roulette lobby GitHub today announced GitHub Copilot Free, a free new tier of GitHub Copilot that integrates directly with Visual Studio Code. “Now automatically integrated into VS Code, all of you have access to 2,000 code completions and 50 chat messages per month, simply by signing in with your personal GitHub account,” . “Copilot Free gives you the choice between Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet or OpenAI’s GPT-4o model. You can ask a coding question, explain existing code, or have it find a bug. You can execute edits across multiple files. And you can access Copilot’s third-party agents or build your own extension.” Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift! , it appears that the main limitation of GitHub Copilot Free when compared to the free versions is usage-based: Where GitHub Copilot Pro, Business, and Enterprise all offer unlimited messages, interactions, and real-time code suggestions each month, the free version tops out at 50 messages and interactions, and 2000 code suggestions per month. It also doesn’t offer pull request, issue, and discussion summaries, and some other high-end features. But the basics are all there: You can use different models, tailor the chat to your codebase, integrate with unlimited GitHub Copilot extensions, build your own private extensions, access core features like chat and prompt suggestions, and get code feedback in Visual Studio Code. : With this, GitHub Copilot becomes a core part of the Visual Studio Code experience. . Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each FridayJaylen Brown scores 29 points before Celtics beat Timberwolves 107-105 with late defensive standWhat happened to Northwest Iowa Democrats in 2024 and what comes next?

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Syrians protest after Christmas tree burned Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” Germans mourn after Christmas market attack German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. Heavy snow hits the Balkans A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” Planes grounded in the United States American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. Spanish ministries bring seafarers holiday cheer In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. ___ Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report. Jalal Bwaitel, The Associated PressBy Conor Ryan The final score in Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Dolphins mapped out a 34-15 loss for New England. But in reality, this game was far more uncompetitive than whatever can be gleaned from a 19-point disparity. New England spotted Miami 31 unanswered points to open the game, with porous offensive-line play keeping Drake Maye’s aerial attack grounded and a regressing defense dissected by Tua Tagovailoa (four touchdowns, 317 passing yards). “The last thing I told the guys, ‘It’s all about us,’ and this is before the game,” Jerod Mayo said after a lackluster showing in Miami Gardens. “I said, ‘It’s about us. It’s not about anybody else. It’s about us and making a commitment to one another.’ That’s what the game really came down to. “It’s us going out there, kicking ourselves in the butt or stomping our toe against the wall because of penalties. We don’t have a team.... I don’t think any team wants to go backwards in any [case], but we did that today.” To make matters worse, New England kept on shooting itself in the foot due to a parade of penalties. New England was whistled for 13 total penalties on Sunday, 10 of which were accepted by Miami for a total of 75 total yards. While penalty totals can sometimes be inflated by post-snap calls made by the officials such as pass interference — New England was whistled for six pre-snap infractions. Be it tackles in Vederian Lowe and Demontrey Jacobs whistled for false starts or both Austin Hooper and Anfernee Jennings not lining up properly as part of neutral-zone infractions — New England had way too many self-inflicted miscues that either stalled momentum or gifted an already lethal Miami offense easy yards. Sunday’s loss might have represented a frustrating low point for New England when it comes to penalty issues. But it’s also far from an outlier, with the Patriots entering Week 12 averaging 7.73 penalties per contest. “Look, it starts with me. It starts with me,” Mayo said. “We’ve had these hiccups of games where the penalties really affected us, and it did today.” Be it the offensive line or an overall defense that has been eroded by injuries, absences, and an overall decline in play, Drake Maye has been arguably the one part of the roster that has moved in the right direction for New England as of late. And while Maye’s turnover woes (one interception, one strip sack) reared their collective head on Sunday, New England’s repeated miscues in pass protection and discipline have lingered for much longer. New England might roll with the punches with a rookie QB like Maye when it comes to his growing pains. But the Patriots don’t have the margin for error in place to remain competitive with so many flags hitting the gridiron. “I mean, that’s why we’re coaches. We got to find a solution, whether that’s... You got to figure out what lever to pull to get a guy going,” Mayo said. “Sometimes, look, it could look good during the week, and then you get into the game, and it’s a surprise.” The Patriots’ personnel on the field also left a lot to be desired. Both Jacobs and Lowe struggled to keep the pocket clean for Maye, while multiple stalwarts in New England’s secondary had no answers for Jaylen Waddle (eight catches, 144 yards, 1 TD) and Jonnu Smith (nine catches, 87 yards, 1 TD). Even though Mayo bemoaned New England’s lapses in execution, he added that just about everyone in the Patriots’ locker room on Sunday will want to burn the tape the following morning. “Look, once those guys cross the white lines, there’s nothing I can do for them,” Mayo said. “There’s nothing any coach can do for them once they cross the white line. It’s my job to continue to prepare not only them, but our coaches to go out here and play better football.” Conor Ryan Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023. Sign up for Patriots updates🏈 Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season. Be civil. Be kind.

Many mysterious drones have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern U.S., sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why. The FBI, the Homeland Security Department and state agencies have been investigating, but officials say there has been nothing so far to suggest that any drones have posed a national security or public safety threat. In fact, authorities say, many of the drone sightings have actually been legal drones, manned aircraft, helicopters and even stars. President Joe Biden said Tuesday night that there appears to be nothing nefarious about the flying objects. “There are a lot of drones authorized. We are following this closely. So far no sense of danger,” the Democrat said as he left the White House for a trip to Delaware. Despite federal officials' comments, many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly unmanned aircraft — and for the authority to shoot them out of the sky. The House Intelligence Committee grilled federal law enforcement and intelligence officials about the drones during a closed-door meeting Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut told CNN. Authorities told the panel there still is no evidence that drones are posing dangers, Himes said. What has been seen in New Jersey? Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones statewide since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said Monday that drone-detection equipment supplied by the federal government has yielded little new information. He declined to describe the equipment except to say it was powerful and could even disable the drones, though he said that’s not legal on U.S. soil. Murphy urged Congress to give states more authority to deal with the drones. Meanwhile, the FBI and New Jersey state police warned against pointing lasers at suspected drones, because aircraft pilots are being hit in the eyes more often. Authorities also said they are concerned people might fire weapons at manned aircraft that they have mistaken for drones. But do the drones pose a threat? The growing anxiety among some residents is not lost on the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Monday that the federal government has yet to identify any public safety or national security risks. “There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States,” Kirby said. “And there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day. That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.” The federal government has deployed personnel and advanced technology to investigate the reports in New Jersey and other states, and is evaluating each tip reported by citizens, he said. About 100 of the more than 5,000 drone sightings reported to the FBI in recent weeks were deemed credible enough to warrant more investigation, according to a joint statement by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense. Who is operating the drones? Speculation has raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents or clandestine operations by the U.S. government. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said it’s unlikely the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are. And he repeated Tuesday that the drones being reported are not being operated by the Department of Defense. Asked whether military contractors might be operating drones in the New Jersey area, Ryder rebuffed the notion, saying there are “no military operations, no military drone or experiment operations in this corridor.” Ryder said additional drone-detecting technology was being moved to some military installations, including the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. Drone activity in the past week led to an hourlong closure of runways at New York’s Stewart International Airport, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, a four-hour closure of air space around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, and the arrests of two men in Boston accused by police of flying a drone too close to Logan International Airport. Officials urge action against the drones Trump has said he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on Truth Social. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, said he has heard nothing to support the notion that the government is hiding anything. He said a lack of faith in institutions is playing a key part in the saga. “Nothing that I’m seeing, nothing that I’ve engaged in gives me any impression of that nature. But like, I get it, some people won’t believe me, right? Because that’s the level of distrust that we face,” Kim said Monday. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut last week called for the drones to be “shot down.” Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Michael Casey in Boston; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut; Tara Copp in Washington; and Bruce Schreiner in Shelbyville, Kentucky. The latest from MassLiveFor Black Friday, Costco’s Best Deal Is Its Gold Star Membership Which Is Nearly FreeI’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! will be crowning the latest King or Queen of the Jungle in just a few hours. The bookies odds have shifted around over the course of the competition so far - with Danny Jones and Coleen Rooney jostling at the top. After over three weeks in the Australian jungle, just three celebrities are left after Saturday’s episode. Danny, Coleen, Richard Coles and Oti Mabuse took on the Celebrity Cyclone last night, before Oti's unexpected elimination took place. ITV have confirmed the start time for the I’m a Celebrity final tonight. The show will start at 9pm - meaning it will air in its usual time slot. While it's scheduled to begin at 9pm, ITV bosses have confirmed it will be one of the longest episodes of the series so far. The final I'm A Celebrity episode of the 2024 series will finish at 10.40pm, meaning that the final will be on for 100 minutes - including adverts. After the show ends, there will be even more action on spin off show, Unpacked, on ITV2 at 10.40pm - this will run for an hour and finish at 11.40pm. The King or Queen of the Jungle for 2024 will finally be announced at the end of tonight's show. Stars who have already been given the boot include Loose Women star Jane Moore and radio presenters Dean McCullough and Melvin Odoom. N-Dubz singer Tulisa, Love Island star Maura Higgins and boxing champion Barry McGuigan also left the jungle this week after being voted out by the public. So that left WAG Coleen Rooney , social media GK Barry, Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse, broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles, Corrie star Alan Halsall and McFly's Danny Jones remaining. In another double elimination Alan and GK left the camp, and Oti was voted out last night, meaning the final three who will be heading into the final three Coleen, Danny and Richard. And just a few hours before the final a winner has effectively already been declared. The bookies have been reviewing episodes and readjusting their predictions and have new odds that have seen one star take a lead in the run up to the finale. Viewers have the choice of McFly singer Danny Jones, The Communards's Reverend Richard Coles, and Coleen Rooney, the wife of footballer Wayne Rooney, to be voted for as the winner of the show. After three weeks of bushtucker trials, near relentless rain, and sleeping under the stars in the I'm A Celeb jungle camp, fans have been able to form opinions about the three celebrities. And it seems pop star Danny is the one to beat as he now has such good odds it appears unlikely anyone else will defeat him on his campaign to scoop the jungle crown. Major betting company Ladbrokes has reduced Danny's odd to 4/9 to win - while Coleen trails behind with 9/4 and Richard is limping further behind with odds of just 12/1. The Star Girl singer has been a show favourite to win since the 2024 season began and he looks set to be announced as the winner on Sunday night. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Danny couldn't be in a better position, as far as the odds are concerned... with just three names still standing, punters are convinced he's done enough to see off the chasing pack for this year's jungle crown." Danny will follow in the footsteps of two bandmates if he does actually become crowned winner of the show. Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

Prepping for Alamo Bowl, CU Buffs begin work in San Antonio

Madison County Schools superintendent David Gilliam has been working at Madison County since 1992, first starting as a teacher and coach, and for the last six years as the Superintendent. Now, after more than 30 years, Gilliam is retiring. Randy Neely will be the new Madison County Superintendent starting in January. During the Dec. 12th Madison County School Board meeting, Gilliam delivered his final superintendent’s report. In it, he encouraged new Superintendent Neely and the board members to “look beyond those measures that people usually look at at schools.” Instead of enrollment numbers and similar stats, he encouraged the board members to instead look at “the metrics that really make a difference.” He explained that if a school system is working things like the poverty rate, the literacy rate, average household income, and the health index should all improve. “If a school system is doing what it needs to be doing, yeah the state assessment scores will be good, yes attendance will be good, yes our budget will be in line. But we should also see those other pieces move,” said Gilliam. Gilliam told the Richmond Register that he believes that the county’s investment in the Ignite Academies and their attempts to value career and technical education will have a positive impact on local industries for years to come. Gilliam said that industries seeking to move into Richmond and Madison County have spoken with him during his time as Superintendent, and before that as Chief Academic Officer, about the infrastructure that is in place at the local school systems to support the work force. “Not only the career and technical education, but also the quality of our schools in general, so that it’s producing well-rounded, capable, intelligent people,” said Gilliam. While Gilliam encouraged the board to look at other statistics to determine how the school system is doing, Madison County is performing well on state metrics. According to the Kentucky Department of Education’s Report Card for Madison County, the school has seen a drop-out rate of around 1% over the last three years, with an attendance rate of over 91%, and a graduation rate of 94%. These are all in line with averages across the state. The Report Card also states that Madison County overall has high performance on state assessments in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and writing. “We have seen those numbers improve. But what I was talking about was the bigger picture, the real reason we are doing that,” said Gilliam. “All of those numbers are good, and we can see those immediately. But ultimately, does it really lead to quality jobs in local industry that are high paying and high functioning?” Gilliam said that the creation of the Ignite Academy has at least encouraged students, who before showed little interest in career and technical studies, to explore that education pathway. Gilliam told the Register that he is proud of the creation of the Ignite Academy, of partnerships created with local economy leaders, but that looking back at his tenure with Madison county what he was most proud of was the culture created across the district. “It’s valuing Madison County Schools as an important part of our community. I feel like we have continued to grow that over the last 10, 12 years. and I think that is probably the thing that I feel good about,” said Gilliam. Gilliam said that he hopes that as he leaves this position people look at him and think that he “left it better than he found it.” “That’s what I hope people would be able to say. ‘He came in, he worked hard, and during his time the school improved,” said Gilliam. Gilliam said that despite his retirement as Superintendent, he plans to still be involved some way in education. Though, at the same time, he shared that he has a farm and cows he plans to take care of. “I’m probably going to take some long mornings, and sit on the porch and drink coffee,” said Gilliam.The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has identified 527 buildings as dilapidated for 2024-25 after a city-wide survey. To enhance safety, the NMMC has mandated structural audits for all buildings older than 30 years. Navi Mumbai: To address growing concerns over deteriorating infrastructure, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has identified 527 buildings as dilapidated for the 2024-25 period, following an extensive survey on the structural integrity of buildings throughout the city. As part of ongoing safety measures, the NMMC has introduced a regulation requiring all buildings older than 30 years to undergo a mandatory structural audit. The 30-year threshold is determined based on either the building’s date of first occupancy or the issuance of its occupancy certificate. These audits must be carried out by engineers registered with the NMMC-approved panel. Property owners are required to submit the audit reports to the relevant ward office or the Town Planning department by March 31, 2025. Non-compliance will result in penalties under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act (MMCA), Section 3948 A. Owners failing to submit audits on time will face fines of ₹25,000 or an amount equivalent to their annual property tax, whichever is higher. An initiative to prevent accidents at old building in Navi Mumbai The NMMC’s survey, conducted under Section 264 of the MMCA, aims to improve safety and prevent potential accidents from structural failures. In a related development, the civic body has also mandated audits for buildings under redevelopment and those under 30 years old. This decision follows reports of manipulated audit reports in the past, with some property owners allegedly altering findings to expedite redevelopment approvals. For buildings availing redevelopment scheme The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has mandated that buildings undergoing redevelopment, those benefiting from redevelopment schemes, or structures less than 30 years old must undergo an audit conducted by IIT Bombay. “There were instances wherein the structural audit report of buildings which were just 15 years old were manipulated to get it declared as dilapidated and get it redeveloped. So, it has been made mandatory by the commissioner to avail the structural audit report through IIT,” said deputy municipal commissioner, encroachment, Dr Rahul Gethe. Click for more latest Delhi news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Harsh Trivedi, working as a Senior Sub Editor at TV9 Network primarily covers news updates from 8 major cosmopolitan cities. Harsh is a language agnostic journalist who is committed to ethical, credible, factual and responsible journalism through his research-driven stories. He talks about ‘Free Press’ and its significance for a free and functional democracy. In his 4.5-year-long TV & Digital journalism journey, Harsh is experienced in covering politics, crime & sports for some of the country’s leading media outlets including Network 18, ITV - NewsX, and The Free Press Journal, with an added experience of on-ground coverage from Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh during the 2023-Five State Vidhan Sabha Elections.Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigrationlobby roblox 。

Wednesday’s college basketball schedule features plenty of excitement, including a matchup between the Cornell Big Red and the Syracuse Orange, and there are our best bets against the spread for 10 games below. Watch men’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. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — Cobie Montgomery had 21 points in Southern Miss' 81-64 win over Alabama State on Thursday. Montgomery shot 6 for 10 (6 for 9 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Golden Eagles (4-4). Denijay Harris scored 20 points and added 20 rebounds. Neftali Alvarez shot 4 of 6 from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points, while adding six rebounds. The Hornets (3-6) were led in scoring by CJ Hines, who finished with 18 points. Amarr Knox and Shawn Fulcher each had 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .Love Island star announces their engagement with sweet snaps of surprise proposal and HUGE diamond ring - four years after villa stint Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By GERAINT LLEWELLYN FOR MAILONLINE Published: 20:30 GMT, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 22:24 GMT, 23 December 2024 e-mail 23 shares 4 View comments A Love Island star has announced their engagement with a snap post after surprising their partner with lavish proposal and huge diamond ring. Mike Boateng, who appeared on the ITV2 show's winter series back in 2020, took to Instagram on Monday after popping the question to his stunning girlfriend. The ex police officer, 29, shared a slew of snaps but didn't reveal his now fiancée's identity, as she hid her face behind a gorgeous bought of red roses while showing off the sparkler on her left hand. Mike surprised the future Mrs Boateng with a dessert during their swanky meal, and on the plate written in chocolate were the words: 'Will you marry me?'. The lovebirds could then be seeing embracing before the bride-to-be showed off her gorgeous ring in more detail Mike captioned the snaps with the date of his proposal December 21st as well as a proverb which read: 'Commit to the lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans'. A Love Island star has announced their engagement with a snap post after surprising their partner with lavish proposal and huge diamond ring Mike Boateng took to Instagram on Monday after popping the question to his stunning girlfriend The hunk appeared on the ITV2 show's winter series back in 2020 (pictured) Mike split from Priscilla Anyabu, whom he met on Love Island back in 2020, after 15 months of dating. They lost out on winning the show to Paige Turley, and Finn Tapp who scooped the £50,000 prize before splitting themsleves after three-years of dating . During his time in the villa Mike was paired with Leanna Amaning before being stole by Jess Gale and going on to Sophie Piper and later Pricilla , before being jumped from the island just days before the final. It comes a day after fellow Islander Rosie Williams , 33, who appeared on the show in 2018 took to Instagram to reveal that her handsome partner Sam Tankard had proposed. Rosie doesn't show her partner on social media and keeps their relationship mostly private. Set to a cover of Can't Help Falling in Love, a video showed Rosie's boyfriend getting down on one knee against the stunning backdrop of the ocean. The proposal took place on the luxurious Velaa Private Island in the Maldives, where room rates start at £5,365 per night. She looked stunning in a bridal white ruffled dress and boosted her height with heels for the special day. He shared a slew of snaps but didn't reveal his now fiancée's identity, as she hid her face behind a gorgeous bought of red roses while showing off the sparkler on her left hand The lovebirds could then be seeing embracing after she said yes The the bride-to-be then showed off her gorgeous ring in more detail Mike captioned the snaps with the date of his proposal December 21st as well as a proverb which read: 'Commit to the lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans' Mike split from Priscilla Anyabu, whom he met on the show back in 2020 , after 15 months of dating Mike starred on series six of Love Island and then went on to star on Celebrity Ex On The Beach (pictured) Rosie simply captioned the post with the date of the proposal: '17.12.2024.' Her fellow Love Island including Hayley Hughes and Samira Mighty were quick to congratulate her on the news in the comments. Rosie was best known for her tumultuous relationship with Adam Collard on the show. Read More Love Island's Mike Boateng reveals he had to wait 'two endless hours' for an ambulance while in 'excruciating pain' in health scare Last year Rosie issued a warning to Adam's now pregnant fiancée Laura Woods about his toxic behaviour and insisted that the sports presenter is 'too good for him.' Rosie who starred on the 2018 series with Adam, 29, told MailOnline that it appeared her former flame hasn't matured, judging by his TV appearance on Celebs Go Dating and return to Love Island in 2022. Charity Women's Aid accused Adam of 'emotional abuse' during his first stint on the ITV2 series after he appeared to 'smirk' when he dumped Rosie for Strictly star Zara McDermott . And after breaking the rules on Celebs Go Dating last year by bedding his co-star Lottie Moss , Rosie feared Adam could still be set in his old ways. The ex-solicitor also expressed her 'shock' after learning the news of Adam's new relationship with sports presenter Laura, 37, who is nine years his senior, and a credible figure in the TV industry. Rosie said: 'I know Laura Woods from watching sports and I always say how well she has done for herself... her career has excelled... it is incredible to see a woman in the sporting world doing so well. It comes a day after fellow Islander Rosie Williams , 33, who appeared on the show in 2018 took to Instagram to reveal that her handsome partner Sam Tankard had proposed Rosie was best known for her tumultuous relationship with Adam Collard on the show (seen together) Seen in her promo shot for Love Island in 2018 'I was just as shocked as everyone else when I was told she was dating Adam. I was told, I don't actually have Adam on social media. 'Adam and I were short lived, and it was five years ago now but when he went back on Love Island the second time, I hoped that he didn't treat the girls the same way that he did with me and Zara McDermott ... I hoped that he went on the show to find love as he said. 'Unfortunately, the same toxic pattern in his behaviour emerged... People like to tell me things and again in Celebs Go Dating, the exact same routine carried through, so he really hasn't changed. His TV appearances speak for themselves!' Rosie said that she is often asked what women see in Adam, who has dated a string of reality stars including Kate Moss's half-sister Lottie and Love Island's Paige Thorne. The Geordie gym owner has also romanced a number of girls that he's met outside of the entertainment industry such as exes Josie Baxter and Claudia Proctor. She added: 'When people question 'why are people falling for him all the time?' I say, 'he is charming and seems really sincere at first'... But I just wonder if he means it this time with Laura because I would hate for somebody else to get hurt by him.' Love Island Celebs Go Dating Share or comment on this article: Love Island star announces their engagement with sweet snaps of surprise proposal and HUGE diamond ring - four years after villa stint e-mail 23 shares Add comment

Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season

Adam Kinzinger, former Republican Congressman of Illinois and member of the January 6 committee, reacts to President-elect Donald Trump telling NBC's "Meet the Press" members of the Jan. 6th committee should "go to jail."

Falcons visit Vikings as a struggling Cousins returns to old home to find a thriving DarnoldBitcoin storms above $100K as Trump 2.0 fuels crypto euphoria14-minute implosion makes it another night to forget for Man City

Article content Alberta can administer the federal dental plan if it wishes, and a Pharmacare deal is near, said federal Health Minister Mark Holland in a joint announcement Thursday with Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange. The most immediate news was inking a $162-million deal to bring three drugs online to treat Albertans with rare illnesses. Alberta spent more than $130 million on more than 100 drugs in 2023-24 to treat “hundreds to thousands” of Albertans ill with rare diseases. An estimated one in 12 Albertans suffers from a rare disease. “It’s an incredibly heavy load to metabolize,” said Holland. “And imagine, on top of that, that you have to have a conversation about the cost of your medication, having to face a cost that is going to cripple your family. You have to sell your home or put your family in a precarious situation, maybe not be able to send one of your children to school. The stress of having to deal with that financially on top of a difficult diagnosis simply is unfair,” he said. Thursday’s bilateral agreement with the federal government under the National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases will provide $54 million annually for three years for new and emerging rare disease drugs and proven drugs, as well as diagnostics and screening. In March 2023, the Government of Canada announced the strategy, with up to $1.4 billion available over three years to provinces and territories through bilateral agreements. Holland touted LaGrange as an excellent partner for forming agreements between the provincial and federal governments. “First, we had an agreement on working together dealing with primary care, where we’ve seen huge progress in Alberta in terms of the number of physicians and nurses. We’ve been able to work together on that, on aging with dignity, and now on drugs for rare diseases,” Holland said. The first three drugs added to the new list are Poteligeo, which treats Sézary syndrome, a cancer affecting the skin and blood that affects one in 10 million people annually. Oxlumo can treat hyperoxaluria type 1, which affects fewer than three in one million and can lead to kidney stones and kidney damage. Epkinly treats large B-cell lymphoma, affecting organs like the spleen, liver or bone marrow for seven in 100,000 people each year. With the addition of these drugs to the list, approximately 30 Albertans will be eligible for the three drugs annually, the UCP government news release said. Dental and PharmaCare still in the works Still in the works are the federal dental plan and PharmaCare. Alberta and Ottawa are working to reach an agreement on Pharmaare, LaGrange said, citing other recent agreements as signs of ability to agree. “There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that has to happen,” she said. In regards to the administration of the PharmaCare program, every province is different in terms of what it might need and its formulary, Holland said. “When we announced the memorandum of understanding with British Columbia, as an example, they were able to take some of the money that they were saving through this program and partnership to help us announce something that was unexpected, which was menopause replacement therapy for women,” he said. Ottawa is OK with Alberta wading into administering dental care, Holland said. “I know Alberta has an interest in managing the dental care program. I have no problem with that whatsoever, but we agree on the idea that people need to be connected to care,” Holland said, citing a visit to Gander, N.L., where oral cancer was detected in dental care patients. “Those are oral cancers that would not have otherwise been identified, and you can imagine what would have happened to those folks if they hadn’t been identified,” he said. He touted other working agreements forged between the Alberta Health Ministry and the federal health agency. “Adriana and I had a great conversation today on this. We continue to talk about how essential it is for us to work together. I’m so committed to that, because Canada has an incredible advantage, and we shouldn’t lose sight of that,” he said. jcarmichael@postmedia.com Recommended from Editorial Launch of Alberta's new acute care agency delayed until spring 'Bridges critical gaps': Alberta earmarks $30M for clinics to serve most vulnerable in cities Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters . You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton SunIntech Investment Management LLC Invests $730,000 in Ready Capital Co. (NYSE:RC)VLSFO Oil Spill Remnants Haunt Mauritius Mangroves Three Years Later - Marine Technology News

Global Artificial Intelligence AI Rendering Market Set For 25.4% Growth, Reaching $3.95 Billion By 2028Doctors, patients must see and hear each other during teleconsults; MOH studying potential lapsesPolice release new photos as they search for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO

Immediately after Michigan defeated Ohio State this Saturday in Columbus, a massive brawl broke out at midfield. Apparently, the police needed to take drastic measures to break it up. Ohio State players were furious that Michigan wanted to plant a flag at midfield. While we understand why, it's hard to get mad after blowing a game where your team was favored by three touchdowns. That being said, punches were thrown as soon as the Wolverines tried to claim Ohio Stadium as their own. In an effort to defuse the tension, the cops used pepper spray on the field. Some Michigan players were spotted with tears in their eyes. Not only were players hit with pepper spray, some reporters were also struck in the crossfire. "Just got secondhand pepper sprayed," Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated wrote on X . Forde also shared a video of the wild scene at Ohio Stadium. pic.twitter.com/OotacVEVPI Ohio State coach Ryan Day was asked about this afternoon's brawl. His response was pretty underwhelming. "I don’t know all the details of it, but those guys were looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen," Day told reporters . "Certainly we’re embarrassed about the loss, but we have some prideful guys." Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, on the other hand, said Ohio State has to learn how to lose with grace. Icon Sportswire/Getty Images "For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," Mullings said . "It's just bad for the sport, it's bad for college football. At the end of the day though, some people gotta learn how to lose man. You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost a game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. So now you want to fight? That's just wrong. It's bad for the game - classless, in my opinion. People got to be better." The Big Ten has not yet announced if players will be disciplined for their actions. At the very least, Michigan and Ohio State have to come forward and accept some responsibility for this mess. Related: Ryan Day Had Awful Response When Asked About Ohio State's Brawl With Michigan

how to make lobby in roblox studio 。

Messi's son debuts at Argentina youth tournament as grandparents watch‘Check-in chicken’: The bold new method people are using to score the best plane seatsManager Ralf Rangnick is believed to have played a significant role in the decision to potentially offload Rashford, as he looks to implement his own tactical vision and style of play at the club. With a new era dawning at Manchester United following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Rangnick is keen to strengthen the squad and bring in players who can fully commit to his philosophy.Stellantis studying adding fully-electric Pacifica as part of next generation redesign

Nanjing's local authorities from the Department of Commerce have expressed their enthusiasm for the summit, highlighting the opportunities it presents for fostering high-quality cross-border e-commerce enterprises. They emphasized the importance of focusing on areas such as intellectual property protection, brand building, and innovative business models to support companies in expanding their global footprint and reaping the benefits of international markets.Important Moments In The History Of GPS NavigationThe Department of the Air Force has moved to by aligning the Headquarters Cyberspace Capabilities Center at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois as a field operating agency to the Office of the DAF Chief Information Officer. “This is a significant step toward streamlining and consolidating Information Technology functions and ensuring unity of effort in IT service delivery across the Air Force and Space Force,” Secretary of the Air Force said in a statement published Monday. Enabling IT Enterprise to Accelerate Capability Development “By combining and aligning these functions to their authoritative owner, the IT enterprise will be able to produce capabilities in shorter, more rapid development cycles – ensuring requirements are expediently actioned and delivered to the Airmen and Guardians who need them,” the awardee added. The move took effect Friday, Dec. 20. Follow-on measures will include future administrative changes and realignment of functions from other organizations. “I have a responsibility to the secretary, but also his staff and both services, to ensure their IT requirements are captured and developed in a way that is not only responsive but cost effective and interoperable with one another,” said , chief information officer at DAF. “We can do this through effective governance, and alignment of the Cyberspace Capabilities Center as a Field Operating Agency to my office, will help reinforce adherence to the capability delivery process,” added Goodwine, a fellow recipient. Headquarters Cyberspace Capabilities Center is expected to achieve full operational capability by October 2025. According to the department, there will be no movement of personnel as a result of the changes, which seek to organize, equip and train the IT enterprise and cyberspace domain.

The aftermath of the massacre has left a deep sense of grief and despair among the survivors and the loved ones of the victims. The loss of innocent lives, including women and children, has sent shockwaves through the already fragile community, further deepening the wounds of poverty and suffering. Funerals are being held for the deceased, as families mourn the untimely deaths of their relatives and friends.

TimeTec Semiconductor, a leading player in the semiconductor industry, has been attracting attention due to its cutting-edge technology and strong growth potential. The company's focus on innovation and commitment to quality has made it a favorite among investors looking for long-term value. Big funds have taken notice of TimeTec Semiconductor's potential and have been steadily increasing their stakes in the company, signaling their confidence in its future prospects.

In conclusion, Red Rock ETF's achievement of surpassing 71.1 billion RMB in total size and breaking the 20 billion RMB mark for one of its leading products is a testament to its strong performance and leadership in the ETF industry. With its innovative approach, strategic investment focus, and commitment to customer satisfaction, Red Rock ETF is poised for continued success in the competitive and dynamic financial markets.

With both teams boasting a wealth of talent and tactical acumen, the match is sure to be a showcase of top-quality football. From the attacking prowess of City's star-studded lineup to United's resolute defense and counter-attacking threat, fans can expect an exciting and closely contested battle on the pitch.The decision by FIFA to compensate Barcelona for Araujo's injury reflects a recognition of the financial burden placed on clubs when key players are sidelined due to long-term injuries. The 2.65 million euros in compensation will provide Barcelona with some much-needed financial support, helping them to cover the costs associated with Araujo's rehabilitation and the recruitment of temporary replacements.

Moving on to the central defender position, the inclusion of Ruben Dias from Manchester City has also been met with skepticism. While Dias has been a key player in City's dominant defensive displays, some feel that players like Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool or Raphael Varane of Real Madrid have had a more impactful season and should have been chosen instead.Despite the progress made in submitting Oscar's naturalization materials, the final outcome is yet to be determined. The General Administration of Sport will carefully review the documents and assess various criteria before making a decision. While the process may be intricate and time-consuming, the anticipation surrounding Oscar's potential naturalization reflects the eagerness of fans to see him don the Chinese national team jersey and showcase his talent on a broader platform.

Title: Suspected Poisoning Incident Raises Concern as Multiple People Fall Ill at New Bathing Center Only 5 Months After OpeningSilicon Photonics I/O represents a significant leap forward in data transfer speeds and efficiency. By leveraging light particles to transmit data, silicon photonics I/O enables data to be moved at speeds that far surpass traditional electrical connections. This technology promises to dramatically reduce latency, increase bandwidth, and improve power efficiency in AI accelerators, ultimately leading to faster and more responsive AI applications. NVIDIA's integration of silicon photonics I/O into its future AI accelerators is set to redefine the way data is handled and processed in the AI ecosystem.

In addition to its technical expertise, the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development has set it apart in the industry. By adopting green building practices, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing best practices in construction waste management, the Beijing Urban Construction Group is not only building structures but also building a better future for the community.Louisville will aim to end a three-game losing streak when it hosts UTEP on Wednesday, but beating the Miners may not be an easy feat. UTEP (6-2) comes to the Derby City winners of three straight, most recently beating Seattle 88-72 on Saturday. The Miners shot 56.1 percent (32 of 57) and used a 24-2 first-half run to essentially put the game away. Coach Joe Golding said that first-half performance may have been UTEP's best in his four years leading the school. "I thought offensively and defensively the first 20 minutes we were really locked in and ready to go. (The game) never got close," he said. "We kept it at 20-plus points for the majority of the game. Our ball movement was terrific." Ahamad Bynum led the Miners with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench, while Otis Frazier III added 18 points and five assists. Frazier (13.6 points per game) and Bynum (12.1 ppg) are among four UTEP players averaging in double figures. Bynum leads the country shooting 63.3 percent from beyond the 3-point arc, though he has attempted just 30 threes, making 19. Louisville (5-4) also started hot in its last game but could not sustain its momentum in a 76-65 home loss to then-No. 9 Duke on Sunday. Coach Pat Kelsey's team, which had just seven players healthy, made 10 of its first 14 shots to build a 30-16 lead before the Cardinals' lack of depth caught up to them. Louisville shot just 9-of-37 (24.3 percent) after its hot start and was outscored 43-28 after halftime. Terrence Edwards Jr. paced the Cardinals with 21 points in his first game as a reserve this season. Edwards (11.9 ppg) is one of four Louisville scorers averaging double figures, led by Chucky Hepburn leads the team in scoring (14.3 ppg) and is second in the country with 3.2 steals per game. The Cardinals entered the season with expectations of rotating 10 or more players to utilize Kelsey's up-tempo attack. However, swingman Kasean Pryor (knee) and guard Koren Johnson (shoulder) will both miss the rest of the season, while forward Aboubacar Traore (arm) is out indefinitely. After Sunday's loss, Kelsey did not rule out adding players to the roster during the season. "Everything's on the table," he said. "I don't sleep, figuring out what buttons to push to get this team to be the best that they can be. We'll scour every inch of the Earth to figure out how we can improve our team. And whether that happens or not, I have no idea, but I'm willing to try anything." --Field Level Media

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:01 p.m. EST

offline roulette game NoneImage via Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort via Getty Patrick Mahomes , the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs , is busy gearing up for the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers but his wife, Brittany Mahomes , made sure to give fans a glimpse of their Christmas celebrations. Brittany shared their family Christmas portraits where the family of four look beautiful together. While it is not known when exactly the pictures were taken, it looks like Brittany preplanned the Christmas portraits since Patrick will be busy playing today. Patrick Mahomes And His Wife Brittany Mahomes Pose For Their Family Portrait On Christmas Brittany posted four pictures as their family portraits on Christmas. Brittany, who is currently pregnant with their third child, looks beautiful in a white turtleneck and white flared pants. She is seen sitting on a brown sofa with their son on her lap. Their son is matching with his mother and is wearing a white t-shirt, brown pants and boots along with a green checkered jacket on top. On top of the sofa’s armrest is the NFL star and the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes, dressed in a red button down shirt. On his lap is their daughter who is wearing an off white full sleeved frock along with a dark green dress on top of it. Their daughter has her hair open like her mother and has accessorised with a red hair band. Their daughter is seen wearing a small Christmas gift box and behind Brittany, is an actual Santa who is also posing with the family. As a backdrop to these pictures, there is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree which serves as a perfect background to the family’s Christmas portraits. On the ground, there is also a Santa’s gift bag which looks filled with pictures for the kids. In the background, beside the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, there are a lot of gift boxes kept. It looks like the Mahomes family had the time of their lives celebrating Christmas together before Patrick goes off to play for his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, against the Houston Texans. Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Was Called “Fake” Also Read: Deion Sanders offers detailed update on Travis Hunter’s mental health as he faces ongoing hate and trolling Last week was not that great for the family as last weekend when the Kansas City Chiefs played against the Houston Texans, Patrick had sustained an ankle injury. This injury had cast doubts whether he would be able to play any more matches for the Kansas City Chiefs. But Patrick proved everyone wrong and returned to the game a few days ago at the Arrowhead Stadium. His return to the field also sparked controversy as a video of his walking into the stadium had gone viral. As he seemed to walk without any injury or pain, many fans speculated whether he actually even sustained an injury or was it all “fake”. But he proved everyone wrong and retained his star status.

skynesher/E+ via Getty Images I first invested in EPR Properties ( NYSE: EPR ) during the COVID-19 pandemic and have added regularly ever since. I've been very bullish on EPR ever since I started publishing on Seeking Alpha, and I decided to take another Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of EPR, GLPI, VICI, NNN, ADC, EPRT either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. The information, opinions, and thoughts included in this article do not constitute an investment recommendation or any form of investment advice. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Victoria Mary Clarke has taken to social media to pay tribute to her husband Shane MacGowan on the anniversary of his passing. The music legend sadly passed away at the age of 65 on November 30, 2023, following a long illness, leaving his fans across the world devastated by his passing. Since the Pogues’ frontman’s death, his wife Victoria Mary Clarke has been open about her grief and how she’s processing his loss. With Saturday marking one year since Shane’s death, Victoria revealed that Shane asked her to ‘message to everyone who misses him’. Taking to X, previously known as Twitter, Victoria wrote: ‘This is a beautiful photo of @ShaneMacGowan! He has asked me to pass on a message to everyone who misses him. ‘He wants you to have a look at yourself and see how beautiful you are and he wants you to appreciate that you are way way more amazing than you know!’ This is a beautiful photo of @ShaneMacGowan ! He has asked me to pass on a message to everyone who misses him. He wants you to have a look at yourself and see how beautiful you are and he wants you to appreciate that you are way way more amazing than you know! The comments section of Victoria’s post saw her friends and fans of Shane sending their support on the difficult day and paying their respects to the late Pogues frontman. One person said: ‘So much of my growing up years involved listening to his music & words... thank you Shane.’ Another added: ‘My thoughts go out to Victoria and Shane’s family, friends and fans today. Playing Shane’s songs throughout the day.’ While someone wrote: ‘Thinking of you dear Victoria , sending you big hugs.’ Meeting in a North London pub back in 1984, Shane and Victoria finally tied the know after 32 years of dating in 2018, having been engaged for eleven years. The couple’s long-awaited wedding ceremony was held in Copenhagen in front of their family and friends, with actor and Shane’s friend Jonny Depp playing the guitar for them.

As a strike by 55,000 Canada Post workers stretches closer to its third week Wednesday, federal labour minister Steven MacKinnon blasted both union and management for showing disrespect to Canadians who count on the postal service. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill, MacKinnon said the two sides are still “very far apart.” “That is in my view ... highly disrespectful of Canadians who are suffering from this work stoppage,” said MacKinnon, pointing to small businesses and people living in remote, rural communities as those most affected. “These parties have to knuckle down and get the work done. As I’ve explained before, these are negotiations that have to be concluded between the parties. They rest on fundamental issues that separate these two parties.” In a written statement, Canada Post said it was still hoping to reach a negotiated settlement with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, who have been walking the picket line since Nov. 15. “We hope to return to the table soon so we can reignite the discussions and, together with the support of mediators, work toward final agreements,” Canada Post said. “We understand the impact CUPW’s national strike is having on our employees and so many Canadians. Canada Post remains committed to negotiating new collective agreements that will provide our employees and customers with the certainty they are looking for. While MacKinnon urged the two sides to get back to the negotiating table, labour experts say that the longer the dispute goes on, the more likely it becomes that the federal government will intervene. That could come in the form of either back-to-work legislation or by invoking Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code and asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order binding arbitration. “The closer we get to the holiday season, the greater the likelihood they’ll intervene,” said Larry Savage, a labour studies professor at Brock University. MacKinnon’s decision to invoke Section 107 to end a lockout of rail workers earlier this year means his pleas for a negotiated settlement of the Canada Post strike should be taken with a grain of salt, Savage said. “I think the minister’s been laying the groundwork to use section 107, while the whole time, saying he isn’t,” said Savage. “Why would anyone believe him?” The government is treading a fine political line between alienating organized labour or upsetting businesses and consumers heading into the holiday season as it deals with the strike, said Savage. “The government’s caught between a rock and a hard place,” said Savage. “If they intervene, they’ll be accused of interfering with workers’ charter rights. If they wait much longer, their popularity will sink even lower, which is the last thing they need heading into an election year.” That raw political calculus is even more vital than it otherwise would be because the minority federal Liberals are being propped up by the NDP, Savage said. While MacKinnon is publicly urging the two sides to work out a deal at the negotiating table, he’s also laying the groundwork for either back-to-work legislation or invoking Section 107, said Stephanie Ross, a labour studies professor at McMaster University. “I get the sense that the minister is trying to do what he can to get a deal at the table, but also thinking about the case they’d have to make to the court,” said Ross. The length of time the strike has gone on — as well as calling the two sides into a closed-door meeting earlier this week — both provide legal ammunition in the event the government intervenes, said Ross. “They really have to show enough time has passed that they’ve made every effort ... that there’s a true impasse,” Ross said. If there’s no deal within the next week or so, said Ross, the government will likely intervene, even if it doesn’t really want to. “I think the pressure is mounting in terms of the Christmas holidays,” said Ross. “It wouldn’t be surprised if we saw the minister invoke section 107 within the next week and a half.”In a reaffirmation of pro-President Anura Kumara Dissanayake sentiment, the Colombo stock market yesterday reached an all-time high, supported by heavy turnover. The ASPI gained over 170 points to close at 13,511.73 points, surpassing the previous record set on 19 January 2022. Turnover was Rs. 5.2 billion. NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in Ambeon Capital, Commercial Bank, and Alumex. Mixed interest was observed in Sampath Bank, John Keells Holdings, and Lanka Ashok Leyland, whilst retail interest was noted in SMB Leasing, Lanka Credit and Business Finance, and LOLC Finance. Foreign participation in market activity remained at subdued levels, with foreigners closing as net sellers. The Banking sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank), whilst the sector index gained by 2.07%. The share price of Commercial Bank increased by Rs. 3.50 to close at Rs. 127. The share price of Sampath Bank moved up by Rs. 2.20 to close at Rs. 99.80. The Capital Goods sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings), whilst the sector index increased by 2.70%. The share price of John Keells Holdings recorded a gain of Rs. 0.70 to close at Rs. 20.60. Ambeon Capital and Alumex were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Ambeon Capital gained Rs. 0.60 to close at Rs. 18.90. The share price of Alumex appreciated by Rs. 0.90 to close at Rs. 13.40.

Utah Hockey Club just passed the quarter mark of the NHL season. And the up-and-down start to the franchise’s inaugural campaign has left fans with plenty of questions. Well, you asked and we answered. What are the plans on getting Kolyachonok back into the rotation? When asked about this, head coach André Tourigny pointed to the fact that another defenseman would have to “lose their job” for Vladislav Kolyachonok to enter the lineup. In other words, a player in Utah’s D-corps’ performance would have to noticeably drop for Kolyachonok to be a viable replacement. Tourigny has seemed pleased with how the backend and its pairings have settled since the injuries of Sean Durzi and John Marino , as well as the addition of Olli Määttä . That said, Utah continues to face injury challenges on its blue line. Robert Bortuzzo — while he played Friday against the Edmonton Oilers — was previously listed as day to day after leaving Tuesday’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Maveric Lamoureux — who has been on the second pair with Ian Cole — is now out four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. That could really open things up for Kolyachonok. In my view, if Utah wants Kolyachonok to be part of its defensive future, he needs consistent playing time to figure it out; he’s only played 13 games this year. That’s been hard with Lamoureux coming up from the AHL and filling the gap as well as he had. But, in short, it feels like both a numbers game and a belief that other defensemen bring more to the game than Kolyachonok. For us relatively new hockey fans, how do young teams/rebuilds usually go in the NHL? Is this team-building plan common? What are common things to watch for as good indicators on young players? The unfortunate thing about NHL rebuilds for fans is it takes a while; I would say five to seven years. Especially for a Utah franchise (previously the Arizona Coyotes) that stripped the team down to its bearings when g eneral manager Bill Armstrong was hired in September 2020, patience is key in waiting for the new pieces and planning to start producing. Rebuilds are common in the NHL, especially with the salary cap and the reality of big-name players exiting the peaks of their careers. Rebuilds see teams’ previous top players get traded in exchange for draft picks or younger prospects – it’s a commitment, to say the least. (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club General Manager Bill Armstrong answers questions during media day at the Delta Center, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. In terms of things to watch for as good indicators on young players, I think you are seeing a lot of that in Utah this season. While the whole team may not be having success on a nightly basis, the confidence and consistent production from players like Dylan Guenther , Jack McBain and Logan Cooley are important. Those guys will be core pieces of Utah when it becomes a contender, so the earlier they get going, the better. I’ll also add that a separate positive indicator is the caliber of player Armstrong was able to bring in over the summer. Having two-time Stanley Cup champion Mikhail Sergachev lead your backend with his experience and skill has been an intangible asset for Utah this season and has shifted the winning culture within the locker room. That’s another step in the rebuild. Do you feel like this team has what it takes to push for a playoff spot this season? With how the team is playing at the quarter-mark of the season, no I do not see Utah earning a playoff positioning this season. While the team is only four points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, the lack of consistency and killer instinct thus far does not bode well for postseason success. Utah has yet to win consecutive games since the first week of the season and its more veteran forwards — who led the team in scoring last season — have not been able to come up clutch for the group when needed. Utah is still learning how to close out games, protect and extend leads and capitalize on special teams when needed. They’ve had specific players hit hot streaks, but Utah needs the whole team going to really turn a corner this year, which it hasn’t had yet. And that’s OK, it is expected in the fourth year of a rebuild. If, however, Utah can string some wins together at the right time and get the reinforcements of Durzi and Marino coming back from injury, it could miraculously back itself into a wildcard spot. I’m just not confident about it. But hey, I hope I’m wrong. What changes would you make to the team if you were head coach for a day? If this question were asked a week ago, I would say put McBain, Cooley and Guenther back together on the second line. But Tourigny did that — it has worked in Utah’s favor. Other than that, I would like to see Liam O’Brien get in the forward rotation a bit more often. Michael Carcone seems to have secured the fourth-line wing position as the team wants him to get his offense going, but I think Utah needs the passion, spark and physicality that O’Brien brings on some nights (not all). Utah has the fifth-least hits in the NHL this season with 366. San Jose Sharks right wing Givani Smith (54) fights against Utah Hockey Club center Liam O'Brien, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Oct 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak) Perhaps harsh, but I’d also take Nick Schmaltz off the first power play unit. He has 17 assists, which is a positive and helps move the puck around well on that unit, but he’s not scoring and, in hand, he does not look confident. I understand the team wanting to put him in positions to score, but his looks as of late on the man advantage have not been dangerous. I’d swap him with Matias Maccelli, or put Barrett Hayton back at the net-front and swing Cooley over to the wing. Who do you think has performed best on the team so far this season? McBain has been Utah’s unsung hero. He is on pace to have a career year in terms of points and has 11 (eight goals, three assists) through 23 games this season. Tourigny said it last week, McBain has been one of Utah’s most consistent forwards no matter what role he is playing. The 24-year-old spent a few weeks on the fourth line with Carcone and Kevin Stenlund before moving back to the second line with Cooley and Guenther, but did not change his intensity nor intention. It is not just the offense that has impressed. McBain still takes pride in his defensive game, is strong on the penalty kill and leads the team with 63 hits. Overall, though, Sergachev has been the most valuable player for this Utah team in my eyes. He plays in all situations — while averaging 25:43 of ice time a night — and brings a certain steadiness and swagger to the lineup. The defenseman has 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and is not afraid to get in scrums, stick up for his teammates and gut out extra shifts when Utah is down a player. His skill is obvious, but the amount Sergachev simply cares and the accountability he brings to the team has added to his performance. Utah Hockey Club's Jack McBain (22) returns to the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) What is the average number of UHC fans you have seen at road games? Are they noticeable in the arena at all? What is your favorite thing about Utah so far and the most surprising (good or bad)? I’ve seen a few Utah Hockey Club fans at road games — especially in Las Vegas — but not enough to hear during a game. They’re definitely at warmups and I imagine that will continue to build as the fan base does in the coming years. My favorite thing about Utah, without a doubt, has been covering the team, getting to chronicle the inaugural season and connecting with all of you. Aside from hockey, I’ve loved living around the mountains, going on hikes, trying new restaurants, meeting new people and getting a new life experience that isn’t the East Coast. The most surprising thing might be how you have to drive to get everywhere. I guess I knew that coming in, but as a New Yorker who got their driver license a week before the move, it has been the biggest adjustment. But I’m learning! The GSAA/win discrepancy between the goalies? Simplified, I think Karel Vejmelka has played better than expected and Connor Ingram has played worse than expected this season. Vejmelka — who got his fifth consecutive start on Friday — has been tabbed as Utah’s No. 1 goaltender as of now with Ingram sidelined with an upper-body injury. Tourigny said Thursday that it would be at least another week for Ingram. Perhaps that had been affecting Ingram’s game. Vejmelka, though, has handled the responsibility well with a 2.25 goals against average, .922 SV% and 6.2 goals saved above average. In terms of the discrepancy in wins, I would say it has more to do with Utah’s offensive production in front of each goaltender rather than the goaltender’s actual performance. Utah has been shut out five times this season and Vejmelka has been in net for four of those games. In the 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 22, Vejmelka made 30 saves and the team still did not win. In the 12 games Vejmelka has played in — both started and came in as relief — Utah has scored a cumulative 23 goals. It is less of a goaltending discrepancy and more of an issue with team offense. (Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) blocks a shot on goal during the second period of the game at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. How do the digital ads on the dasherboards work on the away broadcast? There will be all local ads, then usually once per period, they display an ad local to the away market. The digitally enhanced dasherboards (DED) can replace camera-visible ads at away arenas with local sponsorships. Since the stream is on SEG+, even if the team is playing on the road, its advertisers are still able to show up on the boards with the DED technology. Sponsors can purchase space in five “zones” — behind both nets, the offensive, defensive and neutral zones. Teams have 120 ad increments each game spanning around 30 seconds. Local ads to the away markets will show up when Utah’s sponsors aren’t up using the DED technology because those are actually painted on the in-arena dasherboards. What will the jersey look like next year? Team president Chris Armstrong said the plan is to stick to the general look of the Utah jersey this year but to incorporate whatever the new logo ends up being. The team will still sell the inaugural jerseys with “UTAH” across the chest, but once there is an official team name, there will be a partial redesign. Armstrong also said they are taking feedback from both players and fans about specifics of the jerseys that are either liked or disliked and will consider that with the next phase of production. As a new hockey watcher, does Utah HC have the stereotypical “enforcer” and who would it be? Liam O’Brien would be the first to come to mind in terms of an enforcer role, but he has only played three games this season so has not been able to fulfill regularly. O’Brien is known for getting in fights, throwing big hits and being there to keep the opposition in check. Without O’Brien, I think McBain, Robert Bortuzzo and Ian Cole have a real grit and edge to their games, but I would not call them enforcers. What has been going on with Maccelli? He seems to be playing significantly less minutes than last season. Matias Maccelli is not producing at the rate most thought he would to start the season. After averaging 16:14 of ice time and logging 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists) through 82 games last year, Maccelli is now averaging 14:02 of ice time and has nine points (three goals, six assists) through 22 games. (Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli (63) looks to pass the puck during the first period of the game at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Part of that drop-off comes from the fact that his line as a whole has not been putting up a lot of points apart from Nick Bjugstad who has found some jump recently. Lawson Crouse — who Maccelli historically has strong chemistry with — has five points (four goals, one assist) in 23 games after having the second-most goals on the team last year with 23. Both of the wing players are struggling a bit and have been unable to help each other out. Maccelli’s turnover that led to the Edmonton Oilers’ game-winning goal on Friday at Delta Center cannot bode well for confidence, either. What is going on with Schmaltz? It seems like the scoring drought is starting to affect him mentally. Lots of whiffs on pucks in front of the net. Schmaltz said himself that a lot of it is, in fact, mental. We talked to him after the 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 22 and he said he — and his teammates — “just need to see one go in.” Going a quarter of the season without a goal for Schmaltz who is usually a top-scorer on the team has evidently taken hits to his confidence; I think that’s where the whiffs and low-quality shots are coming from. Schmaltz has still contributed with a team-leading 17 assists, but as a first-line winger, he simply needs to score. I think once Schmaltz gets his first of the season and can get that initial weight off his shoulders his game will loosen up and he’ll find more scoring regularity. But until then, it continues to be a problem for both him and Utah. How is Sergachev in the locker room and in practice? Is he truly stepping into his role of mentoring our young guys? Sergachev is, without a doubt, one of the biggest leaders on the Utah team. The standard he holds himself to and the way he works for it trickles down throughout the lineup even if he is not the loudest guy in the locker room. Sergachev is not one to make a speech or yell, but he leads by example, holds himself and his teammates accountable and is always hungry for more. I think this quote from Tourigny a few weeks ago sums it up perfectly. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center against the Calgary Flames in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. “Sergy is not a loud guy. He’s not a guy that will impose himself. He’s a student of the game, he’s really passionate and he’s a straight shooter. ... He doesn’t hide himself and he doesn’t hide what can make us good. ... His voice carries a lot of weight,” Tourigny said. “He’s not a guy that’s just a passenger, he’s all in.” How is Tij Iginla progressing? Tij Iginla is having himself a season with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old forward — who was drafted sixth overall by Utah in the 2024 NHL Draft — has 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) through 19 games thus far while serving as an assistant captain for the team. There are high expectations for Iginla in Utah, especially in terms of the kind of goal-scorer he could mature into, and it seems he has taken that to heart as he increases his production. Iginla is on pace for a 92-point season which is eight points higher than last year. Iginla has also played some games as a center instead of left-wing, a move Utah management will likely be happy about. After losing Conor Geekie in the Sergachev trade, Utah will rely on young prospects like Iginla and 24th overall pick Cole Beaudoin to fill those gaps in the future at the pivot position. Which Utah Hockey Club player do you like the most? No favorites! Best food on each road trip so far? Salt and Smoke in St. Louis might be some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. I got the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese and it did not disappoint. The restaurant has all of its homemade sauces on the table for you to choose from and experiment with, too. No notes. It was great. Tacos El Gordo in Las Vegas was also a standout. I got a quesadilla and a steak taco, both were delicious. Came with all the traditional toppings in freshly-made corn tortillas and guacamole. Lastly, I had to hit a Boston classic with Tatte when I was there — one of my favorite iced lattes and pastries. With Doan doing so well now in the AHL, do you think the call-up happens before the end of the year? I think J osh Doan will see another NHL game before the season ends, but it is hard to say when because there simply is not room in the roster right now. Utah has, luckily, not sustained any injuries to its forward group this season which has resulted in little room for personnel adjustments. The team also has 13 forwards — one more than needed on a nightly basis — which has made O’Brien a healthy scratch for all but three games this year. Doan has posted seven points (four goals, three assists) through 11 games with the Tucson Roadrunners and is doing a lot of things management wanted to see from him when he initially got sent down — play bigger, more important minutes, be in all situations and get his scoring confidence back. Despite those positives, the logistics of a call-up is what makes it complicated. (Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) shoots during the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Ottawa Senators at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. To send any of the current Utah forwards down to the AHL they would need to pass waivers where it is likely another team could pick up the player. There also aren’t many forwards who play nightly that should or would be taken out of the lineup. Even though players like Crouse and Maccelli aren’t producing at the needed rate, they aren’t going to lose their spots to Doan. I, personally, would encourage the mix-up eventually and think that Doan could bring a spark. But staying in the AHL is not hurting his development and he will only be a better Utah Hockey Club player for it. What improvements to the in-arena experience would you like to see? Who is the surprise player this year in terms of output? What is the best pizza so far in SLC? I think the in-arena experience will keep getting better throughout the season and the next few years as the team cements its identity and a Utah brand of hockey. Especially when an official name is picked, I think signature cheers and traditions will be easier to form and feel more natural. And, when more jerseys can be sold, the crowd will feel and look more unified, which always adds to the experience. In terms of immediate improvements, I think the song selections could move away from the more techno/club vibe and more sing-along, old-time favorite choices. Overall, though, the atmosphere at Delta Center has been impressive in the inaugural season — better than a handful of road games I’ve been to. As for the surprise player in terms of output, I’d refer to my answer a few questions up about McBain. I will also throw Michael Kesselring into that group with his 11 points (three goals, eight assists) through 23 games. His ability to rise to the occasion has been big for Utah. Lastly, hate to admit it, but I have not had pizza since moving to Salt Lake City. I’m open to suggestions! (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah fans cheer a goal by the Utah Hockey Club against the Washington Capitals during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Do you have a sense for a timeline on a name announcement for next year? The team filed intent-to-use applications in April for all the team names under consideration. The trademark office currently has a 7.5-month timeline to review applications, which would mean Utah could expect to be approved around March. That being said, there has been no new information about when the team would announce which name it is using. My guess is that it waits until the season is over. Has a veteran adopted Maveric Lamoureux yet or is he still living in the hotel? Lamoureux is no longer living in a hotel and is instead living in an apartment. No veteran adopted him, although Välimäki previously offered Lamoureux to live in his basement for $5,000 as a joke. It seems Lamoureux turned that down. Editor’s note • All stats in this story were current as of Nov.30.Chandigarh: A total 60 FIRs were filed against a Delhi man and unknown people across different districts of Punjab after videos of a morphed ‘old speech' by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Dr BR Ambedkar surfaced on social media platforms, according to sources in the Punjab police . The FIRs have been filed under the same provisions of BNS and SC/ST Act. Seven FIRs each were registered in different police stations of Amritsar and Ludhiana Commissionerate, followed by six in Bathinda, five in Hoshiarpur, four each in Barnala and Ferozepur. The FIRs were registered in different police stations in 16 other police districts also. The complainants, in their statements to the police, have highlighted that some miscreants had uploaded a ‘morphed speech' video of AAP leader Kejriwal on social media platforms about Dr Ambedkar. These morphed videos are hurting the sentiments of the SC/ST community and are tarnishing the image of Kejriwal, they added. The cases have been registered under similar charges of 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 336(4) (forgery), 352 (intentional insult with intent to breach peace), 353(2) (creating enmity between different groups) of the BNS; Section 3(1) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act; and Section 65 of the IT Act. One of the complaints in Bathinda has been filed by Balbir Singh Chotian, district president SC wing and the other by Manjit Singh, state joint secretary SC wing, AAP Punjab. X user Vibhor Anand later posted on his handle that the video had been posted online by multiple people. Reacting to the registration of FIRs against him, Anand said that he would "fight this witch hunt by Punjab Police." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .

Starbucks barista strike expands on fifth day of closuresNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Coach Brian Callahan is sticking with Mason Rudolph at quarterback for a second straight game to see if the Tennessee Titans can build on the veteran who's played in four of their highest scoring games this season. Callahan said Tuesday that he thinks Rudolph earned another chance to play despite a 38-30 loss to Indianapolis. “Obviously the one interception was probably his only really poor moment," Callahan said. "The rest of it was pretty well executed on his part and operated in a drop-back passing game and had to fight his way back through it. And it was good to see, so we’ll let him take another crack at it.” Rudolph is 2-4 in the six games he's played in this season. That includes coming in for an injured Will Levis on Sept. 30 in a 31-12 win at Miami , and he tried to rally the Titans in a turnover-plagued 37-27 loss to Cincinnati before being selected as the starter last week. Rudolph, who is in Tennessee on a one-year deal, was 23 of 34 for 252 yards with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. One went off running back Tony Pollard's hands with the final pick coming on the last play of the game after Rudolph led a rally from a 38-7 deficit in the final 18 minutes. Rudolph's ability to avoid sacks is a key piece of sticking with him over Levis, the 33rd pick overall in the 2023 draft. The quarterbacks' stats are similar with Rudolph having eight TD passes and eight interceptions, completing 63.8% of his passes with a 78.8 passer rating. That’s similar to Levis completing 63.7% of his passes with 12 TD passes and 12 interceptions. But Levis has been sacked 40 times compared to just seven for Rudolph. “He’s got the ability to avoid the negative play when it comes to sacks," Callahan said of Rudolph. “He gets the ball out. He knows where to go with it quickly.” That means Rudolph gets a chance Sunday when the Titans (3-12) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) to see if he can guide the offense to more than the six points Levis managed against their AFC South rival in a 10-6 loss on Dec. 8 in Nashville. Rudolph said he knows he put the Titans defense in a bad spot with some turnovers. "I’m ready to prove that I can take care of the ball better and keep scoring points,” Rudolph said. The Titans held a walk-through Tuesday with Callahan giving the team Wednesday off for Christmas. An injury report won't be released until Wednesday, and Callahan said it'll likely be lengthy. RG Dillon Radunz, who was knocked out of last week's game with an injury, will be on that report. Lineman Jaelyn Duncan, who hurt a hamstring badly enough early in his first start at right tackle Oct. 20 that he wound up on injured reserve , will be available. Callahan said he is excited to see Duncan play. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Scots will save as little as 1p a day after income tax changes as millions face huge council rate hikesMr Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker”. Mr Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former senior Trump adviser who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Mr Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was co-operating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Mr Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Mr Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison – the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought. Mr Christie has blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Mr Trump’s transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner’s offences “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was US attorney”. Mr Trump and the elder Mr Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009.None

Eric Watkins of Abstrakt Highlights the Challenges of Building Internal SDR TeamsNone

The RELIEF Ureteral Stent, Invented by UH Urologist Dr. Lee Ponsky, Secures FDA Clearance as First and Only Stent for Prevention of Vesicoureteral RefluxNoneQualcomm Statement on Trial Verdict Win

An excavator removes contaminated soil from around Duke Energy's decommissioned coal-fired Dan River Steam Station in Eden, NC, near Carrboro, in 2016. Two years earlier, Duke had been responsible for one of the worst coal ash spills in US history. Gerry Broome/AP This story was originally published by the Guardian and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration . A small North Carolina town has launched the nation’s first-ever climate accountability lawsuit against an electric utility. The litigation, filed by officials from Carrboro, North Carolina, on Wednesday morning, accuses Duke Energy of waging a “deception campaign” to obscure the climate dangers of fossil fuels. Those efforts resulted in delayed action to curb planet-heating pollution, which has pushed up the costs of climate action today, the lawsuit says. “When you’re dealing with something like the existential threat of climate change, that requires us to make bold moves,” said Carrboro’s mayor, Barbara Foushee, who helped bring the suit. The litigation follows a November report from the non-profit research group Energy and Policy Institute, which found some of the utility companies that comprise today’s Duke Energy Corporation—including Duke Power, Carolina Power & Light, and Public Service Indiana—were cautioned about the climate crisis decades ago. “Although Duke has understood the dangers of climate change for decades, the company actively participated in a far-reaching, decades-long campaign to deceive the public and decision-makers about these dangers,” the suit says. In 1969, the lawsuit says, officials from utilities now owned by Duke attended a meeting of the Edison Electric Institute, a trade group, where they were informed that scientists believed increasing carbon emissions would be a “long-term problem of major consequence.” The same trade group in 1984 commissioned a study that included two hypothetical news stories from the future—one in which fossil fuel emissions continued unabated and caused devastating impacts, and another in which emissions were reined in and a safer future was secured, the lawsuit says. “When it comes to this kind of injustice, it doesn’t matter who calls it out as long as somebody does.” Despite these warnings, Duke continued to build out fossil fuel infrastructure, oppose legal limits to planet-heating pollution and back efforts to promote doubt about climate science, according to the suit. In 1991, the lawsuit says, the Edison Electric Institute placed newspaper advertisements with the message: “How much are you willing to pay to solve a problem that may not exist?” Duke maintained its membership in the institute. “They tried to sow confusion about climate change and the fact that there’s a threat that we face in the future,” said Howard Crystal, legal director of the Energy Justice Program at the non-profit Center for Biological Diversity, who is advising the plaintiffs on the case. The deception continues to be a problem today, now in the form of “greenwashing,” said Crystal. On social media, Duke has portrayed itself as a leader in bringing on “cleaner energy solutions” despite having one of the largest planned gas buildouts of any company in the US. “They’re still expanding fossil fuels and suppressing renewables—in flat defiance of scientists demanding that we do the exact opposite,” said Jim Warren, executive director of local non-profit NC Warn, in a statement. According to one study, Duke Energy in 2021 had the third-largest emissions footprint of any business in the United States. Duke Energy’s deception about its emissions has led to delayed climate action that has in turn placed a burden on Carrboro, the lawsuit says. It alleges the company broke five state laws, including those protecting citizens from public and private nuisances. “Carrboro is a true victim here, and they’ve incurred a lot of damages,” said Matthew Quinn, an attorney at the North Carolina firm Lewis and Roberts who is representing the plaintiffs. The town, which sits about 20 miles southwest of Durham, is seeking damages for the climate-fueled costs of adapting roads and infrastructure to increased flooding, and for increased energy costs. “Those costs could add up to millions, many millions,” said Crystal. The exact amount the case could yield in damages is unclear. “We’re content to let a jury of our peers determine what we get,” said Foushee. It may not be easy for a municipality with a population of 22,000 to go up against a major corporation, Foushee added, but the town is no stranger to taking up climate issues. It has long worked to slash its emissions and support environmental justice, she said. “It may seem like a David-and-Goliath situation and in reality it is one,” she said. “But when it comes to this kind of injustice, it doesn’t matter who calls it out as long as somebody does.” The new filing comes as part of a wave of lawsuits from dozens of states and municipalities accusing fossil fuel interests of sowing doubt about the environmental risks associated with their products. On November 26, Maine’s attorney general filed a case against Exxon, Shell, Chevron, BP, Sunoco and the industry group the American Petroleum Institute. The following day, Ford county, Kansas, sued major fossil fuel interests, alleging they had waged “a decades-long campaign of fraud and deception about the recyclability of plastics.” In October, Oregon’s Multnomah county, which includes Portland, became the first municipality to sue a utility over climate deception when it added the regional gas provider NW Natural to its 2023 lawsuit against fossil fuel corporations for fueling a fatal 2021 heat dome. Randee Haven-O’Donnell, a councilmember in Carrboro, said more utilities could soon be named in similar lawsuits. “We’re the little engine that could, and we hope other towns can be, too, and hold their polluting utilities accountable,” she said in a statement.Shortly after Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general on Thursday, Fox News host Harris Faulkner suggested he could be appointed to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate if Senator Marco Rubio is confirmed to serve on President-elect Donald Trump 's Cabinet. Last week, Trump nominated then-U.S. Representative Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), a selection evoking scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans . Gaetz, who represented Florida's 1st Congressional District, resigned from his House seat November 13 following his nomination. At the time, Gaetz said he did not want to serve in the same position during the 119th Congress . Gaetz was the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations that he "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and accusations of involvement in activities leading to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. He has denied any wrongdoing. Some also questioned Gaetz's ability to lead the DOJ, citing his limited legal experience and the department's previous investigation of his actions. The agency finished its probe last year and no charges were leveled against Gaetz. Like other recent Cabinet nominees, including Rubio, who was chosen by Trump for secretary of state, Gaetz required Senate approval for attorney general confirmation. On Thursday, Gaetz wrote on X, formerly Twitter , that he met with senators Wednesday and was grateful for "their thoughtful feedback," adding that "while the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition." Trump posted on Truth Social that he appreciated "the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz." Earlier this month, Trump nominated another Florida lawmaker, U.S. Representative Michael Waltz—who represents Florida's 6th Congressional District—for national security adviser. On Fox News, Faulkner, co-host of Fox 's Outnumbered, said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis "has to appoint—if Michael Waltz, congressman, moves on in his nominated post, if Marco Rubio, senator, moves on in his nominated post—he's got some positions to work with there in that state." Faulkner added: "Could it be Matthew Gaetz who then becomes a U.S. senator for an interim in the state of Florida?" Newsweek reached out to DeSantis' press team for comment via email on Thursday. In Florida, along with 44 other states, the governor has the power to appoint someone to a vacant Senate seat as a temporary replacement. Therefore, DeSantis, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the presidential primaries, could technically appoint Gaetz to fill the seat. Before Gaetz's withdrawal, DeSantis said he has "already received strong interest from several possible candidates," saying that the selection will "likely" be made "by the beginning of January." DeSantis' appointee could serve until a special election is held, likely in 2026, in accordance with state law. Ahead of Gaetz's withdrawal, there were some calls for Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of the president-elect, to fill the potentially vacant Senate seat. Other names floated have included DeSantis' chief of staff, James Uthmeier, and as Florida GOP Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez. Gaetz supported Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 presidential campaign, but since the Florida governor dropped out in late January, Gaetz has posted support for the governor. In January, he wrote on X: "I actually still love DeSantis," and in June, he applauded the governor for helping make Florida "not a swing state." Gaetz served as an informal political adviser to DeSantis during his first gubernatorial election in 2018.Social Media Demands Accountability After Photo of Ohio State Fan Goes Viral

Titans QB Mason Rudolph gets another chance at starting, this time against the JagsOpthalmic Devices Market Poised for Tremendous Growth from 2024 to 2032

2025 Travel & Tourism Seminar to be held in Plymouth this FebruaryTrump appoints son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father as ambassador to FranceUMB Financial's chief HR officer Robert Beaird sells $105,362 in stockTitans QB Mason Rudolph gets another chance at starting, this time against the Jags

AFP – Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid was ejected after confronting a woman referee in the 76ers’ 111-106 victory over San Antonio in a wild Monday of NBA action. An expected big-man showdown between Cameroonian Embiid and France’s Victor Wembanyama ended late in the first half, leaving Tyrese Maxey to produce 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in sparking the win. “It’s big time,” Maxey said of getting the win for Embiid. “We’re learning to play without him... We’ve got to change the game, come a little faster, play a little harder and gain rebounds.” Embiid came onto the court after the game and hugged Maxey after the guard’s late surge with a steal, dunk, three-pointer and free throw in a game-ending 9-3 win to deliver the home triumph. “It’s love, man,” Maxey said. “That has been my big brother for a long time.” Chaos started 3:47 into the second period when Wembanyama tumbled to the court after contact with Philadelphia’s Andre Drummond, who was ejected for a second technical foul. It was later overturned upon a video review to a “Wemby” flop foul, allowing Drummond back into the game. Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid argues with referee Jenna Schroeder as Kyle Lowry intervenes during the first-half of an NBA basketball game in Philadelphia, United States. PHOTO: AP Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown makes a shot over Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva. PHOTO: AP Embiid was whistled for his third foul by referee Jenna Schroeder after charging into Wembanyama with 2:59 remaining in the first half and, after heated complaints to her, Embiid was issued two technical fouls and ejected. That sparked even more ire from Embiid, who ripped off the facial protective mask he wore for a sinus fracture and yelled his displeasure while being physically restrained from confronting the officials. He exited after only nine points in 14 minutes. “It was a wild first-half,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. NBA blocked shots leader Wembanyama finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight blocked shots for the Spurs. He swatted away four in the first-quarter, three in its final 30 seconds, on his way to a career-best seven in the first half. An injury-hit Orlando Magic squad stunned the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics 108-104, with German Tristan da Silva’s 18 points leading a balanced attack for the hosts to pull off the upset despite 35 points for Boston by Jaylen Brown. “This one’s for Mo,” said Orlando’s Johnathan Isaac, paying tribute to centre Mo Wagner, who suffered a season-ending left knee injury on Saturday. The Cavs, on a five-game win streak, improved to 16-1 at home as Darius Garland had 23 points while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley each added 22. Host Oklahoma City’s win streak stretched to eight games with a 123-105 victory over NBA-worst Washington. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Western Conference-best Thunder (23-5) with 41 points.Editorial: Fairfax’s new council needs to find money to fix its roadsMinority Business Development Agency Releases Report on Closing Supply Chain Gaps with MBEs

fruit roulette poppo BOULDER, Colo. — A 72-year-old lifelong Colorado fan with end-stage kidney failure waited to the side of the field in his wheelchair for Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. One by one, players strolled over and signed a football for Riley Rhoades, his face lighting up with each signature. Standing close by and taking in the scene was Jeremy Bloom. He's become a wish facilitator for older adults. Bloom, the former Colorado wide receiver and Olympic freestyle skier, started the Wish of a Lifetime foundation in 2008, which has made thousands of aspirations turn into reality for older adults. The list of granted wishes range from taking veterans back to the beaches of Normandy to helping late-in-life authors publish a book. He's staged concerts for musicians, assisted some in daredevil feats such as jumping out of an airplane and even lined up a meeting between an Olympic medalist and former President Barack Obama. For Rhoades, his wish was simply to return to Folsom Field again, the place where he used to have season tickets but hasn't attended a game since 2004. "Everybody has somebody in their life —a grandparent, friend, neighbor — at that age where you wish you had more resources to help," said Bloom, whose college career was cut short two decades ago when the NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money to fuel his Olympic dreams. "Nothing can compare to seeing someone else's eyes light up because you helped make their dream come true." The foundation is a tribute to his grandparents. But the concept began to take root when he was a teenager. He was in Japan for a World Cup freestyle skiing competition when a woman tried to hop on a crowded bus. There was no room, but everyone in front rose from their seats to make space. That stuck with him, along with seeing these acts of kindness for older adults all over Europe and Asia as he traveled. An idea formed — bring that same level of appreciation to the United States, with a wish-granting element. Bloom's organization has been a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020. It was the yearning of Rhoades that brought the two of them to Folsom Field last weekend. Rhoades, who had season tickets at Colorado for 27 years, wanted to see the Buffaloes in person after watching the team's resurgence on television. A few years ago, Rhoades, who was born with spina bifida, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Being among the 54,646 fans Saturday stirred up plenty of emotions for Rhoades, as he watched the 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) beat Utah. Colorado remains in the race for not only a conference title but a spot in the College Football Playoff. "It's just great to be back here again," Rhoades said as he pointed out the section where he used to watch games. "It's just ... so cool." For Bloom, the success that coach Deion Sanders has brought to the program means more reunions with teammates as they pass through town. "I've been through many years where nobody comes to visit," Bloom said. "It's fun that Boulder has become the epicenter of college football." Leading the way for Colorado this season have been quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Hunter, who's the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. But what particularly pleases Bloom is that Sanders, Hunter and the rest of college football players are able to finally profit through name, image and likeness. In his day, Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in one (skiing) so he could fund his Olympic aspirations. How time have changed. "I'm just really grateful that this generation of athletes gets to monetize their skills and ability," said Bloom, who finished sixth in moguls at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy. "It's the right thing." He's thrown his passion into fulfilling wishes such as learning ballet, riding in a Formula 1 pace car or taking a flight in a fighter jet. He's also helped reconnect families and friends, including a reunion for a trio of centenarian sisters who hadn't seen each other in more than a decade. This granted wish has stuck with Bloom: A person in Alabama wasn't able to travel after being diagnosed with end-of-life emphysema. So he asked for postcards to be sent, just to learn what made someone's town so special. He received 2,000 postcards from 26 different countries. "There's no end to the things that they've done for us in the world," Bloom said of older adults. "We're one of the organizations that reminds them that their dreams still do matter and that we still appreciate them and we cherish them." Get local news delivered to your inbox!The MomentumX Accelerator has been launched by Web3 privacy layer COTI in collaboration with IDO platform Poolz. Through the MomentumX Boost Plan, a collection of services that provide companies with the tools they need to thrive, the accelerator will assist ventures expanding on COTI's technology stack. The MomentumX Accelerator was created to help the COTI ecosystem flourish sustainably. It will guarantee that projects using COTI's flagship privacy technology—which is based on Garbled Circuits from Soda Labs—are equipped to develop novel solutions in the field of Decentralized Confidential Computing (DeCC). The MomentumX Accelerator, a partnership between COTI and Poolz, will launch a wave of potent apps... AbdulClaro Enterprise Solutions Expands Technology Service Offerings to Accelerate Mergers and Acquisitions Integrations

Tumblr is taking a page from Reddit and Facebook with its new "Communities" feature, which are digital spaces like subreddits and Facebook groups. "Communities are a new and easy way to connect with the people on Tumblr who get it," Tumblr said in a post announcing the feature . "You can invite mutuals who share your obsessions to a private Community or start a public Community for the things you love and watch all the new friends pile in. Like a clown car, Communities can fit (almost) as many people in ‘em as you want." Communities — which allows users to create a space for anything from a D&D campaign to cat photos — has been available to some users in beta but officially launched across the platform on web, iOS, and Android on Thursday, Dec. 12. You can get started by browsing though Communities that already exist, like aesthetic , writing , and TV shows , or you can create your own Community . It's not a huge surprise that Tumblr would copy its more successful social media sisters. The platform has been struggling to maintain relevancy after it banned porn in 2018, and it's kind of the Thing Platforms Do — copy whatever else is successful and see if you can't make it slightly better. Look at Instagram Reels copying TikTok , or Facebook Stories copying Snapchat . So...TikTok Communities when?Skyhawks Sports Announces 2024 Coach of the Year Winner and Finalists"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.

President-elect Donald Trump promised to expand oil drilling in the U.S. — good news for political leaders in Alaska, where oil is the economic lifeblood and many felt the Biden administration obstructed efforts to boost the state’s diminished production. A debate over drilling on federal lands on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope likely will be revived, particularly in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which environmentalists long sought to protect. The largest wildlife refuge in the U.S. covers an area of northeast Alaska roughly the size of South Carolina. It boasts mountains and glaciers, tundra plains, rivers and boreal forest, and it is home to wildlife including polar bears, caribou, musk ox and birds. The fight over whether to drill in the refuge’s coastal plain along the Beaufort Sea goes back decades. Drilling advocates say development could create thousands of jobs, generate billions of dollars in revenue and spur U.S. oil production. While the U.S. Bureau of Land Management said the coastal plain could contain 4.25 billion to 11.8 billion barrels of recoverable oil, there is limited information about the amount and quality. It’s unclear whether companies will want to risk pursuing projects that could become mired in litigation. Environmentalists and climate scientists pushed for a phase-out of fossil fuels to avert the worst consequences of climate change. The refuge is east of the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, where the Biden administration approved the controversial Willow oil project but made about half the petroleum reserve off-limits to oil and gas leasing. An exploration well was drilled in the 1980s on lands where Alaska Native corporations held rights, but little information was released about the results. Still, opening the coastal plain to drilling has been a longtime goal for members of Alaska’s congressional delegation. In 2017, they added language to a tax bill mandating two oil and gas lease sales by late 2024. The first sale took place in the waning days of the last Trump administration, but President Joe Biden quickly called on Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to review the leasing program. That led to the cancelation of seven leases acquired by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, a state corporation. Litigation is pending. Smaller companies gave up two other leases. The Biden administration released a new environmental review ahead of the deadline for the second required sale. It proposes offering what the Bureau of Land Management said would be the minimum acreage the 2017 law allows — a proposal Alaska’s Republican U.S. senators cast as a mockery of the law. Some Alaska Native communities welcome potential new revenue while others worry about how drilling will affect wildlife in an area they consider sacred. Gwich’in officials in communities near the refuge said they consider the coastal plain sacred. Caribou they rely on calve there. Galen Gilbert, first chief of Arctic Village Council, said the refuge should be off-limits to drilling. Arctic Village is a Neets’aii Gwich’in community. “We just want our way of life, not only for us but for our future generations,” Gilbert said. Leaders of the Iñupiat community of Kaktovik, which is in the refuge, support drilling. They vowed to fight attempts to designate the lands as sacred. Josiah Patkotak, mayor of the North Slope Borough, which includes Kaktovik, said in an October opinion piece that the land “has never been” Gwich’in territory. “The federal government must understand that any attempt to undermine our sovereignty will be met with fierce resistance,” he wrote. Oil is vital to the economic well-being of North Slope communities, said Nagruk Harcharek, president of Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, a nonprofit advocacy group whose members include leaders from that region. Responsible development long coexisted with subsistence lifestyles, he said. Trump named Chris Wright — a fossil fuel executive and advocate of oil and gas development — to serve as energy secretary. In a video posted on X by Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Trump said he would work to ensure a natural gas pipeline project long sought by state political leaders is built. The project, opposed by environmentalists, floundered over the years due to changes in direction under various governors, cost concerns and other factors. Dunleavy said Trump could undo restrictions imposed by the Biden administration on new oil and gas leasing on 13 million acres of the petroleum reserve. Harcharek’s group sued over the restrictions, arguing the region’s elected leaders were ignored. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Iowa State coach Matt Campbell gets new 8-year deal

American League Non-Tenders: 11/22/24 - MLB Trade Rumors

---------------------------------------------------- EDITOR'S NOTE: If there are any questions concerning the print column, or internet column, please call America's Line offices in Las Vegas at (702) 513-9117...this number is for sports editors or staff. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

On Thursday night in Singapore, in the fifth hour of the fourteenth game of a world championship chess match that had ground on , Gukesh Dommaraju noticed something surprising and started to cry. His opponent, the defending champ, Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren, had put his bishop on the wrong square and Gukesh saw with sudden clarity that he was — the youngest ever, at 18. Gukesh’s win is a milestone in the history of an ancient game experiencing an extraordinary resurgence. A generational handover, his victory also represents the long-heralded arrival of India, the birthplace of the game, as a chess superpower. And it comes at a time of exploding interest in the sport; not since in the cool Reykjavik summer of 1972 has chess been so trendy. “The Queen’s Gambit” . The pandemic, with its vast expanse of time to pass, created a boom. Since 2020, sales of instructional chess books have skyrocketed. tripled its membership to about 150 million players. Online chess streamers, believe it or not, built social media channels with millions of followers keen to watch them play and analyze games, earning small fortunes along the way. This attention has transformed elite chess: more tournaments, more money, more fans. Every day in Singapore, as Gukesh left the glass box in which the matches were played, he was mobbed by supporters chanting his name: “Gooooo-kesh! Goo-kesh! Gooooo-kesh! Goo-kesh!” Bearded and impossibly poised, seeming twice his age, he signed every autograph and stood for every selfie, a far cry from the remote and often-tempestuous grandmasters of the old guard. Students at Gukesh Dommaraju’s school in Chennai celebrate his victory. For Ding, whose fatal bishop blunder was described by one chess master as the worst move in the history of world championship chess, the match was an exercise in heartbreak. China’s first world champion, the 32-year-old Ding is beloved in the chess world for his kindness and eccentricity. Eye contact is not his forte. In interviews, he often loses his train of thought and stares searchingly into the camera; when he feels the conversation is over, he will wander away without a word. But despite this affection, few observers were surprised by the outcome. Since winning the title in Kazakhstan nearly two years ago, Ding had struggled with his health, both physical and mental, and lost his form. Fitness is crucial in chess; in a classical game, which can often last five or six hours, grandmasters burn as many calories as marathon runners. Mental health, meanwhile, is a little-discussed challenge that some say has reached crisis levels. Lotis Key, the mother of top-20 grandmaster Wesley So, said last year: “Perhaps the mental loneliness, continual, obsessive self-flagellation, the longing for unattainable perfection, the agony and ecstasy of its pursuit ... is simply the form their joy takes.” Gukesh, for his part, employed the help of a South African mental coach who had helped lead the Indian cricket team to claim the World Cup in 2011. Gukesh’s win was a blow not only to Ding but arguably to an entire generation of older players for whom time is running out. Every elite grandmaster dreams of becoming world champion, of carving their name in chess history and feeling the weight of the champion’s wreath on their shoulders. For a decade, Magnus Carlsen, , made that dream seem impossible for his opponents. Players who had been the best in their city, in their province, in their country, on their continent, among the best in history, could not move the immovable champion and were forced to reconcile themselves to lesser ambitions. So when Carlsen announced in 2022 that he would not defend his title for a sixth time, he created an opportunity many top Millennial grandmasters thought they would never see: a chance to sit on his throne. For two years, amid this new hope, Carlsen’s contemporaries fought in Azerbaijan and the Isle of Man, in India and Canada, finally to fulfil their greatest dream. It was, it seemed, their time. Yet none, in the end, would prevail. Not Fabiano Caruana, the American grandmaster who was described in the New Yorker at the age of 10 over pawn structure. Not Hikaru Nakamura, once thought a likely world champion, who put competitive chess on the back burner to become only to return to the highest levels of the sport “for the content” (motto: “I literally don’t care”). Not , the Armenian-born grandmaster who as a child studied openings by candlelight amid his chess-obsessed country’s frequent blackouts, the expectations of a nation on his shoulders. China’s chess grandmaster Ding Liren competes against Gukesh Dommaraju in game 14 of the 2024 FIDE World Championship. Instead, it was a kid from the next generation, from the next great chess nation, from the game’s future: Gukesh, the prodigy not yet born when most of these players became grandmasters, who, according to received wisdom, could continue to improve for another 20 years, while the older generation begin to decline, their dream ever receding. Asked how he would celebrate, Gukesh told a story. He had taken a walk with one of his trainers on a rest day during the match. They came upon some bungee jumpers. His trainer said that if Gukesh won the match, he’d jump. Gukesh, who is afraid of heights, said he’d do it too. His short life had been focused on a singular goal: becoming world champion. Now that he had achieved it, other goals had come into view: a more precise performance in the next match; Carlsen-like long-term dominance. But first, he said, he was going to jump off a bridge.BIRMINGHAM, Ala. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RxBenefits, Inc., the employee benefits industry's first technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO), announced today that Robert Gamble has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Gamble succeeds Wendy Barnes , who has decided to pursue another professional opportunity. Gamble has also joined the RxBenefits Board of Directors. Gamble , a seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare and pharmacy benefits industry, has been an integral part of RxBenefits' executive leadership team for the past nine years. Most recently, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). As COO, Gamble led the strategy, technology, operations, and account management functions during a period of significant expansion and growth for the company, including launching new products and entering new market segments. Gamble previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer. "I am proud to take the helm of a company whose sole mission is to be a trusted partner to our clients and transparently deliver pharmacy benefits aligned to their unique goals," Gamble said. "We have a strong leadership team, and more than 1,200 employees focused on helping our clients achieve sustainable savings while delivering robust pharmacy benefits to their members." "Over nearly a decade, Robert has proven his strong ability to drive growth as he has helped scale RxBenefits into the pre-eminent and first technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer," said Mark Taber , a Managing Director at Great Hill Partners and member of the RxBenefits Board of Directors. "We are confident that he is the right choice to lead RxBenefits forward, leveraging his deep, nuanced understanding of the industry and company to deliver greater value to clients nationwide." "We're appreciative of Wendy's commitment to the company as well as her efforts to maintain RxBenefits' status as a leading provider of cost-effective pharmacy benefits solutions and exceptional service to clients," said John Maldonado , Managing Partner at Advent International and RxBenefits board member. "We're excited for Robert to take on his new role and believe he is well-positioned to lead the RxBenefits team and propel the company to its next phase of growth." "I am grateful for Wendy's leadership over the last two years. She accelerated our momentum and prepared us for our next phase of expansion," Gamble added. "We had a strong earnings year in 2024, continuing our track record of robust financial performance. We also have an ambitious strategic plan for 2025 and beyond. I look forward to what we will achieve and how we will increasingly help our clients contain soaring pharmacy benefits costs while taking great care of their members." RxBenefits continues to grow and innovate to meet its clients' emerging needs for cost-effective pharmacy benefits solutions, adding 500 employees just since 2022 while continuing to deliver industry-leading, award-winning customer and member service. About RxBenefits RxBenefits is the nation's first and leading technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO) with more than 1,200 pharmacy pricing, data, and clinical experts working together to deliver prescription benefit savings to employee benefits advisors and their self-insured clients. Serving more than 3 million members , RxBenefits brings market-leading purchasing power, independent clinical solutions, and high-touch service to its customers – ensuring that all plan sponsors, regardless of size, can provide an affordable and valuable pharmacy benefits plan to their employees. The company is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rxbenefits-inc-appoints-robert-gamble-chief-executive-officer-302332862.html SOURCE RxBenefits

Southfield, Michigan, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Credit Acceptance Corporation (Nasdaq: CACC) (referred to as the “Company”, “Credit Acceptance”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in IT by Computerworld for the 10 th year. Credit Acceptance ranked #8 among midsize companies. This award recognizes companies with comprehensive tech-led strategies that foster an inclusive, supportive, and growth-oriented workplace. “Our Engineering team continues to be at the forefront of many key initiatives. Together, team members have shown incredible effort, dedication, and collaboration while driving change to modernize the way we work,” said Ravi Mohan, Chief Technology Officer. “As we strengthen our foundational technologies, maximize the use of automation, and bring new ideas to life, we are providing value to our customers faster and fueling business growth in service of our mission to make car ownership possible for everyone.” The contributions of Credit Acceptance’s Engineering team are deeply embedded in the Company’s focus on collaboration and day-to-day improvements that benefit everyone we serve. One example of this is the “Test Drive” program, which provides potential dealers firsthand experience with Credit Acceptance’s software, boosting dealer engagement, and expanding reach across communities. Additionally, the team continues to innovate in support of the Company’s remote-first working environment, bringing new tools and technologies forward to better enable the productivity of team members. Credit Acceptance is consistently recognized as one of the best places to work by team members. This year, the Company has received four honors from Great Place to Work ® and Fortune : we have been ranked 39 th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For ® (the tenth time we have been included on this list), 29 th in Best Workplaces for Women (the sixth time we’ve been included), 50 th in the Best Workplaces for Millennials (the eighth time we have been included), and 13 th in the 2024 Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance (the tenth time we have been included). In addition, Credit Acceptance has been named a Top Workplaces USA award winner for the fourth consecutive year, a Most Loved Workplace ® for 2024 in several categories by the Best Practice Institute, and a Newsweek America’s Top 200 Most Loved Workplace ® for 2024, among many others. About Credit Acceptance We make vehicle ownership possible by providing innovative financing solutions that enable automobile dealers to sell vehicles to consumers regardless of their credit history. Our financing programs are offered through a nationwide network of automobile dealers who benefit from sales of vehicles to consumers who otherwise could not obtain financing; from repeat and referral sales generated by these same customers; and from sales to customers responding to advertisements for our financing programs, but who actually end up qualifying for traditional financing. Without our financing programs, consumers are often unable to purchase vehicles, or they purchase unreliable ones. Further, as we report to the three national credit reporting agencies, an important ancillary benefit of our programs is that we provide consumers with an opportunity to improve their lives by improving their credit score and move on to more traditional sources of financing. Credit Acceptance is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CACC. For more information, visit creditacceptance.com. About Computerworld Computerworld is the leading technology media brand empowering enterprise users and their managers, helping them create business advantage by skillfully exploiting today's abundantly powerful web, mobile and desktop applications. Computerworld also offers guidance to IT managers tasked with optimizing client systems—and helps businesses revolutionize the customer and employee experience with new collaboration platforms. Computerworld's award-winning website ( www.computerworld.com ), strategic marketing solutions and research forms the hub of the world's largest global IT media network and provides opportunities for IT vendors to engage this audience. Computerworld is published by Foundry.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matthew Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week that he did not intend to take the oath of office. There are plans for a special election in Florida for his seat. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hopes Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Lowey Dannenberg Notifies Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (“Zeta” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZETA) ...US stock indices pushed to fresh records Tuesday, shrugging off tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump while European equities retreated. Trump, who doesn't take office until January 20, made his threat in social media posts Monday night, announcing huge import tariffs against neighbors Canada and Mexico and also rival China if they do not stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Healthcare system: Seminar on evolving role of pharmacists held PESHAWAR: A seminar on the evolving role of pharmacists in the modern healthcare system was held at Khyber Medical University (KMU), bringing together renowned professionals of KP hospitals and students to explore advancements and challenges in the field of pharmacy. Dr Taj Gul, a general Physician and Clinic Pharmacist with a Master’s degree in Pharmacy from Wolverhampton University, England, was the keynote speaker at the event.The seminar commenced with a warm welcome by Prof Dr Sami Siraj, director of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at KMU, and Dr Haji Bahadur, who extended their gratitude to the participants and the distinguished speaker. They emphasised the significance of such seminars in broadening the knowledge base of pharmacy professionals and students. In his insightful presentation, Dr Taj Gul highlighted the rapid advancements in technology and their impact on pharmacy practices. He elaborated on the integration of digital health tools such as telepharmacy and electronic health records, which are reshaping patient care and improving access to medication. He discussed the origins and traditional roles of pharmacy practice, emphasizing the critical role of pharmacists in combating antimicrobial resistance and promoting public health initiatives, including increased access to care. The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where participants engaged with Dr Taj Gul and other experts on the topics discussed. The event was a resounding success, providing a platform for learning and exchanging ideas about the dynamic role of pharmacists in the healthcare system.KMU continues to lead the way in hosting such informative events to enhance the professional growth of healthcare practitioners.

The latest development came hours after thousands of his supporters, defying government warnings, broke through a barrier of shipping containers blocking off Islamabad and entered a high-security zone, where they clashed with security forces, facing tear gas shelling, mass detentions and gunfire. Tension has been high in Islamabad since Sunday when supporters of the former PM began a “long march” from the restive north-west to demand his release. Khan has been in a prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, led the protest, but she fled as police pushed back against demonstrators. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters are being arrested in the ongoing night-time operation. Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the Red Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, and the surrounding areas have been cleared. Leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, have also fled the protest site. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is staying. Since Monday, Mr Naqvi had threatened that security forces would use live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “We have now authorised the police to respond as necessary,” Mr Naqvi said Tuesday while visiting the square. Before the operation began, protester Shahzor Ali said people had taken to the streets because Khan had called for them. “We will stay here until Khan joins us. He will decide what to do next,” Mr Ali said. Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Khan’s wife, said people have suffered greatly for the last two years. “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially. We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life,” she said. Authorities have struggled to contain the protest-related violence. Six people, including four members of the security services, were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight into Tuesday. A police officer died in a separate incident. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He sustained head injuries and was treated in hospital. By Tuesday afternoon, fresh waves of protesters made their way unopposed to their final destination in the Red Zone. Mr Naqvi said Khan’s party had rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. Information minister Atta Tarar warned there would be a severe government reaction to the violence. The government says only the courts can order Khan’s release. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. In a bid to foil the unrest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. Messaging platforms were also experiencing severe disruption in the capital. Khan’s party relies heavily on social media and uses messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The X platform, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer accessible, even with a VPN. Last Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Mr Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All education institutions remain closed.Trump's nominee for attorney general a longtime ally

Medtronic continues losses for seven straight sessions

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Packers with a sore throwing shoulder.A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. Announces Offering of Series A Preferred Stock

d2d roulette

Confident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending schedule TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Fred Goodall, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 3:05 PM Nov 25, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates with fans after an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Sunday’s 30-7 rout of the New York Giants began a six-game, regular season-ending stretch in which the Bucs (5-6) will face five opponents that currently have losing records. The victory coming out of the team’s bye week stopped a four-game skid and moved the three-time defending NFC South champions within one game of first-place Atlanta in the division. The Falcons swept the season series, so the Bucs essentially trail the Falcons by two games with six remaining. They’re in a good position to chase their fifth consecutive playoff berth, but can hardly assume they’ll benefit from having an easy remaining schedule. “We’re hoping it builds confidence. We have belief that we’re still sitting and controlling our own destiny,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of beating the Giants. “But it’s not just going to happen,” Mayfield added. “So, we have to take it one week at a time. And you find the recipe for success within your work week. ... You try to emulate that week after week and continue to build it.” The Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Monday night’s game against Baltimore at 7-3, are the only opponent remaining on Tampa Bay’s schedule that currently has a winning record. The Bucs will face division rival Carolina (3-8) twice in the next six weeks. They’ll also host Las Vegas (2-9) and New Orleans (4-7) and play the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys (4-7) on the road. “We can’t get comfortable,” rookie running back Bucky Irving said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep running.” What’s working The offense continues to put up big numbers, finishing with 450 yards against the Giants. It’s the fifth time Tampa Bay has gained more than 400 yards this season. The Bucs have now scored 30-plus points six times, second in the NFL behind Buffalo’s eight. What needs help There wasn’t a lot to fault in the team’s performance against the Giants, although coach Todd Bowles said both the offense and defense could have been done a better job closing out the game late. “For the most part we executed on both sides of the football,” Bowles said. “Still like to have finished the game a little better, but they came back (from the bye week) mentally tougher, and they came ready to play.” Stock up Irving averaged more than 7 yards per carry in rushing for 87 yards on 12 attempts. He also had six receptions for 64 yards, finishing with a season-high 151 yards from scrimmage. Stock down Just when it looked as if the defense was beginning to trend the right way health-wise, the Bucs lost safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) to injuries on Sunday. Injuries Bowles said Monday he was still awaiting an update on the severity of Whitehead’s injury. Tryon-Shoyinka has an ankle sprain. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) sat out against the Giants and his status will be evaluated as the week progresses. Key number 11. With wide receiver Mike Evans back on the field after missing three games with a hamstring injury, Mayfield completed passes to 11 different players, tying a team record. “He obviously changed the game, even when he's not getting the ball,” Mayfield said. “It's huge that we have him in.” Next up At Carolina, the second of three consecutive games vs. last-place teams the Bucs will face during their stretch run. They’ll also host the Panthers on Dec. 29. “It’s an NFC South battle, and all of them are going to be hard. None of them are going to be easy,” Bowles said. “I think (coach) Dave (Canales) has done an excellent job taking on that team and it’s taking over his personality right now,” Bowles added. “They’re playing pretty good football. ... It’s going to be a tough battle.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Fred Goodall, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Blowout loss to Packers leaves the 49ers on the playoff brink Nov 25, 2024 3:25 PM Cardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to Seahawks Nov 25, 2024 2:58 PM After rough start under coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks' defense has become a strength Nov 25, 2024 2:53 PM

None

Israel launches new strikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with Hezbollah

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 89, DENVER 60

Secret Pentagon study hints at reincarnation being real after finding consciousness 'never dies' READ MORE: First remote mind control technology is developed in South Korea By MATTHEW PHELAN SENIOR SCIENCE REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:18, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 22:29, 6 December 2024 e-mail 9 shares 1 View comments A study conducted by US Army Intelligence has suggested that reincarnation is real because consciousness 'never dies.' Entitled 'Analysis and Assessment of The Gateway Process,' the 29-page report was drafted by US Army Lieutenant Colonel Wayne M McDonnell in 1983 and declassified by the CIA in 2003. The research has resurfaced on social media, with Chicago-based comedian Sara Holcomb summarizing the findings, saying: 'We're pretty sure reincarnation is real.' 'Consciousness is energy and it exists outside of our understanding of reality,' Holocomb said, paraphrasing page 19 of McDonnell's Army intel report. 'And energy... never dies.' The mind-bending official Pentagon study was commissioned to better understand what its Army intel colleagues were doing sending personnel to a small institute in Charlottesville , Virginia that was working on the 'Gateway Experience.' The then-secretive 'Gateway' project, based to McDonnell's analysis, was 'a training system designed to bring enhanced strength, focus and coherence... to alter consciousness.' From there, Gateway's ambitious goal was to shift the practitioner's consciousness 'outside the physical sphere so as to ultimately escape even the restrictions of time and space.' At least according to McDonnell, the Monroe Institute's discoveries that wound up bolstering the case for reincarnation were profound. 'When consciousness returns to the Absolute [Monroe jargon for a realm outside spacetime] it brings with it all the memories it has accumulated through experience in reality,' as he distilled the Institute's finding that memories pass on from life to life via reincarnation. An eye-popping study conducted by US Army Intelligence and made public by the CIA has shocked social media with its finding that consciousness transcends space and time. Entitled 'Analysis and Assessment of The Gateway Process,' the 29-page report was drafted in 1983 The recently resurfaced US Army Intelligence report presents an abstract explanation of how consciousness is created through the brain's processing of energy in the physical world - transforming it into what Lieutenant Colonel Wayne McDonnell compares to a hologram (above) @mad_hatter_news oh OKAY (is "the source" God?) #skits #skitsforyou #skitscomedy #psychology #science #paranormal #paranormalinvestigation #reincarnation #reincarnated ♬ original sound - The Mad Hatter Or, as Holocomb put it more succinctly in one of many videos by TikTok users fascinated with the metaphysical US Army study: 'You're pretty sure reincarnation is a legit thing? Yup.' The comedian, who posts as @mad_hatter_news on TikTok, also referenced a vast body of research by the nearby University of Virginia Medical School's Division of Perceptual Studies which has compiled a database of over 2,500 cases of professed reincarnation. Many of the cases involved children under the age of five who claimed to remember 'memories of a previous life they claim to have lived.' 'Why the kids?' Holocomb continued in her post. 'It seems they're the ones that most easily remember their past lives.' But the Gateway study explored more than simply heady spiritual questions of reincarnation, the nature of consciousness and the afterlife. Ltc McDonnell's report as a member of US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) was concerned with psychic spycraft along the astral plane. Psychic spycraft involves the use of alleged paranormal abilities for espionage. In 1983, INSCOM was headed by Major General Albert Stubblebine III, one of the US military's greatest proponents of psychic warfare. Joe McMoneagle — who served as Remote Viewer No1. in one of Major General Stubblebine's psychic spy programs — has said his own role was to use remote viewing to spy on Russian military bases and gather intelligence. He spent more than 20 years as a so-called 'remote viewer' working at Fort Meade in Maryland, which is also home to the National Security Agency (NSA). 'My success rate was around 28 percent,' McMoneagle said. 'That may not sound very good, but we were brought in to deal with the hopeless cases.' 'Our information was then cross-checked with any other available intelligence to build up an overall picture. We proved to be quite useful "spies."' Joe McMoneagle (pictured) was a Vietnam vet and American 'psychic spy.' His role was to use 'remote viewing' to spy on Russian bases and gather intelligence. He now serves on the Board of Advisors for the Monroe Institute - whose 'Gateway' process was studied in the 1983 report In 1983, INSCOM was headed by Major General Albert Stubblebine III (portrait above), one of the US military's greatest proponents of psychic warfare Read More CIA secretly created 'remote control' DOGS in the 1960s by surgically implanting electrodes in their brains, declassified documents reveal Today in retirement, McMoneagle serves as on the Board of Advisors and as a trainer for the Monroe Institute , the same institute whose 'Gateway' process was studied by US Army INSCOM in their 1983 report. Ultimately Ltc McDonnell's 'Gateway Experience' report , was an effort to verify the institute's suitability as a defense contractor used in this Army INSCOM program to operationalize 'out of body' experiences for espionage. In his summary, McDonnell concluded: 'There is a sound and rational basis in terms of physical science parameters for considering Gateway to be plausible in terms of its essential objectives.' 'Intuitional insights of not only personal but of a practical and professional nature would seem to be within the bounds of reasonable expectations,' he continued, in essence validating INSCOM's 'psychic spying' strategy. But there was a catch, he noted: These experiences were hard to control or direct consistently, which Ltc McDonnell suggested would require long and careful training. '[A] phased approach for entering the Gateway Experience in an accelerated mode would seem to be required [...] from the standpoint of establishing an organization-wide exploitation of Gateway's potential,' he wrote. In other words, while the Army intel official found that Gateway was real and possible, more research was needed to get to a place where US intelligence could actually make use it. Ltc McDonnell then laid out recommendations for how Army INSCOM could go about designing further Gateway studies, though its unclear if more studies were ever launched. Mysteriously, one page of Ltc McDonnell's report is missing, number 25, in the middle of a section where he was outlining potential practical defense uses of Gateway. The omission caught the attention of some readers who launched a Change.org petition calling for the CIA to release it. The CIA, however, says that it never had the page to begin with — fueling theories that it has been left it out on purpose due to the powerful techniques that page 25 described. TikTok Pentagon Virginia Share or comment on this article: Secret Pentagon study hints at reincarnation being real after finding consciousness 'never dies' e-mail 9 shares Add comment

‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Reboot Set Ahead of Show’s 25th AnniversaryPublished 5:40 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Data Skrive There are three games featuring a ranked team on Saturday’s college basketball schedule. 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.Confident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending schedule TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Fred Goodall, The Associated Press Nov 25, 2024 3:05 PM Nov 25, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield celebrates with fans after an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Sunday’s 30-7 rout of the New York Giants began a six-game, regular season-ending stretch in which the Bucs (5-6) will face five opponents that currently have losing records. The victory coming out of the team’s bye week stopped a four-game skid and moved the three-time defending NFC South champions within one game of first-place Atlanta in the division. The Falcons swept the season series, so the Bucs essentially trail the Falcons by two games with six remaining. They’re in a good position to chase their fifth consecutive playoff berth, but can hardly assume they’ll benefit from having an easy remaining schedule. “We’re hoping it builds confidence. We have belief that we’re still sitting and controlling our own destiny,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of beating the Giants. “But it’s not just going to happen,” Mayfield added. “So, we have to take it one week at a time. And you find the recipe for success within your work week. ... You try to emulate that week after week and continue to build it.” The Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Monday night’s game against Baltimore at 7-3, are the only opponent remaining on Tampa Bay’s schedule that currently has a winning record. The Bucs will face division rival Carolina (3-8) twice in the next six weeks. They’ll also host Las Vegas (2-9) and New Orleans (4-7) and play the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys (4-7) on the road. “We can’t get comfortable,” rookie running back Bucky Irving said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep running.” What’s working The offense continues to put up big numbers, finishing with 450 yards against the Giants. It’s the fifth time Tampa Bay has gained more than 400 yards this season. The Bucs have now scored 30-plus points six times, second in the NFL behind Buffalo’s eight. What needs help There wasn’t a lot to fault in the team’s performance against the Giants, although coach Todd Bowles said both the offense and defense could have been done a better job closing out the game late. “For the most part we executed on both sides of the football,” Bowles said. “Still like to have finished the game a little better, but they came back (from the bye week) mentally tougher, and they came ready to play.” Stock up Irving averaged more than 7 yards per carry in rushing for 87 yards on 12 attempts. He also had six receptions for 64 yards, finishing with a season-high 151 yards from scrimmage. Stock down Just when it looked as if the defense was beginning to trend the right way health-wise, the Bucs lost safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) to injuries on Sunday. Injuries Bowles said Monday he was still awaiting an update on the severity of Whitehead’s injury. Tryon-Shoyinka has an ankle sprain. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) sat out against the Giants and his status will be evaluated as the week progresses. Key number 11. With wide receiver Mike Evans back on the field after missing three games with a hamstring injury, Mayfield completed passes to 11 different players, tying a team record. “He obviously changed the game, even when he's not getting the ball,” Mayfield said. “It's huge that we have him in.” Next up At Carolina, the second of three consecutive games vs. last-place teams the Bucs will face during their stretch run. They’ll also host the Panthers on Dec. 29. “It’s an NFC South battle, and all of them are going to be hard. None of them are going to be easy,” Bowles said. “I think (coach) Dave (Canales) has done an excellent job taking on that team and it’s taking over his personality right now,” Bowles added. “They’re playing pretty good football. ... It’s going to be a tough battle.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Fred Goodall, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Blowout loss to Packers leaves the 49ers on the playoff brink Nov 25, 2024 3:25 PM Cardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to Seahawks Nov 25, 2024 2:58 PM After rough start under coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks' defense has become a strength Nov 25, 2024 2:53 PM

Peristaltic Pumps Market by Top Trends, Growth, Demand, Status, Leading Players Forecast and Expert Review 12-04-2024 09:32 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Browse 468 market data Tables and 42 Figures spread through 331 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Peristaltic Pumps Market" The peristaltic pumps market is growing steadily, driven by their precision, low-maintenance, and versatility across industries like pharmaceuticals, food, and water treatment. Innovations in tubing materials and automation integration are expected to further enhance market growth globally. The Peristaltic pumps market size [ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/peristaltic-pump-market-194304410.html?utm_source=abnewswire.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=peristalticpump ] is estimated to be USD 2.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.0 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 6.8%. Peristaltic pumps is a class of positive displacement pumps mainly used to pump different types of liquids. The liquid is controlled in an elastic tube or hose, which is fixed inside a circular pump. The rotor inside the pump is attached with shoes, rollers, wipers, and lobes to the outside boundary of the rotor, which reduces flexible tubes or hoses. There are two types of peristaltic pumps: tube and hose. Peristaltic pumps fibers can be used across various end use industries, including pharmaceutical & medical, water & wastewater treatment, food & beverage, chemical processing, mining, pulp & paper and others. The demand for Peristaltic pumps is mainly furnished by global players manufacturing for various end-use industries. Some of the leading companies involved in the manufacturing of Peristaltic pumps are Watson-Marlow fluid technology group (UK), Verder Group (Netherlands), Prominent Group (Germany), Cole-Parmer Instrument Company LLC (US), Flowrox (Finland) and others are covered in the Peristaltic pump market. These companies, along with other regional companies, cater to the demand for Peristaltic pumps globally. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=194304410 [ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=194304410&utm_source=abnewswire.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=peristalticpump ] Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (UK), manufactures pumps and fluid path technologies. The company portfolio includes products like radial diaphragm tank bottom valves, engineered pumps, single-use fluid paths, chemical pumps, disposable filling systems, food-grade hoses, gearboxes, peristaltic liquid fillers, and sinusoidal pumps. The company provides peristaltic pumps, tube pumps, liquid filling pumps, OEM pumps, hose pumps, sine pumps, laboratory tube pumps, and process pumps, among others. The organization has operations in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. Verder Group (Netherlands), is a global pump manufacturing and scientific equipment company. The company offers advanced pumping solutions as well as cutting-edge analytical equipment worldwide. Verder Liquids, a business division of the company manufactures and sells peristaltic pumps, positive displacement pumps, and other products. In 27 countries globally, the company has 11 Verder House Brands and over 50 Verder-affiliated offices. ProMinent (Germany), is a trusted partner for water treatment solutions as well as a manufacturer of metering components and systems. Through wide range of products, a distinctive understanding of processes, and a strong application orientation, ProMinent provides practical solutions for a range of industries. The broad range of products includes metering pumps, peristaltic pumps, measuring and control technology, sensors, and water treatment metering systems in addition to fluid management and metering equipment. The company has service providers in more than 100 countries. Get Sample Copy of this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=194304410 [ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=194304410&utm_source=abnewswire.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=peristalticpump ] By type, Peristaltic tube pumps accounted for the largest share The market for peristaltic pumps is small but expanding. Peristaltic pumps are a class of positive displacement pumps mainly used to pump different types of liquids. The liquid is controlled in an elastic tube or hose, which is fixed inside a circular pump. The key difference between the tube pumps and the hose pumps is that peristaltic hose pumps may run under higher pressure than peristaltic tube pumps because the former is reinforced, whereas the latter is not. The pumps can be further categorized by different materials used for tube pumps and hose pumps. The tube pumps serve a wider sector of end use industries and hence have a larger market share. By discharge, Peristaltic tube pumps Up to 30 psi accounted for the largest market share The Peristaltic pumps market has been segmented based on the discharge capacity. The market is segmented as Up to 30 psi, 30-50 psi, 50-100 psi, 100-200 psi and above 200 psi. The tube pumps generally operate at discharge capacity less than 100 psi. The hose pumps have a discharge capacity of more than 100 psi. Vending machines and dishwashers, and the pharmaceutical & medical industry use peristaltic tube pumps with discharge capacities of up to 30 psi. For high discharge capacity, the market is driven by the food & beverage, water & wastewater treatment, mining, chemical processing, and pulp & paper industries. The pharmaceutical & medical end-use industry is the major driver of the demand for peristaltic pumps with a discharge capacity of up to 30 psi. About MarketsandMarkets Trademark MarketsandMarkets Trademark has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets Trademark is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore Trademark (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. Media Contact Company Name: MarketsandMarkets Trademark Research Private Ltd. Contact Person: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=peristaltic-pumps-market-by-top-trends-growth-demand-status-leading-players-forecast-and-expert-review ] Phone: 18886006441 Address:1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 City: Florida State: Florida Country: United States Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/peristaltic-pump-market-194304410.html This release was published on openPR.BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo police want to use a new technology tool that uses artificial intelligence to scour social media and the dark net for crimes in progress — and even those being planned. Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia wants to use Dataminr which he said can give real-time information to police. The cost would be covered by a technology grant from the state so it wouldn't cost the city any extra money, according to Gramaglia. He also pointed out that the information it searches is all open source so police would not be accessing private accounts — only information posted publicly. Gramaglia said he got a firsthand look at how it works back in November 2022. He was giving a presentation to the New York City Police Department about the mass shooting at Tops earlier that year when police there informed him that there was another active shooter situation unfolding in Buffalo. It was the thwarted shooting at the Alba da Vida methadone clinic on the West Side of Buffalo. "NYPD was advising us in real time that a guy had walked into the methadone clinic on Virginia Street and began shooting," Gramaglia told me. "That information was being put out on social media instantly as it was happening." Gramaglia said he believes it's important for law enforcement to embrace new technology. "We have to leverage technology. We've got great cops, we have phenomenal detectives, they're out there doing great work. You have to be ahead of the curve. You have to have technology. We need help to get that information to us so that we can action that information better. You're absolutely foolish if you don't leverage technology to make your community safer," Gramaglia said. While the cost would be covered by the state, the Buffalo Common Council still has to approve the purchase. The matter is going to go before the Common Council next week. We'll let you know what happens.

American softball greats Cat Osterman and Lisa Fernandez are among the general managers who will lead teams in the new format of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. Athletes Unlimited announced on Monday that four general managers and coaches have been selected for the league, which will start with a new touring format in June before becoming city-based in 2026. Games will be played in several cities in 2025, including Chicago and Wichita, Kansas. Kelly Kretschman will coach Osterman's team and Howard Dobson will coach Fernandez's squad. Jenny Dalton-Hill will be the general manager for a team coached by Stacey Nuveman-Deniz and Dana Sorensen will be the general manager for a squad Alisa Goler will coach. They will be part of an overall leadership group. It includes Kim Ng, the league's senior adviser in charge of launching the league, and advisers Osterman, Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza and Natasha Watley. "This unprecedented collection of general managers and head coaches, with their decades of elite softball experience, unique perspectives, and intense drive, sets the stage for AUSL to meet the moment to deliver an action-packed, world-class softball league that this sport has deserved for so long," Ng said. Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, is associate head coach at UCLA. The Bruins have won five national titles in her 26 years on the staff, and she won two as a player for the team. Osterman is a three-time Olympian and was a four-time All-American at Texas. She won the Athletes Unlimited individual softball championship in 2020. Athletes Unlimited Softball has featured an individual format since 2020. This will be the first time it will have a traditional team-based league. There will be two seasons next summer, with the second maintaining the individual format. ESPN, the founding broadcast partner of the AUSL, will carry at least 30 games on its platforms. Each team will play 30 games. Team names and logos have not yet been determined.

None

Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree

SHAREHOLDER INVESTIGATION: Halper Sadeh LLC Investigates ALTR, SASR, AUB, CYTH on Behalf of ShareholdersRecently, I had the opportunity to experience the magic of Tui Na treatment at a renowned traditional Chinese medicine clinic, and the results were nothing short of miraculous.fruit roulette 。

No. 24 Arizona is coming off consecutive defeats for the first time in the Tommy Lloyd era when it faces undefeated Davidson on Wednesday to begin the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Arizona (2-2) lost at Wisconsin 103-88 on Nov. 15 and followed that with a home loss against Duke 69-55 on Friday. The Wildcats have dropped 15 spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll in two weeks. Arizona's record is .500 this early in a season for the first time since it was 3-3 to start the 2017-18 schedule. "I've got work to do, so let's get to work," said Lloyd, in his fourth year as Arizona's head coach. "Let's see where we're at in a month, and if we're still struggling, you know what I'll do? I still got work to do, but I'm gonna get to it." Arizona shot 39.6 percent from the field against Duke, and just 26.1 percent (6 of 23) from 3-point range. The Wildcats were outrebounded by 43-30 and their 15 turnovers led to 19 points. Jaden Bradley led Arizona with 18 points and KJ Lewis added 12. Preseason All-American Caleb Love had eight points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range. Arizona made only one field goal in the last 5:39 as Duke pulled away after its lead was trimmed to six points. "We didn't play great," Lloyd said. "Now we need to take a step back and figure out why. Are there some schematic problems? Are there some problems with how our personnel is kind of put together? "We got to figure out what our certainties are, and the things we have to have, and then over the course of the next couple of days, if there's adjustments we need to make, we need to figure out what those are." Davidson is 4-0 after a 15-17 record last season, in which it lost its last six games to put an end to postseason hopes. A 93-66 win over visiting VMI on Friday followed a 91-85 win at Bowling Green and 76-70 victory over visiting East Tennessee State. The two wins by 10 points or fewer are important because Davidson was 6-12 in such games last season. It was 4-11 in games decided by five points or fewer. "The goal (is) to get better," Davidson head coach Matt McKillop said after the season opener. "We talk about fighting to win every possession. I think we had to figure out what that really felt like with the lights on." Davidson made 13 shots from 3-point range in the win over VMI. Reed Bailey had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Bobby Durkin added 19 points, including 17 of them and a career-best five 3-pointers in the first half. Bailey leads Davidson in scoring (19 points per game) and rebounding (7.8). Durkin is shooting 57.9 percent (22 of 38) from the field and 54.2 percent (13 of 24) from 3-point range. By contrast, Arizona's Love is shooting 32 percent (16 of 50) from the field and 21.4 percent (6 of 28) from beyond the arc. Bradley leads Arizona with 15.5 points per game. He is shooting 50 percent (24 of 48) from the field and is 35.7 percent (5 of 14) from 3-point range. --Field Level MediaThe Orlando Pride capped off a nearly perfect 2024 season by winning the NWSL Championship Game over the Washington Spirit 1-0. Despite the Spirit giving the Pride everything they could handle , Orlando held on to win the title. It was a fitting end for the team’s leader, Marta , and the team that was clearly the best in the NWSL all season. The Pride opened the season with a 23-match unbeaten streak, which included two separate winning streaks of six games or more. Orlando didn’t lose a game until after clinching the NWSL Shield and the top seed in the playoffs. With just two losses all season, it was one of the most dominant seasons in NWSL history. THE BEST TEAM IN @NWSL HISTORY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/60vGL6QEiU Of course, all of that gets wiped out when the calendar flips to 2025. The Pride will have to start fresh next season, just like everybody else. The only difference is that Orlando will have a championship to defend and be the hunted rather than the hunted. Is the Pride capable of replicating this year’s success in 2025? Let’s look at what the future holds for Orlando next season. Will Marta play for Orlando Pride in 2025? The biggest question facing Orlando heading into the offseason is whether or not Marta will be back next season. After eight seasons with the club, she’s out of contract and set to be a free agent. She has made it clear that she would like to play for two more seasons at club level, although there is no assurance she will do so in Orlando. The Pride would hate to lose her after so many years of rebuilding around her . However, it’ll be up to the club to offer her a new contract and up to Marta if she wants to finish her career with Orlando or go elsewhere. MARTA IS THE MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/dVLKToqdon Orlando Pride free agency questions Besides Marta, the Pride doesn’t have to worry too much about losing key players in free agency. Key role players like Julie Doyle and Morgan Gautrat re-signed with the club before reaching free agency at the end of the season, so they will be back in 2025. Players like Duljan Evelina, Celia Jimenez, and Carrie Lawrence, none of whom played major roles in Orlando’s 2024 success, are out of contract. But other than Marta, the Pride isn’t set to lose anybody who figures to be irreplaceable. Barbra Banda could be better in 2025 Whether Marta returns to Orlando or not, it’s a safe bet that Banda will remain the Pride’s most important player. She finished second in the NWSL in goals this season and was named Championship Game MVP after scoring the game-winning goal against the Spirit. Yet, the 24-year-old could still take things to another level next season. Keep in mind that she didn’t play during the early part of the season since she signed in early March from a club in China. With a year of experience in the NWSL under her belt, Banda could be better in 2025 and should be considered an early favorite to be league MVP next year. PURE BANDA-MONIUM!!! Barbra Banda scores the opening goal in the #NWSLChampionship pic.twitter.com/5oK0B1h50m Orlando Pride defense could look the same The backline of Cori Dyke, Emily Sams, Kylie Strom, and Kerry Abello figures to be back for the Pride in 2025. That quartet started together more times than not, helping Orlando tie for the fewest goals conceded during the NWSL regular season. For her efforts, Sams was named the NWSL Defender of the Year, which is no small accomplishment with arguably the world’s best defender, Naomi Girma, as her competition. The kicker is that the 32-year-old Strom is the only player of that foursome who will be older than 25 at the start of next season. In other words, Orlando’s backline is young and already has plenty of experience playing together. That should make the Pride one of the best defensive teams in the league next season, especially with Anna Moorhouse defending the goal. Orlando’s young player to watch Aside from the youthful backline, Orlando has a few more young players worth watching in 2025. Ally Lemos, the team’s first-round pick in 2024, could strengthen Orlando’s midfield even more. She played just two seasons at UCLA before being drafted, making her one of the youngest players ever selected in the NWSL Draft. She didn’t see a ton of minutes for Orlando this season, partly because she left the Pride midseason to play in the Under-20 Women’s World Cup. Lemos helped the U.S. finish third in that tournament and seems to have a bright future. She could be a breakout star for Orlando in 2025. Can the Orlando Pride repeat as NWSL champions in 2025? The question of Orlando repeating as champs will be easier to answer once it’s clear if Marta is returning or not. However, even without the legendary Brazilian, the Pride has the makings of a championship team in 2025 with a trusted goalkeeper, a solid and proven backline, and a bonafide star like Banda leading the attack. Of course, Washington could be stronger next season, Gotham FC still has as much star power as anyone, and teams like Kansas City and Portland figure to be contenders, too. There could also be plenty of player movement in free agency. But as things stand, there is every reason to think Orlando will be a threat to repeat as NWSL champs in 2025.In the end, the game was not just about one steal or one play, but about the collective effort of the team to come together, execute their game plan, and emerge triumphant. Peyton and his teammates had proven that in basketball, as in any endeavor, success often comes down to how well you can work together, adapt to challenges, and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.Looking ahead, many analysts and market watchers are optimistic about the future of Chinese concept stocks, with some predicting continued strength in the sector as global technology trends evolve and Chinese companies continue to innovate and expand their market presence. The surge in the Golden Dragon Index is seen as a validation of the resilience and growth potential of Chinese tech firms, and investors are eagerly looking forward to what the future holds for this dynamic and rapidly evolving sector.

Warner Bros. Discovery Sued For Misleading Investors On NBA Before Losing ItThomas Moore is all around us, but you possibly never noticed. His birthplace is on the site of J Smyth’s, the legendary old live music bar on Dublin’s Aungier Street (now trading as the Thomas Moore Inn). There are busts and statues of him in cities around the globe, including Belfast, Dublin and New York. Listen carefully to the opening bars of Dexys Midnight Runners’ track 'Come On Eileen' and you’ll hear a sample of Moore’s song 'Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms'. Moore was a titan in Irish life in the nineteenth century. As the century drew to a close, Irish households kept a copy of Moore’s Melodies alongside the Bible, and made sure if sons or daughters were emigrating that the collection was packed off with them on their boat journey abroad. Moore’s story is full of colourful adventures and friends in the highest echelons of British and Irish society. It's a mystery as to why he has largely disappeared from our consciousness, which makes TG4’s documentary about him over Christmas timely. “I had read about Thomas Moore. A lot of people in my office had heard about him, but they didn't know anything about the man himself,” says Suzanne McNally, director of Thomas Moore – Bard na hÉireann. “Or else people would say they’d never heard of him, but when you mentioned The Last Rose of Summer or The Minstrel Boy, they’d know the songs. He had a fascinating life. "He was friends of Robert Emmet and Lord Byron. He lived in Bermuda. He was so famous in his lifetime. We wanted to know if he should be forgotten in Ireland today. That set us off on a journey.” McNally and her production team have made Moore’s music a big part of that story. It was an inspired – if perhaps an obvious – decision to make. The documentary is peppered with eight soaring studio performances of Moore’s melodies from artists such as Duke Special, Steve Cooney, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha and a breathtaking rendition of Oh! Breathe Not His Name by the soul artist Manukahunney and her band. The live recordings, a mix of traditional with modern interpretations, provide “chapter points,” says McNally, as Moore’s life story unfolds. Moore was born in 1779, the son of a Dublin grocer. His mother was ambitious for him. He was one of the first Catholics to study at Trinity College. His Irish Catholic identity – at a time when Catholics were second class citizens in Ireland, unable, for example, to sit in parliament – was the defining feature of his identity. It was at Trinity that Moore befriended Robert Emmet. Moore was less radical than Emmet, but they shared an Enlightenment worldview and the dream of an independent, pluralist Irish nation. Emmet’s execution – in which he was hung, drawn and quartered – was deeply disturbing for Moore, who penned the ballad Oh! Breathe Not His Name in his memory, picking up on Emmet’s famous dying wish that only when Ireland was free could his epitaph be written. Moore could walk on both sides of the street. At a time when England thought the Irish were barbarous and ignorant, he was a darling of the English aristocracy, invited, for instance, to the Prince Regent’s inauguration fête. King George VI – and the salons of fashionable, bohemian London – delighted in his wit and when he’d play the piano, performing his melodies. As Theo Dorgan, one of the contributors in the documentary, remarks about Moore’s ambiguous position in Anglo-Irish society – Moore wasn’t the only Irish person to be famous in London. He was a man for all seasons. “It's interesting,” says McNally, “Kevin Whelan, a history professor at Notre Dame University, said in the documentary that at the time, people said of him ‘Tommy dearly loved a lord.’ It's true. "When you see all his friends, it's the likes of Lord Moira and Lord Byron. When he got into trouble in Bermuda, it was his friends [e.g. Lord Lansdowne] who got him out of that debt. “As Theo Dorgan said, Moore was still very political. He was Irish. He was proud of that. He walked that thin line between both worlds. He did it well. Doing the research, time and again, people would say, ‘He would go to ‘big houses’ in England and he'd sing for his supper. "He would enjoy the big feast and then he would perform. A lot of the ladies liked him apparently. He must have been very charismatic. He was a popular man.” Tellingly, it was when Ireland achieved (limited) independence in the 1920s that Moore started to disappear from view. His reputation took a pounding during the Celtic Revival at the turn of the twentieth century. Joyce often sang his songs. “Moore’s maladies,” Joyce called them. He loved the songs, but he didn’t love the man. WB Yeats despised Moore’s “incarnate social ambition”, but perhaps Yeats’ hatred sprung from jealousy – there was only room for one person to be Ireland’s national poet. Moore’s music, which was always prone to melancholy, was reflected in his own life. He lived to a good age, dying in Wiltshire, England, in 1852, outliving cohorts like Daniel O’Connell. He was happily married to “Bessy”, a young Irish actress, and sister of the famous contemporary actress, Mary Dyke. But tragedy marred their family life – all five of their children died before them. “It seemed a sad, lonely ending for him, losing all five children before him,” says McNally. “A lot of his friends had all died too. We filmed in Wiltshire. It was sad to see the grave with the names of his family there. But it was a really interesting experience to delve into his life.” Thomas Moore and the tale of Lord Byron’s explosive memoirs Thomas Moore and Lord Byron, the most famous poet of his era, not least for his scandalous lifestyle, were firm friends. Byron reckoned there was no one to rival Moore’s talent for adapting words to music. In 1824, when word filtered back to London that Byron had drowned in western Greece, Moore was, legally, in possession of the Englishman’s memoirs. Unfortunately, Moore left the manuscript with Byron’s publisher, John Murray, two years beforehand as a security, placing himself in debt to Murray to the tune of 2,000 guineas. Immediately after news of Byron’s death, a bitter dispute broke out amongst Moore, Murray, Byron’s family and John Cam Hobhouse, Byron’s friend and executor. Hobhouse, in particular, was worried about the red-hot material in the memoirs, chiefly references about Byron’s homosexual encounters. After a fraught weekend of negotiation, full of nasty personal charges, Moore finally acquiesced at an infamous Monday morning summit meeting involving six interested parties (and a seventh, if you include Murray’s 16-year-old son) to Hobhouse’s demands that the manuscript be burnt. Although morose leaving the meeting, Moore still had the energy to leave the group with a parting shot, a story about an Irishman who had just been condemned to death. Asked if he had anything to add. “Oh nothing,” he replied, “except that by Jesus you’ve settled it all very nicely amongst you!”

Messi: "You've already won a World Cup, Kylian. This time, let me win."A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaulIn addition, big data can also help e-commerce businesses identify potential opportunities for growth and expansion. By analyzing market trends, competitor strategies, and consumer sentiment, companies can identify emerging trends and opportunities to capitalize on, ultimately driving sustainable growth and profitability.DRIVERLESS Knight Rider-style buses are set to hit UK roads in days as thousands brace for the terrifying new concept. The self-driving motors will soon be zooming along the streets of Central Milton Keynes. 6 Self-driving buses will be trialled in Milton Keynes next week Credit: smartcityconsultancy 6 David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight and K.I.T.T. a famously driverless car in Knight Rider Credit: Getty - Contributor 6 An inside look of one of the driverless vehicles Credit: smartcityconsultancy Photographs of the StreetCAV, a 'plug-and-play' shuttle, show a pod-like vehicle with bars and handles like any normal bus. Except it's almost impossible to tell which end is the front, because there's no space for a driver's seat. Instead, the entire pod has room for passengers, with seats along either side and a central door. Before it is given the green light, the buses will be trialled in the city centre in December, MK Citizen reported. read more in motors TOW THE LINE What the squares and circles on a car bumper are for HIDDEN GEMS Classic cars sat in barn for 40 years sell for 10 TIMES original value If successful, the vehicles should be ready to board its first passengers in 2025. The driverless shuttles are currently on display in the town's Smart City Experience Centre. Zenzic’s CAM Supply Chain UK programme was launched by the government to help bring the UK in the running for world-leader in development of self-driving vehicles. It has pumped money into the ambitious project, which will be lead by the Smart City Consultancy (SMCCL). Most read in Motors SHUT DOWN Crucial motorway bridge used by 80,000 Brits every day shuts in BOTH directions Biker's code 5 motorcycle hand signals every motorbike rider should know DRIVE TIME Plymouth Barracuda signed by F1 legend set to sell for eye-watering price CHEAP AS CHIPS Best cheap cars for new drivers as millions brace for huge rule change “The StreetCAV project has been going for some time now so we are absolutely thrilled that it is finally at a stage where we can reveal it to the world," Ian Pulford, CEO at SMCCL, said. “Thanks to the partners we’ve been fortunate to involve in the project, we truly believe we have developed a solution which can change the future of urban mobility while making our towns and cities smarter, greener, and more inclusive. "We have also worked rigorously to ensure public safety. Working closely with Milton Keynes City Council, BT and ECS, we will establish a city centre control room, connected by a specifically designed communications network, provided by CableFree, which will in-turn allow the Ohmio vehicles to be supervised and managed remotely. “It really has been a fantastic project to work on and we can’t thank all of our partners and funders enough for their continued work and support.” Tesla opens 17 ‘Self-Serve’ test centres so customers can try driverless EVs Mark Cracknell, program director at Zenzic, added: “We are proud to have supported the development of StreetCAV and to have worked with all of the partners involved in this pioneering project. “Should the trial prove a success, it could lay the foundations for a more connected, inclusive, and resilient transportation network not only for Milton Keynes, but for towns and cities across the globe. “It is a perfect example of how, by working more collaboratively and bringing together industry, academia and the public sector, the UK can lead the way in accelerating the self-driving revolution.” The Sun Online has reached out to Milton Keynes Council for comment. TICKET TO THE FUTURE Milton Keynes isn't the only town which could soon have driverless motors roaming around its streets. In early 2023, The Sun Online reported how self-driving, zero-emission shuttles will be piloted in Sunderland after receiving £6m in government and industry funding. The Sunderland Advanced Mobility Shuttle project added it would trial three self-driving Aurrigo Auto-Shuttles. A safety driver will be on board the shuttles just in case. These futuristic-looking vehicles will transport passengers on public roads between Sunderland Interchange, Sunderland Royal Hospital and the University of Sunderland City Campus. The initiative is led by Sunderland City Council in partnership with Aurrigo, Stagecoach, Angoka Ltf, Newcastle University and Bai Communications. The project has received a £3m government grant matched by industry pros - which totals £6m. Liz St Louis, director of Smart Cities at Sunderland City Council, said to Chronicle Live : "Leveraging the power of 5G technology and Sunderland’s leading smart city infrastructure. Read more on the Scottish Sun FESTIVE FIZZ Coca-Cola Christmas truck in Scotland: Dates, locations & all you need to know AND RELAX Scots seaside hotel with outdoor hot tub and firepit named UK's top spa resort "The focus of our ambitious project partners is underpinned by an ethos of leaving no one and nowhere behind. "Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) will provide huge social, industrial and economic benefits across the world and we’re hugely optimistic about a technology-fuelled future, powered by local expertise, right here in Sunderland." 6 Two young passengers take in the view from outside Credit: smartcityconsultancy 6 If successful, the buses will begin boarding passengers in 2025 Credit: smartcityconsultancy 6 A model of one of the buses in on display in Milton Keynes' Smart City Experience Centre Credit: smartcityconsultancy

Researchers in Canada are using artificial intelligence to monitor the ongoing mass extinction of insects, hoping to collect data that can help reverse species collapse and avert catastrophe for the planet. "Of all the mass extinctions we have experienced in the past, the one affecting insects is happening a thousand times faster," said Maxim Larrivee, director of the Montreal Insectarium. The decline is occurring so quickly it can't be properly monitored, making it impossible "to put in place the necessary actions to slow it down," he told AFP. For the Montreal-based project, called Antenna, some of the data collection is happening inside the insectarium under a large transparent dome, where thousands of butterflies, ants and praying mantises are being studied. Solar-powered camera traps have also been installed in several regions, from the Canadian far north to Panamanian rainforests, snapping photos every 10 seconds of insects attracted to UV lights. Larrivee said innovations like high-resolution cameras, low-cost sensors and AI models to process data could double the amount of biodiversity information collected over the last 150 years in two to five years. "Even for us, it sounds like science fiction," he said, a grin stretched across his face. Scientists have warned the world is facing its biggest mass extinction event since the dinosaur age. The drivers of insect species collapse are well understood -- including climate change, habitat loss and pesticides -- but the extent and nature of insect losses have been hard to quantify. Better data should make it possible to create "decision-making tools for governments and environmentalists" to develop conservation policies that help restore biodiversity, Larrivee said. There are an estimated 10 million species of insects, representing half the world's biodiversity, but only a million of those have been documented and studied by scientists. David Rolnick, a biodiversity specialist at the Quebec AI Institute working on the Antenna project, noted that artificial intelligence could help document some of the 90 percent of insect species that remain undiscovered. "We found that when we went to Panama and tested our sensor systems in the rainforest, within a week, we found 300 new species. And that is just the tip of the iceberg," Rolnick told AFP. At Antenna, testing to advance AI tools is currently focused on moths. With more than 160,000 different species, moths represent a diverse group of insects that are "easy to identify visually" and are low in the food chain, Rolnick explained. "This is the next frontier for biodiversity monitoring," he said. The Montreal project is using an open source model, aiming to allow anyone to contribute to enriching the platform. Researchers eventually hope to apply their modeling to identify new species in the deep sea and others harmful to agriculture. Meanwhile, the Montreal Insectarium is using its technology for educational purposes. Visitors can snap pictures of butterflies in a vivarium and use an app to identify the exact species French tourist Camille Clement sounded a note of caution, saying she supported using AI to protect ecology provided "we use it meticulously." For Julie Jodoin, director of Espace Pour La Vie, an umbrella organization for five Montreal museums including the Insectarium: "If we don't know nature, we can't ask citizens to change their behavior."Furthermore, the pilot implementation of water taxes in these 10 provinces has had a positive impact on the environment. By incentivizing water conservation through pricing mechanisms, the government has been able to reduce wasteful water consumption and promote more efficient use of water resources. This has not only helped in preserving water quality but has also contributed to the overall sustainability of the ecosystem.

As the power transfer unfolds, it is important for all parties involved to maintain open communication, transparency, and a spirit of cooperation to overcome any obstacles that may arise. The success of the power transition hinges on the willingness of all stakeholders to work together in the best interests of the Syrian people and the future of the country.In conclusion, as China charts a course towards a new era of economic development, the decisions made at the Central Politburo meeting will play a pivotal role in shaping the country's future. By staying true to the principles of innovation, reform, inclusivity, and digitalization, China is poised to emerge stronger and more resilient in the years to come. We can look forward to witnessing the transformational impact of these policies on the economy and society as a whole in 2025 and beyond.

Researchers in Canada are using artificial intelligence to monitor the ongoing mass extinction of insects, hoping to collect data that can help reverse species collapse and avert catastrophe for the planet. "Of all the mass extinctions we have experienced in the past, the one affecting insects is happening a thousand times faster," said Maxim Larrivee, director of the Montreal Insectarium. The decline is occurring so quickly it can't be properly monitored, making it impossible "to put in place the necessary actions to slow it down," he told AFP. For the Montreal-based project, called Antenna, some of the data collection is happening inside the insectarium under a large transparent dome, where thousands of butterflies, ants and praying mantises are being studied. Solar-powered camera traps have also been installed in several regions, from the Canadian far north to Panamanian rainforests, snapping photos every 10 seconds of insects attracted to UV lights. Larrivee said innovations like high-resolution cameras, low-cost sensors and AI models to process data could double the amount of biodiversity information collected over the last 150 years in two to five years. "Even for us, it sounds like science fiction," he said, a grin stretched across his face. Scientists have warned the world is facing its biggest mass extinction event since the dinosaur age. The drivers of insect species collapse are well understood -- including climate change, habitat loss and pesticides -- but the extent and nature of insect losses have been hard to quantify. Better data should make it possible to create "decision-making tools for governments and environmentalists" to develop conservation policies that help restore biodiversity, Larrivee said. There are an estimated 10 million species of insects, representing half the world's biodiversity, but only a million of those have been documented and studied by scientists. David Rolnick, a biodiversity specialist at the Quebec AI Institute working on the Antenna project, noted that artificial intelligence could help document some of the 90 percent of insect species that remain undiscovered. "We found that when we went to Panama and tested our sensor systems in the rainforest, within a week, we found 300 new species. And that is just the tip of the iceberg," Rolnick told AFP. At Antenna, testing to advance AI tools is currently focused on moths. With more than 160,000 different species, moths represent a diverse group of insects that are "easy to identify visually" and are low in the food chain, Rolnick explained. "This is the next frontier for biodiversity monitoring," he said. The Montreal project is using an open source model, aiming to allow anyone to contribute to enriching the platform. Researchers eventually hope to apply their modeling to identify new species in the deep sea and others harmful to agriculture. Meanwhile, the Montreal Insectarium is using its technology for educational purposes. Visitors can snap pictures of butterflies in a vivarium and use an app to identify the exact species French tourist Camille Clement sounded a note of caution, saying she supported using AI to protect ecology provided "we use it meticulously." For Julie Jodoin, director of Espace Pour La Vie, an umbrella organization for five Montreal museums including the Insectarium: "If we don't know nature, we can't ask citizens to change their behavior."

The anticipated 5% rise in the MSCI China Index by 2025 has further fueled optimism among foreign investors. This projection is based on a comprehensive analysis of the Chinese market trends, economic indicators, and policy developments. With the Chinese government's commitment to further opening up its financial sector and implementing reforms to attract foreign investment, the stage is set for a sustained growth trajectory in the Chinese market.

In addition to the differences in treatment plans, the cost of toothache treatment can also vary based on the location of the dental institution, the qualifications and experience of the dental professionals, and the technology and materials used in the procedures. Therefore, it is important for patients to consider these factors when selecting a dental clinic for toothache treatment.

Calgary won shootout 2-1 First Period_1, Calgary, Rooney 2 (Kirkland, Miromanov), 15:00. 2, Minnesota, Johansson 3 (Boldy), 16:03. Penalties_Miromanov, CGY (High Sticking), 7:12. Second Period_3, Calgary, Pospisil 2 (Andersson, Kadri), 19:29 (pp). Penalties_Huberdeau, CGY (Slashing), 9:41; Boldy, MIN (Roughing), 10:49; Weegar, CGY (Roughing), 10:49; Lauko, MIN (Interference), 17:50. Third Period_4, Calgary, Sharangovich 4 (Zary, Weegar), 3:53 (pp). 5, Minnesota, Faber 3 (Rossi, Boldy), 16:01 (pp). 6, Minnesota, Rossi 6 (Eriksson Ek), 19:26. Penalties_Hartman, MIN (High Sticking), 1:56; Rooney, CGY (Holding), 15:27. Overtime_None. Penalties_None. Shootout_Calgary 2 (Sharangovich NG, Kuzmenko NG, Kirkland G, Coronato NG, Andersson G), Minnesota 1 (Gaudreau G, Boldy NG, Eriksson Ek NG, Rossi NG, Hartman NG). Shots on Goal_Minnesota 8-3-10-2_23. Calgary 8-11-9-3_31. Power-play opportunities_Minnesota 1 of 3; Calgary 2 of 2. Goalies_Minnesota, Gustavsson 9-3-2 (31 shots-28 saves). Calgary, Vladar 3-4-2 (23-20). A_17,116 (19,289). T_2:37. Referees_Ghislain Hebert, Jordan Samuels-Thomas. Linesmen_Caleb Apperson, Ben O'Quinn.‘AI-powered Weapons Depersonalise the Violence, Making It Easier for the Military to Approve More Destruction’

Xiaomi Motors Officially Announces SUV Model Xiaomi YU7, Expected to Be Launched in June or July Next YearWhen Jane's grandmother failed to return home after a routine walk in the woods, her family immediately organized a search party to locate her. Despite their best efforts, it was not until five days later that she was finally discovered, weak and disoriented, but miraculously alive. It was a heart-wrenching moment for Jane to see her beloved grandmother in such a state, but it was also a moment filled with immense relief and gratitude.The decision to offer Salah a new contract reflects Liverpool's recognition of his importance to the team and their desire to ensure he remains a vital part of their plans for years to come. By securing Salah's future at the club, Liverpool has sent a strong message to their rivals that they are serious contenders for silverware and are not willing to let go of their key assets easily.

Preview: Brighton & Hove Albion Women vs. Tottenham Hotspur Women - prediction, team news, lineupspaper roulette 。

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Babacar Faye's 19 points helped Western Kentucky defeat Evansville 79-65 on Saturday. Faye had 12 rebounds for the Hilltoppers (5-3). Don McHenry scored 17 points and added three steals. Julius Thedford shot 4 for 7 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. The Purple Aces (3-6) were led by Cameron Haffner, who posted 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Gabriel Pozzato added 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals for Evansville. Tayshawn Comer finished with 12 points. Western Kentucky used a 10-0 run in the second half to build a 14-point lead at 55-41 with 12:30 remaining before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .AP News Summary at 2:33 p.m. ESTNone

Musk and Ramaswamy spar with Trump supporters over support for H-1B work visasSky Labs Inc., BrainU Co., Ltd., and ANDOPEN Co., Ltd. will be recognized as Innovation Award Winners SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its successful participation last year, Seongnam City will participate in CES 2025, the world's largest consumer electronics and information technology exhibition. The event will take place from January 7 to 10, 2025 , in Las Vegas , USA . Seongnam City will operate the "Seongnam Pavilion," which will support 25 local startups from the Seongnam region and highlight their innovative technologies and products. CES 2025 will attract approximately 4,400 companies and over 130,000 attendees worldwide. At CES 2024, Seongnam City garnered significant attention from domestic and international investors and buyers by showcasing startups with outstanding technological capabilities. This effort established valuable global networks and expanded market opportunities, achieving a total contract value of KRW 145.5 billion . These tangible outcomes highlighted the high level of satisfaction among participating companies. This year, Seongnam City, a leading innovative hub in South Korea , aims to actively support local startups in expanding into overseas markets and building global networks through its participation in CES 2025. The Seongnam Pavilion will feature cutting-edge technologies and products across advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, smart cities, and mobility. Through these efforts, Seongnam City seeks to further solidify its position as a "Global Innovation City." Notably, three companies from Seongnam were honored with CES Innovation Awards, demonstrating their technological excellence and global competitiveness on the world stage: Sky Labs Inc. : Recognized for its QuickGlyTM technology, which non-invasively measures glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). BrainU Co., Ltd.: Honored for its VET CAI, an EEG-based depth-of-anesthesia monitoring device designed for animals. ANDOPEN Co., Ltd.: Awarded for its SNAPPASS, a next-generation two-step authentication solution based on facial recognition. Seongnam City stated, "By participating in CES 2025, we aim to showcase Seongnam's innovative technologies to the global stage and provide a launchpad for our startups to expand into international markets." Meanwhile, the Seongnam Pavilion will feature 25 companies, including BRYTN Co., Ltd., NTL HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd., EMTAKE Inc., AWESOME LAB Co., Ltd., JNL Co. Ltd., Linkface Co., Ltd., Emma Healthcare Co.,Ltd., NC& Co.,Ltd, Becon Co.,Ltd, LITBIG, Inc., GeodeSound., Inc, MEDIAIPLUS, INC, BoS Semiconductors, Sky Labs Inc., STRATIO, INC., BrainU Co., Ltd., analogue plus Co.,Ltd., EX Healthcare Inc., Mangoslab, Littleone, Bluefeel Co., Ltd., Aram Huvis Co., Ltd., Real Design Tech Co.,Ltd., Crescom Co., Ltd., ANDOPEN Co., Ltd. These companies are set to unveil their groundbreaking technologies at the exhibition. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seongnam-city-to-participate-in-ces-2025-paving-the-way-as-a-global-innovation-hub-302339453.html SOURCE Seongnam City

Republicans have dealt a pair of stinging rejections to President-elect Donald Trump over the past week, a sign of how Trump’s immediate lame-duck status could limit his influence despite his enormous sway over the GOP’s most dedicated voters. There’s little doubt Trump, like any president, remains the leader of his party, and is certain to have a mostly unified GOP rooting for him as he pushes for tax cuts for the wealthy, conservative judicial appointments and assaults on democratic norms. And there have long been limits to how far Republicans would actually go in service of a man many of them privately find ridiculous even as they lavishly praise him in public. But the two prominent rejections in the past week ― Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis resisting Trump’s entreaties to his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to Florida’s open Senate seat and more than three dozen House Republicans denying his request to include a debt ceiling hike in a government funding bill ― show how Trump lacks the power to simply dictate the GOP’s behavior in either politics or government, and function as warning signs for Trump allies hoping for seamless enactment of his agenda, from his plans for a complex piece of tax legislation to his vision for trillions in spending cuts engineered by Elon Musk. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told HuffPost the GOP would obviously remain by Trump’s side, but noted some of his requests ― like a debt ceiling hike ― simply aren’t feasible. “I think he’s going to continue to lobby, and I think they respect the fact that he’s the incoming president of the United States, and they all want to have a good relationship with him, but they also know that certain things are doable and some things are not doable, and in the political process, there is no way at this stage of the game to effectively address the debt ceiling,” he said. “And so it was a matter of we do the best we can, and we’re all on the same team.” “We want to make things work out, right?” Rounds said. Trump’s demand that Republicans add a debt ceiling provision to their government funding bill tanked House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial legislation, but set up a standoff that he wound up losing. Republicans hate raising the debt ceiling, and they weren’t willing to abandon their stubborn position just because Trump wanted them to. Thirty-eight Republicans voted against the legislation that Johnson hastily assembled to placate their leader. The president-elect even threatened to back a primary opponent against Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), only to see Roy openly defy him. “My position is simple - I am not going to raise or suspend the debt ceiling (racking up more debt) without significant & real spending cuts attached to it. I’ve been negotiating to that end. No apologies,” Roy wrote on X, tagging Trump to make sure he saw. Trump’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of House lawmakers followed a stiff-arm by Senate Republicans, who refused to support scandal-plagued Matt Gaetz for attorney general, forcing the would-be nominee to withdraw from consideration. In that confrontation, Trump backed down even after threatening to try to go around the Senate and use recess appointments to fill his cabinet. DeSantis’ resistance was less explicit. Lara Trump was never firmly rejected, instead withdrawing her name from consideration on Saturday night. The Washington Post reported Trump had pushed DeSantis to name her to the seat , which will become vacant when Sen. Marco Rubio is presumably confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of State. But when asked about it at a press conference earlier this month, Trump was skeptical he would get his way. “I probably don’t, but I don’t know,” the president-elect said at Mar-a-Lago. “Ron’s doing a good job and that’s his choice. Nothing to do with me.” Trump likely lost leverage over DeSantis when it became clear he was sticking by his troubled nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who stands accused of workplace drinking and sexual assault. Trump allies had floated DeSantis as a potential replacement nominee if Hegseth faltered. Former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.), a Trump critic, said DeSantis and other Republicans were already looking past the time when Trump ruled the party. “That episode clearly reflects Trump’s lame duck status when it comes to who will be fighting for control of the party starting in December of 2026,” Jolly said. “DeSantis clearly sees Trump as a lame duck with fading currency, and the Florida Governor still has plans to demonstrate his own Republican leadership. Surely DeSantis isn’t alone.” Another prominent Florida GOP consultant noted the “ceiling” of Trump’s ask could also decline in the future. “If there is obvious cognitive decline from Jan. 20, [his problems] will accelerate,” said the consultant, who requested anonymity to speak frankly about his party’s leader. Mike Davis, a former Senate GOP staffer known for his pro-Trump bombast, insisted the president-elect was charging full steam ahead. “Trump forced Biden, a Democrat-controlled Senate, and a barely Republican-controlled House to surrender on their annual end-of-year spending frenzy,” he said. “Trump’s just getting warmed up.” Still, it’s clear there’s also something of an indirect challenger for Trump’s throne atop the GOP. While Trump did not get any of what he requested from House Republicans, his top donor, tech billionaire Elon Musk, did. And Musk’s trillions may be able to power political careers years in the future when Trump’s social media missives have disappeared from the scene. Trump, in a speech in Arizona on Sunday, aimed to downplay the idea Musk could somehow supplant him, noting ― correctly, for once in his life ― that Musk is ineligible to be president. “I’m safe. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country,” Trump said jokingly.The race for the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed and first-round bye is down to two teams entering Week 17. The Detroit Lions (13-2) are in the pole position, as they have been for months, but the Minnesota Vikings (13-2) have quietly kept pace throughout. If the Vikings can beat the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, they’ll turn next week’s date with the Lions at Ford Field into a winner-takes-all battle for both the NFC North title and No. 1 seed in the playoffs, with the loser getting the No. 5 seed and a road game on wild-card weekend as a consolation prize. The stakes are massive this week, especially for Minnesota . If the Vikings fall to the Packers on Sunday, they could be home watching as the Lions sew up the division and No. 1 seed on Monday Night Football against a San Francisco 49ers team that has already been eliminated from playoff contention. The Vikings would need the Lions to lose at Levi’s Stadium to stay in the hunt, in that scenario. A Vikings win over the Packers on Sunday, however, changes everything. That result would essentially make Detroit’s game at San Francisco meaningless. Even if Detroit were to lose to the 49ers following a Vikings win, the Lions would still clinch the No. 1 seed with a win over Minnesota in Week 18. In short: The Vikings have no clinching scenarios in Week 17, but the Lions do, as long as Minnesota loses to Green Bay. Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked by reporters if his approach to Monday’s game would change based on the Vikings-Packers result, and he gave the most Dan Campbell answer ever : Yeah, I’ll make this easy for everybody, that way all the critics can jump out and start attacking. But that way, you don’t have to debate them anymore. We’re bringing everything we’ve got to this game, and we are playing... I don’t care what it looks like, and where it’s at, and who’s this, who’s that... we’re going out to play and win this game out on the West Coast. So, there you go. So there you have it, the Lions don’t plan to take their foot off the gas pedal, no matter how Minnesota’s game with the Packers plays out. That approach has worked for Campbell all along in Detroit, so it comes as no surprise that he won’t be scoreboard watching on Sunday. The race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed has been fun to follow, with the Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) firmly in the hunt until last week’s brutal loss to the Washington Commanders . It’s now a two-team race, and would be fitting if nothing’s clinched until a winner walks off Ford Field in Week 18.S&P/TSX composite down nearly 250 points, U.S. stock markets also fall

FSK Completes Public Offering of $100 million 6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2030Last Email from Shaheed BibiGophers football adds Nebraska wideout Malachi Coleman via portal

Renowned Human Biologist and Longevity Expert Gary Brecka Files $100M Defamation Claim Against Elena Cardone and Lawsuit Against Cardone Ventures in Response to Questionable Business Practices

The Science President: Trump Vows to Make Two Genders the Official Policy of the United StatesNoneAP Sports SummaryBrief at 2:21 p.m. EST

Ahmil Flowers tallied 14 points for Ferrum (7-0, 2-0 ODAC). Bryant Wall added 11 points and eight rebounds. Lynchburg (5-3, 1-1) made four 3-pointers to Ferrum’s 17. MEN Queens 81, VMI 78 Leo Colimerio scored 15 points to lead the Royals (4-5) past the host Keydets (5-6). VMI’s Robert Peters (12 points) made two free throws to cut the lead to 79-78 with three seconds left, but Asjon Anderson sank two free throws with one second to go. Rickey Bradley Jr. scored 19 points for VMI, while TJ Johnson had 17 points and four 3-pointers. Augustinas Kiudulas added 15 points. SVU 76, Eastern Mennonite 66 Tyler Kartchner scored 18 points to lead the visiting Knights (5-2) past the Royals (3-5). DJ Green had 14 points for SVU, while Eli Ballstaedt and Christian Goode added 13 points apiece. WOMEN SVU 63, Mary Washington 51 Aysia Foster had 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to lead the visiting Knights (7-2) past the Eagles (3-7). Abigail Snyder had 13 points and 11 rebounds for SVU. Maria Savvun added 13 points and six assists. Hollins 66, Averett 61 Cabria Mutz had 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to lead visiting Hollins (6-1, 2-1 ODAC) past the Cougars (1-7, 0-3). Ariana Gutierrez also had 13 points for Hollins. Grayson Alfano added 12 points. Ny’Kerasia Coleman scored to give Averett a 61-60 lead with 1:13 left, but Averett never scored again. Randolph-Macon 74, Roanoke 54 Catherine Kagey had 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks to lead the host Yellow Jackets (7-1, 2-0 ODAC) past the Maroons (2-6, 0-2). Mariah Cain and Ashley Fowler had 15 points and seven rebounds apiece for Roanoke. Bridgewater 39, Ferrum 36 India Dailey tallied 11 points to lead the visiting Eagles (9-0, 3-0 ODAC) past the Panthers (4-2, 2-1). Aisha Martin had 13 points for Ferrum, while Kleiauna Riddick added 12 points. Riddick made two free throws to tie the game at 33 with 3:13 to go. But BC answered with five straight points.

CBC is restoring its live New Year’s Eve celebration. A year after the national broadcaster cancelled the 2024 countdown due to “financial pressures,” it says the special event is back on the TV schedule to mark the dawn of 2025. Festivities begin Dec. 31 with the one-hour “22 Minutes New Year’s Eve Pregame Special,” a satirical reflection on the events of 2024 with the cast of the political comedy series “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” It will be followed by “Canada Live! Countdown 2025,” a special hosted by news anchor Adrienne Arsenault and singer Jann Arden broadcasting live from Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, and anchor Ian Hanomansing and comedian Ali Hassan at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Garden. A representative for the CBC says the coast-to-coast show will feature reporters at more than a dozen community events across the country while a countdown to the new year will take place in each of the six time zones. Throughout the seven-and-a-half-hour program, “many Canadian celebrity guests” will appear in live and pre-taped messages. “Canada Live! Countdown 2025” begins at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network and CBC Gem with CBC-TV and CBC Radio picking up the feed at 9 p.m. in local markets. Last year, the CBC replaced its live New Year’s Eve programming with a taped Just For Laughs special hosted by comedian Mae Martin. That left Canadians without a homegrown countdown on any of the major networks, which sparked blowback on social media from some viewers. The CBC began its annual specials in 2017 to mark Canada’s sesquicentennial year. Some of the more recent broadcasts were hosted by comedian Rick Mercer and featured fireworks and musical performances in key cities. But when CBC paused those plans last year, it said the show had become “increasingly expensive to produce.” The decision to sideline the program was made shortly after members of Parliament summoned outgoing CBC president Catherine Tait to testify about job cuts and her refusal to rule out bonuses for CBC executives.The move spares the lives of people convicted in killings , including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals, as well as the killings of guards or prisoners in federal facilities. The decision leaves three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. “I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said in a statement . “Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.” Reaction was strong, both for and against. A Trump spokesperson called the decision “abhorrent.” “These are among the worst killers in the world and this abhorrent decision by Joe Biden is a slap in the face to the victims, their families, and their loved ones." said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung. "President Trump stands for the rule of law, which will return when he is back in the White House after he was elected with a massive mandate from the American people.” Heather Turner, whose mother was killed during the 2017 robbery of a Conway, South Carolina, bank, blasted the decision in a social media post, saying Biden didn't consider the victims of these crimes. “The pain and trauma we have endured over the last 7 years has been indescribable,” Turner wrote on Facebook, describing weeks spent in court in search of justice as “now just a waste of time.” “Our judicial system is broken. Our government is a joke,” she said. "Joe Biden’s decision is a clear gross abuse of power. He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” Some of Roof's victims supported Biden's decision to leave him on death row. Michael Graham, whose sister Cynthia Hurd was killed by Roof, said Roof's lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the U.S. means Roof is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people who were doing something all Americans do on a Wednesday night — go to Bible study,” Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during Biden's term. But Biden actually had promised to go further on the issue in the past, pledging to end federal executions without the caveats for terrorism and hate-motivated, mass killings. While running for president in 2020, Biden's campaign website said he would “work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level , and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example.” Similar language didn't appear on Biden's reelection website before he left the presidential race in July. “Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden's statement said. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, vice president, and now president, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” He took a political jab at Trump, saying, “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.” Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has spoken frequently of expanding executions. In a speech announcing his 2024 campaign , Trump called for those “caught selling drugs to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts.” He later promised to execute drug and human smugglers and even praised China's harsher treatment of drug peddlers. During his first term as president, Trump also advocated for the death penalty for drug dealers . There were 13 federal executions during Trump's first term, more than under any president in modern history, and some may have happened fast enough to have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus at the federal death row facility in Indiana. Those were the first federal executions since 2003. The final three occurred after Election Day in November 2020 but before Trump left office the following January, the first time federal prisoners were put to death by a lame-duck president since Grover Cleveland in 1889. Biden faced recent pressure from advocacy groups urging him to act to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The president's announcement also comes less than two weeks after he commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The announcement also followed the post-election pardon that Biden granted his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges after long saying he would not issue one, sparking an uproar in Washington. The pardon also raised questions about whether he would issue sweeping preemptive pardons for administration officials and other allies who the White House worries could be unjustly targeted by Trump’s second administration. Speculation that Biden could commute federal death sentences intensified last week after the White House announced he plans to visit Italy on the final foreign trip of his presidency next month. Biden, a practicing Catholic, will meet with Pope Francis, who recently called for prayers for U.S. death row inmates in hopes their sentences will be commuted. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has long called for an end to the death penalty, said Biden's decision is a “significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation” and moves the country “a step closer to building a culture of life.” Martin Luther King III, who publicly urged Biden to change the death sentences, said in a statement shared by the White House that the president "has done what no president before him was willing to do: take meaningful and lasting action not just to acknowledge the death penalty’s racist roots but also to remedy its persistent unfairness.” Madeline Cohen, an attorney for Norris Holder, who faced death for the 1997 fatal shooting of a guard during a bank robbery in St. Louis, said his case “exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. Holder, who is Black, was sentenced by an all-white jury.

Houthis Target Israel's Ben Gurion Airport In Overnight Ballistic Missile Attack