The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Nate Johnson scored 25 points to help Akron defeat Alabama State 97-78 on Sunday. Johnson added five rebounds for the Zips (4-2). Bowen Hardman scored 19 points, shooting 6 for 7 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Gray went 4 of 7 from the field to finish with 11 points. The Hornets (3-3) were led by CJ Hines with 19 points. Tyler Mack added 18 points and Antonio Madlock scored 17. Akron took the lead with 6:46 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. Johnson led their team in scoring with 13 points in the first half to help put them up 50-41 at the break. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump , an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. The move spares the lives of people convicted in killings , including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals, as well as the killings of guards or prisoners in federal facilities. It means just three federal inmates continue to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. “I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said in a statement . “Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.” Reaction to the president's end-of-year act of clemency was strong, particularly among those who were victimized by Roof. Michael Graham, whose sister Cynthia Hurd was killed by Roof, wants him to die for his crimes and was thankful Biden kept him on death row. He said Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the U.S. means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people who were doing something all Americans do on a Wednesday night – go to Bible study,” Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” Felicia Sanders, who shielded her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son Tywanza and her aunt Susie Jackson sent her lawyer, Andy Savage, a text message that called Biden's decision to not spare Roof's life a wonderful Christmas gift. The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during Biden's term. But Biden actually had promised to go further on the issue in the past, pledging to end federal executions without the caveats for terrorism and hate-motivated, mass killings. While running for president in 2020, Biden's campaign website said he would “work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level , and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example.” Similar language didn't appear on Biden's reelection website before he left the presidential race in July. “Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden's statement said. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, vice president, and now president, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” He took a political jab at Trump, saying, “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.” Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has spoken frequently of expanding executions. In a speech announcing his 2024 campaign , Trump called for those “caught selling drugs to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts.” He later promised to execute drug and human smugglers and even praised China's harsher treatment of drug peddlers. During his first term as president, Trump also advocated for the death penalty for drug dealers . There were 13 federal executions during Trump's first term, more than under any president in modern history, and some may have happened fast enough to have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus at the federal death row facility in Indiana. Those were the first federal executions since 2003. The final three occurred after Election Day in November 2020 but before Trump left office the following January, the first time federal prisoners were put to death by a lame-duck president since Grover Cleveland in 1889. Biden faced recent pressure from advocacy groups urging him to act to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The president's announcement also comes less than two weeks after he commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The announcement also followed the post-election pardon that Biden granted his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges after long saying he would not issue one, sparking an uproar in Washington. The pardon also raised questions about whether he would issue sweeping preemptive pardons for administration officials and other allies who the White House worries could be unjustly targeted by Trump’s second administration. Speculation that Biden could commute federal death sentences intensified last week after the White House announced he plans to visit Italy on the final foreign trip of his presidency next month. Biden, a practicing Catholic, will meet with Pope Francis, who recently called for prayers for U.S. death row inmates in hopes their sentences will be commuted. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has long called for an end to the death penalty, said Biden's decision is a “significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation” and moves the country “a step closer to building a culture of life.” Martin Luther King III, who publicly urged Biden to change the death sentences, said in a statement shared by the White House that the president "has done what no president before him was willing to do: take meaningful and lasting action not just to acknowledge the death penalty’s racist roots but also to remedy its persistent unfairness.” Madeline Cohen, an attorney for Norris Holder, who faced death for the 1997 fatal shooting of a guard during a bank robbery in St. Louis, said his case “reflects many of the system's flaws” and thanked Biden for converting his sentence to life in prison. Holder, who is Black, was sentenced by an all-white jury. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by one of the men whose death sentence was converted, said the execution of "the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace." “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed to this report.
Share Tweet Share Share Email Choosing the right medical billing service in 2025 is important for healthcare providers who want to ensure smooth operations and faster payments. With constantly changing healthcare rules and billing processes, outsourcing medical billing has become a smart choice. Two top options for 2025 are DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com . Let’s break down what makes these services stand out. DocVaz.com: Reliable and Innovative DocVaz.com is known for its advanced technology and easy-to-use platform, making medical billing efficient and hassle-free. Key Features of DocVaz.com: Cloud-Based System DocVaz.com uses a cloud-based platform that allows providers to access billing information anytime and anywhere, helping you stay connected to your practice’s financial data. Automation & Accuracy Automation reduces mistakes, ensuring claims are processed accurately. This helps lower the chances of claim denials and speeds up reimbursements. Compliance The service keeps up with healthcare regulations, ensuring your claims are always compliant with the latest rules. Scalable Solutions Whether you run a small clinic or a large healthcare system, DocVaz.com grows with your needs. Why Choose DocVaz.com? Real-Time Access : Check your billing data from any location. Faster Payments : Fewer errors mean quicker reimbursements. Regulatory Support : Stay compliant with ever-changing healthcare rules. GET FREE CONSULTATION UMBSBillingServices.com: Personalized and Experienced UMBSBillingServices.com focuses on offering personalized solutions tailored to your practice’s needs, ensuring you get the right support. Key Features of UMBSBillingServices.com: Specialized Expertise Certified experts handle different medical specialties, ensuring accurate billing for complex cases. Fewer Denials Their knowledge of medical coding reduces claim denials and helps you get paid faster. Scalable & Customized Whether you’re a small practice or a large healthcare system, the service adjusts to your specific requirements. Detailed Reporting Tools UMBSBillingServices.com provides reports that help track your financial performance and make better decisions. Why Choose UMBSBillingServices.com? Expert Support : Certified experts handle billing for various specialties. Quick Reimbursements : Fewer denials and faster claim processing. Customizable Solutions : Tailored to fit your practice’s unique needs. Detailed Financial Insights : Track performance with easy-to-understand reports. GET FREE CONSULTATION How to Choose the Right Medical Billing Service When choosing the best medical billing service for your practice, consider these key points: Compliance & Accuracy Look for services that stay updated with healthcare rules and submit accurate claims to reduce denials. Technology & Automation Choose a service that offers automation, real-time data access, and analytics to improve efficiency. Customer Support Ensure the service provides reliable support whenever you need help. Specialization If you specialize in certain areas like pediatrics or dentistry, look for a service with experts in those fields. Conclusion In 2025, DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com are top choices for medical billing services. Whether you need advanced technology, specialized expertise, or customized solutions, both services have strong features to support your practice. Choose the one that best fits your needs to streamline your billing process and improve your revenue cycle. FAQs 1. What is medical billing, and why is it important? Medical billing involves managing and processing claims submitted to insurance companies to ensure healthcare providers get reimbursed for services rendered. In 2025, with the increasing complexity of healthcare regulations, outsourcing medical billing has become essential to streamline operations and improve cash flow. 2. Why should I outsource medical billing in 2025? Outsourcing medical billing helps healthcare providers reduce administrative burdens, minimize claim denials, and ensure faster reimbursements. By partnering with a reliable medical billing service like DocVaz.com or UMBSBillingServices.com , you can focus more on patient care while ensuring smooth financial operations. 3. What are the benefits of using DocVaz.com for medical billing? DocVaz.com offers several benefits, including: Real-Time Data Access : Cloud-based platform ensures you can monitor billing data anytime, anywhere. Accuracy & Automation : Reduces manual errors and speeds up claim processing. Regulatory Compliance : Keeps your practice compliant with changing healthcare rules. Scalable Solutions : Suits both small clinics and large healthcare systems. GET FREE CONSULTATION on DocVaz.com 4. What sets UMBSBillingServices.com apart from other billing services? UMBSBillingServices.com stands out due to: Expertise in Medical Specialties : Certified billing experts handle specialized medical coding. Reduced Claim Denials : Advanced coding and accuracy result in quicker reimbursements. Customized Solutions : Tailored services that grow with your practice size. Comprehensive Reporting : Provides detailed financial insights for better decision-making. GET FREE CONSULTATION on UMBSBillingServices.com 5. How do I choose the best medical billing service for my practice? When selecting a medical billing service: Ensure the service offers accuracy , automation , and compliance with healthcare regulations. Look for a service that provides real-time access to billing data and reliable customer support . Consider whether the service specializes in your specific healthcare field or accommodates your practice size (small or large). 6. Is medical billing easy to manage without outsourcing? Medical billing can be complex due to constantly changing healthcare policies and coding standards. Outsourcing to a professional service like DocVaz.com or UMBSBillingServices.com ensures accurate and timely processing of claims, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care. 7. What features should I look for in a medical billing service? Key features to look for include: Automation for reducing manual errors. Real-time data access to monitor performance. Compliance with healthcare regulations to minimize claim denials. Specialized expertise for handling specific medical specialties. Scalability to accommodate growth as your practice expands. 8. Can I switch my medical billing service during the year? Yes, you can switch your medical billing service at any time. DocVaz.com and UMBSBillingServices.com offer seamless transitions with minimal disruption to your practice’s billing process. 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The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands accredited to Solomon Islands, Her Excellency Mrs. Ardi Stoios Braken had a productive courtesy call meeting with Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele MP in Honiara. Prime Minister Manele welcomed H.E Ardis and highlighted that her presence symbolizes the healthy relationship between Solomon Islands and Netherlands. The Prime Minister also assure Her Excellency Ardis of Solomon Islands Government’s continuous support during her tenure as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Solomon Islands. Prime Minister Manele appreciated Netherland’s partnership and friendship over the years through the bilateral and various multilateral platforms. The PM further stated, Solomon Islands greatest concern is Climate Change, a threat to National Security. He adds, based on the Government for National Unity and Transformation’s policy, engagements with international partners aim to achieve three broad development goals- National Security, infrastructure and economic stability. The Netherlands Ambassador Her Excellency Ardis said, Solomon Islands and the Netherlands face similar priorities and challenges such as vulnerability to Climate Change and Maritime issues. As such, cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest is the way forward. She adds, Netherlands is known for its expertise in water resource management, renewable energy and technology. Prime Minister Manele stated, the Netherlands leading and innovative technology on water resource management is remarkable. Solomon Islands is interested to pursue cooperation on how to mitigate the effects of sea level rise and coastal erosion in rural Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands further welcomes cooperation and collaboration in the areas of Sports, Tourism, Trade and Education. Solomon Islands and the Kingdom of the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1982 with the latter’s Embassy in Canberra accredited to Solomon Islands.Bowls miss out in 4 CFP teams in latest postseason twist
WesBanco, Inc. and Premier Financial Corp. Announce Shareholder Approvals of Merger AgreementBy HALELUYA HADERO The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say. Related Articles Retail | Car insurance premiums are rising: Which Bay Area cities pay more? Retail | Travel Troubleshooter: KLM owes money for a refundable flight. So, where’s the refund? Retail | Four arrested for retail theft at Bay Area shopping center face increased penalties under Prop. 36 Retail | ‘Sonic 3’ bests ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ at the box office Retail | Best video games of 2024: Role-playing games dominate but a familiar name’s at the top Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. They are typically traded on private social media groups between fake review brokers and businesses willing to pay. Sometimes, such reviews are initiated by businesses that offer customers incentives such as gift cards for positive feedback. But AI-infused text generation tools, popularized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT , enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice, which is illegal in the U.S. , is carried out year-round but becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season , when many people rely on reviews to help them purchase gifts. Fake reviews are found across a wide range of industries, from e-commerce, lodging and restaurants, to services such as home repairs, medical care and piano lessons. The Transparency Company, a tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews, said it started to see AI-generated reviews show up in large numbers in mid-2023 and they have multiplied ever since. For a report released this month, The Transparency Company analyzed 73 million reviews in three sectors: home, legal and medical services. Nearly 14% of the reviews were likely fake, and the company expressed a “high degree of confidence” that 2.3 million reviews were partly or entirely AI-generated. “It’s just a really, really good tool for these review scammers,” said Maury Blackman, an investor and advisor to tech startups, who reviewed The Transparency Company’s work and is set to lead the organization starting Jan. 1. In August, software company DoubleVerify said it was observing a “significant increase” in mobile phone and smart TV apps with reviews crafted by generative AI. The reviews often were used to deceive customers into installing apps that could hijack devices or run ads constantly, the company said. The following month, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company behind an AI writing tool and content generator called Rytr, accusing it of offering a service that could pollute the marketplace with fraudulent reviews. The FTC, which this year banned the sale or purchase of fake reviews, said some of Rytr’s subscribers used the tool to produce hundreds and perhaps thousands of reviews for garage door repair companies, sellers of “replica” designer handbags and other businesses. Max Spero, CEO of AI detection company Pangram Labs, said the software his company uses has detected with almost certainty that some AI-generated appraisals posted on Amazon bubbled up to the top of review search results because they were so detailed and appeared to be well thought-out. But determining what is fake or not can be challenging. External parties can fall short because they don’t have “access to data signals that indicate patterns of abuse,” Amazon has said. Pangram Labs has done detection for some prominent online sites, which Spero declined to name due to non-disclosure agreements. He said he evaluated Amazon and Yelp independently. Many of the AI-generated comments on Yelp appeared to be posted by individuals who were trying to publish enough reviews to earn an “Elite” badge, which is intended to let users know they should trust the content, Spero said. The badge provides access to exclusive events with local business owners. Fraudsters also want it so their Yelp profiles can look more realistic, said Kay Dean, a former federal criminal investigator who runs a watchdog group called Fake Review Watch. To be sure, just because a review is AI-generated doesn’t necessarily mean its fake. Some consumers might experiment with AI tools to generate content that reflects their genuine sentiments. Some non-native English speakers say they turn to AI to make sure they use accurate language in the reviews they write. “It can help with reviews (and) make it more informative if it comes out of good intentions,” said Michigan State University marketing professor Sherry He, who has researched fake reviews. She says tech platforms should focus on the behavioral patters of bad actors, which prominent platforms already do, instead of discouraging legitimate users from turning to AI tools. Prominent companies are developing policies for how AI-generated content fits into their systems for removing phony or abusive reviews. Some already employ algorithms and investigative teams to detect and take down fake reviews but are giving users some flexibility to use AI. Spokespeople for Amazon and Trustpilot, for example, said they would allow customers to post AI-assisted reviews as long as they reflect their genuine experience. Yelp has taken a more cautious approach, saying its guidelines require reviewers to write their own copy. “With the recent rise in consumer adoption of AI tools, Yelp has significantly invested in methods to better detect and mitigate such content on our platform,” the company said in a statement. The Coalition for Trusted Reviews, which Amazon, Trustpilot, employment review site Glassdoor, and travel sites Tripadvisor, Expedia and Booking.com launched last year, said that even though deceivers may put AI to illicit use, the technology also presents “an opportunity to push back against those who seek to use reviews to mislead others.” “By sharing best practice and raising standards, including developing advanced AI detection systems, we can protect consumers and maintain the integrity of online reviews,” the group said. The FTC’s rule banning fake reviews, which took effect in October, allows the agency to fine businesses and individuals who engage in the practice. Tech companies hosting such reviews are shielded from the penalty because they are not legally liable under U.S. law for the content that outsiders post on their platforms. Tech companies, including Amazon, Yelp and Google, have sued fake review brokers they accuse of peddling counterfeit reviews on their sites. The companies say their technology has blocked or removed a huge swath of suspect reviews and suspicious accounts. However, some experts say they could be doing more. “Their efforts thus far are not nearly enough,” said Dean of Fake Review Watch. “If these tech companies are so committed to eliminating review fraud on their platforms, why is it that I, one individual who works with no automation, can find hundreds or even thousands of fake reviews on any given day?” Consumers can try to spot fake reviews by watching out for a few possible warning signs , according to researchers. Overly enthusiastic or negative reviews are red flags. Jargon that repeats a product’s full name or model number is another potential giveaway. When it comes to AI, research conducted by Balázs Kovács, a Yale professor of organization behavior, has shown that people can’t tell the difference between AI-generated and human-written reviews. Some AI detectors may also be fooled by shorter texts, which are common in online reviews, the study said. However, there are some “AI tells” that online shoppers and service seekers should keep it mind. Panagram Labs says reviews written with AI are typically longer, highly structured and include “empty descriptors,” such as generic phrases and attributes. The writing also tends to include cliches like “the first thing that struck me” and “game-changer.”
Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status toteOne of my favorite budget tablets this year managed to be replace both my Kindle and iPad
