yy777 casino Rarely does a college basketball game provide such stark contrast between the sport's haves and have-nots as when Jackson State faces No. 9 Kentucky on Friday in Lexington, Ky. While Kentucky claims eight NCAA Tournament crowns and the most wins in college basketball history, Jackson State has never won an NCAA Tournament game and enters the matchup looking for its first win of the season. Impressive tradition and current record aside, Kentucky (4-0) returned no scholarship players from last season's team that was knocked off by Oakland in the NCAA Tournament. New coach Mark Pope and his essentially all-new Wildcats are off to a promising start. Through four games, Kentucky is averaging 94.3 points per game, and with 11.5 3-pointers made per game, the team is on pace to set a school record from long distance. The Wildcats boast six double-figure scorers with transfer guards Otega Oweh (from Oklahoma, 15.0 ppg) and Koby Brea (from Dayton, 14.5 ppg) leading the team. The Wildcats defeated Duke 77-72 on Nov. 12 but showed few signs of an emotional letdown in Tuesday's 97-68 win over a Lipscomb team picked to win the Atlantic Sun Conference in the preseason. Kentucky drained a dozen 3-pointers while outrebounding their visitors 43-28. Guard Jaxson Robinson, held to a single point by Duke, dropped 20 points to lead the Kentucky attack. Afterward, Pope praised his team's focus, saying, "The last game was over and it was kind of on to, ‘How do we get better?' That's the only thing we talk about." Lipscomb coach Lennie Acuff also delivered a ringing endorsement, calling Kentucky "the best offensive Power Four team we've played in my six years at Lipscomb." Jackson State (0-5) and third-year coach Mo Williams are looking for something positive to build upon. Not only are the Tigers winless, but they have lost each game by nine or more points. Sophomore guard Jayme Mitchell Jr. (13.8 ppg) is the leading scorer, but the team shoots just 35.8 percent while allowing opponents to shoot 52.3 percent. The Tigers played on Wednesday at Western Kentucky, where they lost 79-62. Reserve Tamarion Hoover had a breakout game with 18 points to lead Jackson State, but the host Hilltoppers canned 14 3-point shots and outrebounded the Tigers 42-35 to grab the win. Earlier, Williams, who played against Kentucky while a student at Alabama, admitted the difficulties of a challenging nonconference schedule for his team. "Our goal is not to win 13 nonconference games," Williams said. "We're already at a disadvantage in that regard. We use these games to get us ready for conference play and for March Madness." Jackson State has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2007. The Tigers had a perfect regular-season record (11-0) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2020-21 but lost in the league tournament. Kentucky has never played Jackson State before, but the game is being billed as part of a Unity Series of matchups in which Kentucky hosts members of the SWAC to raise awareness of Historical Black Colleges and Universities and provide funds for those schools. Past Unity Series opponents have been Southern in December 2021 and Florida A&M in December 2022. --Field Level Media

President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction

President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction

The get-together last week of Elon Musk, Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s treasurer, Nick Candy, wasn’t just a gathering of Donald Trump fans. It was a meeting of minds. Immigration, culture wars and shrinking the public sector all feature highly on their political agendas, developed under the umbrella of Trump’s Maga vision. “We only have one more chance left to save the west and we can do great things together,” said Farage afterwards. It also revived speculation that Musk could donate as much as $100m to Reform UK, even if there are signs that such a move might actually be opposed by voters. A ban on wealthy foreign nationals being able to give large sums of money to British political parties was backed by 55%, according to a survey by Survation for the campaign group 38 Degrees. Asked specifically about Musk, two-thirds (66%) said he should not become influential in British politics. Even among Reform UK voters, 51% did not want to see Musk become influential. Money aside though, the ideological common ground between Musk and Reform UK is clear in some areas. Musk is a vocal critic of US immigration policy, making him a natural ideological bedfellow with Reform UK. Referring to the US-Mexico border this year, he said “unvetted immigration at large scale is a recipe for disaster” and called for a “secure southern border”. However, he also called for “greatly expediting legal immigration”, reflecting US tech industry concerns about labour needs. Immigration is a core concern for Farage and Reform UK. Its top pledge in its manifesto-style “contract” with voters during the UK general election this year was to freeze all “non-essential” immigration. The second pledge was to detain and deport illegal immigrants, including sending arrivals on small boats “back to France”. Musk – whose grinding of an anti-government axe dates back to his own feelings that regulations have hampered his car making and space rocket businesses – has been given licence by Donald Trump to cut $500bn from the US federal budget. He and fellow billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy are heading a new Department of Government Efficiency , or Doge – named with a winking nod to Musk’s cryptocurrency of choice, dogecoin. Farage has been quick out of the gates to endorse this. Trump’s plans to radically slash the US public sector and appoint Musk to “sack vast numbers of people” were a blueprint for what needed to happen in the UK, the Reform UK leader said last month. Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, said part of Reform UK’s appeal to Musk is its “disruptor” status, echoing the character of a serial entrepreneur who does not shy away from confrontation. “The main appeal of Reform for Musk is that they are disruptors and he likes disruptors,” he said. “He just likes the fact they are shaking things up.” Musk has told of making a vow to “destroy” what he describes as “the woke mind virus” after his estrangement from his trans daughter, Vivian Wilson. The topic is one that the billionaire has repeatedly returned to during tweets, waging other culture wars on diversity regulations. Farage placed issues and arguments around gender on the very first page of his party’s general election manifesto earlier this year, referring to a “divisive ‘woke’ ideology” that he claimed had captured public institutions. Reform UK pledged to ban what it calls “transgender ideology” in schools within the first 100 days of government. It also pledged to replace the Equality Act and says it would scrap diversity, equality and inclusion rules. “Clearly, Musk has got a bee in his bonnet about the trans issue in particular and the so-called woke mind virus in general, and that dovetails well with the Reform UK position on the culture wars,” said Bale. As the chief executive of the world’s leading electric car brand, Musk has strong environmental credentials. But Musk has made more ambivalent noises about green issues recently. In a discussion with Trump on X in August, Musk said it was “wrong” to vilify the fossil fuel sector. In terms of existential threat, Musk has also shown more interest in low birth rates and artificial intelligence as problems requiring the world’s attention. This was a change from his view in 2018 when he said that climate change was “the biggest threat that humanity faces this century”. Reform UK advocates rolling back environmentally friendly policies. It has pledged to scrap the UK’s 2050 net zero target – where the UK removes as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it emits – because it is “crippling our economy”. The party also pledges to fast-track North Sea oil and gas licences, as well as doing more to enable fracking. Musk has moved from being an initial supporter of Ukraine to a more ambiguous position, which has included trolling the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In 2022, the billionaire sparked outrage when he floated a “peace plan” in which he argued that Ukraine should adopt a neutral status and drop a bid to join Nato. While Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service was used to help Ukraine after Russia’s February 2022 invasion, there was also controversy last year when it emerged that Musk had refused a Ukrainian request to activate the system to assist in a surprise offensive. Farage has faced criticism over his claims that Ukraine could not defeat Russia and his questioning of a US decision to authorize Kyiv to use long-range missiles. Past comments by the Reform UK leader, such as that the EU and Nato had “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by expanding eastwards, have also put him at odds with other mainstream political parties in the UK.Byhre 0-3 0-0 0, Barnstable 3-11 3-4 10, Blue 4-11 2-2 11, Dobbs 6-10 3-4 16, Minessale 2-5 0-0 4, Bjerke 2-4 2-2 8, Oosterbaan 1-3 1-2 4, Nau 1-2 2-2 5, Dufault 1-3 2-2 4, Lafferty 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 21-53 15-18 65. Duffy 1-2 0-0 2, Stillwell 7-13 6-10 22, Fulks 2-6 5-7 9, McKee 4-11 1-3 9, Pullian 3-5 0-0 7, Franklin 6-10 1-2 15, Lovelace 2-5 0-0 5, Pippa-White 0-1 0-0 0, Davis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 13-22 69. Halftime_Milwaukee 32-22. 3-Point Goals_St. Thomas (MN) 8-28 (Bjerke 2-3, Lafferty 1-1, Nau 1-2, Oosterbaan 1-3, Dobbs 1-4, Blue 1-5, Barnstable 1-6, Byhre 0-2, Minessale 0-2), Milwaukee 6-17 (Stillwell 2-2, Franklin 2-5, Lovelace 1-2, Pullian 1-2, Davis 0-1, Fulks 0-1, Pippa-White 0-1, McKee 0-3). Fouled Out_Minessale. Rebounds_St. Thomas (MN) 23 (Blue, Dobbs 5), Milwaukee 36 (Stillwell, Franklin 8). Assists_St. Thomas (MN) 8 (Dobbs 5), Milwaukee 13 (Fulks 8). Total Fouls_St. Thomas (MN) 24, Milwaukee 15. A_1,669 (10,783).

BOSTON — By the end of a game that is supposed to be a reward for a season well played, North Carolina looked like a football program in such perilous straits it would be willing to pay someone like Bill Belichick something like $50 million to fix things. QED. As the new coach might say, the Tar Heels are on to Belichick. Saturday’s 27-14 loss to Connecticut in the Fenway Bowl started poorly and fizzled to the end, not unlike the Tar Heels’ season, one that began with reasonable optimism and a win at Minnesota before descending into a series of trials and tribulations that saw Mack Brown fired before the regular season was over en route to a 6-7 finish and fifth straight bowl loss. On Friday, J.J. Jones took pains to make sure Brown wasn’t forgotten, reminding people that he was the reason why every player on the roster was here even if things hadn’t worked out the way they had planned. But just as Brown’s final game at North Carolina saw N.C. State dancing on the Kenan Stadium turf instead, the season’s final game under interim coach Freddie Kitchens — who will remain on Belichick’s new staff — was nothing to remember. “It’s a disappointing result for us,” Kitchens said. “I thought our guys kept fighting all the way to the very end. We just kind of ran out of time there but we never gave up. These guys have been through a lot these last three weeks. The ability to show up for work every day has been unbelievable to see with these guys. I commend them for everything they’ve done these last few weeks.” With all the injuries and critical opt-outs, including offensive lineman Willie Lampkin on the eve of the game after practicing all month, the Tar Heels weren’t exactly at full strength to start. When quarterback Jacolby Criswell went down clutching at his shoulder after a seven-yard scramble in the first quarter, they were left with true freshman Michael Merdinger, who not only had yet to take a snap this season but is currently in the transfer portal. It took North Carolina 29 minutes and 37 seconds to achieve a first down, and only Chris Culliver’s 95-yard kickoff return prevented a first-half shutout. By the time UNC figured out, midway through the fourth quarter, that its best offensive play was a direct snap to running back Caleb Hood — a quarterback in high school who became, essentially, the Tar Heels’ fifth quarterback of the season — it was too late for anything but a consolation touchdown pass to John Copenhaver. That 17-yard strike from the Richmond County product was the third completion and first passing TD of Hood’s career, to go with two rushing and one receiving, and Copenhaver’s 10th and final TD catch at UNC. Of the Tar Heels’ 206 yards of offense, 139 came in the fourth quarter. Still, not only was this postscript to the Brown Era a third straight loss — and UNC’s second debacle in the Boston area in six weeks — it ended the Triangle’s football winning streak against UConn, a seven-game run going back 17 years to Duke’s 45-14 home loss to open a 1-11 season. Kitchens is now the other half of the answer to a trivia question, with Ted Roof. The ACC also had won the first two editions of the Fenway Bowl, a run noted on the manual scoreboard on the Green Monster, one of several nice touches that capitalized on the historic venue. (Although they don’t dump clam chowder on the winning coach. Yet.) Which is good, because the football wasn’t particularly picturesque. Connecticut opened with a leadoff double to right — a 47-yard run down the first-base line on the first play from scrimmage — and never really looked back. Defense, in a statement that tests the bounds of obvious, was never this North Carolina’s team strength. Shorn of offense with Criswell hurt and Omarion Hampton preparing for the draft, the Tar Heels struggled to keep up. Any thoughts Jones and others might have harbored of winning one for Mack evaporated quickly on both sides of the ball. “At the end of the day, we need to do a little better than that, in my opinion,” defensive lineman Beau Atkinson said. You could say things didn’t end well, but they rarely do. A program in dramatic transition looked very much the part on Saturday. The players probably deserved better than this, for sticking it out to the bitter end of a season racked with disappointment and loss, but even their minds were clearly preoccupied with what happens next, whether that’s in Chapel Hill or elsewhere. Why wouldn’t they be? They’re only human. “I’m definitely ready for the offseason now that this game is over,” said Atkinson, who is eligible to return. “And just ready to go to work and try to get me and the rest of the D-line and this defense as a whole better. That’s my main focus now.” If they weren’t looking forward before, there’s nothing else left now. The final punctuation has been applied to Brown’s second stint at UNC. It’s officially the Belichick Era. They’re on to TCU. ©2024 The News & Observer. Visit at newsobserver.com . Distributed at Tribune Content Agency, LLC.When Jen Haugsdal arrived at her Kathy’s Place apartment last December, she and her two young children did one thing first: they slept. “Being on the streets with just my kids, I was always vigilant,” Haugsdal said. “I had to be aware of everything. When I came to Kathy’s Place, we were given the opportunity to just sleep because we could relax.” Founded in 2022, Kathy’s Place opened its doors to homeless mothers in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas county in December 2023. Its mission is “breaking the cycle of poverty by creating safe and affordable neighborhood communities where single moms are empowered with the resources they need to build a thriving future for their family.” Stacey and Joe Squires founded Kathy’s Place in honor of Stacey’s mom, Kathy Strade, who died in 2017. Squires recalls Kathy as someone who lived a life of service to others. “She had always been very supportive of various things similar to what Kathy’s Place is doing, including paying off all the lunch balances for kids that were at Sabin Elementary and providing a bank of funds to support them going forward, so that no kid would ever go home hungry.” Kathy’s Place is a beneficiary of The Oregonian/OregonLive’s 2024 Season of Sharing holiday fundraising campaign. The charity has one employee, about 40 volunteers and operates on a budget of $345,000 raised through foundation grants and private donations. It currently offers housing to moms in a four-plex in the Hazelwood neighborhood, each with two bedrooms and a bath, as well as a fenced playground and laundry room. > Donate to Kathy’s Place or the Season of Sharing general fund . You can also Text the code Season2024 to 44-321. “All of the units are designed within trauma-informed lens,” said Kimberly Brune, founding executive director. Every color, every texture is designed to give moms and kids a sense of safety, security and peace. These units were developed to be able to let your shoulders down, let your fists unclench.” The four-plex, which is being purchased on a lease-to-own contract, is the first property the non-profit has developed, and there are plans to expand as funding permits. Haugsdal came to Kathy’s Place after domestic violence forced her onto the streets. The apartment marks the first time she’s had her own dishwasher and the first bathtub in a long time. “The bathtub was the best,” Haugsdal said. “It was glorious. All of us spent a solid month in the bathtub. The apartment is small, but it’s ours. We get to live next to the other girls in the program. We call on each other; we meet with the other girls sometimes. We develop friendships.” Kathy’s Place also helped Haugsdal get her toddler son help after he began having trouble adjusting to their new environment. “When we first got him here and got him into daycare, he wasn’t talking; his speech wasn’t real good,” Haugsdal said. “He was having outbursts. Kathy’s Place helped me find ways to help with that.” Haugsdal has been at Kathy’s Place since December 2023. In September, she finished her coursework at Carrington College in coding and billing and is currently working an externship. “I’m working for free ... but Kathy’s Place is helping me, because there’s zero way for me to succeed without them,” Haugsdal said. “The government assistance alone would not allow me to complete my externship and earn the certification and take care of my kids at home.” Because Haugsdal doesn’t earn a paycheck, Kathy’s Place charges her nothing in rent. They also meet with her weekly to help her stay on track with the short- and long-term goals they’ve helped her identify. “I would have quit three or four times by now if I was trying to do all this stuff myself,” Haugsdal said. “I would have gotten overwhelmed ... It’s like having a personal life coach. What they do here is amazing.” Haugsdal graduates from Carrington College in January, and she’s already thinking about how she’ll further her education and achieve her goals. “I want financial stability, and I want to not be on welfare,” Haugsdal said. “I want to not have to worry if I have enough money to get enough milk to make it through the month. I want my kids to have milk when they want it. I’m thinking about going back to school to study counseling. Before, I was scared to go to school. It was terrifying to me to think I’d go there and fail, a big waste of money. No matter what I’ll be able to work Monday through Friday, 9 to 5, and I’ll be home for my kids.” What your donation can do $25: Contributes to providing technology for moms, such as laptops, desktops and printers so they can do everyday tasks like pay their bills, print out notes from a lecture or access community resources. $50: Goes toward helping a mom pay her bills. Moms at Kathy’s Place pay 30% of their total income, but not more than $1,000 a month. A mom who is working an externship with no pay does not pay rent. The average mom pays $300 to $500 a month. $100: Helps pay the salary of a navigator who meets with moms once a week to discuss short and long-term goals, assist them in accessing resources and supports them so they can move from surviving to thriving in the community. The navigator keeps them on track and celebrates the wins. — Lori Tobias, for The Oregonian/OregonLive

Abortion has become slightly more common despite bans or deep restrictions in most Republican-controlled states, and the legal and political fights over its future are not over yet. It's now been two and a half years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and opened the door for states to implement bans. The policies and their impact have been in flux ever since the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Here's a look at data on where things stand: Overturning Roe and enforcing abortion bans has changed how woman obtain abortions in the U.S. But one thing it hasn't done is put a dent in the number of abortions being obtained. There have been slightly more monthly abortions across the country recently than there were in the months leading up to the June 2022 ruling, even as the number in states with bans dropped to near zero. “Abortion bans don’t actually prevent abortions from happening,” said Ushma Upadhyay, a public health social scientist at the University of California San Francisco. But, she said, they do change care. For women in some states, there are major obstacles to getting abortions — and advocates say that low-income, minority and immigrant women are least likely to be able to get them when they want. For those living in states with bans, the ways to access abortion are through travel or abortion pills. As the bans swept in, abortion pills became a bigger part of the equation. They were involved in about half the abortions before Dobbs. More recently, it’s been closer to two-thirds of them, according to research by the Guttmacher Institute. The uptick of that kind of abortion, usually involving a combination of two drugs, was underway before the ruling. But now, it's become more common for pill prescriptions to be made by telehealth. By the summer of 2024, about 1 in 10 abortions was via pills prescribed via telehealth to patients in states where abortion is banned. As a result, the pills are now at the center of battles over abortion access. This month, Texas sued a New York doctor for prescribing pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. There's also an effort by Idaho, Kansas and Missouri to roll back their federal approvals and treat them as “controlled dangerous substances,” and a push for the federal government to start enforcing a 19th-century federal law to ban mailing them. Clinics have closed or halted abortions in states with bans. But a network of efforts to get women seeking abortions to places where they're legal has strengthened and travel for abortion is now common. The Guttmacher Institute found that more than twice as many Texas residents obtained abortion in 2023 in New Mexico as New Mexico residents did. And as many Texans received them in Kansas as Kansans. Abortion funds, which benefitted from “rage giving” in 2022, have helped pay the costs for many abortion-seekers. But some funds have had to cap how much they can give . Since the downfall of Roe, the actions of lawmakers and courts have kept shifting where abortion is legal and under what conditions. Here's where it stands now: Florida, the nation’s second most-populous state, began enforcing a ban on abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy on May 1. That immediately changed the state from one that was a refuge for other Southerners seeking abortion to an exporter of people looking for them. There were about 30% fewer abortions there in May compared with the average for the first three months of the year. And in June, there were 35% fewer. While the ban is not unique, the impact is especially large. The average driving time from Florida to a facility in North Carolina where abortion is available for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is more than nine hours, according to data maintained by Caitlin Myers, a Middlebury College economics professor. The bans have meant clinics closed or stopped offering abortions in some states. But some states where abortion remains legal until viability – generally considered to be sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy , though there’s no fixed time for it – have seen clinics open and expand . Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico are among the states with new clinics. There were 799 publicly identifiable abortion providers in the U.S. in May 2022, the month before the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. And by this November, it was 792, according to a tally by Myers, who is collecting data on abortion providers. But Myers says some hospitals that always provided some abortions have begun advertising it. So they’re now in the count of clinics – even though they might provide few of them. How hospitals handle pregnancy complications , especially those that threaten the lives of the women, has emerged as a major issue since Roe was overturned. President Joe Biden's administration says hospitals must offer abortions when they're needed to prevent organ loss, hemorrhage or deadly infections, even in states with bans. Texas is challenging the administration’s policy and the U.S. Supreme Court this year declined to take it up after the Biden administration sued Idaho. More than 100 pregnant women seeking help in emergency rooms and were turned away or left unstable since 2022, The Associated Press found in an analysis of federal hospital investigative records. Among the complaints were a woman who miscarried in the lobby restroom of Texas emergency room after staff refused to see her and a woman who gave birth in a car after a North Carolina hospital couldn't offer an ultrasound. The baby later died. “It is increasingly less safe to be pregnant and seeking emergency care in an emergency department,” Dara Kass, an emergency medicine doctor and former U.S. Health and Human Services official told the AP earlier this year. Since Roe was overturned, there have been 18 reproductive rights-related statewide ballot questions. Abortion rights advocates have prevailed on 14 of them and lost on four. In the 2024 election , they amended the constitutions in five states to add the right to abortion. Such measures failed in three states: In Florida, where it required 60% support; in Nebraska, which had competing abortion ballot measures; and in South Dakota, where most national abortion rights groups did support the measure. AP VoteCast data found that more than three-fifths of voters in 2024 supported abortion being legal in all or most cases – a slight uptick from 2020. The support came even as voters supported Republicans to control the White House and both houses of Congress. Associated Press writers Linley Sanders, Amanda Seitz and Laura Ungar contributed to this article.

The Apaches are expected to be deployed in desert regions. Published: November 24, 2024 1:50 AM IST By Edited by There has been a considerable delay in the delivery of the first batch of three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters meant for the Indian Army. Now, the latest reports say that the Indian Army will receive the attack helicopters in December. This is a delay of seven months as the delivery was originally scheduled for May and July. Reports say that the delay occurred due to manufacturing holdups. Now, Boeing has confirmed the delivery schedule, with three helicopters being delivered in December and another three in January 2025. The AH-64E is an advanced multi-mission helicopter with the latest technology insertions, maintaining its standing as the world’s best attack helicopter. It is the only available combat helicopter with a spectrum of capabilities for virtually any mission requirement, including greater thrust and lift, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding. The deal for the purchase of the Apache helicopters was signed in February 2020 for about $800 million during the visit of former American President Donald Trump to India. These helicopters will bring mark a significant milestone for the Army’s aviation capabilities, helping in the Army’s ongoing effort to modernize its aerial attack fleet. According to officials, the Apaches are expected to be deployed in desert regions where their combat abilities, particularly in countering armoured threats, will be maximized. The Indian Air Force (IAF) already has 22 AH-64E Apache helicopters. The Army already raised the 451 Aviation Squadron at Jodhpur, Rajasthan in March 2023, which will operate Apache helicopters. Apaches will form the second attack ring in the Army’s range, the first one being the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). The Indian Army also operates Rudra helicopters, which are armed versions of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The AH-64 Apache is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopter in use by the US Army and a few other countries. India is the 16th country to select the Apache. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . Topics

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ben Nau had 18 points in St. Thomas-Minnesota’s 91-65 win over Portland State on Saturday. Nau went 7 of 10 from the field (4 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Tommies (4-3). Kendall Blue scored 11 points while shooting 5 for 11, including 1 for 4 from beyond the arc and added five rebounds. Miles Barnstable shot 3 of 6 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 11 points. Cole Farrell finished with 12 points for the Vikings (2-3). Isaiah Johnson added 10 points and seven rebounds for Portland State. Shane Nowell had 10 points and six rebounds. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Bank of America signs again with FIFA for US-hosted Club World Cup that still has no TV dealsHow we treat our children and most vulnerable populations is a key metric of our society’s health and future well-being. Do you believe this? On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, the feast of Holy Innocents. It is the great “nails-on-the-chalkboard” day of Christmastide. In the midst of all the celebration of Christ’s birth, there is a whole day dedicated to remembering the slaughter of innocent children. A day to remind us of King Herod’s terrible decree of infanticide recorded in St. Matthew’s gospel 2:16-18. A massacre of infant boys age 2 and under in order for Herod to eliminate the perceived threat to his throne. The goal was to put Christ to death even then. We are rightfully appalled at this historical event. Yet, how are we doing today? We may not have a decree of infanticide to navigate, but we do have other ills regarding our children and most vulnerable do we not? Let’s get controversial. A key issue in this past election was abortion. When do you believe human life begins? When do you believe a child is alive? What constitutes personhood? Do the rights of the pregnant person outweigh the rights of the fetus? When should life be protected at all costs? No matter where you stand on these questions, could we not commit to a Missoula-wide dialogue about these foundational questions regarding human life? Follow the science. Bring in the ethicists. Invite the philosophers, theologians, mothers and doctors. It is 2025 AD, we can do this. The unfortunate reality is that questions about human life have been co-opted for political purposes. We’ve been divided up against our will. Yet, these are vital questions to answer to know how to navigate our modern life together. Do not let politics rip the fabric of our common humanity. Let’s then talk about the children and youth among us. How are we doing there? Jonathan Haidt’s popular work The Anxious Generation convincingly shows that since the early 2010s there has been a significant increase in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide rates among adolescents, particularly among teenage girls. There is a decreased amount of time our youth spend having face-to-face conversations and lack “soft skills” for the workforce. And social media, video games, and pornography have all become increasing addictions among those in their most formative years. With the wholesale adoption of smart phones and social media platforms, have we not done a great disservice to our future? To those who will one day have the levers of power in all spheres of society? Have we not tacitly given a decree of death by technology. Techno-cide shall we call it? Yet, it begs the 15 Bitcoin question: What are we to do? Well, how did the Christ-child escape Herod’s decree? God appeared to his people in dreams. There is a way out. God’s kingdom is the dream of a fully flourishing humanity. Shalom from the youngest to the oldest. Jesus came to bring this kingdom that moves not according to the power plays of the elite, but the dreams of the humble willing to follow Jesus no matter the cost. What if we dreamed about a non-polarized, non-politicized conversation about human life? What if we dreamed about simple yet effective regulations for smart phones among teens? What about no smartphones before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and more unsupervised play and childhood independence? As we remember Holy Innocents today, reflect on how we treat our children, youth, and most vulnerable populations as a society and what that says about our future and well-being. And reflect on Jesus Christ, hunted at birth, and his desire for all to know love, forgiveness, and Shalom forever and ever. Amen. Rev. Austin Britton is Missionary Deacon of the Diocese of the Rocky Mountains (ACNA). He can be reached at Pastorbritton12@yahoo.com . Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Grades: Nebraska 44, Wisconsin 25

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party and its allies were set to return to power in the nation’s richest state, television channels reported on Saturday, a boost for the Hindu-nationalist leader after a disappointing general election. In Maharashtra, home to India’s financial capital Mumbai, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance was leading in 221 of 288 seats. The opposition Congress party and its allies are leading in 55 seats in the state elections, local media reported. “The Mahayuti government [...] has achieved undisputed and resounding success,” Eknath Shinde, the state’s chief minister, said on social media platform X. Modi lost his majority in parliamentary elections held between April and June and had to depend on fickle allies to form a government. Last month his party won state elections in the northern state of Haryana. State election wins help political parties boost their numbers in the upper house of parliament, which is key for decision-making. In the mine-rich eastern Jharkhand state, the ruling regional party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which is in alliance with the Congress-led opposition, is leading to regain control by defeating the BJP and its allies, media reported. Political parties in both states have rolled out a range of measures that they say will benefit farmers and women, both considered critical voting blocks. Results from Maharashtra and Jharkhand are expected later on Saturday.

In a recent statement, Guangzhou Metro Customer Service acknowledged the feedback and concerns raised by passengers regarding the new security regulations. They emphasized that the normalized security measures, such as bag checks and metal detector screenings, have been in place for some time and will continue to be a part of the daily operations of Guangzhou Metro.Share this Story : The Arena at TD Place, as it stands, is hosting its last big event - and that's good news for Ottawa Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Business Real Estate Entertainment Travel Ottawa Politics Sports Basketball Hockey Soccer The Arena at TD Place, as it stands, is hosting its last big event - and that's good news for Ottawa A celebration is in order, both for the storied building's 57-year past and the exciting future of its reincarnation a stone's throw from the current location. Author of the article: Don Brennan Published Dec 27, 2024 • Last updated 26 minutes ago • 8 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. Renderings of Lansdowne 2.0, which will be the new home of the Ottawa 67's, Ottawa Charge and the Ottawa BlackJacks. It will also provide upgraded seating and added viewing points for the Ottawa Redblacks, as well as the Atletico Ottawa and the newly born Ottawa Rapid FC. Photo by Handout / Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group Article content Unless city council has a disappointing change of heart 10 months from now, the world junior hockey championship is the last hurrah, in terms of major events, for the Arena at TD Place formerly and originally known as the Civic Centre. Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . The Arena at TD Place, as it stands, is hosting its last big event - and that's good news for Ottawa Back to video Article content Indeed, a celebration is in order, both for the storied building’s 57-year past and the exciting future of its reincarnation a stone’s throw from the current location. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content Shed no tears over the old girl’s ultimate destruction. She’s had an incredible life. Everyone has cherished memories of games, concerts, and a variety of events they’ve attended at the building that was born in 1967 and had a serious makeover to become the home of the Ottawa Senators for the first 3.5 seasons of their existence. Everyone has stories to tell, whether they’re from classic moments provided by the Day 1 main tenants, the beloved Ottawa 67’s, or by seeing all-time greats like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux display their dazzling skills, or being on the floor or field for one of the hundreds of top-level bands that have played Lansdowne Park, a Hall-of-Fame list that includes Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Snoop, Bon Jovi and Willie Nelson and can be found in its entirety as wallpaper in a TD Place meeting room. Hundreds of top-level bands have played Lansdowne Park, a Hall-of-Fame list and can be found in its entirety as wallpaper in a TD Place meeting room. DON BRENNAN/POSTMEDIA Photo by Don Brennan / Postmedia But upcoming is also an important time in the history of the Bank St. facility. The fact of the matter is that council has to give final approval to a $420 million budget it has already delivered a green light for the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group to continue its role as a key player in this city’s flourishing tourism industry. Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content When the grand plan is rubber-stamped on Oct. 22, 2025, the wheels will immediately be set in motion on Lansdowne 2.0, the construction of a spectacular new facility that will be a much-needed new home for the Ontario Hockey League’s 67’s, as well as the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League, while providing upgraded seating and added viewing points for the Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Redblacks, as well as the Atletico Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League and the newly born Ottawa Rapid FC, a professional women’s soccer team in the fledgling Northern Superior League. It will also allow the nation’s capital to keep attracting tournaments that grab international attention like the world juniors, as well as shows too big for the NAC and too small for Canadian Tire Centre. Of the 9.8 million visitors that spend $2.6 billion in the capital – numbers reported by Ottawa Tourism in the 2024 Economic Impact Study – 187 events have attracted four million people and generated $400 million of economic activity this year at TD Place, which has also created 4,000 full and part-time jobs. Evening Update The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Evening Update will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Most recently, the arena was jam-packed for WJC pre-tournament games Canada had against Switzerland and Sweden over the past few days, and thousands more will pour through the doors to watch battles that will help determine the participants in the gold medal showdown for global supremacy on Jan. 5 at CTC. In total, the two-week tournament is expected to be worth about $100 million to the city while filling Ottawa hotels that are usually suffering through a relatively dead period of the winter. Those are revenues that will be realized despite the arena showing age spots that had Ottawa’s bid for the world juniors looking very much like a longshot. “We don’t meet the specifications for international tournaments,” said Mark Goudie, OSEG’s president and CEO. “We don’t have enough dressing room space, enough storage space, enough media space, enough any space. And it rains in the rink and all of that stuff. “Hockey Canada just said, ‘one last time, let’s just go with it. They were anxious to get back to Ottawa, and a little bit to our surprise, they kind of just figured out how to make it work. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “The early plan had them building a tent from this rink across the field so that teams could use the dressing rooms over on the (football stadium) side,” continued Goudie. “Between periods the teams would have to get on golf carts and get driven over. Now we figured it out. We built a dressing room down with the women’s team. We figured stuff out. And Hockey Canada was good about going ‘we’ll just do the best we can and kind of drive on.’ A tent was built and heaters were put in it so teams would have a place to warm up “It’s not world-class. It’s a makeshift,” said Goudie. “The facilities will be a problem going forward. We’ll never get another one of these.” At least not one that Ottawa wouldn’t have to share with a city that has a smaller arena to meet qualifications for games not involving Canada, like the Slush Puppy Centres in Kingston and Gatineau. Through the years, it’s been done much more often than not. Of the 17 world juniors played in Canada, 13 times there have been co-hosts. From 1978 in Montreal and Quebec City (260 km apart) to 2003 in Halifax and Sydney (400 km) to 2012 in Calgary and Edmonton (300 km) to 2015 in Montreal and Toronto (543 km) to 2019 in Vancouver and Victoria, which are only 115 km apart but with a travel time of over three hours because they’re separated by water unless you’re taking a 30-minute flight. Advertisement 6 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content On four occasions, three different Canadian cities have joined forces to host the WJC: 1986 (Hamilton, Toronto, London), 1995 (Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer), 1999 (Winnipeg Brandon, and Selkirk) and 2006 (Vancouver, Kelowna and Kamloops). In 1982, it was hosted by four cities in two different countries – Winnipeg and Kenora in Canada and Bloomington and Duluth, Minn, in the U.S. Edmonton was co-host of the WJC with Red Deer in 2022 because the cities were scheduled to have the 2021 tournament but instead had to be played behind closed doors only in Edmonton due to the COVID pandemic. In fact, only two other times was the tournament hosted by one Canadian city – 1991 in Saskatoon and 2009 in Ottawa, which was won by the home team and stands as the most profitable, memorable and dramatic of all world juniors. “The 2009 tournament was the change in the trajectory of the junior tournament,” said Goudie. “That’s when it became big scale. They set records here in 2009 in one market. It kind of changed the world juniors.” A Hockey Canada report said the WJC was “the largest single sport event ever held in Ontario” with the total economic activity generated for the province estimated at $80.5 million, while the total GDP (gross domestic product, the monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced and rendered in a specific time period) was $32.6 million in the province, with $18.4 million occurring in Ottawa. Advertisement 7 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Fans not only supported the event in record numbers at the games, with 453,274 tickets issued for the 31 games, but more than 1,500 volunteers chipped in to make it “the best event ever for Hockey Canada”. This year’s world juniors promises to be even better. But Lansdowne 2.0 is an extensive project that goes well beyond hockey games. As you can see among the striking images accompanying this piece that were obtained by Postmedia before their release to the public, it also impacts the outdoor stadium. Along with the arena’s three-level viewing of the field, the decrepit north side stands will get a direly-needed renovation that will initially set the Ottawa Redblacks back a few steps but ultimately lead to them and the city hosting another Grey Cup. The step-by-step process starts with the building of the new arena – with luxury boxes that don’t currently exist – that will seat 6,200 fans. That will take two years, during which the stadium and arena will run business as usual until the end of 2027. The day after the beautiful new structure is finished, the north side stands and the arena under it will be demolished. Advertisement 8 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content It will then take two more years to rebuild the stands, the retail podium that’s behind it, and the extension of the parking. During Phase II the football stadium will require makeshift stands and have a reduced capacity, from 24,000 to approximately 14,000, which will be a costly hit for the Redblacks but should create a demand for tickets. All in all, it’s more than a worthwhile venture. It’s a necessity if Ottawa is to attract prestigious events, international and otherwise, that aren’t quite big enough for CTC. “We can’t risk going into the last day of an internationally televised event and having it canceled because there’s leaking happening onto the ice, right?” said Goudie. Totally on board are the restaurants, bars and stores both in the Glebe and the rest of the heart of the downtown area. “The business community rallies behind it,” said Janice Barresi, the senior vice president, brand and social impact, at OSEG. “They know this is an economic driver. From a tourism perspective, the local businesses are stoked. I sit on the Glee BIA (Business Improvement Area) and it knows this is a boom for business. Advertisement 9 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “That’s what it’s all about. This place is vibrant when TD place is alive and attracting these events.” Ottawa wouldn’t be able to host mid-sized concerts and comedy shows without a functioning arena, which is just barely the case now. “We’re meeting a sweet spot in Ottawa’s venues (between the NAC and CTC),” said Barresi. “We’re able to attract these events. “We’ve talked to all of the international sporting events we can still attract (and the new facility) will be meeting all of their needs to be able to accommodate and continue delivering their product here.” The finish line is near. Last year, the plan was approved and the $420 million budget was approved. City staff was told to build a plan, do the architectural drawings, get the zoning and site plan approval, what goes where ... do all the costing and send it out to market to see who wants to build an arena and the north side stands. Come back with a quote, and then, if its within budget, the plan goes back to council for final approval next Oct. 22. “After that, we’re done,” said Goudie. “We start digging a hole.” It’s been a long wait already. Advertisement 10 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content An aerial view of Lansdowne at the turn of the century is a reminder of what the area looked like before the new football stadium and surrounding entertainment district were built. You almost expect to see a horse-drawn carriage going down Bank St. The reality is OSEG’s discussion with the new facility began in 2006, when it was thought that it would take two years of planning and two years to build. Instead, the stadium opened in 2014. “We started talking about Lansdowne 2.0 in 2017,” said Goudie. “And in 2024, we’re almost there.” But the plug could still be pulled. With council, there’s no sure thing. A ‘thumbs down’ now would be a shame. Ottawa deserves this. This is what Ottawa needs going forward. Lansdowne has been a success. While continuing to drive tourism and attract events like the world juniors to a centrally located venue, Lansdowne 2.0 can expect to be as well. Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : The Arena at TD Place, as it stands, is hosting its last big event - and that's good news for Ottawa Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Bumpy ride forecast for Ottawa weather until New Year's Day News New Ottawa restaurants in 2025 from three top chefs will offset a year rife with closures Life Khairallah: OC Transpo shouldn't be just for people without cars Opinion Today's letters: Chrystia Freeland no hero; Trudeau no feminist Opinion Ottawa police investigate Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg Local News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savings

The news of Chris Evans' return in Avengers 5 is a game-changer for the MCU. After seemingly bidding farewell to the role of Captain America in "Avengers: Endgame," fans were left wondering if they would ever see Evans don the iconic shield again. His return opens up a world of possibilities for new storylines, character arcs, and epic battles that will surely leave audiences on the edge of their seats.As the football world eagerly awaits further details about this high-profile transfer, one thing is for certain: Real Madrid's bold move to clean house and sell their French star for €80 million is a statement of intent that will have repercussions across the footballing landscape. The coming weeks promise to be filled with speculation, intrigue, and excitement as the transfer saga unfolds.

As I reflect on the journey from 2004 to 2024, I am struck by how far we have come and how much further we have yet to go. The possibilities of the future are as exciting as they are uncertain, and it will be up to all of us to shape the world that technology will create. Only time will tell what the next 20 years will bring, but one thing is certain: as long as we continue to innovate, adapt, and learn from our mistakes, the future is full of promise.Modi’s BJP, allies to win election rebound in India’s richest stateWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he had an “excellent conversation” with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after the president-elect's threat to impose significant tariffs on two of America’s leading trade partners raised alarms in Ottawa and Mexico City . It was unclear, as Trudeau headed back to Canada from Florida, whether the conversation had alleviated Trump’s concerns. A person familiar with the details of the leaders' hastily arranged meeting Friday night said it was a “positive wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours.” The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said topics included trade, border security, fentanyl, defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Mideast and pipelines, as well as the the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year. The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. As he was leaving his West Palm Beach hotel, Trudeau stopped briefly to answer a reporter’s question about the dinner meeting, saying it was "an excellent conversation." Trump’s transition team did not respond to questions about what the leaders had discussed. Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. "Tariffs are a crucial issue for Canada and a bold move was in order. Perhaps it was a risk, but a risk worth taking,” Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Among those at the dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump's pick for commerce secretary; North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, in line to lead the Interior Department; and Mike Waltz, Trump's choice to be his national security adviser. Accompanying Trudeau were Canada's public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, and Katie Telford, Trudeau's chief of staff. Trudeau had said earlier Friday that he would resolve the tariffs issue by talking to Trump. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said a day earlier after speaking with Trump that she is confident a tariff war with the United States will be averted. Trudeau said Trump got elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now he's talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products including potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said before his leaving for Florida. “Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added. To Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, Trump "doesn’t need convincing that new tariffs on Canadian products would not be in U.S. interests. He knows that, but cannot say it because it would detract from what he has said publicly. His goal is to project the image that he gets action when he talks.” Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his first term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully renegotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries. Trump made the tariff threat Monday while citing an influx of migrants entering the country illegally, even though the numbers at the Canadian border pale in comparison to those at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also spoke about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border are few in comparison to the Mexican border. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are ready to make new investments in border security. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. ___ Gillies reported from Toronto.

NoneAs the man continues to navigate the aftermath of this unsettling incident, he remains grateful for the prompt assistance and guidance provided by Waterdrop Credit. Their expertise and dedication to protecting consumers' identities and financial well-being have proven invaluable in resolving this troubling situation.As the countdown to the 82nd Golden Globe Awards begins, fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting the star-studded ceremony. The nominations for Winston Wright, Selena Lopez, and the film "384" showcase the diverse talent and creativity present in the entertainment industry. With such exceptional nominees leading the pack, the awards ceremony promises to be a memorable and thrilling event.None

30 jili casino login Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love played interception-free football for the first time this season during a home rout of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The Packers' Thanksgiving night home clash with the Miami Dolphins offers a chance to be equally efficient. Just don't expect Love to scale back his approach in the meeting of playoff contenders. ADVERTISEMENT "I definitely am a guy who always wants those big plays, want to put that pressure on the defense and take some of those shots," Love said. Love threw for a season-low 163 yards on 13-of-23 passing to go with two touchdowns against the 49ers. Still, with Josh Jacobs (26 carries, 106 yards, three touchdowns) wreaking havoc in the running game, Love found opportunities to strike a balance. "Those are the lessons that I had to learn last year and I'll continue to learn: just when the right time (is) to take those shots," he said. "If guys get a step or we're in the right coverage versus just finding those completions. Because these check-downs and just finding those completions turn into big plays, as well, sometimes." Green Bay (8-3) is third in the rugged NFC North but holds a two-game lead in the loss column for the No. 6 seed in the conference playoff race. Winners of three straight, the Dolphins (5-6) are 1 1/2 games behind the Denver Broncos for the seventh seed in the AFC. "I think this is an awesome opportunity," Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. "Being able to play Thursday night football, prime time on Thanksgiving." Tagovailoa continues to surge since returning from injured reserve in Week 8. With four touchdown passes during a 34-15 home win against the New England Patriots on Sunday, he has 11 TDs through the air against just one interception in his five games back. ADVERTISEMENT Tagovailoa dismissed the notion that chilly temperatures in Green Bay on Thursday could be enough to cool him. The Hawaiian-born signal-caller is 0-7 when the temperature is 40 degrees or lower. "To me, it's just a mindset," he said. "That's really all there is." Added Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver: "I've never lost a game and thought, 'Guys, it was too cold outside.'" Miami boasts a versatile set of playmakers for Green Bay to defend. Running back De'Von Achane also is active in the passing game, as he made two touchdown receptions against New England. Among the Dolphins' receivers, wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and tight end Jonnu Smith each have at least 41 receptions and 535 yards. The three have combined for nine TDs. Green Bay is hoping for another jolt from second-year linebacker Lukas Van Ness, whose strip-sack against the 49ers was the big play he said he needed for his confidence. It led to Jacobs' third TD. "I told myself I'm going to get off the ball, use my God-given abilities and just get in the backfield and make a play," Van Ness said. "So I think that's what I've wanted to do all year. I just need to continue that." ADVERTISEMENT The Dolphins said Wednesday that Hill, who has dealt with wrist and personal issues this week, does not have an injury designation and will play against the Packers. Cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) and linebackers Tyus Bowser (knee/calf) and Anthony Walker Jr. (hamstring) have been ruled out, and offensive tackle Terron Armstead (knee) is questionable. The Packers ruled out wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) after they did not practice all week. Tight end John FitzPatrick (back), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (ankle) and offensive lineman Josh Myers (pectoral) were listed as questionable. Miami leads the all-time series 10-6, but Green Bay has won five of the past six matchups. The teams' most recent meeting also came on a holiday, with the visiting Packers prevailing 26-20 on Christmas Day 2022. Green Bay won each of its previous November home games against Miami, in 2002 and 2018. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

COP29 ends with deal on climate finance after bitter fightAfghan Taliban border guards and terrorists from the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) mounted unprovoked heavy weapon fire on Pakistani border posts after security forces thwarted two infiltration attempts in the night between December 27 and 28, sources said on Saturday — the day a senior Taliban leader indicated that they would continue to shelter TTP terrorists, describing them as "guests." "A group of 20-25 'Khawarij' attempted to infiltrate Pakistan from two locations in Kurram and North Waziristan districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) bordering Afghanistan, reportedly using the border posts of Afghan Taliban," the sources said. However, Pakistani security forces thwarted the infiltration attempt, they added. In the morning of December 28, the Khawarij - a name given to the TTP terrorists - again used the Afghan Taliban border posts to sneak into Pakistan, the sources said. In the second attempt, the Khawarij and Afghan Taliban jointly launched unprovoked heavy weapon fire on the Pakistani posts at dawn. Pakistan's security forces retaliated decisively, the sources added. According to verified reports, the Afghan side suffered heavy losses, with initial information indicating that more than 15 Khawarij and Afghan Taliban border guards were killed and several others injured during the retaliatory action. The Afghan Taliban were forced to abandon six posts and flee, the sources said, adding that losses on the Afghan side might have increased. On the Pakistani side, meanwhile, there were no fatalities, and only three personnel sustained minor injuries, according to the sources. The interim Afghan government has repeatedly been asked not to allow its territory to be used by the TTP terrorists against Pakistan. Instead of controlling these groups and neutralising their fighters, the Afghan Taliban continue to shelter them, the sources said. The "Khawarij" enjoy complete freedom of movement in Afghanistan and are extensively using Afghan soil for anti-Pakistan terrorist attacks. The Afghan Taliban have always denied the existence of TTP fighters in their country, claiming that no foreign terrorists are allowed to operate and pose a threat to other nations from the Afghan soil. However, on Friday, a senior minister in the interim Taliban government indicated that they provide refuge to anti-Pakistan terrorists. "We must honour the Afghan nation's commitment to safeguarding these guests, friends," Khairullah Khairkhwa, the interim information minister, said while referring to the TTP in his speech aired by Taliban-controlled state television and shared via X social media platform. According to the Voice of America, Khairkhwa made the rare admission just days after the Pakistani security forces reportedly conducted airstrikes against terrorist locations in an eastern Afghan border province. The Taliban claimed that Tuesday's attack in Paktika resulted in the deaths of nearly 50 civilians, predominantly refugees from Pakistan. However, the claims could not be verified from independent sources. Khairkhwa stressed the need for Pakistan "to draw lessons from the consequences of military interventions" in Afghanistan by Britain, the former Soviet Union and the United States, respectively, since the 19th century. "Anyone who attacks Afghanistan or harbours such intentions must learn from the defeat of three superpowers," he added. This is the first public admission by a senior Taliban leader regarding the presence of TTP operatives in the country. Islamabad has not acknowledged the cross-border strikes, but independent sources said that several "terrorist hideouts" of the TTP were targeted in the strikes in which several key TTP commanders were also eliminated. The TTP, which has been designated as a global terrorist organisation by the United Nations, has stepped up attacks in Pakistan since the Taliban's August 2021 return to power in Kabul. "Unfortunately, the TTP continues to operate from there and killing innocent people inside Pakistan. This cannot go on," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said during a cabinet meeting on Friday. "They must rein in the TTP. This constitutes a red line for us. The TTP operating from Afghan soil is unacceptable under any circumstances," he said, adding that his government was ready to talk with the Afghan government to address the issue. "But there can be no progress if, on the one hand, they seek to foster relations with Pakistan while simultaneously permitting TTP to operate with impunity," he said. Also on Friday, the Pakistani military reported that its counterterrorism operations and clashes with TTP terrorists resulted in the killings of over 900 "terrorists" this year, including 27 Afghan suicide bombers and fighters. The violence also left nearly 400 Pakistani security forces and officers martyred, said DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourNDC chief resigns, plans return to private sector

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An underground detector in China will sniff out mysterious ghost particles called neutrinosBy MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now National Politics | Republicans scramble to fill JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat National Politics | Gaetz’s withdrawal highlights how incoming presidents often lose Cabinet nominees National Politics | What to know about Pam Bondi, Trump’s new pick for attorney general National Politics | Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contest Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.

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Percentages: FG 54.000, FT .714. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.VANCOUVER, B.C. — Rivalries in sports are built on a foundation of contempt. Proximity helps, as does frequency. But ultimately creating the kind of passionate conflicts that start with players and coaches and trickle down through a fan base starts with playing meaningful games with something on the line. Someday, that’ll happen for the Kraken and the team that’s tailor made to be their rival, the Canucks. At least, that’s the hope when two teams in the same region are separated by just a couple of hours and the border. Maybe what happened Saturday will be looked back upon as a moment that helped the rivalry spark, when the home team watched a three-goal lead disappear in the final 5 minutes of regulation, gave up a breakaway game-winner in overtime and left Rogers Arena echoing with faint chants of "Let's Go Kraken." "That's the fun part about hockey is every game is different and you never know what's going to happen," said Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz. "But it's good to have the belief you can still come back and win games." The Kraken snapped their five-game losing streak with a 5-4 overtime win over the Canucks on Saturday that showed a different level of resolve from a team that was desperate for something to go their way. Along the way, the Kraken made NHL history, becoming only the third team in a regular-season game to win by rallying from a three-goal deficit inside the final 5 minutes. The only other teams: San Jose earlier this season against Utah and Montreal in 2014 against Ottawa. "I think we're searching for it. I think at different times in the year we've had the mindset of staying with it for 60 minutes, coming back in hockey games and we've done that a handful of other times," Seattle coach Dan Bylsma said. "But at this point in time, after the break, after the (five) losses coming into this break it was a huge test for the team to get down in this game ... Guys stayed with it, guys dug deep as a group and the confidence the result should give us as a team." The Kraken rally came off the sticks of Schwartz and Vince Dunn, who combined for all four goals that spanned just 7 minutes of ice time. Schwartz got it started banking a shot past Thatcher Demko from the goal line with 4:45 left to pull within 4-2. That gave Bylsma the impetus to pull Philipp Grubauer and create a 6-on-5 advantage for Seattle. That move paid off when Dunn collected a turnover and beat Demko with 1:12 remaining. "I think they definitely felt the pressure when we just kept coming after them wave after wave, line after line," Dunn said. "There wasn't necessarily any systematic things that we changed at all. It was just finally committing to each other and playing the right way." Schwartz ensured the Kraken would get a point when he deftly controlled a rebound with his skate and beat Demko with 48 seconds left to tie the game at 4-4. It was also his 500th career NHL point. "We were a bit frustrated just with our execution and stuff, but we wanted to give ourselves a chance to at least pull the goalie and make it a one- or two-goal game and then you have your opportunity," Schwartz said. The game-winner came from Dunn, 2:15 into the extra session on a breakaway. A turnover by Vancouver left Dunn all alone with Chandler Stephenson trailing behind. Dunn went to the same spot he beat Demko in regulation and the ensuing celebration just so happened to end up right on the Canucks logo at center ice. "Honestly, it was kind of a blackout. I don't think I've ever had a breakaway in my life. I saw Chandler behind me and I'm like, 'Maybe this will be a little easier, maybe I'll just drop it to him,'" Dunn said. "But then he said, 'It's all you,' so then the pressure was on me." It may not be the kind of game and result that lights a fire under what's been an underwhelming rivalry between to the two neighbors to date. That will come when the day arrives that they are meeting in the Stanley Cup playoffs or at the very least fighting for a postseason spot. But it's a little something at a time the Kraken desperately needed a result to go their way. The Kraken (16-19-2) pulled within eight points of the Canucks in the Western Conference standings where Vancouver holds one of the two wild-card playoff spots. For most of the afternoon, the gulf in the standings seemed to show on the ice. At times, the Kraken were too passive and too disorganized defensively and led to easy opportunities for Vancouver. Brock Boeser scored twice and Jake DeBrusk scored early in the third period to give the Canucks a 4-1 lead. At that point, it seemed Vancouver would dictate whatever the final score would be. Dakota Joshua had a goal disallowed almost immediately after DeBrusk scored. It was the break the Kraken needed in order to put together the wild rally at the end. "It was just a crazy game. First game out of Christmas, the execution wasn't great for both teams and everyone was probably a little bit in shock," Schwartz said. "It happened so fast, there's a lot goals in a short amount of time. I think it was a lot of emotions but we're happy with the two points." Notes: — The Kraken played without goalie Joey Daccord (bumps and bruises) and Andre Burakovsky (illness), although Bylsma is optimistic both may be available to play Monday at home against Utah. — Matty Beniers scored his first goal since Nov. 14 early in the second period. His shot tipped off the glove of Demko and trickled into the net, snapped a 19-game streak without a goal. "Just get pucks to the net and things like that happen," he said. — Grubauer made 17 saves getting the start but three of the goals seemed to come off defensive breakdowns and the other on the power play.

Wayne Holdsworth became an advocate for banning Australian children younger than 16 from social media because his son took his own life after falling victim to an online sextortion scam. Mac Holdsworth died last year at his Melbourne family home at the age of 17 after a 47-year-old Sydney man who purported to be an 18-year-old woman demanded money for an intimate image the boy had shared. Since then, the grieving father has taken his tragic story to around 20 schools to warn students of the risks of social media. “I saw firsthand the damage that social media could do. I saw Mac, my son, get sexually extorted on social media,” Holdsworth said. “His mental health deteriorated at a rapid rate.” Online predators began approaching the teenager before his 16th birthday and his father believes such a ban could have saved his life. Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday voted for such a ban and the Senate is expected to make it law soon. Holdsworth said most of the 3,000 students he’s spoken to, from age 12 to 17, agree with a ban on children under the age of 16. “They come up to me and they say, ‘I’m so glad that this is going to be implemented,’” Holdsworth said. “Even the kids see it now that they’re going to be protected from those predators outside that are preying on them.” He said three girls approached him after a school address on Monday to tell him that they were being subjected to sextortion. One had already handed over 2,500 Australian dollars ($1,600) of her parents’ money to a blackmailer. Holdsworth said he was the first adult they had confided in. “The parent won’t know until the credit card statement comes out,” he said. “So it’s prevalent. It happened last night and it’ll happen tonight,” he added. Holdsworth described the government plan to ban children younger than 16 from social media as “absolutely essential for the safety of our children.” But not all parents are convinced that banning young children from social media is the answer. Critics say the legislation was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children. They also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encounter, and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer. Independent Sydney lawmaker Kylea Tink on Tuesday became the first member of the House of Representatives to speak publicly against the bill, which would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. “As a mom of three young adults ... I’m very aware of the negative impacts of social media and the challenges of parenting in this digital world,” Tink told Parliament. “I also recognize, however, that my children are digital natives and are very literate about how these platforms work. For this reason, I encourage everyone involved in this debate to ensure they are listening to the voices of young Australians when it comes to this decision-making process rather than assuming that the grownups in the room know best.” Tink was among 13 lawmakers who voted against the bill in the House on Wednesday. They were overwhelmed by 102 legislators who voted for it. The platforms have urged a Senate committee that examined the legislation on Monday to delay a vote until after a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies is completed next June. The four-hour committee meeting on Monday attracted 15,000 written submissions. X Corp. told the committee that billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s platform had “serious concerns as to the lawfulness of the bill,” including its compatibility with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “There is no evidence that banning young people from social media will work and to make it law in the form proposed is highly problematic,” X said. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said the legislation was “inconsistent with what Australian parents have told us that they want, which is a simple and effective way for them to set controls and manage their teens’ online experience.” Under the bill, parental consent for children to use social media does not override the ban. Lizzie O’Shea, chair of the Digital Rights Watch charity, which aims to uphold the digital rights of Australians, said she was appalled by the process and limited timeframe the government used to pass such significant and contentious legislation. She said she was very aware of the serious risks posed by social media platforms, “but I do not support a ban personally because I understand both the limits of that particular policy and the expert evidence that is coming out from people who work in this space about the problems for young people being excluded from those spaces,” O’Shea said. Her concerns centered on privacy, negative mental health impacts on excluded children and the possibility that young children would find ways to access social media spaces that would become even less child friendly as a result of the ban. “I’m profoundly aware of the dangers of large social media platforms running a certain kind of business model that prioritizes data extraction and exploitation of vulnerability over the public interest or the building of community and the protection of democracy,” she said. Swinburne University digital media expert Belinda Barnet, who supports the ban, feels she is part of a minority among professionals in the digital field. “I like it mainly because I think many of the social media platforms as they exist right now are not suitable environments for young children,” she said.

55bmw casino app Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. The silver spot price has gained some 28% this year on the back of investment and industrial demand Chinese producers are now shifting to technologies with increased silver consumption, particularly in solar panels Here are some ASX silver stocks with re-rating events heading into the new year Another year is about to wrap up and as a little gift, Stockhead has stuffed into a stocking a collection of ASX silver companies with discovery potential and re-rating events heading into the new year. Silver has stepped out of gold’s shadow and is one of the best performing commodities in 2024, gaining some 28% since the beginning of the year. The biggest driver of demand in the silver market is photovoltaic solar panels with Chinese producers now shifting to technologies with increased silver consumption, though its also trades as a safe haven investment, offering a cheaper entry point than its more fancied cousin gold. For those who love copper, Triple Eight Capital ’s Roscoe Widdup recently told Stockhead he encourages them to look at silver as it has many of the same characteristics such as a very dry project development pipeline. READ: Silver Surfer: Energy boffin Roscoe Widdup says silver is the metal that makes the grade Here’s a collection of eight ASX silver stocks with plenty of room to move in 2025. Sun Silver (ASX:SS1) Shares in Sun Silver are up 50% year-to-date, touching a high of $1.12 in October. It’s been one of the most successful mining IPOs of 2024, with a current market cap of $61.70m. The pickings for quality silver exposure on the ASX are fairly slim, but SS1 brought some shine when it closed its IPO early in May after raising the maximum $13m in mere days before surging +170% in its first month on the bourse. Sun’s advanced Maverick Springs asset in Nevada has a resource of 423Moz at 67.25g/t silver equivalent or 253Moz at 40.25g/t silver, making it the largest pre-production primary silver project on the ASX. The deposit itself remains open along strike and at depth, with multiple mineralised intercepts located outside of the current resource constrained model. With inaugural drilling complete, the company is awaiting the results for remaining drill holes which are expected over the next 4-6 weeks. Mithril Silver and Gold (ASX:MTH) Mithril remains the only ASX-lister focused on silver in Mexico, an oft-forgotten jurisdiction which continues to rank as the world’s gold standard of silver production. The company has kicked off the second stage of drilling at its Copalquin project as it works towards a resource upgrade in the new year. Mithril’s mission is to double its current 529,000oz gold equivalent resource , and managing director and CEO John Skeet said drilling was progressing well at the first of several targets at the high-grade, district scale project. With ~1500 metres completed since the recent restart, the company has now completed 6300 metres of the expanded 9000m Target 1 resource update drill program. Preparations are on track for major exploration expansion, including the beginning of drilling two more resource targets areas and development and testing of a district model for this large epithermal system. Argent Minerals (ASX:ARD) Argent’s Kempfield asset is the second largest undeveloped silver deposit in Australia, containing 65.8Moz silver, 125,192oz gold, 207,402t lead and 420,373t zinc. Recent reverse circulation drilling intersected 56m of thick, near surface volcanogenic massive sulphide style mineralisation at the Sugarloaf Hill prospect, confirming a new VMS lode proximal to Lode 200 Mineralised Block, which contains almost half of the project's silver metal. Drilling has also confirmed further mineralisation over extensive intervals at the Golden Wattle prospect for the very first time. These newly identified mineralised zones are located 2.6km east of Kempfield, signifying confidence in the scale and overall potential of this newly discovered mineralised zone. Maronan Metals (ASX:MMA) Several pivotal moments await Maronan Metals during the first six months of 2025 with the company about to wrap up its 2024 drilling program. That program has comprised about 10,000m of drilling with the aim to increase the indicated component of its Starter Zone resource, which currently stands at 2.1Mt at 5.3% lead and 155g/t silver. A major near-term catalyst includes the resource update in March, which will place Maronan in a good position to promote the economics of the project. The updated Maronan resource will pave the way for a scoping study due in the June 2025 quarter, focusing on the 500m long by 600m deep ‘Starter Zone’, which sits less than 90m from surface. Andean Silver (ASX:ASL) Shares in Andean Silver gained a chunky 285% year-to-date following several key milestones including the increase of resources at the company’s Chilean Cerro Bayo silver-gold project by more than 80%. Since taking ownership of the asset in early 2024, Andean has nearly quadrupled the size of the deposit by adding a further 66Moz at an average grade 460g/t silver equivalent. The company is nowhere near the finish yet with a further resource update planned for early Q1 2025 which will include results from recent drilling at the Pegaso 7 area, which sits entirely outside the current resource. Polymetals Resources (ASX:POL) Polymetals acquired the Endeavour mine in 2023 after resetting a prohibitive 100% silver streaming royalty to a 4% NSR over silver, lead and zinc. Restructuring this royalty breathes new life to the mine, with Polymetals now executing on its initial 10-year mine plan. The transfer of 100% ownership from CBH Resources Limited to Polymetals paves the way for production at the mine to resume in the first half of 2025. It also paves the way for surface and underground refurbishment works at the operation in preparation for first concentrate production and sales revenue during H1 2025. Unico Silver (ASX:USL) Unico Silver, a stock pick of both Eric Sprott and John Forwood, owns the 92Moz Cerro Leon project in Argentina’s Santa Cruz province, up the road from AngloGold Ashanti’s Cerro Vanguardia mine. The project is host to the second largest vein field in the province (the Pinguino vein field) with mapped veins totalling 115km of cumulative strike. A $22.5m placement was carried out in November to accelerate exploration and resource growth through an extensive 50,000m drilling campaign at Cerro Leon and the newly acquired Joaquin projects. The company acquired Joaquin in October, strategically located 60km west of USL’s 91Moz silver equivalent Cerro Leon resource and portfolio, enhancing future development options with added scale and economics. Boab Metals (ASX:BML) Boab Metals has been a strong performer this year as it progresses its Sorby Hills lead-silver project in WA towards production. Situated 50km northeast of Kununurra, the project currently has a resource of 47.3Mt grading 4.3% lead equivalent (or 123g/t silver equivalent) including 53Moz of contained silver. Sorby Hills has an initial production target of 18.3Mt underpinned by 83% reserves and is envisioned as a conventional open pit that will produce a high-grade lead-silver concentrate through a regular flotation process plant. Front-end engineering and design studies have outlined strong economics with estimated net present value of $411m and internal rate of return of 37%. BML has already secured concentrate offtake and a binding US$30m pre-payment term sheet from global commodities trader Trafigura. Engagement with additional debt financiers is ongoing with the company targeting a final investment decision in H2 2025. At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Sun Silver, Mithril, Argent Minerals and Maronan Metals are Stockhead advertisers they did not sponsor this article. Originally published as Stocking Stuffers: These ASX silver stocks could look good under your Xmas tree More related stories Stockhead Iron ore decline in Canberra crystal ball Federal government forecasters are continuing to go bearish on iron ore prices, as Australia plans for lower bulk commodity prices. Read more Stockhead ASX drops more as Bitcoin falls below US$97k The ASX has taken another hit on Friday as the Fed’s cautious outlook lingers. Bitcoin has slid below US$97k and gold miners are in retreat. Read moreNet closing in on South Korea's president as MPs get death threats over impeachment vote

Brunswick Corp director Reginald Fils-Aime buys $17,777 in stockNEW DELHI: It was a day of high drama in Parliament complex on Thursday as BJP and Congress MPs were embroiled in a brawl after their respective protests over home minister Amit Shah 's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar turned violent. Both sides filed police complaints against each other and alleged that MPs sustained injuries after being manhandled and pushed around. At the heart of the drama was protest by INDIA bloc MPs before Parliament proceedings began for the day. Around 10 am, Opposition MPs started marching from Ambedkar statue on the premises to Makar Dwar, the main entrance for MPs into the new building. Carrying photographs of Ambedkar and clad in different shades of blue, the Opposition MPs were walking in a single file. Around this time, BJP MPs sat on the stairs of Makar Dwar. Following the security breach in the Lok Sabha earlier this year, the area in front of Makar Dwar is cordoned off. As Opposition MPs marched till Makar Dwar raising "Amit Shah maafi maango" slogans, BJP MPs countered it with "Congress sharam karo" slogans. Around this time, some Opposition MPs tried to force their way through the entrance and there was jostling. BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput were injured in the melee. Later, both sides filed police complaints. NDA leaders filed a police complaint against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for "attempt to murder, physical assault and incitement". Opposition MPs also claimed injuries. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said he was pushed so violently that he lost his balance and sat down. "Now they are the ones who are accusing us of shoving them," the 82-year-old said. Gandhi told reporters it was, in fact, BJP MPs who were blocking his entry into Parliament, and that they were pushing and shoving him and Kharge and that prompted the clash. "I was trying to go inside, but BJP MPs were trying to stop me. They pushed me away and threatened me. Yes (in response to a question about Kharge) that also happened. But we do not get affected by this jostling. This is Parliament and we have the right to go inside," he said. After the scuffle, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey asked Gandhi: "Are you not ashamed, Rahul; you are resorting to rowdy behaviour. You pushed an old man." Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said appropriate action would be taken. "Parliament is not a place to show physical strength. It is not a wrestling ring," he said. Staunchly defending Gandhi, National Conference's Omar Abdullah said, "I know Rahul, he would not push anyone, much less a member of Parliament." 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Nuno's appointment as Tottenham's manager was met with mixed reactions, but the club's hierarchy has continued to back him and provide the necessary resources to strengthen the squad. Tottenham's ambition to compete at the highest level in English and European competitions has been evident in their transfer activity, with the signing of several key players to bolster the team's prospects.

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Predictive Safety Announces Partnership with DISA Global SolutionsShareholders in Playtech have publicly rebuked the gambling technology group over an “obscene” proposal for a pay scheme that would hand €100 million in cash bonuses to senior executives. Almost a third of investors — 32.6 per cent — who voted at the FTSE 250 group’s general meeting on Thursday rejected a shareholder incentive plan that would give Mor Weizer, chief executive, and other executives €100 million following the pending €2.3 billion sale of its Italian business, Snaitech, to Paddy Power-owner Flutter Entertainment. Playtech first revealed that it wanted to make the huge payout to managers in September, which provoked backlash from some shareholders. Jeremy Raper, an Australian activist investor, said that the plans “exemplify crony capitalism” and would “constitute the most egregious case ofIn conclusion, the appointment of Anthony Taylor as the referee for the Manchester Derby underscores the magnitude and importance of this iconic fixture. With both clubs vying for supremacy and bragging rights, the stage is set for a captivating battle on the field. As the football world eagerly anticipates the Derby, Anthony Taylor's presence as the officiating referee only adds to the excitement and intrigue surrounding this marquee matchup.

In a recent live stream event, popular Chinese celebrity Xiaohua created a buzz by giving her husband, Xiangzuo, a unique hairstyle with small braids. The live stream quickly went viral, attracting a staggering 67 million viewers and sparking conversations across social media platforms.Unisys Appoints Michael M. Thomson as Chief Executive Officer

AC Milan, despite a somewhat inconsistent start to the campaign, find themselves in fourth place with 29 points. Stefano Pioli's side has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their victory over Juventus earlier in the season. With the likes of Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud leading the line, AC Milan have the firepower to challenge for the Scudetto this season.

Bret Hyler, President & COO, Lendmark Financial Services Bret Hyler, President & COO of Lendmark Financial Services Hyler will be responsible for leading comprehensive strategies to maximize the organization's value and enrich the culture for its approximately 2,400 employees. By creating market differentiation, advancing expansion opportunities and driving operational excellence across 515+ branch locations, Hyler will ensure Lendmark's diverse product offerings meet the needs of its ~500,000 customers, 3,700 retail sales finance dealers, and nearly 19,000 direct automobile dealer merchants. "Bret is a seasoned servant leader who has the breadth of consumer lending expertise required to carry Lendmark into the next phase of our unprecedented growth strategy,” said Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. "Bret started his 20-year career on the front line, rising through the ranks and learning our business inside and out with each successive assignment. I am confident he's ready to take on responsibility for leading business operations for the entire organization.” Hyler will continue demonstrating his business acumen and exceptional people leadership abilities in this new role, creating even more value for all of our employees, customers, partners and key stakeholders. Aiken will focus specifically on driving key strategic and administrative initiatives and fostering financial and investment growth opportunities. Hyler will continue reporting to Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. Most recently, Hyler served as Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in expanding the business to amplify the company's annual operating and capital budgets. He led all branch operations, strategic growth and planning initiatives, and financial and credit management programming. Hyler holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Averett University. C-Suite Retirements "Joe Burgamy is one of the organization's original employees of our 28-year-old company, and his fingerprints are on everything,” said Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. "He has the highest level of integrity and commitment, and he has made an indelible mark on Lendmark. We will miss him tremendously.” "Mark Lawrence is one of the finest people I've ever worked with,” said Bobby Aiken, founder and CEO. "He has been instrumental in establishing and expanding our rock-solid technology practice and we wish him the very best as he embarks on his retirement.” About Lendmark Financial Services Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 515 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com . Media Contacts Lisa Burby Vice President, Corporate Communications O: 678-913-1720 C: 407-921-7775 [email protected] Jeff Hamilton Senior Manager, Corporate Communications O: 678-625-3128 [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a83c4a1-d43c-4870-b047-3b695f1a40f9

Eleven days. More than 300 shows. The 20th annual New York Comedy Festival offered a Golden Corral-style buffet of laughs. It was impossible to see them all, but here are the top seven performances — in no particular order — that Billboard witnessed. See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news 1. Zarna Garg Garg, who closed the festival with a sold-out show at Town Hall in Midtown Manhattan on Nov. 17, took an unlikely path to stand-up comedy . Raised in Bombay, she escaped an arranged marriage by leaving home, immigrating to the United States and attending law school before becoming a multi-hyphenate in the comedy business: stand-up, screenwriting, podcasting and a memoir. She first headlined at Caroline’s on Broadway in 2020 and, according to her manager, the Town Hall appearance was one of her biggest headlining shows to date. A lot of Garg’s comedy is steeped in Indian culture and stereotypes — “You are Indian, your pronoun is doctor!” she said during her performance —but judging from the composition of the crowd on Nov. 17, she has clearly crossed over. Garg got big laughs saying her bindi was the same kind of sticker that Macy’s uses to mark down clothes, and implied that she occasionally uses hers to snag a bargain. “You know I’m doing it!” she said. And she elicited a huge roar from the crowd after telling a story about keeping her comedy work from her parents. When her mother found out, instead of disowning her daughter, she told her that if it would help with her career, “May you tell your audience that your father likes to do it doggy style.” 2. Jeff Arcuri The Michigan-raised, Chicago-based comic opened the festival on Nov. 7, when he brought his Full Beans Tour to the Beacon Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and proved how he has blown up over the past year: with crowd work, which has gone viral on social media. Arcuri is so lightning-quick and scalpel-sharp that attempting to take notes of his back-and-forth banter with audience members — done with a big, wicked smile — is a fool’s errand. So, check out this video and note that, unlike other comics who single out members of their audience, Arcuri practices largely cruelty-free comedy. 3. Jordan Jensen The Ithaca, NY-born former contractor — she called her company Lady Parts Carpentry, because her name was often misconstrued as male — Jensen is a tattooed bomb cyclone of funny, who became the first woman to win the festival’s New York’s Funniest competition in 2021. Her act is seeded with the wins and losses of womanhood and dating, growing up with a lesbian mother and an estranged weed-loving father, and her battles with OCD and intrusive thoughts. As one of Jeff Arcuri’s openers at the Beacon Theater, Jensen had the crowd screaming with laughter over a wild bit on the realities of menstruation. 4. New York’s Funniest The winner of the festival’s annual joke-off — which catapulted the careers of Jensen and Michael Che , among other comics — was New York-based stand-up Jamie Wolf , who delivered a polished set that closed with a killer, seemingly new bit on why he’s pretty sure God is a woman. “Picture dicks and balls,” he said. “They’re so first draft.” It got better from there but go see Wolf to hear it firsthand. As they say in the business, it’s all in the telling. Wolf was one of 10 comics who competed at the Hard Rock Hotel on Nov. 16, and two in particular brought to mind a comment Chris Distefano made in an interview with Billboard last week, in which he talked about his comedy originating as a “defense mechanism” that arose from his parents divorce. The competition’s opener, Soo Ra , who is Korean, was born missing fingers on one hand and adopted as an infant after she was found in a box that had been left outside a police station. A devastating story, but Ra, whose delivery is could be described as cheerfully deadpan, got a lot of laughs out of it, telling the crowd she might have been abandoned when her real mother looked at her unformed hand and decided, “This baby cannot fix Samsung phones.” She also said that when people ask her which Korea she is from, she replies, “The one you can get out of.” Next up was Nick Viagas , who used his stutter to land a lot of laughs. He told the crowd that if he didn’t make it in comedy, “I can always get a job as a turn signal.” And that when he was put in charge of the countdown at a New Year’s Eve show, “That was the longest year.” 5. Ricky Velez One of Judd Apatow’s favorite comics — he even made Velez a producer on The King of Staten Island New York City in which he co-starred with best friend Pete Davidson — the Queens-bred smart-ass repaid the kindness with a charged set for Judd Apatow and Friends at the Beacon Theater on Nov. 9. In addition to compelling storytelling — check out his Dominican drug dealer in the bit online — Velez likes to rile up the politically correct, and in his addressing the influx of migrants into New York, he told the audience, “I like migrants a lot because they’re fucking up the white-woman agenda. That makes me very happy. [In] 2017 white women canceled cat-calling in New York City. Well, guess what. Venezuela never went through a #MeToo Movement. So, good luck telling Papi that ass ain’t fine, Mami.” He also welcomed more crime in the city, which he said was “the war on gentrification,” adding that he recently saw “three men eating croissants on the corner.” Declaring such a brazen act of refined tastes “crazy,” Velez had the crowd wheezing when he said, “This is New York City. That can’t happen. Those men need crime,” adding: “Croissants and tote bags. If you’ve got a tote bag as a man. Time to move, bro. We back.” 6. Chris Distefano Distefano did back-to-back-to-back shows at three outposts of the New York Comedy Club, which is owned by his manager, Emilio Savone — in part to re-record classic bits he did on Netflix and other comedy platforms so that he could reclaim ownership. He dubbed them “Chrissy’s Version” in homage to Taylor Swift. But he also riffed on the results of the presidential election and some of his successful friends’ reactions to it. “I will say this. If you made a post crying about the president, you’re a p—y” Distefano said. “You gotta be an adult here.” He further explained that a number of friends he met through comedy “do big things. They host TV shows. I took the bus here.” Some of those famous friends “are crying,” he said. “I’m like, relax. You’re a multimillionaire making believe. You live in America. Shut the f—up. Everybody’s just got to take a deep breath. It’s gonna be fine. Now, do I know for sure? No. I went to Nassau Community College.” 7. Stand Up For Heroes Year after year, this benefit for military veterans brings out top-shelf talent to raise tens of millions of dollars. This year, Bruce Springsteen, Norah Jones, Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld and Mark Normand put on a really big show, which you can read more about here (and watch a video of The Boss performing “Long Walk Home”).

This week, social media was abuzz with controversy surrounding the qualifications of certain politicians within the ruling party and Opposition. The Opposition emphasised the importance of transparency and honesty in leadership, arguing that openly sharing qualifications is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability. They assert that this underscores a core principle of democratic governance: honesty as the foundation of public trust as highlighted by the NPP. However, less than a month after the last General Election, this very principle seems to have backfired on the NPP, following the Speaker’s debacle. It is worth noting that educational qualifications are not a requirement to serve as a Member of Parliament in Sri Lanka. The eligibility criteria are limited to citizenship and being over 18 years of age. At this critical juncture, what matters far more is charting a viable pathway out of the ongoing economic crisis. Sri Lanka faces significant debt payments due by 2027, and as the new year approaches, the focus must shift toward recovery and reform. Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, has consistently emphasised that while the country has made commendable progress in its recovery efforts, it is still not out of the woods. Safeguarding the hard-won gains remains imperative. To fully overcome the man-made crisis of 2021, the nation must prioritise the following five key areas: 1. Stabilisation of the economy and debt management Sri Lanka must restore economic stability through disciplined fiscal management and sustainable debt restructuring. Debt of Sri Lanka is unsustainable, the roots of the crisis, was commercial borrowing for development. Therefore it is important to restore debt sustainability. Continued engagement with international financial institutions, such as the IMF, will help build investor confidence. Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in sectors like manufacturing, tourism, logistics, power and technology is vital for recovery and long-term growth. 2. Strengthening energy security Addressing the energy crisis is critical. Transitioning toward renewable energy sources—solar, wind, and hydropower—will reduce dependence on costly fuel imports while aligning with global sustainability trends. Investments in infrastructure and energy policy reforms can transform Sri Lanka into a more energy-resilient nation, lowering costs for low income households and industries. 3. Skill development Reforming the education system to match global standards is essential. Emphasising digital literacy, technical skills, and critical thinking will prepare the youth for a competitive regional economy. Public-private partnerships for vocational training and entrepreneurship development can bridge the gap between education and employment, addressing both skill shortages and unemployment. 4. Agricultural productivity and food security Boosting agricultural efficiency, distribution and ensuring food security remain crucial. Modernising farming techniques, improving supply chains, and incentivising innovation can reduce dependency on imports while strengthening rural economies. Policies that empower farmers and promote sustainable business practices will ensure long-term agricultural resilience. 5. Poverty reduction Poverty reduction is a critical priority, particularly after the economic crises that have widened income inequality and worsened living conditions. Expanding and strengthening social safety nets to reach vulnerable populations is vital. Transparent and efficient delivery of subsidies, cash transfers, and food assistance can directly alleviate poverty while fostering inclusivity. Therefore the authorities need to keep an eye on this vulnerable sector. Focusing on five key areas—economic stability, energy security, education reform, agricultural productivity, and poverty reduction—will be critical for Sri Lanka to navigate 2025 successfully. Addressing these priorities with urgency and unwavering commitment will not only drive recovery but also lay the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive future. While current headline-grabbing issues such as eliminating corruption, recovering stolen assets, rightsizing the public service, and curbing wasteful Government expenditure are very important, they represent longer-term structural changes to the national fabric. These initiatives, though crucial, primarily serve as short-term optics and will not deliver substantial national benefits in the immediate or medium term. They also demand sustained political commitment and determination to achieve tangible outcomes. In reality, focusing on these issues full time now risks consuming valuable bandwidth that is urgently needed to address the key priorities articulated in this article. By concentrating on what matters most, Sri Lanka can channel its human and financial resources and efforts toward building resilience and ensuring a stronger economic trajectory. References: https://slguardian.org/imf-exposes-critical-failures-in-sri-lankas-debt-management/amp/ https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/11/23/imf-approves-third-review-of-sri-lankas-2-9bn-bailout-but-warns-of-risks https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-imf-program-review-what-can-happen-next-181847/ Chandrasekhar C. P,, J. Ghosh and D. Das (2023): “Paying with Austerity: The Debt Crisis and Restructuring in Sri Lanka”, Working Paper, https://peri.umass.edu/publication/item/1776-paying-with-austerity-the-debt-crisis-and-restructuring-in-sri-lanka https://slhcs2024.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/HC-Summit-Report-2024.pdf

The successful outcome of the meeting was met with widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally. Leaders from around the world praised the Prime Minister and the opposition for their efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the political crisis and expressed their support for the transition process.

The rapid advancement and adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the field of communications. AI-powered tools can now generate convincing text, images, audio and video from textual prompts. While generative AI is powerful, useful and convenient , it introduces significant risks, such as misinformation, bias and privacy. Generative AI has already been the cause of some serious communications issues. AI image generators have been used during political campaigns to create fake photos aimed at confusing voters and embarrassing opponents. AI chatbots have provided inaccurate information to customers and damaged organizations’ reputations. Deep-fake videos of public figures making inflammatory statements or endorsing stocks have gone viral. As well, AI-generated social media profiles have been used in disinformation campaigns . The rapid pace of AI development presents a challenge. For example, the increasing realism of AI-generated images has improved dramatically , making deterring deepfakes much harder. Without clear policies for AI in place, organizations run the risk of producing misleading communication that may erode public trust, and the potential misuse of personal data on an unprecedented scale. Establishing AI guidelines and regulation In Canada, several initiatives have been underway to develop AI regulation to varying reception. The federal government introduced controversial legislation in 2022 that, if passed, will outline ways to regulate AI and protect data privacy. The legislation’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), in particular, has been the subject of strong criticism from a group of 60 organizations, including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Civil Liberties Union , which have asked for it to be withdrawn and rewritten after more extensive consultation. Recently, in November 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) announced the creation of the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI). CAISI aims to “support the safe and responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence” by collaborating with other countries to establish standards and expectations. CAISI’s development allows Canada to join the United States and other countries that have established similar institutes that will hopefully work collaboratively to establish multilateral standards for AI that encourage responsible development while promoting innovation. The Montreal AI Ethics Institute offers resources like a newsletter, a blog and an interactive AI Ethics Living Dictionary . The University of Toronto’s Swartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society and the University of Guelph’s CARE-AI are examples of universities building academic forums for investigating ethical AI. In the private sector, Telus is the first Canadian telecommunications company to publicly commit to AI transparency and responsibility. Telus’s Responsible AI unit recently published its 2024 AI Report that discusses the company’s commitment to responsible AI through customer and community engagement. Read more: Bletchley declaration: international agreement on AI safety is a good start, but ordinary people need a say – not just elites In November 2023, Canada was among 29 nations to sign the Bletchley AI Declaration following the First International AI Safety Summit. The goal of the declaration was to find agreement about how to assess and mitigate AI risk in the private sector. More recently, the governments of Ontario and Québec have introduced legislation on the use and development of AI tools and systems in the public sector. Looking forward, in January 2025, the European Union’s AI Act will come into force — dubbed “the world’s first comprehensive AI law.” Turning frameworks into action As generative AI use becomes more widespread, the communications industry — including public relations, marketing, digital and social media and public affairs — must develop clear guidelines for generative AI use. While progress has been made by governments, universities and industries, more work is needed to turn these frameworks into actionable guidelines that can be adopted by Canada’s communications, media and marketing sectors. Industry groups like the Canadian Public Relations Society, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Marketing Association should develop standards and training programs that respond to the needs of public relations, marketing and digital media professionals. The Canadian Public Relations Society is making strides in this direction, partnering with the Chartered Institute for Public Relations, a professional body for public relations practitioners in the United Kingdom. Together, the two professional associations created the AI in PR Panel , which has produced practical guides for communicators who want to use generative AI responsibly. Establishing standards for AI To maximize the benefits of generative AI while limiting its downsides, the communications field needs to adopt professional standards and best practices. The past two years of generative AI use have seen several areas of concern emerge, which should be considered when developing guidelines. Transparency and disclosure. AI-generated content should be labelled. How and when generative AI is used should be disclosed. AI agents should not be presented as humans to the public. Accuracy and fact-checking. Professional communicators should uphold the journalistic standard of accuracy by fact-checking AI outputs and correcting errors. Communicators should not use AI to create or spread disinformation or misleading content. Fairness. AI systems should be regularly checked for bias to make sure they are respectful of the organization’s audiences along variables such as race, gender, age and geographic location, among others. To reduce bias, organizations should ensure that the datasets used to train their generative AI systems are accurately representative of audiences and users . Privacy and consent. Users’ privacy rights should be respected. Data protection laws should be followed. . Personal data should not be used for training AI systems without users’ expressed consent. Individuals should be allowed to opt out of receiving automated communication and having their data collected. Accountability and oversight. AI decisions should always be subject to human oversight. Clear lines of accountability and reporting should be spelled out. Generative AI systems should be audited regularly. To effect these policies, organizations should appoint a permanent AI task force accountable to the organization’s board and membership. The AI task force should monitor AI use and regularly report findings to appropriate parties. Generative AI holds immense potential to enhance human creativity and storytelling. By developing and following thoughtful AI guidelines, the communications sector can build public trust and help to maintain the integrity of public information, which is vital to a thriving society and democracy .

The snow aircraft carrier serves as a symbol of innovation and national pride, showcasing the unique talents and skills of the students and staff at Harbin Engineering University. It also reflects the strong sense of patriotism and love for the country that is deeply ingrained in the hearts of the participants.Women of a certain age? They're a major force: Gregg Wallace's jibe shows grave ignorance, says ALEX BRUMMER By ALEX BRUMMER Updated: 17:10 EST, 5 December 2024 e-mail View comments Gregg Wallace's jibe at middle-class women of a certain age will not be forgotten, despite the MasterChef presenter’s efforts to row back. Aside from the offence caused, it shows a profound ignorance by a celebratory TV host who drools over sweet desserts and over-seasoned lamb dishes, but doesn’t understand what is going on outside kitchen walls. Among those women he dismisses so easily are some of the most powerful people in the world, who make an enormous contribution to well-being, prosperity and growth. The rise and rise of women – yes many middle-class and of a certain age – in the command and control structure of the global economy is a terrific 21st-century phenomena. Institutions once dominated by grey-haired, dark-suited male bureaucrats in wire spectacles are being made over by smart women. But it should also be recognised that it is not wholly typical, as evidenced by a lowly number of just nine FTSE 100 women bosses. Power trio: US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and ECB president Christine Lagarde Since July 5, we have all become familiar with bob-haired Rachel Reeves, who has acquired her middle-class status by dent of hard political graft. She may be too young to be part of Wallace’s construct of a ‘certain age’. But as Britain’s first female Chancellor in 700 years, as she reminded the nation in her debut Budget, Reeves is part of an impressive cohort that makes and will continue to make a growing contribution to our affluence. They all will be capable of sourcing the best ingredients and affording the gourmet restaurants graced by MasterChef professionals. Reeves is not alone among the women at the commanding heights of the British economy. Clare Lombardelli is deputy to Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey. It is her job to put together and sign off the monetary policy report used by rate-setters to determine the cost of your mortgage. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next A firm ringing the changes: Vodafone has changed the... Bitcoin tipped to rocket to $120,000 early next year after... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Lombardelli was parachuted into the Bank from the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, where as chief economist she had a big say in the economic and fiscal policies governing every Western nation. Not far from these shores in Frankfurt sits the imperious and elegant president of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde. The silver-haired former French finance minister and one-time managing director of the International Monetary Fund is in charge of the borrowing costs and financial stability of the 20 nations that make up the eurozone. These include the three dominant EU economies of Germany, France and Italy. She determines the interest rates for a group that stretches from Finland on the borders of Russia to Spain on the Atlantic coast. If you think this stretches well beyond the chopping board and whisk, then consider the role of Bulgarian-born economist Kristalina Georgieva. As the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, she has a say over the economic, financial and (say it quietly) political affairs of 191 countries. These range from giants, such as the US and China, to Liechtenstein a new member. The Fund is a think-tank, a forecasting organisation and a lender called into action when economies get into difficulty. It recently has been helping to repair the indebted and destabilised Sri Lankan economy with a £2.3billion bailout and is at work across most of Africa. Georgieva affected our lives here in the UK two years ago when she used the IMF’s annual meetings to give former prime minister Liz Truss, another woman of a certain age, a dressing down over her unaudited tax-cutting Budget. This was among the factors that drove UK mortgage rates higher and caused mayhem on financial markets. Just along the road from the IMF, downtown Washington is home to Janet Yellen, the US treasury secretary. The Brooklyn-born economist is in her last days in office following the election of Donald Trump. Yellen, a hero to Reeves, is among the world’s most respected economic analysts. She previously served as chairman of the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, before being relieved of her duties by the last Trump government. She can be credited with delivering the fastest growth among the G7 rich nations in the Biden years. But the Democrats, like most Western governments, were punished at the polls for near-double digit inflation following the pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine. The change of the guard in Washington with Donald Trump taking the oath of office on January 20 will see his new chief of staff Susie Wiles as gatekeeper to the Oval Office. As significantly, Trump’s proposal to drive a coach and horses through globalisation, by imposing punishing tariffs on neighbours Canada and Mexico and China, will push the Geneva-based World Trade Organisation to centre stage. Its director general is former Nigerian finance minister and formidable World Bank official Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She has the task of policing global commerce and making sure Trump’s mercantilism doesn’t spin-out of control into a global trade war, with tit-for-tat restrictions, which could condemn the world economy to stagnation or even a 1930s-style recession. There will be those unreformed voices who see the women dominating economic policy, which is so important to all our standards of living, as tokenism. That’s what we have come to expect of Wallace and his ilk. Yet women tend to be less driven by ego and machismo than their male counterparts and more willing to listen, learn and negotiate. Several of the women of a certain age making it to the top of decision-making in global economics hail from humble beginnings, and have climbed the heights by dint of intellect, ambition, and judgment. We should wish them well. Our standards of living depend on it. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Women of a certain age? They're a major force: Gregg Wallace's jibe shows grave ignorance, says ALEX BRUMMER e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top stories

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Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul fired a nine-under par 63 to capture a share of the lead with American Angel Yin after Saturday's third round of the LPGA's season-ending Tour Championship. A bogey-free round by the 21-year-old Thai star, closed with an eagle at the par-5 17th and a birdie at 18, left her level with Yin on 15-under 201 after 54 holes at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. "Just trying to make it the lowest score that I can," Jeeno said. "Today it's my caddie's birthday and definitely he's going to say because my birthday you shoot like a really good score. "Hopefully I can get a big check for him tomorrow." China's Yin Ruoning was third on 204, three strokes adrift, with England's Charley Hull and South Korean An Na-rin on 205 and American Lucy Li and Russian Nataliya Guseva on 206. The top 60 players in the season points chase qualified for the $11 million showdown, which offers a $4 million top prize. Jeeno seeks her fourth career LPGA title after the 2022 JTBC Classic, 2022 Northwest Arkansas Championship and this year's Dow Championship pairs event with Yin. "Whatever is going to happen tomorrow, I take it as learning experience," Jeeno said. "It's not about life or death. It's just like what we play and then we just trying to improve ourself." Yin, ranked 34th, won her only LPGA title last year at Shanghai. "Felt good. The course, I think, is playing pretty tough, so happy with my score," Yin said. "I'm scoring still. Making some mistakes but saving a bunch so a lot of positives." World number seven Jeeno opened with a birdie and added birdies at the par-3 fifth and eighth holes, then began the back nine with three consecutive birdies. Jeeno grabbed a share of the lead at 14-under with an eagle at the par-5 17th and seized the solo lead with a closing birdie. "Nothing specific," Jeeno said of her sizzling finish. "We know 17, it's reachable par-5, so I just trying to hit second shot on the green, which is like easy to have like easy birdie. Hit really good, went to the pin, and then not that far for the eagle. "On 18 nothing, just trying to make par. I have no idea how I can hole that putt in as well." Yin birdied the par-3 fifth then eagled the par-5 sixth, sinking a long pitch from just off the green, and answered a bogey at seven with birdies at the eighth and ninth. "I just knew where I needed to chip," Yin said of her eagle. "I had a good line on it and just dribbled in." She added a birdie at the par-3 12th but stumbled with a bogey at 15 only to answer with a birdie at 17 to reclaim a share of the lead. "I just knew I had to keep grinding it out and I needed to trust what I'm good at," Yin said. "Got a little rough, but it was good." Top-ranked Nelly Korda, who has already clinched the LPGA Player of the Year award, closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to fire a 69. The 26-year-old American, chasing her eighth title of the season, stood on 207 in an eighth-place pack with France's Celine Boutier, Japan's Ayaka Furue and South Korean Choi Hye-jin. js/sev Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.Professional Athletes' Homes Are Being Targeted by Robbery Ring

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Kaleb Johnson rushes 35 times for 164 yards in Iowa's 29-13 victory over MarylandHere’s How to Get Purple Ticket on TikTok By is a new referral program on that allows users to earn rewards by sharing a special link with others. Whether you’re an existing TikTok user or someone new to the platform, the Purple Ticket offers a way to earn money. Now, many are curious to know how to get the ticket and what are the requirements. Here is everything to know about the Purple Ticket referral program. How to get Purple Ticket on TikTok? TikTok’s new purple ticket feature offers users the opportunity to earn rewards through a unique referral program. When a user clicks the ticket on their profile, it generates a personalized referral link. Through this, existing users who click the link can earn the referrer up to $10 per person, with a daily limit. Additionally, if a new user signs up and downloads the app via the link, the referrer earns $50 and the new user gets $10. However, it’s important to note that these rewards are not directly transferable to a bank account. Instead, the money earned through the Purple Ticket program can only be redeemed as coupons to shop on TikTok’s platform. This makes the program especially beneficial for users who frequently purchase items from TikTok’s marketplace. To participate in the Purple Ticket program, users must be over 18, reside in the United States, and refrain from using a VPN. If eligible, users will see the Purple Ticket on the top-left corner of their profile, where they can generate and share their referral link. Although the Purple Ticket program offers a tempting way to earn rewards, not all TikTok users have access to it. The video-sharing platform has not revealed the specific criteria for who receives the ticket. However, for those who have it, sharing the referral link can lead to significant rewards and the opportunity to grow the TikTok user base. Disheeta is an SEO Contributing Writer for ComingSoon, with over three years of experience in creating engaging and optimized content. A graduate with honors in Political Science and Economics, she brings a unique analytical perspective to her writing. Disheeta is passionate about movies, coffee, and traveling, constantly seeking new experiences to inspire her work. Share articlePatrik Laine's Fortnite Obsession: Jets Employees Bought Him New TVs for Every Road TripMan United's Amorim says he can be ruthless when required

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said that Russia would keep testing its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in combat and had a stock ready for use. Putin was speaking a day after Russia fired the new intermediate-range weapon into Ukraine for the first time, a step he said was prompted by Ukraine’s use of US ballistic missiles and British cruise missiles to hit Russia. The Kremlin leader described the missile’s first use as a successful test, and said more would follow. “We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia,” he said in televised comments to defence officials and missile developers. “Moreover, we have a stock of such products, a stock of such systems ready for use.” Intermediate missiles have a range of 3,000-5,500 km (1,860-3,415 miles), which would enable them to strike anywhere in Europe or the western United States from Russia. Security experts said the novel feature of the Oreshnik missile was that it carried multiple warheads capable of simultaneously striking different targets – something usually associated with longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads. The firing of the missile was part of a sharp rise in tensions this week as both Ukraine and Russia have struck each other’s territory with increasingly potent weapons. Moscow says that by giving the green light for Ukraine to fire Western missiles deep inside Russia, the U.S. and its allies are entering into direct conflict with Russia. On Tuesday, Putin approved policy changes that lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack with conventional weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia’s use of the new missile amounted to “a clear and severe escalation” in the war and called for strong worldwide condemnation. He said Ukraine was working on developing new types of air defence to counter “new risks”. The Kremlin said the firing of the Oreshnik was a warning to the West against taking further “reckless” actions and decisions in support of Ukraine. 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() );Vancouver Island First Nation whose ancestors met explorer Capt. Cook sue province

UCL: Saka, Olise included as UEFA unveils Champions League team [Full list](All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Sunday, Nov. 24 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 10:30 a.m. ESPNU — ESPN2 — Myrtle Beach Invitational: Portland vs. Princeton, Seventh-Place Game, Conway, S.C. 11 a.m. CBSSN — St. John’s vs. Georgia, Nassau, Bahamas 1 p.m. CBSSN — Rutgers at Kennesaw St. ESPN — Villanova vs. Maryland, Newark, N.J. ESPN2 — Myrtle Beach Invitational: South Florida vs. Wright St., Third-Place Game, Conway, S.C. 3 p.m. CBSSN — Greenbrier Tip-Off: UCF vs. LSU, Third-Place Game, West White Sulphur Springs, W.V. ESPN — Charleston Classic: Oklahoma St. vs. Nevada, Fifth-Place Game, Charleston, S.C. 3:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Florida St. vs. UMass, Uncasville, Conn. 5:30 p.m. CBSSN — Greenbrier Tip-Off: Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin, Championship, West White Sulphur Springs, W.V. ESPN — Myrtle Beach Invitational: MTSU vs. Bradley, Championship, Conway, S.C. 6 p.m. ESPN2 — Charleston Classic: FAU vs. Seton Hall, Third-Place Game, Charleston, S.C. ESPNU — Yale vs. Delaware, Uncasville, Conn. 8 p.m. ESPN2 — Myrtle Beach Invitational: Ohio vs. Texas, Fifth-Place Game, Conway, S.C. 8:30 p.m. ESPN — Charleston Classic: Drake vs. Vanderbilt, Championship, Charleston, S.C. COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) 1 p.m. PEACOCK — South Florida vs. Louisville, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 4 p.m. ACCN — Bethune-Cookman at Virginia BTN — Washington St. at Iowa FS1 — South Carolina at UCLA COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY 1:30 p.m. ESPNU — NCAA Tournament: Saint Joseph's vs. Northwestern, Championship, Ann Arbor, Mich. COLLEGE FOOTBALL 12:30 p.m. ESPNU — FCS Football Selection Show COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL (WOMEN’S) Noon ACCN — Stanford at North Carolina 2 p.m. ACCN — California at Duke SECN — South Carolina at Tennessee 3:30 p.m. ESPNU — Southwestern Athletic Tournament: TBD, Championship, Grambling, La. 4 p.m. SECN — Arkansas at Kentucky 6 p.m. SECN — Auburn vs. Oklahoma 7:30 p.m. BTN — Indiana at Ohio St. 8:30 p.m. ESPNU — Mid-Eastern Athletic Tournament: TBD, Championship, Dover, Del. FIGURE SKATING 4 p.m. NBC — ISU: The 2024 Cup of China, Chongqing, China GOLF 1 p.m. GOLF — PGA Tour: The RSM Classic, Final Round, Sea Island Golf Club - Seaside Course, Sea Island, Ga. NBC — LPGA Tour: The CME Group Tour Championship, Final Round, Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Fla. HORSE RACING Noon FS1 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races 4 p.m. FS2 — NYRA: America’s Day at the Races NBA G-LEAGUE BASKETBALL 1 p.m. NBATV — Capital City at Maine NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. CBS — Regional Coverage: New England at Miami, Tampa Bay at N.Y. Giants, Kansas City at Carolina, Tennessee at Houston FOX — Regional Coverage: Minnesota at Chicago, Detroit at Indianapolis, Dallas at Washington 4:05 p.m. CBS — Denver at Las Vegas 4:25 p.m. FOX — Regional Coverage: San Francisco at Green Bay, Arizona at Seattle 8:20 p.m. NBC — Philadelphia at L.A. Rams PEACOCK — Philadelphia at L.A. Rams NHL HOCKEY 7 p.m. NHLN — Utah at Toronto SAILING 5 a.m. CBSSN — Sail GP: The Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix - Day 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates SOCCER (MEN’S) 9 a.m. USA — Premier League: Liverpool at Southampton 11:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United at Ipswich Town 11:45 a.m. FS2 — Saudi Pro League: Al Fateh at Al Ittihad Noon ABC — Spanish Primera Division: Real Madrid at CD Leganés 6 p.m. FS1 — MLS Cup Western Conference Semifinal: Minnesota at L.A. Galaxy TENNIS 10 a.m. TENNIS — Davis Cup Finals Championship The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .

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BOULDER, Colo. — A 72-year-old lifelong Colorado fan with end-stage kidney failure waited to the side of the field in his wheelchair for Travis Hunter and the rest of the Buffaloes. One by one, players strolled over and signed a football for Riley Rhoades, his face lighting up with each signature. Standing close by and taking in the scene was Jeremy Bloom. He's become a wish facilitator for older adults. Bloom, the former Colorado wide receiver and Olympic freestyle skier, started the Wish of a Lifetime foundation in 2008, which has made thousands of aspirations turn into reality for older adults. The list of granted wishes range from taking veterans back to the beaches of Normandy to helping late-in-life authors publish a book. He's staged concerts for musicians, assisted some in daredevil feats such as jumping out of an airplane and even lined up a meeting between an Olympic medalist and former President Barack Obama. For Rhoades, his wish was simply to return to Folsom Field again, the place where he used to have season tickets but hasn't attended a game since 2004. "Everybody has somebody in their life —a grandparent, friend, neighbor — at that age where you wish you had more resources to help," said Bloom, whose college career was cut short two decades ago when the NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money to fuel his Olympic dreams. "Nothing can compare to seeing someone else's eyes light up because you helped make their dream come true." The foundation is a tribute to his grandparents. But the concept began to take root when he was a teenager. He was in Japan for a World Cup freestyle skiing competition when a woman tried to hop on a crowded bus. There was no room, but everyone in front rose from their seats to make space. That stuck with him, along with seeing these acts of kindness for older adults all over Europe and Asia as he traveled. An idea formed — bring that same level of appreciation to the United States, with a wish-granting element. Bloom's organization has been a charitable affiliate of AARP since 2020. It was the yearning of Rhoades that brought the two of them to Folsom Field last weekend. Rhoades, who had season tickets at Colorado for 27 years, wanted to see the Buffaloes in person after watching the team's resurgence on television. A few years ago, Rhoades, who was born with spina bifida, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure. Being among the 54,646 fans Saturday stirred up plenty of emotions for Rhoades, as he watched the 16th-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) beat Utah. Colorado remains in the race for not only a conference title but a spot in the College Football Playoff. "It's just great to be back here again," Rhoades said as he pointed out the section where he used to watch games. "It's just ... so cool." For Bloom, the success that coach Deion Sanders has brought to the program means more reunions with teammates as they pass through town. "I've been through many years where nobody comes to visit," Bloom said. "It's fun that Boulder has become the epicenter of college football." Leading the way for Colorado this season have been quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Hunter, who's the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. But what particularly pleases Bloom is that Sanders, Hunter and the rest of college football players are able to finally profit through name, image and likeness. In his day, Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in one (skiing) so he could fund his Olympic aspirations. How time have changed. "I'm just really grateful that this generation of athletes gets to monetize their skills and ability," said Bloom, who finished sixth in moguls at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy. "It's the right thing." He's thrown his passion into fulfilling wishes such as learning ballet, riding in a Formula 1 pace car or taking a flight in a fighter jet. He's also helped reconnect families and friends, including a reunion for a trio of centenarian sisters who hadn't seen each other in more than a decade. This granted wish has stuck with Bloom: A person in Alabama wasn't able to travel after being diagnosed with end-of-life emphysema. So he asked for postcards to be sent, just to learn what made someone's town so special. He received 2,000 postcards from 26 different countries. "There's no end to the things that they've done for us in the world," Bloom said of older adults. "We're one of the organizations that reminds them that their dreams still do matter and that we still appreciate them and we cherish them." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

casino bonus free Wake Forest keeps Detroit Mercy at arm's length for winShares of Boeing ($BA) were on retail watch following the South Korea air crash of a Jeju Air Flight 2216 on Sunday that killed at least 179 people after the reported failure of its landing gear. The FLight 2216 was reportedly a Boeing 737-800 plane model that is widely used by many airlines across the world. About 15% of passenger planes in service globally are Boeing 737-800 across nearly 200 airlines, Mint reported citing Cirium, an aviation data provider. Retail sentiment on the stock turned ‘extremely bearish’ from ‘bearish’ a week ago. Message volumes climbed into the ‘extremely high’ zone from low. Earlier this month, Boeing stock received a couple of price target upgrades: Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $175 from $170 with an ‘Equal Weight’ rating, according to The Fly. TD Cowen also raised its price target to $200 from $190 with a ‘Buy’ rating on the shares following a transfer of coverage. Boeing stock is down 28% year-to-date. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

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Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/md Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.

Article content Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano is stepping away from provincial politics. He formally announced his decision Thursday. The Progressive Conservative MPP, who replaced Liberal David Orazietti in a June 2017 by-election, said he promised his family he would spend more time with them following this term. He will continue to represent the Sault Ste. Marie riding until the term is over but will not seek re-election. Romano has served as minister of colleges and universities and minister of government services. Most recently he was the chief government whip, a position he will retain until told otherwise, he said. “If the premier wants to choose someone else who is seeking re-election to fill this role, then I understand his decision but, until then, I will maintain the position. I love this job, working with caucus and all my colleagues,” he told The Sault Star in a telephone interview. Romano steps away at a time where he says he’s accomplished what he wanted for the Sault – to help put the city on the right track to grow and thrive. “There’s still work to do,” he said, adding he will continue to cheer for those who take the reins next. Romano said his decision is not new. In fact, it’s a promise he made to his wife years ago, one that was reiterated to his children following his last election win. “My kids will be 11, 12 and 13 (in 2026) and they need their dad at home, and I promised that after my two terms I would come home and that’s what I’ve announced,” he said. “It’s an emotional time.” Romano’s early vision for the city was to create a place where outmigration of young people was not a common trend. He launched student career fairs to show them opportunities available in their hometown, under the motto Home to Stay. Looking back, Romano said that was his most rewarding project. “Young people don’t feel the level of despair and the need to leave as they did in the past and parents don’t have to worry about seeing their kids leave and being left alone,” he said. The Ontario government, he said, has made major investments to industry, health care and education, during his time in office. Industry has grown, jobs are “plentiful” and our population is on the rise, he said. “I leave with a full heart knowing I gave it my all and we made a difference,” he said. Romano said he couldn’t have done it without the full support of his wife, Heather, who encouraged him into the world of politics, his children, his parents and extended family. “They all had faith in me, and they worked hard and gave up a lot for me to do what I’ve done,” he said. Romano estimates the province has injected more than $1 billion during the past eight years into Sault Ste. Marie, including $100 million of NOHFC funding. He says he has no regrets, and hopes that once he leaves his post, he can continue to advocate for Sault Ste. Marie and Northern Ontario in some other role. “I think I’ve developed skills to help my community and business, and I believe it would be rewarding to be able to continue to do so,” he said. While he has no definitive plans on where his career path will take him next, completing the term as MPP remains his priority for the short term, he said. As for sharing advice to his successor: “Don’t promise the world. Just promise you’ll bring your best and do your best.” Share this Story : Sault MPP Ross Romano to bid adieu to provincial politics Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn TumblrZAGREB, Croatia Croatia's incumbent President Zoran Milanovic, supported by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), fell just short of winning in the first round of presidential elections Sunday despite leading his closest rival by around 30 percentage points. According to unofficial results announced by the State Electoral Commission (DIP), 99.67% of the votes have been counted. Although exit polls initially showed Milanovic with more than 50% of the vote, the yet-to-be-finalized results indicate he secured 49.1%. His opponent in the second round will be Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the ruling center-right Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and former education minister, who received 19.4% of the vote. While the SDP experienced both joy and disappointment, HDZ representatives acknowledged that they did not expect such a significant gap but emphasized that the second round represents a fresh start. If the results are confirmed, Milanovic and Primorac will face off in a run-off on Jan. 12. *Writing by Merve Berker10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024

Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!

Brandi Glanville reveals she hasn't had sex in a year as she battles facial disfigurementBy Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces the greatest challenge of his brief but chequered political career, despite surviving a bruising impeachment challenge, as members of his own party called for him to resign for imposing martial law. Yoon was regarded as a tough political survivor but became increasingly isolated, dogged by personal scandals and strife, an unyielding opposition and rifts within his own party. After he narrowly won election in 2022, his recent battles have left him increasingly bitter and have drawn out a recklessness that a former rival said was his defining trait. By the time Yoon attempted to impose martial law on Tuesday, he was badly bruised politically. An impeachment motion against him failed late on Saturday when members of his ruling party boycotted the National Assembly session, but even some of them said he was unqualified for office and should resign. The opposition vowed to try again, while Yoon's party said it would find a "more orderly, responsible" way to resolve the crisis. Some analysts said Yoon, a former prosecutor who had never held elected office before his presidential election, showed signs of being in "extreme rage" when martial law was in effect, citing the language he allegedly used to order the arrests of some members of parliament who had clashed with him. A top spy agency official told a parliament intelligence committee that Yoon said, "Grab them all and round them up," according to panel member Kim Byung-kee. SCANDALS OVERSHADOW SUCCESS ABROAD Ihn Yohan, a physician and member of parliament for Yoon's People Power Party considered an ally of the president, said the martial law decree was "extreme" but not entirely unjustified given the endless political attacks against Yoon. "I hope we remember how the opposition party has incredibly and viciously pushed the president and his family into the corner with threats of special prosecutors and impeachment," he said at a party meeting on Thursday. The past year of Yoon's presidency has been heavily overshadowed by a scandal involving his wife, who was accused of inappropriately accepting a pricey Christian Dior handbag as a gift and his stubborn refusal to fully own up to it. Only after the scandal was blamed as a major reason for a crushing parliamentary election defeat his party suffered in April did he apologise. But he continued to reject calls for a probe into the scandal and into an allegation of stock price manipulation involving his wife and her mother. The prosecutors office that investigated the allegations decided not to press charges against the first lady. Yoon's struggles at home have overshadowed the relative success he has had on the international stage. His bold push to reverse a decades-long diplomatic row with neighbouring Japan and join Tokyo in a three-way security cooperation with the United States are widely seen as his signature foreign policy legacies. Yoon's ability to bond on a personal level, seen as the trait that gave him his early success, was on full display at a White House event last year, when Yoon took the stage and belted out the pop song "American Pie" for an astounded President Joe Biden and a delighted crowd. SHAMANS, HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES Born to an affluent family in Seoul, Yoon was an easygoing youth who excelled at school. He entered the elite Seoul National University to study law, but his penchant for partying led him to repeatedly fail the bar exam before passing on the ninth try. Yoon, who turns 64 on Dec. 18, shot to national fame in 2016 when, as the chief investigator probing then-President Park Geun-hye for corruption, he told a reporter that prosecutors are not gangsters, when asked if he was out for revenge. Three years earlier, Park had suspended Yoon, then fired him from a team investigating a high-profile case against the spy agency. That move was widely considered punishment for challenging her authority. The role he played in jailing the sitting president and his dramatic comeback as head of the powerful Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, marked the start of a dizzying rise to power. Two years later, he became prosecutor general and spearheaded a corruption probe against a close ally of the next president, Moon Jae-in. That made him a darling of conservatives frustrated with Moon's liberal policies, setting him up to be a candidate for the presidency in 2022. Yoon beat Lee Jae-myung, the current opposition leader who led the impeachment move against him, by a margin of less than 1%. But Yoon's presidency got off to a rocky start when he pushed ahead with moving the presidential office out of the Blue House compound to a new site, facing questions whether it was because of a feng shui belief that the old presidential compound was cursed. Yoon at the time denied any involvement by himself or his wife with a shaman. When Yoon refused to fire top officials after a 2022 Halloween night disaster, in which 159 people were killed in a crowd crush in Seoul's night-life district of Itaewon, he was accused of protecting "yes men". One of them was Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, a close confidant and fellow graduate of Yoon's high school. Another alumnus of the Choongam High School in Seoul was Kim Yong-hyun, the man who spearheaded the presidential office move, then became the presidential security service, and in September was appointed defence minister. Kim was one of the two people who recommended that Yoon declare martial law, a senior military official said. Lee was the other, according to local media reports. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Michael Perry and William Mallard) Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .O-Train service launch will be delayed on Dec. 1 for Stage 2 software integration work

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Ace Baldwin Jr. collected 23 points and 10 assists as Penn State topped visiting Penn 86-66 on Sunday in University Park, Pa. Yanic Konan Niederhauser chipped in 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Nittany Lions (11-2) ended the calendar year by winning their third straight game. Penn State shot just 4 of 18 from 3-point range, but the hosts authored a crisp 22-of-26 showing from the foul line, including 12 of 12 by Baldwin. Nick Kern added 13 points, while Puff Johnson and Fred Dilione V each contributed 11 points for the Nittany Lions. Michael Zanoni recorded 27 points for the Quakers (4-9), while Nick Spinoso pitched in with 13 points. Penn shot just 38.6 percent (22 of 57) from the floor and committed 17 turnovers, including nine by Spinoso. The Quakers were 11 of 12 from the free-throw line. Penn State led by two early in the second half when Konan Niederhauser and Dilione combined for all the offense in a 7-0 run that opened a 45-36 lead. With about 11 1/2 minutes left, AJ Levine's 3-pointer drew Penn within 51-44 before Penn State scored 16 of the next 18 points to end any chances of an upset. Johnson had a three-point play early in that sequence before he capped the run with a 3-pointer to make it 67-46 with 6:29 to play. Baldwin's two free throws with 3:02 left increased the lead to 25 for the first time. The Nittany Lions led by as many as 26 points down the stretch in improving to 8-0 at home. The first half was tight throughout, as neither team led by more than four points until Johnson's layup gave Penn State a 32-27 lead with 2:18 left in the half. Penn responded with buckets from Spinoso and Zanoni, but Konan Niederhauser's dunk in the final minute sent the Nittany Lions into the break with a 34-31 lead. The score remained close early in the second half. Spinoso's 3-pointer drew the Quakers within 38-36 with 17:40 remaining, but that was the end of the highlights for Penn. --Field Level MediaNoneMarketplace Apps Software Market is set for a Potential Growth Worldwide: Excellent Technology Trends with Business Analysis

Shares of Costco Wholesale were up nearly 1% on Friday morning after the retail giant reported better-than-expected first-quarter (Q1) 2025 earnings on the back of increased membership fees and higher e-commerce sales, lifting retail sentiment. The retailer topped Wall Street expectations reporting $4.04 in earnings per share, beating the consensus estimate of $3.79. Strong revenue growth, e-commerce sales, and membership fees contributed to the earnings. Costco's revenues stood at $62.15 billion, below the expected $66.52 billion quoted by analysts. Costco said shoppers bought items such as furniture, sporting goods, and hardware in bulk, which led to its e-commerce sales rising year over year by 13%. Its partnerships with Uber and Instacart also contributed to the rise, thanks to faster and cheaper deliveries. Retail sentiment on Stocktwits rose to ‘extremely bullish.’ Message volumes were in the ‘extremely high’ zone. In an earnings call later, Costco CEO Gary Millerchip reportedly said the company is prepared to adapt should tariffs be imposed by Donald Trump. According to him, tariffs could make some products more expensive or less valuable, and in such a scenario, the retailer is likely to consider different products. Analyst firm D.A. Davidson maintained a neutral rating on the stock. "COST’s offering is clearly resonating with consumers, but we maintain our Neutral rating with the stock trading at 54x consensus estimates for FY2025," the firm said, according to a report. Costco stock is up 53.3% year-to-date. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Senior guard Jayden Tyler was expecting to form a dynamic duo for Homewood-Flossmoor this season with Bryce Heard , the star guard/forward who helped lead the Vikings to the Class 4A championship in 2023-24. But when Heard decided to graduate early and enroll this fall at North Carolina State , the situation quickly changed. It’s Tyler’s show now, and he feels he’s ready for the starring role. “What excites me the most is just showing everybody why you shouldn’t really doubt me,” Tyler said. “Once Bryce left, I heard a lot of people saying, ‘They don’t have enough. Jayden’s not going to be able to do it.’ “In my heart, I feel like I’ve always been able to do it. I just haven’t had the opportunity to do it. It psyches me up knowing that I can shut everybody up and just take over.” Tyler, a Wofford recruit, is heading into his third season as a starter for H-F. He averaged 11 points and three assists as a junior and consistently stepped up big in key moments. That includes the state championship game, when he scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds in a 60-48 win over Normal Community. Tyler, though, was just one of the guys on the history-making team that brought home the storied program’s first state championship. Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jayden Tyler (0) shoots a jump shot over Trevion Collier (21) during the Class 4A UIC Supersectional at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago on Monday, March 4, 2024. (Talia Sprague / Daily Southtown) Gianni Cobb became the star scorer. Heard was the super talent. Carson Brownfield was the leader. Now? Tyler will be looked to for all of that. But H-F coach Jamere Dismukes knows he can handle it. “I think it’s about time, honestly,” Dismukes said. “Jayden is the type of kid who hasn’t always played the backseat but was never the guy. This year, he’s the guy. It’s time for him to start learning what it really means to be the captain and to be the guy.” Tyler won’t have to do it all. The Vikings have added talent around him, bringing in a pair of playmaking senior guards via transfer – Lewis recruit Arden Eaves from Thornwood and Brent Taylor from Lincoln-Way East. Freshman guard Darrius Hawkins Jr. is expected to make an immediate impact. Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jayden Tyler (0) races around Curie’s Carlos Harris (2) during the Class 4A UIC Supersectional at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago on Monday, March 4, 2024. (Talia Sprague / Daily Southtown) But if H-F is going to even come close to duplicating last season’s success, it will be on Tyler to bring it all together. “I’ve adapted by just taking it one day at a time,” Tyler said. “I’m helping them learn our culture and pushing them to learn what we stand for. There have been ups and downs, but it’s just getting better and better day by day.” Eaves has appreciated Tyler’s guidance as he adjusts to a new team. “He’s going to push you,” Eaves said. “If you don’t dive on the floor for a loose ball or if you don’t talk on defense, he’s going to tell you about it. You shouldn’t get mad at it. He’s just going to push you to be better.” It’s been an offseason of chaos and surprise for Tyler — and not just because of Heard’s departure. He committed to Kent State in July, but those plans fell through. Last week, he signed with Wofford — a Southern Conference program in South Carolina that has had recent success, including a NCAA Tournament win in 2019. Homewood-Flossmoor’s Jayden Tyler (0) shoots a layup over Curie’s Mason Minor (30) during the Class 4A UIC Supersectional at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago on Monday, March 4, 2024. (Talia Sprague / Daily Southtown) Although he’s excited about the end result, the recruiting process left Tyler with something to prove. “It’s a bigger chip, but I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder,” Tyler said. “Life happens. I had to move on. I’ve got to stick through the mud and show people why I’m here.” That’s what this season is about as well. He wants to prove he can lead a team to the top. “I look at it as more of an opportunity to show what I can do, knowing I’m going to have the ball in my hands more and knowing I have to make more plays,” Tyler said. “It’s not pressure at all, but it’s something I have to be ready for. “And I am ready for it.”

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casino free bonus Turbine installation has been completed at Unit 1 of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) being the first NPP built in the Republic of Turkey. Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, disclosed the development along with the Director General of the Rosatom State Corporation, Alexey Likhachev, who visited the event dedicated to the pivotal step. He said, “To address Turkey’s increasing energy demand and achieve the 2053 Net-Zero Emission Target, we need nuclear energy. The Akkuyu NPP project is one of the largest projects in our country. Its implementation reflects the political will of our President, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, as well as their harmonious interaction. Turkey and Russia, along with all stakeholders, are working together on this project as a unified team.” He stated further that, “the year 2024 was not only a year of serious challenges for Akkuyu NPP, but also of great achievements. “Today, we witnessed one of the key events at the site – the completion of turbine installation. This is a necessary step on the long road to the launch of the power unit. We are committed to making every effort to ensure that Turkey’s first nuclear power unit begins operation in the near future, providing millions of consumers with stable, low-carbon energy.” Sergei Butckikh, Chief Executive Officer of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, made a report on the main stages of the project implementation in 2024 during the event, he provided a detailed overview of the commissioning work at Unit 1, readiness stage of auxiliary facilities, major construction and installation operations and plans for the upcoming year. Sergei Butckikh also reported the successful completion of a key operation in the turbine hall of Unit 1: the installation of the turbine-generating unit on the shaft-turning gear. This year, a number of key operations were carried out, most notably the start of full-scale commissioning at Unit 1. “All main equipment of the reactor unit has been installed in the reactor compartment, and preparations for pre-launch tests with loading of nuclear fuel simulators are actively underway.” He noted that the turbine assembly was successfully completed, i.e. a set of sequential operations that ended with the key event of placing the turbine-generating unit on the shaft-turning gear. The turbine shaft began rotating at low speeds for the first time. The experts thoroughly checked the correct alignment of all elements and confirmed the high quality of the turbine unit assembly. Butckikh explained that the successful completion of the operation demonstrates the high technical readiness of the turbine and auxiliary systems for the next key stage of the unit’s commissioning – cold-and-hot run-in of the reactor unit. The NPP turbine is a high-power thermal rotary motor. The cylinder rotor is known to be one of the key components of the motor. Superheated steam produced from desalinated water in the reactor facility’s steam generators is delivered to the rotor blades under high pressure. The energy of the compressed and heated steam enables the rotor to spin, converting it into mechanical energy, which is transferred to the turbine generator that produces electric current. At the forthcoming stage, a set of pre-launch tests, including tests of the sealed enclosures system and safety systems, will be carried out in the turbine hall of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1. After that, the turbine will be ready for comprehensive pre-launch operations. The Akkuyu NPP project includes four power units equipped with Generation 3+ VVER reactors of Russian design. The capacity of each power unit will be 1200 MW. Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry being implemented according to the Build-Own-Operate model. Russia is actively developing scientific cooperation with all interested countries. The implementation of major international projects also continues. Rosatom and its divisions take an active part in this work.

The narrative around the state of the Australian team has changed drastically following the first Test horror show against India but the reality is the writing has been on the wall since Justin Langer stepped down. While the condemnation of the team following the three-day demolition job at the hands of India, Australia's fall from grace has been anything but. After Australia offered barely a whimper against an Indian side destroyed 3-0 to New Zealand at home last month, the loss shined a light on the ugly reality that Aussie cricket fans are likely in for a rough few years. So far much of the discussion following the Perth Test has centred around the top five and for good reason. Their aggregate total across both innings (which includes ' night watchman stint in the second innings) was just 57. The last time it was lower was in 1888, some 136 years ago. But the slide hasn't happened overnight, it has been there to see but no one has wanted to look under the bonnet. If you take out , given the fact Perth was his debut Test, every single player in Australia's top five has seen their batting average fall in the last year or so. 's slide is the most notable and has led to calls for him to be axed. The 30-year-old is averaging just 30.28 in Test cricket since February last year. And a look at his last 10 innings shows just how badly out of form he is. Labushcagne has scored 10, 1 not out, 3, 5, 1, 2, 90, 6, 2 and 3 for an average of just 13.66 across that period. While Steve Smith has managed just three centuries in his 36 innings since the start of 2023, a far cry from the years under Langer when he was widely regarded as the best batsman in the world. Travis Head has also seen his Test average slide of late and is starting to show signs that his late-career resurgence may have ended and even if it hasn't he is likely to hang up the gloves either at the end of this summer or next. And while most of the attention is on the batting unit, things are also trending down on the bowling side as well. Apart from the fact Australia's top bowlers are all in their 30s, most of their averages are also getting progressively worse. Since taking over the captaincy, Cummins' bowling average has suffered, going from 19.43 before he was skipper to 24.75. Starc is also trending in the wrong direction and while 37-year-old Nathan Lyon continues to perform, the reality is this will either be his last or second last summer of cricket. The overall age of the squad is a serious issue especially given the lack of top emerging talent coming through at Sheffield Shield level. The average age of Australia's team in Perth was 33.11 years old while the Indian side was just 27.10. While the two waiting in line for their shot in the Test side after impressing at Shield level, and Michael Neser, are 35 and 34 respectively. It is a similar story for the batters, with the batsmen in line for a call-up if Labushagne is dropped. But both of them are in their 30s, further showcasing the dire state of Australia's future cricket stocks. The lack of pressure and talent coming through has also led to a certain degree of complacency in the Australian side. And with that comes the sense that regardless of how they perform their spot in the side is safe. This was perfectly illustrated by skipper Cummins saying he'd be shocked if the Test side was changed ahead of the Adelaide Test despite it being clear changes need to be made after the Perth Test. And a lot of that complacency can be dated back to when Langer was pushed out by the Australian team. when Cricket Australia only offered him a six-month contract extension, despite the coach leading his side to Ashes and T20 World Cup glory just months earlier. Langer saw it as a slap in the face considering the success he brought to the side. But the writing was on the wall that he'd lost the dressing room, with Cummins in particular leading the push for a change of coach. The players spoke out about Langer's intensity and passion for the sport going overboard at times, and several players said they were keen to bring in a calming presence. However, has this change led to the Australian side lacking bite and the fighting spirit that has made the team so feared being lost? While following Langer's exit the Aussies won the Ashes on English soil, the World Test Championship and a World Cup, the lack of fight in the side was laid bare in last year's series against the West Indies and again against Pakistan this year. In the ODI decider against Pakistan many found it troubling to see Cummins taking happy snaps at a Coldplay concert as Australia suffered a series defeat. And following the shock ODI loss the Australian side looked out of sorts in the first Test against India. It is something Langer simply wouldn't have allowed and it could spell bad news in the years to come as culture isn't something that can be fixed overnight and the Australian side has seemingly lost the burning desire to win. The lack of determination and aggression is clear for all to see and it is something that commentator Mark Levy is deeply troubled by. "They are not aggressive enough," Levy told on Tuesday. "They are not in your face, the Aussie teams I grew up with under Alan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and even Michael Clarke, they were just combative to the point where they were called a pack of wild dogs at one stage. "We don’t want to go that way again. But they are just a bit too nice in Perth so hopefully they address that." The sad state of the current side was something called out by several pundits during and following the first Test defeat to India. And only added to it. When asked about where the Aussies need to go after the dismal performance on Sunday, Hazlewood replied: “You probably have to ask one of the batters that question probably, I’m sort of relaxing and trying to get a bit of treatment and I’m looking mostly to next Test." It was an answer that underlined the frustrations of the bowling unit and pointed to a disconnect between the batters and bowlers. even started to question whether cracks had begun to appear and suggested there may be a "divide" in the playing group. Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri also said Hazlewood's comments showed there were "mental cracks" in the Aussie team and went on to say the current side is the first Aussie team an Indian side wouldn't fear in a long time. "Having come to Australia for 30 or 40 years, this is the first time an Indian team is feeling, ‘you know what, we are better than the opposition in their own backyard’," Shastri said. “Quietly they will be thinking ‘we will have to lose it here’."Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal“Corporate annual reports set benchmark for responsible conduct”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Federal Government’s support for initiatives aimed at expanding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon exploration, storage and refining. Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said this at the inauguration of 315 million dollars Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel on Saturday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vessel is owned by Nigeria’s Oriental Energy Resources Ltd. The FPSO vessel, with a storage capacity of one million barrels, will kick off with an initial production of 17,000 barrels per day before increasing its production capacity to 30,000 per day. It is expected to depart for Nigeria in Q1 2025 and start production at the Okwok Oil Field in the first half of 2025. Shettima noted that the FPSO vessel symbolised a future where Nigerian ingenuity met global standards, saying “we will be here every step of the way to ensure its utility and success.” He described the facility as more than just a maritime infrastructure project, adding that it was a pointer to the success of Tinubu’s reforms in the sector as well as Nigeria’s growing global influence. According to him, what sets Nigerians apart is not merely the audacity of their ambition, but their unique understanding of where the world is headed. “This FPSO vessel is more than just a technological achievement; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and our readiness to meet global energy demands. “Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing the transformation of the oil and gas sector, which is central to our economic revitalisation efforts,” he said. According to him, the vessel is a critical link in Nigeria’s ambition to optimise productivity. “This will enable the country to become a central hub for hydrocarbon demand, both domestically and globally,” Shettima said. He commended Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Ltd., for his remarkable contributions to the industry. “Over the decades, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi has stood as a model businessman and symbol of excellence in the oil and gas industry. “So, it’s not surprising that his vision has transformed Oriental Energy Resources Ltd., into a global phenomenon. “This outcome testifies to what is possible when ambition is matched with perseverance and expertise. “His journey reminds us that Nigeria is a land of opportunity, and with dedication, there is no limit to what we can achieve,” said Shettima. “As Nigeria’s home-based refineries come alive, vessels like this will be instrumental in maximising the nation’s production capacity and driving economic growth. “Recently, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, was in Paris, where he oversaw the expansion of one of Nigeria’s indigenous banks into that sphere of the European financial market. “That historic moment reflected our collective aspiration as a nation,” he noted. Shettima pointed out that the UAE demonstrated what could be achieved when natural resources were leveraged effectively. Earlier, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, commended the vision and tenacity of the Chairman of Oriental Energy Nigeria. Zulum said Indimi’s investment would stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for many Nigerians, as well as ensure steady growth and development of the nation’s economy. “Today is one of my happiest moments to stand before this gathering. I make my brief remark because Alhaji Indimi is from Borno State. “I’m happy to note that the production of this vessel was born 100 per cent by his own company, which has never happened in Nigeria. “This goes to show how committed Alhaji Mohammed Indimi is to the growth and development of not only Borno but the entire country,” said Zulum. Also, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, applauded Indimi, and his technical partners, saying “to truly appreciate the oil mogul, it will be best to know that he wasn’t the only person that was allocated an oil block in the 90s. “There were so many of them. But from what we are witnessing today, he will go down as one who believes in Nigeria, who believes in investing in Nigeria, who believes in the government of Nigeria, who appreciates Nigeria. “And that is the reason why he is investing in this baby here that is going to store one million barrels of crude oil.” On his part, Indimi, revealed that the facility was the first FPSO to be fully funded by a Nigerian company. The vessel named ENEM FPSO, the chairman added, heralded an effort for a Nigerian oil and gas company to independently develop a marginal field. He stressed that it was an important milestone for Nigeria and its oil and gas sector. “When operating at full capacity we expect the Okwok Oil Field to produce up to 30,000 barrels of oil a day, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s oil production. “The Okwok field is just one step towards our long term ambition to deliver 100,000 barrels of oil per day of production in Nigeria. “We have a strong set of proven assets, and a development pipeline that can deliver it,” he said. He thanked President Tinubu, Vice-President Shettima, and the dedicated officials and civil servants in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the other agencies that provided the enabling environment for the investment. Capt. Antolovic Rado, the Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks Dubai, assured that the vessel, when fully operational, would contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the Okwok oil field region. He also said the facility would support economic growth and energy security, noting that the success achieved by Oriental Energy’s investment in the oil sector, had set a benchmark for operational excellence and safety.

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GENEVA (AP) — Netflix has secured the U.S. broadcasting rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as the streaming giant continues its push into live sports. The deal announced Friday is the most significant FIFA has signed with a streaming service for a major tournament. The value was not given, though international competitions in women’s soccer have struggled to draw high-value offers. “Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix isn’t just about streaming matches,” its chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement. “It’s also about celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.” Netflix dipped into live sports last month with more than 60 million households watching a heavily hyped boxing match between retired heavyweight legend Mike Tyson and social media personality Jake Paul. Some viewers reported streaming problems , however. Netflix also will broadcast two NFL games on Christmas Day: the Kansas City Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens at the Houston Texans. That’s part of a three-year deal announced in May. World Cups are typically broadcast on free-to-air public networks to reach the biggest audiences, and the last women's edition in 2023 earned FIFA less than 10% of the men's 2022 World Cup. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had publicly criticized public broadcasters , especially in Europe, for undervaluing offers to broadcast the 2023 tournament that was played in Australia and New Zealand. That tournament was broadcast by Fox in the U.S. “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game,” Infantino said. The World Cup rights mark another major step in Netflix’s push into live programming. It’s recipe that Netflix has cooked up to help sell more advertising, a top priority for the company since it introduced a low-priced version of its streaming service that includes commercials two years ago. The ad-supported version is now the fastest growing part of Netflix’s service, although most of its 283 million worldwide subscribers till pay for higher-priced options without commercial. But Netflix is still trying to sell more ads to boost its revenue, which is expected to be about $30 billion. Netflix executives have predicted it might take two or three years before its ad sales become a major part of its revenue. Netflix expects to spend about $17 billion on programming this year — a budget that the Los Gatos, California, company once funneled almost entirely into scripted TV series and movies. But Netflix is now allocating a significant chunk of that money to sports and live events, a shift that has made it a formidable competitor to traditional media bidding for the same rights. FIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters that likely will be hardball negotiations. Soccer finance expert Kieran Maguire, a co-host of The Price of Football podcast, suggested the deal was “a bit of a gamble" for FIFA and “saber-rattling” by Infantino. “(Netflix) get experience of football broadcasting, FIFA can say, ‘we are now partnering with a blue chip organization, so watch out you nasty Europeans,’” Maguire, an academic at the University of Liverpool, said in a telephone interview. FIFA and Infantino also want to raise the price of broadcast deals to help fund increased prize money and close the gender pay gap on the men’s World Cup. At the men’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 32 team federations shared $440 million in prize money. For the women’s 2023 tournament , FIFA had a $152 million total fund for prize money, contributions to teams’ preparation costs and payments to players’ clubs. In FIFA’s financial accounts for 2023 , the soccer body reported total broadcasting revenue of $244 million. In the year of the men’s 2022 World Cup it was almost $2.9 billion. The next Women's World Cup will be a 32-team, 64-game tournament in 2027, played in Brazil from June 24-July 25. The U.S. originally bid jointly with Mexico. The 2031 host has not been decided, though the U.S. likely will bid for a tournament which FIFA is expected to try to expand to 48 teams. That would match the size of the 104-game format of the men's World Cup that debuts in 2026 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Spain won the 2023 Women's World Cup after the U.S. won the two previous titles — in France in 2019 and Canada in 2015. More than 25 million viewers in the U.S. watched the 2015 World Cup final, a 5-2 win over Japan, played in Vancouver, Canada, in a time zone similarly favorable to Brazil. FIFA tried to sign Apple+ to an exclusive global deal to broadcast the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup which is being played in 11 U.S. cities next June and July. Broadcast networks showed little interest in the FIFA club event that will now be broadcast for free on streaming service DAZN, which is building closer business ties to Saudi Arabia. Ahead of the next Women's World Cup, Netflix will "produce exclusive documentary series in the lead-up to both tournaments, spotlighting the world’s top players, their journeys and the global growth of women’s football,” FIFA said. AP Technology Writer Michael Liedtke in San Francisco contributed to this report. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Oklahoma City Thunder head coach had high praise for Ime Udoka. The NBA Cup, as a product, seems much better than the inaugural In-Season Tournament from a year ago. The teams that qualified are now headed to Las Vegas for a few games to determine an NBA Cup champion. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets are set to square off as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors to advance to Vegas. They are both defense-oriented squads who can certainly provide an elite matchup. Right now, the Thunder are the top seed in the conference and are taking on the No. 2-seeded Rockets for a chance to play in the title. Ahead of the game, Oklahoma City head coach Mark Daigneault was highly complimentary of what Ime Udoka is building in Houston . Daigneault shares high praise for the Rockets and Udoka The Thunder have such a uniquely built squad, and it’s by design. General manager Sam Presti has been intentional in building a versatile roster with high-level defenders who can play all over the floor, as well as play off the dribble on the offensive side of the ball. They’ve got an identity, and that’s exactly what the Rockets are building. Daigneault, ahead of the matchup, acknowledged what Udoka and the Rockets are building in Houston and what sort of identity they have — which is crucial for a winning culture. “[Rockets] Coach [Ime] Udoka has established a culture of toughness there that is very potent and very obvious,” Daigneault said. “He’s done a great job. The athleticism of that team. They have electric athletes at multiple spots in size.” Bringing in the right players is one part, but pulling that potential together on the floor for the on-court product is just as important, and Udoka has shined at doing that as the Rockets are 17-8 on the season. “Obviously, [Amen] Thompson is the one who pops there but Eason is a very scrappy player,” Daigneault continued . “Jabari Smith has great positional size as well as [Dillon] Brooks and [Fred] VanVleet. Those guys are tough, veteran defensive-minded players.” Kendrick Perkins predicts who will win between the two teams With a tournament championship appearance on the line, the Thunder and Rockets should bring a high level of intensity. With the matchup on the horizon, former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins made quite a bold prediction on the matchup on an episode of “NBA Today.” “OKC is going to smoke Houston,” Perkins said. “I love the Rockets, but [Oklahoma City] is too good defensively.” The Rockets are a good defense, too, but the Thunder have one of the best offensive attacks in the league on top of their elite defense . The Rockets are two-and-a-half games behind the Thunder in the Western Conference standings, too. This game has stakes beyond the tournament, though the incentive to win the game being monetary helps, too. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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Nadra to support CDA to improve service delivery to residents Islamabad: The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) will extend technical support to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to improve service delivery to the residents of Islamabad. Nadra Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Munir Afsar and Capital Development Authority Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Friday held a meeting at the CDA, focussing on strengthening mutual collaboration and enhancing coordination between the two institutions. During the meeting, the two organisations mutually agreed on providing technology-based public welfare services and solution to the residents of Islamabad, the CDA spokesman in a statement said. Nadra chairman emphasised aligning the features of the upcoming Islamabad Super App with the apps and services provided by Nadra and also commended CDA's efforts in delivering better services to the citizens of Islamabad. He also highlighted Nadra's various operational services and expressed a desire to expand the scope of facilities for Islamabad’s residents with CDA's support. He assured full cooperation in extending services such as the issuance of birth and death certificates and other citizen-centric services throughout the city. The CDA chairman offered to establish dedicated Nadra service desks at Basic Health Units in Islamabad to facilitate the delivery of services. He also proposed that Nadra set up a desk at the upcoming Business Facilitation Centre in Islamabad, ensuring all services are accessible under one roof.

Avengers: Doomsday Cast Adds Hayley Atwell as Agent Carter

'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday. Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”JINYOU: ePTFE Gasket Sheet with High Versatility to Various FlangesWhat is the future of Trump's legal cases?

US proposes voluntary guidelines for self-driving vehicles in waning days of Biden administration

'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday. Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”

NoneThe immediate past governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has said plans by the incumbent Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to probe him is a diversionary tactic and ‘smokescreen to mask the governor’s incompetence and unpreparedness for office.’ The media aide to Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, in a statement issued on Sunday also said Governor Okpebholo is devoid of ideas and lacks a clear vision to drive development in the State, noting that Okpebholo is resorting to cheap political “Theatrics and using a circus of meaningless probes to distract him from his glaring incompetence and lack of direction.” Osagie was reacting to the setting-up of a 14-member committee by the governor to probe the Godwin Obaseki administration. He said the Governor is “acting as if the people of Edo State were an undiscerning mob and is now staging a spectacle similar to a gladiatorial duel in the Ancient Roman Colosseum, with the plan to deceive the people with such theatrics and diversionary probes.” The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a laughable and utterly ridiculous statement by the Monday Okpebholo’s administration setting up a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to probe the administration of his predecessor, His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki, who is globally acclaimed to have run one of the most transparent, accountable and prudent government’s in the history of Nigeria. “This is another, in the list of the barrage of meaningless probes which the governor and his directionless government is embarking on since they got into Dennis Osadebey Avenue through the back door. “From probing civil servants’ employment to probing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and probing vehicles and other assets of government, among others, the governor has continued to show that he is bereft of ideas and lacks a clear vision for the development of the State and has therefore resorted to these charades of empty probes to buy time and distract from his incompetence and unpreparedness for office. “His plan is to treat Edo people like an undiscerning mob that you can distract with a show like the duel of gladiators in the Ancient Roman Colosseum. “But Okpebholo will soon learn that he is the governor with the hardest job in Nigeria because the Edo people of Edo State are wise and can hardly be fooled. His diversionary probes may succeed in deceiving people in some States in Nigeria but certainly not those in Edo State. “He should stop his futile and failed attempt to fool the people of Edo State who have already seen him for who he truly is: a politician out of his depth who has become a tool in the hands of his many godfathers who are thirsty for vendetta, having for long been denied access to the people’s patrimony by the immediate past government of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. “It is on record that the Obaseki administration achieved an unprecedented level of transparency in governance, laying a solid foundation for fiscal discipline, which was why it was able to accomplish the numerous milestones recorded across various sectors of the State, including the economy, education, agriculture, infrastructure, among others. “Under Obaseki’s watch, the State developed its first asset register, containing all the government’s assets, which has since been handed over to the new government.” He added: “So, we know what their plans are with the diversionary probes. It is just a smokescreen to mask the governor’s incompetence and unpreparedness for office “We want to advise Okpebholo to focus on governance and improving the lives of Edo people rather than waste state resources masking his incompetence in meaningless probes. “Edo people are watching and his short-span government which lasts until the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) reclaims its mandate duly given to it by Edo voters will be judged not by the noise it makes but by the impact it delivers.” He said.

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