1/0 berapa Zimbabwe's GDP takes US$12bn knockSierra Vista Junior High School is hosting a virtual toy drive until Dec. 13 to help students and families in need. Julia Murray, a social work intern and wellness coordinator, said that Sierra Vista is known as a tier one school, meaning it has a large student population in need. “A lot of the families that are in need don’t have reliable housing or transportation. A lot of our families aren’t actually going to have big holiday get togethers or gifts so we’re trying to give some of the families that are in need just a little extra help by giving them some support through gifts for their children,” said Murray. The toy drive is connected to an Amazon Wishlist to streamline donations and make it accessible to everyone. The wish list features board games, makeup, toys, and sports equipment that Amanda Markovich, school social worker, believed would be useful for a whole family and not just one student. On Dec. 13 the toy drive will conclude to allow time for the orders to be shipped to the school, said Murray. On Dec. 20, invited families will be able to go to school and select which gifts they would like to take. “The social worker will invite the families, and they get to pick an item for their kid as long as we get enough donations so there are plenty of options,” said Murray. The goal of the toy drive is to help as many students as possible, but it is limited to how many donations the school receives, she added. To donate to the toy drive, visit: tinyurl.com/32sthvrn.CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 89, DENVER 60

Equifax and Mastercard Join Forces to Combat Payment Fraud in Latin AmericaDraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook are two of the best online sports betting sites in the country. DraftKings is a market leader in several states. Caesars is locked in a battle for third place with BetMGM Sportsbook in some states. DraftKings has a 30% to 45% market share in dozens of states. Caesars averages about 10% to 15%. However, there’s not much of a difference between the two online sportsbook products. Both have: Generous welcome bonuses for new bettors Ongoing promotions for existing bettors All kinds of odds boosts, contests, and other betting promos Competitive odds Easy-to-use software available via mobile apps and websites We've compared the two below in several important categories. If you’re asking whether you should place a bet with Caesars or DraftKings, this comparison might help you make that decision. Caesars Sportsbook Caesars is using a generous welcome bonus and the allure of its Caesars Rewards program to gain market share in several states. Caesars Sportsbook posts consistently better odds than its competition does, and it regularly runs odds boosts, parlay boosts, profit boosts, bonuses, and free-to-play contests. Pros of Caesars The most competitive odds Caesars Rewards Generous welcome bonus Cons of Caesars Mobile app features are limited Slow load times reported Lengthier wait times for withdrawals reported DraftKings DraftKings Sportsbook is a market leader in several states due to its massive welcome bonus and the broadest range of available betting markets online. That welcome bonus is worth up to $2,550. The value continues with various ongoing promos and DK’s always competitive odds. DraftKings also allows seamless movement between the sportsbook and DFS contests. Bettors earn Crowns and Tier Credits in DraftKings' Dynasty Rewards loyalty program with every bet and contest entry. Ongoing promos also include free-to-play contests, odds boosts, and bonus bets. Pros of DraftKings Easy-to-use software Single-account DFS and sportsbook access Generous welcome bonus Cons of DraftKings Customer support access is sometimes limited Slower withdrawal times reported Higher vig reported DraftKings vs. Caesars comparison From a product perspective, there isn’t much difference between DraftKings Sportsbook and Caesars Sportsbook. The big difference is how popular the DraftKings product seems to be with players. Both offer competitive odds, but the odds at Caesars are consistently better. Both have loyalty programs, but Caesars Rewards is widely considered the top loyalty program in US gaming. Both use generous welcome bonuses and ongoing promos to attract new players and keep existing ones on board. So, why is DraftKings beating Caesars in almost every market? The answer may be that the DraftKings brand has been around longer via daily fantasy sports. It has successfully leveraged its large DFS customer base and popular marketing and advertising campaigns. Caesars vs. DraftKings banking options Caesars and DraftKings have mostly the same banking options, although Caesars has a few more and faster options. As a result, Caesars wins the head-to-head comparison in this category. Here’s a look. Banking Methods DraftKings Deposits DraftKings Withdrawals Caesars Deposits Caesars Withdrawals Online Banking Instant w/ no maximum 2-4 business days (Trustly) Instant w/ no maximum 2-4 business days Instant Banking Instant w/ no maximum 2-4 business days N/A N/A Debit/Credit Card Visa, Mastercard Within 24 hours (Visa); 1-3 business days (Mastercard) Visa, Mastercard, Discover (Direct to Debit) Less than 1 hour after approval ACH/eCheck Instant w/ variable maximum 3-5 business days Instant w/ variable maximum At least 1 business days PayPal Instant w/ variable maximum Up to 48 hours Instant w/ variable maximum Same day Branded Prepaid Play+ Card Instant w/ $2,000 maximum Within 24 hours Instant w/ $2,000 maximum Less than 1 hour Cash at Sportsbooks Instant w/ no maximum Within 10-12 hours Instant w/ no maximum Instant Check N/A 7-21 business days N/A Up to 14 business days PayNearMe 15 minutes w/ $500 maximum N/A 15 minutes w/ $500 maximum N/A Venmo Instant w/ $5,000 maximum Within 24 hours Instant w/ $5,000 maximum At least 1 business day Caesars vs. DraftKings registration process The registration processes are practically identical for Caesars and DraftKings. Neither wins this category as a result. Caesars and DraftKings both offer website and app registration. Both ask for a username, password, and personal info that includes your name, email address, address, phone number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your SSN. While Caesars asks you to enter a promo code to get the best bonus available, you must sign up through the links here to get the same from DraftKings. Both will also ask you to accept specific terms and conditions and may require a copy of your driver’s license. Verification is almost always a same-day process with Caesars and DraftKings. DraftKings vs. Caesars betting apps DraftKings and Caesars have both designed fully functional sports betting apps for Apple and Android devices. The ratings on the App Store and Google Play are both high. Plus, both make account management and navigation easy. The DraftKings app may have more features, but Caesars’ is more stable. Ultimately, the choice is between additional features at DraftKings and the more stable software at Caesars. We prize the features, and since DraftKings doesn’t crash often, it’s tops in the mobile app category. See more: Best sports betting apps Caesars vs. DraftKings promotions and bonuses Sign up for a new account with Caesars Sportsbook using the promo code NEWS1000 and double your winnings on the 10 bets you make after you place a bet of $1 or more. Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook through the links on this page, and you'll get a 20% deposit match bonus of up to $1,000, a $50 bonus bet with a $5 deposit, and $150 in bonus bets instantly after placing a $5 real-money bet. The sheer size of DraftKings’ welcome bonus gives it the edge here. The available promos and the size of the welcome bonus give DraftKings a clear win in this category. See more: Best sports betting bonuses & promo codes DraftKings vs. Caesars state accessibility Caesars Sportsbook is legal in: AZ, CO, DC (on-site only), IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (varies by parish), MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. DraftKings Sportsbook is legal in: AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (varies by parish), MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY. Even though DraftKings' welcome offer isn't available in all states, it wins the accessibility and market share battle. North Carolina launched online sports betting on March 11, 2024, and both DraftKings and Caesars sportsbooks have their respective NC sportsbook promos for bettors in the Tar Heel State. Caesars vs. DraftKings odds DraftKings may offer a more extensive variety of betting options surrounding major US and international sports. However, Caesars consistently provides the best odds. In fact, Caesars is known for posting the best odds in the business, while DraftKings is the sportsbook with the highest vig. Consistently better odds give Caesars an edge over DraftKings (and others) in this category. Caesars vs. DraftKings payout speed Caesars and DraftKings offer similar withdrawal options along the same timelines. Payout speeds are mostly the same, but since Caesars has a slight edge in the number of fast payout options, it wins this payout speed category. See more: Top 7 fastest paying sports betting sites DraftKings vs. Caesars loyalty programs You can connect your Caesars Sportsbook account to the popular Caesars Rewards program, allowing you to earn and redeem in a top loyalty program in the country. Similarly, DraftKings offers membership in its Dynasty Rewards loyalty program, where you earn points with every bet redeemable for cashback and other bonuses. Caesars Rewards is the top loyalty program in the US, giving Caesars the win in this category. DraftKings vs. Caesars responsible gambling Caesars Sportsbook has a responsible gaming program to prevent problem gambling and underage gambling. It also lets you set personal limits on gambling and self-exclude if necessary. DraftKings is equally committed to responsible gaming. It encourages players to keep things fun, only bet what they can afford, and set reasonable limits. DraftKings also participates in problem gambling awareness and underage gambling prevention initiatives. This category is tied, as both are doing more than required on the responsible gambling front. Caesars vs. DraftKings customer service DraftKings’ customer support is available via online request on the DraftKings Help Center. Live chat is also available via the Help Center during standard business hours. The Caesars Sportsbook customer support team is available via phone, online, and email. They’re easier to get a hold of, so Caesars wins the customer service category. Conclusion: Is Caesars better than DraftKings? DraftKings is the second-biggest online sportsbook in the country in terms of market share, behind only FanDuel. Caesars is in a battle for the leftovers with BetMGM. DraftKings has a more feature-rich sports betting app; it’s in more states, has a bigger welcome bonus, and runs more ongoing promos at slower times. But Caesars wins in terms of its loyalty program and customer service. Plus, its odds are consistently better. However, in the end, DraftKings odds are competitive enough that it is the better online sportsbook when you add up the many things it does so well. Compare other sportsbooks DraftKings vs. FanDuel BetMGM vs. DraftKings FanDuel vs. BetMGM Caesars vs. FanDuel DraftKings vs. Caesars FAQ Which sportsbook is better: DraftKings or Caesars? A comparison between these two licensed online sportsbooks shows they’re close, but DraftKings has a slight edge. Better odds usually make for the better sportsbook, but Caesars and DraftKings are too close to call on that front. All the other things DraftKings does well make it the better online sportsbook. Can I use DraftKings and Caesars at the same time? You can have accounts with both DraftKings and Caesars, and why not? Having accounts at both means you can take advantage of all the promos and contests each one makes available. Which sportsbook is better for NFL betting? Caesars and DraftKings are both great for NFL betting odds . See more: Best football betting promos & bonuses Is Caesars or DraftKings better for bonuses and promotions? DraftKings has a bigger welcome bonus and runs more ongoing promotions in lean times for sports fans. This makes DraftKings the place for better bonuses and promos. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >CS NORTHRIDGE (5-1) Fofana 2-3 1-2 5, Jones 4-6 8-8 17, Lewis 2-3 2-2 6, Fuller 2-8 6-6 10, Washington 3-7 3-5 9, Adams 8-12 3-3 19, Martindale 1-2 3-4 6, Brinson 3-3 3-4 9, Beard 1-4 0-0 2, Barbee 1-2 0-0 2, Cain 0-1 4-4 4, Thibiant 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-52 33-38 89. DENVER (3-4) Pickett 1-4 0-0 3, Addo-Ankrah 1-6 0-0 3, Craig 3-7 0-0 8, Lee 2-6 2-2 8, Shogbonyo 6-11 1-1 15, Lopez-Sanvicente 3-4 3-6 10, Akins 2-9 2-5 7, Mani 0-5 0-0 0, Bowen 0-1 4-4 4, Carney 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 19-56 12-18 60. Halftime_CS Northridge 48-33. 3-Point Goals_CS Northridge 2-14 (Jones 1-1, Martindale 1-2, Barbee 0-1, Cain 0-1, Thibiant 0-1, Beard 0-2, Washington 0-2, Fuller 0-4), Denver 10-30 (Lee 2-2, Shogbonyo 2-4, Craig 2-5, Lopez-Sanvicente 1-1, Pickett 1-3, Addo-Ankrah 1-5, Akins 1-5, Bowen 0-1, Carney 0-2, Mani 0-2). Fouled Out_Lee, Akins. Rebounds_CS Northridge 40 (Adams 11), Denver 18 (Lopez-Sanvicente 5). Assists_CS Northridge 9 (Beard 4), Denver 10 (Lopez-Sanvicente 3). Total Fouls_CS Northridge 19, Denver 29. A_109 (7,321).

‘He’s yours forever’- Regina Daniels to husband’s other wife on wedding anniversaryNo records today as stocks take a breather. Russell 2000 the worst performer

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 5, 2024-- Messagepoint Inc. announced it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Intelligent Customer Communications Management 2024 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US51359124, December 2024) and the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Automated Document Generation 2024 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52111324, December 2024). Messagepoint is positioned in the Leaders Category in both of these reports which focus on solutions for managing personalized customer communications. The IDC MarketScape for Intelligent Customer Communications Management evaluates vendors that natively own or integrate forms technology and artificial intelligence, or generative AI (GenAI) features for the enhancement of automation in content creation, management or insights and discusses the shift from traditional document generation to a more intelligent communication platform. The IDC MarketScape for Automated Document Generation examines the automated generation of documents and communications for multichannel delivery while highlighting the shift of document generation to a more personalized form of communication outside of traditional regulated requirements. Vendor inclusion criteria involved a comprehensive survey and investigation of each vendor to ensure their offerings were qualified by capabilities and strategies related to success in the CCM market. The report provides a comparative evaluation of the criteria that are most valuable to a company when choosing a CCM solution. We believe recognition as a Leader in intelligent customer communications management applications underscores Messagepoint’s commitment to providing modern approaches and solutions leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) to optimize the way organizations create, deliver and manage customer communications across multiple channels. For the past eight years, Messagepoint has invested in a specialized AI team focused on enhancing the capabilities of the company’s proprietary AI and ML engine, Messagepoint Advanced Rationalization and Content Intelligence Engine (MARCIE), making the platform exceptionally qualified to deliver dynamic digital experiences efficiently at scale. Messagepoint stands alone in its ability to provide a flexible content system that facilitates headless CCM capabilities for supporting digital communications and seamlessly integrate with platforms like Unqork to provide codeless content management and application development hooks for creating comprehensive digital experiences. “Messagepoint’s AI-powered platform continues to change traditional customer communications management with its ability to incorporate intelligence that makes real-time, contextually relevant experiences possible. Another important element to AI/ML/GenAI is Messagepoint’s AI-based search and content intelligence features for content authors and curators to effectively leverage content snippets as a foundation for creating highly personalized communications across digital channels,” said Marci Maddox, research director, enterprise content strategies at IDC and author of the report. Messagepoint has pioneered advancements in the industry by being the first to introduce AI-powered Assisted Authoring, content rationalization and migration through its MARCIE platform. The solution provides a no-code platform for business users, offering a modern and comprehensive cloud-based approach that enhances the speed and efficiency of communications management. Messagepoint also provides organizations with the ability to utilize centrally managed and controlled content objects across various digital channels, eliminating redundant content operations that typically come with managing multiple channels. According to the IDC MarketScape for Intelligent CCM, “Messagepoint’s AI-Assisted Authoring tool optimizes content creation by identifying redundancies, improving readability, and suggesting alternative personalized phrasings while ensuring brand consistency, translation and translation accuracy, proactively identifying and addressing potential issues related to sentiment, and reading levels acting as a compliance agent to validate against standards.” The IDC MarketScape for Intelligent CCM report also noted, “Messagepoint Touchpoint Exchange acts like a communications app store to an intelligent content hub, allowing customers and partners to efficiently create, distribute, and manage content across various channels, with customizable templates and prebuilt touch points to accelerate content development and streamline communication processes.” The solution makes it possible to efficiently create, distribute and manage content across various channels, with customizable templates and pre-built touchpoints to accelerate content development and streamline communication processes. “We are honored to be recognized as a Leader in two important IDC MarketScape reports for CCM,” said Steve Biancaniello, CEO of Messagepoint. “With the market evolving rapidly, AI is set to play an even more significant role in shaping the future of customer communications, making implementing digital strategies critical to enhancing the customer experience. By staying ahead of the curve, we are able to help organizations capitalize on both of these dynamics by leveraging the power of AI and digital innovation to drive meaningful growth and customer satisfaction.” To access the IDC Marketscape report, click here . About IDC MarketScape IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors, can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors. About Messagepoint Messagepoint is a leading provider of customer communications management software. Only Messagepoint harnesses AI-powered Content Intelligence to automate and simplify the process of migrating, optimizing, authoring and managing complex customer communications for non-technical (business) users. Customers rely on its award-winning platform to consistently deliver exceptional, highly personalized customer communications across all platforms and channels. For more information, visit www.messagepoint.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205538775/en/ CONTACT: Patricia Kilgore Sterling Kilgore pkilgore@sterlingkilgore.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PUBLISHING MARKETING INSURANCE COMMUNICATIONS FINANCE CONSULTING SOURCE: Messagepoint Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/05/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/05/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205538775/en

NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. His weekslong journey would take him from Tehran, through rural Iranian villages, on foot across a mountainous borderland and ultimately to Hamburg, Germany. As arduous and dangerous as the trip was, Rasoulof’s travels had an added wrinkle: He was trying to finish a movie at the same time. A week after arriving in Germany, Rasoulof would premiere his film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” at the Cannes Film Festival in France. As he fled, Rasoulof was preoccupied with the movie’s edit, which was being carried out in Germany. “I remember when I was sitting in the car that was driving me to the border,” Rasoulof says. “I had my laptop and I was taking notes and sending them to my editor. The two friends who were taking me kept saying, ‘Put that thing away for a second.’” In Cannes, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” won a special jury prize and Rasoulof was celebrated with a 13-minute standing ovation. The movie has since been hailed as one of the best of the year, and arguably its most daring. Rasoulof made “Sacred Fig” clandestinely in Iran, directing scenes from a separate location to avoid raising suspicions. (The opening titles read: “When there is no way, a way must be made.”) Its story — a devastating family drama set during the 2022 protests that engulfed Iran — would surely only add to Rasoulof’s prison sentence. So after all of this, how is he feeling? When he recently met with The Associated Press for an interview, Rasoulof shrugged. “Ordinary,” he says. Rasoulof, 52, has a more gentle, bemused presence than some of his films would suggest. But how could Rasoulof, after what he’s lived through this year, feel anything like ordinary? “I still haven’t grasped the meaning of exile,” he explains. “I think it will take some time. The feeling of that void has not hit me yet, and I think it may never come.” Rasoulof has been busy traveling from film festival to film festival. In September, he and his 24-year-old daughter attended the Telluride festival in Colorado. Many more such stops were to come. Since fleeing Iran, Rasoulof has effectively been immersed in the world he’s long known: cinema. “Maybe I am living in the world of cinema, and maybe that’s why things are so familiar,” he agrees. “Maybe that’s why I don’t feel I’m in exile.” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” currently playing in theaters, is the Oscar submission from Rasoulof’s adoptive home, Germany. He’s settled in with his family, grateful for how the country has welcomed him. Speaking through an interpreter, Rasoulof grants that he’ll probably always mentally have a bag packed, ready to return to Iran should the chance ever come. But what “home” constitutes has changed for him. “I might be able to change this concept of home for myself,” he says. “I walk on the streets here and I see people of different colors and forms from all over the place, and they all call this place home. So there’s always the chance that one can build something new.” How oppressive politics can infiltrate the home is central to “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It concerns a family of four: Iman (Missagh Zareh), a lawyer newly appointed to the Revolutionary Court in Tehran; his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Iman is proud of his high position, but, when the government crackdown on protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini accelerates, his daughters are increasingly at odds with him. After Iman’s gun goes missing, his wife and daughters turn into suspects. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” populated with real cellphone videos from the protests, plays out as an excruciating microcosm of Iranian society. “It wasn’t like I put those videos in. They just came in,” says Rasoulof. “The reality is that it was through those videos I realized what happened. When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement occurred, I was in prison.” Rasoulof has spent several spells in Tehran’s Evin Prison. In 2010, he was arrested on set for filming without a permit. In 2022, he was jailed for seven months after pursuing the release of another of Iran’s most prominent filmmakers, Jafar Panahi. Panahi, who secretly made the film “No Bears,” was only released in 2023 after commencing a hunger strike. “My windows at home opened to the hills that have the Evin prison in them,” says Rasoulof. “I knew behind those walls many of my friends were sitting.” Rasoulof, inspired by the courage of the younger generation, resolved to pour the same spirit into “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” Although it wasn’t until Rasoulof’s appeal of his sentence failed that he resolved to flee, he grants that deciding to make “Sacred Fig” essentially sealed his fate. “Making this film was part of that decision,” he says. “Although I had made up my mind earlier, because it was such a bitter decision, I was denying it and delaying it, waiting for a miracle to allow me to stay.” “I would open the fridge to make sure there was nothing there that would go bad,” he adds. “It was a strange circumstance.” For the film’s actors and crew members, signing up for the movie meant also becoming co-conspirators. Everyone knew the risks. And, like Rasoulof, many of them have since left Iran. Rostami and Maleki also now live in Germany. Asked if his collaborators are all currently safe, Rasoulof responds: “No one is safe from the Islamic Republic.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In his new life, Rasoulof is experiencing freedoms he never had in Iran. His films, for example, are widely available outside his native country but not in Iran. His prize-winning 2020 drama “There Is No Evil,” about capital punishment in Iran, is banned — though, ironically, Rasoulof’s prison guards enjoyed watching it with him from a flash drive. “I haven’t seen many of my films on a big screen, especially my last film,” he says. “I really want to see ‘There Is No Evil’ on a big screen. A festival in Portugal has promised to take me to see my own film.” The name of Rasoulof’s film comes from his memory of an ancient fig tree he once visited on an island in the south of Iran. It’s a tree that, with apparent metaphorical meaning for the Iranian government, spreads its seeds onto other trees, killing them and growing in their place. Rasoulof pulls out his phone to share a photo of his apartment in Tehran. Outside a large window, you can see the walls of Evin running along a craggy hillside. Inside are many houseplants. “This is my home,” he says. “I have a lot of plants. I really miss my plants. I have a neighbor who takes care of them for me. I actually have a fig tree at home.” Advertisement Advertisement The Free Press acknowledges the financial support it receives from , which makes our coverage of religion possible.Hurley, No. 2 UConn Upset by Hardaway, Memphis at Maui Invitational; CBB Fans StunnedLuke Richardson was fired as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, the NHL club announced, after the team stumbled to the league's worst record so far this season. Swede Anders Sorensen, coach of the Blackhawks' top developmental club, was named interim coach for the NHL squad. Richardson, a 55-year-old Canadian, went 57-118 with 15 overtime losses in three seasons with Chicago. The Blackhawks are 8-16 with two overtime losses this season for a league-low 18 points after going 19-54-9 last season, second-worst in the NHL, and 26-49-7 in 2022-23, third-worst in the league. "Today I made the difficult decision to move on from Luke as our head coach," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said. "As we have begun to take steps forward in our rebuilding process, we felt that the results did not match our expectations for a higher level of execution this season and ultimately came to the decision that a change was necessary." The Blackhawks are on a four-game losing streak and 3-9-1 in their past 13 starts with 2.42 goals a game this season, second worst in the NHL. They have reached the Stanley Cup playoffs only once over the past seven seasons. "I fully support Kyle's decision in making this change as he continues to do what is needed to move our team forward," Blackhawks chairman and chief executive Danny Wirtz said. "I have the utmost confidence in him and the rest of our hockey operations team as they begin their search for the next head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks." Richardson became the third NHL coach fired this season after Boston dumped Jim Montgomery last month. He was hired five days later by St. Louis after the Blues fired Drew Bannister. js/bb

BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

India News | Voters Reject Turncoats in Western Maharashtra

COLUMBUS — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15 on Saturday. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. “In life, all good things come to an end,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said. Late in the first half, Indiana punter James Evans fumbled a snap and was buried at his own 7-yardline with the Buckeyes taking over. That turned quickly into a 4-yard TD run by Henderson that gave the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. Early in the second half, Caleb Downs fielded an Evans punt at the Ohio State 21, raced down the right sideline, cut to the middle and outran the coverage for a TD that put the Buckeyes up 21-7. It was the first time a Buckeye returned a punt for a touchdown since 2014. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. “Our guys just played with a chip today, and that’s the way you got to play the game of football,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. Indiana scored on its first possession of the game and its last, both short runs by Ty Son Lawson, who paced the Hoosiers with 79 rushing yards. Rourke was 8 for 18 for 68 yards. “We had communication errors, pass (protection), every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened," Cignetti said. Indiana's 151 total yards was its lowest of the season. And it was the most points surrendered by the Hoosier's defense. Indiana: Its special season was blemished by the Buckeyes, who beat the Hoosiers for the 30th straight time. Indiana was eyeing its first conference crown since sharing one with two other teams in 1967. That won't happen now. “Ohio State deserved to win,” Cignetti said. “They had those (third quarter scores), and we just couldn’t respond.” Ohio State: Didn't waste the opportunities presented by the Hoosiers when they got sloppy. The Buckeyes led 14-7 at the break and took control in the second half. An offensive line patched together because of multiple injuries performed surprisingly well. “We know what was at stake," Day said. “We don't win this game, and we have no chance to go to Indianapolis and play in the Big Ten championship. And that's real. We've had that approach for the last few weeks now, more than that.” Some voters were obviously unsure of Indiana because it hadn't played a nationally ranked team before Ohio State. After this one, the Hoosiers will drop. Howard made history by completing 80% of his passes for the sixth time this season. No other Ohio State quarterback has done that. He completed his first 14 passes in a row and finished with a 85% completion rate. “I think Buckeye nation is now seeing, after 11 games, that this guy is a winner, he's tough, he cares about his teammates, he's a leader,” Day said. Indiana hosts Purdue in the regular-season finale next Saturday. Ohio State hosts rival Michigan on Saturday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballEnjoy Thoughtfully Curated Wine and Champagne Baskets from Leading Retailers for a Memorable Holiday Gift Experience Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.