Disconnected: How internet outages held back Pakistan in 2024 Pakistan ranks among top freelancing nations and has capacity to grow drastically, says PASHA chairman A representational image of an internet cable. — Reuters/File Freelancer Zainub Khatib felt helpless in her home in Karachi, Pakistan’s financial hub, as she tried her best to deliver her project to an international client while her internet kept faltering repeatedly. Meanwhile, Syeda Aatika, a university student in Lahore, struggled to submit her end-of-year assignments because her home Wi-Fi network was down for the third consecutive day. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); These are not isolated incidents but snapshots of a bigger problem that gripped the entire country throughout 2024 - a year plagued by persistent internet troubles that not only disrupted Pakistanis’ daily lives but slowed down the IT-based economy and challenged the nation’s digital future. Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed told Geo.tv that the country ranks among the top freelancing nations and has the capacity to grow drastically - if the hurdles are removed. “We are one of the fastest-growing export sectors in our economy; the largest employers of youth, empowering over 600,000 skilled labour force, and 2.37 million freelancers,” he said, citing a Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) and Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) report. “Around 3 million households today are dependent on IT and IT-related exports. With consistent policies and stable infrastructure, this figure has the potential to reach $15 billion by 2030,” he added. Despite such potential to thrive in the digital sphere, Pakistan bore the brunt of recurring internet outages and disruptions throughout 2024 while the rest of the world became increasingly reliant on internet connectivity. This brought forward some important issues in infrastructure, governance, and policymaking as these disruptions affected businesses, education, and the country’s position in the global IT sector. In 2023, internet disruptions were already gaining momentum as a concerning issue for the entire country. However, 2024 is now coming to an end, and, looking back, one can’t help but notice how internet disruptions worsened into a nationwide crisis. From complete shutdowns during political protests to technical failures in undersea cables, connectivity was anything but stable. As a result, nationwide disruptions became alarmingly common, particularly when authorities sought to curb dissent. Let’s dive a little deeper into the major events that shaped the internet connectivity crisis that grappled the country all year long. As Pakistan observed nationwide general elections on February 8, internet and mobile services were disrupted. Journalists, both local and international, struggled with media coverage of the election, including the results transmission. However, officials linked the forced internet shutdown to security concerns after several people were killed in militant attacks on the eve of elections. Days after turbulent elections, on February 10, access to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, was blocked by authorities citing national security concerns once again. The platform remains largely inaccessible without a virtual private network (VPN) despite activists, civil society members, and several court orders calling for the ban to be removed. As the year of internet disruptions went on, users turned to VPNs to be rescued from the whirlwind of constant restrictions on internet and social media access. However, they were slammed with yet another set of difficulties as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in August, asked IT companies, call centres, freelancers, foreign missions, and embassies to register their VPNs, saying that this was part of an effort to curb its misuse and tackle security concerns. The regulatory body found little success in its campaign. This was followed by the Ministry of Interior calling for a ban on VPNs, citing “increasing risks to national security and public morality”. But, as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 doesn’t authorise such bans, the PTA introduced regulatory measures, balancing cybersecurity concerns with the needs of the IT sector, instead. In its latest efforts to streamline the registration process, the PTA introduced a new licencing category. This allows companies to apply for permits to provide VPN services. This move aims to allow authorities to monitor VPN traffic more effectively, addressing concerns regarding the anonymity that proxy networks offer. In an official statement on December 19, the PTA announced the resumption of issuing a Class Licence for Data services to service providers in Pakistan. Now, with its new VPN licencing framework, local companies will be required to comply with Pakistan’s laws, terms of their licences, and regulatory provisions while offering proxy services to users. Despite the grim outlook, tech industry leaders and digital rights experts still see some hope for Pakistan in overcoming its internet woes as they believe that investing in advanced infrastructure and partnerships may be the way out of this crisis. Pakistan’s internet troubles in 2024 serve as a wake-up call for the nation. The disruptions that plagued the entire year highlighted systematic weaknesses that, if left unaddressed, could hinder the country’s progress in an increasingly digital world. This year proved to be a lesson for the entire country and, taking decisive action, it has the opportunity to transform its challenges into a foundation for a more connected, prosperous future. —The writer is a Geo.tv stafferPremium 440V 4p AC Solar Surge Protection Device And Ensuring Robust E 12-26-2024 05:02 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire Considering the modern instability of renewable energy sources, the protection and optimal functioning of solar power installations are critical. The 440 V, 4 pole AC solar surge protection device [ https://www.mlele.com/spd/]or the AC SPD with T1 + T2 along with Imax 50Ka acts as a protector for effective energy infrastructure against possible surge threats. 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1,200 baby boomers told us what they regret about investing for retirementThe Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb for the rest of the season after the star wideout played through a shoulder injury for nearly two months. Lamb initially sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder on Nov. 3 but has not missed any of the Cowboys' first 15 games this season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Spokeo used data from Knight Frank's Wealth Report to visualize what it takes to be in the top 1% in select nations across the world. Click for more. It takes $5.8M to be part of the 1% in the US. Here's where in the world wealth is more achievable.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- FOX News Digital finished October delivering year-over-year growth, overtaking CNN with total digital multiplatform unique visitors for the third time this year, according to Comscore. While continuing to lead all news brands with multiplatform views and minutes, FOX News Digital secured 3.9 billion total multiplatform minutes (up 13% over October 2023), 2 billion total multiplatform views (up 9% over last year) and 115.8 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors (up 6% over October 2023).* Comparatively, CNN saw double digit declines across the board and lagged behind FOX News Digital in all three of these key categories, despite the historic run up to the presidential election. Additional highlights include: OCTOBER 2024 FOX NEWS DIGITAL VS. CNN.COM AND NYTIMES.COM Multi-Platform Total Views FOX News Digital – 2,012,000,000 (up 9% vs. October 2023) CNN.com – 1,192,000,000 (down 14% vs. October 2023) NYTimes.com – 1,595,000,000 (up 10% vs. October 2023) Multi-Platform Total Minutes FOX News Digital – 3,885,000,000 (up 13% vs. October 2023) CNN.com – 1,868,000,000 (down 16% vs. October 2023) NYTimes.com – 1,578,000,000 (up 2% vs. October 2023) Total Digital Multi-Platform Unique Visitors FOX News Digital - 115,809,000 (up 26% vs. October 2023) CNN.com – 115,500,000 (down 11% vs. October 2023) NYTimes.com – 79,605,000 (up 6% vs. October 2023) *Source: Comscore Media Metrix ® Multi-Platform, Total Digital Population including Social Incremental data for reportable entities. Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com , NBCNews.com , WashingtonPost.com , and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not opted in. Custom-Defined List including CNN.com , NBCNews.com , ABCNews.com , CBSNews.com , Fox News Digital, WashingtonPost.com , NYTimes.com , NYPost Network, Wall Street Journal Online, Insider Inc., and USAToday.com , October 2024, U.S. **Source: Comscore Media Metrix ® Multi-Platform, Total Digital Population including Social Incremental data for reportable entities. Fox News Digital, CBSNews.com , NBCNews.com , WashingtonPost.com , and ABCNews.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors, while brands like CNN.com and NYTimes.com have not opted in. Custom-Defined List including CNN.com , NBCNews.com , ABCNews.com , CBSNews.com , Fox News Digital, WashingtonPost.com , NYTimes.com , NYPost Network, Wall Street Journal Online, Insider Inc., and USAToday.com , October 2024, U.S. & Comscore Mobile Metrix ®, Mobile App Only, [FOX News Mobile App and CNN Mobile App], October 2024, U.S. ***Source: Comscore Media Metrix ® Multi-Platform, Total Digital Population including Social Incremental data for reportable entities. FoxBusiness.com , Yahoo! Finance, CNBC.com , TheStreet.com , Entrepreneur.com have opted in to account for Social Incremental in Total Digital Multiplatform Unique Visitors. Custom-Defined List including FoxBusiness.com , Bloomberg.com , CNBC.com , CNN Business, Entrepreneur.com , Forbes.com , HuffPost Business, MarketWatch, Motley Fool, MSN Money, TheStreet.com , USA TODAY Money, WSJ Online, Yahoo! Finance, October 2024, U.S. ****Source: Comscore Social, PowerRankings, YouTube, October 2024, Report Date: 11/21/2024. Custom-Defined List including CNN.com , NBCNews.com , ABCNews.com , CBSNews.com , Fox News Digital, WashingtonPost.com , NYTimes.com , NYPost Network, Wall Street Journal Online, Insider Inc., and USAToday.com . *****Source: Comscore Social, PowerRankings, YouTube, October 2024, Report Date: 11/21/2024. Custom-Defined List including FoxBusiness.com , Bloomberg.com , CNBC.com , CNN Business, Entrepreneur.com , Forbes.com , HuffPost Business, MarketWatch, Motley Fool, MSN Money, TheStreet.com , USA TODAY Money, WSJ Online, Yahoo! Finance. FOX News Media operates the FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio, FOX News Books, the direct-to-consumer streaming services FOX Nation and FOX News International and the free ad-supported television service FOX Weather. Currently the number one network in all of cable, FNC has also been the most watched television news channel for more than 22 consecutive years, while FBN is the top business channel on cable. Owned by Fox Corporation, FOX News Media reaches nearly 200 million people each month. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121984571/en/ CONTACT: FOX News Media Contacts: Connor Smith: 212-301-3879 orConnor.Smith@FOX.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA OTHER ENTERTAINMENT GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT TV AND RADIO SOURCE: FOX News Digital Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 05:11 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 05:11 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121984571/en
Govt doesn’t take it seriously, Tarar on PTI’s deadline for talks Federal minister categorically rejects that incarcerated PTI founder had been offered any deal Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar addressing a press conference at the PTV HQ on February 7, 2023. — APP ISLAMABAD: Reacting to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) January 31 deadline for the result-oriented talks, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Thursday that the federal government “does not take it seriously”, terming it a “face-saving” attempt. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Earlier Thursday, the PTI negotiation committee set the deadline for the government after meeting its party founder in Adiala jail, reiterating the demands of judicial probe into the May 9 riots and November 26 late-night crackdown and release of “political prisoners”. “PTI founder [Imran Khan] is ready to forgive everyone for all the ill-treatment he has suffered for the sake of Pakistan,” Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza said while speaking to journalists after the meeting. Raza, who is also a part of the PTI’s dialogue team, also noted that the first phase of civil disobedience movement, ‘boycott of remittances’, would remain in place despite talks with the government. Tarar, speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, claimed that the Imran Khan-founded party was issuing ultimatums to the government for “face-saving” as it suffered back-to-back “political defeats”. Responding to a question, he claimed that the PTI’s call to the overseas Pakistanis to stop sending remittances would meet the same fate as its “final call” protest in Islamabad last month. He went on to say that such calls would not make any difference as the former ruling party faced back-to-back failures on several occasions including the 26th Constitutional Amendment and “do-or-die” protest. To another question, the federal minister categorically rejected that the incarcerated PTI founder had been offered any deal wherein he would be placed under house arrest or move to a prison in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where his party is in power.The West Yellowstone Police Department has announced the death of one of its officers, adding that an investigation is underway. West Yellowstone Police Officer Ashlee Stoneburner “The West Yellowstone Police Department, along with the town of West Yellowstone, is deeply saddened to announce the tragic passing of Officer Ashlee Stoneburner,” the department posted Dec. 25 on its Facebook page. “Officer Stoneburner was a dedicated member of our department and community, and her loss has left a profound impact on all who knew her.” The circumstances surrounding her death is still under investigation by the Madison County Sheriff's Office/Coroner's Office, officials said, adding “we are committed to providing further information as it becomes available.” Officials said updates will be posted on the West Yellowstone Police Department’s official social media at . West Yellowstone officials said they appreciate “the community’s support and understanding as we work through this ongoing process.” “We kindly ask that you keep Ashlee’s family, friends, and fellow officers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” officials said in the post. They also asked for “privacy and respect for Officer Stoneburner’s loved ones as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.” Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Assistant editor/reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Less Said, More Heard: The Profound Words of Manmohan Singh
Foul-tasting, smelly, scaly, and hard: residents fed up with water qualityWASHINGTON (AP) — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel's “near-total blockade,” after the U.S. asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move follows public criticism of the report from the U.S. ambassador to Israel. The rare public dispute drew accusations from prominent aid and human-rights figures that the work of the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System Network , meant to reflect the opinion of unbiased international experts, has been tainted by politics. A declaration of famine would be a great embarrassment for Israel, which has insisted that its 15-month war in Gaza is aimed against the Hamas militant group and not against its civilian population. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions said he’s “embracing the doubt” amid rumours that his and Mike Tyson’s showdown was rigged. In a lengthy statement released Monday, Paul, 27, vehemently denied that his unanimous decision win over 58-year-old Tyson on Nov. 15 was manipulated through their contractual agreements after both fighters faced backlash for putting on a lacklustre event. BOXING: INOUE VS GOODMAN | TUE 24 DEC 7PM AEDT | Australia’s Sam Goodman is set for a blockbuster Christmas Eve fight against undefeated Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue in Tokyo | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. “Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR),” MVP said. “Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. “There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules.” MVP went on to say that it’s insulting to Paul and Tyson to suggest they didn’t go all out in the ring at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sat ringside. The company added that it wouldn’t have jeopardized what they are hoping to become a long-term partnership with Netflix. “Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions,” MVP said. “But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naïve but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself. “It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer — an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson — would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition.” MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian added suggestions that the fight was rigged “is just the latest backhanded compliment to come [Paul’s] way” and that Paul has proved himself as a serious fighter.“ This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage,” Bidarian said. “As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt—it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.” Many believed Paul and Tyson’s highly anticipated showdown was a snoozefest because both fighters didn’t appear to give it their all in the ring. The former heavyweight champ seemed off balance and gassed in the final rounds. After the bout, Paul explained that he didn’t want to hurt the former heavyweight champ further. “I wanted to give the fans a show, but I didn’t want hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt,” Paul said. “I didn’t wanna hurt someone that didn’t need to be hurt.” NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who was sitting in the second row behind Jones, claimed he heard people talking about a contract containing a clause that Tyson couldn’t utilize his famous uppercut — and that both fighters couldn’t go all out in the ring. DJ Whoo Kid, who said he spoke with Paul at an afterparty following the fight, claimed there were rules for the fight. Tyson landed 18 punches out of 97 and Paul connected on 78 out of 278 punches, according to the final results. Tyson reportedly earned $20 million for the fight, while Paul received $40 million. This story appeared on New York Post.West Yellowstone announces death of police officer
NATO chief discusses 'global security' with TrumpCarson Beck completed 20 of 31 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns as No. 10 Georgia pummeled UMass 59-21 on Saturday in Athens. Nate Frazier ran for career highs of 136 yards and three touchdowns, while Arian Smith caught three passes for 110 yards and a score as the Bulldogs (9-2) won their second straight game and 30th straight at home, dating back to 2019. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Scenes from the City of Stockbridge’s 2024 Free Turkey Giveaway held Saturday at the Stockbridge Amphitheater. Click for more. PHOTOS: Turkey Giveaway
...Flags Off Construction Of Itawure – Okemesi Road LAGOS – Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, on Thursday said his administration has achieved over 90 percent of the promises he made to Ekiti people during his electioneering campaign. Oyebanji who disclosed this during the flag off of Itawure – Okemeei road, stated that his government had lit up over 30 communities that had been in darkness for close to 20 years. The Governor promised the residents of the state that his government would continue to invest in infrastructure development in the bid to ensure the people live a better life. He noted that the Itawure- Okemesi road is just the first phase of the road project, adding that the second phase would see the construction work extended to Ikoro, Ipoti, Ijero and Iloro axis. According to him, the project had both economic and security importance to the state as it has the ability to attract investors into the area and support the developmental strides of his administration. “Today’s projects cover Okemesi, Ido-Ile and Efon Alaaye. As we are flagging off this project, we are also embarking on the construction of Ido-Ile – Okemesi road, and we are also embarking on the construction of Alanaka road in Efon. These are my campaign promises to our people. “When we marked two years in office, I have a book of promises I made to our people, I checked it and I stand before God and man to say that in two years, what I promised Ekiti people, I’ve done more than 90 percent of it. “There’s no community where I made promises that we’ve not done what we promised them, either in terms of infrastructure, welfare or party development. “On the issue of electricity, if there is one thing I am desirous of doing, I promise to ensure that Okemesi also enjoy the benefit of electricity from the state. I’m going to send a team here in January to advise us on how to go about it. “Within the last two years, we have lit up more than 30 communities in Ekiti State, these are communities that have not had electricity in 20 years.”, the Governor added . Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Sola Adebayo, who described the project as another milestone in the annals of the administration of Governor Oyebanji’s drive to open up the state to investors and community development, stated that the government had continue to prioritise the wellbeing of the people through a robust focus on infrastructure and industrialisation. Adebayo noted that government recognises that roads are not just infrastructure, but lifelines that connect people through transportation of goods and open doors to investments. In their separate goodwill messages, the Owaoye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji; President, Okemesi Improvement Union, Chief Nathaniel Olaoye and a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda (SAN), expressed their gratitude to the governor for his interest in the community as well as counting their community worthy in his developmental agenda. Other dignitaries at the event include members of the state House of Assembly, traditional rulers, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode; Special Adviser on Project Monitoring, Hon Femi Ajayi; former Political Adviser to the President, Chief Akin Oshuntokun.
A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to compete in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship opening this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans woman volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not commented publicly on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Crews' ruling referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player and noted that no defendant disputed that the San Jose State roster includes a transgender woman player. San Jose State will "continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all forms," the university said in a statement, confirming that all its student-athletes are eligible to participate under NCAA and conference rules. “We are gratified that the Court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West volleyball tournament this week." The conference did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The players filed a notice for emergency appeal with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Crews said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a loss in league standings. He also refused a request to re-seed the tournament without the forfeited losses. The judge said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 -– making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her reported identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a major election year. Crews' ruling also said injunctions are meant to prevent harm, but in this case, he argued, the harm has already occurred. The games have been forfeited, the tournament has been seeded, the teams have made travel plans and the participants have confirmed they're playing. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. Colorado State is seeded first and San Jose State, second. The teams split their regular-season matches and both get byes into Friday's semifinals. The conference tournament winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. San Jose State coach Todd Kress, whose team has not competed in the national tournament since 2001, has said his team has been getting “messages of hate” and that has taken a toll on his players. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official conference standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without elaborating. Nevada did not qualify for the conference tournament. The nine current players and others now suing the Mountain West Conference, the California State University Board of Trustees and others include San Jose State senior setter and co-captain Brooke Slusser. The teammate Slusser says is transgender hits the volleyball with more force than others on the team, raising fear during practices of suffering concussions from a head hit, the complaint says. The Independent Council on Women’s Sports is funding a separate lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports. Both lawsuits claim the landmark 1972 federal antidiscrimination law known as Title IX prohibits transgender women in women’s sports. Title IX prohibits sexual discrimination in federally funded education; Slusser is a plaintiff in both lawsuits. Several circuit courts have used a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to conclude that discriminating against someone based on their transgender status or sexual orientation is sex-based discrimination, Crews wrote. That means case law does not prove the “likelihood of success” needed to grant an injunction. An NCAA policy that subjects transgender participation to the rules of sports governing bodies took effect this academic year. USA Volleyball says a trans woman must suppress testosterone for 12 months before competing. The NCAA has not flagged any issues with San Jose State. The Republican governors of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have made public statements in support of the team cancellations, citing fairness in women’s sports. President-elect Donald Trump likewise has spoken out against allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports. Crews was a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him as a federal judge in January. Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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FIUGGI, Italy (AP) — Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The top diplomats met for the final time before a new U.S. administration takes office with wars raging in the Mideast and Ukraine. “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, the so-called “Arab Quintet,” as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. “Everyone favors a ceasefire in both scenarios,” Tajani told reporters, adding that Italy had offered to take on an even greater peacekeeping role in Lebanon to oversee any ceasefire deal. As the ministers arrived in Italy, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Mike Herzog, told Israeli Army Radio on Monday a ceasefire deal to end fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah could be reached “within days.” Several Arab ministers reiterated calls for a ceasefire in both Lebanon and Gaza during a G7-affiliated conference in Rome. “We need a ceasefire, a permanent ceasefire. That will stop the killings and stop the destruction and restore a sense of normalcy to life,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told the conference. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, for his part, reaffirmed that Cairo would host a minister-level conference next Monday on mobilizing international aid for Gaza. The so-called “Quintet” has been working with the U.S. to finalize a “day after” plan for Gaza. There is some urgency to make progress before the Trump administration takes over in January. President-elect Donald Trump is expected to pursue a policy that strongly favors Israel over the aspirations of the Palestinians. Tajani added another item to the G7 agenda last week after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief. Italy is a founding member of the court and hosted the 1998 Rome conference that gave birth to it. But Italy’s right-wing government has been a strong supporter of Israel after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, while also providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. The Italian government has taken a cautious line, reaffirming its support and respect for the court but expressing concern that the warrants were politically motivated. The United States, Israel's closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Tajani acknowledged consensus hadn't been reached among the G7 members but hoped for agreement to have a unified position. He noted that all sides need Netanyahu to make any deal. “We can also not agree with how his government has led the reaction after the massacre of Oct. 7, but now we have to deal with Netanyahu to arrive at peace in Lebanon, peace in Palestine,” Tajani said. Nathalie Tocci, director of the Rome-based Institute for International Affairs think tank, warned that inserting the ICC warrant into the G7 agenda was risky, since the U.S. is the lone member that is not a signatory to the court and yet tends to dictate the G7 line. “If Italy and the other (five G7) signatories of the ICC are unable to maintain the line on international law, they will not only erode it anyway but will be acting against our interests,” Tocci wrote in La Stampa daily this weekend, recalling Italy’s recourse to international law in demanding protection for Italian U.N. peacekeepers who have come under fire in southern Lebanon. The other major talking point of the G7 meeting is Ukraine , and tensions have only heightened since Russia attacked Ukraine last week with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strike was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. The G7 has been at the forefront of providing military and economic support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and G7 members are particularly concerned about how a Trump administration will change the U.S. approach. Trump has criticized the billions of dollars that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. “It’s hugely important that this G7, that all colleagues across the G7 continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it lasts,” British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said as he arrived. He announced new sanctions on vessels of Russia's “shadow fleet” of ships that are evading sanctions to export Russian oil. “And we are confident that Ukraine can have the funds and the military equipment and kit to get through 2025,” Lammy said. The G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, the second of the Italian presidency after ministers gathered in Capri in April , is being held in the medieval town of Fiuggi southeast of Rome, best known for its thermal spas. On Monday, which coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ministers were attending the inauguration of a red bench meant to symbolize Italy’s focus on fighting gender-based violence. Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people marched in Rome to protest gender-based violence , which in Italy so far this year has claimed the lives of 99 women, according to a report last week by the Eures think tank.Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , who died at 92 on Thursday night, was a man of many legacies in a political firmament in which far more entrenched career politicians struggle to make a mark. He first secured his spot in India’s political map as executor—under the stewardship of PV Narasimha Rao—of the landmark economic liberalisation programme that broke the shackles of the licence raj and opened up India’s socialist-oriented economic policies to the free market, ushering in the era of rising economic growth and the emergence of the aspirational Indian. Those policies would ultimately result in India becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping He was finance minister in the Rao government from 1991 to 1996, having been RBI governor in 1982-85 as well as CEA in the 1970s. He would go on to serve as PM from 2004 to 2014. Story of Grit and Determination Singh was the first Indian technocrat to reach the pinnacle of power in the political world, becoming the longest-serving Congress Prime Minister from outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, that too with two consecutive full terms, something that no one had achieved after Jawaharlal Nehru, before Narendra Modi equalled the first PM’s three consecutive electoral victories this year. What many dyed-in-the-wool politicians admired, and envied, was what they saw as his amazing fate line, packed with serial lucky breaks that took him to the top political office of the country, without having any hands-on experience in realpolitik, despite being a Rajya Sabha and CWC member. He also didn’t enjoy mass appeal or have a social base. In fact, he lost the only election he contested—he came to parliament through the Rajya Sabha. His entry into the political arena came as finance minister after Rao’s first choice for the job, ex-RBI governor IG Patel, declined the post. Singh’s biggest break, becoming Prime Minister, came after the triumphant UPA-Left alliance’s unanimous choice Sonia Gandhi turned down the top post in 2004. One can safely say that Singh was a leader who often had greatness thrust upon him. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program The dominant view then, and now, was that the real reason that made Sonia Gandhi nominated Singh as Prime Minister—besides his stature, clean image, decency and administrative experience—was his absolute trustworthiness due to his total dependence on her in the Congress party ’s world of intrigue. If not Singh, Sonia Gandhi might have had to pick from the likes of seasoned and skilful politicians such as Pranab Mukherjee or Arjun Singh. Having experienced how another skilled Congress ‘insider’ Narasimha Rao had completely taken control of the government and party as Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi would not have risked another spell of isolation under a far more political PM, more so when son Rahul Gandhi’s grooming for succession had started. While much was later written about how Sonia Gandhi and those around her in the Congress had tried to remote-control Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, there is unanimous agreement among politicians that Singh wouldn’t have survived as the PM but for the unflinching support she extended to him. No one would have understood that better than Singh himself. Many were of the view that, having been a trained bureaucrat, expert in the craft of surviving through pragmatic flexibility, Prime Minister Singh would have been prepared to make concessions, including sharing political authority That is why, many Congress and UPA leaders of that time felt Singh did not resist when a parallel superbody was erected—the Sonia Gandhi-led National Advisory Council. Or, when most of his ministerial choices and their portfolios were decided by the Sonia/Congress establishment. That was also the reason then ‘heir apparent’ Rahul Gandhi could get away with tearing up the ordinance protecting legislators from being disqualified without inviting Prime Ministerial ire. That was the price a nominated PM had to pay—merit and excellence notwithstanding. Still, he showed his resilience and determination in the way he handled the India-US civil nuclear deal , braving the scepticism of the Congress leadership, the dogmatic opposition of the Left and even facing a touch-and-go trust vote that saw the same party establishment unleash every weapon in its arsenal to prevent the government from falling. The clinching of the nuclear deal would have been the high point of Singh’s Prime Ministership—even greater than the deft manner in which he and his team helped India remain mostly unscathed through the global financial crisis of 2007-8 and its aftermath—but for the dramatic political and administrative meltdown of the UPA-2 in the wake of serial corruption charges. That marred the record of Singh’s Prime Ministership and the UPA government, despite their many creditable achievements, many of which have stood the test of time and been adopted by his successor The Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement laid the ground for the resurgence of the BJP under Narendra Modi ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, with the NDA and its allies decimating the Congress coalition. That watershed was also testimony to the dramatic mood swing in the Indian middle class, which had once hailed Singh as their hero. Singh’s long and illustrious career was also the dramatic story of a lower-middle class village child scaling the glittering heights on the strength of his merit, grit and determination. A story that will continue to fire many a dream of India’s aspiring youth, beyond the ups and downs of Singh’s political life. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )A government that doesn't want to upset people finds itself outgunned by a man with simple, angry messages
Governing smartlyPitcher Yusei Kikuchi and Los Angeles Angels agree to a $63 million, 3-year contract, AP source says A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $63 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by the New York Post, was subject to a successful physical. An All-Star with Seattle in 2021, Kikuchi was 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA this year for Toronto and Houston, which acquired him on July 30. Kikuchi was 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with the Astros. He is 41-47 with a 4.57 ERA in six seasons. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender A judge has rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she’s transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship in Las Vegas this week. His order also upholds the seedings and pairings in the tournament. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. Conference title games a chance at a banner, bragging rights and, for some, a season-wrecking loss Indiana should be able to breathe easy. The Hoosiers have very little chance of making it to the Big Ten championship game. In the Southeastern Conference, Georgia has a spot in the league title game but with that comes a lot of worry. Conference title games give teams a chance to hang a banner, but for national title contenders it is an additional chance for a season-wrecking loss — even with an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field. UCLA moves up to No. 1 in AP Top 25 women's basketball poll for first time in history UCLA has earned the school's first No. 1 ranking in in The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll. The Bruins knocked off the previous top team, South Carolina, which had held the No. 1 spot for the previous 23 polls. UCLA moved up four spots. UConn remained No. 2. Notre Dame pulled off its own upset, beating then-No. 3 USC and moving up to third. South Carolina dropped to fourth, Texas is fifth and USC fell to sixth. Iowa is in the poll for the first time in the post-Caitlin Clark era, coming in at No. 22. Kansas stays at No. 1 ahead of showdown vs. No. 11 Duke; Ole Miss, Mississippi St back in AP Top 25 Kansas remained solidly entrenched at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll ahead of its showdown with Duke in Las Vegas. The Jayhawks received 51 of 62 first-place votes from the national panel of media, putting them well ahead of two-time reigning national champion UConn, which was second with six first-place votes. Gonzaga was third with two first-place votes, Auburn was next with three, and Iowa State rounded out a top five that was unchanged from the previous week. Xavier, Ole Miss and Mississippi State entered the poll at the expense of Illinois, St. John's and Rutgers. Wake up the ghosts! Texas, Texas A&M rivalry that dates to 1894 is reborn AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player who grew up in the state has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade it has been only ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. That changes this week when one of college football’s great rivalries is reborn after a 12-year hiatus. Third-ranked Texas plays at No. 20 Texas A&M with a berth in the conference championship game on the line. Week 12 was filled with sloppy play, especially on special teams: Analysis Week 12 was filled with sloppy play around the NFL, leading to some upsets and surprising outcomes. Jayden Daniels nearly led Washington to an improbable comeback down 10 in the final two minutes against Dallas only to fall short because Austin Seibert’s extra point sailed wide left. After a field goal and successful onside kick, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin on an 86-yard catch-and-run touchdown to bring the Commanders within one point with 21 seconds remaining. But Seibert’s point-after attempt failed and the Cowboys returned the ensuing onside kick for a touchdown to seal a 34-26 victory. Cavaliers' unexpected 17-1 start to season also produces unexpected star: reserve guard Ty Jerome CLEVELAND (AP) — The M-V-P chants weren't only directed at Cleveland All-Star Donvan Mitchell on Sunday night. As the Cavaliers were improving to 17-1 overall and 10-0 at home, reserve guard Ty Jerome heard them while shooting a free throw. The Cavs' unexpected start has produced an unexpected rising star in Jerome, who played in just two games last season because of a severe ankle injury. Jerome has scored 29 and 26 points, respectively, in his last two games. But he's been a marvel since the season began for first-year coach Kenny Atkinson, who is finding it hard to take him off the floor.It is part of the building's £5.4 million redevelopment which began in March, and will ultimately see a complete refurbishment of the Old School building on the corner of Cowley Road and Princes Street. The Fusion Arts buildings has been demolished to make room for a three-storey, low-carbon building to take its place. The new project is aiming to provide modern, accessible spaces for residents and organisations, while preserving the community centre's history. Oxford City Council said the newly finished roof not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the centre but also incorporates advanced materials for long-term durability and sustainability. Its galvanised steel outer layer is supported by a structural plywood panel with integrated vapour control and airtight properties, designed to maximise energy efficiency. The city council said the redevelopment is part of its commitment to supporting thriving communities by investing in high-quality facilities for local use. The project will also see the delivery of improved event spaces, community meeting rooms, and a cafe. Developed in consultation with local groups, it will include refurbishments to preserve the heritage of the centre as well. Councillor Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing, said: "The completion of the new roof is a major step forward in our journey to revitalise the East Oxford Community Centre. "This redevelopment is about providing a vibrant, welcoming space that serves the diverse needs of our community. "We’re excited to see the project progressing and look forward to the positive impact it will bring." The project is set to be completed in 2025. Mitchell Carter, head of construction at ODS, which is delivering the new centre, said: "ODS are delighted to have achieved this significant milestone in the redevelopment of the East Oxford Community Centre. "Our team has worked closely with Oxford City Council and the local community to deliver a sustainable, high-quality structure that reflects the importance of this site. "We are excited to continue building a space that will serve residents for generations to come." The council has also commissioned OX Place to develop 12 energy-efficient flats for social rent next to the community centre on Princes Street. The social rent flats will offer occupants one or two bedroom options at about 40 per cent of equivalent private rents. Further work in Collins Street, where OX Place is developing 14 new homes for shared ownership, started earlier this year. The sale of these homes will help to finance the redevelopment of the community centre.
The Bose SoundLink Flex is a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s marketed as being rugged and stylish. But is it worth the price tag? I recently got my hands on one to test it out, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. In this review, I’ll go over my experience with the SoundLink Flex, including its design, sound quality, features, and overall value. The Bose SoundLink Flex is a compact and portable Bluetooth speaker designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Released in 2021, it boasts a durable design, IP67 water and dust resistance, and aims to deliver Bose’s signature sound quality in a grab-and-go format. It’s marketed towards those with active lifestyles, promising to be a reliable audio companion for adventures and everyday use alike . First Impressions: Unboxing the SoundLink Flex, the first thing that struck me was its design. It’s undeniably sleek and modern, with a minimalist aesthetic that’s become synonymous with Bose. Available in a variety of colors, the unit I tested was a vibrant blue that immediately caught the eye. The speaker feels robust and well-built, with a soft-touch silicone exterior and a powder-coated steel grille. It’s compact and lightweight, easily fitting into my backpack or even a large coat pocket. Design and Build Quality: Bose has clearly put a lot of thought into the design of the SoundLink Flex. The speaker has a rectangular shape with rounded edges, making it comfortable to hold and carry. The controls are located on the top of the speaker and are easy to use. They’re seamlessly integrated into the design, with raised buttons for power, volume, and Bluetooth pairing. There’s also a handy utility loop made from tear-resistant fabric, allowing you to attach the speaker to a backpack, belt loop, or carabiner. The IP67 rating means the SoundLink Flex is fully dustproof and can be submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes. This makes it ideal for use at the beach, by the pool, or even in the shower. I tested its water resistance by taking it to the pool, and it performed flawlessly. Even after being submerged for several minutes, the speaker continued to work perfectly. Sound Quality: While the SoundLink Flex is undeniably stylish, I was initially skeptical about its sound quality. Could such a small speaker truly deliver the rich and balanced audio Bose is known for? The answer, to my surprise, is a resounding yes. The SoundLink Flex produces a surprisingly powerful sound for its size. The bass is deep and punchy, the mids are clear and detailed, and the highs are crisp and well-defined. I tested the speaker with a variety of music genres, from classical to hip-hop, and it handled everything I threw at it with ease. Even at high volumes, there was minimal distortion. The SoundLink Flex also features Bose’s PositionIQ technology, which automatically adjusts the EQ based on the speaker’s orientation. This ensures that you get optimal sound quality whether the speaker is standing upright, lying flat, or hanging from its utility loop. Features: The SoundLink Flex keeps things simple in terms of features, focusing on core functionality. Here are some highlights: Battery Life: Bose claims that the SoundLink Flex has a battery life of up to 12 hours. In my testing, I found this to be fairly accurate. I was able to get around 10-11 hours of playtime at moderate volume. The battery life will obviously vary depending on the volume level and type of music you’re playing. Charging is done via a USB-C port, and a full charge takes around four hours. What Could Be Improved: While the SoundLink Flex impressed me overall, there are a few areas where I think Bose could make improvements: Who is the SoundLink Flex for? The Bose SoundLink Flex is an ideal speaker for anyone who wants a portable, durable, and stylish speaker with good sound quality. It’s perfect for use outdoors, thanks to its IP67 rating, and it’s also great for use around the house. I would particularly recommend this speaker to: Final Verdict: The Bose SoundLink Flex is a great all-around portable speaker that excels in both design and sound quality. While it may not be the most feature-packed speaker on the market, its combination of durability, portability, and audio performance make it a compelling option for many users. If you’re looking for a stylish and reliable speaker that can keep up with your active lifestyle, the SoundLink Flex is definitely worth considering.
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:53 p.m. EST
