best super game improvement irons 2024 ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. "I still got more to write this weekend for sure," said Dahmen, who recently had said his story is not yet over. "But without having the opportunity to play this weekend, my story would be a lot shorter this year." Fishburn took advantage of being on the easier Plantation course, with trees blocking the brunt of the wind and two additional par 5s. He also was helped by Maverick McNealy, who opened with a 62 on the tougher Seaside course, making two bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 70. Fishburn, who already has locked up his card for next year, was at 11-under 131 and led McNealy and Lee Hodges (63) going into the weekend. Michael Thorbjornsen had a 69 and was the only player who had to face Seaside on Friday who was among the top five. What mattered on this day, however, was far down the leaderboard. The RSM Classic is the final tournament of the PGA Tour season, and only the top 125 in the FedEx Cup have full status in 2025. That's more critical than ever with the tour only taking the top 100 for full cards after next season. Players like Dahmen will need full status to get as many playing opportunities as they can. That explains why he felt so much pressure on a Friday. He didn't make a bogey after his opening hole and was battling temperatures in the low 50s that felt even colder with the wind ripping off the Atlantic waters of St. Simons Sound. He made a key birdie on the 14th, hitting a 4-iron for his second shot on the 424-yard hole. Dahmen also hit wedge to 2 feet on the 16th that put him on the cut line, and from the 18th fairway, he was safely on the green some 40 feet away. But he lagged woefully short, leaving himself a testy 5-footer with his job on the line. "It was a great putt. I was very nervous," Dahmen said. "But there's still work to do. It wasn't the game-winner, it was like the half-court shot to get us to halftime. But without that, and the way I played today, I wouldn't have anything this weekend." His playing partners weren't so fortunate. The tour put three in danger of losing their cards in the same group — Zac Blair (No. 123), Dahmen and Wesley Bryan (No. 125). The cut was at 1-under 141. Blair and Bryan came to the 18th hole needing birdie to be assured of making the cut and both narrowly missed. Now they have to wait to see if anyone passes them, which is typically the case. Thorbjornsen in a tie for fourth and Daniel Berger (66 at Plantation) in a tie for 17th both were projected to move into the top 125. Dahmen, indeed, still has work to do. Fishburn gets a weekend to see if he can end his rookie year with a win. "I've had a lot of experience playing in cold growing up in Utah, playing this time of year, kind of get used to playing when the body's not moving very well and you've got to move your hands," said Fishburn, who played college golf at BYU. "Just pretty happy with how I played." Ludvig Aberg, the defending champion and No. 5 player in the world competing for the first time in more than two months because of knee surgery, bounced back with a 64 on Plantation and was back in the mix. Aberg played with Luke Clanton, the Florida State sophomore who looks like he belongs each week. Clanton, the No. 1 player in the world amateur ranking who received a sponsor exemption, had a 65 at Plantation and was two shots off the lead. Clanton already has a runner-up and two other top 10s since June. "Playing with him, it's pretty awesome to watch," Clanton said. "We were kind of fanboying a little it. I know he's a really good dude but to be playing with him and to see what he's done over the last couple years, it's pretty inspirational." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Naveed Qamar said on Sunday that it remained to be seen how incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan's views would factor into the ongoing talks between the PTI and the government. He said the approval of political parties' top leadership was always essential for negotiations. "At some point, the top leadership has to approve of the developments of the negotiations, so their input is always there," Qamar said. When asked how the government would seek input from Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, Qamar responded that it would need to determine how to accommodate Imran's opinions in the process. Speaking to a private news channel, Qamar also dismissed PTI's claims that discussions were underway to move Imran to house arrest at Adiala Jail. "No such thing was revealed to us. You can hear all kinds of things from the PTI," he said. His comments followed a statement by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah, who asserted that if the leaders of the three major political parties—PTI, PML-N, and PPP—sat together for talks, the longstanding national crises could be resolved within 70 days. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif proposed the idea of a new social contract, saying that all major "power centres," including the army, judiciary, and bureaucracy, should participate in negotiations to address the country's challenges. Separately, PTI central leader Lal Chand Malhi released a video message stating that former premier Imran Khan had reiterated his call for a civil disobedience movement. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourRecently recognized as the most prestigious internship program by Vault.com, NASA has empowered countless students and early-career professionals to launch careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. NASA interns make real contributions to space and science missions, making it one of the best places to start your career. “NASA internships give students the chance to work on groundbreaking projects alongside experts, providing impactful opportunities for professional growth,” said Mike Kincaid, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. “Since starting my career as an intern at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, I’ve experienced firsthand how NASA creates lasting connections and open doors—not just for me, but for former interns who are now colleagues across the agency. These internships build STEM skills, confidence, and networks, preparing the next generation of innovators and leaders.” NASA interns achieve impressive feats, from discovering new exoplanets to becoming astronauts and even winning Webby Awards for their science communication efforts. These valuable contributors play a crucial role in NASA’s mission to explore the unknown for the benefit of all. Many NASA employees start their careers as interns, a testament to the program’s lasting impact. Additionally, NASA is recognized as one of America’s Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers for New Graduates by Forbes, reflecting the agency’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. NASA encourages people from underrepresented groups to apply, creating a diverse cohort of interns who bring a wide range of perspectives and ideas to the agency. “My internship experience has been incredible. I have felt welcomed by everyone I’ve worked with, which has been so helpful as a Navajo woman as I’ve often felt like an outsider in male-dominated STEM spaces,” said Tara Roanhorse, an intern for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. If you’re passionate about space, technology, and making a difference in the world, NASA’s internship program is the perfect place to begin your journey toward a fulfilling and impactful career. To learn more about NASA’s internship programs, visit: https://www.intern.nasa.gov/

Cracks emerge in Trump's MAGA coalitionRuud van Nistelrooy has opened up about the pain of his departure from Manchester United , expressing his deep disappointment at not being retained by the club. As he steps into his new role as Leicester City manager, the Dutch icon reflected on his Old Trafford exit, revealing his initial hopes to remain part of the team under new boss Ruben Amorim . Van Nistelrooy shared: "The moment I took over the interim job, I said: ‘I’m here to help United and to stay to help United,’ and I meant it. "So I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave. "The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. "But in the end, I got my head around it because I also understand the new manager. "I spoke to Ruben about it, and it was fair enough. I was grateful for the conversation. "He spoke to me man to man, person to person, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities, which, of course, lifted my spirits." The 48-year-old acknowledged that his brief tenure at Old Trafford significantly boosted his career prospects, concluding, "What happened after that - the amount of interest that was there for me and the options that came along - I was astonished." The former Netherlands star opened up about the curious attention he received, musing: "I thought: ‘It’s four games.’ I had a full season with PSV, I won the cup and Charity Shield did well with young PSV. I’d been coaching with the national team and it never got this reaction from the football world. It provoked these reactions. I was only happy with that." He reflected further on the events that led to his current role: "I was able to get into conversations that were good for me - and that brought me to Leicester."Ben Davies is the latest to fall into that category, with the Welsh international initially primed to return for Sunday’s visit of Wolves but no longer available. Davies suffered a setback in training this week, which means Spurs could be without a fit centre-back after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the latter stages of Thursday’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest with an ankle issue. Ange with a team news update ahead of Wolves on Sunday 🗣️ — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) Postecoglou is already without first-choice central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven after both failed to make it through their comeback fixture against Chelsea on December 7. “Yeah, that’s been our major problem this year. Guys who are coming back from injury rather than us losing players as such,” Postecoglou said. “We’re looking at those things and why they’re happening. It’s certainly happened too often this year where guys have come back and they’re the ones who are missing. “I think just about all of them, apart from Vic (Guglielmo Vicario), are recurrences of an injury. “Even with Romero, it was a different injury but it’s still a guy coming back, so it’s something we’re looking at.” There could be good news on the horizon with attackers Mikey Moore and Richarlison expected to return to training next week. Richarlison suffered his own setback in November when his short-lived return after a calf issue was cut short when he injured the same area against Aston Villa. Moore, meanwhile, has been sidelined by a virus for the best part of two months but the 17-year-old could provide a much-needed spark in the new year when Newcastle visit on January 4. Postecoglou said: “Him and Richy are in the final phases. Next week they can start training. We’ve got a bit of a gap before the Newcastle game. “The plan is Mikey and Richy come back into first-team training next week.” Anticipated returns for Moore and Richarlison will fail to help Postecoglou against Wolves, with makeshift centre-back Archie Gray potentially set to partner up with fellow midfielder Yves Bissouma if Dragusin cannot recover. Pressed on the issue of fixture scheduling, with Spurs definitely missing eight players for Sunday’s fixture, Postecoglou said: “It is challenging. “All clubs are going to have to get their heads around it and authorities are going to have to get their heads around it. “One of two things need to happen: either you somehow change the fixture schedule, which doesn’t seem feasible, or you allow clubs bigger squads. Then you have other issues with that, as well. “The attrition rate you’re seeing and it’s not just us. We’re going through a particularly badly moment. Newcastle went through it last year and it affected them pretty badly. They were obviously in the Champions League as well and probably didn’t have the squad to cope with it. “It hits certain clubs at different times and is probably becoming more prevalent, and for all of us it’s a challenge as to how we navigate this process to keep our players healthy. “It’s not just a physical thing, it’s a mental thing. For us it’s been constant since August and we’re not even halfway through the year. And they’re not going to get a break now, so these things we’re constantly assessing.”

EVEREST FAMILY FOUNDATION IN COLLABORATION WITH EDYOU TECHNOLOGIES HOSTED HEARTWARMING WINTER WONDERLAND EVENTFolsom Tech Week 2025 Announced: Showcasing Technology, Innovation, And ImpactImagine a world where every drive is safer and accidents are a rare occurrence—this vision is becoming a reality thanks to the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence. AI is transforming different dimensions of our lives, and road safety is no exception. With cutting-edge technology, it's now possible to track and analyze every movement on the road, leading to improved safety and efficiency. This article explores how AI is being utilized in the detection and management of road activities, its benefits, and potential concerns surrounding its implementation. The most noticeable applications of AI in road safety are intelligent traffic management systems (ITMS). ITMS systems use cameras, sensors, and algorithms that follow AI concepts to monitor real-time traffic flow. For instance, technology such as ANPR can auto-capture and recognize a car's registration number; by this automatic means, every case of speeding and illegal parking is caught and fined. India's government has installed more than 83,000 CCTV cameras in 100 smart cities under the Smart Cities Mission. That surely is a game-changer, assisting in traffic management and, at the same time, in crime prevention by data input for crime mapping. AI plays a crucial role in improving road safety, extending beyond merely managing traffic. Several companies are actively developing AI-driven tools to enhance safety in urban mobility, including Nayan, PathPartner, and Netradyne. Nayan's AI engine analyzes video feeds from smartphone applications to monitor road conditions and traffic. This crowdsourcing application can identify infrastructural defects, traffic violations, and road hazards, providing real-time insights for better planning and ensuring safety. With a highly effective algorithm that uses advanced computer vision methods of driver distraction detection and prevention, the PathPartner Driver Monitoring System observes facial expressions and eye movements to alert drowsy or distracted drivers at much greater probabilities of preventing accidents before they occur. Another significant application of AI in road safety is its prediction. Through extensive data analysis, AI is able to discern patterns and predict hazards likely to happen. For example, AI can learn where along the road network is most prone to crashes so that proper precautions can be taken to prevent those incidents. In autonomous vehicles, AI predicts the movements of other road users, pedestrians and cyclists, among others, for safe vehicular operation. The ability to predict ahead is important for smart driverless cars to anticipate and react to the sudden emergence of obstacles. Benefits abound from adding AI to the roadmap on road safety: 1. Better Traffic Management: AI is capable of better managing traffic flow. It helps reduce congestion and improve travel times. 2. Better Safety: AI detects and prevents traffic violations and driver distractions, thus reducing accidents on the road. 3. Proactive Maintenance: AI can monitor the condition of the road infrastructure and predict when maintenance is needed. 4. Crime Prevention: AI data collection can be incorporated into crime mapping and crime prevention to create safer cities for residents. 5. Environmental Benefit: The efficient flow of traffic reduces fuel consumption and, consequently, emissions, thereby ensuring that the environment is preserved and used sustainably. Although the advantages of AI on the road are quite apparent, several concerns and issues have to be dealt with while taking into consideration ethics. The primary concern is privacy. Cameras and sensors installed on all the roads raise a host of questions about an individual's right to privacy. The usage of data captured by such cameras or sensors has to be used responsibly so that no aspect of privacy is breached in any manner. Another issue is the bias in AI algorithms. If the data used to train AI systems is biased, the decisions of such systems could also be biased, thereby deterring unfair treatment of certain groups of people. This calls for the development of and implementation of AI systems that are transparent and fair. AI is transforming road safety by providing real-time data insights, predictive capabilities, and efficient traffic management. While the benefits are significant, it is essential to address the concerns and ethical considerations associated with the use of AI. By doing so, we can harness the power of AI to create safer and more efficient roadways for everyone. As AI continues evolving, it will naturally offer even more innovative solutions to the challenges we face on the roads. For now, though, it is certain that AI can make a really big difference in road safety: safer journeys and more efficiently completed. With these advancements, we can look forward to a future where every drive feels more secure and thoughtful, unlocking new possibilities for travel and adventure.

Injury-riddled Louisville tries to cool off No. 9 DukeLOVE Island star Tasha Ghouri faced a tough night on Strictly Come Dancing as the judges delivered brutal feedback following a blunder. Tasha landed in the dance-off last week, and tonight her semi-final Salsa routine failed to impress the judges. 4 Tasha Ghouri and her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec are one of the strongest couples in Strictly Come Dancing 4 The judges refused to go easy on the couples 4 Tasha came under fire from the judges over her first dance of the semi-final Credit: PA The reality TV beauty, 25, delivered a high-energy performance to Girls Aloud’s hit Something New, but left the judges wincing. The star, who has wowed audiences with her moves all season, appeared visibly upset after the routine didn’t go as planned. Judge and former pro Anton Du Beke didn’t hold back, telling her: "It's got to be absolutely seamless, and it wasn't. "There were transitions there that were a bit stumbly. We are talking about the semi-final here" while head judge Shirley Ballas added: "There was a tiny thing, your transitions in your lift." Craig Revel Horwood added: "You need to dance out of every transition smoothly and out of it. That didn't really happen tonight." Motsi Mabusetold her: "That beginning was insane, out of this world. I understand what the other judges are talking about but we are talking about levels of lifts here." Viewers took to social media to defend the star, with many praising her dance. Tasha's semi-final opener won her 35 points. Most read in Showbiz TELLY TRAGEDY The Scheme star dies aged 61 as tributes pour in for 'lovely man' FOOD FOR THOUGHT Joe Swash begs for MasterChef job after Gregg Wallace exits BBC show lucky escape Joe Swash in terrifying car crash as he reveals vehicle was hit by a LORRY lookalike son Nepo-baby DJ poses behind the decks - but can you guess his Britpop star dad? She managed to pull it back for her second dance, and was awarded a perfect score for her waltz to Aretha Franklin's romantic ballad You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman. However, after finding herself in the dreaded dance-off last week fans were worried it wouldn't be enough. Pete Wicks' 'kisses' Jowita on Strictly as he fuels romance rumours after Maura Higgins leaves the I'm A Celeb jungle They also accused the judges of picking holes in her performance while awarding high scores for her fellow contestants. One fan tweeted: "Worried though since her Salsa got no 10’s... just hoping if she’s in the dance-off it’s against Pete rather than JB (won’t be Chris or Sarah). PLEASE VOTE FOR TASHA!" Another said: "I’m still mad about Tasha’s salsa score because worse dances this season has got 10s, but you’re telling me that didnt... do me a favour." A third said: "If Tasha’s salsa was a 9, Chris’ Charleston was a 6, blind or not it doesn’t matter, they’re all judged equally (apparently)." Tasha will now rely on the public vote to secure her place in the grand finale. 4 She danced to Girls Aloud hit Something New with pro Aljaž

LOVE Island star Tasha Ghouri faced a tough night on Strictly Come Dancing as the judges delivered brutal feedback following a blunder. Tasha landed in the dance-off last week, and tonight her semi-final Salsa routine failed to impress the judges. The reality TV beauty, 25, delivered a high-energy performance to Girls Aloud’s hit Something New, but left the judges wincing. The star, who has wowed audiences with her moves all season, appeared visibly upset after the routine didn’t go as planned. Judge and former pro Anton Du Beke didn’t hold back, telling her: "It's got to be absolutely seamless, and it wasn't. "There were transitions there that were a bit stumbly. We are talking about the semi-final here" while head judge Shirley Ballas added: "There was a tiny thing, your transitions in your lift." READ MORE ON STRICTLY Craig Revel Horwood added: "You need to dance out of every transition smoothly and out of it. That didn't really happen tonight." Motsi Mabusetold her: "That beginning was insane, out of this world. I understand what the other judges are talking about but we are talking about levels of lifts here." Viewers took to social media to defend the star, with many praising her dance. Tasha's semi-final opener won her 35 points. Most read in TV She managed to pull it back for her second dance, and was awarded a perfect score for her waltz to Aretha Franklin's romantic ballad You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman. However, after finding herself in the dreaded dance-off last week some were worried it wouldn't be enough. They also accused the judges of picking holes in her performance while awarding high scores for her fellow contestants. One fan tweeted: "Worried though since her Salsa got no 10’s... just hoping if she’s in the dance-off it’s against Pete rather than JB (won’t be Chris or Sarah). PLEASE VOTE FOR TASHA!" Another said: "I’m still mad about Tasha’s salsa score because worse dances this season has got 10s, but you’re telling me that didnt... do me a favour." A third said: "If Tasha’s salsa was a 9, Chris’ Charleston was a 6, blind or not it doesn’t matter, they’re all judged equally (apparently)." Tasha will now rely on the public vote to secure her place in the grand finale.Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events CHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. FCT, Abuja - Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has urged northerners not to allow Niger Republic junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, to gaslight them into turning against the Nigerian government. Omokri said northerners should treat him the same way Yoruba people treated and rejected Kemi Badenoch’s comment about the northern region. He said Yoruba showed that Nigerian nationality is more important than ethnic identity, adding that one good turn deserves another. The social critic stated this via his X handle (formerly known as Twitter) @renoomokri on Friday, December 27. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! He said Arewa influencers supporting Tiani’s behaviour would lose the moral authority to call any Southerner who joins Mrs. Badenoch against Nigeria . “Yes, Abdourahamane Tiani is Hausa by ethnicity, just like Kemi Badenoch is Lukumi Yoruba by culture. What is expected from all Nigerians is to cement Nigeria's unity by demonstrating, like the Southwest did, that Nigerian nationality is more important than ethnic identity. Read also Year in review: 7 political events that shaped Nigeria in 2024 “If Northern leaders of thought and opinion moulders allow Brigadier General Tiani's irresponsible, false allegations to turn them against President Tinubu and Malam Nuhu Ribadu, they would be dealing a severe blow to Nigerian national solidarity while at the same time telling those Lukumi Yoruba who stood up to Kemi that they are foolish. “Such people will be playing into the hands of those Southern irredentists who share Kemi Badenoch's views” PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng

NoneTizeti deepens access with FreeFiber broadband

Dublin Bus have said they are "actively investigating" footage which appears to show a young child being struck by a man wearing a hi-vis vest. Footage has been shared widely across social media that shows an incident which occurred at a bus stop in Ballymun along the 140 route on Friday night. In the short clip, a child can be seen interacting with another person who is standing on the steps of the bus. Moments later, a man wearing a hi-vis vest can be seen stepping forward before slapping the child with his hand. The young child then appears to fall to the ground and can be heard crying. READ MORE: Emotional scenes as mother of one Marguerita O’Rourke brought to final resting place in Limerick READ MORE: Stepfather of missing Amy Fitzpatrick says no one ever accused him to his face of killing her A spokesperson for Dublin Bus told the Irish Mirror: “ Dublin Bus is aware of footage showing an alleged incident occurring adjacent to a bus on the 140 route. “We are actively investigating this footage. Dublin Bus is taking this alleged incident very seriously. The safety of passengers is of the utmost importance.” Although Gardaí do not comment on videos circulating online, a spokesperson confirmed that authorities are investigating an alleged assault that occurred in Ballymun on Friday. A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Mirror : “An Garda Síochána does not comment on third-party material and videos circulating online, the contents of which cannot be verified. “Gardaí are investigating a report of alleged assault that occurred in Ballymun, Dublin 11 on Friday night, 27 December. Enquiries are ongoing into the matter.” Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. 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. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .Patrick Fishburn leads at Sea Island as Joel Dahmen keeps alive hopes of keeping his job

NoneIn my previous article for Daily Sabah, I discussed the PKK's involvement in the drug trade since its early days, tracing the routes of these transactions and highlighting the countries and groups that have contributed to the industry's growth. In this following piece, I will explain how drug money is utilized and how political dynamics across the region have created a favorable environment for the PKK and its affiliates to thrive. The PKK plays a dominant role in Türkiye’s narcotics smuggling industry. Money earned through the drug trade constitutes one of the principal sources of its revenue, which is used to buy advanced weapons from European markets and expand its military and political capabilities. The PKK tends to lure the young by offering mild drugs free of cost first and later dragging them into its trade permanently. The drug money is also utilized to lobby with the major powers across the world to achieve its political objectives and fund the big media houses to raise their issue and veil their terror activities. It is also siphoned off to support its operatives in Türkiye and neighboring countries and to achieve their political objectives. They have close contact with several overseas Kurdish groups and one such group is the Belgium-based Congress of the European Kurdish Democratic Community. In 2022, the Council for Europe backlisted thirteen persons associated with the group for their involvement in the illicit trade. The PKK forcefully drags minors into the drug swamps, and several leading figures of the PKK, like Cemil Bayık (one of the founding members of PKK), Duran Kalkan (commander of the PKK's terrorist forces) and several others, have been blacklisted by the EU countries. Today, PKK-controlled drug networks have deep roots in the market of Europe and the United States. According to a report published by the U.S.’s General Directorate of Security, the PKK has used the earnings through drug trafficking to widen the networks of its activities and enrolled more and more youth in the PKK because the easy access to banned stimulating drugs also attracts the youth. A U.K. intelligence report has recently also linked the London-based notorious drug gang Tottenham Boys group with the PKK, which has a membership of 400 and is responsible for distributing Grade A and B drugs in Northern and Central London and the same report indicates that three Moldova-based drug peddlers were part of the PKK. With the ushering of the Arab uprising coupled with the political chaos across the region, the PKK found an uncontested geographical terrain to expand its drug trade and consequently, in the last decade, its drug empire has upped many notches. The rise of ISIS and the subsequent U.S. support to the PKK/YPG in the guise of combating ISIS offered a favorable environment to the PKK and its affiliates to deepen its imprint, which eventually helped the PKK’s drug empire as well. Because of the growing U.S.-PKK/YPG alliance in Syria, the PKK acquired new leeway in Syrian internal politics and emerged as a catalyst in the burgeoning drug trade. For a long time, most of the fertile agricultural lands in northern Syria have been controlled by regional Kurdish people, but with the weakening authority of Assad, these lands began to be used for the cultivation of cannabis to mint money. In recent years, the PKK/YPG has been reported to force the locals to cultivate only cannabis in the areas controlled by them. They also coordinate smuggling between Syria and Europe. The trained drug peddlers inside the PKK/YPG carry the drugs through the Syrian border to other countries, and they also use drone services, which can have three to five kilograms of banned and costly drugs in a single flight. These drugs are passed on to Lebanese territories through various middlemen to market them into other Arab nations and some are resent to Türkiye to be sold in European markets for higher prices. Amid the growing influence of PKK/YPG in their zone, they started to grow more drug-related plants like poppy, hemp, marijuana and cannabis to make huge amounts of money in a short span. To evade the general gaze, they grow corn around the farming tract and drug plantations in the middle of the tract. The PKK/YPG has created a special cell to protect and hide the drug cultivation in the areas run by the North and East Syrian Autonomous Administration. The rampant production has increased drug addiction in the region and the price of some drugs is cheaper than cigarettes. Apart from cannabis, the most known drug in Syria is Captagon . In one of the operations launched by the Turkish force, around a million Captagon pills were seized in the region controlled by PKK/YPG. Similarly, during the 2018 Olive Branch operation in Afrin, security forces found concrete tunnels that the PKK used to smuggle drugs into Türkiye. Drugs have become a tool to lure youngsters and the rampant use of drugs is likely to render them defunct, fatigued and despondent. The control of huge lands by the PKK/YPG has created a prosperous zone for drug cultivation and like in Türkiye and Europe, the PKK/YPG officials have established special cells to supervise the drug trade and money laundering. Though in the past, the Turkish authorities have launched many operations to bust these drug operatives in the country, the international community does not cooperate with Türkiye on this matter. Türkiye has repeatedly warned the EU about PKK’s threat to public order in the region. However, the EU seems to have overlooked the warning and failed to take the necessary action despite the fact Germany hosts the largest number of followers of PKK/YPG. Drug trafficking is a global menace and it needs global efforts and cooperation among different countries to fight it. There should be no politics in dealing with this peril; otherwise, it would lead to many new crises in the world, which is already trapped in the vortex of numerous calamities.For their last holiday season in the White House, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden decked the halls with a theme of "A Season of Peace and Light." When guests first enter the White House for holiday tours, they're greeted by a massive, rotating starlight above the East Wing. The first tree on the tour is dedicated to Gold Star Families. It's made of six oversized and stacked stars representing the branches of the military. Names of fallen service members are written on gold star ornaments on the four accompanying Christmas trees around the room, according to the White House website . Brass-colored bells suspended from archways down the East Colonnade surround guests with the "peaceful sounds of the holiday season." The White House Library is a forest of vintage ceramic Christmas trees. RELATED STORY | Capitol Christmas tree arrives in Washington after 4,000-mile journey from Alaska The ceiling of the East Room is wrapped in a canopy of reflective medallions that mimic the feeling of a peaceful snowfall. This is where guests will find the Nativity scene that has been displayed during every White House holiday season since 1967. In the Blue Room, guests will find the official White House Christmas Tree, a Fraser fir from North Carolina, on display in the center of a whimsical carousel. Every year the room's chandelier is removed to accommodate the tall Christmas trees. Military families from the USS Delaware and the USS Gabrielle Giffords, Navy vessels that First Lady Biden sponsors, made dazzling paper garlands that wrap around the State Dining Room. One of the most anticipated features every year is the Gingerbread White House. The sugary replica features a large starburst and a cheerful scene of ice skaters this year. The White House said the gingerbread masterpiece took 25 sheets of gingerbread dough, 10 sheets of sugar cookie dough, five pounds of pastillage, 45 pounds of chocolate, 50 pounds of royal icing and 10 pounds of gum paste to come to life. In total, there are 83 Christmas trees throughout the White House adorned with approximately 9,810 feet of ribbon and over 28,125 ornaments. Over 165,075 lights decorate the trees, garlands, wreaths and displays. RELATED STORY | Experts share tips on how to have a bugfree Christmas "It has been the honor of our lives to serve as your President and First Lady. Our hope is for the Nation to be blessed with the peace and light of the holiday season. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays," the president and first lady wrote in the welcome letter for the commemorative White House Holiday Guide. It took over 300 dedicated volunteers from across the country a full week to decorate the inside and outside of the White House, who the first lady thanked during a special event to mark the holiday season. The first lady invited National Guard families to be the first to experience this year's magical decorations and had their children on stage at the special event.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- In recognition of its local collaboration, commitment to modernizing the electric system and support of clean energy goals, Eversource and its local partner BXP have been selected to receive a 2024 Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Annual Visionary Award for their partnership on the innovative Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), which includes the development of a first-of-its-kind underground electrical substation. The Visionary Awards & Gala took place on November 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122421270/en/ Eversource and BXP accept the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Annual Visionary Award. (Photo: Business Wire) Among other innovative technologies, GCEP will include the nation’s largest underground substation—a 35,000-square-foot facility 120 feet beneath a public green space at BXP’s Life Sciences Center in Kendall Square. It will also feature eight underground transmission lines spanning 8.3 miles across Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, plus 48 distribution lines and significant upgrades to local substations or clean energy hubs to enhance power reliability, resilience, and support for a growing electric demand driven by the electrification of transportation and heating. “Our dedicated employees work every day to ensure a reliable, more sustainable energy future, and we are truly honored to receive this award from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce,” said Bill Quinlan, Eversource President of Transmission and Offshore Wind Projects. “This recognition emphasizes the critical role of collaboration and compromise in delivering innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of the communities we serve. We’re pleased to have had the opportunity to collaborate with BXP, the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, as well as the City of Somerville and Allston/Brighton on this important project. By investing in advanced technologies and infrastructure, we aim to meet the evolving energy needs of our customers in an environmentally responsible way, creating a cleaner, more resilient, and efficient grid for the future.” The Visionary Awards recognize innovators from the business, institutional, and non-profit communities who are truly effecting change in Cambridge and beyond. This special evening is an opportunity for the Cambridge business community to celebrate these change agents and their extraordinary impact on improving the lives of others. Additional information about the project is available on the company’s Greater Cambridge Energy Program’s web page. More information on the energy company’s year-round work to strengthen and modernize the electric system for customers can be found on the reliability page of Eversource's website . Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is among the top energy companies in Newsweek ’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024 and recognized as a Five-Year Champion , appearing in every edition of the list. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 1.8 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.47 million electric customers in 140 communities, 639,000 gas customers in 117 communities, and 11,500 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 10,000 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com , and follow us on X , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122421270/en/ CONTACT: Kyle Costa 774-464-8185 kyle.costa@eversource.com KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GREEN TECHNOLOGY ENERGY ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY UTILITIES SOURCE: Eversource Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 01:34 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 01:34 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122421270/en

Donald Trump has yet to move back into the White House and already fissures are opening in his coalition, amid squabbling between Elon Musk and his Silicon Valley "tech bros" and his hardcore Republican backers. At the heart of the internecine sniping is Trump's central election issue -- immigration -- and the H1-B visas that allow companies to bring foreigners with specific qualifications to the United States. The permits are widely used in Silicon Valley, and Musk -- who himself came to the United States from South Africa on an H1-B -- is a fervent advocate. The world's richest man, who bankrolled Trump's election campaign and has become a close advisor, posted on X Thursday that welcoming elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed by Trump as Musk's co-chair on a new advisory board on government efficiency, suggested that companies prefer foreign workers because they lack an "American culture," which he said venerates mediocrity. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he posted, warning that, without a change in attitude, "we'll have our asses handed to us by China." Skepticism over the benefits of immigration is a hallmark of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement and the billionaires' remarks angered immigration hawks who accused them of ignoring US achievements in technological innovation. Incoming White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a 2020 speech in which Trump marveled at the American "culture" that had "harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the Internet." The post appeared calculated to remind critics that Trump won November's election on a platform of getting tough on immigration and boosting American manufacturing. But it was Michael Faraday, an English scientist, who discovered that an electric current could be produced by passing a magnet through a copper wire and Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealander, who first split the atom. And Alexander Graham Bell may have died a US citizen but he was a British subject in Canada when he invented the telephone. Trump voiced opposition to H1-B visas during his successful first run for the White House in 2016, calling them "unfair for our workers" while acknowledging that he used foreign labor in his own businesses. The Republican placed restrictions on the system when he took office, but the curbs were lifted by President Joe Biden. Trump is known for enjoying the gladiatorial spectacle when conflict breaks out in his inner circle. He has been conspicuously silent during the hostilities that Politico characterized as "Musk vs MAGA." Many MAGA figures have been agitating for a complete closure of America's borders while the problem of illegal entries is tackled, and hoping for a steer from Trump that would reassure them that he remains firm in his "America First" stance. For some long-time loyalists, Silicon Valley has already inserted itself too deeply into MAGA politics. "We welcomed the tech bros when they came running our way to avoid the 3rd grade teacher picking their kid's gender -- and the obvious Biden/Harris economic decline," said Matt Gaetz, the scandal-hit congressman forced to withdraw after being nominated by Trump to run the Justice Department. "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy." When Musk almost single-handedly blew up a deal painstakingly hammered out between Democrats and Republicans to set the 2025 federal budget, Democrats used "President Musk" to mock Trump, who is famously sensitive about being upstaged. It remains to be seen whether these cracks can be smoothed out or if they are a portent of further strife, but critics point to the chaos in Trump's first term as a potential indicator. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a MAGA figure with so much influence that she had a seat on Trump's plane during the campaign. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." Loomer has subsequently complained of censorship after she was stripped of her paying subscribers on X, which is owned by Musk. "Full censorship of my account simply because I called out H1B visas," she posted. "This is anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs. What happened to free speech?" rle/ft/sms

Biden administration proposes new cybersecurity rules to limit impact of healthcare data leaksOfficials with the federal department leading the widespread deployment of a national electric vehicle charging infrastructure project express hope that the program will continue under the new Donald Trump administration, but offered little assurances. “It’s been a really great office, and I certainly think it will continue. But we’ll see,” remarked Linda Bailey, program manager for technical assistance at the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, speaking of the work of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI), funded with $7.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to help build thousands of EV charging ports along major corridors. Bailey was speaking Thursday on a panel discussion hosted by Veloz, a Sacramento-based EV policy and advocacy group. The IIJA is a signature piece of the President Joseph Biden administration’s domestic agenda. The $1.2 trillion legislation received bipartisan support in Congress, and is aimed at modernizing the nation’s long-neglected infrastructure. A companion piece of legislation known as the Inflation Reduction Act has been investing billions of dollars into initiatives to address climate change, and reorienting the nation’s economy toward the technologies of tomorrow. That legislation passed with virtually no Republican support, and the president-elect has signaled his distaste for key pieces of it, like extending tax credits toward the purchase of electric vehicles. “I really can’t comment, unfortunately, on what the new administration will do,” Bailey said, when asked about the future of the tax credit. “I will say that continuity is really important for businesses in terms of tax planning. And the changes in the tax code could just change peoples’ plans, in general.” Among consumers, she noted, “there’s a lot of momentum, overall” for EVs. President-elect Donald Trump could not unilaterally remove the tax credit, since it is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which would require congressional action to amend the law. That glass half-full outlook may do little to calm fears among EV advocates. Trump has picked Chris Wright, an oil and gas executive to lead the U.S. Department of Energy, and has put forward Sean Duffy, a former Republican Congressman from Wisconsin, and a host of Fox Business, to lead the Department of Transportation. “Changes in administrations may bring changes in priorities. This is a natural part of our democratic process. The Joint Office will continue to address priorities across the departments of Energy and Transportation,” , executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, said during the panel. Klein devoted most of his comments to the office’s accomplishments during the last three years. Much of the planning and design phase for the hundreds of high-speed charging stations developed as part of the NEVI program is done, and stations are now beginning to go online, serving drivers. Some 39 charging sites are now active in 12 states, with another 10 under construction, said Steve Birkett, an electrification consultant at Plug and Play EV, which produces educational media for EV drivers. “Construction is really starting to accelerate,” Birkett said during the panel. “There are [openings] so often, every day.” The NEVI program operates as a formula program of the federal government, and sends funding directly to states. So far, all 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico have submitted and received approval on two rounds of EV charging plans under NEVI, unlocking nearly $2.5 billion in formula funding to be used toward the construction of high-speed charging stations, Klein said. To date, 47 states have received approval on their third state plan, to tap an addition $726 million for Fiscal Year 2025 funding. Because of the way the program is structured, it’s not easy to claw back money once it’s been apportioned, officials said. “I don’t believe formula funding like this has been rescinded in the past,” Bailey said. “I’ll just say that. There’s no guarantee. Anything can change, of course. “I don’t know that anyone will want to kind of take that back, out of the state’s hands, out of the private sector’s hands,” she added. “I would expect steady progress, barring something that has really never happened before, which is that apportionments that already went to states being changed.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers returned to the state Capitol on Monday to begin a special session to protect the state's progressive policies ahead of another Trump presidency. The Democratic governor, a fierce critic of President-elect Donald Trump, is positioning California to once again be the center of a resistance effort against the conservative agenda. He is asking his Democratic allies in the Legislature, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, to approve additional funding to the attorney general's office to prepare for a robust legal fight against anticipated federal challenges. Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel on Monday introduced legislation to set aside $25 million for legal fees to respond to potential attacks by the Trump administration on state policies regarding civil rights, climate change, immigration and abortion access. “While we always hope to collaborate with our federal partners, California will be ready to vigorously defend our interests and values from any unlawful action by the incoming Trump Administration,” Gabriel said in a statement. California sued the first Trump administration more than 120 times to various levels of success. “We’re not going to be caught flat-footed,” Newsom said at a recent news conference. Trump often depicts California as representing all he sees wrong in America. Democrats, which hold every statewide office in California and have commanding margins in the Legislature and congressional delegation, outnumber registered Republicans by nearly 2-to-1 statewide. Trump called the Democratic governor “New-scum” during a campaign stop in Southern California and has relentlessly lambasted the Democratic stronghold over its large number of immigrants in the U.S. illegally, homeless population and thicket of regulations. Trump also waded into a water rights battle over the endangered delta smelt , a tiny fish that has pitted environmentalists against farmers and threatened to withhold federal aid to a state increasingly under threat from wildfires. He also vowed to follow through with his campaign promise of carrying out the mass deportation of immigrants without legal status and prosecuting his political enemies. Before the special session was set to begin, state lawmakers swore in more than two dozen new members and elect leaders for the 2025 legislative session. Hundreds of people also demonstrated around the Capitol on Monday to urge the Legislature to try to stop Trump's mass deportation plans . They carried banners that said “Not one cent for mass deportation” and “MAGA out of California.” “With the results of the presidential election, we need our state elected officials to use every tool and every resource they have available to them to protect our immigrant Californians,” protester Deborah Lee said. State Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office will protect the state’s immigration population, while Newsom last week unveiled a proposal to revive a rebate program for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates a federal tax credit for people who buy electric cars. Newsom is also considering creating a backup disaster relief fund for the wildfire-prone state after Trump’s threats. Bonta announced legislation Monday aimed at bolstering reproductive rights in the state, including by allowing the attorney general to seek monetary penalties against local governments that infringe on those rights. The proposals are part of the state's efforts to safeguard against threats to abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade . Republican lawmakers blasted Newsom and his Democratic allies over the special session. Rep. Vince Fong, who represents the state’s Central Valley farm belt, said California should work with the incoming Trump administration instead. “Gavin Newsom’s actions are tone-deaf to the concerns of Californians who disapprove of the direction of our state and country,” Fong said in a video on social media. Legislators also are expected to spend the year discussing ways to protect dozens of laws expected to be targeted by the Trump administration, including one that has made the state a sanctuary for people seeking abortions who live in states where such practices have been severely limited. California, the nation’s most populous state, was the first to mandate that by 2035 all new cars , pickup trucks and SUVs sold in California be electric, hydrogen-powered or plug-in hybrids. The state also extends state-funded health care to all low-income residents regardless of their immigration status. Newsom hasn't provided details about what actions the lawmakers will consider but said he wanted funding in place before Trump's inauguration day, Jan. 20. The state spent roughly $42 million in litigation costs during the first Trump administration, officials said. California is projected to face a $2 billion budget deficit next year, with bigger shortfalls ahead. Gabriel, who sued the first Trump administration in 2017 when it tried to end a program to shield young immigrants from being deported, said lining up the funding now is “a wise investment." California successfully clawed back $57 million between 2017 and 2018 after prevailing in a lawsuit to block the Trump administration from putting immigration enforcement conditions on certain federal law enforcement grants. Another legal victory over the citizenship question in the 2020 census forced the federal government to return $850,000 to the state, according to the attorney general's office. “We are positioned, if necessary, to be the tip of the spear of the resistance and to push back against any unlawful or unconstitutional actions by the Trump administration,” said Gabriel, who chairs the budget committee. During Trump’s first presidency, Democratic attorneys general banded together to file lawsuits over immigration, Trump’s travel ban for residents of Muslim countries, the environment, immigration and other topics. But Trump has one possible advantage this time around: He was aggressive in nominating conservative jurists to federal courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court. ___ Associated Press journalists Haven Daley and Sophie Austin contributed to this report. Trân Nguyễn, The Associated Press

Is Eli Lilly Stock a Buy?Civil Service chief tells officials to 'relish opportunities' of Keir Starmer reformsFamily first: Biden joins list of US presidents pardoning relatives

Chart Industries, Inc. (NYSE:GTLS) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from AnalystsLaunch Consulting Welcomes John Cipolla as President to Drive Innovation and Growth