jili fish casino login register DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector came "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again."

The ( ) share price has risen an impressive 46% since its first trading day in June after the . After such a good start to ASX life, investors may be wondering if 2025 could be another exciting year. The Mexican food business is looking to add hundreds of restaurants to Australia over the coming years, and FY25 will be part of that journey. Before we get to how 2025 may go, the business has already told investors how it has performed in the first quarter of the 2025 financial year. Let's remind ourselves how FY25 has gone so far, and then we'll look at some projections. GYG reported that in the , its total network sales grew by 20.7% to $278.8 million, with comparable sales growth (excluding the US) of 8.7%. Total Australian network sales increased by 21.1%. Pleasingly, the total number of Guzman y Gomez restaurants grew by 10.8%, or 22 locations, year over year to 226. This could be essential for Guzman y Gomez shares. The company said its comparable sales growth had been above expectations, thanks to "strong delivery performance, successful execution of the 'clean is the new healthy' campaign and guest demand for value menu items." Overall, GYG said it expects to meet its prospectus forecasts for FY25, including the opening of 31 new restaurants in Australia. With the Mexican food business committed to meeting its prospectus forecasts, let's examine the company's guidance. In its prospectus, the company forecasted that it would generate $428.2 million of revenue and $26.6 million of other revenue and income (which includes franchise marketing fee revenue and other costs recovered from franchisees). Guzman y Gomez predicted it would generate $59.9 million of as well as $19.7 million of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). The Mexican food business also predicted it would generate $19.5 million of profit before tax and $6 million of . The investment bank Goldman Sachs is more optimistic than GYG about its potential financials for FY25, despite the Mexican food business forecasting strong double-digit growth across various revenue and most profit metrics. Goldman Sachs suggests GYG could generate total revenue of $438.8 million (2.5% better than forecast), EBITDA of $65.3 million (9.1% better than forecast), $27.6 million of EBIT (39.9% better than forecast), and net profit of $14 million (133.6% better than forecast). However, the broker has a sell rating on GYG shares for two reasons: We consider Guzman to be a high quality QSR operator with multiple levers available to grow operations, as well as a high likelihood of exceeding FY25 prospectus forecasts. While we forecast top-line growth and margin expansion, the basis of our Sell thesis is centred on 1) an overly ambitious long-term store expansion profile that has no recent successful precedent in the Australian market; and 2) a stretched valuation that has inappropriately, in our view, been pegged to the highest growth US-peers without taking into consideration the market differences and risks associated with an aggressive store expansion. Separately we note an overhang exists with c.13% of total shares expected to be released from escrow in March 2025. Goldman Sachs has a price target of $33.20 on Guzman y Gomez shares, implying a possible drop of almost 25% within a year compared to where it is today. Time will tell whether the market is impressed by what GYG reports in 2025 or whether today's valuation is too spicy.While targeted advertising is a common practice in the digital marketing industry, the increasing focus on minors has raised red flags among privacy advocates and regulatory bodies. Critics argue that such practices may exploit the vulnerabilities of young individuals who may not fully comprehend the implications of sharing personal data online.

Perhaps the reason for Victor Mancini’s recall from Hartford to make the trek across the continent to join the Rangers for Saturday’s match in Edmonton will become apparent at the morning skate. That’s because the Blueshirts have been carrying Chad Ruhwedel as the team’s seventh defenseman since he changed places on Nov. 13 with Mancini, the 22-year-old freshman righty who had been a healthy scratch for the four games prior to that. So either a top-six defenseman is being pulled for performance or health reasons and head coach Peter Laviolette does not feel comfortable inserting the 34-year-old veteran into the lineup, or the club might be down another regular defenseman, necessitating that both Mancini and Ruhwedel would dress. The Blueshirts maintained their 23-man roster by dispatching Jake Leschyshyn to the Wolf Pack in exchange for Mancini, who had played three AHL: games (1-0-1) after skating in nine Rangers matches (1-3-4) out of the gate. It is unknown whether Filip Chytil, who has missed the first three games of the trip after sustaining an upper-body injury at the Garden on Nov. 14, will dress after rejoining the club in Calgary.Ubisoft recently released a new skin for the popular game "Assassin's Creed: Valhalla," and it has sparked widespread discussion among players. The skin, which features a stunning combination of pink and blue colors, has captivated the attention of gamers worldwide. The vibrant and unique design has caused many players to express their excitement and admiration for the new addition to the game.As the year-end bank deposit battle rages on, it remains to be seen which banks will emerge victorious and which ones will struggle to keep up with the escalating competition. One thing is for certain – the intense rivalry among banks for customers' deposits is set to continue, shaping the financial landscape well into the new year.

When considering sentencing options for perpetrators of rape on mentally ill individuals, courts often grapple with the delicate balance between punishment and rehabilitation. In some cases, the court may prioritize the protection and well-being of the victim by imposing strict penalties on the perpetrator, including lengthy prison sentences or mandatory psychiatric evaluations and treatment. However, in other cases where the perpetrator's mental state or culpability is in question, alternative sentencing options such as mental health diversion programs or community-based rehabilitation may be considered.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has recently released a report indicating that global goods trade experienced moderate growth in the fourth quarter of the year. This development comes amidst a backdrop of economic uncertainty and trade tensions, highlighting the resilience of the global trading system."I joked with my brother, saying if he ever feels bored, he can come and manage Girona," Pere Guardiola shared with a chuckle during a casual conversation. Girona, a club based in Catalonia, Spain, currently competes in the Segunda Division, the second tier of Spanish football. The idea of Pep Guardiola taking charge of a club like Girona, known for its close ties to Barcelona, sparked a wave of speculation and amusement among football enthusiasts.

The highly anticipated 82nd Golden Ball Award nomination list has finally been unveiled, sending waves of excitement through the entertainment industry. Among the long list of talented nominees, three names stood out in particular – Winslet, Selena, and 384, each of them earning double nominations across different categories.Marta’s magic helped get the Pride to Saturday’s NWSL title game against the Washington Spirit

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The emergence of Industry 4.0 has been a game-changer in reshaping traditional industrial processes and systems. By leveraging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and cloud computing, industries are able to streamline operations, optimize resource allocation, and enhance productivity. The interconnectedness and smart automation brought about by Industry 4.0 are revolutionizing the way businesses operate, fostering a more agile, adaptable, and efficient ecosystem.

On the other hand, the potential launch of the "Nintendo Switch 2" is also causing a stir in the gaming community. Since its release in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been a runaway success, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers with its innovative hybrid design and versatile gameplay experiences. With rumors of a next-generation Switch circulating for some time now, fans are eagerly anticipating what new features and improvements the updated console will bring. From enhanced graphics and processing power to new exclusive games and online capabilities, the Nintendo Switch 2 has the potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape once again.

In conclusion, Judd Trump's triumph at the English Open is a testament to his talent, work ethic, and sheer brilliance on the snooker table. As he continues to dazzle audiences and defy expectations, there is no doubt that Trump will remain a dominant force in the world of snooker for years to come.

The recent controversy surrounding the winter school uniforms being cut into rag waste has sparked heated debates and concerns among the public. Many parents and students have expressed their dismay and disbelief at the wasteful practice, leading to calls for accountability and responsible actions from the authorities. The Education Bureau has responded to the issue, stating that an investigation is currently underway to address the situation and ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The benchmark index’s 1.7% gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week. The Dow rose 1% as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It's now within about 0.5% of its all-time high set last week. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 2.2% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. All told, the S&P 500 rose 20.63 points to 5,969.34. The Dow climbed 426.16 points to 44,296.51, and the Nasdaq picked up 42.65 points to close at 2,406.67. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December.AOC Black Friday gaming monitor sale at Amazon — deals from $139lucky fish casino 。

‘They’ve done everything right’: Matt Rhule takes stock of Nebraska football’s week in NYCStocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts’ estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday, keeping the market on track for its fifth straight gain. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and was solidly on track for a weekly gain that will erase most of last week's loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 333 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat with a gain of less than 0.1% as of 3:07 p.m. Eastern. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 10.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 1.5% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.4% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 were gaining ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.3%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.6%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.8% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, Bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December.The Indianapolis Colts are still waiting to find out if Anthony Richardson will be able to play after missing a full week of practice , but they did get some good news ahead of Week 17. One of their top wide receivers, Alec Pierce , has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and will be active for their matchup with the New York Giants . Alec Pierce has cleared the concussion protocol and will be back for Sunday against the Giants. A little help with what will almost certainly be a backup QB in Joe Flacco (unless this team is really crazy). Colts WR Alec Pierce clears NFL concussion protocol set to play in Week 17 vs. Giants Pierce, along with Josh Downs , led the Colts with five receiving touchdowns this season, along with him having the second most yards even though he only has 58 targets on the year. He left the team's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos after taking a hard fall that ultimately landed him in the NFL's concussion protocol. He was forced to miss the team's Week 16 win over the Tennessee Titans but has now cleared protocol and holds no injury designation ahead of Week 17. Which means he is good to go and will suit up against the Giants. Pierce has had success with Richardson under center, but he also had a big outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this season with Joe Flacco under center. Pierce turned three catches into 134 yards and a touchdown. So there's reason to believe Pierce's big play ability will be a part of the team's game plan no matter who is under center. And with the team having to win each of their final two games even to have a shot at the post season, getting Pierce back on the field is a big development. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

Late kickoff return TDs by Turpin and Thomas spark the Cowboys as they end their 5-game skid

Osamu Suzuki, the man who brought affordable mobility to millions of Indians, dies at 94

Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is droppedIs Canada running out of time to make its buildings net zero?The rise and fall of strongmen, and justice for a woman unbowedPatient advocates call for more support for Australian workers living with a chronic condition/s following the release of a new insights report SYDNEY , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report released today has found that of the one in two Australians living with a chronic health condition/s, over a third (37%) have left a job due to their condition/s. The two leading reasons individuals leave are: stress from work exacerbating their condition/s (56%); and lack of support in the workplace (44%). The new Insights Report: Working Well – Creating Workplace Cultures to Unlock the Full Capabilities of Australians Living with Chronic Health Conditions, commissioned by AbbVie, explores the experiences of Australians in the workforce living with chronic health conditions. In addition, the report analyses the broader attitudes of Australians in the workplace towards working and supporting those with chronic conditions, and where opportunities lie to improve or introduce workplace education and support measures. The report uncovered that stigma and discrimination towards those living with a chronic condition/s is still highly prevalent in Australian workplaces, with almost one in five (19%) of Australian workers with a chronic health condition admitting they left their job because they were discriminated against. Concerningly, 77% of Australian workers believe individuals living with a chronic condition/s experience discrimination and stigma at work, and fear of stigma and discrimination is the most common reason those living with a chronic condition/s do not disclose their condition/s to their employers (51%). Deidre Mackechnie , Executive Officer at the Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance (APAA), said: "The Working Well Insights Report launched today provides crucial insights into the unique experiences and challenges of Australian workers living with chronic health conditions: including why individuals may or may not choose to disclose their condition; where workers go to for advice and support; and the impact their condition/s have on career planning and progression." "The report also highlights the key areas that Australian workers believe their employers can do more to support people with chronic conditions, such as improving flexible working hours, support to take time for medical appointments or treatments and workplace policies to support individuals. "We understand that every individual has their own unique needs based on their condition, and there is no standard workplace policy or support measure that will cater to all these needs. However, our hope is that this report can be used to start a conversation in the workplace on how employers and co-workers can better support those with chronic conditions and that these conversations will help to reduce the stigma and discrimination these individuals face," said Ms Mackechnie. Positively, data in the report shows a clear consensus from the broader Australian workforce that it is important for people with a chronic health condition to have opportunities to stay in the workforce (85%). More than four in five (83%) want training to learn how to support better individuals living with a chronic condition at work. Nathalie McNeil , Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Australia & New Zealand, said: "We know that the burden of chronic health conditions is continuing to rise, with data released earlier this month showing Australia spent $82 billion on chronic health conditions between 2022 and 2023. However, there has been little research into the role workplaces play to maximise workplace participation, especially for those living with chronic health conditions, to help reduce the financial, social and emotional burden." Australia's expenditure on managing chronic health conditions accounted for nearly half (48%) of total healthcare expenditure in 2022-23. Furthermore, from 2013–14 to 2022–23, total spending on disease and injury rose by $70.5 billion , 54% of which was driven by increase in spending for chronic conditions. "At AbbVie, we are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all our employees, including those living with chronic conditions. We are using the findings of the Working Well report to explore how we can better support those colleagues living with chronic health condition/s in order to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for all employees. "In 2025 we aim to work with other employers and organisations to discuss how we can better support Australians living and working with a chronic condition/s," said Ms McNeil. The full Insights Report: Working Well – Creating Workplace Cultures to Unlock the Full Capabilities of Australians Living with Chronic Health Conditions is available here .

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rode their dominant defense to a big win over a division rival to vault into first place in the NFC West. No, it isn’t 2013. These are the 2024 Seahawks, who, after struggling mightily against the run earlier this season, held the visiting Arizona Cardinals to 49 rushing yards in Sunday's 16-6 victory . The defensive line kept Kyler Murray under consistent pressure thanks to a dominant performance from Leonard Williams, the secondary flew around to smack away passes, and safety Coby Bryant scored on a 69-yard pick-6. Sunday's defensive performance was reminiscent of the Seahawks of a decade ago and a promising sign that first-year coach Mike Macdonald’s system is starting to click. Macdonald, who coordinated Baltimore's NFL-best defense last year, was leading one of the worst rush defenses in the league earlier this season. But Seattle consistently stuffed the Cardinals, who came in as the fifth-best running team in the league at 149.4 yards per game. “Three games in a row now we played pretty decent on defense,” Macdonald said. “There is an expectation and standard here throughout the course of our Seahawks history that we’re trying to live up to and build on. So that’s the idea.” At 6-5, the Seahawks drew even with the Cardinals in the tightly bunched division. The teams play each other again in two weeks at Arizona. Last month's trade for linebacker Ernest Jones IV has clearly paid off. Seattle hasn't allowed a running back to rush for more than 79 yards since its Week 8 loss to Buffalo, which was Jones' first game in a Seahawks uniform. He has led the team in tackles in every game he's played and has helped resurrect the run defense. The Seahawks' run game continues to underperform. Seattle got 65 yards on the ground Sunday, with the Cardinals holding Kenneth Walker III to 41 yards on 16 attempts. Zach Charbonnet had 22 yards on six carries. Walker hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb needs to think of something different to get the running backs involved. Williams single-handedly disrupted the Cardinals with 2 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and one pass defensed. “I thought he was dominant,” Macdonald said. “I knew he played great and then I looked at the stat line and he played out of his mind.” The Seahawks finished with five sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections against the Cardinals, shutting down a team that had averaged 29.3 points over its previous three games. Geno Smith finished with 254 yards passing and a touchdown, but he threw another momentum-stalling interception. Smith was picked off on a third-and-6 play on the Arizona 18-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, ending an 11-play, 73-yard drive. Smith has an NFL-most 12 interceptions this season, more than in either of his previous two seasons as the Seahawks' full-time starter. “That was a huge drive for us. ... Obviously made a terrible mistake down there, something I got to clean up,” Smith said. “But it was a big drive. We wanted to put the game ahead at least two scores.” The offensive line has contributed to the problem. Guard Anthony Bradford left with an ankle injury, and the line struggled to protect Smith, who was sacked five times. Macdonald said Bradford is expected to miss next week's game. 77 — Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking the fourth consecutive game that Smith-Njigba has led the team in receptions. He topped 100 yards receiving in the previous two games. “He’s getting open,” Smith said. “He’s catching the ball. He’s doing a great job in the screen game. All-around great player. I just think the way that teams are playing us coverage-wise, I feel like it’s the ultimate sign of respect.” The Seahawks play at the struggling New York Jets on Sunday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

VanTrust Real Estate Acquires Strategically Located Salt Lake County Site to Build Four New Industrial WarehousesLeslie's swings to quarterly loss as higher costs drag profits; shares drop 20%US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case ATLANTA (AP) — A judge has ruled that the Georgia state Senate can subpoena Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. It's part of a inquiry into whether Willis has engaged in misconduct during her prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump. But Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram is giving Willis the chance to contest whether lawmakers’ demands are overly broad before Willis responds. A Republican-led committee was formed earlier this year and sent subpoenas to Willis in August seeking to compel her to testify during its September meeting and to produce scores of documents. Willis argued that the committee didn’t have the power to subpoena her. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Father of Raiders star Malcolm Koonce has 1983 conviction tossed after DA says it was tainted NEW YORK (AP) — Years before Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce was born, his father spent time in prison for an armed robbery conviction that prosecutors now say was tainted by a detective’s lies and “highly suggestive” photo identification techniques. Jeffrey Koonce, now 67, had his conviction vacated and his indictment dismissed by New York judge Friday. Koonce spent nearly eight years in prison for a 1981 robbery at Vernon Stars Rod and Gun Club in Mount Vernon, where three people were struck by shotgun pellets as patrons were looted of cash and jewelry. He has always maintained his innocence. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were ready to deal veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline until Mike McDaniel stepped in. “I may or may not have thrown an adult temper tantrum,” Miami's coach said, confirming the news first reported by NFL Network Sunday morning. The Dolphins were 2-6 and had lost three straight at that point. They'd played four uninspired games without their starting quarterback, going 1-3 after Tua Tagovailoa on Sept. 17 with a concussion. Campbell would have had a chance to rejoin the contending Ravens, and Miami would have received a 2026 fifth-round pick in return, NFL Network reported. McDaniel argued that Campbell was too valuable to lose. “I was happy that they brought me into the conversations," Campbell said after Miami's . “They didn't have to say anything to me at all. We had a really good conversation about what we think about this team, where we are. We felt like we had a good shot to get back into the fight.” Added McDaniel: “I think it wasn’t like it was (GM) Chris (Grier) versus me. ... That’s the tricky thing about Chris’ job is he has to look long-term and short-term at the same time, what’s the best for the organization.” Campbell, a 17-year veteran, signed with the Dolphins after playing for Atlanta last season. Players and coaches have praised the 38-year-old's contributions on the field and in the locker room. “There’s no one’s game I’ve come to respect more than Calais up front on the D-line,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said, “being with him this year and just the energy, the attitude and the mindset he brings every week. It can’t be matched, and that’s the reason why he is who he is today and doing what he’s doing at 17 years.” Campbell leads the team with four sacks. With back-to-back sacks in Weeks 10 and 11, he became the eighth player 38 or older to record sacks in consecutive games since the 1970 merger. He also has nine tackles for loss, giving him at least five tackles for loss in 15 of his 17 seasons. He played for Baltimore from 2020-2022, totaling 11 sacks and 113 tackles. “I think he means a great deal to not only the defensive line room, but the entire defense as well as the entire team,” McDaniel said earlier this week. “It’s rare for a guy to get here when he did, and then be voted, with such conviction, captain. I think the way that he operates to be a pro, I think has had a substantial impact on a lot of players that hadn’t been fortunate enough to be around someone with sustained success like he’s had.” The Dolphins have won three straight games since the deadline. Miami's defense held the Patriots scoreless until the fourth quarter on Sunday. Campbell broke down the team's pregame huddle as he has done before most games this season. He was also seen coaching up rookie linebacker Chop Robinson, who is always seeking pointers from the six-time Pro Bowler. “My job is to speak on behalf of what’s the best thing for the 2024 Dolphins,” McDaniel said. “I’m just fortunate to work in an organization where myself and the GM can be transparent and work together. “And he didn’t want to see any more adult temper tantrums.” AP NFL:

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phoenix casino fish game table The much-awaited prequel to Outlander, titled Outlander: Blood of My Blood, is set to premiere on Starz in 2025. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for While the debut season is yet to grace our screens, fans are already wondering about the possibility of a second season. Centered on the love stories of Jamie Fraser’s parents, Ellen and Brian, as well as Claire’s lesser-known lineage, this spinoff has stirred speculation about its future, as mentioned in a report by TV Insider. Here’s everything we know so far about the potential for Outlander: Blood of My Blood Season 2. Talk of a Second Season: What’s Been Said? Though there has been no official confirmation from Starz regarding a second season, the groundwork for future installments seems promising. 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In an interview, Gabaldon mentioned that she has material for three prequel books centered on Jamie Fraser’s parents, with Blood of My Blood drawing from the synopsis of the first book, as per the TV Insider report. Gabaldon’s comments suggest that the storyline could expand beyond a single season, especially with rich literary material waiting to be explored. However, the decision ultimately rests with Starz, which has yet to announce any renewals or long-term plans for the series, as per the report by TV Insider. What Could Season 2 Cover? With the first season of Outlander: Blood of My Blood still unreleased, it’s challenging to predict the exact trajectory of Season 2. The initial installment is expected to delve into the lives of Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser in 18th-century Scotland, along with the love story of Claire’s parents, Henry and Julia, set against the backdrop of World War I England. Should the series return for a second season, fans could see a deeper exploration of these romances and the historical contexts that shape them. While Jamie’s parents have been referenced occasionally in Outlander, Claire’s family remains largely uncharted territory. This prequel could provide an opportunity to illuminate their lives and legacies. Who Could Return for Season 2? If Outlander: Blood of My Blood secures a second season, viewers can expect the main cast to reprise their roles. This includes Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie, Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser, Jeremy Irvine as Henry, and Hermione Corfield as Julia. Season 1’s supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Rory Alexander as young Murtagh, Sam Retford as young Dougal, Sadhbh Malin as Jocasta Cameron, and Tony Curran as Lord Lovat, among others. Additional casting for Season 2 would depend on the story’s direction, possibly introducing new characters pivotal to the narrative. What Lies Ahead for Outlander: Blood of My Blood? As fans eagerly await the premiere of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, the prospect of a second season adds to the excitement. With Diana Gabaldon’s wealth of prequel material and the show’s ambitious historical scope, the series has immense potential for expansion. FAQs How many episodes will Outlander season 7 have? The seventh season stands out as the longest yet, featuring an impressive total of 16 episodes. How old is Jamie when he dies in Outlander? In a 2014 interview on the Outlander Podcast , Diana Gabaldon revealed that Jamie is around 25 years old at the time of his death. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )NFL Thanksgiving: Picks for Dolphins-Packers, Bears-Lions, Giants-Cowboys. Will Miami be the big upset?

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Chatham (N.J.), Dec 14 (AP) That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what's behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey's new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they're looking into what's happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump's Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let's solve it, has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it's otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it's a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she's glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn't buy what the governor said, that the drones aren't a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security?or public safety?threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it's not posing a threat if you don't know what it is?” she said. “I think that's why so many people are uneasy.” Then there's the notion that people could misunderstand what they're seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they're looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We've lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin's view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That's not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it's up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don't want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it's foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I'm saying is it's alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. (AP) IJT IJT (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 13, 2024-- Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII, www.digi.com ), a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products and services, announces the nomination of two new members to its Board of Directors: Valerie Heusinkveld and Allison West Hughes. In addition, Sally Smith, a Digi director since 2018, has announced her intention to retire from the Board at the conclusion of the company’s annual meeting to be held on February 3, 2025. The election of Ms. Heusinkveld and Ms. Hughes will be voted on by the company’s stockholders at that same annual meeting. Ms. Heusinkveld served as Chief Financial Officer of Cradlepoint, Inc., a provider of bundled cellular hardware and connectivity and monitoring software solutions, from 2012 until her retirement in 2021. Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Purcell Systems from 2007 to 2012. As a former Chief Financial Officer at high technology companies, she has extensive high technology industry knowledge and leadership experience in both financial and operational matters. The company believes this experience would provide the Board with expertise in such areas as finance, operations, hardware and solutions sales models with a focus on annual recurring revenue (ARR), as well as mergers and acquisitions, internal controls, risk management and auditing. Ms. West Hughes has served as Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Corporation since July 2022, initially focused on digital acquisition and adding responsibility for small and medium business in July 2024. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President, Global Digital Go to Market at ServiceNow, a cloud computing platform software company servicing businesses of varying sizes, from July 2021 to June 2022, after having served as Vice President from April 2020 and previously serving as Area Vice President from 2018. She has extensive high technology industry knowledge and leadership experience and brings expertise in such areas as sales and marketing and operations. The company believes her expertise in marketing and selling subscription-based offerings resulting in annual recurring revenue, as well as working with customers of varying degrees of scale would be valuable as the company executes on the expansion of recurring revenue-based solutions offerings across its business. “We want to thank Sally for her commitment to Digi and her assistance in helping the company grow and advance its mission. While her contributions were significant and will be missed, we are thrilled to nominate both Valerie and Allison to our Board of Directors,” said Satbir Khanuja, Ph.D., Non-executive Chairman of the Board, Digi International. “Their extensive experience in technology, innovation, ARR and financial strategy aligns with Digi's commitment to driving IoT advancements and delivering value to our stakeholders. We are confident their leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver on our vision as we continue expanding our global presence and driving Digi’s renaissance as a leading solution provider in the IoT space.” The nomination of Heusinkveld and Hughes underscores Digi's dedication to fostering innovation and sustaining Digi’s excellence in technology innovation and customer-centricity. Additional Information and Where to Find It Digi International has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) with respect to its solicitation of proxies for Digi International’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”). The Definitive Proxy Statement contains important information about the matters to be voted on at the 2025 Annual Meeting. STOCKHOLDERS OF DIGI INTERNATIONAL ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT DIGI INTERNATIONAL HAS FILED OR WILL FILE WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DIGI INTERNATIONAL AND THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING. Stockholders are able to obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Digi International through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov . In addition, stockholders are able to obtain free copies of these documents from Digi International by going to Digi International’s Investor Relations page on its website at www.digi.com . Participants in the Solicitation The directors, executive officers, and employees of Digi International may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Digi International in connection with 2025 Annual Meeting. Digi International has also engaged Alliance Advisors LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the 2025 Annual Meeting and to provide related advice and informational support. Information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the 2025 Annual Meeting is included in the Definitive Proxy Statement. About Digi International Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) is a leading global provider of IoT connectivity products, services, and solutions. It helps companies create next-generation connected products and deploy and manage critical communications infrastructures in demanding environments with high levels of security and reliability. Founded in 1985, Digi has helped customers connect more than 100 million things and counting. For more information, visit www.digi.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213612450/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact: Peter Ramsay Global Results Communications digi@globalresultspr.com 949.307.5908 KEYWORD: MINNESOTA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) SEMICONDUCTOR SECURITY OTHER TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET MOBILE/WIRELESS HARDWARE ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION SOURCE: Digi International Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/13/2024 05:50 PM/DISC: 12/13/2024 05:48 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213612450/en

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HarborOne Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:HONE) Plans Quarterly Dividend of $0.08FORESIGHT VENTURES VCT PLC (FORMERLY THAMES VENTURES VCT 1 PLC) Unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report 30 September 2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS £72.7m Total net assets as at 30 September 2024 1.1p Dividend paid 26 July 2024 42.1p NAV per share as at 30 September 2024 CHAIR'S STATEMENT "I present the Company's unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 30 September 2024.” Post-period activity Before discussing the period to 30 September 2024, I would like to welcome our new Shareholders who have been issued shares in the Company as part of the merger with Thames Ventures VCT 2 plc ("TV2”). The merger completed on 15 November following a General Meeting held on 8 November. As part of the merger, the Company has been renamed Foresight Ventures VCT plc, and TV2 has been placed into members' voluntary liquidation. I am also pleased to welcome Andrew Mackintosh, previously a director of TV2, who has now been appointed to the Board of the Company following completion of the merger. The Company's Net Asset Value ("NAV”) per share has been reset to 100.0p and the merger has resulted in an enlarged company with net assets of £110 million. The Board believes this will bring a number of benefits to the Company, such as greater scale to raise and deploy capital into new and existing portfolio companies, as well as improved liquidity for dividends and buybacks. On 15 November, the Company launched an offer for subscription to raise £5 million (with an over-allotment facility of a further £5 million). The promoter's fee will be waived for applications made by existing shareholders of any Foresight VCT. New investors, who do not benefit as existing investors but who make an application by 20 December 2024, will, however, benefit from the offer costs being reduced by 1.0% of the amount subscribed. Net Asset Value and dividends As at 30 September 2024, the Company's NAV per share stood at 42.1p, a decrease of 4.0p (or 8.7%) over the period. After adding back the dividend paid in the period of 1.1p per share, the decrease was 6.3%. The Company's policy is to seek to pay annual dividends of at least 4% of net assets per annum. During the period, on 26 July 2024, the Company paid an interim dividend of 1.1p, taking total dividends paid in respect of the year ended 31 March 2024 up to 2.1p per share, equivalent to 4.1% of the opening net assets of the previous financial year. This took the total dividends paid since the merger with Downing Absolute Income VCT 1 plc, Downing Absolute Income VCT 2 plc, Downing Income VCT plc, Downing Income VCT 3 plc and Downing Income VCT 4 plc in November 2013 to 47.6p per share. The Company offers its Shareholders the opportunity to participate in a Dividend Reinvestment Scheme, whereby they may elect to receive shares, credited as fully paid, instead of receiving dividends in cash. If you wish to participate, please contact the registrar, City Partnership, at the details provided on page 30 of the Unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report. Investment performance and portfolio activity A detailed analysis of the investment portfolio performance over the period is given in the Investment Adviser's Review. In brief, during the six months under review, the whole portfolio showed investment valuation losses of £9.4 million. Despite this disappointing overall performance, there were some highlights; a total of £2.9 million of proceeds were received from the sale of Data Centre Response Limited, as well as deferred consideration totalling £0.6 million, producing realised gains of £2.2 million. The Investment Adviser also completed two follow-on investments totalling £1.1 million. Responsible investing The Board notes the commitment of the Investment Adviser, Foresight Group, to being a "Responsible Investor”. Foresight places environmental, social and governance ("ESG”) criteria at the forefront of its business and investment activities in line with best practice and in order to enhance returns for their investors. Further detail can be found on page 17 of the Unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report. Special administration of the Company's custodian of quoted assets As previously reported, since September 2020 the Company has used IBP Capital Markets Limited ("IBP”) as custodian for its quoted investments. Appointing a custodian is a requirement of the FCA, and IBP is an FCA authorised and regulated wholesale broker, providing custody services and access to equity and fixed income securities for non-retail clients (which includes the Company). On 13 October 2023, the FCA published a supervisory notice under section 55L(3)(a) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, imposing certain restrictions on IBP. On the same date, IBP applied to the High Court and special administrators were appointed. As noted in the Annual Report, on 19 July 2024, around 80% of the quoted investment portfolio was returned to the Company, meaning normal management and trading of these positions was resumed. The remaining 20% will be returned following the conclusion of court proceedings, the timing of which is currently anticipated to take place in the second half of 2025, unless additional claims are submitted or the outcome of the court proceedings in terms of a final distribution is any different. The Company will communicate with Shareholders if there is any new information which materially impacts the numbers presented in this report. Share buybacks The Company continues to operate a policy of buying in its own shares that become available in the market at a 5% discount to NAV (subject to liquidity and regulatory restrictions). Subsequent to the merger, the Board intends to reduce this target discount to 2.5% in future. During the period the Company purchased 5,522,581 shares for cancellation at an average discount of 5.0%, which represented 3.1% of shares in issue at the date of the last Annual Report. Share buybacks are timed to avoid the Company's closed periods. Buybacks will generally take place, subject to demand, during the following times of the year: Management charges and performance incentive The annual management fee is an amount equal to 2.0% of net assets. There is no change to the management fee or secretarial fee post-merger. From 1 October 2024, the Investment Adviser took over responsibility for management of the Quoted Growth portfolio from Downing LLP. The team at Downing LLP continues to advise the Company on the Yield Focused portfolio under a subcontract agreement with Foresight Group LLP. A new performance incentive scheme was formally approved by Shareholders as part of the merger on 15 November 2024. This scheme, in brief, means a performance fee would be payable to the Investment Adviser at the end of each performance period, subject to a total return hurdle. The fee would be equal to the lesser of: (i) 20% of distributions attributable to the relevant performance period; or (ii) 20% of the increase in the total return which is higher than the hurdle. The Board believes this new scheme will provide additional motivation for the Investment Adviser to drive enhanced shareholder value. Board composition As noted in the Annual Report, Chris Kay resigned as a Director of the Company on 6 June 2024. Post period end, Andrew Mackintosh has joined the Board from TV2 subsequent to the merger. Andrew is chair of UKI2S, a government-backed venture capital fund supporting companies from the UK's scientific research base. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and was awarded a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to Science and Technology, and to Enterprise Development, and we are delighted to have him on board. The Board now comprises four Non-Executive Directors, which the Board considers to be an appropriate number for the current size of the VCT. All of the Directors are independent of the Investment Adviser, with the exception of Chris Allner who is considered non-independent by virtue of being a partner at Downing LLP, the previous investment adviser to the Company, which still provides some services to our new Investment Adviser. VCT sunset clause I am pleased to report that new regulations have been made to extend the UK's VCT scheme by ten years to April 2035, following the European Commission's confirmation that they would not oppose the continuation of the scheme. This now removes any recent uncertainty and will help support further investment by the VCT sector in early-stage companies. Outlook At the date of the merger the Company's NAV per share had increased to 42.6p, as a result of valuation uplifts in the Quoted Growth portfolio, as well as favourable exchange rates on our US investments. With an offer for subscription now out to raise further funds, in addition to the cash boost on acquiring the assets of TV2, and a refreshed performance incentive scheme to greater motivate the Investment Adviser, we look forward to seeing an increase in deployment to enhance the portfolio and returns to Shareholders. Whilst the macroeconomic environment has been challenging for the last two years, the Investment Adviser is cautiously optimistic that 2025 will provide more positive conditions for our portfolio companies. The downward trajectory of inflation and interest rates should lead to increasing confidence and encourage investors to return to the market. Atul Devani Chair 20 December 2024 INVESTMENT ADVISER'S REVIEW "We present our Investment Adviser's Review for the six ‐ month period ended 30 September 2024.” Unquoted Growth Portfolio summary At 30 September 2024, the Company held total unquoted investments of £44.4 million, split £34.5 million Unquoted Growth and £9.9 million Unquoted Yield Focused. Details of the Unquoted Yield Focused portfolio performance are set out on page 8 of the Unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report. The Unquoted Growth portfolio comprises 29 companies, across a range of sectors. Following a challenging period for the year ended 31 March 2024, with the portfolio unfavourably impacted by the downturn of the UK economy, the six months ended 30 September 2024 has been similarly disappointing, resulting in an overall unrealised investment valuation loss of £2.2 million in the portfolio. Investment activity There were no new investments made during the period ended 30 September 2024. The Company made follow-on investments in two Unquoted Growth companies during the period, totalling £1.1 million: FundingXchange Limited (£750,000), a fintech platform delivering SME lenders insights into their portfolios. This investment was made concurrently with a £5.0 million investment from Barclays as part of a £6.0 million round. This transformational investment will allow the company to build on early commercial success and deepen the strategic and commercial relationship with Barclays. Rated People Limited (£375,000), an online marketplace connecting homeowners and local tradespeople. This investment allows the strengthened management team to implement the necessary product and operational changes to enable a return to growth and a cash-generative business model. There was one realisation during the period ended 30 September 2024: DSTBTD Limited (trading as Distributed ) was sold for £1 to ILX Group. No proceeds were returned to the Company, which was a disappointing result for the team, but a favourable outcome to an administration process, which was a real possibility after a proposed funding failed to come together. Key portfolio developments There were some material write downs in the Unquoted Growth portfolio during the period, and some companies have continued to struggle in the challenging macroeconomic environment. However, there have also been some positive movements in valuation. This has resulted in a net total realised and unrealised investment valuation loss of £3.0 million in the period, including £0.7 million in unrealised foreign exchange losses. Of the total investment loss, total losses of £6.5 million were offset by gains of £3.5 million. The most significant movements are noted below. The largest gain in value was in Ayar Labs, Inc , a silicon photonic chiplet developer used in next-generation AI data centers of the major hyperscalers and cloud-service providers. The valuation increased by £1.9 million, including foreign exchange losses, as a result of a new funding round. Other unrealised valuation gains included: Rated People Limited , an online marketplace connecting homeowners and local tradespeople, increased in value by £596,000. This was due to a follow-on funding round enhancing the Company's share of proceeds on any liquidity event. It is also worth noting that the company is now trading profitably and under new leadership. Carbice Corporation, Inc has developed a suite of products based on its carbon material, used primarily as thermal management solutions to enable greater thermal conductivity. The valuation increased by £401,000, including foreign exchange losses, as a result of the recent closure of a funding round that increases the prospect of growth and, ultimately, a positive realisation for investors. Four other companies in the Unquoted Growth portfolio made up investment valuation gains of £603,000. There were also a number of valuation losses reported in the period. The greatest loss was in Cambridge Touch Technologies Ltd , a company developing pressure sensitive multi-touch technology, which reduced in value by £1.9 million as a result of a challenging funding environment for deep tech companies. As noted above , DSTBTD Limited (trading as Distributed) was sold for £1 to ILX Group during the period. No proceeds were returned to the Company, resulting in a realised loss of £775,000. Other investment valuation losses included: Vivacity Labs Limited , a provider of Artificial Intelligence sensors to monitor and control traffic flows, was written down to nil value in the period, a decrease in value of £960,000, following a new funding round. The investment round (that we chose not to participate in) generated penal terms for shareholders not participating in the funding round and resulted in the write down. Masters of Pie Limited , developer of "Radical”, a software solution that enables remote sharing and collaboration on large data sets, was reduced by £700,000 as a result of a challenging period for the company from a trading perspective. It is hoped that this situation will improve in Q4 2024, albeit the position remains challenging. Virtual Class Ltd (trading as Third Space Learning) , a platform offering personalised online lessons from specialist tutors, decreased in carrying value by £466,000, driven by significant budgetary pressure experienced by UK schools, a key customer group. It is hoped that early international sales (in the US) will somewhat offset challenges in the UK market. Parsable, Inc. , a provider of software to improve operational efficiencies in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, has seen a valuation decrease of £460,000, including foreign exchange losses. During the period, an offer to acquire Parsable was received that, whilst at a valuation lower than we expected, was accepted by the Board, and the valuation has been aligned with anticipated proceeds. Bulbshare Limited , a company that enables brands to build communities from their existing customers to gather consumer insights, was exited post period end. The valuation was reduced by £371,000 in line with the exit proceeds received. Trinny London Limited , a multi-channel female beauty and skincare brand, was reduced in value by £354,000 due to a decline in comparable market valuation multiples. Despite this, the business increased revenue during the period and remains profitable. CommerceIQ , Inc. , the pioneer in helping brands win on retail e-commerce channels, decreased by £221,000 in the period, including foreign exchange losses. Whilst CommerceIQ's revenues increased during the period, market valuations for similar businesses declined and, consequently, the valuation fall is a reflection of wider market conditions. Four other companies in the Unquoted Growth portfolio made up valuation losses of £340,000. Aside from Vivacity Labs Limited, no other investments were written down to nil during the period. Post period end activity After the period end, the Company completed two new investments totalling £1.6 million into Dragonfly Technology Solutions Ltd (£600,000), a predictive analytics business, and Alison Technologies Ltd (£978,000), a developer of an innovative AI marketing insights tool. The Company also completed two follow-on investments totalling £1.1 million into Maestro Media Limited (£750,000) and Virtual Class Ltd (£300,000). The Company received £1.1 million in proceeds from the exit of Bulbshare Limited in October. At the date of the merger, the Unquoted Growth portfolio had seen positive foreign exchange movements totalling £421,000. Outlook Whilst the macroeconomic environment has been challenging for the last two years, we are cautiously optimistic that 2025 will provide more positive conditions for our portfolio companies. The downward trajectory of inflation and interest rates should lead to increasing confidence and encourage investors to return to the market. From an exit perspective, the IPO market is unlikely to open up in the short term, but we are seeing signs that PE and trade buyers will be more active in 2025, offering potential liquidity opportunities for portfolio companies. In addition to the anticipated improved macro environment, we believe the merger with Thames Ventures VCT 2 plc has created a company well placed for success, with a very clear investment mandate (exclusively investing in private technology businesses) and benefiting from more streamlined company reporting and administration. Foresight Group LLP 20 December 2024 Yield Focused portfolio Downing LLP continues to advise the Company on the Unquoted Yield Focused portfolio under a subcontract from Foresight Group LLP. Downing presents a review of the Yield Focused portfolio for the six months ended 30 September 2024. At the period end, the Yield Focused portfolio consisted of seven active investments, all of which are unquoted, with a total value of £9.9 million. Divestment activity During the period, the focus was on investment realisations from the Yield Focused portfolio, which resulted in proceeds of £2.9 million from the exit of Data Centre Response Limited, a provider of power solutions and maintenance services to data centres. There were no new or follow-on investments. Realisations in the period ended 30 September 2024 The Yield Focused portfolio reduced in value by £113,000 during the period, with one company, Data Centre Response Limited, recognising a gain of £494,000 on exit, as noted above, and four companies recognising unrealised losses of £607,000: Pilgrim Trading Limited , an operator and owner of two children's nurseries in West London, decreased in value by £437,000 after two periods of unsuccessful marketing proved the last independent valuation of the business to be unachievable in current market conditions. Consequently, the independent valuation has now been heavily discounted. Kimbolton Lodge Limited , a nursing and care home in Bedfordshire, decreased in value by £67,000 to bring the valuation in line with the anticipated proceeds from a sale process that is currently underway. Doneloans Limited , which holds a portfolio of secured loans, decreased in value by £67,000 driven by the cost of its own funding marginally exceeding interest receivable from its borrowers. SF Renewables (Solar) Limited , which built and operates a solar plant in India, was reduced by £36,000 in line with the exit proceeds received post period end. Outlook With one exit during the period and another shortly after period end, there were six investments remaining in the Yield Focused portfolio at the time of writing. Downing is actively seeking to progress exits from both Kimbolton Lodge and Pilgrim Trading, though the latter is currently looking less likely to materialise. Given current market conditions, sales of the higher value, hotel-related investments, Baron House Developments and Cadbury House Holdings, are expected to take some time to complete. The recovery of value from Doneloans is linked largely to the sale of Pilgrim Trading, which is the lender's largest loan, but additional recoveries are anticipated from other borrowers over the next 12 months. Downing LLP and Foresight Group LLP 20 December 2024 Quoted Growth portfolio For the six months to 30 September 2024, Downing LLP continued to advise the Company on the Quoted Growth portfolio under a subcontract from Foresight Group LLP. From 1 October 2024, Foresight Group LLP took on full responsibility for management of the Quoted Growth portfolio. Investment activity Markets continued to be volatile through the reporting period. The impending Budget dominated market behaviours, particularly the FTSE AIM Index, where fears over an abolition of IHT reliefs on AIM shares adversely affected the market. In the end, this fear was overcooked, and the FTSE AIM All Share rallied 4% on the day of the Budget, as it was announced that reliefs on AIM shares would remain, albeit at half the relief previously enjoyed. Since the Budget, the new concern has been focused on the impact of National Insurance increases, which have weighed heavily on UK Small and Mid-Cap companies. There is a general acceptance that inflation will still be a looming threat and hence interest rates will remain higher for longer. There were no investments or realisations made during the six months to 30 September 2024. Key portfolio developments At 30 September 2024, the Quoted Growth portfolio was valued at £13.4 million, comprising 36 active investments. Over the six-month period, the portfolio produced net valuation losses of £4.7 million, offset by £3.8 million received in dividends from the portfolio. Two companies, valued at £78,000 at year end, have been written down to nil during the period. The most significant loss was incurred in Tracsis plc , a provider of transport technology, which saw valuation losses of £2.4 million during the period due to a profit warning, citing delays on rail infrastructure spend incurred due to the early election. This was exacerbated by contract delays in their US business. This was offset by valuation gains elsewhere in the portfolio, where Anpario plc , a specialist manufacturer and distributor of natural sustainable feed additives for animal health, nutrition and biosecurity, increased by £680,000 net of £46,000 dividends received, reflecting an improvement in trading post supply chain issues experienced during the inflationary period post covid. A net gain of £615,000 was made in Downing Strategic Micro ‐ Cap Investment Trust plc , where special dividends of £3.7 million were made during the period, as part of the managed wind-down of the Trust. Since the period end, a further special dividend of 2.2p, equating to £133,000, has been received by the Company. Meanwhile Cohort plc, the parent company of six businesses providing a wide range of services and products for British, Portuguese and other international customers in defence and security markets, booked an unrealised gain of £558,000. This mirrored profit upgrades, contract renewals and strong financial results. This momentum has continued post period end. As at 17 December 2024, the valuation of the Quoted Growth portfolio had decreased by £226,000 (-1.7%). IBP Capital Markets Limited As noted in the Annual Report, the Company recovered c.80% of its total Quoted Growth portfolio on 19 July 2024, with the remaining c.20% to be recovered following court proceedings, currently anticipated to take place in the second half of 2025. Up until July, the ability to trade the portfolio continued to be restricted and hence there has been limited ability to manage exposures within the portfolio. The Company is now able to trade its positions, having been unable to do so since October 2023. Post-period end activity Post period end, ahead of the Budget, shares were sold in 14 of the Company's Quoted Growth portfolio holdings. Notably, holdings in Anpario plc and Craneware plc were reduced, as well as in Impact Healthcare REIT plc, a non-qualifying holding. As previously communicated to Shareholders, the strategy going forward is to realise the Quoted Growth portfolio over time, which will free up funds to be redeployed into Unquoted Growth holdings. Outlook A number of the Quoted Growth companies in the portfolio have been consistently overoptimistic about hitting milestones for product development, revenues and ultimately profits. Given competition for capital amongst the wider portfolio of venture capital holdings, Foresight took the difficult decision to reduce a number of these positions. Achieving a total sale of individual holdings has not been possible, given that 20% of the Company's Quoted Growth assets are still tied up in the custodian IBP Capital Markets Limited ("IBP”), which remains in special measures. While this is frustrating, as it does not allow portfolio management to be conducted across the entire portfolio should changes need to be made, we are able to make them to substantially all of the holdings. The Quoted Growth holdings have reduced as a percentage of the Company's total assets, but we firmly believe that by making these changes we have increased the overall quality and see an encouraging future, despite an uncertain macroeconomic background. Downing LLP and Foresight Group LLP 20 December 2024 UNAUDITED HALF-YEARLY RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENTS Principal risks and uncertainties The principal risks faced by the Company are as follows: In the view of the Board, there have been no changes to the fundamental nature of these risks since the previous report and these principal risks and uncertainties are equally applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review. Directors' responsibility statement The Disclosure and Transparency Rules ("DTR”) of the UK Listing Authority require the Directors to confirm their responsibilities in relation to the preparation and publication of the Half-Yearly Financial Report. The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that: a) The summarised set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with FRS 104 b) The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year) c) The summarised set of financial statements gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company as required by DTR 4.2.4R d) The interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions and changes therein) Going concern The Company's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, are set out in the Strategic Report of the Annual Report. The financial position of the Company, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Chair's Statement, Strategic Report and Notes to the Accounts of the 31 March 2024 Annual Report. In addition, the Annual Report includes the Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. The Company has adequate financial resources at the period end and holds a diversified portfolio of investments. As a consequence, the Directors believe that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks successfully. The Directors have reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the half-yearly financial statements. The Half-Yearly Financial Report has not been audited nor reviewed by the auditors. On behalf of the Board Atul Devani Chair 20 December 2024 UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT For the six months ended 30 September 2024 30 September 2024 (Unaudited) 30 September 2023 (Unaudited) 31 March 2024 (Audited) All revenue and capital items in the above Income Statement are derived from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period. The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than those shown above, therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses has been presented. The Company has only one class of business and one reportable segment, the results of which are set out in the Income Statement and Balance Sheet. There are no potentially dilutive capital instruments in issue and, therefore, no diluted earnings per share figures are relevant. The basic and diluted earnings per share are, therefore, identical. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS For the six months ended 30 September 2024 premiumMondee Announces Receipt of Non-Compliance Letter from Nasdaq; Prasad Gundumogula takes leave of absence as CEO; Mondee Appoints Jesus Portillo as CEO

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Pet of the week: Meet Charley, the adorable member of the basketball team at Montclair State UniversityKulgam, Nov 23: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Masood today visited village Gudder of Kulgam district and held a massive public grievances redressal camp. The camp witnessed an overwhelming participation of locals, who raised various issues and concerns related to infrastructure development and welfare schemes before the Minister. Addressing the gathering, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing public grievances and ensuring effective public service delivery. “Mitigating public issues is a top priority of the government led by Omar Abdullah”, Sakeena said. She added that “our government is working tirelessly to create a conducive environment for our citizens, ensuring their needs are met with efficiency and transparency.” Sakeena Masood highlighted that the government’s focus is on strengthening public grievance mechanisms for prompt redressal of grievances and issues raised by them. “Our government is committed to provide best possible services across all sectors like education, healthcare and infrastructure, to enhance quality of life for everyone”, she said. The Minister assured the gathering that their trust in the government would be met with actions that will translate into tangible benefits for the community. Director RDD Kashmir, district officers of various departments and a large number of locals were also present on the occasion.

Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant finished with seven receptions for 197 yards. Altmeyer put Illinois in front with a 30-yard TD run with 3:07 to go. He passed to Josh McCray on the 2-point conversion, making it 30-24. Rutgers responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Athan Kaliakmanis had a 15-yard run on fourth down. He passed to running back Kyle Manangai for a 13-yard TD with 1:08 remaining. Illinois then drove 75 yards in eight plays for the unexpected win. Kaliakmanis was 18 for 36 for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 84 yards and two TDs. Monangai had a career-high 28 carries for 122 yards. Kaliakmanis found Ian Strong for a 2-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the first half, and he scored on a 1-yard run to lift Rutgers to a 24-15 lead early in the fourth quarter. Illinois responded with Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard TD run, setting up the roller-coaster finish. The start of the second half was delayed because of a scrum between the teams. There were no punches thrown and the officials called penalties on both schools. Monangai’s day Monangai become the third player in Rutgers history to rush for 3,000 yards when he picked up 4 on a third-and-1 carry early in the second quarter. The defending conference rushing champion joins Ray Rice and Terrell Willis in hitting the mark. The takeaway Illinois: The great finish keeps the Illini in line for its first nine-win season since 2007 and a prestigious bowl game this season. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were seconds away from their first in-conference three-game win streak since joining the Big Ten in 2014. Up next Illinois: At Northwestern next Saturday. Rutgers: At Michigan State next Saturday.The USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of (the ships) by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defence analyst at the Hudson Institute. The US has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the US military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added manoeuvrability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post newspaper reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defence department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon had previously acknowledged the weapon’s development, it had not recognised its testing. One of the US programmes in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the Conventional Prompt Strike. It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a 7.5 billion US dollars (£5.9 billion) warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an advanced gun system with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was cancelled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost up to one million dollars (£790,000). Despite the stain on their reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers: Zumwalt, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B Johnson; remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warships in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimise radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The US is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to US national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities”, said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defence department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Kmani Doughty had 17 points in Indiana State's 83-80 victory against Iona on Saturday. Doughty shot 5 of 9 from the field, including 1 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 7 from the line for the Sycamores (4-4). Jaden Daughtry added 16 points while going 6 of 9 and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line while they also had six rebounds and three steals. Josiah LeGree shot 5 for 8, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points. The Gaels (2-6) were led by Dejour Reaves, who posted 30 points and three steals. Adam Njie added 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals for Iona. Yaphet Moundi also had 12 points and nine rebounds. LeGree scored 11 points in the first half for Indiana State, who went into halftime tied 45-45 with Iona. Indiana State. Samage Teel scored 10 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Suspended soccer coach Bev Priestman has broken her silence, saying she hopes something positive comes out of the ongoing Canadian drone-spying scandal. “I hope out of a really tough situation, this is a turning point for our game,” she wrote in an Instagram post via her verified account. “There has been a standard and precedent set now, irrespective of gender, tournament or associated revenues that will hopefully clean up our game.” She did not address her role in the affair in the six-paragraph post. Priestman, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joey Lombardi are all serving one-year FIFA bans for their role in the scandal, which saw the Canada women’s team use a drone to spy on two New Zealand training sessions at the Olympics. Canada Soccer says the three won’t be back in the wake of the recent independent report into the scandal. Lombardi is already gone, having resigned his position after the Olympics. “The findings of the independent investigator reveal that the incident itself was a symptom of a difficult and unacceptable past culture within the national teams,” Canada Soccer chief executive officer and general secretary Kevin Blue and president and board chair Peter Augruso said in a statement when the report was released earlier this month. Canada Soccer continues to investigate the roots of the spying scandal and has initiated a disciplinary process against former men’s and women’s coach John Herdman, currently coach of Toronto FC. The governing body has said it “has initiated a proceeding with respect to Mr. Herdman under its Disciplinary Code.” Herdman did not speak to Sonia Regenbogen, who wrote the report. Priestman signed a new contract in January that runs through the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The 38-year-old Priestman took over the Canadian women on Nov. 1, 2020, and was initially appointed “through the next quadrennial.” She had been working on a rolling contract — until the new deal. “It has and will continue to take some time to process, heal, find the right words and step back into a public setting but I felt I should say something irrespective of ongoing circumstances,” Priestman wrote. In addition to the suspensions, FIFA docked the Canadian women six points in the group stage at the Olympics and fined Canada Soccer 200,000 Swiss francs ($312,815). Despite that, defending champion Canada still managed to make the knockout round before losing a penalty shootout to Germany in the quarterfinals. “I know that amazing group was ready to reach the top again this summer, but in many ways what they did was even more special under such difficult circumstances,” Priestman wrote. She also thanked those who had reached out to her. “You continue to help me through some dark days,” she said. Canadian under-20 coach Cindy Tye has been named interim coach for the sixth-ranked Canadians’ upcoming friendlies in Spain against Iceland and South Korea.

( ) shares are ending the week on a high. In morning trade, the infant formula company's shares are up 18% to $5.70. Why are A2 Milk shares ending the week with a bang? Investors have been scrambling to buy the company's shares this morning after it released a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting. According to the release, business has been stronger than expected during the first half, which has led to a revenue guidance upgrade. But the bigger news is that A2 Milk is finally going to start sharing its profits with its shareholders. After sitting on a mountain of cash for some time, the company has decided that now is the time to pay . Revenue guidance Let's start with its revenue guidance upgrade. Management advised that year to date trading is ahead of plan and the guidance it provided in August. This is primarily due to a significant increase in MVM external ingredient sales compared to plan. This is being driven by higher global dairy Ttade prices, currency impacts, and changes in product mix. However, this is expected to have an immaterial impact on EBITDA and a slightly dilutive impact on gross margin and its EBITDA margin. Outside this, management notes that English Label infant milk formula (IMF) sales and Liquid Milk sales are slightly ahead of plan year to date. In light of the above, the company is now forecasting mid to high single-digit revenue growth in FY 2025 versus FY 2024. This compares favourably to its previous guidance of mid single-digit growth. A2 Milk's EBITDA margin as a percentage of revenue in FY 2025 is still expected to be broadly in line with FY 2024. This includes its first half margin being down and its second half margin being up compared with the prior year. Dividend policy While the above is positive, the main thing driving A2 Milk shares higher today is likely to be the establishment of a dividend policy. The company notes that its dividend policy targets a payout ratio range of between 60% and 80% of net profit after tax excluding non-recurring and other items (normalised NPAT). This dividend policy commences immediately and the first interim dividend is expected to be declared in February 2025 with a payout ratio of 60% of normalised NPAT. The company also advised that it would consider special dividends in time, once it has executed its strategy and risk mitigation. If A2 Milk had paid out 60% of its earnings per share in FY 2024, it would have meant a dividend of 12.6 cents per share. This equates to a 2.6% based on yesterday's close price. The company's chair, Pip Greenwood, said: The a2 Milk Company has made considerable progress in developing its operating model and creating a more resilient business. Given this progress and our strong balance sheet position, the Board believes the time is right to introduce a dividend policy that delivers sustainable cash returns to shareholders over time. Commenting on the dividend policy, A2 Milk's CEO, David Bortolussi, said: I am pleased to introduce The a2 Milk Company's first dividend policy to reward our shareholders for their support over many years and to reflect the significant progress made since we announced our refreshed growth strategy in 2021.

Play-to-earn (P2E) cryptocurrencies are growing fast in popularity, providing gamers the chance to earn real-world rewards in return for achieving goals within games. Blockchain-based games provide unique tokens and assets, which users can buy or sell to generate a profit. With December 2024 coming up, many new, exciting P2E games are jumping at the attention of gamers and crypto enthusiasts. The top 10 play-to-earn play-to-earn cryptocurrencies to watch this month will also be explored in this article, which highlights their future capacity and rewards. Play to earn (P2E) gaming enables users to earn cryptocurrency and blockchain based assets while playing. Such rewards can come in the form of native tokens, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), or convertible virtual items — that is, items which have real value in the marketplace. The blockchain gaming sector is scaling, and these P2E platforms afford gamers a way to monetize their time playing games and their in game skills. As December 2024 looms and marks a defining month for the P2E industry, gamers are increasingly in need of knowing the top projects of the bunch. Axie Infinity (AXS): Axie Infinity (AXS) is one of the most popular P2E platforms. This game involves the act of breeding, battle, and trade of creatures known as Axies. Using the AXS tokens earned, one can cash their rewards or reinvest them in the game. The strong community and sustainable rewards make Axie Infinity still attracting players to the platform. The Sandbox (SAND): This is a virtual world where players can create, own and monetize gaming experiences. SAND is built on Ethereum blockchain — earning it can be done by selling lands, creating games, and trading in game items. It is where creativity meets blockchain, making it an interesting platform to explore in December 2024. Decentraland (MANA): A decentralized virtual world where players are able to discover and interact with digital assets in an immersive and engaging environment, MANA is a cryptocurrency issued by Decentraland. MANA can be earned through the creation of virtual experiences or trading virtual real estate. Of course, with a continually developing metaverse, Decentraland is one of the interesting P2E cryptocurrencies to consider. Illuvium (ILV): Illuvium is a popular RPG game on the blockchain, and it allows players to collect and battle with powerful creatures called Illuvials. Players can earn ILV tokens by participating in battle and quests, which they can use or trade them for cash. The tremendous graphics and interactive gameplay of Illuvium bring it to the top of the P2E space. Gala Games (GALA): Gala Games (GALA) is a platform of P2E offering multiple blockchain-based games, through which players can earn GALA tokens. As it backs decentralization and empowers players to make decisions on the platform, Gala Games is continuously releasing new content, attracting gamers and, more importantly, crypto investors towards the diversified portfolio of games. Star Atlas (ATLAS): Star Atlas (ATLAS) is a space-themed MMORPG developed on the Solana blockchain. Players go through space exploration, fight enemy forces, and build empires while earning ATLAS tokens. With its extensive virtual universe and high community strength, Star Atlas is fast growing into one of the most ambitious P2E games to explore. Alien Worlds (TLM): Alien Worlds (TLM) transports players into a futuristic space-themed metaverse in which they can mine resources and battle for domination. Players earn TLM tokens, usable for governance or trade. The game's sci-fi elements and decentralized economy make it an uncommon addition to the P2E sector. My Neighbor Alice (ALICE): My Neighbor Alice (ALICE) is an entertaining farming simulation game where one gets the chance to earn ALICE tokens by developing virtual islands and socializing with neighbors. The game combines creativity with earning potential, making it a fantastic option for casual gamers seeking profits. Gods Unchained (GODS): Gods Unchained (GODS) is a pretty popular P2E card game where people can collect, trade, and battle using digital cards. In Gods Unchained, players can receive GODS tokens after winning battles, which are used to acquire new cards or are sold on the market. Because of its approach involving strategy and competitiveness, it is one of the top contenders for P2E games. Splinterlands (SPS): Splinterlands is a blockchain trading card game, earning players SPS tokens through competitive card battles. It is a fantastic choice for the P2E enthusiast as it offers a great and dynamic gameplay experience with a community that is vivid and engaging. These P2E cryptocurrencies give the gamer an opportunity to monetize their skills in light of ongoing innovation through blockchain technology. From Axie Infinity established ones to Star Atlas, still fighting for a position among the games, a December 2024 promises to be an exciting time for P2E games, more often on the entertainment side but really opening avenues to real-world financial rewards.

jj fish funds s5 casino 1. A Lego lotus flower building kit so you can build yourself a dainty little bouquet and then sit back and admire them as decor for however long you please, no flower food or pruning required. Check out a TikTok of the Lego lotus flowers in action. Promising review : "I bought this lotus flower set for myself, and it only took me a little while to make it. Each stem with a flower is bagged separately, making it easy to put together. You can make the stem as long or short as you want . The leaves on the two open flowers have bendable hinged leaves, so you can make them look more realistic. They look cute in a vase, and I'm very pleased with the results ." — Happy Amazoner Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two styles). 2. A TikTok-famous "Soft" perfume rollerball that honestly has no right smelling so delectable and layering so well considering it's only five cash dollars. Reviewers are obsessed with the scent's warm sweetness with a hint of citrusy zest, comparing it to waffle cones, lemon pound cake, and warm vanilla scones ... and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀. Promising review: "Like so many, I found this scent on TikTok. I was a bit skeptical at first but finally got around to trying it. First off, this scent smells amazing! Almost every time I've worn it, I receive compliments. It has a sweet smell, almost like warm cake or sugar cookies with a hint of lemon . With such an affordable price, I would definitely recommend this to anyone curious about trying it." — Chrissy Get it from Amazon for $7.95 (available in two sizes and styles). 3. A "Through The Seasons" Reverse Coloring Book , which is a newer edition of the original Reverse Coloring Book that took the internet by storm — reviewers swear by this easy, calming artistic outlet to help ease their anxiety, relieve stress, and unleash their inner creativity without taking up too much brainpower. For those new to the concept: Instead of adding the color to these, you add the lines to create images within the colors. Sort of like a Rorschach test, but make it whimsical. Check out a TikTok of the reverse coloring book in action. Promising review : "Kendra Norton’s beautiful art books, Reverse Coloring books, have changed my world! My whole life, I thought I was not creative and therefore, had zero artistic ability. Now, this has become my favorite form of artistic expression. I turn on music and/or an audiobook and allow myself to go for an adventure outside of my mind, beyond my mind, if you will. T his has become my favorite way to process through difficult emotions and experiences I’m working through ." — K. DeWitt Get it from Amazon for $8.29 . (Psst — check out these cult-fave black fine point pens for $8.99 on Amazon for a good doodling option!) 4. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes. I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some . It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent . Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks , because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart. Get it from Amazon for $21.25+ . 5. Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce , which is basically what happens when teriyaki sauce and barbecue sauce have an absurdly delicious baby. Reviewers are obsessed with putting this umami + savory + sweet sauce on just about everything they can. Check out a TikTok of Bachan's Japanese barbecue sauce in action. Bachan's is a small business that specializes in Japanese barbecue sauces. Promising review: "Worth the hype . This is absolutely delicious and full of umami. It's so tasty on stir fry with rice and makes it taste more like hibachi . I warmed up leftover restaurant brisket in a skillet and tossed a little of this on it at the end and let it caramelize, and it was outrageously good. The flavor is hard to describe . It's savory and salty like the sauce that comes with Chinese dumplings, but not quite that . And there are notes of barbecue sauce, but not heavy or overly sweet." — John Flora Here's what BuzzFeed Contributor Jonathan Mazzei has to say about it: "I love this sauce! It's the perfect mix of savory, sweet, and spicy, and I've found that it works beautifully whether you're cooking with it or just using it as a last minute topping or dipping sauce." Get a set of two (Original + Miso from Amazon for $23.98 (available in five flavors and several combo packs). 6. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give you eight cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands. Check out a TikTok of the popcorn maker in action. Promising review: " This little popcorn popper is perfect ! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" — Chrystal Get it from Amazon for $35.79 . 7. A gaming/reading/laptop pillow to prop your hands up while you're playing video games, typing, or reading on your Kindle or iPad. This supports your arms for a more ~ergonomically-friendly~ experience whether you're in bed or on a couch, and even features a lil' side pocket for things like remote controls, glasses, and — of course — emergency snacky snacks. Check out a TikTok of the gaming pillow in action. Promising review: "I work from home a few days a week, and every once in a while, my work extends into the evening hours. I have a home office, but sitting at my desk all day is sometimes very tiring. I purchased this big memory foam desk pillow so that I can relax on my couch and still put my laptop up and have a comfortable working area. This pillow is big but very comfortable. It has armrests that wrap around your sides, and they also have little pockets for random things like your cell phone or the remote. It’s so nice to just lean back into my comfortable couch and have this big soft desk in front of me." — Jenn Butterfield Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three styles). 8. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose recent step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift your spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 9. A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~! I bought this after being peer pressured by all the lovely reviews and I'm happy to report it lives up to the hype. The scent is lovely — it has depth with a hint of floral, but it's light and not at all overpowering . My favorite thing about it is how easily it pairs other scents, because I am a body mist gremlin who swaps out her scents every day. The lather is also deeply satisfying and I feel quite refreshed and squeaky clean without ever feeling dry. Promising review : "TikTok item, lol. This did not disappoint! It’s so hard to find so when I saw Amazon had it back in stock, I purchased it! It smells so good." — Contessa Get it from Amazon for $9.45 . 10. A set of espresso martini mix packets that make this cocktail staple a little TOO easy to recreate at home — all you need to do is add vodka and water, and BOOM. That's that you espresso. Craftmix is a small business that specializes in instant drink mixers. Check out a TikTok of the espresso martini packets in action. Promising review: "The closest thing to creating a drink from scratch as you can get! Tried the variety pack and the espresso martini mix, and it was a hit with folks, and most couldn't believe it when I told them it came from a packet . Especially if you're thinking of hosting or making drinks in batches, Craftmix is a real timesaver. Would definitely recommend and plan on repurchasing for future get-togethers!" — Kenneth Walfred Fojas Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 15 flavors and a variety pack). 11. A cleverly designed rechargeable electric candle lighter with a flexible neck so you can light all your coziest, deepest candles without worrying about the "YIKES" of being near an open flame. This is also windproof and super portable for anyone looking for options to light candles or fires outside, too! Promising review : "I absolutely love this product. Now I’m able to light candles where the candle wax has melted down and it’s hard to reach inside the jar. I also love the fact that you charge this with a USB cable and the charge lasts for a long time. It has indicator lights to let you know how much of a charge is remaining. I’ve only had to charge it once since I purchased it. I Very durable and a great value for the price. I definitely recommend this. " — Cassandra S. "Another product I got from TikTok. It’s a necessity. No more struggling and almost burning yourself. Stays charged for days. A week at most if you use it frequently." — Nijada Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in eight colors and in two packs). 12. A set of Globbles , which are about to be your new favorite stress-relieving fidget toy. These colorful balls are squishy, stretchy, and stick to pretty much any flat surface you throw them at *without* leaving any messy residue. TikTokers are having a blast tossing these at walls and ceilings to see the satisfying way they glom onto them. Check out a TikTok of the Globbles in action. Promising review: "I have bought these over and over again for gifts. M y own children have played with these balls repeatedly. We even left one on the ceiling to see how long it would say for. It lasted four months before we decided to take it down. Great for adults and children! Will be buying again." — Valerie Young Get a set of 16 from Amazon for $19.59 . 13. And a NeeDoh Nice Cube , an *elite* quiet sensory fidget toy – this goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish and weight to it, and reviewers love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean. Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets. Check out a TikTok of the Needoh in action (where users are suggesting to try ~freezing~ it for even a completely different texture). Promising review: "High quality and very durable! This cube is fantastic for any age and any need. The cube provides slight resistance when compressed, which is both stress-relieving and satisfying!!! Once squeezed, it quickly returns to its natural shape. A great choice!" — Joe stevenson Get it from Amazon for $7.60 (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random!). 14. A set of 2-in-1 magnetic rechargeable handwarmers that are a genuine must-have for cold weather traveling — you can keep these in your pockets to keep your hands the kind of roasty toasty warm that radiates through your whole body, and makes it a heck of a lot easier to stay outside and explore. Bonus: both handwarmers double as device chargers, so they'll come in handy in warm weather, too! Promising review: "These are amazing! I use them when I volunteer at the outdoor food bank and they keep my hands nice and toasty. I keep them in my coat pocket and they warm me right up! They are easy to charge and easy to use!" — Karen Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in seven colors). 15. An oh-so-sweet hummingbird lamp with three brightness levels and a touch sensor that reviewers love using as a reading light, a wind-down light, or a nursery light. Bonus: it also functions as an aroma diffuser if you add 3–4 drops of essential oil to the top of its head. Check out a TikTok of the bird night-light in action. Promising review: "This little bird is truly a gem. You tap on its head to get three different brightness of lighting. Works great as a night-light or to have on during the day as a decor for your table or end table. I love that it comes with a charger. No need to worry about having the right battery size. Will buy as gifts for friends and family! " — Linda S. Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ . 16. A set of deep set heart-shaped salad plates because sometimes the way to your heart is through a BIG OLE Caesar salad loaded with whatever flavor of crouton Trader Joe's came up with this week. Promising review: "The quality is amazing. Bright white, ceramic! I loved them so much I ordered another set! Obsessed with them!" — christina lowie "TikTok made me buy it. I'm gonna replace all of my plates and bowls with these." — Nelson Green Get a set of two from Amazon for $23.98 (available in three sizes). 17. A pair of chic wireless headband headphones to keep your ears toasty warm listening to music during outdoor workouts or long walks. Promising reviews : "This is a great product for running outdoors or hiking! In some circumstances, ears can get cold very quickly and cause ear pain or ringing outdoors. The cloth lining here has been very helpful in reducing these side-effects. The band is also more comfortable than earbuds for casual listening in my opinion. Sound leaks through at loud volumes so it is best used in a casual setting or outdoors. The band is very easy to clean in the washing machine." — LL "TikTok made me buy it! I’ve been using Bluetooth headphones and switching every time I turn over. This thing is amazing! Worth every penny. Easy to connect and the charging port hides in a slit in the fabric and you can’t feel it at all. I kind of thought the headphones would be less conspicuous or padded around them, but they weren’t uncomfortable and I had no issues." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 20 colors). 18. Plus wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price. iJoy is a small business that specializes in headphones and tech accessories. I own a pair of these and because I'm vain as heck and need to own all things pink, but I was decently surprised by how well they muffle noise! I feel like these are ideal for people who still want to hear some of the world around them (read: parents, people working in open offices), but still want to listen to their tunes comfortably . The charge on these goes for at least four hours (I haven't tried it beyond that yet), and the Bluetooth connects to my devices super easily. Excellent pair of headphones for the price point. Promising review : "These headphones surprised me. I thought they were not going to be as great because of how cheap they are, but the bass is amazing! The noise cancellation is so good that I can’t hear anything. The volume is loud and sound quality is a win , and just how I like it. Very snug and comfy, recommend! Thanks TikTok, lol :)." — Chevelle Revero Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in five colors). 19. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm , a Korean beauty product that has recently taken TikTok by storm — this easy peasy all-in-one moisturizer for your face, lips, eyes, *and* neck is formulated with salmon complex and collagen to help reduce fine lines and boost radiance. Reviewers especially love how instant the hydration feels, and swear by it for that ~glass skin~, "just out of the shower" effect. Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly, this stick is life-changing!! ! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" — Kristy Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in eight styles). 20. A fully adjustable Stanley bottle crossbody bag , because hydration is never not the hottest accessory. This sleek, leakproof, double-insulated bottle will keep liquid ice cold or toasty warm for hours, and thanks to this comfy crossbody strap, you can take a sip whenever you want. (No backpack wrangling required!) Promising review : "It's smaller than I anticipated, but I love that even MORE! It's super slim, lightweight, compact, with all your favorite Stanley cup features. Doesn't leak, easy to drink from. Love the color! Going to be my travel buddy from here on out! Saw it on TikTok — had to get it before it's gone ." — ralliereviews Get it from Amazon for $75 (available in six styles). 21. MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation , which lives up to its name and THEN some — one quick spray of the foundation on the included brush, and it glides so smoothly and subtly over your skin texture that you'll feel like a makeup artist did it for you. Reviewers in their thirties, forties, and up especially swear by this lightweight but effective formula, and love that it's ridiculously easy to use. Jerome Alexander is a small business that specializes in airbrush cosmetic products. HELLO — I found this through a recommendation on a Reddit beauty forum for people in their thirties, and I am OBSESSED. I am not very skilled with makeup and was intimidated by the brush factor, but it's nearly foolproof . This foundation straight-up glosses over my pores and redness and makes my skin look so even-toned and natural that it doesn't look like I used much foundation at all. It's a bit price-y compared to brands I used in the past, but I'm still on my first bottle of it, and it's been three full months. I hope this never stops getting made. It is so lightweight and lovely and has made my makeup routine feel like a TREAT. Promising review : "Bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. I love the lightweight feel of it and how easy it is to build." — Smickens Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 12 shades). 22. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" to keep everything steady on your bed or couch when you are one silly little beverage away from accidentally turning your life into a LaCroix swamp. This will not only keep all your accessories upright and on hand, but it also has expandable cup holes to fit mugs, water bottles, and snacks, with an insulating foam that keeps drinks hot or cold for longer periods. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three styles and nine patterns). 23. A hands-free portable phone charger that sticks right onto your phone plug and chills there so easily that you might forget it's there in the first place. This mini charger is designed to give you one full iPhone battery per charge, making it a lifesaver for busy humans, particularly ones who love traveling. Check out a TikTok of the charger in action. Promising review: "I used these several times for the past year, traveling for business and leisure. It is always a challenge to find an outlet at the airport since some airports do not offer a charging station. Using those types can also be a security risk. That's why I love using these portable chargers. They are lightweight and fit in my travel handbag/or small backpack pocket. The portable chargers take about 30–35 minutes to fully charge if dead. Once charged, they charge fast and hold a charge for many hours." — J "I carry this in my purse. Never have to deal with a phone running out of power. Purchased a second one as a gift." — Connie R. Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in five colors and in two-packs). 24. A set of toss-and-chop salad tongs , or "salad scissors," for anyone who loves their salad ingredients chopped into delightfully itty bitty bits — necessary for maximizing your flavor ratios and making sure you get a taste of every flavor in the salad in every single bite!! These work just as well as the $56 Pampered Chef version on everything from lettuce to veggies to meats. Check out a TikTok of the salad scissors in action. Promising review : "Love these! I hate big leafy salads so I bought these and they're perfect for chopping greens into bites. I also use them to quickly chop cherry tomatoes, onions, and other veggies. VERY nice quality." — asoon Get it from Amazon for $21.56 . 25. A HappyLight sunlamp that will be both a literal and metaphorical ~light of your life~ — this adjustable light can help improve your sleep, mood, and energy levels, particularly if you're vibing in a spot where you don't get a lot of direct sunlight. Read more about sunlamps and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic . Check out a TikTok of the HappyLight in action. Promising review: "I work from home at night. I never see the light of day during the winter. This light has been a joy to have and gives great light at my desk to work with, with the benefit of mimicking sun exposure. It’s very easy to use and to replace bulbs." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $59.99 . 26. A set of vinyl coasters to give your coffee table a delightfully retro nostalgic touch *and* protect it from the perils of condensation. Check out a TikTok of the coasters in action. Promising review : "I absolutely adore these!!! They are so cute and definitely do the job! They keep the surface free from water rings and make me giggle!" — johnny williams Get a set of six from Amazon for $6.99 . 27. A tiny milk frother that makes rich, creamy froths in seconds, because why stop at regular tea and coffee when you can have velvety-soft milk tea and lattes? Promising review: "So I’ll admit I got this on a whim after seeing a TikTok video, however I’m in love with this thing! It’s so much fun to use and you make your at home drinks feel so much more special. It’s easy to use and froths pretty quickly if you’re on the fence I’d say what are you waiting for buy it already!" — Denise Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 38 styles). 28. A cult-favorite Drowsy sleep mask , aka the Cadillac of sleep masks – this face-hugging, padded mask is meant to function like a protective cocoon for your eyes, both by blocking out the light *and* preventing creases and skin moisture with its silk exterior. Reviewers love that it is easy to use no matter what position they sleep in, and it never tangles in their hair. Check out a TikTok of the sleep mask in action. Promising review : "I don’t write reviews often unless I really love something, and let me tell you this sleep mask is AMAZING. I’m a night shift nurse and was on the hunt for a good sleep mask. I’m mainly a stomach sleeper and occasional side sleeper and nothing I found was working. Until I found the Drowsy mask!! I was hesitant because of the price tag... but it is worth every penny! Invest in your sleep! T his mask is 100% blackout, the silk is soft and luxurious, and it doesn’t put any pressure on my nose. I can sleep on my stomach comfortably with this mask on and it doesn’t move. The strap is also adjustable and very comfortable. If you are needing a sleep mask, look no further, this is the one to get !" — Jolene Wahl Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in 13 styles). 29. A 20-ounce Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box to up your lunch game so high that you'll feel like ROYALTY while your coworkers are eating ham and cheese sammies like peasants. This spillproof, super portable gadget not only keeps food warm from insulation, but has a detachable power cord to heat it to optimum temps at mealtimes. Deeeeelicious. Promising review : "I saw a TikToker eating her lunch out of this, so I wanted one. I love the green color. I'm actually obsessed! I think it's perfect for warming up your food so you don't have to use the microwave or stove. I love that everything comes apart easily so I can wash them. It's super easy to clean, and it locks easily. I really love that the cord detaches from the lunch box!" — Noelle Get it from Amazon for $39.98 (available in four colors). 30. A projection alarm clock so you don't even have to turn your head or lift yourself to see the time — you can just glimpse at the wall and be like, "Ah, yes. That strange dream about turning into a pool noodle happened at exactly 3 o'clock again" before falling back asleep. It also functions as a USB port to charge devices! Check out a TikTok of the projection alarm clock in action. Promising review: "The projection on this clock is sublime. If I am sleeping on my side and turned away from the clock, I merely have to cock my head to see what time it is rather than waking up to turn over and look at the clock. I am buying a second clock for my second bedroom. The design is nonintrusive and takes up very little space on my nightstand." — Sheryl S. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four styles). 31. A delightfully efficient wooden bread bow knife to get you easy, perfectly sliced cuts of thick breads like sourdough loaves and baguettes every time. Your fancy sandwich game is about to get out of control. Check out a TikTok of the bread bow knife in action. Promising review: "I recently purchased a bread knife, and it has become an essential tool in my kitchen. The serrated blade effortlessly slices through various types of bread, providing clean and even cuts. The ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip, making it easy to maneuver. It’s a reliable and efficient addition to my kitchen arsenal , highly recommended for anyone who loves fresh, perfectly sliced bread ." — Mykayla Stump Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 32. A splurge-worthy Ninja Creami that lives up to all the hype and THEN some — this has seven presets so you can indulge in the creamiest gelato, most refreshing smoothies, and most decadent ice creams you've ever had, right from the comfort of your own home. It even comes with compatible storage pints and lids, in case you don't finish it all on the spot! Check out a TikTok of the Ninja Creami in action. Reviewers with dietary restrictions and preferences love being able to customize their own treats, and many point out that this will likely *save* you money, with the cost of specialty ice creams these days! Promising review : "This is my favorite gift. I use it at least five times a week. The size of the containers is perfect for when you want a sweet treat, and I love that you can control the consistency and softness of the way they come out . Fairly easy to clean as well." — Luke Johnson Get it from Amazon for $179.99 . 33. A phone umbrella you can suction to the back for *instant* shade when you're trying to reduce sun glare outdoors (or text in the rain 🫠). Reviewers especially love this for their Kindles when they're trying to read at the beach or the pool. The "handle" of the umbrella even doubles as a phone stand to prop it up on long flights! Check out a TikTok of the phone umbrella in action. Promising review: "I got this little umbrella because I'm always outside for work, and the sun shines bright. I always have to put information in my phone for work and sometimes I can’t step to the shade to do so. The sun protection is good, and the performance and size is perfect for my phone. I’ve had people ask where I got it because they also need one." — Garza Jboss Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 16 styles). 34. A weighted Bearaby napper that answers the question of, "What would it look like if a blanket had magic sleep-inducing powers?" This breathable chunky knit blanket is designed with a comforting weight to help soothe anxiety and promote calm, making it easier not just to fall asleep, but *stay* asleep. Check out a TikTok of the Bearaby blanket in action. I've been using this weighted blanket for about three years now, and what I find really remarkable about it is that I *never* feel overheated in it . It's also just so, SO soft, and looks absolutely beautiful at the foot of my bed where I leave it every night. It definitely helps me activate "sleep mode" at night — I find the weight very comforting and not at all stifling because it spreads so evenly. Promising review: "I’m in love with this blanket! It is absolutely gorgeous and has made a remarkable difference in my sleeping habits. If you are even thinking about a weighted blanket, this is a MUST! Just do it! You will only wish you’d done it sooner!" — Sandy Psst — to choose a style, Bearaby recommends a blanket that is about ten percent of your body weight. Get it from Bearaby for $179+ (originally $199; available in four weights and seven colors). 35. A deep exfoliating shower back scrubber so soothing and effective that it won't be long before all your friends are like, "Wow, remember when they talked about something other than how squeaky clean their back feels?" A lot of reviewers with dry skin and keratosis pilaris swear by this for relief! Dermasuri is a small business that specializes in skincare and personal care products. Check out a TikTok of the back scrubber in action. Promising review: "I used this back scrubber the day after it arrived, and I love it. Finally, I have an easy-to-use and more effective way to scrub my back. I saw the dead skin fall to the shower floor. Wow! And it easily rinsed cleaned, too." — Naomi M. Get it from Amazon for $18.79 . 36. A ring holder necklace reviewers who work in professions like medicine, athletics, or other on-the-go lines of work *swear* by so they can still keep their beloved rings close even when they have to take them off for work. The best part of this necklace's clever design is you can slide the ring on and off it without ever unclasping the necklace — it looks like magic in action! Check out a TikTok of the ring-holding necklace in action. Emily C is a small business that specializes in innovative, unique jewelry. Promising review: "I work in healthcare and don’t wear my ring on my finger for fear the gloves will loosen the diamond. This necklace is perfect, so I’m still able to 'wear' my wedding ring every day! I’ve gotten so many compliments on how pretty and clever the necklace is!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $69 (available in five styles). 37. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so you can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all your favorite fall dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up. Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Check out a TikTok of the mushroom kit in action. Promising review: "This product has been so much fun to watch! I followed the directions, exactly as written, and the mushrooms began growing within 3–4 days. I will say that I did soak them for close to 10 hours before putting them back in the box to grow and I believe this helped a ton. I also kept the box inside by a window with the blinds closed in order for them to get indirect sunlight . The mushrooms grew tremendously for almost a week before they started to shrink so I clipped them to cook with and they were DELICIOUS! This was such a fun product and process to watch." — Steph A Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ . 38. Nuts ‘N More's Chocolate Maple Pretzel Peanut Butter Spread , which just put so many beautiful words in such a small space that I am salivating just TYPING them. Whomstsoever thought up a flavor so perfectly sweet, salty, crunchy, and smooth at the same time deserves to only ever get green lights and always have their pillowcase cool. Nuts 'N More is a small business that specializes in unique peanut and almond spreads. Check out a TikTok of the spread in action. Promising review: "Amazing flavor, one of the best flavored peanut butters I have tried. I eat it by the spoonful without bread because it is that good, and I love that it has little topping pieces as well." — Tina Ray Get it from Amazon for $13.02 (available in 12 flavors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

American rugby sevens star Ilona Maher will join 15-a-side club Bristol in January in a bid to play in next year's women's Rugby World Cup, the English club announced on Monday. Maher, 28, helped the USA to a bronze medal at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris and is the sport's most popular player on social media. "This is a huge coup to be able to bring Ilona Maher to Bristol Bears on a short-term deal," Bristol head coach Dave Ward said. "She is one of the biggest names in women's sport, let alone rugby, and we believe she will add real value to our programme on and off the field." Last week Maher finished second on US television show "Dancing with the Stars", and she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition in July. Maher has signed a three-month deal with Bristol ahead of the World Cup, which starts in England in August. She made her 15-a-side debut for the USA in 2021. "I am excited to join the Bristol Bears and put myself in the best position to earn a spot to represent USA in the 2025 Rugby World Cup alongside such a talented and driven group as the Bears," Maher said in a club statement. Bristol's first game next month is on January 4 against local rivals and Premiership Women's Rugby champions Gloucester-Hartpury, in a repeat of last season's final. obo/iwd/mwConservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad faces a test after 13 members of his caucus have asked him to essentially discipline Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko for comments that she made about a former Vancouver Police Board member. The signed letter published by radio host Jas Johal on X Thursday (Dec. 5) calls on Rustad to "invite" Sturko to "offer" Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba a written apology after Sturko had criticized her, following Sakoma-Fadugba's controversial remarks about the nature of Canadian society. Sakoma-Fadugba left her position Nov. 22 after several social media posts linked to her became public. Screenshots of the Instagram stories linked to Sakoma-Fadugba show Reddit posts lamenting the loss of Christian values in the face of immigration and criticized "woke culture" as well gender transitions. The alleged statements cost Sakoma-Fadugba her job on the police board and drew criticism from various corners of the political spectrum, including Sturko, a former RCMP officer and member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. “When we have statements being made that erode the public’s trust, or their comfort with their police service, it makes it that much harder on the front-line officers," Sturko told the CBC in November. But this statement did not sit well with her 13 colleagues, calling on Rustad to ask Sturko for the apology "and to encourage the Vancouver Police Board to advance conciliatory discussions with (Sakoma-Fadugba)." But that is not their only demand. "If Ms. Sturko declines your invitation, we ask that you offer this apology and encouragement on behalf of the Conservative caucus," they write. This double-demand appears to put Rustad in a double-bind. He either follows the demands from his part of his caucus ostensibly aimed at one of their own or he undermines the position of Sturko by issuing an apology on her behalf. "The way he responds will tell us something about where his own loyalties lie," UBC political scientist Stewart Prest said. "We do know that he is quite supportive of articulations of these kinds of more critical views of modernity ... so it may be that he has a certain amount of sympathy with the letter writers and his response will tell us whether that's the case. At the same time, a leader has another responsibility to the larger caucus as well. It may be that there are other members of the caucus who feel (Sturko) was quite correct in offering that assessment, and then has nothing to apologize for." Found within the letter is also a larger expression of sympathy for Sakoma-Fadugba's statements and a request to Rustad to give those views room by reminding him of what the signatories consider Rustad's own views to be. "The posts express views many Conservatives (including Conservative MLAs and staff) hold in support for parental rights, religious faith, and the pursuit of shared Canadian values," it reads. "Under your leadership, the Conservative Party of BC has consistently denounced 'cancel culture' and stood for the Charter rights British Columbians enjoy to free expression and freedom of religion," it reads. "The very first question you raised in the (legislature) as leader was in defence of parental rights." “Will the minister admit this SOGI 123 has been divisive and an assault on parents’ rights and a distraction to student education?” Rustad asked on Oct. 3, 2023. That question drew a rebuke from Premier David Eby, who called the question "outrageous" in accusing Rustad of leveraging children for culture-war purposes. “Shame on him," Eby said. "Choose another question." Prest called the letter a "deliberately provocative approach" that speaks to the ideological divisions within the party now for everyone to see. "It's putting right out in the open something we knew was going to be part of this, this challenging political coalition bringing together more populist-style conservatives with more, if you like, centrist or politically moderate types such (Sturko)." None of the 13 signatories once sat with Sturko when she was part of BC United and all were elected on Oct. 13 as first time Conservative candidates. Of note, is also the geographical representation of the MLAs. Eleven signatories represent ridings outside of Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria including areas in the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan. Three signatories – Dallas Brodie (Vancouver-Quilchena), Brent Chapman (Surrey-South) and Anna Kindy (North Island) – have also found their names in the news over comments that they had made before or during the election campaign, with Chapman being perhaps the most widely reported one following his comments about Palestinian children made in 2015. "I would suggest that we are seeing to emerge, perhaps the makings of which you could almost call a Freedom Caucus in the (Conservative Party of B.C.), the sense that there's a group within a group that looks at the world quite differently than other members of that caucus," Prest said. This is not the first time that Sturko has been the object of criticism from within the Conservative Party of B.C. While still with B.C. United, Conservative candidate Paul Ratchford had called her a "woke, lesbian, social justice warrior." At the same time, Sturko had also been critical of the Conservatives, while still with B.C. United. In early October 2023, Sturko called on Rustad to apologize after appearing to draw a comparison with harms caused by residential schools and parental concerns about SOGI 123. Rustad denied making such a comparison. Sturko also called on Rustad to apologize after he had referred to being LGBTQ2S+ as a "lifestyle" in a media interview. When asked to comment on the letter from her colleagues, Sturko said deferred to Rustad. "This letter was addressed to John. I'm going to allow him the opportunity to speak to it at this time." Black Press Media has reached out to the Conservative Party of B.C., including Rustad's spokesperson and Rustad himself for comment.Netanyahu claims Melbourne synagogue attack linked to Albanese government’s ‘anti-Israel position’

World Cup selection drives US sevens star Maher's move to BristolNoneNEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans police arrested on Friday a man accused of killing two people during a large parade where two separate shootings within an hour left two dead and at least 10 wounded. Curtis Gray, 19, faces two counts of second-degree murder tied to the Nov. 17 shootings along a crowded parade route, according to a news release from the New Orleans Police Department. Gray allegedly fatally shot Rasean Carter, 21, and Malachi Jackson, 19, at the Almonaster Avenue Bridge, authorities say. Carter, an aspiring photographer who lived in Marrero just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, had planned to document the Nine Times Social Aid & Pleasure Club's annual outing and was accompanied by Jackson, his friend and uncle, Nola.com reported. The parade was part of New Orleans' long-running tradition of “second-lines” where revelers follow brass bands marching through the streets and has deep ties to the city's Black culture. The deaths of Carter and Jackson were among a series of recent lethal shootings in New Orleans. While most violence has been on the decline in the city since mid-2023 , there were three people killed and eight wounded in six shootings over the past weekend according to Nola.com . On Thursday, New Orleans police arrested two men, Darrell Fairley Jr., 18, and Cornelius G. Tillman, 19, in connection with a Nov. 30 double homicide in New Orleans East.

No. 25 UConn working on climbing back up poll, faces No. 15 Baylor

Japan's National Police Agency is considering introducing undercover investigations from next year into "dark part-time work" such as thefts and fraud performed by people often recruited online, sources close to the matter said Friday. Known as yami baito , the illicit work has become a social issue due to many cases across the country in which it has been linked to burglaries allegedly carried out by individuals recruited via social media enticed with promises of lucrative part-time work. It would be the first time Japanese police have employed an undercover operation in their investigation of crimes other than drug trafficking, according to the sources. On Thursday, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's cybercrime committee proposed undercover investigations to tackle the issue while pointing out that preparing fake identifications to apply for the jobs may be illegal, and the government should establish guidelines to address such concerns. The NPA believes that creating fake IDs for undercover operations would be justifiable and is consulting with relevant ministries to clear legal issues. The LDP's committee also proposed that messaging apps require account owners to provide official identification, and companies that do not comply should be prohibited from operating. For internet service providers, the committee proposed a system in which illegal or harmful online posts are mandatorily deleted. It says foreign companies must set up a local office to make smooth information sharing possible. It also demanded job sites conduct stringent checks before posting ads to prevent cases in which people apply without realizing a role requires illegal work.

As reliance on digital platforms, and on data storage, increases, we have never been more reliant upon strong network security. Security professionals involved in networking security take part in protecting organizations from cyber breaches and loss of data. Is network security really worth it? These are the pros and cons to this field in order to help make it a decision as to whether or not it can be the right path. It is generally said that network security is the set of measures and measure taken to prevent the unnecessary access or the cyberattack to a data, network or system of a company. Therefore it covers firewalls, encryption, access controls, and monitoring systems which help in detecting and counteracting security breaches. In an age where cybercrime is progressing, companies and government have invested significantly in building a strong network security infrastructure. High Demand for Professionals: High credible demand is one major advantage of having a career in network security. As all kinds of businesses now increasingly depend on secure networks, firms recognize the need to protect classified data by recruiting experts for this purpose. Advanced cyberattacks are evoking more attention to cybersecurity jobs , and hence, the open positions are mushrooming. Competitive Salaries: Network security professionals are paid fairly well, with many earning considerably more than average. Considering the critical nature of their work, especially in finance and healthcare, security experts are compensated appropriately. For instance, positions such as network security analysts, engineers, and security architects command higher salaries due to the sophisticated skill set required. Advancement Opportunities: Network security presents clear career advancement opportunities-from an entry-level analyst to a CISO. Thus, with experience and certifications, one can advance in more senior positions with responsibilities. This facilitation in upward mobility within the network security career is yet another appealing feature of the career. Job Security: Another advantage is the job security aspect. With threats on the rise in the cyber world, it is unlikely that the demand for information security professionals will go down anytime soon. Instead, cybersecurity is expected to grow far more than most other industries, thereby making it a long-term secure career choice. High Pressure and Stress: Despite all these advantages, a career in network security is very stressful. Cyber threats are evolving always. Thus, the professionals have to be on high alert at all times. Often, the stakes are very high, such as financial loss or reputational loss to an organization if one vulnerability opens the gates of vulnerability. The pressure to maintain secure systems and respond quickly to incidents leads to burnout. Constant Learning Needed: The nature of this industry is so fast-paced that in the security field, network professionals are always required to learn constantly. Technology emerges at a rapid pace and new threats occur frequently. Therefore, there is a constant need for learning, attending workshops, obtaining certifications, and keeping track of the latest cybersecurity tools and trends. A very difficult task for those preferring a relatively static work environment. Long Hours and Incidents: Network security professionals, particularly critical ones, may be required to work long hours. Because attacks can happen at any time, it is crucial to act quickly so that damage is controlled. For those who prefer fast-pacing jobs, the long hours and unpredictable work schedule would not be a problem. A lot of opportunities within the network security profession exist, but it's usually quite a battle to fight for a well-paid job; an extensive education and certifications are required. Companies usually look for people holding these specialized types of certificates, such as CISSP or CEH, thus making extra education and training expensive and time-consuming. However, career in network security has lots of benefits including high demand, competitive salary, job stability and advancement opportunities. It’s not easy, though, with stresses being high, working hours being long, and as for learning, it never ends. This career may be well suited for those who like exciting, fast paced environments and like to solve problems. This career is totally based on personal preference and long term goal.Trevor Lawrence's 2024 season likely came to a premature end on Wednesday. The Jaguars ' standout suffered a brutal injury on Sunday , falling victim to an Azeez Al-Shaair forearm to the head in Jacksonville's 23-20 defeat to the Texans. Lawrence, who was carted off the field after displaying the fencing response typically associated with head injuries , was soon diagnosed with a concussion. On Wednesday, the nature of his injury was laid bare for all to see. Lawrence was officially placed on injured reserve, all but assuring that his fourth year in teal and gold was finished. Here's what you need to know about the particulars of Lawrence's injury and projected absence. NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule How long is Trevor Lawrence out? The Jaguars placed Lawrence on injured reserve on Wednesday, effectively pulling the plug on the fourth-year signal-caller's season. Lawrence suffered a concussion after absorbing a crushing shot to the head from Texans LB Al-Shaair while sliding to the ground on Sunday. Al-Shaair was handed a three-game ban for his antics. By placing Lawrence on IR, Jacksonville ensures that its long-term gunslinger misses out its next four contests. RELATED: Azeez Al-Shaair suspended for hit on Trevor Lawrence Theoretically, Lawrence could return to the fold for the Jags' season finale against Indianapolis. With Jacksonville currently projected to receive the first-overall pick , it seems unlikely that the franchise would give the reins back to its star QB for a one-off — especially if that one-off could jeopardize its draft stock. Lawrence finished his 2024 campaign with a 2-8 record across 10 starts. He completed 60.6 percent of his passes, tallying 2,045 passing yards and 11 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions. The Jaguars' struggles weren't entirely of his own doing. Head coach Doug Peterson has come under the microscope in recent weeks, with his schematic shortcomings, questionable personnel moves, and inability to coax more out of his roster — which finished above .500 in each of the past two seasons — looking likely to condemn him to unemployment come the end of the year. Still, Lawrence took a step back during his fourth year in northeastern Florida. His completion percentage dropped to its lowest mark since his rookie season, and he posted a passer rating below league average. Trevor Lawrence stats 2024 CMP-ATT CMP% YDS PASS TDs INT SACK RTG RUSHES RUSH YDS RUSH TDs 172-284 60.3 2,045 11 7 18 85.2 26 119 3 Trevor Lawrence contract details Years: 5 Value: $275 million AAV: $55 million Lawrence inked a five-year, $275 million contract extension with the Jaguars during the offseason. His deal doesn't actually kick in until the 2025 season, though. Lawrence earned $37 million this year, but he will see his average annual value (AAV) leap to $55 million in 2025. Of the $275 million Lawrence is set to receive, $200 million of it is guaranteed. He pocketed $142 million of that total at the time of his signing. Once Lawrence's contract kicks in, he'll join Joe Burrow and Jordan Love as the second-highest-paid hurlers in the league, trailing only Cowboys star Dak Prescott, per Spotrac . Jaguars QB depth chart Rank Player 1 Mac Jones 2 John Rhys Plumlee With Lawrence out for the foreseeable future, Mac Jones will take on starting responsibilities. The former first-round pick has thrown for 512 yards and two touchdowns to three interceptions across five appearances this season. It's not the first time this season the Jaguars have called on their second-string slinger. Lawrence has dealt with an AC joint sprain since early November, the second time he's suffered the injury in his NFL career. This forced him to miss the team's past two contests.

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain failed to score in Ligue 1 for the first time this season as the reigning champion was denied by outstanding goalkeeping from Auxerre's Donovan Léon in a 0-0 draw on Friday. Léon's string of superb saves thwarted PSG’s attacking stars. After a fairly even first 45 minutes, PSG camped in the Auxerre half but could not find a way past León, who made memorable stops from Gonçalo Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, Kang-In Lee, Désiré Nonka-Maho and Randal Kolo Muani. Vitinha saw one curling shot come back off the bar. PSG had 25 shots to Auxerre’s six and 15 corners to Auxerre’s three but the home side still could have stolen all three points, as PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make a smart stop from Hamed Traorè. PSG remained eight points clear on top of Ligue 1. Auxerre was eighth. David scores brace for Lille Canadian striker Jonathan David scored two and made another as Lille brushed past Brest 3-1 to extend its unbeaten run to 10 games in Ligue 1. The last time Lille lost to Brest at home was in 1989 and that long run never looked likely to fall as David turned in a man-of-the-match performance at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. He put Lille ahead from the penalty spot after nine minutes and he got away from his marker and crossed for Hákon Haraladsson to clip home a second just before halftime. Ludovic Ajorque got one back for Brest early in the second half but David restored Lille’s two-goal cushion when he pounced on a loose ball to slide home his team’s third. David’s goals took his season total to 17 in 23 games. They were his 10th and 11th in the league and lift him to the top of the Ligue 1 goal-scoring chart. Marseille was second ahead of Lille and Monaco on goal difference. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerKansas City Chiefs back to winning ways against Carolina PanthersPublished 4:55 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Daily Herald Photo provided Photo provided Photo provided Photo provided By Tim Ruzek John Hulet heard his calling in 1933 while throwing horseshoes near the Cedar River in Horace Austin State Park. A man standing on the iron bridge that once extended North Main Street over the Cedar saw a 3-year-old boy fall into the river upstream. The man yelled to the 18-year-old Hulet, who ran to the river and pulled the boy out of about 5 feet of water. On the shore, Hulet gave CPR or “artificial respiration” to the boy – Roland Zook – for a few minutes until Zook showed signs of life, the Austin Daily Herald wrote Sept. 18, 1933. “(Hulet) then carried the boy to the Zook home, where he was worked on for about an hour,” the Herald wrote, adding that Zook was placed between warm blankets because he was blue from the river’s cold water. By the next day, however, Zook had “completely recovered from the narrow escape from drowning.” Zook went on to live until age 88, passing away in 2019 in northern California. After moving with his family to California, Zook served as a U.S. Marine in the Korean War; married his wife in Los Angeles; and raised two children while working as an iron worker and insurance agent. Nearly 30 years after Zook was saved, Hulet —now an Austin police officer since 1945 — heard another scream for help from the Cedar River at Austin Mill Pond. Hulet was fishing in Austin Mill Pond’s southwest corner on the Sunday afternoon of June 23, 1963. Four boys — ages 8 to 10 — had formed a chain while swimming in the river when one broke loose and went underwater where there was a steep drop. Hulet dove into the river, which was deep enough to go over his head, and pulled the boy out. Hulet told the Herald the boy appeared uninjured but was so scared he ran home before he could be identified. A woman at the scene verified the rescue. Hulet the hero In the early 1930s, Hulet and Zook lived a block apart along Lansing Avenue — today’s First Drive Northwest — with their backyards overlooking Austin Mill Pond and the state park. Their homes later were removed for building Austin’s first YMCA and the Red Cedar Inn (today’s Cedars of Austin complex). About 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 15, 1933, the 3-year-old Zook joined a 4-year-old girl in walking to the state park near the Rayman boat house on a sharp river bend that curved around the property that today hosts Bremer Bank. Zook and the girl were playing near the river when something got Zook’s attention. “The Zook boy thought he saw a fish in the water and reached down to seize it,” the Herald wrote. “He lost his balance and tumbled in. The water was about 5 feet deep.” A man never identified was standing on the Charles Fox Bridge (installed just two years earlier and removed in 1961). He saw the boy fall in the river and he called out to Hulet, who graduated four months earlier from Austin High School. “At this time of the year, there are very few people near the state park along the Cedar River,” the Herald wrote. “The only persons at the park at the time the boy fell in the water were the man on the bridge and Hulet.” Hulet’s “quick action” in pulling the boy from the river and use of CPR were credited by Zook’s father with saving his son’s life. The father said he wished he also could find the unknown man on the bridge to thank him. Life of service At the time of his death in 1989 at age 74, Hulet was described in a Herald obituary as an avid fisherman who “spent many pleasant hours on the shores of many a river and lake.” “A well-known and well-respected man in the community, he always had a ‘word of greeting’ to anyone who crossed his path,” the obituary stated April 2, 1989. “He was a kind and loving husband, a caring and dependable father, a protective grandpa and a faithful friend.” Hulet worked for 12 years at the Hormel plant after high school. During that time, Hulet also played on many amateur sports teams for baseball, basketball, bowling and even hockey – a rarity in the 1930s in southern Minnesota. Known as the “big Austin third baseman,” Hulet was named in 1937 as the “most valuable player” at the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament, receiving the Governor’s Trophy. In 1945, Hulet left Hormel to start a 24-year career as an Austin police patrol officer. The father of five was highlighted for his police work numerous times in the Herald. Hulet then chose to work as a custodian for Austin Public Schools until 1977, when he retired for good.

A Manhattan jury failed to reach a verdict on the second-degree manslaughter charge against Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran accused in the death of Jordan Neely. In May 2023, Neely, a homeless man with a mental illness, passed away after Penny choked him on a train in New York City. After deliberating for two and a half days, the jury—which consisted of twelve New Yorkers—notified Judge Maxwell Wiley that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the manslaughter accusation. Wiley gave them an Allen charge, which is a common directive that encourages more thought, and pushed them to proceed. The panel remained split in spite of this. Dafna Yoran, the assistant district attorney, asked that the manslaughter allegation be dropped so that the remaining case of negligent homicide may be considered. The move was fiercely challenged and termed 'unprecedented' and 'coercive'. Judge Wiley, however, agreed to the prosecution's motion, citing the complexity of the case as justification for the ruling. What Happened on May 1, 2023? Neely allegedly threatened passengers on a Manhattan F train during the incident. Before the cops came, Penny, a Marine veteran, held him in a chokehold for around six minutes. Later, the hospital declared Neely dead. Penny was later accused with negligent homicide and manslaughter. The case attracted a lot of public attention and caused political divisions. Supporters saw Penny as a hero who took action to defend others, while some detractors called him a vigilante. Jury’s Challenges and the Dismissal Decision The jury went over the bodycam footage and the transcripts of the testimonies several times. Judge Wiley emphasized the intricacy of the case and the legal difference between negligent homicide and manslaughter while highlighting the panel's challenges. Following the impasse, Wiley praised the jurors' diligent work but cautioned that if they couldn't agree, a new jury would be chosen for the retrial. He came to the conclusion that the manslaughter allegation should be dropped in order to streamline the proceedings and guarantee advancement. The dismissal, according to Penny's attorney, created a risky precedent for prosecutors to overcharge cases. Nonetheless, the court insisted that the ruling was reasonable due to the complex facts and legal issues. What Is Negligent Homicide? Negligent homicide is when someone dies as a result of careless or reckless behavior without intending to murder. When a defendant's acts fall short of the expected level of care and have deadly results, the accusation usually applies. Negligent homicide concentrates only on carelessness, as opposed to manslaughter, which suggests some degree of purpose or recklessness. Prosecutors must demonstrate that the accused's careless actions caused the death. Jurors must determine if Penny's actions in this case satisfied this requirement. The defense believes that Penny's lengthy chokehold was a necessary reaction to Neely's perceived danger, while the prosecution claims it was excessive. Next Steps in the Trial The jury now considers the negligent homicide charge after the manslaughter allegation was dismissed. Whether Penny's conduct on the train satisfy the legal requirements for criminal negligence will be the main topic of discussion. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.Volunteers with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana sort through boxes of petitions submitted just before a deadline in 2022 to submit signatures to qualify for the November ballot. July 7, 2022. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and the Hall County Attorney’s Office are appealing the dismissal of criminal charges against a notary public who notarized medical cannabis petitions for the fall election. Hall County Attorney Marty Klein, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Assistant Attorney General Michael Jensen filed an appeal Friday to take the case to Hall County District Court against Jacy C. Todd, 54, a notary from York. Mark Porto, Todd’s attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday on the appeal but previously urged prosecutors to “ stop playing political games .” “A series of politically orchestrated (and false) Class II misdemeanors are among the least scary and intimidating things Mr. Todd has ever encountered,” Porto said in a statement last month. Prosecutors to appeal case against Nebraska notary, whose attorney asks ‘to stop playing games’ Prosecutors charged Todd on Oct. 2 with 24 counts of “ official misconduct ” for allegedly notarizing petitions outside the presence of a paid petition circulator — Michael Egbert of Grand — on 24 separate dates. Egbert pleaded guilty Nov. 8 to a Class I misdemeanor for circulator fraud, down from a felony. He testified in court that he used a phone book to illegally add and forge voter signatures. Hall County Judge Alfred Corey dismissed all charges against Todd on Nov. 22, finding that notaries are not public officials and that allegations of notarial “malfeasance” can already be tried administratively. Corey ordered the state to pay associated court costs. “While these duties greatly assist others, notary publics are not public servants who are performing governmental functions,” Corey wrote in a four-page opinion. The prosecutors, in their appeal, argue that Corey erred in finding that a notary was not a public official and said many states recognize notaries public as having governmental power. The prosecutors added that an administrative investigation doesn’t prohibit criminal prosecution. Todd is believed to be the first notary public criminally charged in Nebraska in actions involving allegations of notary malfeasance. Hilgers’ office accused about seven other notaries involved with the medical marijuana ballot initiatives of similar malfeasance by Hilgers’ office in a Lancaster County District Court case against the petitions . None of the seven have been charged in the same manner as Todd. The Lancaster County district judge dismissed the case after rejecting arguments from the AG’s Office, which included accusations of notarial malfeasance. That ruling is also being appealed . SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Originally published on nebraskaexaminer.com , part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Dana Carvey Says Elon Musk's 'Incredible Accent' Tough to Mimic on 'SNL'NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid a mixed Monday of trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% from its all-time high set on Friday to post a record for the 54th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 28.7% to lead the market. Following allegations of misconduct and the resignation of its public auditor , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board. It also said that it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 3.2% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 0.5% after the chip company said CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street’s frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the announcement of its CEO’s departure . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 5% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record and coming off Black Friday . Target, which recently gave a forecast for the holiday season that left investors discouraged , fell 1.2%. Walmart , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.2%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.4%. All told, the S&P 500 added 14.77 points to 6,047.15. The Dow fell 128.65 to 44,782.00, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 185.78 to 19,403.95. The stock market largely took Donald Trump’s latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris over the French government’s budget . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for Federal Reserve, which recently began pulling interest rates lower to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday’s headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off October’s lackluster growth that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by Trump once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

NoneConservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad faces a test after 13 members of his caucus have asked him to essentially discipline Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko for comments that she made about a former Vancouver Police Board member. The signed letter published by radio host Jas Johal on X Thursday (Dec. 5) calls on Rustad to "invite" Sturko to "offer" Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba a written apology after Sturko had criticized her, following Sakoma-Fadugba's controversial remarks about the nature of Canadian society. Sakoma-Fadugba left her position Nov. 22 after several social media posts linked to her became public. Screenshots of the Instagram stories linked to Sakoma-Fadugba show Reddit posts lamenting the loss of Christian values in the face of immigration and criticized "woke culture" as well gender transitions. The alleged statements cost Sakoma-Fadugba her job on the police board and drew criticism from various corners of the political spectrum, including Sturko, a former RCMP officer and member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. “When we have statements being made that erode the public’s trust, or their comfort with their police service, it makes it that much harder on the front-line officers," Sturko told the CBC in November. But this statement did not sit well with her 13 colleagues, calling on Rustad to ask Sturko for the apology "and to encourage the Vancouver Police Board to advance conciliatory discussions with (Sakoma-Fadugba)." But that is not their only demand. "If Ms. Sturko declines your invitation, we ask that you offer this apology and encouragement on behalf of the Conservative caucus," they write. This double-demand appears to put Rustad in a double-bind. He either follows the demands from his part of his caucus ostensibly aimed at one of their own or he undermines the position of Sturko by issuing an apology on her behalf. "The way he responds will tell us something about where his own loyalties lie," UBC political scientist Stewart Prest said. "We do know that he is quite supportive of articulations of these kinds of more critical views of modernity ... so it may be that he has a certain amount of sympathy with the letter writers and his response will tell us whether that's the case. At the same time, a leader has another responsibility to the larger caucus as well. It may be that there are other members of the caucus who feel (Sturko) was quite correct in offering that assessment, and then has nothing to apologize for." Found within the letter is also a larger expression of sympathy for Sakoma-Fadugba's statements and a request to Rustad to give those views room by reminding him of what the signatories consider Rustad's own views to be. "The posts express views many Conservatives (including Conservative MLAs and staff) hold in support for parental rights, religious faith, and the pursuit of shared Canadian values," it reads. "Under your leadership, the Conservative Party of BC has consistently denounced 'cancel culture' and stood for the Charter rights British Columbians enjoy to free expression and freedom of religion," it reads. "The very first question you raised in the (legislature) as leader was in defence of parental rights." “Will the minister admit this SOGI 123 has been divisive and an assault on parents’ rights and a distraction to student education?” Rustad asked on Oct. 3, 2023. That question drew a rebuke from Premier David Eby, who called the question "outrageous" in accusing Rustad of leveraging children for culture-war purposes. “Shame on him," Eby said. "Choose another question." Prest called the letter a "deliberately provocative approach" that speaks to the ideological divisions within the party now for everyone to see. "It's putting right out in the open something we knew was going to be part of this, this challenging political coalition bringing together more populist-style conservatives with more, if you like, centrist or politically moderate types such (Sturko)." None of the 13 signatories once sat with Sturko when she was part of BC United and all were elected on Oct. 13 as first time Conservative candidates. Of note, is also the geographical representation of the MLAs. Eleven signatories represent ridings outside of Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria including areas in the Fraser Valley and the Okanagan. Three signatories – Dallas Brodie (Vancouver-Quilchena), Brent Chapman (Surrey-South) and Anna Kindy (North Island) – have also found their names in the news over comments that they had made before or during the election campaign, with Chapman being perhaps the most widely reported one following his comments about Palestinian children made in 2015. "I would suggest that we are seeing to emerge, perhaps the makings of which you could almost call a Freedom Caucus in the (Conservative Party of B.C.), the sense that there's a group within a group that looks at the world quite differently than other members of that caucus," Prest said. This is not the first time that Sturko has been the object of criticism from within the Conservative Party of B.C. While still with B.C. United, Conservative candidate Paul Ratchford had called her a "woke, lesbian, social justice warrior." At the same time, Sturko had also been critical of the Conservatives, while still with B.C. United. In early October 2023, Sturko called on Rustad to apologize after appearing to draw a comparison with harms caused by residential schools and parental concerns about SOGI 123. Rustad denied making such a comparison. Sturko also called on Rustad to apologize after he had referred to being LGBTQ2S+ as a "lifestyle" in a media interview. When asked to comment on the letter from her colleagues, Sturko said deferred to Rustad. "This letter was addressed to John. I'm going to allow him the opportunity to speak to it at this time." Black Press Media has reached out to the Conservative Party of B.C., including Rustad's spokesperson and Rustad himself for comment.

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One of the standout aspects of Marvel's Strife that has captured the hearts of players is its roster of iconic Marvel characters. From fan-favorites like Spider-Man and Captain America to lesser-known heroes like Ms. Marvel and Black Panther, the game boasts an impressive lineup of superheroes and villains. Each character is faithfully recreated in stunning detail, with unique abilities and powers that add depth to the gameplay experience.fish jili casino 。

Stock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, and the Nasdaq tops 20,000Ellington Credit (NYSE:EARN) Declares Monthly Dividend of $0.08NVIDIA, known for its innovative GPUs that power a wide range of devices from gaming computers to data centers, has built a reputation for technological excellence and market leadership. As the industry continues to evolve and competition intensifies, it is not uncommon for successful companies like NVIDIA to face scrutiny and regulatory challenges. In response to the antitrust investigation, NVIDIA has maintained a firm stance, stating that it will address any concerns raised by regulatory authorities with transparency and cooperation.

Mamadashvili's rise in the world of tennis has been nothing short of remarkable. His powerful serves, swift footwork, and strategic gameplay have earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent on the court. Fans and pundits alike have been keeping a close eye on this talented young player, eager to see how far he can go in the highly competitive world of professional tennis.US lawmakers voted Wednesday after fraught negotiations to move forward with a contentious 2025 defense budget that raises troops' pay but blocks funding of gender-affirming care for some transgender children of service members. The centerpiece of the $884 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) -- which was green-lit by the Republican-led House of Representatives but still needs Senate approval -- is a 14.5 percent pay increase for junior enlisted service members and 4.5 percent for other personnel. But talks over the 1,800-page-plus text were complicated by a last-minute Republican intervention to prevent the military's health program from covering gender-affirming care for children of service members if it results in "sterilization." "Citizens don't want their tax dollars to go to this, and underaged people often regret these surgeries later in life," Nebraska Republican Don Bacon told CNN. "It's a bad hill to die on for Democrats." Gender-affirming health care for children is just one of multiple fronts in the so-called "culture wars" that polarize US politics and divide the country, with Republicans using the issue as a cudgel against Democrats in November's elections. The funding block angered progressives, and prompted the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee to come out against the legislation. "As I said a few days ago, blanketly denying health care to people who need it -- just because of a biased notion against transgender people -- is wrong," Adam Smith, who represents a district in Washington state, said in a statement. "The inclusion of this harmful provision puts the lives of children at risk and may force thousands of service members to make the choice of continuing their military service or leaving to ensure their child can get the health care they need." Smith slammed House Speaker Mike Johnson for pandering to "the most extreme elements of his party" by including the transgender provision. The must-pass NDAA -- a bill that Congress has sent to the president's desk without fail every year since 1961 -- cleared the chamber in a 281-140 vote and now moves to the Senate, with final passage expected next week. The topline figure is one percent above last year's total and, with funding from other sources, brings the total defense budget to just under $900 billion. Some foreign policy hawks on the Republican side of the Senate wanted $25 billion more for the Pentagon but they are still expected to support the bill. "The safety and security of the American people is our top priority, and this year's NDAA ensures our military has the resources and the capabilities needed to remain the most powerful fighting force on the planet," Johnson told reporters. ft/mlm

The phrase "cold, colder, coldest" takes on a whole new meaning as we brace ourselves for the bone-chilling embrace of winter. Layering up in our warmest clothes, wrapping scarves tightly around our necks, and donning thick gloves becomes a daily ritual as we prepare to face the onslaught of freezing temperatures. The transition from the crisp autumn air to the biting cold of winter can be a shock to the system, leaving us shivering and longing for the warmth of summer days gone by.In conclusion, the race for the top spot in the chance creation chart in the English Premier League is heating up, with Palmer leading the way and B-sie and Kulu hot on his heels. These creative maestros are showcasing their skills and making a significant impact on the game, showcasing why they are considered among the best in the business. Football fans are in for a treat as they witness these players weave their magic on the field and create moments of magic that will be remembered for seasons to come.

In conclusion, Marcus Rashford's market value of 60 million euros and weekly wage of 300,000 pounds speak to his exceptional talent and potential in the world of football. With 4 years left on his contract and plenty of room for growth, Rashford is a player whose true worth may be even higher than what the market currently suggests. As the football world continues to evolve, Rashford's value will be a barometer for the ever-changing landscape of the sport.Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets dealLet us learn from the past mistakes and strive to create a culture of safety and accountability that benefits everyone who relies on high-speed trains for their daily commute and travel needs. Do not let the new lightbulb incident reappear – keep your watches off the high-speed train windows.After Iranian arrest tied to U.S. military murders, town advances sanctuary policies

Zhang Guimei's eyes lit up with recognition as she looked at the young man standing before her. "My dear student, I am so proud of the person you have become. You have made all of us here at the school proud," she replied, her voice filled with warmth.$2.1 Million in Broadband Funding on the way for American SamoaTaylor Sheridan asked Texas legislators to support film incentives. Here’s what could happen

When it comes to podcasts, there is literally something for everyone. While managing your podcasts can become a chore, there are many Android podcast apps that will download, organize and play your podcasts, allowing you to focus on listening, rather than spending time tracking them down. Boasting a handful of awards, Castbox is one of the most popular podcast apps for Android. Featuring a clean, easy-to-use interface, Castbox allows you to subscribe, listen and create customized podcasts playlists. In addition to podcasts, Castbox boasts a vast library of audiobooks, FM radio programming and more. It also allows you to download episodes for offline listening, perfect for going long stretches without Internet access . Castbox supports syncing across multiple devices, making it easy to pick up where you left off. Podcast junkies will be happy to know that Castbox is 100% free to use, as it is ad-supported, and some features require payment to unlock. Payment also unlocks various features, like automatically trimming silence, playback speed control, CarPlay support and more. Thankfully, you can cherrypick the features that are important to you and leave the others behind the paywall. Do you wish you could manage your podcasts, Internet radio, audiobooks, YouTube, Twitch, SoundCloud and RSS news feeds from a single app? With Podcast Addict , it is possible. The Android app has access to the top podcast networks and features a robust discovery system to help you find new podcasts. Podcast Addict had cross-platform support, downloadable content for offline listening and cloud backup to Google Drive . Additionally, the app has some unique community building features. For example, you can engage with like-minded podcast fans through reviews and follow content creators via social media platform integration. Powerful playback options are featured in the app, such as variable playback speeds and full chapter support. You can also configure automatic downloads and deletion. For example, you can set the app to download episodes while sleeping, ensuring the episodes are ready to go when you wake up. While it’s a free app, in-app purchases remove ads and offer more robust customization options. Due to the extensive customization, though, the user interface can be somewhat overwhelming. Pocket Casts does pretty much everything all the other podcast apps do. It supports cross-platform syncing, and customizable settings, like playback speed and cutting out the silence. It also supports downloading episodes for offline listening. Other than those standard options, it stands out for the app design. The user-friendly interface is quite intuitive. It’s simple to navigate, making it easy to find your favorite pods and fine-tune settings to your preferences. The aesthetics of Pocket Casts is worth a mention. We know that podcasts aren’t a visual medium, but the app is clean and complements the artwork of the podcast. While Pocket Casts doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it just looks good doing what it’s supposed to do, and that is appealing in its own right, especially when you consider how a common criticism of podcast apps is that their UIs can be cluttered. There are some features locked behind a paywall, and Pocket Casts Plus runs $10 per year, giving you exclusive themes, cloud storage and Apple Watch /Wear OS support, among other features. Premium costs $39.99 per year and gives you access to exclusive content. PodBean , like many other podcast apps on this list, offers access to a wide variety of podcast networks, offline listening and cross-platform support. However, what really sets it apart is the inclusion of a variety of tools to assist in podcast creation. The PodBean app boasts a full-on podcast recording studio. This includes not only a platform for recording and editing, but also the ability to host your own podcasts, distributing across major platforms, like Spotify and Apple , as well as monetization tools. PodBean has in-app purchases that apply to the listening side of the app, as well as subscription plans associated with creation. The free version caps hosting at 500 MB, or roughly 5 hours. It also limits the bandwidth your podcast can consume to 100 GB per month, which could inhibit the growth of your pod, and there are other minor limitations too. Plans vary depending on your needs, but they can be as little as $10 per month and as much as more than $100 per month. AntennaPod boasts an extensive library, syncing across devices, and many customization options. However, there is one thing about AntennaPod that makes it truly unique among its competitors. It is completely open-source . While this means that you can tinker with the app, the real advantage is that AntennaPod is built and maintained by volunteers. With no commercial interests, AntennaPod is completely ad-free. It has a strong focus on user privacy . Since they’re not in it for money, they’re not collecting all of your data and selling it to the highest bidder. AntennaPod can come off as less polished than some of the other apps on this list, and due to the open-source nature of the app, updates and bug fixes could be less frequent. But if you’re in the market for an Android podcast app and want to eliminate annoying ads without having to fork over cash, AntennaPod is a must. There are many podcast apps that can help you organize, listen and discover new podcasts across every genre imaginable. While all apps essentially do the same things, their features, price points and interfaces all vary greatly. Furthermore, don’t forget that many podcasts offer their episodes as downloadable MP3s that are playable on your Android device with a music player app . Pop on your headphones , or pair your Bluetooth speaker , and queue up the next episode of your favorite pod! All screenshots: Ryan Lynch Feature Image credit: Unsplash Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Ryan is an English & Film Studies teacher. He splits his time between Australia and the United States. He passes the time on long haul flights by playing retro video games from his youth.

Workshop On Generative AI In Reshaping Labour Market HeldAs Nani bid farewell to the football pitch and embarked on a new chapter of his life, he did so with a sense of pride and fulfillment. He may not have become the next Cristiano Ronaldo, but he had become something even more important - himself. And in that realization, Nani found peace, knowing that he had made his mark on the beautiful game in his own unique way.

Through the AI Director Collaboration Plan, Kuaishou aims to empower filmmakers and content creators with AI tools that can enhance their storytelling capabilities and streamline the production process. By integrating AI technology into the filmmaking process, creators can benefit from advanced editing, special effects, and automated scripting tools that can help them bring their creative visions to life more efficiently.Dolphins Among Top Destinations for $160 Million QB After New Report

Robert C. Donnelly , Gonzaga University Former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Dec. 29, 2024, at age 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia, was a dark horse Democratic presidential candidate with little national recognition when he beat Republican incumbent Gerald Ford in 1976. The introspective former peanut farmer pledged a new era of honesty and forthrightness at home and abroad, a promise that resonated with voters eager for change following the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency, however, lasted only one term before Ronald Reagan defeated him. Since then, scholars have debated – and often maligned – Carter’s legacy, especially his foreign policy efforts that revolved around human rights. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Critics have described Carter’s foreign policies as “ineffectual” and “hopelessly muddled ,” and their formulation demonstrated “weakness and indecision.” As a historian researching Carter’s foreign policy initiatives , I conclude his overseas policies were far more effective than critics have claimed. The criticism of Carter’s foreign policies seems particularly mistaken when it comes to the Cold War, a period defined by decades of hostility, mutual distrust and arms buildup after World War II between the U.S. and Russia, then known as the Soviet Union or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). By the late 1970s, the Soviet Union’s economy and global influence were weakening. With the counsel of National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, a Soviet expert , Carter exploited these weaknesses. During his presidency, Carter insisted nations provide basic freedoms for their people – a moral weapon against which repressive leaders could not defend. Carter soon openly criticized the Soviets for denying Russian Jews their basic civil rights , a violation of human rights protections outlined in the diplomatic agreement called the Helsinki Accords . Carter’s team underscored these violations in arms control talks. The CIA flooded the USSR with books and articles to incite human rights activism. And Carter publicly supported Russian dissidents – including pro-democracy activist Andrei Sakharov – who were fighting an ideological war against socialist leaders. Carter adviser Stuart Eizenstat argues that the administration attacked the Soviets “in their most vulnerable spot – mistreatment of their own citizens.” This proved effective in sparking Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s social and political reforms of the late 1980s, best known by the Russian word “glasnost ,” or “openness.” In December 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in response to the assassination of the Soviet-backed Afghan leader, Nur Mohammad Taraki. The invasion effectively ended an existing détente between the U.S. and USSR. Beginning in July 1979, the U.S. was providing advice and nonlethal supplies to the mujahideen rebelling against the Soviet-backed regime. After the invasion, National Security Advisor Brzezinski advised Carter to respond aggressively to it. So the CIA and U.S. allies delivered weapons to the mujahideen, a program later expanded under Reagan. Carter’s move effectively engaged the Soviets in a proxy war that began to bleed the Soviet Union. By providing the rebels with modern weapons, the U.S. was “giving to the USSR its Vietnam war,” according to Brzezinski : a progressively expensive war, a strain on the socialist economy and an erosion of their authority abroad. Carter also imposed an embargo on U.S. grain sales to the Soviets in 1980. Agriculture was the USSR’s greatest economic weakness since the 1960s. The country’s unfavorable weather and climate contributed to successive poor growing seasons, and their heavy industrial development left the agricultural sector underfunded . Economist Elizabeth Clayton concluded in 1985 that Carter’s embargo was effective in exacerbating this weakness. Census data compiled between 1959 and 1979 show that 54 million people were added to the Soviet population. Clayton estimates that 2 to 3 million more people were added in each subsequent year. The Soviets were overwhelmed by the population boom and struggled to feed their people. At the same time, Clayton found that monthly wages increased, which led to an increased demand for meat. But by 1985, there was a meat shortage in the USSR. Why? Carter’s grain embargo, although ended by Reagan in 1981, had a lasting impact on livestock feed that resulted in Russian farmers decreasing livestock production . The embargo also forced the Soviets to pay premium prices for grain from other countries, nearly 25 percent above market prices . For years, Soviet leaders promised better diets and health , but now their people had less food. The embargo battered a weak socialist economy and created another layer of instability for the growing population. In 1980, Carter pushed further to punish the Soviets. He convinced the U.S. Olympic Committee to refrain from competing in the upcoming Moscow Olympics while the Soviets repressed their people and occupied Afghanistan. Carter not only promoted a boycott, but he also embargoed U.S. technology and other goods needed to produce the Olympics. He also stopped NBC from paying the final US$20 million owed to the USSR to broadcast the Olympics. China, Germany, Canada and Japan – superpowers of sport – also participated in the boycott. Historian Allen Guttmann said, “The USSR lost a significant amount of international legitimacy on the Olympic question.” Dissidents relayed to Carter that the boycott was another jab at Soviet leadership. And in America, public opinion supported Carter’s bold move – 73% of Americans favored the boycott . In his 1980 State of the Union address, Carter revealed an aggressive Cold War military plan. He declared a “ Carter doctrine ,” which said that the Soviets’ attempt to gain control of Afghanistan, and possibly the region, was regarded as a threat to U.S. interests. And Carter was prepared to meet the threat with “ military force .” Carter also announced in his speech a five-year spending initiative to modernize and strengthen the military because he recognized the post-Vietnam military cuts weakened the U.S. against the USSR. Ronald Reagan argued during the 1980 presidential campaign that, “Jimmy Carter risks our national security – our credibility – and damages American purposes by sending timid and even contradictory signals to the Soviet Union.” Carter’s policy was based on “weakness and illusion” and should be replaced “with one founded on improved military strength,” Reagan criticized. In 1985, however, President Reagan publicly acknowledged that his predecessor demonstrated great timing in modernizing and strengthening the nation’s forces, which further increased economic and diplomatic pressure on the Soviets. Reagan admitted that he felt “very bad” for misstating Carter’s policies and record on defense. Carter is most lauded today for his post-presidency activism , public service and defending human rights. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for such efforts. But that praise leaves out a significant portion of Carter’s presidential accomplishments. His foreign policy, emphasizing human rights, was a key instrument in dismantling the power of the Soviet Union. This is an updated version of a story that was originally published on May 2, 2019. Robert C. Donnelly , Associate Professor of History, Gonzaga University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox?Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNINGMy journey began with a consultation with a skilled traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, who carefully assessed my health concerns and recommended a personalized treatment plan. As I lay down on the comfortable massage table, I felt a sense of anticipation mixed with curiosity about what was to come.On December 19th, the retrial of the notorious child trafficking case involving Yu Hua and Ying (pseudonyms) took place in a Chinese court. This case, which shocked the nation when it first came to light, has once again captured the attention of the public as the second trial unfolds.The EasyMacro solution, developed by Huawei, is specifically designed to address the unique requirements of underground environments, where traditional network infrastructure may face limitations. By deploying EasyMacro in subway tunnels, operators can ensure seamless connectivity for passengers and enable a wide range of innovative applications, such as real-time navigation, augmented reality experiences, and smart transportation services.

“Our leader forever” was a slogan one often saw in Syria during the era of President Hafez al-Assad, father of today’s Syrian president. The prospect that the dour, stern Syrian leader would live forever was a source of dark humor for many of my Syrian friends when I lived and worked in Aleppo in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hafez al-Assad died in June 2000. He wasn’t immortal after all. His regime, however, lives on under the leadership of his son Bashar al-Assad. There were moments when the Bashar regime’s survival looked in doubt. When the so-called Arab Spring rolled across the region in 2011, toppling autocrats in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and mass protests broke out in Yemen, Bahrain and Syria, some began to write epitaphs for the Assad dynasty. But Syria’s allies – Iran , Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Russia – came to the rescue. For the past few years the struggle in Syria between a corrupt, brutal regime in Damascus and a divided, often extreme opposition seemed frozen in place. Once shunned by his fellow Arab autocrats, Bashar al-Assad was gradually regaining the dubious respectability Arab regimes afford one another. Was the nightmare of the Syrian civil war coming to an end? Had Bashar al-Assad won? Certainly, that was the assumption of many, despite that fact that large parts of Syria were controlled by a US-backed Kurdish militia and Turkish-supported Sunni factions; that Hezbollah, Iran and Russia propped up the regime; that the US controlled areas in eastern Syria; that Israel conducted air strikes whenever and wherever it saw fit; and that ISIS, though defeated, still managed to launch hit-and-run attacks. That the government in Damascus was still standing after all that seemed an accomplishment in itself. Yet it was an illusion of regime victory, suddenly shattered this week after the opposition, led by the once al-Qaeda affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra – rebranded as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham – launched an offensive out of Idlib province and in just 72 hours managed to storm all the way to the center of Aleppo. By Saturday evening, Syrian accounts on social media were buzzing about government forces collapsing across the northern part of the country, with rebels advancing on the central city of Hama. It was there, in early 1982, that Bashar’s father had his army and intelligence services slaughter thousands of his opponents, ending an uprising led by the Muslim Brotherhood. Why, in the span of just a few days, has the dam broken? The obvious explanation is that Syria’s key allies – Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah – are all under pressure and let their guard down. Hezbollah – which played a key role in bolstering the regime during the darkest days of the civil war – pulled most of its troops back home after October 7, 2023, to fight Israel, which has subsequently killed most of the group’s senior leadership. Russia also played a key role in shoring up the government in Damascus after it dispatched troops and warplanes to Syria in September 2015. Yet now Moscow’s top priority is the war in Ukraine . And, finally, Iran’s advisers and bases in Syria have been under frequent attack by Israel over the last year. Beyond all this, there is the basic reality of longevity. The Assad dynasty has been in power for 53 years, since 1971. While its mere survival is an accomplishment, it has little else to show for it. Endemic corruption and mismanagement were a burden on the economy even before the civil war broke out in 2011. Since then, life for the average Syrian has gone from bad to worse. The war has left hundreds of thousands dead, while millions more have been either internally displaced for driven into exile. Time and time again since 1971 the Assad dynasty has survived internal and external challenges and lived to fight another day. Yet nothing, not regimes, not leaders, lasts forever. Everything eventually comes to an end.The Georgia Bulldogs have made a major announcement about the status of quarterback Carson Beck for the College Football Playoff. Georgia said in a statement that Beck underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow. He will not return this season and is expected to begin throwing again next spring. Carson Beck is officially out for the season. pic.twitter.com/tASTgEIXen — Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 23, 2024 This is simply Tommy John surgery, albeit on a football player. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who is also the go-to surgeon for top pitchers who undergo the procedure. While unfortunate, Beck being out for the College Football Playoff will not come as a huge surprise. The Bulldogs had sounded pessimistic about his outlook after he was injured just before halftime in the SEC Championship ( video here ). He would return to that game briefly in overtime, but only to hand the ball off on the game-winning run by Trevor Etienne. Gunner Stockton will get the nod at quarterback for the Bulldogs in their CFP contest against Notre Dame on New Year’s Day. He went 12/16 for 71 yards with an interception in the SEC Championship after replacing Beck. This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.Russia Leaks 'High-Value' Oreshnik Target; Putin To Order Missile Attack On Zelensky HQ In Kyiv? Recommended Playlist Big Escalation: Russian Forces Destroy UK Storm Shadow Missiles Over Kursk Region, Says Moscow 'Russia Without Putin': Russian Opposition First Major Anti-War March In Berlin; Demands End Of War Russia 'Paralyses' Ukraine, Outmatches 2022 Invasion Forces; NATO Panics NATO Leader Blocks Aid To Ukraine, Now Accepts Putin's Military Parade Invite In Russia 5,000 Troops Engage in NATO Military Drills Near Russian Border Amid Ukraine War Tensions MI6 Veteran Alarms UK Govt After Putin Threatens To Strike | Watch China War-ready? Upgraded Cold War-era H-6 Bomber Threatens U.S. Bases, Warships | Report North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Oversees Suicide Attack Drones Launch Amid Tensions With U.S. Over Ukraine Germany Govt Falls: Silver Lining For Europe? Putin, Trump Keep Close Watch | What Next For Berlin? 'EU Can't...': NATO's European Members To 'Surrender' If Trump Stops Aid To Ukraine | Putin's Fear? Top Viral Videos Shocking! Lawyer rams Mercedes car into Kachori shop in Delhi, Six injured In a shocking incident, six people were injured after a lawyer rammed his speeding Mercedes car into a Kachori shop in the national capital. The incident took place at Fateh Kachori in Civil Lines area. The police have taken the lawyer into custody and seized his car. The lawyer has been identified as Parag Maini who is a resident of Noida’s Sector 79. The police have registered a case against the lawyer under Section 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by endangering life). Telangana cop punched, dragged by villagers, video goes viral On Cam: Crane drags car with senior citizens sitting inside, case registered | video goes viral Instagram influencer shot dead by husband in Rajasthan's Phalodi CCTV: Thieves arrive in car, decamp with jewellery in MP's Damoh Goons hurl abuses at toll plaza employee in MP's Chhatarpur Two goons hurled abuses at a toll plaza employee in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur. One of the assailants is reportedly the brother of an MLA. The incident was filmed by an employee of ol plaza which has gone viral on social media. The goons were upset after they had to wait in the queue. Viral: Cobra blocks road in MP's Chhatarpur district Nigeria: Lion kills zookeeper at Obafemi Awolowo University CCTV: Biker crushed to death by speeding bus in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district Four women steal tray full of earrings from a jewellery shop in MP's Raisen Shirtless British man punches air steward after destroying aircraft toilet, arrested A shirtless British man punched an air steward after destroying the aircraft toilet. The man was arrested. The man went berserk soon after the flight took off . He went up to smash the plane’s toilet. The incident took place on February 7 when the flight took off from Bangkok to London. A video of the incident went viral on social media. On cam: Several injured after swarm of bees attacks guests during wedding ceremony in MP's Guna On cam: Man hurls abuses at government school teacher in MP's Chhatarpur district On cam: Man thrashes youth with stick in MP's Ujjain Doctor loses cool, misbehaves with home guard in MP's Chhatarpur On cam: Goons thrash Dalit youth in MP's Betul A Dalit youth was thrashed in Madhya Pradesh’s Betul. The man was brutally thrashed and forced to squat while holding his ears. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. Congress leader Jitu Patwari highlighted the plight of the Dalit man. The police have launched a probe into the matter. On cam: Govt employee consumes alcohol at work place in MP's Singrauli On cam: Goons thrash liquor shop employee in MP's Gwalior CCTV: Man thrashed, abducted in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district Fight breaks out between CHC employee and patient in UP's Barabanki Short Videos BJP Orchestrated Attack On Kejriwal During ‘Padyatra’ Campaign: Delhi CM Atishi Your Autistic Child Can Also Make A Difference Your Autistic Child Can Also Make A Difference Kejriwal Questions RSS Over BJP’s 'Dirty' Tactics Against Opposition | Watch Atishi's 1st Statement After Being Picked As Delhi CM; 'Kejriwal Made Biggest Sacrifice' Kejriwal To Give Up CM Residence; AAP's Sanjay Singh Issues Big Warning... Haryana Polls: Vinesh Phogat & Bajrang Punia Join Congress; Sakshi Malik next? Putin's Big Pledge For Russian Speakers In Ukraine; 'Will Fight For...' Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Has Failed To Achieve Objectives, Declares Putin Putin Says Russia Will Support Kamala Harris In U.S. Elections Related Articles The week that was in international affairs: Israel-Hezbollah truce, Russian attacks on Ukraine Putin: Russia will use all weapons at disposal if Ukraine gets N-arms Vladimir Putin threatens Ukraine with Oreshnik missile strikes on 'decision-making centres' Ukraine urges global response to Putin threats to attack Kyiv government sites US urges Ukraine to lower fighting age to 18 to mobilise new soldiers Putin: Stock ready for more combat tests of new missile Putin: Russia may use new missile again after attack on Ukraine Ukraine war: With new hypersonic missile, Putin sends a warning to Westcasino fishing 。

Honda and Nissan to discuss merger with Mitsubishi

Ohio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffle

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Members of the Madera Coyotes football team spray water into the air to celebrate last Friday’s come-from-behind 56-49 victory over the Kennedy Thunderbirds in the Div. III Central Section semifinals. The Coyotes earned a berth into the Div. III championship game, which they will host for the first time in Memorial Stadium. Editor’s note: Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, The Madera Tribune’s publishing schedule had to change. Thus, last Friday’s game will appear after the championship game is played. The Madera Tribune apologizes for any inconvenience it may have caused. • • • In a game that saw both teams combine for more than 1,300 yards of offense, more than 100 points, 52 first downs and 29 total possessions, it took a touchdown with 10.8 seconds left to send the Madera Coyotes football team to the Div. III Central Section Championship, which they will host for the first time in school history. “These guys just don’t have any quit in them,” head coach Kenny Paolinelli said. “It means everything. The community put a lot of money into this place. To be able to host a Valley title game, this was their vision. Hopefully, we can fill it up and get the community involved.” Madera quarterback Joel Arellano hit a wide-open Emanuel Soliz for a 65-yard touchdown with 10.8 seconds left in the game to cap a come-from-behind victory over the third-seeded Kennedy Thunderbirds, 56-49, last Friday in Memorial Stadium.Avior Wealth Management LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Evolution Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Alphabet Inc. ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Free Report ) by 9.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,728 shares of the information services provider’s stock after selling 1,405 shares during the quarter. Evolution Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in Alphabet were worth $2,109,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in GOOGL. Northeast Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Alphabet by 10.5% in the 3rd quarter. Northeast Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,542 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $2,578,000 after acquiring an additional 1,474 shares in the last quarter. TSA Wealth Managment LLC increased its holdings in Alphabet by 12.1% in the 3rd quarter. TSA Wealth Managment LLC now owns 1,498 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $248,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Koa Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Alphabet by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Koa Wealth Management LLC now owns 38,557 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $6,395,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. increased its holdings in Alphabet by 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. now owns 60,794 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $10,083,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nicollet Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Alphabet by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Nicollet Investment Management Inc. now owns 49,800 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $8,259,000 after acquiring an additional 1,415 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 40.03% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently issued reports on GOOGL. Tigress Financial increased their target price on shares of Alphabet from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, September 26th. Piper Sandler reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $210.00 target price (up from $200.00) on shares of Alphabet in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $217.00 price target (up from $215.00) on shares of Alphabet in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating and issued a $210.00 price target on shares of Alphabet in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Roth Mkm upped their price target on Alphabet from $206.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirty-one have assigned a buy rating and five have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Alphabet presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $205.90. Alphabet Stock Performance NASDAQ:GOOGL opened at $168.95 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.95 and a current ratio of 1.95. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $168.47 and its 200 day moving average is $170.33. Alphabet Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $127.90 and a fifty-two week high of $191.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.07 trillion, a PE ratio of 22.41, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.03. Alphabet ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 29th. The information services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.29. Alphabet had a return on equity of 31.66% and a net margin of 27.74%. The business had revenue of $88.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $72.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.55 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Alphabet Inc. will post 8.01 earnings per share for the current year. Alphabet Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 9th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 9th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. Alphabet’s payout ratio is 10.61%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Alphabet news, CEO Sundar Pichai sold 22,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.67, for a total value of $3,975,075.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,061,806 shares in the company, valued at $364,259,266.02. This trade represents a 1.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, insider John Kent Walker sold 21,467 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.35, for a total value of $3,442,233.45. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 39,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,307,206.90. The trade was a 35.31 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 206,795 shares of company stock worth $34,673,866 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 11.55% of the company’s stock. About Alphabet ( Free Report ) Alphabet Inc offers various products and platforms in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets segments. The Google Services segment provides products and services, including ads, Android, Chrome, devices, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Play, Search, and YouTube. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GOOGL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alphabet Inc. ( NASDAQ:GOOGL – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Alphabet Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alphabet and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Facing SC State, Georgia aims for best start in nearly a centuryIn the midst of the ongoing infighting within the Republican Party’s MAGA base, tech mogul Elon Musk has called for the expulsion of “contemptible fools” from the party. What Happened : Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy , named by President-elect Donald Trump as co-leaders of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have found themselves at odds with the GOP’s hard right and MAGA base. The disagreement stems from their support of H-1B visas, which are used to bring high-skilled migrant workers to the U.S. Ramaswamy previously stirred up controversy by stating that the U.S. needs to import high-skilled workers, a standpoint that was met with backlash from several MAGA influencers. Musk responded to the criticism on X, saying, “Yes. And those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party, root and stem.” Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Eric Trump Calls Elon Musk ‘Albert Einstein Of Our Time,’ Says Tesla CEO Will Help Build ‘A Stronger America’ Yes. And those contemptible fools must be removed from the Republican Party, root and stem. Responding to Musk’s post, Gab CEO Andrew Torba said that Musk is declaring war on them. He's declaring war on us btw. Should go over well for him as it has for everyone else who has tried. pic.twitter.com/zGnFIDyFRT The infighting within the MAGA base has reportedly escalated into a virtual right-wing civil war over issues such as race, class, and immigration. Musk’s position has increasingly put him at odds with Trump’s base, with figures like Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer expressing their disapproval, as reported by Axios. The report also suggests that this divide may force Trump to choose sides between his original white, working-class supporters and the techno-libertarian billionaires like Musk who are central to his new administration. Why It Matters : The ongoing infighting within the MAGA base and the Republican Party at large could have significant implications for the future of the party and its political strategies. The schism between the traditional white, working-class supporters and the techno-libertarian billionaires like Musk could force a reevaluation of the party’s stance on key issues such as immigration and labor. This could, in turn, influence the party’s appeal to different voter demographics and its prospects in future elections. Read Next Here's How Trump's Policies Might Shape The Market's Future This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

'Gossip Girl' star Chanel Maya takes legal action against familyBank of Stockton decreased its stake in Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN ) by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 15,193 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after selling 515 shares during the quarter. Amazon.com makes up approximately 0.9% of Bank of Stockton’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Bank of Stockton’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $2,831,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Amazon.com by 1.9% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 785,811,114 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $141,744,609,000 after purchasing an additional 14,724,687 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in shares of Amazon.com by 8.5% in the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 86,982,857 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $15,689,968,000 after purchasing an additional 6,810,145 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc grew its position in shares of Amazon.com by 1.5% in the second quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 69,686,374 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $13,466,933,000 after purchasing an additional 1,042,177 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Amazon.com by 0.4% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 67,745,972 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $13,091,909,000 after purchasing an additional 289,532 shares during the period. Finally, Capital International Investors boosted its position in Amazon.com by 7.4% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 42,370,172 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $7,642,732,000 after acquiring an additional 2,932,192 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.20% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms recently weighed in on AMZN. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Itau BBA Securities lowered shares of Amazon.com from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and set a $186.00 price target on the stock. in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Needham & Company LLC boosted their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $210.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Amazon.com from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Amazon.com from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty-one have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Amazon.com has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $236.20. Amazon.com Trading Up 1.0 % Shares of Amazon.com stock opened at $207.89 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $194.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $186.94. Amazon.com, Inc. has a 12-month low of $142.81 and a 12-month high of $215.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The stock has a market cap of $2.19 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.52, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.14. Amazon.com ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The e-commerce giant reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.29. Amazon.com had a net margin of 8.04% and a return on equity of 22.41%. The business had revenue of $158.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $157.28 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.85 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Amazon.com, Inc. will post 5.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, Director Daniel P. Huttenlocher sold 1,237 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.06, for a total transaction of $246,237.22. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 24,912 shares in the company, valued at $4,958,982.72. This represents a 4.73 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, SVP David Zapolsky sold 2,190 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total transaction of $427,050.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 62,420 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,171,900. This represents a 3.39 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 6,026,683 shares of company stock worth $1,252,148,795. Corporate insiders own 10.80% of the company’s stock. About Amazon.com ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMZN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Amazon.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amazon.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Ohio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffleHina Khan shares heartfelt post about Salman Khan

Subscribe to our newsletter Privacy Policy Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, please join us as a member . From sexy frescoes emerging from the ashes to hidden cities surfacing due to Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scans, archaeologists continue to make discoveries that transform our understanding of the past and how best to preserve it for the future. This year especially, archaeologists stood by their work and spoke out about threats to Lebanon’s cultural heritage and a video of Israeli soldiers handling antiquities in Gaza, to name a few instances of researchers refusing to stay complacent in the face of repressive regimes. Just as we have covered everything from ancient dye to the earliest evidence of tea in the past, we present a few of the archaeological stories and ancient finds that came to light in a rather dark year. Oldest Known Church in Armenia Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities In October, Rhea Nayyar reported on a team of German and Armenian archaeological researchers that excavated the remains of “what’s said to be the oldest known Christian church in Armenia” found in the ancient city of Artaxata , dated to the 4th century CE by the project leads. The co-director, Achim Lichtenberger, called it “sensational evidence for early Christianity in Armenia.” Between this and the newly scanned early Christian silver amulet found in Germany, our understanding of early Christian religion within the late Roman Empire and beyond is still evolving. The Artaxata church was also uncovered in the wake of reports of the Azerbaijani military’s destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). 8,600-Year-Old Bread in Turkey In March, Stephanie Wong and I covered the curious claim that the earliest bread had been discovered at the ancient Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük in southern Turkey, which, naturally gave rise to a wealth of bread puns. The remains of unbaked, leavened bread dating to around 6600 BCE were published, but we upset Turkish archaeologists and bakers by questioning the Turkish state’s assertion that the remnants constituted “the world’s oldest bread.” As we wrote, “researchers working in Jordan found that the invention of bread likely predated agriculture by about 4,000 years” in 2018. This was due to the discovery of flatbread (unleavened bread made from wild grains) at the Natufian hunter-gatherer site of Shubayqa in the Black Desert. The Jordanian finds call into question Çatalhöyük’s unfounded first-place bread title. We also learned something about the nature of these discoveries themselves: When government-sponsored press releases note an archaeological finding as “the first” or “the oldest,” there is often a slice of nationalism on the side. Cats for the Win Museums and archaeologists finally learned that cats are where it’s at in 2024 — and we hope this trend extends into 2025. In July, Maya Pontone reported that China’s Shanghai Museum in the People’s Square announced that owners could bring their cats to a series of events organized around a new Egyptian antiquities exhibition. Then, the Cats: Predators to Pets show opened at the Field Museum in Chicago in November. Mental Floss also published an incredible essay on “a feral cat colony numbering in the dozens [that] wreaked havoc on the British Museum following World War II.” This cat-astrophe lives rent-free in the litter box of my mind. The “Lion of Venice” Has Roots in China In another feline story published in September, I discussed a study addressing whether the famed “lion of Venice” actually came from China. The new research, led by scholars from the University of Padua and the International Association of Mediterranean and Eastern Studies, found that the winged leonine artwork’s lead isotopes revealed that a major part of the statue was made of bronze from 8th-century China. The findings point to the global nature of trade during the Middle Ages and the impressive reach of arts from China’s Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). But they also revealed the increasing importance of isotopic analysis within art history and archaeology. Giza Restoration Canceled First, there was the news of an ill-conceived “restoration” project at Giza revealed in a January Facebook video posted by then-Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziry. Elaine Velie covered this in early February . Before the month’s end, the outcry halted the project . Black Archaeologists Transform the Ocean I look forward to Lakshmi Rivera Amin ’s Required Reading column every week to keep on top of things, and loved her remark in August that “several Black artists, archaeologists, and divers are transforming the ocean by approaching it as a graveyard, a site of the Middle Passage, and a possible space for healing,” by linking to an amazing story on Black divers in Atmos by Omnia Saed. Repatriating and Protecting Cultural Heritage Archaeology as a field sprouted from violent regimes , which often deployed scholars as agents of colonialism and erasure. This year, small but important steps were taken in pressuring institutions to repatriate cultural heritage, including remains held in museums. In September, Rhea Nayyar reported that the “National Park Service awarded a little over $3 million in grants to 13 Native American tribes and 21 American institutions to facilitate the repatriation of ancestral remains and cultural objects currently held in collections and archives across the country.” Maya Pontone also reported on the American Natural History Museum’s repatriation of the remains of 124 Native people in July. These returns are long overdue, as is the fact that the only UNESCO site in Ohio, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks , will reopen on January 1 for the first time in close to a century. In August, UNESCO also added a monastery in central Gaza to its World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger. Psychedelic Cocktail in Ancient Egypt Just this month, Rhea Nayyar covered “traces of psychotropic plant matter, human bodily fluids, honey, wheat, yeast, and licorice” that researchers found in a vessel bearing the likeness of Bes, the deity of childbirth and music. Ancient Egyptians appear to have enjoyed some mind-bending trips. And how could we forget that in February, Elaine Velie reported that archaeologists found evidence of a hallucinogenic poisonous plant in Ancient Rome? The more researchers begin to study the microscopic residue left on things like ceramics, the more we find out that people in the ancient world enjoyed a number of psychoactive drugs . Ancient Maya City in Mexico A number of previously unknown Maya cities were uncovered using airborne LiDAR technology originally undertaken as “part of a forest-monitoring survey measuring carbon emissions,” Maya Pontone reported in October. The research recovered 6,674 “completely unstudied structures in the state of Campeche” in southern Mexico. The advent of new archaeological technology has meant huge leaps in the field, both on the ground and from space . Pompeii Is Still Saucy We covered PBS’s new docuseries Pompeii: The New Dig , which addressed everything from a newfound fullery to the stunning Egyptian blue room. Archaeologists also found an Ancient Roman reed matmaker’s workshop covered over in the eruption of 79 CE. And while it’s no secret that Pompeians loved erotica and ran numerous brothels , the discovery of a satyr copulating with a nymph, as Isa Farfan wrote in October, did cause some pearl-clutching. Some things never change. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Facebook

NEW YORK — The brooding waltz was carefully composed on a sheet of music roughly the size of an index card. The brief, moody number also bore an intriguing name, written at the top in cursive: “Chopin.” A previously unknown work of music penned by the European master Frederic Chopin appears to have been found at the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan. The untitled and unsigned piece is on display this month at the opulently appointed institution, which had once been the private library of financier J.P. Morgan. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is held in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum on Nov. 13 in New York. Robinson McClellan, the museum curator who uncovered the manuscript, said it's the first new work associated with the Romantic era composer to be discovered in nearly a century. But McClellan concedes that it may never be known whether it is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. The piece, set in the key of A minor, stands out for its “very stormy, brooding opening section” before transitioning to a melancholy melody more characteristic of Chopin, McClellan explained. “This is his style. This is his essence,” he said during a recent visit to the museum. “It really feels like him.” McClellan said he came across the work in May as he was going through a collection from the late Arthur Satz, a former president of the New York School of Interior Design. Satz acquired it from A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., an avid autograph collector who had been director of the school. McClellan then worked with experts to verify its authenticity. The paper was found to be consistent with what Chopin favored for manuscripts, and the ink matched a kind typical in the early 19th century when Chopin lived, according to the museum. But a handwriting analysis determined the name “Chopin” written at the top of the sheet was penned by someone else. Born in Poland, Chopin was considered a musical genius from an early age. He lived in Warsaw and Vienna before settling in Paris, where he died in 1849 at the age of 39, likely of tuberculosis. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is seen in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum, Nov. 13 in New York. He’s buried among a pantheon of artists at the city’s famed Père Lachaise Cemetery, but his heart, pickled in a jar of alcohol, is housed in a church in Warsaw, in keeping with his deathbed wish for the organ to return to his homeland. Artur Szklener, director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw, the Polish capital city where the composer grew up, agreed that the document is consistent with the kinds of ink and paper Chopin used during his early years in Paris. Musically, the piece evokes the “brilliant style” that made Chopin a luminary in his time, but it also has features unusual for his compositions, Szklener said. “First of all, it is not a complete work, but rather a certain musical gesture, a theme laced with rather simple piano tricks alluding to a virtuoso style," Szklener explained in a lengthy statement released after the document was revealed last month. He and other experts conjecture the piece could have been a work in progress. It may have also been a copy of another's work, or even co-written with someone else, perhaps a student for a musical exercise. Jeffrey Kallberg, a University of Pennsylvania music professor and Chopin expert who helped authenticate the document, called the piece a “little gem” that Chopin likely intended as a gift for a friend or wealthy acquaintance. “Many of the pieces that he gave as gifts were short – kind of like ‘appetizers’ to a full-blown work,” Kallberg said in an email. “And we don’t know for sure whether he intended the piece to see the light of day because he often wrote out the same waltz more than once as a gift.” David Ludwig, dean of music at The Juilliard School, a performing arts conservatory in Manhattan, agreed the piece has many of the hallmarks of the composer’s style. “It has the Chopin character of something very lyrical and it has a little bit of darkness as well,” said Ludwig, who was not involved in authenticating the document. But Ludwig noted that, if it's authentic, the tightly composed score would be one of Chopin’s shortest known pieces. The waltz clocks in at under a minute long when played on piano, as many of Chopin’s works were intended. “In terms of the authenticity of it, in a way it doesn’t matter because it sparks our imaginations,” Ludwig said. “A discovery like this highlights the fact that classical music is very much a living art form.” The Chopin reveal comes after the Leipzig Municipal Libraries in Germany announced in September that it uncovered a previously unknown piece likely composed by a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in its collections. Christmas music has a long and storied history beginning centuries ago with pagan rituals. Those traditions evolved with St. Francis of Assisi’s Nativity plays in the 13th century, and survived Puritan rule when many Christmas traditions and celebrations were banned during part of the 17th century. Traveling minstrels spread original songs before the invention of the printing press in 1440 ushered in an era of texts that served as the foundation for some of the most beloved Christmas songs. These tunes would be shared in the form of poetry and hymns printed on broadsides . Today, Christmas music runs the gamut from silly to revolutionary. Songs range from grandmothers getting trampled by reindeer to those based on the work of a Romantic-period poet. Who knew that the catchy tune of Wenceslas, the king with the funny name, is a reverent song about the patron saint of the Czech Republic? Or perhaps it would surprise readers to discover that “Silent Night” was designated as an item of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. These songs we know by heart and hear so often have rich histories rooted in things like war, religion, social reform, and slavery. Stacker compiled a list of Christmas songs released before 1920 and explored the origins of these pieces. This list includes Christmas carols, famous instrumentals, popular hymns, and spirituals from countries around the world. Many of these songs were created out of a chance collaboration between artists spanning time and space; a clergyman pens a hymn, and years later, a composer resurrects those words and sets them to a melody. It may come as no surprise, then, that what people consider to be Christmas classics are among the most-covered Christmas songs of all time . “Silent Night,” for example, had 137,315 recordings according to a 2017 Billboard report. Read on to learn about the rich histories of some of the most beloved Christmas songs that are more than a century old. You may also like: 71 years of Emmy history Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh,” “Jingle Bells” is one of the most beloved and ubiquitous Christmas carols in existence. In 1965, astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford made “Jingle Bells,” the first song heard from space as they orbited Earth aboard the Gemini 6. It may be surprising that this Christmas classic was written as a Thanksgiving song. This traditional English Christmas carol refers to the practice of wassailing, the definition of which has evolved over the years . In the song, wassailing is the practice of traveling door-to-door, wishing good health, and asking for a bit of hospitality and Christmas tidings in return, including a drink from a communal bowl filled with mulled cider or ale called wassail. Other familiar variants of the song include “Here We Come A-Caroling,” and “Here We Come A Christmasing.” Published by hymn writer John Mason Neale in 1853, this carol was based on the life of the virtuous ruler Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia . Wenceslaus I was revered for his piety, morality, and virtue. After his assassination, he was posthumously conferred as a king by Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, which is why people don’t sing of good Duke Wenceslaus. Wenceslaus was elevated to sainthood immediately after his death, and he's considered the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The version of “O Tannenbaum” most of us are familiar with today was written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz, a well-known organist and composer from Leipzig, Germany. Anschütz’s version was one of many based on a 16th-century German folk song that pays homage to the steadfast nature of the "Tannenbaum," the German word for a fir tree. The song’s association with Christmas began with Anschütz even though no explicit mention of Christmas was made in his original lyrics. Furthermore, most Christmas trees are spruce, not fir. Readers may be more familiar with the song’s English title, “O Christmas Tree.” If you’ve ever wondered what “God rest you merry” means, you’re not alone. This carol’s title is often misinterpreted, mispunctuated, and widely debated. The phrase “rest you merry” is used in the same way we use “rest assured.” It is not an address to merry gentlemen but rather an imperative statement to all gentlemen to be happy, citing the birth of Christ. It’s even referenced in Charles Dickens' classic “A Christmas Carol.” The earliest known print edition of the carol dates back to 1760, but its author is unknown. You may also like: 30 celebrities you might not know are LGBTQ Originally titled “Three Kings of Orient,” this carol was written by journalist-turned-clergyman John Henry Hopkins in 1857 for a Christmas pageant and published six years later. The carol chronicles the Christian gospel of Matthew in which three biblical magi, commonly known as the three wise men, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the birth of Jesus. Edmund Sears—a Unitarian pastor in Wayland, Mass.—wrote a five-stanza poem titled “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” in 1849. It was adapted by American composer Richard Storrs Willis in 1850 and set to a melody called “Carol.” The words of this poem-turned-carol are regarded as an account of the issues at the time. Topics referred to in the song include the end of the Mexican-American war and a call for peace among men. Proudly rejoicing the nativity of Jesus, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was an African-American spiritual dating back to 1865. John Wesley Work Jr. was a composer and ethnomusicologist who compiled hundreds of spirituals and even composed a few, including “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” in his work: “American Negro Songs and Spirituals; A Comprehensive Collection of 230 Folk Songs, Religious and Secular.” Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 and published in 1871, this carol explores what the shepherds present at the birth of Jesus must have been thinking when they encountered him. In gospel, hymns, and art, shepherds are central characters in the Nativity of Jesus. The song is set to the familiar melody of “Greensleeves,” a 16th-century English folk song. The exact origins of this popular carol are unknown, but it is most often credited to John Francis Wade. Originally written and printed in Latin as “Adeste Fideles,” it first appeared in Wade’s 1751 collection “Cantus Diversi.” You may also like: Exploring minority representation in the biggest box office winners ever What began in 1818 as a modest performance outside of St. Nicholas parish in Oberndorf, Austria, has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Translated into over 300 languages, “Stille Nacht” was written by a priest named Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818. The song became popular among traveling folk singers, and before long, it could be heard around the world. The English version we know today called “Silent Night” was not written until 1863. “Stille Nacht” was named an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 . “Carol of the Bells” is no doubt familiar to you, if not by name, then by melody. The carol was based on an Ukranian folk chant called "Shchedryk,” which was traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve as it spoke of good fortune for the upcoming year. American composer Peter J. Wilhousky adapted the lyrics "Shchedryk” into a Christmas song in 1919 using the original musical arrangement by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych. Many artists have covered the carol over the last century, and one of its more popular variants is “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was based on a poem of the same name written by English poet Christina Georgina Rossetti in 1872. English composer Gustav Holst first set the poem to music in 1906. This particular carol was published by Cecil Sharp, a famous conservator of English folk tradition, in 1911. The song is packed with symbolism that dates back to pagan rituals. Holly, representing males, and ivy, representing females, used to be burned together during the pagan festival of Beltane to encourage a fruitful spring. In Christianity, holly is symbolic of the crown of thorns Jesus wore during his crucifixion. With this rich history, evergreens like holly and ivy are viewed as symbols of rebirth and renewal, which are common themes celebrated at Christmas time. This carol was based on the poem "Christmas Bells," written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863. With an injured wife and a son who joined the union army against his father’s wishes, Longfellow lamented hearing bells on Christmas Day during the American Civil War. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness when goodwill and peace on Earth seemed impossible. The poem was set to music in 1872 by English composer John Baptiste Calkin. You may also like: Mistakes from the 50 best movies of all time “O Holy Night” is based on a French poem titled "Minuit, Chrétiens," written by Placide Cappeau at the behest of a parish priest. Composer Adolphe Adam set the poem to music that same year, and it quickly gained popularity throughout France. When Cappeau denounced the Catholic Church to join the socialist movement, the church responded by denouncing his beloved carol. The song made a resurgence after it was translated into English and introduced in America by John Sullivan Dwight. After visiting Bethlehem in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem , Phillips Brooks was inspired to write about his experiences. Brooks, an Episcopal priest, shared the poem he had written with Lewis Redner, his church’s organist, and asked him to create a melody for it so they could perform it at an upcoming Sunday school service. In a single evening, Redner composed the tune that we know today. Reflecting on the success of the carol, Redner stated : “Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.” Mistakenly attributed, for many years, to Martin Luther—the seminal figure of Europe’s Protestant Reformation in the 16th century—and even titling early versions of this piece “Luther’s Cradle Song,” “Away in a Manger” is a relatively simple carol with unknown origins. The first record of the text being set to music with the title “Away in a Manger” is found in the 1885 publication “Little Children's Book for Schools and Families.” The carol we know as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was originally titled "Hymn for Christmas-Day,” published in 1739 by Charles Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement and brother to John Wesley, the movement’s founder. But it was George Whitefield who adapted the text in 1753 to give us that familiar opener “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The melody was composed by Felix Mendelssohn and later adapted by William H. Cummings in 1855 to create the song that's popular today. This numeric carol was originally published in England in 1780 in a children’s book called “Mirth Without Mischief.” It is believed to be a type of children's memory-and-forfeit game in which the singer must remember every verse or forfeit something if they make a mistake. You may also like: Best and worst Al Pacino movies Citing the gospel of Luke, this English carol is based on a French song called “Les Anges dans nos campagnes.” The lyrics were written by James Chadwick, a bishop in 1862. His words were set to the tune "Gloria," which was arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes. This Christmas ballad is believed to date back to the 15th century. Unlike many other carols that reference the gospels of Luke or Matthew, this story takes place sometime in between as Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. It is one of the few depictions of Joseph struggling to accept Mary’s pregnancy, evidenced through lyrics such as “O then bespoke Joseph/ With words so unkind,/ Let him pluck thee a cherry/That brought thee with child.” The song was made popular again by Joan Baez’s rendition in 1961. The exact origins of this carol are unknown, but it is believed to be one of the oldest carols still sung today. Dating back to the 12th century, “The Friendly Beasts” is a traditional French carol about the animals present at the birth of Jesus and the gifts they bestowed on him. “Joy to the World” was originally written as a hymn by Isaac Watts. Watt’s adaptation of Psalm 98 interprets Christ as the king of the church and as the king of the world. “Joy to the World” is one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time . Perhaps the darkest song on this list, “Coventry Carol,” depicts the biblical event “The Massacre of the Innocents” in which King Herod ordered the killing of all male babies under the age of two in Bethlehem. The song takes the form of a lullaby recited to the persecuted children. In Christianity, “The Massacre of the Innocents” is an important part of the broader Nativity story and thus a relevant story in the Christmas narrative. “Coventry Carol” was originally part of a medieval mystery play performed in England called “The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.” You may also like: Best Grateful Dead albums of all time Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

NEW YORK , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After an exciting Black Friday event filled with exclusive discounts and unbeatable offers on Monport Laser's cutting-edge machines, the excitement isn't over just yet. Monport Laser is keeping the momentum alive with a highly anticipated Cyber Monday Sale . This December 2 , get ready for exclusive savings, premium deals, and unparalleled opportunities to upgrade your laser engraving game. A Season for Creativity and Innovation Cyber Monday is more than just a sale—it's Monport's way of encouraging creators to explore their potential with state-of-the-art laser technology. Known for their CO2 lasers , fiber lasers , diode lasers , and premium accessories, Monport has built a reputation for empowering creativity, precision, and efficiency across various applications. This Cyber Monday, Monport Laser is set to take its offerings to the next level with deals tailored to meet the needs of hobbyists, professionals, and small business owners. 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Black Friday was just the beginning, and Cyber Monday is set to deliver even more reasons to act quickly. Monport Laser is urging customers not to miss out on this final opportunity of the year. With inventory moving fast during Black Friday, only limited quantities of Monport's top-tier machines and accessories remain. This is your chance to prepare for the year ahead with Monport's industry-leading technology, designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced professionals. Sign Up to Stay Ahead Prepare for Monport Laser's Cyber Monday Sale —your final chance this year to unlock massive savings and upgrade to industry-leading engraving tools. December 2 is just around the corner, and time is running out! Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Shoppers are encouraged to sign up on Monport's official website to stay informed about Cyber Monday updates. By signing up, you'll receive exclusive reminders, ensuring you're the first to know when the sale goes live. About Monport Laser Monport Laser is a global leader in laser engraving and cutting solutions, providing reliable and innovative tools for hobbyists, professionals, and businesses. With a focus on precision, durability, and customer support, Monport is committed to empowering creators and helping businesses grow with their state-of-the-art engraving technology. Contact Information‘Unsurpassed’: Aussie great’s big announcementByhre 0-3 0-0 0, Barnstable 3-11 3-4 10, Blue 4-11 2-2 11, Dobbs 6-10 3-4 16, Minessale 2-5 0-0 4, Bjerke 2-4 2-2 8, Oosterbaan 1-3 1-2 4, Nau 1-2 2-2 5, Dufault 1-3 2-2 4, Lafferty 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 21-53 15-18 65. Duffy 1-2 0-0 2, Stillwell 7-13 6-10 22, Fulks 2-6 5-7 9, McKee 4-11 1-3 9, Pullian 3-5 0-0 7, Franklin 6-10 1-2 15, Lovelace 2-5 0-0 5, Pippa-White 0-1 0-0 0, Davis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 13-22 69. Halftime_Milwaukee 32-22. 3-Point Goals_St. Thomas (MN) 8-28 (Bjerke 2-3, Lafferty 1-1, Nau 1-2, Oosterbaan 1-3, Dobbs 1-4, Blue 1-5, Barnstable 1-6, Byhre 0-2, Minessale 0-2), Milwaukee 6-17 (Stillwell 2-2, Franklin 2-5, Lovelace 1-2, Pullian 1-2, Davis 0-1, Fulks 0-1, Pippa-White 0-1, McKee 0-3). Fouled Out_Minessale. Rebounds_St. Thomas (MN) 23 (Blue, Dobbs 5), Milwaukee 36 (Stillwell, Franklin 8). Assists_St. Thomas (MN) 8 (Dobbs 5), Milwaukee 13 (Fulks 8). Total Fouls_St. Thomas (MN) 24, Milwaukee 15. A_1,669 (10,783).

fish casino Jets running back Hall 'looks promising' to play vs. Jags, but cornerback Reed is doubtfulNVIDIA’s Stock Surge? The Gaming Revolution It’s FuelingIt was a big Week 14 for both of these teams, as the 49ers ended a three-game skid and the Rams had one of their biggest wins of the season. Now, the two meet up on a short week on national TV. San Francisco pounded the Bears at home last week while the Rams upended the Bills, 44-42. The Rams previously beat the Niners, 27-24, in September, so Brock Purdy & Co. are looking for payback. They’ll have to do it without both of their leading running backs, Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason, who were both injured a couple of weeks ago. Fans looking to watch this week’s “Thursday Night Football” game need to be an Amazon Prime Member to watch it on Prime Video , which offers a 30-day free trial for new users when they sign up. After the 30-day free trial ends, an Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. You can cancel at any time, including before the free trial ends. Who: 49ers vs. Rams When : 8:15 PM ET, December 12, 2024 Where : Levi’s Stadium Stream : Prime Video with an Amazon Prime membership. Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year and offers a 30-day free trial for new users. FuboTV (free trial); DirecTV Stream (free trial) ; Sling ; NFL+ More College Football What is FuboTV? FuboTV is an internet television service that offers more than 200 channels across sports and entertainment including Paramount+ with SHOWTIME . From the UEFA Champions League to the WNBA to international tournaments ranging across sports, there’s plenty of options available on FuboTV, which offers a free trial, and $20 off the first month for new costumers. What is DirecTV Stream? DirecTV Stream offers practically everything DirecTV provides, except for a remote and a streaming device to connect to your television. Sign up now and get three free months of premium channels including MAX , Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and Starz. What is SlingTV? SlingTV offers a variety of live programing ranging from news and sports and starting as low as $20 a month for your first month. Subscribers also get a month of DVR Plus free if they sign up now. Choose from a variety of sports packages without long-term contracts and with easy cancelation. What is NFL+? NFL+ and NFL+ Premium allow fans access to the most NFL content available online. From game replays, coaches film and all-22 field angles of the games to NFL Network original programing, NFL+ and NFL + Premium allow fans to stay fully locked in with every NFL team no matter where you are in the country. RELATED CONTENT: Deebo Samuel says frustration led to now-deleted social media post about lack of opportunities By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The least productive four-game stretch of Deebo Samuel’s career sent the frustrated wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers to social media. In a now-deleted post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Samuel tried to give an explanation on why he has gained only 97 yards from scrimmage the past four games as the big plays that made him an All-Pro in 2021 are no longer coming. “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” he wrote on Monday. Samuel later deleted the post, but not after it caused a bit of a social media firestorm. Asked on Tuesday if he wanted to expand on what he wrote, Samuel simply said, “You read what you read. A little frustrated, for sure.” Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he would prefer if Samuel had kept his frustrations off social media, but said it wasn’t a distraction to the players and coaches in the building as the Niners prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. Shanahan said he and Samuel talk often about his role and getting Samuel more touches is always a priority for the Niners. “I mean I understand Deebo saying that,” Shanahan said. “Deebo wants to help us out and the only way he helps us out is getting the ball more and we’d like to get it to him more. We’ll continue to work at that.” Samuel had a breakthrough season in 2021 starting with a midseason game against the Rams when he caught five passes for 97 yards and a TD and was also used as a runner out of the backfield with five carries for 36 yards and another score. Samuel helped carry the Niners to the NFC title game that season in his new role as a “wide back” who split time lining up as a wide receiver and a running back. He finished that season with 1,770 yards and 14 touchdowns from scrimmage, leading to a lucrative contract extension that offseason. Samuel couldn’t match that output the past two seasons, but has hit some lows this season at age 28 as he says the element of surprise is gone. “We’ve been doing it almost three years now ... they know what’s going on,” he said. He is averaging just 2.9 yards on his 32 carries as teams are more prepared for when he runs the ball and is on pace for his worst season in terms of catches and receiving yards per game with 40 receptions for 553 yards. He hasn’t scored a TD since Week 6. Quarterback Brock Purdy called Samuel one of his best friends on the team and said that he just needs more opportunities. Purdy said defenses have been taking away some of the chances for Samuel to excel. “I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could,” Purdy said. “I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things. We all do in this building. It’s just how the games have gone. I love my guy and I’m going to do whatever I can to get him the ball.” NOTES: RB Isaac Guerendo (foot), DE Nick Bosa (oblique), LT Trent Williams (ankle), OL Ben Bartch (ankle) all were expected to miss the team’s walkthrough with injuries. ... LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles tendon), DL Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder), LB Dee Winters (ankle) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) were all limited. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL The Associated Press contributed to this article

Thought just 17, Donald Trump’s granddaughter appears to relish her role as an aspiring, up-and-coming MAGA influencer , as she shares slickly produced videos on social media about the fun she has hanging out with her beloved, president-elect “grandpa.” But there’s only so much that Kai Trump can do to soften the image of a man who has been compared by critics to history’s most dangerous fascists and who regularly hurls insults and makes profane remarks. His opponent in the election, Kamala Harris, received some 74 million votes to his 76 million. With her latest video published Tuesday, the teen golf prodigy also showed “grandpa” looking a bit out of his element while a guest at Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch last week. In one particularly “cringe-worthy” moment of Kai Trump’s behind-the-scenes video, Trump is seen sending Musk into “an awkward spiral” after he asks him whether a rocket booster can be reused — after it has crashed into Gulf of Mexico in a fireball, the Daily Beast reported . Last week, Trump joined Musk, his top campaign donor and his purported new expert advisor in government efficiency, to watch the latest test flight of his Starship rocket system, the Daily Beast reported. For the occasion, Trump was joined by Kai Trump and her good friend, as well as Kai Trump’s father, Donald Trump Jr., and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Musk, who also is a NASA contractor, planned to show Trump a repeat of the “incredible maneuver” that one of his Starship rocket ships executed in October, the Daily Beast said. That’s when giant mechanical arms, sticking out of the launch tower, successfully “caught” the rocket’s “Super Heavy” booster, after it performed the precise moves needed to return to the launch site, SpaceNews.com reported. For the Nov. 19 Starship launch, the rocket successfully lifted off from the SpaceX Starbase test site in Boca Chica, Texas, at 5 p.m., SpaceNews.com reported. Its booster separated from the vehicle’s upper stage about two minutes and 45 seconds after liftoff. The booster started to return to the launch site but, a little more than a minute later, controllers announced “booster offshore divert,” meaning that the booster would not return to the launch pad but instead crash into the Gulf of Mexico. Making the boosters reusable has been a key part of SpaceX’s efforts to cut the cost of each $100 million Starship flight in half, the Daily Beast reported. Kai Trump’s video, which she also shares as a YouTube vlog, caught the moments when Musk told Trump, “We had some concerns about the tower so it was commanded to land out at sea.” In the video, which shows Kai Trump standing nearby, Trump appeared to be uncharacteristically quiet and perhaps a bit awe-struck, as he clearly missed the meaning of what the billionaire was saying. That’s because Trump responded by muttering, “amazing.” The former reality TV star then asked Musk, “Can they use that again? Can they get it from the sea?” Musk appeared to do a double take and to even give the president elect some “side-eye,” the Daily Beast said. Musk awkwardly responded: “Uhh, it’s going to be. ... it‘s ... it’s probably gonna blow up. That’s my guess.” Cruz, standing next to Trump, jumped in to help cover up for Trump’s question by getting Musk to explain that he already has “better” versions of the booster in production, with one ready to use. “Well, there you go,” Cruz said. Trump actually said little else that day, according to Kai Trump’s video and to other news reports. A report in The Telegraph affirmed the view that Trump’s outing with Musk to the SpaceX rocket launch was “awkward” for both men, even as they’ve spent the weeks since the election practically “joined at the hip” at Mar-a-Lago. Trump indeed looked like a “fish out of water” and appeared to be intimidated by Musk during the Starship test flight, according to Darren Stanton, a former police officer and body language expert. Trump showed none of his “alpha male persona” and “power gestures” during the event, Stanton told The Telegraph. “Trump was very uneasy... usually he comes over as this alpha male, the most empowered, most powerful person in the room. I think he’s quite intimidated by Musk,” Stanton said. “He was out of his depth – his hands were just by his side like a mannequin.” It’s hard to believe that Kai Trump intended for her “grandpa” to be seen looking “out of his depth.” As Daily Beast entertainment writer Eboni Boykin-Patterson said in another report , Kai Trump, whose mother is Vanessa Trump, has taken on a role in Trumpworld once filled by her aunt, Ivanka Trump. Since Kai Trump spoke at the Republican National Convention — to “show the side of my grandpa that people don’t often see” — she has become the photogenic young female relative who tries to “sanitize” Trump’s image, Boykin-Patterson also said. Earlier in her video, Kai Trump poked gentle fun at her grandfather — while also giving her some 2.6 million followers some of the “aspirational” content that social media users look for, Boykin-Patterson wrote. As the teenager giddily showed off the luxurious accommodations on Trump’s private jet, she and her friend also spent a few moments recording a TikTok clip , in which they mimicked her grandfather’s golf swing and his meme’d campaign dance moves, set to the Village People’s “YMCA.” The Daily Beast said the result of Kai Trump’s posts is “a simpler, smiley perspective” on Trump, whom she describes as a ” hard worker” for “all Americans.” With her followers, the teenager also shares slideshows of her 78-year-old grandfather, sporting big smiles. “And if that’s all you see of this agreeable, doting grandfather, you’d think he’d never tried to overturn an election,” Boykin-Patterson wrote.Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding hush money conviction

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New Zealand and England meet in the third Test of the three-match series on Saturday, December 14. The NZ vs ENG 3rd Test 2024 is slated to be played at the Seddon Park in Hamilton and it starts at 3:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time). Sony Sports Network is the official broadcast partner for the NZ vs ENG Test series in India and fans can watch the NZ vs ENG 3rd Test 2024 live telecast on the Sony Sports 2 TV channel. SonyLIV will provide NZ vs ENG 3rd Test 2024 live streaming but at the cost of a subscription for fans who are on the lookout for an online viewing option. Amazon Prime Video will also provide NZ vs ENG live streaming. Gus Atkinson Becomes First Bowler To Claim Hat-Trick At Wellington, Achieves Feat During NZ vs ENG 2nd Test 2024 . The 3rd Test promises an epic showdown ⚔ Can 🇳🇿 salvage pride, or will 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 register a clean sweep? 🏏 🧐 #SonySportsNetwork #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/94UPGR7ttp — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) December 13, 2024 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)Kingstone stock soars to 52-week high, hits $16.33THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, is getting a brand new subway system that will showcase archaeological discoveries made during construction that held up the project for decades. The 9.6-kilometer inaugural line will officially open on Nov. 30, using driverless trains and platform screen doors. Construction began in earnest in 2003 and unearthed a treasure trove of antiquities in a vast excavation beneath the densely populated city of a million residents. “This project offers a remarkable blend of the ancient and modern, integrating archaeological heritage with metro infrastructure,” Christos Staikouras, the transport and infrastructure minister, told reporters Friday on a media tour of the subway. Tunneling followed ancient commercial routes through the center of the port city that has been continuously inhabited since ancient times. It exposed a Roman-era thoroughfare, ancient Greek burial sites, water and drainage systems, mosaics and inscriptions and tens of thousands of artifacts spanning centuries, also through Byzantine and Ottoman rule. The tunnels had to be bored at a greater depth than originally planned, adding cost and delays, to preserve the ancient discoveries. Key pieces of what was found have been put on display along the underground network of 13 stations including a section of the marble-paved Roman thoroughfare at the central Venizelou Station. “The project faced substantial delays and many challenges, including over 300,000 archaeological finds, many of which are now showcased at various stations along the main line,” Staikouras said. The Thessaloniki metro was first conceived more than a century ago and its completion has been greeted with quiet amazement by residents who for years used the metro project as a punchline for bureaucratic delays and undelivered promises. Government officials said the cost of the metro so far has reached 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion) for the completed first line of the subway system and most of a second line which is currently under construction and due to be delivered in a year. The construction consortium was made up by Greece’s Aktor, Italy’s Webuild and Japan’s Hitachi Rail.

Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks slipped in afternoon trading Friday as Wall Street closes out a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 was up by less than 0.1% and is on track for a loss for the week after three straight weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 58 points, or 0.1% to 43,856 as of 3 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq rose 0.1% and is hovering around its record. Broadcom surged 24.9% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. The company also raised its dividend. The company's big gain helped cushion the market's broader fall. Pricey stock values for technology companies like Broadcom give the sector more weight in pushing the market higher or lower. Artificial intelligence technology has been a focal point for the technology sector and the overall stock market over the last year. Tech companies, and Wall Street, expect demand for AI to continue driving growth for semiconductor and other technology companies. Even so, some big tech stocks were in the red Friday. Nvidia slid 2.6%, Meta Platforms dropped 1.7% and Netflix was down 0.7%. Furniture and housewares company RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged 14.2% after raising its forecast for revenue growth for the year. Wall Street's rally stalled this week amid mixed economic reports and ahead of the Federal Reserve's last meeting of the year. The central bank will meet next week and is widely expected to cut interest rates for a third time since September. Expectations of a series of rate cuts has driven the S&P 500 to . The Fed has been lowering its benchmark interest rate following an aggressive rate hiking policy that was meant to tame inflation. It raised rates from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023. Inflation eased under pressure from higher interest rates, nearly to the central bank's 2% target. The economy, including consumer spending and employment, held strong despite the squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. A slowing job market, though, has helped push a long-awaited reversal of the Fed's policy. Inflation rates have been warming up slightly over the last few months. A report on consumer prices this week showed an increase to 2.7% in November from 2.6% in October. The Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures index, will be released next week. Wall Street expects it to show a 2.5% rise in November, up from 2.3% in October. The economy, though, remains solid heading into 2025 as consumers continue spending and employment remains healthy, said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY. “Still, the outlook is clouded by unusually high uncertainty surrounding regulatory, immigration, trade and tax policy,” he said. Treasury yields edged higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.40% from 4.34% late Thursday. European markets slipped. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.1%. Britain’s economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% month-on-month in October, following a 0.1% decline in September, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Asian markets closed mostly lower. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press

Living Opera Presents the New Podcast ‘Behind the Curtain’

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U.S. audiences know Sam Reid as Interview With the Vampire ‘s Lestat, but they’re about to meet the character he’s known for in his homeland of Australia. Reid plays Dale Jennings opposite Anna Torv ‘s Helen Norville in The Newsreader , an award-winning original series from Australia’s ABC TV that first debuted in 2021. Its third and final season premieres on February 2, 2025 in Australia, but Interview With the Vampire ‘s streaming home, AMC+ , is bringing The Newsreader to eager fans next week as part of a new licensing agreement. Starting Thursday, December 19 and going through January 23, Sundance Now will release one episode of The Newsreader Season 1 per week. Sundance Now titles are available to AMC+ subscribers. As of the time of publication, Sundance Now and AMC+ will only have Season 1, but Season 2 could possibly come to the streaming service in the future. (Season 1 was previously available on The Roku Channel and ARTE in English for a limited time.) Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheerHouse Democrats who voted yes on NDAA lament transgender restrictions

The chairs of an annual science and technology conference say Nobel Prize recipient Geoffrey Hinton is donating some of his winnings to create a new award. They say of the Neural Information Processing Systems conference say the US$10,000 award will be handed out at the event each year. It will be given to teams of two or more researchers under the age of 40 who write a paper proposing a novel theory of how the brain works. The award will be named the Sejnowski-Hinton Prize after computational neurobiologist Terry Sejnowski and AI pioneer Hinton. Hinton received the Nobel for physics along with computer scientist John Hopfield earlier this week in Stockholm. Hinton has said he will also donate a portion of the 11 million Swedish kronor — about $1.4 million Canadian dollars — prize money he and Hopfield will split to Water First, an organization working to boost Indigenous access to water. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings

Peacock’s ‘Hysteria!’ set in Michigan during 1980s satanic panicPresident-elect Donald Trump has revealed that his administration will attempt to “eliminate” Daylight Saving Time in the US. Taking to Truth Social, the Republican claimed daylight savings time was “inconvenient” and that he hoped to “eliminate” it. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate daylight saving time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!” Mr Trump wrote. “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.” Max Corstorphan Daylight saving time - putting the clocks forward one hour during the summer half of the year to make the most of the longer evenings - has been in place in nearly all of the United States since the 1960s, but has been a topic of debate in recent years. Some lawmakers want to stay on standard time year-round, more are on record calling for remaining on daylight saving time all year, while others want to keep the status quo. President Joe Biden never took a public position on the issue. Max Corstorphan In March 2022, the US Senate voted unanimously to make daylight saving time permanent but the effort stalled in the House after lawmakers said they could not reach consensus. A bipartisan group of senators in March made a new push to make daylight saving time permanent. Supporters of remaining on daylight saving time argue it would lead to brighter afternoons and evenings and more economic activity during the winter months. Critics say it would force children to walk to school in darkness since the measure would delay sunrise by an hour. Proponents of eliminating daylight saving time say the twice-annual changing of clocks causes sleep disturbance and health issues. Congress has not held any new hearings on the issue for more than two years and the Senate would need to take up the issue again. Year-round daylight saving time was used during World War Two and adopted again in 1973 in a bid to reduce energy use because of an oil embargo, but was unpopular and was repealed a year later. In America, daylight saving time commences in March, on the second Sunday, and ends of the first Sunday in November. - With ReutersGood news, everyone! Have you ever felt like you have gone so bars-in-the-window insane that you realize the only way forward is for you to assassinate someone you don't like? Well, welcome to the mainstream. According to the leftist sociopaths at The Atlantic , you are not crazy, you are not fringe, and you are not an extremist. Isn't that fun? The UnitedHealthcare-CEO shooting marks a new moment, writes @alibreland —“one in which acts of political violence are no longer confined to extremists with fringe views.” https://t.co/6cZc8kHKlM Yes, this is an actual article written by Ali Breland, who has stepped up his own crazy game from Mother Jones to now write for The Atlantic. Breland once assured us that trading GameStop stock made one a Nazi . But shooting someone in the back is totally 'normie.' Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, doesn’t seem to fit this mold. Mangione was active on social media—but in the most average of ways. He seemingly posted on Goodreads and X, had public photos of himself on Facebook, and reportedly spent time on Reddit discussing his back pain. Perhaps more details will emerge that complicate the picture, but however extreme his political views were—he is, after all, charged with murdering a man in Midtown Manhattan, and reportedly wrote a manifesto in which he called health insurers 'parasites'—this does not appear to be a man who was radicalized in the fever swamps of some obscure corner of the dark web. On the surface, Mangione may have just been a fundamentally normal guy who snapped. Or maybe the killing demonstrates how mainstream political violence is becoming ... ... Experts have different theories as to what’s driving this, but many agree that we’re due for more acts of political violence before the trend dissipates. The response to Thompson’s death isn’t just people reveling in what they believe is vigilante justice—it may also be a sign of what’s coming ... Mangione’s alleged act and the public response suggest that there’s appetite for political, cause-oriented violence; that these acts may not be committed or applauded just by terminally online weirdos. There are millions of guys who view the world the way Mangione does, and millions more willing to cheer them on. Ahh, the 'experts have weighed in. How reassuring. What the 'experts' and Breland fail to note, of course, is how political violence has become a primary tool almost exclusively on the left and how the media is egging them on. Maybe that has something to do with it. No wonder they want to normalize this type of behavior. They are responsible for it. And the leftist media hates nothing more than they hate a mirror. Thank you for finally admitting violence among the Left isn't a fringe issue, it's a party issue. You all have adopted political violence as a tool and want more of it. Yep. Call me crazy but murder is extreme. https://t.co/ZSeQC8EhtP It's a little disturbing that this is a thought that needs to be expressed out loud. But he is an extremist with fringe views. You just can’t discern it because you’re also crazy. https://t.co/RgVxt9Wh31 B-b-b-b-ingo! Extremists who don't recognize other extremists. https://t.co/RRLaNfgJ8C Of course this is silly. Leftwing political violence has been mainstream for decades, but this time they can't dismiss it. So now they've got to pretend it's something new, when we all know the truth. The left views political violence as justified. They always have. https://t.co/lU53SvKnLS The left makes a living apologizing for political violence on their side. Because their ends ALWAYS justify the means. Any means. Welcome to the age of politically moderate assassination, I guess https://t.co/Hnpx6kQ6hG The left thinks that Mangione could be like any one of us because he IS like any one of them. So... normalizing it. The very thing you have been screaming about for 8 years on the other side, now comes with a ho-hum shoulder shrug. Fascinating. https://t.co/ZUCHv8Ye86 January 6 was worse than 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and the Civil War combined, according to the left. But executing someone on the street is how 'millions of people feel,' according to Breland. "He's not an extremist with fringe views because I agree with him," explained the journalist https://t.co/wkHokC8qlI And they wonder why the legacy media is dead. November 2024: “Most of America see us as out of touch and extreme. We should tone down the rhetoric and try to appeal to the center.” December 2024: “The majority center position of our party is now that murdering innocent people in acts of political terrorism is good.” https://t.co/zoIlYRnhLD They will never learn. Because they do not WANT to learn. They want to go even further. You should be deeply embarrassed for posting this. He should be, yes. But he won't be. Because everyone else in his leftist media bubble likely agrees with him and is probably patting him on the back. So... if a conservative commits political violence it is extremist, but if a liberal commits political violence it’s not. This is how marxists justify what they do. They've spent years calling Trump Hitler. And then they act surprised when two would-be assassins try to take him out. It is not a bug of their ideology, it is a feature. Ah, so The Atlantic, the mouthpiece of Dem elites, is essentially justifying political assassinations. Democrats, defeated at the ballot box, will now turn to murder to achieve their goals. These vile communists already tried to kill DJT (twice!) One of The Atlantic's other lunatics, Tom Nichols, even scolded Donald Trump for talking about the attempts on his life . You can't even make it up. These people are evil. https://t.co/znCx4vJBXb You're not going to get any argument from us there. Absolutely insane stuff being published at Laurene Powell Jobs’s outlet The Atlantic. https://t.co/fCUxrwYLDk Laurene Powell Jobs, the owner of The Atlantic, is a left-wing extremist. She is also a billionaire. If, God forbid, someone were to do to her what Luigi Mangione did to Brian Thompson, does anyone think that Ali Breland would be writing articles saying that wasn't extremism? Of course not. Because Breland isn't actually saying that assassinations are not extreme. He is just saying that they are not extreme when he agrees with the assassin. It is the inevitable, insane end result of one of the left's favorite arguments: 'It's (D)ifferent when we (D)o it.'

U.S. basketball team rolls past Puerto Rico 108-66 in AmeriCup qualifying matchup

All Roads Lead to 2024's Los Angeles Auto Show Offering Unmatched Guest Experiences, Vehicle Debuts and Special Exhibits for Attendees of all AgesIn a surprising development, the US Navy has released a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the development of a Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N). The initiative aims to establish a modular and resilient cruise missile system that delivers a proportional response while ensuring essential adversary targets remain vulnerable. The goal is to deploy an operational system by fiscal year 2034, with prototype tests anticipated within the next three years. Sea-launched nuclear cruise missile The SLCM-N will be launched from Virginia-class attack submarines and is centered around an “All Up Round” (AUR) concept. This includes an expendable booster, a nuclear-capable cruise missile, and a launch canister, allowing underwater launches from Virginia Payload Tubes (VPT) or Virginia Payload Modules (VPM). Additionally, the Navy seeks missiles that are “as modular as possible,” incorporating both software and hardware, to ensure that modifications to the missile’s body or shared tactical systems don’t necessitate changes to the warhead payload interfaces or avionics related to the nuclear mission. “The open system approach is being adopted to facilitate future technical upgrades or technology enhancements as needed throughout the SLCM-N program’s lifespan,” the Navy’s request indicates. The United States originally introduced nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missiles during the mid-1980s with the deployment of the TLAM-N, a nuclear variant of the Tomahawk Land-Attack Missile. These missiles, which had a range of about 2,500 kilometers (approximately 1,550 miles), were positioned on both surface vessels and attack submarines. After 3 decades In 1991, President George H.W. Bush declared the withdrawal of all sea-based tactical nuclear weapons, resulting in the removal of TLAM-N missiles by the middle of 1992. The Navy kept the option to redeploy them on attack submarines if necessary. However, in 2010, the Obama Administration recommended decommissioning the TLAM-N system, considering it redundant in light of other available nuclear capabilities. This retirement was finalized in 2013. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) under the Trump Administration advocated for the development of a novel nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile, now referred to as SLCM-N. This initiative aimed to provide a “non-strategic regional presence” and fulfill the need for “flexible and low-yield options” within the US nuclear arsenal. The SLCM-N was designed to enhance deterrence against regional threats and reassure US allies. Allocation of funds In its Fiscal Year 2022 budget proposal, the Biden Administration allocated funding for the research and development of the SLCM-N. Nonetheless, the 2022 NPR suggested discontinuing the program, indicating that current capabilities were adequate to meet deterrent requirements. Despite this, Congress continued to fund the SLCM-N and its associated warhead. The Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act required the executive branch to ensure the SLCM-N’s initial operational capability. Following this, the Administration has begun to take steps to implement the program. Supporters of the SLCM-N contend that it provides a flexible and survivable nuclear option capable of deployment in various regions without needing to station nuclear assets on allied territories. The SLCM-N would fulfill a critical role as a sea-based nuclear deterrent below the strategic level on the nuclear escalation ladder, emphasizing that the commander-in-chief should have access to such options. Similar to its predecessor, the Navy’s discontinued TLAM-N, the SLCM-N is envisioned as a lower-yield nuclear weapon launched from submarines that would add a new dimension to the maritime segment of the nuclear triad, allowing the United States to respond proportionately to a limited nuclear attack by an adversary.People want to see Bilawal as PM, says governor LAHORE:Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has said that the people of Pakistan want to see Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as the prime minister of the country. He said this while talking to a delegation of People's Lawyers Forum (PLF) Gujranwala Division which called on him at the Governor’s House here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Punjab governor said that the People's Lawyers Forum has played a key role in the restoration of democracy. He said that civil disobedience call by a political party is equal to anti-nation call. He stated that the dialogue is the best solution and every problem can be resolved on negotiation table. He said that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has a historic role in the establishment of constitutional bench. The governor said that due to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the path of conspiratorial elements working against democracy was blocked. He further said that every person, including lawyers, has to play a positive role for the development and prosperity of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is currently facing internal and external conspiracies which have to be thwarted together.

campaign pledged to be a champion for working class Americans. His is stuffed with figures and , including the world’s wealthiest person. Trump himself is set to become the wealthiest president in history, with an estimated net worth of roughly $5.6 billion, according to . After spending years haranguing George Soros, claiming that the billionaire philanthropist was funding Trump’s political enemies and manipulating society with his support for progressive causes, incoming administration figure wants to be a Musk, whose net worth is more than $300 billion, joins key Wall Street characters and wealthy officials joining Trump’s White House. Together, their net worth exceeds $340 billion — larger than the gross domestic product of . Trump has even picked Soros’s money manager Scott Bessent to lead the Department of Treasury. The president-elect has tapped at least five billionaires for his administration thus far, including Musk, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former professional wrestling magnate Linda McMahon, investment banker Howard Lutnick, and venture capitalist and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. All of them but Musk and Ramaswamy must be confirmed by the Senate. Here is a look at some of the wealthy Wall Street executives and billionaires Trump wants in his administration. Trump’s campaign economic adviser Scott Bessent founded Key Square Capital Management and worked at a hedge fund founded by major Democratic donor George Soros. Before becoming a Trump donor and adviser, Bessent donated to various Democratic causes in the early 2000s, notably Al Gore’s presidential run. North Dakota’s two-term Republican government Doug Burgum made more than $1.1 billion after selling his software company Great Plains to Microsoft in 2001. After ending his own presidential campaign in December 2023, Burgum endorsed Trump and became an outspoken supporter. The CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick, with an estimated net worth of more than $1 billion, has served as Trump’s transition team co-chair. He has helped raise millions of dollars for Trump’s campaign and has been a cheerleader for Trump’s economic agenda, including the president-elect’s plans for broad tariffs. The co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment was nominated to lead an agency that Trump and his allies want to dissolve entirely. McMahon donated $6 million to Trump’s first campaign and later world with the Small Business Association during his administration. She is now a co-chair of his 2024 transition team after briefly serving on the Connecticut Board of Education, She shares a $2.5 billion net worth with her husband, professional wrestling mogul and personality Vince McMahon. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, helped steer more than $200 million into Trump’s campaign and has used his X platform, formerly Twitter, which he bought for $44 billion, as a megaphone for the president-elect and his agenda. His net worth is at least $320 billion, according to , and his net worth has increased by more than $60 billion since Trump’s election. Musk, whose companies have received tens of millions of dollars in government contracts, will steer an outside advisory committee to recommend drastic cuts to funding, including mass firings and steep cuts to federal programs. Jim O’Neill previously worked as a senior health official during George W. Bush’s administration and was considered for a top job at HHS in Trump’s first term. He later became the acting CEO of the Thiel Foundation, the philanthropic arm of billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel, a former Trump mega donor who financially backed a Senate campaign from his former acolyte JD Vance. O’Neill helped Thiel and investor Ajay Royan launch venture capitalist firm Mithril Capital Management, where the vice president-elect worked before his Senate campaign. The founder of Palm Beach-based private investment firm Rugger Management is the former investments manager for billionaire Michel Dell of Dell Technologies. Phelan, who does not have any military experience, reportedly hosted a fundraiser for Trump’s campaign this summer at his $38 million home in Aspen, Colorado, which cost $25,000 to $500,000 per couple. Phelan and his wife Amy, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, are also , including works from Chagall, Dubuffet and Picasso, among others. Musk’s co-chair of the newly created DOGE Vivek Ramaswamy is a former pharmaceutical executive who briefly ran for the Republican presidential nomination before dropping out to throw his support behind Trump. He made his fortunes with Roivant Sciences, a pharmaceutical company he founded in 2014. His net worth is estimated to be $1.1 billion, according to Forbes. Real estate tycoon Steve Witkoff has an estimated net worth of roughly $500 million. He reportedly has to wealth funds in the Middle East, much like his Middle East envoy predecessor Jared Kusher, Trump’s son in law, who secured a $2 billion investment from a fund led by the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman six months after leaving the White House.Watch: Flyer from Riyadh held for smuggling gold in cream box at Delhi airportColorado is gearing up for the rugged Big 12 schedule, but first the Buffaloes wrap up their nonconference slate with two more games, starting Friday night when they host South Dakota State in Boulder, Colo. Colorado (7-2) has won two straight after competing in the Maui Invitational, most recently a 72-55 win over in-state rival Colorado State. Now the focus turns to South Dakota State and shoring up issues before conference play. "Defensively, we're understanding what our jobs are. Now, we're not where we need to be for sure," coach Tad Boyle said. "But we're making strides in that area. And I think the guys are getting used to playing with each other, understanding each other." The Buffaloes lost a lot of talent from last year's NCAA Tournament team but boast some quality players. Andrej Jakimovski (13.0 points per game), Julian Hammond III (12.3 ppg) and Elijah Moore (12.0 ppg) lead the team in scoring. Sophomore big man Bangot Dak has shown he can be a force after scoring a career-high 16 points in the win over Colorado State. The Jackrabbits (8-4) are coming off a 77-63 loss at Nevada on Wednesday night and complete a two-game trip in Boulder. South Dakota State is led by senior center Oscar Cluff, who tops the team in scoring (17.3 points) and rebounding (11.0) but had a subpar night against Nevada when he scored a season-low six points while battling an ankle injury. "I wish he was feeling a little better," coach Eric Henderson said of Cluff. "He's going to be fine, but he's still nursing that ankle a little bit." Freshman Joe Sayler is second on the team in scoring at 12.8 ppg and has reached double figures in each of the last three games. Sophomore Kalen Garry is third on the Jackrabbits in scoring at 9.6 per contest, an average that has been hurt by his last three games when he has averaged just 5.3 points. --Field Level Media

Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks slipped in afternoon trading Friday as Wall Street closes out a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 was up by less than 0.1% and is on track for a loss for the week after three straight weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 58 points, or 0.1% to 43,856 as of 3 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq rose 0.1% and is hovering around its record. Broadcom surged 24.9% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. The company also raised its dividend. The company's big gain helped cushion the market's broader fall. Pricey stock values for technology companies like Broadcom give the sector more weight in pushing the market higher or lower. Artificial intelligence technology has been a focal point for the technology sector and the overall stock market over the last year. Tech companies, and Wall Street, expect demand for AI to continue driving growth for semiconductor and other technology companies. Even so, some big tech stocks were in the red Friday. Nvidia slid 2.6%, Meta Platforms dropped 1.7% and Netflix was down 0.7%. Furniture and housewares company RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged 14.2% after raising its forecast for revenue growth for the year. Wall Street's rally stalled this week amid mixed economic reports and ahead of the Federal Reserve's last meeting of the year. The central bank will meet next week and is widely expected to cut interest rates for a third time since September. Expectations of a series of rate cuts has driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year . The Fed has been lowering its benchmark interest rate following an aggressive rate hiking policy that was meant to tame inflation. It raised rates from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023. Inflation eased under pressure from higher interest rates, nearly to the central bank's 2% target. The economy, including consumer spending and employment, held strong despite the squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. A slowing job market, though, has helped push a long-awaited reversal of the Fed's policy. Inflation rates have been warming up slightly over the last few months. A report on consumer prices this week showed an increase to 2.7% in November from 2.6% in October. The Fed's preferred measure of inflation, the personal consumption expenditures index, will be released next week. Wall Street expects it to show a 2.5% rise in November, up from 2.3% in October. The economy, though, remains solid heading into 2025 as consumers continue spending and employment remains healthy, said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY. “Still, the outlook is clouded by unusually high uncertainty surrounding regulatory, immigration, trade and tax policy,” he said. Treasury yields edged higher. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.40% from 4.34% late Thursday. European markets slipped. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.1%. Britain’s economy unexpectedly shrank by 0.1% month-on-month in October, following a 0.1% decline in September, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. Asian markets closed mostly lower. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press