casino fishing slot machine Article content Mayor Valérie Plante defended Montreal police after Premier François Legault offered to deploy Sûreté du Québec officers to help “re-establish order” following a protest that turned violent on Friday. Legault had also said he wanted to see more arrests of the “ thugs and vandals who were violent ” at that demonstration. Plante told reporters on Wednesday she had spoken to Legault about the issue. “I told him how competent the (Service de police de la Ville de Montréal) is when it comes to managing protests,” she said. “And I was telling him that just in the last year, there have been more than 500 protests that the SPVM was able to manage without major incidents.” As for Legault’s suggestion more arrests are required, Plante said she told the premier she will not engage in “political interference with the operation of the SPVM.” The mayor also noted that the SQ was “already there Friday and Saturday, supporting our troops, so I think they’re already working well together.” Friday’s violent protest was directed at a NATO summit at the Palais des congrès in downtown Montreal. It was organized by two groups: Convergence des luttes anticapitalistes, which describes itself as “anti-capitalist, anti-oppressive, anti-authoritarian and anti-colonial,” and Désinvestir pour la Palestine, “a collective of citizens, activists and civil society groups engaged in the Palestinian struggle.” Protesters clashed with police and some sprayed paint at riot officers, while others smashed windows. Cars were engulfed in flames, though police are investigating the cause . Three people were arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers and obstructing police work. The SPVM has said more arrests are pending as they review video of the events and attempt to locate suspects. On Wednesday, Montreal police reacted to an incident that occurred during a different downtown protest, this one on Sunday. Rabbi Adam Scheier, head of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Westmount, said police asked him to move away from an area where pro-Palestinian protesters were marching. Police suggested his presence, as a person wearing a kippah, the Jewish skullcap, could provoke violence. Speaking to The Gazette on Monday, Scheier said: “The only thing I am guilty of is shopping in downtown Montreal ... while wearing a kippah. The policeman explained to me that he was fearful of a ‘fire starting between the two sides.’ Apparently, my presence is deemed a sufficient provocation for removal, while their hateful chants are allowed to continue.” In a statement to The Gazette, Montreal police said it meets regularly with Scheier as part of frequent contacts with the Jewish community since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. “It goes without saying that we will follow up on the situation with him. We are in contact with all the parties involved. Their respective concerns are important to us and we are sparing no effort to restore their sense of security.” The statement added: “During protests, our role is to ensure that they take place in a peaceful and orderly manner, with the safety of people and property, and in compliance with the laws and regulations in force, as well as the Canadian and Quebec charters of rights and freedoms.” Scheir said Wednesday that police reached out to him and a meeting with the force has been scheduled. Recommended from Editorial Legault wants to see more arrests stemming from Friday's protest in Montreal Montreal rabbi says police told him to move away from pro-Palestinian protesters ariga@postmedia.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. Biden welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. That's when power will transfer to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82. Until Inauguration Day, the president and first lady Jill Biden will continue a busy run of festivities that will double as their long goodbye. The White House schedule in December is replete with holiday parties for various constituencies, from West Wing staff to members of Congress and the White House press corps. Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys, named for the official flower of the president's home state of Delaware. “The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop the table to Biden's right. “Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point, drawing laughter from an overflow crowd that included Cabinet members, White House staff and their families, and students from 4H programs and Future Farmers of America chapters. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield. Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, the group that has gifted U.S. presidents Thanksgiving turkeys since the Truman administration after World War II. President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989. With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center near Waseca in southern Minnesota. The center's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America. Separately Monday, first lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room. The 18.5 foot (5.64 meters) Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene . Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said at the event. The Bidens were also traveling to New York City on Monday for an evening “Friendsgiving” event at a Coast Guard station on Staten Island. Biden began his valedictory calendar Friday night with a gala for hundreds of his friends, supporters and staff members who gathered in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn, with a view out to the Lincoln Memorial. Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and his longest-serving staff members came together to hear from the president and pay tribute, with no evidence that Biden was effectively forced from the Democratic ticket this summer and watched Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on Nov. 5. “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event. Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.” The first lady toasted her husband with a nod to his 2020 campaign promise to “restore the soul of the nation,” in Trump’s aftermath. With the results on Election Day, however, Biden’s four years now become sandwiched in the middle of an era dominated by Trump's presence on the national stage and in the White House. Even as the first couple avoided the context surrounding the president's coming exit, those political realities were nonetheless apparent, as younger Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden's Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg not only raised their glasses to the president but held forth with many attendees who could remain in the party's power circles in the 2028 election cycle and beyond. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.Wake Forest still experimenting ahead of Detroit Mercy gameSportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

HOTSPOT I won’t be able to forget 2024. I would gladly say goodbye to it, but would always remember it for many reasons. On a personal level, this is the year we marked an important family milestone: the birth in February of my sister’s first granddaughter Stella Avery. We were as happy as when CJ, the first grandson, was born six years before. I cried when I called my niece to congratulate her. Those were happy tears, but also sad tears because Mama is no longer around to see, hold, and take care of her first great-granddaughter. I immediately thought that it would have made Mama extra-happy to have a girl as her second “apo-sa-tuhod.” The arrival of CJ (and then Avery) made my sister into a “lola,” and we her two brothers, technically “lolos” since 2017. Also in the first quarter of 2024, I was personally introduced to the idea and practice of “maintenance” medicines, after the health center doctor told me that I needed them. By April, a young doctor who I “met” during the pandemic started to take care of me, made a diagnoses, and prescribed new medicines. I had to buy myself a pill box to keep track. By October, my current doctor ordered a diagnostic procedure, and the results determined that I should undergo a subsequent procedure in the soonest possible time. I was able to undergo the recommended procedure by the following month, thanks to help from friends and family, public funding, PWD benefits, and also PhilHealth. Both were done in a public hospital, under the auspices of awesome public sector doctors and nurses. I am grateful to them. I cannot deny that I got scared, but I thought it was better to take the doctor’s advice and prescriptions seriously, as well as those of my aunt who is a life-long nurse. It is something that runs in the family and I felt it was better to be pro-active about it. It may get worse if I left matters unattended. Our Tita Liwanag, one of Mama’s siblings, always checks on me. Many have seen or endured long lines at the Philippine Heart Center and East Avenue Medical Center that start at three or four in the morning. There must be better, more efficient, and more humane ways to avail of our right to healthcare. The national debates on PhilHealth, in particular, and medical assistance, in general are personal to many of us. We deserve a future where no one would have to beg, go around soliciting medical assistance, go bankrupt, or suffer and die unnecessarily, and where health services is free because healthcare is a right. The debates must be informed by the situation on-ground and the health needs of our people. The year 2024 is also a great, memorable year for Philippine politics, with both houses of Congress investigating Vice President Sara Duterte over her alleged misuse of confidential funds, and former President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the bloody drug war. We have a new, more competent Education secretary. The Marcos administration has said it will not stop the International Criminal Court’s investigation and would cooperate with Interpol in the event it implements an ICC arrest warrant. The controversial POGOs have been shuttered, and the Bamban mayor has been removed from office and now faces charges in court and before the Commission on Elections. Accused human and sex trafficker Apollo Quiboloy has been arrested and detained, after weeks of trying to evade arresting officers. Mary Jane Veloso has been repatriated from Indonesia and awaits a well-deserved pardon or clemency. Atom Araullo won a landmark legal victory against red-taggers Lorraine Badoy Partosa and Jeffrey Celiz. Pope Francis raised Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, a fearless voice of justice, to the dignity of a cardinal, the first Filipino non-metropolitan and suffragan bishop to be so honored. In response to a clamor for new leaders, Makabayan offers a nearly-complete senatorial slate composed of 11 grassroots leaders and veteran progressive lawmakers. ACT Teachers and Gabriela are running for re-election, and Bayan Muna aims for a political comeback. The year 2024 is also the most brilliant in our Olympic history, thanks to Carlos Yulo’s two golds, Aira Villegas’ silver, and Nesthy Petecio’s bronze. No doubt, we faced many challenges too, with rising prices, inflation and cost of living, and with government scandals that humiliate us and deprive us of what we rightfully deserve. The small and big victories, personal and political, should give us hope in 2025. Let’s do everything to make things better for ourselves but especially for the kids like CJ and Avery.Party Crisis: Very critical time for PDP – Utaan calls for unity ahead of NEC meeting

WASHINGTON — When Elon Musk first suggested a new effort to cut the size of government, Donald Trump didn’t seem to take it seriously. His eventual name for the idea sounded like a joke, too. It would be called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a reference to an online meme featuring a surprised-looking dog from Japan. But now that Trump has won the election, Musk’s fantasy is becoming reality, with the potential to spark a constitutional clash over the balance of power in Washington. Trump put Musk, the world’s richest man, and Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, in charge of the new department, which is really an outside advisory committee that will work with people inside the government to reduce spending and regulations. Last week, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would encourage Trump to make cuts by refusing to spend money allocated by Congress, a process known as impounding. The proposal goes against a 1974 law intended to prevent future presidents from following in the footsteps of Richard Nixon, who held back funding that he didn’t like. “We are prepared for the onslaught from entrenched interests in Washington,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal. “We expect to prevail. Now is the moment for decisive action.” Trump has already suggested taking such a big step, saying last year that he would “use the president’s long-recognized impoundment power to squeeze the bloated federal bureaucracy for massive savings.” It would be a dramatic attempt to expand his powers, when he already will have the benefit of a sympathetic Republican-controlled Congress and a conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court, and it could swiftly become one of the most closely watched legal fights of his second administration. “He might get away with it,” said William Galston, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. “Congress’ power of the purse will turn into an advisory opinion.” Right now, plans for the Department of Government Efficiency are still coming into focus. The nascent organization has put out a call for “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.” Applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes through X, the social media company that Musk owns. In the Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy provided the most detailed look yet at how they would operate and where they could cut. Some are longtime Republican targets, such as $535 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Other plans are more ambitious and could reshape the federal government. The two wrote that they would “identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions,” leading to “mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy.” Civil service protections wouldn’t apply, they argue, because they wouldn’t be targeting specific people for political purposes. Some employees could choose “voluntary severance payments to facilitate a graceful exit.” But others would be encouraged to quit by mandating that they show up at the office five days a week, ending pandemic-era flexibility about remote work. The requirement “would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome.” Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said such cutbacks would harm services for Americans who rely on the federal government, and he suggested that Musk and Ramaswamy were in over their heads. “I don’t think they’re even remotely qualified to perform those duties,” he said. “That’s my main concern.” Kelley said his union, which represents 750,000 employees for the federal government and the city of Washington, D.C., was ready to fight attempts to slash the workforce. “We’ve been here, we’ve heard this kind of rhetoric before,” he said. “And we are prepared.” There was no mention in the Wall Street Journal of Musk’s previously stated goal of cutting $2 trillion from the budget, which is nearly a third of total annual spending. Nor did they write about “Schedule F,” a potential plan to reclassify federal employees to make them easier to fire. Ramaswamy once described the idea as the “mass deportation of federal bureaucrats out of Washington, D.C.” However, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would reduce regulations that they describe as excessive. They wrote that their department “will work with legal experts embedded in government agencies, aided by advanced technology,” to review regulations that run counter to two recent Supreme Court decisions that were intended to limit federal rulemaking authority. Musk and Ramaswamy said Trump could “immediately pause the enforcement of those regulations and initiate the process for review and rescission.” Chris Edwards, an expert on budget issues at the Cato Institute, said many Republicans have promised to reduce the size and role of government over the years, often to little effect. Sometimes it feels like every budget item and tax provision, no matter how obscure, has people dedicated to its preservation, turning attempts at cuts into political battles of attrition. “Presidents always seem to have higher priorities,” he said. “A lot of it falls to the wayside.” Although DOGE is scheduled to finish its work by July 4, 2026, Edwards said Musk and Ramaswamy should move faster to capitalize on momentum from Trump’s election victory. “Will it just collect dust on a shelf, or will it be put into effect?” Edwards said. “That all depends on Trump and where he is at that point in time.” Ramaswamy said in an online video that they’re planning regular “Dogecasts” to keep the public updated on their work, which he described as “a once-in-a-generation project” to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse.” “However bad you think it is, it’s probably worse,” he said. House Republicans are expected to put Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump ally from Georgia, in charge of a subcommittee to work with DOGE, according to two people with knowledge of the plans who were not authorized to discuss them publicly. Greene and Rep. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, have already met with Ramaswamy, the two people said. Musk brought up the idea for DOGE while broadcasting a conversation with Trump on X during the campaign. “I think we need a government efficiency commission to say like, ‘Hey, where are we spending money that’s sensible. Where is it not sensible?’” Musk said. Musk returned to the topic twice, volunteering his services by saying “I’d be happy to help out on such a commission.” “I’d love it,” Trump replied, describing Musk as “the greatest cutter.” Musk has his own incentives to push this initiative forward. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have billions of dollars in government contracts and face oversight from government regulators. After spending an estimated $200 million to support Trump’s candidacy, he’s poised to have expansive influence over the next administration. Trump even went to Texas last week to watch SpaceX test its largest rocket. DOGE will have an ally in Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has railed against federal spending for years. He recently told Fox News that he sent “2,000 pages of waste that can be cut” to Musk and Ramaswamy. “I’m all in and will do anything I can to help them,” Paul said. Get local news delivered to your inbox!None

Syria's new transitional prime minister on Tuesday said it was time for "stability and calm" in the country, two days after longtime president Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels in a lightning offensive. The rebels appointed Mohammad al-Bashir as the transitional head of government to run the country until March 1, a statement said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged all nations to support an "inclusive" political process in Syria, saying the United States would eventually recognise a government if it meets such standards. "Now it is time for this people to enjoy stability and calm," Bashir told Qatar's Al Jazeera television in his first interview since being appointed. A senior official told US broadcaster NBC that Assad was in Moscow, after he fled Syria as an Islamist-led rebel alliance swept into Damascus on Sunday, ending five decades of brutal rule by his clan. Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the Islamist leader who headed the rebel offensive, had announced talks on a transfer of power and vowed to pursue former senior officials responsible for torture and war crimes. Jolani on Tuesday sought to allay fears over how Syria would be ruled, telling British broadcaster Sky News that Syria was "exhausted" by war and would not be heading back into one. "Syria will be rebuilt... The country is moving towards development and reconstruction. It's going towards stability," he said. "People are exhausted from war. So the country isn't ready for another one and it's not going to get into another one." His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is rooted in Syria's Al-Qaeda branch and is proscribed by many Western governments as a terrorist organisation, though it has sought to moderate its image. Blinken said the future government of Syria should be "credible, inclusive and non-sectarian". Laying out US priorities, Blinken said the new government must "uphold clear commitments to fully respect the rights of minorities" and allow the flow of humanitarian assistance. The United States wanted the next government to "prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism", he added. Although they no longer hold any territory in Syria, the jihadists of the Islamic State group remain active. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said IS fighters killed 54 government troops after capturing them as they fled across the vast Syrian desert. The UN envoy for Syria said the groups that forced Assad to flee must transform their "good messages" into actions on the ground. "They have been sending messages of unity, of inclusiveness," Geir Pedersen said. "What we need not to see is... that this is not followed up in practice in the days and the weeks ahead of us," he added. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned of the risks of sectarian violence and a resurgence of extremism. "We must avoid a repeat of the horrific scenarios in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan." Syria's nearly 14-year civil war killed 500,000 people and forced half the country to flee their homes, millions of them finding refuge abroad. Jolani, who now uses his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, vowed: "We will not hesitate to hold accountable the criminals, murderers, security and army officers involved in torturing the Syrian people." The fall of Assad has sparked a frantic search by families of the tens of thousands of people held in his security services' jails and detention centres. As they advanced towards Damascus, the rebels released thousands of detainees, but many more remain missing. Syria's White Helmet rescuers on Tuesday called on Russia to pressure Assad into providing maps of secret jails and lists of detainees as they race against time to release prisoners. A large crowd gathered Monday outside Saydnaya jail, synonymous with the worst atrocities of Assad's rule, to search for relatives, many of whom had spent years in captivity, AFP correspondents reported. "I'm looking for my brother, who has been missing since 2013. We've looked everywhere for him, we think he's here, in Saydnaya," said 52-year-old Umm Walid. Crowds of freed prisoners wandered the streets of Damascus, many maimed by torture, weakened by illness and emaciated by hunger. The United Nations said whoever ended up in power in Syria must hold Assad and his lieutenants to account. UN investigators who for years have been gathering evidence of horrific crimes called Assad's ouster a "game-changer" because they will now be able to access "the crime scene". While Syrians were celebrating Assad's ouster, the country now faces enormous uncertainty, and it is unclear whether the dreams of democracy so many sacrificed their lives for will be realised. Further complicating prospects, the Israeli military said it had conducted hundreds of strikes on Syria over the past two days. Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, called on Israel to stop. "We are continuing to see Israeli movements and bombardments into Syrian territory. This needs to stop," he said. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Syria's new rulers that he would respond "forcefully" if they allow "Iran to re-establish itself in Syria, or permits the transfer of Iranian weapons or any other weapons to Hezbollah". Lebanon's Hezbollah meanwhile said it hoped that Syria's new rulers would "take a firm stand against Israeli occupation, while preventing foreign interference in its affairs". The Britain-based Observatory said Israeli strikes had "destroyed the most important military sites in Syria". The monitor said the strikes targeted weapons depots, naval vessels and a research centre that Western governments suspected of having links to chemical weapons production. Israel, which borders Syria, also sent troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone east of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel backer the United States said the incursion must be "temporary", after the United Nations said Israel was violating the 1974 armistice. The Israeli defence minister said the military had orders to "establish a sterile defence zone free of weapons and terrorist threats in southern Syria, without a permanent Israeli presence." bur-ser/jsa/casino frenzy games 。

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India for the very first time is flying biological experiments into space using a homegrown rocket. The next launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will see not one, but three biological experiments with living cells being rocketed into space. Keeping living things alive in the hostile near vacuum of space is a hugely challenging task. India will fly living biological material from plants such as spinach, cowpea, and gut bacteria - three different experiments are being planned to be flown onboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4). Keeping any organism alive in space is a challenge as all life support systems have to be provided in a small sealed box. The results of the experiments also have to be gathered remotely. This is on the fourth stage of the PSLV which the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) makes available to academics to conduct experiments in the real space environment. "In a first such venture, ISRO is flying live biological experiments into space from India. We would have had to start studies on astrobiology sooner than later, and now ISRO will write a whole new poem using the PSLV experimental platform and let Indian biologists explore all aspects of how life can survive in the hostile environment of space," ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath said. The next mission of the PSLV named C-60, scheduled very soon, is actually a hugely experimental mission with the main experiment being the Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) where ISRO will show for the first time docking and undocking of two Indian satellites in space. But in an effort to promote testing of new ideas and technologies, ISRO has made the POEM platform available to Indian start-ups and its own in-house scientific teams to try out novel ideas. In the next mission, 24 payloads will be tested on the fourth stage of the PSLV. The biological experiments being flown may seem small and elementary in comparison to the huge biological experiments conducted onboard global space stations, but then at some point ISRO had to initiate studies of how life forms perform in space. It is a small biological step by ISRO that will propel India closer to the Gaganyaan mission where India seeks to fly an Indian into space from Indian soil on an Indian rocket. More detailed experiments could also be planned on the Bhartiya Antariksha Station that will come up by 2035. Scientists from Amity University, Mumbai are testing how cells of common spinach perform in the near zero gravity environment of space. Scientists from the Amity Centre for Excellence in Astrobiology led by Dr AW Santhosh Kumar, Vice Chancellor, and his nine-member team are trying to decipher how a mass of cells derived from Spinacea oleracea will perform in space. Rather than flying full spinach plants tissue culture, grown cells will be used as an experimental model. Dr Kumar said his team has designed a biological payload to be set on orbit through ISRO with an objective to study the possibility of food and nutrition during space missions. The experiment aims at real time monitoring of the biological payload in space. Dr Kumar in his earlier avatar as a researcher in the US has flown human cell samples to the International Space Station and so, he has experience of conducting astrobiology experiments. In another live experiment using gut bacteria, undergraduate students from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru are flying RVSAT-1, India's first microbiological payload. In an enclosed capsule, the gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron will be sent into space to better understand them. The team wants to explore the implications of bacterial growth on gut health and gene regulation, providing valuable data for understanding human physiology in space. An in-house team of ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, using the Compact Research Module for orbital Plant Studies (CROPS) will demonstrate how seeds and leaves of cowpea germinate in near zero gravity environment of space. Seedlings lose orientation when grown in microgravity conditions. "Studying plant growth in space is new to ISRO and the 15-member team is very excited to see the results," said T Latha, Deputy Director of VSSC. Dr Somanath said these are the first baby steps that could result in mega biological experiments to be undertaken onboard the Bharatiya Antariksha station. "Supporting startups and researchers outside ISRO greatly helps India's large scientific pool get a feel of the space environment," Dr Somanath said.

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None(Bloomberg) -- Wicked and Gladiator II, two of the year’s most anticipated films, brought in a combined $170 million in US and Canadian theaters this weekend, kicking off what’s likely to be a strong holiday season for cinemas. Universal Pictures’ film version of the hit Broadway musical, Wicked finished in first place with $114 million in ticket sales. Gladiator II, Paramount Global’s sequel to the 2000 best picture winner, grossed $56 million, to finish second. The simultaneous release of two big-budget Hollywood films is reminiscent of last year’s “Barbenheimer” weekend, when Barbie and Oppenheimer drove scores of moviegoers to cinemas. Their combined $245 million opening weekend was a much needed shot in the arm to theater owners, and their respective studios, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. and Universal, a division Comcast Corp. This year, the hashtag #Glicked was trending on social media, although it didn’t have quite the same pull as 2023, which saw tens of thousands of costumed moviegoers watch the unlikely pairing of Barbie and Oppenheimer as a double feature. “The thing that’s really encouraging to see is the critical reaction scores for Wicked are tremendous across every demographic, which points to a very long run at the box office over the Thanksgiving quarter and frankly well into next year,” Jim Orr, Universal’s president of domestic theatrical distribution, said in an interview. The movie sold an especially high number of tickets in areas such as Salt Lake City, where family-friendly fare often performs well at the box office, Orr said. Wicked is the first of two films in a series, with the second scheduled for November 2025. The picture, directed by Jon Chu, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as young sorceresses in the fictional Land of Oz who later become the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West, respectively. It scored a robust 90% approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. It was forecast to generate about $130 million in its opening weekend, according to an estimate by Boxoffice Pro. Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal as a slave-turned-warrior fighting to vanquish corruption in ancient Rome. Ridley Scott, 86, returned as director. The film had a 71% average score with professional reviewers. Paramount forecast sales of $60 million, while Boxoffice Pro projected that the picture would take in about $70 million. “I’m very bullish about how the film holds, we captured a decent percentage of the younger audience that wasn’t part of the legacy audience for the original. There’s nothing but family films ahead, and we as an R-rated action movie are an alternative,” Chris Aronson, Paramount’s president of domestic theatrical distribution, said in an interview. Going into the weekend, the domestic box office was down about 11% from 2023, according to data from Comscore Inc. That’s a reflection of the two strikes last year by Hollywood actors and writers that pushed back the release of some films. Last year’s holiday releases featured some notable disappointments, however, including Walt Disney Co.’s Wish and Warner Bros.’ The Color Purple. This year, the Thanksgiving to New Year’s box office could be stronger with Disney’s Moana 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King both projected to open to big numbers. Bob Bagby, the chief executive officer the B&B Theatres chain and chairman of the National Association of Theatre Owners, said in an interview that a young family friend pledged to see Wicked in cinemas at least twice more. “Our lobbies were full of guests in pink and green and of course a few dressed like gladiators, and this is just the beginning of a fantastic holiday season,” Bagby said. (Updates with B&B Theatres comment in final paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

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8 Thanksgiving mistakes: Frozen or overcooked turkey, too many sides and other common holiday miscuesThe battle for the WTA Player of the Year award was not just a competition between two individuals, but a reflection of the wider narrative of women's tennis and the challenges that players face in the pursuit of excellence. Zheng Qunwen's journey to the top has been marked by resilience, hard work, and unwavering dedication, making her a role model for aspiring athletes around the world. While the disappointment of missing out on the award may sting for now, Zheng's undeniable talent and fighting spirit will undoubtedly propel her to even greater heights in the seasons to come.

In conclusion, the energy storage industry is setting a new standard for healthy competition in the renewable energy sector. By prioritizing employee well-being, fostering collaboration, and investing in innovation, companies in this sector are charting a path towards sustainable growth and success. As the industry continues to evolve, it is imperative that companies maintain a focus on creating a positive work culture that empowers their employees and drives positive change in the pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable future.Reid’s game-winner lifts South Florida past Wright State, 73-72 at Myrtle Beach Invitational

As the Zhoushan Islands continue to evolve and grow, Huawei's legacy of service and innovation will remain a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us that technology, when used responsibly and ethically, has the power to uplift communities and transform lives.

Top officials from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on Thursday drew bipartisan fire for declining to testify in public at a Senate hearing on "worldwide threats" and instead offering to testify in a classified setting. Both Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security Committee expressed anger at what they called Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray's "refusal" to testify in public. "In a shocking departure from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's longstanding tradition of transparency and oversight of the threats facing our nation, for the first time in more than 15 years, the Homeland Security and FBI Director have refused to appear before the Committee to provide public testimony at our annual hearing on Threats to the Homeland," Chairman Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, said in a statement. Peters said it was "their choice" to not provide public testimony for the American people. "Americans deserve transparency, public answers about the threats we face," Peters said. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, went a step further and said he "looked forward to Director Wray's resignation." "This is Mayorkas & Wray giving the middle finger to the American people," he tweeted. While it wasn't immediately clear specifically why they declined to testify in public, a Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement that Mayorkas has appeared before Congress more than 30 times. "DHS and the FBI have offered to the Committee a classified briefing to discuss the threats to the Homeland in detail, providing the Committee with the information it needs to conduct its work in the months ahead," a the spokesperson said in a statement. "DHS and the FBI already have shared with the Committee and other Committees, and with the American public, extensive unclassified information about the current threat environment, including the recently published Homeland Threat Assessment." The FBI said in a statement they've "repeatedly" showed their commitment to being transparent with the American people. "We remain committed to sharing information about the continuously evolving threat environment facing our nation and the extraordinary work the men and women of the FBI are doing -- here at home and around the world -- to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States ," according to an FBI statement. "FBI leaders have testified extensively in public settings about the current threat environment and believe the Committee would benefit most from further substantive discussions and additional information that can only be provided in a classified setting."

Busy schedule gives Packers no time to celebrate their lopsided win over 49ersOffensively challenged in several early high school basketball games this season, Terre Haute South shot 52% from the field Thursday afternoon in the fifth game of the First Financial Classic at Terre Haute North. Shakamak, a team that had South coach Braydon Jefferson worried, shot 33%, the result being a 57-44 win for the Braves that was decided early. “This is a team can shoots well and can make tough shots,” he said after the game in referring to the Lakers. “This time the ball bounced our way.” South jumped quickly into leads of 11-2, 13-3 and 16-5, and that was pretty much it. Shakamak rallied within 16-11 on a basket by reserve Mason Young and four points by Linden Jenkins. But 3-pointers by Treva Branch-Lewis and Peyton Turner — after the Braves had been 1 for 18 from beyond the arc in their previous game — made it 22-11 early in the second quarter and the lead didn’t vary much the rest of the way. Which wasn’t exactly what Jefferson had had in mind either. “We got a little lackadaisical and wanted to think we could coast,” he said about his team’s performance later in the game. “I wasn’t happy with our attention to detail.” South’s best stretch came in the third quarter, when the Braves built a 19-point lead at 46-27. Shakamak’s last gasp was cutting the lead to 55-44, but it was too little, too late. “I felt like we followed our game plan pretty well,” coach Brodie Crowe of the Lakers said after the game. “We limited our turnovers [six for the game, none in the second half] and we did a pretty good job on the boards considering [South’s] size advantage [which was considerable] . . . but it’s disappointing to lose a game we felt was one we should have won, except for our shooting.” South had a three-man attack as Chris Herrin scored 17 points (including a 3-pointer of his own), Turner 16 and Branch-Lewis 15. Jaylen Wells had a game-high nine rebounds four blocked shots, and Brady Wilson had four assists, three of them early in the game.” Jenkins led all scorers with 22 points for Shakamak, while Jaden Johnson had eight. Jenkins and Madden Husband had seven rebounds each. “We have a lot of guys who shoot pretty well,” Crowe emphasized. “We belong here . . . I wasn’t disappointed with our effort.” “We have to keep believing, keep trusting the process,” Jefferson concluded. TERRE HAUTE SOUTH (57) — Herrin 7-8 2-4 17, Wells 2-6 0-2 4, Turner 6-13 1-2 16, Branch-Lewis 5-7 3-6 15, Wilson 1-3 0-0 2, Morgan 1-3 0-0 2, T.Lewis 0-1 0-0 0, Wilkinson 0-0 0-0 0, Boyce 0-0 0-0 0, M.Lewis 0-0 1-2 1, Chastain 0-1 0-0 0, Semmler 0-0 0-0 0, Snider 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-42 FG, 7-16 FT, 57 TP. SHAKAMAK (44) — Jenkins 7-11 6-6 22, Husband 1-10 0-0 2, Terrell 1-5 1-2 3, Jad.Johnson 2-11 3-4 8, Jal.Johnson 2-4 0-1 4, Young 1-2 1-2 3, Fiscus 0-1 0-0 0, Miller 1-2 0-0 2, Buell 0-0 0-0 0, Roberts 0-0 0-0 0, Snellenberger 0-0 0-0 0, Agee M0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-46 FG, 11-15 FT, 44 TP. 3-point shooting — THS 6-16 (Turner 3-8, Branch-Lewis 2-4, Herrin 1-1, Morgan 0-1, Wilson 0-2), Shakamak 3-18 (Jenkins 2-4, Jad.Johnson 1-5, Terrell 0-1, Jal.Johnson 0-1, Young 0-1, Fiscus 0-1, Husband 0-5). Total fouls — THS 16, Shakamak 15. Fouled out — none. Turnovers — THS 13, Shakamak 6. Rebounds — THS 36 (Wells 9, Turner 5, Branch-Lewis 5, Herrin 4, T.Lewis 4, Boyce 4, Wilson, Morgan, M.Lewis, Team 2), Shakamak 28 (Jenkins 7, Husband 7, Terrell 3, Jal.Johnson 3, Fiscus 2, Miller 2, Young, Snellenberger, Team 2). Assists — THS 16 (Branch-Lewis 6, Wilson 4, Turner 2, Wells 2, Herrin, T.Lewis), Shakamak 9 (Jad.Johnson 4, Terrell 2, Fiscus 2, Jenkins). Steals — THS 3 (Herrin, Branch-Lewis, Wilson), Shakamak 5 (Terrell 2, Jenkins, Husband, Jad.Johnson). Blocks — THS 4 (Wells 4), Shakamak 0. Next — Terre Haute South (4-3) plays a winners’ bracket game at 7 p.m. Shakamak (3-5) plays at 4 p.m.

Furthermore, the ESG "Chasing Green Movement" will also focus on promoting social responsibility through initiatives that support local communities, empower underprivileged groups, and foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By integrating these social components into their business strategies, companies can create a positive impact on society and build stronger relationships with their stakeholders.Up 40% in 2024, why I'd still buy the Global X Fang+ ETF (FANG)

Another standout feature of the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 series is their long battery life, ensuring that you can enjoy uninterrupted music playback throughout the day. The charging case provides additional battery backup, making it convenient to recharge your earbuds on the go. With the Galaxy Buds3 series, you can say goodbye to the hassle of constantly having to recharge your headphones and focus on what truly matters – your music.Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.Oklahoma residents on Sunday mourned the death of former Democratic U.S. Sen. Fred Harris , a trailblazer in progressive politics in the state who ran an unsuccessful presidential bid in 1976. Harris died on Saturday at 94. Democratic Party members across Oklahoma remembered Harris for his commitment to economic and social justice during the 1960s — a period of historical turbulence. Harris chaired the Democratic National Committee from 1969 to 1970 and helped unify the party after its tumultuous national convention in 1968 when protesters and police clashed in Chicago. “Fred Harris showed us what is possible when we lead with both heart and principle. He worked to ensure everyone had a voice and a seat at the table,” said Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Harris appeared at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago earlier this year as a guest speaker for the Oklahoma delegation, where he reflected on progress and unity. "Standing alongside him in Chicago this summer was a reminder of how his legacy continues to inspire,” Andrews said. Kalyn Free, a member of the Choctaw nation of Oklahoma and the DNC, said that there is no one else in public service whom she admired more than the former senator. “He was a friend, a mentor, a hero and my True North. Oklahoma and America have lost a powerful advocate and voice,” Free said in a statement. “His work for Indian Country will always be remembered.” “Senator Harris truly was an Oklahoma treasure and was ahead of his time in so many ways,” said Jeff Berrong, whose grandfather served in the state Senate with Harris. “He never forgot where he came from and he always remained focused on building a society that would provide equality of opportunity for all.” Harris served eight years in the state Senate before he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served another eight years before his 1976 presidential campaign. State party leaders commemorated his work on the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, or the Kerner Commission, to investigate the 1960s riots. Harris was the last surviving member of the commission. Shortly after his presidential campaign, Harris left politics and moved to New Mexico and became a political science professor at the University of New Mexico. —- Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

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The display is always a key feature of any smartphone, and it's no different with the Xiaomi YU7. Speculations point towards a high-resolution AMOLED panel, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks for an immersive viewing experience. The screen size is rumored to be larger than its predecessor, providing users with more room to enjoy multimedia content and navigate the interface.Gonzaga lands Virginia transfer G Jalen WarleyWith each new video she releases, Wu Liufang invites her viewers to join her on a journey of laughter, reflection, and growth. Her content reflects her personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs, resonating with viewers on a deep and emotional level.

Stojakovic, Wilkinson lead short-handed Cal past Sacramento State, 83-77 in Cal ClassicA Connecticut couple has been arrested for allegedly stealing $1 million in Lululemon products in a three-month span. Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested earlier this month in Woodbury, Minnesota and each charged with one felony count of organized retail theft, court documents show. The alarm sounded at Lululemon in Roseville, Minnesota on November 14 when the couple left the store, prompting employees to call police about the couple “potentially shoplifting ,” a probable cause statement says. The couple denied the shoplifting claims, Richards said he was “being racially profiled” and accused employees of setting the alarm off on purpose. The alarm didn’t go off when they exited the store for the second time, and they drove off in a rented Hyundai Tucson. At some point, the responding officer realized that the day prior, he had received a text from a Lululemon employee that a large theft had occurred involving three people — he later learned that theft involved Richards, Lawes-Richards and an unidentified man, the statement says. An organized retail crime investigator for Lululemon said the trio are accused of stealing 45 items worth nearly $5,000 on November 13. The couple is responsible for “hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss” to the athleisure-wear store across the country by fraudulently returning stolen items to different Lululemon locations, the investigator said. When arrested the next day at a Woodbury Lululemon, officers recovered a wallet with different credit and debit cards that “Richards had concealed in his buttocks,” the filing says. He also had a key card for a room at JW Marriott in Bloomington. Hotel staff checked three of 12 suitcases in his room to see who they belonged to, finding each contained Lululemon clothing with their tags still attached, the document states. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators recovered the suitcases, estimating that they held Lululemon clothes worth more than $50,000. From September through November, the couple is accused of committing thefts in Minnesota, Colorado, New York, Connecticut and Utah; they are accused of stealing more than $30,000 from Lululemon stores in Minnesota and at least $32,000 in Colorado. “The group worked together using specific organized retail crime tactics such as blocking and distraction of associates to commit large thefts,” the filing says. For example, in Colorado, the duo held up coats and jackets as if they were eying them, but were in reality blocking the view of staff and other customers while they concealed the items and removed their security sensors, according to the court document. Typically Richards would walk into the store first, purchase a few cheap items with his credit card, and go back out to the sales floor where he and Lawes-Richards would remove a security tag from another item and instead place it onto a recently purchased item. Lawes-Richards and an unidentified woman then concealed the items in their jackets or under their shirts, the filing says. The women then led the group out of the store. When the security tags set off the alarms, Richards, in the back, would stop and show Lululemon the bag with his purchased items as the women left the store unscathed. The total loss to Lululemon from Richards, Lawes-Richards and their group is close to $1 million, the investigator said, according to the filing. They were being held at Ramsey County Jail until they were released after Richards posted $100,000 bail on November 21 and Lawes-Richards posted $30,000 bail on November 19, court documents show. They are next due to appear in court on December 16. Lululemon’s vice president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, told NBC News in a statement that the company is committed to “creating a safe and secure environment.” “This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,” Shields continued. “We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue.”

Similarly, adjusting the reserve requirement ratio for banks can also influence credit availability and liquidity in the financial system. A reduction in the reserve requirement ratio allows banks to lend out more money, thus increasing the supply of credit in the economy. This can help stimulate investment and consumption, especially in times of sluggish growth or economic uncertainties.Zheng Qinyu, a rising star in the world of women's tennis, recently found herself at the center of a storm of controversy as she narrowly missed out on the prestigious WTA Player of the Year award. Instead, the title was snatched away by none other than the formidable Sabalenka, sending shockwaves through the tennis world.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Creighton point guard Steven Ashworth likely won't play Tuesday in the No. 21 Bluejays' game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday, and coach Greg McDermott said he didn't know how long he would be out. “He stepped on a guy's foot on a 3-point shot and you're defenseless in that situation," McDermott said after the game. "He torqued it pretty good.” An athletic department spokesman said Monday that Ashworth's status was doubtful for the game against the Aztecs. Ashworth is Creighton's second-leading scorer with 16 points per game and leads the team with 6.4 assists per game. He also is 23 of 23 on free throws. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballXiaomi has been making strides in the camera department, and the Xiaomi YU7 is rumored to continue this trend. Leaks suggest a versatile camera setup, possibly featuring multiple lenses for different shooting scenarios. Expect improved low-light performance, enhanced image stabilization, and advanced AI features to help users capture stunning photos and videos effortlessly.

While pricing details are still up in the air, speculations suggest that the Xiaomi YU7 will be competitively priced, offering great value for money compared to its competitors. As for availability, the device is expected to launch in key markets worldwide, allowing Xiaomi fans from various regions to get their hands on this highly anticipated smartphone.

casino royale fish games The TGA is one of the most prestigious theater awards ceremonies in the industry, celebrating outstanding achievements in acting, directing, and storytelling. The inclusion of "No Master 4" and the "Four Seas Brothers" in the lineup is a testament to their exceptional talent and the immense popularity of their previous works.The ever-turbulent Middle East region has once again been thrown into chaos as a series of intense airstrikes have targeted various locations in Syria in a span of just 24 hours. This relentless bombardment, which amounted to over a hundred strikes, has further escalated tensions and added a new layer of complexity to the already volatile situation in the region.

Qatar tribune Agencies China’s retaliatory export controls could take a toll on the growing US clean energy sector and its defense industry, analysts say, as a trade tussle escalates between the world’s two biggest economies. Beijing announced this week it would ban exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States, targeting materials used for everything from semiconductors to solar cells. China also tightened restrictions on graphite, which is key to the electric vehicle industry. The moves, which Beijing said were to safeguard national security, swiftly followed Washington’s own curbs to hobble China’s ability to make advanced computer chips. While trade tensions have been simmering, US President-elect Donald Trump’s arrival at the White House in January is likely to ratchet up the temperature on trade - with the Republican already vowing sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports. Analysts say it would take time to assess the impact of the new Chinese curbs on US industries, though any immediate hit should be limited. Some see Beijing’s moves as symbolic for now, even as ramifications depend on how China enforces the new rules. “This certainly could drive up costs,” said Arun Seraphin of the National Defense Industrial Association. “It could create situations where you can’t produce what you need.” “It’s certainly going to drive a lot of uncertainty for companies who want to plan out their supply chain,” he told AFP. China is a major producer of the three metals in question. In August, it unveiled export controls on some antimony products and since then, shipments have plunged. Restrictions announced in 2023 on gallium and germanium also hit exports to the United States. “Gallium, germanium, and antimony are vital inputs for defense technologies,” said Gracelin Baskaran and Meredith Schwartz of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in a recent analysis. Gallium and germanium are increasingly preferred over traditional silicon for high-performance chips used in defense applications, CSIS added. It noted these materials have properties that boost device performance, speed, and energy efficiency. Antimony is used in fireproofing and has defense-related uses, too. While China is investing in munitions and buying high-end weapons systems more rapidly than the United States, the US industrial base lacks capacity to meet defense tech production needs, the report warned. “Bans on vital mineral inputs will only further allow China to outpace the United States in building these capabilities,” it said. The US Geological Survey estimates that if China’s net exports of gallium and germanium were completely restricted simultaneously, US GDP could decrease by $3.4 billion. Besides defense, gallium-based semiconductors are used in radio frequency electronics, LEDs for lighting and high-efficiency solar cells, the US Geological Survey noted. Although gasoline vehicles do not call for graphite, electric vehicles require an average of 136 pounds of the material, CSIS said. This could prove dicey for the United States, which has spurred billions in private sector investments for its domestic EV supply chain through subsidies via the Inflation Reduction Act. The act is a package of energy transition policy and social reforms under President Joe Biden. Seraphin told AFP that although Washington also pushed to attract investment and build up US semiconductor manufacturing capacity through the CHIPS and Science Act, these efforts do not yet target components such as germanium. Copy 09/12/2024 10The Syrian Embassy in Russia recently sparked a wave of controversy by hanging flags of the opposition groups, a move that has caught the attention of both the international community and the citizens of both countries. The act, seen as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the opposition forces in Syria, has raised questions about the diplomatic implications and the underlying motives behind such a bold statement.

The ensemble cast is led by the charismatic actor Wang Leehom, who brings his trademark charm and wit to the role of a bumbling but lovable protagonist. Joining him are a talented ensemble of actors and comedians, all of whom bring their unique talents to the table to create a film that is sure to leave audiences smiling.Former GOP communications director Tara Setmayer said on MSNBC on Saturday that women who voted for President-elect Donald Trump need to have a "conversation with themselves" after several of his Cabinet nominees have been accused of sexual misconduct. Trump has recently faced backlash over his choice in nominees, former Representative Matt Gaetz , former Fox News host Pete Hegseth , billionaire Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr . for his upcoming administration as they have all had sexual assault allegations made against them. While Gaetz, a Florida Republican , has since withdrawn his nomination for U.S. attorney general, he faced scrutiny after he was investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for alleged involvement in sex trafficking and has been accused of allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. The DOJ did not press charges, but the House Ethics Committee reopened its probe in 2023. Gaetz has denied these allegations. Hegseth, who served in the U.S. Army where he did tours in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan and who Trump nominated to be his defense secretary, is facing scrutiny over a sexual assault allegation in California seven years ago. A woman alleged Hegseth sexually assaulted her after he prevented her from leaving a hotel room. Hegseth said the allegations are false and that the encounter was consensual. No charges were filed against him. His attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told Newsweek on Thursday that the "police report confirms what I have said all along: that the incident was fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false, which is why no charges were filed." Musk, who has been appointed by Trump to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has also faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2022, a SpaceX flight attendant accused him of exposing himself to her, the Associated Press reported. In June 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had pursued sexual relationships with several female SpaceX employees. Musk has denied these allegations and labeled them as politically motivated. Meanwhile, Kennedy Jr., who is nominated for Health and Human Services secretary, was accused of groping a babysitter in the late 1990s and faces allegations from journalist Olivia Nuzzi, who described her relationship with Kennedy Jr. as "toxic" and "crazy." Kennedy Jr. has denied these allegations. Newsweek has reached out to Gaetz, Hegseth, Musk, and Kennedy Jr. via email for comment on Saturday. In a MSNBC News' Reports appearance on Saturday, Setmayer, a former adviser to conservative anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project and an ex-Republican congressional staffer, condemned not only the nominees for their sexual misconduct allegations but Trump's leadership as she challenged women who voted for him to have a "conversation with themselves." "The fact that we're not just talking about one or two. We're talking about several people who are credibly accused of pretty significant sexual misconduct. That is abhorrent and should be embarrassing but goes to show you that it flows from the head...I challenge all of the women who voted for Donald Trump, if they're proud of this. If they can look their daughters in the eyes and say, 'Yes I voted for someone who has no regard for women, for you, respect for you, for us, or for the safety of women' because this is what they voted for," Setmayer said. She added: "It speaks volumes of who you put at the head, who you put at the top, who you represent as leaders. This is the type of leadership? I think it's disgraceful and it is embarrassing. And I think for the women who voted for Donald Trump they really need to have a conversation with themselves about if they're proud of this choice." Newsweek has also reached out to Trump's campaign via email for comment. Setmayer's remarks come after an election exit poll shows a larger percentage of unmarried women voted for Trump in this year's election than in 2020 despite a major voting gender gap predicted. Historically, more women have voted for Democrats while more men have voted for Republicans , but the gender gap was a major theme in the run-up in this year's election, with the divide predicted at one point to be the largest in history . However, a CNN exit poll shows that fewer unmarried women voted for the Democratic nominee , Vice President Kamala Harris , than in 2020, when Joe Biden was its candidate, while more voted for Trump. Some 59 percent of unmarried women cast a ballot for Harris, while 38 percent backed Trump, according to the poll, which questioned 22,914 people. In 2020, 63 percent of unmarried women backed Biden while 36 percent voted for Trump, according to the poll, which questioned 15,590 people. The exit poll follows an election in which women's issues such as abortion were a significant topic for voters and both campaigns. Abortion has been a key issue since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, as many Republican-controlled states have put abortion restrictions into effect, with 21 states banning or restricting the medical practice at every stage of pregnancy.

In the wake of this tragedy, it is essential to recognize the importance of early intervention and support for individuals struggling with addiction. Substance abuse, whether it be betel nuts or other harmful substances, can have devastating repercussions if left unchecked. By fostering a culture of awareness, education, and empathy, we can work towards preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.Washington 62, Cal St.-Fullerton 58

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Radu's decision to leave Inter Milan in January comes as a surprise to many, as he had previously expressed his desire to stay and continue contributing to the team's success. However, it seems that the opportunity to play regular first-team football at Spezia was too good to pass up for the talented goalkeeper.Taylor's appointment as the referee for the Manchester Derby adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already eagerly anticipated match. His decisions on the field will be closely scrutinized by fans, players, and pundits alike, as both teams look to secure a crucial victory that could potentially shape the rest of their season.

Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretariesThe decision to strengthen ultra-cyclical regulation for the upcoming year signifies a commitment to effectively navigate the volatile economic landscape and promote sustainable growth. This approach acknowledges the need for targeted interventions to address specific challenges and opportunities that arise. By adopting a proactive stance, policymakers aim to minimize the adverse impacts of economic shocks and foster a more resilient and inclusive economy.

President Trump has long been known for his critical views on NATO, often emphasizing the need for all member countries to contribute their fair share to the alliance's defense spending. The United States has been the largest contributor to NATO, providing a significant portion of the alliance's budget. President Trump believes that this disproportionate burden on the U.S. is unsustainable and has called on other member countries to increase their defense spending to meet the 2% of GDP target agreed upon at the 2014 NATO summit.

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3. Over-supplementation: Taking excessive amounts of vitamins and supplements in the hopes of improving health can actually have adverse effects on your body. Certain vitamins and minerals, when taken in excess, can be toxic and may lead to serious health problems. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

The end of President Macron’s visionWho are the favorites to win Golden Globes? | Streamed & Screened podcastAccording to the spokesperson, any decision regarding Yao Ming's induction into the Hall of Fame would require his personal approval. This stipulation underscores Yao Ming's humility and respect for the process, as he continues to prioritize the values of integrity and authenticity that have defined his career.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As the blueprint for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, Trump pulled an about-face . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump's election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps' Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump's choices portend for his second presidency. The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president's proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration's agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025's and Trump's campaign proposals. Vought's vision is especially striking when paired with Trump's proposals to dramatically expand the president's control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government's roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk's and Ramaswamy's sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump's choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans' health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over overlaps in the two agendas . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump's West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump's “family separation policy.” Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick to lead the CIA , was previously one of Trump's directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document's chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe's chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe's and Trump's approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025's FCC chapter and is now Trump's pick to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts.

Overall, the Central Government's decision to set the tone for 2025 by emphasizing stability in the real estate market with greater support is a positive step that is likely to have wide-reaching implications. By providing a supportive environment for the real estate sector and addressing key challenges, the Central Government is taking proactive steps to ensure the long-term health and stability of the real estate market. As we look ahead to 2025, it is clear that the Central Government's vision for the real estate market will play a crucial role in shaping the future of China's economy.

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BRS working president and legislator K T Rama Rao has dismissed the allegations levelled against him in Formula-E car race issue as “mere accusations without any factual basis”. In a statement here on Saturday, he said the erstwhile BRS government was forced to take the decision to host Formula-E Season 10 due to the lack of sponsors and “there was neither any conspiracy, nor any corruption” involved in it. “It was all aimed at enhancing the image of Hyderabad. It is part of a policy decision intended to organise it even in the next season also”, he asserted. Pointing out that the Election Commission had not issued any notices if there was a violation of the election code, he wanted to know from the leaders in the Congress government on what basis they ventured to question him on behalf of the Election Commission. Quoting the report of the Nielsen Sports Analysis, he highlighted that the Formula E race in Hyderabad had considerable economic impact. The Rs 54 crore payment to the Formula-E organizers was made by the department concerned which he represented as it’s Minister. He questioned the (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Congress leaders as to how the Rs 54 crore payment could become Rs 600 crore as claimed by them. He stated that the figures were unclear and it seemed to be “an attempt to tarnish his reputation”. He explained that the Rs 8 crore mentioned n the issue by the present ruling party were tax returns, which sponsors would cover. He asserted that all payments made through Indian Overseas Bank were in accordance with the rules. The BRS leader emphasized that there was no personal gain involved and that the allegations were politically motivated. He pointed out that if the payments made to the Formula-E organizers amounted to graft, why no case was filed against the organisers. He stated that if any losses were incurred due to Formula-E, that could be the fall out of the ruling party’s irrational decisions and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s lack of foresight. Reiterating his commitment to transparency and accountability in his role as a the then minister, he said that they failed to establish if I was benefitted by even a single rupee from it and dismissed as that owed to Congress Party leaders’ vengeance.Donald Trump's criminal hush money case in New York "must be immediately dismissed" because the prosecution disrupts the president-elect's transition and "threatens the functioning of the federal government," Trump's attorneys argued in a court filing Tuesday. In a lengthy filing that peppered legal arguments with political ones, Trump's lawyers invoked special counsel Jack Smith's recent motion to throw out both his federal cases against Trump based on a Justice Department policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president, as well as President Joe Biden's pardon of his son Hunter Biden over the weekend. "As President Biden put it yesterday, 'Enough is enough.' This case, which should never have been brought, must now be dismissed," wrote Trump attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, both of whom have been nominated by Trump for top Justice Department posts in the new administration. MORE: Hunter Biden's gun case terminated following presidential pardon The 72-page motion to dismiss follows Judge Juan Merchan's decision last week to indefinitely postpone Trump's sentencing following his May conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has suggested postponing the sentencing until after Trump completes his second term in 2029, "to balance competing constitutional interests" of Trump's conviction and his presidential duties. Trump's attorneys argued in their filing that such a delay would still violate the Department of Justice policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president. "Thus, DANY's ridiculous suggestion that they could simply resume proceedings after President Trump leaves Office, more than a decade after they commenced their investigation in 2018, is not an option," the filing argued. In addition to citing the Department of Justice policy, Trump's lawyers argued that the Presidential Transition Act, the Supremacy Clause, and presidential immunity require the case to be immediately dismissed. Defense attorneys also reprised past arguments -- including what they called, without evidence, Judge Merchan's political motivations and defects they claimed arose during the trial -- alongside new arguments related to what they called Trump's "overwhelming national mandate" from the November election. "And this case would never have been brought were it not for President Trump's political views, the transformative national movement established under his leadership, and the political threat that he poses to entrenched, corrupt politicians in Washington, D.C. and beyond," the filing said. The Manhattan DA's office faces a Dec. 9 deadline to respond to Trump's motion to dismiss. A federal judge threw out Trump’s election interference case last week Smith moved to the dismiss the case due to the Justice Department's standing policy prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president. A federal appeals court also dropped Trump from the government’s ongoing appeal of Smith's classified documents case based on the same policy. Trump's fourth criminal case, involving allegations of election interference in Fulton County, Georgia, is currently paused as Trump and his co-defendants appeal a decision involving the district attorney who brought the case.

DETROIT (AP) — For a second time, a Delaware judge has nullified a pay package that Tesla had awarded its CEO, Elon Musk, that once was valued at $56 billion. On Monday, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick turned aside a request from Musk's lawyers to reverse a ruling she announced in January that had thrown out the compensation plan. The judge ruled then that Musk effectively controlled Tesla's board and had engineered the outsize pay package during sham negotiations . Lawyers for a Tesla shareholder who sued to block the pay package contended that shareholders who had voted for the 10-year plan in 2018 had been given misleading and incomplete information. In their defense, Tesla's board members asserted that the shareholders who ratified the pay plan a second time in June had done so after receiving full disclosures, thereby curing all the problems the judge had cited in her January ruling. As a result, they argued, Musk deserved the pay package for having raised Tesla's market value by billions of dollars. McCormick rejected that argument. In her 103-page opinion, she ruled that under Delaware law, Tesla's lawyers had no grounds to reverse her January ruling “based on evidence they created after trial.” What will Musk and Tesla do now? On Monday night, Tesla posted on X, the social media platform owned by Musk, that the company will appeal. The appeal would be filed with the Delaware Supreme Court, the only state appellate court Tesla can pursue. Experts say a ruling would likely come in less than a year. “The ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs' lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners — the shareholders,” Tesla argued. Later, on X, Musk unleashed a blistering attack on the judge, asserting that McCormick is “a radical far left activist cosplaying as a judge.” What do experts say about the case? Legal authorities generally suggest that McCormick’s ruling was sound and followed the law. Charles Elson, founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, said that in his view, McCormick was right to rule that after Tesla lost its case in the original trial, it created improper new evidence by asking shareholders to ratify the pay package a second time. Had she allowed such a claim, he said, it would cause a major shift in Delaware’s laws against conflicts of interest given the unusually close relationship between Musk and Tesla’s board. “Delaware protects investors — that’s what she did,” said Elson, who has followed the court for more than three decades. “Just because you’re a ‘superstar CEO’ doesn’t put you in a separate category.” Elson said he thinks investors would be reluctant to put money into Delaware companies if there were exceptions to the law for “special people.” What will the Delaware Supreme Court do? Elson said that in his opinion, the court is likely to uphold McCormick's ruling. Can Tesla appeal to federal courts? Experts say no. Rulings on state laws are normally left to state courts. Brian Dunn, program director for the Institute of Compensation Studies at Cornell University, said it's been his experience that Tesla has no choice but to stay in the Delaware courts for this compensation package. Tesla has moved its legal headquarters to Texas. Does that matter? The company could try to reconstitute the pay package and seek approval in Texas, where it may expect more friendlier judges. But Dunn, who has spent 40 years as an executive compensation consultant, said it's likely that some other shareholder would challenge the award in Texas because it's excessive compared with other CEOs' pay plans. “If they just want to turn around and deliver him $56 billion, I can't believe somebody wouldn't want to litigate it,” Dunn said. “It's an unconscionable amount of money.” Would a new pay package be even larger? Almost certainly. Tesla stock is trading at 15 times the exercise price of stock options in the current package in Delaware, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote in a note to investors. Tesla's share price has doubled in the past six months, Jonas wrote. At Monday’s closing stock price, the Musk package is now worth $101.4 billion, according to Equilar, an executive data firm. And Musk has asked for a subsequent pay package that would give him 25% of Tesla's voting shares. Musk has said he is uncomfortable moving further into artificial intelligence with the company if he doesn't have 25% control. He currently holds about 13% of Tesla's outstanding shares.Top Robo-Advisors for 2025: High-Yield Solutions for Smarter Investing

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy gets restructured deal after 3-9 season, according to reports

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, has not served in the military or had a civilian leadership role in the service. While officials and defense experts said the Navy is in sore need of a disruptor, they cautioned that Phelan’s lack of experience could make it more difficult for him to realize Trump’s goals. Trump late Tuesday nominated Phelan, a major donor to his campaign who founded the private investment firm Rugger Management LLC. The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for comment on his qualifications. According to his biography, Phelan’s primary exposure to the military comes from an advisory position he holds on the a non-profit that supports the defense of Ukraine and the defense of Taiwan. Not all service secretaries come into the office with prior military experience, but he’d be the first in the Navy since 2006. Current Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth similarly does not have prior military service. She, however, has spent her career in a host of defense civilian positions. The appointment comes at a critical moment for the Navy, which has been stretched thin with deployments around the world and must contend with a shrinking fleet even as the naval forces of its main rival, China, are growing. Trump has campaigned on expanding the Navy and would need to fight bureaucratic inertia to do so. But it’s uncertain whether a secretary with no military experience — either in uniform or as a defense civilian — would be well-positioned to lead that effort. “It will be difficult for anyone without experience in the Pentagon to take over the leadership of a service and do a good job,” said Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow and director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security. “Services are sprawling organizations with distinct cultures, subcultures and bureaucratic interests, and where decisions are made through many formal processes. To change a service’s plans, one must understand this Byzantine landscape.” Experts said Phelan’s nomination reflects that Trump is seeking service branch heads who will not push back on his ideas — but that Phelan’s lack of experience is likely to create issues and delays of its own, They say the Navy can’t afford to lose time. One of the Navy’s biggest challenges is preparing for a potential military confrontation with China over Taiwan, a self-ruled island that China claims as its own. ” ,” said Brad Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “The success or failure in addressing key problems in the U.S. Navy over the next couple years may have a decisive effect on war and peace in the Taiwan Strait and elsewhere.” Trump has called for a 350-ship Navy since his 2016 presidential campaign, but he experienced first-hand the difficulty in realizing that goal, given the challenges to shipbuilding and the erratic and often delayed congressional budget process. There are just under 300 battle force ships in the fleet — vessels that have a direct role in conducting combat operations. “The Navy is stretched covering Europe, and the Pacific. Strategists have wanted to pull back from Europe and the Middle East, but recent conflicts have prevented that,” said Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “So the next secretary will have a shrinking fleet, expanded overseas commitments, and an uncertain budget environment.” The Marine Corps has called for 31 amphibious warships to help it maintain a close-to-shore presence around the globe. The Navy regularly has had to extend the deployments of its aircraft carriers and escorting destroyers, for example, to respond to the unstable security situation in the Middle East. Each extension can create rippling effects: Ships don’t get maintained on schedule, and forces get tired of the lack of predictability for their families and leave the service. Service branch chiefs spend vast amounts of time not only responding to the White House but also appeasing members of Congress in frequent hearings on Capitol Hill, shaping budget requests, holding constant meetings on service member issues, attending industry conferences and filling speakers requests. That all requires a nuanced understanding of the service that a secretary is leading, because major change in any of the branches often involves a lengthy process to review directives and past policy. Any changes to the many weapons systems the Navy and Marine Corps need and pursue are subject to lengthy contract award challenges. “The Navy’s problem here is money,” Cancian said. “Even if the defense budget goes up, there will only be a relatively small increase available for shipbuilding. (If) the budget stays steady or goes down, then the Navy will have a major problem. The fleet will continue to shrink.” Trump has signaled through multiple appointments, such as his selection of SpaceX founder Elon Musk to co-lead a nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, that he seeks to cut through red tape. But the service secretary can’t do that without moving through Congress, which has produced many of those regulations and processes the military must follow. “It might help that he has a personal relationship with the president. However, his lack of experience in defense and the Pentagon will hurt the Navy,” Cancian said. “It will take him a while to learn the levers of power.”

Off with the pixies: Musk’s X defectors discover their utopiaTam Union District ethnic studies will be scrutinized As a Tamalpais High School alum (class of 1977), I recall something our social studies teacher, Mr. Philbrook, once said to our school: “You can gauge how the rest of the country will be in five years by looking at Tam High.” He said we were, “the meter for the rest of the country.” Now, after following recent discussions at the school board meetings (“Tam Union parents scrutinize ethnic studies plan,” Dec. 19), I look forward to watching Tam High (and the rest of the Tamalpais Union High School District) take the local lead in (hopefully) rolling back the ill-conceived ideas of ethnic studies classes (previously from elements of critical race theory and the DEI movement) that do far more harm than good. — Tim Amyx, Novato US should stop subsidizing the fossil-fuel industry Contrary to sentiments expressed in the recently published Another View commentary by Ryan M. Yonk (“Time to get real about renewables,” Dec. 16), the energy transition to clean renewable energy sources is well underway, especially here in California. I believe the main reason that only 17% of U.S. energy comes from sources that do not emit greenhouse gases today is that the fossil-fuel industry uses its vast wealth to slow this necessary transition. Not only do fossil-fuel companies get our money directly at the gas pump, they’re heavily subsidized with tax credits, sub-market federal royalties, and the like. More significantly, they bear little to no financial liability for selling products that damage our atmosphere. Who pays for that damage? We do, the ones whose home insurance has gone up or gone away, whose houses are destroyed by climate-driven wildfires, floods and hurricanes, whose health is degraded from smokestack and tailpipe emissions. The International Monetary Fund says that, in 2023, the world paid $7 trillion in direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies. The fossil fuel lobby’s opposition has made the situation urgent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently announced that the Arctic has flipped from being a carbon sink to a carbon emitter. I expect that will only accelerate wildfires, droughts and flooding. Yes, there will be costs to develop 24/7, greenhouse-gas-free resources — just as there were costs to build today’s fossil-fuel system, and there are costs to run it now. Transitioning responsibly to greenhouse-gas-free energy is far cheaper than continuing reverse-Robin Hood subsidies that result in accelerating climate change. — Ray Welch, Marinwood Hard to see pedestrians at night this time of year I submit this letter as a public service announcement to everyone walking at dusk or after dark in Marin. It’s the darkest time of year — we just passed 2024’s shortest day and its earliest sunset. The early darkness makes it harder to see people walking. So, if you are walking — possibly in all dark clothing with a black dog — do not expect to be seen by passing or turning cars. Nobody wants to hit you or your dog (or your kid in a stroller, for that matter). Would it be so hard to wear something reflective? Or maybe use a flashlight? Thanks for reading. — AR Danielson, San Rafael Sausalito council should not declare a surplus I am responding to former Sausalito Mayor Ron Albert’s letter published Dec. 14 regarding the letter critical of Sausalito City Council spending that I had published in November. I think Albert misunderstood my point. As a former council member, I believe that, much like a homeowners association can’t transfer funds from its reserve account to the operating account (and then declare a budget surplus), a city shouldn’t be allowed to transfer funds from its designated reserve accounts to the general operating account and declare a budget surplus. That is why I called the members of the City Council ‘”wishful thinkers.” If the council doesn’t focus on fixing the infrastructure instead of costly special interest projects, I think Sausalito (with its $500,000 insurance deductible) is headed toward bankruptcy. Considering that it’s mostly the same people on the City Council as before the election, and that they are pushing the same projects, I am worried. I think Albert is misguided about the role of city staff in these actions. From my perspective, the City Council sets policies and the city manager carries them out. Responsibility lies at these levels. — Carolyn Ford, SausalitoUCF, LSU face off with improved focus in mind

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UCF, LSU face off with improved focus in mindClintons urge voters agitated by today’s politics to remain involved in public service

President-Elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan for undocumented immigrants could have wide-ranging impacts across the country, particularly in Florida. But— at the moment— the state’s new leaders said it’s not their problem. While on the campaign trail, the former president regularly vowed to deliver mass deportation "on day one." At rallies, he often made the case by relating it to migrant crime. "When I'm re-elected, we'll begin removing these criminals, these horrible people from our midst," President-elect Trump said at a recent MAGA rally in Wisconsin. "And we'll end up doing it immediately." RELATED STORY | Scripps News/Ipsos poll: Support for mass deportations drops when Americans consider potential consequences Jan. 20 is now fewer than two months away. If President-elect Trump delivers, the changes to the Florida workforce and economy could be wide-ranging, some have even suggested devastating. Even so, Florida House Speaker Danny Perez (R) and Senate President Ben Albritton (R) sidestepped questions about the potential impacts, earlier this week. “Any sort of immigration policy that comes from the federal government is for the federal government to decide," said the House Speaker. "That's a question that you should be asking the president.” President Albritton said something similar, telling reporters Tuesday: “The federal government is the federal government. State government is state government. That's a federal issue." When pressed further about the possible disruptions from mass deportation, Albritton doubled down. “That's up to the federal government," said the Senate President. "We'll see what they do.” RELATED STORY | Trump's mass deportation plan targets specific groups of immigrants Exactly what they will do remains unclear. Trump has confirmed he’ll use the military. Texas has offered up land along the border for “deportation facilities.” Trump’s advisors have even said he’ll seek to again eliminate DACA, an Obama-era program that protects undocumented who arrived as children. Florida Democrats, like Rep. Marie Woodson (D-Pembroke Pines) a Haitian migrant herself — have warned for months what these mass deportations could mean for Florida. Her concern is a rise in bigotry and racial profiling. “For those who are afraid, I’ll tell you this— be afraid of Trump because he has proven to you who he is," said Woodson. “Okay, mass deportation. In mass deportation, you don't know who's going to be in that ‘mass.’ But we know for sure he doesn't want the people who came from the Biden program. Our brothers and sisters in Ohio. He doesn't want them here. He doesn't want the TPS recipient. He doesn't want Haitians in general.” There’s a major economic concern too. The latest data from the American Immigration Council show Florida has one of the highest populations of undocumented in the country, about 1.1 million. They’re about seven percent of the workforce here — with jobs in ag, hospitality, and construction, contributing about $2 billion to state and local taxes alone. The Brookings Institution recently suggested mass deportation could also lead to a decrease in work for citizens. Researchers found for every half million deported, U.S.-born employment dropped by about 44,000. “Occupations common among unauthorized workers, such as construction laborers and cooks, are essential to keep businesses operating,” the report said, in part. "Deporting workers in these jobs affects U.S.-born workers too." Florida’s governor and lawmakers have multiple state immigration laws already on the books, with strict work verification rules for employers. They have said they’re more focused on making the labor market inhospitable rather than mass deportation. "We're protecting Floridians with the full extent of our powers to do that," DeSantis said in May of last year, before signing an immigration reform bill. "But it's sad. It's sad to see what's happened. It's sad to see these images of the lawlessness." A new era may be on the horizon, however. For now, Florida’s lawmaking leaders seem content with waiting to see what happens next before going further. This story was originally published by Forrest Saunders at Scripps News Tampa .The Liberal candidate in a federal byelection in British Columbia says she is applying for Métis membership after a local group questioned her claims of Indigenous identity. Madison Fleischer says in a written statement that she self-identifies as Métis based on what she knows about her great-grandmother’s heritage and is “collecting the necessary documentation to go through the application process” for citizenship with B.C.‘s Métis Nation. In the meantime, Fleischer, who is the candidate in the Dec. 16 byelection in Cloverdale-Langley City, says she has removed “Métis” from her social media profile descriptions to ensure there is “no confusion” about her Indigenous status. Her response comes after the Waceya Métis Society — which describes itself as a chartered community representing Métis people in the Langley and White Rock regions of B.C.‘s Lower Mainland — said in a release that it “wishes to distance itself from Madison’s claims of Métis identity.” The society says it met with Fleischer over the weekend to discuss her claims of Métis identity but was “disappointed that she could not provide any evidence to support her Métis heritage.” The attention on Fleischer comes after Edmonton Centre Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault left cabinet last week amid questions about his shifting claims of Indigenous heritage and his business dealings. In her statement, Fleischer says she has “always been vocal about not yet holding Métis Nation British Columbia citizenship.” The Waceya Métis Society says it has asked Fleischer to “properly research and verify her Indigenous heritage before making any further public assertions.” “In this meeting, Madison was unable to substantiate her claims with any documentation or historical connections to Métis communities,” the society says about their Nov. 23 meeting with Fleischer. “The integrity of Métis identity is not to be taken lightly, especially in public office, where the representation of our community must be accurate, respectful, and legitimate.” Cloverdale-Langley City was previously held by Liberal John Aldag, who resigned to run for MLA with the B.C. New Democrats. Aldag was defeated by B.C. Conservative candidate Harman Bhangu in the Langley-Abbotsford seat in the Oct. 19 provincial election. Fleischer, whose Liberal party biography calls her a small-business owner who operates a public relations firm in Langley, is going up against candidates including federal Conservative Tamara Jansen, who held the seat from 2019 to 2021 before losing a close race to Aldag. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024.Britney Spears Claims She's 5 Years Old and Has Moved to Mexico in Birthday Video

A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”Liberal candidate in B.C. byelection seeks Métis membership after identity questionedNEW YORK — A number of President- elect Donald Trump's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses, she said. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations ; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general ; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor , and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Law enforcement officials are also looking into whether Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz’s replacement, and other incoming administration officials were also victims — as well as how each was targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation continues. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was investigating with its law enforcement partners. White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump's transition team. Biden “continues to monitor the situation closely," Sharma said, adding the president and his administration “condemn threats of political violence.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Police swept Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices, New York State Police said. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had also been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X . “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe." In Florida, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area" Wednesday. While a family member resides at the address, the office said, Gaetz “is NOT a resident.” No threatening devices were found. Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration after allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations ended with no charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Trump was also the subject of an Iranian murder-for-hire plot , with a man saying he had been tasked with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect. Also this week, authorities arrested a man they say posted videos on social media threatening to kill Trump, according to court documents. In one video posted on Nov. 13, Manuel Tamayo-Torres threatened to shoot the former president while holding what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle, authorities said Among the other videos he posted was one from an arena in Glendale, Arizona on Aug. 23, the same day Trump held a campaign rally there, according to court papers. An attorney for Tamayo-Torres did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. About a year ago the FBI responded to an uptick in such incidents at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses across the country around the holidays. Many were locked down and evacuated in early January after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found and no one was hurt. Some of those targeted last year were Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio, received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats, with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting' incident, “we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners.” The force declined to provide further details, in part to “minimize the risk of copy-cats.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump," he wrote on X . “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.” He added: “It is not who we are in America.” ___ Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Eric Tucker in Washington, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.

An incredible new boat is set to transform commuters' journeys in a major UK city. The Orbit Clipper has been described as a "groundbreaking advancement" by its creators, who also say that it will provide an "accessible, green and fast" route across the River Thames seven days a week. The ferry will enable more than 20,000 Londoners and visitors to travel every weekday, bosses add. The clipper will be the UK's first fully electric zero-emission cross-river passenger ferry. It will launch in March 2025, and operate between London’s Canary Wharf on the north side of the Thames and Rotherhithe in the south. The vessel will cross the river every 10 minutes from each side on weekdays and every 15 minutes at weekends. The 150-passenger ferry, will have capacity for 100 bicycles, and features a roll-on/roll-off design that enables automated docking on both sides. This innovation enhances accessibility, reduces journey times, and increases capacity for both foot and cycle passengers, officials say. The clipper was designed by Aus Ships Group, and will measure 25.2 metres in overall length. It will also feature a moulded depth of 2.3 metres, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects writes. Sean Collins, co-founder and CEO of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said, “It’s a real British success story. All of our new boats are proudly built in the UK using the latest green technology at Wight Shipyard Co on the Isle of Wight. "This new vessel will launch within our 25th year of operation and it reaffirms our investment in both the local Isle of Wight economy and in London. “This zero-emission solution also comes after the recent launch of our third hybrid boat – Mars Clipper – into our main River Bus fleet and is the next step on our journey to advancing sustainable maritime technology. "The Thames is the lifeblood of our great capital and it’s our ambition to continue to push for further progression along the river - we’re calling upon London’s maritime businesses and government bodies to collaborate and ensure a greener future for all.”None

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Curious case of Godmother Italian nun who has been arrested over suspected link to mafia underworld

fish casino app The New York Post has published what it reports as new footage of the suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . In the surveillance video obtained from a cigar store on Sixth Avenue, the suspected gunman can be seen leaving a subway station at around 6:15 a.m., 30 minutes before the fatal shooting occurred in front of the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The Post writes that it appears the suspect was leaving the 57th Street subway station, which is nearby the hotel’s location. The report did not include comment from the NYPD surrounding the footage. The NYPD previously released photos of the alleged suspect on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some taken at a nearby Starbucks before the shooting and others seemingly showing him unmasked and grinning. The suspect has yet to be identified, but several clues have since risen including the purchase of a gun seemingly linked to that used in the shooting and a phone dropped at the crime scene. A Catholic nun was among a group of 25 people arrested in Italy on Monday as part of a mafia bust for a laundry list of crimes that included extortion, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Anna Donelli, 57, of the Sisters of Charity Institute in Milan, volunteered at prisons around the city of Brescia—but a police investigation determined that her ostensibly spiritual services concealed a seedy criminal underside to her interactions with inmates, according to CNN. Prosecutors allege that she was “exploiting the very spiritual role she carried out” to run information back and forth between mob bosses and imprisoned foot soldiers for the infamous ’Ndrangheta crime syndicate. “She carried orders, directives, moral and material aid to associates, receiving in turn from the prisoners useful information to better plan criminal strategies,” prosecutor Francesco Prete said Thursday, according to CNN. Donelli’s cover story was that she was a liaison between prisoners and prison officials, in addition to refereeing soccer games at the prison. The anti-mafia operation that landed the nun and over two dozen other mobsters under arrest was carried out by over 300 officers and also resulted in the recovery of drugs, weapons, and the equivalent of nearly $2 million in cash. If you’re trying to pick up gifts for the loved ones on your list, here’s a tip: everyone appreciates the gift of softer and more manageable hair and skin. The Avon Company, North America has been in the beauty industry for over a century and stocks some of the trendiest skin care, fragrances, and personal care items on the market. These curated picks ensure your giftee will be glowing even on the dullest winter day. This moisturizer tackles one of winter’s biggest annoyances—chapped lips. It has a hydration-boosting formula that counteracts dry air while visibly softening lips and adding a glossy hint of color. 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Speaking to CNN’s Scott Jennings on his radio show , the media mogul explained the meter would allow readers to view different perspectives on a news or opinion article in real time and allow them to write or read comments on the subject matter. “What we need to do is not have what we call ‘confirmation bias’ and then that story, automatically, the reader can press a button and get both sides of that exact same story based on that story and then give comments,” Soon-Shiong explained. “Now I’m giving you some little breaking news here but this is what we’re currently building behind the scenes. And I’m hoping that by January we launch this.” The billionaire proceeded to explain his hope for the module in building “respectful disagreement” and starting a “conversation.” Following his announcement, the L.A. Times ’ editorial guild released a statement in response writing, “the newspaper’s owner has publicly suggested his staff harbors bias, without offering evidence or examples” and that they value “an earnest search to understand all sides of an issue.” Soon-Shiong notably blocked the paper from publishing a Kamala Harris endorsement in October which was met with opposition from some staff. Timothée Chalamet thanked Bob Dylan for the shoutout after the legendary singer-songwriter praised his new biopic A Complete Unknown . “Floored. I am so grateful. Thank you Bob,” Chalamet posted on X . The film, set to be released on Dec. 25, stars Chalamet as a young Dylan. “Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me,” Dylan posted on X . Though Dylan didn’t share if he’s seen the film yet, he did recommend the book the biopic is based off of. “The film’s taken from Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric – a book that came out in 2015. It’s a fantastic retelling of events from the early ‘60s that led up to the fiasco at Newport,” he added. “After you’ve seen the movie read the book.” Dylan also gave a nod to the film’s title, A Complete Unknown , which references lyrics from Dylan’s 1965 song “Like a Rolling Stone.” “What a title!” he wrote. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. It’s not every day that you can score a deal on a high-quality printer at a lower cost. Investing in a quality printer for your home or office is a game-changer, and while it’s not the most fun purchase, it’ll pay for itself in a couple of months. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay full price for a solid printer, thanks to HP’s current sale . Right now, you can score the HP Envy Inspire 7955e , the brand’s premium at-home photo printer for $70 off. If you’re looking for a solid holiday gift that they’ll actually use, the deluxe multi-purpose printer is a great choice—especially for photographers and anyone who works from home. The all-in-one printer is also designed with HP’s Wolf Essential Security system to keep your information secure and keep hackers out. Plus, unlike other printers that require you to get your hands dirty to replenish the ink, this one offers a 15-second mess-free ink refill experience with bottles that can be plugged into the tank. Say goodbye to messes and hello to your new printer . Best of all? For a limited time, score three months of Instant Ink with HP+. The slain UnitedHealthcare CEO had a criminal record for drunk driving and was secretly separated from his wife for years before he was shot dead in Manhattan on Wednesday, according to public records. Minnesota court filings show that in 2017 Brian Thompson was arrested and convicted on charges of fourth-degree driving while impaired, for which he received probation. In addition to legal troubles, the executive, who was gunned down in what NYPD has labeled a “premeditated, pre-planned, targeted attack,” also seems to have faced recent marital issues. Based on property records, voter registration forms, and reports from neighbors, Brian and Paulette Thompson had lived in different homes less than a mile apart in Maple Grove, Minnesota, for the past several years, The Wall Street Journal reported . In 2018, Thompson bought a five-bedroom second house for around $1 million, while his wife’s residence remained in another house nearby, also worth about $1 million, based on Zillow listings and public records. Paulette Thompson told MSNBC her husband had received threats related to his company’s “lack of coverage” and said in a statement to a local Fox affiliate in Minnesota that his killing had left her and their two sons “shattered.” About 12 hours after his killing, someone made a bomb threat at his Minnesota home, but authorities did not find any evidence of explosives, TMZ reported . UnitedHealthcare and the Hennepin County District Court did not immediately respond to a Daily Beast inquiry about Thompson’s DUI. A top health insurance provider has scrapped a controversial plan to limit anesthesia coverage for surgical patients in at least one state. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer try to implement the much-ridiculed cap—which would have required patients to pay out-of-pocket for any anesthesia administered after their surgery went over an arbitrary time limit—on plans in Connecticut, the state’s comptroller, Sean Scanlon, shared Thursday. “After hearing from people across the state about this concerning policy, my office reached out to Anthem,” he said in a statement. “I’m pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut.” The controversial plan was announced last month for customers in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri. The pending policy went viral on Wednesday, however, after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson, was gunned down in Manhattan in a “targeted attack.” It remains unclear if the cap will still go into place next year for New Yorkers or those in the Show Me State. Anthem is yet to say what drove it to pull its plan in Connecticut. Bill Lawrence, creator of Scrubs , is currently developing a reboot of the widely loved sitcom for ABC, Variety reported. Despite having a deal with Warner Bros. Television, the studio is reportedly carving out space for Lawrence to work on the show. Citing a source familiar with the matter, Variety adds that Lawrence will not be serving as the reboot’s showrunner if it gets fully greenlit. Cast members have also yet to be attached, and no other deals for the reboot are reportedly in place. Running for nine seasons between 2001 and 2008, Scrubs followed the daily hijinks of a hospital staff and starred Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, and Neil Flynn. A reboot of the show has been thrown around for some time, with Lawrence sharing at a 2022 ATX Festival panel , “We’re gonna do it, you guys know. If you ever have an excuse to work with people you want to spend time with anyway, run to it.” Lawrence also famously created or co-created series like Cougar Town , Ted Lasso , and Shrinking . A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Northern California on Thursday morning, briefly triggering a tsunami warning for nearly 5 million people . The earthquake hit at 10:44 a.m. PST west of Petrolia, California in the Pacific Ocean, the US Geological Survey said. A 5.8-magnitude aftershock was recorded minutes later near Cobb, California, and several other apparent aftershocks between 2.5 to 4.2 magnitude followed. A tsunami warning issued for parts of the Northern California and Oregon coastlines, however, was called off by the early afternoon. California officials are responding to earthquake activity Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post on X . The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is said to be coordinating with local officials in Humboldt and Lake counties, where significant earthquake activity was reported. More than 10,000 Humboldt County customers are reportedly without power. While no damage has been reported in San Francisco, the city’s Bay Area Rapid Transit, announced it is experiencing significant service disruptions due to the earthquake. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Apparently, boosting prostate health can actually be pleasurable—at least, that’s what premium sexual wellness brand MysteryVibe says. 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It’s a great sex toy for those new to anal play or who are looking for an ultra-sleek vibrator with possible health-boosting benefits. The prostate vibrator is equipped with 16 vibration settings and eight pre-set vibration patterns, allowing for superior control and customization. Plus, the device comes with access to a catalog of vibration patterns with the free MysteryVibe smartphone app. Best of all? Because the Molto vibrator is an FDA-registered class II medical device, it’s also FSA/HSA eligible. Associates of the right-wing firebrand Ric Grenell sought the help of MAGA influencers to secure him Donald Trump ’s nomination for s ecretary of state . Shortly after Trump’s election victory, an ally of Grenell’s approached conservative social media influencers, offering paid contracts up to five figures to post favorable content about Grenell, Politico reported Thursday. Influencers, the contract stipulated, would post pro-Grenell content and do so during “peak posting times,” ensure that “content must appear genuine,” and not “as an overt advertisement or promotional message.” Grenell denied the alleged influencer conspiracy to Politico. However, his desire for the highly coveted Cabinet position was no secret. Trump’s former ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence spent the past three years reportedly telling people in the president-elect’s orbit that it was secretary of state “or bust.” Despite being one of Trump’s most loyal cohorts, Trump ultimately chose Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to lead the State Department . Grenell is said to have been offered other posts, including director of national intelligence, but has turned the offers down. Actress Amber Heard has announced that she is expecting her second baby. “It is still quite early in the pregnancy, so you will appreciate that we do not want to go into much detail at this stage,” a spokesman for Heard said Thursday to People . “Suffice to say that Amber is delighted both for herself and Oonagh Paige.” Heard welcomed her daughter in 2021. “I wanted to do it on my own terms,” Heard wrote in a post announcing Oonagh’s birth via a surrogate. “I hope we arrive at a point in which it’s normalized to not want a ring in order to have a crib.” Heard has never commented on who the biological father is. The actress relocated to Madrid, Spain after the highly publicized defamation battle with ex-husband Johnny Depp . Heard told NBC News after the trial in 2022 that she was hoping to focus more on her growing family. “I get to be a mom, like, full time, you know? Where I’m not having to juggle calls with lawyers,” she said.

ST. LOUIS — Matvei Michkov scored 26 seconds into overtime and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Saturday night. Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster also scored for Philadelphia, and Aleksei Kolosov had 25 saves. Dylan Holloway and Jake Neighbours scored for St. Louis. Jordan Binnington finished with 28 saves. Neighbours tied the score with 19 seconds left in regulation, putting in a loose puck from just outside the crease. Tippett tapped in the puck from the right side after a pass from Michkov at 9:15 of the first period. Holloway tied it 1-1 with 8:49 remaining in the third, and Foerster scored on a rebound to put the Flyers back ahead 51 seconds later. Takeaways Flyers: Veteran Sean Couturier ended a four-game point streak (three goals, two assists). Philadelphia Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster, center, has a shot blocked by St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in St. Louis. Credit: AP/Jeff Le Blues: Defenseman Philip Broberg was back on the ice on day after coming off injured reserve after recovering from a lower body injury and missing 12 games. He was hurt in a game against Toronto on Nov. 2. Key moment Binnington recorded two eye-popping saves late in the second period with the Blues trailing 1-0. Binnington was sprawled in the crease blocking a backhand shot by Tracy Konecny with 1:02 remaining. Sean Couturier nabbed the loose puck, but a prone Binnington made an acrobatic glove save on the goal line seconds later to prevent a sure goal. Key stat The Flyers are 4-0-1 in their last five games, with three of them going into overtime. Since their victory over the Blues on Halloween night, Philadelphia has gone 8-3-2. Up next Blues visit Winnipeg to begin a four-game trip, and Flyers host Florida on Thursday. St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk, left, pressures Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in St. Louis. Credit: AP/Jeff Le __ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHLBy ROB GILLIES TORONTO (AP) — Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the United States should President-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products, a senior official said Wednesday. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across southern and northern borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. A Canadian government official said Canada is preparing for every eventuality and has started thinking about what items to target with tariffs in retaliation. The official stressed no decision has been made. The person spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a tit-for-tat response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Many of the U.S. products were chosen for their political rather than economic impact. For example, Canada imports $3 million worth of yogurt from the U.S. annually and most comes from one plant in Wisconsin, home state of then-House Speaker Paul Ryan. That product was hit with a 10% duty. Another product on the list was whiskey, which comes from Tennessee and Kentucky, the latter of which is the home state of then-Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell. Trump made the threat Monday while railing against an influx of illegal migrants, even though the numbers at Canadian border pale in comparison to the southern border. The U.S. Border Patrol made 56,530 arrests at the Mexican border in October alone — and 23,721 arrests at the Canadian one between October 2023 and September 2024. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are happy to work with the Trump administration to lower the numbers from Canada. The Canadians are also worried about a influx north of migrants if Trump follows through with his plan for mass deportations. Trump also railed about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border pale in comparison to the Mexican border. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Related Articles National Politics | Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia National Politics | Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different National Politics | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National Politics | Southwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years National Politics | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Canadian officials argue their country is not the problem and that tariffs will have severe implications for both countries. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “Canada is essential to the United States’ domestic energy supply,” Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said. Trump has pledged to cut American energy bills in half within 18 months, something that could be made harder if a 25% premium is added to Canadian oil imports. In 2023, Canadian oil accounted for almost two-thirds of total U.S. oil imports and about one-fifth of the U.S. oil supply. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is holding a emergency virtual meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of Canada’s provinces, who want Trudeau to negotiate a bilateral trade deal with the United States that excludes Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.”

Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon that will take effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Moments after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire deal , which Israel's Cabinet approved late Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike slammed into the Lebanese capital. Residents of Beirut and its southern suburbs have endured the most intense day of Israeli strikes since the war began nearly 14 months ago, as Israel's nationwide onslaught of bombings signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold. At least 42 people have killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local authorities. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens in the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel a day after Hamas’ attack. The fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: BEIRUT — The Health Ministry in Lebanon says 18 more people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes across the country, bringing the total death toll on Tuesday to at least 42 people. Eleven people were killed by Israeli bombing in eastern Lebanon, four were killed by strikes on border crossings between northern Lebanon and Syria, and three people were killed in southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said early Wednesday. In the hours before a ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel launched its most intense wave of strikes on the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict. Strikes have targeted what Israel said were Hezbollah-related targets in several other parts of the country as well. Israel’s military issued a record number of evacuation warnings in Beirut, sending people fleeing from their homes. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, and hopes it can end the violence and suffering of people in both countries, the U.N. spokesman says. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to swiftly implement all commitments under the agreement, and take immediate steps toward fully implementing the 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said late Tuesday. Resolution 1701 called for the deployment of Lebanese forces throughout the south, which borders Israel and is now mainly controlled by Hezbollah, and it calls for all armed groups including Hezbollah to be disarmed. Neither has happened in the past 17 years. Dujarric said U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon “both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates.” WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s senior national security team was briefed by the Biden administration as negotiations unfolded, according to the senior U.S. official. The official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in a White House-organized call, added that the incoming Trump administration officials were not directly involved in the talks, but that it was important that the incoming administration knew “what we were negotiating and what the commitments were.” The official said “all fire will stop from all parties” at 4 a.m. local time. The next step would be what the official described as a “phased withdrawal” by the Israeli military. As the Israelis pull back, Lebanese national forces will occupy the territories. The process is slated to finish within 60 days. Lebanese forces is supposed to patrol the area and remove Hezbollah weaponry and infrastructure there. “Hezbollah is incredibly weak at this moment, both militarily and politically,” the official said. “And this is the opportunity for Lebanon to re-establish its sovereignty over its territory.” The official said the ceasefire agreement will strengthen what’s known as the “tripartite mechanism” by including the United States and France. The goal is to address violations of the ceasefire without a return to hostilities. UNITED NATIONS – The top U.N. envoy for Lebanon welcomed the ceasefire announcement and urged Israel and Hezbollah militants to take concrete actions to fully implement the 2006 agreement that ended their last war. U.N. Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the agreement “marks the starting point of a critical process” that must see both sides fully implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1701. It called for the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south bordering Israel and the disarmament of all armed groups including Hezbollah – neither of which has happened in the past 17 years. “Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required,” Hennis-Plasschaert said. “Neither side can afford another period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm.” She commended the parties for “seizing the opportunity to close this devastating chapter,” stressing that “Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement.” UNITED NATIONS — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for urgent international intervention to stop what he described as “an ongoing genocidal war” in Gaza. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas. The U.S. and others want a reinvigorated Palestinian Authority to run Gaza when the war ends. In a speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Abbas accused Israel of repeating what happened to the Palestinians in 1948 and 1967 – displacing them and seizing their land and resources. Abbas demanded to know how long the world will remain silent and refuse to compel Israel to abide by international law. The speech to U.N. member nations was read by Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour. “The only way to halt the halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” Abbas' speech said. This must be done in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions which call for a two-state solution, he said. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah, describing it as a crucial step toward stability, the return of displaced people to their homes and regional calm. Mikati made these comments in a statement issued just after U.S. President Joe announced the truce deal. Mikati said he discussed the ceasefire agreement with Biden by phone earlier Tuesday. The prime minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing U.N. resolution 1701, strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the south, and cooperating with the U.N. peacekeeping force. He also called on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance the U.N. resolution. JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

Wheel of Fortune contestants whiffing their bonus puzzles is nothing new, but on December 4’s episode, a player came up short on a $40,000 puzzle that left fans joking that she may never want to visit a Disney theme park again. The game show’s latest big miss involved Vandana Patel, an Indian fusion food expert from Chicago. She won the episode and proceeded to the coveted bonus round with $20,600, a trip to Florida, and the selection of “What Are You Wearing?” as her category.

Fathom Holdings' director Scott Flanders buys $75,794 in stockCitigroup Inc. Increases Stock Holdings in RumbleOn, Inc. (NASDAQ:RMBL)

fish casino game machine COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: WOR), a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative products and solutions that serve customers in the building products and consumer products end markets, today reported results for its fiscal 2025 second quarter ended November 30, 2024. Second Quarter Highlights (all comparisons to the second quarter of fiscal 2024): Net sales of $274.0 million, decreased 8% driven by the deconsolidation of the former Sustainable Energy Solutions segment (“SES”) Adjusted EPS of $0.60 from continuing operations (diluted), up 5% and adjusted EBITDA of $56.2 million, up 2%, despite lower net sales Repurchased 200,000 shares of common stock for $8.1 million leaving 5,715,000 shares remaining on the Company’s share repurchase authorization Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share payable on March 28, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2025 Financial highlights, on a continuing operations basis, for the current year and prior year quarters are as follows: “We delivered solid financial results for the quarter despite mild but persistent macro headwinds, achieving year over year and sequential growth in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS,” said Worthington Enterprises President and CEO Joe Hayek. “Consumer Products’ earnings growth was driven by increased volumes and improved gross margins. Building Products generated higher earnings driven by the inclusion of Ragasco and stronger contributions from WAVE." Consolidated Quarterly Results Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 were $274.0 million, a decrease of $24.2 million, or 8.1%, from the prior year quarter, primarily driven by the deconsolidation of SES during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Net sales in the prior year quarter include $27.5 million related to SES, which is now operated as an unconsolidated joint venture and results are reported within equity income on the consolidated statement of earnings beginning June 1, 2024. Operating income of $3.5 million was favorable $17.9 million to the operating loss in the prior year quarter due to certain nonrecurring effects of the separation of the former Steel Processing business (“Separation”) in the prior year, including one-time Separation costs and stranded corporate costs eliminated post-Separation, partially offset by higher restructuring and other expense in the current quarter. Excluding these items, adjusted operating income was $6.1 million, an increase of $3.8 million over the prior year quarter, primarily driven by the inclusion of Ragasco, which was acquired on June 3, 2024, along with higher overall gross margin. Equity income decreased $4.1 million from the prior year quarter to $34.6 million, on lower contributions from ClarkDietrich in the current year quarter and the $2.8 million gain in the prior year quarter related to the divestiture of the Brazilian operations of the engineered cabs joint venture. These headwinds were partially offset by a $3.1 million increase in equity earnings from WAVE. ClarkDietrich contributed equity earnings of $9.7 million, down $4.0 million from the prior year quarter, but up $1.0 million sequentially from the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Income tax expense was $9.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to $6.6 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was driven by higher pre-tax earnings from continuing operations, partially offset by a lower estimated annual effective tax rate of 24.1%, down from 25.7% in the prior year quarter. Balance Sheet and Cash Flow The Company ended the quarter with cash of $193.8 million, down $50.4 million from May 31, 2024, primarily driven by the acquisition of Ragasco. During the second quarter, the Company generated operating cash flow of $49.1 million, of which $15.2 million was invested in capital projects, including approximately $4.9 million related to previously announced facility modernization projects. Total debt at quarter end consisted entirely of long-term debt and was relatively unchanged from May 31, 2024, at $295.7 million. The Company had no borrowings under its revolving credit facility as of November 30, 2024, leaving $500.0 million available for future use. Quarterly Segment Results Consumer Products generated net sales of $116.7 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2025, down $2.6 million, or 2.2%, from the prior year quarter, primarily driven by a less favorable product mix that was partially offset by higher volumes. Adjusted EBITDA was $15.5 million, up $2.8 million over the prior year quarter, on the combined impact of higher volumes and gross margin improvement partially offset by higher SG&A expense. Building Products generated net sales of $157.3 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2025, an increase of $6.0 million, or 4.0%, over the prior year quarter on contributions from Ragasco, partially offset by lower overall volumes. Adjusted EBITDA of $47.2 million, was up $1.4 million over the prior year quarter, as contributions from Ragasco and higher equity income from WAVE were partially offset by the combined impact of lower volumes and lower contributions of equity income from ClarkDietrich. Outlook “Our team continues to navigate the current environment effectively, maintaining a strong focus on delivering value-added solutions and products for our customers,” Hayek said. “While we are pleased with our performance, we continue to set our sights higher. We have improved our value propositions in multiple product lines over the last year, and we are very well positioned as growth returns to our end markets. Led by our people-first, performance-based culture, leveraging a solid balance sheet and a commitment to transformation, innovation and M&A, we are confident in our ability to optimize our business, drive sustainable growth and deliver long-term value to our shareholders.” Conference Call The Company will review fiscal 2025 second quarter results during its quarterly conference call on December 18, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Details regarding the conference call can be found on the Company website at www.WorthingtonEnterprises.com. About Worthington Enterprises Worthington Enterprises (NYSE: WOR) is a designer and manufacturer of market-leading brands that help enable people to live safer, healthier and more expressive lives. The Company operates with two primary business segments: Building Products and Consumer Products. The Building Products segment includes cooking, heating, cooling and water solutions, architectural and acoustical grid ceilings and metal framing and accessories. The Consumer Products segment provides solutions for the tools, outdoor living and celebrations categories. Product brands within the Worthington Enterprises portfolio include Balloon Time®, Bernzomatic®, Coleman® (propane cylinders), CoMet®, Garden Weasel®, General®, HALOTM, HawkeyeTM, Level5 Tools®, Mag Torch®, NEXITM, Pactool International®, PowerCoreTM, Ragasco®, Well-X-Trol® and XLiteTM, among others. The Company also serves the growing global hydrogen ecosystem via a joint venture focused on on-board fueling systems and gas containment solutions. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Enterprises and its joint ventures employ approximately 6,000 people throughout North America and Europe. Founded in 1955 as Worthington Industries, Worthington Enterprises follows a people-first Philosophy with earning money for its shareholders as its first corporate goal. Worthington Enterprises achieves this outcome by empowering its employees to innovate, thrive and grow with leading brands in attractive markets that improve everyday life. The Company engages deeply with local communities where it has operations through volunteer efforts and The Worthington Companies Foundation , participates actively in workforce development programs and reports annually on its corporate citizenship and sustainability efforts . For more information, visit worthingtonenterprises.com . Safe Harbor Statement Selected statements contained in this release constitute “forward-looking statements,” as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The Company wishes to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions included in the Act. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events. These statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “likely,” “estimate,” “project,” “position,” “strategy,” “target,” “aim,” “seek,” “foresee” and similar words or phrases. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to: future or expected cash positions, liquidity and ability to access financial markets and capital; outlook, strategy or business plans; the anticipated benefits of the separation of the Company’s Steel Processing business (the “Separation); the expected financial and operational performance of, and future opportunities for, the Company following the Separation; the Company’s performance on a pro forma basis to illustrate the estimated effects of the Separation on historical periods; the tax treatment of the Separation transaction; future or expected growth, growth potential, forward momentum, performance, competitive position, sales, volumes, cash flows, earnings, margins, balance sheet strengths, debt, financial condition or other financial measures; pricing trends for raw materials and finished goods and the impact of pricing changes; the ability to improve or maintain margins; expected demand or demand trends for the Company or its markets; additions to product lines and opportunities to participate in new markets; expected benefits from transformation and innovation efforts; the ability to improve performance and competitive position at the Company’s operations; anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures and asset sales; anticipated improvements and efficiencies in costs, operations, sales, inventory management, sourcing and the supply chain and the results thereof; projected profitability potential; the ability to make acquisitions and the projected timing, results, benefits, costs, charges and expenditures related to acquisitions, joint ventures, headcount reductions and facility dispositions, shutdowns and consolidations; projected capacity and the alignment of operations with demand; the ability to operate profitably and generate cash in down markets; the ability to capture and maintain market share and to develop or take advantage of future opportunities, customer initiatives, new businesses, new products and new markets; expectations for Company and customer inventories, jobs and orders; expectations for the economy and markets or improvements therein; expectations for generating improving and sustainable earnings, earnings potential, margins or shareholder value; effects of judicial rulings; the ever-changing effects of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and the various responses of governmental and nongovernmental authorities thereto on economies and markets, and on our customers, counterparties, employees and third-party service providers; and other non-historical matters. Because they are based on beliefs, estimates and assumptions, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Any number of factors could affect actual results, including, without limitation, those that follow: the uncertainty of obtaining regulatory approvals in connection with the Separation, including rulings from the Internal Revenue Service; the Company’s ability to successfully realize the anticipated benefits of the Separation; the risks, uncertainties and impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic – the duration, extent and severity of which are impossible to predict, including the possibility of future resurgence in the spread of COVID-19 or variants thereof – and the availability, effectiveness and acceptance of vaccines, and other actual or potential public health emergencies and actions taken by governmental authorities or others in connection therewith; the effect of national, regional and global economic conditions generally and within major product markets, including significant economic disruptions from COVID-19, the actions taken in connection therewith and the implementation of related fiscal stimulus packages; the effect of conditions in national and worldwide financial markets, including inflation, increases in interest rates and economic recession, and with respect to the ability of financial institutions to provide capital; the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade restrictions affecting the Company’s products or suppliers, a United States withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars, the closing of border crossings, and other changes in trade regulations or relationships; changing oil prices and/or supply; product demand and pricing; changes in product mix, product substitution and market acceptance of the Company’s products; volatility or fluctuations in the pricing, quality or availability of raw materials (particularly steel), supplies, transportation, utilities, labor and other items required by operations (especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine); effects of sourcing and supply chain constraints; the outcome of adverse claims experience with respect to workers’ compensation, product recalls or product liability, casualty events or other matters; effects of facility closures and the consolidation of operations; the effect of financial difficulties, consolidation and other changes within the steel, automotive, construction and other industries in which the Company participates; failure to maintain appropriate levels of inventories; financial difficulties (including bankruptcy filings) of original equipment manufacturers, end-users and customers, suppliers, joint venture partners and others with whom the Company does business; the ability to realize targeted expense reductions from headcount reductions, facility closures and other cost reduction efforts; the ability to realize cost savings and operational, sales and sourcing improvements and efficiencies, and other expected benefits from transformation initiatives, on a timely basis; the overall success of, and the ability to integrate, newly-acquired businesses and joint ventures, maintain and develop their customers, and achieve synergies and other expected benefits and cost savings therefrom; capacity levels and efficiencies, within facilities, within major product markets and within the industries in which the Company participates as a whole; the effect of disruption in the business of suppliers, customers, facilities and shipping operations due to adverse weather, casualty events, equipment breakdowns, labor shortages, interruption in utility services, civil unrest, international conflicts (especially in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), terrorist activities or other causes; changes in customer demand, inventories, spending patterns, product choices, and supplier choices; risks associated with doing business internationally, including economic, political and social instability (especially in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), foreign currency exchange rate exposure and the acceptance of the Company’s products in global markets; the ability to improve and maintain processes and business practices to keep pace with the economic, competitive and technological environment; the effect of inflation, interest rate increases and economic recession, which may negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results; deviation of actual results from estimates and/or assumptions used by the Company in the application of its significant accounting policies; the level of imports and import prices in the Company’s markets; the impact of environmental laws and regulations or the actions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or similar regulators which increase costs or limit the Company’s ability to use or sell certain products; the impact of increasing environmental, greenhouse gas emission and sustainability regulations and considerations; the impact of judicial rulings and governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad, including those adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other governmental agencies as contemplated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; the effect of healthcare laws in the United States and potential changes for such laws, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may increase the Company’s healthcare and other costs and negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results; the effects of tax laws in the United States and potential changes for such laws, which may increase the Company’s costs and negatively impact the Company’s operations and financial results; cyber security risks; the effects of privacy and information security laws and standards; and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including those described in “Part I – Item 1A. – Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024. Forward-looking statements should be construed in the light of such risks. The Company notes these factors for investors as contemplated by the Act. It is impossible to predict or identify all potential risk factors. Consequently, readers should not consider the foregoing list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake, and hereby disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. WORTHINGTON ENTERPRISES, INC. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In thousands, except units and per share amounts The following provides a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted operating income, adjusted earnings before income taxes, adjusted income tax expense (benefit), adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest, and adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest, from their most comparable GAAP measure for the three and six months ended November 30, 2024 and 2023. Refer to the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Definitions section herein and non-GAAP footnotes below for further information on these measures. To further assist in the analysis of segment results for the three and six months ended November 30, 2024 and 2023 the following supplemental information has been provided. Reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations and adjusted EBITDA margin from continuing operations to the most comparable GAAP measures are provided below. A reconciliation from earnings before income taxes from continuing operations to the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the each of the periods presented is provided below. WORTHINGTON ENTERPRISES, INC. USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND DEFINITIONS NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES. These materials include certain financial measures that are not calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The non-GAAP financial measures typically exclude items that management believes are not reflective of, and thus should not be included when evaluating the performance of the Company’s ongoing operations. Management uses the non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s performance, engage in financial and operational planning, and determine incentive compensation. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information and additional perspective on the performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and should not be considered as an alternative to the comparable GAAP measure. Additionally, management believes these non-GAAP financial measures allow for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in the Company’s businesses and enable investors to evaluate operations and future prospects in the same manner as management. The following provides an explanation of each non-GAAP financial measure presented in these materials: Adjusted operating income (loss) is defined as operating income (loss) excluding the items listed below, to the extent naturally included in operating income (loss). Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations is defined as net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest (“net earnings from continuing operations”) excluding the after-tax effect of the excluded items outlined below. Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations (“Adjusted EPS from continuing operations”) is defined as adjusted net earnings from continuing operations divided by diluted weighted-average shares outstanding). Adjusted EBITDA is defined as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA is calculated by adding or subtracting, as appropriate, interest expense, net, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization to/from net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest, which is further adjusted to exclude impairment and restructuring charges (gains) as well as other items that management believes are not reflective of, and thus should not be included when evaluating the performance of its ongoing operations, as outlined below. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes stock-based compensation due to its non-cash nature, which is consistent with how management assesses operating performance. At the segment level, adjusted EBITDA includes expense allocations for centralized corporate back-office functions that exist to support the day-to-day business operations. Public company and other governance costs are held at the corporate-level. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by net sales. Exclusions from Non-GAAP Financial Measures Management believes it is useful to exclude the following items from the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this report for its own and investors’ assessment of the business for the reasons identified below. Additionally, management may exclude other items from the Non-GAAP financial measures that do not occur in the ordinary course of our ongoing business operations and note them in the reconciliation from earnings before income taxes from continuing operations to the non-GAAP financial measure of adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations. Impairment charges are excluded because they do not occur in the ordinary course of our ongoing business operations, are inherently unpredictable in timing and amount, and are non-cash, which we believe facilitates the comparison of historical, current and forecasted financial results. Restructuring activities, which can result in both discrete gains and/or losses, consist of established programs that are not part of our ongoing operations, such as divestitures, closing or consolidating facilities, employee severance (including rationalizing headcount or other significant changes in personnel), and realignment of existing operations (including changes to management structure in response to underlying performance and/or changing market conditions). These items are excluded because they are not part of the ongoing operations of our underlying business. Separation costs, which consist of direct and incremental costs incurred in connection with the completed Separation are excluded as they are one-time in nature and are not expected to occur in period following the Separation. These costs include fees paid to third-party advisors, such as investment banking, audit and other advisory services as well as direct and incremental costs associated with the Separation of shared corporate functions. Results in the current fiscal year also include incremental compensation expense associated with the modification of unvested short and long-term incentive compensation awards, as required under the employee matters agreement executed in conjunction with the Separation. Loss on early extinguishment of debt is excluded because it does not occur in the normal course of business and may obscure analysis of trends and financial performance. Additionally, the amount and frequency of this type of charge is not consistent and is significantly impacted by the timing and size of debt extinguishment transactions. Corporate costs eliminated at Separation are those costs that were related to corporate resources that, post-Separation, no longer exist to support the Company’s continuing operations, but were not clearly identifiable to the former Steel Processing segment. Sonya L. Higginbotham Senior Vice President Chief of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability 614.438.7391 sonya.higginbotham@wthg.com Marcus A. Rogier Treasurer and Investor Relations Officer 614.840.4663 marcus.rogier@wthg.com 200 West Old Wilson Bridge Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43085 WorthingtonEnterprises.com

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland's fresh charges gave coach Andy Farrell options to ponder for the autumn rugby closer against Australia after they comfortably handled Fiji 52-17 on Saturday. All eight Ireland tries came off set plays, and the result — and a 29-year perfect record against Fiji — was effectively secured by halftime, when it led 28-3. Fiji posted historic wins in Europe in the last 15 months against England, Australia and Wales but struggled to get any rhythm. It was undermined by 11 penalties in the first half, alone, and a horrible 17 overall, and a powerful backline was smothered. Farrell made seven changes to the Ireland XV after the muted performances against New Zealand and Argentina, to inject some life and spice into his aging squad, and they impressed while overcoming some bumps. Sam Prendergast, the starting flyhalf in his second test, was sin-binned in just the eighth minute for a shoulder shot but returned to manage the backline coolly with soft hands, confident loops, and accurate kicking on and off the tee. He set up one try with a crosskick and converted five. On debut, Gus McCarthy deepened Ireland's grand stock of hookers with no-look passes and a try after two crooked throw-ins, while flanker Cormac Izuchukwu stood out with a high workrate. He would have had a try, too, but for a forward pass. Ireland butchered three tries, and man of the match Bundee Aki was held up over the line, denying him a second try as he rebounded after being dropped after the New Zealand loss. ___ AP rugby:AP News Summary at 5:30 p.m. EST

LAS VEGAS , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing demand for pelvic floor stimulation devices is driven by the rising incidence of urinary incontinence, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, which are key contributors to urinary incontinence, is expected to further fuel this demand. Moreover, factors such as the aging population, frequent product launches and approvals, increased demand for home healthcare, and ongoing product innovations are anticipated to support the overall expansion of the pelvic floor stimulation devices market during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. DelveInsight's Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading pelvic floor stimulation devices companies' market shares, challenges, pelvic floor stimulation devices market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market pelvic floor stimulation devices companies in the market. Key Takeaways from the Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Report As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global pelvic floor stimulation devices market during the forecast period. In the product type segment of the pelvic floor stimulation devices market, the mobile pelvic floor stimulation device category had a significant revenue share in the year 2023. This can be ascribed to the advantages offered by the category. Notable pelvic floor stimulation devices companies such as Medtronic, The Prometheus Group, INNOVO, Shenzhen XFT Medical Limited, Verity Medical Ltd., Tic Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Laborie, PZmed, TensCare Ltd., Renovia Inc., Novuqare, GymnaUniphy, InControl Medical, Athena Feminine Technologies, Inc., Creo Medical, and several others, are currently operating in the pelvic floor stimulation devices market. In February 2022 , Medtronic announced FDA approval for the InterStim X TM system, which delivers sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy. These devices are used to treat overactive bladder (OAB), chronic fecal incontinence (FI), and non-obstructive urinary retention. To read more about the latest highlights related to the pelvic floor stimulation devices market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Report Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Overview Pelvic floor stimulation devices are medical tools designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through electrical stimulation. These devices are commonly used to treat conditions like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and sexual dysfunction, which can occur due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. The devices work by sending mild electrical impulses to the muscles, causing them to contract and gradually become stronger over time. This therapy is non-invasive and can be performed in a clinical setting or at home, offering a convenient and effective solution for people looking to regain control over their pelvic health. In addition to improving muscle strength, pelvic floor stimulation devices can also enhance neuromuscular coordination, helping users gain better awareness and control of their pelvic floor muscles. This is particularly beneficial for women after childbirth or during menopause when the pelvic floor tends to weaken. For men, these devices can help with conditions such as post-prostatectomy incontinence. The devices are generally safe and well-tolerated, although it is important to consult a healthcare provider before starting treatment to ensure it is appropriate for individual needs. Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Insights In 2023, North America held the largest share of the global pelvic floor stimulation devices market. This is primarily due to factors such as the increasing prevalence of urinary incontinence, particularly among the elderly, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, various initiatives by governments and nonprofit organizations are driving market growth in the region. The demand for advanced technology and a growing number of regulatory approvals are further contributing to this growth. Moreover, the rise in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's is fueling demand for pelvic floor stimulation devices. Ongoing product development activities in North America are expected to further boost market expansion. To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the pelvic floor stimulation devices market, get a snapshot of the Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Outlook Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Dynamics The global pelvic floor stimulation devices market has experienced notable growth due to rising awareness about pelvic floor disorders, such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence. These conditions affect millions of individuals, particularly women post-childbirth and older adults. The increasing focus on women's health , coupled with advancements in non-invasive treatments, has driven demand for pelvic floor stimulation devices, which offer a more effective and less invasive treatment compared to surgeries. The devices work by delivering electrical stimulation to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, offering relief and improving the quality of life for many patients. A key market driver is the growing aging population , particularly in regions like North America , Europe , and parts of Asia . With aging comes a higher prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunction due to muscle weakening and other health conditions. Additionally, the increasing incidence of obesity and sedentary lifestyles has exacerbated the problem, further boosting the demand for solutions like pelvic floor stimulators. Technological advancements , such as wireless and portable devices, have also enhanced user convenience, driving adoption in home healthcare settings. However, the market is not without challenges. One significant barrier is the lack of awareness and societal stigma surrounding pelvic floor disorders, which may prevent individuals from seeking treatment. Moreover, the high costs associated with certain devices and limited insurance coverage for non-invasive treatments can restrict access to these devices for some patients, particularly in developing regions. Addressing these issues will be critical for sustained market growth. Despite these hurdles, there is significant growth potential for the pelvic floor stimulation devices market. Ongoing research and development efforts are focused on improving device efficacy and user experience, and the rise of telehealth and digital health platforms could expand access to these devices. Additionally, increasing collaborations between manufacturers and healthcare providers, along with government initiatives aimed at improving women's health, are likely to further propel market growth in the coming years. Get a sneak peek at the pelvic floor stimulation devices market dynamics @ Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Dynamics Analysis Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 2021–2030 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market CAGR ~12% Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Size by 2030 USD 413 Million Key Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Companies Medtronic, The Prometheus Group, INNOVO, Shenzhen XFT Medical Limited, Verity Medical Ltd., Tic Medizintechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Laborie, PZmed, TensCare Ltd., Renovia Inc., Novuqare, GymnaUniphy, InControl Medical, Athena Feminine Technologies, Inc., Creo Medical, among others Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Assessment Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By Product Type: Fixed and Mobile Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By Application: Urinary Incontinence, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Sexual Dysfunction, and Others Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By End User: Hospitals & Clinics, Homecare Settings, and Others Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Segmentation By Geography : North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and Rest of World Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOL's Views, Analyst's View Which MedTech key players in the pelvic floor stimulation devices market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Companies Table of Contents 1 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Report Introduction 2 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Executive Summary 3 Competitive Landscape 4 Regulatory Analysis 5 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Key Factors Analysis 6 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Porter's Five Forces Analysis 7 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Layout 8 Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Company and Product Profiles 9 KOL Views 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight 12 Disclaimer & Contact Us Interested in knowing the pelvic floor stimulation devices market by 2030? Click to get a snapshot of the Pelvic Floor Stimulation Devices Market Trends Related Reports Pelvic Floor Disorders Treatment Devices Market Pelvic Floor Disorders Treatment Devices Market Insight, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key pelvic floor disorders treatment devices companies, including Ethicon US, LLC, Boston Scientific Corporation, Coloplast Ltd., Medtronic, CooperSurgical Inc., Cook, MEDGYN PRODUCTS, INC., Personal Medical Corp., Dr. Arabin GmbH & Co. KG, Integra LifeSciences Corporation, Panpac Medical Corp, medesign I.C. GmbH, Zynex Inc., TensCare Ltd., Verity Medical Ltd., InControl Medical, The Prometheus Group, Laborie, Inc., ActivLife Technologies, Athena Feminine Technologies, Atlantic Therapeutics, Renovia Inc., among others. Stress Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Stress Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Insights, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key stress urinary incontinence devices companies, including Boston Scientific Corporation, AscentX Medical Inc., Coloplast Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, ConvaTec Group PLC, Ethicon US, LLC (Johnson & Johnson), Cook Medical Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, Caldera Medical Inc., Prosurg, Inc., Laborie, InControl Medical, Cousin Surgery, Hollister Incorporated, ZSI Surgical Implants, Atlantic Therapeutics, Flexicare (Group) Limited, A.M.I. GmbH, Axonics, Inc., Betatech Medical , among others. Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Urinary Incontinence Devices Market Insights, Competitive Landscape, and Market Forecast – 2030 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key urinary incontinence devices companies, including NeoTract, Inc, Cook Medical Inc, C.R. Bard Inc, Coloplast Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, Ethicon US, LLC, Medtronic PLC, A.M.I. Ltd, Teleflex Incorporated, Hollister Incorporated, ConvaTec Group PLC, Caldera Medical Inc, Prosurg, Inc, Laborie, Inc, Becton, Dickinson and Company, ZSI Surgical Implants, Atlantic Therapeutics, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Flexicare Group Limited, InControl Medical , among others. Fecal Incontinence Market Fecal Incontinence Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key fecal incontinence companies, including Palette Life Sciences, Cook MyoSite, 9 Meters Biopharma , among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant, and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 https://www.delveinsight.com/medical-devices Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg

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With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Mr Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on January 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Mr Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned that “this was just a first run”. “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Mr Milanovic, the most popular politician in Croatia, has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, the 58-year-old has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and continuous sparring between the two has been a recent hallmark of Croatia’s political scene. Mr Plenkovic has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and Nato. He has labelled Mr Milanovic “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him (Mr Primorac) and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme commander of the military. Mr Milanovic has criticised the Nato and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, thought it is a member of both Nato and the EU. Mr Milanovic has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a Nato-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war”. His main rival in the election, Mr Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East”. However, his bid for the presidency has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and which featured prominently in pre-election debates. Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudic, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a snap parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.The year 2025 is poised to bring significant transformations in careers and finances, driven by planetary movements in March and May. These celestial shifts suggest an atmosphere of growth, innovation, and adaptation. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for Here's a detailed look at how each zodiac sign will fare in their professional journey this year, as mentioned in a report by Times Of India. Aries: Embrace Professional Change For Aries, 2025 signals a year of evolution in the workplace. Until March, Saturn aids in achieving long-term goals and expanding professional networks. This period is ideal for job seekers to leverage connections for new roles. From April, Saturn’s position encourages skill enhancement and strategic planning, making it vital to focus on personal development for career advancement. Taurus: Steady Growth and Rewards Taurus will experience a year of consistent growth. Saturn’s transit through the 10th house until March demands disciplined efforts and responsibility. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program From April, the focus shifts to networking and reaping the rewards of past hard work. Promotions and cooperative projects are likely in this phase. Gemini: Expansion and Recognition Gemini natives will find 2025 packed with opportunities. The first quarter emphasizes personal growth, education, and new ventures, thanks to Saturn’s placement in the 9th house. Post-April, career progression gains momentum as Saturn moves into the 10th house, offering recognition for diligent efforts. Cancer: Transformation and Learning For Cancer, the early months of 2025 call for introspection and financial reorganization. The 8th house transit of Saturn encourages clearing debts and refining strategies. From April, new learning opportunities and challenges await, offering a chance to rebuild and prepare for future milestones. Leo: Focus on Professional Relationships Leo’s 2025 career horoscope highlights the importance of collaboration. Until March, efforts should concentrate on fortifying professional relationships. Post-April, Saturn’s transit prompts strategic planning around financial management, offering opportunities to adapt and thrive amid workplace changes. Virgo: Hard Work Pays Off Virgo’s professional life in 2025 revolves around diligence and collaboration. Early in the year, enhancing work habits and meeting responsibilities are key. From April, Saturn emphasizes the importance of networking and balance in personal and professional realms, paving the way for meaningful partnerships. Libra: Creativity and Discipline Libra natives must align creativity with discipline in early 2025. This phase demands organization in all pursuits. From April, daily routines and health take precedence, with hard work being a significant driver for overcoming challenges and achieving career growth. Scorpio: A Year of Transition For Scorpio, 2025 bridges internal reflection and external action. The year starts with a focus on building stability and rethinking career strategies. Post-April, creativity and passion take center stage, offering an opportunity to transform aspirations into well-structured plans. Sagittarius: Communication is Key Sagittarius individuals must prioritize communication and skill-building in early 2025. This phase is ideal for networking and knowledge acquisition. From April, the focus shifts to establishing security and achieving work-life balance, creating a solid foundation for future success. Capricorn: Financial Focus Capricorn’s career journey in 2025 starts with a focus on financial prudence and value reassessment. As Saturn transitions to the third house in April, improving communication and establishing valuable connections become pivotal for career advancement. Aquarius: Growth and Financial Planning Aquarius will experience personal and financial growth in 2025. Until March, self-improvement takes precedence. Post-April, Saturn emphasizes financial stability, making it a crucial period for job seekers to explore roles that promise long-term rewards. Pisces: Reflection to Action For Pisces, 2025 begins with introspection and the release of unproductive patterns. By April, Saturn’s movement to the first house encourages proactive efforts and disciplined action, marking the beginning of a transformative career phase. FAQs Which zodiac sign is lucky in 2025? Starting January 2025, the North Node's influence on Aquarius' resource sector brings a wave of fortune. Financial matters take center stage, offering opportunities for empowerment and growth. Who is the lord of Leo? Leos, celebrated for their leadership and dynamic personality, revere Lord of Sun, the embodiment of energy, vitality, and charisma. Lord Of Sun inspires Leos to channel their creativity, embrace their leadership qualities, and cultivate a positive perspective on life. 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CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Luke Richardson on Thursday, signaling their frustration with the state of the franchise's rebuilding project. Chicago has dropped four in a row to fall to an NHL-worst 8-16-2 on the season. It was outscored 41-27 while going 3-9-1 in its last 13 games. Anders Sorensen was elevated to interim coach. Sorensen had been coaching the team's top minor league affiliate in Rockford. “Today I made the difficult decision to move on from Luke as our head coach,” general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “We thank him for his efforts and contributions to the organization and our community. As we have begun to take steps forward in our rebuilding process, we felt that the results did not match our expectations for a higher level of execution this season and ultimately came to the decision that a change was necessary.” Chicago had expected to be more competitive in Richardson's third season. It signed Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Alec Martinez and Craig Smith on a busy first day of free agency this summer. It also had Connor Bedard coming back for his second season after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. But Bertuzzi and Teravainen have struggled, and Martinez has been hampered by injuries. Bertuzzi has five goals and five assists in 26 games going into Saturday's matchup with Winnipeg. Teravainen has three goals and two assists in his last 21 games. Of course, the most important player for Chicago is the 19-year-old Bedard — and it's his lack of production that likely led to Richardson's dismissal. While the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has shown some positive developmental signs, the young center has struggled offensively. Bedard stopped a 12-game drought when he scored in a 6-2 victory against Dallas on Nov. 27. He has five goals and 14 assists in 26 games after he had 11 goals and 10 assists at the same point last season. “We're not happy with the record, for sure,” Richardson said after his last game, a 4-2 loss to Boston on Wednesday night. "The guys are trying to work within the system and the right way and unfortunately, like I said before, we don't seem to have one kind of Achilles' heel. There's not one problem with our team. “It's like one night there's one area — maybe our defense or our forward or one player — and the next night it's another area, like a different player.” While Chicago has been plagued by a variety of problems, it's clear that offense is its biggest issue. It is averaging 2.42 goals per game, ranked No. 31 in the NHL ahead of only Nashville going into Thursday night's games. The Blackhawks finished with a league-low 178 goals last season. Richardson, 55, had a 57-118-15 record in Chicago. The former NHL defenseman was an assistant on Montreal’s coaching staff when he was hired by the Blackhawks in June 2022 . When Dominique Ducharme was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the 2021 playoffs, Richardson took over as coach for six games and helped lead the Canadiens to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993. Sorensen, 49, is a familiar face for many of the Blackhawks. He was originally hired by the organization as a development coach ahead of the 2013-14 season. He has a 117-89-16-7 record in 229 career AHL games as a head coach, all with Rockford. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

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Welcome to the holidays—and with it, the holiday rush. A third of Americans plan to travel to catch the Yuletide cheer this year, according to a September 2024 Civic Science survey . To manage the surge, airports are speeding up their adoption of passenger-focused technologies. The global smart airports market, valued at $18.2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $40.4 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets . U.S. airports are investing heavily in automated solutions to address long-standing pain points in air travel. Fortune Business Insights reports that 88% of airports and airlines are using artificial intelligence to plan major research and development programs, driven by passenger demand given that 64% of travelers want a digital travel concierge. While these technological upgrades aim to improve efficiency, high modernization costs and data sharing regulations present major challenges for airports. Travel experts told USA Today these automated systems can be especially challenging for elderly travelers or those less comfortable with technology. Uniqode highlighted five key passenger-focused technologies that airports have adopted in recent years, exploring how they work, where they are implemented, and their potential benefits for travelers. From automated check-in kiosks and biometric screening to automated security lanes, luggage tracking systems, and mobile apps, these innovations are reshaping holiday travel for millions of Americans. Automated check-in kiosks, now standard at most U.S. airports, are evolving as airlines push toward more digital solutions. These self-service stations allow travelers to check in, select seats, print boarding passes, and tag bags without staff assistance. Alaska Airlines removed check-in kiosks at nine airports in 2024 as part of a $2.5 billion plan to transition entirely to mobile apps, while Frontier Airlines now charges $20 for human check-in assistance, according to USA Today . The push toward automation has mixed results. While airlines claim kiosks reduce check-in times and keep costs down, people still prefer to talk to other people. A study by travel technology company Travelport found that three-quarters of customer survey respondents still prefer the option of speaking with a human agent. Oakland International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport have implemented biometric kiosks and self-boarding systems , respectively, to enhance passenger verification and streamline processes, Forbes reported. However, travel experts told USA Today these automated systems often struggle with complex situations like rebooking or special needs assistance. New features being integrated into modern kiosks include radio-frequency identification—or RFID—baggage tracking, with over 50% of passengers expressing interest in electronic bag tags, according to Airport Industry News . Biometric security screening, which uses facial recognition to verify traveler identities, is expanding rapidly across U.S. airports as part of the Transportation Security Administration's effort to enhance security and reduce wait times . The technology, which TSA began testing in 2019, can reduce security interaction time from 25 seconds to roughly 10 seconds, according to Delta Air Lines officials interviewed by The New York Times . Currently available at more than 30 airports, including Denver International and Los Angeles International, the TSA plans to expand biometric screening to 400 more locations, per the Times. A survey published in September 2024 by the U.S. Travel Association found that nearly 4 out of 5 air travelers support biometrics at TSA checkpoints, with 7 out of 10 supporters citing terrorism prevention and human trafficking prevention as key reasons. Legislation proposed by Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and John Kennedy of Louisiana threatens to ban TSA's use of biometric technologies, a move the U.S. Travel Association warns could result in longer wait times, reduced security, and wasted taxpayer dollars. The TSA says that passenger participation remains voluntary, with travelers able to opt out in favor of standard ID checks. Major carriers continue expanding implementation, with Delta operating the system at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports, while United Airlines uses it at Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles International airports. The TSA implemented automated screening lanes with CT scanners to enhance security and reduce checkpoint wait times. Nationwide, 205 automated screening lanes have been installed as of June 2024, including new lanes added at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The new system features four stations where travelers can simultaneously place items in bins, allowing faster passengers to move around slower ones, TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told ABC 7 News in July 2024 . Automated rollers move bins through X-ray tunnels and return them underneath the conveyor, "a little bit like a bowling lane," Farbstein explained. The technology includes advanced CT scanners that provide 3D images of carry-on items, which TSA officers can rotate on touch-screen monitors for better inspection, according to the TSA. Early adopters like Denver International Airport tested the system in 2018 to refine the technology before wider implementation. The automated lanes are currently in place at Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. These lanes aim to maintain TSA's standard wait time goals of 10 minutes or less for PreCheck lanes and 30 minutes or less for standard screening. Major airports are launching mobile apps that provide real-time updates about flights, dining options, and parking to streamline the travel experience. At Houston airports, a new app helps passengers locate food vendors and receive flight notifications. The system also includes a cashless parking solution where travelers can prereserve spots by entering their license plate number and trip details. According to a report from Fox 26 Houston , automated readers scan license plates to open gates upon arrival, with charges automatically processed to credit cards upon exit. QR codes are also becoming a key feature in airport dining, allowing travelers to order meals directly from their smartphones without downloading additional apps. At venues in airports like John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty, and Chicago O'Hare, passengers can scan QR codes to browse menus, pay, and even have food delivered to their gate, according to The Verge . International airports are advancing app technologies. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol launched an Apple Watch app in January 2024, using artificial intelligence and thousands of motion sensors to predict crowd sizes and wait times. The system uses smart, self-learning algorithms to make departure, transfer, and arrival processes more predictable for travelers, according to the airport. The app has been downloaded by more than 1.6 million travelers as of January 2024. Apple is introducing a new "Share Item Location" feature that allows passengers to share AirTag location data with airlines to streamline luggage tracking. The technology uses Apple's Find My network to track items and generates a live-updating link that passengers can share with airlines, CNN reported . About 26 million bags were mishandled in 2022, which cost the industry an estimated $2.6 billion, according to SITA, an air transport communication and IT company. Launching in December 2024, the "Share Item Location" feature aims to address these issues by helping travelers and airlines locate misplaced luggage more efficiently. United Airlines plans to roll out the feature at select airports and hopes to launch it more widely in 2025, United's chief customer officer David Kinzelman told CNN. The technology will also be built into SITA's baggage-tracing system and used by more than 500 airlines and 2,800 airports globally. While the system promises to help locate mishandled bags more efficiently, passengers need to own both an iPhone and AirTags to use the service. The location-sharing link automatically expires after seven days or when users are reunited with their luggage. Additional research by Nicole Caldwell. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. This story originally appeared on Uniqode and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Emerance Maschmeyer turned in 34 saves on 35 shots on goal and the Ottawa Charge held off the New York Sirens 3-1 on Sunday for their second win in six games. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Emerance Maschmeyer turned in 34 saves on 35 shots on goal and the Ottawa Charge held off the New York Sirens 3-1 on Sunday for their second win in six games. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Emerance Maschmeyer turned in 34 saves on 35 shots on goal and the Ottawa Charge held off the New York Sirens 3-1 on Sunday for their second win in six games. Playing their first game in 10 days, the Charge got a first-period goal from Emily Clark and Shiann Darkangelo and Kateřina Mrázová added second-period goals to build a 3-0 lead through two periods. Ottawa has scored at least three goals in all five of its meetings with New York over two seasons. Alex Carpenter earned a third-period assist to extend her scoring streak to nine straight games dating to last season. Sarah Fillier’s goal moved her into a tie for the league lead with eight points in her first eight games after being drafted No. 1 by the Sirens. Ottawa’s defense neutralized much of New York’s speed advantage and used a strong penalty kill to take a 1-0 lead after one period after Clark tipped home a wrist shot from the point by Brianne Jenner six minutes into the game. The Charge added two goals in the first seven minutes of the second period but could not capitalize on a pair of power plays late in the period. Fillier wasted little time getting New York on the board in the third period, firing a shot past Maschmeyer 23 seconds into the period, but the keeper saved the next dozen shots, including an almost three-minute finish when the Sirens pulled goalkeeper Corinne Schroeder to gain a player advantage. New York’s Jill Saulnier was activated off long-term injured reserve following an upper body injury sustained in the opening game December 1. ___ AP hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/hockey Advertisement

Are you a gamer or have gamers on your holiday list? Check out the PlayStation Direct Black Friday Deals on consoles, accessories and more. Save up to $75 on select PS5 Consoles , up to 60% on select games and up to $250 on PSVR2. In addition, celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary with a new limited edition PlayStation 5 Digital Edition Bundle (slim) for $499.99 or DualSense Edge Wireless controller for $219 and more. Marvel fans, classic car fans and Fortnite fighters will enjoy the markdowns on PlayStation bundles, controllers, games and more. Gamers will even discover thrilling new virtual worlds with deals on VR games. Get free shipping and returns, plus a one-year warranty on select items. Find more Black Friday Deals : PlayStation 5 Console - Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle (model group - slim) PlayStation 5 Console (model group - slim) PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle PlayStation®VR2 DualSense Wireless Controller - Chroma Indigo RECOMMENDED • mlive .com Litter Robot has Black Friday Deals; up to $100 off select bundles Nov. 20, 2024, 11:20 a.m. Nordstrom Black Friday deals: Get up to 60% or more off clearance items Nov. 21, 2024, 9:03 p.m. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Collector’s Edition – PS5 Gran Turismo 7 - PS5 Sackboy: A Big Adventure - PS5Zimmerman named Outstanding Alumnus of Army War CollegeMichigan mobile home park bills running out of time – again

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The Peoples Democratic Party has mourned the killing of 10 villagers, in Sokoto State, during military’s fight against suspected terrorists. Recall that the unfortunate incident, occurred on the 24th of December, 2024, in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities, Silame Local Government Area,. It was gathered that livestock and other properties belonging to the victims were destroyed. Reacting to the development on Sunday, in a statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called for an transparent, and comprehensive investigation over the incident. The opposition party sympathized with the families of the victims and called on the Federal Government to provide compensation to the bereaved while ensuring that the injured receive adequate medical care for swift recovery. The statement partly reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserates with the people of Sokoto State over the killing and injury to many civilians in the accidental airstrike by the military in pursuit of terrorists in Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa villages of Silame Local Government Area of the State. READ MORE: “Tinubu’s Economic Hardship Responsible For Ibadan Funfair Tragedy” – South-West PDP “After an analysis of the reports of the mistaken airstrike, the PDP demands an urgent system-wide investigation into the tragic incident with the view to further guarantee the protection and safety of civilians in the fight against terrorism in the country. “The PDP condolence with the families of the victims of the sad incident and urges the Federal Government to take necessary steps to compensate the families of the dead as well as ensure adequate medical attention for the speedy recovery of the wounded.”Hydrogen Generation Market to grow by USD 49.7 Billion from 2024-2028, driven by fertilizer demand and AI-driven market transformation - Technavio

Ruben Amorim warned “the storm will come” eventually as Manchester United’s head coach tried to temper expectations ahead of the trip to Arsenal. The 39-year-old has been a breath of fresh air since succeeding Erik ten Hag, with his personality and approach, coupled with promising early performances, bringing hope back to Old Trafford. Amorim has been touched by his warm welcome but repeatedly urged fans to avoid jumping the gun, having followed a draw at Ipswich with home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton. Wednesday’s trip to Arsenal is comfortably his biggest challenge yet and victory would see United move within three points of the Premier League title contenders. Put to Amorim it will be hard to manage expectations if they won in the capital, the head coach said: “I would like to say different things, but I have to say it again: the storm will come. “I don’t know if you use that expression, but we are going to have difficult moments and we will be found out in some games. “And I know that because I’m knowing my players and I know football and I follow football, so I understand the difference between the teams. “We are in the point in that we are putting simple things in the team, without training, and you feel it in this game against Everton, they change a little bit the way they were building up. “They are very good team, and we were with a lot of problems because we cannot change it by calling one thing to the captain. A midweek trip to the capital awaits 🚆 #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/1e6VrILJW3 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 3, 2024 “So, we don’t have this training, so let’s focus on each game, on the performance, what we have to improve, trying to win games. And that is the focus. “I know it’s really hard to be a Manchester United coach and say these things in press conferences. We want to win all the time. No matter what. “We are going to try to win, but we know that we are in a different point if you compare to Arsenal. “So, it is what it is and we will try to win it and we go with confidence to win, but we know that we need to play very well to win the next football match.” The trip to Arsenal is the second of nine December matches for United, who are looking to avoid suffering four straight league defeats to the Gunners for the first time. The Red Devils have not won a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium since 2017, but Amorim knows a thing or two about frustrating Mikel Arteta’s men. Arsenal thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League last week, but in 2022-23 he led the Portuguese side to a Europa League last-16 penalty triumph after a 1-1 draw in London made it 3-3 on aggregate. “Arsenal this year, they play a little bit different,” Amorim said. “They are more fluid. “For example, two years ago when we faced them with Sporting, you knew how to press because you can understand better the structure. “Now it’s more fluid with (Riccardo) Calafiori and (Jurrien) Timber in different sides. One coming inside, the other going outside. Also (Martin) Odegaard changed the team, and you can feel it during this season. “So, you can take something from that game, especially because I know so well the opponent so you can understand the weakness of that team. “But every game is different, so you take something, but you already know that you are going to face a very good team.” This hectic winter schedule means Amorim sidestepped talk of January transfer business ahead of facing Arsenal, although he was more forthcoming on Amad Diallo’s future. The 22-year-old, who put in a man of the match display in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Everton, is out of contract at the end of the season, although the club holds an option to extend by a year. Diallo has repeatedly spoken of his desire to stay at United and it has been reported an agreement is close. Amorim said: “I think he wants to stay, and we want him to stay. So that is clear and we will find a solution.”fish eye casino 。

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As the Taylor Swift tour continues to captivate audiences around the world, the economic benefits for local communities are clear. With fans eagerly opening their wallets to support their favorite artist and businesses reaping the rewards of increased foot traffic, the synergy between entertainment and economics is on full display. Beyond the dollars and cents, the spirit of celebration and togetherness that permeates each tour stop leaves a meaningful impact that resonates long after the final notes have faded.5. "Examnesia": Coined from "exam" and "amnesia," this term describes the phenomenon in which students forget crucial information or concepts during an exam due to stress or anxiety. Examnesia can be a frustrating experience for students who have diligently studied but struggle to recall key details when under pressure.

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New Zealand start-ups may be missing out on about $100 million in funding annually, according to the partner of an early stage fund who leads investments alongside entrepreneurs Sir Peter Beck and Sean Simpson. “I think we could absorb about another $100m a year in that sort of high-risk capital,” Outset Ventures partner Angus Blair told Markets with Madison at its deep technology hub in Auckland that’s home to 20 start-ups. “If we don’t have that, or worse yet, go backwards, and half the funds under management in the next few years, we’re not going to be maximising our chance to get really lucky and find the next Rocket Lab.” The venture capital fund he leads alongside Beck and Simpson was about to close its second raise, collecting at least $30m from investors, including high net worth individuals and family offices. Its last raise invested in four start-ups, including Wellington’s nuclear fusion start-up OpenStar Technologies.Made in Nebraska: Manufacturing jobs in state at highest point in decades

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Title: Potential for Further Expansion of Consumption-Boosting Policies Next Year to Revitalize Market DynamicsFor many of the elderly participants, the allure of a day trip priced at 9.9 yuan seemed too good to resist. The promise of a fun-filled outing to a nearby scenic spot was a welcome opportunity for those on fixed incomes or living on modest pensions. However, what started as an exciting adventure quickly spiraled into chaos and confusion.None

In the world of coffee culture and consumer products, aesthetics, functionality, and practicality are crucial considerations. However, sometimes, even the most well-intentioned designs can lead to unforeseen controversy. This is the case with the 183.5 RMB Luckin Coffee Co-branded cup, which has recently sparked public debate due to its inability to hold hot water despite its seemingly durable appearance. The initial design intent was for the cup to be used for cold water only, but the lack of clear communication has led to frustration among consumers and raised questions about the importance of effective design communication.Angelina Jolie made a rare talk show appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , revealing she went shoeless due to a broken toe. The 49-year-old actress , who recently had trouble funding her legal battle with Brad Pitt , addressed her choice to not wear shoes during the interview. When Fallon asked about her bare feet, Jolie explained: "No, I broke my toe yesterday, and I tried to find a comfortable shoe, but I just decided to not," she said. Angelina Jolie calls on ex Brad Pitt to withdraw from Winery Lawsuit Inside Brad Pitt's bitter feud with kids from dropping his name to brutal rant "By the way, I get very nervous on talk shows. I get very uncomfortable, and I haven't done one for like, a decade. This is so not my thing," she added. The appearance marks her first late-night talk show interview since 2014. Fans took to social media to react to the actresses' appearance. One Twitter user penned: "It’s Angelina Jolie,,,,, of course, her feet are out lmfao." [sic] "WHY ARE HER FEET OUT!?" another added. One Reddit user commented: "She was literally glowing in the interview. With a broken toe mind you. Mothering harder than ever!" DON'T MISS... Angelina Jolie’s bid to toss Brad Pitt’s $350m lawsuit over vineyard rejected [NEWS] Angelina Jolie claims Brad Pitt tried to 'silence' abuse allegations with NDA [COMMENT] Angelina Jolie hired hitman to kill her at 22 - but what happened next saved her [INSIGHT] The interview comes after Jolie recently attended the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 15th Governors Awards with her son Knox, 16. Jolie continues to co-parent six children with ex-husband Brad Pitt. The couple divorced in 2016 after a two-year marriage, with Jolie recently granted full custody of their children in March.

Seibert misses an extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd in a row, 34-26 to the Cowboys