Day: December 25, 2024

Internet Archive exposed again – this time through Zendesk  The Register
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The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an incredible $1.15 billion after no tickets matched all six numbers in the latest drawing.

This grand prize is the largest ever offered in December and the fifth-largest in the game’s history. The next drawing will take place this Friday.
Tuesday’s winning numbers were: 11, 14, 38, 45, 46, and the Mega Ball 3. Although no one claimed the jackpot, four tickets matched the first five numbers, each winning $1 million. These tickets were sold in California, Missouri, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania.
This is only the seventh time the Mega Millions jackpot has exceeded $1 billion. Previous billion-dollar prizes were won in South Carolina (2018), Michigan (2021), Illinois (2022), and Florida (2023). The largest jackpot ever, $1.602 billion, was claimed in Florida earlier this year.
To play Mega Millions, select five numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Tickets cost $2 each and are sold in 45 states, Washington, DC, and the US Virgin Islands. Drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET.
Starting in April 2025, ticket prices will increase to $5, with enhanced odds and bigger starting jackpots. This is the second price adjustment since Mega Millions began in 2002.
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot remain steep at approximately 1 in 302.5 million. However, there are plenty of smaller prizes at various levels, so even matching some of the numbers can make you a winner.
Will this holiday season bring a life-changing gift for one lucky player? Check your Mega Millions jackpot lottery numbers after the next drawing!
 
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Community members who want to celebrate the new year with an outdoor, physical activity can take advantage of two opportunities to participate in local orienteering events on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
“This is an opportunity to get out and try something new, to explore nature while being physically and mentally active. It is both an intellectual challenge and healthy physical activity. All are welcome,” said Mike Minium, event director, Orienteering Cincinnati.
For beginners, he said there is an easy course that is set up along established park trails, covering a distance of a mile or so. Expert courses involve extensive off-trail navigation to more remote and rarely visited parts of the park.
“Orienteering is an outdoor adventure sport that involves finding your own way to a series of checkpoints. The New Year’s Day event will offer courses at six different lengths and difficulty levels.
“Participants can choose to run or walk and whether to go individually or in a group. We expect about 70 to 100 people of all ages on New Year’s Day, from competitive athletes to families with young children to seniors wanting some fresh air and a hike,” said Minium.
As an internationally recognized sport, orienteering is an outdoor adventure in which participants find their way using a map. It is like a treasure hunt. Participants will receive a detailed map of the park, which shows a series of checkpoints they must try to locate.

“As the course planner, I enjoy seeing the smiling faces of those newcomers who successfully complete a course, watching them learn new skills and gain confidence in their own abilities. I also enjoy hearing the people on advanced courses talk about their route choices, where they made mistakes, or were challenged by my courses,” Minium said.
About 95 people participated in last year’s New Year’s Day courses, and 29 participants did the New Year’s Eve Night Course for experienced orienteers.
“Orienteering is always a new adventure. Although we may return to a park that we have used for a past event, the courses are always new and different – with different checkpoints to find. A year ago, MetroParks opened a new pedestrian bridge and trail, which now gives recreational and beginning level orienteers access to parts of the park that previously were rarely used and visited only by the most adventurous orienteers,” Minium said.
Orienteering Cincinnati (OCIN) has around 40 events per year in different parks throughout the area. The organization also offers various educational programs to school groups, scouts and others.
The New Year’s events are in partnership with MetroParks of Butler County, where OCIN provides several events per year, including an “Egg Orienteering” course for young kids in spring, and a “Trail of Treats” around Halloween.

HOW TO GO
What: New Year’s Day Orienteering
Where: Governor Bebb MetroPark, 1979 Bebb Park Lane, Okeana
When: Jan.1, with start times between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The New Year’s event is from 9-11 p.m. on Dec. 31. Pre-registration closes Dec. 30.
Cost: $10 for Orienteering Cincinnati members, $15 for non-members for groups of 1-5 doing a course together. $5 for youth younger than 18
More info: OCIN.org and yourmetroparks.net
About the Author

Ginny McCabe is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, media professional, speaker and teacher. She has covered news, lifestyles, and entertainment for the Journal-News for more than two decades. Ginny was named "Best Freelance Writer" in 2018, 2021, and 2022, and she is a Kiplinger Fellow, Class of 2019.

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JAPAN Forward
Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks in an exclusive interview with The Sankei Shimbun. December 19, (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida).
On December 19, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sat down for an exclusive interview with The Sankei Shimbun. That date marked exactly two years since his Cabinet’s approval of the National Security Strategy and other key defense documents. 
During the interview, Kishida referred to China‘s hegemonic actions in the East and South China Seas and North Korea‘s nuclear and missile developments. He spoke about how they influenced his policy on defense. “As we face the need to reconsider Japan’s security, I made the decision to fundamentally strengthen our defense capabilities,” he explained. This marked a major shift in Japan’s postwar security policy.
Kishida also discussed the inauguration of the second Donald Trump administration next January. “Discussions on security between the United States and Japan have emphasized international networks and alliances with like-minded nations,” he commented. “However, the focus will likely shift from multilateral to bilateral discussions.”
“The US highly praised the revision of the Three (Security) Documents,” he added. “Moving forward, Japan will continue to engage in bilateral talks with the US. We will also clearly communicate our security policies to ensure Mr Trump understands them.”
These three strategic documents include provisions for acquiring counterstrike capabilities to target threats within enemy territories. Kishida explained, “Global conditions are changing rapidly. To respond effectively, we must consider new measures, such as counterstrike capabilities.”
Additionally, Kishida addressed the criticism he faced over his tax hike proposal to fund enhanced defense capabilities. This move earned him the label four-eyed tax hiker. “I humbly accept the criticism,” Kishida reflected. “But as a politician, I approached this with the resolve to do what must be done.”
On constitutional amendments, including explicitly recognizing the Self-Defense Forces, he stated, “Unfortunately, we are still only halfway there. However, we must not allow the discussions we’ve built up so far to regress. As a member of the Diet, I will continue striving to achieve results.”
(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun

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By Jazz Tangcay
Artisans Editor
SPOILER ALERT: This article discusses plot points in “The Deliverance,” now playing on Netflix.
“Nothing says evil like black sclera contact lenses.”
That was the key to Glenn Close’s devil-possessed transformation in Lee Daniels’ “The Deliverance.” In addition to the special lenses, Close spent four hours in the makeup chair, with special effects makeup artist Jason Collins at the helm.
Based on a true story, “The Deliverance” follows Ebony (Andra Day), a single mother taking care of her three kids (Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton and Anthony B. Jenkins) and sick mother Alberta (Close) in a new house that seems to be haunted. As the story unfolds, the characters are tormented by demons. Alberta, who is undergoing chemo for cancer, gets possessed by the devil and becomes almost unrecognizable.

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With the possession coming towards the end, Collins didn’t just want to slap prosthetics on Close and lose the actress under all that makeup. “You want to identify that it’s Alberta. This is a connection the audience has had, and you don’t want to take them out of it,” he says.
But it all began with getting the demon eyes right, using black lenses. Collins was fully prepared to rely on VFX to correct everything digitally in post-production. But he asked Close if she would use black scleral contact lenses – a special lens that covers the white of the eye. “I asked her, ‘Do you think this is something you could do?’ And she’s such a great trooper and a great actress, and she said, ‘I’d like to try to do it practically if we can because I want to feel it.’ And we popped those suckers in there,” says Collins, adding that Close opted for the larger lens that covered the majority of the white of her eye.
Once Alberta’s demon eyes were in place, Collins says the character came to life and he centered the makeup around that. “We really brought out the cheekbones, and we did a lot of veining.”
The veining process of making her skin look translucent took up to two hours of airbrushing. Another two hours were spent on prosthetic application – eyebrow covers and a full neck application complete with saggy skin.
Close also needed a bald cap. Says Collins, “The bald cap was a two-piece cap – the back piece goes on first, and the front goes on over it. It already had hairs that had been individually punched in piece-by-piece.” He adds, “To get that bald cap ready, it took someone in my studio about three days to punch the hair in, one hair at a time.”

With Alberta’s teeth, Collins says it was important for audiences to know this was no longer Alberta but the demon. “In a scene like that, we wanted something that was really evidentiary and a quick read that it was demonic and evil,” says Collins.
Chris Lyons of Fangs FX, based in the U.K., made the teeth. “We sent him over a design, and he went bigger and chunkier than I normally would. But when I showed Lee the teeth, he went with that set because they read so quickly.”
Other minute details that helped Close’s devilish transformation were long toenails – an idea that she came up with. Lee loved the idea but wanted extra. “He said, ‘Long fungus-ridden toenails.’ Nothing says demon like that,” says Collins. “So we went to town on the toenails.”
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FLOOD DAMAGE IN SWANNANOA — Cars are caked in mud on a heavily damaged street in Swannanoa in Buncombe County following Hurricane Helene.
Maureen Miller

FLOOD DAMAGE IN SWANNANOA — Cars are caked in mud on a heavily damaged street in Swannanoa in Buncombe County following Hurricane Helene.
Maureen Miller
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…” (Isaiah 43:1-2a NKJV).
We met on a warm October afternoon when I was serving in hurricane-hit Swannanoa.
It had only been a dozen days since Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene. My medical doctor husband had an obvious place to volunteer, but what about me? That’s when I heard God’s whisper.
A once-upon-a-time elementary teacher as well as “Mosie” to my grand-girls, God knows me well. He created me with a love for teaching, forming inside me a heart of compassion for children. What better way to serve than with kids?
As I sat in sunshine, its warmth almost seemed a mockery after the devastation days prior. We knew there were many displaced children. Not only had some lost their homes, they had lost the continuity of a school day.
Still, with schools closed, I wondered where they were. Most of those I watched were adults, either standing in food lines or serving others behind makeshift counters. And while some appeared weary, many wore smiles, seemingly hope-filled. They’d survived.
My thoughts were interrupted. “Wanna read a book?” I shielded my eyes to look up. A young woman held the hand of a tot in a ladybug shirt and leggings. “Lookie there. Playdough, bubbles, books. Why don’t-cha sit a spell?”
Smiling at the pair, I patted the spot beside me. “Sit here, sweetie.” That’s when I learned her name.
“Go on, Royal. Listen to the nice lady.” Turning to me, “Mind if’n I get in that there line?”
“No, of course. She’ll be fine with me.”
I handed the child a crayon before opening a coloring book. Flipping through, Royal chose a page with a smiling Pluto Pup.
Over the next few minutes, we colored the Disney dog a shade of pink to match Royal’s shoes. Next, we read a board book. Finally, we blew bubbles. That’s when the toddler’s attention was drawn to a pile of stuffed animals.
“Want a stuffie to take home?”
The little girl’s eyes widened, and she stood, then toddled over to make her choice. Running a tiny hand over the plush toys, she stopped on a brown bulldog. “Dis one.” She picked it up and clutched it to her chest, planting a kiss on its soft head.
It was then her mother returned with a plastic to-go bag filled with several Styrofoam boxes.
“Ya ready, Royal?” Her gaze met mine. “Didn’t give ya no trouble, now did she?”
I shook my head. “None at all. Perfect princess.” I smiled. “And I love her name. It’s just right for her.”
The young woman’s T-shirt caught my eye. It had Faith, Hope, Love written across the front.
“Hey, I gave Royal a gift to take home. Would you like one too?”
Her face brightened. “I reckon I would. Hear that, Royal? You’re not the only one gettin’ a present.”
I dug in my bag. Earlier that day, my friend, Pastor Jimmy Haynes — a Gideon with Gideons International — donated several Bibles for us to hand out. This seemed the perfect time. “Here you go.”
The young woman took it and smiled.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it, ma’am.” Turning to her daughter, “See here, Royal? This Bible — this is Momma’s gift.”
As the pair walked down the Swannanoa street that, only a week and a half earlier, had nearly washed away, I thought — She’s right. God’s Word is a gift, a love story offering the gift of salvation made possible by the greatest Gift.
Jesus. It’s why He came — for moments like this one, for people like these.
And because He came, we can be adopted, then called by name as God’s daughters and sons. And that means, every one of us, too…is royal.
If interested in knowing more about sharing a personal story for an upcoming collaborative on hope in and through Hurricane Helene, contact Lisa Crowe at lisa.lynn.crowe@gmail.com.

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A top crypto strategist thinks the digital asset market is in a position to witness a bullish continuation even as Bitcoin (BTC) trades below $100,000.
Pseudonymous analyst The Flow Horse tells his 251,400 followers on the social media platform X that he believes the doors are open for Bitcoin and altcoins to spark surges.
“The window of opportunity is between now and the second week of January for things to pop.”
The analyst’s outlook stems from the idea that traders believe the incoming Donald Trump presidential administration will be incredibly bullish for crypto. Trump has signaled that under his administration, the US government’s anti-crypto agenda would end, and he has even suggested a Bitcoin treasury to help get the country’s finances in order.
But the analyst highlights that his predicted window for crypto rallies will close just days before Trump’s inauguration. He argues that traders will likely be in for a rude awakening after Trump takes over the White House on January 20th, 2025
“The market had to some degree priced in a most fairytale scenario – one where the United States establishes a Bitcoin reserve and Lummis’s bill passes smoothly.
However, as reality sets in, that optimistic positioning will likely fade, especially as it becomes clear that Trump will encounter significant resistance in pushing many of his initiatives through.
This is a good thing.”
The analyst also warns that he thinks crypto will print a local top around the time Trump officially begins his second term as US president.
“Like I see no one open to the idea that we are very close (weeks to a quarter) to a nice top.
Just people under the impression that because of Trump the markets have to go up.”
Looking at the macro landscape, The Flow Horse says capital is still expensive compared to the 2020 cycle when the Fed was forced to drop interest rates close to zero due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If you believe this cycle will surpass the previous one wildly, you should have a clear thesis explaining how it achieves this without the support of the robust credit markets that helped the prior.” 
At time of writing, Bitcoin is trading for $94,455.
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Coin Master players can use multiple ways to obtain free spins and coins, with redeeming daily active links being one of the best methods. For December 25, 2024, the developers shared two links on Facebook and one on X, all of which give free spins upon redemption. However, none of these links provide free coins.
That said, this article lists all the active links for today, along with a guide on how to claim the freebies from them.
Looking for Crossword hints & solutions? Check out latest NYT Mini Crossword Answers, LA Times Crossword Answers, and USA Today Crossword Answers
By redeeming all the active links, you will receive 25 free spins from each, adding 75 spins to your inventory. That said, here are the links that grant freebies today:
The steps to redeeming the daily Coin Master links are below:
Note that, you must redeem freebies from the above links within three days, as they will expire afterward. Additionally, each active link grants freebies only once per account.
Quick Links

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