Daniel Farke hailed “old man” Sam Byram’s wonder goal as L eeds stormed back to the top of the Championship. The utility player, back in his second spell at Elland Road, scored a brilliant scissor-kick opener as United swept past Luton. It was the 31 year-old’s first goal of the season and it prompted beaming celebrations from team-mates and coaching staff alike. A smiling Farke said: “Even in training he celebrates his goals with a pistolero or something like this because he’s not that well known for scoring goals. But he’s dangerous out of set-pieces and this goal was a bit special. "A left/right movement and, normally for this magic, it’s players like Largie [Ramazani] or Willy [Gnonto]. So I like that the old man has shown this today. It was a crucial goal. "At 1-0, it’s always the most important. And I’m happy as he’s great. He’s so reliable. Whenever we need him he’s there. Sometimes when he’s not playing, he’s never complaining. He’s always there for the team. He’s a cornerstone of our group.” Joel Piroe and Dan James also netted as dominant United eased home on the night they saluted legendary Gary Speed. It’s been 13 years since the Leeds icon - who wore the No.11 shirt with such grace and distinction - tragically died aged just 42. Clearly, he will never be forgotten here. Fittingly, Byram’s classy strike came just moments before the Elland Road crowd rose as one to pay tribute to the former Wales ace in the 11th minute. Farke only made one change to the side that twice came from behind to win 4-3 in Sunday’s wild contest at Swansea. James enjoyed three assists in that game, including an injury-time assist for Willy Gnonto after a last-minute Swansea equaliser. But he was dropped to the bench with Gnonto coming into the starting line-up. In fairness, Italy winger Gnonto was one of Leeds’ liveliest players along with the excellent Ao Tanaka. But, with Piroe scoring their second in first half injury-time, James made sure of yet another victory in the 81st minute. Not long after replacing Gnonto, he latched onto Jayden Bogle’s brilliant through ball to coolly lob Thomas Kaminski. The West Yorkshire side dominated the first half, amassing a huge 78.5 percent of possession and, at times, toying with their 16th-placed opponents. But as United fans know, they never make it easy for themselves. After Byram's moment of magic, Luton arguably had the two clearest chances of the opening 45 minutes. Captain Pascal Struijk was needed to make a spectacular goalline clearance to deny Victor Moses an 18th minute equalizer. And Reece Burke wasted a gilt-edged opportunity, heading wide when left free from Carlton Morris’ cross in the 42nd minute. United made the most of that let-off with Piroe doubling their lead just before the break. Joe Rothwell swung in a corner, Struijk’s header forced a Kaminski save but Piroe was on hand to fire in the rebound for his seventh of the campaign. Leeds were relieved given Brenden Aaronson had already bombed one chance, trying to find Gnonto rather than shooting himself. Gnonto had also gone close in one of countless United raids. Leeds had already threatened plenty before Byram gave them a tenth minute lead. It came from some classy build-up play into the penalty area before the midfielder’s equally classy volley left Kaminski beaten. Luton, who have plummeted since last season’s relegation from the Premier League , arrived in decent nick. Saturday’s victory over Hull was a second win in three games. But Rob Edwards’ side never truly looked like scoring in the second period until a couple of late chances. And James’ superb finish reminded them how far off they still remain. Edwards conceded: "The frustrations for us are we made some poor decisions. We couldn’t find our balance. Ultimately, this is probably the most difficult place to come in the Championship at the moment - and it looked like that tonight. “We don’t see this [lack of confidence] at home but we do away. Clearly it’s a great clearance the first one and then Burkey’s chance was a big one. It’s all ifs, buts and maybes.”West Ham striker in stable condition after Essex car crashsg777 casino 。

has picked Keith Kellogg to serve as a special envoy for and , a newly conceived role given the ongoing war between the two countries. Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired US army lieutenant general, would start in the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its third year. “Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration. He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!,” Trump in a Truth Social post. Kellogg previously served as a national security adviser to vice-president Mike Pence during Trump’s first presidency. Kellogg later became acting security advisor to Trump himself after Michael Flynn in 2017. As per his plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, Kellogg previously that he would emphasize getting the two countries to the negotiating table. “We tell the Ukrainians: ‘You’ve got to come to the table, and if you don’t come to the table, support from the United States will dry up,’” Kellogg said in a June interview. “And you tell [Vladimir] Putin [that] he’s got to come to the table and if you don’t come to the table, then we’ll give Ukrainians everything they need to kill you in the field.” Early reactions to Kellogg’s potential confirmation have been tepid, the Hill . “It was a gulp – not horrible, not amazing,” said one security analyst based in Washington DC, who spoke anonymously to the publication. Oleh Shamshur, a former Ukrainian ambassador to the US, told the Hill he was pessimistic about Kellogg’s potential appointment. “As I understand, he totally accepts the logic of Trump’s ‘peace plan’ as related by [vice-president-elect JD] Vance,” said Shamshur, referring to Vance’s support of ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia and rejecting plans for Ukraine to join Nato. Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a conservative thinktank, noted to the in September that Vance’s plans weren’t “a realistic proposal for peace.” “He offered a plan for a Russian victory,” Coffey told the Times. Trump’s upcoming presidency has about the outcome of Russia’s war in Ukraine. He pledged to bring a quick end to the war as one of his main campaign promises, though he has not elaborated on how he will do so. Some Ukraine supporters have that Trump’s steps to end the war could be detrimental to the country’s security or see Ukrainian land ceded to Russia, while Ukraine’s president, , says he is certain the war with Russia will “end sooner” than it otherwise would have once Trump takes office. Zelensky reportedly had a “ ” with Trump during a conversation in the aftermath of Trump’s victory the US presidential election.Jets Provide Major Injury Update on Potential Future QBClowns to Cabinet confirmation circus

Basil Rahmy, CEO of Egypt’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), met with Mohamed El-Zamalout, Governor of New Valley, to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at expanding developmental activities in the region, particularly in agricultural production, and fostering the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The meeting emphasized encouraging youth and local residents to initiate new projects or expand existing ones, thus generating more job opportunities and stimulating the region’s economic growth. Rahmy noted that the meeting centered around the implementation of directives from Egypt’s political leadership to localize silk production in the country. The plan involves a partnership between the SME Development Agency and New Valley Governorate, with support from international partners and coordination with national entities, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. A comprehensive roadmap for the production and manufacturing of silk is being developed as part of the initiative. Rahmy shared that a feasibility study is currently underway, with a pilot model set to be tested in two villages per district. This model will serve as a foundation for potential expansion across New Valley and beyond. The plan includes providing machinery for silk-thread production, establishing a laboratory for silkworm egg production, and reducing Egypt’s reliance on raw silk imports by cultivating Indian mulberry trees. This initiative, in partnership with specialized research centers, will ensure a steady supply of mulberry leaves, the primary food source for silkworms. El-Zamalout highlighted that New Valley has already launched an initiative to localize silk production as part of efforts to revive the industry. The governorate has allocated around 2,500 acres for mulberry cultivation and set up 25 fully equipped laboratories for silk production and silkworm farming. Collaborations with local and international experts are underway to secure rare, high-quality mulberry saplings. Furthermore, training programmes will be implemented to develop a skilled workforce in the silk sector. The governor expressed his deep appreciation for the ongoing partnership with the SME Development Agency, acknowledging its pivotal role in job creation and supporting the growth of youth-led SMEs, which contribute significantly to the economic development of the governorate.Did Mexico really ‘miss the nearshoring boom’? A perspective from our CEOGeorgia Republicans recommend further law to restrict transgender women's participation in sports

UN Resolution 1701 is at the heart of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal. What is it?Article content LGBTQ2+ activists have literally made Emo Township Mayor Harold McQuaker pay for daring to stand up to them. Recommended Videos Although the Northern Ontario municipal leader vowed not to honour a $5,000 fine the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) levied against him for comments surrounding town council not approving a motion to approve Pride month, he wasn’t given a choice. In fact, the winner of the judgement that McQuaker called “extortion” has boasted it has already gone into his bank account to collect the money. “Sure, sex is great, but have you ever garnished your mayor’s bank account after he publicly refused to comply with a Tribunal’s order to pay damages?” states a Borderland Pride post on Facebook. It seems like they are enjoying this. Council may not have let them raise a rainbow flag for Pride month but they are planting a flag in the ground to show Emo is their town. “ Mayor McQuaker’s comments in the Toronto Sun and other media were very clear that he did not respect nor intend to comply with the Tribunal’s orders,” Borderland Pride said in an email. “Consequently, it was apparent he would not voluntarily make payment of the damages ordered. We took immediate action to garnish his bank account.” What McQuaker told the Sun was, “ I utterly refuse to pay the $5,000 because that’s extortion” and also said he would not partake in an Ontario Human Rights Commission re-education course. #REPORT : Harold McQuaker, the mayor of Emo, Ontario who was recently fined $5,000 and ordered to attend a "Human Rights 101" training course for refusing to honour pride month, says he will REFUSE to pay the fine or attend the training, describing it as "extortion." pic.twitter.com/6BhRxV6AQm On ensuring he did pay, Borderland Pride said, “T he garnishment was issued by the court and delivered to the CIBC in Emo, which is the only bank in that community” and ”there is no hearing or application to issue a notice of garnishment – it is a service provided at the court counter or online once a person has an order for the payment of money.” Borderland Pride also wrote, “Orders of the Tribunal can be enforced in the same manner as any civil judgment for the payment of money. We intend to ensure the Tribunal’s orders are complied with.” Turns out Mayor McQuaker is not in charge there – Borderland Pride is. Cancel culture is cancelling this mayor and digging into his personal savings too. On a weak premise that there is discrimination of LGBT people there, the enforcement is harsher than most violent criminals receive. I t seems like a heavy-handed, undemocratic move, not to mention a violation of personal finances, and cruel and unusual punishment. It’s also a slippery slope. The state using legal instruments to take from one person and give to others amounts to communism and authoritarianism that should scare every citizen. First, we saw government and banks freezing accounts of pandemic lockdown protesters, seizing donations to crowdfunding sites, and now in woke Canada comes word they can raid bank accounts, too. A creeping police state is what should be cancelled, not a venerable village mayor. Just because people get the whip hand on somebody, does not mean they need to wield it. Power is not power when it’s abused. Restraint and fair play is power. There is no decision so far on the status of the $10,000 fine HRTO slapped on the Township of Emo for the 2020 decision by town council to vote three to two against granting a request for there to be a Pride month in the village of just 1,400 people. And Borderland Pride said they have so far not garnished the township as they await that decision. What’s McQuaker’s next move? Bow to the woke mob? Appeal? Resign? Fight on? “I will not be commenting until next Wednesday (council’s next meeting) when we will make a statement,” McQuaker said Friday, adding his “knuckles have been rapped” this week. Statement from ⁦ @BorderlandPride ⁩ pic.twitter.com/0TK1y3BhQY Ontario Premier Doug Ford should send Municipal Affairs Minister Paul Calandra to intervene and end this madness, get both sides to shake hands with a compromise and be friends. Great grandfather McQuaker is a good citizen and so are the Borderland Pride volunteers. No one ever wins in a game of chicken. This occurred because democracy wasn’t respected when the town decided to pass on having Pride month. The Tribunal’s Vice Chair Karen Dawson claimed “Mayor McQuaker’s remark ... that there was no flag for the ‘other side of the coin ... for straight people’ was on its face dismissive of Borderland Pride’s flag request and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the importance to Borderland Pride and other members of the LGBTQ2 community of the Pride flag.” Dawson wrote, “I find this remark was demeaning and disparaging of the LGBTQ2 community of which Borderland Pride is a member and therefore constituted discrimination under the code.” But more offensive than anything McQuaker said is this ruling, which ignores McQuaker’s free speech and council’s free vote. It was an overreaction to a comment from a 76-year-old man in a town a long way from progressive municipalities more accustomed to Pride celebrations and who have a legitimate demand for them. Instead of searching for a middle ground, blunt force was employed to destroy a good man who has served his community well. He doesn’t’ accept that he’s homophobic. McQuaker maintains he doesn’t “hate anybody” and “did not do anything wrong.” “If anybody needs training, it’s the LGBTQ2+ to quit pushing their weight around and make demands that people can’t live with,” he said. The Battle of Emo — 2024 pic.twitter.com/Dmi6a9bymP This seems like a modern-day witch hunt. While they didn’t win the June Pride month designation, Borderland Pride is winning the Battle of Emo now and using Ontario oversight and procedures to do it. Like it or not, with the help of highly-skilled, experienced and professional lawyer Douglas Judson, they are using the law and it is ruling in their favour. However, it’s not helping Canada. And rubbing the Mayor’s nose in it and spiking the football on social media is unseemly. But Borderland Pride says “despite suggestions in your prior reporting and elsewhere which portray the Mayor as elderly, vulnerable, or somehow economically disadvantaged, he owns a successful trucking company and is likely one of the wealthiest people in the community.” While his financial status should be irrelevant, McQuaker is $5,000 poorer thanks to his bank account being garnished. And a country understands Borderland Pride is the new boss. jwarmington@postmedia.com

Several of Trump's Cabinet picks — and Trump himself — have been accused of sexual misconduct

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. 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. 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. 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. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine Donald Trump got something this year that no other person designed Time magazine's Person of the Year had ever received. He got a fact-check of claims that the president-elect made in the interview accompanying the magazine's piece. Trump earned the recognition of the year's biggest newsmaker for the second time, also winning it in 2016 the first time he was elected president. But in a piece described as a “12-minute” read, Time called into question more than a dozen statements Trump made when speaking to the magazine's reporters, on issues like border size, autism and crowd size at a rally. Time said it has fact-checked other interviews in the past, but not for this annual feature. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications.Law Offices of Howard G. Smith continues its investigation on behalf of Marqeta, Inc. ("Marqeta" or the "Company") MQ investors concerning the Company's possible violations of federal securities laws. On November 4, 2024, Marqeta released weaker-than-expected third quarter 2024 financial results and fourth quarter 2024 guidance. The Company explained its "guidance reflects several changes that became apparent over the last few months with regards to the heightened scrutiny of the banking environment and specific customer program changes." On this news, Marqeta's stock price fell $2.53, or 42.5%, to close at $3.42 per share on November 5, 2024, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Marqeta securities, have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127850759/en/ © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Attackers - possibly China's Salt Typhoon cyber-espionage crew - compromised an unnamed wireline provider's network and used this access to try to break into T-Mobile US systems multiple times over the past few weeks, according to its Chief Security Officer Jeff Simon. Simon was among the telecom execs who met White House officials last week to discuss the recent spate of Chinese intrusions into telecoms networks. Today, the un-carrier's security boss took a victory lap around his fellow operators, and detailed how T-Mo thwarted the attacks from advancing and disrupting services. Salt Typhoon compromised "multiple" US telcos in its extensive snooping campaign, and this allegedly included Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies , although all three have thus far declined to comment. According to the Feds, the crew compromised systems used for performing communications wiretapping for law enforcement, and stole customers' call records, phone calls, and texts - including private communications between government officials - during this espionage endeavor. However, "this is not the case at T-Mobile," Simon said in a write-up. The attackers (T-Mob can't definitely attribute these to Salt Typhoon) did not access any sensitive customer data, such as calls, voicemail messages, and texts, he added. While the carrier did detect "attempts to infiltrate our systems by bad actors," according to Simon, "we quickly severed connectivity to the [wireline] provider's network as we believe it was – and may still be – compromised." T-Mobile US hasn't seen any previous attempts like this, and as of now, the miscreants appear to have been kicked out of the mobile carrier's network, we're told. "Simply put, our defenses worked as designed," Simon said. "Other providers may be seeing different outcomes." It's a welcome reverse course for T-Mo, which has had its security breached at least seven times since 2018. In September, the telco agreed to fork out $31.5 million to improve its cybersecurity and pay a civil penalty after a series of network intrusions affected tens of millions of customers. It would appear at least that the improved infosec program is already starting to pay off. ®

Voice cloning is an emerging technology powered by artificial intelligence and it's raising alarms about its potential misuse. Earlier this year, New Hampshire voters experienced this firsthand when a deepfake mimicking President Joe Biden’s voice urged them to skip the polls ahead of the primary. The deepfake likely needed only several seconds of the president's voice to create the clone. According to multiple AI voice cloning models, about 10 seconds of an actual voice is all that is needed to recreate it. And that can easily come from a phone call or a video from social media. "A person's voice is really probably not that information-dense. It's not as unique as you may think," James Betker, a technical staff member at OpenAI, told Scripps News. Betker developed TortoiseTTS, an open-source voice cloning model. "It's actually very easy to model, very easy to learn, the distribution of all human voices from a fairly small amount of data," Betker added. How AI voice cloning works AI models have been trained on vast amounts of data, learning to recognize human speech. Programs analyze the data and train repeatedly, learning characteristics such as rhythm, stress, pitch and tone. "It can look at 10 seconds of someone speaking and it has stored enough information about how humans speak with that kind of prosody and pitch. Enough information about how people speak with their processing pitch and its weights that it can just continue on," Betker said. Imagine a trained AI model as a teacher, and the person cloning the voice to be a student. When a student asks to create a cloned voice, it starts off as white noise. The teacher scores how close the student is to sounding correct. The student tries again and again based on these scores until the student produces something close to what the teacher wants. While this explanation is extremely simplified, the concept of generating a cloned voice is based on bit-by-bit, based on probability distributions. "I think, at its core, it's pretty simple," Betker said. "I think the analogy of just continuing with what you're given will take you pretty far here." There are currently some AI models that claim to only need two seconds of samples. While the results are not convincing yet, Betker says future models will need even fewer voice samples to create a convincing clone.

3 Takeaways from Iowa men’s loss to Michigan: Hawkeyes dig too deep a deficitCanada is already examining tariffs on certain US items following Trump's tariff threat