Small businesses say cautious shoppers are seeking 'cozy' and 'festive' this holiday season With a late Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season is five days shorter than last year, and owners of small retail shops say that people have been quick to snap up holiday décor early, along with gifts for others and themselves. Cozy items like sweaters are popular so far. Businesses are also holding special events to get shoppers in the door. But there’s little sense of the freewheeling spending that occurred during the pandemic. Overall, The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales in November and December will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Trump hosts Apple CEO at Mar-a-Lago as big tech leaders continue outreach to president-elect WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump is hosting Apple CEO Tim Cook for a Friday evening dinner at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort. That's according to a person familiar with the matter who is not authorized to comment publicly. Trump has said he’s recently spoken with Cook about the company’s long-running tax battles with the European Union. The Republican said in October that he had spoken to Cook weeks after Apple lost its last appeal to avoid paying 13 billion euros ($14.34 billion) in back taxes to Ireland. The Trump transition team and Apple did not respond to a requests for comment about Trump's meeting with Cook. Flight takes kids to visit Santa at North Pole scene in transformed Denver airport hangar DENVER (AP) — More than 100 kids have been treated to an airplane flight and visit to a hangar at Denver International Airport that was transformed into the North Pole. Streamers, paper snowflakes and tufts of cotton resembling feathery snow dotted the plane and seats. The children, including some with serious health issues, were asked before the final approach to draw the shades on their windows. When they opened, the kids were greeted by a waiting Santa and Mrs. Claus and a host of elves. Saturday's event was part of United Airlines’ annual holiday-season “fantasy flights” at airports around the world to bring cheer to children and their families. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Court denies TikTok's request to halt enforcement of potential US ban until Supreme Court review A federal appeals court has left in place a mid-January deadline in a federal law requiring TikTok to be sold or face a ban in the United States. Judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejecting a request made by the company to halt enforcement until the Supreme Court reviews its challenge of the statute. Attorneys for TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance, are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. It’s unclear if the nation’s highest court will take up the case. But some experts say they expect the justices to weigh in. TikTok is also looking for a potential lifeline from President-elect Donald Trump, who promised to “save” the short-form video platform during the presidential campaign. Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia’s decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different. And the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. Both the award and the glitzy festival itself are signs of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. The reopening of cinemas in 2018 after 35 years marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia. 'Tis the season for roasting chestnuts. But in the US, native ones are almost gone Right now chestnut enthusiasts are cozying up next to their open fires (or toaster ovens) to roast a holiday snack that has long roots in North America. But the chestnuts they're roasting aren't native, because the American variety has been mostly wiped out by an invasive fungal blight since the 1930s. Researchers are laboring to bring them back, even as they have hit roadblocks and setbacks in attempts to breed or genetically modify a version that can withstand the blight. If and when they succeed, they'll still need to figure out how to plant it and help it thrive in forests that are already under pressure from climate change, globalization and development. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” 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. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things.hat would you do for $5 million, a private island, or a Lamborghini? For 1,000 contestants in MrBeast's Beast Games, the answer seems to be: just about anything. Available exclusively on Prime Video, In classic MrBeast fashion, . The first episodes have already shocked viewers as contestants are forced to make gut-wrenching choices, including one that involves convincing a teammate to sacrifice themselves for the good of the group. , knowing someone has to leave with nothing-or everyone goes home empty-handed. , creating a spectacle that feels more like a social experiment than a traditional contest. . Early games pit individual gain against collective good, with MrBeast throwing in twists that keep both contestants and viewers on edge. And if the previews are any indication, the physical challenges ahead-including pulling a monster truck-promise even more jaw-dropping moments. New episodes drop every Thursday at noon EST, leading up to the grand finale on February 13. At roughly 40 minutes each, they're packed with enough drama and high-energy competition to keep fans binge-watching. But the real question is:
In Luke 17:11-17, we receive call to cultivate thanksgiving. The passage begins with the location. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus passes between Samaria and Galilee. He meets ten lepers. We aren’t told their nationality at this point. Instead, we’re told about their skin condition. Leprosy had physical, social, and spiritual ramifications, which is why they all stood at a distance. Socially, anyone with leprosy was ostracized, placed outside the city until he or she was healed. This protected others in the city from becoming ill. Spiritually, this distance kept them from the temple. Seeing Jesus, they cry out for mercy. Jesus tells them all to go and show themselves to the priest. As they turned to the priest, they were all cleansed. So, all of the lepers lifted their voice and cried out to Jesus. All the lepers received mercy.Apple Unveils AI-Powered Update with Custom Emojis for iPhones
Communist-run Vietnam is planning its boldest bureaucratic reform in decades, slashing ministries, agencies and broadcasters in a bid to reduce bottlenecks and red tape, but risking short-term “paralysis”, officials and investors said. Under the plan, five ministries, four government agencies and five state TV channels would be among the bodies that will cease to exist, according to Communist Party documents reviewed by Reuters and reports in state media. The proposal is still in its preliminary stages and is subject to changes by the time is set to be voted in parliament in February. No figure has been circulated about the number of jobs that could be cut, but thousands of state employees are likely to be affected, based on the magnitude of the cuts envisaged in the documents. Vietnam, a Southeast Asian industrial hub, relies heavily on foreign investment in manufacturing, which fuels a booming export-oriented economy. However, in recent years investors’ discontent has grown louder over delays in project approvals and regulatory reforms compounded by a sweeping anti-corruption campaign. Responding to that criticism, Vietnam’s new Communist Party leader To Lam this month launched a massive overhaul of state bodies, soon after he was appointed to the country’s most powerful job. Vietnam’s home and foreign affairs ministries did not reply to requests for comment. The bold move comes about a year before the Communist Party congress, which in early 2026 will decide whether to confirm Lam in his job. It also coincides with similar post-pandemic government cost-cutting measures being implemented or pledged across the world, including by Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei and US President-elect Donald Trump. Among the planned measures, the investment ministry, which is responsible for approving industrial projects, will be merged with the finance ministry. For a while “investors may experience delays or uncertainty as the new structures are established and the dust of this top-level governance merger settles,” said Leif Schneider, head of international law firm Luther in Vietnam. But “the long-term outlook is more optimistic,” he added, saying Vietnam could become a more investor-friendly destination if the reform is executed effectively. Nine investors, diplomats and officials interviewed by Reuters shared the same mixed assessment with many anticipating new administrative delays in the short term. “Expect paralysis to be the normal for a while,” said a Western Hanoi-based diplomat, who also speculated that the reform may also be an attempt by Lam to consolidate power. Two foreign investors expected the reform would bring about long-awaited simplified procedures for businesses, although it was likely to slow project approvals for some months. They declined to be identified to speak more freely. Australia’s ambassador in Hanoi Andrew Goledzinowski likened the current phase to Vietnam’s wide-ranging economic reforms of the 1980s, which turned the war-torn Communist country into a major trading nation in the following decades. “Vietnam’s New Era is dawning at a critical time” as investors seek safe havens in a phase of growing protectionism, Goledzinowski wrote in a social media post. “Money is like water,” he noted, however. “When it is blocked, it goes elsewhere.”Allergen for Grass Pollen Allergy by Roxall Medizin for Grass Pollen Allergy: Likelihood of ApprovalColorado Democratic lawmakers get committee assignments for 2025
Marcos to AFP: Modernization also calls for self-relianceDemocracy: Tinubu urges ECOWAS leaders to learn from Ghana’s examplesSelvigaltin is a small molecule commercialized by , with a leading Phase II program in Decompensated Cirrhosis. According to Globaldata, it is involved in 7 clinical trials, of which 3 were completed, 2 are ongoing, and 2 are planned. Smarter leaders trust GlobalData The gold standard of business intelligence. The revenue for Selvigaltin is expected to reach an annual total of $15 mn by 2037 globally based off GlobalData’s Expiry Model. The drug’s revenue forecasts along with estimated costs are used to measure the value of an investment opportunity in that drug, otherwise known as net present value (NPV). Applying the drug’s phase transition success rate to remaining R&D costs and likelihood of approval (LoA) to sales related costs provides a risk-adjusted NPV model (rNPV). The rNPV model is a more conservative valuation measure that accounts for the risk of a drug in clinical development failing to progress. Selvigaltin Overview Selvigaltin is under development for the treatment of liver cirrhosis, decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B), metastatic melanoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and non-small cell lung cancer. The drug candidate is formulated as hard capsules administered through oral route. It acts by targeting galectin 3. Galecto Overview is a drug development company that includes the development of galectin modulators for the treatment of cancer, fibrosis and inflammation. The company develops activators and inhibitors of galectins. Its pipeline products include GB1211 – liver fibrosis, GB2064 – oncology and fabrosis, GB1211 – oncology: NSCLC, GB1211 – oncology: melanoma and HNSCC. The company partners with various biotechnology companies for its drug development activities. is headquartered in Copenhagen, Massachusetts, Denmark. The operating loss of the company was US$39.9 million in FY2023, compared to an operating loss of US$61.2 million in FY2022. The net loss of the company was US$38.4 million in FY2023, compared to a net loss of US$61.6 million in FY2022. For a complete picture of Selvigaltin’s valuation, From Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors. , the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article. To create this model, GlobalData takes into account factors including patent law, known and projected regulatory approval processes, cash flows, drug margins and company expenses. Combining these data points with GlobalData’s world class analysis creates high value models that companies can use to help in evaluation processes for each drug or company. The rNPV method integrates the probability of a drug reaching a clinical stage into the cash flow at that time, which provides a more accurate valuation, as it considers the probability that the drug never makes it through the clinical pathway to commercialization. GlobalData’s rNPV model uses proprietary likelihood of approval (LoA) and phase transition success rate (PTSR) data for the indication in the highest development stage, which can be found on GlobalData’s .
TOKYO , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Representatives from China and Japan shared their insights on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) governance and data sharing at a sub-forum of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Tokyo recently. The sub-forum contributed eastern wisdom to AI governance and digital social development, demonstrating the significance of international cooperation for the development of the digital economy, according to Gao Shaolin, advisor at Peking University's Legal Artificial Intelligence Research Center. AI governance framework The participants agreed that the next 10 years will be a critical period for the development of AI. Gao Wen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), said since China's State Council issued a guideline on developing AI in 2017, the nation has made significant progress in AI research and development and industrial layout, especially in computing power and 5G network construction. By the end of 2023, China had over half of the world's 1.57 billion 5G users, according to the World Internet Development Report 2024. It ranked second globally in AI and computing power scale, which has laid a solid foundation for the rapid development of AI. Tatsuo Yamazaki , project professor at the International University of Health and Welfare, said it was very meaningful for Japan and China to discuss strengthening AI governance rules. Fumihiko Kamio , research director of the Nomura Research Institute, echoed his view. He emphasized that the core goal of AI technology is to improve productivity and eliminate obstacles to social development, and called on Chinese and Japanese experts to work together to build an AI governance framework to cope with the global challenges. Deepening international cooperation China put forth the Global AI Governance Initiative in October last year. In July, the UN General Assembly adopted a China -sponsored resolution on enhancing international cooperation on AI capacity-building. The participants spoke highly of the Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative recently proposed by China . They agreed that AI governance requires global collaboration, especially in the formulation of international standards and the construction of ethical frameworks, where China and Japan can play an active role. Ding Wenhua, academician of the CAE, said China and Japan have both similarities and differences in technology development and governance priorities, so deepening cooperation will bring unique value to global AI governance. " China and Japan should deepen AI technology cooperation between enterprises, work together in AI security research, talent exchange, and jointly explore more possibilities for the application of technology," Wang Zhongyuan , president of the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, said. Balancing development & risks AI governance refers to the guardrails established to ensure AI systems and tools remain safe and ethical and respect human rights. Xu Zhilong , editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily, stressed that AI, as a revolutionary technology, has far-reaching impacts on all areas of society and economy. However, its potential risks such as data leakage and the spread of false information should not be ignored. "Technological progress and security ethics should be developed in a balanced way to ensure that AI technology always serves the progress of human civilization," Xu said. AI governance should not only heed the current technological ethics issues, but also prevent possible long-term risks, such as AI going out of human control, according to Toshio Iwamoto , senior corporate advisor of NTT DATA. He said AI R&D and application should abide by the principles of fairness, transparency, safety and availability. Yuan Yue, chairman of Beijing Dataway Horizon, shared his view from the perspective of regulatory models. "Policy choices should be based on the current status and goals of national technological development," Yuan said, adding that China prefers to provide a more friendly development environment for enterprises while ensuring an effective response to risks. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/science-and-technology-daily-promoting-ai-governance-jointly-302332050.html SOURCE Science and Technology Daily
(BPT) - This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting movement and posture that begins in early childhood development. It is the most common cause of motor disability in children, affecting about one in 345 children in the United States. 1-2 It may happen as a result of lack of oxygen during or around birth, stroke, infection, a problem with metabolism or other problems that cause injury or affect the development of parts of the brain involved in movement control in the first few years of life. 3 CP is a permanent condition, affecting a person for their entire life. People living with CP typically have motor problems, which may include spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) or ataxia (poor muscle control), and many people have a mix of these motor disorders. 4 Dyskinesia due to CP (DCP) is one of the most disabling forms of CP and impacts approximately 10% to 20% of people living with CP. 5-6 According to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF), the combination of irregular and unpredictable movements (chorea) and twisting and repeating movements (dystonia) often disrupt activities and cause significant functional impairment, including the ability to maintain balance, walk or fine motor control. 7 Heather Riordan, M.D., Neurologist and Movement Disorders Specialist, Director of the Phelps Center for Cerebral Palsy at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, discusses the symptoms of chorea and impact on patients in a video shared on the CPF website here . About 30% of people with DCP are affected mostly by these involuntary and irregular movements (chorea), while dystonia is the predominant motor finding in the remaining 70%. 8 However, it is common for both chorea and dystonia movements to be present together. 6 For people living with DCP, these movements can occur in any region of the body, including the arms and legs, torso and face and may vary in severity. They are often triggered or made worse by stimulation or stress. Because dyskinesia can occur at rest and/or when actively using the body, the problems with movement are very burdensome in day-to-day living, with discomfort and pain affecting the quality of life for people and their caregivers. 9 Jen Lyman, mom to a son with DCP, highlights how dyskinesia makes communicating more difficult. "The most difficult thing about dyskinesia is watching my son struggle to do things that he wants to do, but the extra movements get in the way...special things, such as using a touch screen to video chat with his grandmother, are nearly impossible despite his best efforts to use his hands and fingers. Something so simple, yet so special for him should be effortless." DCP has a wide-ranging impact on the individual, including lifelong challenges with movement, a higher risk of other medical issues, a higher rate of mental health challenges and difficulties with communication. 10-12 "Those of us who have the privilege to serve patients with dyskinetic, hyperkinetic or mixed cerebral palsy see the functional impact of this very challenging type of tone every day," said Susan Biffl, M.D., Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego and Assistant Professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine. "Patients face challenges with self-care, independence, mobility, communication, fine motor skills that affect occupational and recreational activities, swallowing, social interactions and even sleep. As this tone is variable, it is much more challenging to treat than more consistent tone issues, such as spasticity." Treatment Options There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for DCP. Dystonia and chorea are often managed separately as they respond differently to various treatments, which can make treatment challenging. 3 Most drugs being investigated for DCP have focused on dystonia, and more research is needed to determine potential treatments for chorea. New treatment options are needed to help manage these movement disorders and improve daily function and quality of life for those affected. "After 20 years of caring for individuals with cerebral palsy, I continue to find those with dyskinetic cerebral palsy among the most challenging to treat, largely due to the limited effectiveness of available pharmacologic options," said Joyce Oleszek, M.D., Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado School of Medicine. "There is an urgent need for more robust evidence to support pharmacologic treatments for this condition, given its profound impact on function, comfort and quality of life." Ongoing Research Clinical studies are important in the development of treatment options, allowing researchers to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of new medicines. The data from clinical studies are used to determine if an investigational treatment can be approved for use to treat certain disorders. There are ongoing clinical studies evaluating potential treatments for DCP, including one for chorea. Neurocrine Biosciences is conducting the KINECT ® -DCP clinical study, a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study investigating the study drug, valbenazine, for the treatment of DCP. The clinical study is currently enrolling children, adolescents and adults six to 70 years of age who have been diagnosed with DCP. "The Cerebral Palsy Foundation is excited to partner with Neurocrine Biosciences on this study," said Rachel Byrne, Executive Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. "We are proud to support strong research that can potentially bring meaningful change to the lives of those living with cerebral palsy." If you or someone you know may be eligible for this research study, please visit the study website for additional information here: FindADCPStudy.com . REFERENCES © 2024 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CAP-NBI-US-0115 12/2024 NBI-98854-DCP3018_11DecMatRelease_v1.0_25November2024
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Gaetz's withdrawal highlights how incoming presidents often lose Cabinet nominees MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Losing a Cabinet nominee to the confirmation process isn’t unheard of for incoming presidents — including for Donald Trump when he was elected the first time. Matt Gaetz’s decision to pull his name Thursday from consideration for attorney general — amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation — represents the first indication of resistance that the president-elect could face from his own party to picks facing allegations of sexual misconduct or other questions. Other Trump picks have drawn negative attention as well, including Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence. Vance takes on a more visible transition role as he works to boost Trump's most controversial picks WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role. He's been helping Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks try to win confirmation in the Senate, where he has served for the last two years. Vance spent part of Wednesday at the Capitol with Rep. Matt Gaetz sitting in on meetings with Trump’s controversial choice for attorney general. On Thursday, Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings over the coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad Donald Trump’s lock on the white evangelical vote is legendary, but he didn't focus exclusively on large religious voter blocs. He and his allies also wooed smaller religious groups, away from the mainstream. He posted a tribute to Coptic church members on social media and met with members of Assyrians for Trump — two smaller Christian communities with Middle Eastern roots. He visited the grave of the revered late leader of an Orthodox Jewish movement. His allies sought votes from the separatist Amish community. While Trump won decisively, the outreaches reflected aggressive campaigning in what was expected to be a tight race. NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia's attack with new hypersonic missile KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with a hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. Ukraine's parliament canceled a session Friday over the security threat. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech Thursday that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik, saying it's so powerful that several of them fitted with conventional warheads could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ education board has voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools. The approval Friday follows other Republican-led states that have pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education is optional for schools to adopt, but they’ll receive additional funding if they do so. Parents and teachers who opposed the curriculum say the lessons will alienate students of other faith backgrounds. Supporters argue the Bible is a core feature of American history and that teaching it will enrich learning. 2 men convicted of charges related to human smuggling after scheme led to an Indian family’s death FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) — A prosecution spokesperson says a jury has convicted two men of charges related to human smuggling for their roles in an international operation that led to the deaths of a family of Indian migrants who froze while trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border during a 2022 blizzard. Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel and Steve Shand each faced four charges related to human smuggling before being convicted Friday. Patel is an Indian national. Shand is an American from Florida. They were arrested after the family froze while trying to cross the desolate border during a 2022 blizzard. Northern California gets record rain and heavy snow. Many have been in the dark for days in Seattle FORESTVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A major storm with heavy snow and record rain that's moving through Northern California has toppled trees, closed roads and prompted evacuations in some areas after knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people in Washington and Oregon. Forecasters warn that the risk of flash flooding and rockslides will continue through Friday. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for areas north of San Francisco as a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river inundates Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Up to 16 inches of rain is forecast in Northern California and southwestern Oregon. The storm system unleashed winds earlier this week that left two people dead and hundreds of thousands without power in Washington. California case is the first confirmed bird flu infection in a US child Health officials are confirming bird flu in a California child — the first reported case in a U.S. minor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced confirmatory test results on Friday. Officials say the child had mild symptoms, was treated with antiviral medication and is recovering. The child’s infection brings the reported number of U.S. bird flu cases this year to 55, including 29 in California. No details were about the child have been released, except that they live in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, and attend day care. Archaeologists discover 4,000-year-old canals used to fish by predecessors of ancient Maya WASHINGTON (AP) — Using drones and Google Earth imagery, archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old network of earthen canals in what’s now Belize. The research published Friday in Science Advances shows that long before the ancient Maya built temples, their predecessors were already altering the landscape of Central America’s Yucatan peninsula. The ancient fish canals were used to channel and catch freshwater species such as catfish. These structures were used for around 1,000 years — including during the “formative” period when the Maya began to settle in permanent farming villages and a distinctive culture started to emerge. Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8.
Weatherford Stock Hits 52-Week Low at $76.91 Amid Market ChallengesSam Darnold threw for five touchdowns and zero interceptions against Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 season is not unlike their 2017 season. In both seasons, the starting quarterback went down with an injury and the journeyman backup quarterback went on a miraculous run. Much like back then, the journeyman Sam Darnold has turned heads . The Vikings stand as one of the only teams who may catch the Detroit Lions in the NFC, and they couldn’t do it without Darnold. At least, that is what conventional football knowledge dictates. Justin Jefferson has helped, but Jefferson was predicted to do so . Whether it is the Minnesota Vikings or anyone else, no player can overcome a quarterback throwing a handful of interceptions. Sam Darnold future Of course, no one may know just how important a quarterback is to their team than former Chicago Bears quarterback Chase Daniel. a three-year veteran in the NFC North named four teams that could end up with Sam Darnold if the Vikings tap out on him. Daniel made his thoughts clear in a December 11 edition of The Facility : “In the last four games, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions. He’s first in the NFL passer rating of 120 6.7 in the last four games. “He’s making a case not only for the Minnesota Vikings to re-sign him, but for other teams. “These quarterback-needy teams, Giants, Jets, Browns, Raiders [could] go out there and get him,” he said. He went on to write off the NFL Draft route entirely. “You’ve got to look at the draft situation next year with these quarterbacks... maybe it’s not a great class top to bottom so all these teams are going to need quarterbacks. “When you put it on tape, even if it’s for a small portion of the time, teams are excited about that. “Regardless of what you were in the past, if you prove to me you can do it at a high level in the toughest division, yeah, you need to re-sign him,” he added. Exploring how Sam Darnold could fit with most likely named quarterback-needy teams Sam Darnold could end up going the way of Case Keenum in the off-season, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Keenum, who was the backup quarterback who led the Vikings to the NFC Championship in 2017, ended up getting an unchallenged Day 1 starting job with the Denver Broncos. Darnold could end up in that capacity with the New York Giants, who may want to rebuild more of the surrounding roster instead of going straight for the quarterback with their top pick. When it comes to the Jets, Browns, and Raiders, Darnold might make sense as a high-end bridge quarterback. It all depends on how the final draft order lines up, but bringing in Darnold could give the team a chance to win now and win later. Perhaps the most intriguing ticket-seller would be to see Darnold return to the Jets, assuming Aaron Rodgers retires or gets moved. The Raiders make a ton of sense as much of the fan base would love to get a new face in the building for Week 1 next season and they find themselves on the cusp of starting from scratch at quarterbacks as well. Will Darnold get a second shot with the Vikings or will he once again find himself on the move? This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.Panama president rules out talks with Trump over canal threat
