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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have handed out $40,000 in fines to two sportsbooks and a tech company for violations that included taking bets on unauthorized events, and on games that had already ended. In information made public Monday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined DraftKings $20,000. It also levied $10,000 fines on Rush Street Interactive NJ and the sports betting technology company Kambi. According to documents released by the state, Rush Street accepted 16 bets worth $1,523 in Nov. 2021 on a college basketball game between the University of North Carolina-Asheville and Tennessee Tech University after the game had already concluded with a UNC victory. Kambi told the enforcement division that a trader had failed to manually remove that game from its betting markets, saying it had stopped receiving messages from its own sports data provider due to a network connectivity error. Kambi said it has updated its guidelines and retrained its traders to prevent a recurrence. Kambi, which is based in Malta, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday. Rush Street declined comment, and DraftKings had no immediate comment Monday. DraftKings stopped using Kambi in 2021. In March 2022 Rush Street took seven bets totaling just under $2,900 on three Magic City Jai Alai games after the results were already known. Kambi told the division it experienced a connectivity issue that allowed the bets to be accepted after the games were over. An explanation of what Kambi did to address the situation was blacked out in documents released by the division. A month earlier Rush Street took 13 wagers worth $8,150 with pre-match odds on a Professional Golf Association match after the event had already begun. In this case, Kambi told the division a newly hired trader failed to enter the correct closing time time for bets on the event. The trader and a supervisor underwent retraining. DraftKings was fined for taking bets on unapproved events including Russian basketball for nine months in 2020 and 2021. It eventually voided over $61,000 in bets and returned the money to customers after being directed to do so by the state. In this case, Kambi told the division it misidentified this particular Russian basketball league as one that was approved for wagering in New Jersey. DraftKings told the state it did not catch the error, either. In 2020, DraftKings accepted 484 wagers on unapproved table tennis matches. Kambi incorrectly enabled the events for wagering without conditions required by the state, the division said. In Feb. 2022, the division said DraftKings took pre-season NFL bets involving specific players but did not give the state specific information on what information was to be included in the bets, drawing 182 wagers worth nearly $7,000 that were later voided and refunded to customers. ___ Follow Wayne Parry on X atAs authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the "recovered" patient's deterioration, the community at Medicine Valley is in mourning for the loss of 30 individuals who have succumbed to their illnesses. The rising death toll has underscored the urgency of addressing the health and safety protocols within the facility to prevent further tragedies.

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INSURGENTS REACH GATES OF CAPITALManhattan police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione , suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.”

Upon learning of the incident, Alibaba immediately activated its contingency plans to ensure the continued operation of its cloud services. Engineers and technicians worked around the clock to assess the situation, implement any necessary repairs, and verify the integrity of the data stored in the affected data center. Through this proactive approach, Alibaba was able to minimize any potential disruption to its cloud services.

OTTAWA - Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada's prime minister an "insufferable tool" on his social media platform today. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * OTTAWA - Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada's prime minister an "insufferable tool" on his social media platform today. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OTTAWA – Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada’s prime minister an “insufferable tool” on his social media platform today. Musk’s comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris’s defeat in the U.S. presidential election to an attack on women’s rights and progress. This afternoon, Trudeau met with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada’s approach to negotiations with the U.S. Canada is facing a threat of a 25 per cent tariff hike from incoming president Donald Trump, who defeated Harris in the November election. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the “Great State of Canada.” The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at his dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago, where the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women’s progress. “It shouldn’t be that way. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress,” Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. “And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly.” In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to a clip of Trudeau’s remarks, saying, “He’s such an insufferable tool. Won’t be in power for much longer.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Advertisement AdvertisementBETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced its board of directors has elected Admiral John C. Aquilino , former commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, to the board, effective today. "Admiral Aquilino's service to the nation and extensive experience in complex, global operations, including in the Indo-Pacific, will bring valuable insight to the board," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet. "His perspective as a leader and warfighter will enhance board oversight. We look forward to working with him as we continue to advance our 21st Century Security ® strategy to strengthen deterrence and create a more advanced, resilient and collaborative defense industrial base." Aquilino served as the 26th commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, responsible for all U.S. military activities in the Indo-Pacific, from 2021 until his retirement as a four-star admiral in July 2024 . His previous assignments include serving as the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet and Naval Forces Central Command, and the Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2. Commissioned in 1984 following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy , Aquilino has served as a fighter pilot in every geographic combatant command and participated in nearly every major military operation after his commissioning, including Operations Deliberate Force, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. He is also a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), Joint Forces Staff College and Harvard Kennedy School's executive education program in national and international security. Aquilino is considered an independent director under applicable rules and regulations and will serve on the Classified Business and Security Committee. About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security ® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at LockheedMartin.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lockheed-martin-elects-john-c-aquilino-to-board-of-directors-302329516.html SOURCE Lockheed MartinPune: Travelling to offbeat destinations after watching social media reels is gaining traction among city residents. City-based travel company owner Nilesh Bhansali had to go above and beyond his usual planning when a couple approached him to arrange convertibles for their trip abroad to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. "The couple planned to drive the convertibles, along with their friends and family, and make videos for social media. This request was new for me, and I had to work hard to arrange it for them as I couldn't disappoint the client," Bhansali, the owner of Devam Tours and Travels, told TOI. Similarly, another travel company agent was in for a surprise when his client requested a trip to Portofino, a small but picturesque fishing village in Italy. "The client's demand was unusual, at least for Pune, as people mainly want to go to cities like Milan or Rome. The client said they saw reels of the city made by influencers, and so wanted to visit Portofino and take videos," the agent said. According to travel companies, while destinations such as Rome, London and Switzerland remain popular, heading to smaller towns in the European countryside, along with unusual add-ons, has pushed travel firms to do a lot of research. "Indian travellers are moving away from traditional tourist hotspots and looking for unique, meaningful travel experiences. Instead of focusing on famous landmarks, they now prefer destinations offering untouched natural beauty and local attractions. Countries like Kazakhstan are becoming popular among Indian tourists. Its vast open spaces, stunning mountains, and rich nomadic traditions provide a fresh and exciting travel experience compared to the usual European or American routes," Rikant Pittie, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, told TOI. "Similarly, places like Fairbanks, Alaska, are drawing attention for their unique attractions such as the Northern Lights, indigenous cultural experiences, and adventurous activities beyond regular sightseeing. Destinations like Kyrgyzstan and Laos are also gaining popularity," he added. A representative of another city-based travel company said, "When people from here go to France, they generally travel to big cities such as Paris or Marseille. Recently, we had a group who wanted to go to Saint Tropez, a small city located in Southeastern France. In addition, they asked us if we could arrange a local camera crew for them who could make their reels, apart from videos and clicking pictures. Such destinations are not on our list, but then we have to research, look for contacts, and give the clients what they want," he said. Bhansali said the rage of the reel culture has impacted the way people travel. "People watch the reels and want to head to those destinations to make better videos. These reels give them several ideas, and they, too, want to experience the same," he told TOI. Rajeev Nagpal, an IT professional living in Hinjewadi, travelled to Thailand last month but not to Bangkok or Pattaya. "We went to places like Mae Hon Son and Hua Hin, a small but beautiful fishing village. We also went to Koh Yao Koi and enjoyed the beaches there. Next time, we are planning to visit Vietnam, and our research is already under way," he told TOI. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

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Emboldened by the view from the top of the NFC North, the Detroit Lions are out to eliminate nightmare holiday gatherings when the Chicago Bears come to town Thursday for a lunchtime division duel. The Lions (10-1) are streaking one direction, the Bears (4-7) the other in the first matchup of the season between teams on opposite ends of the division. Riding a nine-game winning streak, their longest since a 10-game streak during their first season in Detroit in 1934, the Lions are burdened by losses in their traditional Thanksgiving Day game the past seven seasons. Three of the defeats are courtesy of Chicago. The Bears and Lions get together for the 20th time on Thanksgiving -- the Bears have 11 wins -- this week in the first of two meetings between the teams in a 25-day span. Detroit goes to Soldier Field on Dec. 22. "I think there's two things," Campbell said of the Thanksgiving losing streak. "Number one -- Get a W. And it's a division win that's why this huge. Number two is because the players are going to get a couple of days off. So, they have family, friends in, it'd be nice to feel good about it when you're with everybody because it's just not real fun. It's not real fun to be around." Detroit (10-1) owns the best record in the NFC but the Lions aren't even assured of a division title. Minnesota sits one game behind them and Green Bay is two games back. The Bears (4-7) sit in last place and would likely need to run the table to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Lions have been dominant in all phases and haven't allowed a touchdown in the past 10 consecutive quarters. Detroit's offense ranks first in points per game (32.7) and second in total yardage (394.3) The Lions defense has not given up a touchdown in the last 10 quarters. Rookie placekicker Jake Bates has made all 16 of his field goal attempts, including four from 50-plus yards over the past three games. Chicago shows up in a foul mood. The Bears are saddled with a five-game losing streak and Chicago's defense has been destroyed for nearly 2,000 total yards in the last four games. The Bears failed to reach the 20-point mark four times in five outings since they last won a game. In their latest defeat, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense perked up but they lost to Minnesota in overtime, 30-27. "We have to play complementary football for us to be able to win these games," coach Matt Eberflus said. "The games we have won, we have done that. The games we have been close we've missed the mark a little bit. Over the course of the year, it's been one side or the other, this side or that side. In this league you have to be good on all sides to win. That's what we are searching for." Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The wide receiver trio of DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Romeo Odunze combined for 21 receptions and two touchdowns while tight end Cole Kmet caught seven passes. "What I've been impressed with is just how he has grown," Campbell said. "He has grown every game but these last two I really feel like he's taken off and what they're doing with him has been really good for him and he just looks very composed. He doesn't get frazzled, plays pretty fast, and he's an accurate passer, big arm, and he's got some guys that can get open for him." Detroit's banged-up secondary could be susceptible against the Bears' veteran receivers in their bid to pull off an upset on Thursday. The Lions put two defensive backs on injured reserve in the past week and top cornerback Carlton Davis isn't expected to play due to knee and thumb injuries. Detroit offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) and top returner Kalif Raymond (foot) are also expected to miss the game, though Campbell expressed optimism that running back David Montgomery (shoulder), formerly of the Bears, would play. Bears safety Elijah Hicks was listed as a DNP for Tuesday's walkthrough. --Field Level MediaOkie Sandra Evans

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The Biden-Harris White House has wished Americans a “Happy Kwanzaa” — a holiday invented in 1966 by a racist extremist who served prison time for torturing a woman. Vice President Kamala Harris — who was born just two years before the holiday’s inception — claimed in 2020 that she and her family used to gather around, “across multiple generations,” and discuss Kwanzaa’s “seven principles” — which are identical to the principles of left-wing terrorist organization Symbionese Liberation Army. Harris wrote on X in 2020 that her family’s “Kwanzaa celebrations are one of my favorite childhood memories,” garnering thousands of critical comments pointing out that the holiday’s founder, Maulana Karenga (born Ronald McKinley Everett, pictured above), was a violent radical: Despite the backlash, the White House has once again posted a “Happy Kwanzaa” message on social media: Happy Kwanzaa from the Biden-Harris Administration! Posted by The White House on Thursday, December 26, 2024 A 1971 Los Angeles Times article detailed the testimony of a victim of Karenga: Deborah Jones, who once was given the Swahili title of an African queen, said she and Gail Davis were whipped with an electrical cord and beaten with a karate baton after being ordered to remove their clothes. She testified that a hot soldering iron was placed in Miss Davis’ mouth and placed against Miss Davis’ face and that one of her own big toes was tightened in a vise. Karenga, head of “US” [which purportedly stands for United Slaves, though that is disputed], also put detergent and running hoses in their mouths, she said. They also were hit on the heads with toasters. According to a 2019 survey by AP-NORC, just 3 percent of Americans celebrate Kwanzaa — though the study has a 4-point margin of error. Theoretically, it could be less than a single percentage point, and definitely far fewer than those who celebrate traditional religious holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah around the same time of the year. Karenga set the date for Kwanzaa as December 26 to be an alternative to Christmas, declaring Christianity a “white religion” with a “white God” that black people should not celebrate. As conservative writer Ann Coulter put it, “Kwanzaa is a fake holiday invented in 1966 by black radical/FBI stooge Ron Karenga — aka Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of United Slaves, the violent nationalist rival to the Black Panthers.” She compared Karenga to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, saying it is as if he “invented a holiday called ‘Anglika,’ which he based on the philosophy of ‘Mein Kampf.'” “The United Slaves were proto-fascists, walking around in dashikis, gunning down Black Panthers,” Coulter added. To be fair, President-elect Donald Trump also wished Kwanzaa celebrators a happy holiday during his time in office — but never claimed that he celebrated it himself.

By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now National Politics | Republicans scramble to fill JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.NoneNEWTOWN, Pa., Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edelson Lechtzin LLP, a national class action law firm, is investigating claims regarding data privacy violations by American Addiction Centers, Inc. (“AAC”). AAC learned of suspicious activity on or about September 26, 2024. About American Addiction Centers, Inc. Founded in 2007, American Addiction Centers and its affiliated providers, AdCare, the Greenhouse, Desert Hope Center, Oxford Treatment Center, Recovery First, Sunrise House, River Oaks Treatment Center, and Laguna Treatment Hospital, provides comprehensive addiction treatment services. With facilities in eight states, AAC delivers personalized care designed to address substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. What happened? On or about September 26, 2024, AAC discovered that it was experiencing a cybersecurity incident. AAC initiated an investigation and engaged cybersecurity experts for assistance. On October 3, 2024, the investigation revealed that an unauthorized party had accessed data from AAC’s computer systems between September 23 and September 26, 2024. Some personal information may have been compromised during this data breach, including names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, medical record numbers, Social Security numbers, and health insurance details. More than 420,000 individuals have been affected by this incident. How can I protect my personal data? If you receive a data breach notification, you must guard against possible misuse of your personal information, including identity theft and fraud, by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for suspicious or unauthorized activity. Additionally, you should consider legal options for mitigating such risks. Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for customers who may have had their sensitive personal and patient data compromised by the AAC data breach. For more information, please contact: Marc H. Edelson, Esq. EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP 411 S. State Street, Suite N-300 Newtown, PA 18940 Phone: 844-696-7492 Email: medelson@edelson-law.com Web: www.edelson-law.com About Edelson Lechtzin LLP Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving data breaches, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft and unpaid overtime, consumer fraud, and catastrophic injuries. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions. No class has been certified in this case, so counsel does not represent you unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing now. Your ability to share in any potential future recovery does not depend on serving as lead plaintiff.

Rail Wheel Plant engr felicitatedFiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has dismissed his now former Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya over a leaked nude video. Over a week on from the earthquake, Port Vili is taking stock of the impact of last earthquake and how to best work towards infrastructure repairs and economic improvement. The Bishop of the Diocese of Vanuatu & New Caledonia, The Right Rev. James Tama, says the church has been playing a key role in disaster response efforts in Vanuatu. In Tonga, a custom exists where weddings are specifically held on the last Thursday of the year. Invasive Brown Treesnakes have wrecked havoc on Guam's wildlife. The reptilians have completely exterminated most of the native forest bird species.Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is AP college football player of the year

KAS officers should be ready to break new ground in governance, says CMWE TRIED Newport's newest wellness club. The Love Live Light Wellness Club has just opened on the riverfront in Newport. The club's founders Rico Zulkarnain and Tess Alonzi are locals from Newport having grown up in Pill and Ridgeway respectively. Mr Zulkarnain said: "Our mission from the beginning is to create a wave of wellness." Their club has a café, a separate infrared sauna and shower and 'pressotherapy' massage - a device that uses pressure to massage your legs. It is located right on the riverfront in Newport, on the eastern bank near to the Newport City Footbridge. The café serves a large variety of healthy food and drinks. I tried the pressotherapy massage and it felt amazing. I had a ginger tea and sat in front of a view across the Usk. The technology uses pulsated, sequential compression through the leg boots similar to a large blood pressure cuff, which feature air chambers that are attached to a control unit and pump. The sauna is another wellness feature at the club. Heat therapy is becoming more and more recognised for its potential health benefits. Mr Zulkarnain and Ms Alonzi, who opened their first hub in Pontcanna, Cardiff, said they wanted to set up a wellness club in Newport because it is a city close to their hearts. Their club also functions as the meeting point for a running group they have launched the café space is used as a yoga studio in the evenings. Mr Zulkarnain and Ms Alonzi wannt to open more stores and said they have noticed a demand for wellness centres. "We create an environment which encourages people to look after their health, to feel good through different types of therapy - like the sauna or pressotherapy - or through exercise like the running group or yoga," said Mr Zulkarnain. Now they have opened two centres, they want to expand further and reach more people. They are distinguishing between what they call "hubs" and "clubs". The "hubs" will be in larger places, such as in their one in Cardiff and the "clubs" will be in places that are a little smaller like Newport.

Happenings — what’s coming up in Northeast Ohio starting Dec. 27

The year 2024 has seen a remarkable surge in the stock market, with Nvidia and Palantir standing out as prominent winners, thanks to their strategic positions in the realm of artificial intelligence. Both companies have made significant strides, but which one presents a better investment opportunity now? Let’s delve into their business models, financial health, and valuation to find out. Nvidia: The AI Chip Leader Nvidia has cemented its reputation as a leader in AI-focused GPU development, largely due to its cutting-edge designs and strategic investments in technologies like its CUDA software library. This has resulted in enviable profit margins, with an operating margin reaching 62% in the recent quarter. Despite its dominance, Nvidia must navigate the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, which poses potential risks if market dynamics shift. Palantir: Harnessing Data and AI Originally established to support U.S. intelligence agencies, Palantir has expanded its capabilities to offer comprehensive data solutions across various sectors. Its suite of platforms, such as Gotham, Foundry, and their AI Platform (AIP), integrates vast data to derive actionable insights. Palantir’s model of working with a few high-value contracts gives it an edge over competitors but also comes with the challenge of defending its market positioning. Financial Showdown Nvidia’s recent revenue skyrocketed by 94% to $35.1 billion, with a notable increase in net income. Palantir also reported strong financial figures, with a 30% increase in revenue and a significant jump in profitability. However, Nvidia’s growth figures significantly outpace Palantir’s. Valuation and Verdict Evaluating their positions, Palantir’s valuations appear inflated with a high price-to-earnings ratio, making it a riskier choice. Nvidia’s growth prospects, combined with more moderate valuations, make it a more appealing buy for investors seeking exposure to AI advancements. Nvidia vs. Palantir: Unveiling the Ultimate AI Investment for 2024 In the bustling stock market of 2024, Nvidia and Palantir have emerged as frontrunners, each capitalizing on artificial intelligence’s explosive growth. As investors seek to determine which of these AI titans offers the best potential, understanding their unique features, market advantages, and potential pitfalls is crucial. Unraveling Nvidia’s Technological Edge Nvidia’s dominance in the AI sector is largely due to its superior GPU technology and associated software ecosystems. The introduction of innovations in its CUDA software library has further entrenched Nvidia as a leader in AI processing. Significantly, Nvidia’s GPUs are driving advancements in deep learning, autonomous vehicles, and even the metaverse, fortifying its market position. A closer look at Nvidia highlights the company’s dedication to sustainability, as seen in their environmentally conscious GPU production practices and energy-efficient designs, appealing to an increasingly eco-aware market. Exploring Palantir’s Unique AI Offerings Palantir distinguishes itself with a robust array of AI-driven data analytics platforms, especially Gotham and Foundry. Its strength lies in synthesizing immense datasets to deliver precise, actionable insights for various industries, including healthcare, finance, and government sectors. Recent innovations focus on enhancing their AI-driven decision-making capabilities, providing clients with real-time strategic insights. Palantir’s capacity to offer customer-specific solutions creates a strong differentiation from competitors, positioning the company as a niche leader. Financial Health and Market Dynamics Nvidia’s financial strength is undisputed, with a stellar revenue increase of 94%, reflecting the demand for AI-driven solutions across industries. In contrast, Palantir’s 30% revenue boost signifies its solid position but also hints at slower growth relative to Nvidia. One of Nvidia’s advantages is its prudent financial management, translating into better operating margins amidst semiconductor industry fluctuations. Meanwhile, Palantir’s financial strategies rely heavily on acquiring lucrative, high-value contracts, ensuring steady, although potentially less rapid growth. Valuations and Investor Outlook From a valuation perspective, Nvidia’s moderate pricing relative to growth potential makes it a compelling choice for investors focusing on AI industry expansion. Palantir’s high price-to-earnings ratio indicates market speculation and investment risk, especially if financial growth does not meet expectations. Future trends suggest Nvidia’s continuous innovation in AI technology will further cement its market leadership. Conversely, Palantir’s advancements in data-driven AI platforms resonate with organizations prioritizing strategic intelligence over sheer technical prowess. Conclusion: Which to Choose? For investors, the decision between Nvidia and Palantir hinges on risk tolerance and investment goals. Nvidia offers growth stability and expansive AI applications, appealing to those wary of market volatility. Palantir suits those looking for niche, high-value AI offerings despite the valuation risks. Ultimately, keeping an eye on industry trends and each company’s strategic moves will be vital for potential investors aiming to maximize returns in the AI-driven landscape of 2024. For more insights on AI and innovations in tech, visit the official Palantir and Nvidia websites.NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump used his image as a successful New York businessman to become a celebrity, a reality television star and eventually the president. Now he will get to revel in one of the most visible symbols of success in the city when he rings the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday as he's also named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Trump is expected to be on Wall Street to mark the ceremonial start of the day's trading, according to four people with knowledge of his plans. He will also be announced Thursday as Time's 2024 Person of the Year , according to a person familiar with the selection. The people who confirmed the stock exchange appearance and Time award were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. It will be a notable moment of twin recognitions for Trump, a born-and-bred New Yorker who at times has treated the stock market as a measure of public approval and has long-prized signifiers of his success in New York's business world and his appearances on the covers of magazines — especially Time. Trump was named the magazine's Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. He had already been listed as a finalist for this year's award alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, X owner Elon Musk, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate, the Princess of Wales. Time declined to confirm the selection ahead of Thursday morning's announcement. “Time does not comment on its annual choice for Person of the Year prior to publication,” a spokesperson for the magazine said Wednesday. The ringing of the bell is a powerful symbol of U.S. capitalism — and a good New York photo opportunity at that. Despite his decades as a New York businessman, Trump has never done it before. It was unclear whether Trump, a Republican, would meet with New York's embattled mayor, Democrat Eric Adams , who has warmed to Trump and has not ruled out changing his political party. Adams has been charged with federal corruption crimes and accused of selling influence to foreign nationals; he has denied wrongdoing. Trump himself was once a symbol of New York, but he gave up living full-time in his namesake Trump Tower in Manhattan and moved to Florida after leaving the White House. CNN first reported Wednesday Trump’s visit to the stock exchange and Politico reported that Trump was expected to be unveiled as Time's Person of the Year. The stock exchange regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the ceremonial opening and closing of trading. During Trump’s first term, his wife, Melania Trump, rang the bell to promote her “Be Best” initiative on children’s well-being. Last year, Time CEO Jessica Sibley rang the opening bell to unveil the magazine's 2023 Person of the Year: Taylor Swift . After the Nov. 5 election, the S&P 500 rallied 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,508 points, or 3.6%, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 3%. All three indexes topped records they had set in recent weeks. The U.S. stock market has historically tended to rise regardless of which party wins the White House, with Democrats scoring bigger average gains since 1945. But Republican control could mean big shifts in the winning and losing industries underneath the surface, and investors are adding to bets built earlier on what the higher tariffs, lower tax rates and lighter regulation that Trump favors will mean. Trump has long courted the business community based on his own status as a wealthy real estate developer who gained additional fame as the star of the TV show “The Apprentice” in which competitors tried to impress him with their business skills. He won the election in part by tapping into Americans' deep anxieties about an economy that seemed unable to meet the needs of the middle class. The larger business community has applauded his promises to reduce corporate taxes and cut regulations. But there are also concerns about his stated plans to impose broad tariffs and possibly target companies that he sees as not aligning with his own political interests. Trump spends the bulk of his time at his Florida home but was in New York for weeks this spring during his hush money trial there. He was convicted, but his lawyers are pushing for the case to be thrown out in light of his election. While he spent hours in a Manhattan courthouse every day during his criminal trial, Trump took his presidential campaign to the streets of the heavily Democratic city, holding a rally in the Bronx and popping up at settings for working-class New Yorkers: a bodega, a construction site and a firehouse. Trump returned to the city in September to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Manhattan tower and again in the final stretch of the presidential campaign when he held a rally at Madison Square Garden that drew immediate blowback as speakers made rude and racist insults and incendiary remarks . At the stock exchange, the ringing of the bell has been a tradition since the 1800s. The first guest to do it was a 10-year-old boy named Leonard Ross, in 1956, who won a quiz show answering questions about the stock market. Many times, companies listing on the exchange would ring the bell at 9:30 a.m. to commemorate their initial offerings as trading began. But the appearances have become an important marker of culture and politics -- something that Trump hopes to seize as he’s promised historic levels of economic growth. The anti-apartheid advocate and South African President Nelson Mandela rang the bell, as has Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone with his castmates from the film “The Expendables.” So, too, have the actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jeremy Renner for an “Avengers” movie and the Olympians Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. In 1985, Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to ring the bell. “With tax reform and budget control, our economy will be free to expand to its full potential, driving the bears back into permanent hibernation,” Reagan said at the time. “We’re going to turn the bull loose.” The crowd of traders on the floor chanted, “Ronnie! Ronnie! Ronnie!” The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed in 1985 and 1986, but it suffered a decline in October 1987 in an event known as “Black Monday.” Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Josh Boak in Washington contributed to this report.Nonefortune ox slot demo 。

Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Meta social media and messaging services Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp appear to be recovering after they suffered major outages around the world, with some Australians waking up to find themselves unable to log in or make new posts. Online outage detector website Downdetector showed a spike in reported problems with Meta’s four social platforms since 5am AEDT, as Australians started to wake up and attempt to log in. Copy link Copied Copy link Copied Subscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Already a subscriber? Login Introducing your Newsfeed Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. Latest In Technology Fetching latest articles Most Viewed In Technology

WASHINGTON--President-elect Donald Trump has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to pause implementation of a law that would ban popular social media app TikTok or force its sale, arguing he should have time after taking office to pursue a "political resolution" to the issue. The court is set to hear arguments in the case on Jan. 10. The law would require TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform to an American company or face a ban. The U.S. Congress voted in April to ban it unless ByteDance sells the app by Jan. 19. TikTok, which has over 170 million U.S. users, and its parent have sought to have the law struck down. But if the court does not rule in their favour and no divestment occurs, the app could be effectively banned in the United States on Jan. 19, one day before Trump takes office. Trump's support for TikTok is a reversal from 2020, when he tried to block the app in the United States and force its sale to American companies because of its Chinese ownership. It also shows the significant effort by the company to forge inroads with Trump and his team during the presidential campaign. "President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute," said D. John Sauer, Trump's lawyer who is also the president-elect's pick for U.S. solicitor general. "Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act's deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump's incoming administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case," he added. Trump previously met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in December, hours after the president-elect expressed he had a "warm spot" for the app and that he favored allowing TikTok to keep operating in the United States for at least a little while. The president-elect also said he had received billions of views on the social media platform during his presidential campaign. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has previously said the Justice Department has misstated its ties to China, arguing its content recommendation engine and user data are stored in the United States on cloud servers operated by Oracle Corp while content moderation decisions that affect U.S. users are made in the United States as well. Free speech advocates separately told the Supreme Court on Friday the U.S. law against TikTok evokes the censorship regimes put in place by the United States' authoritarian enemies. The U.S. Justice Department has argued Chinese control of TikTok poses a continuing threat to national security, a position supported by most U.S. lawmakers. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 22 attorneys general on Friday in filing an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to uphold the national TikTok divest-or-ban legislation.HDPE Containers Market to Generate New Growth Opportunities Based on Forecast for 2024-2031 | Veritiv Corporation, Berry Global Inc., Thermofisher Scientific Inc 11-27-2024 09:10 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: DataM Intelligence 4 Market Research LLP HDPE Containers Market The HDPE Containers Market study by DataM Intelligence offer an in-depth analysis of the market, presenting insightful observations, statistics, historical data, and industry-validated market insights. The report delves into the competitive positioning of key companies, examining factors such as product offerings, pricing strategies, financial health, product portfolios, growth initiatives, and geographical reach. Download a Free sample PDF (Use Corporate email ID to Get Higher Priority) at: - https://datamintelligence.com/download-sample/hdpe-containers-market What is the projected growth rate (CAGR) of the Global HDPE Containers market from 2024 to 2031, and what is the market value expected to change by 2031? The Global HDPE Containers Market reached US$ 55.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 67.5 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period 2024-2031. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) containers are rigid, durable, and versatile packaging solutions made from HDPE plastic, known for its strength, chemical resistance, and lightweight properties. These containers are commonly used in industries such as food and beverage, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. HDPE containers offer excellent protection against moisture and contaminants, making them ideal for storing liquids, powders, and other materials. They are also recyclable, making them a more eco-friendly option compared to other plastics. Due to their robust nature, HDPE containers are often used for products like milk jugs, detergent bottles, and storage drums. List of the Key Players in the HDPE Containers Market: Veritiv Corporation, Berry Global Inc., Thermofisher Scientific Inc., O. Berk Company, Kaufman Container, CL Smith, Parker Plastics, Pretium Packaging, Vivek Polymer, Graham Blowpack Pvt. Ltd. Research Process: Both primary and secondary data sources have been used in the global HDPE Containers Market research report. During the research process, a wide range of industry-affecting factors are examined, including governmental regulations, market conditions, competitive levels, historical data, market situation, technological advancements, upcoming developments, in related businesses, as well as market volatility, prospects, potential barriers, and challenges. Segment Covered in the HDPE Containers Market: By Type: Bottles, Jars, Cups & Bowls,Drums, Cans, Others By Capacity: Upto 200 ml, 200-500 ml, 500-1000 ml, 1000 ml & Above By End-User: Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Industrial, Others Regional Breakout: The global HDPE Containers Market report focuses on six major regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Get Discounts on Premium Report:- https://www.datamintelligence.com/buy-now-page?report=hdpe-containers-market Regional Analysis: The global HDPE Containers Market report focuses on six major regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The report offers detailed insight into new product launches, new technology evolutions, innovative services, and ongoing R&D. The report discusses a qualitative and quantitative market analysis, including PEST analysis, SWOT analysis, and Porter's five force analysis. The HDPE Containers Market report also provides fundamental details such as raw material sources, distribution networks, methodologies, production capacities, industry supply chain, and product specifications. **The full version of the report includes an in-depth analysis of emerging players and startups, which will provide valuable insights into the evolving market landscape and key strategies being adopted** Chapter Outline: ⏩ Market Overview: It contains chapter wise data, as well as information about the research scope, major manufacturers covered, market segments, HDPE Containers market segments, study objectives, and years considered. ⏩ Market Landscape: The competition in the Global HDPE Containers Market is evaluated here in terms of value, turnover, revenues, and market share by organization, as well as market rate, competitive landscape, and recent developments, transaction, growth, sale, and market shares of top companies. ⏩ Companies Profiles: The global HDPE Containers market's leading players are studied based on sales, main products, gross profit margin, revenue, price, and growth production. ⏩ Market Outlook by Region: The report goes through gross margin, sales, income, supply, market share, CAGR, and market size by region in this segment. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America are among the regions and countries studied in depth in this study. ⏩ Market Segments: It contains the deep research study which interprets how different end-user/application/type segments contribute to the HDPE Containers Market. ⏩ Market Forecast: Production Side: In this part of the report, the authors have focused on production and production value forecast, key producers forecast, and production and production value forecast by type. ⏩ Research Findings: This section of the report showcases the findings and analysis of the report. ⏩ Conclusion: This portion of the report is the last section of the report where the conclusion of the research study is provided. Get Customization in the report as per your requirements:- https://datamintelligence.com/customize/hdpe-containers-market Frequently Asked Questions ✹ What is the expected growth rate of the global market for the forecast period? ✹ What are the key driving factors that are responsible to shape the fate of the HDPE Containers market during the forecast period? ✹ What will be the overall size of the market during the analysis period? ✹ What are the prominent market trends which influence the development of the HDPE Containers market across various regions? ✹ Who are the key market players and the market strategies that have helped them to secure the leading position in the global market? ✹ What are the challenges and threats that are likely to act as a barrier to the growth of the HDPE Containers market? ✹ What are the major opportunities that the companies can get to attain success in the world? Contact Us - Company Name: DataM Intelligence Contact Person: Sai Kiran Email: Sai.k@datamintelligence.com Phone: +1 877 441 4866 Website: https://www.datamintelligence.com About Us - DataM Intelligence is a Market Research and Consulting firm that provides end-to-end business solutions to organizations from Research to Consulting. We, at DataM Intelligence, leverage our top trademark trends, insights and developments to emancipate swift and astute solutions to clients like you. We encompass a multitude of syndicate reports and customized reports with a robust methodology. Our research database features countless statistics and in-depth analyses across a wide range of 6300+ reports in 40+ domains creating business solutions for more than 200+ companies across 50+ countries; catering to the key business research needs that influence the growth trajectory of our vast clientele. This release was published on openPR.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Chase Robinson had 16 points in Cleveland State's 78-64 victory over Wright State on Sunday night. Robinson shot 6 of 9 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 4 from the line for the Vikings (9-6, 3-1 Horizon League). Dylan Arnett added 14 points while shooting 6 of 9 from the field and also had seven rebounds. Tevin Smith had 12 points and shot 4 for 10 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line. Brandon Noel finished with 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks for the Raiders (7-8, 1-3). Jack Doumbia added 19 points and three blocks for Wright State. Michael Imariagbe had nine points and seven rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None

NoneIt been over fifty days since President-Elect Donald Trump destroyed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. But, over on Bluesky it is still Election Day. They just can not accept she lost and refuse to move on. It’s like the movie Groundhog Day, but no one is learning the lessons needed to break out of the eternal loop of denial. That totally explains what’s happening to Washington Post columnist, Jen Rubin, and other critters like her trapped in Bluesky’s amber. Posters on X have noticed. (READ) Libs on Blooosky are like bugs frozen in amber. Every day is November 5, 2024. They’re never going to get over it. pic.twitter.com/lG17iN19uW Many posters couldn’t get over Rubin’s use of ‘muscular progressivism’ considering that the movement is mostly powered by soy and estrogen. Juxtaposing the words "progressivism" and "muscular" is an interesting choice. Muscular progressivism sounds like a neurological disorder. “Muscular progressivism” LOL The progressive was so muscular that she ducked media, interviews, debates. “Muscular progressivism” I thought she was the “conservative columnist” at the WA Post? 😂 Rubin’s a lot of things, but ‘conservative’ is not one of them. In word and practice, she’s something entirely different, but some commenters still question if it’s all just an act for clicks. Jen Rubin seemed like a thoughtful columnist until her delusions and derangement became apparent for the world to see. Was she a mentor to Taylor Lorenz by chance? Do you think she actually believes this stuff, or is she just saying the words to keep her people clicking? It’s just “hey let me post some bulls**t to make my team feel good and get likes.” LOL Jen Rubin is the gift that keeps on giving. I’d like to buy stock in her neighborhood pharmacy as we enter into the next 4 years Actually, she’s the ‘grift’ that keeps on giving. Some have compared users on Bluesky to bugs forever trapped in amber. Others say it’s more like the eternal, repetitious battle in Valhalla from Norse mythology. They put themselves in their own crystals. They, truly, “did the work.” Thx, libs! Yeah, the Tyler Harper comment calling it Lib Vallhalla was right on the money. They're just going to fight the same battle over and over for eternity. que mierdalib es? pic.twitter.com/rVGWe076F8 Eternal November. Nov 5th but with a 5% drop in user base each week If you want to visit a place frozen in time and filled with people who all agree with each other, then Bluesky is the place to be. If you want to debate the present and the future you’ll have better luck on X. They’re way past Election Day there.

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PIAF calls for announcing robust economic strategiesAmericans have high expectations of what it means to be financially successful but many of them do not expect to meet their desired level of success, according to a survey by financial planning company Empower. In terms of net worth, the threshold is at $5.3 million. Amid high expectations, almost half of the respondents said they will never achieve the success level set for themselves. Currently, just above one-third consider themselves to be financially successful. A significant number of respondents said they were never or will ever be in a better financial position than their parents. The state of the economy and insufficient or irregular incomes were cited by respondents as major challenges to achieving their desired level of success. Other factors include not knowing how to manage finances, not having clear financial goals, overspending, debts, and delaying financial planning. The financial situation for a majority of adults worsened compared to the previous year because of changes in the prices of goods and services, the report said. “Higher-income households may have bought larger, more expensive, homes and consequently have bigger mortgages. And often along with bigger homes come bigger insurance costs, property taxes, and utility bills,” the report said. During his election campaign, former President Donald Trump vowed to tackle inflation. “Republicans will unleash energy production from all sources, including nuclear, to immediately slash Inflation and power American homes, cars, and factories with reliable, abundant, and affordable energy,” states the GOP 2024 platform document. Other proposals include reining in wasteful federal spending and cutting down costly and burdensome regulations. Republicans also aim to stop illegal border crossings into the United States and deport illegal immigrants. Open border policies have resulted in driving up the cost of housing, health care, and education for Americans, the document states, suggesting that tackling the immigration crisis would contribute to lowering inflation as well. McLaughlin said deporting illegal immigrants could “severely hurt the labor supply needed for new homebuilding since up to a third of residential construction employment consists of foreign-born workers.” In the long run, the “broader economy” could end up getting negatively affected, he said.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Josh Norris broke a tie on a power play with 7:18 left, Leevi Merilainen made 30 saves in his fifth NHL game and the Ottawa Senators beat the Minnesota Wild 3-1 on Sunday night. Ottawa has won seven of its past nine games, while the Wild have lost five of their past seven. The Senators won in Minnesota for the first time since 2016. With starter Linus Ullmark and backup Anton Forsberg out with injuries, the Senators have been relying on Merilainen and Mads Sogaard since before the NHL holiday break. Frederick Gaudreau opened the scoring for Minnesota late in the first period. Ridly Greig tied it early in the second. Claude Giroux added an empty-netter. Takeaways Senators: A team that finds itself surprisingly in a playoff position after missing the postseason the past six seasons topped a Western Conference contender in Minnesota. Norris has been a big part of the Senators' surge and now ranks second on the team with 14 goals. Wild: A lower-body injury kept Kirill Kaprizov out of his second straight game, but Joel Eriksson Ek returned after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury. The Wild are 17-5-4 with Eriksson Ek in the lineup and 5-6-0 without him. Key moment The Wild killed one penalty midway through the third, but Jared Spurgeon went to the box seconds later on a holding call. Norris scored on the power play. Up next The Senators’ nine-game trip continues Thursday at Dallas night. The Wild host Nashville on Tuesday night. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlMocha Mousse and the real value of brown foods

Representational image US Universities Expand Tuition-Free Programs: Higher education in the United States is notoriously expensive, leaving many families burdened with debt or unable to afford college at all. While scholarships and grants help some students, they often cater to only a select segment of the population. Recently, a growing trend among top universities has focused on comprehensive tuition waivers aimed at making college more accessible for a broader range of students who are both deserving and in financial need. This week, five prominent universities announced tuition-free programs designed to reduce financial barriers for undergraduates from low- and middle-income families. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025 Live: CSK snatch Ravindra via RTM after Pant, Iyer become most expensive buys IPL 2025 Auction LIVE: Updated Full Team Squads IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom Spanning public and private institutions across multiple states, these initiatives underscore a nationwide push for affordability. Starting in 2025, these programs will provide significant financial relief to families, helping to ensure that cost isn’t a roadblock to higher education. Here's a closer look at how these programs work and what they mean for eligible students. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MIT is expanding its already generous financial aid program. Starting next fall, students from families earning less than $200,000 annually will qualify for tuition-free education, an increase from the current threshold of $140,000. Families earning under $100,000 will receive full financial coverage, including tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses—essentially making MIT cost-free. Currently, 35% of MIT undergraduates pay no tuition, and this expansion is expected to benefit an even larger proportion of students. University of Texas System Beginning in the fall of 2025, the University of Texas (UT) System will waive tuition and mandatory fees for students from families earning $100,000 or less annually. This new policy will apply to all nine UT academic institutions, unifying the varying financial aid programs previously in place across the system. By creating a universal income threshold, the UT System aims to provide consistent and accessible opportunities for students regardless of which campus they attend. Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is launching its CMU Pathway program in the 2025–26 academic year, offering tuition-free education to students from families earning $75,000 or less. Additionally, families earning up to $100,000 will benefit from substantial aid, ensuring that most students within this income range can attend without taking on significant student loans. This marks CMU’s commitment to making higher education attainable for a more diverse student body. Brandeis University Brandeis University, a private research institution near Boston, is also stepping up its financial aid. Starting in fall 2025, undergraduates from families earning less than $75,000 will receive grants and scholarships covering their full tuition. Families earning up to $200,000 will see a 50% tuition reduction. This initiative targets affordability while maintaining Brandeis’ commitment to fostering a supportive academic environment for students from varied economic backgrounds. University of Massachusetts (UMass) System The UMass System plans to enhance its existing financial aid offerings by fully covering tuition costs for high-need families earning $75,000 or less. Currently, this applies to 92% of eligible students, and the new initiative aims to close the gap for the remaining 8%. Eligible students must be Massachusetts residents, enrolled full-time, and pursuing an on-campus undergraduate degree. The program will span all UMass campuses, including Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell. Quick overview: Tuition-Free Programs at US Universities — Benefits and Eligibility University Benefits Eligibility Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Tuition-free education for families earning

Daily Post Nigeria Nigeria’s renewable energy sector open for German businesses — Tinubu Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Nigeria’s renewable energy sector open for German businesses — Tinubu Published on December 11, 2024 By Williams Anuku President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday assured German businesses of Nigeria’s readiness to fully implement existing pacts to ease investment in renewable energy, youth skill development and industrial growth. Speaking during the visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Tinubu highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at fostering a business-friendly environment and attracting foreign investment. These include import duty waivers for machinery, decentralisation of power generation and active foreign exchange reforms. “We have an open-door policy; ease of entry, ease of exit,” Tinubu said during the press conference that followed closed-door talks, emphasising the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks in establishing businesses. He explained: “We have an open-door policy. What do I mean by that? There is no longer bureaucracy in establishing your business. We have tax reforms that are private-sector friendly. “We have import duty waivers for machinery. We have so many other incentives that we will help establish private businesses. That I can assure you. We are removing the bureaucracy. “We have a reform in the foreign exchange market, and it’s very active. We’ve aligned our petroleum industry with the world standard practice of production and consumption.” Both presidents also discussed ways to improve the people-to-people relationships between both countries. Tinubu revealed: “It was a very good bilateral discussion. I could see from the previous meeting earlier today that our businessmen and policymakers are very anxious to do business with Germany. “Mine is to continue to assure you that our business doors are open and reforms are working very well. We plan to strengthen the relationship and build a fulfilling and rewarding partnership between the two countries, people-to-people relationships, and government-to-government facilitation of opportunities and prosperity.” He noted Nigeria’s potential as a major gas producer and its abundant renewable energy resources, such as solar power, which can be harnessed through German technology for rural electrification. “While we are equally promoting the possibility of alternative energy sources, we pride ourselves on being one of the largest gas producers. “What we need to do has been discussed, and we need to strengthen the partnership for the utilisation of energy as a source of supply and promotion of additional incremental value in business opportunities for Nigeria and Germany. We’ve discussed that,” said Tinubu. In electricity, the Nigerian leader warned that though Siemens Energy is “working very hard” to fulfil its part of the partnership, Nigerians should not expect a “magical response” as the existing power infrastructure is decades old. “Nigeria, being a nation in a hurry, wants a magical response. But don’t forget, those transmission lines are about 50 to 60 years old. “The snags are what we are trying to improve and reduce the possibility of problems. We are doing that. I’ve signed a reform that decentralised the power distribution and generation in the country. The states and various subsectors and subnationals can generate their power and distribute it; they are working on it all. “We have German businesses who are promoting alternative sources of energy, and they are here. We have the sun; they have the technology. I think we can utilise that for rural electrification; as mentioned earlier on, we can use the various dams that are not effective. We assure you that we will put these dams to use for the benefit of our people,” Tinubu said. His comment comes just as the national grid collapsed on Wednesday, the 12th time in 2024. The President also underscored the importance of youth training, solid minerals, and industrial partnerships in advancing Nigeria’s development agenda. Related Topics: Renewable energy Tinubu Don't Miss Abia Assembly lawmaker says Speaker not facing impeachment You may like North-West stakeholders urge Tinubu to reconsider SMDF/PAGMI Executive Secretary appointment Mali, Niger, Burkina-Faso military juntas reluctant to set up electoral programmes — Tinubu German President Steinmeier, Tinubu In closed door meeting at Presidential Villa South East APC asks Tinubu to reverse appointments in SEDC Northern CSOs back Tinubu’s tax reform bills Southern Reps declare support for Tinubu’s tax reform bills Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdKemi Badenoch 'not the PR for Nigeria' and 'stands by' comments on country after criticism - Sky News

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NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Wenkers Wright ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Illinois State knocked off North Dakota for the first time, 35-13 in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday. The Redbirds are 9-2 (6-2 Missouri Valley Conference) and are looking to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019 and sixth time in Brock Spack's 16 seasons as head coach. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Israel strikes kill 52 in Lebanon as Hezbollah targets south Israel

Atletico Madrid to rival Tottenham for La Liga starfortuner q black 2024 。

NoneNEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, t-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. "Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you," Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's Disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be." Brook 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. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96Second Half Financial Partners LLC Sells 6,634 Shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)

Manhattan police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione , suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . Mangione was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, while carrying a gun, mask and writings linking him to the ambush. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Here's the latest: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says “violence to combat any sort of corporate greed is unacceptable” and the White House will “continue to condemn any form of violence.” She declined to comment on the investigation into the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson or reports that writings belonging to the suspect, Luigi Mangione, said insurance companies care more about profits than their customers. “This is horrific,” Jean-Pierre said of the fatal shooting of Thompson as he walked in Manhattan. He didn’t appear to say anything as deputies led him to a waiting car outside. “I’m deeply grateful to the men and women of law enforcement whose efforts to solve the horrific murder of Brian Thompson led to the arrest of a suspect in Pennsylvania,” Gov. Hochul said in the statement. “I am coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office and will sign a request for a governor’s warrant to ensure this individual is tried and held accountable. Public safety is my top priority and I’ll do everything in my power to keep the streets of New York safe.” That’s according to a spokesperson for the governor who said Gov. Hochul will do it as soon as possible. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation’s top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. ▶ Read more about Luigi Mangione Peter Weeks, the Blair County district attorney, says he’ll work with New York officials to try to return suspect Luigi Mangione there to face charges. Weeks said the New York charges are “more serious” than in Blair County. “We believe their charges take precedent,” Weeks said, promising to do what’s needed to accommodate New York’s prosecution first. Weeks spoke to reporters after a brief hearing at which a defense lawyer said Mangione will fight extradition. The defense asked for a hearing on the issue. In the meantime, Mangione will be detained at a state prison in western Pennsylvania. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office said Tuesday it will seek a Governor’s warrant to secure Mangione’s extradition to Manhattan. Under state law, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul can issue a warrant of arrest demanding Mangione’s return to the state. Such a warrant must recite the facts necessary to the validity of its issuance and be sealed with the state seal. It would then be presented to law enforcement in Pennsylvania to expedite Mangione’s return to New York. But Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says it won’t be a substantial barrier to returning Mangione to New York. He noted that defendants contest extradition “all the time,” including in simple retail theft cases. Dickey, his defense lawyer, questioned whether the second-degree murder charge filed in New York might be eligible for bail under Pennsylvania law, but prosecutors raised concerns about both public safety and Mangione being a potential flight risk, and the judge denied it. Mangione will continue to be housed at a state prison in Huntingdon. He has 14 days to challenge the detention. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have a month to seek a governor’s warrant out of New York. Mangione, wearing an orange jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair, or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion, but was quieted by his lawyer. Luigi Mangione, 26, has also been denied bail at a brief court hearing in western Pennsylvania. He has 14 days to challenge the bail decision. That’s with some intervention from owner Elon Musk. The account, which hasn’t posted since June, was briefly suspended by X. But after a user inquired about it in a post Monday, Musk responded “This happened without my knowledge. Looking into it.” The account was later reinstated. Other social media companies such as Meta have removed his accounts. According to X rules, the platform removes “any accounts maintained by individual perpetrators of terrorist, violent extremist, or mass violent attacks, as well as any accounts glorifying the perpetrator(s), or dedicated to sharing manifestos and/or third party links where related content is hosted.” Mangione is not accused of perpetrating a terrorist or mass attack — he has been charged with murder — and his account doesn’t appear to share any writings about the case. He shouted something that was partly unintelligible, but referred to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people.” He’s there for an arraignment on local charges stemming from his arrest Monday. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as officers led him from a vehicle into the courthouse. Local defense lawyer Thomas Dickey is expected to represent the 26-year-old at a Tuesday afternoon hearing at the Blair County Courthouse. Dickey declined comment before the hearing. Mangione could have the Pennsylvania charges read aloud to him and may be asked to enter a plea. They include possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. In New York, he was charged late Monday with murder in the death of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain with corporate greed, said a a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s hand-written notes and social media postings. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. A felony warrant filed in New York cites Altoona Officer Christy Wasser as saying she found the writings along with a semi-automatic pistol and an apparent silencer. The filing echoes earlier statements from NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny who said Mangione had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” Mangione is now charged in Pennsylvania with being a fugitive of justice. A customer at the McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where Mangione was arrested said one of his friends had commented beforehand that the man looked like the suspect wanted for the shooting in New York City. “It started out almost a little bit like a joke, my one friend thought he looked like the shooter,” said the customer, who declined to give his full name, on Tuesday. “It wasn’t really a joke, but we laughed about it,” he added. The warrant on murder and other charges is a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. In court papers made public Tuesday, a New York City police detective reiterated key findings in the investigation he said tied Mangione to the killing, including surveillance footage and a fake ID he used to check into a Manhattan hostel on Nov. 24. Police officers in Altoona, Pennsylvania, found that ID when they arrested Mangione on Monday. Mangione is being held without bail in Pennsylvania on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors charged him with five counts, including murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a forged instrument. Mangione doesn’t yet have a lawyer who can speak on his behalf, court officials said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and ski cap. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. Mangione’s cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione, announced Tuesday morning that he’s postponing a fundraiser planned later this week at the Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore, which was purchased by the Mangione family in 1986. “Because of the nature of this terrible situation involving my Cousin I do not believe it is appropriate to hold my fundraising event scheduled for this Thursday at Hayfields,” Nino Mangione said in a social media post. “I want to thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. My family and I are heartbroken and ask that you remember the family of Mr. Thompson in your prayers. Thank you.” Officers used New York City’s muscular surveillance system . Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door to door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later , those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian’s instincts. A customer at a McDonald’s restaurant in Pennsylvania noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos New York police had publicized. He remains jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late Monday evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. It’s unclear whether Luigi Nicholas Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday’s arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.”

New Delhi, Dec 26 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of former PM Manmohan Singh, who passed away here in the AIIMS at the age of 92. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years. His interventions in Parliament were also insightful. As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives." Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, renowned economist and architect of India’s economic reforms, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here following a deterioration in his health. The news of Dr. Singh's death has been confirmed by the AIIMS in a statement that read: "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh aged 92. He was being treated for age related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 p.m." Dr. Singh had been admitted for treatment in the hospital on Thursday night after being critically ill. Dr. Singh, who served as the country’s Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was known for his transformative role in steering India’s economy through a period of significant liberalisation. His tenure is often credited for initiating major economic reforms in 1991 when he was the finance minister, which helped modernise India's economy and integrate it into the global market. A man of humility and intellect, Dr. Singh was a respected figure both in India and globally. Under his leadership, India saw consistent economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening the country’s position on the world stage. His government was also known for implementing crucial legislation in areas such as education, food security, and information. Dr. Singh’s death has left the nation in mourning, with leaders from all political parties and across the world paying tribute to his legacy. His contributions to the field of economics and public service will be remembered for generations. He is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon, with the nation’s leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to participate in honouring his memory. Dr. Singh's death marks the end of an era in Indian politics. His leadership and legacy will continue to inspire future generations. In April this year, Manmohan Singh retired from Rajya Sabha, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge praising his long parliamentary career.

COLUMBIA –Six players from the University of South Carolina football squad earned spots on the Coaches’ All-SEC teams, the Southeastern Conference office announced today. Included were three players who garnered first-team honors. South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori, right, tackles Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) after a short gain during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.) Representing South Carolina on the first-team were defensive lineman Kyle Kennard, defensive back Nick Emmanwori and punter Kai Kroeger. Running back Raheim Sanders was the Gamecocks’ lone selection by the coaches to the second team unit, while quarterback LaNorris Sellers and offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III earned third-team honors. Kennard, a 6-5, 254-pound senior from Atlanta, Ga. who was named the Nagurski Trophy winner Monday night, posted 15.5 tackles for loss including 11.5 sacks during the 2024 season. Both marks led the Southeastern Conference, and his sack total ranked sixth in the nation. He was also credited with 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Emmanwori, a 6-3, 227-pound junior from Irmo, S.C., led the Gamecocks with 83 tackles, 10th in the SEC this season, including 3.0 tackles for loss. He logged an SEC-leading four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Kroeger, a 6-4, 213-pound senior from Lake Forest, Ill., returns to the first-team All-SEC squad after a one-year hiatus. A 2022 All-American, Kroeger led the SEC and ranked third in the country in punting average at 47.6-yards per punt, with 18 punts of 50 yards or more, including a long of 75 yards. He had 18 of his 45 punts land inside the 20-yard line with just six touchbacks. Sanders, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Rockledge, Fla., also had a bounce-back season. A 2022 All-SEC first-team selection, Sanders was sidelined for much of the 2023 campaign. He led the Gamecocks in rushing in 2024, logging 183 carries for 881 yards, an average of 4.8 yards per carry, with 11 touchdowns. He added 27 receptions for 316 yards and two more scores. Sellers, a 6-3, 242-pound redshirt freshman from Florence, S.C., became one of the most exciting players in the conference. He completed 64.9 percent of his passes (172-for-265) for 2,274 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 155 carries for 655 yards and seven scores in his first year as the starting signal-caller for the Gamecocks. Simpkins III, a 6-5, 319-pound senior from Charlotte, N.C., was the Gamecocks’ top offensive lineman in 2024 from his right guard position. Simpkins III was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week, earning accolades from the conference office after his performances against Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. He was also the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week following the upset win over the Aggies. The Coaches’ Individual SEC Awards will be announced on Wednesday, while the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team will be announced on Thursday. First Team All-SEC Offense QB - Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss RB - Dylan Sampson, Tennessee and Jarquez Hunter, Auburn WR -- Ryan Williams, Alabama and Luther Burden III, Missouri TE -- Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt OL -- Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, Will Campbell, LSU, Tyler Booker, Alabama, Tate Ratledge, Georgia C -- Cooper Mays, Tennessee AP -- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Defense DL -- Kyle Kennard, South Carolina, Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, Nic Scourton, Texas A&M, James Pearce Jr., Tennessee*, Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss* LB -- Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, Whit Weeks, LSU DB -- Trey Amos, Ole Miss, Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, Malachi Moore, Alabama, Jahdae Barron, Texas Special Teams PK - Alex Raynor, Kentucky P- Kai Kroeger, South Carolina RS -- Barion Brown, Kentucky KOS -- Peyton Woodring, Georgia LS -- Beau Gardner, Georgia Second Team All-SEC Offense QB -- Quinn Ewers, Texas RB -- Raheim Sanders, South Carolina, Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M WR -- Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas, KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn TE -- Gunnar Helm, Texas OL -- Kadyn Proctor, Alabama, Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, Armand Membou, Missouri, Emery Jones Jr., LSU C -- Jared Wilson, Georgia AP -- Barion Brown, Kentucky Defense DL -- Bradyn Swinson, LSU, Landon Jackson, Arkansas, R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma, Johnny Walker Jr., Missouri*, Mykel Williams, Georgia* LB -- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas, Jalon Walker, Georgia, Chris “Pooh” Paul, Ole Miss DB -- Malaki Starks, Georgia, Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, Will Lee III, Texas A&M, Isaac Smith, Mississippi State Special Teams PK -- Peyton Woodring, Georgia P -- Jesse Mirco, Vanderbilt RS -- Martel Hight, Vanderbilt KOS -- Aeron Burrell, LSU LS -- Rocco Underwood, Florida Third Team All-SEC Offense QB -- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina RB - Quintrevion Wisner, Texas, Trevor Etienne, Georgia WR -- Tre Harris, Ole Miss, Kevin Coleman, Mississippi State TE -- Mason Taylor, LSU OL -- Trey Zuhn III, Texas A&M, Torricelli Simpkins III, South Carolina, Fernando Carmona, Arkansas, Javontez Spraggins, Tennessee C -- Eli Cox, Kentucky AP -- Davon Booth, Mississippi State Defense DL -- Jared Ivey, Ole Miss, Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss, JJ Pegues, Ole Miss*, Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M*, Deone Walker, Kentucky* LB -- Chaz Chambliss, Georgia, Deontae Lawson, Alabama, Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas DB -- Daylen Everette, Georgia, Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma, Andrew Mukuba, Texas, Dan Jackson, Georgia Special Teams PK -- Brock Taylor, Vanderbilt P -- Brett Thorson, Georgia RS -- Zavion Thomas, LSU KOS -- Josh Turbyville, Tennessee LS -- Ben Anderson, Oklahoma (* – Ties) Get local news delivered to your inbox!Pirates Re-Sign Isaac Mattson To Minor League Deal

8 Thanksgiving mistakes: Frozen or overcooked turkey, too many sides and other common holiday miscuesv fortune hardware 。

NEW YORK :TikTok advertisers were in no rush to shift their marketing budgets after a U.S. appeals court upheld a law on Friday requiring a divestment or ban of the popular Chinese-owned short video app, citing TikTok's continued survival despite years of threats. Chinese tech firm ByteDance must sell TikTok's U.S. assets by Jan. 19 or the app that is used by 170 million Americans will face an unprecedented ban that jeopardizes billions in ad revenue. TikTok and ByteDance had argued that the law is unconstitutional and violates Americans' free speech rights. The ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. With TikTok's future in the U.S. uncertain, advertising executives said brands are maintaining their activities on the app, while ensuring they have a plan B. "Advertisers have not pulled back from TikTok, though several are developing contingency plans for potential reallocation of investment should there be a ban," said Jason Lee, executive vice president of brand safety at media agency Horizon Media. Horizon is working with clients to prepare for a variety of scenarios if the app is sold or banned, Lee said. Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook and Instagram, stands to gain the majority of TikTok's ad revenue if the app is banned, followed by Alphabet's YouTube, said Erik Huberman, CEO of marketing agency Hawke Media. Both companies have introduced short-form video features in the past few years to compete with TikTok. Still, "there's no decision to make until there's a decision to make," he said. TikTok's U.S. ad revenue is expected to reach $12.3 billion this year, according to estimates from research Emarketer. By comparison, analysts on average expect Meta Platforms' advertising revenue in 2024 to reach about $159 billion, according to LSEG data. The potential boon for rivals propelled stocks on Friday. Meta Platforms shares rose to an all-time record high of $629.78 earlier on Friday, and were up 2.3 per cent at $622.85 in late afternoon regular trading. Alphabet shares were up 1.1 per cent at $176.21. Trump Media & Technology, which operates the Truth Social app and is majority-owned by President-elect Donald Trump, rose 3 per cent to $34.78. Shares of Snap, owner of messaging app Snapchat, rose 1.89 per cent to $12.40.The kitchen is the heart of the home, making it the perfect place for the focus of a meaningful holiday gift for new or aspiring homeowners. Smart tools that combine style, functionality and cutting-edge technology take kitchen duties to a whole new level. Here are some standout smart kitchen tools that any homeowner or homeowner-to-be would love, as reviewed by PC Magazine. Bring smart tech to meal prep If you’re seeking culinary inspiration or enhancing your skills with a cooking show, consider the third-generation Echo Show 8 smart display. Its high-definition screen and immersive audio make it perfect for watching cooking shows, streaming music, or following recipes hands-free. Simply ask Alexa — the cloud-based voice assistant — to set timers, convert measurements, or add items to your shopping list. The Echo Show 8 also allows you to pair and control other smart devices in your home that are compatible with Zigbee, Matter and Thread. To brighten your cooking space and warm up your kitchen, consider GE’s Cync Reveal under-cabinet and under-counter smart lights . These puck lights offer bright adjustable lighting with app control and are compatible with Matter for hands-free voice or remote control. While plug-in installation is straightforward, direct wiring provides the sleekest-looking install. If you have concerns about handling wiring, hire an electrician to install the lights. Self-cleaning robots for kitchen cleanup No cooking event is complete without the final cleanup, and the more help you can get the better. Enter a good robot vacuum to the rescue. The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE features a large dustbin in its base station that only needs emptying about once a month. The vacuum rarely gets stuck and can be controlled from your phone or voice, allowing you to set cleaning schedules, target specific rooms, or establish no-go zones. It has a self-cleaning brush roll for pet guardians and is powerful enough to remove pet fur from carpeting. Another option for pet guardians is the iRobot Roomba j9+ , with its Pet Owner Official Promise (POOP) guarantee — if the vacuum fails to avoid solid pet waste in its first year, the company will replace it for free. There’s also a self-emptying robot vacuum, like the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni , which has a self-emptying dustbin, a mop that cleans and dries itself, and a built-in voice assistant. If you’re shopping on a budget, PC Magazine suggests the Roomba Combo Essential , which has seamless app setup, mopping and navigation abilities. But why stop there? You can also get a robot mop. The Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry robot mop features two spinning microfiber pads for a spotless finish, while the iRobot Braava Jet m6 is another excellent option. Furbo smart cameras for pet lovers In keeping with gifts tied to the heart, here’s an option to treat pet owners and their furry friends. This device doubles as a pet sitter and indoor home security camera, with barking alerts, the ability to hear and talk to your pooch, and to toss treats from your phone. The Furbo 360 Dog Camera offers a livestream video to watch your pooch morning, afternoon, or night. Cat lovers aren’t left out, either. The Furbo 360 Cat Camera offers similar features tailored to feline families, with sound effects and notifications designed to entertain cats. Smart gadgets exist for every area of the home, so you’re sure to find one to suit the homeowners or renters on your holiday list. Explore the complete list of smart devices reviewed by PC Magazine at www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-smart-home-devices . Tom Kalinski is the broker/owner of RE/MAX of Boulder, the local residential real estate company he established in 1977. He was inducted into Boulder County’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016 and has a 40-year background in commercial and residential real estate. For questions, e-mail Tom at tomkalinski33@gmail.com , call 303.441.5620 or visit boulderco.com . Stay up to date with area Real Estate and Home & Garden news information with the latest e-edition version of atHome Colorado online This article is brought to you by atHome Colorado , your weekly insight into real estate, design, and community trends, published weekly by the advertising and marketing department in the Boulder Daily Camera, Loveland Reporter-Herald, Greeley Tribune, and Longmont Times-Call

Fazl reiterates pledge to liberate seminaries from ‘their’ influence

This is a story about fear and anxiety. It’s also about Taash, the fire-breathing qunari companion in Dragon Age: The Veilguard . When I was playing through the game for my review , they were one of my favorite folks to have along on missions. There are various reasons why and some are just practical: I was playing a mage, so having a warrior on hand for Warrior StuffTM was useful, but I also enjoyed Taash’s snarky and practical approach to the world. Every time another party member would get lost in their own head about something, Taash’s “That’s vashedan!” would inevitably yank them back out in a fun way. Taash is also nonbinary, which is one of two axes their character conflict and development rotate around. The other is that they were born in the lands of the Qun , a religious and deeply stratified society, but they were raised in Rivain, a close-enough Mediterranean analog with a sharply contrasting culture. In both respects, Taash is presented to us as a character who feels pulled between opposing poles by these forces in their life. Taash’s mother, Shathann, is an expert in Qun history and a stern and lecturing type who seems to disapprove of everything “nontraditional” her child does, including both not being feminine enough and not following the Qun enough. My moment of fear about Taash came when I encountered a specific in-game codex entry: Taash Notes: Meeting Shadow Dragons to Talk Gender Stuff . A hefty number of codex entries involving Taash are framed as notes they take on various subjects (including one on how to set traps in the Lighthouse , which I enjoyed). Their notes on gender unlock after a conversation with Neve and Rook about Taash’s discomfort with their gender identity; the implication is that Neve hooked Taash up with trans folks in the Shadow Dragons faction who might have useful information on the subject. Unfortunately, this codex entry feels both awkward and out of place. Not necessarily harmful — there’s nothing in it that made me go “ that’s obviously untrue” or anything of the sort. That said, if this were a Mass Effect game and not a Dragon Age one, it would be extremely easy to paint this codex entry as Taash’s net search history. It has extremely strong “baby queer person googling what ‘queer’ means and writing it down” energy, because that’s basically what it is. Without an in-game internet, Taash has to rely on speaking to actual people; without in-game social media, they get their thoughts out on paper to make sense of them. Taash’s notes cover everything from what dysphoria is, to struggling with the definition of the term “nonbinary,” to uplifting testimonials from said trans NPCs about what gender means, to the literally stated “Trans woman IS woman.” Speaking from experience, and as someone who was working out their sexuality at a time when the internet was not even remotely as widely available as it is today, these are the kind of notes and scribbles I would have written, it’s true, but in the process they can come across in a very “here’s Taash’s Being Genderqueer 101 blog post” kind of way. Since Taash’s way of speaking is already relatively informal and “modern-sounding” compared to other party members, that contributes to the feeling that this is just ever so slightly out of place. Critics and fans have argued that “nonbinary,” an already modern term, needed an in-universe equivalent, which I disagree with. Harvey Randall at PC Gamer argues that instead, Veilguard ’s writers needed to establish more of how the term was situated in the DA world’s culture and history, and I do think contextualizing “nonbinary” in Thedas culture/language would have helped , but it’s not strictly speaking required . As I read through the codex entry, I had a pit-of-the-stomach feeling getting bigger with each new word. I wasn’t worried about the anti-woke crowd; one, they would hate this game regardless, and two, who cares what fools think? What worried me was what my fellow queer players would have to say about it, because in my imagination, the possibility of a deeply negative reaction loomed large. That was informed by my own reading, too; because the relevant codex entry had a somewhat “101-level” tone — and was delivered in a codex entry and not through, say, a scene where Taash interacts directly with those trans NPCs about this — made me worried that queer players would feel it didn’t go far enough, or would believe it to be targeted at non-queer players instead. However, a large part of my anxiousness came from personal experience. In the summer of 2011, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the MIT Game Lab , which was at the time the Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab. Our partnership with the Singapore Media Development Authority meant that every summer, Singaporean game dev students from our Singaporean sister lab would come to Boston, split into teams alongside local students from MIT, Berklee College of Music, and Rhode Island School of Design, and make games in an intensive eight-week program. Specifically, they would make games that furthered the research of academics working in games, who applied to have their projects chosen. That summer, one team was making a game for my research. The study sought to understand a team’s process as they built a game with a very broad mandate: “Make a game with a queer-resonant theme.” In game development terms, I was product owner; another lab researcher was our game director. While we did spend time in the room with the team to observe them and provide input and oversight, the game’s creative direction — story, art, sound, gameplay — was in the hands of the students, and it was really their efforts that drove the project. The result was a game called A Closed World , a short and simple Flash-based RPG. When the game was released, it got good press both internally and externally, with coverage by multiple game publications, including Kotaku , as well as non-games news outlets. In retrospect, I am sure the MIT name opened doors for us that might not open as easily for other queer creators, particularly indie queer creators working on their own. My team was thrilled to see our little game find positive reception in the world, however. This is not to say we didn’t receive criticisms for missteps or things we overlooked, and of those, many were still the products of intense discussion and debate among the team, or between the team and myself or my colleague who was serving as game director. The game’s story involves escaping from a seemingly haunted forest; at one point, I suggested the ending involve the main character finding a cliffside over clouds and taking a leap of faith to leave their home and start a new life. Members of my team argued, convincingly, that such an ending might read like an attempt at self-harm instead. Discussions of that kind were numerous, and that was about a thing that didn’t make the final cut, let alone what did. However, some high-profile queer indie devs took serious issue with it, for various reasons. In one of the more striking examples, Anna Anthropy made a parody game called “A Closed Mind,” using a similar visual style but written to suggest our game believed intolerance could be defeated like a JRPG boss. Many of the criticisms we received at the time suggested that it was a waste for MIT to spend money having my team make this game; that we didn’t understand how to make queer games, or understand the issues. At the time I needed to be diplomatic in my public responses, since I was representing the lab and the university, but in hindsight, things like “A Closed Mind” and accusations that my team didn’t really understand the issues at all feel not only misplaced but extremely petty. For the members of my team who identified as somewhere in the vastness of the queer spectrum, accusations from queer devs that the team wasn’t queer enough, or didn’t understand queer experiences, were deeply hurtful (and to be honest, they hurt me too). It’s one thing to dislike what we did; that’s natural, and putting art in the world means needing to be prepared for people to dislike it. This felt like something else entirely. That experience is what made me scared for Taash’s and Veilguard ’s reception. Was it going to get the “not queer enough!” label because it had, admittedly, tackled things at a more basic and beginner level than some might like? Would people use things like the “Taash Notes” codex entry to claim that the writer(s) didn’t understand the issues? Criticism of queerness — or, indeed, a focus on any marginalized identity category — in an artistic work is fraught from the jump. You want to support creators who make attempts to be inclusive, who actively work to bring in these types of characters and themes, but at the same time, it feels so easy for even the most well-intentioned attempt at inclusivity to head somewhat off the rails anyway — something that’s happened to BioWare before . Thus, it’s necessary that such criticism be able to call “queer work” into account for its mistakes too. It’s such a careful line to walk. The problem is that I think we as both critics and fans have, over the past decade plus, created an environment where creators experience enormous fears about getting it wrong, and producing something that isn’t pitch-perfect on the issues in every way is immediately painted as so harmful or detrimental the work needs to be thrown out entirely. The anxiety is real, but the concrete steps devs can take to address concerns can also lead to positive outcomes. The rise in sensitivity readers, diversity consultants, and other such steps devs can take to head off mistakes before games reach the shelves are an unalloyed good, and they have roots in a similar place. Are our only two options “getting it right” and “getting it harmfully wrong,” though? Things aren’t, if you’ll excuse the sorta-pun, binary in that way. I don’t necessarily think the presentation of Taash’s gender journey is as artful as it could be, for sure; I think it could have been smoother, more integrated into the setting and into their broader story about choosing who they wish to be (Taash’s big, oft-repeated line is “You don’t get to tell me who I am”). Is it harmful , though? Or just not to some players’ tastes? With each new take and article and blog post I’ve read, I find it harder to justify excoriating the writing team for Veilguard on this one, of accusing them of “getting queerness wrong.” That’s wild, and I am not gonna put myself in the place of people who told my team, back in 2011, that their earnest attempt wasn’t queer enough. I said this was a story about fear and anxiety, and that’s what it is now, although the pitch I made to Polygon about this story had a very different form at first. The original idea was less about Taash and more about how I felt the approach to “playersexual” companion story and romance designs in Veilguard was a step forward from Dragon Age 2 (spoilers: it is); Taash was more of a footnote in that story. As I wrote it, though, I was getting more and more blocked, and I realized it was because I was cutting and rearranging and rewording and watering down what I was saying in the interest of not upsetting anyone. I didn’t want to criticize too hard and have Trick Weekes (Taash’s primary writer) and the Veilguard team feel I was attacking them unduly, but I was also afraid of drawing backlash from queer readers who felt I was too forgiving or didn’t go hard enough. I think this is why I have such mounting frustration with accusations I’ve seen from critics and players saying that Taash is just a cardboard stand-in for the writers’ thoughts on gender, or that the writing surrounding it was too “safe” or sanded down or not messy enough. Of course it’s not messy! Queer players and critics have been in comment sections, blogs, and social media posts for years tut-tutting everyone — even other queer devs and indie devs with nowhere near the resources at their disposal! — for not getting things pitch-perfect, for not using the exact right terms, for being messy at all . It’s totally believable this situation is the result. Which do you want? Messiness, or infallible politics? You cannot have both! They are antithetical! Perhaps being too safe, too “polished,” is indeed the problem when it comes to Taash, or Veilguard ’s handling of gender broadly, but I’d much rather have an earnest and too-safe attempt based on an ethos of trying to do right by us queer players than something actively harmful to the community at large. Too safe is not actively harmful; too safe is “room for improvement.” Too safe is a learning opportunity. Culture Opinion Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Most of us are not professional chefs or caterers or decorators, so the thought of cooking for and entertaining a Thanksgiving crowd can be daunting. That's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. 1. Not prepping "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. People are also reading... 2. Not enlisting help Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. 3. Not defrosting your turkey "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. 4. Serving a dry, overcooked turkey Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. Grocery chains vie for a place on Thanksgiving tables with turkey dinner deals 5. Overcomplicating the menu Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. 6. Overcomplicating the decorating Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. 7. Inhibiting the party flow Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. 8. Forgetting to set the mood As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show. Best Black Friday deals: When to shop, what to buy and what to skip 100 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 100 years of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's event will feature 28 clown crews, 26 floats, 16 giant balloons, 11 marching bands, five performance groups, three "baloonicles"—cold-air inflatables driven down the parade route, and numerous performers. Stacker curated a selection of photographs from the past century of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to help illustrate the history of the iconic event. The parade in New York City, presented by department store chain Macy's, was first held in 1924 under the heading "Macy's Christmas Parade" to promote holiday sales and spotlight the newly expanded and, at the time, largest in the world Herald Square store in Manhattan. The success of the event led organizers to turn the spectacle into an annual tradition. Each year, the parade ends outside the same Herald Square Macy's location. The event has been televised nationally since 1953 on NBC. The parade at first featured Central Park Zoo animals escorted by Macy's employees and professional entertainers for 6 miles from 145th Street in north Manhattan's Harlem to Macy's. A quarter of a million onlookers lined the streets. Real animals were replaced with balloons in 1927; that same year, the name of the event was changed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The longest-running parade float is the event's unofficial mascot, Tom Turkey. Tom features moving wings, head, and eyes and usually functions as the lead float in the parade. Bringing up the caboose in virtually all the parades is Santa Claus who ushers in the holiday shopping season with his arrival at Macy's Herald Square. The parade offers a glimpse into pop culture of the time, from beloved children's entertainment to hit Broadway shows and musical acts. The Radio City Rockettes, formed in 1925, have performed in the parade annually since 1957. In 1933, the outside temperature was 69 degrees F, the warmest it's been; 2018 was the coldest day in parade history at 19 degrees F. In 2022, for the first time, the event featured a trio of women hosts. Today, more than 44 million people tune in to watch the parade. Keep reading to learn more about the parade's history and see some iconic shots of the event. You may also like: Game on: The booming growth of online gaming 1924: Macy's first parade In Macy's first Thanksgiving parade, Santa Claus sat atop a float pulled by a team of horses down Broadway. That year floats, bands, and Central Park Zoo animals were featured in the procession. At the parade's end, Santa Claus was crowned "King of the Kiddies" on Macy's balcony at the 34th Street entrance. Macy's quickly announced the parade would be an annual event. 1928: Fish and tigers The large balloons that replaced live zoo animals in 1927 were filled with regular air and had no release valves—they were simply let go to pop in the air following the parade. 1928 marked the first year of Macy's inflating balloons with helium to allow them to float. They were also outfitted with valves so the helium could gradually escape rather than waiting for the balloon to inevitably pop, and featured a return address so anyone who found them could return them and receive a reward. In this photo from 1928, a 35-foot fish and 60-foot-long tiger were featured prominently in the parade. A $100 prize was offered for each balloon recovered after its release. 1931: Hippo on parade The Thanksgiving parade enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1930s, with more than 1 million revelors lining the parade route in 1933. In this 1931 photo, a giant hippopotamus balloon makes its way down Broadway. A blue hippo balloon—possibly this one—released after the parade was still at large several days later, thought to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. 1932: Balloon mishaps end rewards In this image, the Felix the Cat balloon is led down Broadway by its four handlers tailed by Terrible Turk and Willie Red Bird. The original Felix the Cat character balloon made its parade debut in 1927, but was destroyed after its post-parade release by a high tension wire in 1931. The Terrible Turk also was destroyed the same year by an electric sign. In 1932, Macy's Tom Cat balloon got stuck in the propeller of a plane when the aviator flying the plane tried recovering the balloon for a reward. While the plane eventually landed safely, that event marked the final year of releasing balloons after the parades and offering prizes for their return to Macy's. 1939: View from the top Pinnochio, Tin Man, and Uncle Sam make their way along the parade route in 1939. Mickey Mouse made his debut five years earlier with a balloon designed in part by Walt Disney; Mickey's handlers were also dressed as mice. New iterations of Mickey appeared over the next 70 years as the character evolved. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled from 1942-1944 because of supply shortages during World War II, namely helium and rubber. Festivities returned in 1945. The Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street" was released in 1947 and prominently features actual footage from the 1946 parade. 1948 marked the parade's first network television broadcast. You may also like: Legendary interior designers from every decade of the 20th century 1949: Teddy bear on parade The 23rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Nov. 24, 1949. In this photo, a teddy bear makes its way through Times Square. This parade marked the second appearance for the bear. Other balloons made their debut: Freida the Dachshund, Howdy Doody on the Flying Trapeze, and Macy's Hobo Clown. 1955: Flying high Throngs of onlookers pack the sidewalks in Manhattan's Times Square during this 1955 parade. Mighty Mouse, an animated superhero created by Terrytoons, is seen in the back left of the photo. Mighty Mouse made his debut in the Thanksgiving Day parade in 1951; he appeared in 80 short films between 1942-1961. 1961: Peacockery The iconic peacock float makes its debut in this photo of the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That same year, Miss Teenage America Diane Lynn Cox appeared in princess attire sharing a float with "Prince Charming" actor Troy Donahue. You may also like: Baltimore buried its urban streams—now an artist is bringing one back 1961: 'A Fantasy of Christmas' Teen performers appear in classic roller skates in this image from the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sign above the skaters reads "Macy's presents A Fantasy of Christmas in New York." 1961: Shoulder to shoulder This 1961 photo shows shoulder-to-shoulder parade onlookers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The year marks the first balloon featuring Bullwinkle Moose and the first year for floats with Pinocchio, The Racetrack Grandstand, Cinderella, Peacock, Ferris Wheel, Brigadoon, Meet the Mets, and Santa's Sleigh. Several years later, in 1968, Macy's creative team figured out how to design floats up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide that could fold into 12.5-by-8-foot boxes for strategic transportation from New Jersey to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. 1972: 'Hey, Rocky!' A Bullwinkle Moose balloon floats down Broadway in this 1972 photograph of the parade. The 46th annual parade featured five firsts for floats: Alphabet Blocks, Snow Mountain, Windmill, Curious George, and Santa's Holiday Home. 1974: A 'hareless' tortoise A solo tortoise float makes its way down the street near Columbus Circle in this 1974 parade photo. Not pictured is the accompanying hare. This marked the seventh appearance of the duo. 1982: It's not easy being green A giant inflatable balloon of Kermit the Frog makes its way down the 1982 parade route in this photo. The parade marked Kermit's sixth appearance. First-time balloons included Olive Oyl and Woody Woodpecker. You may also like: Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world 1989: Woody Woodpecker is a crowd favorite Woody Woodpecker greets the crowd as he floats past One Times Square during the 63rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989. In the coming years, safety concerns troubled '90s-era parades—namely the wind. Strong gusts in 1993 pushed a Sonic the Hedgehog balloon into a Columbus Circle lamppost that broke and hurt a child and off-duty police officer. Four years later, intense winds caused a Cat in the Hat balloon to hit a lamppost, hurling debris into the air that fractured the skull of a spectator who spent 24 days in a coma. The incident, among others, led then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to form a task force. 1995: 'Soaring Spirit' The Soaring Spirit Canoe float, pictured here in 1995, made its debut in the parade in 1986. Popular '90s balloons included Bart Simpson, Cat in the Hat, and The Rugrats. 2001: 9/11 looms large New York City first responders carry two American flags during the Nov. 22, 2001, 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was also held on the heels of 9/11. They honored those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the parade, which featured 15 giant balloons and marching bands that all added an air of patriotism to the event. 2005: Dora's debut Dora the Explorer makes her balloon debut in this 2005 photo. That same year, the M&M 's chocolate candies balloon collided with a streetlight in Times Square, and debris from it injured two siblings. 2011: Elf sprinkles A woman dressed in an elf costume sprinkles spectators with confetti in Times Square during Macy's 85th Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 24, 2011. Sonic the Hedgehog and Julius the sock monkey, which was created by Paul Frank, made their balloon entrances that year. You may also like: 5 tips for making your next event more affordable 2015: Familiar faces Snoopy and Woodstock made their way along the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route Nov. 26, 2015. To date, Snoopy boasts the most years flown as a character balloon in the event. 2016: A most massive audience In this 2016 photo, spectators like this one recorded videos of the parade on their phones. More than 24 million people were estimated to have streamed the parade that year on TV. 2017: Pikachu and so much more The Pikachu balloon floats down Central Park West for its fourth time during the 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. That year's lineup featured 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 28 legacy balloons, 26 floats, 17 giant helium balloons, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. 2020: The show must go on Performers in this photo prepare at the 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2020. The event was one of few public occasions to be kept on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a tempered manner. Much of the performances were pre-taped and the parade route was massively reduced. Participants wore masks and balloon handlers were cut by nearly 90%. 2023: 97 years Santa Claus celebrates at the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in this photo from Nov. 23, 2023. First-time giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Leo (Netflix), Monkey D. Luffy, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," and The Pillsbury Doughboy. Copy editing by Lois Hince. You may also like: From the Roman Empire to your therapist's office: The history of the chaise lounge 1952: Space explorer Macy's original character The Giant Spaceman made his debut in 1952's parade, measuring 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and weighing 600 pounds. More than 25 gallons of paint went into painting the astronaut. An estimated 2.25 million people lined the streets for the festivities that year. 1958: 'I am what I am' Popeye makes his way through Times Square in the 1959 parade. A year earlier, another helium shortage meant balloons were inflated with air and hung from construction cranes to make their way through the parade route. Also in 1958, the first celebrity performances were added with the Benny Goodman sextet. Live music proved a challenge technically and logistically. The parade was transitioning to the now-familiar lip syncing by 1964. Make your house a home For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!Microchip Technology Updates December 2024 Quarter Revenue Guidance, and Announces Manufacturing Restructuring Plans

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3 fortune Published 4:48 pm Saturday, November 30, 2024 By Data Skrive Top-25 teams will take the court in five games on Sunday’s college basketball schedule. That includes the Columbia Lions taking on the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

Skiing is one of the best ways to enjoy nature in the winter and is one of the few activities that’s as fun to do alone as it is with others. However, whether you’re an advanced skier who likes to keep the good snow to themselves or prefer skiing with a posse of friends, protecting your head is an essential part of a good day on the slopes. With so many options on the market, finding the best ski helmet can be a challenge. If you’re interested in a simple solution that you can count on to protect you at all times, regardless of the conditions, check out the Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet . If your ski helmet is too large or too small, it won’t perform correctly and may not provide any protection at all. To find the right size, measure the crown of your head and cross reference with the helmet’s size chart. Moreover, the helmet should be about an inch above your eyebrows. Make sure to consider your helmet’s adjustability before purchasing. Unfortunately, not all goggles fit with all helmets. Although you likely won’t have an issue with this, ensure that the helmet you want to purchase will work with your preferred goggles without leaving your forehead exposed. In addition to being a good fit for your goggles, the best ski helmets are capable of handling a variety of upgrades if they aren’t standard. For example, be on the lookout for helmets that have slots for audio in the earmuffs and that allow you to strap a handy goggle cleaning cloth to the side. In addition to durable materials and standard EPS shock absorption, the best ski helmets will include additional or new technology to enhance protection. When shopping for a new ski helmet, consider models with MIPS (multidirectional impact protection system) technology, carbon fiber construction or an integrated Recco reflector to get the highest level of safety. Top-quality helmets offer the best ease-of-use technology in addition to superior protection. Features such as magnetic goggle clasps that can be used with gloves, removable linings and dynamic ventilation that allows for directed airflow make your helmet more comfortable, especially during extended wearing periods. Entry-level helmets that provide basic protection usually cost around $60, while higher-end models with innovative technology start around $180 and cost upwards of $250. A. Although this may seem counterintuitive at first, it is not always worth purchasing the most expensive, highest-tech helmet. If you don’t ski often, and find yourself sticking to the easier slopes and staying at low speeds, a traditional helmet will provide all the protection you need. On the other hand, if you ski in the woods or in the backcountry, investing in high-tech helmets is a must, since the danger level is much higher than on the slopes. Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet What you need to know: The Grimnir 2vi helmet from Sweet Protection is made from the finest materials on the market and includes all of the latest safety and convenience technology. What you’ll love: If you like to tackle challenging terrain and push the boundaries of your skills, look no further than the Grimnir to provide the utmost protection. Constructed out of lightweight and highly impact-resistant carbon fiber and reinforced with the latest MIPS technology, you can count on this helmet to keep you safe. Plus, it’s also quite comfortable to wear thanks to its numerous vents, Occigrip dial adjustment system and audio compatibility. What you should consider: State-of-the-art technology makes this one of the more expensive offerings. OutdoorMaster Kelvin Helmet What you need to know: If you’re on a budget, or don’t push the limits while skiing, the Kelvin helmet from OutdoorMaster is perfect for you. What you’ll love: Don’t let the price tag fool you — this helmet offers far more than the bare minimum in terms of features and technology. Constructed from a reinforced ABS shell and a super-absorbent EPS core, you can count on this helmet to project your most valuable asset. Plus, the Kelvin also offers lots of adjustability and unmatched ventilation for the price. What you should consider: While this helmet offers ample protection for the ordinary skier, if you’re a hard charger and prefer off-piste shredding, this helmet likely won’t be enough. POC Meninx RS MIPS Helmet What you need to know: Featuring a sleek design, durable construction and an abundance of serious safety features, the Meninx RS MIPS helmet from POC is high performance and reliable. What you’ll love: Designed from the ground up with safety and convenience in mind, this helmet is ideal for anyone who regularly hits the slopes and will appreciate the thought given to small details. For example, the strap buckle on the back that holds your goggles securely in place is magnetic, which makes it easy to use while wearing gloves or mittens. Furthermore, in addition to the dual-layer ABS shell and MIPS protection system, the Meninx RS comes with an integrated Recco reflector, which is an essential component of safe backcountry skiing. To top it all off, the helmet has an easy-to-use adjustment dial and plenty of ventilation. What you should consider: POC helmets don’t come in individual sizing, and are only available in grouped sizes such as medium/large, which can make finding the perfect fit harder. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. 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The U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval of a new drug for treating bilary tract cancer that was developed by Vancouver’ s Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME) under a licensing and commercialization agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals. The new drug, Ziihera, could net Zymeworks more than $1 billion just in milestone payments, and millions more in royalties, upon full commercialization. Gaining the FDA’s accelerated approval triggers a $25 million milestone payment to Zymeworks from Jazz Pharmaceuticals – the first of more to come, should other milestones be reached. Under its licensing agreement, Zymeworks is eligible for up to $500 million in regulatory milestones, $862.5 million in commercial milestone payments, and royalties of 10 to 20 per cent on sales. “This approval represents the first FDA-approved therapy in Zymeworks’ pipeline, and validates the company’s novel Azymetric bispecific platform technology and internal research and development capabilities for novel multifunctional medicines,” Zymeworks says in a news release. “The FDA’s accelerated approval of Ziihera marks the culmination of more than a decade of research and development at Zymeworks, highlighting our deep scientific expertise in multifunctional biotherapeutics and unwavering commitment to innovation in drug development,” said Paul Moore, Zymeworks’ chief science officer. Ziihera is one of several variations of the bispecific antibody Zanidatamab that Zymeworks developed for treating various types of cancer, and one of three in the advanced “pivotal” trial phase. Several others are at phase 2 in clinical trials. In 2022, Zymeworks entered a licence and collaboration agreement with Jazz Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ltd -- a subsidiary of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc -- for the exclusive development and commercialization rights to Zanidatamab in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other countries. A study published last year in The Lancet concluded that Zanidatamab “demonstrated meaningful clinical benefit with a manageable safety profile in patients with treatment-refractory, HER2-positive biliary tract cancer.” [email protected] twitter.com/nbennett_bivNEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Value Line, Inc., (NASDAQ: VALU) reported financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024. The Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q has been filed with the SEC and is available on the Company’s website at www.valueline.com/About/corporate_filings.aspx . Shareholders may receive a printed copy, free of charge upon request to the Company at the address above, Attn: Corporate Secretary. Value Line, Inc. is a leading New York based provider of investment research. The Value Line Investment Survey is one of the most widely used sources of independent equity investment research. Value Line also publishes a range of proprietary investment research in both print and digital formats including research in the areas of Mutual Funds, ETFs and Options. Value Line’s acclaimed research also enables the Company to provide specialized products such as Value Line Select, The Value Line Special Situations Service, Value Line Select ETFs, Value Line Select: Dividend Income & Growth, The New Value Line ETFs Service, The Value Line M&A Service, Information You Should Know Wealth Newsletter , The Value Line Climate Change Investing Service and certain Value Line copyrights, distributed under agreements including certain proprietary ranking system information and other proprietary information used in third party products. Value Line’s products are available to individual investors by mail, at www.valueline.com or by calling 1-800-VALUELINE or 1-800-825-8354, while institutional-level services for professional investors, advisers, corporate, academic, and municipal libraries are offered at www.ValueLinePro.com , www.ValueLineLibrary.com and by calling 1-800-531-1425. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information In this report, “Value Line,” “we,” “us,” “our” refers to Value Line, Inc. and “the Company” refers to Value Line and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires. This report contains statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions (including certain projections and business trends) accompanied by such phrases as “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend” and other similar or negative expressions, that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Actual results for Value Line, Inc. (“Value Line” or “the Company”) may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following: These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors which may involve external factors over which we may have no control could also have material adverse effects on future results. Likewise, changes we make in our plans, objectives, strategies, or intentions, which may occur at any time in our discretion, could also have material favorable or adverse effects on our future results. Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports required to be filed by public companies with the SEC pursuant to the SEC's rules, we have no duty to update these statements, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, current plans, anticipated actions, and future financial conditions and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking information contained herein. www.val u eline.com www.ValueLinePro.com , www.ValueLineLibrary. c om Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter Complimentary Value Line® Reports on Dow 30 Stocks Contact: Howard A. Brecher Value Line, Inc. 212-907-1500

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. It’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but some hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. World Resources Institute president and CEO Ani Dasgupta called it “an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future,” but added that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are “rightfully disappointed that wealthier countries didn’t put more money on the table when billions of people’s lives are at stake.” The summit was supposed to end on Friday evening but negotiations spiraled on through early Sunday. With countries on opposite ends of a massive chasm, tensions ran high as delegations tried to close the gap in expectations. Here’s how they got there: What was the finance deal agreed at climate talks? Rich countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035. It’s not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, and that experts said was needed. But some delegations said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. The text included a call for all parties to work together using “all public and private sources” to get closer to the $1.3 trillion per year goal by 2035. That means also pushing for And it means, hopefully, that companies and private investors will follow suit on channeling cash toward climate action. The agreement is also a critical step toward helping countries on the receiving end create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. It’s part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the U.N. talks in Paris in 2015. The Paris agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate fighting ambition as away to keep warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and carbon emissions keep rising. What will the money be spent on? The deal decided in Baku replaces a previous agreement from 15 years ago that charged rich nations $100 billion a year to help the developing world with climate finance. The new number has similar aims: it will go toward the developing world’s long laundry list of to-dos to prepare for a warming world and keep it from getting hotter. That includes paying for the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels. Countries need funds to build up the infrastructure needed to deploy technologies like wind and solar power on a large scale. Communities hard-hit by extreme weather also want money to adapt and prepare for events like floods, typhoons and fires. Funds could go toward improving farming practices to make them more resilient to weather extremes, to building houses differently with storms in mind, to helping people move from the hardest-hit areas and to help leaders improve emergency plans and aid in the wake of disasters. The Philippines, for example, has been hammered , bringing to millions of people howling wind, massive storm surges and catastrophic damage to residences, infrastructure and farmland. “Family farmers need to be financed,” said Esther Penunia of the Asian Farmers Association. She described how many have already had to deal with millions of dollars of storm damage, some of which includes trees that won’t again bear fruit for months or years, or animals that die, wiping out a main source of income. “If you think of a rice farmer who depends on his or her one hectare farm, rice land, ducks, chickens, vegetables, and it was inundated, there was nothing to harvest,” she said. Why was it so hard to get a deal? Election results around the world that herald a change in climate leadership, a few key players with motive to stall the talks and a disorganized host country all led to a final crunch that left few happy with a flawed compromise. The ending of COP29 is “reflective of the harder geopolitical terrain the world finds itself in,” said Li Shuo of the Asia Society. He cited Trump’s recent victory in the US — with his promises to pull the country out of the Paris Agreement — as one reason why the relationship between China and the EU will be more consequential for global climate politics moving forward. Developing nations also faced some difficulties agreeing in the final hours, with one Latin American delegation member saying that their group didn’t feel properly consulted when small island states had last-minute meetings to try to break through to a deal. Negotiators from across the developing world took different tacks on the deal until they finally agreed to compromise. Meanwhile, activists ramped up the pressure: many urged negotiators to stay strong and asserted that no deal would be better than a bad deal. But ultimately the desire for a deal won out. Some also pointed to the host country as a reason for the struggle. Mohamed Adow, director of climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, said Friday that “this COP presidency is one of the worst in recent memory,” calling it “one of the most poorly led and chaotic COP meetings ever.” The presidency said in a statement, “Every hour of the day, we have pulled people together. Every inch of the way, we have pushed for the highest common denominator. We have faced geopolitical headwinds and made every effort to be an honest broker for all sides.” Shuo retains hope that the opportunities offered by a green economy “make inaction self-defeating” for countries around the world, regardless of their stance on the decision. But it remains to be seen whether the UN talks can deliver more ambition next year. In the meantime, “this COP process needs to recover from Baku,” Shuo said. ___ Associated Press reporters Seth Borenstein and Sibi Arasu contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. ( NYSE:PDM – Free Report ) by 72.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 148,046 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after acquiring an additional 62,233 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in Piedmont Office Realty Trust were worth $1,519,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 34.8% during the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 4,809 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 1,241 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 46,090 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $334,000 after buying an additional 1,311 shares during the last quarter. abrdn plc boosted its position in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. abrdn plc now owns 24,341 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $246,000 after buying an additional 1,366 shares during the period. TD Private Client Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 51.3% in the 3rd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 4,916 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 1,666 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC increased its position in shares of Piedmont Office Realty Trust by 15.1% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 12,772 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $129,000 after acquiring an additional 1,678 shares during the period. 84.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Piedmont Office Realty Trust from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Stock Performance Shares of PDM stock opened at $8.81 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -14.21 and a beta of 1.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $9.61 and a 200 day moving average of $9.10. Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. has a 52 week low of $5.93 and a 52 week high of $11.11. The company has a quick ratio of 2.22, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. Piedmont Office Realty Trust ( NYSE:PDM – Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.37 by ($0.46). Piedmont Office Realty Trust had a negative net margin of 13.47% and a negative return on equity of 4.61%. The company had revenue of $139.29 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $143.56 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. will post 1.49 earnings per share for the current year. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 22nd. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.68%. Piedmont Office Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -80.65%. Piedmont Office Realty Trust Company Profile ( Free Report ) Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc (also referred to herein as "Piedmont" or the "Company") (NYSE: PDM) is an owner, manager, developer, redeveloper and operator of high-quality, Class A office properties located primarily in major U.S. Sunbelt markets. The Company is a fully-integrated, self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT") with local management offices in each of its markets and is investment-grade rated by Standard & Poor's and Moody's. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PDM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. ( NYSE:PDM – Free Report ). 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President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US ambassador to France, in the latest of several controversial picks. Kushner "is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," Trump said on his Truth Social website, adding that Jared "worked closely with me in the White House." The choice is in keeping with Trump's pattern, so far, of selecting people, often wealthy, who are close to his family or of proven loyalty. Kushner is a multimillionaire real estate executive and former attorney; his son was a senior adviser during Trump's first term. Trump did not mention, however, that the elder Kushner once served jail time -- a two-year sentence, most of it served in a federal prison. Kushner, who is now 70, pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign contributions. The case, which was prosecuted by then US attorney Chris Christie, included sordid details, to which Kushner admitted: that he had hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, a man cooperating in a campaign finance inquiry, and then videotaped the encounter and sent it to the man's wife, Kushner's sister, to dissuade her from testifying against him. Christie, who worked on Trump's first presidential transition team and then opposed him in this year's Republican primary contests, later said Kushner had committed a "loathsome" and "disgusting crime." In 2020, Trump issued a pardon to Kushner, whose conviction had resulted in him being disbarred in three states. Nominees for key ambassadorships are often business associates of a president-elect, or major political donors. But it is rare, if not unprecedented, to name a convicted felon. The first two men to fill the prestigious Paris post were famed inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin and a future president, Thomas Jefferson. If confirmed, Kushner would succeed Denise Bauer, a former ambassador to Belgium who was a major Democratic fundraiser and donor. md/bbk/md"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.FBI Director Wray walked a tightrope with Trump. Here’s how it went wrong

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — John Buggs III's 15 points helped East Tennessee State defeat Austin Peay 79-57 on Saturday night. Buggs shot 4 for 7 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Buccaneers (6-2). Jaden Seymour scored 13 points and added 11 rebounds. Quimari Peterson had 13 points and went 6 of 11 from the field. The Governors (4-4) were led in scoring by LJ Thomas, who finished with 15 points. Austin Peay also got 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals from Tate McCubbin. Tekao Carpenter also had eight points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister from 2004 to 2014, has diedSkiing is one of the best ways to enjoy nature in the winter and is one of the few activities that’s as fun to do alone as it is with others. However, whether you’re an advanced skier who likes to keep the good snow to themselves or prefer skiing with a posse of friends, protecting your head is an essential part of a good day on the slopes. With so many options on the market, finding the best ski helmet can be a challenge. If you’re interested in a simple solution that you can count on to protect you at all times, regardless of the conditions, check out the Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet . If your ski helmet is too large or too small, it won’t perform correctly and may not provide any protection at all. To find the right size, measure the crown of your head and cross reference with the helmet’s size chart. Moreover, the helmet should be about an inch above your eyebrows. Make sure to consider your helmet’s adjustability before purchasing. Unfortunately, not all goggles fit with all helmets. Although you likely won’t have an issue with this, ensure that the helmet you want to purchase will work with your preferred goggles without leaving your forehead exposed. In addition to being a good fit for your goggles, the best ski helmets are capable of handling a variety of upgrades if they aren’t standard. For example, be on the lookout for helmets that have slots for audio in the earmuffs and that allow you to strap a handy goggle cleaning cloth to the side. In addition to durable materials and standard EPS shock absorption, the best ski helmets will include additional or new technology to enhance protection. When shopping for a new ski helmet, consider models with MIPS (multidirectional impact protection system) technology, carbon fiber construction or an integrated Recco reflector to get the highest level of safety. Top-quality helmets offer the best ease-of-use technology in addition to superior protection. Features such as magnetic goggle clasps that can be used with gloves, removable linings and dynamic ventilation that allows for directed airflow make your helmet more comfortable, especially during extended wearing periods. Entry-level helmets that provide basic protection usually cost around $60, while higher-end models with innovative technology start around $180 and cost upwards of $250. A. Although this may seem counterintuitive at first, it is not always worth purchasing the most expensive, highest-tech helmet. If you don’t ski often, and find yourself sticking to the easier slopes and staying at low speeds, a traditional helmet will provide all the protection you need. On the other hand, if you ski in the woods or in the backcountry, investing in high-tech helmets is a must, since the danger level is much higher than on the slopes. Sweet Protection Grimnir 2vi MIPS Helmet What you need to know: The Grimnir 2vi helmet from Sweet Protection is made from the finest materials on the market and includes all of the latest safety and convenience technology. What you’ll love: If you like to tackle challenging terrain and push the boundaries of your skills, look no further than the Grimnir to provide the utmost protection. Constructed out of lightweight and highly impact-resistant carbon fiber and reinforced with the latest MIPS technology, you can count on this helmet to keep you safe. Plus, it’s also quite comfortable to wear thanks to its numerous vents, Occigrip dial adjustment system and audio compatibility. What you should consider: State-of-the-art technology makes this one of the more expensive offerings. OutdoorMaster Kelvin Helmet What you need to know: If you’re on a budget, or don’t push the limits while skiing, the Kelvin helmet from OutdoorMaster is perfect for you. What you’ll love: Don’t let the price tag fool you — this helmet offers far more than the bare minimum in terms of features and technology. Constructed from a reinforced ABS shell and a super-absorbent EPS core, you can count on this helmet to project your most valuable asset. Plus, the Kelvin also offers lots of adjustability and unmatched ventilation for the price. What you should consider: While this helmet offers ample protection for the ordinary skier, if you’re a hard charger and prefer off-piste shredding, this helmet likely won’t be enough. POC Meninx RS MIPS Helmet What you need to know: Featuring a sleek design, durable construction and an abundance of serious safety features, the Meninx RS MIPS helmet from POC is high performance and reliable. What you’ll love: Designed from the ground up with safety and convenience in mind, this helmet is ideal for anyone who regularly hits the slopes and will appreciate the thought given to small details. For example, the strap buckle on the back that holds your goggles securely in place is magnetic, which makes it easy to use while wearing gloves or mittens. Furthermore, in addition to the dual-layer ABS shell and MIPS protection system, the Meninx RS comes with an integrated Recco reflector, which is an essential component of safe backcountry skiing. To top it all off, the helmet has an easy-to-use adjustment dial and plenty of ventilation. What you should consider: POC helmets don’t come in individual sizing, and are only available in grouped sizes such as medium/large, which can make finding the perfect fit harder. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

5 fortune Wild first season in expanded Big 12 comes down to final weekendThe US tech giant said it now supported 550,000 jobs in the UK through direct employment, its supply chain and the economy around its App Store – with app developers having earned nearly £9 billion since it launched in 2008. Apple said its engineering teams were carrying out critical work on the firm’s biggest services, including key technology within Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s suite of generative AI-powered tools which are expected to launch in the UK for the first time this week. Elsewhere, the firm said its growing TV empire, spearheaded by its Apple TV+ streaming service and production arm, had also helped boost its investment in the UK with Apple TV+ production in this country tripling in the last two years, the company said. Chief executive Tim Cook said: “We’ve been serving customers in the UK for more than 40 years, and we’re proud of our deep connection with communities across this country. “We’re thrilled to be growing our Apple teams here, and to keep supporting the extraordinary innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of technology in so many ways.” The Chancellor Rachel Reeves said companies such as Apple were “intrinsic” to the UK’s prosperity by boosting jobs. “This government is laser focused on creating the right conditions for growth to help put more money in people’s pockets. “That’s what underpins the Plan for Change and is what has driven £63 billion worth of inward investment in the UK through our first international investment summit. “Companies like Apple are intrinsic to the success of our nation’s prosperity – helping deliver jobs, innovative technology, and boost infrastructure.”NEW YORK (AP) — It’s almost that time of year: Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users' listening habits and year in audio. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — It’s almost that time of year: Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users' listening habits and year in audio. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — It’s almost that time of year: Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Wrapped, personalized recaps of users’ listening habits and year in audio. Spotify has been giving its listeners breakdowns of their data since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production — and internet sensation. Spotify said its 2023 Wrapped was the “biggest ever created,” in terms of audience reach and the kind of data it provided. So, what will 2024 have in store? Here’s a look at what to know ahead of this year’s Spotify Wrapped. What exactly is Spotify Wrapped? It’s the streaming service’s annual overview of individual listening trends, as well as trends around the world. Users learn their top artists, songs, genres, albums and podcasts, all wrapped into one interactive presentation. The campaign has become a social media sensation, as people share and compare their Wrapped data with their friends and followers online. Past iterations have provided users with all kinds of breakdowns and facts, including whether they’re among an artist’s top listeners, as well as a personalized playlist of their top 100 songs of that year to save, share and listen to whenever they’re feeling nostalgic. Spotify also creates a series of playlists that reflect national and global listening trends, featuring the top streamed artists and songs. In 2023, Taylor Swift was Spotify’s most streamed artist, unseating Bad Bunny who had held the title for three years in a row. Each year has something new in store. In 2019, Wrapped included a summary of users’ streaming trends for the entire decade. Last year, Spotify matched listeners to a Sound Town based on their artist affinities and how it lined up with those in other parts of the world. When is the expected release date? So far, the streaming platform has kept the highly anticipated release date of Wrapped under ... er, wraps. In past years, it’s been released after Thanksgiving, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. Each year, rumors tend to swell on social media around when Spotify stops collecting data in order to prepare their Wrapped results, and this year was no exception. Spotify quickly squashed those presumptions, assuring on social media that “Spotify Wrapped doesn’t stop counting on October 31st.” A representative for Spotify did not respond to a request for comment on when the company stops tracking data for Wrapped. Where can I find my Spotify Wrapped? When Wrapped is released, each user’s Spotify account will prompt them to view their interactive data roundup. It can be accessed through the Spotify smartphone app, or by logging on to the Spotify website. Wrapped is available to users with and without Premium subscriptions. What else can I learn with my Spotify data? There are a handful of third-party sites that you can connect your Spotify account to that will analyze your Wrapped data. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. How Bad is Your Spotify is an AI bot that judges your music taste. Receiptify gives you your top songs on a sharable graphic that looks like, yes, a receipt. Instafest gives you your own personal music festival-style lineup based on your top artists. How NPRCore Are You assesses how similar your music taste is to NPR Music’s. What if I don’t have Spotify? Other major streaming platforms such as Apple Music and YouTube Music have developed their own versions of Wrapped in recent years. Apple Music’s Replay not only gives its subscribers a year-end digest of their listening habits but monthly summaries as well — a feature that helps differentiate itself from the one-time Spotify recap. That’s released at the end of the calendar year. YouTube Music, meanwhile, has a similar end-of-the-year release for its listeners, as well as periodic seasonal releases throughout the year. It released its annual Recap for users earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement

Allcargo Terminals Limited , which is in the process of raising Rs 500 crore, will invest Rs 115 crore in developing a multimodal logistics park in Farrukhnagar, Haryana, said managing director Suresh Kumar R. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results “Over phases, we will raise funds through various methods and be ready to invest at the right time,” he told ET. The logistics park is being developed in partnership with the Haryana Orbital Rail Corporation Limited (HORCL), part of the Rs 6,000 crore initiative led by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Allcargo Terminals had acquired a 7.6% stake in HORCL. “The total investment will be based on the operating model we finalise. We have invested in the HORCL equity and are committed to another Rs 23 crore while balance investments for land access, private freight terminal and inland container depot are in advanced stages of finalisation,” said the executive. 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The project will link major industrial and warehousing hubs such as Palwal and Sonipat, diverting goods traffic away from Delhi to reduce congestion and drive Haryana’s economic growth. “NCR (National Capital Region) and the adjacent states contribute a lot to the Indian economy. And we believe this investment will help us contribute to the accelerated growth of north India,” said Kumar R. “This investment will enhance our capability to develop multimodal logistics parks and inland container depots in the northern India market.” Set to be completed by December 2027, the HORC project will enhance freight connectivity, provide direct links to the Dedicated Freight Corridor and foster the development of new industrial zones along Haryana's western periphery. The logistics park is spread over a 100-acre facility and will have a private freight terminal, inland container depot and warehouse. “We have set in motion initiatives to enhance our capability in a phased manner in the next four to six quarters. With this, we expect to add about 40-45% additional capacity in the coming four to six quarters,” said Kumar R. The Farrukhnagar logistics park will be the first for the company, and it has plans for more such facilities. “We already have a strong footprint of container freight trains – two in JNPT, two in Mundra, one in Kolkata and one in Chennai. Partnership for one more in Chennai is already signed while additional land has been bought at Mundra... it’s a pan-India footprint. And since the business is evolving, we are also changing ourselves and getting closer to what the customer wants,” said Kumar R. The multimodal logistics park will act as the preferred logistics hub for investors from countries such as Japan, South Korea and France, enhancing its importance, he said. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024 Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is November 30, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )A CUSTOMER at Home Depot was left fuming recently when they were presented with certain options at checkout. The shopper said their local store featured mostly self-checkout kiosks available while getting what they needed. While self-checkouts are fairly common at retailers nowadays and are becoming even more of a focus at many shops nationwide, some consumers are adamant about having traditional checkout lanes with a cashier assisting. A select few have even gone as far as to threaten to boycott retailers who put self-checkouts in place of cashiered service. "Attn: Home Depot and any other stores considering replacing HUMAN BEINGS with self-checkout," fumed a shopper, Theresa, in a post to Facebook earlier this month. "I WILL NO LONGER BE SHOPPING IN YOUR STORE!" Read More on Home Depot "If we just keep doing it, they will continue to push the non-human agenda," the added. Theresa recounted her recent experience at Home Depot , where she discovered specifically asking for a cashier avoided paying at self-checkout kiosks. A Home Depot employee had asked her whether she was paying cash or credit in the self-checkout line, and she gave him the one-word answer of "human" instead, which seemingly worked. "When the kid helping to move the self-checkout line along at Home Depot asked cash or credit, I said HUMAN please," Theresa recalled. Most read in Money "This woman who was assisting said I agree, I'll help you. I paid and left." Even with long lines at traditional checkouts in other stores like Stop & Shop , Theresa added that she would wait "triple the amount of time" to checkout just to not support self-checkouts. It wouldn't be the first time Home Depot shoppers have issued complaints about self-checkout in recent months. CART CHAOS Some carts at the home improvement retailer now have locking technology to prevent theft. Earlier this month, a customer who bought two faucet covers worth $5 claimed her cart was locked after paying for her items and attempting to exit the store. It allegedly prompted an employee to come over and verify before digitally unlocking the cart. Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft. Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members. Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead. While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance. One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks. However, that test run has been phased out. At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout. Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience. As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US. Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines. The shopper, Patrica, said she'd be "going to Lowe's in the future" in a post on X. "They don't treat customers like thieves," she fumed. SCREAM AND SHOUT In October, a customer, Carl, claimed in a post on X that the Home Depot employees at the self-checkout area within his store would yell at him "like going through a TSA line." It too frustrated him so much that he said he would "drive a little farther to Lowe's now" instead. Home Depot responded to Carl and empathized, noting it would take action to re-train staff. "I understand your frustration with the self-checkout," a spokesperson replied. "Thank you for sharing your experience. We will use this feedback as an internal coaching opportunity." The U.S. Sun previously contacted Home Depot for more information on the situation but did not hear back. Read More on The US Sun Another shopper was furious recently after they were allegedly refused a refund for a specific reason. Home Depot will also temporarily close all of its over 2,000 stores nationwide in the coming days, and Lowe's won't be available either.

Who has Trump picked for his Cabinet so far? What to know after Matt Gaetz withdraws from AG

A lucky Oz Lotto player has won an entire jackpot but is yet to claim their . or signup to continue reading The , 1, 29, 20, 23, 34, 46, 39 with the supplementary numbers 42, 43, 24, were drawn on December 10. Oz Lotto officials know the winning ticket was bought in South Australia at an SA Lotteries outlet in the state's Mid-North Region. "If the elusive player had registered their ticket to The Lott Members Club, officials from The Lott would have reached out to them tonight to confirm the life-changing news," the Lott said. "Instead, the ticket was unregistered, so officials are eagerly waiting for the ticketholder to check their entry and make contact to start the prize claim process." The jackpot is the second-biggest win to land in South Australia in 2024 after an Adelaide man pocketed a $150 million Powerball prize in May. "We can't wait for them to discover this winning news! Just imagine how $50 million might change your plans for Christmas and the year ahead," the Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said. "There are 50 million reasons why all South Australian players who had an entry in tonight's draw should check their tickets as soon as possible. "If you discover you're holding the division one winning entry, hold on tight to that ticket and phone 131 868 as soon as possible so that we can start the prize claim process!" Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement

Longtime Democrat switches to the GOP because of a glaring reason

AMGEN TO PRESENT AT CITI'S 2024 GLOBAL HEALTHCARE CONFERENCEThe US tech giant said it now supported 550,000 jobs in the UK through direct employment, its supply chain and the economy around its App Store – with app developers having earned nearly £9 billion since it launched in 2008. Apple said its engineering teams were carrying out critical work on the firm’s biggest services, including key technology within Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s suite of generative AI-powered tools which are expected to launch in the UK for the first time this week. Elsewhere, the firm said its growing TV empire, spearheaded by its Apple TV+ streaming service and production arm, had also helped boost its investment in the UK with Apple TV+ production in this country tripling in the last two years, the company said. Chief executive Tim Cook said: “We’ve been serving customers in the UK for more than 40 years, and we’re proud of our deep connection with communities across this country. “We’re thrilled to be growing our Apple teams here, and to keep supporting the extraordinary innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of technology in so many ways.” The Chancellor Rachel Reeves said companies such as Apple were “intrinsic” to the UK’s prosperity by boosting jobs. “This government is laser focused on creating the right conditions for growth to help put more money in people’s pockets. “That’s what underpins the Plan for Change and is what has driven £63 billion worth of inward investment in the UK through our first international investment summit. “Companies like Apple are intrinsic to the success of our nation’s prosperity – helping deliver jobs, innovative technology, and boost infrastructure.”AMGEN TO PRESENT AT CITI'S 2024 GLOBAL HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE

Stocks shook off a choppy start to finish higher Monday, as Wall Street kicked off a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 ended 0.7% higher after having been down 0.5% in the early going. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also recovered from an early slide to eke out a 0.2% gain. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Gains in technology and communications stocks accounted for much of the gains, outweighing losses in consumer goods companies and elsewhere in the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 3.7%. Broadcom climbed 5.5% to also help support the broader market. Walmart fell 2% and PepsiCo slid 1%. Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. U.S.-listed shares in Honda jumped 12.7%, while Nissan ended flat. Eli Lilly rose 3.7% after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Department store Nordstrom fell 1.5% after it agreed to be taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. All told, the S&P 500 rose 43.22 points to 5,974.07. The Dow gained 66.69 points to 42,906.95. The Nasdaq rose 192.29 points to 19,764.89. Traders got a look at a new snapshot of U.S. consumer confidence Monday. The Conference Board said that consumer confidence slipped in December. Its consumer confidence index fell back to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 113.8. The unexpectedly weak consumer confidence update follows several generally strong economic reports last week. One report showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The latest report on unemployment benefit applications showed that the job market remains solid. A report on Friday said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than economists expected. Worries about inflation edging higher again had been weighing on Wall Street and the Fed. The central bank just delivered its third cut to interest rates this year, but inflation has been hovering stubbornly above its target of 2%. It has signaled that it could deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than it earlier anticipated because of concerns over inflation. Expectations for more interest rate cuts have helped drive a roughly 25% gain for the S&P 500 in 2024. That drive included 57 all-time highs this year. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market's path ahead and shifting economic policies under an incoming President Donald Trump. "Put simply, much of the strong market performance prior to last week was driven by expectations that a best-case scenario was the base case for 2025," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.59% from 4.53% late Friday. European markets closed mostly lower, while markets in Asia gained ground. Wall Street has several other economic reports to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the U.S. will release its November report for sales of newly constructed homes. A weekly update on unemployment benefits is expected on Thursday. Markets in the U.S. will close at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas.Embargo date: from 00.01 a.m., Tuesday 3rd December 2024 Renew commitment to high ethical standards, report on local financial governance reform argues English councils seeking to restore trust in how they spend council taxpayers' money should recommit to the Nolan principles underpinning high standards in public life, a report published today by the think-tank Localis has advised. In a new report entitled “Present Tense: renewing and reforming local financial governance towards long-term resilience and sustainability”, Localis acknowledges the severe challenges faced by councils since the abolition in 2010 of regulator the Audit Commission and straitened local finance settlements but argues improved governance will be essential to ensuring attempts by the new government to rebuild local public finances are effective. Among principal recommendations aimed at councils, the report calls for a shift towards long-term financial planning in line with multi-year settlements anticipated in next spring's Comprehensive Review, and for local authorities to create organisational cultures that embrace challenge and criticism and hold town hall leaders accountable. This process would be achieved, the paper suggests, by: In their recommendations to central government, the report authors call for a national body or set of local bodies to oversee the local audit system by setting standards, managing contracts, maintaining quality of audit as well as overseeing the strategic functions of local authorities. A further key recommendation is for central government to provide a framework for local government that establishes a clear definition of good governance and outlines the different roles and responsibilities of local government – effectively moving away from the current centralised approach to council financing and empowering local authorities to manage their finances strategically. Other recommendations in the study include a call to give councils more resources to clear the backlog of audits and also to recruit and retain experienced governance officers by working with professional organisations. Localis chief executive, Jonathan Werran, said:“In renewing governance, the task for local authorities – to focus on meeting their statutory obligations and pursuing innovative governance strategies without compromising their core functions – is extremely challenging. “Many councils are already actively engaged in reform and organisational development to respond to the challenges we identified and many of the recommendations are drawn from this best practice. “However, there is still work to be done in universalising a reformist mindset in the sector and ensuring that an ethos of public service, combined with long-term, strategic thinking, guides local decision-making and service provision everywhere in England.” Localis senior researcher, Callin McLinden, said:“Local authorities continue to face unprecedented financial challenges, exacerbated by years of austerity and outdated funding models reliant on central government grants. “Our report, Present Tense, reveals an alarming erosion of governance capacity, undermining councils' ability to manage finances, oversee contracts, and plan effectively. “It calls for urgent reform to create a more accountable, transport, and sustainable system of local government finance that empowers councils to deliver for their communities. “Collaboration between the government and local authorities will prove absolutely vital to rebuilding trust and ensuring resilient local finances in the long-term.” Guy Clifton, Local Government Value for Money Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP , said:“As auditors of local government we recognise the diagnoses set out in this report. “Whilst high profile governance failures at some councils should not reflect on the sector as a whole, these failures are a symptom of the need to renew the system of governance. “All councils continue to operate in an environment of increasing complexity, uncertainty and volatility. “The report provides an important contribution to the changes needed to improve decision making, scrutiny and the stewardship of public finances nationally.” Simon Christian, Local Government Consulting Director, Grant Thornton UK LLP , said:“Now is a time for renewal in governance in the local government sector. “The systems of oversight and scrutiny need to be improved both nationally and within local councils as, if the financial challenges ahead for the sector are to be met, robust and effective governance is essential.” ENDS Press enquiries: Nuala Cudmore, Communications Manager, Localis (Mobile) 07510 691149 / (Email) ... Notes to Editors: Localis is an independent think-tank dedicated to issues related to politics, public service reform and localism. We carry out innovative research, hold events and facilitate an ever-growing network of members to stimulate and challenge the current orthodoxy of the governance of the UK. 'X' @Localis Bluesky bsky About Grant Thornton UK LLP Grant Thornton is one of the world's leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. We are an adviser that delivers technical expertise and a personal, proactive and agile service that goes beyond. The UK member firm is part of a global network that employs 62,000 people in over 140 countries. The UK Grant Thornton member firm is led by over 200 partners and employs over 5,500 of the profession's brightest minds. We are a business adviser that celebrates fresh thinking and diverse perspectives to bring you proactive insights and a service you can trust. Grant Thornton UK LLP has been working with local authorities and other public sector clients for over 30 years. We have over 500 public sector specialists and over 200 local government clients in the UK. We are the leading provider of external audit services to local government. Our blend of consultancy, advisory and assurance expertise, including our deep analytical capabilities, means that we are a leading advisor to councils, supporting them in managing their current and future challenges and opportunities. Find out more at @GrantThorntonUK Key report recommendations In renewing governance, the task for local authorities – to focus on meeting their statutory obligations and pursuing innovative governance strategies without compromising their core functions – is extremely challenging. It must be acknowledged that the stripping out of funding has played a major role in the baleful proliferation of governance issues, and that ultimately local government must reckon with the cost of providing vital local services whilst also engaging in placemaking. However, increased funding alone will not solve all of the challenges facing local government. Improved governance is essential to ensuring that additional funds are used wisely and effectively. Across the sector, many councils are already actively engaged in reform and organisational development to respond to the many challenges identified in this report. Many of the recommendations below are drawn from this best practice. However, there is still work to be done in universalising a reformist mindset across the sector, and ensuring that the ethos of public service combined with long-term, strategic thinking guides local decision-making and service provision everywhere in England. Some specific recommendations for local government are listed below: The government should look to shift from a centralised, adversarial approach to overseeing local government to a collaborative model, empowering local authorities to make financial decisions based on local needs and priorities. Furthermore, central government should actively support and respect local decision-making on certain matters as a principle of subsidiarity, recognising the expertise and great potential of local authorities to manage their finances and services. It is also important that government implements more stable and long-term policies at the level of place. The provision of multi-year funding settlements is a positive start in this direction but the real test will be in the formulation and application of the forthcoming reforms to devolution and economic strategy. Central government also needs to improve communication with local authorities and work with sector-led, intermediary professional and stakeholder bodies to provide clearer guidance on its priorities. Some specific policy recommendations for central government are listed below: MENAFN02122024004644010603ID1108948851 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

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San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz Current Records: San Antonio 9-8, Utah 4-12 When: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET Where: Delta Center -- Salt Lake City, Utah TV: FanDuel SN - Southwest Follow: CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $8.00 The Jazz will be in front of their home fans on Tuesday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They will host the San Antonio Spurs at 9:00 p.m. ET at Delta Center. Both worked hard to overcome the odds in their previous battles and are surely both feeling confident heading into this clash. Having struggled with four defeats in a row, the Jazz finally turned things around against the Knicks on Saturday. They enjoyed a cozy 121-106 victory over New York. That looming 121-106 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for Utah yet this season. Lauri Markkanen went supernova for the Jazz, shooting 5-for-8 from long range and almost dropping a double-double on 34 points and nine rebounds. The match was Markkanen's third in a row with at least 30 points. Another player making a difference was Collin Sexton, who went 6 for 8 from beyond the arc en route to 25 points plus five assists. The Jazz were working as a unit and finished the game with 30 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as the Knicks only posted 25. Meanwhile, the Spurs had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7 points) and they went ahead and made it three on Saturday. They came out on top against Golden State by a score of 104-94. The win was all the more spectacular given San Antonio was down by 17 with 3:34 left in the third quarter. Harrison Barnes and Victor Wembanyama were among the main playmakers for the Spurs as the former went 7 for 8 en route to 22 points plus eight rebounds and the latter almost dropped a double-double on 25 points and nine assists. Wembanyama is also on a roll when it comes to blocks, as he's now posted two or more in the last 13 games he's played. Utah's victory bumped their record up to 4-12. As for San Antonio, they pushed their record up to 9-8 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Not only did both teams in this Tuesday's game win their last matches, they also took care of their bettors and covered the spread. Going forward, the Spurs are expected to win a tight contest, barring any buzzer beaters. This contest will be Utah's 14th straight as the underdogs (so far over this stretch they are 6-7 against the spread). The Jazz came up short against the Spurs in their previous matchup on Thursday, falling 126-118. Will the Jazz have more luck at home instead of on the road? San Antonio is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Utah, according to the latest NBA odds . The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Spurs as a 2-point favorite. The over/under is 226 points. See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now . Utah and San Antonio both have 5 wins in their last 10 games. Nov 21, 2024 - San Antonio 126 vs. Utah 118 Nov 09, 2024 - Utah 111 vs. San Antonio 110 Oct 31, 2024 - San Antonio 106 vs. Utah 88 Mar 27, 2024 - San Antonio 118 vs. Utah 111 Feb 25, 2024 - Utah 128 vs. San Antonio 109 Dec 26, 2023 - Utah 130 vs. San Antonio 118 Mar 29, 2023 - Utah 128 vs. San Antonio 117 Feb 28, 2023 - San Antonio 102 vs. Utah 94 Feb 25, 2023 - Utah 118 vs. San Antonio 102 Dec 26, 2022 - San Antonio 126 vs. Utah 122Why this NJ meme is meant to make you believe