The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has expressed the urgent need for local government administration reforms in Nigeria. He disclosed this in Abuja on Monday while declaring open a national dialogue on local government and constitution amendment. He was represented at the event by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Abbas noted that it was part of the “Series of consultations to harness citizens’ views and preferences in our efforts at having a truly peoples’ constitution in the country.” He recalled that a similar dialogue was held to find constitutional pathways to open up the governance and political space to “accommodate the very resourceful Nigerian women in our decision-making processes.” He said: “Today’s dialogue focuses on a critical aspect of our governance structure: the local government system. Local governments are often referred to as the closest tier of government to the people. They play an essential role in delivering services, fostering community development, and ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard at all levels of governance. “However, for local governments to fulfil these roles effectively, they must operate with a degree of autonomy that allows them to respond promptly and appropriately to the unique needs of their communities. “Sadly, despite the noble intentions of the drafters of our constitution in instituting the local government system, it is evident that there are significant challenges that hinder their effectiveness.” The speaker noted that issues such as inadequate funding, lack of autonomy, insufficient capacity, usurpation of its functions by other levels of government, corruption and many more have plagued local governments for decades. “These challenges not only stifle local governance but also impede national development. The need for reform has never been more urgent,” he stated. Abbas stressed that inadequate funding remains one of the most significant obstacles. “Local governments often operate on budgets that are insufficient to meet their responsibilities,” he said, adding, “This financial constraint limits their ability to deliver essential services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and sanitation.” As a result, the speaker said many communities continue to suffer from poor living conditions and lack access to basic amenities. He added: “Moreover, the lack of autonomy is another critical issue facing local governments in Nigeria. The current structure often places local administrations under the control of state governments, which can lead to interference in their operations and decision-making processes. This lack of independence stifles innovation and accountability at the local level. “Additionally, insufficient capacity—both in terms of human resources and institutional frameworks—has hindered effective governance at the local level. Many local government officials lack the necessary training and skills required for efficient administration. This gap not only affects service delivery but also erodes public trust in local governance.” One of the most pressing issues that the House must deal with, Speaker Abbas noted, is the poor quality of elections into local government councils across the states. He said this situation not only undermines the very essence of democracy but also raises serious concerns about the integrity and functionality of the local governance structures. “When elections are characterised by a lack of competitiveness—wherein the ruling party sweeps all positions—it becomes evident that we are witnessing a mockery of democratic principles. “This scenario is not merely an embarrassment; it poses a significant threat to our democracy. It fosters an environment where undesirable elements infiltrate these councils, often lacking the necessary capacity and vision to govern effectively. “Consequently, local governments become mere appendages of state governments or pawns in the hands of so-called godfathers who manipulate political outcomes for their own gain,” he said. While saying the House acknowledged and appreciated the recent efforts made by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in strengthening the local government system, he noted that the recent Supreme Court judgment mandating the conduct of elections into the councils and direct disbursement of funds to them has provided a significant legal framework that supports the autonomy and functionality of local governments across the country. “This landmark decision is a testament to our collective commitment to uphold democratic principles at all levels of governance. However, while we celebrate these advancements, we must also acknowledge that the need for comprehensive reform has never been more urgent as some nagging issues persist. “Constitutional reforms are essential to address these challenges comprehensively. We must advocate for greater financial autonomy for local governments by ensuring that they receive adequate funding directly from federal allocations without excessive state control. Additionally, we should explore mechanisms that empower local governments with more decision-making authority over their affairs,” he said. Noting that investment in capacity building for local government officials is paramount, the Speaker said training programs should be established to equip them with the skills required for effective governance and service delivery. He added: “Importantly, we must confront the disgraceful poor conduct elections into the councils. We must find a way of instilling transparency, fairness, and openness in the conduct of elections in local governments”

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Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC and across college football in general. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks, who are the last unbeaten team. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Cellectar Biosciences Provides Strategic Update on Clinical Development, Pipeline Programs and ...

As part of a Woot's Cyber Monday Sale , you can score an Anker PowerCore 737 24,000mAh 140W Power Bank for only $69.99. Amazon Prime members get free shipping, otherwise pay a $6 flat rate shipping fee. This is the best price we've seen for one of our favorite Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X chargers . I have owned this power bank for over a year; it has been on multiple flights and road trips and is still lasting strong. Anker 737 24,000mAh 140W Power Bank for $73.99 The Anker 737 is a hefty power bank, measuring 4.6"x2.2"x2" and weighing in at 1.4lbs. This is something you'd put in your travel bag or backpack instead of your pocket. It has two USB Type-C ports and one USB Type-A port. The USB Type-C ports support a maximum of 140W of power delivery. That means a single port could deliver 140W, or both ports will deliver a combination of 140W depending on which devices are plugged in (for example, 70W + 70W or 100W + 40W). A 20,000mAh battery equates to a 74Whr capacity. An 80% power efficiency rating (which is about standard for power banks) gives you about 59Whr of available charge. That means this power bank will charge a Steam Deck (40Whr) or Asus ROG Ally (40Whr) from empty to completely full 1.5 times , an Asus ROG Ally X (80Whr) 0.75 times , and a Nintendo Switch (16Whr) about 3.7 times . You can see here why we think a 20,000mAh capacity should be the bare minimum for more power hungry gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally (and especially the Ally X). The Anker 737 is TSA-approved TSA states that power banks must be under 100Whr in capacity for carry-on (check-in is not allowed under any circumstances). This Anker Prime is safely under that at 74Whr. You might get checked simply because the Anker 737 is a hefty-looking power bank, but you shouldn't have any problems getting it cleared. I've gone through plenty of airport checkpoints and have only been checked once – at Tokyo NRT – and cleared without a problem. Alternative Deal: Anker Prime 27,500mAh Power Bank Woot! is also offering the Anker Prime 27,650mAh USB Power Bank for only $99.99. This is again the best price we've seen for 2024 (the previous lowest price was $119.99). The Anker Prime is the successor to the Anker 737 with a couple of noticeable upgrades like a higher power capacity (but still within the limit for TSA eligibility), higher power delivery output (250W vs 140W) and a higher charging rate through USB Type-A (65W vs 18W). If you prefer to shop by retailer, we've written up Cyber Monday Deals roundups for each of the major retailers: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Gamestop. Check them out below: Amazon Cyber Monday Sale Target Cyber Monday Sale Walmart Cyber Monday Sale Best Buy Cyber Monday Sale Gamestop Cyber Monday Sale Dell Cyber Monday Sale Alienware Cyber Monday Sale Lenovo Cyber Monday Sale HP Cyber Monday Sale Secretlab Cyber Monday Sale Sonos Cyber Monday Sale Black Friday vs Cyber Monday In most instances, you can consider Cyber Monday as a one day extension of Black Friday. Traditionally, Black Friday was known as the "retail holiday," where the best deals were found in-store, and Cyber Monday was known as the "online holiday," where the best deals were online only. Although today the lines are very much blurred, it is still true that many online only retailers still consider Cyber Monday the sale event of the year instead of Black Friday . Expect some amazing sales to come out of online-only sites like Amazon, Newegg, Dell, HP, Lenovo and several online-only deals from traditional retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.None

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Best Buy earnings: What to watch in the markets this weekThe Boston Fleet allowed two goals in the final two minutes to fall 3-1 to the Toronto Sceptres to kick off the second Professional Women’s Hockey League’s season Saturday afternoon at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto. The Fleet played for the inaugural PWHL title last season, falling in the final game to Minnesota. In the 2024-25 season opener, the Fleet were outshot 41-19, including 32-7 over the final two periods. Former Northeastern University goaltender Aerin Frankel was superb in stopping 38 of 40 shots. Hannah Miller scored a power-play goal with 1:38 left for the game-winner. Emma Maltais scored into an open net with 12 seconds left to account for the final. Boston took a 1-0 lead at 3:00 of the opening period thanks to a goal by captain Hilary Knight. Megan Keller and Hannah Bilka earned assists.2 More Hindu Priests Arrested In Bangladesh Amid Protests: ISKCON Member

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ROHM and TSMC Launch Strategic Gallium Nitride Technology Collaboration for the Automotive IndustryOhio State's loss to Michigan on Saturday has brought on more criticism for head coach Ryan Day, who has struggled against the Wolverines over the last few seasons. Day has lost four consecutive games to the Wolverines, losses that have spanned multiple head coaches and several different iterations of each team. Despite Ohio State likely having a chance to compete for a national title in the 12-team playoff, many fans are calling for his firing after the team's latest loss against their bitter rival. One former player added his opinion, voicing his frustration with his former head coach. "Y’all can say I’m hating or whatever y’all want but I knew coach Day was not the answer when we played in the national championship against Bama and at half time he didn’t say a word to the team just went in the office and started to blame other coaches," said Tyreke Johnson, who played defensive back at Ohio State for two seasons. Y’all can say I’m hating or whatever y’all want but. I knew coach Day was not the answer when we played in the national championship against Bama and at half time he didn’t say a word to the team just went in the office and started to blame other coaches. As Johnson mentioned, he was on the roster when the Buckeyes made their way to the national title game after the 2020 season, where they were blown out by an Alabama team that featured Heisman trophy winner DeVante Smith and other first round picks in Mac Jones and Henry Ruggs. Since that national title game, Day hasn't won a game in the College Football Playoff. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Johnson, who transferred to Nebraska and played two seasons with the Cornhuskers, advocated for the Buckeyes to hire current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. "Who’s a better recruiter and offensive minded coach than Lane Kiffin," Johnson asked on social media after the game on Saturday. "He will bring multiple championships to the great state of Ohio." We'll see if Kiffin eventually finds his way to Columbus, but it seems that Day's time at Ohio State is expected to come to an end unless they're able to secure a national title this year. With a trip to the Big Ten title game no longer in the cards, the Buckeyes will need to wait until the College Football Playoff Selection Show to find out where and when they'll be playing. Related: Ryan Day Had 6-Word Message After Losing To Michigan Again

Simkovicova, a 53-year-old former television anchor, has been a controversial figure since taking office in October 2023. "I am frustrated and very angry about the way culture is being destroyed and organizations are falling apart," Svetlana Fialova, a 39-year-old visual artist and lecturer, told AFP. "What is happening in Slovakia is ... what is happening in Georgia, Hungary and other countries, where people who collaborate and play to Russian tunes are coming to power and trying to suppress democracy and culture," she said. "The culture of the Slovaks should be Slovak -- Slovak and none else," Simkovicova said in one early speech. Nominated by the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), she has also slammed "LGBT+ ideology" for causing Europe to "die out". Her views have appealed to Prime Minister Robert Fico from the centrist Smer party, whose objections to liberal values echo Viktor Orban, the prime minister of neighbouring Hungary. Simkovicova had worked notably for the Slovan TV channel, known for spreading conspiracy theories, xenophobia and pro-Russian views. Slovak National Gallery director Alexandra Kusa lost her job in August in what opponents said was part of Simkovicova's purge. "Culture ministry staff accompanied by a lawyer showed up in my office one day with a bunch of flowers and a notice," she told AFP. Kusa, who has been reduced to the post of exhibition curator, said the ministry had launched a derogatory campaign against her. She says she was punished for backing Matej Drlicka, the National Theatre director, who was sacked a day earlier. The head of the country's heritage institute was dismissed this week. "We are not compatible with the ministry. Their idea of culture is completely different from ours," Kusa said. She accuses the ministry of launching "an era of bullying and intimidation". "It's pure destruction and demonstration of power. It's terrible." The ministry did not respond to AFP's request to comment. Simkovicova also targets public media. In June, she pushed through a law reforming the state-run RTVS broadcaster into a new company, STVR, which is under her control. Analyst Pavol Hardos told AFP that wielding political influence over cultural institutions had a precedent in Slovakia. "This is something we experienced in the 1990s during the illiberal regime of Vladimir Meciar, when there were ideological tests and tests ... of who is a good nationalist, a good Slovak, and who isn't," he said. What is new is the government's "commitment to purge cultural institutions from anyone who is in any way perceived as potentially a political enemy", Hardos said. Open-minded and liberal people are "being targeted as a potential troublemaker, and people who are often enough real experts in their areas are being sidelined or thrown out," he added. Hardos said that while it was premature to talk about "an illiberal regime", Fico is walking in Orban's footsteps. The government is also targeting LGBT+ rights organisations. Early this year, Simkovicova said they would not get "a cent" from her ministry. She has recently curbed public subsidies for LGBT+ groups. "This concerns any project with links to LGBT+," said Martin Macko, head of the Iniciativa Inakost NGO. He said attacks on the minority were growing, as were the number of people being treated by the NGO's therapists. The situation has incited protests among artists, cultural institution staff and the public, who turn their backs on directors named by Simkovicova or read protest statements on theatre stages. Large rallies were held this year, mobilising tens of thousands of people. Two petitions written by artists have solicited 400,000 signatures in the EU member country of 5.4 million people. In the Slovak parliament, the opposition initiated a vote to dismiss Simkovicova, but the attempt fell through. "No culture ministry employee prevents anyone from being creative or expressing themselves," Simkovicova told the press. sc-anb-frj-kym/twThis Timberwolves roster is different than the one from a year ago. That much is obvious in games, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ consistent scoring and general size is missed, as is the playmaking and ball security of guys like Kyle Anderson and Jordan McLaughlin. ADVERTISEMENT But their absences have been felt in the locker room, as well. Towns was a consistent source of positivity for the team. Anderson was one of the loudest vocal leaders. The latter can be especially difficult to replace, especially because it can be uncomfortable to speak up when things are going poorly and something needs to change. That was the position Anthony Edwards has found himself in early this season. Edwards has been praised for his leadership through his first four years on Minnesota’s roster. Mostly, that all came via positivity and example. Edwards can be coached hard, which gave the greenlight for the coaches to treat everyone else the same way. Edwards was also quick to credit his teammates around him for their contributions to the cause, and was eager and willing to spend time with and talk to anyone on the roster, players No. 1-15. He’ll also stand up for any of his teammates if the occasion ever arises. That’s why he has been so beloved in the locker room and why he was viewed as such a leader, even at his young age. ADVERTISEMENT But with Anderson’s departure, Edwards was now tasked with leading even through choppy waters. And the waves have been rather large through the first quarter of the season. Minnesota’s defense has fallen off a cliff in comparison to where it was a year ago. After never even as many as three consecutive games during the 2023-24 regular season, the Wolves endured a four-game losing skid earlier this week. At that point, words were exchanged, both publicly and privately. A halftime hash out during Minnesota’s loss Wednesday to Sacramento got the conversation rolling. Mike Conley got the dialogue started, but all indications are that Edwards was a healthy participant. Edwards noted it’s difficult to know what to say in those times. “Because you look at everybody, and everybody got a different agenda. It’s like, ‘What the (heck) am I supposed to say?’ You know what I mean?” Edwards said. “I’m trying to get better in that aspect, figure out what the hell to say to get everybody on the same agenda, because everybody right now is on different agendas. I think that’s one of the main culprits of why we’re losing, because everybody out there got their own agenda. I guess their imagination of what’s supposed to be going on, and what’s really happening.” Nickeil Alexander-Walker told reporters at Friday’s shootaround that this is the most vocal Edwards has ever been. And while the intention of everyone’s messages are pure, “sometimes it’s not always worded the right way.” ADVERTISEMENT “I think we’ve crossed that line of, ‘Man, I feel like you’re not hearing the message.’ It’s tough to be called out, because you start to feel like, ‘OK, are you saying I’m the reason?’ No one wants to be at fault,” Alexander-Walker said. “But at the end of the day, I definitely think that guys are open to hearing it better. And I think it just came from a stand point of, at a point and time in the conversation, there was a comeback. It was going back and forth now, as opposed to receiving it (and saying), ‘OK, I got you.’ That’s how it’s going to be. It’s very rare that someone is just going to be able to be called out and not have anything to say. “It’s human nature to be defensive, at the end of the day. But kind of remembering what we’re here for, and if I’m being called out, chances are I’ve got to look in the mirror and be better.” It’s a delicate dance. There has to be an environment rooted in accountability, but you also have to be sure not to lose teammates, as Jimmy Butler was criticized for doing during his short stint in Minnesota a few years ago. ADVERTISEMENT And while it’s never ideal for a team to be living through a stretch of basketball the quality of which falls significantly short of the expectation, these stretches will likely lead to growth for Edwards, if not on the court, then in the locker room. You can’t steer a ship to a title if you don’t know how to navigate turbulent tides. Day by day, loss by loss, Edwards is learning how to spin the wheel. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC and across college football in general. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks, who are the last unbeaten team. The shuffling begins at No. 5, where Notre Dame returned for the first time since Week 2 after beating Army for its ninth straight win. No. 6 Georgia moved up two spots, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 8 Miami each got a three-rung promotion and No. 9 SMU jumped four places for its first top-10 ranking since 1985. SMU has clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game and would play Miami, if the Hurricanes win at Syracuse this week, or No. 12 Clemson . Indiana dropped from No. 5 to No. 10 following its first loss, a 38-15 defeat at Ohio State. The Buckeyes would play Oregon in the Big Ten championship game if they beat Michigan this Saturday for the first time in four years. The Southeastern Conference's hopes for landing four spots in the College Football Playoff took a hit with two of their teams losing as double-digit favorites. Texas, Georgia and Tennessee are the only SEC teams with fewer than three losses after Alabama lost 24-3 at Oklahoma and Mississippi lost 24-17 at Florida. Alabama and Mississippi each dropped six spots in the AP poll, the Crimson Tide to No. 13 and the Rebels to No. 15. Texas A&M was the third SEC team to lose, 43-41 at Auburn in four overtimes. The Aggies tumbled five places to No. 20 but would play Georgia in the SEC championship game if they knock off Texas this week. Losses by BYU and Colorado created a four-way tie for first in the Big 12. No. 14 Arizona State, picked to finish last in the conference, handed BYU its second straight loss and is the highest-ranked Big 12 team. No. 17 Iowa State earned a five-rung promotion with its win at Utah. BYU is No. 19 and Colorado, which lost to Kansas , is No. 23. If the four teams each finish 7-2 in conference play, it's Iowa State vs. Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. No. 11 Boise State is first among the four ranked Group of Five teams. The Broncos got a one-spot bump despite struggling to beat a two-win Wyoming team. Tulane is No. 18, UNLV is No. 21 and Army is No. 25. Oregon, which was idle, was the consensus No. 1 team for the fourth straight week. The Ducks will be unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 2010 if they beat Washington at home Saturday. Boise State's ranking is its highest since it was No. 8 in the final poll of the 2011 season. Arizona State's ranking is its highest since it was No. 12 in the final poll of the 2014 season. Indiana-Ohio State was the final top-five matchup of the regular season. The five were the most in a regular season since 1996. There also were five in 1936 and 1943. No. 24 Missouri, a 39-20 winner at Mississippi State , returned to the Top 25 after a one-week absence. Washington State's four-week run in the rankings ended with its second straight loss, 41-38 loss at Oregon State. SEC — 8 (Nos. 3, 6, 7, 13, 15, 16, 20, 24). Big Ten — 5 (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 10, 22). Big 12 — 4 (Nos. 14, 17, 19, 23). ACC — 3 (Nos. 8, 9, 12). AAC — 2 (Nos. 18, 25). Mountain West — 2 (Nos. 11, 21). Independent — 1 (No. 5). —No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson: It's a Top 25 matchup for the first time since 2013. Clemson's 16-7 victory in Columbia last year was the fourth of five straight wins to end the Tigers' season. —No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M: Stakes are high for the first meeting of longtime rivals since both were in the Big 12 in 2011. Winner goes to the SEC title game. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballChatGPT 's Santa Mode is restricted to age groups that might already be questioning Santa Claus's existence. The Santa voice is for ages 13 and up according to a disclaimer. OpenAI debuted the seasonal Santa Mode as part of Thursday's livestream, which also announced vision capabilities for ChatGPT. For ChatGPT Plus and Pro users, when using Advanced Voice Mode, they can select Santa's jolly, booming baritone among the voice options to interact with. But OpenAI has thumbed its nose at the joy of little children everywhere by restricting Santa Mode to teens and adults. How Grinch-y. Jokes aside, there is a reason for this. The 13-and-up age restriction applies to all of ChatGPT, a spokesperson told Mashable. According to OpenAI's terms of use, "You must be at least 13 years old or the minimum age required in your country to consent to use the Services. If you are under 18 you must have your parent or legal guardian’s permission to use the Services." Some kind of age restriction makes sense for use of a technology that might share harmful or inaccurate information. But it also raises the question of what kind of raunchy adult content Santa Mode could get up to. That said, OpenAI has trained ChatGPT to restrict certain adult content and prevent misuse. But the real trick would have been creating a truly kid-safe version of Santa Mode. Of course parents can always use Santa Mode with their kids or a tech-savvy pre-teen could get their parent's permission to chat with Santa. But it kind of takes away from the festive fun, knowing that Santa Mode is almost exclusively a gimmick for adults that are already in on the world's greatest conspiracy. Meanwhile we'll be pushing the limits of Santa Mode to see how "adult" it can be.

Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. On Monday: The S&P 500 rose 14.77 points, or 0.2%, to 6,047.15. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128.65 points, or 0.3%, to 44,782. The Nasdaq composite rose 185.78 points, or 1%, to 19,403.95. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 0.59 points, or less than 0.1%, to 2,434.14. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,277.32 points, or 26.8%. The Dow is up 7,092.46 points, or 18.8%. The Nasdaq is up 4,392.60 points, or 29.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 407.06 points, or 20.1%.