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I’m A Celebrity fans furious over ‘new low’ on show during gruesome eating trial as Rev Richard Coles and Tulisa gagBy KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.WASHINGTON (AP) — The picture of who will be in charge of executing President-elect Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration and border policies has come into sharper focus after he announced his picks to head Customs and Border Protection and also the agency tasked with deporting immigrants in the country illegally. Trump said late Thursday he was tapping Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief who’s been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures, for CBP commissioner. As acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump said he’d nominate Caleb Vitello, a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency who most recently has been the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs. They will work with an immigration leadership team that includes South Dakota Gov. ; former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement head ; and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Scott led during Trump’s first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country’s borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he joined the agency, San Diego was by far the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Traffic plummeted after the government dramatically increased enforcement there, but critics note the effort pushed people to remote parts of California and Arizona. San Diego was also where wall construction began in the 1990s, which shaped Scott’s belief that barriers work. He was named San Diego sector chief in 2017. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump’s policies. “He’s well known. He does know these issues and obviously is trusted by the administration,” said Gil Kerlikowske, the CBP commissioner under the Obama administration. Kerlikowske took issue with some of Scott’s past actions, including his refusal to fall in line with a Biden administration directive to stop using terms like “illegal alien” in favor of descriptions like “migrant,” and his decision as San Diego sector chief to fire tear gas into Mexico to disperse protesters. “You don’t launch projectiles into a foreign country,” Kerlikowske said. At the time , saying they were being assaulted by “a hail of rocks.” While much of the focus of Trump’s administration may be on illegal immigration and security along the U.S.-Mexico border, Kerlikowske also stressed the importance of other parts of Customs and Border Protection’s mission. The agency is responsible for securing trade and international travel at airports, ports and land crossings around the country. Whoever runs the agency has to make sure that billions of dollars worth of trade and millions of passengers move swiftly and safely into and out of the country. And if Trump makes good on promises to ratchet up tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, CBP will play an integral role in enforcing them. “There’s a huge amount of other responsibility on trade, on tourism, on cyber that take a significant amount of time and have a huge impact on the economy if it’s not done right,” Kerlikowske said. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda. He has appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He’s also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, he advocated for a return to Trump-era immigration policies and more pressure on Mexico to enforce immigration on its side of the border.

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IDEX Biometrics ASA – Preliminary result of the Subsequent OfferingUs Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more! If you know all the lyrics to Madonna and Culture Club songs, or you’ve seen Fast Times at Ridgemont High countless times, you might’ve been born in the ’80s. Whether you’re shopping for a fellow elder millennial or someone who is a fan of the era, we found totally bodacious gifts for ’80s babes. While holiday shopping can be daunting, we don’t want to leave you “Dancing in the dark” when it comes to finding rad stocking stuffers and gifts sure to bring a smile. Check out these nostalgic ’80s-inspired shopping picks to gift this holiday season. Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News 11 Nostalgic Gifts for People Born in the ’80s This is not a drill: There's an Orly nail care collab with '80s sticker icon, Lisa Frank. The gel wraps are incredible, with designs like kittens and colorful bubbles, or check out the equally fun nail polishes . Sure to be a hit with giftees born in the '80s! The original soft skin scent, Love's Baby Soft debuted in the '70s and had staying power for the next few decades. A mix of florals and powder notes, shoppers say it brings back youthful memories while still being adult enough to wear today. The inexpensive hairspray is hard as bullets and keeps your giant hairstyle in place until you wash it. Grab an adorable tumbler with the iconic design! Don't you forget about the John Hughes movie that defined a generation. One shopper gushes, "I had a blast with this puzzle. The pieces were clear cut, the colors are vibrant, and the case reminds me of the video store I worked at in my teens!" There is also Clueless , Animal House , The Big Lebowski and more movie-themed puzzles to choose from! A handy, everyday notebook with a throw-back design is functional and charming. "It's a cute cover. I got this for my '80s-loving husband and he uses it for his notes and woodworking measurements. He loves it and it's not cheaply made, so that alone gets 5 stars," one shopper writes. Cha-cha-chia! Choose between the Golden Girls, Bob Ross, Pee Wee Herman and more icons of an era. Chia Pet pottery planters are still popular today! Sure to be a hit with friends, try your hand at 400 pop culture questions based on the decade. From the beloved movie, choose from several fun and sweet designs — all Princess Bride-inspired. Don't forget to add the well-rated Inigo Montoya party game, Prepare to Die! Generations grew up watching MTV, which arguably launched reality TV. This "totally tubular" sweatshirt has a raw edge and retro design perfect for watching Flashdance . The proper height of socks is hotly debated, but ones you can scrunch are in again. Plus, they're warm and cozy! Part of the Hello Kitty family, these adorable twins still warm hearts — and bath time. Made with jojoba and vitamin E, this is a relaxing treat!

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1win id TORONTO — Canada's main stock index moved lower Monday, weighed down by energy stocks as the price of oil fell, while U.S. stock markets rose. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 33.93 points at 25,410.35. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 440.06 points at 44,736.57. The S&P 500 index was up 18.03 points at 5,987.37, while the Nasdaq composite was up 51.19 points at 19,054.84. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.53 cents US compared with 71.54 cents US on Friday. The January crude oil contract was down US$2.30 at US$68.94 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up 16 cents at US$3.44 per mmBTU. The December gold contract was down US$93.70 at US$2,618.50 an ounce and the March copper contract was up three cents at US$4.16 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian PressCyber City: Transforming Harare into a mini Dubai

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Canucks visit the Red Wings after shootout winNEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. The London club has been inconsistent all season and Monday’s win was just its fourth in 12 league games. West Ham was worth it in the end but the three points came courtesy of slack defending by the home side. Emerson whipped in an out-swinging corner after 10 minutes and, with Newcastle defenders rooted to the spot, Souček stole in to nod home the opener. Then eight minutes into the second half, captain Jarrod Bowen found Wan-Bissaka in the penalty box and he was left unchallenged and had time to fire an angled drive past Nick Pope. “The second goal ... if you settle on a lead it can come back to haunt you,” Bowen said. Newcastle brought on Harvey Barnes, and then Callum Wilson returned from a long-term back injury to make his first appearance of the season, but to no avail. “I said we needed a performance and we did that," Bowen said. “Newcastle always score at home so to keep them to a clean sheet and score twice ... it’s a tough place to come to. We did that perfectly.” The defeat ended a three-game winning streak for Newcastle and left the Saudi Arabia-owned club in ninth place, four points outside the top four. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Public access television stations across New Hampshire face growing uncertainty as their funding declines, forcing stations to seek new sources of revenue to support community television. Funding for the television stations derives from franchise fees, a charge that appears on a customer’s cable bill. They are an annual payment by a cable company to a municipality in exchange for the use of public property to operate its cable lines. But the ongoing preference by viewers to “cut the cord” and instead opt for streaming services, as well as a growing customer preference for more customized and cost-effective television options, have led to a dramatic decrease in cable subscriptions nationwide, including in the Granite State. Nashua Community Television, a city-owned station with four public-access channels, is currently working with the city's Board of Aldermen to cover “a sizable deficit” this fiscal year, said Pete Johnson, NCTV’s education channel access director. The station, which has a $600,000 operating budget, received $383,000 in franchise fee revenues this year — down nearly 7% from last fiscal year. “We took a pretty substantial hit this year,” Johnson said. “We knew this downturn was coming (but now) we’ve blown through our reserves.” For several years, the station supplemented its revenue with money from a surplus reserve, Johnson said. But that reserve is now depleted. Since 2017, cable subscriptions in the U.S. have declined annually by nearly 5% — from 96 million subscriptions to 68 million in 2024, according to IBISWorld, a global research firm. Comcast, the largest cable TV provider in New Hampshire and second-largest in the U.S., reported a nationwide loss of over 1.8 million cable subscribers between March 2023 and August 2024. In Nashua, the revenues from franchise fees have declined 21% since 2017, when the station received $483,000. The problem, said community television advocates, lies in the federal government’s funding rules for public access stations, which are 40 years old and outdated. “Consumers are switching to other services (through broadband) that are not regulated the same way as cable,” said Mike Wassenaar, president of the Alliance for Community Media, a national trade organization. “The irony is that there is more and more video being watched today but less and less money going toward the public stations that produce local content.” The funding conundrum Franchise fees are governed under the Cable Communications Act of 1984, which sets a national policy for the regulation of cable television communications. Under federal law, municipalities are entitled to a maximum of 5% of a cable operator’s gross revenues derived from cable subscriptions and related services, such as pay-per-view orders. In New Hampshire, the local government and cable provider negotiate the percentage of this fee when initiating or renewing a franchise agreement. Municipalities may use these revenues for a variety of local purposes, including to fund public, education and government access, or PEG, channels. “There should be a related public benefit in exchange for allowing private companies to make money off of public property,” said Owen Provencher, director of Derry Community Access Media and president of the N.H. Coalition of Community Media, a group of nearly 40 public access outlets in the state. But the federal rule allows a fee charged only to cable services, not to broadband providers. “The law hasn’t caught up to the industry,” Nick Lavallee, executive director of Merrimack TV, told the Town Council at a meeting Sept. 26. “One can purchase broadband and run streaming apps to access the same video content as cable television (without paying a franchise fee),” Wassenaar said. “It’s a problem across the country, and unless there’s a change in the federal law, this problem will still exist.” Community television advocates believe that federal law should expand the application of franchise fees to all companies that use public right-of-ways to deliver video content, including internet providers and streaming services. “The broadband and fiber optics lines are going over the same public right-of-ways as the cable one,” Provencher said in an interview. Meanwhile, community television stations are already serving a large and growing viewership on internet-based platforms, particularly due to the ability to stream recorded programs, several station managers said. Jason Cote, executive director of Manchester Public Television, said a live government meeting might draw between 75 and 100 viewers, whereas the video recording of that meeting online will receive “hundreds of views.” “I brought up 10 years ago that (internet providers) should be involved in funding public access stations,” Cote said. “The federal government should be saying that this service is essential for communities.” The COVID pandemic, in addition to accelerating the market shift toward video streaming, opened new opportunities for public access television to engage audiences. For example, Nashua Community TV began covering live school sporting events because the games were closed to the public, Johnson said. The station still provides live game coverage due to its popularity. “So we find ourselves busier than ever, because people have come to expect that kind of coverage,” Johnson said. “And those are things that we want to continue for the community.” ‘Not sustainable in the long term’ As revenues shrink, some stations are seeking support from their local governments. This includes requests for additional funding or proposals to raise the franchise fee rate. The Merrimack Town Council, at a meeting Sept. 26, discussed whether to include Merrimack TV in the town budget and fund it from local property taxes instead of franchise fees. The station’s franchise fee revenue this year — $368,000 — is 7% lower than in 2021, Town Manager Paul Micali told the council. A recent study projected that the station may be operating at a deficit in three years, based on the rate of declining funds and estimated cost increases. At the meeting, Micali proposed that the council increase the franchise fee rate, from the current 3.75% of cable revenues to 5%, when the agreement is up for renewal in 2029. This increase would not resolve the problem, though it would provide a few additional years of sustainability, Micali said. Several councilors expressed concern about increasing the burden on cable subscribers for a station accessed by the broader community. Among them was Thomas Koenig, who said, “I think that’s wrong. If we need to fund it, I think we (all) need to fund it.” The council has not yet made a decision on the station’s funding. More from this section On the Seacoast, Portsmouth Public Media TV which operates PPMtv, announced in July that its channel may shut down operations after 14 years unless the city council renegotiates a 2009 agreement with the station to increase its funding. Under that agreement, the city retains $360,000 of the annual franchise fee it receives from Comcast — 5% of the company’s cable revenues — and PPMtv receives the remainder of the revenue. In prior years, the station’s share has averaged roughly between $120,000 and $130,000, said Executive Director Chad Cordner. But in May, PPMtv learned that its funding share this year would be $86,000 — a 27% drop from 2023 — and that next year’s funding is projected to be a similar amount, Cordner said. The allotted funding is barely enough to pay Cordner’s full-time salary, $46,000, and the station’s two part-time employees, at $20,000 apiece, he said. “PPMtv is tremendously underfunded as compared to other stations,” Studio Operations Manager Jake Webb wrote in an online petition seeking community support. “A more equal split of this fee would allow PPMtv to continue to operate and even grow.” The station’s Youtube channel has 14,000 subscribers, and its video library has received 4 million total views, Cordner said. The station is seeking between $50,000 and $100,000 in additional franchise fee revenues to cover equipment and programming costs, including media education workshops and internships, Cordner said. Several city councilors, at a meeting Sept. 3, expressed reservations about increasing the station’s funding from a shrinking revenue source. “Even if we gave PPMtv 100% of the franchise fee, that is not sustainable in the long term because that (revenue) will go down significantly, " Councilor Kate Cook said at the meeting. The city’s franchise fees also fund a government channel that streams municipal meetings, which has a budget of over $200,000 a year, Cook said. The council directed city staff on Sept. 3 to present recommendations at a future council meeting for ways to sustainably fund PPMtv. State solutions Despite a strong consensus in support of changing the federal law, several industry members said that is unlikely to happen. Congress would need to approve any amendments to the Cable Communications Act. The political divide in Washington already makes bipartisanship difficult, Wassenaar noted. And many lawmakers would be reluctant to support a fee on Internet services, said Lauren-Glenn Davitian, public policy director at Center for Media & Democracy, a public media advocacy group based in Burlington, Vt. The Internet Tax Freedom Act, a federal law passed in 1998, prohibits state and local governments from imposing taxes directly on the internet or online activity, including taxes on email accounts or internet access. The law’s stated intent was to support the internet’s use as a commercial, educational and informational tool. Some states, including Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts, are taking steps to aid their public access stations through legislation or direct funding. Provencher said there is currently no legislation in New Hampshire pertaining to community television funding. In February, the Maine Legislature passed LD 1967, a law that allows municipalities to charge a franchise fee to any video service provider that uses a public right-of-way, regardless of the technology employed. The law requires any provider of video, audio or digital entertainment that owns or operates facilities in the public right-of-way to have an agreement with the municipality, said Tony Vigue, a public media advocate in Maine. The bill’s stated intent is to ensure that all providers of video services, regardless of the platform, receive equal treatment in respect to franchising and regulating. “Just because the technology has changed, the town still owns a public right-of-way,” Vigue said. The law, which was not signed by the governor, went into effect in August. The Maine Municipal Association and Maine Connectivity Authority are still drafting a standard agreement form for towns and cities to use, Vigue said. Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation that would levy fees on streaming companies like Netflix and Roku to help fund community media. Senate Bill 2771 proposes a 5% fee on digital streaming providers, based on a company’s gross annual revenue in the state. A portion of the fee would be distributed to municipalities to support their public access television programs. The bill, introduced last year, is still under review in the Massachusetts Senate. Vermont is considering a similar bill, S.181, which is currently under committee review in the House. That bill would also charge a 5% tax on a company’s statewide revenue. Though she would like to see a legislative plan, Davitian said she does not support a streaming tax, which would result in many consumers being charged more than once for the same use of a right-of-way, such as cable customers with add-on streaming channels. “There needs to be a tax on the infrastructure, not streaming (services),” Davitian said. A separate bill, proposing a $15-per-pole attachment tax for each fiber or copper line attached to a utility pole, was abandoned by the House Ways and Means Committee in February. The bill received heavy opposition from various stakeholders, including local telephone companies, which said they wouldn’t be able to afford the cost, Davitian said. In June, the Vermont Legislature approved a one-time appropriation of $1 million in this year’s budget to help Vermont’s community television stations absorb the impact of declining franchise fees. That money is intended to be a stopgap as legislators continue to seek a funding solution, Davitian said. “It was an interesting victory,” Davitian said. “We are happy to get the money, but we didn’t get to make a public policy.” The money will be distributed through the Vermont Access Network, an organization representing the state’s 24 public access media centers, which operate more than 80 local cable channels in the state. ••• These articles are being shared by partners in the Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org .Canucks visit the Red Wings after shootout win

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One key differentiating factor of being a cryptocurrency investor is that the markets never close. This is a 24/7 game, with trading open at all hours -- and some of the biggest moves often take place during Asian trading hours. The idea that money never sleeps is not lost on many traders with short-term positions in many tokens. And given the intense volatility in this sector, following the price action on even the most "stable" crypto projects isn't going to be possible for most investors (we have to sleep at some point). But for those doing a Sunday portfolio review, investors may notice that three of their potential holdings have skyrocketed since Friday's stock market close at 4 p.m. ET. Stellar ( XLM 7.87% ) , Polkadot ( DOT -1.65% ) , and NEAR Protocol ( NEAR 6.55% ) have surged 45.9%, 33.2% and 13.7%, respectively, as of 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, justifying a deeper look into what's driving these impressive moves. Key catalysts to watch Aside from marketwide macro drivers taking many tokens higher over the past weekend (the overall market capitalization of the entire crypto market continues to hover around an all-time high at $3.26 trillion), there are token-specific catalysts at play for each of these projects that investors certainly want to be aware of. In the case of Stellar and its very impressive surge of more than 45% this weekend, there's a particular growth catalyst investors are paying close attention to right now. In particular, a filing from Grayscale in regards to its Stellar Lumens Trust has sent investors scrambling to ramp up leveraged positions on the XLM token (Stellar's native crypto). In a 10-K filing on Friday, Grayscale announced that net inflows into the trust amounted to 10% over the past quarter, a number that clearly surprised the market. Investors looking for key fundamental catalysts as reasons to place bullish bets on top tokens are increasingly looking at supply and demand factors, with capital inflows into various investment vehicles remaining a key bellwether for how the market feels about a particular asset over a given period of time. Polkadot's weekend rally appears to be a continuation of strong momentum seen from Wednesday, when it was announced that Polkadot is exploring a blockchain integration with Cardano ( ADA -7.44% ) . Investors may note that Cardano's founder Charles Hoskinson has been tied to the Trump administration's plans to create the most crypto-friendly regulatory policies to date, so this tie-up is of particular interest to investors. Suppose Polkadot is able to reinforce its status as a leading network of connected blockchains, building this network with top-tier existing platforms like Cardano. In that case, growth expectations are likely to continue to improve. Investors appear to be pricing in much more significant network effects from this potential integration into the project's market capitalization, which currently sits at around $12 billion at the time of writing. Finally, NEAR Protocol is a unique crypto project, in that this particular token has not only benefited from many of the marketwide catalysts driving most cryptos higher since the outcome of the election was announced earlier this month, but it's also a top cloud and AI beneficiary in the crypto sector benefiting from broader tech-related tailwinds. This project has seen particularly strong TVL growth over the past month, and recently implemented sharding on its network in September to improve efficiency. If users and developers continue to flock to this layer 1 network as a result of the various improvements the NEAR Protocol team has made to its network, fundamental growth could be the key catalyst driving this token higher in the coming weeks and months. Bottom line Stellar, Polkadot , and NEAR Protocol may be three crypto projects investors don't pay enough attention to. I'd put myself into this category. I follow these tokens, but they don't get enough love for the sort of behind-the-scenes work that can drive investor returns. Each project has unique catalysts that could propel continued momentum over time. I wouldn't be surprised to see these three tokens atop the list of weekly movers through the end of the year, given the quality of these catalysts.Duke's Diaz: QB Murphy faces internal discipline for raising middle fingers in Virginia Tech win

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NoneEditor's Note: In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability. To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching a series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives. In this installment, we converse with artists and scholars from Latin America, exploring how the enhanced exchanges and mutual learning in the fields of literature, music, and art under the GCI proposed by President Xi are deepening the friendship between China and Latin America. Sculptures by Chinese artist Wu Weishan, titled "In Search of Wisdom - Confucius Asking Lao Tzu about the Tao," are displayed at Batlle Park in Montevideo, Uruguay, on May 29, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the National Art Museum of China Chinese writer Ge Fei holds deep sentiments for Jorge Luis Borges. The Argentine writer had always been "a writer, poet, and scholar that I have full respect for. He is also renowned in novels, poetry, and literary theory, and no one in the world can deny this." Borges was an admirer of traditional Chinese culture. Chinese philosophy greatly influenced his works, such as "Kafka and His Precursors" and "The Garden of Forking Paths." He is the Latin American writer with the largest number of works translated into Chinese, and his work has significantly influenced Chinese authors including Yu Hua, Ma Yuan, and Sun Ganlu. His writing reflects his extensive knowledge of Chinese culture. In 1937, he published a review of the novel "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Cao Xueqin, one of the four classics of Chinese literature. Three years later, he published "The Book of Fantasy," featuring two translated episodes from "Red Chamber." In his essay "Kafka and his Precursors," he mentioned Tang dynasty poet Han Yu, and in the story "The Garden of Forking Paths," he again alluded to the "Red Chamber." While Borges never visited China, he made an invaluable contribution to the West's understanding and appreciation of China. In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping cited Borges in a signed article in an Argentine newspaper, writing that "the literary legend Jorge Luis Borges used Chinese allusions such as the butterfly dream of the philosopher Chuang Tzu and the Great Wall in his works, including The Paint Cane. And he indeed had a cherished Chinese paint cane in his possession." Numerous stories of exchanges between Chinese and Latin American writers including Borges are painting a vivid picture of mutual learning, a vivid practice of GCI proposed by President Xi, who stresses that promoting people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning is of great value in summoning the enormous wisdom and energy needed to advance the progress and development of human civilizations. The GCI can be a powerful engine for strengthening ties between China and Latin American countries by fostering cultural exchanges and direct cooperation between their people. Through projects that promote the exchange of cultural, educational, and artistic experiences, the GCI can serve as a bridge to build mutual understanding and bring the two regions closer, Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, told the Global Times. Twenty-three foreigners from nearly 20 countries, including the Chile, visit East China's Jiangsu Province, to experience local intangible cultural heritage, on July 10, 2024. Photo: VCG Tales of two peoples As an ancient Chinese poem reads, "If you have a friend afar who knows your heart, distance cannot keep you two apart." Although China and Latin America are far away from each other, the two peoples enjoy a long history of interactions and profound friendship. Recently, Enrique Teixeira, former Deputy Mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, and more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro wrote to Xi, respectively, thanking the Chinese government, enterprises, and universities for their contributions to China-Brazil friendly exchanges and the improvement of local people's livelihoods. Founded in 2011, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra, made its first tour to China in September. The orchestra recruits young music enthusiasts aged 10 to 21 from various low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro. Thanks to the support of Chinese enterprises in Brazil, these young musicians regularly receive musical training. The orchestra has gained valuable development and has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro State. "I believe that music is a universal language and a perfect medium for cultural exchange. By sharing Brazilian music and learning about Chinese music and culture, we aim to deepen mutual understanding between our countries. We hope that these exchanges will broaden the perspectives of our musicians and audiences, fostering a deeper appreciation for the shared qualities and values between cultures. For us, it is about building friendships and inspiring young musicians through a real connection with China," Marcia Melchior, founder and director of the Orchestra, told the Global Times. In Chile, Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature and a major poet in Chile, referred to China affectionately as a "great brother." Neruda made multiple visits to China and wrote poems such as Cancion de la Tierra China and El Viento de la Asia, in which he expressed his love and best wishes for China. His works have been widely read in China and have influenced many Chinese poets. Jose Venturelli (1924-88), a famous Chilean artist, lived in China for many years. He learned Chinese ink painting and created works such as the Yangtze River, which demonstrated his strong attachment to China. "These poems and paintings reflect the profound friendship between the two peoples," wrote President Xi in his signed article in a Chilean newspaper in 2016. In 2023, Chilean President Gabriel Boric kicked off an exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, paying tribute to the Chilean artist Jose Venturelli for his contributions to the Chile-China friendship. "We have highlighted the pride we feel in having been the first country in South America to establish relations with China and, from there, a path was opened that we continue to broaden today and this path would surely not have been possible to open without Jose Venturelli," said Boric, adding that Venturelli was a man "who carries a message of peace to the world." Venturelli, a Chilean artist, was the first Latin American painter to visit China in 1952. He participated in the founding of the Chilean-Chinese Institute of Culture and contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the fostering of friendship between China and Latin America. While in China, he participated in a collective workshop at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and befriended famous Chinese artists such as Qi Baishi, Wu Zuoren, and Li Keran. All these stories demonstrated that the GCI connects people with various cultural means, from paintings to literary works, as mutual understanding leads to further cooperation. Vibrant cultural ties This year, many people in China were charmed by the ancient Inca civilization at an exhibition held in the Southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen. The artifacts, ranging from leopard-print pottery and stone slabs adorned with mythical creatures to intricately crafted figurines, were shipped to China from 14 museums across Peru. Initially set to run from April to August, the exhibition was extended to October because of its popularity. The success of the exhibition underscored the vibrant cultural ties between China and Latin America, which are both home to some of the world's oldest and most influential civilizations. "Upon his arrival in Peru to participate in the APEC 2024 Summit, President Xi penned a message to the Peruvian people, in which he highlighted the close relationship that exists between the people of China and Peru, indicating that this is not a reflection of an economic or political interest of either party, but rather a desire for rapprochement and association based on ancient historical and cultural ties," Juan Carlos Capuñay, former Peruvian Ambassador to China, told the Global Times. Back in 2016, when Xi was in Peru on a state visit, Peru's National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History played host to the closing ceremony of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange. Ivan Ghezzi Solis, then director of the museum, said he was taken aback by the Chinese president's insight into the nation's over 5,000 years of history. "People from countries that have seen the rise of great civilizations, such as Peru and China, understand better than anyone the importance of culture and history to give us a deep perspective on the world. Respect for the diversity of civilizations, while acknowledging and taking advantage of common values, is a path to cooperation and mutual progress," Solis told the Global Times. Linked dreams "Condition of good friends, condition of old wine." Xi cited a Brazilian proverb to describe the long-running friendship between the Chinese and Latin American people when addressing the Brazilian National Congress during a visit to the South American country in 2014. It was Xi's first visit to Brazil after assuming the Chinese presidency. Noting that he has visited Brazil four times and witnessed the development and changes in the country over the past 30 years, Xi said he feels very close to Brazil as he again stepped onto this passionate land. Xi made the remarks in a written statement upon his arrival in Brazil for the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit and a state visit to the country. The president published a signed article in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on November 17 titled "A Friendship Spanning Vast Oceans A Voyage Toward a Brighter Shared Future." In the article, Xi cited Brazil's renowned poets and writers Cecilia Meireles and Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis who translated poems from China's Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), though not directly from Chinese. Their commendable endeavors reflect the resonance between our two cultures that defy time and space. In recent years, music, dance, and other forms of art, along with cuisine and sport, have become a new bridge connecting the people of our two countries, helping to enhance amity and mutual understanding, wrote Xi. Brazil's cute capybaras, bossa nova music, Samba dance, and Capoeira are immensely popular in China. China's traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and its cultural heritages such as traditional Chinese medicine are increasingly well-known among Brazilians, according to the article. "The 'Chinese Dream' and the 'Latin American Dream' are closely linked. Both sides should take the courage to pursue the dream and jointly make the dream come true," Xi said during the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit in Brasília in Brazil in July 2014. Today, in Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, there stands a "Chinese Pavilion." With its uniquely styled eaves, pillars, and pointed roof, it sits gracefully among lush greenery, attracting countless visitors. Since its building in 1903 to remember the Chinese tea farmers, who generously shared their expertise and taught the art of tea cultivation in Brazil 200 years ago, the pavilion will always tell the world about the bond "forged by tea" between the two nations and the fruitful results of the seeds of friendship between the two great civilizations.

NEW YORK , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Market Intelligence has released a report today highlighting the convergence in public and private credit markets. The newly published Public and Private Markets Outlook: Converging on Credit is part of S&P Global Market Intelligence's Big Picture 2025 Outlook Report Series. In this new report, S&P Global Market Intelligence's capital markets analysts highlight how public and private credit markets have become increasingly intertwined in 2024, and why we expect this trend to continue in 2025. Public debt markets have grown, but not at the expense of the $1.5 trillion private markets, which continue their rapid expansion. " It may be no coincidence that the fall in Credit Default Swap (CDS) credit events aligns with the growth in provision of private credit. Many companies now have recourse to lines of credit from private sources to an extent not seen in previous cycles. This trend is likely to continue in 2025 but may raise questions about the transparency and measurement of credit risk in private credit funds, where the exposure is ultimately shifted," said Gavan Nolan , Executive Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Key highlights from the report include: To request a copy of Public and Private Markets Outlook: Converging on Credit , please contact press.mi@spglobal.com . S&P Global Market Intelligence's opinions, quotes, and credit-related and other analyses are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendation to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or to make any investment decisions, and do not address the suitability of any security. About S&P Global Market Intelligence At S&P Global Market Intelligence, we understand the importance of accurate, deep and insightful information. Our team of experts delivers unrivaled insights and leading data and technology solutions, partnering with customers to expand their perspective, operate with confidence, and make decisions with conviction. S&P Global Market Intelligence is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help many of the world's leading organizations navigate the economic landscape so they can plan for tomorrow, today. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence . Media Contact Amanda Oey S&P Global Market Intelligence +1 212-438-1904 amanda.oey@spglobal.com or press.mi@spglobal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-global-market-intelligences-new-outlook-report-shows-the-convergence-of-public-and-private-credit-markets-and-expects-the-trend-to-continue-into-2025-302313385.html SOURCE S&P Global Market Intelligence

Odom welcomed at Purdue, talks UNLV QB issue

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In conclusion, while the use of windshields on electric scooters may offer some benefits in terms of warmth and protection, the safety risks they pose cannot be ignored. It is important for riders to prioritize safety above all else and for authorities to take proactive measures to address these safety concerns. By working together, we can create a safer and more sustainable environment for electric scooter users.Title: Property Dispute Sparks Family Conflict as Parents Regret Transferring Shanghai House to Daughter's Name

Jordan Ivy-Curry, UCF aim to topple TulsaThe Syrian conflict, which has been raging for more than a decade, has seen countless lives lost, cities destroyed, and millions of people displaced. The current situation in Syria remains complex, with multiple factions vying for power and influence. However, there is a growing possibility that a regime change could occur in the near future, leading to a shift in the country's political landscape.

Kimi's appearance alongside his dad at a recent concert has sparked a flurry of attention and admiration from netizens and fans alike. The young teen's flawless features, chiseled jawline, and piercing eyes have stolen the spotlight, overshadowing even his famous father at times. It seems that good looks run strong in the Lin family, with Kimi showcasing a mix of his parents' best qualities.LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to bring tax defaulters into the tax net and take strict action against non-compliance. He made these remarks while presiding over a crucial review meeting on strategies to enhance revenue collection ARY News reported on Saturday. During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the installation and monitoring of video analytics in the sugar industry. Highlighting the importance of technology, the Prime Minister said, “Improving the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) performance through technology is the government’s top priority.” He emphasized that the use of video analytics in the sugar industry would significantly improve revenue collection, eliminate hoarding, and help stabilize prices. “Our utmost effort is to ensure the availability of sugar at affordable prices for the public,” he stated, directing regular monitoring of sugar stocks to maintain an uninterrupted supply chain. The prime minister also ordered stringent and indiscriminate action against tax evasion and under-reporting by sugar mills. He underscored that ongoing measures for FBR’s digitization would bring billions of rupees in benefits to the national treasury. Additionally, the prime minister instructed the swift completion of FBR’s value chain digitization and called for the rapid implementation of video analytics in the cement and tobacco industries. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior government officials.

BOONE, N.C. (AP) — South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been hired as head coach at Appalachian State and will receive a five-year contract, athletic director Doug Gillin announced Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BOONE, N.C. (AP) — South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been hired as head coach at Appalachian State and will receive a five-year contract, athletic director Doug Gillin announced Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BOONE, N.C. (AP) — South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has been hired as head coach at Appalachian State and will receive a five-year contract, athletic director Doug Gillin announced Saturday. The 44-year-old Loggains replaces Shawn Clark, who was fired Monday after the Mountaineers finished 5-6 for their first losing season since 2013. Loggains was South Carolina’s offensive coordinator for two seasons and an assistant at Arkansas, his alma mater, for two seasons before that. He spent 16 years in the NFL as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Tennessee, Cleveland, Chicago, Miami and the New York Jets. “He brings experience as a leader and play-caller at the highest levels of professional and college football,” Gillin said. “He is a great recruiter and believes strongly in building relationships. He is aligned with our core values of academic integrity, competitive excellence, social responsibility and world-class experience. This is a great day for App State.” Loggains’ offense at South Carolina featured LaNorris Sellers, one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, and running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. Sellers and Sanders led the Southeastern Conference’s third-ranked rushing offense. Loggains spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as Arkansas’ tight ends coach, and he worked with Sam Darnold, Jay Cutler, Mitchell Trubisky, Brian Hoyer and Vince Young during his time in the NFL. The Mountaineers, the preseason favorites in the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division, tied for fifth with a 3-5 record in league play. App State was 40-24 under Clark, but the Mountaineers have failed to reach a bowl game two of the past three seasons. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Advertisement AdvertisementJuan Soto introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. He said at his introductory news conference on Thursday that the Mets “showed me a lot of love." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, Soto was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try. Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks. But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program. Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year. University trustees approved terms of a five-year deal for him Thursday morning before he held his introductory news conference on campus. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappé has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappé’s visit to Stockholm in October. In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel. Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappé. The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league. At the time, Mbappé’s legal team dismissed those reports as false. Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year. Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters. Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote. A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver. He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner. Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU. 2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) — A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a “bubble” that doesn't reflect real life there. Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving. When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged “the world will be watching” for positive social change. Al-Hathloul says western people “will be very safe” at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.” Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports’ agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series. Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League. The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes’ pass off a free kick to seal the victory. Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games. Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later. In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition. NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNC Bill Belichick is already the most decorated coach in NFL history. His next challenge is college football after he agreed to a five-year deal to coach at North Carolina. The reaction around the NFL ranged from excitement at seeing him back on the sideline to disbelief. Some of his former players believe his skill set will work at any level. Others caution that the players he brings into UNC should prepare to have their limits tested.

In the rapidly evolving world of gaming, virtual economies are becoming as intricate and unpredictable as real-world financial markets. With the advent of new technologies, these digital universes are beginning to mirror the complexities—and risks—of traditional stock markets, suggesting a potential future where a virtual economic crash could have tangible repercussions. Growing Complexity of In-Game Economies The rise of blockchain technology, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and cryptocurrency has transformed in-game currencies and items into valuable assets. Players can now invest real money into digital goods with the hope of future returns, much like traditional stock investments. While this shift offers exciting opportunities for players and developers, it also introduces the volatility and uncertainty inherent in financial markets. The Risk of Overvaluation As more players and investors pour money into these virtual assets, there is a growing concern about overvaluation. Similar to a stock market bubble, the perceived value of digital items can skyrocket based on hype and speculation. If demand suddenly declines or technological shifts disrupt the market, prices could plummet, impacting the digital wealth of gamers worldwide. A New Frontier for Investors With this potential, regulators and game developers must now consider the implications of a digital market crash. Ensuring stability in these virtual economies is becoming as crucial as in real financial systems. The fusion of gaming and finance represents uncharted territory with immense benefits, but it also poses significant risks that could redefine the future of gaming. Game Investment Insights: Navigating the Virtual Market Boom In the digital landscape, the dynamics of in-game economies are increasingly mirroring those of real-world financial systems, presenting both opportunities and challenges for stakeholders. Innovation in Virtual Economies Recent advancements in blockchain technology are revolutionizing the trading of digital assets within games. This technology ensures transparency and security in transactions, fostering trust among players and investors. The use of smart contracts for managing in-game transactions not only enhances efficiency but also potentially reduces cheating and fraud, providing a more secure environment for gamers to trade their assets. Market Trends and Predictions The integration of cryptocurrency and NFTs into gaming is not just a passing trend. Analysts predict that by 2030, the gaming industry will see an even greater fusion of financial elements, with games potentially becoming platforms for real-life economic activities. This trend could lead to professionalization within virtual economies, where players might earn a living solely through trading and investing in digital assets. Regulatory Considerations As digital assets gain tangible value, the call for regulatory oversight grows louder. Governments and international bodies are beginning to discuss frameworks to govern these burgeoning markets. The aim is to protect users from potential financial risks while supporting innovation in the industry. Developers are encouraged to work alongside regulators to create fair and sustainable economic models within games. Sustainability and Environmental Concerns One of the significant talking points is the environmental impact of blockchain technology, particularly the energy consumption of cryptocurrency mining. As the gaming world becomes more intertwined with such technologies, developers are exploring more sustainable methods, such as transitioning to less energy-intensive consensus mechanisms like Proof of Stake (PoS). Opportunities and Risks for Investors For investors, understanding the nuances of virtual economies can provide lucrative opportunities. However, the market is fraught with risks reminiscent of the traditional markets, including speculation and volatility. Educating investors about the intricacies and potential pitfalls is essential for fostering a stable virtual marketplace. Comparison with Traditional Markets While virtual economies are still nascent compared to traditional financial markets, their rapid growth highlights the need for sophisticated analytical tools and strategies. Investors and developers may benefit from adopting financial modeling techniques used in conventional markets to better predict and manage volatility. Conclusion The fusion of gaming and finance presents a frontier rich with possibilities, yet it demands careful navigation. As this digital realm continues to expand, understanding its complexities and potential impact is critical for players, developers, and investors alike. For more information about the latest trends in gaming and finance, visit Forbes .How Is Miami International Airport Becoming "Future Ready"?

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has announced the long-awaited costings of the Coalition's nuclear energy transition. The Coalition claims its "reliable" energy mix, which includes converting seven end-of-life coal-fired plants into nuclear reactors, will reduce energy bills by 44 per cent. "This will make electricity reliable, it will make it more consistent, cheaper, for Australians and it will help us decarbonise as a trading economy, as we must," Dutton told reporters on Friday. Frontier Economics modelled the Coalition's plan at $331 billion, $263 billion less than Labor's renewable transition, however, the figure is at odds with industry experts. Hidden costs? Cheaper energy? 'Farcical' locations? Debunking the hype around nuclear The Opposition's energy spokesperson Ted O'Brien defended the independent costings, stating that any exclusions were based on "what Labor has been modelling". "So people say something that been excluded like the cost of EVs and home batteries, well, that is because Labor's modelling excludes that and in order for us to compare their model to our model we had to adopt some of those basic assumptions," he said. Dutton said Labor's support for nuclear submarines meant there were "no safety concerns around nuclear", as he pushed for reversing Australia's nuclear energy ban. Labor's plan is to boost renewables to 80 per cent of the grid by 2030 and increase the figure to 90 per cent by 2050, with the remainder made up of storage and gas. A crucial difference between the two proposals is energy output, with the Coalition's preferred plan producing 311TwH whereas Labor's Step Change plans to deliver 450Twh. CSIRO report casts doubt over Coalition costings A report released just ahead of Dutton unveiling the Coalition's modelling found deferring coal power station closures would increase Australia's carbon emissions in the medium term. For the seventh straight year, the GenCost 2024-25 report found renewable energy sources are the lowest-cost of any new-build electricity-generating technology. Nuclear energy generation would be 1.5 to two times more expensive than large-scale solar, according to the analysis by the national science agency CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator. Will nuclear lead to cheaper energy prices? Experts weigh in Experts have said energy market operators will need to establish new connection points to safely supply the national electricity grid. Frontier Economics cost Labor's transition around $600 billion. Energy Minister Chris Bowen has rubbished this number, saying the government's plan would cost $122 billion, citing a forecast made by the national energy grid operator. "They're making it up as they go along," Bowen told ABC TV of the Coalition's costings on Friday. Bowen said preliminary reports of the Coalition's plan ahead of Friday's full announcement that nuclear would need fewer transmission lines — therefore bringing down the estimated cost — was incorrect. Source: AAP "I'm not sure how they'll get the nuclear power into the grid, maybe by carrier pigeon if they're going to assert if somehow you'll need less transmission," he said. "They have had to make some very heroic assumptions here, and they have had to really stretch the truth to try to get some very dodgy figures." Keeping coal-fired power plants open beyond their lifespan was a threat to energy reliability, with outages and breakdowns happening on a daily basis, Bowen said. 'Misleading': Reaction to Coalition's nuclear plan The Coalition is pushing for an end to Australia's nuclear ban but has faced opposition from states who strongly support the government's renewable transition. The reaction from experts has been swift, with climate councillor and economist Nicki Hutley stating that the Coalition has "knowingly mislead Australians on true costs of nuclear". The Climate Council identified four ways the Coalition was "cooking the books", including underestimating costs, the timeline of reactors, not factoring the costs of keeping coal-fired generators operational and excluding costs such as a managing nuclear waste from their figures. 'Economic insanity' or 'cheaper electricity'? Peter Dutton reveals nuclear power locations Nuclear power doesn't stack up for Australian families or businesses, iron ore company Fortescue's executive chairman Andrew Forrest said on Friday. "As our national science agency has shown, 'firmed' solar and wind are the cheapest new electricity options for all Australians," he said in a statement. Forrest, who is a big player in the non-fossil fuels energy market, said that without continued action on "low-cost, high-efficiency renewable energy", Australians will be left with "pricier power and crumbling coal stations".

In a highly anticipated decision, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) recently announced the recipient of the prestigious Player of the Year award for the 2021 season. Despite a remarkable year on the WTA Tour, Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen found herself falling short of the honor, with the accolade ultimately being bestowed upon Aryna Sabalenka.

234 go Similarly, Bayern Munich is another team that is favored to come out on top in their upcoming Champions League clash. The German giants, known for their attacking prowess and tactical acumen, have been in impressive form and are touted to have a clear advantage over their opponents. With players like Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, and Joshua Kimmich leading the charge, Bayern Munich is poised to deliver a commanding performance and make a strong statement in the competition.

The disappointment felt by Zheng Qianwen and her fans was palpable. Despite her outstanding performances and significant contributions to women's tennis, the recognition she deserved seemed to elude her grasp. The news of Sabalenka winning the Player of the Year award was met with mixed emotions – admiration for Sabalenka's accomplishments, but also frustration and sadness for Zheng Qianwen's missed opportunity.Founded just five years ago by a group of young entrepreneurs with a vision to revolutionize the way people interact with technology, Kaito has quickly gained recognition for its flagship product - the Kaito Armor. This cutting-edge wearable device combines the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and biometric sensors to create a seamless and immersive user experience.

As news of the impending clash spread like wildfire across social media platforms, fans wasted no time taking sides and speculating on who would emerge victorious in this ultimate showdown. Some believe that the seasoned heroes of "Hunt 1" will have the upper hand, relying on their experience and combat skills to outwit their opponents. Others argue that the cunning tactics and cutting-edge technology of "Hunt 2" will prove to be too formidable for their rivals to overcome.By COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives,” he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet’s clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” Related Articles National News | Massive balloons take shape ahead of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade National News | Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trial National News | Ex-US Sen. Bob Menendez seeks new trial, citing prosecutors’ recently admitted error National News | Federal court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Fox News for Jan. 6 conspiracy theory National News | Northern lights may be faintly visible across parts of the US this Thanksgiving John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel. Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.

The OWL community has always been known for its passion and creativity, and the "Marvel Showdown" team building event is just another example of the incredible camaraderie that exists among fans. As the league prepares to launch the new season, fans are finding ways to connect and engage with each other in new and exciting ways, further strengthening the bonds that unite them as a community.

High food prices dampen festive spirits in RussiaIn the midst of the controversy, Enzo's teammate and midfield maestro, Jackson, came to his defense, offering a surprising and heartwarming response to the situation. When asked about his thoughts on Enzo's celebration, Jackson simply shrugged and said, "No thanks needed, just repay me with an assist." This unexpected comment not only diffused the tension surrounding the incident but also showcased Jackson's selfless and team-oriented mindset, which resonated with fans and teammates alike.

Chakrabongse Villas will get vibrant with the return of the Antiques & Culture Fair this Saturday and Sunday. For this sixth edition, the event will bring more than 30 stalls offering an array of beautiful and interesting vintage, antique and craft items at all price levels from dealers and private collections. This is the perfect opportunity for a treasure hunt to find this year's Christmas and New year gifts. The highlight will be six exclusive house tours per day, starting at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. The fee for the first four rounds is priced at 1,500 baht including the main house tour, one book and lunch. Tickets for the last two rounds cost 2,500 baht, including the main house tour, one book and dinner set. All sessions will be conducted in Thai, except the 12.30pm round which will be in English. Visitors are also invited to book a trip of the Chao Phraya River on the Villas' very own Serichai Riva boat. Bookworms can browse and buy all the latest Riverbooks titles at a discounted price. Also, treat yourself to tasty food and refreshments available throughout the day. Entrance fee is 200 baht including access to the market, the beautiful gardens and riverside terrace, plus one complimentary herbal drink. Chakrabongse Villas is on Maharaj Road. Call 086-987-0493 or add Line: @chakrabongsevillas.234 is divisible by 。

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BlockDAG’s recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) session provided the crypto community with a comprehensive update on its progress, vision, and upcoming plans. The team addressed key topics, ranging from exchange listing strategies to their developer grant program, and reaffirmed their commitment to decentralization. Here’s a deep dive into the highlights of the AMA. Exchange Listings: Preparing for Market Expansion One of the most anticipated updates during the AMA was BlockDAG ’s approach to exchange listings. The team disclosed plans to list BDAG coins on 10 tier-two and tier-three exchanges before the mainnet launch in 2025, ensuring accessibility for retail investors and fostering liquidity. “While fundraising is crucial, our priority is ensuring market readiness and accessibility for our community,” explained a spokesperson. This measured approach reflects BlockDAG’s intent to establish a robust trading ecosystem that supports long-term growth rather than rushing into top-tier exchange listings prematurely. This strategy has already seen tangible results, with multiple tier-two exchanges expressing interest in listing BDAG. The AMA also hinted at ongoing discussions with several tier-one exchanges, although specifics were not disclosed. The focus remains on scaling liquidity and broadening accessibility while maintaining alignment with regulatory standards. Developer Grant Program: Empowering Builders Beyond exchange listings, BlockDAG unveiled an ambitious $10 million developer grant program. The initiative is aimed at attracting talent to build decentralized applications (dApps), infrastructure, and other innovations on its blockchain. The team highlighted partnerships with developer platforms like Hacker Earth to organize hackathons and provide resources for emerging projects. These collaborations are designed to create an inclusive environment for developers and foster an ecosystem of tools and applications. “Developers are the backbone of any blockchain network. Our goal is to empower them with the resources they need to succeed,” the team shared during the session. By focusing on developer incentives, BlockDAG is positioning itself as a blockchain platform capable of supporting diverse applications and industries. The grant program also aligns with BlockDAG’s broader goal of decentralization, as new projects contribute to the network's utility and scalability. The team encouraged developers from various sectors, including finance, gaming, and supply chain, to explore opportunities within the BlockDAG ecosystem. Decentralization as a Core Principle Another prominent theme of the AMA was BlockDAG’s commitment to decentralization. The project’s decision to adopt a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism over Proof-of-Stake (PoS) was a key talking point. While PoS has gained popularity for its energy efficiency, BlockDAG emphasized that PoW remains unmatched in ensuring network security and decentralization. “We chose PoW because it offers a level of trust and security that aligns with our vision of a truly decentralized financial system,” the spokesperson stated. This decision underscores BlockDAG’s mission to create a blockchain that prioritizes accessibility and security, especially in regions with limited financial infrastructure. The team also addressed how their approach contrasts with projects that rely heavily on centralized validators, which can pose risks to network integrity. By leveraging PoW with cutting-edge SHA-3 (KK-256) algorithms, BlockDAG aims to offer a scalable yet secure alternative for blockchain users and developers. Presale Momentum and Community Trust The AMA highlighted the strong momentum of BlockDAG’s ongoing presale, which has raised over $170.5 million to date. The presale has attracted more than 140,000 unique holders, reflecting growing investor confidence. The team attributed this success to their transparent communication and prioritization of retail investors over venture capital firms. Community trust has been a cornerstone of BlockDAG’s strategy. The team emphasized their dedication to keeping investors informed through regular updates and events like the AMA. Transparency has not only bolstered presale numbers but has also set a standard for accountability within the crypto space. Looking Ahead: Mainnet and Ecosystem Development As BlockDAG moves toward its mainnet launch in 2025, the AMA provided a glimpse into the project’s roadmap. The team is prioritizing technological readiness, regulatory compliance, and ecosystem expansion before committing to a final launch date. The testnet, launched earlier this year, continues to receive positive feedback for its scalability and performance. Key features, including EVM compatibility, smart contracts, and NFT minting, have demonstrated the network’s potential to handle diverse use cases. To sustain this momentum, BlockDAG plans to intensify its developer engagement efforts, streamline mining operations, and introduce additional community-centric initiatives. The goal is to ensure that BlockDAG is not only technologically robust but also positioned as a network that caters to real-world needs. Final Thoughts BlockDAG’s AMA offered a valuable update on the project’s priorities and achievements. With a clear focus on exchange listings, developer incentives, and decentralization, the team is laying a strong foundation for future growth. The AMA also reinforced BlockDAG’s commitment to its community, emphasizing transparency and trust at every step. As the project approaches its mainnet launch, the combination of strategic planning and community engagement sets a promising tone for its trajectory in the blockchain space. Through thoughtful initiatives and a clear vision, BlockDAG is carving a path toward becoming a trusted and impactful player in the crypto ecosystem. Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network Website: https://blockdag.network Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.

Pair of original MLS clubs to play for Cup titleWhen we talk of historical walls, the idea of ancient Great Wall of China at once comes to our mind. It is the most famous ancient wall of world. There are other several walls found at other places as well, but those are not so famous. There are several such historical cities, towns and places which have been called as walled cities. In our Jammu and Kashmir the remains of such walls are still found, at several cities and towns, including that of Jammu, Srinagar, ands Poonch. But I am not here to discuss those high profile walls, these have already been discussed and plenty of information is already available on such great historical walls. My concern here is with those little known local traditional walls of my land which have been there for centuries. Walls are basically raised for security and covering of one’s places like, cities, towns, forts, houses, gardens and orchards. It is a sort of demarcation and protection to one’s propriety. In fact, with the advancement of the building material and its technology, the traditional wall architecture, like other architectures, has underwent great change. Let us here try to describe few wall architectural styles. Diaper pebble walls The remains of earliest walls have been found at Harwan and Semthan archaeological sites. These are two types of walls; one has been called as diaper pebble style and other simply as rubble style. The diaper style wall has been exclusively formed of small peoples and in between at requisite places has been supported by rubble stones, while in rubble style the wall is mostly formed of rubble stone and at some spaces it has been supported by small pebbles. Such walls have been identified and deciphered, and believed to have been in vogue here during Scythian and Kushan era (100 BC – 400 AD); raising of such walls required a special craftsmanship, where in the small pebbles of the walls required to be formed in a smooth way. I could also see at Darakote-Hutmur terraces demarcated by some small wall which at few spaces has been disturbed. The small pebbles are visible. It looks that this demarcation line had been formed of small pebbles. Stone Wall Stone wall locally known as Kenidus was raised around the courtyard of the house. Stones were first assembled and then raised one after the other. The gaps were filled by small stones. The height of such walls was kept low to the extent that wild animals should not cross over. The walls from 2.6ft to 3 ft are left coverless in order to prevent any damage by snow or heavy rains. The heavy pressure of water, mostly during flood and heavy snowfall can damage it badly and that is why the design is as it is. Although raising such walls may require a little technical knowhow, the architectural significance with regard to the climate and the environs of this place can never be undermined. Local people usually do the bulk of work themselves and may seek a little help from those who know the craft. Earthen Walls These are the walls created of local earths. They require the cover and can be raised to a desired height. These walls are more popular than the stone walls and are seen everywhere in the plains of the valley. The construction of such walls is a bit difficult and cannot be raised without its proper device called Inder . Inder is a mould prepared of wooden logs and frames. For construction of earthen walls, the area is properly market and a tunnel of around 1-2 feet is dug out to fix a boulder plinth using mud for plaster. When the plinth is dry, the wooden Inder is placed over it which makes a space for more mud to be thrown into it. Few persons work inside the Inder as rollers while few persons put the loose mud into it. The wall is raised in small parts, measuring three to four feet in length. When one part is completed, the Inder is removed and placed on the next portion. So the construction continues till the desired wall is raised whether around the courtyard or circling the vegetable orchard. It can be raised higher than stone wall and goes up to the length of eight feet or more. Such walls are covered with straw and sometimes leaves are used for this purpose. This type of cover is locally known as “Nelvoth” wall coverage. These earthen walls have been very poplar here which is testified by the fact that many evidences of these walls are still found in many villages of this land. Mud Walls Mud walls are not as common as the stone and earthen walls. However, the tradition of building such walls is also in vogue. These walls are formed of mud plasters. Gara is first prepared (mud making places) with mixture of water, grass and sieved earth. A mixture is prepared for making small roundish balls. These balls of mud are then fixed over one another in a proper sequence forming a mud wall of desired length and height. Such walls have been famous in the villages with less availability of stones. Bush Walls Basically barricades of sorts, Bush walls were mostly erected by the formers for safeguarding their fields. Such walls are mostly seen in forest belts (villages nearest to forest lands). The inhabitants of these villages compile the bushes and tree branches from their nearest forests and place these bushes around their fields in railings. People in such areas would, sometimes, erect such walls around their houses to cheek the movement of any wild animals. It is locally known as Zou or Pelyar . Unbaked Brick Walls The walls discussed above are the walls of common people who live a poor life while there are few well to do families in the villages who preferred brick walls and covered their houses with walls formed of bricks and mud plaster. Erecting of brick walls required expert building techniques and services of a mason, locally termed as Daesil . It is not a rough work but requires a fine finish. These are also covered with ( Nelvoth ) a special traditional roof covering material or thatch. Since such types of constructions have become extremely rare even in the far off villages of the valley, there is a need to identify those architectural monuments and preserve few of them for our forth coming generations. The writer is a senior archaeologist and Author

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Top News on December 28: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on December 26, with his last rites conducted at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi amid a seven-day national mourning. In sports, Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a maiden Test century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, helping India recover during the fourth Test. In entertainment, actress Olivia Hussey, known for her role in "Romeo and Juliet," died at 73. Meanwhile, AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton warned of a 20% chance of human extinction due to AI within 30 years. In business news, Cochin Shipyard secured an order for eight tugboats from Adani Ports, while oil prices rose over 1% amid low trading volumes. Manmohan Singh Laid to Rest Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died on Thursday, December 26. He was 92. His last was performed at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi on Saturday. a seven-day national mourning was declared. The Congress' headquarters is flying the Tricolour at half mast on the death of Dr Manmohan Singh. READ MORE Nitish Reddy's Maiden Century Nitish Kumar Reddy stood tall against all odds as the 21-year-old scored his maiden Test hundred at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the ongoing fourth Test on Saturday. Coming into the middle after the fall of Rishabh Pant with India reeling at 191/6, Reddy took on the mantle and along with Washington Sundar, forged 127 runs for the eighth wicket at a packed MCG. READ MORE Olivia Hussey, Who Starred in Romeo and Juliet, Dies at 73 Olivia Hussey, who starred as a teenage Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 film "Romeo and Juliet," garnering her a Golden Globe, died Friday at age 73, her family announced. READ MORE Geoffrey Hinton Warns of AI Apocalypse Geoffrey Hinton, an AI pioneer, raised the odds to a whopping 20 per cent, of AI causing human extinction within the next 30 years. The Nobel prize winner emphasised the need for regulation to mitigate risks posed by powerful AI systems and urges government intervention. READ MORE Cochin Shipyard Bags Adani Ports Tug Boat Order Adani Ports and SEZ ordered eight new tug boats from the Indian shipbuilder Cochin Shipyeard on December 27. Adani Group eyes to expand its tug boat fleet to 152 after the estimated delivery date upper limit of August 2028, as per the BSE filing. READ MORE Oil logs weekly gain in holiday-thinned trade on low US crude stock Oil prices settled more than 1% higher on Friday and recorded a weekly gain in low trading volume ahead of year-end, buoyed by a larger-than-expected drawdown from U.S. crude inventories last week. READ MORE234 karaoke 。

An English couple revealed that they saved over $10,000 on kitchen renovation, after watching DIY videos on TikTok. Amber Morris and her husband, Dan, moved into their recently purchased four-bedroom home in Cottingham, East Yorkshire, in July. Built in 2002, the property needed “a refresh,” and the couple decided to begin by brightening and modernizing the kitchen. However, after receiving a $11,000 quote from contractors to renovate their kitchen, they decided to tackle the project themselves. Dan, a systems engineer, and Amber, a social media manager, opted for a budget-friendly alternative by purchasing $50 vinyl wraps for their countertops instead of replacing them entirely. The couple transformed the space themselves, using a $50 spray gun purchased on Amazon to repaint everything and personally installing a new sink, tap, and extractor fan. By mixing a custom paint shade at B&Q inspired by a Farrow & Ball color they liked, they saved $105. The entire kitchen renovation cost just $713, resulting in a stunning makeover with a bright and airy new look. Amber said: “We knew we wanted to make the kitchen brighter because it was quite dark. But $11K was silly money to pay for it — so we decided to do it ourselves even though we’re desk job people, not DIY people.” To prepare, they turned to TikTok tutorials and sought advice from their parents to learn the basics. “Before this, the most we had ever done was painted a wall,” Amber explained. “We worked out what we needed to buy to do it ourselves and crossed our fingers it would come together.” The pair kicked off their mid-July renovation project by dedicating a weekend to painting the walls and using a spray gun to repaint the cupboards. They spent $375 on a sink and taps to achieve a specific style but opted to install them themselves to save on costs. Related: The end result was a beautifully transformed, lighter and brighter kitchen space for the couple and their dog, Emmy.

Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?How Soros protege went from Hilary Clinton donor to Trump’s Treasury secretary pick

NEW YORK, Nov 23 — Donald Trump made his name in the world of reality TV, and is now looking to stars of the small screen to handpick ultra-loyal celebrity newscasters and hosts to staff his incoming administration. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon, plies his trade on Fox News during the weekend, while the billionaire’s choice to oversee the sprawling public insurance system is none other than TV medic “Dr. Oz.” Trump’s education secretary will be Linda McMahon, a long-time star and executive of the staged and scripted WWE wrestling brand, whereas Sean Duffy, an MTV reality star turned Fox Business host, will run the transportation department. All four are better known for their media profiles than their track records in public service, which could prove a liability when the Senate considers the cabinet secretary appointments. Trump “is a creature of media — he’s existed in tabloid media since the 1980s. His claim to fame was his reality show on network TV ‘The Apprentice.’ He was successful at constructing himself in TV as a successful businessman and leader,” said Reece Peck, City University of New York associate professor and author of “Fox Populism.” “The lesson Trump takes from that is media power is political power. I don’t think there’s ever been a politician in American history that follows that philosophy more than Trump. “People are mocking him but I think for the most part, his theory of political power has been proven correct.” Left-leaning industry monitor MediaMatters criticised the “revolving door” between Fox News, part of mogul Rupert Murdoch’s sprawling empire, and the White House. Alongside Hegseth and Duffy at the cabinet table will be Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar” tasked with overseeing the promised mass-expulsion of undocumented migrants, who became a vocal defender of Trump’s immigration policies on Fox after his stint leading the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency during Trump’s first term. “It says that Fox News has a great deal of influence — it is a network that supports him to the fullest. It functioned during his administration as a kind of state TV outlet that was constantly praising him and attacking his enemies,” said Matthew Gertz, a MediaMatters senior fellow. Fox News declined to comment. ‘Central position’ The well-worn, two-way street between the media and the White House is just as potent during Democratic presidencies, with a number of former staffers finding berths at Trump-critical outlets CNN and MSNBC. But Trump’s intimate involvement with Fox News, many of whose commentators share his zeal for anti-elite rhetoric and populist ideals, is without precedent. Sometimes fawning in his praise, sometimes witheringly critical of the broadcaster, Trump is consistently an insatiable viewer of the channel which he quotes at length on social media. During his first White House term, he would invite himself onto the flagship show “Fox and Friends.” When he pardoned military officers accused of war crimes, he credited Hegseth, who campaigned on their behalf on the network. Another towering figure at the channel is Sean Hannity, who is sometimes compared to a shadow White House chief of staff because of his direct access to the President-elect. During the 2020 presidential election, Rupert Murdoch’s network infuriated the Trump camp by correctly calling the key state of Arizona for President Joe Biden before all of its media competitors. In the weeks that followed, Fox News faithfully echoed Trump’s conspiracy theories that the election had been rigged for the Democrat, which led the company to pay an eye-watering US$787.5 million settlement to voting machine manufacturer Dominion, the target of the false claims. Fox News, which denies claims it preys on viewers’ fears around national security and immigration, saw its ratings rise in the wake of the presidential election — widening its lead on rivals CNN and MSNBC. This campaign saw an expanded role for social media influencers and podcasters at the expense of the big cable channels. Media analyst Peck said “Fox News still occupies the central position in the conservative media landscape” — and continues to set the agenda. — AFP( MENAFN - IANS) Kuala Lumpur, December 1 (IANS) Flooding affecting several states in Malaysia worsened as 146,522 people being forced to leave their homes. The worst affected areas are the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu, which were evacuated in the former 94,869 and 40,780 in the latter, according to the country's social welfare department, Xinhua news agency reported. Flooding in Kelantan state has even seen several flood relief centers being cut off from access by road with authorities using helicopters to deliver food and aid to the centres according to Kelantan Police chief Mohd Yusoff Mamat. Four individuals have been reported dead, including one who was electrocuted at home, with the Energy Commission issuing reminders and advice to the public on electrical safety during floods. MENAFN30112024000231011071ID1108942150 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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(The Center Square) – Eleven states, led by Texas, have sued the three largest institutional investors in the world for allegedly conspiring to buy coal company stocks to control the market, reduce competition and violate federal and state antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Tyler Division and demands a trial by jury. It names as defendants BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corporation, and Vanguard Group, Inc., which combined manage more than $26 trillion in assets. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) performed remarkably well in the bypolls held in the state, despite the Congress-led UDF unleashing a false campaign against the government and joining hands with communal outfits to ensure their victory. He said the LDF achieved a significant victory in the Chelakkara assembly constituency and could increase its vote share in Palakkad segment in the bypolls, the results of which were announced on Saturday. Taking a dig at the opposition front, the CM asked what had happened even after the Congress-led UDF vigorously campaigned that the bypoll would be an evaluation of the state government. Addressing a party programme here, Vijayan said that the UDF made all attempts to wrest the Chelakkara constituency and gave utmost prominence for the constituency during the campaigning. He said the Congress tried to achieve a huge political victory by winning Chelakkara. "Then, what had happened when the results were announced?" Vijayan asked. He also accused the opposition front of joining hands with outfits like SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami to defeat the LDF in the bypolls held to Palakkad and Chelakkara assembly seats and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. 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The UDF candidate could not retain her vote share in Chelakkara, when compared to the performance of the party in the segment in the last Lok Sabha polls. But the LDF candidate could ensure his victory by achieving a remarkable margin, the CM added. Both the LDF and the UDF retained the Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly seats respectively with a comfortable margin in the bypolls. The Congress won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a thumping margin. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Global Air Cooled Generators Market Outlook 2024-2033: Growth Drivers, Share, And TrendsRumble , a video platform aimed at conservatives, said Monday evening that it will begin allocating a portion of its excess cash reserves to bitcoin and making purchases of up to $20 million in the cryptocurrency. Shares rose more than 2% in extended trading. "We believe that the world is still in the early stages of the adoption of bitcoin," Rumble chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski said in a statement Monday. "Unlike any government-issued currency, bitcoin is not subject to dilution through endless money-printing, enabling it to be a valuable inflation hedge and an excellent addition to our treasury." "We are also excited to strengthen our ties with crypto and to bolster our efforts to become the leading video and cloud services platform for the crypto community," he added. The move puts Rumble in the same company as MicroStrategy , which began employing an aggressive bitcoin-buying strategy in 2020. MicroStrategy's shares, up more than 500% in 2024, trade as a proxy for bitcoin. Tesla and Block have also previously purchased bitcoin . Two smaller companies made the same move this year: Semler Scientific in May and Acurx Pharmaceuticals last week . Rumble is viewed as a play linked to Donald Trump's reelection given its popularity among conservatives. The alternative to YouTube went public in 2022 through a special purpose acquisition company led by Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick. Last week , President-elect Trump chose Lutnick as U.S. Commerce Secretary. Rumble is up nearly 63% this year, and the stock has gained 42% in the past year. Bitcoin itself, which came within shouting distance of the $100,000 milestone last week, retreated on Monday. It was last lower by more than 3% at around $93,000, but the flagship crypto is expected to hit the $100,000 mark before the year is over. It has more than doubled in 2024. With Trump's incoming administration expected to take a pro-crypto stance , investors are keeping an eye out for the next big company that will begin buying bitcoin. MicroStrategy chairman and bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor said last week on an X Spaces event that he plans to pitch the board of Microsoft in December on his bitcoin treasury strategy. The theme has broadened to the government level this year, with Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) proposing a national strategic bitcoin reserve . This summer, Trump also mentioned a potential national bitcoin stockpile .234 mini games 。

YOURSAY | 404 on media freedom will keep us in the dark on wrongdoingsWoman removed from county building following disturbanceUFC superstar Conor McGregor sparked a chaotic scene at Bellator 187 and attempted to get into a fistfight with referee Marc Goddard. Conor McGregor ‘s excitement for his SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward’s buzzer-beating knockout at Bellator 187 turned into a chaotic scene inside the cage. McGregor, just weeks removed from his professional boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather Jr., sat cage-side as Ward faced John Redmond at Bellator 187 in Dublin. With seconds remaining in the opening round, Ward blitzed Redmond with a punch-filled firestorm that finished his opponent by TKO. As Ward celebrated his performance, McGregor jumped over and sprinted across the cage to celebrate the win with his teammate. He tackled Ward to the ground as Goddard was attempting to restore order in the cage. After Goddard told McGregor to leave the cage, McGregor followed Goddard as the referee checked in on Redmond after the TKO blows. McGregor shoved Goddard and verbally assaulted the veteran referee before security personnel eventually separated them. It was a terrible look for McGregor while he was at the peak of his fame. McGregor also slapped a Bellator employee after his initial removal from the cage after allegedly trying to re-enter. READ MORE: Brock Lesnar went to crazy lengths to avoid ‘jitters’ in UFC debut: ‘It’s a different game’ Conor McGregor and Marc Goddard were involved in an all-out melee at Bellator 187 In a statement uploaded to Facebook just a few days after the incident, Goddard explained his version of events at Bellator 187. “I was talking only to Charlie Ward at this point and you will see me put my arms between him and Conor McGregor, trying to separate and restore order to notify him to go back to his corner and continue the rest period, I was trying to communicate with Charlie Ward and then trying to tell Conor to leave, it wasn’t done yet,” Goddard posted. “This is when Conor McGregor began firstly his verbal assault in my direction. My only thought at this point was to notify Charlie Ward, and his corner team, of my decision at the time and restore order to the fighting area. “Of course the ensuing mêlée and confusion had completely prevented that from happening, that is the result of the actions of one man.” The UFC punished McGregor for the incident by removing from a planned December 30th booking at UFC 219. He was originally expected to face eventual heated rival then-interim lightweight champ Tony Ferguson in the main event. READ MORE: Dakota Ditcheva debut footage shows ‘absolute masterclass’ performance kickstarted million-dollar MMA career Conor McGregor and Marc Goddard had issues before the UFC star’s ascent Before their Bellator 187 blowup, McGregor and Goddard had some history, dating back to when McGregor submitted Dave Hill at Cage Warriors 47 in 2012. McGregor scolded Goddard on social media for ‘horrendous’ and ‘crazy’ behavior linked to a mid-fight confrontation with presiding referee Neil Hall. McGregor and Goddard haven’t shared the cage since the incident. After a three-plus years hiatus from the UFC, McGregor’s planned Octagon comeback remains uncertain. McGregor has been linked to a potential boxing match with either Jake or Logan Paul for his combat sports return next year. He recently announced that he’s in ‘preliminary agreements’ to face Logan in the ring next year, although Jake is reportedly in the mix as well. Goddard has become one of the top referees in MMA today and is largely respected by fighters, pundits, and fans. He’s a significant reason for the rise of MMA in the UK. McGregor and Goddard may never see eye-to-eye, and their incident at Bellator 187 could’ve been a lot worse. But seven years later, things likely aren’t cordial between McGregor and Goddard. READ MORE: Sean O’Malley believes that Conor McGregor vs Logan Paul is a more ‘competitive fight’ than fans realize

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So you're gathering with relatives whose politics are different. Here are some tips for the holidaysWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift. His presidential transition team did not respond to questions about positions on visas for highly skilled workers or the debate between his supporters online. Instead, his team instead sent a link to a post on X by longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller that was a transcript of a speech Trump gave in 2020 at Mount Rushmore in which he praised figures and moments from American history. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.

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When dockworkers walked the picket line in October, the strike lasted for 3 days. And if a new contract between their 45,000 member union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance isn't signed by mid-January — a longer strike could send inflation going in the wrong direction. Just months after a strike at Gulf and East Coast ports ended, operators and union members are now at an impasse — once again — over automation. Port operators say they need more technology to increase port efficiency, improve safety and to control costs. But union members say no, because some workers will lose their jobs. A new strike could come if an agreement isn't reached by January 15. And if that happens inflation could increase, when goods aren't flowing in an out of ports as quickly. Thursday union leaders met with President-elect Donald trump at Mar-a-Lago and walked away with his support. Writing about automation on Truth social, Trump said "the amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American workers," and that foreign countries "...shouldn't be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt." RELATED STORY | Billions of dollars of U.S. economic activity halted as port workers enter day two of their strike Professor Todd Belt of George Washington University called it Trump striking a different path than he did during his first term. "During the first Trump term you had Donald Trump, surrounded by a lot of people who were suggested to him by incumbent Republicans who had really a Republican orthodoxy on free trade. Donald trump now is going to be surrounded by a lot of people who support his ideas of interventionism and tariffs, as well as other trade policies that will protect working people at the expense of, of course, inflation," Belt said. The International Longshoremen's Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to "supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace — from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products." "To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains," said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November's election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. "For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries," Trump posted. "It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!" The Associated Press contributed to this report.Golden State Valkyries select 11 players through WNBA expansion draft SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert from Atlanta, guards Veronica Burton of Connecticut and Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde from Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft on F Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press Dec 6, 2024 4:22 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Golden State Valkyries WNBA head coach Natalie Nakase waves before an NBA preseason basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings in San Francisco, Oct. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert from Atlanta, guards Veronica Burton of Connecticut and Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde from Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft on Friday, the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that's set to begin play next season. Golden State rounded out its 11-woman roster with Indiana center Temi Fagbenle; Las Vegas guard Kate Martin; forwards Steph Talbot of Los Angeles, Cecilia Zandalasini of Minnesota, Kayla Thornton of New York and Monique Billings of Phoenix; and Washington guard Julie Vanloo. The Valkyries did not choose a player from Seattle. “It's a long process but it's also a great process for us,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “We kind of did this cycle, where we collaborate, we discuss and then we go watch film, then do it again ... and that went over and over again for about two months. And finally we decided, we picked the best players that fit our culture. So we're excited and can't wait to get going.” This marked the WNBA's first expansion draft in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Golden State was free to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. The Valkyries can also choose one player from the league who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, the 5-year-old home of the Golden State Warriors, and practice across the bay in the organization's Oakland training facility. Warriors star Draymond Green sported a Valkyries jersey with No. 25 on the back — for the inaugural campaign of 2025 — while sitting out injured during Thursday's win over the Houston Rockets. ___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball Janie Mccauley, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Basketball Khris Middleton will make his season debut against defending champion Celtics Dec 6, 2024 4:01 PM Montreal's Lu Dort is defensive backbone of top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder Dec 6, 2024 1:14 PM NBA fines Celtics' Jaylen Brown $25,000 after his throat-slash gesture against Detroit Dec 6, 2024 10:33 AM234 player games offline 。

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Democratic Party sued on Friday to block the potential removal of tens of thousands of ballots tallied in an extremely close state Supreme Court race, saying state election officials would be violating federal law if they sided with protests initiated by the trailing Republican candidate. The lawsuit filed in Raleigh federal court comes as attorneys for Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin also went to state courts on Friday to attempt to force the State Board of Elections to act more quickly on accusations contained in the protests. The board tentatively planned to hold a public hearing on the protests next Wednesday, according to a board email provided with Griffin's motion. Griffin wants a final decision from the board earlier. Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes following a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots cast in their Nov. 5 election. A partial hand recount began this week and is nearly complete. But Griffin, joined by three other GOP state legislative candidates, contend that well over 60,000 ballots shouldn't have counted, casting doubt on election results. Among their complaints: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver’s license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina have run afoul of state residency requirements. The Democratic Party's lawsuit said that some of the protests represent “systematic challenges to voter eligibility” that counter a federal law's prohibition of what's essentially removing people from voter registration lists retroactively after an election. The lawsuit wants a judge to declare federal law and the Constitution prevents the votes from being discarded and to order the election board — a majority of its members Democrats — to comply. “No North Carolinian deserves to have their vote thrown out in a callous power grab,” state party Chair Anderson Clayton said in a written statement. According to state law, a board considering an election protest could correct a ballot tally, direct another recount or order a new election. Griffin's attorneys filed requests Friday for judges to demand that the board issue final rulings by late Tuesday afternoon. They were filed in Wake County Superior Court and at the Court of Appeals — the same court where Griffin serves. Usually three members on the 15-judge court — second only to the Supreme Court in state's jurisprudence — hear such motions. “Public trust in our electoral processes depends on both fair and efficient procedures to determine the outcome of our elections. By failing to give a timely decision, the State Board continues to undermine the public interest,” Griffin attorney Troy Shelton wrote. Attorneys for Riggs separately on Friday also responded to Griffin's actual protests before the board, saying they should all be denied. Griffin led Riggs — one of two Democrats on the seven-member court — by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Riggs has declared victory. READ: The three Republican legislative candidates joining Griffin's protests all trailed Democratic rivals after the machine recounts. One is GOP Rep. Frank Sossamon, who trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by about 230 votes. Should Cohn win, Republicans would fall one seat short of retaining its current veto-proof majority in both chambers. That would give more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. The Associated Press has not called the Supreme Court race and two of the three legislative races highlighted in the protests. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Chinese steel giant threatens to withdraw investment Committee comprises members from federal and KP governments ISLAMABAD: In a major blow to foreign investment in Pakistan, Century Steel Group — one of the largest Chinese giants — has warned that it will close down its operation and withdraw investment. A letter written by the Century Steel Group CEO Li Chunjian to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said they had decided to cease their business and withdraw investment from Pakistan due to several issues that could not be resolved by various government entities responsible for handling foreign direct investment in CPEC Rashakai Special Economic Zone in KP. “This will be our last notice to the Government of Pakistan; if the above problems are not resolved immediately, we will start dismantling the plant from the RSEZ,” the letter said. When contacted, a top government official told The News Friday night that the prime minister had constituted a committee led by Aleem Khan to resolve all grievances of the company. The committee comprises members from the federal and KP governments. The company said they came to Pakistan with big dreams and planned to set up the largest steel mill at the first CPEC - Rashakai SEZ in KP province in three phases. The investment of the first phase of the project was $82 million out of which over $30 million investment was already on the ground with a planned annual output of 500,000 ton steel products. The remaining two phases would also bring over $200 million investment in Pakistan for downstream steel products production by transferring state-of-the-art steel technology from China to Pakistan. The ultimate steel products capacity would reach 1.5 million tons within five years. “We aimed to contribute to the GDP of Pakistan and also to create thousands of jobs as well as build exports of steel products to the regional markets. However, due to the following unresolved issues for over five years, we have finally decided to exit from Pakistan and report this matter to the Chinese government/embassy and the international press as a last resort. “We have been waiting for the last five years at RSEZ and maintenance of our staff and expenses has caused us big losses to the tune of $7.5 million. Plot purchase agreement couldn’t be signed with KPEZMC despite our various exchanges and meetings and long-time has passed. Extremely high land prices at RSEZ are impacting our capital investment costs. Power supply, which is the most critical matter for any steel mill operation, couldn’t be arranged by the RSEZDOC due to their pending issues with Nepra for distribution license. We required 100MW stable and cost-effective power which remains elusive despite long-time has passed. We are now forced to look for arranging our own power from other means like investment into solar power plant nearby RSEZ increasing the overall capital investment away from our core steel business. The SEZ policy is extremely weak with no incentives for FDI despite several government and team changes in the bureaucracy. Continuous rise in the price of power has made the business un-viable and we foresee further increase in power prices. Taxes applied on steel industry are adding insult to injury, as two large scale steel mills in Pakistan have already shut down (Amreli Steels/Agha Steels) after failing to sustain the steel industry taxation. Despite incentives and waiver on import duties/taxes given to the small steel mills at FATA/PATA, their sub­standard steel production is spoiling the market in Pakistan, leaving large scale mills out of business. There is no strict implementation of quality steel production in Pakistan and the responsible departments are not bothered about the sub-standard steel being sold across Pakistan. The management and security of CPEC RSEZ instead of helping has created a burden for us forcing us to bear the security personnel expenses and uncalled-for demands. Free movement of our personnel for day to day needs is not possible and even our sick employees cannot go and seek medical attention outside the RSEZ. Some of our in-house employees were put on the black list by the agencies for reasons unknown to us despite our requests for resolving this matter. Overall, the demand for steel has contracted in Pakistan due to several factors including high inflation, currency instability and economic downturn. The government has no focus on the special economic zones success and nothing is being done to protect the already arrived foreign direct investors from China. The recent orders for security protocols have significantly increased the business costs and impacted the business. Lastly, the local banks do not cooperate even on approved SBP Policy of FOC for plant and machinery imports and ask us to deposit large sums of money in their accounts. We are forced to bring all the above to your notice so that you are in knowledge of what really is happening to the Chinese foreign direct investment coming to Pakistan and take immediate corrective measures. We would request to meet you in person at your earliest convenience to discuss the above in detail, it concluded.

SMU is accustomed to road-like environment it’ll face in ACC championship game vs. ClemsonBy DAVID BAUDER Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a Person of the Year designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’ National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg The fact-check accompanies a transcript of what the president-elect told the newsmagazine’s journalists. Described as a “12 minute read,” it calls into question 15 separate statements that Trump made. It was the second time Trump earned the Time accolade; he also won in 2016, the first year he was elected president. Time editors said it wasn’t a particularly hard choice over other finalists Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate Middleton. Time said Friday that no other Person of the Year has been fact-checked in the near-century that the magazine has annually written about the figure that has had the greatest impact on the news. But it has done the same for past interviews with the likes of Joe Biden, Netanyahu and Trump. Such corrections have been a sticking point for Trump and his team in the past, most notably when ABC News did it during his only debate with Democrat Kamala Harris this fall. There was no immediate response to a request for comment on Friday. In the piece, Time called into question statements Trump made about border security, autism and the size of a crowd at one of his rallies. When the president-elect talked about the “massive” mandate he had received from voters, Time pointed out that former President Barack Obama won more electoral votes the two times he had run for president. The magazine also questioned Trump’s claim that he would do interviews with anyone who asked during the campaign, if he had the time. The candidate rejected a request to speak to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” the magazine said. “In the final months of his campaign, Trump prioritized interviews with podcasts over mainstream media,” reporters Simmone Shah and Leslie Dickstein wrote. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.

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