mnl 777 casino 10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores title

Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”

HP Is Offering an RTX 4060 Gaming PC for $619.99

What’ll it take to get board gamers into this 1920s tabletop role-playing game?

NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a , not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by . The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it . Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. Michael R. Sisak And Cedar Attanasio, The Associated PressInflation is predicted to average 2.5% this year and 2.6% next year, according to forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility. The British Medical Association said the Government showed a “poor grasp” of unresolved issues from two years of industrial action, and the Royal College of Nursing called the pay recommendation “deeply offensive”. The National Education Union’s chief said teachers were “putting the Government on notice” that the proposed increase “won’t do”. The pay recommendations came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for every Government department to cut costs by 5%, as she started work on a sweeping multi-year spending review to be published in 2025. Independent pay review bodies will consider the proposals for pay rises for teachers, NHS workers and senior civil servants. The Department of Health said it viewed 2.8% as a “reasonable amount” to set aside, in its recommendations to the NHS Pay Review Body and the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Board remit groups. A 2.8% pay rise for teachers in 2025/26 would “maintain the competitiveness of teachers’ pay despite the challenging financial backdrop the Government is facing”, the Department for Education said. The Cabinet Office also suggested pay increases for senior civil servants should be kept to no more than 2.8%. Paul Johnson, director of the influential economics think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said it was “not a bad ballpark figure” and feels “just about affordable” given the Government’s public spending plans. The downside, he said, is that public sector workers have lost out since 2010 and unions will be upset that this is not making up the gap, he told Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge. “But given the constraints facing the Chancellor I think it’s pretty hard to argue for more for public sector pay when public sector services ... are under real strain,” he said. Unions expressed their disappointment in the recommendations, with some hinting they could be willing to launch industrial action. The Royal College of Nursing general secretary and chief executive called for “open direct talks now” to avoid “further escalation to disputes and ballots”. Professor Nicola Ranger said: “The Government has today told nursing staff they are worth as little as £2 extra a day, less than the price of a coffee. “Nursing is in crisis – there are fewer joining and too many experienced professionals leaving. This is deeply offensive to nursing staff, detrimental to their patients and contradictory to hopes of rebuilding the NHS. “The public understands the value of nursing and they know that meaningful reform of the NHS requires addressing the crisis in nursing. “We pulled out of the Pay Review Body process, alongside other unions, because it is not the route to address the current crisis. “That has been demonstrated today. “Fair pay must be matched by structural reform. Let’s open direct talks now and avoid further escalation to disputes and ballots – I have said that directly to government today.” Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association’s council, urged the sector’s pay review body to “show it is now truly independent”. “For this Government to give evidence to the doctors’ and dentists’ pay review body (DDRB) believing a 2.8% pay rise is enough, indicates a poor grasp of the unresolved issues from two years of industrial action,” he said. He said the proposal is far below the current rate of inflation and that the Government was “under no illusion” when doctors accepted pay offers in the summer that there was a “very real risk of further industrial action” if “pay erosion” was not addressed in future pay rounds. “This sub-inflationary suggestion from the current Government serves as a test to the DDRB. “The BMA expects it to take this opportunity to show it is now truly independent, to take an objective view of the evidence it receives from all parties, not just the Government, and to make an offer that reflects the value of doctors’ skills and expertise in a global market, and that moves them visibly further along the path to full pay restoration.” The NEU’s general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said teachers’ pay had been cut by more than one-fifth in real terms since 2010. “Along with sky-high workload, the pay cuts have resulted in a devastating recruitment and retention crisis. Teacher shortages across the school system hit pupils and parents too. “A 2.8% increase is likely to be below inflation and behind wage increases in the wider economy. This will only deepen the crisis in education.” In a hint that there could be a return to industrial action he added: “NEU members fought to win the pay increases of 2023 and 2024. “We are putting the Government on notice. Our members care deeply about education and feel the depth of the crisis. This won’t do.” The offer for teachers is the “exact opposite of fixing the foundations” and will result in bigger class sizes and more cuts to the curriculum, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The inadequacy of the proposed pay award is compounded by the Government’s intention that schools should foot the bill out of their existing allocations. “Given that per-pupil funding will increase on average by less than 1% next year, and the Government’s proposal is for an unfunded 2.8% pay award, it is obvious that this is in fact an announcement of further school cuts.” Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: This recommendation falls far short of what is needed to restore the competitiveness of the teaching profession, to enable it to retain experienced professionals and attract new talent. Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “The Government has inherited a financial mess from its predecessors, but this is not what NHS workers wanted to hear. “Staff are crucial in turning around the fortunes of the NHS. Improving performance is a key Government pledge, but the pay rise proposed is barely above the cost of living.”

The sands of Cholistan tell a tale of endurance, written over millennia on shifting dunes and the desolate bed of the ancient Hakra River. This harsh yet bountiful land guards many secrets of the Indus Valley Civilisation, serves as a sanctuary for rare wildlife, and preserves a cultural heritage like no other. Yet today, it stands at a critical juncture. While dreams of development inspire hope, the enduring imprint of colonial-style policies threatens to redefine its destiny, conjuring echoes of a past too many sought to escape. An Ecosystem in Peril Once the lifeline of this arid expanse, the Hakra River vanished from the landscape nearly 166 years ago, its fate sealed by the East India Company’s construction of the Ottu Weir. Today, its 100-km-long dry riverbed persists as a testament to its legacy, offering untapped potential for aquifer recharge through the strategic diversion of floodwaters. Beneath what appears to be a barren wasteland thrives a vibrant ecosystem: the graceful Chinkara gazelle, migratory flocks of Siberian cranes painting the skies, resilient cattle, and the globally celebrated Brela camel. Among them is the Marecha camel, a symbol of desert endurance and cultural heritage renowned for its speed and stamina. Cholistan’s narrative does not have to culminate in exploitation and loss. The desert harbours the potential for a sustainable future that honours its natural rhythms and the wisdom of its people The people of this ecosystem, the Rohillas, have long adapted to this challenging terrain. For centuries, they have lived symbiotically with their environment, harvesting rainwater in ancient tobas, grazing their livestock on sparse vegetation, and crafting a way of life attuned to the delicate balance of the desert. Their traditions, woven into the shifting sands, are a testament to human ingenuity and harmony with nature. Yet, this delicate equilibrium now faces grave threats. Colonisation and Displacement Why Agriculture Is A Risky Gamble In Cholistan Recent development initiatives by the Punjab government aim to transform 1.2 million acres of Cholistan’s arid expanse into fertile farmland through canal irrigation. On paper, this vision glows with promise, but its execution reveals a different reality. Fertile patches are being allocated to influential agriculturalists, while the indigenous Rohilla communities, stewards of this land for generations, are relegated to its most barren fringes. Traditional tobas are increasingly inaccessible, and pastoralists struggle against restricted access to essential resources. This approach mirrors the colonial-era canal colony policies of British rule, which granted fertile lands to elites while marginalising local populations. The scars of these policies remain etched across Punjab, manifesting in ecological degradation, deep social inequities, and fragmented ecosystems. Cholistan now teeters on the brink of a similar fate. For the Rohillas, this is not progress but the erasure of a way of life that has withstood the test of time. The repercussions of this displacement extend far beyond human communities. Cholistan’s fragile desert ecosystem, already under strain from climate change, is ill-equipped to endure the intensive irrigation schemes envisioned. Canal irrigation poses the risk of soil salinisation, waterlogging, and the depletion of already overstretched aquifers. These are not theoretical concerns but lessons painfully learned in other regions where such projects have wreaked ecological havoc. A Sustainable Vision for Cholistan Cholistan’s narrative does not have to culminate in exploitation and loss. The desert harbours the potential for a sustainable future that honours its natural rhythms and the wisdom of its people. Beneath the nearby Sutlej River, within a span of 20 to 40 km, lies an untapped aquifer capable of supporting life without the destructive consequences of canal irrigation. Harnessing this resource through solar-powered Riverbank Filtration (RBF) systems could provide clean water for human and livestock use, replenishing tobas and easing the burden on surface water sources. This decentralised, eco-friendly solution aligns seamlessly with the desert’s unique needs, enabling local communities to reclaim their ancestral role as guardians of this land. US Elections 2024: A Polarised America At A Crossroads With Trump Versus Harris Smart agricultural practices offer yet another path forward. Rather than water-intensive crops, desert farming can focus on drought-resistant plants and agroforestry methods that bolster biodiversity while conserving soil and water. Crops like guar, millet, and desert-adapted fruits could transform Cholistan into a model of sustainable agriculture, fostering food security without compromising the environment. Through these measures, Cholistan can chart a course that respects its heritage, safeguards its ecosystems, and empowers its people. The choice lies in balancing development with preservation, ensuring that the story of this ancient land is not one of exploitation but of enduring resilience and harmony. Preserving Culture and Heritage Conservation must take centre stage in shaping Cholistan’s future. This region, with its over 400 archaeological sites from the Indus Valley Civilisation, stands as a living testament to human ingenuity and historical significance. Protecting these treasures, alongside safeguarding wildlife habitats, offers a pathway to eco-tourism—an avenue of economic growth that honours and celebrates the desert’s unique identity rather than exploiting it. The Brela and Marecha camels, iconic symbols of Cholistan’s pastoral culture, are essential to this preservation. These animals, together with the Chinkara gazelle and migratory Siberian cranes, weave a fragile yet vital web of life that underpins both the ecological balance and the economic fabric of the region. Their survival is more than an ecological necessity; it is a cultural imperative. Equally vital to Cholistan is its intangible heritage. The region’s music, crafts, and oral traditions are as intrinsic to its identity as its physical landscape. The people of Cholistan sing of their land’s stark beauty and enduring challenges, crafting narratives that mirror their deep bond with it. These traditions are not mere relics of bygone days; they are living, breathing testaments to the resilience of a community that has withstood the harshest of trials. Of Pucca Sahibs And Hapless Subjects: Lingering Psychological Effects Of The Colonial Raj The Choice Ahead As the sun sinks below the horizon, casting golden hues across Cholistan’s rolling dunes, the choice before us becomes unavoidably clear. Will this land evolve into a symbol of sustainable development, where progress respects the environment and uplifts its people? Or will it bear the marks of a new era of colonisation, where the allure of growth is achieved at the cost of displacement and ecological devastation? The sands of Cholistan are not passive spectators to history; they are active participants. They have borne witness to the rise and fall of civilisations, the flourishing and faltering of communities. They echo tales of perseverance, caution, and boundless hope. The narrative they will tell in the future is ours to shape. This decision encapsulates the essence of true development—not merely the construction of infrastructure or the expansion of agricultural land but the nurturing of a legacy that honours the past, empowers the present, and secures the future. Cholistan need not choose between heritage and progress. Instead, it requires a vision that sees the two as inseparable—a vision that allows the desert to thrive, its heart beating in harmony with its people, its wildlife, and its timeless sands.

PHOENIX — Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest on Sunday in Phoenix. Panama's conservative president José Raúl Mulino, who was elected in April on a pro-business platform, roundly rejected that notion as an affront to his country's sovereignty. The Republican president-elect's comment came during his first major rally since winning the White House on Nov. 5. He also used his comments to bask in his return to power as a large audience of conservatives cheered along. It was a display of party unity at odds with a just-concluded budget fight on Capitol Hill where some GOP lawmakers openly defied their leader's demands. Addressing supporters at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Arizona, Trump pledged that his “dream team Cabinet” would deliver a booming economy, seal U.S. borders and quickly settle wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. “I can proudly proclaim that the Golden Age of America is upon us,” Trump said. “There’s a spirit that we have now that we didn’t have just a short while ago.” His appearance capped a four-day pep rally that drew more than 20,000 activists and projected an image of Republican cohesion despite the past week's turbulence in Washington with Trump pulling strings from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as Congress worked to avoid a government shutdown heading into the Christmas holiday. House Republicans spiked a bipartisan deal after Trump and Elon Musk, his billionaire ally, expressed their opposition on social media. Budget hawks flouted Trump's request to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, which would have spared some new rounds of the same fight after he takes office Jan. 20, 2025, with Republicans holding narrow control of the House and Senate. The final agreement did not address the issue and there was no shutdown. Trump, in his remarks in Phoenix, did not mention the congressional drama, though he did reference Musk's growing power. To suggestions that "President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon,” Trump made clear, “No, no. That’s not happening.” “He’s not gonna be president,” Trump said. The president-elect opened the speech by saying that "we want to try to bring everybody together. We’re going to try. We’re going to really give it a shot." Then he suggested Democrats have “lost their confidence” and are “befuddled” after the election but eventually will ”come over to our side because we want to have them.” A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal on Sept. 2 in Colon, Panama. Atop a list of grievances — some old, some new — was the Panama Canal. “We’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal,” he said, bemoaning that his country ”foolishly gave it away.” The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s, as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter. The canal depends on reservoirs to operate its locks and was heavily affected by 2023 Central American droughts that forced it to substantially reduce the number of daily slots for crossing ships. With fewer ships using the canal each day, administrators also increased the fees that are charged all shippers for reserving a slot. With weather returning to normal in the later months of this year, transit on the canal has normalized. But price increases are still expected for next year. Mulino, Panama's president, has been described as a conservative populist who aligns with Trump on many issues. Panama is a strong U.S. ally and the canal is crucial for its economy, generating about one-fifth of that government’s annual revenue. Still, Trump said, that, once his second term is underway, "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question.” “I’m not going to stand for it," Trump said. "So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.” He did not explain how that would be possible. A short time after Trump's speech, Mulino released a video declaring that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to his country. Without mentioning Trump by name, Mulino addressed the president-elect's complaints over rising fees for ships crossing the canal, saying that they are set by experts who take into account operational costs, and supply and demand factors. “The tariffs are not set on a whim” Mulino said. He noted that Panama has expanded the canal over the years to increase ship traffic “on its own initiative,” and added that shipping fee increases help pay for improvements. “Panamanians may have different views on many issues” Mulino said. “But when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.” The canal aside, Trump’s appearance at Turning Point’s annual gathering affirmed the growing influence the group and its founder, Charlie Kirk, have had in the conservative movement. Kirk’s organization hired thousands of field organizers across presidential battlegrounds, helping Trump make key gains among infrequent voters and other groups of people that have trended more Democratic in recent decades, including younger voters, Black men and Latino men. ”You had Turning Point’s grassroots armies,” Trump said. “It’s not my victory, it’s your victory.” Earlier Sunday, Trump said that Stephen Miran, who worked at the Treasury Department in Trump's first term, was his choice to lead the Council of Economic Advisers. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.mnl777 free 100 。

WASHINGTON — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China's hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals." Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number" were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are "primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking.MUMBAI, Dec 23 — A towering cinema with a roofline like an ocean liner stands out in India’s financial capital Mumbai, part of a remarkable Art Deco architectural heritage that campaigners say needs protection. A short walk away is a state-run insurance office with giant Egyptian-style carvings, and a palm-lined seafront promenade with pastel-coloured apartments with porthole windows, curved balconies and exotic motifs. Architecture aficionados may go crazy over Miami’s South Beach, but the coastal Indian megacity is home to what experts believe is one of the world’s largest collections of Art Deco buildings. Decades of neglect, however, have led to buildings being demolished or compromised through slapdash modern renovation. Lovers of the dramatic architecture fear that will only increase as Mumbai undergoes a rapid US$30 billion (RM135 billion) infrastructure makeover including major road, rail and bridge projects. A sweep of some Art Deco buildings — including offices, colleges and residential complexes — was listed on Unesco’s World Heritage list in 2018, alongside the city’s Victorian Gothic architecture for its “unique style” described as “Indo-Deco”. Today, the city’s breakneck pace of development has left a small but dedicated group of building owners, architects and heritage lovers trying to conserve the city’s Art Deco character. The job requires “constant vigilance”, said Nayana Kathpalia, who lives in an Art Deco building that was recently restored — but crucially in a manner that maintained its original character. ‘Modern, open, friendly’ Many apartment building owners are eager to cash in and redevelop their old dwellings, making them part of a cookie-cutter modern skyline. “If too many buildings get done in a totally different style, the World Heritage Site committee will say ‘what the hell is happening?’,” Kathpalia said. “We are very, very clear that we have to protect that.” Losing it could strip the city of its history and character, campaigners say. Art Deco took the West by storm after emerging as a new wave of design in France before the First World War. Architects used geometric patterns and streamlined structures to evoke the popular technologies of the time, including airplanes and ocean liners. As a style, Art Deco can appear as an odd hodgepodge, borrowing everything from ancient Mayan to Japanese culture. But the first generation of homegrown Indian architects who visited Europe in the 1920s and 1930s were inspired. After returning home, they started designing Art Deco style buildings for rich Indian business families that had profited off the economic boom in the port city, said Atul Kumar, founder of a non-profit that seeks to conserve the heritage. Art Deco “enabled a certain cosmopolitanism” and contributed to making Mumbai a “modern, open, friendly” city, Kumar added. ‘Bombay style’ While Kumar’s Art Deco Mumbai organisation has spent years painstakingly documenting buildings, it has also more recently started offering “repair and restoration” help. “We go out, pro bono, and reach out to people,” he said, having supported the sensitive restoration of around nine buildings, including a couple in the core World Heritage area. However, there are challenges, including stringent rent control laws which impose financial constraints on landlords. Kumar also admits that residents in newer and northern parts of the city have less of a “desire” to conserve their buildings in their original Art Deco style. A large part of this is due to a lack of awareness. Many of the city’s inhabitants walk past the vivid tropical imagery, elongated turrets and jazzy typography without giving them a second glance. Pranati Mehta, a 46-year-old school teacher, says most Indians only look at “temples as architecture”, as they “feel that is special”. Some Mumbai residents don’t realise they “live amongst art”, she said. But Mehta, who was on a weekend walking tour to learn more about the architectural style, quickly adds that Art Deco isn’t foreign to Indian sensibilities. “We recognise it as a Bombay style,” she said. “We think Art Deco is also an Indian brand”. — AFPThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . HONOLULU (AP) — Michael Rataj had 16 points in Oregon State’s 74-65 win over Charleston at the Diamond Head Classic on Sunday. Rataj also had 12 rebounds for the Beavers (9-2). Damarco Minor also scored 16 points, going 5 of 11 from the floor, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line. Parsa Fallah shot 6 of 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 14 points. The Cougars (8-3) were led by Lazar Djokovic, who recorded 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Derrin Boyd added 13 points for Charleston. Deywilk Tavarez also had 10 points. Oregon State took the lead with 15:29 to go in the first half and never looked back. The score was 35-26 at halftime, with Fallah racking up 13 points. Oregon State closed out the victory in the final half, while Minor led the way with a team-high 14 second-half points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Schools, housing societies in Pune upset over premises returned in filthy condition after voting

J&K Judicial Academy hosts workshop on judicial leadership, mediation for civil judges JAMMU: Under the patronage of Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), Tashi Rabstan and guidance of Chairperson, Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy and members of Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, the J&K Judicial Academy today organised one day workshop on “Leadership role of the Judges; Court Management; Role of Judges in Referral of cases for Mediation, etc.” for Civil Judges (Sr./Jr. Division) of Jammu province at Janipur, Jammu. The workshop was inaugurated by Justice Rahul Bharti, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, who also served as resource person for the first session of the day. Bala Jyoti, Former District & Session Judge and resource person, was also present. In the first technical session, Justice Rahul Bharti explained that the judiciary today faces an ever-evolving legal landscape, marked by an increasing volume of cases, technological advancements and the growing complexity of legal issues. He stated that leadership within the judiciary is not merely about presiding over cases, it is about ensuring efficient administration of courts, inspiring confidence in the judicial process and fostering an environment where justice is accessible and timely. Justice Bharti explained that case management means every case getting full focus and attention at Court’s hand. He also advised the participants to interpret KYC as Know your Case, Know your Court. He underscored that the work of District Judiciary is more demanding and the judges play as leaders within their courts. The second technical session of the day was conducted by Bala Jyoti who explained the role of Judges in referral of cases for Mediation. The learned Resource Person addressed the mediation as a transformative mechanism that offers an alternative pathway to resolve disputes amicably. She added that mediation not only alleviates burden on courts but also empowers parties to reach mutually acceptable solutions. She highlighted the key components of mediation, including drafting effective settlement and referral orders, as well as addressing challenges and exploring strategies to enhance its efficacy. The learned Resource Person also conducted three role plays, wherein the participants actively participated and were made aware about technique of mediation. Sonia Gupta, Director J&K Judicial Academy, conducted the proceedings for the daylong workshop and presented vote of thanks. All the sessions remained very interactive during which all the participants actively participated and shared their experiences, difficulties and also discussed various aspects of the subject topics. They also raised a number of queries which were answered satisfactorily by the resource persons.Why Nefertiti still inspires, 3,300 years after she reignedDAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad , gathering in the capital's historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop after talks in Jordan and Turkey, which backs some of the Syrian insurgent factions. So far, U.S. officials have not talked of direct meetings with Syria's new rulers. The main insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has worked to establish security and start a political transition after seizing Damascus early Sunday. The group has tried to reassure a public both stunned by Assad's fall and concerned about extremist jihadis among the rebels. Insurgent leaders say the group has broken with its extremist past, though HTS is still labeled a terrorist group by the United States and European countries. HTS's leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, appeared in a video message Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” “I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people,” he said. “And then after, we will work to build this country, and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.” Syrians celebrate in the historic heart of Damascus Huge crowds, including some insurgents, packed the historic Umayyad Mosque in the capital's old city, many waving the rebel opposition flag — with its three red stars — which has swiftly replaced the Assad-era flag with with its two green stars. Syrian state television reported that the sermon was delivered by Mohammed al-Bashir, the interim prime minister installed by HTS this week. The scene resonated on multiple levels. The mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria were tightly controlled under Assad's rule. Also, in the early days of the anti-government uprising in 2011, protesters would leave Friday prayers to march in rallies against Assad before he launched a brutal crackdown that turned the uprising into a long and bloody civil war. “I didn’t step foot in Umayyad Mosque since 2011," because of the tight security controls around it, said one worshipper, Ibrahim al-Araby. “Since 11 or 12 years, I haven’t been this happy.” Another worshipper, Khair Taha, said there was “fear and trepidation for what’s to come. But there is also a lot of hope that now we have a say and we can try to build.” Blocks away in Damascus' biggest roundabout, named Umayyad Square, thousands gathered, including many families with small children — a sign of how, so far at least, the country's transformation has not caused violent instability. “Unified Syria to build Syria,” the crowd chanted. Some shouted slurs against Assad and his late father, calling them pigs, an insult that would have previously led to offenders being hauled off to one of the feared detention centers of Assad’s security forces. One man in the crowd, 51-year-old Khaled Abu Chahine — originally from the southern province of Daraa, where the 2011 uprising first erupted — said he hoped for “freedom and coexistence between all Syrians, Alawites, Sunnis, Shiites and Druze.” The interim prime minister, al-Bashir, had been the head of a de facto administration created by HTS in Idlib, the opposition's enclave in northwest Syria. The rebels were bottled up in Idlib for years before fighters broke out in a shock offensive and marched across Syria in 10 days. Similar scenes of joy unfolded in other major cities, including in Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Raqqa. US and its allies try to shape a rapidly changing Syria Al-Sharaa, HTS' leader, has promised to bring a pluralistic government to Syria, seeking to dispel fears among many Syrians — especially its many minority communities — that the insurgents will impose a hard-line, extremist rule. Another key factor will be winning international recognition for a new government in a country where multiple foreign powers have their hands in the mix. The Sunni Arab insurgents who overthrew Assad did so with vital help from Turkey, a longtime foe of the U.S.-backed Kurds . Turkey controls a strip of Syrian territory along the shared border and backs an insurgent faction uneasily allied to HTS — and is deeply opposed to any gains by Syria's Kurds. In other developments, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey’s Embassy in Damascus would reopen Saturday for the first time since 2012, when it closed due to the Syrian civil war. The U.S. has troops in eastern Syria to combat remnants of the Islamic State group and supports Kurdish-led fighters who rule most of the east. Since Assad's fall, Israel has bombed sites all over Syria, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. It has also seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone. After talks with Fidan, Blinken said there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the U.S. on what they would like to see in Syria. That starts with an "interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said. Fidan said the priority was “establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant” — referring to the Islamic State group and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Ankara considers the PKK within Turkey's borders a terrorist group, as it does the Kurdish-backed forces in Syria backed by the U.S. A U.S. official said that in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fidan both told Blinken that Kurdish attacks on Turkish positions would require a response. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic talks. The U.S. has been trying to limit such incidents in recent days and had helped organize an agreement to prevent confrontations around the northern Syrian town of Manbij, which was taken by Turkey-backed opposition fighters from the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces earlier this week. In Baghdad, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, saying both countries wanted to ensure the Islamic State group — also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh — doesn't exploit Syria's transition to re-emerge. “Having put Daesh back in its box, we can’t let it out, and we’re determined to make sure that that doesn’t happen," Blinken said. The U.S. official who briefed reporters said that Blinken had impressed upon al-Sudani the importance of Iraq exercising its full sovereignty over its territory and airspace to stop Iran from transporting weapons and equipment to Syria, either for Assad supporters or onward to the militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon. ___ Lee reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report. Albert Aji And Matthew Lee, The Associated Press

Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died

New funding goes to groundbreaking products that pour plant fibers into our favorite foods to reduce the toxic impact of sugar and lower the incidence of metabolic disorders linked to the modern processed diet SACRAMENTO, Calif. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- One Bio , a pioneering biotechnology company committed to revolutionizing nutrition to empower people to live better, longer, has raised $27 million in Series A funding led by Alpha Edison and joined by new investors including Leaps by Bayer, Mitsui E12, Morado, ReMY, DSM-Ferminich, and Better – alongside existing investors including iSelect, Skyview Life Sciences, Collaborative and Acre. This catalytic investment round energized a unique global mix of strategic and institutional investors and is a testament to investor belief in One Bio's potential to reshape how much (and how often) the world consumes fiber, and to combat the disease epidemic linked to the modern processed diet by transforming your favorite foods into engines of good health while helping all of us reduce and eliminate the harm of sugar. One Bio has innovated a technological process that releases anti-inflammatory short chain fibers from thousands of plants, making them undetectable, more bioactive and uniquely high dose. This novel process unlocks fibers from seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains. People today consume 10X more sugar than they did 200 years ago and 90% less fiber than we evolved to. Consequently, 95% of people are running a dramatic fiber deficiency that starves the microbiome while denying our bodies of core functions for healthspan. The result is skyrocketing rates of inflammatory disease including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, cancer and autoimmunity. One Bio promises a meaningfully positive shift in these alarming public health outcomes by not only eliminating traditional barriers to fiber consumption - like taste, texture, and appearance - but also reframing naturally-derived fiber as an essential but *undetectable* ingredient in our favorite foods and beverages. As humans evolved, our beneficial gut microbes co-evolved to unlock and consume the sugars bound in the rich diversity of fibers present in plant foods to produce molecules we need to provide core functions including balancing our blood glucose, regulating mood & energy, and making us feel satiated. But modern diets composed of processed foods have isolated the sugars and discarded the fibers. One Bio short chain fibers can even provide an offramp to reduce the population's reliance on GLP-1s to treat chronic metabolic diseases: increasing consumption of high-fiber foods can prevent such diseases in the first place. "Modern food processing techniques strip plant fibers from our foods and starve the microbiome of the nutrients it needs to make us healthy. One Bio works to help us restore core functionality to our diet like blood glucose regulation and mood & energy balance. We aim to avoid and reverse the negative impact of today's processed food diet which accounts for 70% of calories consumed. We have the opportunity to offer industry and people an exponentially better set of choices than those on shelves today," said Matt Barnard , Co-founder and CEO of One Bio . " One Bio puts thriving microbiomes to work delivering longevity, aiding digestion and providing the fuel we need to maximize health," he added. "Faced with endless shelves of processed and packaged foods, and surrounded by chronic diseases, consumers are rapidly awakening to the power of the gut microbiome. An avalanche of signals points to a large pool of latent demand. This is One Bio's market," added Nate Redmond of Alpha Edison . " One Bio enables their partners to deliver functional products that reshape global health and unlock growth. We are thrilled to be working with Matt and the talented, passionate leaders who are building a category leading platform company. For more information about One Bio , please visit one.bio . About One Bio : One Bio is a biotechnology company returning healthspan to our diet by reintroducing active plant fibers to our food and reshaping how we approach health and nutrition in everyday products. Using their cutting-edge technology, One Bio has demonstrated its ability to solve malnutrition in the modern diet. The company specializes in releasing short chain fibers from plants, while making them easily consumable and highly effective to invigorate our microbiome and immune system. Through its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, One Bio aims to eradicate inflammatory disease and help people thrive. Press contact: Original Strategies Simone Hassan-Bey simone@originalstrategies.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/one-bio-secures-27-million-in-series-a-funding-to-revolutionize-nutrition-with-launch-of-breakthrough-technology-making-high-dose-anti-inflammatory-plant-fiber-imperceptible-in-food-and-beverage-for-the-first-time-302331656.html SOURCE One Bio

CHILLING cold cases around the world are finally being solved with at-home DNA tests, a forensics expert has revealed. Thanks to the kits, partnered with AI and algorithms, blood-thirsty killers are being caught at rapid rates via family members who send their DNA off to discover their ancestry or find long-lost relatives. DNA testing, otherwise known as genetic genealogy, is one of the techniques that was used to help find the accused University of Idaho quadruple homicide killer. A knife sheath found in the apartment where the killings took place in 2022 was linked to accused 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger through genetic genealogy. A trial date has still not been set in the case against him. And a notorious 27-year-old murder mystery was recently solved after an Ancestry DNA test resulted in an arrest. TikToker Jenna Rose Gerwatowski, 23, revealed in a video that a DNA test led to her grandmother's arrest in an open cold case. An actress also found a suspect in a cold case murder of teenage sweethearts using a DNA ancestry website. Even the Golden State Killer was found after genetic experts and investigators found and studied his third cousins. Then other information like genealogical records, approximate age and crime locations helped to narrow the search down to the sick murderer, his real name Joseph James DeAngelo. When you have unknown DNA at the crime scene, there's no right to privacy for that individual He terrorised the state of California for more than two decades - earning other monikers such as The Night Stalker, The Visalia Ransacker, and The East Area Rapist. Dr Ray Wickenheiser is a recent retiree from the New York State Police Crime Laboratory System where he has been incredibly active in the forensic investigative genetic genealogy department. He told The Sun that cops are moving away from the usual law enforcement databases that store DNA, and trying new routes to catch the world's most heinous criminals. At-home DNA tests have become an extremely effective way to track down those who have spent years hiding away from serving time for their crimes. Dr Wickenheiser explained how normally using law enforcement databases, cops do what is called "direct matching". This is where if somebody is in your "national DNA index" and cops also have DNA from the crime scene, they're able to "look for exactly that individual". But cases have turned cold and victims have not had justice served as an exact match is needed to find those in the police database. And Dr Wickenheiser said if it doesn't match, "well, you're pretty much done". A lot of criminals would not be in the cop's database if they're first-time offenders, nor their relatives - leading experts to publicly access information on genealogy sites. While there has been uproar in the past on how ethical the method is, Dr Wickenheiser argues that using the sites is justified as those directly involved in a crime have "no right to privacy". He said: "Genealogy is one of the biggest hobbies in the US and probably around the world. "People want to know where they came from, who their family tree is. It's just a very interesting thing. "So using essentially what's already in place for a hobby enterprise, and it's the same concept - I'm searching for a long lost relative. I have this profile that's at the crime scene. I want to find a related individual because that's a known person. "And then through building the family trees, I can figure out who this unknown person is. "So when you have unknown DNA at the crime scene, there's no right to privacy for that individual. The existing profile we put into that DNA database, we didn't get a direct match. The fact that you share that DNA with your family tree is allowing us really, frankly, to do our job "Now, what we're doing is using the existing tools of genealogy, searching for a long lost relative, and then using those known people to build a tree, to then try to get back to who could this person be, who was at the scene of the crime, do they have the right age, the right sex, the right location. "We're using existing tools, but we're applying it in a new way." There are currently two sites which, with informed consent, put forward kit users' DNA to law enforcement - GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA. Both sites also allow users to transfer DNA data from other sites like Ancestry, FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe into their database. These can then be accessed by law enforcement who are looking to identify perpetrators of crimes. GED match website reads: "Your kit WILL be compared with kits submitted by law enforcement to identify perpetrators of violent crimes. "The operators of GEDmatch encourage everybody to select this option." AI and algorithms have created a quicker process of catching those at the scene as they map out different DNA before searching and comparing it to others on the database. Dr Wickenheiser explained: "You have search algorithms that do things that we could never do. "You can appreciate there are at this point, for different companies, a total of 40 million people worldwide who have done the same thing. "The idea is you're doing this very complex DNA comparison, but it distils down to a simple number." But Dr Wickenheiser pointed out how there are drawbacks from using AI and various algorithms to catch criminals using genealogy. He described how "so many errors" can occur and potentially catch the wrong people, like those who have been adopted into families. Dr Wickenheiser said: "Genetically there's going to be nuances, there's going to be misappropriated parentage, those things happen and people have to be able to know." While modern tech and genealogy data work hand-in-hand to solve crime - this would not be possible without experts looking over it too and comparing it with other evidence. Dr Wickenheiser said: "We're really cognisant of how big of a deal it is. The fact that every country, including England and their match rate, maybe it's 70 percent of the database. "It still means that you have 30 percent of cases where you have a perpetrator at large, you have their DNA at the crime scene and you haven't been able to find a match. "So those are the cases that we can solve with this technique. "We just want to make sure we know what's going to be scrutinized. "We just want to make sure it's done right and that people can see that it's done right. "It's those fail safes that you want to use technology. "But we have this new magical tool that using the relatedness, other pieces of DNA, other features of DNA, the fact that you share that DNA with your family tree is allowing us really, frankly, to do our job." FOUR University of Idaho students were brutally killed in November 2022. The four students identified by the police on November 14, 2022, were Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. The students’ bodies were found near campus, in a rental house in the city of Moscow, Idaho, on November 13, 2022. Ethan Chapin, 20 College officials report that Ethan Chapin was a freshman and member of the Sigma Chi fraternity from Conway, Washington, majoring in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Management. He was one of a set of triplets who were also students at the University of Idaho and had spent the night before his death with both of his siblings at his sister’s sorority dance. According to social media posts, he was dating Xana Kernodle. Ethan didn’t live in the house but was staying over the night of the murder. Xana Kernodle, 20 Xana was a junior at the University of Idaho majoring in marketing at the College of Business and Economics. She was also a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Xana was allegedly the last of the four students killed in the bloody rampage, and she fought until the very end. An unnamed source told News Nation: “Xana Kernodle put up a fierce fight when the attacker set upon her, repeatedly grabbing the attacker’s knife. “So much so that she sustained deep cuts to her fingers and that her fingers were nearly severed.” Madison Mogen, 21 Madison Mogen was a senior from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, majoring in Marketing. She was the sorority’s director of PR and Marketing and was best friends with fellow victim Kaylee Goncalves. Kaylee’s father even told the public that the girls had been sharing a bed on the night of the murders. At a vigil weeks after the murders, Goncalves’ father Mr Goncalves told how the two “absolutely beautiful” young women first met in sixth grade and became inseparable. “They just found each other and every day they did homework together, they came to our house together, they shared everything,” he said at the time. “Then they started looking at colleges, they came here together. They eventually get into the same apartment together. “And in the end, they died together, in the same room, in the same bed.” Kaylee Goncalves, 21 Kaylee Goncalves was a senior pursuing a General Studies major. She was from Rathdrum, Idaho, and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She planned to move to Austin, Texas, in June after graduation.In a landmark antitrust challenge, U.S. regulators are pushing for a breakup of Alphabet's Google, with proposals to sell its Chrome browser to curb its dominance in the search market. The demands have sparked debates on their feasibility and potential impacts on the tech sector. Legal experts indicate the case might stretch over several years. The departure of the current administration might bring a pro-business stance under President-elect Trump, potentially altering the antitrust proceedings. Critics regard the breakup as extreme, seeing potential benefits countered by possible repercussions for consumer privacy and tech innovations. Google's search ad business, vital to its revenue, could face significant disruptions. Proposals also threaten lucrative partnerships, such as with Apple, and call for sharing search data with competitors. The outcomes could redefine Google's role and influence within the industry. (With inputs from agencies.)Marvell Technology, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend PaymentTechnology and TV writer Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to The Southern Reporter, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. Death in Paradise is set to return for the first time since Ralf Little’s departure earlier this year with its . The actor played DI Neville Parker but the character left Saint Marie with DS Florence Cassell at the end of series 13. Don Gilet will join the cast to replace him as the latest British detective out of his comfort zone in the Caribbean. He is the fifth actor to play the lead role on the beloved BBC series. Advertisement Advertisement But where do you recognise him from - and why did Ralf Little leave the show? Here’s all you need to know: Former Holby City and EastEnders star Don Gilet is the next actor to take the lead role on Death in Paradise. He will play DI Mervin Wilson who makes his debut in the 2024 Christmas Special tonight (December 22). Speaking about the role, Don said: “I'm sure it won't be a surprise to say that it was both exciting and terrifying in equal measure. I liken it to one of those scary rides at a theme park. I'm going on it, and I know it's going to be scary, but I'm going to do it. Advertisement Advertisement “You’re daring yourself. Then you sit in the seat going, “What have I just let myself in for?!” But it was exciting because I knew I was embarking on this new journey.” Eagle-eyed Death in Paradise viewers may actually find the new detective more than a little familiar. Don Gilet actually has appeared on the BBC show once before, appearing in an episode in 2015 alongside Kris Marshall playing a character called Andre Morgan. Beyond that he is best known for his roles as Lucas Johnson on EastEnders, appearing in a number of spells between 2008 and 2024, and Jesse Law on Holby City. He also played DS Nicky Cole in 55 Degrees North from 2004 to 2005. After four years in the lead role on the BBC drama, Ralf Little left the show in March of this year. He had played DI Neville Parker from series 9 through to series 13, having taken over for Ardal O’Hanlon in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Appearing on BBC Breakfast after his final episode, Ralf explained his decision to leave the show . He said: “You know, this last series was always going to be my last series. I spoke to the BBC and Red Planet, the production company, and we all agreed. “If it was just a heart decision I would have wanted to do it for 20 more years. But just for the show and for my character Neville it just sort of felt like his story was finished and his journey deserved to be completed. He deserved a happy ending and it just felt right.” National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our before commenting. Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to The Southern Reporter, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.

Man, 31, charged with double murder of husband and wife

NEW YORK — Same iconic statue, very different race. With two-way star Travis Hunter of Colorado and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty leading the field, these certainly aren't your typical Heisman Trophy contenders. Sure, veteran quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel from top-ranked Oregon and Cam Ward of No. 15 Miami are finalists for college football's most prestigious award as well, but the 90th annual ceremony coming up Saturday night at Lincoln Center in New York City offers a fresh flavor this year. To start with, none of the four are from the powerhouse Southeastern Conference, which has produced four of the past five Heisman winners — two each from Alabama and LSU. Jeanty, who played his home games for a Group of Five team on that peculiar blue turf in Idaho more than 2,100 miles from Manhattan, is the first running back even invited to the Heisman party since 2017. After leading the country with 2,497 yards rushing and 29 touchdowns, he joined quarterback Kellen Moore (2010) as the only Boise State players to be named a finalist. "The running back position has been overlooked for a while now," said Jeanty, who plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft. "There's been a lot of great running backs before me that should have been here in New York, so to kind of carry on the legacy of the running back position I think is great. ... I feel as if I'm representing the whole position." With the votes already in, all four finalists spent Friday conducting interviews and sightseeing in the Big Apple. They were given custom, commemorative watches to mark their achievement. "I'm not a watch guy, but I like it," said Hunter, flashing a smile. The players also took photos beneath the massive billboards in Times Square and later posed with the famous Heisman Trophy, handed out since 1935 to the nation's most outstanding performer. Hunter, the heavy favorite, made sure not to touch it yet. A dominant player on both offense and defense who rarely comes off the field, the wide receiver/cornerback is a throwback to generations gone by and the first full-time, true two-way star in decades. On offense, he had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns this season to help the 20th-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) earn their first bowl bid in four years. On defense, he made four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and forced a critical fumble that secured an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter played 688 defensive snaps and 672 more on offense — the only Power Four conference player with 30-plus snaps on both sides of the ball, according to Colorado research. Call him college football's answer to baseball unicorn Shohei Ohtani. "I think I laid the ground for more people to come in and go two ways," Hunter said. "It starts with your mindset. If you believe you can do it, then you'll be able to do it. And also, I do a lot of treatment. I keep up with my body. I get a lot of recovery." Hunter is Colorado's first Heisman finalist in 30 years. The junior from Suwanee, Georgia, followed flashy coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State, an HBCU that plays in the lower level FCS, to the Rocky Mountains and has already racked up a staggering combination of accolades this week, including The Associated Press player of the year. Hunter also won the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver. "It just goes to show that I did what I had to do," Hunter said. Next, he'd like to polish off his impressive hardware collection by becoming the second Heisman Trophy recipient in Buffaloes history, after late running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994. "I worked so hard for this moment, so securing the Heisman definitely would set my legacy in college football," Hunter said. "Being here now is like a dream come true." Jeanty carried No. 8 Boise State (12-1) to a Mountain West Conference championship that landed the Broncos the third seed in this year's College Football Playoff. They have a first-round bye before facing the SMU-Penn State winner in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal on New Year's Eve. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior from Jacksonville, Florida, won the Maxwell Award as college football's top player and the Doak Walker Award for best running back. Jeanty has five touchdown runs of at least 70 yards and has rushed for the fourth-most yards in a season in FBS history — topping the total of 115 teams this year. He needs 132 yards to break the FBS record set by Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State in 1988. In a pass-happy era, however, Jeanty is trying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry for Alabama nine years ago. In fact, quarterbacks have snagged the prize all but four times this century. Gabriel, an Oklahoma transfer, led Oregon (13-0) to a Big Ten title in its first season in the league and the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The steady senior from Hawaii passed for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns with six interceptions. His 73.2% completion rate ranks second in the nation, and he's attempting to join quarterback Marcus Mariota (2014) as Ducks players to win the Heisman Trophy. "I think all the memories start to roll back in your mind," Gabriel said. Ward threw for 4,123 yards and led the nation with a school-record 36 touchdown passes for the high-scoring Hurricanes (10-2) after transferring from Washington State. The senior from West Columbia, Texas, won the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Year award and is looking to join QBs Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992) as Miami players to go home with the Heisman. "I just think there's a recklessness that you have to play with at the quarterback position," Ward said. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has diedNEW YORK , Dec. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI) between October 30, 2024 and November 26, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important February 3, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased ASP Isotopes securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 3, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) ASP Isotopes overstated the potential effectiveness of its enrichment technology; (2) ASP Isotopes overstated the development potential of its high assay low-enriched uranium facility; (3) ASP Isotopes overstated ASP Isotopes' nuclear fuels operating segment results; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about ASP Isotopes' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the ASP Isotopes class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32062 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspi-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-asp-isotopes-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302337654.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless runih777 。

CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Oncology, Inc. ("Citius Oncology" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTOR), a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of novel targeted oncology therapies, today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Financial Highlights "Reflecting on 2024, Citius Oncology has achieved pivotal milestones that underscore our commitment to advancing cancer therapeutics," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Oncology. "The FDA's approval of LYMPHIR for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma marks a significant advancement in providing new options for patients battling this challenging disease. It is the only targeted systemic therapy approved for CTCL patients since 2018 and the only therapy with a mechanism of action that targets the IL-2 receptor. Additionally, the successful merger forming Citius Oncology, now trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CTOR, strengthens our position in the oncology sector. We expect it to facilitate greater access to capital to fund LYMPHIR's launch and the Company's future growth. With a Phase I investigator-initiated clinical trial combining LYMPHIR with pembrolizumab demonstrating promising preliminary results, indicating potential for enhanced treatment efficacy in recurrent solid tumors, and preliminary results expected from a second investigator trial with CAR-T therapies in 2025, we remain excited about the potential of LYMPHIR as a combination immunotherapy." "These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our team and the trust of our investors. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to develop innovative therapies that improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $4.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $4.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase reflects development activities completed for the resubmission of the Biologics License Application of LYMPHIR in January 2024 , which were associated with the complete response letter remediation. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $8.1 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $5.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-commercial and commercial launch activities of LYMPHIR including market research, marketing, distribution and drug product reimbursement from health plans and payers. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $7.5 million as compared to $2.0 million for the prior year. The primary reason for the $5.5 million increase was due to the amounts being realized over 12 months in the year ended September 30, 2024 , as compared to three months post-plan adoption in the year ended September 30, 2023 . Net loss Net loss was $21.1 million , or ($0.31) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $12.7 million , or ($0.19) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 . The $8.5 million increase in net loss was primarily due to the increase in our operating expenses. About Citius Oncology, Inc. Citius Oncology specialty is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel targeted oncology therapies. In August 2024 , its primary asset, LYMPHIR, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory CTCL who had had at least one prior systemic therapy. Management estimates the initial market for LYMPHIR currently exceeds $400 million , is growing, and is underserved by existing therapies. Robust intellectual property protections that span orphan drug designation, complex technology, trade secrets and pending patents for immuno-oncology use as a combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors would further support Citius Oncology's competitive positioning. Citius Oncology is a publicly traded subsidiary of Citius Pharmaceuticals. For more information, please visit www.citiusonc.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Oncology. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Oncology are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Oncology's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 112 $ — Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,734,895 Total Current Assets 10,968,878 7,734,895 Other Assets: In-process research and development 73,400,000 40,000,000 Total Other Assets 73,400,000 40,000,000 Total Assets $ 84,368,878 $ 47,734,895 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 3,711,622 $ 1,289,045 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses — 259,071 Due to related party 588,806 19,499,119 Total Current Liabilities 32,700,429 21,047,235 Deferred tax liability 1,728,000 1,152,000 Note payable to related party 3,800,111 — Total Liabilities 38,228,540 22,199,235 Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized: no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000; 71,552,402 and 67,500,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,155 6,750 Additional paid-in capital 85,411,771 43,658,750 Accumulated deficit (39,278,587) (18,129,840) Total Stockholders' Equity 46,140,339 25,535,660 Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 84,368,878 $ 47,734,895 CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 4,925,001 4,240,451 General and administrative 8,148,929 5,915,290 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 7,498,817 1,965,500 Total Operating Expenses 20,572,747 12,121,241 Loss before Income Taxes (20,572,747) (12,121,241) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss $ (21,148,747) $ (12,697,241) Net Loss Per Share – Basic and Diluted $ (0.31) $ (0.19) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic and Diluted 68,053,607 67,500,000 CITIUS ONCOLOGY, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net loss $ (21,148,747) $ (12,697,241) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock-based compensation expense 7,498,817 1,965,500 Deferred income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Inventory (2,133,871) - Prepaid expenses (1,100,000) (5,044,713) Accounts payable 2,422,577 1,196,734 Accrued expenses (259,071) (801,754) Due to related party 14,270,648 14,805,474 Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities 126,353 - Cash Flows From Investing Activities: License payment (5,000,000) - Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (5,000,000) - Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Cash contributed by parent 3,827,944 - Merger, net (2,754,296) - Proceeds from issuance of note payable to related party 3,800,111 - Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 4,873,759 - Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 112 - Cash and Cash Equivalents – Beginning of Year - - Cash and Cash Equivalents – End of Year $ 112 $ - Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Activities: IPR&D Milestones included in License Payable $ 28,400,000 $RQI: REIT Downturn Makes Pricing More Attractive (Rating Upgrade)

Luka Doncic returns to Dallas Mavericks' lineup after missing two games with left heel contusionNagpur: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ( RSS ) chief Mohan Bhagwat said the British colonial rulers deliberately distorted Indian history in its educational curriculum to create an impression that India was always occupied by outsiders. "This was done after they saw during the freedom struggle of 1857 that despite so much internal strife, the people of the country could unite against a foreign aggressor," he said. "It was taught that Dravidians overthrew the original inhabitants of India. Later, the Aryans overthrew the Dravidians. The idea was to establish a false theory that these were all outsiders and that the people of India did not have the strength to rule on their own. It was done to show that if Indians opposed the British because they were outsiders, even they had foreign origins. Much evidence has now emerged which negates the theory that has been taught for ages," said Bhagwat. The RSS chief was addressing students of Somalwar Nikalas High School after the Annasaheb Somalwar Memorial Initiative for Rewarding Excellence (ASSMIRE) awards. Stressing the importance of education , he said money should not be the ultimate goal of learning. Bhagwat said Mahatma Gandhi himself did not own any wealth, yet industrialists like Jamnalal Bajaj would bow down before him because of his virtues. "Despite technological development and the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence, the role of teachers will always remain relevant because students learn from what they see, and teachers are their role models," he said. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .

In November, posts connecting The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank behind Project 2025 , and Hobby Lobby were shared across social media platforms. Project 2025 is an initiative launched in April 2022 to provide a roadmap for the next conservative president to transform the government in favor of conservative social policies and ideals. The social media posts claim The Heritage Foundation’s Director of Finance David Green also owns Hobby Lobby, a retail chain that specializes in crafts and home décor. Hobby Lobby has a history of advocating for various conservative causes. “The Heritage Foundation is behind Project25. Their Director of Finance is David Green. Owner of Hobby Lobby. You know what to do,” one of the posts says . THE QUESTION Does The Heritage Foundation’s director of finance own Hobby Lobby? THE SOURCES Bio for David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, on the company’s website Photo of David Green, the director of finance at The Heritage Foundation, on the think tank’s website Ellen Keenan, a spokesperson for The Heritage Foundation THE ANSWER No, The Heritage Foundation’s director of finance does not own Hobby Lobby. WHAT WE FOUND Claims that The Heritage Foundation’s finance director owns Hobby Lobby are false. The founder and current CEO of Hobby Lobby and The Heritage Foundation’s director of finance both have the name David Green, but they are two different people. However, both of them do have ties to conservative causes. “No, they are not the same person,” Ellen Keenan, a spokesperson for The Heritage Foundation, wrote in an email to VERIFY addressing the false online claims. Photos of both David Greens on the Hobby Lobby and The Heritage Foundation websites also show they bear no resemblance to one another. The men are not the same age, either. Hobby Lobby’s David Green was 83 years old as of April 2024, according to Forbes . VERIFY couldn’t confirm an exact age for The Heritage Foundation’s David Green, but he appears to be much younger. The Heritage Foundation’s David Green The Heritage Foundation’s website only includes David Green’s job title and his photo. Alongside his role as the director of finance, Green serves as the think tank’s controller for finance and accounting. According to his LinkedIn profile , he graduated from Virginia Tech in 1994 and worked in the finance industry for more than two decades before joining The Heritage Foundation. He has worked at The Heritage Foundation for just over three years. Hobby Lobby’s David Green In 1970, David Green, the founder and current CEO of Hobby Lobby and his wife began selling miniature picture frames out of their home. Two years later, the first official Hobby Lobby store opened in Oklahoma City, according to the company. All of Green’s children also work for Hobby Lobby. His son, Mart, serves as the ministry investment officer; his son, Steve, is the company’s president; and his daughter, Darsee Lett, is the vice president of art/creative, according to the company. His son-in-law, Steve Lett, is the executive vice president of Hobby Lobby. Green said in October 2022 that he was giving away ownership of Hobby Lobby. At the time, he said 100% of the company’s voting stock was moved to a trust. The confusion online may stem from the fact that Hobby Lobby’s Green and his family have aligned themselves with conservative Christian causes over the years. In 2014, Hobby Lobby was the lead plaintiff in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that centered around the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) mandate that employers provide health insurance coverage for birth control. Green and his family argued that the mandate violated their religious beliefs since it required them to cover certain forms of contraception they considered morally objectionable. In a 5-4 decision , the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hobby Lobby on June 30, 2014, affirming that certain types of companies with religious objections can avoid the contraceptives requirement in the ACA. Hobby Lobby has also donated tens of millions of dollars to religious groups over the years and the company, which is known for closing stores on Sundays, funded the creation of a museum dedicated to the Bible that opened in Washington, D.C., in 2017. The Associated Press contributed to this report.Citius Oncology, Inc. Reports Fiscal Full Year 2024 Financial Results and Provides Business UpdateTitans coach says WR Treylon Burks recently had surgery to fix partially torn ACLMichigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant declares for NFL draft

Cancer Horoscope Today: Expenditures might rise

Stock market today: Wall Street’s rally stalls as Nasdaq pulls back from its recordFinnish startup bags €29M to decarbonise this niche building materialnn777 fun 。

Louisiana GOP lawmakers want to make it easier to try juveniles as adultsMom of Vancouver Canucks forward Teddy Blueger wins $100,000 in 50/50 drawWASHINGTON — Weeks before leaving office, President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter Biden on federal felony gun and tax convictions in two cases. The Democratic president previously said he wouldn't pardon his son or commute his sentence. The pardon came weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges. The pardon also comes less than two months before President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to the White House for a second term. Before leaving office for the first time in 2020, Trump issued close to 200 pardons and commutations in his final days as president. With the controversial pardon of his son from Biden, here's a look back at who Trump pardoned at the end of his first term. RELATED: Read: All 143 Trump pardons, commutations announced on his final day as president RELATED: A look at the 29 people President Donald Trump pardoned or gave commutations to Former Rep. Duncan Hunter of California Hunter was sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing campaign funds and spending the money on everything from outings with friends to his daughter’s birthday party. Former Rep. Chris Collins of New York Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse Trump to be president, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison after admitting he helped his son and others dodge $800,000 in stock market losses when he learned that a drug trial by a small pharmaceutical company had failed. Rep. Phil Lyman of Utah Utah state Rep. Phil Lyman was serving as a county commissioner in 2014 when he led a protest of about 50 ATV riders in a canyon home to Native American cliff dwellings that officials closed to motorized traffic. Government contractors Four former government contractors were pardoned after being convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad that left more than a dozen Iraqi civilians dead and caused an international uproar over the use of private security guards in a war zone. Supporters of Nicholas Slatten, Paul Slough, Evan Liberty and Dustin Heard, the former contractors at Blackwater Worldwide, had lobbied for pardons, arguing that the men had been excessively punished in an investigation and prosecution they said was tainted by problems and withheld exculpatory evidence. All four were serving lengthy prison sentences. Russia investigation Trump also announced pardons for allies ensnared in the Russia investigation. One was for George Papadopoulos, his 2016 campaign adviser whose conversation unwittingly helped trigger the Russia investigation that shadowed Trump’s presidency for nearly two years. He also pardoned Alex van der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to 30 days in prison for lying to investigators during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. Van der Zwaan and Papadopoulos are the third and fourth Russia investigation defendants granted clemency. By pardoning them, Trump once again took aim at Mueller’s probe and pushed a broader effort to undo the results of the investigation that yielded criminal charges against a half-dozen associates. Michael Flynn, former national security adviser Trump pardoned former national security adviser Michael Flynn , who had twice pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, and months earlier commuted the sentence of another associate, Roger Stone, days before he was to report to prison. Former U.S. Border Patrol agents Two former U.S. Border Patrol agents were also pardoned, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, convicted of shooting and wounding a Mexican drug smuggler near El Paso, Texas, in 2005. Dentist, convicted drug criminals, moonshiner Others on the list included a Pittsburgh dentist who pleaded guilty to health care fraud, two women convicted of drug crimes, and Alfred Lee Crum who pleaded guilty in 1952 when he was 19 to helping his wife’s uncle illegally distill moonshine. Crum served three years of probation and paid a $250 fine. The White House said Crum has maintained a clean record and a strong marriage for nearly 70 years, attended the same church for 60 years, raised four children and regularly participated in charity fundraising events. Paul Manafort Manafort was Trump’s former campaign chairman and was among the first people to be charged in Mueller’s investigation, which examined possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election campaign. He was released from a low-security federal prison in May 2020 to serve his sentence on home confinement due to concerns about the coronavirus. Prior to his release, he had been jailed since June 2018 and was serving more than seven years in prison following his conviction. Manafort was prosecuted in two federal courts and was convicted by a jury in federal court in Virginia in 2018 and later pleaded guilty in Washington. He was sentenced March 2019 and was immediately hit with state charges in New York after prosecutors accused him of giving false information on a mortgage loan application. A New York judge threw out state mortgage fraud charges, ruling that the criminal case was too similar to one that already landed Manafort in prison. Prosecutors appealed that ruling last month. Roger Stone Stone has been a longtime friend and ally of Trump. He was also convicted in Mueller’s investigation for lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstructing the House investigation into whether Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election. Trump commuted his sentence just days before he was scheduled to report to federal prison. Then, he issued Stone a full pardon. Pardoning Manafort and Stone underscores the president-elect's lingering rage over Mueller’s investigation and is part of a continuing effort by Trump to rewrite the narrative of a probe that shadowed his presidency for two years. Charles Kushner Kushner is the father of Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a wealthy real estate executive who pleaded guilty years ago to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. The two knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. Trump issued him a full pardon. Kushner, who is from New Jersey, pleaded guilty to 18 counts that also included witness tampering and was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison, but emerged to resume his career in real estate and his company Kushner Cos. purchased the famed Watchtower complex along the Brooklyn Bridge, the former headquarters for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Kushner was also a major Democratic donor, and agreed to pay $508, 900 to the Federal Election Commission after he violated contribution regulations by failing to obtain an OK from partners to whom more than $500,000 in campaign contributions were attributed. But, he donated more than $100,000 to Trump’s 2015 campaign. Margaret Hunter Hunter is the wife of former U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, who Trump pardoned. Along with her husband, she was also convicted of conspiracy to misuse campaign funds and was sentenced to three years of probation. Her husband, a Southern California Republican, had pleaded guilty to stealing about $150,000 from his campaign funds to pay for a lavish lifestyle, from vacations to outings with friends, private school tuition and his daughter’s birthday party. John Tate and Jesse Benton The men were top staffers on Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign and convicted in 2016 of causing false records and campaign expenditure reports to be filed to the Federal Election Commission. Prosecutors said Tate, Benton and a third campaign official tried to hide $73,000 in payments to former Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson for his endorsement of Paul. They argue that they broke no laws when they concealed the payments through a third-party campaign vendor. The White House said the pardons were supported by a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission and by Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky who is also the son of Ron Paul. Stephanie Mohr The former Maryland police officer was convicted in 2001 of violating a homeless man’s civil rights by letting her police dog attack him even though he had surrendered. Prosecutors said after the man had surrendered, Mohr released her police dog and the canine bit into the man’s leg, requiring ten stitches. Mohr, the first canine handler in the Prince George’s County police force, served 10 years in prison. She was convicted of violating the man’s civil rights under the color of authority; another officer who faced trial in the case was acquitted. Gary Brugman The former U.S. Border Patrol agent was convicted of striking and violating the civil rights of a man who had crossed the U.S. border illegally. Court records said Brugman and other Border Patrol officers had stopped a group of people who crossed the border illegally and during the encounter, he struck one of the men with his foot, pushing him to the ground and then hit the man with his hands. The man later filed a complaint when he was in custody at a Border Patrol station. Brugman had worked as a Border Patrol agent for four years in Eagle Pass, Texas. He served 27 months in prison. The White House said his pardon was supported by several Republican members of Congress and conservative media personalities, including Laura Ingraham, Sara Carter, Glenn Beck and Lou Dobbs, along with former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik, who also was convicted of a federal crime and pardoned by Trump. Mary McCarty McCarty, a former county commissioner in Palm Beach County, Florida, was issued a full pardon. She was convicted of a federal criminal charge for honest services fraud. When she was convicted, prosecutors said she had misused her position as a county commissioner to “personally enrich herself, her husband, and their associates through a series of municipal bond transactions” and by receiving gifts and gratuities from people doing business with the Board of County Commissioners. The White House said her pardon was supported by former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Christopher Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax Media. Mark Siljander The former Southwest Michigan congressman was convicted of obstructing justice and failing to register as a foreign agent. He was sentenced to serve more than a year in prison after being accused of accepting stolen funds on behalf of a Missouri charity with alleged terrorism ties. Prosecutors said an associate had conspired to hire Siljander to lobby for the charity’s removal from a government list of charities suspected of funding international terrorism. The charity closed in October 2004 after being designated a global terrorist organization by the U.S. government Christopher II X, formerly Christopher Anthony Bryant The prominent community leader in Louisville, Kentucky, was issued a full pardon for his conviction on federal drug charges. He was also issued a pardon by Kentucky’s governor for state offenses in 2019. The White House said he has been a “powerful example of the possibility of redemption,” pointing to his struggle to overcome drug addiction and his work with nonprofit and community groups in Kentucky. Robert Coughlin Coughlin worked in the Justice Department and was convicted of a conflict of interest charge for his role in the influence peddling scandal surrounding former lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He admitted in court in 2009 that he provided assistance to Abramoff’s lobbying team and its clients while accepting free meals and drinks and tickets to sporting events and concerts from Abramoff lobbying partner Kevin Ring. He was issued a full pardon. Joseph Occhipinti Occhipinti was an agent with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service when he was convicted in 1991 of conspiracy to violate civil rights under the color of law and making false statements. Authorities charged that he illegally detained and searched Hispanic store owners in New York City and then made false statements to cover-up those activities. His sentence was commuted after seven months in prison by President George H.W. Bush. The White House said he had earned 76 commendations during his career, including from three attorneys general. Rickey Kanter Kanter founded a company known as Dr. Comfort, selling special shoes and inserts for diabetics, and was convicted of mail fraud tied to illegal Medicare reimbursements. He was sentenced to serve a year and a day in federal prison. He had also paid a multimillion-dollar civil fine. Federal prosecutors said his diabetic shoe inserts did not meet Medicare requirements, but they were sold to Medicare beneficiaries and the company was reimbursed by the federal government. Daniela Gozes-Wagner The Houston woman was convicted in a $50 million health care fraud scheme in 2017. Federal prosecutors said she conspired with others to falsely bill Medicare and Medicaid for millions of dollars’ worth of medical tests that were either unnecessary or just never performed. She received a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay $15.2 million in restitution. The president commuted her sentence; the White House said the commutation was supported by several former U.S. attorneys general. Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky Trump commuted Shapiro and Stitsky’s sentences after they were convicted in federal court in New York of defrauding more than 250 people in a $23 million real estate scam. Both men were convicted and sentenced to serve 85 years in federal prison. Prosecutors said Stitsky and Shapiro also diverted millions of dollars of investor funds for their own benefit. The White House said the men had been offered plea deals to serve no more than nine years but had turned them down and chose instead to go to trial. A White House news release praised the men as “model prisoners,” who had earned support and praise from other inmates. Topeka Sam Sam, now a criminal justice advocate who helped work on a bipartisan criminal justice overhaul that Trump often touts, was convicted of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and served three years of a more than 10-year prison sentence. She was in the White House when Trump signed the overhaul measure, known as the First Step Act, into law. Sam posted a video on Twitter shortly after the pardon was announced, thanking Trump, and saying, “this is all so surreal.” Her case had been championed by other criminal justice reform advocates like Alice Marie Johnson, whose life sentence Trump commuted in 2018 at the urging of reality TV star Kim Kardashian West. James Batmasian Batmasian is a real-estate investor and runs property management companies in South Florida. He pleaded guilty to cheating the federal government out of more than $250,000 by failing to pay federal taxes for employees at his company. He was an influential developer and at the time was one of the largest landowners in Boca Raton, Florida. He served an eight-month prison sentence. Cesar Lozada Lozada was convicted of conspiring to distribute marijuana and served a 14-month prison sentence. He was granted a full pardon. The White House said Lozada is an immigrant from Cuba who started a pool cleaning business near Miami, Florida, and employs dozens of people. Joseph Martin Stephens Stephens pleaded guilty in 2008 to being a felon in possession a firearm, a federal offense. He has previously been convicted of a felony offense in 1991, when he was 19 years old, the White House said. He served 18 months in prison and was issued a full pardon. Andrew Barron Worden Wordon, who runs an investment firm and a solar energy company, was convicted of wire fraud in 1998. The White House said he “made mistakes in running an investment firm he founded.” Records from the Securities and Exchange Commission show Worden was accused of defrauding several brokerage firms out of more than $130,000. He was issued a full pardon. The White House said Worden had begun to repay his victims before criminal charges were filed. John Boultbee, Peter Atkinson The two men were senior executives at Hollinger International and associates of media tycoon Conrad Black. Boultbee and Atkinson were found guilty of three counts of mail fraud and each served a year in prison. Black was a co-defendant in the case and was also convicted; Trump previously pardoned him. Rebekah Charleston Charleston was arrested in 2006 for tax evasion, and the White House said she is a victim of sex trafficking who was forced into prostitution. Officials said she volunteers to help sex trafficking victims and her pardon was also supported by a law enforcement agent who arrested her. William J. Plemons Jr. The White House said Plemons was convicted of various financial crimes in the late 1990s and early 2000s and served 27 months in federal prison. Officials said he served in the Air Force and supported several charitable organizations. James Kassouf Kassouf pleaded guilty in 1989 to a federal tax offense. The White House said that since his convicted, he has been devoted to his church, fire department and works with charitable organizations. Christopher Wade The White House said Wade was convicted of multiple cyber-related offenses and has “shown remorse and sought to make his community a safer place.” He was issued a full pardon. Russell Plaisance Trump granted a posthumous pardon for Plaisance, who was convicted of conspiracy to important cocaine from a 1987 case, which the White House said stemmed from “one conversation in which he participated.” A White House news release cited the judge who presided over his sentencing saying that the actions were inconsistent with Plaisance’s life history and character. Officials said he has built a tugboat business that has seven vessels and employs 50 people. The White House said the prosecutors involved in his case did not object to the pardon. Todd Boulanger President Trump granted a full pardon to Todd Boulanger, according to the White House. In 2008, Mr. Boulanger pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Boulanger is a veteran of the United States Army Reserves and was honorably discharged. He has also received an award from the City of the District of Columbia for heroism for stopping and apprehending an individual who assaulted an elderly woman with a deadly weapon on Capitol Hill. Abel Holtz President Trump granted a full pardon to Abel Holtz, the White House said. In 2020, Holtz was 86 years old. In 1995, he pled guilty to one count of impeding a grand jury investigation and was sentenced to 45 days in prison. Holtz has "devoted extensive time and resources to supporting charitable causes in South Florida, including substantial donations to the City of Miami Beach," the White House said. Rep. Rick Renzi of Arizona President Trump granted a full pardon to Representative Rick Renzi of Arizona, the White House said. In 2013, Renzi was convicted of extortion, bribery, insurance fraud, money laundering, and racketeering. He was sentenced to 2 years in Federal prison, 2 years of supervised release, and paid a $25,000 fine. Before his conviction, Mr. Renzi served three terms in the House of Representatives. Kenneth Kurson President Trump granted a full pardon to Kenneth Kurson. Prosecutors have charged Mr. Kurson with cyberstalking related to his divorce from his ex-wife in 2015. In a powerful letter to the prosecutors, Mr. Kurson’s ex-wife wrote on his behalf that she never wanted this investigation or arrest and, “repeatedly asked for the FBI to drop it... I hired a lawyer to protect me from being forced into yet another round of questioning. My disgust with this arrest and the subsequent articles is bottomless...” This investigation only began because Mr. Kurson was nominated for a role within the Trump Administration, the White House said. Casey Urlacher President Trump granted a full pardon to Casey Urlacher, the White House said. Urlacher has been charged with conspiracy to engage in illegal gambling. Carl Andrews Boggs President Trump granted a full pardon to Carl Andrews Boggs, the White House said. In 2013, Mr. Boggs pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy. Jaime A. Davidson President Trump commuted the sentence of Jaime A. Davidson, the White House said. In 1993, Mr. Davidson was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in relation to the murder of an undercover officer. Although Mr. Davidson has been incarcerated for nearly 29 years, the admitted shooter has already been released from prison, the White House said. James E. Johnson, Jr. President Trump granted a full pardon to James E. Johnson, Jr., the White House said. In 2008, Johnson pled guilty to charges related to migratory birds. Johnson received 1 year probation, was barred from hunting during that period, and a $7,500 fine was imposed. Tommaso Buti President Trump granted a full pardon to Tommaso Buti, an Italian citizen and businessman, the White House said. More than 20 years ago, Mr. Buti was charged with financial fraud involving a chain of restaurants. He has not, however, been convicted in the United States, according to the administration. Bill K. Kapri, aka Kodak Black President Trump granted a commutation to Bill Kapri, more commonly known as Kodak Black. Kodak Black is a prominent artist and community leader, according to the White House. Kodak Black was sentenced to 46 months in prison for making a false statement on a Federal document. Jawad A. Musa President Trump commuted the sentence of Jawad A. Musa. In 1991, Musa was sentenced to life imprisonment for a non-violent, drug-related offense. Mr. Musa’s sentencing judge and the prosecutor on the case have both requested clemency on his behalf. He was 56 years old in 2020. Adriana Shayota President Trump commuted the sentence of Adriana Shayota. She was convicted of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods, commit copyright infringement, and introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce. Glen Moss President Trump granted a full pardon to Glen Moss. After pleading guilty in 1998, Mr. Moss has been a vital member of his community, the White House said. Anthony Levandowski President Trump granted a full pardon to Anthony Levandowski. Levandowski pled guilty to a single criminal count arising from civil litigation. Aviem Sella President Trump granted a full pardon to Aviem Sella, who was indicted in 1986 for espionage in relation to the Jonathan Pollard case. Michael Liberty President Trump granted a full pardon to Michael Liberty. In 2016 Liberty was convicted for campaign finance violations and later was indicted for related offenses. Greg Reyes President Trump granted a full pardon to Greg Reyes. Reyes was the former CEO of Brocade Communications. Mr. Reyes was convicted of securities fraud. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, threw out his convictions, finding prosecutorial misconduct. He was later retried, convicted, and sentenced to 18 months in Federal prison. Ferrell Damon Scott President Trump commuted the sentence of Ferrell Damon Scott. Scott served nearly 9 years of a life imprisonment sentence for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Jerry Donnell Walden President Trump commuted the sentence of Jerry Donnell Walden. Walden has served 23 years of a 40-year prison sentence. Jeffrey Alan Conway President Trump granted a full pardon to Jeffrey Alan Conway. Benedict Olberding President Trump granted a full pardon to Benedict Olberding, who was convicted on one count of bank fraud. Syrita Steib-Martin President Trump granted a full pardon to Syrita Steib-Martin. Steib-Martin was convicted at the age of 19 and sentenced to 10 years in prison and nearly $2 million in restitution for the use of fire to commit a felony. After her release from prison, she became an advocate for criminal justice reform and founded Operation Restoration. Michael Ashley President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Ashley. Ashley was convicted and sentenced to 3 years in prison for bank fraud. Lou Hobbs President Trump commuted the sentence of Lou Hobbs. Hobbs had served 24 years of his life sentence in 2020. Matthew Antoine Canady President Trump commuted the sentence of Matthew Antoine Canady. Mario Claiborne President Trump commuted the sentence of Mario Claiborne. Claiborne was serving life imprisonment and had already served more than 28 years in prison. Rodney Nakia Gibson President Trump commuted the sentence of Rodney Nakia Gibson. In 2009, Mr. Gibson was convicted of trafficking drugs. Mr. Gibson was a first-time, non-violent offender who has been a “model inmate” for more than 11 years in custody. Tom Leroy Whitehurst President Trump commuted the sentence of Tom Leroy Whitehurst from life to 30 years. Mr. Whitehurst led a conspiracy to manufacture at least 16.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and possessed numerous firearms during the course of the conspiracy. Monstsho Eugene Vernon President Trump commuted the sentence of Monstsho Eugene Vernon. Mr. Vernon served over 19 years in prison for committing a string of armed bank robberies in Greenville, South Carolina. Luis Fernando Sicard President Trump commuted the sentence of Luis Fernando Sicard. Mr. Sicard was sentenced in 2000 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. DeWayne Phelps President Trump commuted the sentence of DeWayne Phelps. He served 11 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Isaac Nelson President Trump commuted the sentence of Isaac Nelson. He was serving a mandatory 20-year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. Traie Tavares Kelly President Trump commuted the sentence of Traie Tavares Kelly. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. Javier Gonzales President Trump commuted the sentence of Javier Gonzales. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine in 2005. Eric Wesley Patton President Trump granted a full pardon to Eric Wesley Patton. Mr. Patton was convicted of making a false statement on a mortgage application in 1999. Robert William Cawthon President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert William Cawthon. Cawthon was convicted in 1992 for making a false statement on a bank loan application and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation, conditioned upon 180 days’ home confinement. Hal Knudson Mergler President Trump granted a full pardon to Hal Knudson Mergler. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in 1992. He received 1 month imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution. Gary Evan Hendler President Trump granted a full pardon to Gary Evan Hendler. In 1984, Mr. Hendler was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled substances and served 3 years’ probation for his crime. John Harold Wall President Trump granted a full pardon to John Harold Wall. Mr. Wall was convicted of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in 1992. He completed a 60-month prison sentence with 4 years’ supervised release. Steven Samuel Grantham President Trump granted a full pardon to Steven Samuel Grantham. Mr. Grantham was convicted in 1967 for stealing a vehicle. He received 18-months imprisonment, and 2 years’ probation. Clarence Olin Freeman President Trump granted a full pardon to Clarence Olin Freeman. Freeman was convicted in 1965 for operating an illegal whiskey still. He received 9 months imprisonment and 5 years’ probation. Fred Keith Alford President Trump granted a full pardon to Fred Keith Alford. He was convicted in 1977 for a firearm violation and served 1 year’s unsupervised probation. John Knock President Trump commuted the sentence of John Knock. This commutation is supported by his family. Mr. Knock was a 73 year-old man in 2020, a first-time, non-violent marijuana only offender, who has served 24 years of a life sentence. Kenneth Charles Fragoso President Trump commuted the sentence of Kenneth Charles Fragoso. Mr. Fragoso is a 66-year-old United States Navy veteran who has served more than 30 years of a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense. Luis Gonzalez President Trump commuted the sentence of Luis Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez is a 78-year-old non-violent drug offender who has served more than 27 years of a life sentence. Anthony DeJohn President Trump commuted the sentence of Anthony DeJohn. Mr. DeJohn has served more than 13 years of a life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Corvain Cooper President Trump commuted the sentence of Mr. Corvain Cooper. In 2020, he had served more than 7 years of a life sentence for his non-violent participation in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Way Quoe Long President Trump commuted the sentence of Way Quoe Long. Mr. Long is a 58-year-old who has served nearly half of a 50-year sentence for a non-violent conviction for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Michael Pelletier President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Pelletier. Mr. Pelletier is a 64 year-old who has served 12 years of a 30 year sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Craig Cesal President Trump commuted the sentence of Craig Cesal. Mr. Cesal is a father of two, one of whom unfortunately passed away while he was serving his life sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Darrell Frazier President Trump commuted the sentence of Darrell Frazier. Mr. Frazier is a 60-year-old who has served 29 years of a life sentence for non-violent conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Lavonne Roach President Trump commuted the sentence of Lavonne Roach. Ms. Roach has served 23 years of a 30-year sentence for non-violent drug charges. Blanca Virgen President Trump commuted the sentence of Blanca Virgen. Ms. Virgen had served 12 years of a 30-year sentence. Robert Francis President Trump commuted the sentence of Robert Francis. Mr. Francis has served 18 years of a life sentence for non-violent drug conspiracy charges. Brian Simmons President Trump commuted the sentence of Brian Simmons. Mr. Simmons has served 5 years of a 15-year sentence for a non-violent conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Derrick Smith President Trump commuted the sentence of Derrick Smith. Mr. Smith is a 53-year-old who has served more than 20 years of a nearly 30-year sentence for distribution of drugs to a companion who passed away. Raymond Hersman President Trump commuted the sentence of Raymond Hersman. Mr. Hersman is a 55-year-old father of two who has served more than 9 years of a 20-year sentence. David Barren President Trump commuted the sentence of David Barren. He served 13 years of his life sentence in addition to 20 years for a non-violent drug conspiracy charge. James Romans President Trump commuted the sentence of James Romans. Mr. Romans is a father and a grandfather who received a life sentence without parole for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Jonathon Braun President Trump commuted the sentence of Jonathan Braun. Mr. Braun has served 5 years of a 10-year sentence for conspiracy to import marijuana and to commit money laundering. Michael Harris President Trump commuted the sentence of Michael Harris. Mr. Harris is a 59 year old who has served 30 years of a 25 year to life sentence for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Kyle Kimoto President Trump commuted the sentence of Kyle Kimoto. Mr. Kimoto is a father of six who has served 12 years of his 29 year sentence for a non-violent telemarketing fraud scheme. Chalana McFarland President Trump commuted the sentence of Chalana McFarland. Ms. McFarland has served 15 years of a 30-year sentence. Though she went to trial, Ms. McFarland actually cooperated with authorities by informing them of a potential attack on the United States Attorney. Her co-defendants who pled guilty, however, received lesser sentences ranging from 5 to 87 months. Eliyahu Weinstein President Trump commuted the sentence of Eliyahu Weinstein. He was serving his eighth year of a 24-year sentence for real estate investment fraud. John Estin Davis President Trump commuted the sentence of John Estin Davis. He spent 4 months incarcerated for serving as Chief Executive Office of a healthcare company with a financial conflict of interest. Alex Adjmi President Trump granted a full pardon to Alex Adjmi. In 1996, Mr. Adjmi was convicted of a financial crime and served 5 years in prison. Elliott Broidy President Trump granted a full pardon to Elliott Broidy. Mr. Broidy is the former Deputy National Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee. Broidy was convicted on one count of conspiracy to serve as an unregistered agent of a foreign principal. Stephen K. Bannon President Trump granted a full pardon to Stephen Bannon. Prosecutors pursued Mr. Bannon with charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project. Douglas Jemal President Trump granted a full pardon to Douglas Jemal. In 2008, Mr. Jemal was convicted of fraud. Noah Kleinman President Trump commuted the sentence of Noah Kleinman. He served 6 years of a nearly 20-year sentence for a non-violent crime to distribute marijuana. Dr. Scott Harkonen President Trump granted a full pardon Dr. Scott Harkonen. Dr. Harkonen was convicted of fraud based on a misleading caption in a press release with respect to a treatment for a disease, the White House said. Johnny D. Phillips, Jr. President Trump granted a full pardon to Johnny D. Phillips, Jr. In 2016, Mr. Phillips was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud. Dr. Mahmoud Reza Banki President Trump granted a full pardon to Dr. Mahmoud Reza Banki. In 2010 Dr. Banki was charged with monetary violations of Iranian sanctions and making false statements. The charges related to sanctions violations were subsequently overturned by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Tena Logan President Trump commuted the sentence of Tena Logan. Ms. Logan served 8 years of a 14-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. MaryAnne Locke President Trump commuted the sentence of MaryAnne Locke. She served roughly 11 years of a nearly 20-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. April Coots President Trump commuted the sentence of April Coots. Ms. Coots served more than 10 years of her 20-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Caroline Yeats President Trump commuted the sentence of Caroline Yeats. Ms. Yeats was a first-time, non-violent drug offender who has served nearly 7 years of a 20-year sentence. Jodi Lynn Richter President Trump commuted the sentence of Jodi Lynn Richter. Ms. Richter has served 10 years of a 15-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Kristina Bohnenkamp President Trump commuted the sentence of Kristina Bohnenkamp. She served more than 10 years of a 24-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Mary Roberts President Trump commuted the sentence of Mary Roberts. She served 10 years of a 19-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Cassandra Ann Kasowski President Trump commuted the sentence of Cassandra Ann Kasowski. She served more than 7 years of a 17-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Lerna Lea Paulson President Trump commuted the sentence of Lerna Lea Paulson. She served nearly 7 years of a 17-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Ann Butler President Trump commuted the sentence of Ann Butler. Ms. Butler has served more than 10 years of a nearly 20-year sentence for a non-violent offense. Sydney Navarro President Trump commuted the sentence of Sydney Navarro. She served nearly 8 years of a 27-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. Tara Perry President Trump commuted the sentence of Tara Perry. She served nearly 7 years of a 16-year sentence for a non-violent drug offense. John Nystrom President Trump granted a full pardon to John Nystrom, who, other than this conviction, was described by his sentencing judge as a “model citizen.” Over 10 years ago, while working as a contractor on a school reconstruction project, Mr. Nystrom failed to alert the proper authorities when he learned that a subcontractor was receiving double payments for work performed, the White House said. Mr. Nystrom took full responsibility for this oversight and even tried to pay the Crowe Creek Tribe, who was paying for the work, restitution before he pled guilty. Gregory Jorgensen, Deborah Jorgensen, Martin Jorgensen President Trump granted full pardons to Gregory and Deborah Jorgensen, and a posthumous pardon to Martin Jorgensen. In the 1980s, Gregory and his father, Martin, gathered a group of South Dakota cattle producers to market and sold processed beef. The Jorgensen’s marketed their beef under the Dakota Lean brand and sold the premium product as heart-healthy and antibiotic- and hormone-free. When demand outstripped supply, Gregory, Deborah, and Martin mixed in inferior, commercial beef trim and knowingly sold misbranded beef. Jessica Frease President Trump granted a full pardon to Jessica Frease. She was 20 years old when she was convicted after converting stolen checks and negotiating them through the bank where she worked as a teller. Upon her arrest, however, she immediately relinquished the stolen funds to the authorities. After serving her two year sentence, she was granted early termination of her supervised release. Robert Cannon “Robin” Hayes President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Cannon “Robin” Hayes. The former North Carolina Congressman was serving a 1-year term of probation for making a false statement in the course of a Federal investigation. Thomas Kenton “Ken” Ford President Trump granted a full pardon to Ken Ford, a 38-year veteran of the coal industry and currently the General Manager of a coal company. Twenty years ago, Mr. Ford made a material misstatement to Federal mining officials. Mr. Ford pled guilty and served a sentence of 3 years’ probation. Jon Harder President Trump commuted the sentence of Jon Harder, former President and CEO of Sunwest Management Inc., who served nearly 5 years of a 15-year prison sentence. Mr. Harder was serving as president and CEO of Sunwest Management Inc., a large management company overseeing residential senior care facilities when he misused investment funds during the real estate crisis. Scott Conor Crosby President Trump granted a full pardon to Scott Conor Crosby. In 1992, Mr. Crosby made a “‘spur of the moment’ poor decision” to participate in a co-worker’s plan to commit a bank robbery. Chris Young President Trump commuted the remaining sentence of Chris Young. He served over 10 years of a 14-year sentence for his role in a drug conspiracy. Adrianne Miller President Trump commuted the remaining sentence of Adrianne Miller. She served 6 years of a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a List I chemical. Lynn Barney President Trump granted a full pardon to Lynn Barney. He was sentenced to 35 months in prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon, after having previously been convicted for distributing a small amount of marijuana. Joshua J. Smith President Trump granted a full pardon to Joshua J. Smith. Since his release from prison in 2003 for conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to distribute, Mr. Smith has dedicated his life to his faith and to his community. Amy Povah President Trump granted a full pardon to Amy Povah, the founder of the CAN-DO (Clemency for All Non-violent Drug Offenders) Foundation. In the 1990s, Ms. Povah served 9 years of a 24-year sentence for a drug offense before President Clinton commuted her remaining prison sentence in 2000. Dr. Frederick Nahas President Trump granted a full pardon to Frederick Nahas. In the 1990s, Dr. Nahas became aware of a Federal investigation into his billing practices. Although the 6-year investigation uncovered no underlying billing fraud, Dr. Nahas did not fully cooperate and ultimately pled guilty to one count of obstructing justice in a health care investigation. Dr. Nahas spent 1 month in prison in 2003. David Tamman President Trump granted a full pardon to David Tamman. Tamman was a partner at a major American law firm when he doctored financial documents that were the subject of a Federal investigation. These actions were done at the behest of a client who was perpetrating a Ponzi scheme upon unsuspecting investors. Mr. Tamman was convicted of his crimes following a bench trial and completed his seven-year sentence in 2019. Dr. Faustino Bernadett President Trump granted a full pardon to Dr. Faustino Bernadett. In approximately early 2008, Dr. Bernadett failed to report a hospital kickback scheme of which he became aware. Paul Erickson President Trump has issued a full pardon to Paul Erikson. His conviction was based on "the Russian collusion hoax," as the Trump administration described it. He was charged with a "minor financial crime" and sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment. Kwame Kilpatrick President Trump commuted the sentence of the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick. Mr. Kilpatrick had served approximately 7 years in prison for his role in a racketeering and bribery scheme while he held public office. Fred “Dave” Clark President Trump commuted Dave Clark’s remaining term of incarceration after serving over 6 years in Federal prison for a first-time, non-violent offense. Todd Farha, Thaddeus Bereday, William Kale, Paul Behrens, Peter Clay President Trump granted full pardons to Todd Farha, Thaddeus Bereday, William Kale, Paul Behrens, and Peter Clay, former executives of a healthcare maintenance organization. In 2008, Messrs. Farha, Bereday, Kale, Behrens, and Clay were criminally prosecuted for a state regulatory matter involving the reporting of expenditures to a state health agency. The expenditures reported were based on actual monies spent, and the reporting methodology was reviewed and endorsed by those with expertise in the state regulatory scheme. David Rowland President Trump granted a full pardon to David Rowland. Mr. Rowland’s asbestos removal license had lapsed when he agreed to remove asbestos found in an elementary school. He completed the work in compliance with all other regulations but received 2 years’ probation for a violation of the Clean Air Act. Randall “Duke” Cunningham President Trump granted a conditional pardon to Randall “Duke” Cunningham who was released from prison in 2013. Mr. Cunningham, a former California Congressman, was sentenced to over 8 years’ imprisonment for accepting bribes while he held public office. William Walters President Trump commuted the sentence of William Walters. He was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for insider trading. Since his conviction, Mr. Walters has served nearly 4 years of his prison sentence and has paid $44 million in fines, forfeitures, and restitution. In addition to his established reputation in the sports and gaming industry, Mr. Walters is well known for his philanthropic efforts and was previously named Las Vegas’ Philanthropist of the Year. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., aka Lil Wayne President Trump granted a full pardon to Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., also known as “Lil Wayne.” Mr. Carter pled guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, owing to a conviction over 10 years ago. Stephen Odzer President Trump granted a conditional pardon to Stephen Odzer. This pardon is supported by former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, Sigmund “Sig” Rogich, Jason Greenblatt, Michael Steinhardt, Wayne Allyn Root, Salvador Moran, the Aleph Institute, and numerous members of Mr. Odzer’s religious community. Mr. Odzer pled guilty to conspiracy and bank fraud, for which he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Numerous individuals testify to his substantial philanthropic and volunteer activities. His philanthropic endeavors include providing personal protective equipment to front-line workers in New York City hospitals; visiting sick children in hospitals; and donating religious materials to prison inmates and U.S. Service Members around the world. He has also dedicated resources to support and build synagogues in memory of his late cousin who was kidnapped and killed by Muslim terrorists while in Israel. The pardon requires Mr. Odzer to pay the remainder of his restitution order. James Brian Cruz President Trump commuted the remaining sentence of James Brian Cruz. He served approximately half of a 40-year sentence for a drug crime. Steven Benjamin Floyd President Trump granted a full pardon to Steven Benjamin Floyd. Floyd joined the United States Marines Corps at age 17 and earned a combat action ribbon in Iraq. He pled guilty to one count of bank robbery by extortion. Joey Hancock President Trump granted a full pardon to Joey Hancock. He was convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. David E. Miller President Trump granted a full pardon to David E. Miller. In 2015, Mr. Miller pled guilty to one count of making a false statement to a bank. James Austin Hayes President Trump granted a full pardon to James Austin Hayes. Nearly 10 years ago, Mr. Hayes was convicted of conspiracy to commit insider trading. Drew Brownstein President Trump granted a full pardon to Drew Brownstein, who, other than this conviction, was described by his sentencing judge as someone who “goes out of his way to help people that are less fortunate.” Mr. Brownstein was convicted of insider trading and has since paid his fines and forfeitures in full, the White House said. Robert Bowker President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Bowker. Nearly 30 years ago, Mr. Bowker pled guilty to a violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking in wildlife, when he arranged for 22 snakes owned by Rudy “Cobra King” Komarek to be transported to the Miami Serpentarium. Amir Khan President Trump granted a full pardon to Amir Khan. Mr. Khan pled guilty to wire fraud. Shalom Weiss President Trump commuted the sentence of Shalom Weiss. Mr. Weiss was convicted of racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice, for which he has already served over 18 years and paid substantial restitution. He was 66 years old in 2020 and suffered from chronic health conditions. Salomon Melgen President Trump commuted the sentence of Salomon Melgen. Dr. Melgen was convicted of healthcare fraud and false statements. Patrick Lee Swisher President Trump granted a full pardon to Patrick Lee Swisher. Mr. Swisher was convicted of tax fraud and false statements. Robert Sherrill President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Sherrill. Mr. Sherrill was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Dr. Robert S. Corkern President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert S. Corkern. Dr. Corkern was convicted of Federal program bribery. David Lamar Clanton President Trump granted a full pardon to David Lamar Clanton. Mr. Clanton was convicted of false statements and related charges. George Gilmore President Trump granted a full pardon to George Gilmore. He was convicted for failure to pay payroll taxes and false statements. Desiree Perez President Trump granted a full pardon to Desiree Perez. Ms. Perez was involved in a conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Robert “Bob” Zangrillo President Trump granted a full pardon to Robert Zangrillo. He was charged in connection with the Varsity Blues investigation. Hillel Nahmad President Trump granted a full pardon to Hillel Nahmad. He was convicted of a sports gambling offense. Since his conviction, he has lived an exemplary life and has been dedicated to the well-being of his community. Brian McSwain The President granted a full pardon to Brian McSwain. Since serving his 18-month sentence for a drug crime committed in the early 1990s, Mr. McSwain has been gainfully employed and has been passed over for several promotion opportunities due to his felony conviction, according to the White House. John Duncan Fordham President Trump granted a full pardon to John Duncan Fordham. Mr. Fordham was convicted on one count of health care fraud. A judge later dismissed the conspiracy charge against him. William “Ed” Henry President Trump granted a full pardon to William “Ed” Henry of Alabama. He was sentenced to 2 years’ probation for aiding and abetting the theft of government property and paid a $4,000 fine. In addition, the White House said President Trump commuted the sentences to time served for the following individuals: Jeff Cheney, Marquis Dargon, Jennings Gilbert, Dwayne L. Harrison, Reginald Dinez Johnson, Sharon King, and Hector Madrigal, Sr. The Associated Press and TEGNA's Travis Pittman contributed to this article.

One of the reasons governments are moving to restrict teenagers’ access to social media is the fear of its harm to mental health. As Statista's Anna Fleck reports, the topic has been reignited by the release of a new book titled The Anxious Generation, by New York University social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who links the rise in mental health illness directly to the proliferation of social networks and smartphones. While Haidt writes that social media and smartphones are not the only causes of the mental health epidemic seen in several countries, he points to how such technologies are hindering children’s healthy development by reducing their time spent playing with friends in real life, eating into time for sleeping, as well as corroding their self esteem. Even children who do not use social media are struggling, he argues, due to the changes brought about to social life. Critics say, however, that correlation is not the same as causation and that the data does not show a complete picture. As the following chart shows, the share of U.S. 12-17 year olds having experienced a depressive episode in the past year has risen from 7.9 percent in 2006 to 18.1 percent in 2023. You will find more infographics at Statista While the figure has come down from the pandemic high of 20.1 percent in 2021, it is still above that of 2019 and 2020. This is according to data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The source classifies a major depressive episode in the past 12 months if a respondent has had at least one period of two weeks or longer when they felt depressed or lost interest or pleasure in daily activities for most of the day nearly every day. Depressive symptoms include problems with sleeping, eating, energy, concentration, self-worth, or having recurrent thoughts of death or recurrent suicidal ideation. The share of teens who had reported a major depressive episode was particularly high among Multiracial (24.4 percent) respondents in 2023, followed by white adolescents (19.6), Asian (13.7 percent) and Black teens (13.3 percent). There was insufficient data for calculating the Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander teenagers.

Qatar Chamber chairman: 2025 budget strengthens economic diversification

Victims and families react as Biden spares the lives of 37 federal death row inmatesnn777 link 。

DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLBy SARAH PARVINI, GARANCE BURKE and JESSE BEDAYN, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. While immigration officials have used the tech for years, an October letter from the Department of Homeland Security obtained exclusively by The Associated Press details how those tools — some of them powered by AI — help make life-altering decisions for immigrants, including whether they should be detained or surveilled. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. The letter, sent by DHS Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer Eric Hysen to the immigrant rights group Just Futures Law, revealed that the score calculates the potential risk that an immigrant — with a pending case — will fail to check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The algorithm relies on several factors, he said, including an immigrant’s number of violations and length of time in the program, and whether the person has a travel document. Hysen wrote that ICE officers consider the score, among other information, when making decisions about an immigrant’s case. “The Hurricane Score does not make decisions on detention, deportation, or surveillance; instead, it is used to inform human decision-making,” Hysen wrote. Also included in the government’s tool kit is a mobile app called SmartLINK that uses facial matching and can track an immigrant’s specific location. Nearly 200,000 people without legal status who are in removal proceedings are enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program, under which certain immigrants can live in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending. In exchange, SmartLINK and GPS trackers used by ICE rigorously surveil them and their movements. The phone application draws on facial matching technology and geolocation data, which has been used before to find and arrest those using the app. Just Futures Law wrote to Hysen earlier this year, questioning the fairness of using an algorithm to assess whether someone is a flight risk and raising concerns over how much data SmartLINK collects. Such AI systems, which score or screen people, are used widely but remain largely unregulated even though some have been found to discriminate on race, gender or other protected traits. DHS said in an email that it is committed to ensuring that its use of AI is transparent and safeguards privacy and civil rights while avoiding biases. The agency said it is working to implement the Biden administration’s requirements on using AI , but Hysen said in his letter that security officials may waive those requirements for certain uses. Trump has publicly vowed to repeal Biden’s AI policy when he returns to the White House in January. “DHS uses AI to assist our personnel in their work, but DHS does not use the outputs of AI systems as the sole basis for any law enforcement action or denial of benefits,” a spokesperson for DHS told the AP. Trump has not revealed how he plans to carry out his promised deportation of an estimated 11 million people living in the country illegally. Although he has proposed invoking wartime powers, as well as military involvement, the plan would face major logistical challenges — such as where to keep those who have been detained and how to find people spread across the country — that AI-powered surveillance tools could potentially address. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, did not answer questions about how they plan to use DHS’ tech, but said in a statement that “President Trump will marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation” in American history. Over 100 civil society groups sent a letter on Friday urging the Office of Management and Budget to require DHS to comply with the Biden administration’s guidelines. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Just Futures Law’s executive director, Paromita Shah, said if immigrants are scored as flight risks, they are more likely to remain in detention, “limiting their ability to prepare a defense in their case in immigration court, which is already difficult enough as it is.” SmartLINK, part of the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program, is run by BI Inc., a subsidiary of the private prison company The GEO Group. The GEO Group also contracts with ICE to run detention centers. ICE is tight-lipped about how it uses SmartLINK’s location feature to find and arrest immigrants. Still, public records show that during Trump’s first term in 2018, Manassas, Virginia-based employees of BI Inc. relayed immigrants’ GPS locations to federal authorities, who then arrested over 40 people. In a report last year to address privacy issues and concerns, DHS said that the mobile app includes security features that “prohibit access to information on the participant’s mobile device, with the exception of location data points when the app is open.” But the report notes that there remains a risk that data collected from people “may be misused for unauthorized persistent monitoring.” Such information could also be stored in other ICE and DHS databases and used for other DHS mission purposes, the report said. On investor calls earlier this month, private prison companies were clear-eyed about the opportunities ahead. The GEO Group’s executive chairman George Christopher Zoley said that he expects the incoming Trump administration to “take a much more aggressive approach regarding border security as well as interior enforcement and to request additional funding from Congress to achieve these goals.” “In GEO’s ISAP program, we can scale up from the present 182,500 participants to several hundreds of thousands, or even millions of participants,” Zoley said. That same day, the head of another private prison company told investors he would be watching closely to see how the new administration may change immigrant monitoring programs. “It’s an opportunity for multiple vendors to engage ICE about the program going forward and think about creative and innovative solutions to not only get better outcomes, but also scale up the program as necessary,” Damon Hininger, CEO of the private prison company CoreCivic Inc. said on an earnings call. GEO did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, CoreCivic said that it has played “a valued but limited role in America’s immigration system” for both Democrats and Republicans for over 40 years.Stars score 5 straight goals to finish off BlackhawksToday’s ‘Wordle’ #1290 Hints, Clues And Answer For Monday, December 30th

As we enter the holiday season many young people are no doubt beginning to consider their future options. With a range of paths to pursue, a high rate of youth unemployment in Canada and a higher education sector facing unprecedented challenges it may seem logical to wonder if university is worth it. In my role as president of York University I see these issues play out every day in the lives of my students and faculty. However, I can say with certainty that, yes, university is worth it for both students and society. And while you might think that I might be biased, there is real data to back it up. Simply put, going to university enriches both students and society over the long term. We must ensure that students and universities are supported to help ensure as broad access as possible. While many students entering the market fresh out of university will make entry-level wages, the reality is that over the longer term their earning potential has more room to expand . Those with a bachelor’s degree earn 24 per cent more than the national average. The more education, the higher the earning potential. Students with a university degree are more likely to have stable employment even amidst economic disruption, as the COVID-19 pandemic revealed . Graduates are also more likely to gain employment that offers a wider range of benefits. Simply put, an education increases one’s chances of finding fulfilling employment and living a longer and healthier life. Beyond individual benefits, there are also key benefits to society. Canada relies disproportionately on universities compared to other OECD countries to drive the research and innovation central to a productive and prosperous economy . Further research has shown that education is central to a healthy, democratic society To quote Nelson Mandela: “ education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world .” The world faces a host of wicked problems ranging from economic inequality to climate change, geopolitical conflict and ongoing wars. Universities and graduates play a key role in addressing these challenges. Technology is not going away and it is not slowing down. A recent study revealed that the jobs of more than 60 per cent of Canadians may be at risk to AI . Moreover, an estimated one out of 10 employees in Canada could be at a high risk of automation-related job redundancy. Canada’s already volatile job market will continue to be impacted. Those with higher levels of education are the best equipped to benefit from technologies in ways that complement the work they do . Graduates are also more likely to have the transferable skills needed to withstand workforce disruption. According to the OECD , AI technologies pose less of a risk for highly-skilled workers. In fact, their jobs are less likely to be replaced by automation because they possess the critical thinking skills needed to provide oversight to tasks that use AI and automation. While these technologies are sophisticated and becoming even more so each day, they currently cannot replicate human cognitive, critical and decision-making skills. There is also compelling research that shows students with higher education are more likely to pursue continuing education to upgrade and reskill, a quality that makes students more agile in a shifting labour market. Universities have also been increasing micro-credentials , programs which help learners re-skill while they are holding employment and balancing familial obligations, to support lifelong learning and build a more resilient Canadian workforce. If Canada is to meet the expanding needs of students and of the country then we must invest now in higher education. Access is something I worry deeply about to ensure that we are not leaving any talent behind. Data from the 2017 National Survey of Engagement indicates that 48 per cent of first- and fourth-year undergrad students at York came from households where neither parent held a bachelor’s degree. What’s more, York’s 2020 Economic and Social Impact Report revealed that 59 per cent of students could not have attended university without financial support. Creating accessible educational opportunities for diverse learners to develop responsive skills is critical for a vibrant future workforce and for resilient communities. York and other universities in Canada have a good track record for this. At the same time, social mobility and productivity have been declining in Canada in recent years . Continuing to ensure that eligible students have access to university education including at the graduate level is imperative to address these trends. The significant numbers of Canadian students leaving the country to study medicine overseas while Canada is facing a significant gap in primary care physicians is just one example . These are troubling trends which Canadian universities are committed to addressing. While the commitment and innovation of universities is evident, the unfortunate truth is that universities across much of Canada have seen a steady decline in real dollar funding for years. In Ontario, recommendations from the government’s blue-ribbon panel strongly advocated for the urgent increase in financial support for universities . To meet the changes in Canada’s labour market, universities have developed new programs to meet the talent needs in areas such as science, technology, engineering and health . We have also worked to enhance access through flexible teaching formats and strengthened international and cross-sector research collaborations to tackle complex societal problems . Universities have also increased supports for students including activities to help them connect with careers and become more entrepreneurial and efficient . In short, universities in Canada are one of the country’s most important assets. If we are to continue delivering the high-quality education for which we are known and serving the needs of the communities who rely on us, especially given fierce global competition for talent, it is essential that we secure a financially sustainable model for universities. Canada’s high youth unemployment has many people anxious about how they will fare in a job market that bears a striking resemblance to the Hunger Games. Expanding employment opportunities is necessary and will require collaboration across all sectors. But the data are clear. A university education will provide our youth with a running start and the ability to adapt as they go. Rhonda Lenton is chair of the Council of Ontario Universities.

South Korea's acting leader has ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country's entire airline operations, a day after 179 people were killed in the deadliest plane crash on its soil. The Jeju Air plane burst into flames as it crash-landed in South Korea's Muan International Airport, killing everyone onboard save for two victims. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has asked investigators into the incident to promptly disclose their findings to bereaved families. His request also comes as another Jeju Air flight turned back to Seoul shortly after takeoff on Monday, due to an unidentified landing-gear issue. On Monday, the Jeju Air plane departed from Gimpo International Airport at 06:35 local time (21:35 GMT Sunday) and returned less than an hour later after realising a mechanical defect caused by the landing-gear issue, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. Landing gear refers to the set of wheels and other parts of the plane which supports the plane during takeoff, taxiing and landing. The aircraft that turned back was a Boeing B737-800, the same model as the one involved in the disaster on Sunday. Thirty-nine of the 41 aircrafts in Jeju Air's fleet are of this model. After Sunday's deadly crash, Boeing had said it was in touch with Jeju Air and that it stood "ready to support them". The 179 passengers on flight 7C2216 were aged between three and 78 years old, although most were in their 40s, 50s and 60s, according to Yonhap news agency. Two Thai nationals are among the dead and the rest are believed to be South Korean, authorities have said. On Sunday, the ill-fated plane had skidded off the runway after touching down and crashed into a wall shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT). A South Korean transport official had said that the plane had been attempting to land but was forced to hold off after air traffic control gave a bird strike warning - an alert about the risk of a collision with birds. Air traffic command later gave permission for the plane to land from the opposite direction, the official said. The airline's bosses bowed deeply as they gave a public apology at a press conference on Sunday. "We deeply apologise to all those affected by the incident. We will make every effort to resolve the situation," the firm said in a statement. Jeju Air shares were trading around 8% lower in Seoul on Monday. The accident is a national tragedy for South Korea, which has been embroiled in political turmoil after parliament voted to impech President Yoon Suk Yeol and his temporary successor Han Duck-soo. Acting President Choi, who stepped into the interim role only on Friday, said he is "heartbroken" by the accident. "To the honorable citizens of our nation, as an acting president, my heart aches as we face this unforeseen tragedy amid recent economic hardships," he said.Williams-Dryden has 19 in West Georgia's 78-73 win over Tennessee Tech

The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?

Since H2 2023, the PV market has experienced a sharp downturn, with the industry deeply mired in a capacity surplus and facing a wave of brutal eliminations. Against this backdrop, PV companies have had to reassess the market environment, rationally adjust their strategies, and slow down or even terminate investment projects lacking competitive advantages. According to Polaris statistics, since 2023, 47 PV projects have been announced as delayed or terminated. These projects span the entire industry chain, including polysilicon, wafers, solar cells, auxiliary materials, and power stations. Among them are projects involving 320,000 mt of polysilicon, 37 GW of wafers/slices/ingots, 101.5 GW of solar cells and modules, and over 850 million m2 of PV film. "84 GW Solar Cell Projects Abruptly Halted" Among the aforementioned projects, 12 PV projects have been terminated, primarily focusing on the TOPCon and HJT solar cell segments, with a total scale reaching 84 GW. Notably, since H2 2023, the PV industry has undergone an iteration wave from P-type to N-type technologies, with solar cells being the core battleground of this transition, experiencing the most dramatic changes. According to InfoLink data, by the end of 2024, TOPCon solar cell capacity is expected to reach approximately 920 GW, sufficient to meet most or even all market demand for the next five years. With new capacity already ample and even approaching surplus, an intense "price war" has become inevitable, and TOPCon module prices are quickly aligning with P-type prices. For investing companies, this significantly compresses profit margins compared to initial investment expectations, leaving many in a dilemma. As "cut-throat competition" in the industry intensifies, an increasing number of cross-sector entrants are exiting this brutal competition. Companies like Lingda Co., Meditech, and Haiyuan Composite Materials have successively pressed the termination button. Even Sunflower, which had re-entered the PV field with high confidence, terminated its 10 GW TOPCon solar cell project under the severe circumstances. Similarly, East China Heavy Machinery took only a year to go from deciding to invest 6 billion yuan in a high-profile cross-sector PV venture to terminating its 10 GW N-type solar cell project. Shanxi Coal International Energy Group, one of the earliest publicly listed firms to venture into HJT, also succumbed, ultimately announcing the termination of its 3 GW HJT solar cell project. Beyond the solar cell segment, PV backsheet leader Zhonglai Co. terminated its 100,000 mt high-purity polycrystalline silicon project; inverter company Xinyuan Technology terminated its 20 GW inverter and bidirectional converter project, while Deye Co. announced the termination of its 1.5 billion yuan inverter investment project. Additionally, Meditech, whose performance was dragged down, announced the termination of its 9 GW high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cell smart factory project and began divesting PV assets. Jiaojian Co., after reassessing market risks, decided to terminate its plan to acquire a 70% stake in Boda New Energy. 35 PV Projects Delayed Amid this overwhelming "PV winter," for ongoing projects, blind expansion would only plunge companies deeper into financial crises, making project delays a rational choice after careful consideration. According to incomplete statistics, 35 PV projects have been announced as delayed in 2024, covering the entire industry chain from polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules, auxiliary materials, to power stations. Although some project completion timelines have been pushed to 2025 or even 2026, this move also reflects a glimmer of hope among companies for a market recovery in the future. Among these, Daqo New Energy's 100,000 mt polysilicon investment and Saineng Silicon's 100,000 mt granular silicon Phase I 20,000 mt project have been delayed; Jingyuntong's Leshan 22 GW ingot and slicing project has been postponed to the end of 2024 for commissioning; and solar cell and module projects totaling 46.5 GW, invested by companies like Dechen New Energy and Eging PV, have been delayed by over six months. In the auxiliary material segment, delays in PV film projects are relatively concentrated. "Main players" such as First, Crown, Tianyang New Materials, and Lushan New Materials have successively postponed their project investments by over a year, with each project scale ranging from 150-250 million m2. On the equipment side, equipment companies like Shichuang Energy, Tiantong Co., Autowell, and Micro Guide Nano have delayed their projects by at least a year. Among them, Autowell's TOPCon solar cell equipment project has been postponed to August 2026; Tiantong Co. has delayed the "large-size RF piezoelectric wafer project" and the "new-type high-efficiency crystal growth and precision processing intelligent equipment project" to December 2026 for reaching their intended usable state. Shichuang Energy has postponed the intended usable state timelines for its high-efficiency solar cell equipment expansion project, new material expansion and automation upgrade project, and R&D center and information construction project by 1-2 years. Micro Guide Nano has delayed the intended usable state timeline for its "PV and flexible electronics equipment expansion and upgrade project based on atomic layer deposition technology" to December 2025. Notably, as downstream end-user PV power stations, project delays have started to increase. This year, as distributed PV installation scales continuously set new records, the associated investment risks have also grown. The implementation of time-of-use electricity prices and distributed PV market trading policies have introduced fluctuations in electricity price returns, making investments increasingly cautious. For instance, distributed PV projects invested by companies like Shanghai Nenghui, Xinneng Technology, GCL Energy Technology, and Ainuo Energy, spanning multiple provinces and cities, have seen significant delays in overall project progress due to policy impacts and adjustments in resource planning by owners. Additionally, changes in the nature of PV land use have also become a reason for implementation delays. Jinkai New Energy announced that due to changes in land use nature, the 100 MW fishery-PV hybrid project in Huangxiekou, Jianli City, and the 200 MWp agrivoltaic-storage hybrid project in Gangnanqiaoxu Town, Guigang City, had to be postponed to June 2025. Details are shown in the table below:DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

The team that President-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration includes a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. In line to lead the Department of Health and Human Services secretary is environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump's choices don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: Dave Weldon , the pick for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 trillion budget, employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials, and effect Americans' daily lives: The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines about if and when kids should get vaccinated . The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives over the past 50 years, and that 100 million of them were infants. Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , 71, who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products, as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear out “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic included questioning the need for masking and giving young kids COVID-19 vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked . Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Matt Perrone and AP editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. This story has been corrected to reflect that the health agencies have an overall budget of about $1.7 trillion, not $1.7 billion.In a league where individual talent can make all the difference, Ayew's dribbling prowess has not gone unnoticed. His low centre of gravity, quick feet, and ability to change direction at high speeds make him a nightmare for defenders to handle.nn777 pinakamalaking 。

PFOP: Thanksgiving 1936 warmed Depression-era hearts

The decision to limit simultaneous streaming to one device per VIP account reflects the evolving dynamics of the online streaming industry. Account sharing has become a widespread practice, leading to loss of revenue for content providers and diminishing the value of premium subscriptions. By implementing this new policy, Tencent Video is taking a proactive stance in safeguarding the interests of both content creators and loyal subscribers.During his first presidency and in his campaign leading up to the 2024 election, Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to crack down on illegal immigration. As president-elect, Trump posted on Truth Social on Nov. 18 confirming his plans to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Trump commented “TRUE!!!” with a repost of a Truth Social post from Tom Fitton, who runs the conservative group Judicial Watch . Fitton’s post reads, “GOOD NEWS: Reports are incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Several VERIFY readers, including Debbie, Jacq and Matty, asked us whether Trump can use the military to carry out mass deportations. THE QUESTION Can the president use the military to carry out mass deportations? THE SOURCES David Bier , director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute Peter Margulies , law professor at Roger Williams University Elizabeth Goitein , senior director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty & National Security Program Brennan Center for Justice President Joe Biden’s Executive Order #14097 Department of Homeland Security The Posse Comitatus Act U.S. Section 502(f) National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 Lawfare , a nonprofit organization THE ANSWER Yes, it's legal for the president to use the military to help carry out mass deportations and other immigration enforcement actions. The National Guard, with approval from a state's governor, can detain individuals, but the other branches of the military can offer mostly logistical support. WHAT WE FOUND A president has the executive power to deploy the military to assist with immigration enforcement, but there are legal limits on the role the military can play. The Posse Comitatus Act, a 143-year-old law, prohibits the president from using active-duty, full-time service members, such as soldiers or Marines, as a police force, according to the Brennan Center for Justice . That means federal military branches like the U.S. Army or Air Force can’t perform tasks such as detaining individuals or making arrests on U.S. soil, even under a national emergency declaration. David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, explained that active-duty service members, barred from acting like police under Posse Comitatus, would likely focus on non-law enforcement tasks. That could include building infrastructure, like temporary detention facilities, transporting detainees and providing armed backup for domestic law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act, however, does not apply to the National Guard, Peter Margulies, a law professor at Roger Williams University, told VERIFY. “The National Guard is a state militia and can be called out by the president with the cooperation of the state governors, and so you could have the National Guard from, let's say, Texas, be used for apprehension. That would not create Posse Comitatus issues,” Margulies said. Trump's post on Truth Social mentioned declaring a national emergency, but the president can request National Guard assistance or federal military assistance with or without declaring a national emergency , according to Chris Mirasola, a contributor for non-profit Lawfare. The Brennan Center for Justice explains that declaring a national emergency grants a president with swift authority during times of crises without waiting for Congressional approval, including diverting federal funds or resources. Both Bier and Margulies told VERIFY Trump's deportation agenda would likely face significant legal challenges and be subject to congressional oversight. And if he declares a national emergency, Congress has the ability to eventually terminate that declaration , but it would require passing a law with a veto-proof supermajority, “which is increasingly difficult in our polarized political environment,” Goitein told VERIFY. Military involvement in immigration enforcement is not unprecedented. In 2019, then-President Trump declared a national emergency to redirect military funds to construct the U.S.-Mexico border wall. More recently, President Joe Biden used a national emergency declaration to deploy the National Guard to the southern border to assist with processing and facility operations tied to drug enforcement. According to Google Trends data , online searches about mass deportation have spiked, with some appearing to link the military's involvement to martial law. Martial law involves the suspension of ordinary law and government functions, with military authorities assuming control. Margulies said even if Trump uses the military in his administration’s deportation efforts, it would not equate to declaring martial law. Margulies explained that martial law hasn’t been used since the Civil War and is “profoundly unlikely” to happen as part of Trump’s proposed initiative because he doesn’t need martial law to execute his deportation plans. Related Articles What we can VERIFY about Trump’s plan to close the U.S. Department of Education Yes, president-elect Donald Trump is legally required to sign an ethics agreement No, the president cannot change Social Security The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us YouTube Snapchat Instagram Facebook TikTok Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808Months of meticulous planning and preparation had gone into this launch. Countless sleepless nights, endless cups of coffee, and relentless dedication from the development team had culminated in this pivotal moment. As the clock struck midnight, the virtual doors were opened, and the world was invited to partake in the experience.AP News Summary at 8:26 a.m. EST

Camera quality is a significant factor for many smartphone users, and the Xiaomi YU7 is expected to deliver in this aspect. Speculations suggest that the device may sport a versatile camera setup, possibly with multiple lenses for wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto shots. Additionally, we might see advanced AI features that enhance photography and videography, allowing users to capture stunning images in various lighting conditions.The potential swap deal involving Nicolas Otamendi, who was reportedly earmarked for a departure to create space for Bonucci's arrival, added a layer of complexity to the transfer negotiations. Otamendi, known for his aggressive style of defending and combative nature, played a pivotal role in Manchester City's backline during Guardiola's reign, making the prospect of his departure a significant decision for the club.The heartbeat of African combat sports thundered through Lagos yesterday as the African Knockout Championship (AKO6) took centre stage with a dazzling face-off event at the Monarch Event Centre. This electrifying prelude to the sixth regular season and the first semi-final of the championship has set the city ablaze with excitement, promising a jaw-dropping spectacle today. Brace yourselves for a night of spine-tingling action, featuring pulse-racing bouts across light heavyweight, featherweight, middleweight, lightweight, and women’s bantamweight divisions. The stakes have never been higher as warriors from across the continent prepare to leave it all in the AKO arena, vying for glory, honor, and a chance to etch their names in African MMA history. The main event and first semi final of the championship is a showdown that sends shock-waves, as Nigeria’s own Jackiel Anyana, locked eyes with Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ananias Mulumbu. Sparks flew as these two juggernauts of the featherweight category ignited a rivalry that promises to deliver a battle for the ages. Adding to the drama, Nigeria’s duo of Yahaya Yahuza Muhamed and Odogwu Isaac, promised fans an unmissable spectacle as they gear up to clash in a fight brimming with raw passion and determination. Another standout fighter bringing his A-game is Chad Henekoms , a participant in the 2023 Dana White Contender Series, hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, as he takes on Cherif Drame from the Benin Republic in the middleweight category.

Set against the backdrop of 1920s Shanghai, a time of great upheaval and transformation, "Four Seas Brotherhood: Blood Brothers" immerses viewers in a world of secret alliances, violent turf wars, and deep-seated rivalries. The film follows the intertwined destinies of four blood brothers – Liang, Zhang, Chen, and Wu – as they navigate the treacherous waters of the criminal underworld, struggling to maintain their honor and integrity in the face of mounting challenges.

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored the Celtics’ first 15 points on five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 29 points, before Boston withstood a late charge to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-105 on Sunday. Jayson Tatum added 26 points and eight rebounds to help Boston post a season-high fifth straight victory. Anthony Edwards had 28 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost five of its last seven. Julius Randle added 23 points, and Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points and 20 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the season. Minnesota got within 55-54 early in the third quarter, before a 14-0 run by Boston. The spurt featured four 3s by the Celtics, including two by Tatum. The lead grew to 79-60 with 4:26 to play in the period. But the Timberwolves chipped it all the way down in the fourth, getting within 107-105 with 34 seconds left on a driving layup by Randle. Takeaways Timberwolves: Minnesota will be looking to for some wins at home, after dropping four of its last five on the road. Celtics: The Celtics have struggled at home at times this season but improved to 6-2 at the Garden. Key moment The Timberwolves had the ball with 7.1 seconds and a chance to win. Edwards got the inbounds and tried to drive on Brown. But he was cut off, and the ball swung to Naz Reid, who failed to get off a 3 as time expired. Key stat 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. Boston assisted on 25 of its 37 made field goals. Up next The Timberwolves host Houston in NBA Cup play on Tuesday, beginning a four-game homestand. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba Advertisement Advertisement

One of the key players in their campaign has been the talented midfielder, Matteo Pessina. However, due to an untimely injury, Pessina will be forced to sit out the upcoming match against Ferencvaros. In his place, Milan manager Stefano Pioli has announced that exciting young talent Federico Chiesa will step in to fill the void.NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global man-made sausage casing market size is estimated to grow by USD 791.65 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.99% during the forecast period. Increasing household consumption of processed meat is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising number of organized retail outlets that offer processed meat products. However, increasing frequency of animal disease outbreaks poses a challenge. Key market players include Almol Australiasia Casings pl, Biostar Co., Blancasings Industriale SRL, BSA Wiberg, Colpak, Danish Crown AS, FABIOS S.A., Fibran Group, Globe Packaging Inc., Kalle GmbH, LEM Products, Oversea Casing Co., PODANFOL S.A., SARIA International GmbH, SELO BV, Viscofan SA, Viskase Companies Inc., ViskoTeepak Holding Ab Ltd., Waltons, Weschenfelder Direct Ltd., and Nippi Inc.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Man-made Sausage Casing Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.99% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 791.65 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.55 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 42% Key countries US, Canada, China, Germany, and UK Key companies profiled Almol Australiasia Casings pl, Biostar Co., Blancasings Industriale SRL, BSA Wiberg, Colpak, Danish Crown AS, FABIOS S.A., Fibran Group, Globe Packaging Inc., Kalle GmbH, LEM Products, Oversea Casing Co., PODANFOL S.A., SARIA International GmbH, SELO BV, Viscofan SA, Viskase Companies Inc., ViskoTeepak Holding Ab Ltd., Waltons, Weschenfelder Direct Ltd., and Nippi Inc. Market Driver The man-made sausage casing market is witnessing significant trends in response to changing consumer preferences and dietary trends. Sausage links made with ground beef continue to be popular, but there's a growing demand for lower-fat and seasoned fillers. Natural casings from pig intestines and animal collagen, including cow and pig skins, are being replaced by artificial casings like cellulose, collagen, plastic, and fibrous materials. Hygienic benefits and microbial contamination concerns are driving the shift towards man-made casings. With the rise of plant-based diets, vegan sausages made with plant-based materials like cellulose, collagen, and whey proteins are gaining traction. Food retailers and foodservice chains are catering to this demand, offering a variety of vegetarian and vegan sausage casings. Animal welfare and ethical concerns are influencing the market, with some consumers opting for plant-based diets due to animal cruelty concerns. Healthy lifestyles and vegetarianism are also driving the demand for natural and GMO-free casings. Automation and consistent quality are essential for food manufacturers producing processed meat products, including animal-based and plant-based sausages, for on-the-go consumption. Public health risks associated with processed meat products and the rise of plant-based diets are impacting global meat consumption and production. The man-made sausage casing market is adapting to these trends, offering a range of casings for both animal-based and plant-based sausages. From collagen-based casings to fermented sausage, net casings, and textile casings, the market is diverse and evolving to meet the needs of consumers. The man-made sausage casing market has experienced significant growth due to the increasing demand for processed meat from quick food establishments and households. Supermarkets, as organized retailers, have capitalized on this trend by offering a wide range of processed meat products, including sausages, hot dogs, salami, bacon, and ham. These convenient options save time and money for both restaurants and households. Additionally, the proliferation of supermarkets globally has made it more convenient for consumers to shop for various household items in one place, leading to their growing popularity. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This man-made sausage casing market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Household- The man-made sausage casing market has experienced significant growth due to the increasing consumption of processed meat in households. With urban populations growing and busy work schedules, the convenience of quick-to-prepare processed foods, such as sausages, has become increasingly popular. The Millennial population's interest in cooking also contributes to the demand for man-made sausage casings. Collagen and cellulose casings are commonly used in households. Furthermore, the availability of man-made sausage casings on e-commerce platforms like Amazon.com has expanded market reach and sales. These factors are expected to continue driving the growth of the global man-made sausage casing market over the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The man-made sausage casing market encompasses a variety of materials used to encase and preserve different types of sausages. Sausages can be made from links of ground beef, seasoned with herbs and spices, filled with fat and other ingredients, and encased in natural or artificial casings. Traditional casings include pig intestines, but artificial options like cellulose, collagen, and plastic are also popular. Global meat consumption and production drive demand for sausage casings, with sausage manufacturers, foodservice chains, and supermarkets as key buyers. Vegetarian sausages require plant-based casings, while public health risks associated with plastic and textile casings are a concern. Collagen-based casings, alginate casings, and net casings are alternative options. Convenience foods and ready-to-eat products also contribute to market growth. Fermented sausages, like salami and chorizo, often use natural casings, while artificial casings are more common for fresh and cooked sausages. Man-made sausage casings have gained significant popularity in the food industry as an alternative to traditional animal casings. These casings are made from various materials such as collagen, cellulose, plastic, and plant-based materials like fibrous casings, net casings, and even textile casings. Sausage links can be filled with ground beef, fat, seasoning, and fillers to create a wide range of sausage types. The use of man-made casings offers several advantages, including hygienic benefits, reduced risk of microbial contamination, and consistency in quality. Collagen casings, derived from animal collagen, are a popular choice for those who prefer natural sausage casings but do not consume pig intestines or cow skins. As dietary trends shift towards plant-based diets, vegan sausages have gained traction, leading to the development of vegetarian sausage casings made from materials like cellulose, collagen, and plant-based proteins like whey. This shift is driven by concerns over animal cruelty, healthier lifestyles, and ethical considerations. Food retailers, foodservice chains, and supermarkets offer a wide range of man-made sausage casings to cater to diverse consumer preferences. The global meat production and consumption continue to rise, driving the demand for man-made sausage casings in processed meat products, ready-to-eat products, and convenience foods. Automation in the production of man-made sausage casings ensures consistent quality and reduces the need for artificial additives. The market for man-made sausage casings is expected to grow as consumers seek premium image, consistent quality, and diverse options in their food choices. However, concerns over public health risks associated with processed meat products and the environmental impact of livestock production may influence the market's growth. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/man-made-sausage-casing-market-to-grow-by-usd-791-65-million-2024-2028-driven-by-processed-meat-demand-and-ai-driven-market-transformation---technavio-302327901.html SOURCE Technavio

Wall Street stocks finished little changed on Thursday as Treasury bond yields climbed further in the wake of a Federal Reserve decision that prompted deep selling in the prior session. US indices bounced early in the day, but the rebound faded as the yield on the 10-year US Treasury note rose above 4.5 percent. The Fed on Wednesday lowered interest rates but signaled it expects fewer interest rate cuts in 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose less than 0.1 percent to 42,342.24. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1 percent to 5,867.08, while the Nasdaq Composite Index also declined 0.1 percent to 19,372.77. Thursday's move in stocks is "kind of a lacklustre recovery effort," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare. "A lot of good news has been priced into this market," he said. "And now the market is going to sit back and see if a lot of that good news that's priced in actually comes to fruition." Investors were monitoring Capitol Hill where an intervention by President-elect Donald Trump on a spending bill raised the possibility of a government shutdown. Among individual companies, Micron Technology sank 16.2 percent after projecting earnings that lagged estimates. While the chip company benefited from strong demand for artificial intelligence, analysts pointed to a drag from weak demand for personal computers and automobile clients. But Darden Restaurants, which owns the Olive Garden and other chains, jumped 14.7 percent after projecting a 1.5 percent rise in same-restaurant sales for its full fiscal year. (AFP)

Despite the challenging conditions, some sectors managed to outperform, demonstrating resilience and attracting investor interest. Companies in the healthcare, renewable energy, and consumer goods sectors showed strength, benefiting from favorable market conditions and strong fundamentals.As the man continues to navigate the complexities of his situation, his quest for justice serves as a cautionary tale for consumers everywhere. Whether enjoying a festive treat or a daily meal, vigilance and awareness of food safety remain paramount in safeguarding against unexpected hazards.

Home | UNGA overwhelmingly demands immediate Gaza ceasefire SABC © 2024Report: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. RavensKey Market Driver in Music Tourism Industry 2024: Rise Of National And International Music Events

nn777 zone login Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Steep price hikes could be on the way if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his pledge to impose sweeping new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China. He threatened to implement the tariffs on the country’s top three trading partners on his first day back in office, including a 10% tariff on products from China. In a pair of social media posts, he explained the decision as a way to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States,” he said. “It is time for them to pay a very big price!” Ultimately, consumers could end up absorbing the brunt of those costs. When tariffs are levied on imports, American companies have to pay taxes to the U.S. government on their purchases from other countries; the companies often pass on those extra costs to customers. “This is a bully effort to put everybody on notice,” said economist Chris Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics in Los Angeles. “One of the reasons he uses tariffs is because it’s one of the few places that he actually has some leverage.” Though Thornberg noted it’s still a “giant remains-to-be seen” whether and how Trump’s proposed tariffs are implemented, consumer goods across the board could be dramatically affected. Here are a few top categories: Mexico was the U.S.’s top goods trading partner last year, surpassing China. Mexico is a major manufacturer of passenger vehicles, light vehicles, trucks, auto parts, supplies and electric-vehicle technologies. Eighty-eight percent of vehicles produced there are exported, with 76% headed for the U.S., the International Trade Administration says. Automakers with manufacturing operations in Mexico include General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Audi, BMW, Honda, Kia, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. “If we get tariffs, we will pass those tariff costs back to the consumer,” Phil Daniele, chief executive of AutoZone, said in the company’s most recent earnings call. “We’ll generally raise prices ahead of ... what the tariffs will be.” Last year, China accounted for 77% of toy imports — about 25 times greater than the total value of toy imports from Mexico, the next largest foreign source of supply, according to the National Retail Federation. U.S. producers account for less than 1% of the toy market. The federation recently released a study that found the tariffs Trump proposed during his campaign — a universal 10% to 20% tariff on imports from all foreign countries and an additional 60% to 100% tariff on imports specifically from China — would apply to a wide range of toys imported into the U.S., including dolls, games and tricycles. “Prices of toys would increase by 36% to 56%,” the study concluded. The National Retail Federation study also analyzed more than 500 items of clothing and found prices “would rise significantly” — as much as 20.6%. That would force consumers to pare spending on apparel. Low-income households would be hit especially hard, the group said, because they spend three times as much of their after-tax income on apparel compared with high-income households. “U.S. apparel manufacturers would benefit from the tariffs, but at a high cost to families,” the study said. “Even after accounting for domestic manufacturing gains and new tariff revenue, the result is a net $16 billion to $18 billion loss for the U.S. economy, with the burden carried by U.S. consumers.” Imported footwear products already face high U.S. duties, particularly those made in China. The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America expressed concern that new tariffs would make it more difficult for consumers to afford shoes and other everyday essentials. Trump’s proposed tariffs would increase the costs of several imported fruits and vegetables, said Jerry Nickelsburg, faculty director of UCLA Anderson Forecast, an economic forecasting organization. The vast majority of U.S. produce imports come from Mexico and Canada, including avocados, cucumbers, potatoes and mushrooms. The U.S. spent $88 billion on agricultural imports from the two countries in fiscal year 2024. Big-ticket electronic products such as televisions, laptops, smartphones, dishwashers and washing machines — many of which are manufactured in Mexico and China, or made with parts imported from those countries — likely would become more expensive. The U.S. imported $76 billion worth of computers and other electronics from Mexico in 2023, and more than a quarter of U.S. imports from China consist of electronic equipment. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Foot traffic at retailers soared on Dec. 21, the Saturday before Christmas. Here's a look at the potential winners from the last week of holiday shopping. What Happened: Foot traffic at retailers was up an average of 58% compared to daily averages in 2024, a trend that could see retail stocks benefit for the 2024 holiday shopping season. The 58% gain to the daily average, reported by Placer.ai, is higher than the 51.1% gain over the daily average seen on Black Friday. Sunday, Dec. 22, also saw retail foot traffic up 38.2% to the daily average. While foot traffic was up compared to the daily average for the year, the 58% gain was smaller than last year's Super Saturday, which saw a 74.4% increase from the daily average. The caveat with last year's data is that Super Saturday was Dec. 23, one of the last remaining shopping days before Christmas. Among the potential biggest winners for this year's Christmas shopping season could be department stores, based on the report. Overall foot traffic to department stores was up 128.7% compared to the Saturday 2024 daily average, surpassing last year’s 119.4% increase over the 2023 Saturday average. Among the department stores tracked by Placer.ai, these were the year-over-year visit growth: Nordstrom JWN : +8.8% Bloomingdale's , a unit of Macy's M : +4.7% JCPenney : +1.3% The report also found that recreational and sporting goods stores, beauty and self-care stores and other specialty categories saw strong traffic gains. Here's a look at some of the retailers tracked and the foot traffic gains on a year-over-year basis to last year's Super Saturday: Ollie's Bargain Outlet OLLI : +7.3% T.J. Maxx , a unit of TJX Companies TJX : +4.6% Five Below FIVE : +4.2% The report found that superstores, grocery stores, and discount retailers saw lower year-over-year growth due to last year's timing of Super Saturday being so close to Christmas. Indoor shopping malls like those owned by Simon Property Group SPG may have also benefitted from Super Saturday. Placer.ai data shows that foot traffic to indoor malls was up 177.1% on Super Saturday compared to the 2024 daily average. Read Also: If You Gifted Your Family $100 In Bitcoin, Dogecoin And Ethereum Last Christmas, Here’s How Much They Would Have This Christmas Why It's Important: Ahead of Super Saturday, the National Retail Foundation estimated that 157.2 million consumers would shop on the shopping holiday based on an annual survey. The figure comes in higher than the 141.9 million Super Saturday shoppers in 2024 and is the second highest figure over the last nine years, trailing only 158.5 million in 2022. "Super Saturday is one of the last opportunities during the holiday season for consumers to get the remaining items on their shopping list," NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said. Cullen cited the shortened holiday shopping season, due to Thanksgiving falling late in November, boosting the odds of last-minute shoppers. The survey found that 69.5 million people plan to shop both in-store and online, up from 58.3 million in 2023. The amount of people exclusively shopping in-store was down in the survey from 37% to 31%, while the percentage of people who said they would shop exclusively online increased from 22% to 24%. Similar to the results above, the NRF survey highlighted department stores as potential winners on Super Saturday, with 37% of shoppers saying they planned to finish their holiday shopping there. Finishing shopping online was the most popular response at 49%, with discount stores named by 27% of consumers and clothing and accessory stores named by 25% of consumers. The NRF survey found the most popular gift purchases were clothing and accessories (50%), toys (32%), gift cards (26%) and books, video games and other media (24%). The shortened holiday shopping season could have been good for retailers with more foot traffic each day and especially on the weekends. The key will be if the daily increase is enough to offset the lower number of total shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The post-Christmas shopping time could also see a boost, with 71% of consumers in the survey saying they planned to shop after Christmas, similar to last year's survey. NRF estimates that the entire holiday shopping season of Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 is expected to be up 2.5% to 3% from 2024, hitting a record range of $979.5 billion to $989 billion. Read Next: Better Christmas Gift: GameStop Stock Or Latest Video Game? Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.

Manmohan Singh India's 'reforms' man and politician with a difference

Longest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mind

Altseason Coming: Cardano, Solana, and New Altcoin Posed for Mind-blowing GainsFianna Fail and Fine Gael eye independent TDs as option to secure Dail majority

Is CeeDee Lamb playing Week 17? Why Cowboys are shutting down WR for rest of season | Sporting NewsPTC Therapeutics director Jerome Zeldis sells $1.24m in stock

Nigeria hopes for extradition of separatist leader, but analysts are skepticalOMAHA — Creighton did it again. In an in-state women’s college basketball series with Nebraska largely dictated by what happens beyond the 3-point arc, the Jays rallied with six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to beat No. 21 Nebraska 80-74 on Friday at Sokol Arena. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Jays made four straight 3-pointers. The Jays were 6 for 9 on threes in the fourth quarter and 13 for 29 for the game to give Nebraska its first loss to the season. The Jays outscored Nebraska by 24 points on 3-pointers. Creighton has won three straight in the series. Lauren Jensen had a game-high 31 points for the Jays with four 3s. Morgan Maly, a senior from Crete, scored 18. Alexis Markowski worked really hard for Nebraska, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds and calling for the ball inside where she often had an advantage. Britt Prince added 20 points in the first game against her hometown school. Nebraska led 55-52 to start the fourth quarter. For the final 10 minutes, one of the questions was how much did Markowski have left? And also, could the Huskers defend the 3-point line just a little longer? The Jays made two of their first three 3-point attempts to start the quarter to regain a 60-57 lead. Molly Mogensen had the first one, and Jensen the second for her fourth of the game. When Mogensen made another three the Jays led 72-66. The Jays sealed the deal when Prince missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left and the Jays made their free throws. Nebraska led 22-19 after the first quarter. It was an entertaining start. The game started with Markowski going at Maly inside the paint, the Nebraska natives who played in the same club in Lincoln. There were five combined 3-pointers, with three for the Jays and two for Nebraska (each from Prince). Creighton used a 13-2 run that included three 3-pointers to take a 15-8 lead. But Nebraska got back in it with a steal and layup from Allison Weidner and a take to the basket from Callin Hake. Creighton added two more 3-pointers in the second quarter, but Nebraska was able to keep a lead at halftime 37-35. Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com . On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Fianna Fail and Fine Gael eye independent TDs as option to secure Dail majority

Broncos DE Zach Allen questionable to play vs. RaidersTariffs could raise pricesForthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

Washington recovers from upset, rolls past NJIT

nn777-fun 。

Josh Gottheimer trades in Microsoft options, buys and sells various stocksVanuatu is hosting a pivotal workshop on Linking Ocean Accounting for Sustainable Ocean Development this week. The event aims to strengthen Vanuatu’s National Ocean Policy by clarifying data needs and aligning data systems with practical policy goals. The workshop seeks to provide an overview of ocean accounting and its implementation across the Pacific and Asia-Pacific region while identifying essential requirements for organised social, economic, and environmental data to support Vanuatu’s policy priorities on sustainable ocean development. Additionally, it aims to determine capacity-building and international collaboration needs to accelerate data integration and ocean accounting in support of the nation’s objectives. Dr Ben Milligan, Director of the Global Ocean Accounts Partnership (GOAP), commented on the importance of data in sustainable ocean management. He said oceans are among Vanuatu’s most valuable assets, providing food, livelihoods, and cultural heritage. To ensure these resources are well-managed for future generations, he stressed the need for organised and reliable data. According to Dr Milligan, this workshop focuses on integrating data from various institutions to establish a national ocean accounting system that aligns with Vanuatu’s National Ocean Policy. Toney Tevi, Head of Vanuatu’s Maritime and Ocean Affairs Division, stressed the nation’s progress in ocean governance. Following the completion of the National Ocean Policy review and the launch of the Marine Spatial Plan in June 2024, he noted that this workshop represents a step toward implementing these frameworks. He said understanding Vanuatu’s oceans and seas better will not only boost government revenue but also foster sustainable development. Tevi mentioned that ocean accounting would enhance accountability and ensure sustainable practices, safeguarding resources for future generations. He explained that this tool would help assess human activities’ impact on the sea, enabling informed decisions that balance development with conservation. Tevi also noted the urgency of addressing environmental challenges, such as pollution caused by inadequate drainage systems, which threaten marine life and ecosystems. He pointed out that initiatives like ocean accounting are crucial to ensure that activities today do not compromise the ability of future generations to enjoy and benefit from the ocean’s resources. The workshop reflects Vanuatu’s strong reliance on the ocean, which constitutes 98% of its territory. The ocean supports local livelihoods through subsistence fishing, marine tourism, and other economic activities. Vanuatu’s 2nd National Ocean Policy (VNOP2), launched in June 2024, reflects this reliance and sets ambitious conservation targets. These include protecting 30% of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2030 through Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other conservation measures, as well as managing 100% of its ocean space sustainably to ensure the long-term health and resilience of marine ecosystems against climate change and biodiversity loss. These commitments align with global frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the SAMOA Pathway, as well as regional initiatives such as the Pacific Roadmap for Sustainable Development and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Dr Milligan noted the growing regional momentum for ocean accounting, citing similar initiatives in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Palau. He praised Vanuatu’s inclusion in this effort, describing it as a significant step forward. He explained that by measuring the value of the ocean, governments and communities can make better decisions for the future of these vital ecosystems. The workshop has attracted participation from a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Environment, and Statistics departments, as well as Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) such as World Vision and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Donor partners, including the University of New South Wales and the Pacific Community (SPC), have played a key role in supporting the event, reflecting the collaborative effort required for effective ocean governance.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said according to reports, 30 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have suffered physical or sexual violence. The Minister revealed this during a briefing on Monday to launch the 2024 ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign with the theme ‘Unite Campaign: Towards Beijing to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’, scheduled for November 25 to December 10. She stated that gender-based violence is a societal and human rights issue, which is impeding the growth of the country, saying, “When women and girls thrive, sustainable development is assured. “Let me assure you, that this occasion provides us yet another opportunity to renew those commitments and take deliberate action to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls across Nigeria. Gender-based violence is not just a women’s issue; it is a societal issue, a human rights issue, and an impediment to our nation’s development. As you are already aware, the statistics before us on gender-based violence in Nigeria remain deeply troubling. “Even as we embark on this campaign today, somewhere in a community, a little child has just been violated, a woman has just been abused, a young girl’s life is at risk, all for no just cause. Current Reports indicate that 30% of Nigerian women and girls aged between 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. “This violence occurs not only in homes, but extends to schools, workplaces, and communities. Violence does not know any tribe or creed, it cuts across social and economic boundaries. It affects both young and old. The most vulnerable; our young girls, women in conflict-affected areas, and those living with disabilities face even greater risks. “The growing trend is unacceptable and represents a gross violation of human rights and undermines the very fabric of our society. It prevents women and girls from achieving their full potential and hinders our nation’s progress toward inclusive development. The role of our media partners in this campaign is crucial. While using your platforms to amplify the voices of survivors, also highlight success stories, and hold perpetrators accountable, we must avoid victim blaming. “As we kick off this campaign today, let it mark the beginning of a stronger, more united effort to end gender-based violence in our country. When women and girls thrive, sustainable development is assured.” The Minister assured that the Ministry, in collaboration with partners, will organize various events across the country during the 16-day campaign, including sensitization campaigns, school visits, workshops, and an awareness walk to the National Assembly. Efforts will also focus on empowering girls in rural communities and enhancing survivor support through Nigeria’s 47 Sexual Assault Referral Centres. She added, “We will strengthen legislation and its implementation. Today, we celebrate Bauchi State’s domestication of the Child Rights Act (2003), making it all 36 states, while 35 states have now domesticated the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2015).” The Minister also disclosed that there were 47 Sexual Assault Referral Centres across 22 states to provide medical care, psychosocial support, and empowerment opportunities for GBV survivors. Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gabriel Aduda, urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and deepen efforts to address the root causes of GBV. “Every law we enact, every programme we implement, and every survivor we empower brings us closer to a Nigeria where women and girls can live free from fear and violence,” he said. ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Women Affairs Minister vows to sustain campaign against GBV Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel nowBillionaire philanthropist’s wife Julia Rausing left huge £58million in will following her death aged 63 from illness

Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National ChampionshipFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Looking for hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon to toast the holidays or add to a collection? Get your bids ready as the Bluegrass State launches its first online auction of confiscated alcohol. Whiskeys up for sale include two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold in box with Japanese markings and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. The sale is the result of a new Kentucky law, which allows alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations by the state’s alcoholic beverage control agency to be auctioned. Online bidding opens Wednesday and closes at midnight on Dec. 11. Proceeds will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youths. “This is a really good auction,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said by phone Tuesday. “There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.” No estimate has been given on how much the auction might raise. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction and have started planning additional auctions for 2025,” said Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The auction features 32 bottles of alcohol and includes a “stock the bar” bundle with bottles of wine, vodka, rum and whiskey, the agency said. But the stars are the hard-to-find and rare bourbons up for sale. “It’s not every day you go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Blanton’s Gold,” Gregory said. “You never go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Four Roses 2011.” The lineup includes bottles of E.H. Taylor bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s, an Old Forester gift set and more. A link to the online auction is available at ABC.ky.gov. Auction items cannot be shipped, so winning bidders must pick up items in Frankfort, the state said. The auctions will become a “can’t miss opportunity” for bourbon connoisseurs, Gregory said. Previously, confiscated bourbon or other spirits could end up being destroyed, he said. “We don’t like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” Gregory said. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the Kentucky distillers’ group says. Bruce Schreiner, The Associated PressLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters dejected by the presidential election results need to find a way to give back and remain involved, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clinton presidential library. The former president urged audience members in a packed theater to remain engaged and find ways to communicate with those they disagree with despite a divisive political time. The two spoke about a month after former President Donald Trump’s win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. “We’re just passing through, and we all need to just calm down and do something that builds people up instead of tears them down,” Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election, said she understands the next couple of years are going to be challenging for voters who don’t agree with the decisions being made. “In addition to staying involved and staying aware, it’s important to find something that makes you feel good about the day because if you’re in a constant state of agitation about our political situation, it is really going to shorten your life,” she said. The Clintons spoke during a panel discussion with journalist Laura Ling, who the former president helped free in 2009 when she was detained in North Korea with another journalist. The event was held as part of a weekend of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Library’s opening in Little Rock. The library is preparing to undergo an update of its exhibits and an expansion that will include Hillary Clinton’s personal archives. Hillary Clinton said part of the goal is to modernize the facility and expand it to make it a more open, inviting place for people for convene and make connections. When asked about advice he would give for people disappointed by the election results, Bill Clinton said people need to continue working toward bringing people together and improving others’ lives. “If that’s the way you keep score, then you ought to be trying to run up the score,” he said. “Not lamenting the fact that somebody else is winning a different game because they keep score a different way.” “And in addition, figure out what we can do to win again,” Hillary Clinton added, eliciting cheers. The program featured a panel discussion with cast members of the hit NBC show “The West Wing” and former Clinton White House staffers. The weekend amounted to a reunion of former Clinton White House staffers, supporters and close friends, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and adviser James Carville. McAuliffe said he and Carville ate Friday at Doe’s Eat Place, a downtown restaurant that was popular with Clinton aides and reporters during Clinton’s 1992 White House run. He said he viewed the library and its planned expansion as important for the future. “This is not only about the past, but it’s more importantly about the future,” McAuliffe said. “We just went through a very tough election, and people are all saying we’ve got to get back to the Clinton model.” More articles from the BDN

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

A move to scrap free home to school transport for post-16 Newcastle school pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been paused. Council bosses have delayed a decision to cut the service, which was expected to be taken on Monday night, saying that they would look again at the civic centre’s financial troubles. Parents of SEND pupils who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service ahead of Newcastle City Council ’s cabinet meeting warned that pulling the free transport would risk cutting short the education of some of Tyneside’s most vulnerable children. Neighbouring North Tyneside Council, however, has signed off on changes that will introduce a £672-per-year charge for post-16 pupils to access its home to school travel arrangements. Both local authorities have warned that it is no longer financially sustainable for them to keep providing the free transport, which councils are not legally required to fund for post-16 pupils, amid spiralling bills and mounting pressure on their social care services. But mum-of-three Amberlie Wood-Burton called the proposed end of the Newcastle post-16 provision “disgusting” and “discriminatory”. She said that her severely autistic son would not be able to travel to school himself and that many families would find it impossible to arrange alternatives themselves, particularly parents who do not drive or who also have children at other schools, or rely on public transport. The 37-year-old, from West Denton, added: “A lot of us parents will probably have to cut their education short, by removing them from school at 16, because of this decision.” Amy Hutton, from Blucher, worries that her 15-year-old daughter will be unable to continue her studies at the school she attends 20 miles away in Ashington if the cut goes ahead. She added: “There is a chronic shortage of places she could go. Some of these children just won’t go to school [if post-16 transport is cut]. “These are the most vulnerable children in our city. Some of them couldn’t get the bus – never mind with a carer, some can’t get on at all because of sensory issues and anxiety.” Lesley Storey, Labour ’s cabinet member for children and families in Newcastle, said the move was “not a decision we would ever take lightly and all options have been reviewed”. She confirmed on Monday that civic centre officers had been instructed to produce further financial modelling on the change and that the decision would now be made at a later date. Coun Storey said the delay would also allow the council to take into account a Government announcement on council funding that is expected this week, though she warned that the authority would likely have to go ahead with the cut if there is “no clear scope for additional funding specifically for SEND transport”. Coun Storey added: “That is never a decision that any cabinet wishes to make but we have a responsibility to residents in Newcastle to deliver a balanced budget. Not doing so could put all our services at risk. “Regardless of any decision on this matter, we are continuing to expand our independent travel training programme, which has been widely praised by young people and their parents/carers. We are also doing everything we can to work with those potentially affected to ensure they are aware of the additional support available to support post-16 SEND students, and how this can be used to support them with their travel arrangements.” There are currently 189 post-16 learners in Newcastle whose transport is paid for by the council, at an estimated cost of £131,000 per month, while the local authority is due to announce plans to slash £24 million from its budgets in the coming weeks. In North Tyneside, meanwhile, the council’s cabinet heard earlier on Monday afternoon how it expects to overspend its home to school transport budget for 2024/25 by £1.8 million. Coun Steven Phillips, Labour’s cabinet member for inclusion, employment and skills, said the authority acknowledged public concerns about its proposed cuts but that the budget pressures meant they should go ahead. The changes in North Tyneside, which will come into effect in September 2025, include: Introducing a £672 charge per academic year towards the cost of post-16 travel assistance; No longer reimbursing 50% of travel costs of pupils attending mainstream education; Only providing travel at the start and end of the school day, no longer accommodating pupils on part-time timetables; and Removing funded bus passes for those travelling to faith schools on the grounds of religion. All children and young people who currently receive travel assistance in North Tyneside will continue to receive it until the end of their current phase of education, the council added. Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone. To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice . CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Heart Hospital has expanded its use of surgical robots in coronary artery bypass grafting (Robotic CABG) surgeries. Robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries aim to enhance natural blood flow to the heart muscle and offer a less invasive and more precise alternative to traditional procedures, enabling faster recovery and reducing the risk of complications for patients. The advanced surgeries are performed under the supervision of a specialised surgical team that includes Dr Abdulwahid al-Mulla, Senior Consultant and Head of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at Heart Hospital, alongside Dr. Ali Kindawi, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon; Dr. Mohamed Latif Wani, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon; and Dr. Mohamed al-Kahlout, Specialist Cardiothoracic Surgeon, said HMC in a press statement Sunday. Dr. Abdulwahid al-Mulla said: "Heart Hospital has introduced minimally invasive techniques for coronary artery bypass and mitral valve surgeries to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services to patients in Qatar and to remain at the forefront of global surgical advancements. This aligns with HMC's Healthcare Strategy 2024-2030, the National Health Strategy 2024-2030, and Qatar National Vision 2030." "Integrating advanced technologies like robotics into cardiothoracic surgeries significantly improves patient experience, shortens the patient's recovery time, and minimises complications. Patients are carefully selected for these procedures based on their health status to ensure suitability for this type of surgery and optimal patient outcomes," added Dr al-Mulla. Dr. Mohamed al-Kahlout highlighted the significance of introducing robotics in coronary artery procedures. This procedure is performed through a small incision, no longer than 6 centimetres, on the left side of the chest, replacing the traditional sternotomy. However, other surgical steps, such as placing the patient on a heart-lung machine and temporarily stopping the heart, remain unchanged. He added that robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries reduce recovery times and hospital stays by approximately one-third compared to conventional open-heart procedures. "In 2024, we successfully treated over 10 cases involving more than one bypass. We aim to increase this number to 25 cases in 2025. It is important to highlight that this is an exceptionally advanced procedure, performed by only a handful of specialised centres worldwide, which places Heart Hospital among the leading medical institutions in the field of cardiothoracic surgery," said Dr al-Kahlout. Heart Hospital initially began performing coronary artery surgeries on a limited scale about 15 years ago, focusing on single-artery bypasses. However, with advancements in surgical techniques, particularly in early 2024, the hospital expanded to multi-artery procedures. Related Story HMC bags CIPD Middle East Award for Best Wellbeing Program HMC surgeons save limbs from amputation through new method