presidential hopeful and incoming co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Context Ramaswamy drew backlash from Trump and self-declared MAGA voters on Thursday when he voiced his support for bringing "highly skilled" workers from other countries, including his native India, into the U.S. via the H-1B program, which focuses on foreign workers in specialized occupations. "The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over 'native' Americans isn't because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation)," he wrote on X , formerly Twitter , on Thursday. "A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers & if we're really serious about fixing the problem, we have to confront the TRUTH: Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer). That doesn't start in college, it starts YOUNG." He added: "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers ... If you grow up aspiring to normalcy, normalcy is what you will achieve." Ramaswamy went on to say he hopes "our culture fully wakes up. A culture that once again prioritizes achievement over normalcy; excellence over mediocrity; nerdiness over conformity; hard work over laziness." What To Know Ramaswamy's lengthy social media screed drew immediate blowback from Trump supporters who back the president-elect's hardline immigration stance, as well as some more unlikely critics. Among those was former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley , who cast herself as a moderate Republican when she launched a primary campaign against Trump in the 2024 presidential cycle. Haley didn't mince words when responding to Ramaswamy's X post on Thursday, writing : "There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture. All you have to do is look at the border and see how many want what we have. We should be investing and prioritizing in Americans, not foreign workers." There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture. All you have to do is look at the border and see how many want what we have. We should be investing and prioritizing in Americans, not foreign workers. https://t.co/fIGr45C3LD Mike Cernovich, a longtime right-wing media personality and provocateur, also chimed in. "The Woodstock generation managed to build out aerospace, the one before went to the moon, America was doing great," he wrote in a reply to Ramaswamy. "Underlying your post is that we were all living in squalor until being rescued by H-1B's. Then why did everyone want to come here?" Ramaswamy responded: "That version of America, the one that used to embody unbridled exceptionalism, is exactly what we want to return to. That's a point about culture, not immigration policy." Others on the right have also voiced support for restricting foreign workers from entering the country. "Why would America recruit foreign talent rather than recruit own on talent right here at home?" the prominent right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec wrote on X Tuesday. "Imagine how many more JD Vance s are out there." What People Are Saying Laura Loomer, far-right firebrand and staunch Trump loyalist, went on a racist tirade about H-1B policies after Trump tapped Sriram Krishnan as White House senior policy adviser for AI: ". @VivekGRamaswamy knows that the Great Replacement is real. So does @JDVance . It's not racist against Indians to want the original MAGA policies I voted for. I voted for a reduction in H1B visas. Not an extension." Billionaire Mark Cuban wrote in response to Ramaswamy's post: "How do you feel about people who say 'college is over rated ?' In order to have more homegrown engineers, don't we need more kids going to college ?" What Comes Next Many immigrants have voiced concerns about the second Trump administration and whether the president-elect will try to restrict H-1B visa program like he did at the end of his first term. Trump, as well as many of his anti-immigration allies, have previously said they would work to make cuts to the program. Newsweek reached out to the Trump transition for comment.Police arrested a 26-year-old man on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after they say a Pennsylvania McDonald's worker alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the ongoing investigation: Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun , a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a suppressor, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. A swarm of reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to his obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione. A spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed the relationship Monday. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspected shooter exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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In November 1973, a group of evangelicals met at the YMCA on Wabash Avenue and adopted the Chicago Declaration of Evangelical Social Concern. Echoing the themes of progressive evangelicalism from decades past, the declaration decried income inequality and militarism as well as the persistence of racism and hunger in an affluent society. The declaration also included a forthright embrace of women’s rights and gender equality. Roughly a year later, on Dec. 12, 1974, Jimmy Carter announced his candidacy for president, drawing on many of those same themes, as well as his frequently repeated promise that he would never knowingly lie to the American people. He pledged his commitment to pursue racial reconciliation, health care reform, human rights, a reduction of nuclear weapons and a less imperial foreign policy. Carter’s outsider status, coupled with his evident probity, provided a tonic to an electorate weary of Watergate and Richard Nixon’s endless prevarications. On his way to the White House, Carter effectively rid his party — and the nation — of its most pugnacious segregationist, George Wallace of Alabama , by beating Wallace in the Florida Democratic primary. He also benefited from a resurgence of progressive evangelicalism in the 1970s, the movement that takes seriously Jesus’ words to care for “the least of these.” In earlier decades of American history, progressive evangelicalism had animated various movements of social reform, including the abolition of slavery (among evangelicals in the North), public education, prison reform and advocacy for women’s rights. Many evangelicals were involved in peace movements, and some evangelicals even doubted the morality of capitalism because it elevated avarice over altruism and therefore ran counter to the teachings of Jesus. Charles Grandison Finney, the most famous and influential evangelical of the 19th century, argued that capitalism “recognizes only the love of self” and “the rules by which business is done in the world, are directly opposite to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the spirit he exhibited.” The man of business, by contrast, lives by the maxim: “Look out for number one.” Carter’s election represented the high point in the resurgence of progressive evangelicalism in the 20th century, and the new president sought to govern according to those principles. His first official act as president was to pardon Vietnam-era draft resisters, thereby helping bring that sorry chapter in American life to a close. He renegotiated the Panama Canal treaties, and in so doing signaled an attenuation of American colonialism, especially to the countries of Latin America. He advanced peace in the Middle East far beyond anything accomplished by his predecessors (or his successors). He recalibrated foreign policy away from a reflexive Cold War dualism and toward an emphasis on human rights. On domestic matters, Carter sought to limit the incidence of abortion, and he is still regarded by many as the nation’s greatest environmental president ever. So why would evangelicals, who helped propel Carter to the presidency in 1976, turn against him four years later? Why would they reject one of their own, a born-again evangelical Christian, in favor of a divorced and remarried former actor who, as governor of California, had signed into law the most liberal abortion bill in the nation? Evangelicalism itself was deeply divided in the 1970s. Carter’s understanding of the faith, shaped by progressive evangelicalism, pushed him toward the left of the political spectrum, whereas many white, Northern evangelicals, following the lead of Billy Graham, had gravitated toward the Republican Party. Nixon’s damage to the Republican brand had briefly altered that calculus in the mid-1970s, and Carter harvested a far greater percentage of evangelical votes than any of his Democratic predecessors. Jimmy Carter Library President Jimmy Carter waves from Air Force One in May 1977. Frank Hanes / Chicago Tribune As Jimmy Carter greets nuns in front of Our Lady of Pompeii Catholic Church, Mayor Richard J. Daley stays in the background (upper right) on Oct. 11 1976. The Democratic presidential candidate attended Mass at the church and later marched in the Columbus Day parade on State Street. Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune Jimmy Carter campaigns at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Chicago in 1976. Gerald West/Chicago Tribune President Jimmy Carter leaves Mayor Michael Bilandic's Bridgeport home on Nov. 3, 1978, in Chicago. (Gerald West/Chicago Tribune) BOB DAUGHERTY / AP President Jimmy Carter waves from the roof of his car along the parade route through Bardstown, Ky., July 31, 1979. Thomas J. O'Halloran Democratic Presidential Nominee Jimmy Carter speaks to crowd at campaign stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, September 1976. AP Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn in 1970. Mao, AP College student Chuck McManis watches President Jimmy Carter's nationally televised energy speech from a service station in Los Angeles in 1979. Thomas J. O'Halloran Democratic Presidential Nominee Jimmy Carter holds an informal press conference aboard "Peanut One" Campaign Airplane on Campaign Trip on Sept. 11, 1976. Ben Gray/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution President Jimmy Carter shakes hands as he arrives at a birthday party for his wife Rosalynn in 2015 in Plains, Georgia. Jewel Samad, AFP-Getty Images President Barack Obama, former President Jimmy Carter, first lady Michelle Obama and former President Bill Clinton commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 2013. Ed Reinke, AP Former President Jimmy Carter uses a hand saw to even an edge as he works on a Habitat for Humanity home in Pikeville, Ky., in 1997. AP President Jimmy Carter, left, bows his head during a prayer service in 1979 at Washington National Cathedral for the American hostages being held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. AP Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, embrace as President Jimmy Carter looks on during a White House announcement of a Middle East peace agreement in 1978. Alex Wong, Getty Images President Barack Obama, from left, former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter attend the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas in 2013. AP President Jimmy Carter is joined by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the ceremony in 1979 for the Camp David Accords. UPI President Jimmy Carter sits in front of the fireplace in the White House Library to deliver his "fireside chat" to the nation in February 1977. Phil Skinner / AP Former President Jimmy Carter talks about his cancer diagnosis during a news conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta on Aug. 20, 2015. Chicago Tribune In his first visit to Chicago since becoming president, Jimmy Carter speaks at a 1978 fundraiser, flanked by Cook County Board President George Dunne, left, and Mayor Michael Bilandec. AP Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, from left, President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin meet for the first time at Camp David, Md., in 1978. Wes Pope/Chicago Tribune Former president Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, left, help administer a praziquantel pill to a child during a visit to Nasarawa, Nigeria on February 15, 2007. A single dose can reverse up to 90% of schistosomiasis' damage within six months. Even so, few Nigerians can afford the cost. AP President Jimmy Carter, wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy walk on Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue on Inauguration Day in 1977. Carter was sworn in as the nations's 39th president. Globe Photos / TNS A July 1976 picture of Jimmy Carter, right, and Walter Mondale. AP President Jimmy Carter, wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy greet Pope John Paul II at the White House in Washington on Oct. 6, 1979. Eppie Lederer, Chicago Tribune Ann Landers with President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1977. Hugh Grannum, Detroit Free Press Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Jimmy Carter share a private moment durinng a symposium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Nov. 14, 1984. Carl Hugare / Chicago Tribune President Jimmy Carter acknowledges the cheers of fellow Democrats during a rally at the Niles East High School gymnasium in 1978. UPI President Jimmy Carter sits on the South Lawn of the White House as he and first lady Rosalynn Carter, second from left, and other guests listen during a jazz festival in 1978. Gregory Bull, AP Former President Jimmy Carter visits with schoolchildren in 2002 in Las Guasimas, Cuba. Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune Former President Jimmy Carter addresses the opening session of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. AP Jimmy Carter at age 13, in 1938. Location unknown. John Amis / AP Former President Jimmy Carter teaches Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, in Plains, Ga., Nov. 3, 2019. (John Amis/AP) AP Democratic presidential nominee Jimmy Carter talks with his brother Billy at the Carter family peanut warehouse in 1976. Dick Drew, AP Jimmy Carter with New York Mayor Ed Koch at a town meeting at Queen's College in 1979. Chicago Tribune Presidential hopeful Jimmy Carter gets a salami and a loaf of rye during a visit to Ashkenaz Restaurant in Chicago in March 1976. John Duricka, AP President Jimmy Carter and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton enjoy a chuckle during a rally for Carter on Oct. 22, 1980, in Texarkana, Texas. Barry Thumma, AP President Jimmy Carter pauses to kiss first lady Rosalynn Carter as he boards a helicopter for the trip from the White House in Washington to Camp David in 1979. AP Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin shake hands after reaching an accord in 1978 at the Camp David summit. Cristobal Herrera, AP Cuban President Fidel Castro points upward as former President Jimmy Carter looks on upon Carter's arrival to Havana in 2002. AP Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter gives an informal news conference in Los Angeles during a 1976 campaign tour. AP President Jimmy Carter smiles as he walks with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev in Austria before signing the SALT II nuclear treaty in 1979. Barry Thumma, AP President Jimmy Carter carries a watermelon on his shoulder at his Plains, Ga., farm in August 1977 during a vacation. Bernat Armangue, AP Former President Jimmy Carter participates in a weekly protest in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah in 2010. AP President Jimmy Carter, left, and Republican Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, shake hands Oct. 28, 1980, in Cleveland, before debating before a nationwide television audience. AP President Jimmy Carter prepares to make a national television address from the White House in 1980 on the failed mission to rescue the Iran hostages. AP Former President Jimmy Carter, U.S. Chief of Protocol Leonore Annenberg, and Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford aboard an Air Force jet carrying them to the funeral of Anwar Sadat in 1981. Marion S. Trikosko U.S. President Jimmy Carter during Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's visit to the White House, Washington, D.C., April 5, 1977. John Bazemore/AP Former President Jimmy Carter reacts as his wife Rosalynn Carter speaks during a reception to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary, July 10, 2021, in Plains, Georgia. Candice C. Cusic, Chicago Tribune Former President Jimmy Carter, after dedicating the Gift of Sight statue, left, at Lions Clubs International Headquarters in Oak Brook in 2009. AP Jimmy Carter, Democratic candidate for president, is joined by his daughter, Amy, at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Texas on Nov. 1, 1976. Charles Kelly, AP Former Georgia state Sen. Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, and daughter Amy, after announcing his candidacy for governor in 1970. Marion S. Trikosko U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the White House during a fireside chat on the Panama Canal Treaty in Washington. AP President Jimmy Carter, first lady Rosalynn Carter and daughter Amy enjoy the first of seven inaugural balls in Washington in January 1977. BOB DAUGHERTY / Associated Press Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, left, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, center, and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin clasp hands on the north lawn of the White House after signing the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel on March 26, 1979. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 11, 2002, for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development. AP President Jimmy Carter is interviewed in the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 24, 1977. Pete Souza, The White House President Barack Obama listens to former President Jimmy Carter during a reception in the Yellow Oval Room in the White House in 2011. Pete Souza, Chicago Tribune Former President Jimmy Carter talks with former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton before the funeral ceremony for former President Gerald R. Ford at Washington National Cathedral in 2007. SUZANNE PLUNKETT / AP Former President and first lady Jimmy and Roselynn Carter wave to the crowd after a tribute to the former president at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, Aug. 14, 2000. SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter arrive for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., January 20, 2017. Marion S. Trikosko U.S. President Jimmy Carter and first lady Rosalynn Carter dance at a White House Congressional Ball on Dec. 13, 1978. Nancy Stone, Chicago Tribune Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, say goodbye to the audience after Carter's speech at the opening session of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Young people representing ethnic communities in Chicago greet President Jimmy Carter at O'Hare International Airport after Mayor Jane Byrne welcomed him to the city in 1979. Bob Daugherty, AP Outgoing President Jimmy Carter, right, and wife Rosalynn look on as Ronald Reagan takes the presidential oath of office in 1981. Elise Amendola / AP Former President Jimmy Carter speaks during a forum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on Nov. 20, 2014. Suzanne Vlamis, AP President Jimmy Carter waves to the crowd while walking to the White House with his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy, following his inauguration in 1977. PhotoQuest / Getty Images Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter and Mayor Richard J. Daley at the Illinois State Democratic Convention in Chicago on Sept. 9, 1976. AP President Jimmy Carter, center left, and Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev, center right, wave to the waiting crowd outside the U.S. Embassy after both heads of state finished their first round of talks prior to the Salt II Treaty signing, June 16, 1979, in Vienna, Austria. ERLAND AAS / Associated Press Nobel Peace Prize winner, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and his wife Rosalyn, greets a torchlight procession from the balcony of the Grand Hotel in Oslo, prior to the Norwegian Nobel Committee's Banquet, Dec.10, 2002. AP President Jimmy Carter meets with his economic advisers in the White House on April 27, 1977. AP President Jimmy Carter concedes defeat in the presidential election in Washington, D.C., in 1980. Standing with Carter is his wife, Rosalynn, and daughter, Amy. AP President-elect Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, wipe tears from their eyes after returning to their hometown in Plains, Ga., on Nov. 3, 1976. President Jimmy Carter waves from Air Force One in May 1977. Conservatives, however, were eager to regain their footing after the disastrous Nixon presidency, and several savvy political operatives conspired to do so. Paul Weyrich, the architect of the religious right, had long recognized the political potential of evangelical voters. If he could mobilize them, he reasoned, he could reshape the political landscape. By Weyrich’s own account, he tried various issues over the years to lure conservative evangelicals into the political arena — abortion, pornography, school prayer, the proposed Equal Rights Amendment — but nothing worked. By the mid-1970s, however, he finally found the issue that would energize them: the attempt by the Internal Revenue Service to deny tax exemption to institutions that engaged in racial discrimination. This caught the attention of officials at Bob Jones University and Jerry Falwell , who had opened his own segregation academy in 1967. They disingenuously decried government interference into religious matters, neglecting to mention that tax exemption is a form of public subsidy, and then cannily shifted their rhetoric away from the defense of racial segregation toward opposition to abortion, hitherto a “Catholic issue.” What followed was the mass mobilization of white evangelicals into a movement known as the religious right. Their support for Reagan in 1980 initiated a decadeslong alliance with the far-right precincts of the Republican Party that culminated in overwhelming support for Donald Trump. Although progressive evangelicals remain active in American life, the heyday of progressive evangelicalism, marked by the Chicago declaration and Carter’s presidency, came tragically to a close in 1980. Throughout his remarkable post-presidency, however, Carter enlarged the sphere of his progressive activism — pursuing peace, ensuring democratic elections, eradicating tropical diseases — beyond the White House to the entire world. Randall Balmer is the John Phillips professor in religion at Dartmouth College and is the author of “ Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter ” and “ Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right .”In 1999, University of the Philippines professor Cesar Adib Majul penned a critique of historian Renato Constantino’s essay, Our Task: To Make Rizal Obsolete. Constantino argued that Jose Rizal, while historically significant, should be displaced as a model for contemporary nation-building because his reformist approach was less radical than what modern struggles demand. Majul asserted that Rizal’s enduring value lies in his evolving relevance, particularly as a symbol of intellectual rigor, moral conviction, and love for the Filipino people. Fast forward to 2024, 128 years after Rizal’s execution, and the debate remains strikingly relevant. In a country grappling with chronic corruption, systemic inequality, environmental degradation, and threats to democratic institutions, the question arises: Can Rizal still inspire us today, or has he become obsolete in a world requiring more immediate and radical solutions? Rizal, according to Majul, was not merely a reformist; he was a revolutionary of thought and character. His insistence on education as the bedrock of societal transformation and his belief in peaceful reform over violent upheaval were not acts of compromise but of profound foresight. He envisioned a nation that could achieve sovereignty not just through political independence but through a collective awakening of intellectual and moral consciousness. This vision remains relevant in 2024, where the Philippines finds itself at a crossroads. The challenges Rizal confronted—colonialism, social stratification, and the abuse of power—manifest today in different forms: economic neocolonialism, digital misinformation, and environmental exploitation. Rizal’s insistence on critical thinking and moral leadership offers a blueprint for addressing these contemporary issues. Critics argue that Rizal’s emphasis on education and reform lacks the urgency needed to combat oppressive structures. In today’s world, where social media fuels mass movements and grassroots activism demands swift action, Rizal’s methods might seem too deliberative. However, this critique overlooks the depth of Rizal’s strategy. His novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” were not mere calls for reform but critiques of systemic injustices that laid the intellectual groundwork for revolution. In this sense, Rizal was both a reformist and a revolutionary, demonstrating that profound change requires both immediate action and long-term cultural and mindset shifts. In an age where many Filipinos feel disillusioned by corruption and systemic failures, Rizal’s unwavering commitment to his principles—despite the personal cost—remains an inspiring model. His refusal to compromise his ideals, even in the face of death, challenges today’s leaders and citizens alike to embody integrity and accountability. In a country as diverse as the Philippines, Rizal’s vision of a united Filipino identity, grounded in shared values and aspirations, is particularly resonant. In 2024, as the nation navigates regional disparities, cultural fragmentation, and the globalized pressures of migration, Rizal’s call for solidarity and collective action is a necessary reminder of what it means to be Filipino. To dismiss Rizal as obsolete is to misunderstand his legacy. His ideas are not static relics of the past but dynamic principles that can be reinterpreted to address present challenges. The task, therefore, is not to render Rizal irrelevant but to reinvigorate his teachings, ensuring they remain a beacon for future generations. As we commemorate 128 years since his martyrdom, the Philippines must look to Rizal not as a distant historical figure but as a guiding light in the ongoing quest for justice, equality, and national dignity.