The Defence Secretary has said that “proscription is not a matter for now” in relation to the UK’s ban on the group that has taken power in Syria. John Healey said that the Government’s “interest” in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “that they live up to their promises to protect” rights, when he spoke to reporters after a Cobra meeting on Thursday. HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al Qaida years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed. When asked whether the Government was considering the status of the group, Mr Healey said: “Proscription is not a matter for now. “It doesn’t stop us talking to all the parties, and our interest in HTS is that they live up to their promises to protect the rights of all individuals and all groups, to respect international law and to prevent Syria becoming a base for a fresh terrorist threat.” Mr Healey said that Thursday’s meeting was “about making sure we have, as a Government, a laser focus on the role that we can play with allies to see a stable, peaceful transition. “So that the Syrians get the government they need for the future, and the region can see the stability in the future that it also needs.” Cobra meetings are called when ministers or officials need to respond to urgent matters. Following the toppling of the Bashar Assad regime over the weekend, the UK has paused decisions on asylum applications from Syria. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but, earlier this week, the Home Office said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold in Damascus. When asked how long the system would be paused for, and whether the move was fair, Mr Healey said on Thursday: “This is early days. “It’s a measure in response to rapidly changing developments, and the most important thing for us now is that the UK plays and will continue to play a full role with allies to see a stable, peaceful, orderly transition and that requires a political process. “It requires dialogue at the heart of it, and today’s ministerial meeting, the Cobra meeting, was about making sure that we do just that.” Earlier on Thursday, G7 leaders said that they “stand with the people of Syria” and “denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms”. In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer and his counterparts said: “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.” It went on: “After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. “We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”8 ph 。

Olympic champion cyclist Evenepoel sustains fractures and a dislocated collarbone in training crashBroadridge Tailored Shareholder Report Solution Wins Nicsa NOVA Innovation in Operations AwardPARSIPPANY, NJ – November 25, 2024, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ: LINC), a national leader in specialized technical training for more than 75 years, announces the graduation of eight new technicians from its specialized Johnson Controls International (JCI) Academy program at the Denver, CO campus. This is the first group to graduate from the Denver location; the JCI Academy has also operated at Lincoln’s Columbia, MD campus since the Fall of 2022. Since the inception of Lincoln Tech’s partnership with JCI in 2018, more than 500 students have graduated from Lincoln schools and gone straight to work at JCI locations across the country. “Our partnership with Johnson Controls enables us to broaden our innovative training programs, providing graduates with hands-on experience and direct pathways to careers that align with market needs,” says Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO. “We are proud to contribute to building a future-ready talent pool that ensures the efficient and sustainable operation of our building systems.” The graduating class celebrated its milestone on Friday, November 15th at the Denver campus – when the ribbon was also officially cut on the Johnson Controls Academy classroom. The graduates – six of whom had previously attended Lincoln Tech, along with two current JCI employee who were advancing their skill sets – will move into positions at JCI branches in Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. As entry-level technicians, they’ll begin careers installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining fire and security alarm systems on JCI-operated buildings. Marcus Biart, a graduate of the Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology program at Lincoln Tech’s Mahwah campus, enrolled in the JCI Academy to further his training and will go on to a position at JCI’s Fort Worth, TX location. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he told his fellow graduates when speaking at Friday’s ceremony. “JCI’s instructors were willing to teach me, and I was eager to learn. Thank you for giving a young man like me a chance.” Mike Schade, VP of Human Resources at Johnson Controls, was among the speakers to congratulate the graduates on their successes. “You all wanted to do something unique and exciting with your life,” Schade said. You had a vision. And vision is an important word here – at Johnson Controls not only do we want to have great technicians and help build their careers, we want to help build the trades for our economy and our country. The work we do saves lives and saves the planet.” The JCI Academy at Lincoln Tech provides six weeks of intensive hands-on training designed to close the skilled labor gap and prepare future technicians for security and fire installation and service roles. On-site housing for the duration of the program and relocation expenses upon completion are supported by Johnson Controls. To ensure smooth onboarding, graduates of the Johnson Controls Academy receive support from a retention coach for one year post-graduation. The collaboration between Johnson Controls and Lincoln Tech began in 2018, enhancing classroom experiences with cutting-edge equipment and technology. Johnson Controls is dedicated to workforce development from the K-12 level and throughout employees' careers. Through the partnership with Lincoln Tech and initiatives like the Community College Partnership Program, STEM 101, and HVAC learning labs, Johnson Controls equips schools with vital resources to develop smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, benefiting students along the way. There are more than 800,000 positions projected to open nationwide for electricians and electronic systems technicians by 2033*, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * Career growth projections can be found at onetonline.org for the years 2023-2033 and are current as of November 18, 2024. ### About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults career-oriented programs in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946. Lincoln currently operates 22 campuses in 13 states under four brands: Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. Lincoln also operates Lincoln Culinary Institutes in both Maryland and Connecticut.For more information, go to lincolntech.edu . Contact Information Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Scott Watkins swatkins@lincolntech.edu About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social Platforms. Contact Information Johnson Controls International Kari Pfisterer (414) 217-1488 kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com Attachment JCI Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Lincoln Tech's Denver Campus Scott Watkins, VP Marketing Lincoln Tech 973.766.9656 Swatkins@lincolntech.edu

President awards 17 children for exceptional achievementsJohn Healey said that the Government’s “interest” in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “that they live up to their promises to protect” rights, when he spoke to reporters after a Cobra meeting on Thursday. HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al Qaida years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed. When asked whether the Government was considering the status of the group, Mr Healey said: “Proscription is not a matter for now. “It doesn’t stop us talking to all the parties, and our interest in HTS is that they live up to their promises to protect the rights of all individuals and all groups, to respect international law and to prevent Syria becoming a base for a fresh terrorist threat.” Mr Healey said that Thursday’s meeting was “about making sure we have, as a Government, a laser focus on the role that we can play with allies to see a stable, peaceful transition. “So that the Syrians get the government they need for the future, and the region can see the stability in the future that it also needs.” Cobra meetings are called when ministers or officials need to respond to urgent matters. Following the toppling of the Bashar Assad regime over the weekend, the UK has paused decisions on asylum applications from Syria. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but, earlier this week, the Home Office said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold in Damascus. When asked how long the system would be paused for, and whether the move was fair, Mr Healey said on Thursday: “This is early days. “It’s a measure in response to rapidly changing developments, and the most important thing for us now is that the UK plays and will continue to play a full role with allies to see a stable, peaceful, orderly transition and that requires a political process. “It requires dialogue at the heart of it, and today’s ministerial meeting, the Cobra meeting, was about making sure that we do just that.” Earlier on Thursday, G7 leaders said that they “stand with the people of Syria” and “denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms”. In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer and his counterparts said: “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.” It went on: “After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. “We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”

Egg Hyperinflation Could Spike Grocery Prices: Why Cal-Maine, Vital Farms Are SoaringThe Denver Broncos are riding high at the moment. The defense is one of the best in the AFC, and the offense has had explosive moments in recent weeks to give them a noteworthy edge. They decided to shake up one position offense under Sean Payton on Monday afternoon, though. Broncos waive tight end The Broncos are waiving tight end Greg Dulcich , according to Adam Schefter. Broncos waived tight end Greg Dulcich. The young tight end is expected to get some waiver interest. Denver attempted to trade him before the deadline but didn't find the return value they were looking for at the time. He is a former third-round pick. Since being drafted in 2022, Dulcich started just ten games in Denver. Even then, moving on from a day two pick rather quickly is always a bit surprising for any team. His physical prowess and athleticism excited the Broncos during the pre-draft process, but he just couldn't make enough of a difference on the field. At the tight end position, it's tough to get on the field if you have struggles in-line, and that was often the case for the young TE. Dulcich was benched earlier this season. In 2024, he has totaled just 28 yards on five receptions. At still just 24 years old, he certainly deserves another shot around the league elsewhere. We will see if someone can develop Dulcich into a unique offensive weapon for depth at tight end. As for Denver, they still have Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull, and fullback/tight end Nate Adkins on their active 53-man roster. The prior two are the largest receiving threats at the position for Denver. The Broncos also have tight ends Donald Parham and Thomas Yassmin on their practice squad as of now. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.Nation embraces Christmas spirit with midnight masses and festivities

Are you ready kids? Well, you better be, because one of the coolest fashion launches of the year just dropped—and SpongeBob fans are about to freak out! Uniqlo's has collaborated with the beloved animated series and emerging fashion brand Cactus Plant Flea Market to create a capsule of cool tees and hoodies with unique graphics of the iconic under-the-sea characters. If you love CPFM’s signature four-eye designs, you’ll be delighted to see that the Bikini Bottom crew got the brand’s treatment—SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Sandy, Mr. Krabs, Plankton, Gary, and even Grandma SquarePants. Typically, Cactus Plant Flea Market products fall in the luxury category with pieces usually ranging between $380 and $1,380. But I'm happy to report that everything in this limited-edition collaboration with Uniqlo is under 50 bucks! Sizes range from XXS to 3XL and you can shop the collection on . There are also super cute SpongeBob and Patrick plushies that have the four-eye motif but they are currently out of stock right now, but we're hoping they'll be restocked ASAP. Whether you've been a stan of the hit show since you could remember, you're a street-style lover, or you just think this is a sick collection, get to shopping STAT while things are in stock! Remember, it won't be around for long... Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at , where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she's also written for , , and . Follow her on to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is .

The High Court is set to deliver its verdict any day on the death references and appeals of the August 21 grenade attack cases. Yesterday, the HC bench of Justice AKM Asaduzzaman and Justice Syed Enayet Hossain kept the death references (trial court documents for confirmation of death sentences), and the appeals, filed by the convicted accused in the cases, as curia advisari vult (meaning the verdict will be delivered any day), after concluding hearing on those matters, Deputy Attorney General Md Jashim Sarker told The Daily Star. The cases were filed following a grenade attack on an Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka that claimed 24 lives and left about 300 injured. Then opposition leader Sheikh Hasina, who later ran the country for 15 years as prime minister and was forced to resign and flee on August 5 this year following a mass uprising, narrowly escaped the attack on August 21, 2004. A Dhaka court on October 10, 2018, sentenced 19 people, including former BNP state minister for home Lutfozzaman Babar, to death in the two cases filed in connection with the grenade attacks. Nineteen others, including BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, now in London, were given life imprisonment, and 11 people were handed different terms in prison. Eighteen of the convicted accused are absconding and 31 are in jail. During the hearing on the death references and appeals, the defence lawyers for the convicted accused prayed to the HC to scrap the trial court verdict and to acquit all the accused, saying that there is no specific allegation against them. Meanwhile, appearing for the state, Deputy Attorney Generals Md Jashim Sarker and Md Russell Ahammad prayed to the HC bench to uphold the lower court verdicts in the cases, saying that the allegations brought against the convicted accused have been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Advocate SM Shahjahan, the principal defence lawyer, told the HC that the lower court verdict was defective and faulty as it was delivered without adequate proven evidence and documents. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir, another defence lawyer, told the HC that investigations into the cases have been conducted from a political motive. He also argued that the convicted accused have been forced to make confessional statements, making them invalid.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted in Doha the third meeting of the Joint Committee between the State of Qatar and the European Union (EU). The meeting was co-chaired by Acting Director of Mohammed Faleh al-Hajri, Acting Director of the General Civil Aviation Authority, and the Head of the Aviation Affairs Unit at the European Commission Carlos Bermejo Acosta. The meeting discussed issues related to the implementation of the provisions of the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement signed between the two parties, and the current status of the ratification process. A number of issues of common interest between the State of Qatar and the European Union (EU) were also discussed, most notably market developments, fair competition, and the exchange of information on financial transparency, in addition to exploring ways to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the aviation sector. (QNA) Related Story Shura Council heads meeting of Gulf-European Parliamentary Committee Potential Qatar-Sweden joint projects seen in emerging technologies10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania TrumpAfter a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

8 po Natixis Advisors LLC decreased its stake in shares of Cameco Co. ( NYSE:CCJ – Free Report ) (TSE:CCO) by 20.8% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 90,816 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 23,894 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC’s holdings in Cameco were worth $4,337,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cameco during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted its stake in Cameco by 71.5% during the third quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 571 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 238 shares during the period. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Cameco by 130.6% during the third quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 971 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 550 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Cameco by 68.8% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,575 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $77,000 after acquiring an additional 642 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cameco in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $122,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.21% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on CCJ. National Bank Financial upgraded Cameco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Glj Research restated a “buy” rating and set a $63.73 target price on shares of Cameco in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Janney Montgomery Scott raised Cameco to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Cameco from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Cameco from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $66.56. Cameco Stock Down 1.3 % Cameco stock opened at $60.11 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $26.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 316.39 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a current ratio of 2.88. Cameco Co. has a fifty-two week low of $35.43 and a fifty-two week high of $60.98. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $51.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.69. Cameco ( NYSE:CCJ – Get Free Report ) (TSE:CCO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 7th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.39 by ($0.40). The firm had revenue of $721.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $646.83 million. Cameco had a net margin of 4.15% and a return on equity of 3.33%. Cameco’s quarterly revenue was up 25.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.24 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Cameco Co. will post 0.7 earnings per share for the current year. Cameco Increases Dividend The business also recently announced an annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 27th will be issued a $0.118 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 27th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.22%. This is a positive change from Cameco’s previous annual dividend of $0.09. Cameco’s payout ratio is presently 47.37%. Cameco Profile ( Free Report ) Cameco Corporation provides uranium for the generation of electricity. It operates through Uranium, Fuel Services, Westinghouse segments. The Uranium segment is involved in the exploration for, mining, and milling, purchase, and sale of uranium concentrate. The Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, conversion, and fabrication of uranium concentrate, as well as the purchase and sale of conversion services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CCJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cameco Co. ( NYSE:CCJ – Free Report ) (TSE:CCO). Receive News & Ratings for Cameco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cameco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .US needs to do more make cyber attackers pay, Trump adviser says

Boston police arrested two men who flew a drone “dangerously close” to Logan Airport Saturday evening. Charlestown resident Robert Duffy, 42, and Bridgewater resident Jeremy Folcik, 32, have been charged with trespassing, but may face further fines and charges, Boston police said in a press release . Around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, a Boston police officer detected an “unmanned aircraft system” operating “dangerously close” to the airport, police said. Using aircraft monitoring technology, the officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history and its operator’s position in Boston Harbor. More local crime storiesOF NOTE Twin Cities TV station FOX 9 announced that Symone Woolridge is joining as an evening anchor. Woolridge most recently spent nearly three years as an anchor for WTMJ4 in Milwaukee. Woolridge will anchor the 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. newscasts. ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS KOSE , a Minneapolis-based, digital-first media agency, announced it received a Bronze Shorty Award for its campaign for the Minnesota Department of Health , designed to inspire Minnesotans to get updated COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Shorty Impact Awards are selected by the Real Time Academy , a consortium of social-media professionals. ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING St. Paul-based engineering and architecture company Short Elliott Hendrickson announced the election of Matt Bolf and Deric Deuschle to its board of directors and Erica Olsen as board secretary. Bolf is an SEH principal and regional civil practice center leader; Deuschle is an SEH principal, regional mobility sector leader, and a certified Minnesota wetland professional; Olsen is an SEH principal and regional civil and water resources practice center leader. FINANCIAL SERVICES Ameriprise Financial , Minneapolis, announced that Edina-based financial adviser Steve Salmon has joined the firm’s independent channel from LPL Financial with $110 million in assets. HONORS The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce announced its Business Excellence Awards for 2024 : Nonprofit of the Year: 360 Communities ; Emerging Leader of the Year: Amy Sousa, Eagan City Lifestyle Magazine ; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Champion: DARTS ; Small Business of the Year: Greater Good Marketing ; Large Business of the Year: Dakota Electric Association ; Legacy Award: Ann Bailey , president of DARTS. ... Catholic Charities Twin Cities announced it has presented St. Paul-based Otto Bremer Trust with its “Spirit of Community Award.” LAW The Minnesota Legal Services Coalition has honored attorneys Andy G. Pomroy and Kevin P. Goodno with the Pro Bono Publico Award for outstanding work in support of civil and legal services in the last two Minnesota legislative sessions. Pomroy is senior government relations specialist at Fredrikson , Minneapolis, which made the announcement. Goodno is an attorney with the firm. ... Dorsey & Whitney , Minneapolis, announced the following Minneapolis-based partners: Keith Ahlgren , Mergers & Acquisitions; Christopher DeLong , Government Solutions & Investigations; Kiley Petty Henry , Tax, Trusts & Estates; Jack Huerter , Securities & Financial Services Litigation; John Jorgenson , Mergers & Acquisitions; Joshua Oie , Commercial Litigation; Mara Sanders , Healthcare Transactions & Regulations, and Mike Sevilla , Labor & Employment. MARKETING IFC National Marketing, a Coon Rapids-based insurance-industry marketing organization, announced that Gintas Garsys has joined as regional sales director for Medicare and health products. Garsys most recently worked at Minnetonka-based health insurer Medica as an agency relationship manager, serving Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. OPENINGS U-Haul Moving & Storage announced the opening of a retail, moving and storage center at 1717 W. River Road North, Minneapolis. PHILANTHROPY The Andersen Corporate Foundation , the charitable arm of Andersen Corp. , a Bayport-based maker of windows and doors for the residential market, announced the following philanthropic commitments: Science Museum of Minnesota , $400,000; Neighborhood House , $75,000, and Second Harvest Heartland , $125,000. TECHNOLOGY Tamarack Technology , a St. Paul-based provider of artificial intelligence-based software and services for the equipment finance industry, announced it has hired Mike Olson as its client success director. Olson’s background includes a 26-year tenure at Wells Fargo , with a decade on the equipment finance team. ... TravelNet Solutions , a Cottage Grove-based provider of a vacations rental property management software platform, announced the promotion of Odus “Boogie” Wittenburg from president to CEO. He succeeds company founder and CEO Ryan Bailey , who transitions into the role of executive chairman. Related Articles Business | Ramsey County selects Maria Sarabia as chief of staff Business | Community Thread in Stillwater names new executive director Business | Business People: Flint Hills exec Holli VanOverbeke to lead Dakota Chamber board Business | Catholic Charities appoints Jamie Verbrugge as president and CEO Business | Forest Lake dairy farmer, part of Autumnwood Farms family, wins Excellence in Agriculture competition EMAIL ITEMS to businessnews@pioneerpress.com .India News | Andhra Pradesh Appoints K Vijayanand as New Chief Secretary

(Reuters) – Chipmaker Marvell Technology forecast fourth-quarter revenue above estimates on Tuesday, betting on robust demand for its custom artificial intelligence chips from businesses adopting booming generative AI technology. Shares of the Santa Clara, California-based company rose more than 8% in extended trading following the results. The stock hit a record high during Tuesday’s trading session. Marvell’s shares have risen nearly 60% this year as Wall Street pours billions of dollars into AI-linked stocks, placing huge bets on the future of genAI technology. Shares of larger competitor Broadcom have rallied about 50% this year. Demand for advanced chips that can support the complex processing needs of genAI has soared as companies race each other to develop the most sophisticated models. The company forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $1.80 billion, plus or minus 5%, compared with analysts’ average estimate of $1.65 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. While the market for AI processors is dominated by Nvidia, Big Tech has been vying to reduce its dependence on the chip leader’s supply-constrained semiconductors, which has helped companies such as Marvell. Marvell said on Monday it had expanded its partnership with Amazon.com and entered into a five-year agreement with the tech giant’s cloud unit, which includes supplying custom AI products. Revenue in Marvell’s data center segment grew 98% to $1.10 billion in the third quarter from a year ago. Its total quarterly revenue was $1.52 billion, beating estimates of $1.46 billion. The company expects its AI revenue to triple to more than $1.5 billion this year and hit $2.5 billion for the next fiscal year, CEO Matt Murphy had said at a company event in April. Revenue derived from custom AI chips alone could be between $2.5 billion and $3 billion in 2025 for Marvell, with optical equipment adding another $1.5 billion to $2 billion to AI revenue, Jefferies analysts had said in a note in October. On the other hand, customers in the company’s other end-markets such as wireless carriers have been working to drive down chip inventory after excessive buying during the pandemic resulted in a supply glut. Marvell forecast an adjusted gross margin of 60% for the fourth quarter, compared with estimates of 61%. A significant share of Marvell’s revenue is now derived from custom AI chips as AI-linked demand rises. The company’s custom chips typically carry lower margins than its off-the-shelf products, known as merchant products. Marvell’s enterprise networking segment posted a 44% fall to $150.9 million in revenue, while that of the company’s carrier infrastructure unit declined 73% to $84.7 million. The company recorded adjusted earnings of 43 cents per share in the third quarter, compared with estimates of 41 cents. (Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa and Abhinav Parmar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );They come in long convoys of tractors, sometimes with months of food supplies with them, to stage protests. Their demands may differ, but concerns about rising costs and falling incomes are common. Farmer angst around the world has been intensifying since 2021, from Paris and London to Delhi . And increasingly, their protests have started looking similar. In London, hundreds of farmers stormed Britain’s heart of government, Whitehall, this week, protesting a proposed 20% inheritance tax they say will be a stab in their backs. Their angst reflects broader dissatisfaction among many farming communities around the world, especially since the pandemic, including in India and mainland Europe. According to the Centre for International Policy Studies, dozens of farm groups in six continents have been protesting agricultural policies since 2021. Read more: SC panel ready with list of issues affecting farm sector The London scenes brought back memories of a standoff outside Delhi, where an uprising by farm unions during 2020-21 prompted the government to scrap three market-oriented agricultural laws. There are other echoes of Delhi in London. “No farmers, no food,” said a protester on BBC. Another held a placard: “Small farmers will die. They’ll have to borrow to pay tax.” “Tax businesses not farms. A 20% inheritance tax? It’s ridiculous, if you ask me,” said Sarah Boulden, a farmer from Wiltshire, southwest England. These concerns are similar to the core issues raised by farmers in food bowl states, such as Punjab. “The reasons vary. The demands differ. But what may be common (about the disenchantment) is the feeling that governments don’t realise the old ways are gone, and the new problems are new,” said Jeremy Clark, a London-based campaigner with the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), over phone on Wednesday. The latest challenges all over the world, to a large extent, have emanated from changing markets, declining profits and climate change, resulting in a “unappreciated crises”, Clark said. The protest in London was joined by celebrity TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and James Dyson, a prominent business tycoon who supported Brexit. Farm unions in India, the world’s second-biggest wheat and rice producer, are seeking guarantees, backed by law, for minimum purchase prices of crops. In Europe, farmers in Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy and France etc. have driven tractors across their countries to protest curbs on how much fertilisers they can use and even how many acres they can sow. The new EU measures are part of concerted steps being taken to meet climate and emission goals. Subsidies for crop inputs are being slashed. In India, experts say subsidies alone haven’t been enough for producers to keep up with cultivation costs. Farmers have also become politically savvy. “In Europe, the protests were held in the run-up to the EU parliamentary polls, while in India too farmers were seen intensifying protests ahead of major elections,” said Mukul Paranjape, a researcher with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. While India doesn’t tax farm income, cultivators have long claimed they never get federally fixed floor prices for many commodities. Studies have shown that Indian farmers are “net taxed” or implicitly taxed due to the government’s efforts to keep food prices low. India’s agriculture sector hasn’t been generating enough revenues to keep farmers profitable for nearly two decades, according to a landmark 2018 report by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a grouping of 36 countries, and ICRIER, a think tank. The study looked at, among others indices, gross receipts — or total assets without adjusting for expenses— to the farm sector. Agriculture in India suffers negative total revenues despite large subsidies because of missed income opportunities due to frequent export bans and prohibition on stockpiling. So, prices paid by farmers have outstripped prices earned by them. Farm movements aren’t new. The Farmers’ Alliance, an American agrarian movement during the 1870s, sought to improve the economic conditions through collective bargaining through cooperatives and political advocacy. Cultivators in the US then faced similar problems as those in developing economies, such as India, a country with excess farm labour and small landholdings. Small land parcels typically lack economies of scale, which refers to falling costs with rising production. In January 1979, nearly 5000 farmers drove tractors to Washington, D.C., in a movement known as tractorcade to protest the Carter administration’s foreclosure of all loans, just as north Indian farmers had done in Delhi in January 2021, a protest that had turned violent. The group that led the rebellion, Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, has planned a renewed phase of protests from next month with their old demand: guaranteed floor prices. The Union government announces minimum support prices for more than 20 crops to set a floor rate, so that farmers get a basic price assurance. However, government agencies buy only rice and wheat at the assured rates in sufficiently large quantities, which means several other produce, such as soyabean, groundnut, mustard, millets, lentils and maize etc, are sold for any price depending on what the markets offer. “These problems are not unique to India in the sense that European farmers think that regulations to make farming environment-friendly will hit their earnings. It’s ultimately an income issue,” Paranjape said. The centre-left Kier Starmer government will levy, from April 2026, a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which were previously exempt. Still, this is half the non-farm inheritance tax rate. The argument for inheritance tax has been influential, especially after radical French economist Thomas Picketty published his book “Capital in the Twenty-First Century”, which called for “confiscatory” tax on inherited wealth to cut down inequality. Picketty, who marshalled centuries of data, argued that wages will always rise at a far slower pace than earnings from assets and profits, forever increasing the gap between rich and poor. His solution is a globally coordinated wealth tax, so that rich asset owners can’t relocate their assets to tax havens. In a recent paper, Picketty suggested a similar tax for India. “Raise phenomenally large tax revenues while leaving 99.96 per cent of the adults unaffected by the tax. In a baseline scenario, a 2 per cent annual tax on net wealth exceeding ₹ 10 crore and a 33 per cent inheritance tax on estates exceeding ₹ 10 crore in valuation would generate a massive 2.73 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in revenues,” his India paper suggested. In the UK, the farm inheritance tax will similarly apply on big-ticket estates worth more £1 million. However, farmers say that while they are “asset rich” in terms of their land, many are cash poor. Clarks said that many farmers would be forced to sell their estates. “Farmers don’t mind paying taxes. Bring them on provided farmers can earn profits that can match non-farm earnings,” Clarks said. Rising costs of cultivation are a common concern across farming communities. According to Britain’s agriculture department, there are about 210,000 farm estates worth £1 million or more that could be subjected to the inheritance tax. Clarks says piggery costs have risen by 54%, cattle rearing by 44% and grain farming by 43% due to higher food, fuel and fertiliser prices because subsidies have been declining since Brexit. An average farm last year made profits of about £45,300, according to government estimates. But farmers say this an exaggerated estimate because it excluded farms with lower earnings. In India too, farmers complain of rising costs and uncertainties from extreme weather. India sets inflation-indexed minimum support prices such that they give one-and-a-half times profit over costs. However, cultivators want these prices to be legally enforceable. Moreover, they want the government to use a broader measure of cultivation costs. The government uses the so-called “A2” formula, a narrower measure that includes all out-of-pocket expenses, plus the value of family labour. Farmers instead want the government to use the “C2 formula”, which includes the actual paid-out costs (on seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, etc) plus the notional value of family labour and rent, besides interest on owned land and capital. “Agriculture worldwide is on its knees. Farmers have reached the end of the rope,” Clark said. This is what Indian farmers allege too. There’s a sense of a rupture in the “social contract” between farmers and governments.Russian military personnel still in Syria are experiencing a lack of food and drinking water as an evacuation of troops and equipment continues , according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (GUR). The Russian personnel are experiencing the problems at military bases in Tartus and Hmeimim and on ships anchored offshore in the Mediterranean Sea, the press service of the GUR said in a statement on Telegram on December 15. The GUR also said that the remaining Russian service members were waiting for military transport planes involved in the evacuation that were supposed to deliver food. The statement said Russia continues to withdraw its contingent from remote areas of Syria. "At the same time, on some routes, the Russians are accompanied by armed groups opposing the Assad regime," the GUR said. The statement added there are rumors circulating among Russian soldiers that Moscow has agreed to maintain its presence at the two bases, where the number of military personnel is up to 3,000. RFE/RL was unable to verify the information from open sources. Russian authorities have not commented on this information. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram that it had evacuated part of its diplomatic staff from Syria on December 15. It said the withdrawal was carried out by a special flight of the Russian Air Force from the Hmeimim air base. Russian transport planes have departed the Hmeimim air base in recent days as part of the evacuation following the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The longtime ruler was overthrown last week following a lightning offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Assad fled to Russia, which was his regime's main backer. Satellite images taken on December 13 by the space technology company Maxar appeared to show Russia preparing for the withdrawal of military equipment from the Hmeimim air base. The images showed what appear to be at least two Antonov An-124 cargo planes on the tarmac with their nose cones open. Russia also has sent several landing ships and civilian vessels to Syria, according to open-source information. In Damascus, HTS has appointed an interim government, and its leader, Riad al-Asaad, told AFP on December 15 that he is confident the factions that helped topple Assad will unite as one force. HTS and the transitional government have insisted the rights of all Syrians will be protected. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on December 14 attended an emergency meeting in Jordan of foreign ministers from the Arab League, Turkey, and top officials from the European Union and United Nations. Blinken said afterward the United States had made "direct contact" with the HTS and other parties. He declined to discuss details of the contacts but said it was important for the United States to convey messages to the group about its conduct and how it intends to govern in a transition period. Blinken said a joint statement had been agreed at the meeting in Jordan that sets out the principles that other countries want to see in Syria's political transition, including inclusivity and respect for minorities and women and ensuring that terrorist groups do not take hold in the country. A Russian oil tanker began spilling oil into the Kerch Strait after splitting in two during a heavy storm, Russian authorities said on December 15. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said its rescuers had evacuated all 13 crew members from the ship, the Volgoneft 212, but one of them died. The Investigative Committee of Russia reported that two criminal cases have been opened for violating safety rules on the movement and operation of a marine vehicle. The Volgoneft 212 was carrying around 4,000 tons of fuel oil when it was damaged. The rescue operation involved more than 50 people, helicopters, and tugboats, authorities said. The 136-meter tanker split and its bow sank , a video published by state media showed. Two parts of the distressed vessel in rough seas are visible in the video, which was released by the Russian Southern Transport Prosecutor's Office. The Russian-flagged vessel, built in 1969, had run aground, officials said. "There was a spill of petroleum products," said Russia's water transport agency, Rosmorrechflot. A second tanker, Volgoneft 239, was also damaged and was drifting in rough seas, the ministry said. The statements from Russian authorities did not provide details on the extent of the oil spill or how the tankers were damaged. The vessels were in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, when they issued distress signals. The strait links the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin ordered the government to set up a working group to deal with the rescue operation and the spill. Svetlana Radionova, head of Russia's natural resources watchdog Rosprirodnadzor, said specialists were assessing the damage at the site of the incident. Ukraine on December 14 carried out a complex operation targeting fuel supply routes from the Russian-annexed Crimea to occupied areas of Zaporizhzhya, an informed source has told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. The operation involved a sabotage mission to detonate railway tracks near Oleksyivka in the Bilmak district, derailing a train carrying fuel tanks. As the fire spread to the tanks, U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets struck the locomotive and key railcars to prevent salvage efforts. The attack destroyed the locomotive and 40 tankers, crippling a critical rail line supplying Russian forces, the source said. The operation was carried out by Ukraine’s Security Service in collaboration with military intelligence, special operations forces, and drone units. Moscow has not commented on the attack. Meanwhile, Russia launched over 100 suicide drones against Ukraine and struck the Kharkiv region with a missile attack overnight, Ukrainian authorities said on December 15. Air defenses downed 56 Shahed-type drones while 49 were "locationally lost," according to the Ukrainian military. Apartment buildings, houses, and an unspecified piece of infrastructure were damaged due to falling debris in several regions. Two people were injured in Mykolayiv, according to local authorities. Separately, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said a Russian missile struck the Kyivsky district, injuring a 48-year-old woman. Local media in Russia's Chechen Republic reported that suspected Ukrainian drones had targeted a military camp and a base in the capital, Grozny, on December 15. Iranian police released singer Parastoo Ahmadi in the early hours of December 15 following a brief detention after she performed without the mandatory head scarf, her lawyer has confirmed. Ahmadi caused a stir on social media earlier this week after recording a performance with her hair uncovered and wearing a dress. The performance, recorded with a crew of male musicians, was uploaded to YouTube. The police on December 14 claimed she was released after a "briefing session" but a source close to the family told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that she remained in custody. Her lawyer Milad Panahipur also denied the police claim, writing on X that the authorities were "lying" about her release. The following day, Panahipur confirmed Ahmadi, who had been detained in her home province of Mazandaran, was released at 3 in the morning. Two of her bandmates, Soheil Faqih-Nasri and Ehsan Beyraqdar, were also detained briefly. Ahmadi’s Instagram account is no longer accessible, but her YouTube account remains active. The video of her performance, dubbed "an imaginary concert" because female performers cannot sing solo in front of an audience, has received around 1.6 million views on YouTube since it was uploaded on December 11. On December 12, the authorities said legal proceedings had been launched against Ahmadi and her bandmates for the "illegal concert." Ahmadi, who gained prominence during the 2022 nationwide protests after singing a song in support of demonstrators, has been widely praised for her performance. On social media, many have hailed her for fighting "gender apartheid" and showing "bravery, resilience, and love." A rising number of women have been flouting the mandatory hijab in public since the 2022 protests, which gave rise to the Women, Life, Freedom movement. The authorities have tried to crack down and recently passed a law enhancing the enforcement of the hijab by introducing hefty fines, restricting access to basic services, and lengthy prison sentences. The new hijab and chastity law, which has been widely criticized by even conservative figures, is scheduled to go into effect this month, but at least two lawmakers have said its implementation has been postponed by the Supreme National Security Council. Authorities in Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of orchestrating deadly bombings over the past week. Dnipro regional police on December 14 arrested a suspect in connection with an explosion that occurred in the city center earlier that day. The blast killed a man and injured four others, including two police officers, who remain hospitalized in critical condition. According to authorities, the suspect, a 37-year-old local resident, allegedly acted under orders from the Russian intelligence service. The suspect was arrested within hours following a joint operation by the police and Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The SBU has classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Meanwhile, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) on December 15 announced the arrest of a suspect in a car bombing in Russian-occupied Donetsk that reportedly killed a former prison warden and injured his wife on December 9. Russian state media say the suspect is a local resident. The FSB alleges the suspect planted a homemade explosive device under the vehicle and detonated it remotely, acting on orders from Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate. Russian authorities have not disclosed the identity of the man killed in the explosion, describing him only as an officer. Social media reports, however, have identified him as Sergei Yevsyukov, a former head of a prison where dozens of Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces were killed in 2022. No one has claimed responsibility for either explosion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on December 14 that Moscow has started involving more North Korean troops in its efforts to drive Ukrainian forces out of Russia's Kursk region. "Today there are already preliminary data that the Russians have begun using soldiers from North Korea in the assaults -- a noticeable number," Zelenskiy said. "The Russians include them in consolidated units and use them in operations in the Kursk region. For now, it is only there." Zelenskiy’s comments came after the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian military (HUR) issued a statement saying that North Korean troops probably will begin assaulting Ukrainian military positions in the Kursk region in the near future. The HUR said it was "likely" that Russia will soon involve North Korean soldiers in direct assault operations, noting that in recent days the troops "received additional food supplies." The North Korean units on December 13 were put on alert and ordered to wait for further instructions, the HUR said. Some of the troops have been covertly transferred to the front line by civilian trucks that outwardly resemble water-delivery vehicles, the statement said. It was not possible to verify the information, and the Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on it. Ukrainian troops began their incursion into the Kursk region in August and still control some areas. Russia began deploying thousands of North Korean troops in the region in October. The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said on December 14 that 45 clashes had taken place since the beginning of the day in the Kursk region, and 26 of them were still ongoing. "In addition, the enemy carried out seven air strikes, dropping 10 guided bombs and carrying out 212 artillery attacks on Russian settlements and the positions of our defenders," the General Staff said in its daily summary. The summary added that the most tense situations on the battlefield were taking place in areas near Pokrovsk, Kurakhivsk, and Vremivsk. The Russian military "improved the tactical position" in the Pokrovsk direction, the press service of the Khortytsia Military District reported . Russian forces also tried to improve their tactical position in the Blahodatne area, but were not successful, suffered losses, and withdrew. Ukrainian forces mounted their own attacks on facilities that supply petroleum products to the Russian Army, the General Staff said. An attack on a Russian oil depot in Orel overnight on December 13 started a "powerful fire," according to a statement from the General Staff, which described the depot as one of the largest oil terminals in the suburbs of Orel. Reports of explosions in Orel appeared earlier on Russian Telegram channels. The city was reportedly hit by drone strikes, and some of the channels reported an attack on a local oil depot. Photos published by the General Staff and on Russian Telegram news channels showed plumes of smoke engulfing the oil terminal. Local authorities and Russian state media did not comment on the reports. Russia's Orel region borders the Kursk and Bryansk regions. In the border region of Belgorod, Ukrainian drone strikes killed a 9-year-old boy and set fire to a major oil terminal there, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. The boy died when a drone struck his family's home outside Belgorod, Gladkov said, adding that his mother and 7-month-old sister were hospitalized. He posted photos of what he said was the aftermath of the attack, showing a house with gaping holes in its roof and front wall flanked by mounds of rubble. Orel Governor Andrei Klychkov confirmed on Telegram that a Ukrainian drone strike set fire to a fuel depot. He said later that the blaze had been contained and that there were no casualties. A Russian cargo plane took off early on December 14 from the Hmeimim air base in western Syria and was reportedly destined for Libya as Moscow continued its departure from its key regional ally. Citing a Syrian official who monitors the base, Reuters reported that several more Russian transport planes were expected to depart from the base in the coming days as part of an evacuation following the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Satellite images taken on December 13 by the space technology company Maxar appeared to show Russia preparing for the withdrawal of military equipment from the Hmeimim air base. The images showed what appear to be at least two Antonov An-124 cargo planes on the tarmac with their nose cones open. The source cited by Reuters did not specify the make or model of the aircraft that departed on December 14. Reuters further reported that on the morning of December 14 an Il-76 cargo plane was seen at the base, while helicopters were flying within the perimeter of facility that was essential to Russia’s strategy of providing air support for Assad’s forces and allies in the Syrian civil war. Russia's intervention in the war in 2015 had helped keep Assad in power, but the strongman leader fled Syria last week as the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey -- overran government forces in a blitz offensive. Russia helped Assad leave the country as the rebel forces approached Damascus and granted him asylum. RFE/RL determined earlier this week based on satellite images that a Russian Il-76 had landed in Libya at the Al-Jufra air base on December 10. There is no information regarding where the plane came from or where it subsequently went. It is unknown if the Il-76 was the same plane reported by Reuters as being at the Hmeimim air base. Previous analysis of satellite imagery by RFE/RL revealed that Russia's largest cargo aircraft, the An-124, had been spotted at the base, along with Il-76s, an An-32, and an An-72. Russian military personnel are stationed at the Al-Jufra air base in Libya. A number of Western media outlets have reported that Russia has been withdrawing military forces and assets from Syria in the face of Assad's fall, which experts say was a "slap in the face" to Russia. Moscow leveraged its image as a key supporter of Assad capable of keeping him in power to expand its influence throughout the Middle East and beyond as a counterweight to the West. Now, Assad's fall and the Russian departure threatens Moscow's influence not only in Syria but across the region. Earlier reports suggested that Russia was negotiating with the new authorities in charge in Damascus to maintain its bases in Syria. Aside from Hmeimim, Russia operates a naval base in Tartus, its only warm-water naval base outside the former Soviet Union. The foreign ministers of the Arab League and Turkey met in Jordan on December 14 to discuss how to assist Syria's transition after the fall of Assad's government. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference after the meeting that the United States had made "direct contact" with the HTS and other parties. He declined to discuss details of the contacts but said it was important for the United States to convey messages to the group about its conduct and how it intends to govern in a transition period. Blinken said a joint communique had been agreed at the meeting that sets out the principles that other countries want to see in Syria's political transition, including inclusivity and respect for minorities. An Iranian court has sentenced Reza Valizadeh , a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and former journalist for RFE/RL's Radio Farda, to 10 years in prison on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government." According to court documents sent to the journalist’s lawyer on December 10 and subsequently reviewed by RFE/RL, Valizadeh was sentenced by Judge Iman Afshari of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, Branch 26. In addition to the prison term, Valizadeh was banned for two years following the completion of his sentence from living in Tehran and adjacent provinces, from leaving the country, and from joining political or social organizations. Valizadeh resigned from Radio Farda in November 2022 after a decade of work. He returned to Iran in early 2024 to visit his family but was arrested on September 22 . His two court sessions, held on November 20 and December 7, reportedly lacked a prosecution representative, with the judge assuming that role. Sources close to the journalist claim he fell into a "security trap" despite receiving unofficial assurances from Iranian security officials that he would not face legal troubles upon returning to Iran. The U.S. State Department earlier condemned Valizadeh’s detention, calling it "unjust" and inconsistent with international legal standards. Press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, urged Iranian authorities to release Valizadeh immediately. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus also called for Valizadeh to be released, saying the charges against him, his conviction, and sentence were unjust. "Time and again, the Iranian regime has attempted to spread its malign influence around the world, trampling on human rights at every opportunity," Capus said in a staetment. "Clearly, this regime feels threatened by the forces of freedom, including independent journalism." Valizadeh remains in Tehran’s Evin prison under severe restrictions, with limited access to legal representation and family. Iran is routinely accused of arresting dual nationals and Western citizens on false charges to use them to pressure Western countries. In September 2023, Iran released five Americans jailed in Iran in a prisoner swap. Valizadeh is the first U.S. citizen known to have been arrested since that deal. Iran is also among the most repressive countries in terms of freedom of the press. Reporters Without Borders ranked Iran 176th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index. The Paris-based media watchdog says Iran is now also one of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists. TBILISI -- The mayor of Tbilisi postponed a Christmas tree lighting, citing concerns that anti-government protests would turn violent after an electoral college dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream party appointed far-right politician and former soccer star Mikheil Kavelashvili as president. Police have clashed with protesters for over two weeks, detaining dozens and injuring scores of people who accuse the government of moving Georgia away from the EU and closer to Russia. Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced the postponement on December 14 at a briefing at the government administration building a few minutes before the event was scheduled to begin. About an hour earlier, hundreds of police were deployed and New Year's lights were turned on on the facade of the parliament building, but they were switched off after Kaladze announced the postponement of the tree lighting. The decision came after Kavelashvili was declared by Georgia's Central Election Commission as the winner of a contentious indirect election after receiving 224 votes out of 225 delegates in attendance. There are a total of 300 delegates in Georgia's electoral college, but opposition members did not attend the vote, which came as demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi for the 17th straight day to protest parliamentary elections held on October 26 that the country's current president and opposition have refused to accept and say were rigged . Areas near the parliament building were cordoned off and traffic halted ahead of the vote that chose Kavelashvili, 53, for the largely ceremonial post. Kavelashvili, known for his vehement anti-Western diatribes and opposition to LGBT rights, is now set to replace President Salome Zurabishvili, who has sided with pro-EU protesters . Zurabishvili, who has been a thorn in the ruling party's side and has criticized Georgian Dream for its increasingly authoritarian stance, has said she will refuse to leave office after her successor is inaugurated on December 29. She told a press conference on December 13 that the election of a new president "will be an event entirely devoid of legitimacy, unconstitutional, and illegitimate." The 72-year-old has previously said the elections in October were manipulated with the help of Russia. The political crisis erupted after Georgian Dream claimed victory in the elections and intensified after its decision last month to delay negotiations on Georgia joining the European Union. The authorities have responded violently to the large demonstrations, arresting hundreds of people over the past two weeks and closely watching participants with Chinese-made surveillance cameras with facial-recognition capabilities. Protesters gathered early on December 14 near the Philharmonic Hall and began marching toward the parliament building as traffic on central Rustaveli Avenue, which links the two sites, was halted and police were mobilized. Zurabishvili made a brief appearance on Rustaveli Avenue but told gathered journalists only that "I've said everything, I am going to work now." WATCH: Georgian protester Anamaria Tavartkiladze has volunteered to decorate the country's main Christmas tree with images of people beaten during recent demonstrations. The protesters chanted "Salome! Salome!" and displayed their diplomas in keeping with calls for them to "show your diploma to Kavelashvili," who reportedly does not have higher education. They also mockingly held up "red cards" against the former soccer star in a nod to penalties handed out for infractions in the sport. The recent violence against the opposition and journalists has drawn condemnation from the United States and the European Union. Michael Roth, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Germany's Bundestag, said on X that the "election" of Kavelishvili "is another step towards the 'Gleichschaltung' of all constitutional institutions in Georgia." "Gleichschaltung" was a word used by the Nazis to describe their consolidation of power in Germany. He added that the election of Kavelishvili "deepens the division of Georgia," and that Zurabishvili remains the legitimate president of the country. In power since 2012, Georgian Dream was founded by Russian-friendly billionaire and ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. After the announcement of Kavelashvili's victory, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze congratulated him and said his election would mark a turning point for the country. "For more than 20 years, Georgia has not had a patriotic, morally, and psychologically balanced person as president," Kobakhidze said in a statement. Kavelashvili's win "will make a significant contribution to strengthening Georgia's statehood and our sovereignty, as well as reducing radicalism and so-called polarization." Kobakhidze referred to the opposition as "radical" and claimed that the protests during the election process had been poorly attended. He also alluded to dramatic pro-EU protests in Ukraine in 2014 on Kyiv's central square, the Maidan, which succeeded in toppling the country's pro-Russian president. "In Georgia, the 'Maidan' has failed and will never succeed," Kobakhidze vowed. Russia appears to be continuing to withdraw military equipment from its Hmeimim air base in Syria, according to satellite images taken on December 13 by the space technology company Maxar. The images show what appear to be at least two Antonov AN-124s cargo planes on the tarmac with their nose cones open. Maxar said the two heavy transport aircraft were prepared to load equipment, while a nearby Ka-52 attack helicopter was being dismantled and likely prepared for transport. It added that parts of an S-400 air defense unit were similarly being prepared to depart from the air base. Russia has an estimated 7,500 troops and multiple military sites in Syria, including at Hmeimim along with the strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which have been used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and sub-Saharan Africa. Satellite imagery published earlier this week showed that Russian naval ships left the base at Tartus following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad last weekend by rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist militant group. Imagery showed at least three vessels -- including two guided missile frigates – located about 13 kilometers off the coast. The Tartus naval base, Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, "remains largely unchanged since our December 10 imagery coverage with two frigates continuing to be observed offshore of Tartus," Maxar said on December 13. The Kremlin has said its focus since Assad's fall was to ensure the security of its military bases in Syria and of its diplomatic missions. According to open-source intelligence (OSINT), there are more and more signs that Moscow is removing at least some of its equipment. A drone video of the Hmeimim air base published on December 12 showed people with suitcases preparing to board a plane. A 91N6E radar system was also visible in the video and appeared ready to be transported by military aircraft. The system is used in the operation of S-300 and S-400 missile systems. The missile systems themselves appeared to be still in their usual place at the air base, but their launchers appeared not to be in combat-readiness mode. In all satellite images taken before the fall of Assad's regime, the S-300 and S-400 were in a state of full combat readiness. Also on December 13, a correspondent for The Times published a video on X purporting to show Russian equipment arriving at the Hmeimim air base and an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said with Russian ships on the way and increased air traffic at the Hmeimim, the Russian troop withdrawal is gaining momentum. "Whether it will be partial or complete remains to be seen," Dara Massicot, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the U.S. think tank, said on X. The husband of prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been detained by security forces, according to their daughter. Mehraveh Khandan said on Instagram that her father, Reza Khandan, was arrested on December 13 at her home in Tehran. The circumstances of Khandan's arrest and the charges against him were not known. Mohammad Moghimi, a lawyer, said on X that the reason for the arrest was likely related to a six-year prison sentence in a case in which he represented Reza Khandan and activist Farhad Meysami. The sentence against Reza Khandan was handed down in February 2019 by Tehran's Revolutionary Court. Meysami also faced a similar sentence in the case. Reza Khandan had been charged with "assembly and collusion against national security," "propaganda against the state," and "spreading and promoting unveiling in society." The sentence against Reza Khandan also banned him from membership in political parties and groups, leaving the country, and using the Internet and other media and press activities. Sotoudeh, a vocal advocate for numerous activists, has been arrested several times since 2010. Her detention has included periods of solitary confinement, highlighting the challenges faced by human rights defenders in Iran. Sotoudeh was arrested last year during the funeral of 17-year-old Armita Garavand, who died of injuries suffered in an alleged confrontation with Iran's morality police in the Tehran subway over a violation of Iran’s compulsory head scarf law. Reza Khandan said at the time of his wife's arrest in October 2023 that she started a hunger and medication strike after she was severely beaten when she was taken into custody. Sotoudeh was released about two weeks later. A Romanian appeals court has ruled to fully release a former mercenary and chief bodyguard of far-right pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu. Horatiu Potra was detained on December 8 for violating the law on weapons and ammunition and for public incitement after he and a group of armed associates were detained by police while heading toward Bucharest, where Georgescu and dozens of his supporters were gathering. Georgescu was protesting a decision by the Constitutional Court to cancel a runoff presidential vote scheduled for December 8 following claims that his shock first-round victory had been aided by a Moscow-orchestrated influence campaign using Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok. Police officers who stopped Potra and about 20 of his associates found guns, machetes, axes, and knives in their cars that, officials said, could have been used to "disrupt public order and peace." Media reports said Potra and his companions had booked hotels in downtown Bucharest close to University Square, where anti-Georgescu protesters had gathered in previous days. Prosecutors had asked judges to hold Potra in preventive custody but a court in the southern city of Ploiesti on December 8 only ordered him placed under judiciary control for 60 days -- a measure that provided for him to show up at a police station on a regular basis for the duration of the investigation into the accusations. One of his associates, Andrei Florin Filip, 22, was also placed under judiciary control. On December 13, an appeals court in Ploiești canceled the judiciary control for both men following appeals filed by their lawyers. The ruling is definitive and cannot be appealed. Romania's Supreme Defense Council declassified documents allegedly proving Georgescu's presidential bid had been aided by a campaign led by a "state actor" which was not named, prompting the Constitutional Court to cancel the runoff between Georgescu and pro-European center-right candidate Elena Lasconi. A former fighter in France's Foreign Legion, Potra is reported to have led a 900-strong contingent of Romanian military contractors who fought in the African country of Congo. He is said to have had ties to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which fought in Ukraine and was established by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin who died in a plane crash last year after staging a short-lived revolt against Russia's military leadership. Potra, who has denied having any links to Wagner, appears in a photo last year in the company of Russian Ambassador to Romania Valery Kuzmin at a ceremony at the embassy marking Russia's national day. Searches of Potra's residence turned up some 2 million euros ($2.1 million) inside safes as well as weapons and about 15 kilograms of gold bars worth an estimated $1.27 million. Former RFE/RL correspondent Ihar Karney, currently serving a three-year prison sentence for "cooperating" with the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), has been handed an additional eight-month term for "disobedience" inside the prison where he is incarcerated . Karney, who has written extensively on the history and local history of Belarus and is also known as a travel blogger, was sentenced on December 13, two days after his trial began. It was not clear how he disobeyed authorities, a charge that the United Nations in October said is often laid for "the pettiest misbehavior." In March, Karney, 56, was sentenced to three years on a charge of taking part in an "extremist" group because of his association with the BAJ, an advocacy and press trade group. The BAJ was forced to begin operating from exile after it was deemed an "extremist" group by the government in February 2023 as part of a brutal crackdown on dissent and civil society following mass unrest over a 2020 presidential election that the opposition and Western governments say was rigged to keep Alyaksandr Lukashenka in power. A new wave of journalist detentions has been seen in the country in recent weeks as Lukashenka seeks a seventh term in office in a January election. Karney's sentencing comes a day after Belarusian authorities arrested seven journalists from the independent regional news outlet Intex-Press, located in the western city of Baranavichy. Among the seven was Uladzimir Yanukevich, the media outlet's founder. Meanwhile, another independent journalist, Volha Radzivonava, was sentenced to four years in prison for authoring critical reports about Lukashenka. “This marks the arrest of the largest group of journalists from one media outlet in a year, signaling an escalation of repression,” BAJ leader Andrey Bastunets said. “It looks like the authorities have decided to arrest all journalists they suspect of being disloyal ahead of January's presidential vote.” In its latest report on journalists killed, detained, held hostage, and missing, the watchdog Reporters Without Borders said Belarus ranked fourth in the world in terms of the number of journalists it currently holds, 40, including RFE/RL journalists Andrey Kuznechyk and Ihar Losik. In an October 31 report , UN experts said that, despite some recent amnesties and presidential pardons, many individuals convicted "without fair trial for the legitimate exercise of their civil and political rights remain in detention." “The situation of some inmates belonging to the political opposition, of human rights defenders and political activists, many of whom have been convicted on extremism and terrorism-related charges, is extremely alarming,” the experts said. “According to allegations received, such inmates are subjected to various forms of ill-treatment, including denial of medical care and the prolonged incommunicado detentions, which in some cases could amount to enforced disappearances.” The Belarusian human rights community has recognized Karney as a political prisoner. Since July, Karney is reported to have been living in an isolation cell, where he is banned from almost all contact with the outside world. Russia has launched massive air strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities using dozens of cruise missiles and drones in a move that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called an "act of terror." Western and southwestern Ukraine appeared to have borne the brunt of the attack. Critical infrastructure facilities were hit in the Transcarpathian region of Ivano-Frankivsk, regional Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk reported. Onyshchuk said the attack on the region was the largest since the start of the war. The western region of Ternopil reported "negative consequences" of the Russian strikes, without giving details. In the Lviv region, also in the west of the country, Russia attacked energy facilities, regional Governor Maksym Kozytskiy said on Telegram. Multiple explosions were reported in the southern city of Odesa, while regional authorities in Kyiv said air defense systems were operating on December 13. Explosions were also reported in the Cherkasy, Khmelnytskiy, and Kharkiv regions. Zelenskiy said the attack showed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, "won't be stopped by empty talk." Zelenskiy said that, according to preliminary reports, 93 missiles were launched, including at least one North Korean missile, 81 of which were shot down. In addition some 200 drones were also launched in the attack, he said . Ukraine's national power-grid operator, Ukrenerho, reported earlier that the strikes forced restrictions on electricity consumption throughout the country. Zelenskiy said late on December 13 that Russia attempted to overload Ukraine's air defenses during the massive attack. "This time, they deliberately waited for freezing weather to strike, aiming to make life even harder for people," he said , adding that every missile was directed at energy infrastructure. Zelenskiy in an earlier post on X accused Putin of terrorizing millions of people. "He is neither limited in long-range capabilities nor in acquiring the necessary components to produce missiles. Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in his impunity. A strong reaction is needed from the world: a massive attack must be met with a massive reaction. This is the only way terror can be stopped." Zelenskiy made the comments amid reports that he will attend a meeting with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, as well as NATO and the European Union in Brussels on December 18 to discuss support for his country. The meeting will be hosted by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and will take place the same the day that leaders were due to meet for an EU-Western Balkans summit. Russia has been ratcheting up its attacks across Ukraine, while making slow but steady gains in the east in recent weeks. The intensification of fighting comes as both sides look to strengthen their positions amid signs of a potential cease-fire and peace talks in the coming months. "Putin won’t be stopped by empty talk -- strength is what is needed to bring peace. Strength that is not afraid of its ability to confront and stop evil," Zelenskiy said. Russia's Defense Ministry said in a message on Telegram that the attacks were in retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on an airfield in southwestern Russia that used long-range, U.S.-supplied missiles. "On December 11, 2024, a missile attack was launched from the territory of Ukraine by six American-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles at a military airfield near the city of Taganrog," the ministry said. "In response to the use of American long-range weapons," Russia launched "a massive strike with high-precision long-range air- and sea-based weapons and drones on critical facilities of the fuel and energy infrastructure of Ukraine," the statement said, adding that "all objectives had been fulfilled." Rutte said on December 12 that the Russian leader wants to "wipe Ukraine off the map" and could come after other parts of Europe next. Putin "is trying to crush our freedom and way of life," Rutte said, adding it is "time to shift to a wartime mindset." "How many more wake-up calls do we need? We should be profoundly concerned. I know I am," he said. "Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation. With Ukraine, and with us." The scale of the damage of the December 13 attacks was not immediately known. "Once again, the energy sector throughout Ukraine has come under massive attack. Energy professionals are taking all necessary measures to minimize the negative consequences for the country's energy system," Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko wrote on Facebook. Echoing Zelenskiy's words, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called on Kyiv's allies to rapidly provide more air defense systems to counter the Russian attacks. "Russia aims to deprive us of energy. Instead, we must deprive it of the means of terror. I reiterate my call for the urgent delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK, or IRIS-T air defense systems," Sybiha wrote . A similar large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure took place on November 28, causing serious damage and energy shortages. Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's civilian and energy infrastructure since the start of the war, stepping up attacks especially at the onset of the cold season, causing maximum difficulties and lengthy power cuts for Ukrainians for the third winter in a row. According to Ukraine's Energy Ministry, Russia has launched more than 1,000 strikes on energy infrastructure facilities since October 2022. Ukraine's energy grid has already been subjected to 11 Russian attacks this year. In 2024 alone, 9 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity has been lost due to strikes, the ministry said. It is estimated that 1 GW is enough to power a medium-sized city. The United States has imposed more visa restrictions on Georgian officials for "undermining democracy" amid ongoing popular protests against a move by the ruling Georgian Dream party to delay the Caucasus country's negotiations to join the European Union. Protesters have also called for fresh elections following allegations of electoral fraud during the October parliamentary poll whose results the opposition has refused to recognize, claiming Georgian Dream rigged the vote to cling to power. Pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili, who has sided with the protesters, has said the elections were manipulated with the help of Russia. Authorities have responded violently to the latest wave of protests, arresting hundreds of people over the past two weeks. In response, the U.S. State Department said on December 12 that it will "prohibit visa issuance to those who are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democracy in Georgia." The move will affect some 20 individuals, "including individuals serving as government ministers and in Parliament, law enforcement and security officials, and private citizens," it said in a statement , without naming the individuals. "We are committed to seeing that senior officials responsible for or complicit in undermining democracy will be subject to visa restrictions," the statement said. Since the start of the protests at the end of November, violence against the opposition and journalists has escalated, drawing condemnation from the United States and the European Union. On December 4, Georgian security forces conducted raids on the offices of several opposition parties, protest leaders, and rights activists. The U.S. statement reiterated that Washington "strongly condemns the Georgian Dream party’s ongoing, brutal, and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, including protesters, members of the media, human rights activists, and opposition figures." In power since 2012, Georgian Dream, the power founded by Russia-friendly billionaire and ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been accused by critics of becoming increasingly more authoritarian. Earlier this year, Georgian Dream pushed through parliament, which it controlled, a so-called foreign-agent law modeled on a similar Russian piece of legislation used by the Kremlin to stifle political opposition and repress critics. "Georgian Dream has turned away from Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future, which the Georgian people overwhelmingly desire and the Georgian constitution envisions," the U.S. statement said. Separately, President Emmanuel Macron on December 12 reiterated France's backing for Georgia's EU aspirations and voiced solidarity with protesters. "I would like to reiterate our full support for Georgia's European path and for the defenders of democracy," Macron said at a press briefing with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw. "I would also like to express my deep concern about the repression of young people, the disturbing statements of the head of government and, in essence, the betrayal of the European path so quickly after the elections," Macron said. On December 11, Macron held an hourlong phone call with Ivanishvili. The Elysee Palace later said that Macron “demanded the release of all illegally detained people and respect for freedom of expression and assembly." A senior official from a Russian company that develops cruise missiles used by Moscow in its war with Ukraine has reportedly been shot and killed just outside the capital. Ukrainian media reported on December 12 that Mikhail Shatsky, a deputy chief designer at the Mars Design Bureau -- which develops and manufactures onboard guidance systems for the Russian military and aerospace industries -- was shot dead two days earlier near the town of Kotelniki in the Moscow region. Police have not commented on the news, but reports on social media and local news outlets, which have not been independently verified, identified Shatsky as the victim. News outlets in Ukraine reported Shatsky was involved in the modernization of the Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles, as well as helping in the development of develop unmanned aerial vehicles. All of those weapons have been used by Russia to strike at targets in Ukraine. The reports came three days after a car bomb killed Sergei Yevsyukov, who led a prison in Russian-occupied Olenivka in the Donetsk region during the time that more than 50 Ukrainian POWs were killed in a controversial explosion in July 2022. While no one has taken credit for either incident, Russian military personnel and Russian-installed officials have been targeted several times in Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories. In many cases, the attacks have been deadly. Ukrainian officials usually say "guerilla forces" are behind such attacks. Russia accuses Ukraine's secret services of masterminding and implementing the attacks. Noted Russian journalist and staunch Kremlin critic Aleksandr Nevzorov first reported Shatsky's death on Telegram, publishing photos of what he said was Shatsky's body. The independent investigative outlet IStories geolocated the images to a site near Shatsky's home, but the claims remain unverified. WASHINGTON -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration for giving Ukraine permission to strike inside Russia with powerful U.S. missiles, claiming it is intensifying the war. "I disagree very vehemently with sending missiles hundreds of miles into Russia. Why are we doing that? We're just escalating this war and making it worse. That should not have been allowed to be done," Trump said in an interview with Time magazine published on December 12. After more than a year of hesitation, the Biden administration last month finally gave Ukraine the green light to strike military assets inside Russia with U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). The powerful, precision missiles can strike targets as far away as 300 kilometers. The Biden administration justified the decision saying Russia had escalated the conflict by deploying about 11,000 North Korean troops to the front. John Kirby, U.S. national-security spokesman, declined to respond to Trump's comments regarding ATACMS, saying only that President Joe Biden will continue to support Ukraine until his term ends next month. Kirby announced a new military package for Ukraine without stating its size. Just days after Ukraine fired its first ATACMS into Russia, the Kremlin responded by striking Ukraine with a new, intermediate ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The use of the intermediate missile was meant to serve as a message to the West, the Kremlin said. Trump did not say whether he would unilaterally withdraw Ukraine's permission to use ATACMS inside Russia upon entering the White House on January 20 or use it as a bargaining chip with the Kremlin. Trump has said he could end the nearly three-year war between Russia and Ukraine in "24 hours," raising concern he could force Kyiv to cede land currently occupied by Moscow's forces. The United States is Ukraine's largest supplier of weapons, giving Washington significant influence over peace negotiations. When asked if he would throw Ukraine under the bus to get a peace deal, Trump said, “The only way you're going to reach an agreement is not to abandon." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has demanded Western security commitments to his country be part of any negotiated settlement. Zelenskiy -- and most Ukrainians -- want NATO membership, saying only that will prevent Russia from invading their country again. Trump was not asked about NATO membership for Ukraine but has been critical of the U.S.-led military organization in the past, saying it is a drain on U.S. finances. The United States accounts for about 60 percent of NATO military spending. During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on December 7 in Paris, Trump said he did not back NATO membership for Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported. However, Trump did say he wanted European peacekeeping forces to monitor the cease-fire, the paper reported. The United States would support the effort but not with U.S. troops, he told the two leaders, the Wall Street Journal reported. Separately, in a speech on December 12, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on European members of NATO to step up spending, warning the threat emanating from Moscow will not dissipate anytime soon. "Russia is preparing for long-term confrontation, with Ukraine and with us," Rutte said in a speech in Brussels. "We are not ready for what is coming our way in four to five years. It is time to shift to a wartime mindset, and turbocharge our defense production and defense spending." Russian forces continue to creep closer to the strategic eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk amid a surge in diplomacy to end Europe's biggest war in decades. According to the Deep State online war-mapping platform, Russian troops on December 12 were as close as 3 kilometers from the southern part of Pokrovsk, a key logistical junction for Ukraine as well as home to the country's only domestic coking-coal supplier. "Unconventional decisions must be made to enhance the resilience of our defense and ensure more effective destruction of the occupiers," General Oleksandr Syrskiy, Ukraine's top commander, wrote in a post on Facebook. "The battles are exceptionally fierce. The Russians are throwing all available forces forward, attempting to break through our defenses." For months the area has seen some of the fiercest battles in Russia's 33-month-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who visited the front lines in the Zaporizhzhya region on December 12, has called for reinforcements amid signs of Ukrainian positions being overwhelmed by Russia's advantage in manpower. Speaking to RFE/RL , Serhiy Filimonov, the commander of the 108th battalion Da Vinci Wolves, warned the main reason for losses as Russia heads in the direction of Pokrovsk was "unrealistic tasks" for troops in the region given the current numbers. The intensification of fighting on the battlefield comes as both sides look to strengthen their positions amid signs of a potential ceasefire and peace talks in the coming months. Flurry Of Diplomacy Foreign ministers from France, Germany, and Poland met in Berlin on December 12 to discusses aid to Ukraine while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country has been a staunch supporter of neighboring Ukraine, hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for talks in Warsaw about postwar steps. Leaders from across Europe are looking to show U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, that they are willing to assume their share of the burden to end the almost three-year war in Ukraine. Trump has claimed he could end the war in 24 hours, raising concern he could force Ukraine to concede territory to Russia among other concessions, endangering EU security. In a so-called Berlin Declaration, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as the EU's foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, outlined their continued support for Kyiv. "We are committed to providing Ukraine with ironclad security guarantees, including reliable long-term provision of military and financial support," the declaration said. The meeting in Berlin was organized by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. "Convinced that peace in Ukraine and security in Europe are inseparable, we are determined to stand united with our European and transatlantic partners to think and act big on European security," the declaration added. Baerbock and Kallas did not answer questions about the participation of German or European soldiers in a possible peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Following his meeting with Macron, Tusk said Poland has no plans to send troops to Ukraine. A Polish media outlet reported on the eve of the meeting that Tusk and Macron would discuss the possibility of sending a 40,000-strong peacekeeping force to Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal reported on December 12 that Trump told Macron and Zelenskiy during a meeting in Paris last weekend that he wants Europe to shoulder the burden of peace in Ukraine, including supplying the peacekeepers. Trump told the leaders he would offer support for the Europe-led cease-fire effort but would not put U.S. troops in Ukraine. Nor does he support Ukraine in NATO, he told them, the paper reported. Zelenskiy has repeatedly called for strong security guarantees, including NATO membership, saying Russia would otherwise not be deterred from invading again. Tusk and Macron, who met before the EU ministers gathered, reiterated that any peace deal in Ukraine must include the Ukrainians. "We will work with France on a solution that will, above all, protect Europe and Ukraine," Tusk said. The Polish prime minister said two days earlier that peace talks could start "in the winter," as Warsaw prepares to assume the European Union's rotating presidency on January 1. EU justice and interior ministers have agreed on Romania and Bulgaria's fully joining Europe's Schengen visa-free travel area from January 1. The decision, announced on December 12 by the European Council, comes nearly 18 years after the two southeast European countries became members of the bloc and 15 years since they fulfilled the technical criteria for entering the Schengen Area. "It is a historic moment to finally welcome Bulgaria and Romania," said Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the move in a message on X. "Fully in Schengen -- where you belong," von der Leyen wrote. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola congratulated the two countries, saying they had "worked hard and long" to achieve membership. "It’s done. It’s decided. It’s deserved. Romania & Bulgaria will fully join Schengen on 1 January 2025," Metsola wrote on X. "A stronger Schengen signifies a safer & more united Europe." Romanian President Klaus Iohannis hailed the decision, which he said "had been expected for too long" by Romanians and Bulgarians. "I have good news today," Iohannis said in a video message on December 12. "We can finally enjoy a well-deserved right obtained in a legitimate way," Iohannis said. He also took a swipe at Romania's Moscow-friendly far-right parties that had made substantial gains in the December 1 parliamentary polls, saying that "those who blame the European Union for their discontent do not want the best for Romania." Romanian Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu told journalists that for the first six months, random checks would still be performed based on risk assessment. The agreement also foresees the joint deployment of border guards to the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The move comes after Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner earlier this week announced that Vienna was finally dropping its opposition to the two countries' joining the 29-member zone, which encompasses more than 450 million people and covers 4,6 million square kilometers. Romania and Bulgaria were partially admitted into Schengen on March 31, when air and sea border controls were dropped, but Vienna continued its veto on the two countries' being allowed to scrap land-border checks over fears that more illegal migrants could reach Austria. Karner said on December 9 that Vienna's decision to lift its veto was based on a significant drop of migrant arrivals in Austria via Bulgaria and Romania. Romania and Bulgaria's fully joining Schengen comes after Croatia became the most recent member in January 2023. Despite Bucharest and Sofia's meeting the technical criteria for membership since 2010, their admission into Schengen was opposed constantly by Austria and the Netherlands, but the latter eventually dropped its veto, leaving only Vienna in opposition. Both Romania and Bulgaria constantly argued that the decision to keep them on the outside was purely political. Eliminating border controls is expected to further boost the two countries' economies as trucks won't have to wait for days in kilometers-long lines at the border, which substantially increased the cost of transported goods. The measure has also long been anticipated by the diasporas of both countries, whose members have been spending long hours at the border during the summer and winter holiday seasons. With Romania and Bulgaria's full accession, 25 of the 27 EU countries will be full Schengen members. Two EU countries -- Cyprus and Ireland are not members. Non-EU members Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland have also joined the free-travel agreement, which was initially signed in June 1985 in the small Luxembourg village of Schengen by five countries -- Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. In recent years, several countries, including Germany, reintroduced random border checks with neighboring EU countries intended to fight illegal migration and people smuggling. French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will discuss the deployment of a postwar peacekeeping force in Ukraine when the two meet in Warsaw on December 12, according to two media outlets, the latest sign of a surge in diplomacy to end Europe's biggest war in decades. Polish outlet Rzeczpospolita, citing unidentified sources, reported that the two EU leaders are considering a 40,000-strong peacekeeping force that would be made up of troops from various countries. Donald Trump's victory in the November 5 U.S. presidential election has set about a flurry of diplomacy in Europe to find an acceptable compromise on ending the war in Ukraine before he takes office on January 20. Trump has claimed he could end the war in 24-hours, raising concern he could force Ukraine to concede territory to Russia among other concessions, endangering EU national security. The United States plays a big role as it is Ukraine's largest supplier of military aid. Trump has threatened to curtail it if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy refuses to negotiate in good faith. Tusk, a vocal supporter of Kyiv, said on December 10 that peace talks could start "in the winter," as Warsaw prepares to assume the European Union's rotating presidency on January 1. Zelenskiy has demanded concrete Western security guarantees be part of any peace deal, arguing that Russia could invade again once it has rebuilt its forces. The United States and Britain gave Ukraine vague security assurances in 1994 to persuade it to give up its nuclear weapons. However, neither nation came to Ukraine's defense when Russia invaded for the first time in 2014. A 40,000-strong Western peacekeeping force would serve as a meaningful security guarantee while Ukraine waits to join NATO. Diplomacy Overdrive Diplomacy to end the nearly three-year Russian invasion has been in overdrive this month with Trump, Macron and Zelenskiy meeting in Paris on December 7 to discuss peace options. Trump then met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been the loudest critic of Western support for Ukraine and the main spoiler of a united EU voice against the Kremlin. Zelenskiy and Orban, took jabs at each other on social media on December 11 over negotiations and peace. In a tweet , Orban said he had an hourlong phone call with Putin about the conditions for a cease-fire and peace talks with Ukraine. Zelenskiy shot back, accusing Orban of putting self-promotion over European unity. "Unity in Europe has always been key to achieving [success]. There can be no discussions about the war that Russia wages against Ukraine without Ukraine," Zelenskiy said in a reply to Orban's tweet. The Hungarian leader punched back, calling it "sad" that Zelenskiy allegedly rejected a Christmas cease-fire and large-scale prisoner exchange. Orban appeared to be referring to Zelenskiy's recent decree officially prohibiting Ukraine from engaging in peace talks with Russia. Significant differences remain among Western diplomats over what a deal would look like, including whether to allow Russia to temporarily occupy Ukrainian territory, end sanctions on Russia, and offer Ukraine security guarantees. Fighting Rages Both Ukraine and Russia have been seeking to strengthen their negotiating position ahead of Trump's return to the White House in January. Russia has stepped up its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure at the onset of winter to cause maximum discomfort, as outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian forces struggle to halt a grinding but steady Russian offensive in the east. Russian troops destroyed or captured several Ukrainian positions near the eastern city of Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian military said on December 11. The city is a key logistics hub and its fall would be a heavy blow to Ukraine. Separately, at least eight Ukrainians were killed when a Russian missile struck a clinic in the southern city of Zaporizhzhya. At least 22 others, including a child, were injured. Rescue operations were still under way. Zaporizhzhya has been regularly targeted by Russian missile and drone strikes. On December 6, 10 people were killed in a strike on the city. Zelenskiy yesterday called on Kyiv's allies to provide 10-12 more Patriot air defense systems that he said are needed to fully protect Ukraine's skies. The United States has demanded that the government of Azerbaijan immediately release a group of detained human rights activists, journalists, and civil society figures being held in what is seen as an "escalating crackdown" on civil society and press freedom in Azerbaijan. The U.S. State Department on December 11 said it was " deeply concerned" over the detentions of individuals, including Rufat Safarov, Sevinc Vaqifqizi, Azer Qasimli, Farid Mehralizada, Baxtiyar Haciyev, Qubad Ibadoglu, and several associates of the independent outlet Meydan TV. "We urge the Government of Azerbaijan to release those unjustly detained for their advocacy on behalf of human rights, cease its crackdown on civil society, respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, and fulfill the commitments it made when it joined the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the statement. The timing of the detentions has already drawn significant criticism from governments and rights groups abroad. Two of the detainees -- Safarov and Vaqifqizi -- were to receive awards in Washington, D.C., this week for their work advancing human rights and fighting corruption. Safarov, a co-founder of Defense Line, one of Azerbaijan's leading civil society organizations, has actively promoted documenting politically motivated arrests, corruption in government structures, and digging up evidence of torture. He was arrested on December 3, just days before he was set to travel to the United States to receive the Secretary of State's Human Rights Defender Award. His detention is widely seen as a deliberate move by the Azerbaijani authorities to silence one of the few remaining full-time human rights defenders in the country. Vaqifqizi, editor in chief of Abzas Media, has played a critical role in uncovering corruption and government mismanagement in Azerbaijan. Her team has reported on illegal tender awards to companies linked to government officials and exposed the large-scale embezzlement of public funds. Vaqifqizi was detained in November 2023. On December 9, she was awarded the Secretary of State's 2024 Anti-Corruption Champions Award in absentia. Detentions such as those of Safarov, Vaqifqizi, and many others are part of a broader trend of repression in Azerbaijan. The government has increased pressure on activists, journalists, and independent organizations alike, leading to a significant decline in civil liberties. Human rights organizations estimate that at least 300 political prisoners are currently being held in Azerbaijani jails, underscoring ongoing criticism of President Ilham Aliyev's administration. Since taking power following the death of his predecessor and father, Heydar Aliyev, in 2003, Ilham Aliyev has faced accusations of suppressing dissent by detaining journalists, opposition figures, and civil society activists. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the powerful billionaire behind the ruling Georgian Dream party, to express his urgent concerns over the deteriorating state of democracy in the country. The December 11 call was initiated by Macron and comes amid a violent crackdown on protesters following disputed elections in October that Georgian Dream won. In a statement published by his office, Macron condemned law enforcement for the use of excessive force against nonviolent protesters and journalists in general. He called for the immediate release of those arrested without grounds, respect for freedom of expression and demonstration, and inclusive dialogue. Macron has repeatedly expressed concerns about Georgian Dream's drift away from European values and toward authoritarianism. The most recent wave of protests was sparked by allegations of electoral fraud during the October 2024 parliamentary elections. The opposition has refused to recognize the result, claiming Georgian Dream rigged the vote to cling to power. The protests escalated after law enforcement resorted to excessive force in dispersing peaceful rallies, sparking outrage both domestically and internationally. Georgian Dream confirmed the conversation with the French leader, saying that Ivanishvili told Macron that Georgia was a "legal state" and that most detainees were held on administrative charges and would be released soon. Ivanishvili claimed that any arrests on criminal charges were "based on a high standard of evidence" and that "police actions were in line with European standards." Georgian Dream also added that investigations into alleged police misconduct were under way. Paris Meeting A day earlier, Macron hosted Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in Paris during celebrations for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Zurabishvili, who has been estranged from the Georgian Dream and Ivanishvili, joined the opposition in rejecting the election results. During her trip to France, she also met with other western leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Macron appears to be spearheading a Western attempt to find a resolution that aligns with EU values, experts said. Bidzina Ivanishvili, who holds dual citizenship in Georgia and France, is a significant figure in Georgian politics despite his official retirement from active political leadership. His vast wealth and political connections have allowed him to maintain influence, and his role in the ruling Georgian Dream party is crucial. Romania's four pro-Western parties have agreed on forming a parliamentary majority to prevent far-right groups from joining the government amid political turmoil prompted by revelations about Russia's malign influence that led to the annulment of the first round of presidential elections won by a Moscow-friendly outsider. The four parties that together won the most votes in parliamentary elections on December 1 -- the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), reformist Save Romania Union (USR), and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR -- reached an agreement late on December 10 in Bucharest. "Today, the pro-European parties PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR plus the Parliamentary Group of National Minorities express their firm commitment to form a pro-European majority in the Romanian parliament, a pro-European government, and possibly backing a joint pro-European candidate in the presidential elections," the four parties said in a joint statement published late on December 10. The agreement comes after the four parties last week threw their support behind USR presidential candidate Elena Lasconi ahead of a December 8 scheduled runoff against the pro-Russian independent candidate Calin Georgescu, who had won a shock victory in the first round on November 24. However, Romania's Constitutional Court on December 6 canceled the results of the first round and ordered a rerun of the presidential polls after the EU and NATO member's Supreme Defense Council declassified documents allegedly proving Georgescu's presidential bid had been aided by a campaign led by an unnamed "state actor" with the help of China-owned TikTok social media platform. Lasconi on December 11 said the agreement was reached because "Romania is going through a very difficult" period. The PSD and the PNL, the two parties that have dominated Romania's politics since the fall of communism, formed an unlikely left-right alliance in 2021. The alliance became increasingly unpopular while also eroding both parties' support among voters, and allowed the shock rise of pro-Russian, far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which finished a close second in parliamentary elections with more than 18 percent to PSD's 23 percent. Adding to the current instability, no presidential polls are likely until sometime early next year while it remains unclear if parties would have to propose new candidates or if Georgescu will be allowed to run again.

globe ph login New education recruitment agency opens on Wrexham Industrial EstateMARKS & Spencer fans are set to love two cosy Christmas jumpers with a 'classic' crew neck - but shoppers will need to be quick. The retailer is selling some popular Christmas jumpers to enjoy the festive season. The Sequin Fair Isle Relaxed Christmas Jumper is available in stores and online now for just €42. It is available in sizes extra small to extra large. It is made in a relaxed fit for easy wear with a crew neckline and ribbed trims. M&S bosses said: "A Fair Isle pattern with sequins brings a festive feel to this cosy jumper. "The yarn is knitted with a touch of stretch to help it keep its shape." And the Christmas jumper is an easy-to-wear wardrobe staple that combines classic and contemporary styles . Another festive favourite is the Fairisle Crew Neck Jumper, which also retails at €50. Designed in a regular fit with a classic crew neck, the jumper promises a snug fit to keep you warm all winter. Available in sizes extra small to extra large, it's a go-to choice for the festive season . The retailer said: "Get into the festive spirit with this cosy jumper, crafted in a regular fit with a classic crew neck. "The soft yarn fairisle design adds seasonal charm, while the bobble detailing gives it a fun, textured finish." This red Christmas jumper is an easy-to-wear wardrobe staples that combine classic and contemporary styles. Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer fans are also rushing to buy a "flattering" sequinned outfit for Christmas party season - and it comes in two colours. The Sequin Top, stocked in gold and green, is a bargain at just €47.50. Fashion fans can also style it with matching trousers It comes in sizes 6 to 24 but it has already sold out in a number of sizes as festive parties get underway. Describing the piece, M&S said: "This long-sleeved top is crafted with added stretch for comfort. "Effortless regular fit, with an all-over sparkly sequin design to add a touch of glamour to your look. "An easy round neckline and a button fastening at the back create a neat finish. " M&S Collection : easy-to-wear wardrobe staples that combine classic and contemporary styles." And fashion fans rushed to the website and said they love it. One wrote: "A lovely and smart party top that stands out anywhere. Nice shape and the long sleeves are just right for drafty rooms. "It would be nice, though, to have some spare sequins included, as the odd one invariably needs replacing after a few wears." Someone else said: "Lovely top, very classy and perfect for the festive season."

Not so long ago, sports and entertainment were separate: each had their own distinct place in our minds. In the streaming era, that has become somewhat blurred. If anything, we now have to filter through all the types of content available to entertain us, rather than having to search from a limited range of offerings. Sport is now a form of entertainment, competing against a broad range of direct and indirect competitors who are essentially fighting over their slice of the cake in this attention economy . Sports and sports teams have had to adapt quickly to this changing era through different methods, such as how they use social media. The four Es of great content Broadly speaking, for any content to be effective with its intended market , it needs to have four basic elements : entertainment, engagement, experiential and emotions. Sport, as a whole, ticks those four boxes quite well (but only when it is being played). Just look at the Matildas’ World Cup phenomenon in 2023. Our need to be entertained is now constant, even hourly. Previously, this presented a challenge for sports: how to keep and maintain connection with audiences when sport wasn’t being played? Content competitors, such as YouTube, have something for us to watch 24/7. Sports and sporting teams then realised they had to start to provide content when games weren’t being played to keep relevance and resonance with their markets. And do so with the four E’s in mind. Say hello to your brand new social media feed. Early on this content was hit and miss . But in the past few years it has picked up to the point where the four Es are being ticked off by most teams. This engagement can all draw in extra money via ticket sales, memberships, merchandise and experience packages, such as Hawthorn’s social media-fuelled financial boost last season. There has also been assistance from successful fly-on-the-wall documentary series on everything from the Australian cricket team , to Formula 1, to cycling , which have deepened resonance between brand and consumer. So how to judge success in this area? The ultimate compliment of social media content is the share. And some teams, such as Greater Western Sydney in the AFL , are getting more and more. Success, right? Maybe, but there are other criteria to consider. Brand personality and connection Success in marketing is rarely binary. Another important dimension to why sports have started to have more fun with their social media feed relates to brand personality and brand connection. These theories are the bedrock behind how we value brands, and how brands have been slowly moving away from formal to fun. We connect with brands that fit our personalities . Have an outdoorsy identification? Say hello to SUVs like Ford Ranger, or clothing like Kathmandu. Sophistication? Apple. Beachy? Billabong. Value means loyalty, and loyalty means less switching behaviour . Walking the thin white line tightrope However, sport has a treacherous path to walk on this. Ultimately, the core content is the sporting contest. If it veers away from the on-field battles and results too much, it runs the risk of losing connection with the loyal supporters who become confused over what the brand stands for. There are also risks through simple human error and poor decision-making by those who run the social media accounts – the Monty Panesar tweet by Cricket Australia in 2013 being one case in point. More recently, after the 2024 AFL draft, St Kilda was left red-faced after sending a message to a wrong number instead of a player they had just drafted. The club at least had fun with their blunder, posting their mistake on social media. And of course there are numerous examples on social media where individual athletes, via secondary association, such as Stephanie Rice’s tweet , can result in brand damage. At the same time, silence in the digital era means losing connection, relevance, and eventually value. And if sports truly want to say they represent all, and not just the core fans, they need to find ways to grow that connection. The new AFL team Tasmania Devils – set to enter the league in 2028 – are a good example of a club that is doing that, maintaining a balance between functional offering and entertainment. A whole new ball game Content is here to stay and sporting clubs are still learning how to use this strategy effectively. If they stop now, they will become a secondary content provider in our minds rather than a primary one. The next markets, like Gen Alpha – a generation born into technology from 2010-25 – already have stronger resonance with online content providers like Mr Beast than they do a sports team. A decade or so ago, most sports and teams used social media primarily to relay match day updates and results, news and merchandise opportunities. Now, social media is as integral as any other marketing strategy, and the digital environment is fought over just like teams do on the field, court or pitch.Not to those who had witnessed the president’s shared anguish over his two sons after the boys survived a car crash that killed Biden's first wife and a daughter more than a half-century ago. Or to those who heard the president regularly lament the death of his older son, Beau , from cancer or voice concerns — largely in private — about Hunter’s sobriety and health after years of deep addiction. But by choosing to put his family first, the 82-year-old president — who had pledged to restore a fractured public’s trust in the nation’s institutions and respect for the rule of law — has raised new questions about his already teetering legacy. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado's Democratic Gov. Jared Polis wrote in a post on X. He added that while he could sympathize with Hunter Biden’s struggles, “no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.” Biden aides and allies had been resigned to the prospect of the president using his extraordinary power in the waning days of his presidency to ensure his son wouldn't see time behind bars, especially after Donald Trump ’s win. The president's supporters have long viewed Biden's commitment to his family as an asset overall, even if Hunter's personal conduct and tangled business dealings were seen as a persistent liability. But the pardon comes as Biden has become increasingly isolated since the loss to Trump by Vice President Kamala Harris , who jumped in to the race after the president’s catastrophic debate against Trump in June forced his exit from the election. He is still struggling to resolve thorny foreign policy issues in the Middle East and Europe. And he must reckon with his decision to seek reelection despite his advanced age, which helped return the Oval Office to Trump, a man he had warned time and again was a threat to democratic norms. Trump has gleefully planned to undo Biden’s signature achievements on climate change and reverse the Democrat's efforts to reinvigorate the country’s alliances, all while standing poised to take credit for a strengthening economy and billions in infrastructure investments that are in the pipeline for the coming years. And now, Biden has handed the Republican a pretext to carry through with sweeping plans to upend the Department of Justice as the Republican vows to seek retribution against supposed adversaries. “This pardon is just deflating for those of us who’ve been out there for a few years yelling about what a threat Trump is,” Republican Joe Walsh, a vocal Trump critic, said on MSNBC. “‘Nobody’s above the law,’ we’ve been screaming. Well, Joe Biden just made clear his son Hunter is above the law.” Jean-Pierre said Monday from Air Force One that the president wrestled with the decision but ultimately felt his son’s case had been tainted by politics, though she tried to thread the needle — insisting he had faith in the Justice Department. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” she said. But Trump has already made very clear his intent to disrupt federal law enforcement with his initial nomination of outspoken critics like former Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general and Kash Patel to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , who nominally still has more than two years left in his term. (Gaetz ended up quickly withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.) Reacting to the pardon, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement: “That system of justice must be fixed and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people." In a social media post, the president-elect himself called the pardon “such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice.” “Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump asked. He was referring to those convicted in the violent Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters aiming to overturn the 2020 presidential election result. Biden and his spokespeople had repeatedly and flatly ruled out the president granting his son a pardon. In June, Biden told reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” In July, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters: “It's still a no. It will be a no. It is a no. And I don’t have anything else to add. Will he pardon his son? No." In November, days after Trump's victory, Jean-Pierre reiterated that message: “Our answer stands, which is no." Neither Biden nor the White House explained the shift in the president's thinking, and it was his broken promise as much as his act of clemency that was a lightning rod. He is hardly the first president to pardon a family member or friend entangled in political dealings. Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger for drug charges after he had served his sentence roughly a decade earlier. In his final weeks in office, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner , the father of his son-in law, Jared Kushner, as well as multiple allies convicted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Yet Biden held himself up as placing his respect for the American judicial system and rule of law over his own personal concerns — trying to draw a deliberate contrast with Trump, who tested the bounds of his authority like few predecessors. Inside the White House, the timing of the pardon was surprising to some who believed Biden would put it off as long as possible, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. It came just after Biden spent extended time over the past week with Hunter and other family members on Nantucket in Massachusetts, a family tradition for Thanksgiving. “I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice – and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further,” Biden said in a statement announcing the pardon. Some in the administration have privately expressed anguish that the substance of Biden’s statement, including his claim of an unfair politically-tinged prosecution of his son resembled complaints Trump — who faced now-abandoned indictments over his role in trying to subvert the 2020 election — has been making for years about the Justice Department. Biden said the charges in his son's cases "came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election.” Many legal experts agreed that the charges against the younger Biden were somewhat unusual, but the facts of the offenses were hardly in dispute, as Hunter wrote about his gun purchase while addicted to illegal drugs in his memoir and ultimately pleaded guilty to the tax charges. The pardon too was unusual, coming before Hunter Biden was even sentenced and covering not just the gun and tax offenses against his son, but also anything else he might have done going back to the start of 2014. It's a move that could limit the ability of the Trump Justice Department to investigate the younger Biden's unsavory foreign business dealings, or to find new ground on which to bring criminal charges related to that time period. Biden, in his statement, asked for consideration: “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision." Associated Press Writer Aamer Madhani in Washington and Will Weissert aboard Air Force One contributed to this report.Syrian rebels free prisoners from Assad's notorious dungeons who celebrate in Damascus streets

A big battery will plug into the solar corridor to the south of Canberra, with the profits to go to the taxpayer in a revenue-sharing first. or signup to continue reading Located next to existing powerlines and solar farms, construction has begun on Eku Energy's $400 million project that will bring 200 jobs for local tradies. The 250 megawatt/500 MW hour Williamsdale battery energy storage system located 35km south of Canberra will store enough renewable energy to power one-third of the capital for two hours during peak demand periods when it comes online in 2026. A critical energy asset for greater energy security and a bulwark against future price spikes, it is also a crucial step in the fight against climate change, according to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr. Importantly, a revenue-sharing deal means profits from the project will flow to the ACT and pay for more clean energy and other services for a growing population, he said in Williamsdale. "That is an important principle for our community, who want to see investment in renewable energy and battery storage not only supporting the effectiveness and reliability of our energy network but generating revenue." Recently re-elected and already the nation's longest-serving political leader, Mr Barr says the revenue-sharing model could be extended nationally as a good template for government procurement. Working with Evoenergy, Tesla Energy and the Australian Energy Market Operator, the Williamsdale battery will also be part of the NSW energy market and the broader east coast energy market. "The electrons flow in real time so what we would be replacing is the next most expensive form of generation when we dispatch," Eku Energy chief executive Daniel Burrows told AAP. It will provide additional supply when the market is tight, which should help lower wholesale prices and support making more clean energy available when it is required, he said. The battery will also provide more grid security by responding within milliseconds to demand and storing energy when it is abundant. "What we have in Australia is a prevalence of distributed energy - rooftop solar, large-scale wind and batteries - and a reasonably sophisticated grid," Mr Burrows said. "As we're doing business all around the world, other businesses, other governments, other industry players are looking to what happens here as to how we might manage the energy transition." Not a player in a nuclear energy future, he says Eku Energy focuses on projects that are "genuinely the most cost-effective and will stand the test of time". A $500 million set up by the company will be available to eligible local non-profit organisations for employment and education, social and environment initiatives. Another $500,000 will go to an Australian National University program that has been a testing ground for neighbourhood batteries and other technology. "Research funding in this area helps ensure we remain at the forefront of advancing technology for a clean energy future," Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program co-director Heather Logie says. Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Suzanne Orr donned high-vis gear to shovel dirt alongside Mr Barr in her first public engagement in her new portfolio. Simon Corbell, the architect of the ACT's clean energy transition as a Labor minister more than a decade ago, is one of her heroes, she told AAP. "Everyone has a different journey in coming to politics and mine has definitely been flavoured by the environmental movement," she said. Ms Orr, first elected in 2016, replaced former energy and emissions reduction minister Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury in the new government that has taken power without the ACT Greens as a partner. Canberra has already achieved a nation-leading 100 per cent renewable electricity supply and the ACT is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2045. The territory is phasing out household gas, with support for households to buy new appliances, electric vehicles, solar panels and batteries. But Ms Orr said the next stage of the transition will be more than "care and maintenance" of what has already been achieved. "I don't think anyone wants to rest on their laurels," she said. The Big Canberra Battery project that Mr Barr began as climate action minister will include the large-scale system in Williamsdale and neighbourhood-scale batteries at nine government sites. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement

LOS ANGELES — Until he sustained a season-ending knee injury last week in the Western Conference final, Galaxy playmaker Riqui Puig was having a tremendous season. So I heard. I watched Puig play only twice this year, once in the Galaxy's season-opening 1-1 draw with Inter Miami and a second time in his team's Fourth of July defeat to LAFC at the Rose Bowl. Outside of short highlight clips on social media, I never saw the former Barcelona prospect, not even when he assisted on the goal that sent the Galaxy to the MLS Cup final. That wasn't a reflection of my interest. Some of my friends will make fun of me for publicly admitting this, but I like Major League Soccer. I covered the league in my first job out of college and have casually kept up with it since. I take my children to a couple of games a year. My 11-year-old son owns Galaxy and LAFC hats but no Dodgers or Lakers merchandise. When flipping through channels in the past, if presented with the choice of, say, college football or MLS, I usually watched MLS. But not this year. While the MLS Cup final between the Galaxy and New York Red Bulls will be shown on Fox and Fox Deportes, the majority of games are now exclusively behind a paywall, courtesy of the league's broadcasting deal with Apple. MLS Season Pass subscriptions were reasonably priced — $79 for the entire season for Apple TV+ subscribers, $99 for non-subscribers — but I was already paying for DirecTV Stream, Netflix, Amazon Prime, PlayStation Plus and who knows what else. MLS became a casualty in my household, as well as in many others, and the possibility of being out of sight and out of mind should be a concern for a league that is looking to expand its audience. Which isn't to say the league made a mistake. This was a gamble MLS had to take. Now in the second year of a 10-year, $2.5 billion deal with Apple, MLS did what Major League Baseball is talking about doing, which is to centralize its broadcasting rights and sell them to a digital platform. Regional sports networks have been decimated by cord cutting, making traditional economic models unsustainable. The move to Apple not only increased the league's broadcast revenues — previous deals with ESPN, Fox and Univision were worth a combined $90 million annually, according to multiple reports — but also introduced a measure of uniformity in the league. The quality of the broadcasts are better than they were under regional sports networks. Viewers know where to watch games and when, as every one of them is on Season Pass and most of them are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time either on Wednesday or Saturday. "That's been fueling our growth and driving our fan engagement," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Friday at his annual state of the league address. Apple and MLS declined to reveal the number of League Pass subscribers, but the league provided polling figures that indicated 94% of viewers offered positive or neutral reviews of League Pass. The average viewing time for a game is about 65 minutes for a 90-minute game, according to Garber. In other words, the League Pass is well-liked — by the people who have it. The challenge now is to increase that audience. The launch of League Pass last year coincided with the arrival of Lionel Messi, which presumably resulted in a wave of subscriptions. But the league can't count on the appearance of the next Messi; there is only one of him. MLS pointed to how its fans watch sports on streaming devices or recorded television than any other U.S. sports league, as well as how 71% of its fans are under the age of 45. The league also pointed to how it effectively drew more viewers to the Apple broadcast of Inter Miami's postseason opener with a livestream of a "Messi Cam' on TikTok, indicating further collaborations with wide-reaching entities could be in its future. Garber mentioned how Season Pass is available in other countries. The commissioner also made note of how Apple places games every week in front of its paywall. "What we have, really, is a communication problem," Garber said. "This is new, and we've got to work with Apple, we've got to work with our clubs and we've got to work with our partners to get more exposure to what we think is a great product." The greatest benefit to the league could be Apple's vested interest in improving the on-field product. MLS insiders said Apple has not only encouraged teams to sign more high-profile players but also pushed the league to switch to a fall-to-spring calendar more commonplace in other parts of the world, reasoning that doing so would simplify the process of buying and selling players. The on-field product is what matters. The on-field product is why MLS continues to face competition for viewers from overseas leagues. The on-field product is why the league hasn't succeeded in converting every soccer fan into a MLS fan. And ultimately, if casual viewers such as myself are to pay to watch the Galaxy or LAFC on a screen of some kind, the on-field product will be why. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.South Korean prosecutors question ex-defence minister over martial law - Yonhap News

WASHINGTON — Yu Miao smiles as he stands among the 10,000 books crowded on rows of bamboo shelves in his newly reopened bookstore. It’s in Washington’s vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood, far from its last location in Shanghai, where the Chinese government forced him out of business six years ago. “There is no pressure from the authorities here,” said Yu, the owner of JF Books, Washington’s only Chinese bookseller. “I want to live without fear.” Independent bookstores have become a new battleground in China, swept up in the ruling Communist Party’s crackdown on dissent and free expression. The Associated Press found that at least a dozen bookstores in the world’s second-largest economy have been shuttered or targeted for closure in the last few months alone, squeezing the already tight space for press freedom. One bookstore owner was arrested over four months ago. The crackdown has had a chilling effect on China’s publishing industry. Bookstores are common in China, but many are state-owned. Independent bookstores are governed by an intricate set of rules with strict controls now being more aggressively policed, according to bookstore owners. Printing shops and street vendors are also facing more rigorous government inspections by the National Office Against Pornography and Illegal Publication. The office did not respond to interview requests from The Associated Press. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement to AP, said it was not aware of a crackdown on bookstores. Yu isn’t alone in taking his business out of the country. Chinese bookstores have popped up in Japan, France, Netherlands and elsewhere in the U.S. in recent years, as a result of both stricter controls in China and growing Chinese communities abroad. It’s not just the books’ contents that are making Chinese authorities wary. In many communities, bookstores are cultural centers where critical thinking is encouraged, and conversations can veer into politics and other topics not welcomed by the authorities. The bookstore owner who was arrested was Yuan Di, also called Yanyou, the founder of Jiazazhi, an artistic bookstore in Shanghai and Ningbo on China’s eastern coast. He was taken away by police in June, according to Zhou Youlieguo, who closed his own bookstore in Shanghai in September. Yuan’s arrest was also confirmed by two other people who declined to be named for fear of retribution. The charge against Yuan is unclear. An official in Ningbo’s Bureau of Culture, Radio Television and Tourism, which oversees bookstores, declined comment, noting the case is under investigation. The Ningbo police didn’t respond to an interview request. Michael Berry, director of UCLA’s Center for Chinese Studies, said a sluggish Chinese economy may be driving the government to exert greater control. “The government might be feeling that this is a time to be more cautious and control this kind of discourse in terms of what people are consuming and reading to try to put a damper on any potential unrest and kind of nip it in the bud,” Berry said. These bookstore owners face dual pressures, Berry added. One is the political clampdown; the other is the global movement, especially among young people, toward digital media and away from print publications. Wang Yingxing sold secondhand books in Ningbo for almost two decades before being ordered to close in August. Local officials informed Wang he lacked a publication business license even though he wasn’t eligible to obtain one as a second-hand seller. Faded outlines marked the spot where a sign for Fatty Wang’s Bookstore once hung. Spray-painted black letters on the bookstore’s window read: “Temporarily closed”. “We’re promoting culture, I’m not doing anything wrong, right? I’m just selling some books and promoting culture,” Wang said, tying a bundle of books together with brown wrapper and white nylon string. “Then why won’t you leave me alone?” Wang added. Half a dozen other people heaved boxes of books into the back of a van. The books, Wang said, were being sold to cafe and bar owners who wanted to burnish little libraries for their patrons. Some would be sent to a warehouse in Anhui. The rest, he said, were to be sent to a recycling station to be pulped and destroyed. Bookstores are not the only target. Central authorities have also cracked down on other places such as printing shops, internet bars, gaming rooms and street vendors. Strict inspections have taken place all over the country, according to Chinese authorities. Authorities in Shanghai inspected printing places and bookstores, looking for “printing, copying or selling illegal publications,” according to a government document. This shows the authorities are not just barring the sale of some publications, but tracing them back to the printing process. They found some printing stores did not “register the copy content as required” and demanded they fix the problem quickly. In Shaoyang, a city in China’s south, authorities said they will be “cracking down on harmful publications in accordance with the law.” The Communist Party has various powers to control which books are available. Any publication without a China Standard Book Number is considered illegal, including self-published books and those imported without special licenses. Books can be banned even after they are published if restrictions are later tightened — often for unclear reasons — or if the writers say something upsetting to the Chinese authorities. Yet despite these restrictions and the crackdown on existing booksellers, more bookstores are opening. Recent figures are unavailable, but a survey by Bookdao, a media company that focuses on the book industry, shows more than twice as many bookstores opened than closed in China in 2020. Liu Suli, who has been running All Sages Books in Beijing for over three decades, said there are many idealists in the industry. “Everyone who reads has a dream of having a bookstore,” Liu said, despite the challenges. In many cases, those dreams are being fulfilled outside China. Yu and other Chinese booksellers around the world stock their shelves with books from Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China, as well as books published locally. Zhang Jieping, founder of Nowhere, a bookstore in Taiwan and Thailand, said there’s a growing demand for books from migrants who left China after the COVID-19 pandemic. “They don’t just want to speak fluent English or Japanese to fit in, they want cultural autonomy,” Zhang said. “They want more community spaces. Not necessarily a bookstore, but in any format — a gallery, or a restaurant.” Li Yijia is a 22-year-old student who arrived in Washington from Beijing in August. One Sunday morning, she wandered through JF Books where she found titles in Chinese and English. She said a Chinese bookstore feels like “another world in a bubble” which helps her critical thinking by allowing her to read books in both languages. “It also relieves homesickness, like a Chinese restaurant,” Li added. The closure of the bookstores leads the owners to different paths. Some ended up in jail, some went looking for jobs to feed their families. Some started a journey to leave censorship behind. Since he closed his Shanghai bookstore, Zhou, 39, has moved to Los Angeles, but hasn’t decided what his next step will be. He said his fully licensed independent bookstore, which sold art books and self-published works by artists and translators, was fined thousands of dollars and he was interrogated over a dozen times during the past four years. He’s seen colleagues jailed for selling “illegal publications.” All the self-published book artists and editors he worked with asked him to take down their work after warnings by local authorities. Zhou said he could not handle further harassment. He said it was as if he were “smuggling drugs instead of selling books.” The existence of his bookstore, Zhou said, was “a rebellion and a resistance,” which is not there anymore.NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid a mixed Monday of trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% from its all-time high set on Friday to post a record for the 54th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.By LISA MASCARO and FARNOUSH AMIRI WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard faced fresh scrutiny Monday on Capitol Hill about her proximity to Russian-ally Syria amid the sudden collapse of that country’s hardline Assad rule. Gabbard ignored shouted questions about her 2017 visit to war-torn Syria as she ducked into one of several private meetings with senators who are being asked to confirm Trump’s unusual nominees . Related Articles National Politics | Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it? National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president But the Democrat-turned-Republican Army National Reserve lieutenant colonel delivered a statement in which she reiterated her support for Trump’s America First approach to national security and a more limited U.S. military footprint overseas. “I want to address the issue that’s in the headlines right now: I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days with regards to the developments in Syria,” Gabbard said exiting a Senate meeting. The incoming president’s Cabinet and top administrative choices are dividing his Republican allies and drawing concern , if not full opposition, from Democrats and others. Not just Gabbard, but other Trump nominees including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth, were back at the Capitol ahead of what is expected to be volatile confirmation hearings next year. The incoming president is working to put his team in place for an ambitious agenda of mass immigrant deportations, firing federal workers and rollbacks of U.S. support for Ukraine and NATO allies. “We’re going to sit down and visit, that’s what this is all about,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., as he welcomed Gabbard into his office. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary pick Hegseth appeared to be picking up support from once-skeptical senators, the former Army National Guard major denying sexual misconduct allegations and pledging not to drink alcohol if he is confirmed. The president-elect’s choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel , who has written extensively about locking up Trump’s foes and proposed dismantling the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched his first visits with senators Monday. “I expect our Republican Senate is going to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., on social media. Despite widespread concern about the nominees’ qualifications and demeanors for the jobs that are among the highest positions in the U.S. government, Trump’s team is portraying the criticism against them as nothing more than political smears and innuendo. Showing that concern, nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government’s files on Gabbard. Trump’s allies have described the criticisms of Hegseth in particular as similar to those lodged against Brett Kavanaugh, the former president’s Supreme Court nominee who denied a sexual assault allegation and went on to be confirmed during Trump’s first term in office. Said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., about Hegseth: “Anonymous accusations are trying to destroy reputations again. We saw this with Kavanaugh. I won’t stand for it.” One widely watched Republican, Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, herself a former Army National Guard lieutenant colonel and sexual assault survivor who had been criticized by Trump allies for her cool reception to Hegseth, appeared more open to him after their follow-up meeting Monday. “I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process,” Ernst said in a statement. Ernst said that following “encouraging conversations,” he had committed to selecting a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.” Ernst also had praise for Patel — “He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies” — and for Gabbard. Once a rising Democratic star, Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in Congress, arrived a decade ago in Washington, her surfboard in tow, a new generation of potential leaders. She ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020. But Gabbard abruptly left the party and briefly became an independent before joining with Trump’s 2024 campaign as one of his enthusiasts, in large part over his disdain for U.S. involvement overseas and opposition to helping Ukraine battle Russia. Her visit to Syria to meet with then-President Bashar Assad around the time of Trump’s first inauguration during the country’s bloody civil war stunned her former colleagues and the Washington national security establishment. The U.S. had severed diplomatic relations with Syria. Her visit was seen by some as legitimizing a brutal leader who was accused of war crimes. Gabbard has defended the trip, saying it’s important to open dialogue, but critics hear in her commentary echoes of Russia-fueled talking points. Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend after Islamist rebels overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule. She said her own views have been shaped by “my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism.” Gabbard said, “It’s one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his election, where he is fully committed, as he has said over and over, to bring about an end to wars.” Last week, the nearly 100 former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said in the letter to Senate leaders they were “alarmed” by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to coordinate the nation’s intelligence agencies and act as the president’s main intelligence adviser. Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

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How badly does want to win? That’s the question. If he really cared about a World Series ring, Judge, , would sell his fancy new trophy on eBay and give the proceeds to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman so the club can sign another bullpen arm for 2025. That’s what a real captain would do. Derek Jeter, the perfect example of Yankees leadership, had the perspective and wherewithal to never play well enough to warrant winning such a selfish award. Look, I’m not saying that Judge should play worse during the regular season next year; that’s preposterous. But if he melted the AL MVP trophy down and had it remade into a sculpture of the 2024 Dodgers celebrating their world championship and then put that sculpture on his bedside table so he could wake up every morning properly motivated, it wouldn’t be the most inappropriate thing. It’s tradition for MVP winners to accept their awards at the annual BBWAA New York Chapter dinner in January. And while I’m sure fans would love to see Judge there, he should honestly be spending that time in the gym or the batting cage for the 2025 season. A night in a tuxedo with boring writers like me isn’t working toward the ultimate goal of a Yankees parade. As they say, if you aren’t getting better, you’re getting worse. , is a different story, his own overlooked postseason struggles aside. Sure, the Dodger dynamo’s October OPS was only 15 points higher than Judge’s, but With Judge, that’s clearly not the case. And don’t forget: The last time Judge won this award, back in 2022, the Yankees were a train wreck the following season, missing out on the playoffs. Does the Yankees captain really want to tempt fate again? Might be best to let , who finished second in AL MVP voting, take the award. People speak volumes about Judge’s steadiness and consistency during the marathon of a 162-game season. That’s pretty cool, I guess, but I’d rather have a totally erratic teammate who wakes up hungover on Oct. 1 and clobbers 15 playoff bombs. Not somebody like Judge, who finished this past postseason with a ... .752 OPS, which ... actually isn’t that bad? Huh. How 'bout that? You know what? Maybe it’s best to hold multiple thoughts in our heads at the same time. Yes, Judge underwhelmed by his lofty standards in a 14-game postseason sample, but maybe, just maybe, that doesn’t invalidate what was an all-time magnificent offensive performance in the regular season. Judge’s 2024 was, by OPS+, the best season by a hitter since Barry Bonds put up a 263 OPS+ in 2004. The titanic Yankees outfielder finished the season with a comical stat line: 58 home runs, a .322 batting average, an 1.159 OPS and an adjusted OPS 123% better than league average. Only three players in MLB history have posted an OPS+ higher than Judge’s 223 mark this year: Bonds, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Not too shabby. And sure, as my idiotic ramblings above alluded to, Judge’s struggles on the big stage leave an unfortunate haze over our collective memory of his season. It’s a fact, one he knows and one he has owned: When the games mattered most, Judge was not at his best. Whether that’s because he can’t handle the spotlight or because baseball is difficult and random is up to the eye of the beholder. Just remember that the that it’s impossible to pin on any one soul. Maybe I’m being the “ , but whatever. Judge's outstanding 162 cannot simply wipe away his autumnal stumble. Yet at the same time, his substandard October shouldn’t completely overshadow six months of downright dominance. Both are true, both are important, and both tell the story of Aaron Judge’s 2024, a season that we’ll remember for a long, long time. Hopefully, for all the right reasons.With deficits soaring, their finance ministers will have to be smart A merica’s gross national debt is $36trn, or $107,000 per person. It is rising fast and will probably soon be rising even faster. If Donald Trump’s election campaign was anything to go by, his return to the White House heralds a flurry of tax cuts on everything from corporate profits to tips. In the fiscal year that ended in September, Uncle Sam spent $1.8trn more than he collected in taxes (6.4% of GDP , or over double the annual earnings of America’s seven biggest firms). By one estimate, Mr Trump’s agenda could raise borrowing by $4.1trn in the coming decade. Discover more What Scott Bessent’s appointment means for the Trump administration The president-elect’s nominee for treasury secretary faces a gruelling job What Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders get wrong about credit cards Forget interest rates. Rewards are the real problem Computers unleashed economic growth. Will artificial intelligence? Two years after ChatGPT-3.5 arrived, progress has been slower than expected Should investors just give up on stocks outside America? No, but it is getting a lot harder to keep the faith Is China really a nation of slackers? A new survey raises the question Donald Trump’s gas war is about to begin It could annoy some of his most loyal supportersThe Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has signed revised Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Eastern University of Sri Lanka (EUSL) and the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL), reinforcing its commitment to supporting the educational and career aspirations of undergraduates. The SEC began its partnership with national universities in 2008 through the signing of MoUs, and the MoUs were initially signed with the EUSL and SEUSL in 2010. This marked the start of a lasting partnership aimed at nurturing the development of future professionals in the capital market. The updated MoUs aim to offer valuable benefits to undergraduates, such as a cash award and Gold medal recognising academic excellence in capital market-related subjects, a cash award for the top research project in the capital market field, and opportunities for enhanced industry knowledge, hands-on learning experiences, and career development within the capital market and the SEC through internships. The revised Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were formally signed with the participation of key representatives from both universities and the SEC. SEC Deputy Director Tushara Jayaratne represented the Commission, while SEUSL was represented by its Acting Vice Chancellor Dr. U.L. Abdul Majeed, and EUSL by its Vice Chancellor Prof. V. Kanagasingham. The signing ceremony at SEUSL was also attended by Department of Management and Information Technology Head Prof. Sabraz Nawas and M. Farwis of Department of Accountancy and Finance. At EUSL, the MoU was signed in the presence of Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. T. Prabaharan, Faculty of Graduate Studies Dean Prof. J. Kennedy, Faculty of Arts and Culture Dean Dr. V. Gunabalasingam, Department of Management Acting Head V.R. Ragel, Department of Commerce Head M.S. Thayaraj, Faculty of Commerce and Management National Link Coordinator T. Sellar and Healthcare Sciences Dean Prof. T. Sathaananthan. The SEC will continue to renew MoUs with other national universities, underscoring its dedication to broadening access to professional opportunities for students across the country. Through this initiative, the SEC seeks to inspire a new wave of young professionals, fostering academic excellence and innovative contributions to the capital markets sector.

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:46 p.m. ESTFive games on the Sunday college basketball schedule feature a ranked team, including the matchup between the UCLA Bruins and the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Columbia Lions at No. 13 Duke Blue Devils North Carolina Central Eagles at No. 7 LSU Tigers No. 10 Maryland Terrapins at Toledo Rockets Central Arkansas Sugar Bears at No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats No. 1 UCLA Bruins at Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

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As the launch of the AI data center approaches, both Sharp and KDDI are committed to ensuring that the project meets the highest standards of quality and performance. Through continuous research and development efforts, the companies aim to push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of AI and data management, setting new benchmarks for excellence and driving industry-wide innovation.

However, Xiaohua did not miss the opportunity to playfully respond to her husband's idolization of Dao Lang. In a playful message directed at the singer, she quipped, "If you don't have very long hair, I'll shave my head very nicely too." This witty remark not only showcases Xiaohua's quick wit but also reaffirms her support for her husband's admiration for Dao Lang.

Official: Naby Keita Joins Ferencvaros on Loan with an Option to Buy for One YearBEL AIR, Md., Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Lisa Feulner, MD, PhD, of Advanced Eye Care & Aesthetics, a managed ophthalmology practice of Vision Innovation Partners (VIP), is bringing cutting-edge interventional glaucoma treatment to Harford County. This advanced, minimally invasive option offers patients a new level of care by reducing dependence on lifelong medications and delaying the need for more invasive surgeries. "With this technology, I'm able to offer my patients the most advanced care possible," says Dr. Feulner. "The iDose is a perfect example, allowing me to provide cutting-edge treatment that delivers continuous, long-term benefits." Dr. Feulner is a board-certified, comprehensive ophthalmologist. She is the Chief Medical Officer and founder of Advanced Eye Care & Aesthetics, as well as an active member of the Harford County community. "I'm so fortunate to have this opportunity to give back to my wonderful community in such a big way. This is going to help improve so many lives," said Dr. Feulner. About Advanced Eye Care & Aesthetics Advanced Eye Care & Aesthetics is a leading provider of comprehensive eye care services, specializing in advanced treatments for vision correction and aesthetic enhancements. Our team of skilled ophthalmologists and aesthetic professionals is dedicated to delivering personalized care using the latest technology and techniques. With a focus on improving both eye health and appearance, we offer a wide range of services, from routine eye exams to cutting-edge procedures in laser vision correction and non-surgical aesthetic treatments. At Advanced Eye Care & Aesthetics, we prioritize patient comfort and satisfaction, ensuring each individual receives the highest level of care tailored to their unique needs. About Vision Innovation Partners Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Annapolis, MD, VIP supports the mid-Atlantic's premier ophthalmology practices and surgery centers through good people, expert leadership, the sharing of best practices and the backing of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm. VIP's managed practices offer a comprehensive range of services, including routine eye exams and LASIK surgery as well as treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other ocular diseases. The Company is among the region's leading managed services platforms for ophthalmology providers, with over 150 providers and a footprint that includes nearly 60 practice locations and 11 surgery centers across Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Press Contact: Stephanie Blank Director of Marketing Vision Innovation Partners M: (410) 279-1826 Stephanie.blank@vipeyes.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/doctor-becomes-first-to-offer-innovative-glaucoma-treatment-in-harford-county-302339004.html SOURCE Vision Innovation Partners

In conclusion, the United States' characterization of the Israeli airstrikes on Syria as "temporary measures" underscores the complexities and challenges of the situation in the Middle East. It highlights the delicate balance that must be struck between legitimate security concerns and the need to avoid further violence and instability. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria.

The swine market has been a topic of keen interest in recent times, with fluctuations in pork prices grabbing headlines and sparking debates among economists, farmers, and consumers alike. The question on everyone's mind is whether the recent rebound in pig prices is sustainable or merely a temporary reprieve. The upcoming season of Chinese New Year, known as the "Laba" festival, traditionally marks a period of increased demand for pork products, and it will likely play a crucial role in determining the future trajectory of pork prices.Manchester City, under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has enjoyed a period of unprecedented success in recent years, winning multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups. However, the club's achievements have been overshadowed by persistent questions surrounding the sources of its funding and the sustainability of its financial model.

The fire at the Alibaba data center, located in [specific location], was first reported in the early hours of [date]. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, and the fire was contained within [specific timeframe]. In a statement released following the incident, Alibaba confirmed that there were no casualties and that all staff members were safely evacuated from the premises. The company expressed gratitude for the swift response of the emergency services and the efforts of its employees in ensuring the safety of all individuals on-site.The color palette of Barn Chic fashion tends to be earthy and muted, reflecting the natural hues of the countryside. Shades of brown, green, blue, and red dominate, with occasional pops of brighter colors to add a playful touch. Accessories such as leather belts, straw hats, and vintage jewelry are often used to complement the overall aesthetic and add a touch of whimsy to the outfits.

However, the personal pension system in China is still in its early stages of development, and there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure its success. One of the key challenges is the lack of public awareness and understanding of personal pension plans. Many individuals are not aware of the benefits of personal pensions or how they can contribute to one.

South Korea's political landscape has been rocked by the recent decision by the National Assembly to swiftly arrest the former Prosecutor General, Yoon Seok-youl. This move has not only sent shock waves through the country but has also placed President Moon Jae-in in a precarious position.

When it comes to iconic video game characters and their real-life portrayals, the debate on whether the game characters or the actors look better is a common topic of discussion among fans. One such legendary character is Indiana Jones, the adventurer and archaeologist famous for his whip-cracking and treasure-hunting escapades. In this article, we will delve into the comparison between the game version of Indiana Jones and the actors who have brought him to life on the big screen, ultimately arguing that the real-life actors indeed look better.

Walker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker has run for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. A second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2022, he has 2,528 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his career. Walker could, in theory, return if the Seahawks win two playoff games, though their postseason hopes were slim entering the game against Chicago. Seattle (8-7) trailed the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by one game with two to play. The Seahawks' best path to the postseason was to win the final two regular-season games and have Los Angeles lose to Arizona on Saturday. Seattle visits the Rams to close the regular season. With Walker out, Seattle signed rookie running back George Holani off the practice squad. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBut the appeal of this character goes beyond just his looks and availability. His skills and abilities are truly second to none, making him a valuable asset to any player's team. Whether it's his lightning-fast attacks, his devastating special moves, or his strategic prowess on the battlefield, this S-Class character is sure to leave a lasting impression on both allies and adversaries alike. Players who are lucky enough to obtain this character will find themselves at a significant advantage in the game, poised to dominate their competitors with style and finesse.

phlove jili Sam Darnold leads game-winning drive in OT and Vikings beat Bears 30-27 after blowing late leadGoogle has confirmed there are latency and slowness issues with the Google Ads console. The issues started a couple of hours ago and are continuing throughout now. Google just confirmed the issue on the ads status dashboard saying: Here are some of the complaints I found on social: Not that there is a good time but this time of year... pic.twitter.com/GCCElyohPE It's been a nightmare today. All buggy on my side. Google Ads is lagging big time today... #ppcchat pic.twitter.com/K8sgixLfWI Sooooo slow pic.twitter.com/VD6r6J7RMn Who is still seeing this... #PPCChat pic.twitter.com/jUpArdpwJf I personally was playing around with the interface and I do not have issues. Forum discussion at links above. The content at the Search Engine Roundtable are the sole opinion of the authors and in no way reflect views of RustyBrick ®, Inc Copyright © 1994-2024 RustyBrick ® , Inc. Web Development All Rights Reserved. This work by Search Engine Roundtable is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License. Creative Commons License and YouTube videos under YouTube's ToS .

AUSTIN, Texas — Elon Musk has secured a permit to officially open his new Montessori school in Bastrop County. The permit was issued last week and officially allows the school, named Ad Astra, to begin teaching. The school's curriculum is focused on STEM-based education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for children between the ages of 3 and 9. It is the first of many schools Musk hopes to open, which include multiple K-through-12 schools and a college. Ad Astra is a Latin phrase that translates as "to the stars." According to its website , the school's mission is to "foster curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders." "Ad Astra School admits students based on merit, regardless of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school," the school's website reads. The website further states that the school is centered on hands-on and project-based learning, where children are encouraged to explore, experiment and discover solutions to real-world problems. It also states that it will "tailor learning experiences to each child's unique needs, pace and interests." Ad Astra is the latest Musk-owned property to make its way to Central Texas, along with SpaceX, Tesla, The Boring Company, Neuralink and, most recently, the social media platform X . The South African billionaire also relocated the headquarters of SpaceX from Hawthorne, California, to to the Brownsville area. The permit means the school can now enroll around 24 students, but will start with 16.

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IAF's Surya Kiran team dazzles Hyderabad with breathtaking air showBritish-Canadian computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton and co-laureate John Hopfield are set to receive the Nobel Prize for physics on Tuesday in Stockholm. The pair landed the accolade because they used physics to develop artificial neural networks, which help computers learn without having to program them. These networks form the foundation of machine learning, a computer science that relies on data and algorithms to help artificial intelligence mimic the human brain. Hinton and Hopfield's path to the Nobel began when Hopfield, who is now a professor emeritus at Princeton University, invented a network in 1982 that could store and reconstruct images in data. The Hopfield network uses associate memory, which humans use to remember what something looks like when it's not in front of them or to conjure up a word they know but seldom use. The network can mirror this process because it stores patterns and has a method for recreating them. When the network is given an incomplete or slightly distorted pattern, the method then searches for the stored pattern that is most similar to recreate data. This means if a computer was shown, for example, a photo of dog where only part of the animal was visible, it could use the network to piece together the missing part of the image and recognize it was depicting a dog. Hinton, who was working at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 1985, used the Hopfield network as the foundation for a new network he called the Boltzmann machine. Its name came from the nineteenth-century physicist Ludwig Boltzmann. The Boltzmann machine learns from examples, rather than instructions, and when trained, can recognize familiar characteristics in information, even if it has not seen that data before. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which gives out the Nobel, likens this to how humans may be able to identify someone as a relative of one of their friends, even if they've never met this person before, because of they share similar traits. The Boltzmann machine works in a similar way, classifying images or creating new examples based on the patterns it was trained on. This kind of technology can help suggest films or television shows based on a user's preferences and past viewing history The Hopfield network and Boltzmann machine are considered to have laid the groundwork for modern AI. Hinton, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, went on to win the A.M. Turing Award, known as the Nobel Prize of computing, with fellow Canadian Yoshua Bengio and American Yan LeCun in 2018. He is often called the godfather of AI. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press

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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He 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 . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “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.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.None

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31 Gifts Under $20 So You Can Afford To Shop For Everyone On Your ListThe former New York mayor and lawyer to Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani , erupted in court on Tuesday, telling a judge: “I can’t pay my bills!” Sketches by court room artists, who create pictures for the media to use when cameras are not allowed in court, such as federal courts, showed a furious Giuliani, 80, pointing at the judge in his case, Lewis Liman. The hearing in federal court in Manhattan concerned a near-$150m judgment won by Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two Georgia elections workers whom Giuliani defamed while advancing Trump’s lie that electoral fraud in 2020 cost him victory over Joe Biden . Liman said Giuliani had not been complying with orders to surrender assets . Giuliani said on Tuesday: “The implications you are making against me are wrong. I have no car, no credit card, no cash, everything I have is tied up, they have put stop orders on my business accounts, and I can’t pay my bills!” Giuliani’s fall has been spectacular. After making his name as a hard-charging prosecutor who took on organized crime, he was mayor for two terms, in office on 11 September 2001 and widely praised for his leadership after the terrorist attacks on the US. His 2008 presidential run flopped but Giuliani enjoyed a successful consulting and speaking career before allying himself with Trump when the property magnate entered Republican politics in 2015. Giuliani missed out on a cabinet appointment but became Trump’s personal attorney – work that fueled Trump’s first impeachment , in 2019 for blackmailing Ukraine for political dirt. Giuliani then became a prime driver of Trump’s failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election – work which produced criminal charges, to which he pleaded not guilty , the huge defamation judgment, and disbarments in Washington and New York . In New York on Tuesday, Giuliani’s lawyer told the judge his client had turned over assets including a Mercedes Benz sports car once owned by the film star Lauren Bacall. An attorney for Freeman and Moss said Giuliani had turned over the car but not the title to it. Attorneys for the two women have also said they have gained access to Giuliani’s $5m Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan, but have not secured “the keys, stock, or proprietary lease”. In court, the judge told Giuliani’s lawyer: “A car without a title is meaningless ... your client is a competent person. He was the US attorney in the district. The notion that he can’t apply for a title certificate –” Giuliani cut him off, saying: “I did apply for it! What am I supposed to do, make it up myself? Your implication that I have not been diligent about it is totally incorrect.” He then launched his outburst about financial problems. Giuliani’s lawyer asked Liman to extend deadlines, given he had only just started on the case after previous attorneys withdrew. Liman denied the request, saying: “You can’t restart the clock by firing one counsel and hiring another. He has already received multiple extensions, and missed multiple deadlines.” Trial is set for 16 January regarding whether Giuliani must also give Moss and Freeman his Florida home and four New York Yankees World Series commemoration rings. On Tuesday, Giuliani’s lawyer asked if the trial could be pushed back, so his client could attend inaugural events for Trump, who will be sworn in as president in Washington DC on 20 January. Liman said no. Outside court, Giuliani told reporters Liman was “going to rule against me. If you were sitting in the courtroom and couldn’t figure it out, you’re stupid.” He also said the judge’s “background is serious leftwing Democrat ... about as leftwing as you get” – even while acknowledging Liman was nominated by Trump. Giuliani said he did not regret defaming Freeman and Moss. “I regret the persecution I have been put through,” he said.Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general

Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina KhanNone

DALLAS (AP) — The Washington Nationals will have the No. 1 overall pick in the amateur draft next summer after winning the lottery in a drawing of ping-pong balls at the winter meetings Tuesday. Unlike last year, when the Nationals were ineligible after initially coming out with the top spot, they will get to make the first pick in July in Atlanta, the site of the All-Star Game. Washington was ineligible for a top-six pick last year because the collective bargaining agreement states a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan cannot have a lottery selection in back-to-back years. The Nationals chose outfielder Dylan Crews with the No. 2 pick in 2023. The Los Angeles Angels have the second pick for next summer. Seattle, Colorado, St. Louis and Pittsburgh round out the top six. A weighted lottery among the 18 teams that failed to make the playoffs this season determined the order of picks for the third year in a row. The Nationals went in with a 10.2% chance, the fourth-best odds, for getting the No. 1 pick. Colorado and Miami, both 100-loss teams, had the best odds at 22.45%, ahead of the Angels at 17.96%. Miami instead ended up with the seventh pick. Seattle got the No. 3 overall pick after having a 0.53% chance to get the No. 1 pick, the second-worst odds among 16 eligible teams. The 121-loss Chicago White Sox, who had the most losses of any major league club since 1900, were not eligible for the draft lottery since they had one of the top six picks last year (No. 5) and is a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan. The CBA also doesn’t allow teams that receive money in revenue sharing to have lottery picks three years in a row. That made the Athletics (69-93) ineligible for the lottery — they picked fourth last year after having the No. 6 selection in 2023. Chicago instead got the 10th pick, one spot ahead of Oakland — the highest possible positions for those two teams because of their recent lottery picks. ___ AP MLB:Ritz and Oreo maker courting Hershey chocolate company in potential takeover bid

SS&C Signs Agreement with Insignia FinancialNEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) resulting from allegations that Winnebago may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Winnebago securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29071 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On September 23, 2024 , during market hours, Hunterbrook Media published an article called "'Grand Deception'- Winnebago Muzzles Outcry Over Major Problem That Owners Say Makes RVs Dangerous, Untowable, Worthless." In this article, Hunterbrook said Winnebago's "best-selling Grand Design RVs" appear to be "experiencing frame failure, potentially affecting thousands of units sold for more than a billion dollars. This defect has led to costly damage and potential safety hazards, and rendered some RVs unroadworthy." Further, the article stated "Winnebago has used NDAs, buybacks, and online censorship to silence complaints about frame failure[.]" On this news, Winnebago's stock fell 2.28% on September 23, 2024 . 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. 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 has 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. 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/rosen-law-firm-encourages-winnebago-industries-inc-investors-to-inquire-about-securities-class-action-investigation--wgo-302328000.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.

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Maryland bullies Bucknell to secure third straight winRobert Wickens moving up to IMSA GTD series in 2025 thanks to new Bosch hand controlsBGT 2024-25: Uncapped Allrounder Beau Webster Added To Australia Squad For Pink-Ball Test

For Hanna Cavinder, “nothing beats” quality time with boyfriend Carson Beck. In a post shared Tuesday on the Cavinder Twins’ Instagram page, the college hoops star and social media sensation was seen cozying up to her Georgia quarterback beau in an outdoor snap. Captioned, “Nothing beats it, nothing buys it,” the post features Hanna, 23, smiling next to Beck, also 23, who held up the camera for the sweet shot. Other photos in the Instagram carousel include twin sister Haley with her boyfriend, Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, and fellow members of the twins’ inner circle. The post went live days after Beck and the Bulldogs outlasted Texas in overtime of the SEC Championship, 22-19. Beck, who confirmed his relationship with Hanna in August, suffered an elbow injury late in the first half. There is no timetable for Beck’s return, and he is exploring treatment options, the university said Monday in a statement, according to ESPN . One day prior, Georgia — seeking its third national championship in four years — was named the No. 2 seed in the expanded College Football Playoff bracket. The Bulldogs (11-2) earned a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Dec. 20 clash between Notre Dame (No. 7) and Indiana (No. 10) in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. Georgia coach Kirby Smart offered encouraging words Monday to Beck and punter Brett Thorson, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s game. “Carson and Brett are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” Smart said, per ESPN. “I’m confident they will attack their rehab with the same determination they exhibit in their daily habits. We will be here to support them every step of the way.” Beck’s production dipped this season compared to 2023, his first season as the starter. He completed 72.4 percent of his passes during Georgia’s 2023 campaign, tossing 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Beck completed 64.7 percent this year while throwing 28 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Hanna, meanwhile, returned to the Miami women’s basketball team after doing a U-turn on retirement this past spring. The Hurricanes are off to an 8-1 start.

Ludhiana: EC team reviews special summary revision

Former MD of SUI Foundation, Greg Siourounis, Joins xMoney Global as Co-Founder and CEO to build MiCA-Regulated Stablecoin PlatformAuthored by Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz via RealInvestmentAdvice.com, A recent article in the Financial Times sheds a concerning light on U.S. corporate executives. Per the Financial Times : Record numbers of US executives are selling shares in their companies, as corporate insiders from Goldman Sachs to Tesla and even Donald Trump’s own media group cash in on the stock market surge that has followed his election victory. The rate of so-called insider sales has hit a record high for any quarter in two decades, according to VerityData. The sales, by executives at companies in the Wilshire 5000 index, include one-off profit-taking transactions as well as regular sales triggered by executives’ automatic trading plans. The Wilshire 5000 is one of the broadest indices of US companies. Insiders sell stock for various reasons, many of which are unrelated to their company’s prospects. Therefore, record selling is not necessarily a dire warning. However, given recent returns, high valuations, the growing use of leverage, and a generally highly speculative environment, insider sales are another warning that markets may underperform expectations in 2025. In regards to correlating insider sales and market performance, Ben Silverman of VerityData shares the following from the Financial Times article: "Generally with selling, in terms of predictiveness, insiders are early by about two or three quarters,” he said. “As they start seeing froth in the market is when they try to generate liquidity more aggressively." Trade accordingly...

Explore the World Expo: Significance of the Event / Venue to Share Solutions to Medical, Environmental Challenges Threatening Future of HumanityAP Business SummaryBrief at 1:49 p.m. EST

Traders take cue this week from peso movementA settlement in a class-action lawsuit has been reached for non-unionized and casual federal public servants affected by payroll issues connected with the embattled Phoenix pay system. The out-of-court settlement, which is pending approval by the Quebec Superior Court, could see affected public servants employed between February 2016 and March 2020 receive up to $850 in compensation. The affected categories includes casual employees, student staff, term employees of less than three months, part-time workers and employees appointed by the Governor in Council (GIC). The lawsuit filed by Sarailis Avocats in 2017 sought to bring compensation for employees affected by the Phoenix pay system debacle that has plagued the public service since 2016. The failure of the pay system has so far cost the federal government $3.5 billion as of July, a number that could grow as the government continues to tackle a massive backlog of errors and problematic cases. Phoenix was introduced in 2016 to replace dozens of antiquated pay systems. Instead, the system was riddled with errors and created massive and costly upheaval across the public service. "The Phoenix pay system caused major issues for thousands of federal employees. The Government of Canada was a tough opponent in this case," said attorney Christian Sarailis in a news release on Wednesday. "However, the negotiations have resulted in a fair and equitable settlement for class members to compensate for the moral damages they endured. Without this class action and the sustained efforts since 2017, non-unionized employees would have had little chance of receiving compensation for their moral damages. This is, in our view, a compelling example of justice achieved." Affected employees will be able to submit a claim by internet or mail once the settlement is approved. The maximum amount for the 2016-2017 fiscal year amounts to $350 (February to March) and the maximum amount for the 2017-2018, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 is $175. In 2019 and 2020, the Government of Canada and a number of public service unions finalized an agreement to compensate unionized employees, current and former, who were paid through the Phoenix pay system. The compensation was a lump-sum payment of up to $1,000 for fiscal year 2016 to 2017 and up to $500 for each of the following three fiscal years, according to the federal government. Unions have been asking the federal government to provide additional damages for workers, citing "stress, aggravation, pain and suffering." "The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that members who worked for the government are paid properly. The settlement provides for individual payments to class members based on the number of eligible fiscal years in which they worked," the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat said in a statement. "The Phoenix pay system has caused pay issues and the Government of Canada will continue taking action to ensure all employees are paid correctly." Casual and part-time public servants who already received compensation for issues related to Phoenix will not qualify. Workers can also choose to opt out of the compensation. A hearing with the Superior Court of Quebec is scheduled for Feb. 18. With files from The Canadian Press Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 17 Gifts Your Husband Actually Wants 21 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Kids (And They're All From Amazon Canada) 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now Home Our Guide to the Best Portable Induction Cooktops in Canada in 2024 (And Where to Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Water Leak Detectors In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Home Weather Stations In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Gifts 20 Of The Best Gift Ideas For Men Under $200 13 Of The Best Self-Care Gifts You Can Find On Amazon Canada The Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide For People Who Love Working Out Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals A Woman Like You: Snag These Black Friday Deals On Our Favourite Lifestyle Products This Week In Gaming: Our Picks For The Best Early Black Friday Deals On Gaming And Tech Ottawa Top Stories DEVELOPING | Striking Canada Post workers rally at head office in Ottawa Youth arrested in death of Perth, Ont. teen now facing first-degree murder charge: OPP Montreal girl, 16, facing charges after being stopped in stolen vehicle on Highway 417 in eastern Ontario Here's when it'll start to snow this Thursday Canada Post strike keeping woman stuck in Ottawa as she waits for U.S. visa Ottawa man charged with attempted murder, assaulting police in Orléans attack 'It's a heavy hit': Canadian travellers cope with weak Canadian dollar Kingston substitute teacher charged for allegedly assaulting students in classroom CTVNews.ca Top Stories Canadian woman shares methanol poisoning story in wake of death investigation in Laos hostel Cuddling on the couch with her dog, Ducky, no one would notice that anything is different about Ashley King. Even when she walks across the living room, she doesn’t miss a step. But the 32-year-old has gotten used to functioning with only two per cent vision. Calgary man dead following tragic incident while helping stranded driver A man died after being pinned under a vehicle while trying to help another motorist in northwest Calgary. W5 Investigates | 'Let me rot in Canada,' pleads Canadian ISIS suspect from secret Syrian prison W5's Avery Haines tells the story of Jack Letts, a Canadian Muslim convert in a Syrian jail, accused of being a member of ISIS. In part two of a three-part investigation, Haines speaks with Letts, who issues a plea to return to Canada to face justice. U.S. university says linebacker remains in stable condition, hours after announcing his death Alabama A&M linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. remains hospitalized with a head injury suffered in an October game, the school said hours after announcing that he had died. Carrot recall for E. coli risks updated with additional product, correction: CFIA The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has published an update to a recent national recall on organic carrot brands over E. coli contamination risks. DEVELOPING | Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today, without $250 rebate Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today after the federal finance minister separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek accepts a one-month suspension in doping case Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, a heart medication known as TMZ, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced Thursday. Montreal billionaire Robert Miller could have as many as 100 victims, lawyer says A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex. A social media ban for under-16s passes the Australian Senate and will soon be a world-first law A social media ban for children under 16 passed the Australian Senate Thursday and will soon become a world-first law. Atlantic First significant snow of the season for parts of the Maritimes Thursday, Friday A low-pressure system moving up the eastern seaboard of the United States is forecasted to bring a mixture of snow and rain into the Maritimes Thursday night into Friday. DEVELOPING | Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today, without $250 rebate Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today after the federal finance minister separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. N.B. residents can now pick up government cheques at social development offices New Brunswick residents who receive monthly social assistance payments can now pick up their cheques at social development offices across the province. Toronto Toronto woman injured after falling out of wheelchair provided by Air Canada, husband says What could have possibly been Sheila Rizzuto’s last vacation ever was ruined after she fell out of an Air Canada-provided wheelchair and badly injured herself, according to her husband. Ontario family says dream renovation project has become their 'worst nightmare' A Whitby family says a home renovation project has turned into their 'worst nightmare,' as construction continues into its 17th straight month. Flurries expected in Toronto but a more significant winter storm could be headed for areas north of the city Areas north of Toronto could see a big blast of winter weather starting Thursday night, with Environment Canada warning of a “multi-day lake effect snow squall event.” Montreal Montreal billionaire Robert Miller could have as many as 100 victims, lawyer says A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex. Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Montreal's Mirabel airport after landing gear malfunction No injuries were reported after a Boeing 737 was forced to divert to Mirabel airport after the aircraft experienced a technical issue with the landing gear. Suzuki scores in OT to give the Canadiens a 4-3 victory over the Blue Jackets Nick Suzuki scored 44 seconds into overtime and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Wednesday night, snapping a two-game skid. Northern Ontario Province says upgrades to Northern Health Travel Grant coming Dec. 1 Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones says improvements to the Northern Health Travel Grant are coming as soon as this weekend. Greater Sudbury buys more property for new events centre Greater Sudbury is purchasing property for its new events centre downtown. The plan is to build the facility in what’s called the South District, a triangle of land within Elgin, Paris and Brady streets. Heavy police presence in Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island Ontario Provincial Police on Manitoulin Island is advising the public of a heavy police presence in the area of Rabbit Island Road and Thomas Road in Wabozominissing, Wikwemikong Unceded Territory. Windsor 13 vehicles stolen in Windsor this week: WPS Windsor police are warning the public after a series of auto thefts this week. Measures to address abandoned gas wells fall short, professor says New provincial legislation introduced to help address hazardous oil and gas wells remains short of what’s needed, according to an expert on the matter. Windsor Spitfires take big win on home ice The Windsor Spitfires walked away with a big 7-2 win over the Saginaw Spirit on home ice Wednesday night. London Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation chosen to host Canada’s deep geological repository The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has chosen Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (WLON) to host Canada’s deep geological repository. Council hikes property tax, water, and sewer bills over $300 on average London home Seemingly defeated by the tough financial situation facing city hall and its municipally funded agencies, council used the final day of budget deliberations to explain their reasons behind a steep property tax increase in the 2025 Budget Update. Fire officials investigating suspicious fire in Wortley Village London fire crews, Ontario Fire Marshal and the London Police Service are investigating a suspicious fire that took place overnight Wednesday. Kitchener One dead, another hurt in Cambridge shooting Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a fatal shooting in Cambridge. Police looking for three suspects in Paris, Ont. theft Ontario Provincial Police were called to a break and enter at a Rest Acres Road business on Wednesday around 3:25 a.m. 'My dear Carmel': Lost letters returned to 103-year-old Guelph, Ont. woman A young history buff was able to reunite a Guelph, Ont. woman with letters written by her husband almost 80 years ago. Barrie 'Intense bands of lake-effect snow' expected in Muskoka: Environment Canada Lake-effect snow expected to dump 30 centimetres on Muskoka region by Friday night Complaints about Wasaga Beach residence lead to police raid, drug trafficking arrests Three individuals face drug-related charges after police received several public complaints about a residence in Wasaga Beach. Armed home invasion under investigation, 3 suspects at large South Simcoe police are investigating a report of an armed home invasion in Bradford West Gwillimbury involving three suspects. Winnipeg Meet the polar bear at Assiniboine Park Zoo not seen by the public Assiniboine Park Zoo is home to several polar bears available for the public to observe any day of the week, but there's one bear at the zoo no visitor has been able to see and her name’s Agee. Voices of youth living with addictions highlighted in Manitoba child advocate report A new report from the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth paints a picture of the state of addictions services for young people in the province and what needs to change. Two men randomly stabbed at Polo Park, one person arrested Two men were randomly stabbed at CF Polo Park Mall Tuesday and police have one person in custody. Calgary Cranbrook, B.C., man faces charges in Canada Day crash that killed Calgarian A 34-year-old Cranbrook, B.C., man is facing impaired driving charges in connection with a fatal crash on Canada Day. Calgary man dead following tragic incident while helping stranded driver A man died after being pinned under a vehicle while trying to help another motorist in northwest Calgary. Driver in life-threatening condition after crash near John Laurie Boulevard Calgary police are investigating a crash sent a driver to hospital in life-threatening condition. Edmonton Woman accused in drowning of girl on Alberta lake denied bail The woman accused in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl in an Alberta lake has been denied bail. Edmonton soldier working for NATO dies from 'non-operational' medical complications An Edmonton-based former commanding officer of a Canadian Armed Forces engineering regiment has died in Europe, the Department of National Defence said in a media release on Wednesday. WEATHER | Josh Classen's forecast: Coldest air settles in and snow returns These next few days will be the bottom of the cold spell for the Edmonton region with temperatures several degrees colder than the past week. Regina Regina non-profits say Canada Post strike has brought donations to a standstill The annual donation streams of at least two Regina non-profit organizations are at a standstill due to the Canada Post strike. 'Only thing that works': Push for anti-seizure medication reapproval dominates Sask. legislature A family affected by epilepsy and a neurologist joined the Saskatchewan NDP on Wednesday to push for the province to resume talks for a publicly funded anti-seizure medication. Regina Fire called to apartment, trailer court fires Wednesday night Regina Fire crews dealt with multiple fires on Wednesday night at am apartment and trailer court with no injuries being reported. Saskatoon Saskatoon city council approves $1.2M winter warming centre plan Saskatoon’s new city council has approved the latest cold weather strategy, a $1.2 million plan to operate winter warming centres for those in need. 'Only thing that works': Push for anti-seizure medication reapproval dominates Sask. legislature A family affected by epilepsy and a neurologist joined the Saskatchewan NDP on Wednesday to push for the province to resume talks for a publicly funded anti-seizure medication. DEVELOPING | Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today, without $250 rebate Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today after the federal finance minister separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. Vancouver Vancouver city council votes to keep natural gas out of new builds After two days of debate, Vancouver city council rejected a motion to re-allow natural gas heating in new construction. RCMP cruiser rear-ended on Highway 1 in Burnaby There were delays on Highway 1 in Burnaby Wednesday night after a pickup truck crashed into an RCMP cruiser parked at the side of the road. Crew working on Jodi Henrickson documentary notifies B.C. police of possible evidence Homicide investigators visited Bowen Island over the weekend after B.C. filmmakers working on a documentary about the 2009 disappearance of Jodi Henrickson turned up potential evidence in the cold case. Vancouver Island B.C. mom laments 'false hope' as major crime unit declines to reinvestigate daughter's death A Vancouver Island woman who lost her child in 2021 said she wants an apology from Victoria's police chief, after she was given the impression major crime investigators were actively looking into her daughter's death. Fares would need to jump 30% for BC Ferries to 'simply keep up': CEO The head of BC Ferries admits there is so much demand on the corporation and its fleet that resources are pushed "to their limits," and a mammoth increase in ticket prices is needed to keep it running. B.C. legislature not returning until Feb. 18 for throne speech B.C. Premier David Eby's cabinet gave him a warm welcome as he entered the room for their first meeting today. Kelowna Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Stay Connected‘Laotoule’: Is this the end of the road for China’s senior-friendly unlicensed electric vehicles?

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More than 200 Ontario communities don’t have family doctor accepting new patients: report

What's the best Black Friday LG TV deal? I've picked the best LG OLEDs for different budgetsRere School Christmas Fete. A range of stalls, delicious food, drinks, seating areas, music and Santa. Bushmere Arms, 10am, Main Rd, Waerenga-a-Hika. Artist Zoe Alford has a new exhibition at Matawhero Art Gallery. See paintings inspired by the coastal landscapes of Gisborne in pastel pigment. 12pm – 4pm, Matawhero Winery, 189 Riverpoint Rd. Peter Pan – The Ballet. The Nadine Antoinette School of Dance will perform two shows featuring a range of styles, including ballet, jazz and contemporary. Matinee at 1.30pm and an evening performance at 6pm. Gisborne War Memorial Theatre, 159 Bright St. Sea Mouse: Trio from Wellington with a unique blend of sounds from the Delta blues of the 1930s to mammoth guitar-driven garage rock tunes, coupled with a high-energy live show. Bar opens at 5pm. Show starts 8pm. The Dome Bar and Cinema, 38 Childers Rd. The 7th Annual Summer Soundcheck. Mini festival with music across two stages, indoor and outdoor, featuring BrazilBeat, Geeez, Peta Norris, Magick, DJose. 8pm, Smash Palace, 34 Banks St, Awapuni. Tatapouri Bay Makers Market. Showcasing pottery, wooden spoons, jewellery, scents, wax candles, art and more. Tatapouri Bay Café. 10am – 2pm, 516 Whangara Rd, Makorori. End of Year Singers’ Concert. Students of vocal coach Letitia Lindeque will be performing a variety of popular songs from artists like Celine Dion, Adele and Taylor Swift. Smash Palace. 1pm – 4pm, 34 Banks St, Awapuni. It’s a Gizzy Christmas! Live music, face painting, arts and crafts for the kids, a free sausage sizzle for under-12s (with food trucks offering dinner for purchase for mum and dad), bouncy castles, photo booths, so you can take your own Christmas family shots. The night will end with the return of Carols by Candlelight. 5pm, Marina Park, 1 Vogel St, Whataupoko. Christmas in the Trees at Eastwood Hill Arboretum. Live music, food stalls and arts and crafts stalls. Kids can dress up as their favourite Christmas character, lolly scramble and lawn games. 4.30pm – 8pm, 2392 Wharekopae Rd, Ngatapa. • 500 Card Club: Poverty Bay Bowling Club. 111 Ormond Rd, 1-4pm, $3. Ph Tony 863 3468. • Fun Dancing Gisborne – Modern Sequence and Social Ballroom: St Andrew’s Church hall, 176 Cobden St, 7.30-9.30pm, $7. Ph Kev or Isabel 867 0074 or 021 181 2414. • Sun City Spinners: Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 111 Ormond Rd, 9am-11.30am, fees apply. Ph Dale 867 5083 or email . • He Kākano - Little Seeds: A fun singalong and read for under-2-year-olds. H.B. Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10.30am, free. • Gisborne Line Dancing: Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 4.30-7.30pm, ph Kerry 021 102 4890. • Hāpu Māmā Aqua Class: Focuses on keeping mum-to-be comfortably active while their puku and pēpi are supported by the water. Kiwa Pools, 45 Centennial Marine Drive, Awapuni, 6.30pm-7.15pm. • Croquet: Barry Memorial Croquet Club summer season of twilight croquet. 4pm start. Equipment and coaching available, $3 for non-members. 530 Aberdeen Rd. • Badminton: Three age groups of badminton - Kiwi Shots (Years 3-6) 3.30pm-4.30pm; Mid Shots (Yrs 7-8) 4.30pm-5.30pm; Hot Shots (Yrs 9-13) 5.45-7.15pm. Badminton Centre, 154 Roebuck Rd. $10. • Mainly Music: A fun music group for preschoolers. St Andrew’s Church community centre, 176 Cobden St, 9.45am, $4/family, ph Trish 867 2789 or 868 5513. • Fifties Forward: Low-impact aerobics class. YMCA Stadium, 447 Childers Rd, 9.30am, $2. • Gisborne Concert Band: 6.30pm-8pm, The Bandroom, 200 Childers Rd. If you play brass, woodwind or percussion, come and join. New musicians welcome. • Te Pihinga/Little Sprouts: Fun singalong and read for 2-to-5-year-olds. H.B. Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 10.30am, free. • Gisborne Line Dancing: Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 6-8pm, ph Kerry 021 102 4890. • Gisborne Caledonian Society Practice: Social, modern and sequence dancing. Holy Trinity Church Hall, 70 Derby St, 7.30-9.30pm, $5, ph Pat 021 049 7148. • Friday Stairs Workout: Lower carpark, Titirangi/Kaiti Hill 5.55am, workout 6am-6.40am. • Te Aka Rangatahi/The Teen Vine: Anime Club or King of the Board. H.B. Williams Memorial Library, 34 Bright St, 3.30-5pm, free. • Sunrise yoga at 6.45am: Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation. Tatapouri Bay, 516 Whāngārā Rd. • Gisborne Parkrun: Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club, 280E Grey St, 7.45-10am. Register at . • Tairāwhiti Coffin Club: BCR Joinery, 522 Gladstone Rd, 9am-10am. Details: . • Gisborne Farmers’ Market: Cnr Stout and Fitzherbert streets, 9.30am-12.30pm. • Tennis for all: Ormond Tennis Club, Hill Rd, Ormond, 2-4pm, ph 862 5741 or 862 5856. • Gisborne Walkers Club: 8am. Text 027 890 2224 for where to meet. • Silent Flute Taijiquan: Movement lab for life. A free one-hour Tai Chi Chuan (Mandarin) Taijiquan (Cantonese) class open to everyone. 1pm-2pm, Gisborne Botanical Gardens, 391 Aberdeen Rd. Class will be held at Anytime Fitness gym if weather isn’t fine. Text Mike Baker to confirm location: 021 049 0722. • East Coast Museum of Technology: 67 Main Rd, Makaraka, 10am-4pm, $10 adults, $5 seniors, $2 school children, under-5s free. See Facebook or . • Lions Express Train rides: Starts near Gisborne Wainui Lions Junior Cycle Park, Centennial Marine Drive, 11am-3pm, weather permitting, $2. • Mahjong Club (Mon and Thurs): Gisborne Town & Country Women’s Club, 42 Emily St, 12.30pm. Inquiries to Margaret 863 0144. • Tairāwhiti Menzshed (Tues, Thurs and Sat): Cnr Parkinson & Innes streets, Sat 9am-3pm; Tues and Thurs 9am-2pm. Details: ph/text 022 465 0396. • Tairāwhiti Aviation Museum (Tues and Sun): Gisborne Airport, Aerodrome Rd, 9am-3pm, $5 adults, under-12s free. • Gisborne Country Music Club (1st and 3rd Sundays): Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 1pm-4pm, $5 visitors, $3 members, $1 children, ph Flo 867 7637, 027 494 6979 or . • Gisborne Woodworking Club (2nd and 4th Saturdays and last Thursday): Green shed opposite the Enterprise Aquatic Centre carpark, Nelson Rd, 10am to about 12pm. Inquiries ph Bill 027 450 7719 or email . • Gizzy Monthly Market (1st Saturday): Locally produced crafts, food and products. Lawson Field Rose Garden, 7 Fitzherbert St, 9am-1pm (weather permitting). • Gas Guzzlers’ Breakfast (1st Sunday): Behind the courthouse on Reads Quay, 8.30-11am. • Crop Swap (1st Sunday): Swap plants, produce, preserves, baking, books and more. Makaraka School carpark, 137 Main Rd, Makaraka, 2-3pm. • Irish Music Session (1st Sunday). The Rivers, corner Gladstone Rd and Reads Quay, 4pm-6pm, ph Marty 021 055 7685. • Gisborne Floral Art Club (1st Monday). Waverley St hall, Elgin, 9.30-11.30am. (3rd Wednesday) Kahutia Bowling Club, 7pm. • Poverty Bay Blues Night (1st Tuesday): Dome Cinema, PBC, 38 Childers Rd, 6pm doors, 7pm gig, $10 door sales, Poverty Bay Blues Club members free, R18. • Ulysses Motorcycle Club (1st Tuesday): Bushmere Arms public bar, 673 Matawai Rd, Waerenga-a-Hika, 7.30pm, ph Chris 027 460 2430. • Gisborne Friendship Group – formerly the Gisborne Combined Club (1st Wednesday): For active retirees looking for friendship. Kahutia Bowling Club, 165 Cobden St, 9.30am, $5 inc morning tea. Register with Noelene ph 868 4473 or Dianne ph 867 4294. • U3A Gisborne (1st Thursday): Social interaction and learning for mature-aged folk. Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club, 190 Derby St, 9.30am, $2 at door, ph Diane 027 444 1073. • Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group (1st Friday: CCS, 7 Kahutia St, 10.30am-1pm, ph Moira 027 457 6923. • Prostate Support Group (2nd Tuesday): Cancer Society Rooms, 718 Gladstone Rd, 4.30pm, inquiries ph 021 063 4515. • The Country Garden Club (2nd Tuesday): Waerenga-a-Hika Hall, 728 Matawai Rd, 7.30pm, $2, ph Katrine 867 2427. • Gisborne Proactive Club (3rd Wednesday): Retired people’s interest group. Watson Room, Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club, 190 Derby St, 9.30am, $30/year sub and $5/meeting, ph Malcolm 867 2591, or 027 240 2590. • Gisborne Camera Club (3rd Thursday): Senior Citizens Hall, 30 Grey St, 7.30pm. Details: • Gisborne Sceptic Group (3rd Sunday): 11am. For details/venue ph 867 3715 or 867 7122. • Te Hapara Garden and Floral Art Club (4th Tuesday): Redstone Room, Farmers Air Event Centre, Showgrounds Park, Makaraka, 2pm. • First City Toastmasters: Become a confident speaker and leader (1st and 3rd Tuesday). Adult Literacy Rooms, 1st Floor, 100 Grey St, Gisborne, 6.15pm. Ph Helen 022 1945671. • To include your event, email details to at least a week before the event.

NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. ILUS ("ILUS" or the "Company"), a diversified holding company, is pleased to announce the successful completion of the previously disclosed Stock Purchase Agreement with Fusion Fuel Green PLC HTOO ("Fusion Fuel") and certain other shareholders of Quality Industrial Corp. QIND ("QIND"). Under this agreement, Fusion Fuel has acquired a 69.36% stake in QIND. On November 26, 2024, all material closing conditions were satisfied, and ILUS delivered the necessary documentation to its transfer agent to finalize the share transfer to Fusion Fuel. Concurrently, Fusion Fuel's transfer agent has been instructed to issue its Ordinary and Preferred Shares as consideration to ILUS. As part of the transaction, ILUS receives a combination of ordinary shares and convertible preferred shares in Fusion Fuel. Upon conversion of these preferred shares, subject to Fusion Fuel's shareholder approval and successful clearance of an initial listing application with Nasdaq, ILUS will hold a 55.38% stake in Fusion Fuel on an as-converted, fully diluted basis. Transformative Milestone for ILUS Commenting on the transaction, ILUS CEO Nicolas Link stated: "We are pleased to confirm the closing of this transformative transaction, which sets the stage for the next phase of ILUS's growth. We believe QIND's integration into Nasdaq-listed Fusion Fuel will accelerate its development and create significant value for all stakeholders. This transaction also lays the foundation for Emergency Response Technologies SAML to follow a similar trajectory and for ILUS itself to evolve into a resilient and diversified mini-conglomerate." Fusion Fuel: A Leader in Green and Industrial Energy Solutions Fusion Fuel, a leader in energy engineering and advisory services, specializes in green hydrogen and industrial gas solutions. With the acquisition of QIND, Fusion Fuel has expanded its portfolio to include the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of energy systems, as well as the transportation and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas. The Company's services cater to a broad range of industries, including commercial buildings, heavy industries, mixed-use developments, and the food service sector. As Fusion Fuel continues to innovate in the renewable energy space, this acquisition reinforces its commitment to advancing the global energy transition through sustainable and reliable energy solutions. About ILUS Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. ILUS is a diversified holding company focused on acquiring and growing businesses in sectors such as industrial, renewable energy, and emergency response technologies. The Company is dedicated to creating long-term value for its shareholders by strategically positioning itself as a leader in high-growth markets. For further information on ILUS, please see its communication channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter: @ILUS_INTL Email: IR@Ilus-Group.com Source: ILUS Related Links https://ilus-group.com Forward-Looking Statement Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls and webcasts also may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, considering the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social & media channels: website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter: ILUS_INTL © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Investors looking to invest $1,000 in a financial services stock with solid growth potential and reliable returns could consider ( ). It’s one of the top alternative asset managers globally, handling an impressive $1 trillion in assets across industries like renewable energy, infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and credit. Brookfield’s early investments into booming sectors such as renewable energy, nuclear power, and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure are starting to pay off. These industries are set for long-term growth, giving Brookfield plenty of room for growth. Let’s delve deeper to understand why Brookfield Asset Management is a solid stock to buy right now. Brookfield employs an asset-light model, focusing on high-quality investments and distributing a significant portion of its earnings to shareholders. Its distributable earnings are primarily derived from fee-related income, which is stable and predictable, ensuring regular payouts and long-term shareholder value. In its third quarter, Brookfield delivered record results. Fee-bearing capital surged to $539 billion—up nearly 23% year over year—driven by substantial inflows, strategic acquisitions, and portfolio growth. The company’s fee-related earnings reached $644 million, a 14% year-over-year increase, while distributable earnings grew 9% to $619 million. Brookfield’s operating leverage also enabled it to expand margins to 58%, a substantial improvement compared to earlier quarters. With favourable market conditions, the company will likely witness continued earnings growth in the quarters ahead. Brookfield is well-positioned to thrive in industries experiencing long-term growth cycles. Its investments in renewable energy, data centres, and AI infrastructure provide a unique edge in capitalizing on multi-decade investment trends. The company is also ramping up its credit business, recently consolidating all its credit operations under the new Brookfield Credit division. This segment now represents $245 billion in fee-bearing capital, with ambitious plans to grow to $600 billion within five years. Brookfield has set its sights on doubling its business size within five years, targeting $1 trillion in fee-bearing capital. This expansion is expected to drive over 15% annual growth in earnings and dividends, fueled by the scaling of flagship funds, complementary strategies, and an enhanced credit platform. As the company’s capital base grows and margins expand, Brookfield expects fee-related earnings to reach $5 billion annually. Moreover, its portfolio will become increasingly stable, with long-term and perpetual capital projected to account for over 90% of total assets within five years. Brookfield will likely benefit from improved market conditions, including easing inflation, lower borrowing costs, and increased liquidity. These factors have bolstered transaction activity and asset monetization. In the last few months, Brookfield completed or signed deals for over $17 billion in asset sales and has a robust pipeline for further transactions. Brookfield Asset Management is a well-diversified, high-growth company poised to deliver reliable dividends and capital appreciation. Its strategic investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and AI give it a significant competitive edge, while its strong liquidity and ambitious growth plans ensure long-term value creation. Overall, Brookfield Asset Management is a compelling choice for investors seeking exposure to high-growth financial services stocks.BlockDAG’s recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) session offered an in-depth look at the project’s progress, vision, and future plans, leaving the crypto community with plenty to discuss. The team covered several crucial topics, including strategies for exchange listings, the launch of a $10 million developer grant program, and the project's strong dedication to decentralization. By addressing these areas, BlockDAG (BDAG) showcased its commitment to building a robust blockchain ecosystem. Here's a closer look at the key takeaways from this insightful AMA session. Building Accessibility Through Exchange Listings The AMA revealed BlockDAG’s plans to introduce BDAG coins on ten tier-two and tier-three exchanges before its mainnet launch in 2025. This phased approach aims to make the coins more accessible while enhancing liquidity. “Accessibility for users is our priority over rushing into top-tier exchanges,” a spokesperson stated. This balanced strategy shows a focus on sustainable growth. The results are already evident, with tier-two exchanges showing interest and discussions underway with tier-one platforms. Though details remain confidential, the emphasis remains on regulatory alignment and market readiness. This steady approach ensures BlockDAG builds a robust trading ecosystem while expanding its reach. $10M Developer Support for Innovation A major highlight of the AMA was BlockDAG’s announcement of its $10 million developer grant. This initiative encourages developers to create decentralized apps (dApps) and enhance infrastructure within the ecosystem. BlockDAG has partnered with platforms like Hacker Earth to host hackathons and offer resources for emerging projects. These collaborations aim to create an inclusive and dynamic space for developers to explore new ideas. “Developers play a crucial role in blockchain innovation, and this grant is our way of supporting their efforts,” the team shared. The initiative also aligns with BlockDAG’s goal of fostering diverse applications across industries like gaming, finance, and supply chain. This grant program strengthens BlockDAG’s ecosystem while advancing its mission to decentralize innovation. Decentralization at the Heart of BlockDAG BlockDAG highlighted its commitment to decentralization during the AMA, with its adoption of a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism standing as a key example. While Proof-of-Stake (PoS) gains attention for energy efficiency, PoW was chosen for its security and trust. “PoW provides the trust and security needed for a truly decentralized system,” a representative explained. This decision underscores BlockDAG’s focus on creating a secure network free from centralized control. The team also pointed out the potential risks of centralized validators in blockchain projects. By combining PoW with advanced SHA-3 (KK-256) algorithms, BlockDAG offers a scalable and secure network for its users. Presale Milestones and Growing Community Trust BlockDAG’s presale has already raised $170.4 million, selling over 17.4 billion BDAG coins at a price of $0.0234. With a 2,240% surge, the presale reflects strong momentum. Additionally, miner sales have hit $6 million, with nearly 15,000 miners sold. Transparency and community engagement have driven this success. The team’s dedication to regular updates and events like the AMA fosters trust and strengthens connections. By prioritizing accessibility and community needs, BlockDAG has built a reputation for reliability. This transparent approach has not only boosted presale numbers but also positioned BlockDAG as a trusted project. What’s Next for BlockDAG? As the 2025 approaches, BlockDAG is focused on ensuring readiness across all fronts. The testnet, launched earlier this year, continues to receive praise for its scalability and features like EVM compatibility, smart contracts, and NFT minting. Moving forward, the project plans to expand developer engagement, refine mining processes, and introduce more initiatives for its community. These efforts aim to ensure BlockDAG meets real-world needs while staying technologically advanced. Conclusion: A Promising Path Ahead BlockDAG’s AMA highlighted its priorities and progress, from exchange plans to decentralization efforts. These updates show a clear commitment to sustainable growth and community engagement. By maintaining transparency and trust, BlockDAG is building a blockchain ecosystem designed for long-term success. With the mainnet launch on the horizon, the project’s strategic planning and active community involvement signal a bright future in the blockchain space. Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network Website: https://blockdag.network Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.

MADRID (AP) — Getafe scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to beat struggling Valladolid 2-0 and record only its second win in La Liga on Friday. The victory ended Getafe’s five-game winless run and lifted it into 15th place in the 20-team standings. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

- - LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 3, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The bright yellow tents of the Volunteer Ministers of the had something special at their weekly food drive on the Saturday before Thanksgiving: 300 turkeys for local families. The economic impact of the pandemic in 2020 marked the beginning of widespread unemployment and financial hardship. Although lockdowns have been over for several years, and many people have regained or found new employment, food insecurity remains a growing concern. A 2023 study by revealed that nearly one-third of Los Angeles County residents experience food insecurity. According to the , more than half of the parents surveyed in May 2024 reported difficulty accessing food, particularly as pandemic-era benefits phased out. It also reported that L.A. County has more food-insecure children than any other county in the U.S. In response to this urgent need, the Church of Scientology Los Angeles began providing a weekly food drive in 2020 and has continued to offer this service, helping hundreds of families each week. The Church of Scientology is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by L. Ron Hubbard. It constitutes one of the world’s largest independent relief forces. A Volunteer Minister’s mandate is to be “a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.” Their creed: “A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well.” Their motto is no matter the circumstances, “Something be done about it.” For more information on the technology used by the Volunteer Minister, watch and the documentary on the Scientology Network on DIRECTV 320 or at . LEARN MORE: VIDEO: PHOTO link for media: PHOTO CAPTION: Cars line up at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles for a special addition to its weekly food drive. TAGS: #ChurchOfScientologyLosAngeles #TurkeyDrive #FoodDrive #Thanksgiving #ScientologyVolunteerMinisters NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, Church Of Scientology Los Angeles, Turkey Drive, Food Drive, Thanksgiving, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122625 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA.By TOM KRISHER, Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — For a second time, a Delaware judge has nullified a pay package that Tesla had awarded its CEO, Elon Musk, that once was valued at $56 billion. On Monday, Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick turned aside a request from Musk’s lawyers to reverse a ruling she announced in January that had thrown out the compensation plan. The judge ruled then that Musk effectively controlled Tesla’s board and had engineered the outsize pay package during sham negotiations . Lawyers for a Tesla shareholder who sued to block the pay package contended that shareholders who had voted for the 10-year plan in 2018 had been given misleading and incomplete information. In their defense, Tesla’s board members asserted that the shareholders who ratified the pay plan a second time in June had done so after receiving full disclosures, thereby curing all the problems the judge had cited in her January ruling. As a result, they argued, Musk deserved the pay package for having raised Tesla’s market value by billions of dollars. McCormick rejected that argument. In her 103-page opinion, she ruled that under Delaware law, Tesla’s lawyers had no grounds to reverse her January ruling “based on evidence they created after trial.” On Monday night, Tesla posted on X, the social media platform owned by Musk, that the company will appeal. The appeal would be filed with the Delaware Supreme Court, the only state appellate court Tesla can pursue. Experts say a ruling would likely come in less than a year. “The ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware companies rather than their rightful owners — the shareholders,” Tesla argued. Later, on X, Musk unleashed a blistering attack on the judge, asserting that McCormick is “a radical far left activist cosplaying as a judge.” Legal authorities generally suggest that McCormick’s ruling was sound and followed the law. Charles Elson, founding director of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, said that in his view, McCormick was right to rule that after Tesla lost its case in the original trial, it created improper new evidence by asking shareholders to ratify the pay package a second time. Had she allowed such a claim, he said, it would cause a major shift in Delaware’s laws against conflicts of interest given the unusually close relationship between Musk and Tesla’s board. “Delaware protects investors — that’s what she did,” said Elson, who has followed the court for more than three decades. “Just because you’re a ‘superstar CEO’ doesn’t put you in a separate category.” Elson said he thinks investors would be reluctant to put money into Delaware companies if there were exceptions to the law for “special people.” Elson said that in his opinion, the court is likely to uphold McCormick’s ruling. Experts say no. Rulings on state laws are normally left to state courts. Brian Dunn, program director for the Institute of Compensation Studies at Cornell University, said it’s been his experience that Tesla has no choice but to stay in the Delaware courts for this compensation package. The company could try to reconstitute the pay package and seek approval in Texas, where it may expect more friendlier judges. But Dunn, who has spent 40 years as an executive compensation consultant, said it’s likely that some other shareholder would challenge the award in Texas because it’s excessive compared with other CEOs’ pay plans. “If they just want to turn around and deliver him $56 billion, I can’t believe somebody wouldn’t want to litigate it,” Dunn said. “It’s an unconscionable amount of money.” Almost certainly. Tesla stock is trading at 15 times the exercise price of stock options in the current package in Delaware, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote in a note to investors. Tesla’s share price has doubled in the past six months, Jonas wrote. At Monday’s closing stock price, the Musk package is now worth $101.4 billion, according to Equilar, an executive data firm. And Musk has asked for a subsequent pay package that would give him 25% of Tesla’s voting shares. Musk has said he is uncomfortable moving further into artificial intelligence with the company if he doesn’t have 25% control. He currently holds about 13% of Tesla’s outstanding shares.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dallion Johnson scored 25 points as FGCU beat Florida Tech 79-62 on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dallion Johnson scored 25 points as FGCU beat Florida Tech 79-62 on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dallion Johnson scored 25 points as FGCU beat Florida Tech 79-62 on Sunday. Johnson shot 9 for 16, including 6 for 12 from beyond the arc for the Eagles (4-8). Keeshawn Kellman added 14 points while shooting 6 of 8 from the field while he also had nine rebounds. Rahmir Barno shot 5 of 6 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points, while adding seven assists and six steals. The Panthers were led in scoring by Donovan Brown, who finished with 26 points, six rebounds and six assists. Can Kaan Turgut added 13 points and six rebounds for Florida Tech. Logan Allen also had nine points. FGCU visits Richmond in its next matchup on Saturday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement