jilibet app Ange Postecoglou relishing Tottenham’s key run of fixtures before ChristmasWhen the Great Recession struck California 17 years ago and hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs, the state’s unemployment insurance system crashed. The employer-financed program quickly exhausted its thin reserves, due to a short-sighted political decision six years earlier. In 2001, the Unemployment Insurance Fund had a $6.5 billion positive balance. But the governor at the time, Democrat Gray Davis, owed big political debts to unions that financed his 1998 campaign. He repaid them by doubling unemployment insurance benefits, contending that the seemingly hefty reserve could cover them without raising payroll taxes on employers. When recession struck, the insurance fund soon leaked red ink and the state borrowed about $10 billion from the federal government to maintain cash payments. When the state didn’t repay the loan, the feds raised payroll taxes for nearly a decade to retire the loan. It should have been a lesson for political policymakers about instant gratification and financial responsibility, but it wasn’t. Shortly after the $10 billion loan was paid off, California was hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic, and upwards of 3 million workers lost their jobs as the state ordered workplace closures. Once again, the unemployment insurance program had virtually no reserves to cover the sharp increase in claims. Once again it borrowed from the federal government, this time for $20 billion, and once again its failure to repay forced the feds to increase payroll taxes. In addition to a double dose of financial problems, the Employment Development Department has also experienced managerial failures. In 2011 Elaine Howle, the state auditor, laid out the department’s shortcomings in a sharply worded report, but when the pandemic hit, they once again became evident. There were massive glitches in responding to legitimate claims for insurance benefits, while the department gave tens of billions of dollars to fraudsters. Meanwhile employers are still repaying the last loan, and the state’s insurance fund is continuing to run deficits, unable to cover current benefits of nearly $7 billion a year. With that history in mind, another watchdog agency, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, is urging a complete overhaul of unemployment insurance, declaring the system “is broken.” Noting that the current state payroll tax cannot fully cover current benefits, much less build reserves, the LAO report projects a “perpetually outstanding federal loan” to keep payments flowing that must be repaid with interest. The report proposes a four-part tough love approach to a crisis that has been building for more than two decades and cannot solve itself, to wit it advises the state to: There may be other alternatives, perhaps affecting benefits, but the main thing is that doing nothing will just perpetuate this crisis — even though the politics of the issue are daunting. It’s been a political stalemate for nearly a quarter-century, pitting unions seeking to protect, or even increase, benefits against employers who don’t want to shoulder increased taxes. Successive governors and legislative leaders have shunned engagement, preferring to kick the can down the road. Dan Walters is one of most decorated and widely syndicated columnists in California history, authoring a column four times a week that offers his view and analysis of the state’s political, economic, social and demographic trends.

Beirut, Dec 7 (AP) Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and that government forces had withdrawn from the central city of Homs. The government was forced to deny rumours that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader's base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM reported that government forces took positions outside Syria's third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The capture of Homs is a major victory for insurgents, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began November 27. Analysts said Homs falling into rebel hands would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organisation by the US and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition”. Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people”. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reached the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a years-long siege. The UN said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad's status Syria's state media denied social media rumours that Assad left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon's Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation a UN resolution, adopted in 2015, and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with UN-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. No details were immediately available. The insurgents' march Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were marching toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group's image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began on November 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's largest, and the central city of Hama, the country's fourth largest city. Opposition activists said Saturday that a day earlier, insurgents entered Palmyra, which is home to invaluable archaeological sites had been in government hands since being taken from the Islamic State group in 2017. To the south, Syrian troops left much of the province of Quneitra including the main Baath City, activists said. Syrian Observatory said government troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces. The Syrian army said in a statement that it carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists". The army said it was setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area”, apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Diplomacy in Doha The foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkiye, meeting in Qatar, called for an end to the hostilities. Turkiye is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticised Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country's underlying problems. “Assad didn't seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria's “territorial integrity”. He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)The trailer teases epic battle sequences, stirring musical scores, and moments of heart-wrenching emotion, promising a cinematic experience that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. As the forces of darkness gather and the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance, heroes old and new must rise to the challenge and unite against a common enemy.

Zheng Qianwen, the rising tennis star from China, was once again left empty-handed as the WTA Player of the Year award slipped through her fingers. Adding insult to injury, the award was snatched by none other than the reigning champion, Sabalenka.

Cloud Fast Charge Participates in 2024 Anhui New Energy Vehicle Post-Market Conference, Deepening Charging and Swapping Cooperation in Northern AnhuiOne of the most attractive offers in this promotion is the Xiaomi Smart Plug 3, a cutting-edge smart home device that allows users to control their electronic appliances remotely through an app. Originally priced at 68.8 yuan, the Xiaomi Smart Plug 3 is now available for an unbeatable price of just 38.8 yuan with the coupon discount applied. This represents a substantial saving of 30 yuan on a high-quality product that combines convenience and functionality in a sleek and compact design.

Grand Forks trial begins with prosecutor detailing a night out gone wrong, and a woman's fight for her lifeSix journalists honoured

In conclusion, the resolution to arrest President Yoon Suk-yeol and the launch of the civil unrest investigation are significant milestones in South Korea's history. They represent a bold and decisive step towards accountability, transparency, and justice. It is a time for reflection, action, and a renewed commitment to building a brighter future for all citizens.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Alex Chaikin's 20 points off of the bench helped Lafayette to a 77-73 victory against Mercyhurst on Saturday. Chaikin went 7 of 8 from the field (6 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Leopards (5-5). Justin Vander Baan added 13 points while shooting 3 of 5 from the field and 7 for 9 from the line while he also had six rebounds and five blocks. Andrew Phillips had 10 points and shot 4 of 6 from the field and 1 for 3 from the line. Shemar Rathan-Mayes finished with 21 points and four assists for the Lakers (5-6). Aidan Reichert added 18 points, six rebounds and three steals for Mercyhurst. Jeff Planutis also recorded 13 points. Chaikin scored nine points in the first half and Lafayette went into the break trailing 38-31. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The transition to HarmonyOS has been smooth and effortless, thanks to Huawei's dedication to user experience. The intuitive interface, customizable widgets, and enhanced security features make using the Pura 70 series a joy for both tech-savvy users and novices alike. Whether you're a multitasking professional or a casual user, HarmonyOS adapts to your needs and preferences with ease.

Title: Experience the Thrill of Racing with Your Very Own "Assetto Corsa" Series on Steam

The airstrikes in Syria come at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as ongoing conflict within Syria itself. Iran, a key ally of the Syrian government, has been supporting various militias in the country, including Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups. Israel sees these militias as a threat to its security and has repeatedly targeted them in airstrikes over the past few years.Fernandes Anderson returns to work as potential challengers line up for her seat

At the heart of this pioneering program is the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative process, with the introduction of the groundbreaking "UnityAI" platform. Developed by leading experts in AI and film production, UnityAI is designed to empower filmmakers and storytellers with advanced tools and resources to enhance their creative vision and storytelling capabilities. By leveraging the power of AI, directors participating in the program will have access to unprecedented levels of customization and personalization, allowing them to bring their creative concepts to life in ways never before possible.Moreover, the growing popularity of stock index futures as a financial instrument for portfolio diversification and risk management has also played a significant role in driving the recent gains in the market. Investors are increasingly turning to stock index futures as a way to hedge against potential downside risks and to gain exposure to a diversified range of assets.

11. Immigration Policies: Governor LeRage's stance on immigration has been inconsistent and harmful, leading to fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities.

Currently, personal pension schemes are still in the early stages of development in many countries. However, with the recognition of the importance of personal pension planning, governments and financial institutions are taking steps to promote and enhance the personal pension system. One of the key initiatives in this regard is the full-scale rollout of personal pension plans, which is expected to provide individuals with more choices and flexibility in retirement planning.A rocket scientist from the University of Oxford has invented a new type of cast iron pan using thermodynamics that could persuade home cooks away from their Le Creuset. The enamelled cast iron Dutch oven with fins around the outside was inspired by heat transfer methods of jet engines and rocket design and leads to quicker cooking. The fins around the pans are designed to improve heat distribution and improve efficiency. Heat that would otherwise be lost around the outside of a pan can be captured and used to create an “oven-like” effect. The pan is produced by FireUp – a company that received £10,000 from the ’s Innovation incubator programme which gives funding to entrepreneurs in exchange for a percentage of royalties. Raghav Agarwal, the chief executive of FireUp, told The Telegraph: “The patent underpinning this unique finned design was developed by Professor Thomas Povey, who applied his research into high-efficiency cooling systems for next-generation jet engines to an everyday object that transfers heat: domestic cookware.” FireUp is a clear competitor in the cast iron market, which has long been dominated by French giant Le Creuset. , the prestige French cookware brand which turns 100 next year, is famed for its colours, quality and lifetime warranty. The company, based in Fresnoy-le-Grand in northern France, manufactures pots which cost up to £600 and come in a range of colours. A recent Le Creuset warehouse sale in Hampshire was so popular that people from across the UK to get bargain prices, with police called in to help cope with all the extra traffic. FireUp makes its products in France, has an eye-catching design, and offers a lifetime warranty at a similar price point – £250 for a five-litre pan – but Mr Agarwal rejects any comparisons to . “Respectfully, we don’t think we are competing with legacy brands,” he said. “For context, our innovation design bears similarity to how Apple disrupted Nokia and Blackberry with their iPhone touchscreen innovation.” He added: “The product is not positioned to compete with existing large legacy companies. We believe that there has been zero innovation in cookware design, for almost a hundred years. “The market offers nothing more than the same product in different colours and sizes, hyper-marketed to appear innovative, but in reality, it’s just lazy rebranding of the same product. “Most importantly, no new product focuses on improving the design or scientifically enhancing efficiency, to save both gas and time in everyday cooking.” According to Prof Povey in his patent, the fin technology of the FireUp pans “provides a heat transfer structure in good thermal contact with the side wall of the vessel”. “Heated air and any flame which travels up the side of the vessel can be captured by the heat transfer structure and the heat conducted into the walls of the vessel. “The increased heat energy available for hearing the contents of the verses thus greatly increases the efficiency of the heating process.” It is claimed that on a gas hob, the FireUp pan technology increases heating efficiency to 80 per cent from 30 per cent. The benefit is most noticeable on a gas hob, the patent states, as it can maximise the heat plume that the burner sends around and above the pan. Mr Agarwal said: “Our signature fin technology was developed based on heat exchange theory used in rocket design. “It allows more even heat distribution and superior efficiency by guiding the flame around the pan and into the fins. “The carefully designed fins also retain heat and create an oven-like even cooking experience. They also make the pan look unique and beautiful on your table.” An Oxford University Innovation spokesperson said: “The FireUp cookware technology is an example of how universities can support technologies to reach the market through programmes such as Oxford University Innovation’s Student Entrepreneurship Programme (StEP). “By providing support to entrepreneurs and access to innovative technologies and world-class expertise, we try and ensure that the outputs of Oxford’s research can make an impact both economically and socially.”