CEO killer suspect: golden boy who soured on US health systemAfter weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Schumer’s calls come amid growing public concern that the federal government hasn’t offered clear explanations as to who is operating the drones, and has not stopped them. National security officials have said the drones don’t appear to be a sign of foreign interference. “There’s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,” said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, on Fox News Sunday. “The answer ‘We don’t know’ is not a good enough answer.” President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media last week: “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge? I don’t think so. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down.” Certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have the power to “incapacitate” drones, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But we need those authorities expanded,” he said, without saying exactly how. The drones don’t appear to be linked to foreign governments, Mayorkas said. “We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast. And we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Mayorkas said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Last year, federal aviation rules began requiring certain drones to broadcast their identities. It’s not clear whether that information has been used to determine who is operating the drones swarming locations in New York and New Jersey. Mayorkas’ office didn’t immediately respond to questions about whether they’ve been able to identify drones using this capability. Schumer is calling for recently declassified radar technology to be used to help determine whether an object is a drone or a bird, identify its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sunday said federal officials were sending a drone detection system to the state. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations,” Hochul said in a statement. The governor did not immediately provide additional details including where they system will be deployed. Dozens of mysterious nighttime flights started last month over New Jersey, raising concerns among residents and officials. Part of the worry stems from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility and over Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use, but they are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Advertisement Advertisementcircus tagalog 。

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Cyberattacks linked to the Chinese government that compromised large portions of the American telecommunications network have the US government sounding the alarm. The chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), has called it the “ worst telecom hack in our nation’s history ” and noted that it makes prior cyberattacks by Russian operatives look like “ child’s play ” by comparison. The complex cyberattack, carried out by a group of Chinese hackers dubbed Salt Typhoon , began as far back as 2022. Its purpose, according to US officials, was to give Chinese operatives persistent access to telecommunications networks across the US by compromising devices like routers and switches run by companies like AT&T, Verizon, Lumen and others. This attack comes on the heels of reports that the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency were assisting telephone companies with countering other China-connected compromises of their networks. The earlier hacking was part of an attack targeting people in the Washington area in government or political roles , including candidates for the 2024 presidential election. But Salt Typhoon is not just targeting Americans. Research from security vendor Trend Micro shows that attacks by Salt Typhoon compromised other critical infrastructure around the world in recent years. US officials have confirmed these findings as well — and their level of concern is noteworthy. Chinese officials have denied the allegations that they’re behind this operation, as they have in response to allegations about previous cyberattacks. As a cybersecurity researcher , I find this attack is indeed breathtaking in its scope and severity. But it’s not surprising that such an incident took place. Many organizations of all sizes still fail to follow good cybersecurity practices , have limited resources, or operate IT infrastructures that are too complex to effectively monitor, manage and secure. Must Read Chinese Salt Typhoon cyberespionage targets AT&T, Verizon but networks secure, carriers say How bad is it? Salt Typhoon exploited technical vulnerabilities in some of the cybersecurity products like firewalls used to protect large organizations. Once inside the network, the attackers used more conventional tools and knowledge to expand their reach, gather information, stay hidden and deploy malware for later use. According to the FBI, Salt Typhoon allowed Chinese officials to obtain a large amount of records showing where, when and who specific individuals were communicating with. In some cases, they noted that Salt Typhoon gave access to the contents of phone calls and text messages as well. Play Video Salt Typhoon also compromised the private portals , or backdoors, that telephone companies provide to law enforcement to request court-ordered monitoring of phone numbers pursuant to investigations. This is also the same portal that is used by US intelligence to surveil foreign targets inside the United States. As a result, Salt Typhoon attackers may have obtained information about which Chinese spies and informants counterintelligence agencies were monitoring — knowledge that can help those targets try to evade such surveillance. On December 3, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, National Security Agency and FBI, along with their counterparts in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, released guidance to the public on how to address the Salt Typhoon attack. Their Enhanced Visibility and Hardening Guidance for Communications Infrastructure guide essentially reiterates best cybersecurity practices for organizations that could help mitigate the impact of Salt Typhoon or future copycat attacks. It does, however, include recommendations to protect specific telecommunication equipment for some of the Cisco products that were targeted in this attack. What can be done? US officials have said that many of the ways Salt Typhoon penetrated its targets was through existing weaknesses with the infrastructure. As I’ve written previously , failing to implement basic cybersecurity best practices can lead to debilitating incidents for organizations of all sizes. Given how dependent the world is on networked information systems, it is more important than ever to maintain cybersecurity programs that make it difficult for attacks to succeed, especially for critical infrastructure like the phone network. In addition to following the best practices guidance issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency earlier this week, organizations should remain vigilant. They should monitor not only the news for information about this attack but the various free, proprietary or private threat intelligence feeds and informal professional networks to stay up to date on attackers’ tactics and techniques — and ways to counter them. Companies and governments should also ensure their IT departments and cybersecurity programs are adequately staffed and funded to meet their needs and ensure that best practices are implemented. The Federal Communications Commission is already threatening companies with fines for failing to bolster their defenses against Chinese hacking. Although any illicit surveillance is concerning, the average American probably has little to worry about from Salt Typhoon. It’s unlikely that your family phone calls or text messages to friends are of interest to the Chinese government. However, if you want to increase your security and privacy a bit, consider using end-to-end encrypted messaging services like Signal, FaceTime or Messages. Also make sure you’re not using default or easily guessed passwords on your devices, including your home router. And consider using two-factor authentication to further strengthen the security of any critical internet accounts. Backdoors and bad guys Lost in the noise of the story is that Salt Typhoon has proved that the decades of warnings by the internet security community were correct. No mandated secret or proprietary access to technology products is likely to remain undiscovered or used only by “the good guys” — and efforts to require them are likely to backfire. So it’s somewhat ironic that one of the countermeasures recommended by the government to guard against Salt Typhoon spying is to use strongly encrypted services for phone calls and text messages – encryption capabilities that it has spent decades trying to undermine so that only “the good guys” can use it. – Rappler.com This article originally appeared on The Conversation . Richard Forno , Principal Lecturer, CSEE & Assistant Director, UMBC Cybersecurity Institute, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Must Read Cybersecurity trends for 2025: The AI arms race continues, physical threats rise

Evan Mobley is ready for launch; how Jameis Winston compares to a 1990s Browns QB: Terry’s Talkin’ podcastAP News Summary at 5:17 p.m. EST

The future of business is here, and it's powered by artificial intelligence. BRISBANE, Australia , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Click Start Digital, a leader in e-commerce business solutions, has launched its new AI-Integrated Training Platform, designed to help entrepreneurs start and scale their online businesses with ease. This upgrade enhances its renowned training programs by integrating AI tools for market research, automation, and growth strategies. With over 13 years of expertise, Click Start Digital is revolutionizing the way entrepreneurs approach business, delivering smarter, faster results using cutting-edge technology. How to Launch Your E-Commerce Business Using AI Click Start Digital combines innovative AI tools with proven expertise to make launching an online store simple and effective. For those wondering how to start a business, the platform offers a transformative approach. From idea generation to scaling, entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to thrive in today's competitive marketplace. What Sets Click Start Digital Apart? AI-Powered Tools : Simplify market research, automate product descriptions, and streamline advertising for a competitive edge. Tailored Training : Practical, jargon-free lessons on leveraging AI in every step of your business. Bespoke Websites : Custom-built stores tailored to your niche and audience. Supplier Access : Reliable suppliers across industries for greater profit potential. Personalised Support : Weekly check-ins and ongoing guidance to help you succeed. "Artificial intelligence is transforming how we do business, and we're thrilled to bring this innovation to aspiring entrepreneurs," says Samantha Hurst , founder of Click Start Digital. "With our training and tools, anyone can start an e-commerce business, simplify operations, and achieve results faster than ever." Why AI is a Game-Changer for E-Commerce AI tools are reshaping business operations with benefits such as predictive analytics for high-demand products and automation for personalized customer experiences. With Click Start Digital, entrepreneurs can: Identify profitable niches and products quickly. Create SEO-optimized product descriptions. Run data-driven ad campaigns for better ROI. Automate tasks to focus on growth and strategy. Click Start Digital ensures that starting an e-commerce business is not just possible but sustainable with the power of AI. About Click Start Digital For over a decade, Click Start Digital has helped entrepreneurs launch and grow successful e-commerce businesses. Combining bespoke websites, AI-powered tools, and expert support, it has become a trusted partner for thousands turning their business dreams into reality. To learn more, visit Click Start Digital . SOURCE Click Start Digital

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LONDON (AP) — Edinburgh Airport was shut down by an unspecified information technology issue Sunday afternoon, causing headaches for passengers at the start of the busy holiday travel season. All flights into and out of Scotland’s busiest airport were grounded at 4:15 p.m. local time, with some incoming flights diverted to Glasgow Airport about 50 miles away. Edinburgh airport said engineers were working to resolve the issue. “Passengers are asked to check the status of their flight with the airline they are flying with before traveling to the airport,’’ the airport said in a statement. The Associated Press

Table of contents: Lumen Field key facts Lumen Field seating map Lumen Field bag policy Lumen Field parking and transportation options Hotels near Lumen Field Full event schedule at Lumen Field FAQ A picturesque city on the water, Seattle is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, attractions and connection to wildlife. The city might be considered the home of Starbucks to some, but to others, it's the home of the Seahawks . Notorious for being one of the loudest stadiums in the world, Lumen Field is the home venue for the Seahawks, Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC. Since opening in 2002, Lumen Field has not hosted a Super Bowl, but it has hosted the MLS Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches. BUY NOW: Tickets for events at Lumen Field on StubHub Are you traveling to Seattle soon and want to know more about Lumen Field? We've got you covered. Here's everything you need to know about Lumen Field, including a full schedule of upcoming events that will be held at the venue. Lumen Field key facts Address: 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, Wash. 98134 Capacity: 69,000 Built: 1998-2002 Opened: July 28, 2002 Lumen Field is located at 800 Occidental Ave S in Seattle. Lumen Field seating map Football seating map You can see the full layout for football games below. If you need information on accessible seating for individuals with disabilities, you can check out accessibility resources on the Lumen Field website . Ticketmaster Concert seating map Lumen Field alters its seating map for concerts. The map below gives you the general layout for a concert, though it can change depending on how a performer sets up the stage. startickets.com Lumen Field bag policy All bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC (12x6x12 measurements). You can also bring a small clutch bag into Lumen Field (4.5x6.5x2 measurements). Lumen Field does not offer a bag valet service, but it does have mobile lockers (Walker's Lockers) for guests with bags that don't meet the stadium's bag policy. The lockers are located near the North and South entrances. If you have questions about specific prohibited and approved bags, visit the Lumen Field website . Lumen Field parking options and cost There are several parking options at Lumen Field. There are two options connected to the venue: the Lumen Field Parking Garage and the North Lot. It is recommended to purchase parking passes in advance for events at Lumen Field in order to avoid higher parking rates on site. Parking lots typically open at 6 a.m. local time on game days. Specific times for other events can be found on the Lumen Field website . Parking at Lumen Field can cost anywhere between $20 and $60 on game and event days depending on the type of parking and location. Tailgating is not permitted at on-site parking lots, but there are several tailgating options nearby. Lumen Field Lumen Field transportation, rideshare and taxi options If you are using a rideshare app, taxi or bus service to travel to an event at Lumen Field, you can direct the vehicle to the designated drop-off and pick-up zones. General pick-up is available across from the Lumen Field Pro Shop on Railroad Way South. Rideshare pick-up and drop-off zones will be located either at King Street and Occidental on the North Side or Royal Brougham and Occidental on the South Side. Those interested in public transportation can use the Link Light Rail, King County Metro or Sounder Train to get to Lumen Field. Hotels near Lumen Field There are several hotels within minutes of Lumen Field. The two closest options are Silver Cloud Hotel — Seattle Stadium and Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Pioneer Square. The Sonder RailSpur is also a good option. Seahawks schedule at Lumen Field 2024 Here is a look at the Seahawks' schedule in 2024. You can find the cheapest tickets to games on StubHub . (Home games at Lumen Field in bold ) Date Opponent Sept. 8 vs. Broncos Sept. 15 at Patriots Sept. 22 vs. Dolphins Sept. 30 at Lions Oct. 6 vs. Giants Oct. 10 vs. 49ers Oct. 20 at Falcons Oct. 27 vs. Bills Nov. 3 vs. Rams Nov. 17 at 49ers Nov. 24 vs. Cardinals Dec. 1 at Jets Dec. 8 at Cardinals Dec. 15 vs. Packers Dec. 22 vs. Vikings Dec. 26 at Bears TBD at Rams Event schedule at Lumen Field 2024-25 Below is a list of other events and concerts being held at Lumen Field this year. For a more comprehensive schedule, visit Lumen Field's website . March 8, 2025: Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles FC March 22, 2025: Sounders FC vs. Houston Dynamo FC March 29, 2025: Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship 2025 April 19, 2025: Sounders FC vs. Nashville SC May 3, 2025: Sounders FC vs. St. Louis City SC May 17, 2025: Kendrick Lamar and SZA FAQs Does Lumen Field use mobile tickets? Lumen Field uses mobile tickets for all events. Guests must display their passes on mobile phones in order to enter. Screenshots and physical tickets will not be scanned or accepted. Where do I enter Lumen Field? Guests may enter at any of the several general admission gates around the facility. Can I re-enter Lumen Field? Re-entry is generally not permitted at Lumen Field, but it is event dependent. In the majority of cases, game and event tickets are only viable for one-time entrance. Can I bring my purse into Lumen Field? You can only bring a regular purse into Lumen Field if it's a small clutch bag or meets the clear bag policy . Can I bring my baby or child to an event/game at Lumen Field? Yes, but all guests two years of age and older must have a ticket in order to attend a Seahawks home game. All infants must be seated on an adult's lap and not interfere with the sightlines of other guests. Can I bring outside food or beverages into Lumen Field? You can bring certain outside food and beverages into Lumen Field. Outside food in a clear plastic bag and factory-sealed water bottles may be brought into the stadium. Can I bring my vape into Lumen Field? No, you can't bring a vape into Lumen Field. It is a completely non-smoking facility. All guests are prohibited from smoking (including electronic cigarettes, vaporizers or similar products) inside or outside the stadium. Does Lumen Field have wifi? Yes, Lumen Field has free wifi for all guests and attendees. Does Lumen Field sell alcohol? Lumen Field has alcoholic beverages available for purchase at concession stands and bars around the stadium. You can view the location of every concession stand and bar in the stadium by clicking here . Is Lumen Field a cashless stadium? Yes, Lumen Field is a cashless stadium. Only credit, debit and gift cards are accepted at concession stands. Does Lumen Field have a sportsbook? No, Lumen Field does not have a sportsbook. Airports near Seattle The closest major airport in Seattle is Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA). It is approximately 14 miles from Lumen Field. Tourist attractions near Seattle There's plenty to see and do when visiting Seattle. Many travelers enjoy checking out the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Kerry Park. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >CEO killer suspect: golden boy who soured on US health system

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Manmohan Singh News: Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag Lead Condolences For Former Prime Minister's DemiseWalker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker has run for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. A second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2022, he has 2,528 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his career. Walker could, in theory, return if the Seahawks win two playoff games, though their postseason hopes were slim entering the game against Chicago. Seattle (8-7) trailed the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by one game with two to play. The Seahawks' best path to the postseason was to win the final two regular-season games and have Los Angeles lose to Arizona on Saturday. Seattle visits the Rams to close the regular season. With Walker out, Seattle signed rookie running back George Holani off the practice squad. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

WASHINGTON — The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., was the sole Republican to support the effort. Most Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers have only a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Darigabat is under clinical development by Cerevel Therapeutics and currently in Phase II for Seizures. According to GlobalData, Phase II drugs for Seizures have an 82% phase transition success rate (PTSR) indication benchmark for progressing into Phase III. GlobalData tracks drug-specific phase transition and likelihood of approval scores, in addition to indication benchmarks based off 18 years of historical drug development data. Attributes of the drug, company and its clinical trials play a fundamental role in drug-specific PTSR and likelihood of approval. Darigabat overview Darigabat (CVL-865) is under development for the treatment of panic disorder and drug-resistant focal onset seizures. It is administered orally as a tablet. The drug candidate specifically targets alpha 2,3 and 5 subunits of GABA-A receptor to overcome the . It was under development for the treatment for chronic low back pain and generalized anxiety disorder. Cerevel Therapeutics overview Cerevel Therapeutics (Cerevel), a subsidiary of AbbVie Inc, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops therapies to treat neuroscience diseases. The company’s product pipeline includes various drug candidates such as emraclidine for the treatment of schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease psychosis; and darigabat targets epilepsy and panic disorder; tavapadon for both early and late-stage Parkinson’s disease; and CVL-871 to treat dementia-related apathy. The company is also developing other programs such as CVL-354, PDE4 inhibitor, and M4 Agonist for therapeutic areas of major depressive disorder (MDD), psychiatric, neuroinflammatory disorder and neurological indications. Cerevel is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the US. For a complete picture of Darigabat’s drug-specific PTSR and LoA scores, This content was updated on 12 April 2024 From Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors. , the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article. GlobalData’s Likelihood of Approval analytics tool dynamically assesses and predicts how likely a drug will move to the next stage in clinical development (PTSR), as well as how likely the drug will be approved (LoA). This is based on a combination of machine learning and a proprietary algorithm to process data points from various databases found on GlobalData’s .

We live on one of the most isolated but beautiful islands in the US... and now life is going to change forever By BETHAN SEXTON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 13:17 GMT, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 13:45 GMT, 24 November 2024 e-mail 6 View comments For most people, the idea of living a 45 minute boat ride away from the US mainland would be a daunting concept. But for the 55 or so permanent residents of Maine 's unbridged Isle au Haut , this is their daily reality. And the remoteness of the tiny island is part of the appeal for those who now call the six-mile stretch home. With just a handful of businesses serving the tight-knit community, the island can feel a bit like stepping back in time. But recently, it has been given a major technological boost with the installation of subsea cables, which will eventually bring universal broadband to the island. While the upgrade is set to 'transform' the community, locals claim the community already has a lot to offer. 'I don't have many minutes to sit around,' Stevens, who was the island's Selectman for nine years, said. 'I have a huge garden, so I grow pretty much all my own vegetables and berries.' The Maine island of Isle au Haut has just 50 permanent residents and is hoping to attract more With just one small grocery store on the island, gardening is more than just a hobby for Stevens and other residents. 'We have a store, but it doesn't have a lot,' Stevens said, explaining locals have to send out for medicine, pet food, clothing and shoes among other things. She said things have improved since the dawn of Amazon delivery and islanders can even get 24 hour drop-offs if they are willing to pay the premium. Typically, Fedex and UPS both ship to the island six days a week. Recipients must go and collect their packages from the Isle au Haut dock. Sending parcels can be equally tricky to navigate. The island's only post office has a postmistress on duty from 7-11am and residents can access mailboxes Monday through Saturday between set hours. 'It's easier than it used to be because of Amazon,' Stevens explained. 'It used to be if you needed a few screws, you'd have to go off and get the exact things you needed, now you can order so much stuff online.' 'Some people do just live off the store,' she added. 'It takes a lot of coordination to live on an island and if you're not coordinated, services suffer.' Brenda Clark, who was the island's librarian for many years, agreed and explained permanent residents on Isle au Haut, 'have to wear many hats' to keep things running. With just a handful of businesses serving the tight-knit community, the island can feel a bit like stepping back in time Former island Selectman Peggi Stevens, with her dog Spudz, says she barely has time to sit down with all the jobs that need doing in the community Residents hope the rollout of subsea cables to provide universal broadband will prove to be a draw 'In small towns you get out of a community what you put in, and you often have to do a lot of little things, so the wheels are always turning,' Clark said. She explained that locals on the island often turn their hand to various jobs dependent on what needs doing at the time. As well as her librarian role, Clark worked on her husband Bill's lobster boat, helped balance the town's books and as a clerk in the island's gift shop. She described the librarian role as 'pretty laid back'. The Isle au Haut library is open three days a week in summer and two days in winter. But, 'almost every permanent resident on the island has a key to the library,' Clark explained to documentary maker Noah Anderson. Similarly, the island's mail boat is often called upon to double up as an ambulance since there is no hospital or year-round doctor on Isle au Haut. 'If it is an emergency, and during the day, Life Flight of Maine can be called, the mailboat will come for an emergency trip in the night to pick up patient and take them off, then an ambulance would be called to meet them in Stonington and take them to closest hospital,' Stevens explained. While the island's population expands to about 300 during the summer months, winter sees it dwindle to between 55-60 according to Stevens, who said previous census data which suggests 90 was off. She said it is during the colder months, where temperatures plummet down to 17F that the community really pulls together. 'Winter is harsh, it's cold, it's isolated, but for some, that's a plus - not everyone, but for some people,' Stevens said. 'It's probably more like I think of Sweden or Norway. You know, you get out, if there's a day you can skate, you all get out and go skating or, you know, we try to stay fit and there's communal dinners.' Librarian Brenda Clark said permanent residents must 'wear many hats' to enable the community to function Isle au Haut has just five independent businesses: A gift shop, a lobster roll shack, a general store, a chocolate shop and a weekly vacation rental But Stevens, who hails from New York City, insists that winters are no worse than in the Big Apple. 'Here, we're dressed for it,' she explained. 'But in Manhattan you're trying to look fashionable all the time so you're freezing your behind off, not to say we aren't fashionable, I'm sure we are.' Still, she concedes the island is not a place for those looking to dine at the trendiest restaurants or catch the latest movies. Isle au Haut has just five independent businesses: A gift shop, lobster roll shack, general store, chocolate shop and weekly vacation rental. However, many of the businesses shut up shop or reduce their hours drastically in winter. Ferry trips to the mainland dwindle down to just two per day in the colder months, with no service on Sundays. But the installation of the subsea cables is expected to bring a welcome boost to businesses. Currently, the island has broadband which uses existing phonelines, but the signal can be patchy. Dakota and Hannah Watters recently moved to Isle au Haut and describe life there as 'so wholesome' The Isle au Haut post office is open just a few hours per day from 7-11am Current speed near the town is 35Mbps download/7Mbps upload, with slower speeds on the east side and Head Harbor. 'The impact of this is direct, especially for those who do not live right in the center of town,' local Donna Hopkins of the broadband committee said. 'For example, a small business owner who lives at the far end of the Island attempted to make updates to her website and reported that it took ten minutes to upload one new picture. 'Regular digital updates in this situation become impossible. Similarly, while the school has service closer to the existing microwave tower, the students live on areas of the Island with less robust service, so online projects and research cannot always be completed at home.' The project has come to fruition thanks to the tireless effort's of the island's broadband committee, who hope better connection will attract more full time residents - especially families. Although, with a three bedroom home listed for $925,000, it may be out of reach for the typical family. Despite its tiny population, Isle au Haut boasts one K-8 school, which is one of about 400 one-room schoolhouses remaining in the US. But, 'hardly a museum piece, the scope of the curriculum belies the building's size,' according to the Isle au Haut Community Development Corporation. Isle au Haut is a 45 minute boat ride from the mainland and is not connected by a bridge Most goods have to be shipped in via Fedex and UPS, although basic groceries are available on the island Over the last year and a half, the school has managed to boost it's student numbers to seven. Among them is Flynn Watters, whose parents Dakota and Hannah Watters recently moved to Isle au Haut with him and his sister Amelia. The couple work multiple jobs and grow their own food, but say the lifestyle affords them quality family time. 'We have so much more bonding time with the kids,' Dakota told CBS . 'It's indescribably wholesome.' Beyond eighth grade, locals help contribute to tuition or transportation costs when a graduating student goes to a nearby public high school or boarding school. This community spirit translates into governance, where almost everyone has taken a turn helping out. 'People would say, 'when are you open?' thinking it was like a town hall and we have offices or something but it is a 24/7 job,' Stevens explained. The island has a year-round population of around 50 according to locals, with many people fleeing during the harsh Maine winter She said the island would love to see more families and young people to ensure Isle au Haut's survival, which is currently entrusted to its active senior residents. 'I walk my dog, I go for a swim, we all like to stay fit. Most seniors on the island have retired, but we are still very active,' Stevens explained. 'There's not many of us and you depend on each other. Even if you don't always like each other, you ride the mail boat with these people, you have to learn to be neighbors and in today's world, I think that's a good thing.' Maine Amazon Share or comment on this article: We live on one of the most isolated but beautiful islands in the US... and now life is going to change forever e-mail Add commentStock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another recordcircus vs carnival 。

AI without limits threatens public trust — here are some guidelines for preserving communications integrityAP News Summary at 6:06 p.m. EST

Florida State made official on Monday the hiring of Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator, confirming weekend reports that he would resign as UCF head coach to reunite with Seminoles coach Mike Norvell. UCF had confirmed on Sunday reports of Malzahn's exit but not his destination, and FSU had not made an announcement until Monday afternoon. "I am excited to be here at Florida State and to help us win championships," Malzahn said in a statement. "It's exciting to work with Coach Norvell, who is someone I believe in as a coach and leader." Norvell, who served as a graduate assistant under Malzahn at Tulsa in 2007-08, said on Saturday night after the Seminoles' 31-11 loss to Florida that he could not identify the new offensive coordinator until the hiring process was finalized. Florida State, which is 2-10 overall and 1-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is ranked No. 132 of 133 FBS programs in total offense (270.2 yards per game). The Seminoles are 130th in the nation in scoring offense (15.4 points per game). Norvell shook up his staff, including firing offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins on Nov. 10 after a 52-3 defeat at Notre Dame. "I'm extremely excited to have Gus Malzahn join our staff at Florida State," Norvell said in the school's statement on Monday. "He has one of the most innovative minds in college football and a proven track record of developing elite offenses everywhere he's been. "His offenses have consistently showcased a tremendous running game combined with explosive plays through the air. I'm thrilled to work side-by-side with Gus again as we elevate the Florida State offense back to one of the elite groups in college football." UCF also endured a tough 2024 season, going 4-8 after losing eight of its last nine games. During Malzahn's four-year tenure, the Knights went 28-24, including 5-13 in the Big 12 Conference the last two seasons. Malzahn, 59, is 105-62 in 13 seasons as a college head coach, highlighted by a 68-35 mark in eight seasons at Auburn -- which included a BCS title game appearance in 2013. He served as offensive coordinator and play caller when the Tigers won the national title in 2010. Malzahn will be tasked with revitalizing a Florida State offense that helped produce a 13-1 campaign in 2023, when the Seminoles were denied a spot in the College Football Playoff. Over the last three seasons at UCF, his rushing attack has been in the Top 10 in the nation. In his 19 seasons as a college head coach or offensive coordinator, Malzahn's teams have averaged 447.7 yards per game, and three of his teams eclipsed 7,000 yards in a season. --Field Level Media

Percentages: FG .466, FT .692. 3-Point Goals: 9-25, .360 (Reilly 4-10, Timko 3-7, Lane 1-2, Camden 1-4, Allen 0-1, M.Emory 0-1). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (H.Emory 3, Lane). Turnovers: 5 (Lane 2, H.Emory, Pasha, Reilly). Steals: 3 (Jerome, Lane, Pasha). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .420, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 6-23, .261 (Alvarez 2-7, T.Weeks 2-9, Ty.Weeks 1-1, Young 1-2, Burton 0-1, Cruz 0-3). Team Rebounds: 3. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 3 (Cruz 2, Ty.Weeks). Turnovers: 6 (Alvarez, Burton, Cruz, T.Weeks, Ty.Weeks, Young). Steals: 2 (T.Weeks 2). Technical Fouls: None. A_1,328 (1,950).

Clockwise: The timeless art of horology lives on in Colorado(The Center Square) – The Biden administration on Monday instituted a new round of restrictions targeting the export of advanced semiconductor chips and manufacturing equipment to China. This move by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security builds on previous measures aimed at curbing China's ability to develop cutting-edge technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and military applications. The new export controls place 140 manufacturers and investment companies on the Entity List, a U.S. compilation of "foreign individuals, companies, and organizations deemed a national security concern." "The United States has taken significant steps to protect our technology from being used by our adversaries in ways that threaten our national security," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement . The new controls will also block the sale of high-bandwidth memory, which is necessary for artificial intelligence. Semiconductors can be a strategic asset for AI systems, supercomputing, and other technologies for both civilian and military use. Sullivan continued, "As technology evolves, and our adversaries seek new ways to evade restrictions, we will continue to work with our allies and partners to proactively and aggressively safeguard our world-leading technologies and know-how so they aren't used to undermine our national security." According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report, semiconductors, also known as computer chips, are typically smaller than a postage stamp and are composed of billions of components that can store, move and process data. Advanced semiconductors can be used for artificial intelligence, including in medical diagnosis and for military purposes, such as modeling nuclear explosions. The U.S. has been tightening down on the export controls on semiconductors to China since concerns over U.S. capacity to produce advanced semiconductors domestically when shortages began during the pandemic. This concern resulted in Congress enacting the CHIPS Act of 2022. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded. "This type of behavior seriously violates the laws of market economy and the principle of fair competition, disrupts international economic and trade order, destabilizes global industrial and supply chains, and will eventually harm the interests of all countries," Jian said. Beijing intends to take firm, resolute measures to defend the interests of Chinese companies, he added. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Thea D. Rozman Kendler said, "The PRC's Military-Civil Fusion strategy presents a significant risk that advanced node semiconductors will be used in military applications that threaten the security of the United States, as well as the security of our allies and partners."Syria Rebels Exploit Hezbollah Absence To Launch Surprise Offensive

Jimmies men's basketball beats Augustana 75-70

The Kremlin fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine on Thursday in response to Kyiv's use this week of American and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russia, President Vladimir Putin said. In a televised address to the country, the Russian president warned that U.S. air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile, which he said flies at ten times the speed of sound and which he called the Oreshnik — Russian for hazelnut tree. He also said it could be used to attack any Ukrainian ally whose missiles are used to attack Russia. “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities,” Putin said in his first comments since President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the green light this month to use U.S. ATACMS missiles to strike at limited targets inside Russia. RELATED STORY | Russia says Ukraine fired 6 US-made missiles at the Bryansk region, days after Biden policy shift Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed that Russia’s missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. “This was new type of lethal capability that was deployed on the battlefield, so that was certainly of concern," Singh said, noting that the missile could carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. The U.S. was notified ahead of the launch through nuclear risk reduction channels, she said. The attack on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro came in response to Kyiv's use of longer-range U.S. and British missiles in strikes Tuesday and Wednesday on southern Russia, Putin said. Those strikes caused a fire at an ammunition depot in Russia's Bryansk region and killed and wounded some security services personnel in the Kursk region, he said. RELATED STORY | Biden authorizes Ukraine's use of US-supplied long-range missiles for deeper strikes inside Russia “In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in kind,” the Russian president said, adding that Western leaders who are hatching plans to use their forces against Moscow should “seriously think about this.” Putin said the Oreshnik fired Thursday struck a well-known missile factory in Dnipro. He also said Russia would issue advance warnings if it launches more strikes with the Oreshnik against Ukraine to allow civilians to evacuate to safety — something Moscow hasn’t done before previous aerial attacks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov initially said Russia hadn’t warned the U.S. about the coming launch of the new missile, noting that it wasn't obligated to do so. But he later changed tack and said Moscow did issue a warning 30 minutes before the launch. Putin's announcement came hours after Ukraine claimed that Russia had used an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Dnipro attack, which wounded two people and damaged an industrial facility and rehabilitation center for people with disabilities, according to local officials. But American officials said an initial U.S. assessment indicated the strike was carried out with an intermediate-range ballistic missile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post that the use of the missile was an "obvious and serious escalation in the scale and brutality of this war, a cynical violation of the UN Charter.” He also said there had been “no strong global reaction” to the use of the missile, which he said could threaten other countries. “Putin is very sensitive to this. He is testing you, dear partners,” Zelenskyy wrote. “If there is no tough response to Russia’s actions, it means they see that such actions are possible.” The attack comes during a week of escalating tensions, as the U.S. eased restrictions on Ukraine's use of American-made longer-range missiles inside Russia and Putin lowered the threshold for launching nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian air force said in a statement that the Dnipro attack was launched from Russia’s Astrakhan region, on the Caspian Sea. “Today, our crazy neighbor once again showed what he really is,” Zelenskyy said hours before Putin's address. “And how afraid he is.” Russia was sending a message by attacking Ukraine with an intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of releasing multiple warheads at extremely high speeds, even if they are less accurate than cruise missiles or short-range ballistic missiles, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. “Why might you use it therefore?” Savill said. "Signaling — signaling to the Ukrainians. We’ve got stuff that outrages you. But really signaling to the West ‘We’re happy to enter into a competition around intermediate range ballistic missiles. P.S.: These could be nuclear tipped. Do you really want to take that risk?’” Military experts say that modern ICBMs and IRBMs are extremely difficult to intercept, although Ukraine has previously claimed to have stopped some other weapons that Russia described as “unstoppable,” including the air-launched Kinzhal hypersonic missile. David Albright, of the Washington-based think tank the Institute for Science and International Security, said he was “skeptical” of Putin’s claim, adding that Russian technology sometimes “falls short.” He suggested Putin was “taunting the West to try to shoot it down ... like a braggart boasting, taunting his enemy.” Earlier this week, the Biden administration authorized Ukraine to use the U.S.-supplied, longer-range missiles to strike deeper inside Russia — a move that drew an angry response from Moscow. Days later, Ukraine fired several of the missiles into Russia, according to the Kremlin. The same day, Putin signed a new doctrine that allows for a potential nuclear response even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. The doctrine is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons. In response, Western countries, including the U.S., said Russia has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior throughout the war to intimidate Ukraine and other nations. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that Russia’s formal lowering of the threshold for nuclear weapons use did not prompt any changes in U.S. doctrine. She pushed back on concerns that the decision to allow Ukraine to use Western missiles to strike deeper inside Russia might escalate the war. ′′They’re the ones who are escalating this,” she said of the Kremlin — in part because of a flood of North Korean troops sent to the region. More than 1,000 days into war, Russia has the upper hand, with its larger army advancing in Donetsk and Ukrainian civilians suffering from relentless drone and missile strikes. Analysts and observers say the loosening of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western missiles is unlikely to change the course of the war, but it puts the Russian army in a more vulnerable position and could complicate the logistics that are crucial in warfare. Putin has also warned that the move would mean that Russia and NATO are at war. “It is an important move and it pulls against, undermines the narrative that Putin had been trying to establish that it was fine for Russia to rain down Iranian drones and North Korean missiles on Ukraine but a reckless escalation for Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons at legitimate targets in Russia,” said Peter Ricketts, a former U.K. national security adviser who now sits in the House of Lords.We live on one of the most isolated but beautiful islands in the US... and now life is going to change forever

City to sterilise beloved Japanese monkeysHeat Gun Switches Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030

Willmar Utilities Commission to discuss general manager position on Monday, Nov. 25

Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in OregonGERMANTOWN, Tenn. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., or MAA MAA , today announced a full quarterly dividend of $1.0625 per outstanding share of its 8.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024 , to shareholders of record on December 13, 2024 . About MAA MAA is a self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) and member of the S&P 500. MAA owns or has ownership interest in apartment communities primarily throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. focused on delivering strong, full-cycle investment performance. For further details, please refer to the "For Investors" page at www.maac.com or contact Investor Relations at investor.relations@maac.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended with respect to our expectations for future periods. Such statements include statements made about the payment of preferred dividends. The ability to meet the payment of preferred dividends in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements could differ materially from the projection due to a number of factors, including a downturn in general economic conditions or the capital markets, changes in interest rates and other items that are difficult to control such as increases in real estate taxes in many of our markets, as well as the other general risks inherent in the apartment and real estate businesses. Reference is hereby made to the filings of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K, and its annual report on Form 10-K, particularly including the risk factors contained in the latter filing. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maa-announces-regular-quarterly-preferred-dividend-302319993.html SOURCE MAA © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.RIYADH: Ahead of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins held in Riyadh, Saudi aid agency KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah hosted a media roundtable on Saturday to discuss the goals and expectations of the two-day conference that concludes on Nov. 25. Recalling the inspiration behind the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, Al-Rabeeah explained that in 1990, amid the Second Gulf War, a set of Sudanese conjoined twins, Samah and Heba, were seeking financial support from King Fahd to get treatment abroad. King Fahd brought the issue to Al-Rabeeah’s team at the time at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and after months of tests and deliberations, they completed the first successful conjoined twins separation surgery in the Kingdom. The operation took 18 and a half hours. “We started to invest in the nationalization of the medical team until ... all specialties were from Saudi Arabia,” Al-Rabeeah said. “Today we have seen 143 sets over 34 years. We have separated 61 sets with 100 percent success ... and we have 7 sets waiting to be separated.” King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital now has the only known conjoined twins operating room. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman moved this program under KSrelief to support low-income families and families from conflict zones. “Humanity has no politics, no boundaries, no religion, and no color,” said Al-Rabeeah. The conference will cover a range of topics, including the candidacy process, antenatal and post-natal care, cardiac conditions, ethical considerations, reconstruction, and 3D imaging. Al-Rabeeah also said the conference is set to discuss and sign several UN agreements related to children, including on conjoined twins, polio vaccination in Afghanistan, artificial limbs, infectious diseases in children, and the children of Gaza. He also spoke about the importance of combining medical knowledge in the Gulf and working together to create specialized centers across the region for different matters, to make operations more cost-effective and advanced. “Science is not owned, it is for everybody,” the Saudi aid agency chief said. On the technological developments that are optimizing this procedure, Al-Rabeeah mentioned the use of argon lasers, ultrasonic knives, new electric coatings to avoid bleeding, less sensitive prosthetics, and, most importantly, early diagnosis. Al-Rabeeah said that the greatest research in this program has been done on early detection of conjoined twins in the womb. They are now capable of detecting conjoined twins sometimes at just eight to 10 weeks. Al-Rabeeah’s most crucial piece of advice is urging women to start prenatal care early. The importance of psychological care for both the patients and the families was also discussed. Al-Rabeeah pointed out what is referred to as “separation trauma” that twins endure when learning how to adjust to their bodies after having been connected all their lives. “The twins, they have pain, they have suffered. I have seen two kinds of tears in my life. We all know about the tears of despair, the tears of pain. But with conjoined twins, I have seen clearly the tears of happiness and joy. “When I come out of the operating room, going in with one bed, and coming out with two beds ... this is the best moment in my life.”

circus youtube WASHINGTON , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridge Defense, a defense-technology company, has made a strategic investment in Federated IT, a trusted provider of mission-critical services to the U.S. government. Founded in 2002, Federated IT has built a reputation as a trusted partner to the U.S. Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense. With expertise optimizing cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions, Federated IT consistently delivers technically excellent, secure, and reliable solutions that empower national security clients to achieve their objectives. "This investment represents a pivotal step in Bridge Defense's mission to create the next-generation systems integrator," said Jack Kilcoyne , co-founder of Bridge Defense. "We will combine the critical services Federated IT provides with in-house software development capabilities to build a hybrid organization capable of delivering exceptional services and developing innovative solutions that address our customers' most pressing challenges." Kyle von Bucholz , CEO of Federated IT, added: "For over 20 years, Federated IT has focused on solving our clients' most complex challenges with integrity and technical excellence. Partnering with Bridge Defense will enable us to take that commitment to the next level by leveraging cutting-edge development capabilities and delivering an even greater impact for the federal agencies we serve." About Bridge Defense Bridge Defense is focused on delivering mission-critical services and innovative software solutions to national security customers. A hybrid systems integrator, Bridge Defense combines excellence in technical services with native development capabilities to deliver comprehensive and transformative solutions to address the rapidly evolving needs of national security customers. Bridge Defense is led by a team of Special Operations veterans with deep expertise in technology and government services. The company is headquartered in the Northeast, with a growing presence in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit Bridge-Defense.com . About Federated IT Federated IT is a leading provider of mission-critical IT and cybersecurity services to the U.S. government. Federated IT enables defense, national security, and federal law enforcement clients to expand, improve, and strengthen critical IT infrastructure and mission system capabilities within the Tier Ill - IV Enterprise IT Operations and Cyber Security domains. Federated IT's project portfolio includes the customization and delivery of optimized cloud computing, data center operations and migration, enterprise architecture, scientific research and analyses, and cybersecurity solutions. Federated IT is headquartered in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit FederatedIT.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bridge-defense-announces-strategic-investment-in-federated-it-302314581.html SOURCE Bridge DefenseIndependent Kylea Tink will leave federal parliament, throwing her support behind a neighbouring candidate who is hoping to improve on her earlier significant swing in a historically safe Liberal seat ahead of the next election. Login or signup to continue reading The North Sydney MP's seat has been abolished and Ms Tink has decided not to contest elsewhere. Instead she will support Nicolette Boele in neighbouring Bradfield, held by former coalition minister Paul Fletcher. Ms Boele engineered a swing of more than 12 per cent away from the senior Liberal MP at the 2022 election but was unable to join other independents in Canberra. The North Sydney seat has been redistributed by the electoral commission between Bradfield, Bennelong and Warringah in Sydney's well-heeled north shore. The three seats are held by Liberal, Labor and independent MPs. "It has been one of the privileges of my life to represent my community of North Sydney and help drive the community-independent movement forward," Ms Tink said on Saturday. She said she was proud to have driven progress during her time in parliament and will be voting for Ms Boele, who is deeply committed to advocating for Bradfield constituents. Ms Boele praised the outgoing MP. "She has achieved so much and shown how effective true community representation can be," Ms Boele said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues his blitz of WA in a bid to gain crucial support ahead of an election due by May, after the state's crucial role in Labor's 2022 victory. He visited Perth on Friday as fresh polling showed Labor might not win outright and may need to form a minority government. Liberal MP Ian Goodenough, who has held the WA electorate of Moore for 11 years, will recontest his seat at the next election as an independent, according to the West Australian newspaper. Mr Goodenough lost a preselection contest for the electorate in Perth's northern suburbs to former army officer and Stirling MP Vince Connelly. Recent polling found 14 seats too close to call, with the coalition taking out 64 to Labor's 59. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. 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There were two recipients of the 2024 Democracy Works Award from the League of Women Voters of Woodland for their efforts to inspire political and individual change. Receiving the recognition from among six nominees countywide were Brown Issues and newly elected Woodland School Board Trustee Laura Brubaker. Brown Issues is a local group founded to “cultivate the next generation of Brown leaders through civic engagement, healing, and narrative change.” The youth development organization is nonpartisan and has 20 chapters statewide, including one in Yolo County. Brubaker, who was elected unopposed earlier this month to represent the 2nd Trustee Area in Woodland, successfully spearheaded a grass roots efforts to recall Emily MacDonald that led to her resignation on March 12 after she was removed during the March 5 election. In June 2023, the Woodland school board adopted a resolution supporting LGBTQIA+ students. MacDonald, however, read a statement dismissive of those students. During the award ceremony held Tuesday evening at Yolo Veterans Post 77 in Woodland, Brubaker said she started the recall because “I was really upset when someone who was supposed to represent me used their podium to try and divide us. “I realized I wasn’t the only one upset by that. So a small group of us started the recall effort and that grew into hundreds of us who believe in bringing democracy to the doorsteps of our community and offering voters the chance to vote again on who would represent them,” she said. “I’m really proud of that.” Brubaker said the point of the recall was that “we didn’t turn our backs on marginalized community members. We can’t do that. There’s going to be a lot of attempts to divide us as a country and we need to remember that no matter your race or gender, who you love, your immigration status, your language or economic status, education or ability, we cannot leave anybody behind.” Of Brown Issues, local organizer Marco Osorio and Sacramento representative Carlos Molina credited the group with developing leadership skills among young persons who might otherwise turn to gangs or violence. Osorio said he and others went into a Sacramento High School which had seen plenty of violence and discovered over the course of trying to reduce that violence, there was “leadership potential.” “We knew we had to build civic engagement so they could have agency and ownership in their communities,” Osorio said. He credited Yolo County Superintendent of Schools Garth Lewis with bringing Brown Issues to Yolo County after an incident at Woodland High School. He also gave thanks to those students and others who had stepped up to make a difference. “When I was growing up, I was a broken person with a virus that was inflicting pain on others and spreading it,” Osorio said, acknowledging his past. “Brown Issues was one of the biggest turning points in my life and I will never forget it.” The organization’s advisers work with youth at schools across Yolo County including Cesar Chavez Community School, Pioneer, Woodland, Cache Creek high school and UC Davis. In December, Brown Issues will be working with student delegates who will be installed in the Sacramento Legislature to practice the art of legislating. From that it’s hoped those participating will learn not only how to enact laws but how to lead. Brown Issue and Brubaker also received certificates acknowledging their efforts from U.S. Representative Mike Thompson. The Democracy Works Award has been presented by the League of Women Voters of Woodland since 2006. The local league is now celebrating its 50th anniversary and will complete its merge with the League of Women Voters of Davis in early 2025 to become League of Women Voters of Yolo County. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, national organization dedicated to local voter education and empowering citizens to shape better communities for more than 100 years.MARIS RACAL – Here are some of the details about the personal life and show business career of the Kapamilya star. One of the well-loved stars of her generation because of her energy, humor, pleasant character, and bubbly personality is Maris Racal. She started young in the show business industry and is doing well when it comes to being an actress, singer, endorser, model, and performer. There is definitely no denying that she is one of the most talented stars of the industry. She is Mariestella Cañedo Racal who grew up in Davao Del Norte. She was born on September 22, 1997, and the fifth of six children of Henry and Leony Racal. She finished high school at Mary’s College in Tagum City and dreamed of becoming a doctor. While in showbiz, she enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology as her pre-med course at the Trinity University of Asia but had to stop as he career was taking off. She has busier schedules but despite this, her desire to finish her degree remains intact. At the age of 16, she joined the fifth season of ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother: All In edition. She was dubbed the Singing Sunshine ng Davao and emerged as the Second Big Placer at the end of the season. This is where her destiny to become a star started. After her PBB stint, she signed a deal with Star Magic. She became a member of It’s Showtime’s all-girl dance group Girltrends and ASAP’s BFF5 , a sing-and-dance group. It’s been a decade since she joined and in this span, her biggest break was as Irene Tiu of the series Can’t Buy Me Love and this was the same series where her love team with Anthony Jennings rose to prominence. As an actress, she started in Hawak Kamay, and after this, projects and film opportunities came to her. She starred in TV series including Maalaala Mo Kaya , Ipaglaban Mo! , Oh My G! , and Ningning , and in films like Halik sa Hangin , Just The Way You Are , and The Breakup Playlist . She also starred in three movies — Block Z , Boyette: Not a Girl Yet , and the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Isa Pang Bahaghari . In 2021, Maris admitted that she was dating Rico. She expressed, “Kami po ni Rico. I think basing sa post na ginawa ko, I think it’s very obvious.” They became official pre-pandemic lockdown and their story started after their 2019 collaboration. However, three years after the confirmation, Maris announced that she and Rico had broken up. Last July 12, 2024, Maris confirmed that she and Rico broke up after five years of being together. “In our five years together, we were always on the same page, always on the same page. But I don’t know what happened to me. Maybe I turned to the next page, and saw a new perspective on life,” she said. Currently, Maris and Anthony are facing infidelity issues after the latter ex-partner Jam Villanueva exposed the intimate messages . The private messages acted out like fire in their career, slowly burning the success they built losing one endorsement after another. Before the issues, they were admired as a love team. Racal and Jennings first teamed up in the TV series “Can’t Buy Me Love” as Irene and Snoop, respectively. Their tandem instantly clicked as their onscreen chemistry appealed to people. Their chemistry came naturally and they never expected that this onscreen partnership is going to be big and successful. Initially, they intend to show their love team as a reminder to people that love teams do not have to be romantically involved to be successful. However, eventually, Maris admitted he fell for him. She admitted this to Blanco and that was when they broke up. She came clean but as per her narrative recently, it wasn’t the same with Jennings.

Syria's Assad: the president who led a bloody crackdownDanny Jansen’s stay with the Red Sox has proven brief. The former Red Sox catcher, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays this past summer, has agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to multiple reports. He becomes the first Red Sox free agent to sign with another club this winter, and the Rays will be the third different AL East team Jansen has suited up for. Catcher Danny Jansen and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a one-year, $8.5 million contract that includes a mutual option for a second season, sources tell ESPN. Jansen, who has played in Toronto and Boston, remains in the AL East. On it: @ByRobertMurray and @TBTimes_Rays . — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2024 The Red Sox traded for Jansen in hopes that he could provide a serviceable right-handed bat off the bench while offering more production than incumbent back-up catcher Reese McGuire while complementing Connor Wong. Though he was an upgrade over McGuire, Jansen didn’t produce much, batting .188 with three home runs, six RBI and a .623 OPS in 30 games following his arrival. The most noteworthy aspect of his time in Boston came on Aug. 26, when he became the first player in MLB history to suit up for both teams in the same game. Jansen started at catcher for the Blue Jays in the clubs’ rain-suspended game on June 26, and by the time the game resumed two months later Jansen had been traded. Given Boston’s larger roster needs and the pending arrival of top catching prospect Kyle Teel, it wouldn’t have made sense for the Red Sox to bring Jansen back at the price he got from the Rays. Still, Jansen’s departure leaves the Red Sox with a void at catcher that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks. Connor Wong is the only catcher on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster. The long-term plan remains to eventually elevate Teel into a tandem with Wong, but given that the 22-year-old still has only 28 games at Triple-A under his belt, the club would likely prefer to bring in a veteran on a short-term deal who can hold down the fort until Teel is ready. Internally, the club doesn’t have many options. The best one right now is veteran journeyman Seby Zavala, who the Red Sox recently signed to a minor league deal. Zavala has played 194 games over five MLB seasons with the White Sox, Mariners and Diamondbacks, and his best season came in 2022, when he batted .270 with a .729 OPS in 61 games with Chicago. Last season Zavala appeared in 18 big league games with Arizona, batting .154 with a .496 OPS. Other than Zavala and Teel, Boston’s other internal candidates are Mickey Gasper and Nathan Hickey. Gasper has lately played primarily infield and did not record a hit in his 13-game big league cameo last fall, and Hickey played significant time at first base and DH last season and has yet to make his MLB debut. Even if most of the offseason’s biggest names remain unsigned, the market for catchers has proven quite active. In addition to Jansen, numerous other catchers who might have been candidates for Boston have already found homes for 2025. Among the notable names, Kyle Higashioka signed with the Rangers, Travis d’Arnaud with the Angels, Jacob Stallings with the Rockies and Austin Hedges with the Guardians. Some of the top remaining options include Carson Kelly, Gary Sanchez, Yasmani Grandal and James McCann, all of whom are right-handed hitting veterans coming off reasonably productive seasons who could slot into the role envisioned for Jansen. Another option is Martin Maldonado, who did not play the second half last season after being released by the White Sox but who has reportedly expressed a desire to play one more season. The 38-year-old is a complete non-factor offensively but has always been a standout on defense, and he could also provide valuable mentorship for Wong and Teel. Whoever the Red Sox add, it probably won’t be a big name. But even if it’s not as pressing a concern as upgrading the starting rotation or the club’s pursuit of Juan Soto, finding a serviceable stopgap who can give Teel the time he needs to develop will be a crucial item on Boston’s to-do list this offseason.

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, /PRNewswire/ -- , President of Abstrakt, is shedding light on the significant challenges businesses face when building in-house Sales Development Representative (SDR) teams. Rising costs, complex technology needs, and extended timelines are making outsourcing an increasingly attractive option for companies seeking efficient and effective sales solutions. "We often find companies have already tried to do this all on their own and struggled," said Watkins. "It's a lot of puzzle pieces to put together, and working with a professional team that does this exclusively often gets better results." Watkins noted that businesses often underestimate the full scope of building an SDR team, from recruiting and onboarding skilled personnel to investing in necessary software and AI tools. Additional hurdles include developing outreach strategies, maintaining accountability metrics, and ensuring consistent performance tracking. "Building your own team can be a good route if you have the fully dedicated resources to do so," Watkins said. "But it requires a lot of software, content planning, research tools, and follow-through on sequencing." The rise of AI-driven sales tools has added to the complexity, with many companies struggling to optimize these technologies for maximum impact. Watkins explained that companies often lack the expertise to effectively integrate AI into their outreach efforts, further extending the time and cost required to build a functional SDR team. For many businesses, outsourcing to specialized teams like Abstrakt provides a faster and more cost-effective solution. By eliminating the need for ongoing training, technology investment, and process development, outsourcing offers immediate access to experienced professionals and proven systems. Abstrakt, which handles over 100,000 appointments annually across industries, has seen firsthand how outsourcing delivers measurable results for its clients. "Evaluate your resources, timeline, and ability to stay accountable to your sales goals," Watkins advised. "If there are gaps, partnering with a team that specializes in this work can help you grow faster and more effectively." Abstrakt is a B2B lead generation and marketing agency based in . With over a decade of experience, the company specializes in omnichannel appointment setting and helping businesses achieve measurable growth. View original content: SOURCE Abstrakt Marketing GroupIIT Madras experts to use 7-D tech for Ram Katha, Hanuman Katha galleries

Sitting in a seat down the left-field line on a Friday night in May, had no idea she was about to become a minor celebrity among fans, but her life changed when a foul ball off the bat of Bo Bichette, travelling at 110 miles per hour, struck her in the forehead. “People still come up to me on the street,” said the Toronto strategic consultant, who is almost over the concussion she suffered more than six months ago. “They still ask for selfies. The last game of the year I got hit up for four or five selfies even after I was healed.” Gone are the two black eyes and baseball-sized welt above her right eyebrow, the temporary souvenirs from getting drilled by the sizzling line drive. She does have a permanent souvenir in the form of a baseball signed by the Jays shortstop, though not the ball that hit her. That one was picked up by another fan, who refused to give it up. McGuire went back to her seat after getting hit, refusing medical treatment at the Rogers Centre after being taken to first aid. Listen here or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Stay updated on episo... Listen here or subscribe at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts. Stay updated on episo... “Shock is a powerful drug,” said McGuire. “It’s so crazy that when I got hit, I just stood up and I was like ‘I’m probably fine. I’m fine.’ I couldn’t feel anything and it stayed that way for about a day and a half. I was really rattled, so I’m not surprised that I was making terrible decisions.” A terrific decision she made at the time was . Her position is listed as “total badass” and the back of the card reads, in part, “She got a pretty sweet knot on her head and even stayed for the entire game.” McGuire didn’t realize at the time what being on a Topps baseball card would mean. “As a woman, you don’t expect to see yourself (on) a baseball card,” said the Carleton University graduate. “It’s not a thing you imagine. All the boys have been collecting baseball cards since Day 1, imagining themselves on the field on a baseball card.” Nor did she expect to be so completely embraced by her fellow fans. “I thought the relationship I had was with me and the team,” said McGuire. “It was me and my baseball team. But (the incident) exposed me to the bigger fandom community and it became a weird grassroots story of people being excited to see me. People coming up to me and saying: ‘My little girl saw you on the news and she’s excited that there’s a girl on a baseball card.’ People all over the city asked me if I was OK.” The reactions reinforced McGuire’s romanticism about baseball. “It’s really awesome that people just stopped me in the street and talked to me about baseball,” said the 30-plus-year Jays fan. “Baseball is magic and baseball is beautiful and it’s really, really lovely that I can outwardly share that and people want to share their fandom with me.” While recovering from the concussion that had her feeling “underwater” and “in a different world” she continued to attend Jays games and events, but things might not be the same next season. “I will not be buying tickets until they extend Vladdy.” We kick off this week with whose family has been a supporter for more than 40 years. This year, he gives $90 on behalf of his grandchildren Olivia, Jack, Grayson, Abby and Charlie ... is back with $100 in memory of her late husband and radio great, Wally Crouter. Hockey Hall of Famer , a member of the front office of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, and a Proudfoot supporter for more than a quarter-century, is back with $1,000 ... donates $75 in memory of Bob Bilokrely, a longtime Red Wings fan ... gives $50 in memory of his brother, Ted Sicinski ... honours the late John and Norm Dickson as well as Ray and Florence Barlett with his donation of $100. donates $105 in memory of Brian Search ... There’s $200 from and $250 from ... gives $50 in memory of brothers Maurice, Wilfrid and Oscar Jr ... With $105 each are , , , and Toronto Star Sports’ own ... Also from the Star family: $80 from in memory of two former employees and Peter Williams ... gives $35 in memory of Bryan Edward Austin. kick in $500 ... helps out with $100 ... $100 comes from in memory of “our dear son Christian John Dickson” ... give $210 in memory of Hisa Okihiro ... donates $105 in memory of “my late Willowdale mom, Sevia” ... delivers $105 in memory of Jason Brunshaw ... helps out with $105 in memory of George Sr. and Joan McKie. sends $100 in memory of Roy Alderdice ... gives $105 in memory of Dave and Doug ... Another $105 comes from in memory of Randy Brown ... And finally this week, $150 from . Many thanks to all for your generosity!

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In a bid to curb fraudulent practices and enhance transparency, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams would implement live Aadhaar authentication and eKYC services. Recently approved by the TTD trust board led by chairman BR Naidu, the initiative is designed to ensure genuine pilgrims receive seamless and secure services, utilising the provisions of Section 4(4)(b)(ii) of the Aadhaar Act under Good Governance. Currently, TTD lacks a robust mechanism to validate the identity proofs submitted by pilgrims during darshan and accommodation bookings, both online and offline. This gap has led to fraudulent practices, including impersonation, bulk bookings and unauthorised resale of services. A comprehensive review of TTD’s booking system revealed several alarming irregularities. For instance, as many as 110 rooms were booked within a year using the same mobile number, while 124 cases showed 12 or more rooms reserved with a single ID proof. Online booking trends were equally disturbing. Some 807 accommodation bookings were found tied to a single mobile number and 926 bookings were linked to one email ID. Additionally, in the lucky DIP registration system, over 1,279 registrations were traced to a single mobile number, while 48 registrations used the same email ID. Even the Sarva Darshan token system showed evidence of impersonation, with 14 tokens issued under the same ID proof. These findings underscore the presence of rackets in the TTD’s booking infrastructure, with middlemen and touts undercutting the system. They reserve rooms or darshan slots in bulk and resell them at inflated prices. This deprives genuine pilgrims of timely and affordable access to TTD’s services. To address these challenges, TTD would implement Aadhaar-based authentication and eKYC systems across its service platforms. “This initiative involves integrating Aadhaar authentication at every stage of the booking and service process to verify the identity of pilgrims, a TTD official said. He said the integration will leverage facial recognition and Aadhaar-linked biometric verification, ensuring that the services are accessed only by registered individuals. This would eliminate impersonation and “reduce”, (meaning, not fully eliminate) the role of middlemen. The Aadhaar authentication process will validate demographic details such as name, age, gender and address via a simple "Yes" or "No" confirmation from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). For online services, eKYC will utilise OTP-based or biometric verification to provide detailed demographic data, including photographs, ensuring foolproof identity checks. TTD’s partnership with UIDAI involves a one-time registration fee of Rs 20 lakh for two years to operate as an Authentication User Agency (AUA) and KYC User Agency (KUA). Each Aadhaar authentication will cost Rs 0.004 per transaction, while eKYC transactions will be charged at Rs 3.40 each. TTD officials have worked closely with UIDAI to assess the technical and operational feasibility of the initiative. UIDAI officials visited Tirupati to discuss the integration of Aadhaar authentication and confirmed that TTD could implement these services under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, for purposes aligned with good governance. As part of the compliance process, the state government will issue a notification in line with the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The final authorisation for Aadhaar integration will come from the central government. : Curb fraudulent practices in TTD’s booking system. Ensure genuine pilgrims have seamless and secure access to services. Enhance transparency and reliability in administrative processes. : 110 rooms booked in a year using the same mobile number. 124 cases of 12 or more rooms reserved with a single ID proof. Online booking irregularities with 807 reservations tied to one mobile number and 926 to a single email ID. Lucky DIP registration misuse, including 1,279 registrations with one mobile number. Instances of impersonation in Sarva Darshan tokens. Proposed Aadhaar-based authentication: Integration of Aadhaar-linked biometric and facial recognition technology for identity verification Validation of demographic details through UIDAI’s “Yes” or “No” system Use of OTP-based or biometric eKYC for detailed identity checks during online bookings : Rs 20 lakh one-time registration fee for two years as AUA and KUA Rs 0.004 per Aadhaar authentication transaction Rs 3.40 per eKYC transaction : Approved by UIDAI as per the Aadhaar Act, 2016 State Government and Union Ministry notifications required before implementation : Eliminates impersonation and reduces the role of middlemen Ensures equitable and hassle-free access to accommodations and darshan slots for genuine pilgrims Strengthens public trust in TTD's governance and sets a benchmark for other religious institutions

After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhbSri Lanka is home to the world’s first female Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, yet it remains a country with one of the lowest levels of female representation in Parliament globally. Despite this, there has been little progress in increasing female representation in leadership positions within the legislative and executive branches of Government since the country gained independence. Female representation in Sri Lanka’s political institutions has never exceeded 5.8 percent, a figure that has remained remarkably stagnant throughout the years. This issue extends beyond politics. In the private sector, while progress has been slow, there have been notable developments. For example, 14 Sri Lankan companies have pledged to increase female representation in leadership roles to 20 percent by 2025. These pledges reflect a growing awareness of the need for more inclusive leadership in decision-making positions. Recognising the importance of improving female leadership, the Government and civil society organisations (CSOs) are beginning to focus on this issue more directly. Women make up 51 percent of Sri Lanka’s population, yet their presence in local and National Government remains disproportionately low. In an effort to address this imbalance, the Government introduced a 25 percent quota for female candidates in local elections in 2017, a significant step towards increasing female political participation.Yet, its impact has yet to reach the national level. In the 2020 elections, women represented 12 percent of the total candidates. However, the number of women elected to Parliament remained unchanged at 12, maintaining the 5.3 percent representation.This highlights a crucial challenge: while the participation of women in politics has increased in certain areas, the National Parliament and Cabinet still lag behind in achieving gender parity. Historic milestones The 2024 general election recorded some remarkable achievements for women in Sri Lanka’s political scene. Sri Lanka has made a significant milestone marking the historical change in its 16th Parliament, with women MPs now holding 10.06 percent of the seats in Parliament, totalling 24 out of 225. The maximum it has been in the history was 5.8 percent in 2010. One of the most notable events was Dr. Harini Amarasuriya securing the second-highest preferential votes in the history of Sri Lankan elections. She broke the previous record set by Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2020, receiving over 655,289 preferential votes from the Colombo district. Dr. Harini’s achievement is not just a personal triumph, but a breakthrough for women in leadership. Her victory made history as she became Sri Lanka’s 16th Prime Minister, the first woman to hold the office from a non-political background. Another significant development was the election of Samival Ambika, the first woman to be elected to Parliament from the Upcountry Tamil community. By defeating entrenched political families and securing more votes than many male counterparts, Ambika broke the long standing male dominance in Upcountry politics. Her victory challenges the dynastic political control of the Thondamans and Digambaram families, who have dominated the plantation Tamil community for over 70 years. Ambika’s success offers hope for land rights, rural development, and addressing long standing issues in the hill country. Women in the Cabinet While the progress in terms of female MPs is encouraging, women’s representation in the Cabinet remains limited. On November 18, 2024, the newly formed NPP Government took office with a 21 member Cabinet, but only two women (Including the PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya) were appointed to key ministerial positions. This continues a long standing trend in Sri Lanka, where only 2-3 women have been included in the Cabinet at most. Women have typically been assigned roles in ministries such as Health, Education or Women and Child Affairs, areas that are often considered “gendered” issues rather than broader governance roles. Among the 29 Deputy Ministers appointed, none are women, highlighting a noticeable gender gap in the current leadership appointments. However, there is a glimmer of hope. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya holds a leadership role in the Cabinet, which signals a potential shift in how women might be integrated into more prominent political positions in the future. Despite this, the overall number of women in the Cabinet remains disappointingly low, with many areas of governance still largely male dominated. Women’s representation in politics is crucial for creating a fair and balanced society. In Sri Lanka, Parliament is the highest decision-making body in the country, and it plays a key role in shaping laws and policies. For a democracy to truly reflect the needs and values of its people, it must include both men and women in leadership roles. Gender equality in politics is not just about fairness, it’s also essential for achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal five, which calls for equal opportunities for women in decision-making at all levels. Studies show that when women hold leadership positions, they are more likely to address issues like gender-based violence, education, and healthcare, which leads to a safer, healthier, and more prosperous society for everyone. Women in politics also help improve the quality of life for families and communities. Research shows that women are more likely to focus on policies that benefit children, families, and minority groups, such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. Their leadership brings cooperation across party lines, as well as a more inclusive approach to solving problems. Women in politics have a powerful role model effect, inspiring girls to aim higher and close the gender gap in education and career goals. Studies in India and Fiji show that female leaders encourage more girls to pursue education and leadership roles. Moreover, women represent half of the world’s population, so for a Government to truly serve all its people, it must be inclusive of women. Having women in decision-making roles ensures that a wider range of issues are discussed and that solutions reflect the experiences and needs of all citizens. Women’s political participation strengthens democracy by promoting equality, diversity, and better policy outcomes. It benefits not only women but also everyone in society by creating a government that listens to and addresses the concerns of all its people The 2024 general election in Sri Lanka has been a milestone for women’s representation in politics. For the first time in the country’s history, 24 women were elected to Parliament, pushing the female representation to 10.06 percent, the highest ever recorded. Of these 24 women, 21 represent the National People’s Power (NPP), signalling a significant shift towards greater female participation in politics. Two women were elected from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party. The NPP made a strong commitment to gender inclusivity, fielding 36 women candidates in the election, a notable increase from previous years. Despite these strides, the overall representation of women in Sri Lanka’s highest decision-making body remains alarmingly low. Even though women’s electoral participation has been steadily increasing, there is still a significant gap between the number of female candidates and elected women representatives. The road ahead Although the 2024 general election marked a significant step forward for women’s participation in Sri Lankan politics, much work remains to be done. Women’s representation in Parliament and the Cabinet is still far below the level of gender equality needed for true democratic legitimacy. The increase in the number of female candidates, particularly from the NPP, shows that change is possible, but it will take more than just a growing number of women on the ballot. It requires political parties to make a meaningful commitment to gender equity in leadership roles. To address this, substantial legal and policy reforms are needed to create a more inclusive environment. Key recommendations for moving forward include empowering women through targeted training. This should focus on the legal framework, decision-making skills, media handling, and negotiation techniques to prepare women for leadership roles. Capacity building and peer support networks should also be prioritised, with training extended to entire councils rather than selected individuals, ensuring a more inclusive approach. Financial support for women candidates and international networking are also crucial for ensuring that women can compete on equal footing in elections. Transforming Sri Lanka’s political culture requires interventions that foster gender-sensitive policies and a national commission for women, as recommended in the Chulani Kodikara (2019) report. Ultimately, Sri Lanka’s political landscape must evolve to support women not just as candidates, but as leaders capable of driving change in the nation’s future.

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Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon that will take effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Moments after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire deal , which Israel's Cabinet approved late Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike slammed into the Lebanese capital. Residents of Beirut and its southern suburbs have endured the most intense day of Israeli strikes since the war began nearly 14 months ago, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold. At least 24 people have killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local authorities. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel a day after Hamas’ attack. The fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s senior national security team was briefed by the Biden administration as negotiations unfolded, according to the senior U.S. official. The official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in a White House-organized call, added that the incoming Trump administration officials were not directly involved in the talks, but that it was important that the incoming administration knew “what we were negotiating and what the commitments were.” The official said “all fire will stop from all parties” at 4 a.m. local time. The next step would be what the official described as a “phased withdrawal” by the Israeli military. As the Israelis pull back, Lebanese national forces will occupy the territories. The process is slated to finish within 60 days. Lebanese forces is supposed to patrol the area and remove Hezbollah weaponry and infrastructure there. “Hezbollah is incredibly weak at this moment, both militarily and politically,” the official said. “And this is the opportunity for Lebanon to re-establish its sovereignty over its territory.” The official said the ceasefire agreement will strengthen what’s known as the “tripartite mechanism” by including the United States and France. The goal is to address violations of the ceasefire without a return to hostilities. UNITED NATIONS – The top U.N. envoy for Lebanon welcomed the ceasefire announcement and urged Israel and Hezbollah militants to take concrete actions to fully implement the 2006 agreement that ended their last war. U.N. Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the agreement “marks the starting point of a critical process” that must see both sides fully implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1701. It called for the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south bordering Israel and the disarmament of all armed groups including Hezbollah – neither of which has happened in the past 17 years. “Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required,” Hennis-Plasschaert said. “Neither side can afford another period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm.” She commended the parties for “seizing the opportunity to close this devastating chapter,” stressing that “Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement.” UNITED NATIONS — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for urgent international intervention to stop what he described as “an ongoing genocidal war” in Gaza. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas. The U.S. and others want a reinvigorated Palestinian Authority to run Gaza when the war ends. In a speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Abbas accused Israel of repeating what happened to the Palestinians in 1948 and 1967 – displacing them and seizing their land and resources. Abbas demanded to know how long the world will remain silent and refuse to compel Israel to abide by international law. The speech to U.N. member nations was read by Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour. “The only way to halt the halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” Abbas' speech said. This must be done in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions which call for a two-state solution, he said. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah, describing it as a crucial step toward stability, the return of displaced people to their homes and regional calm. Mikati made these comments in a statement issued just after U.S. President Joe announced the truce deal. Mikati said he discussed the ceasefire agreement with Biden by phone earlier Tuesday. The prime minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing U.N. resolution 1701, strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the south, and cooperating with the U.N. peacekeeping force. He also called on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance the U.N. resolution. JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

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Article content Times may be tough, but the toy season soldiers on, especially during the holidays, when gifts for kids top everyone’s Santa list. Recommended Videos This year’s top trends may be reflective of the difficult times consumers have been living through — kids today want to immerse themselves in a world of wonder, magic and anime. According the Toy Association , “mystical, magical, and supernatural toys” are the latest trends, if only to “transport kids and adults on an enchanting journey, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.” The organization points out that, thanks to a resurgence of cultural interest in spooky, mystery and horror genres across movies, TV, and literature, “expect to see an array of toys that leverage new technologies, hidden features, secret codes and unfolding narratives that tap into our natural curiosity, explore the thrill of the unknown and lead kids to new discoveries.” What’s hot? The Toy Association reported that trends for 2024 include “eco-lasting play, eerie enchantment, vitamin P(lay) and anime mania.” This includes toys that fuel emotional intelligence, are screen-free and sports inspired. “Toys that not only promote physical fitness but stimulate creativity, healthy emotional expression and social interaction,” noted the site. “Play-based learning.” Other toy trends for 2024 see a decided shift from the big toys to more micro-sized collectibles and small projects — toys based on movie characters are skyrocketing (did anyone say dolls based on the smashing hit movie Wicked ?) Although people have been tightening their belts since the pandemic, research shows that revenue in the toys and hobby markets is expected to reach into the billions of dollars. In Canada, research from madeinca.ca noted that “Canadian toy and games sales generated almost $7.3 billion in retail store sales in 2022” and that the fastest growing toy categories were plush, outdoor and sports toys, games and puzzles. It should be noted about 75% of Canadians “still prefer to shop for toys and games in brick-and-mortar stores” and that Canadians were already toy bargain hunting in the early fall, looking for marked-down deals on last year’s bestselling toys. Juli Lennett, Circana’s vice-president and industry adviser for U.S. toys, reported on the Toy Book website that the market has remained “relatively stable (and) the industry continues to demonstrate resilience,” noting that this year’s standout toys include Pokemon, Squishmallows, Star Wars, Marvel, Barbie, LEGOIcons, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price. According to NPD Group Canada, toy growth is coming from all across the industry and that the biggest growth is in the plush toy category, along with action figures and accessories. (We’re looking at you, Deadpool and Wolverine!) “This season, parents are looking for toys that will spark imagination, engage kids for repeat play and are durable,” said Shalin Shah, director of marketing and digital platforms for Mattel Canada. Some of the top toy names include Barbie, Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage, Fisher-Price and card games, she said, adding, “The spend on children’s toys really varies, (with) options for every price point.” RECOMMENDED VIDEO The top contenders? “Year after year, Lego remains a top contender on children’s Christmas wish lists,” said Ryan Campbell, an associate vice-president for kids fun at Canadian Tire. “Hot Wheels never goes out of style either. Finally, the classic Furby and its mini Furblets make for the perfect plush stocking stuffers. These interactive, harmonizing companions are as fuzzy as they are fun, guaranteed to delight kids of all ages.” Marisa Pedatella, manager of brand communications for Hasbro Canada, said fan and family brands include Transformers, Monopoly, Dungeons and Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Peppa the Pig, Play-Doh and premiere collaboration brands (like Star Wars and Marvel from Disney) are also among the most popular. That said, no need to break the bank as there are “stocking stuffers and gifts under $30,” as well as creative play products, action toys, board games and pop culture-inspired merch — “gifts that are not only entertaining, but making learning fun.” As such, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) toys and games continue to be in demand. TOP TOYS FOR 2024 According to Toys “R” Us Canada , this season’s top toys include: — Barbie Dreamhouse; — Little Live Pets Mama Surprise; — Nerf N Series Gear Up Pack; — Pac-Man Arcade Pinball; — Baby Annabell Active Doll; — VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Track Set; — Hot Wheels Monster Trucks; — Lite Bright Super Bright HD Hello Kitty; — Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends My First Train Table; — Lego Disney Stitch Buildable Kids’ Toy Playset.A historic Victorian fort off the coast of Hampshire is seeking a new operator to take over the site. No Man's Land Fort — or just No Man's Fort — in the Solent previously operated as a luxury hotel. However, despite huge investment and award wins, it closed in 2020 and was sold at auction earlier this year. It went under the hammer for £1,120,000 — £120,000 more than its £1m guide price. Londoner Edward Ward purchased the site as an "impulse buy", to differ from his usual investments in tech stocks. He bought it from previous owner Clarenco, a business owned by entrepreneur Mike Clare, who most famously made his money from the bed company Dreams. “It’s a one-of-a-kind property, and I felt like it’s an opportunity that’s unlikely to come up again,” Mr Ward told “I know it’s a bit of a risk, given I don’t have any experience in property or hospitality, but with advances in technology like drones and improved energy management, maintaining the fort will only get easier over the next decade." Formerly a four-star hotel, the 150-year-old fort is now on the market for lease. Ed Jefferson, from Colliers, said the fort has potential for 'unconventional leisure and high-end ventures'. He said: "This isn't just a quirky building; it’s a rare opportunity to make a mark in a truly unique location. “The remote location provides either great privacy or exclusivity for potential guests and clients. "Edward is open to working with different multiple operators who recognise the opportunity to be based at this historic site. "It could be a great location for multiple hospitality and leisure operators together, or one tenant could take the whole site, we’re open to proposals.” The 99,000-square-foot sea fortress was built in the 1860s as part of a network of defences commissioned by Lord Palmerston to ward off potential French invasion. No Man's Fort is only accessible by boat or helicopter and offers 23 ensuite bedrooms, five bars, a restaurant, a spa, hot tubs, and a sauna — all with expansive views of the sea. The fort is one of four that were built as part of the Palmerston Forts construction. The forts have been featured in many TV shows and adverts, including being rebranded as a 'Brexit bunker' for a Paddy Power ad starring Eric Cantona. In 1972, the fort was featured in the Doctor Who episode The Sea Devils.Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria has a message for cyclists: for your own safety, stay off , Yonge and University when bike lanes are removed. While Sarkaria’s proposed legislation, Bill 212, doesn’t make it illegal to ride on those roads, a surprise amendment Thursday protects the government from lawsuits if cyclists are injured or killed on streets that used to have bike lanes. Critics called that indemnification provision a troubling development that suggests Premier Doug Ford’s government know its will make roads more hazardous for riders. “The safer thing for a cyclist to do would be to make a decision to go on streets that are safer,” Sarkaria said after the Progressive Conservatives used their majority to pass the amendment in a legislative committee hearing. “That’s what we believe is the right way to do it, is on our secondary streets where there is much less traffic volume and ultimately safer for cyclists and everyone else.” New Democrat and Liberal MPPs on the committee condemned the change to the bill, which Sarkaria confirmed would give Ford’s government power to remove all bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue should it so decide. “These new amendments turn a bad anti-bike bill into a terrible anti-bike bill,” said Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale), who often cycles to and from the legislature. The amendment states “claims arising from collisions between motor vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians ... are not claims of negligence.” Blocking lawsuits is “above-the-law stuff,” said New Democrat MPP Jennifer French (Oshawa). “No one can bring anything against the Crown.” Liberal MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon (Beaches-East York) said cyclists have the right to be safe on city streets. The government maintains bike lanes on primary routes are contributing to gridlock and last month introduced the legislation that allows the province to override municipal decisions on where bike lanes should go. Municipalities will be required to get provincial approval for bike lanes if they take out a lane of traffic for cars and trucks, which critics fear could effectively be a ban on new lanes. Opponents of the legislation repeatedly warned fewer bike lanes will lead to more deaths and injuries involving cyclists. Six riders have been killed in Toronto this year. “It feels a lot safer as a car driver to know cyclists can zip past me in their lane and not come in front of my car,” said French. Ford said this week it’s that the City of Toronto’s estimates it will cost $48 million to remove 22 km of bike lanes that cost $27 million to install. Brian Rosborough, executive director of the Association of Municipalities, said gridlock in Toronto is “complex” and can’t be solved by simply getting rid of bike lanes. The legislation, for example, does not take aim at curb lane dining under the CaféTO program in warmer months or at lanes closed for construction of condominiums and other large buildings. With an in the spring, Ford’s Tories believe bike lanes will be a useful wedge issue against the NDP and Liberals that will help the PCs hold some of their dozen Toronto seats.

Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”) chatted about starring in “The Apprentice” and the Bulgarian film “Triumph.” Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” This quote applies to Maria Bakalova. The synopsis is: A young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of Roy Cohn (Jeremy Strong), the cutthroat attorney who would help create the Donald Trump we know today. Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protégé—someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Bakalova portrays Ivana Trump, his first wife “It was very demanding as a shoot, because we didn’t have a lot of time,” she admitted about “The Apprentice.” “To be completely honest, there is never enough time to shoot a movie; you always wish you have more time. It was all shot in Toronto during the winter.” “It was cold, even though we were playing different seasons,” she said. “We were shooting in different times, and it was challenging in the physical level of it, and it was also challenging in the memory level of it. “We had to know what was happening in different years and in different times because it takes place over a ten-year period, pretty much,” she acknowledged. “At the end of the day, when you have a great team of such dedicated people (all of them in their craft), it feels like a celebration,” she exclaimed. “It feels like making movies and making magic. It was wonderful, at the end of the day, I wish we would do it again,” Bakalova added. On playing Ivana Trump, Bakalova said, “I liked everything about her. Ivana became a role model to me, to a degree. The fact that she always kept getting back on her feet — no matter what was happening in her life — was quite inspiring.” Bakalova continued, “Ivana knew that there was always a way of coming back and coming back stronger, and I love to be able to play somebody that has been so outspoken, so bold and so daring to be opinionated, especially in the ‘70s and the ‘80s.” “Ivana was outspoken back in the ‘70s and the ‘80s,” Bakalova said. “Ivana wanted to be seen as an equal and she wanted to be a partner in this. She didn’t want to just be in the shadow even though she decided to take a step back and allow him to shine more than her,” Bakalova elaborated. “I feel that Ivana was just as important in building his business as himself,” he added. This movie has been generating awards buzz this Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG season, with critics praising the acting performances of Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, and Bakalova. “I hope everybody in this movie gets a lot of recognition because everybody deserves to be seen,” she said. “What our director, Ali Abbasi, has managed to do, and the entire team, is just incredible. Also, what Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong have done with their acting work is just amazing,” Bakalova acknowledged. Bakalova stars as Slava Platnikova in the new international film “Triumph.” In “Triumph,” she took on the dual roles of lead actress and producer. “It has been a magical experience,” she said about “Triumph.” “I’ve been wanting to collaborate with the duo of directors (Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov) for a long time. They were some of my teachers back in my university days.” “I loved their work and how they managed to create such an interesting genre between drama (heavy and emotional drama) mixed with satire, absurdity and social commentary of the environment,” she noted. “Triumph is a part of a trilogy, and these things really happened in my country of Bulgaria,” she said. “It’s strange to think about the fact that back in the ‘90s, a country like mine decided to trust a psychic to lead a mission of digging a hole underground by the Bulgarian Army and wasting a lot of money and wasting a lot of time in search of alliance intelligence,” she elaborated. “It has been interesting to mix this mystical story in the environment of a very difficult time for my country back in the ‘90s after the fall of communism, feeling fragile and not knowing what to do and which side to take,” she explained. “My country has been the only one to choose a communistic dictator after not having to be part of a communistic environment anymore. If you mix the social environment with the mystical side of it, you have ‘triumph,’ which is a beautiful mixture of life and absurdity in life,” she added. Bakalova stated that the international film “Triumph” is that it is a co-production between Bulgaria and Greece. It has been selected as Bulgaria’s candidate for the 97th Academy Awards in the “Best International Feature Film” category. “My dream is for people to see this movie and to get a sense of that place because it’s very authentic at the end of the day,” she said. “It is also very universal, so I just wish for a lot of people to watch the movie and be open-minded and open-hearted to experience this comical tragedy because that is what ‘Triumph’ is,” Bakalova elaborated. “If you look at it closely, you see it as a drama, if you look at it from afar, it looks like a satire,” she added. On being a part of the digital age, Bakalova responded, “I don’t really know. We are having this beautiful interview on Zoom and it’s working in my favor because I am in Canada right next to the Rocky Mountains far away from where you are in New York, and we can do this because of technology thanks to the digital age.” “On the other hand, it’s a bit of a sacrifice of art in general... It is easy to get information, and if you manage to use it in a smart way, you can find a lot of benefits in it... but if you get soaked into the idea of using it only to make yourself lazy and not putting in the effort, then it’s working against you,” Bakalova explained. Bakalova noted that the digital age is a double-edged sword. “It’s good and it’s not good,” she noted. “Some movies are made to be seen on streaming platforms, where some shows and some movies work better at home,” she said. “During the COVID lockdown, the only hope and escape from these four white walls was through digital and the streaming platforms... so it’s just as equally crucial,” she noted. Bakalova continued, “On the other hand, a lot of movies don’t work at home... you need an audience and this contagious feeling of the audience’s reaction and how they perceive the scenes. If the audience loves a scene, then you understand that maybe it’s okay to love at the scene. If the audience gasps, then maybe it’s okay to gasp.” “It’s a shared experience,” she admitted. “For me, it is always better to go to a theater and to experience something on the big screen, as a cinematic lover. You can also see a lot of details such as the music, the sound, and the sound design... it is always more influential in a theater.” In 2021, Bakalova was nominated for the “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” Oscar for her acting work in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.” “It has been wonderful,” she exclaimed. “It’s the biggest thing that can happen to you, and I was lucky enough to have this happen to me when I was working and surrounded by some incredibly talented people from something that I really cared about.” “I was shooting a movie called ‘The Bubble’ with Judd Apatow directing it,” she recalled. “I was in the middle of a scene with Pedro Pascal, and Judd just stopped the scene and told me ‘you just got nominated for an Academy Award!'” “Having that experience shared with somebody like Pedro was an even better feeling because he is exceptionally talented, and on top of that, he is one of the nicest human beings that I’ve met,” she acknowledged. “It has been incredible, and it has been so important because ‘Borat’ is a satire; it’s a political satire comedy, and usually, comedies are underrated and overlooked, even though they can manage to send a message even more widely simply through the power of comedy and through the tools of entertainment, which manage to make this world a better place,” she elaborated. On the title of the current chapter of her life, Bakalova revealed, “Triumph.” “I feel that title is very accurate right now,” she said. “I’ve been very lucky to be able to work and to be able to do what I love. ‘Triumph’ is a movie that I am really proud of, and as we say in the movie, ‘every day is a triumph.’ For young and aspiring actors, she said, “Coming from a place that doesn’t really get a lot of attention and hasn’t been given a lot of chances, and that’s why I will always be grateful to Sacha Baron Cohen for opening a possibility for somebody like me to take a role that is so widely seen in the face of Tutar (Borat’s teenage daughter). “Also, I am grateful to Ali for choosing somebody like me... someone from that region of the world that feels authentic to represent somebody as Ivana, who is coming from communistic Czechoslovakia and I’m coming from communistic Bulgaria,” she said. “Of course, I am fully aware that Czechoslovakia is not Eastern Europe; it’s considered an Eastern country because it has been under the Eastern Bloc... it’s Central Europe but it feels relevant,” she clarified. “I will always be grateful to both of them (Sacha and Ali) for choosing me to portray characters that feel authentic,” she added. On the best advice that she has ever been given, she shared, “One of the first pieces of advice I ever got, was to go and watch a lot of independent films, and I keep following that advice. Also, I go to a lot of festivals, and I go see movies that are not necessarily Blockbusters. “A lot of times, these movies are even more moving and more powerful and they give you the opportunity to expand your cinematic culture by seeing different regions of the world and obtaining different tastes and different tools. Get to know directors from all over the world,” she elaborated. “Just pay attention to the films that don’t immediately get all the attention; if you find these gems, it is just as inspiring for you to know them,” she acknowledged. “Get a lot of gemstones of how to do your acting and how to build a show. One day, you might be behind the camera and you might want to participate in the producing, writing, and directing teams,” she said. “Get a lot of tools of how to do this, not only by saying your lines, but get to know the craft and the art of acting. This was the advice that I wish I was given,” she concluded. Track and field running legend Wilma Rudolph once said: “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Maria Bakalova is a woman, actress, and storyteller that embodies this wise quotation. To learn more about Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova, follow her on Instagram . Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News.Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 21,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.IBD Live Q&A And Two Key Stock Lists For Nov. 27, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants stumble onto center stage for a Thanksgiving Day battle of backup quarterbacks, as the out-of-contention NFC East rivals have served up a combined six wins and 16 losses in 2024. Cooper Rush helped the Cowboys (4-7) return to the win column at Washington before the three-day prep for playing holiday host to the Giants (2-9), who have shuffled plans amid another potential quarterback switch. New York lugs a six-game losing streak and some emotional drama to the table Thursday afternoon. "The fight has definitely been there," Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. "But we're still pretty far down in the valley of adversity right now. We've made one step in the right direction, so we've still got a lot of climbing to do." The playoffs are an afterthought at the moment. Dallas is tied for 4th in the NFC and the Giants are dead last with the final third of the season ahead. Beating the Commanders 34-26 on Sunday helped the Cowboys exhale, if only briefly, and they will now try to win at home for the first time in six tries. The Cowboys are shooting for a season sweep of the Giants for the fourth consecutive season. "It was great to get some wind under our wings, but this Thursday's game comes on you so fast. That's really where my mind is and my heart is, too," McCarthy said. Last in the NFL in scoring (14.8 points per game) and 28th in passing offense at 187.9 yards per game, the Giants are devoid of highlighter-worthy names on the offensive scouting report. They traveled to Texas on Wednesday without last week's starting quarterback, Tommy DeVito, who was officially listed as questionable because of a forearm injury. The last win for the Giants, 29-20 at Seattle, came one week after losing 20-15 to the Cowboys in September. New York is 0-4 against the NFC East including two losses by a combined eight points to the Commanders. Rookie Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers flashes big-play ability. He's also not shy about sharing his opinion. Nabers received a good talking to from head coach Brian Daboll after he blasted the Giants' effort and felt New York was "soft" in a 30-7 whipping at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence shared the sentiment only days after openly pondering why and how the Giants decided to hand the starting quarterback job to the undrafted DeVito at the expense of 2019 first-rounder Daniel Jones. "When you lose a game like that, there's frustration," Daboll said. "Certainly, you'd like to keep it in house. But you understand them, and I've been doing this for a while. There's conversations that you have to have if comments like that are made. I respect the opinions of the players and of the coaches. We'll work as hard as we can to get this fixed." In Sunday's loss, Bucs defensive tackle Calijah Kancey virtually folded DeVito in half on a first-quarter sack and staggered him again with a jarring hit in the fourth quarter as he released a pass. Banged up in the aftermath, DeVito wasn't asked to complete a full practice the past three but did throw a few times Monday and Tuesday. He didn't practice Wednesday and didn't accompany the team to Arlington, Texas, leaving Drew Lock to get the call for the Giants if DeVito doesn't get transportation to Texas and medical clearance by Thursday afternoon. In front of DeVito, offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor (quad) was ruled out. Evan Neal (hip) was on the long list of injury concerns for the Giants but had no injury designation Wednesday. Eluemunor left last week's game in the first half and couldn't return. Extra blockers likely are mandatory to keep Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons from feasting. Parsons had two sacks at Washington, his second game with multiple sacks in three outings since returning from a high-ankle sprain. He had two sacks of Jones the last time the Giants visited for Thanksgiving in 2022. Nabers caught 12 passes for 115 yards from Jones in defeat against the Cowboys Week 4. That was before the QB switch. Nabers wasn't targeted in the first half last week. Giants running back Tyrone Tracy enters the week in the proverbial doghouse because of another costly fumble, after his fumble in Week 10 at London gifted the Carolina Panthers a game-winning field goal in overtime. "Blood is in the water now," Tracy said. "You've got to understand this is the NFL and ball security is job security." Beyond their 0-5 home record, the Cowboys are 2-1 in the NFC East but have been outscored by 98 points on the season. The nine-loss Giants own a minus-89 scoring margin. Dallas was 8-0 at home in the 2023 regular season, then started a streak of six consecutive losses -- including the wildcard blowout by the Packers -- by an average of 22.3 points. Rush was not special at Washington, but he threw a pair of TDs, completed 75 percent of his passes and didn't throw an interception. He was limited Monday with a knee injury, but McCarthy appeared confident the QB would be available over current backup Trey Lance. Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle handled a career-high 19 carries, for a career-best 86 yards last week, erasing his previous best -- 12 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown -- against the Giants last season. He caught a 15-yard TD pass in the Cowboys' win over the Giants in September. New York gave up 156 rushing yards to the Buccaneers, the fifth consecutive game of allowing at least 140. A win would bring the Cowboys' record to 5-7, good enough to find the fringe of playoff chatter. The Cowboys are hopeful for the return of key players, including tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) and No. 1 cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) after they sat out Week 12. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is expected to be back for the first time since Week 4, but left guard Zack Martin (shoulder, ankle) won't play. Cooks was activated to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, when the Cowboys moved rookie cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder) and second-year offensive lineman Asim Richards (ankle) to injured reserve. Defensive backs Andrew Booth and Kemon Hall were elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaHenrik Sorensen/DigitalVision via Getty Images We're picking up our coverage of CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. ( NASDAQ: CRWD ) after the company reported its Q3 FY24 results Tuesday after the bell, causing a pre-market pullback on management's softer-than-expected guidance for Tired of losing money? 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New Delhi, December 15: OpenAI hits back at Elon Musk, stating that he initially wanted the company to adopt a for-profit structure. The revelation comes amid Musk's legal battles against OpenAI, where he claims the organisation has moved away from its founding mission as a non-profit. OpenAI shared emails and texts that suggest Elon Musk pushed for a for-profit model back in 2017. The situation has escalated as Elon Musk's xAI competes with OpenAI. Elon Musk’s legal filing against OpenAI indicates his fourth attempt in less than a year to reframe his claims regarding the company's structure. In response, OpenAI published a series of emails and texts in a blog post that highlights Musk's earlier support for an OpenAI for-profit model. OpenAI said, "When he didn’t get majority equity and full control, he walked away and told us we would fail. Now that OpenAI is the leading AI research lab and Elon runs a competing AI company, he’s asking the court to stop us from effectively pursuing our mission." OpenAI Introduces ‘Projects’ To Simplify Organising Chats and Files for ChatGPT Users. Timeline of Events In November 2015, OpenAI was established as a nonprofit organisation, which raised some questions from Elon Musk. By December of the same year, OpenAI made its public announcement about its mission and goals. As the company progressed in its research during early 2017, it became clear that it would require billions of dollars to acquire the computing power necessary to develop Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). By the summer of 2017, OpenAI and Elon Musk agreed that transitioning to a for-profit model was essential for the company to further its mission. However, in the Autumn of 2017, Elon demanded to have majority ownership, and complete control, and to take on the role of CEO for the new for-profit entity. In September 2017, he established a public benefit corporation named “Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc.” OpenAI turned down Elon Musk's demands, as granting him sole control over OpenAI and its technology would go against its core mission. In January 2018, Elon expressed his belief that OpenAI was destined to fail unless it merged with Tesla. Elon Musk Promoting Crypto Giveaways? X User Warns About Deepfake Video Scam, Urges To Stay Safe (Watch Video). The following month, Elon Musk stepped down from his position as co-chair of OpenAI. By December 2018, he urged OpenAI to secure “billions per year immediately or forget it.” In March 2019, OpenAI introduced OpenAI LP, a capped-profit model that operates within the non-profit and in March 2023, Elon Musk launched his competitor to OpenAI, called xAI. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 15, 2024 07:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).It’s been a long road back to the highest levels of motorsport for Canadian driver Robert Wickens. Six years after he was paralyzed in a violent wreck, Wickens will again be behind the wheel against some of the best drivers in North America. Wickens, from Guelph, Ont., was named the newest driver for DXDT Racing earlier this week, moving the 35-year-old up to IMSA GTD competition for 2025, the highest class on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. His promotion was made possible by a new hand control braking system created by Bosch Electronics, with help from GM Motorsports and Corvette Racing/Pratt Miller. “It’s not going to be easy but I wanted to get to the highest levels of motorsport again because, frankly, that’s where I was when I was injured,” said Wickens, who crashed at Pocono Raceway in 2018 during IndyCar’s ABC Supply 500. “But not only that, I want to prove to myself and other generations of people with disabilities that you can really do anything. “Maybe you’re having a hard time getting back to your place of work after a life-altering accident and — whatever your discipline, it doesn’t even have to be athletics — but I know it’s possible as long as you align yourself with a strong support system.” For Wickens, that’s been his wife Karli Wickens, his family and, in his professional life, organizations like Bosch and GM. Wickens’s crash left him with a thoracic spinal fracture, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, a fractured right forearm, a fractured elbow, four fractured ribs, a pulmonary contusion, and an indeterminate spinal injury that combined to make him a paraplegic. As he has slowly recovered some movement in his legs, Wickens has eased back into motor racing. He drove the parade lap of the 2019 Honda Indy Toronto, competed in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then in January 2022 it was announced he would drive in the Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport. He and co-driver Mark Wilkins won twice in the Michelin Pilot Challenge’s TCR category with three podiums in 2022. In 2023 the pairing didn’t win, but they reached the podium seven times to earn the TCR championship. All of Wickens’s post-accident cars have been fitted with hand controls. Those conventional systems rely on paddles around the steering wheel that activate pneumatics that then press the foot pedals. Hand controls like that are acceptable for regular road vehicles and even lower levels of motorsports but in the highest classes, like IMSA GTD where cars top out at more than 280 kilometres, the lag between the driver toggling the paddle and the car responding is unacceptably slow. That’s where the Bosch electronic system comes in, with the controls linked directly to the car’s braking system, removing the pneumatics as an intermediary. “When you hit the brakes to slow the car down for each corner that was always a big challenge for me where (with) the Bosch electronic system, the latency is milliseconds not tenths of a second,” said Wickens. “It’s basically as accurate as I would be if I was an able-bodied driver wanting to apply the brake. “Honestly, it’s just better in every facet imaginable. It’s just been a true blessing.” Advances in physical rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries as well as the ongoing development of vehicle technology has made Wickens’s return to competitive motorsport possible. “I’m very fortunate in the timing of my paralysis and my career,” Wickens said Wednesday from Tampa, Fla. “If this was even a decade ago we’d be having a very different conversation today.” The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has four classes of vehicles: two sports prototype categories and two grand tourer classes. GTD is considered the highest of the four classes because each team must have at least a silver or bronze driver and more than one platinum-rated driver on a team is prohibited. “I want to win,” said Wickens. “I think the big thing for me on this journey back was I wanted to race again because I truly felt like I could still win. “I want to raise awareness for spinal cord injury and disability, not by just being a participant, but by being the guy. I want to win races, fight for podiums, win championships, every time I’m sitting in the car.” Wickens said he won’t just be a role model for people living with paralysis or other mobility disabilities, but the technology his car will employ in 2025 will likely become commercially available for use in road vehicles. “Motorsports and the automotive racing industry were founded to be a proving ground for everyday automotive vehicles,” he said. “From there you make road cars and road safety better. “Hopefully we can provide the technology and have regularly available components that can make any race car accessible for anyone that needs hand controls or any other form of disability.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Follow jchidleyhill.bsky.social on Bluesky.

family circus Kansas once required voters to prove citizenship. That didn't work out so wellChina has sent a message to Russia , the US, UK and Ukraine as fears of World War 3 grow. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that "all parties" need to show restraint to avoid further escalation. He said: "Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm and restrained, work to cool the situation through dialogue and consultations, and create conditions for a political settlement of the crisis [as China refers to Russia 's war of aggression against Ukraine ], in order to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible." Meanwhile, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US, made similar remarks in an interview with Newsweek. He said: "Realising an early ceasefire and striving for political settlement serves the interests of all sides. "It is important not to fuel the tension. China always encourages and supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis and stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in its own way for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis." China's intervention comes after the US and UK permitted Ukraine to strike Russian territory with their missile systems. Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered Moscow's nuclear threshold in response, and he also fired a medium-range ballistic missile in Ukraine . He warned on Friday that Russia has new missiles "ready to be used" against Ukraine . Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, told Reuters: "Putin is saying to the West stop - halt - back off. "The signal Putin is sending to the world is that we consider these strikes as the direct entry of the United States and Britain into a war against Russia . "But we are not responding with all our might right now because these strikes against Russia will not change the outcome of the war."

As Bitcoin hovers around $100,000, the entire crypto market is rejoicing with greens, which has sent the total crypto market cap past $3.5 trillion. While BTC, much like always, continues to lead bull cycles, memecoins have emerged as the leading narrative, surpassing utility coins. This time, there are no whitepapers or litepapers to take a deep dive into the project's value and understand the fundamentals. Crypto's run-up these past two years has been dominated by memecoin. A primary reason for this traction has been regular crypto users being fed up with backroom dealings where projects raise money from venture capitalists (VCs) by selling their coins at a really low price. These VCs then dump their coins on the retail after the project goes live, and the token gets an exchange listing. But with memecoins, there's no such shenanigans involved. With platforms like Pump.fun making it extremely easy for anyone to launch memecoins, everyone has to buy tokens in the open market and race to dump on each other. There are no rules either; memecoins are simply an attempt to be lighthearted and attract a user base by promising a fun community while offering a really low entry point. They have no utility beyond this and tend to be highly volatile, even more so than the typical crypto. Memecoins are simply cryptocurrencies representing animals, artwork, characters, or individuals. As a matter of fact, absolutely anything can be used for a memecoin. Actually, the coins that have been utility coins throughout your crypto journey have been switching into memecoins, too. This is exactly what digital silver and Bitcoin's digital gold, Litecoin (LTC), have done. On Nov. 14, this over-a-decade-old coin got renewed interest when the person behind Litecoin's X (previously Twitter) account put this on social media: The post came amidst the memecoin market cap reaching a new high, signaling a slow return of retail interest into the market. This was on the back of the listings of two popular memecoins, Pepe and Dogwifhat (WIF), and on major U.S. exchange Coinbase. Pepe, the frog coin that started the memecoin mania last year, was also listed on Robinhood, a leading brokerage platform popular among retail in the US. So, with its humorous attempt to get the same attention that memecoins have been getting, Litecoin also jumped in on the trend. As can be seen from the response the post generated, Litecoin suddenly got a lot of attention, which helped its price gain traction. The price of LTC surged more than 42% since that post as it moved past $106, a level last seen in early April this year. Crypto exchange Gate.io even listed it under the memecoin section. At the time of writing, the 26th largest cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $7.34 billion, has been trading at $97.57 while managing $1.174 billion in 24-hour volume. Still, LTC price is only up a mere 35.21% this year compared to other older coins like Bitcoin, which is up 133.35%, XRP's 144.5% gains, ADA's 79%, Tron's 96.69%, and XLM's 317% upside during the same period. But then, there's Ethereum, whose 52.66% year-to-date (YTD) performance has also been a disappointing one despite the second-largest cryptocurrency getting a Spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) approved. While ETH is only 29% off of its peak, LTC is a whopping 76.3% away from its all-time high (ATH) of $410.26 hit in May 2021. The same trend can be seen in Litecoin's open interest (OI), which surged to $472 million on Nov. 24, though nowhere near its last bull cycle peak of a billion dollars, as per Coinglass . A Memecoin or a Utility Coin: Understanding Litecoin Litecoin (LTC) was launched in 2011, only a few years after Bitcoin, by Charlie Lee, an MIT graduate and former Google engineer. It utilized Bitcoin's source code but made changes to make it faster and cheaper. Referred to as “the silver to Bitcoin's gold,” the idea with Litecoin wasn't to create a replacement for Bitcoin but to provide yet another blockchain to the developing crypto ecosystem, which is decentralized but has faster block generation. So, as a digital gold, Bitcoin acts as a store of value, while Litecoin, as a digital silver, is to be used to facilitate transactions. Much like Bitcoin, Litecoin also experiences halving every four years. So far, it has had three, with the last one occurring in August 2023, which reduced the block reward from 12.5 LTC to 6.25 BTC. The next halving is expected to occur in mid-2027, which will bring its rewards further down to 3.125 LTC, which is Bitcoins' current block reward following its most recent halving in April of this year. But while Litecoin also has a proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain , it uses the Scrypt algorithm to Bitcoin's SHA-256, making it less energy-intensive than the world's largest cryptocurrency. Despite having many benefits compared to Bitcoin, which has been garnering the attention from institutions and even nations as it gears up to be a reserve asset, Litecoin has been pretty much lost to irrelevance as the crypto sector continues to grow with more innovative projects and new narratives. This was until Litecoin changed its tactics and jumped on the new trend. As the project stated in an X post , it was a lighthearted jab at the market's state and a self-deprecating acknowledgment that despite being the “oldest and most reliable cryptocurrencies in the world,” their accomplishments have been largely unnoticed all these years. So, while the LTC price has been rather limited, the Litecoin blockchain has been working just fine. In fact, the Litecoin network has achieved the milestone of processing 84 million transactions so far this year. “$LTC is more active than ever!” – posted Litecoin Foundation on X while sharing this achievement Yet another development has been its hashrate, which has been experiencing a constant increase throughout this year. Currently, sitting around 1.4112 PH/s, the hash rate is near its ATH of 1.49 PH/s hit on Nov. 18, as per Bitinfocharts . The growing hashrate shows that more and more computational power is being contributed to the network in order to get a chance to successfully mine a block and earn rewards . Then there are the short-term LTC holders, which are on the increase too. The number of such holders spiked over 30% in the past month as the token gained market attention, and traders and investors jumped to take advantage of the opportunity. In an interview with CCN, David Schwartz, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Litecoin Foundation, talked about Litecoin's speed, affordability, and utility as its unique selling point that makes it a practical tool for everyday transactions. Developers have also been working on offering Litecoin users optional privacy through MimbleWimble Extension Blocks (MWEB). This privacy feature enables confidential transactions without compromising the blockchain's integrity, which, according to Schwartz, makes it appealing to those individuals and businesses that value financial privacy. The average daily transaction activity for MWEB has tripled since July. But if this feature is incorporated by larger wallets, Schwartz sees it making “a significant difference in adoption. “ Besides adopting the memecoin trend, Litecoin has been keeping up with the market by integrating with DeFi. For this, the project introduced Wrapped Litecoin (wLTC), which enables the usage of LTC in the booming DeFi ecosystem. And now, Litecoin is seeing the potential to get its very own ETF, much like Bitcoin and Ether, which can supercharge its network metrics and market demand. The Most Bullish Upcoming Event: Will it Materialize? Spot ETFs have been the primary driver of Bitcoin's run-up this cycle. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) giving Bitcoin Spot ETFs a green light sent BTC's price up by 525% since Nov. 2021 low under $16K. Since getting the approval, all the Bitcoin ETFs have recorded a total of $30.84 billion in inflows, achieving $107.5 billion in net assets, according to SoSo Value . BlackRock's IBIT leads this Bitcoin ETF race with $31.33 bln in net inflows, followed by Fidelity's FBTC, which captured $11.54 bln. Then, in late July, Ethereum ETF got approved, which has so far only managed to gain $106.80 million in cumulative inflows. This is because Grayscale's ETHE still leads in net assets at $4.95 bln. With these approvals, the market is now trying to have institutions gain exposure to other crypto assets. In October, Canary Capital Group filed for a Litecoin ETF in addition to submitting documents for an XRP fund. However, the firm has yet to disclose the ticker or management fee for the funds. The filing was just an S-1 document, which is the first step to getting a new security issued and listed on a public stock exchange. It needs to be followed by the 19b-4 filing for the S-1 filing to have any meaning. And once that happens, the SEC has to make a decision, under a strict timeline, to approve or deny the application. Despite the move being primarily, LTC price spiked 5% on the news of the filing. Given that Litecoin had no token sale or pre-mining, its fair launch makes it a viable candidate for an ETF. The Spot Litecoin ETF, according to Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, “should theoretically have the same pathway” as Bitcoin ETF. Already, there are several investment vehicles that give institutions a way to buy LTC. This includes CoinShares' LITE and ETC Group's ELTC, but both are in Europe. In the US, Grayscale remains the dominant force, which has several closed-end funds offering investment in various crypto assets such as Aave, Avalanche, Bitcoin Cash, Bittensor, Ethereum Classic, Filecoin, Horizon, Near, Solana, Stellar, XRP, Zcash, Stacks, and more. Grayscale Litecoin Trust ( LTCN ) meanwhile has $180.74 in assets under management (AUM). The asset manager charges a hefty management fee of 2.50% on this fund, but it still accounts for the majority of the funds invested in Litecoin-related ETPs globally. LTCN was launched in 2018 and began trading on the OTC market over two years later. While Grayscale has converted its both Bitcoin (GBTC) and Ethereum (ETHE) funds into an ETF, it hasn't filed for an ETF for LTCN. However, last month, Grayscale filed to have its multi-token fund converted into an ETF. The Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC:OTCQX) covers BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and AVAX. Despite all this, Litecoin creator Charlie Lee believes that Spot Litecoin ETF will get a green light from the regulator. “I'm excited to see the Litecoin ETF filing by Canary Capital. We are definitely seeing a lot of institutional demand for Litecoin. This is clear from the daily growth of the Grayscale Litecoin Trust, which has a price that is over twice the NAV. Given that Litecoin is a commodity that is very similar to Bitcoin, I hope to see the Litecoin ETF approved very soon.” – The Litecoin founder told Fox Business A Litecoin ETF is expected to see LTC as a seriously investable option for traditional market players, who can use LTC as a way to diversify their crypto portfolio without needing to buy the asset itself. The digital assets-linked ETF applications, as per Lee, can help more people adopt crypto. Much like Lee, Litecoin Foundation's Schwartz also believes it to be a matter of when and not if Litecoin will get an ETF due to LTC's value as a transactional currency. The approval, according to him, “could catalyze a broader recognition of Litecoin's utility.” Click here to learn if Litecoin can stand alongside Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Here's How to Buy Litecoin (LTC) in Four Easy Steps Now, if all these factors that paint a bullish picture for Litecoin make you want to have an LTC bag, then here's how you can get that. The entire process of buying LTC is a simple one that'll take as little as ten minutes. To get started, first get your phone or computer. It's up to you which device you are most comfortable with. Next, choose a cryptocurrency exchange. There are a lot of options out there, each offering a different feature and tool. While you'll find that a vast majority of exchanges have listed LTC, we'd recommend using Kraken, Coinbase, Binance, KuCoin, Uphold, or Gate.io. Once you have chosen the trading platform that you want to use, create an account by verifying your email address. You'll also be required to verify your identity (KYC) by providing documents to prove your identity, address, and other details. In the next step, make a deposit. To fund your account with fiat currency, you can make use of a debit card, credit card, and bank transfer. You can also deposit BTC and USDT, which are popularly available as trading pairs against LTC. Then, simply use your funds to buy BTC by finding the coin on the platform, choosing your investment size based on how much you want to buy, and then clicking ‘buy. ‘ You'll find the purchased LTC in your exchange wallet. Once you are ready to sell, depending on your financial goal, you can sell your LTC on the same platform using the ‘sell ‘ button. Click here to learn all about buying Litecoin (LTC). The Road Ahead for Litecoin As we saw, Litecoin has a lot of things working out for it. For starters, Litecoin has been in the market for over thirteen years now, which makes it one of the oldest coins. This longevity factor is further supported by the growing miner activity, transaction volume, and user addresses. Built to be complementary to Bitcoin, Litecoin's accessibility and reliability can help it get the market's attention and gain adoption. So, as BTC hits six figures and retail feels priced out, they may even turn to LTC as a cheaper option. Notably, Litecoin has a fixed supply of 84 million. So, a continued increase in its demand can help its prices elevate substantially. The potential of an ETF presents yet another big tailwind for Litecoin. Depending on the institutional interest and capital flow it sees, LTC price can see an upside. Then there's the mainstream attention that old coins like XRP, ADA, and XLM are getting, which forecasts good things for Litecoin, too. Add the memecoin trend LTC has onboarded and the mind share it has been getting, thanks to the voice behind its X account, and LTC can enjoy good momentum. Retail interest in meme coins also has a long way to go. “A strong indicator of retail interest, “ memecoin activity is still low compared to that seen during the previous peaks of most memecoins, noted IntoTheBlock, adding that this divergence from the total memecoin market cap hitting new highs “suggests retail enthusiasm hasn't fully re-entered the crypto space yet.” The broad crypto market has certainly started the party, though, with BTC ready to blast through $100K, driven by both strong spot demand and institutional inflows. With President-elect Donald Trump's win, the most crypto-friendly administration ever, prices are expected to climb much higher. So, against this backdrop, Litecoin can potentially rise to new heights, which, unlike the last cycle , can actually be much higher than the 2017 peak if the coin is able to capture the memecoin and ETF trend well in this bull market! Click here to learn all about investing in Litecoin.The Left love, love, love the concept of 'equity', which is really just a fancy word they use to justify their blatant racism and bigotry. Under the guise of equity, they give their preferred political constituencies benefits and power while punishing those who aren't 'diverse' enough. Like in San Francisco, where the public school district is having budget issues. Instead of closing underperforming schools, they're targeting a majority Asian school with good performance. For 'equity' of course. NEW @FreeBeacon : Amid a severe budget crisis, the SF Unified School District decided that some schools needed to close. To do this, it paid a Stanford University professor $30,000 to create an "equity-centered" formula that targeted a high-performing, majority-Asian school. pic.twitter.com/DhJ8uqHU5X Thankfully, outcry has put the plan on hold. For now. More from The Free Beacon: After the results were announced in October, parents revolted, the school superintendent was forced to resign, and the closure plan was shelved indefinitely. Two weeks later, city voters ousted their embattled mayor, London Breed. Now, as the school district tries to rebuild under new leadership, the Stanford professor’s DEI-focused closure plan is coming under increasingly harsh scrutiny, especially from San Francisco's Asian community. Asian parents are enraged that the closure plan targeted a high-performing elementary school whose students are overwhelmingly low-income and Asian. The now-paused closure plan, parents argue, used a custom formula that rewarded poor-performing black and Hispanic schools and targeted low-income, high-performing Asian children for cutbacks. Straight-up racism. From the outset of the district's plan to close some schools, the San Francisco school system "intentionally planned for equity throughout the entire process" and Board of Education District Advisory Committee members "raised equity concerns at every meeting." pic.twitter.com/N7LrHRnnGO Equity is poison. Detailed, thorough, informative, well researched, and impactful. Real journalism. https://t.co/mRHpjEMK6X Exactly. I am a six figure donor to Stanford and I am so embarrassed about this I don’t know if I will ever donate again https://t.co/6fRn1aVbGl They don't deserve it. Think of Chinese immigrants who came to San Francisco to escape communism, only to have their kids’ schools shut down for doing too well and having the wrong genes. https://t.co/QDxMsZlrcU pic.twitter.com/khIDqAet24 Incredible, no? Didn't pay a Stanford University professor for an equity centered formula. Paid a Stanford University professor to bless a policy with a credential of legitimacy they already decided beforehand https://t.co/CsBfPtbSwL NAILED IT. I really will never understand how/when some people decided that it was completely OK to so blatantly target and discriminate against Asians. Seeing Stanford faculty get paid to do it is wild... https://t.co/M3HSCDAuCd Because Asians belie the Left's narrative on race and success, and the Left hates them for it. DEI is made up work that harms the masses in order to pay a few losers https://t.co/p8X3N5igEI Bingo.

In Pictures: Jimmy Carter continued campaigning long after leaving powerNHL fines Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner $2,000 for embellishment

DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLRomania's top court annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate

The Toronto Blue Jays have not been able to win a World Series with their core of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. They could potentially trade one of their stars before they hit free agency. During an appearance on MLB Network's Hot Stove, Anthony Castrovince proposed this trade where the Blue Jays trade Guerrero and Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs: Blue Jays receive: first baseman Michael Busch, outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger and right-handed pitcher Cade Horton Cubs receive: first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman "It really hasn't worked with that core (for the Blue Jays). Let's blow it up," said Castrovince. "Let's send Guerrero to the Cubs, and Kevin Gausman. We bring back a long term piece in Michael Busch and we take on some Cody Bellinger." Guerrero is entering the final year of his deal and may not want to stay with the Blue Jays if they cannot start winning. Instead of risking him walking the team could get a haul for him. Spotrac projects Guerrero to sign a 10-year, $259 million deal when he hits free agency. Meanwhile, Gausman will be a free agent after the 2026 season. The Blue Jays would be adding Busch who hit .248 with 21 home runs as a rookie. Horton is the Cubs' No. 3 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline . The highlighted player coming back to the Blue Jays would be Bellinger. He can play first base or in the outfield. He signed a three-year, $80 million deal last offseason with player options after the first two seasons. The Cubs are trying to find a trade partner to take on Bellinger and his contract. The contract could be preventing them from making all the moves they would like. It's unlikely anyone will take on the whole contract in a trade. "I think the Cubs would probably have to eat some of that Bellinger deal in this scenario," said Castrovince. More MLB: Proposed blockbuster 3-team trade brings multiple All-Stars to PhilliesWhere Is The Creator Economy Headed In 2025?

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there's one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That's because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn't been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn't touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state's law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That's an issue Congress could resolve. The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn't justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state's law was challenged. "If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different," he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call," Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted "a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement's impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver's license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn't accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn't know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven't traveled outside the U.S. and don't have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don't have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.PITTSBURGH , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, in an amount equal to $0.4125 per share. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024 to the holders of record of the common stock at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . In addition, the Board of Directors declared cash dividends on the company's 10.625% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock for the period October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 . The dividend is $664.0625 per preferred share, or $0.6640625 per depository share, and is payable on December 31, 2024 to holders of record at the close of business on December 13, 2024 . About Wesco Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , Wesco is a FORTUNE 500 ® company with $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry's premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations. Contact Information Investor Relations Will Ruthrauff Director, Investor Relations 484-885-5648 Corporate Communications Jennifer Sniderman Vice President, Corporate Communications 717-579-6603 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wesco-declares-quarterly-dividend-on-common-stock-and-preferred-stock-302319822.html SOURCE Wesco International

High-End Bicycle Market size is set to grow by USD 5.03 billion from 2024-2028, growing adoption of e-bikes in developing countries boost the market- TechnavioCaterpillar Inc. stock rises Tuesday, still underperforms marketIn a closed-door trial Tuesday, a Russian court sentenced a journalist to four years in prison for her work with foreign media outlets. Nika Novak was arrested in December 2023 on accusations of “preparing inaccurate materials” to discredit the Russian armed forces. The FSB security service said that Novak’s work was "aimed at causing reputational damage” to Russia and an attempt to destabilize the country and its war in Ukraine, according to the Interfax news agency. The court, which is in the Siberian region of Zabaykalsky Krai, did not say which foreign media outlet Novak is accused of working for. Novak worked previously for the Russian news websites Chita and Zab.ru, and had been a freelance reporter at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty or RFE/RL. A sister network to VOA, RFE/RL is an independent U.S.-funded media outlet. Moscow designates RFE/RL a so-called foreign agent. RFE/RL President Stephen Capus on Tuesday condemned the sentence handed to Novak. “These politically motivated charges are intended to silence individual reporters and cause a chilling effect. We call for Nika's immediate release to her family,” Capus said in a statement shared with VOA. Russia has ramped up its arrests and harassment of independent journalists since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Shortly after, the government issued directives on how media could report the war, and legislators enacted a law to penalize anyone authorities deemed to be spreading false news or information that could discredit the military. Russian authorities have also issued several arrest warrants in absentia. In October, authorities ordered the arrest in absentia of a CNN correspondent who had reported from Russia’s Kursk region as Ukraine forces made advances. The Memorial human rights group described Novak as a "political prisoner." It added that the journalist appeared to “hold anti-Ukrainian views," based on social media posts, but had criticized local authorities for supporting the offensive, according to AFP. The Coalition for Women in Journalism has also condemned Novak’s detention. In a statement at the time of her arrest, the group said, “The Kremlin is continuously abusing legislation to target journalists and activists. This must stop.” “The serious charges and lengthy prison term facing Novak are deeply worrying,” the statement said, adding that the coalition called on Russia to drop the charges and release the journalist. This report contains information from Agence France-Presse.

President Biden on Sunday issued a sweeping pardon of his son Hunter, who was convicted earlier this year on federal gun and drug charges, and pleaded guilty to tax charges in California. The presidential pardoning process is one that has long courted controversy, especially since many presidents issue pardons when they are leaving the White House. One of the most famous —and controversial— pardons in history happened less than one month into President Gerald Ford's term. On Sept. 8, 1974, Ford announced from the Oval Office that he would "grant a full, free and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed." Ford's own press secretary resigned over the pardon, and Ford's approval rating dropped 20 points over the following days. His approval rating never recovered and he went on to lose the 1976 presidential election. What is a presidential pardon? Presidents are granted the authority to issue pardons under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution . The Constitution's framers were heavily influenced by the English legal tradition of pardon, which dates back to the 7th century, and Alexander Hamilton introduced the concept of the presidential pardon at the Constitutional Convention. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution declares: "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." There are four different types of clemency that fall under the president's pardoning power: pardon, amnesty, commutation and reprieve. As outlined by the White House, a pardon releases a person from punishment and restores all civil liberties; amnesty is the same as the pardon but is extended to an entire class of individuals; commutation reduces the sentence imposed by a federal court, and a reprieve delays the imposition of a sentence or punishment. Pardons, however, may not be issued in cases of impeachment or if it is an "offense against the United States," such as treason. The Office of the Pardon Attorney at the Department of Justice issues guidelines for the application of clemency, but presidents do not need to follow them. To be pardoned, a person must have been convicted in a United States District Court, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, or a military court-martial — so a president cannot issue a pardon for a state conviction. What does a pardon mean for the pardoned person? A pardon can help eliminate some of the consequences of conviction and restore a person's civil rights. According to the Justice Department, the offense is not removed from a person's criminal record when they are pardoned but instead the conviction and the pardon both appear on the record. But the pardon can be helpful in obtaining licenses, bonding or employment. Who has Biden pardoned while in office? Hunter Biden is the 26th person Mr. Biden has pardoned so far. Most pardons relate to drug offenses, a practice started by former President Barack Obama. In September 2023, Mr. Biden granted clemency for three Iranians who were accused of moving $6 billion in a restricted Iranian account as part of a prisoner swap. At this point in President-elect Donald Trump's first term, he had pardoned 29 people. Who did Trump pardon during his first term? Trump issued a slew of pardons on Jan. 19, 2021, shortly before he left office. Trump pardoned 74 people and commuted the sentences of another 70. Among those pardoned were Steve Bannon , GOP fundraiser Elliott Broidy, Albert J. Pirro and rapper Lil Wayne. Prior to those pardons, Trump pardoned more than 30 people in December 2020, including his son-in-law Jared Kushner's father, Charles Kushner, who had been convicted of witness tampering, tax evasion and illegal campaign contributions in 2005. Ahead of his second term, Trump has nominated Charles Kushner to be the ambassador to France. Earlier in his term, Trump pardoned Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio , Dinesh D'Souza , his first national security adviser Michael Flynn , former George W. Bush aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and Oregon ranchers Dwight L. Hammond and Steve D. Hammond. In 2020, Trump issued a full pardon for Alice Marie Johnson, whose sentence he had commuted in 2018 after lobbying from Kim Kardashian. Johnson is a great-grandmother who had served 22 years in federal prison for what was a first-time criminal offense, which had come to Kardashian's attention. In total over four years in office, Trump issued 237 acts of clemency, including 143 pardons and 94 commutations. The only presidents since 1900 who issued fewer acts of clemency were George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, according to the Pew Research Center . Who did Obama pardon while in office? Obama issued 212 pardons and 1,715 commutations while in office, including for 568 people who were serving life sentences. In 2014, Obama launched the Clemency Initiative , which allowed federal prisoners to apply for leniency, especially those serving for nonviolent drug offenses. In the Obama White House archives , his administration touts that those whose sentences were commuted were "incarcerated under outdated and unduly harsh sentencing laws." Although Obama encouraged prisoners to apply for leniency under the Clemency Initiative, a report by the Justice Department Inspector General in 2018 found that initiative was poorly planned and not implemented properly, while also suffering from poor communication and bureaucratic feuds. "We found that the Department did not effectively plan, implement, or manage the Initiative at the outset," Inspector General Michael Horowitz wrote in the report. Which president has pardoned the most people in history? President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served 13 years in office, issued the most pardons: 3,687. Have past presidents pardoned family members? Although Mr. Biden is the first president to pardon his son, he is not the first to pardon a family member. Former President Bill Clinton pardoned his brother Roger Clinton and Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, his son-in-law's father. Abraham Lincoln, meanwhile, pardoned his sister-in-law , Emilie Todd Helm, who was the widow of a Confederate general, under the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. Can a president issue a preemptive pardon? Ford's infamous pardon of Nixon was a preemptive pardon, since Nixon had not been charged with a crime. Former President Jimmy Carter also issued preemptive pardons for Vietnam draft evaders, as did Lincoln in the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, which allowed for former Confederates to be pardoned if they took an oath to the U.S. President George H.W. Bush also pardoned his secretary of defense, Caspar Weinberger, along with five others, for his alleged role in the Iran-Contra scandal after he was indicted but before his trial. Mr. Biden's pardon of Hunter covers any crimes Hunter Biden may have committed from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024, even if he has not yet been charged. Hunter Biden's first plea agreement in Delaware fell apart because his lawyers sought full immunity from future prosecution. Can another president undo a previous presidential pardon? The pardon language in Article II of the Constitution does not include any language about revoking pardons, although only a few presidents have exercised that power. On President Andrew Johnson's last day in office, he issued several pardons — three of which President Ulysses S. Grant reversed on his first day by calling back the U.S. Marshal so they were never delivered. A fourth was allowed to stand since it had been delivered. According to Washington Monthly , an 1868 textbook by Supreme Court Associate Justice Joseph Story on the Constitution says a presidential pardon can be revoked if the president was impeached. In recent history, both Clinton and Trump have been impeached — although their pardons did stand after their terms. Former President George W. Bush, meanwhile, revoked one of his own pardons . In December 2008, shortly before leaving office, Bush pardoned 19 people, including Isaac Robert Toussie of Brooklyn, N.Y., who had been convicted of making false statements to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and of mail fraud. One day later, Bush reversed the decision, with White House press secretary Dana Perino citing "information that has subsequently come to light," including on the extent and nature of Toussie's prior criminal offenses. She also said that neither the White House counsel's office nor the president had been aware of a political contribution by Toussie's father that "might create an appearance of impropriety." Joe Biden Hunter Biden Caroline Linton is an associate managing editor on the political team for CBSNews.com. She has previously written for The Daily Beast, Newsweek and amNewYork.Capricor Therapeutics to Present at Upcoming Investor ConferencesQUÉBEC — Quebec Premier François Legault says he's looking at ways to end prayer in public places, including parks, as his government promises to table new legislation to strengthen secularism in schools. Legault made the comments during a press conference in Quebec City on Friday to mark the end of the fall legislative session. He said he wants to send a "very clear message to Islamists" that Quebec will fight against any disrespect of its fundamental values, including secularism. The premier said that recent reports of teachers allowing prayers in classrooms and preventing girls from playing sports, which have triggered an outcry in Quebec, are "totally unacceptable." "There are teachers who are bringing Islamist religious concepts into Quebec schools," he said. "I will definitely not tolerate that. We don't want that in Quebec." Legault then went a step further when asked by a reporter if he was also bothered by prayer in public places. "Seeing people on their knees in the streets, praying, I think we have to ask ourselves the question. I don't think it's something we should see," he said, adding that his government is considering whether it can legislate on the issue. He went on to say he doesn't want to see people praying "in public parks or public streets." When questioned about the constitutionality of banning public prayer, he said the government is "looking at all possibilities, including the use of the notwithstanding clause," which allows governments to override certain sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Images of Muslims praying in Montreal have sparked controversy in recent months, including when a group gathered in a city park to celebrate Eid al-Adha last June, prompting the borough mayor to muse about banning all religious events in public parks. In a statement, the Canadian Muslim Forum said Legault's comments suggest that some politicians view Muslims as second-class citizens. "These remarks add to a pattern of political rhetoric that unfairly targets Quebecers, especially those of Muslim faith, based solely on their backgrounds," the statement reads. Legault's comments come as the province grapples with a series of reports about Muslim religious practices appearing in some of the province's public schools. On Friday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville declared the government will introduce a new bill aimed at reinforcing secularism in Quebec schools. The announcement followed a Friday report in La Presse that documented students at a high school in Laval, north of Montreal, praying in classrooms and hallways and disrupting a play focused on sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention. Drainville told reporters in Quebec City that the behaviour does not represent "our Quebec" and is "completely intolerable and unacceptable." "These acts of a religious nature clearly contravene secularism obligations," he said in a social media statement. "One can easily imagine the psychological impact that some of these behaviours may have had on students." The news story is the latest in a growing number of incidents reported at Quebec schools involving Muslim teachers and students. The wave of allegations was sparked by a government investigation, made public in October, that found a toxic climate at a Montreal elementary school. The report found that a group of teachers at Bedford school, mostly of North African descent, yelled at and humiliated students. Some teachers didn’t believe in learning disabilities and attributed students’ difficulties to laziness. Subjects like science and sex education were either ignored or barely taught, and girls were prevented from playing soccer. Eleven teachers have since been suspended from the school. The government is now looking into 17 schools it believes may have breached the province's secularism law. The report on those schools is expected in January, but Drainville says he can already confirm that the government is going to act. Quebec used the notwithstanding clause to shield the province's controversial secularism law, Bill 21, from constitutional challenges. That law prevents certain public sector workers, including teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols on the job. The government also invoked the clause to protect its contentious language law, Bill 96. On Friday, Legault said the protection of Quebec's identity has been one of his top priorities over the last year and repeated his claims that temporary immigration is threatening the French language in Montreal. He also reiterated that he's "open" to the idea of a Quebec constitution, following a recent recommendation from a committee tasked with coming up with ways to boost Quebec's autonomy. He said a constitution could enshrine Quebec's values, including secularism and equality between men and women. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. — By Maura Forrest in Montreal The Canadian Press

Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women’s sports

CNN's Jake Tapper reportsRescata tu AFORE, specialists in recovering retirement savings for foreign workers 11-26-2024 11:16 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Notorial Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1732637593.jpeg Recovering retirement savings from Mexico's AFORE system can be a complex process for foreign workers. Many face challenges navigating the legal and administrative hurdles required to access these funds. Rescata tu AFORE [ https://rescatatuafore.com/ ] specializes in the recovery of retirement savings for foreign workers [ https://rescatatuafore.com/como-lo-hacemos/ ], offering tailored solutions designed to streamline the process and ensure clients receive their funds efficiently. This focus has established the company as a trusted partner for expatriates seeking financial clarity. 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A commitment to supporting foreign workers Rescata tu AFORE not only facilitates the recovery of retirement savings but also raises awareness among foreign workers about their right to access these funds. Many expatriates are unaware of the existence of their AFORE accounts or the possibility of retrieving their contributions. By providing clear communication and expert guidance, the company bridges this knowledge gap, empowering workers to take control of their finances. The recovery of retirement savings for foreign workers represents a crucial service for those who have contributed to Mexico's social security system. Rescata tu AFORE continues to stand out for its commitment to efficiency and client satisfaction, ensuring that expatriates can access their savings with confidence and ease. Through their dedication to transparency and personalized service, the company has become a reliable partner for those seeking financial resolution. Media Contact Company Name: Joan Sans Contact Person: Press Office Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=rescata-tu-afore-specialists-in-recovering-retirement-savings-for-foreign-workers ] Country: United States Website: https://rescatatuafore.com/ This release was published on openPR.Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”

Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A) Raises Dividend to $0.25 Per ShareFollowing quality win, No. 19 Mississippi St. faces Bethune-CookmanHe’s one of the most famous corporate leaders in the world, delivering products embraced by billions. But it’s the haters that companies like Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta worry about. In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million on guards, alarms and other measures to keep Zuckerberg and the company’s former chief operating officer safe. Some high-profile CEOs surround themselves with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while he walked alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take in protecting their leaders against threats. Thompson had no personal security and appeared unaware of the shooter lurking before he was gunned down. And today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. “We are better today at collecting signals. I’m not sure we’re any better at making sense of the signals we collect,” says Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software for companies. After Thompson’s shooting, Burton said, “I’ve been on the phone all day with some organizations asking for consultation, saying, ’Am I doing enough?” Since the killing, some health insurers have taken steps to safeguard their executives and rank-and-file workers. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said Friday it is temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and will have its employees work from home. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution,” the company said in a statement. A Medica spokesman said the company had also removed biographical information about its executives from its website as a precaution. UnitedHealth Group, parent of the insurer Thompson led, removed photos of its top executives from its website hours after the shooting, later removing their names and biographies. But well before the attack, some of the biggest U.S. companies, particularly those in the tech sector, were spending heavily on personal and residential security for their top executives. Meta, whose businesses include Facebook and Instagram, reported the highest spending on personal security for top executives last year, filings culled by research firm Equilar show. Zuckerberg “is synonymous with Meta and, as a result, negative sentiment regarding our company is directly associated with, and often transferred to, Mr. Zuckerberg,” the Menlo Park, California, company explained earlier this year in an annual shareholder disclosure. At Apple, the world’s largest tech company by stock valuation, CEO Tim Cook was tormented by a stalker who sent him sexually provocative emails and even showed up outside his Silicon Valley home at one point before the company’s security team successfully took legal action against her in 2022. Cook is regularly accompanied by security personnel when he appears in public. Still, the company’s $820,000 allotted last year to protect top executives is a fraction of what other tech giants spent for CEO security. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and other top executives. Of those that did, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to about $98,000. In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare’s Thompson was walking to when he was shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. joined that group Thursday, citing the UnitedHealthcare executive’s death in announcing that its upcoming Investor Day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. “But there are also company cultures that really frown on that and want their leaders to be accessible to people, accessible to shareholders, employees,” Komendat said. Depending on the company, such an approach may make sense. Many top executives are little known to the public, operating in industries and locations that make them far less prone to public exposure and to threats. “Determining the need for and appropriate level of an executive-level protection program is specific to each organization,” says David Johnston, vice president of asset protection and retail operations at the National Retail Federation. “These safeguards should also include the constant monitoring of potential threats and the ability to adapt to maintain the appropriate level of security and safety.” Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. “There are always threats directed towards senior leaders at companies. Many of them are not credible,” Komendat said. “The question always is trying to determine what is a real threat versus what is someone just venting with no intent to take any additional action.” Burton, a former special agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, points out that despite the current climate, there is little in the way of organized groups that target companies. Today, one of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to zero in on such dialogue and decide whether or not it represents a real threat. And CEOs aren’t the only targets of disgruntled customers. In the U.S., there were 525 workplace fatalities due to assault in 2022, according to the National Safety Council. Industries including healthcare, education and service providers are more prone to violence than others, and taxi drivers are more than 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers, the group said. But the ambush of UnitedHealthcare’s Thompson this week is bound to get some CEOs second-guessing. “What invariably happen at moments like this in time is you will get additional ears listening” to security professionals seeking money to beef up executive protection, Burton says. “Because I can guarantee you there’s not a CEO in America who’s not aware of this incident.” ___ Associated Press writers Anne D’Innocenzio and Haleluya Hadero in New York and Jim Salter in St. Louis contributed. He’s one of the most famous corporate leaders in the Chipotle is raising its U.S. prices to offset inflation and The U.S. government on Friday ordered testing of the nation's A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook a large area of Northern

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- Today, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CII) (the "Fund") approved changing the name of the Fund to “BlackRock Enhanced Large Cap Core Fund, Inc.” In connection with the name change, the Board has approved the adoption of a non-fundamental investment policy to invest at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in large cap equity securities and derivatives that provide investment exposure to such securities or to one or more market risk factors associated with such securities (the “80% Policy”). For purposes of the 80% Policy, large cap equity securities are equity securities that at the time of purchase have a market capitalization within the range of companies included in the Russell 1000® Index. The name change and adoption of the 80% Policy are expected to be effective as of December 31, 2024. After careful review of the Fund’s current investment strategies and portfolio holdings, the Fund’s investment adviser, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”), recommended that the Board approve the name change and adoption of the 80% Policy in order to comply with recent amendments to Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (often referred to as the “Names Rule”) that will go into effect in 2025 and expand the scope of the Names Rule. There will be no changes to the Fund’s investment objective, NYSE ticker symbol or CUSIP as a result of the name change or adoption of the 80% Policy. About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate Availability of Fund Updates BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Fund on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Fund. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or the Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions. BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122388285/en/ 1-800-882-0052 KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 05:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122388285/enOriginal MLS clubs LA Galaxy, NY Red Bulls cap their amazing turnarounds with showdown for MLS Cup

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PHOENIX — You may be familiar with a range of tips for living a healthy life: Watch your weight, exercise, eat nutritious food and don’t smoke, for example. What if you could combine these lifestyle factors with a host of other variables to learn your risk of developing specific diseases, to help catch and treat them early or prevent them altogether? Victor Ortega, M.D., Ph.D. , associate director for the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine in Arizona, explains how science is drawing ever closer to making such personal health forecasts possible. Previously inconceivable, such personal guides to well-being are becoming increasingly possible because of new and sophisticated genome-wide technologies that capture data spanning entire genomes, Dr. Ortega says. The complex scores are compiled from a combination of data from thousands to hundreds of thousands of a person's DNA sequence variants. This type of large genome-wide data has the potential to predict disease risks, such as heart disease , diabetes , asthma and specific cancers . "Imagine knowing your genetic predisposition for having a heart attack in your 50s, or if you're in the top 5% of the population for the risk of cancer or diabetes based on data from your whole genome. With this knowledge, you could make informed lifestyle choices and receive enhanced screenings to mitigate that risk," Dr. Ortega says. As a pulmonologist and genomic scientist, Dr. Ortega is leading a charge to breathe new life into precision medicine advancements. His mission is rooted in a deep commitment to health equities and inspired by his grandmother. "My grandmother died of asthma, and that should not have happened. She was Puerto Rican like me, and Puerto Ricans have the highest severity and frequency of asthma of any ethnic group in the world," Dr. Ortega says. "They also represent less than 1% of people in genetic studies. So, I've made it a life mission to develop cures and diagnostics for people like my grandma, and for all people." Each person has millions of genetic variants, each having a small effect. But together, these variants can increase the risk of getting a condition. A polygenic risk score estimates the overall risk someone has of getting a disease by adding up the small effects of variants throughout an individual’s entire genome. Polygenic risk scores are not used to diagnose diseases. Some people who don't have a high-risk score for a certain disease still can be at risk of getting the disease or might already have it. Other people with high-risk scores may never get the disease. People with the same genetic risk can have different outcomes depending on other factors such as lifestyle which determine one’s lifelong environmental exposures, also called the exposome . Dr. Ortega says that getting to the point where all people know their polygenic risk scores will require a solid foundation of "omics" research and datasets, cutting-edge technologies and further discoveries of gene-disease links — all of which are within his team's expertise and capabilities. Omics is an emerging multidisciplinary field of biological sciences that encompasses genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and more. "It's going to take considerable work and planning, but it really is the way of the future," he says. In the shorter term, Dr. Ortega plans to transition more omics discoveries from research laboratories to the clinic. Omics data can help identify the molecular culprits driving a person's disease, as well as biomarkers that can lead to the development of targeted treatments and diagnostics. Recent omics discoveries at Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine have enabled scientists to predict antidepressant response in people with depression and discover a potential therapeutic strategy for bone marrow cancer. Scientists have also used omics to pinpoint genetic variations that potentially increase the risk for severe COVID-19, uncover potential clues for preventing and treating gliomas and unravel the genetic mystery of a rare neurodevelopmental disorder . Drawing from his years of extensive clinical experience in treating patients with severe respiratory illnesses, Dr. Ortega is also working to expand genomic testing to a broader set of diseases. He highlights the center's collaborative Program for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases as an effective model that he hopes to amplify. The Program for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases proactively engages healthcare teams across Mayo's clinical practice to conduct targeted genomic testing for patients with a suspected rare genetic disease. He says expanding this strategy to more diseases will help build collaborations across Mayo and educate more clinicians on genomics. It may also ensure the most effective genomic sequencing tests are given to patients, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes. Dr. Ortega is leading the development of a polygenic risk score framework for Mayo Clinic, beginning with interstitial lung disease . This condition, marked by progressive scarring of lung tissue, is influenced by both rare gene variants and a collection of more common variants, all of which are captured together in polygenic risk scores. ### About Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and to providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) between February 29, 2024 and September 4, 2024, both dates inclusive (the“Class Period”), of the important January 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline . SO WHAT: If you purchased Celsius common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Celsius class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email ... for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Celsius materially oversold inventory to PepsiCo, Inc. (“Pepsi”) far in excess of demand, and faced a looming sales cliff during which Pepsi would significantly reduce its purchases of Celsius products; (2) as Pepsi drew down significant amounts of inventory overstock, Celsius' sales would materially decline in future periods, hurting Celsius' financial performance and outlook; (3) Celsius' sales rate to Pepsi was unsustainable and created a misleading impression of Celsius' financial performance and outlook; (4) as a result, Celsius' business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as indicated in defendants' Class Period statements; and (5) consequently, defendants' statements regarding Celsius' outlook and expected financial performance were false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Celsius class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email ... for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: , on Twitter: or on Facebook: . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 ... MENAFN29122024004107003653ID1109039951 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

‘We have never lived this’: Pep Guardiola details concern after yet another Man City defeat

LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants. Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — A trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found 76-year-old Dayle Haddon, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man who was also in the home was hospitalized in critical condition. As a model, Haddon appeared on dozens of magazine coverage in the 1970s and 1980s. She then reentered the industry in the 1990s after landing contracts with cosmetic companies to promote their anti-aging products. 2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Officials say two Oregon men have died in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure. The sheriff's office says it based that conclusion on the weather and their lack of preparedness. Both men were from Portland. They were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of that city. Family reported them missing after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

“They showed me a lot of love. ... How they're going to make it comfortable for me,” he said. "That's one of the things I was looking for." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. “They always talk about family. They always talk about stick(ing) together,” Soto said. “That's one of the things that opened my eyes.” Security men in gray suits wearing earpieces were off to the side. Soto walked in led by Boras, wearing a dark suit, black turtle neck shirt and gold chain with his No. 22. “I’m excited by the Mets future,” Cohen said. “I think this accelerates our goal of winning championships.” Soto chose the Mets' offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx. SAN FRANCISCO — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” DALLAS — Nathan Eovaldi and the Texas Rangers finalized a $75 million, three-year contract Thursday that keeps him in their starting rotation. The right-hander was the winning pitcher for Texas in its 2023 World Series clincher, and the Rangers said one of their primary goals this offseason was to re-sign Eovaldi. The sides agreed to financial terms Tuesday, pending a successful physical. To open a roster spot for Eovaldi, right-hander Roansy Contreras was designated for assignment. Eovaldi became a free agent Nov. 4 after declining a vested $20 million player option for the 2025 season. The Rangers had expected that move, but said they wanted to bring back the Texas native who will turn 35 in February. The two-time All-Star got a $2 million buyout from that option, which was earned by throwing more than 300 innings over his two years with the Rangers after joining them in free agency. PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, was postponed on Thursday and scheduled to resume June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Only three out of 31 witnesses arrived to the hearing on Thursday. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. “There is no case against Wander, for as many witnesses as they present, there is no case now,” Franco's lead lawyer Teodosio Jáquez told The Associated Press after the hearing. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. BRIEFLY RAYS: Tampa Bay and catcher Danny Jansen finalized a one-year contract. The deal includes a mutual option for 2026. Jansen, who turns 30 in April, hit .205 with nine homers and 24 RBIs last season for Toronto and Boston, which acquired him from the Blue Jays on July 27.Roborock makes summer cleaning a breeze with the ultimate duo for Australian homes, perfect for a minimalist design and robust, high-performance needs SYDNEY , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Roborock , a global leader in ultra-intelligent home robotics designed to simplify daily life, proudly announces the Australian launch of its latest Qrevo series innovations, the Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Curv , first revealed at IFA 2024 in Berlin . These state-of-the-art robotic vacuums combine powerful performance with both models having identical cutting-edge features to redefine home cleaning for modern Australian households. " We recently conducted a survey to deep dive into how Australians approach cleaning and the results were eye-opening. While many take pride in a clean home, more than a quarter admit they would happily never clean their floors again if they could" said Richard Chang , Founder & CEO of Roborock. "Robot vacuums have come a long way in delivering powerful cleaning and self-maintenance features, but many still fall short on long-term usability. Issues like hair tangling and difficulty navigating high thresholds often mean some areas and aspects of home cleaning get overlooked." "With the Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Curv receiving tremendous praise at IFA 2024, we're thrilled to introduce technology and design that not only improves the long-term ownership experience of a robot vacuum, but also adapts to the rhythms of Australian homes , offering smarter, hands-free solutions so people can spend more time hosting their friends and family this summer." United by their innovative features, the cleaning duo is designed to simplify home cleaning while delivering exceptional performance. Key one-of-a-kind innovations include: No more tangles, just effortless cleaning Roborock's Dual Anti-Tangle System ensures flawless cleaning with 100% hair removal [i] and a 0% tangling rate [ii] . Equipped with the DuoDivideTM Main Brush and FlexiArm Arc Side Brush, this system is engineered to lift and remove hair, fur, and debris from any surface without tangles, saving you from constant maintenance. Say goodbye to hair wrap and interruptions – whether tackling pet fur, long hair, or everyday messes, this innovative system keeps brushes clear and cleaning seamless, delivering a spotless home every time. Why settle for ordinary when you can elevate every clean? Roborock's Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Curv redefine versatility in home cleaning with the industry-first [iii] AdaptiLiftTM Chassis . This groundbreaking technology features independently adjustable three-wheel control, enabling the chassis to lift by 10mm [iv] or elevate specific sections, including the front, rear, left, or right. It automatically lifts the omni-wheel to handle standard thresholds up to 3cm [v] and complex double-layer thresholds up to 4cm [vi] , the highest in the industry [vii] , ensuring smooth movement across all surfaces. For Australians, this adaptability means no space is off-limits, no floor type is too challenging, and no corner is left behind. With the Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Curv, cleaning becomes smarter, smoother, and more efficient than ever. Impressive functionalities include: Powered by 18,500 Pa HyperForce ® suction [viii] , an industry-leading technology that tackles dirt, dust, and debris across carpets, hard floors, and gaps with ease. Navigation is seamless and efficient, thanks to Reactive AI Obstacle Recognition . By combining structured light, RGB cameras, and LiDAR technology, these models can recognise and avoid up to 62 object types, ensuring collision-free cleaning even in complex environments. To make cleaning effortless, both models feature the All-in-One Multifunctional Dock 3.0 , which automates maintenance tasks like 75°C hot water mop washing, warm air drying, auto dustbin emptying for up to 7 weeks [ix] , and auto water tank refilling. For added convenience, the Roborock Smart App allows users to customise cleaning routines, set schedules, access pet-friendly features such as video calling, and monitor progress in real-time. Additionally, the built-in intelligent voice assistant enables hands-free operation with simple commands like "Hello Rocky," even offline. The Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Curv are both priced at $2,799 . The Qrevo Edge will be available on Roborock Australia's official retail channels, such as Roborock's Official Online Store , JB Hifi , Harvey Norman , The Good Guys , Bing Lee , and other Authorised Retailers starting January 1 st 2025. Exclusive Pre-Order Offers To celebrate the arrival of summer, Roborock is offering a pre-order period with exclusive bonuses for customers who purchase between December 16 – December 31, 2024 : Qrevo Edge pre-orders will receive a complimentary Flexi Lite, valued at $699 upon purchasing from Roborock's Online Store . Qrevo Edge pre-orders from JB Hifi , Harvey Norman , The Good Guys , Bing Lee will receive a $200 gift card. The Qrevo Curv will be available later in Q1 2025, ensuring Australians can continue to enjoy peak summer cleaning efficiency. Availability details for the Qrevo Curv will be announced soon. For more information on the Qrevo Edge and Qrevo Curv, and other Roborock products, please visit http://au.roborock.com/ About Roborock Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. With a steadfast dedication to becoming a global leading smart appliance player, Roborock enriches liveswith its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in over 15 million homes across 170+ countries. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States , Japan , the Netherlands , Poland , Germany , and South Korea , Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. For more information, visit https://au.roborock.com/ . [i] Certified No.PT/24/GEN/0244/1 by SGS. Actual results may vary according to the home environment. [ii] Certified No.PT/24/GEN/0243/1 by SGS. Actual results may vary according to the home environment. [iii] Roborock was the first in the robot vacuum industry to mass-produce a product featuring a liftable chassis system with three-wheel control, officially launching this technology in Q3 2024. [iv] Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer, the chassis can be lifted up to 10mm. Actual results may vary according to the home environment. [v] Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer. Actual results may vary depending on environmental factors. [vi] Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer. Actual results may vary depending on environmental factors. [vii] Based on research conducted by the manufacturer as of Sept 1, 2024, within the robot vacuum category. [viii] Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer according to IEC 62885-2:2021/5.11 standards, using Max+ mode with a full battery. [ix] Based on internal testing carried out by the manufacturer. Actual emptying intervals will depend on use habits and environmental factors. SOURCE Roborock

NEW YORK — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time Thursday after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. “They showed me a lot of love. ... How they're going to make it comfortable for me,” he said. "That's one of the things I was looking for." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. “They always talk about family. They always talk about stick(ing) together,” Soto said. “That's one of the things that opened my eyes.” Security men in gray suits wearing earpieces were off to the side. Soto walked in led by Boras, wearing a dark suit, black turtle neck shirt and gold chain with his No. 22. “I’m excited by the Mets future,” Cohen said. “I think this accelerates our goal of winning championships.” Soto chose the Mets' offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx. SAN FRANCISCO — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, was postponed on Thursday and scheduled to resume June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Only three out of 31 witnesses arrived to the hearing on Thursday. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. “There is no case against Wander, for as many witnesses as they present, there is no case now,” Franco's lead lawyer Teodosio Jáquez told The Associated Press after the hearing. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Published 5:35 pm Sunday, December 29, 2024 By Chris Lewis For more information on Jimmt Carter’s life and political career please go to https://www.americustimesrecorder.com/category/jimmy-carter/ Timeline: October 1, 1924 Jimmy Carter was born at Wise Sanitorium in Plains, Georgia to James Earl Carter, Sr. (1894-1953) and Bessie Lillian Gordy Carter (1898-1983). He was the firstborn of their four children (Gloria, Ruth, and Billy). Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital. He was born at the Wise Sanitarium. August 18, 1927 Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains, Georgia. Accompanying his mother, a registered nurse, young Jimmy saw his future spouse the next day. About their first encounter, Rosalynn once said, “He looked through the cradle bars and saw me.” March 4, 1933 In the midst of the Great Depression, Franklin Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president. At the time, the Carters lived on a farm in Archery. They moved there from Plains in 1928. June 7, 1937 Plains High School was designated by the state as a “model school” for rural education. Carter started his education at Plains in 1930. He liked school and was an excellent student. His favorite teacher was the school’s superintendent Miss Julia Coleman. June 2, 1941 After he completed the eleventh grade, Carter graduated from Plains High School. There was no twelfth grade at the time. His graduating class had 26 students. He then attended Georgia Southwestern College in nearby Americus for one year and then Georgia Tech in Atlanta for one year. February 13, 1942 Carter and three other students etched their names in the new driveway of the Wheatley Building at Georgia Southwestern College. The students were chosen for this honor because they possessed “strong leadership skills.” June 5, 1946 Carter graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He joined Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower as the only presidents to graduate from one of the military service academies. Grant and Eisenhower graduated from West Point. July 7, 1946 Carter married Rosalynn Smith at the Plains Methodist Church. July 3, 1947 John William (Jack) Carter, the first of the Carters’ four children, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. November 2, 1948 Harry Truman, Carter’s favorite president, was elected to a full term in a dramatic upset victory. April 12, 1950 James Earl (Chip) Carter III, the second of the Carters’ four children, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. August 18, 1952 Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff) Carter, the third of the Carters’ four children, was born in New London, Connecticut. July 22, 1953 His father Earl died at home from pancreatic cancer. After seven years in service, Carter decided to leave the U.S. Navy that fall and return home to Plains. May 17, 1954 In Brown v. Board of Education , The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously declared that state-mandated racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. November 23, 1955 Y. T. Sheffield, the principal at Plains High School, and the school’s board of trustees recommended the selection of Carter to fill a vacancy on the Sumter County Board of Education. A county grand jury formally elected him. December 6, 1955 Carter took his seat on the county school board. His father had previously held the seat until his death. July 5, 1960 Carter started his tenure as the chairman of the Sumter County school board. It was his first board meeting as “our new chairman.” July 18, 1961 Carter lost his first election – a countywide referendum on the consolidation of Sumter County public schools. As the chair of the school board, he led the pro-consolidation side. The next year, he decided to run for the state senate. October 1, 1962 On his birthday, Carter decided to run for the Georgia State Senate. October 16, 1962 The primary election for the Georgia State Senate, District 14, was held. Carter challenged the original vote count. He subsequently exposed election irregularities and fraud. He ultimately won the seat. January 7, 1963 Carter attended his last meeting as a member of the Sumter County school board. It was a called meeting with the Americus city board. Members met at Americus High School. January 14, 1963 Representing seven counties (Sumter, Webster, Stewart, Chattahoochee, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell), Carter was sworn in as a Georgia state senator. June 5, 1964 Senator Carter addressed graduates at Georgia Southwestern. November 3, 1964 Carter re-elected to the Georgia State Senate for another two-year term. March 3, 1966 Carter announced that he intended to run for the U.S. Congress. He expected to challenge the incumbent Republican Howard “Bo” Callaway in the Third Congressional District. He said, “I am confident I can win this race.” He soon dropped his bid in order to run for governor. June 11, 1966 Carter announced from his residence in Plains that he was running for governor. He said in his statement that he pledged “to blend the traditional values of the Old South with the dynamic spirit of the new.” September 14, 1966 In the Georgia Democratic Primary for Governor, Carter finished in third place behind Lester Maddox and Ellis Arnall. During the same month, the first African American students entered Plains High School. October 19, 1967 Amy Carter, the last of the Carters’ four children, was born in Plains, Georgia. April 3, 1970 Carter launched his second bid for governor. He made the announcement in Atlanta. The next day was “Jimmy Carter Day” in Plains. It was a campaign kickoff with entertainment and barbecue for the “home folks.” September 9, 1970 Carter received the most votes in the Democratic primary for governor. However, with 49 percent, he was shy of the majority threshold. Carl Sanders, a former governor, came in second place with 38 percent. A runoff was therefore required between the top two. September 23, 1970 Carter won the Democratic primary runoff. He soundly defeated Sanders by almost 20 percentage points. November 3, 1970 Carter was elected governor of Georgia. He defeated his Republican opponent Hal Suit 59 – 41 percent. Carter won all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties. January 12, 1971 Carter was inaugurated as the 76th governor of Georgia. In his inaugural address, he proclaimed, “The time for racial discrimination is over.” January 29, 1971 Carter returned to Sumter County as governor to dedicate a National Guard armory and to give a speech at Georgia Southwestern College. March 19, 1971 Carter spoke to the Americus and Sumter County Chamber of Commerce. May 31, 1971 With the caption, “Dixie Whistles a Different Tune,” Carter appeared on the front cover of Time magazine. October 17, 1971 During his term as governor, Carter attended Northside Drive Baptist Church. According to the “Governor’s Weekly Schedule,” he taught the “Men’s Bible class” on this date. April 8-23, 1972 Carter visited five countries in Latin America as the state’s “chief diplomat” to promote goodwill and trade between Georgia and the Americas. He visited Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica. April 27, 1972 To highlight the continued oppression of religious groups in the Soviet Union, Carter issued a proclamation declaring April 30 as “Solidarity Day for Soviet Jewry.” July 10-13, 1972 Carter attended the Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach as a delegate. He placed into nomination for president Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson of Washington. Carter even received a few votes for vice president. November 4, 1972 Known as the “Jordan Memo,” Carter advisor Hamilton Jordan drafted a strategy memorandum describing how the Georgia governor could prepare for a presidential run in 1976. May 13-30, 1973 Carter made his second international trip as governor. He visited five countries in Europe and Israel to promote trade, tourism, and general goodwill with Georgia. One trip highlight included a visit to divided Berlin and a brief crossing into communist East Germany for a tour of the capital. June 7, 1973 Carter provided the commencement address at Georgia Southwestern. He announced that the state had approved the construction of the Fine Arts Building. Also, that day, the school library was dedicated in the name of his father Earl Carter. August 9, 1974 Due to the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon resigned. Vice President Gerald Ford assumed the presidency. December 12, 1974 At the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Carter declared that he was a candidate for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination. He was a long shot. He held his first campaign event that evening at the Atlanta Civic Center. January 19, 1976 Carter won the Iowa Caucus. It was his first victory on his way to the Democratic Party’s nomination. The momentum was his. February 24, 1976 Carter finished first in the New Hampshire Primary with the help of some of his most loyal supporters from Georgia, the so-called “Peanut Brigade.” The victory made him the unexpected Democratic frontrunner. March 9, 1976 In the battle for the South, Carter beat George Wallace in the Florida Primary. April 18, 1976 On Easter Sunday, the Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Headquarters officially opened in the Plains Train Depot. The old rail station quickly became a symbol of the campaign. The building was chosen because it was available for use and had a restroom. May 4, 1976 With nearly 90 percent of the vote, Carter won the Georgia presidential primary in a landslide. June 8, 1976 Carter finished with the 1976 primary schedule with a big win in Ohio. He was the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee for president. June 12, 1976 Plains High School Class of 1941 held its 35-year reunion at the Best Western Motel in Americus. Out of a graduating class of 26 students, 21 attended the event. July 15, 1976 Carter formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president at Madison Square Garden in New York City. For vice president, he chose Walter Mondale of Minnesota. September 6, 1976 Carter began his fall campaign in Warm Springs, Georgia. In his remarks, he paid homage to the legacy of Franklin Roosevelt. September 23, 1976 Carter faced President Gerald Ford in the first of three presidential debates. November 2, 1976 In the bicentennial year, with 297 electoral votes, Carter was elected president. He was declared the projected winner by the major news networks early in the morning the next day. January 20, 1977 Carter was inaugurated as the 39th president of the United States. In his inaugural address, he quoted his former teacher at Plains High School Miss Julia Coleman. After the inaugural ceremony, to symbolize the new spirit he was bringing to Washington, President and Mrs. Carter walked down Pennsylvania Avenue. By voice vote, the U.S. Senate quickly confirmed eight of Carter’s cabinet choices, including for the first time two women (Juanita Kreps and Patricia Harris). January 21, 1977 By executive order, Carter unconditionally pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders for a select period between August 1964 to March 1973. February 2, 1977 Carter signed into law his first bill. It was a bill involving the president’s ability to address natural gas emergencies. From the White House Library, Carter also delivered his first national address that day. It was described at the time as a fireside chat on energy. February 8, 1977 From the Old Executive Office Building, Carter provided his first news conference. He held 22 solo press events in his first year. February 11-13, 1977 Carter made his first trip home as the President. He came in on Air Force One and landed at Robins Air Force Base. President Carter, the First Lady, and their daughter Amy then traveled by presidential motorcade to Plains. February 14, 1977 Carter received his first foreign leader at the White House and held his first state dinner. His guest was Mexico’s President Jose Lopez Portillo. February 20, 1977 At the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., Carter taught his first Sunday school class while in office. February 25-27, 1977 Carter and his family spent first weekend at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. March 5, 1977 Appearing on the CBS Radio Network with Walter Cronkite, Carter took part in a telephone call-in program. March 16, 1977 Carter participated in a town hall meeting in Clinton, Massachusetts. March 17, 1977 Carter addressed the U.N. General Assembly in New York. May 5, 1977 To begin his first overseas trip, Carter arrived in London, United Kingdom. May 22, 1977 In South Bend, Indiana, Carter delivered the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame. It is often considered the first major foreign policy speech of his presidency. July 11, 1977 Martin Luther King, Jr. posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Coretta Scott King, on behalf of her late husband, accepted the award from President Carter. August 4, 1977 Carter signed legislation to create the Department of Energy. August 20, 1977 From the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Voyager 1 and 2 were launched by NASA for deep space travel. In case of extraterrestrial contact, each spacecraft contained a golden phonograph of images and sounds from planet Earth. A message from President Carter was included. August 31, 1977 For greater fuel conservation and road safety, Carter issued a statement urging Americans to comply with a 55-mph speed limit. September 1, 1977 Carter opened a U.S. interests section at the Swiss Embassy in Havana, Cuba. September 7, 1977 Carter and Panama’s General Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaties in Washington, D.C. November 1, 1977 Carter signed legislation to incrementally raise the minimum wage to $3.35 an hour. November 5, 1977 Carter vetoed his first bill, an appropriation bill he considered to be wasteful. In total, he issued 31 presidential vetoes. December 21-26, 1977 The First Family spent Christmas in Sumter County. This trip home they took a Marine helicopter, Marine One, from Robins AFB to Plains and landed at Peterson Field. December 30, 1977 In Warsaw, Poland, Carter visited the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. The monument commemorates the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and Jewish resistance during the Second World War. January 5, 1978 Carter visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He was the first U.S. president to visit the site and pay his respects to the “Americans who died for the liberty of France and Europe and for our own freedom.” January 19, 1978 Before a joint session of Congress, Carter delivered his first State of the Union Address. March 16, 1978 The U.S. Senate voted 68 – 32 to approve the first of the Panama Canal treaties that guaranteed the neutrality of the Panama Canal and the U.S. right to defend it. March 28-31, 1978 With visits to Venezuela and Brazil, Carter made his first trip as president to Latin America. Mar. 31-Apr. 3, 1978 With visits to Nigeria and Liberia, Carter was the first U.S. president to visit sub-Saharan Africa. April 18, 1978 The U.S. Senate voted 68 – 32 to approve the second of the Panama Canal treaties that transferred full control of the canal to Panama on December 31, 1999. September 5, 1978 Carter, Egypt’s Anwar Sadat, and Israel’s Menachem Begin started a 13-day summit at Camp David. September 17, 1978 Sadat and Begin signed the Camp David Accords in Washington, D.C. They later shared the year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Carter mediated the diplomatic breakthrough. October 24, 1978 Carter signed into law the Airline Deregulation Act to provide for greater competition in the industry, expansion opportunities, and competitive consumer prices. November 1, 1978 By executive order, Carter established the President’s Commission on the Holocaust. It was chaired by Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and noted writer. November 7, 1978 Democrats retained the House and Senate in the 1978 congressional midterm elections. January 1, 1979 The United States and the People’s Republic of China established full diplomatic relations. It was another major foreign policy achievement for Carter. January 14, 1979 In a speech at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, Carter expressed his support for legislation to make the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. a national holiday. January 16, 1979 The Shah of Iran left his country under pressure from the Iranian Revolution. The unrest in Iran and the Shah’s downfall triggered the second major oil crisis of the decade. January 29, 1979 China’s Deng Xiaoping arrived in Washington, D.C. and welcomed at the White House. It was a dramatic sign of the normalized ties between the two countries. March 7-13, 1979 Carter traveled to the Middle East and shuttled back and forth between Israel and Egypt to secure a peace treaty between the two countries. In Egypt, he toured the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx with Sadat. In Israel, he visited Yad Vashem. After Richard Nixon, he was the second president to visit Israel’s Holocaust Memorial. Carter became the first president to address the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. March 26, 1979 In Washington, Sadat and Begin signed a peace treaty that ended 30-year conflict between Egypt and Israel. April 10, 1979 Carter signed the Taiwan Relations Act to govern U.S. ties with the island after normalization with mainland China. June 18, 1979 Carter and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Treaty (SALT II) at the US-USSR summit in Vienna, Austria. To symbolize détente, the leaders exchanged a diplomatic kiss. June 20, 1979 To encourage the use of alternative energy, Carter had solar panels installed at the White House. July 15, 1979 Carter delivered the “crisis of confidence” speech to the country; critics called it the “malaise” speech. July 17, 1979 Nicaragua’s dictator Anastasio Somoza was forced from power. The Sandinistas assumed control of the Central American country. October 6, 1979 During his visit to the United States, Pope John Paul II was welcomed by the President at the White House. It was a historic first for a pope to visit the White House. October 17, 1979 Carter signed legislation to create the Department of Education. November 4, 1979 Islamic revolutionaries stormed the American embassy in Tehran, Iran and hold Americans hostage. November 7, 1979 From Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy declared his candidacy for the 1980 Democratic Party presidential nomination. At the time, he was favored to win it. December 4, 1979 From the White House, Carter announced he will seek a second term as president. December 27, 1979 The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. January 4, 1980 Carter delivered a national address on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. He announced a series of punitive actions, including a grain embargo. January 21, 1980 In “a vote of confidence from Iowa Democrats,” Carter defeated Kennedy by a wide margin in the Iowa Caucus. January 23, 1980 In his last State of the Union Address, in what became known as the “Carter Doctrine,” the President warned the Soviet Union not to interfere with the Persian Gulf. February 24, 1980 The United States won the gold medal in hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York by defeating Finland 4-2. On route to the gold, Team USA defeated the Soviet Union 4-3 in the “Miracle on Ice.” February 26, 1980 Carter won the New Hampshire Primary 47-37 percent over Kennedy. March 11, 1980 With primary wins in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, Carter was successful in the original “Super Tuesday.” April 20, 1980 The Mariel boatlift from Cuba was initiated. Fidel Castro asserted that any Cuban who wanted to leave the island was free to leave. Approximately 125,000 “Marielitos” came to the United States by October. It became a “very challenging problem” for the Carter presidency. April 24, 1980 Operation Eagle Claw – hostage rescue mission failed in Iran. Eight U.S. soldiers died. John Anderson announced he was running as an independent for president. May 17, 1980 Violence broke out Miami, Florida for three days after an all-white jury acquitted police officers in the beating death of an African American named Arthur McDuffie. May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens erupted in Washington State. June 1, 1980 In remarks to reporters, Carter said, “The riots in Miami...are certainly a reminder that we need to redouble our efforts to alleviate the problems of people of all races, in all locations in our country, who are suffering from economic deprivation or some kind of social or legal justice deprivation.” His remarks were carried live on the Atlanta-based Cable News Network (CNN), the network’s first day on the air broadcasting 24-hour news. June 3, 1980 On the last day of the Democratic primaries, Carter won in Ohio, West Virginia, and Montana. However, he lost in five states, most notably California. June 9, 1980 Carter awarded Admiral Hyman Rickover the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Carter once served under Rickover in the U.S. Navy who challenged him to do his best. June 21, 1980 Carter met with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. July 1, 1980 Carter signed legislation to establish a site for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. July 9, 1980 Carter attended a memorial service for Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira who died suddenly from a heart attack at age 70 on June 12. He met with Emperor Hirohito at the Imperial Palace. It was the last foreign trip of his presidency. July 19, 1980 The Summer Olympics games opened in Moscow. The U.S. boycotted the event. August 14, 1980 At the 1980 Democratic National Convention in New York City, Carter and Mondale formally accepted the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominations. Former rival Senator Kennedy refused to grasp Carter’s hand and raise it high in a sign of party unity. September 1, 1980 Carter began his fall campaign in Tuscumbia, Alabama. He told his fellow southerners, “Stick with me, and we’ll win.” September 22, 1980 The Iran-Iraq War started. It lasted for nearly eight years. September 26, 1980 To better regulate the substance, quality, and safety of baby food, Carter signed into law the Infant Formula Act. October 7, 1980 Carter signed into law the Mental Health Systems Act, a policy priority of the First Lady. October 10, 1980 Carter signed into law legislation creating the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia. October 28, 1980 In Cleveland, Ohio, President Carter and Governor Reagan faced off in the one presidential election debate between the major party candidates. November 4, 1980 On Election Day 1980, the Carters were in Plains and they cast their ballots at the Plains High School. In a national landslide, winning 44 of 50 states, Reagan defeated Carter 489 – 49 in the Electoral College. Carter became the fourth sitting president in the 20th century to lose an election. The day was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Iranian hostage crisis. December 2, 1980 Carter signed into law the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The legislation set aside millions of acres for land conservation and national parks. December 11, 1980 Also known as the Superfund, Carter signed into law the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This legislation empowered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up toxic waste sites and spills. December 23-26, 1980 The Carters returned home for the Christmas holiday. They spent Christmas Day in Plains and in Buena Vista. January 1, 1981 In college football, Georgia defeated Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, 17-10. The win earned the Bulldogs their first national championship. The President and Mrs. Carter attended the game in New Orleans, Louisiana. January 4, 1981 At the First Baptist Church he had been attending since the start of his presidency, Carter taught his last Sunday school class while in office. He taught Sunday school nineteen times as president. In White House Diary , Carter wrote, “I taught a lesson from the ninth chapter of Luke, about the service of others being the measure of greatness.” January 8-11, 1981 Carter’s last trip home to Sumter County as President of the United States. The purpose of the visit was to prepare for the post-presidency. January 14, 1981 President Carter delivered his farewell address. He said, “America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way around. Human rights invented America.” January 19, 1981 Carter announced that an agreement had been reached in Algiers, Algeria to end the 444-day hostage crisis. January 20, 1981 Ronald Reagan took the oath of office as the 40th president. Minutes later, Iran released the American hostages. Former president Carter headed back to Plains. The next day, he flew to Wiesbaden, West Germany to greet the hostages. January 25, 1981 The Carters attended Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. It became their home church. Carter taught Sunday school there for the next four decades. October 6, 1981 President Sadat, arguably Carter’s closest friend on the world stage, was assassinated by Muslim extremists during a military parade in Cairo. April 6, 1982 The Carter Center is founded. Its purpose is to alleviate human suffering by resolving conflict, promoting democracy, and advancing health. April 21, 1982 Carter was named University Distinguished Professor at Emory University in Atlanta. October 11, 1982 With the words, “Facing Up to the Middle East,” Carter appeared on the front cover of Time magazine. It was the first of his post-presidency. August 31, 1983 Carter formally endorsed former vice president Walter Mondale for president at his mountain cabin near Ellijay, Ga. October 30, 1983 At age 85, “Miss Lillian” Carter passed away. She was buried with her husband at the Lebanon Cemetery in Plains. Carter wrote a book about his mother in 2008, A Remarkable Mother . September 3, 1984 In New York City, the inaugural Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project took place. Earlier in March, they partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing in Americus. Over the years, the Carters have participated in many housing efforts in the United States and in other countries. Thousands of Habitat volunteers have helped them. The New York Times published an article on this date entitled, “Carpenter Named Carter Comes to New York.” October 1, 1986 The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated in Atlanta, Georgia. Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan attended the opening ceremony. December 23, 1987 President Reagan signed into law legislation creating the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, Georgia. May 7, 1989 The Carter Center monitored its first election. The election was in Panama. Presidents Carter and Ford participated as international observers. February 25, 1990 Carter observed the presidential election in Nicaragua. The Sandinista leader was rejected by the voters and power was peacefully transferred to the opposition. June 19, 1994 Carter went to the Clinton White House to discuss his recent visit to North Korea and his nuclear talks with its leader Kim Il Sung. September 17, 1994 Ahead of a likely U.S. military intervention, Carter joined Georgia senator Sam Nunn and General Colin Powell on a diplomatic effort to Haiti to meet with the military government. December 22, 1998 After the House impeached Bill Clinton, Carter and Ford co-authored article, “A Time to Heal Our Nation,” that appeared in the New York Times . They recommended that the Congress censure the President for his role in the Lewinsky Affair, but not to remove him from office. August 9, 1999 Carter received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton. December 14, 1999 Carter spoke at a ceremony in Panama to mark the transfer of full control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama. Referring to the canal, Carter told Panama’s president, “It is yours.” Panama officially assumed full control on December 31. October 19, 2000 Because of its “increasingly rigid” stands on women and scriptural interpretation, Carter announced in a widely distributed letter, “I have finally decided that, after 65 years, I can no longer be associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.” May 14, 2002 Carter spoke at the University of Havana in Cuba. His remarks, including remarks on human rights, were broadcast on state television and radio. He was the first president to visit the island since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. December 10, 2002 In Oslo, Norway, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize and delivered the Nobel Lecture. March 9, 2003 Expressing his opposition to the looming Iraq War, Carter’s article, “Just War – or a Just War?” was published in the New York Times . February 7, 2006 Carter delivered remarks at the funeral service of Coretta Scott King in Lithonia, Georgia. May 23, 2006 Surpassing the previous record set by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson of 25 years and 122 days, Carter and Mondale became the longest living presidential-vice presidential team in U.S. history. November 7, 2006 Jack Carter, the Carters’ eldest son, was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Nevada. January 3, 2007 In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Carter eulogized his former Republican rival President Ford during funeral service. July 18, 2007 In Johannesburg, South Africa, Carter joined Nelson Mandela and other former world leaders to form the Elders to address intractable global issues. May 4, 2013 Georgia state senator Jason Carter, who ran for governor the next year, delivered the commencement address at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. His famous grandfather introduced him. September 1-10, 2014 Carter visited China to commemorate 35 years of normalized relations between the United States and China. He visited the cities of Beijing, Xi’an, Qingdao, Shanghai. October 1, 2014 Carter celebrated his 90th birthday. He became the sixth president to live into his nineties. May 8-10, 2015 Carter traveled to Guyana as part of a Carter Center project to monitor elections. He cut his trip short due to illness. August 20, 2015 At a press conference at the Carter Center, Carter stated that his liver cancer had metastasized to the brain. He said had he had a wonderful life and what life he had left was in God’s hands. Locals placed signs around Plains and Sumter County reading, “Jimmy Carter for Cancer Survivor.” By December, Carter announced that his treatments were working, and he was effectively cancer-free. September 22, 2017 Carter’s 1942 cement etching was removed and relocated to the new Presidential Plaza at Georgia Southwestern. Carter participated in the dedication ceremony and also made a new cement etching of his name. March 27, 2018 Carter authored his thirtieth book – Faith: A Journey for All . May 19, 2018 Carter delivered the commencement address at Liberty University, a conservative evangelical school in Lynchburg, Va. The school was founded in 1971 by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr. March 22, 2019 Carter, at age 94, became the oldest living president in U.S. history. For the record, he surpassed George H. W. Bush. September 13, 2019 The President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program was established at Georgia Southwestern State University to honor the legacy of the school’s most famous alumnus. The program’s inaugural group of students started school that fall and met the former president in Plains. October 17, 2019 The Carter Center announced that the Carters became “the longest married presidential couple.” The previous record was the 73-year marriage of George and Barbara Bush. February 17, 2020 On Presidents’ Day, Carter participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil to the public the new historical exhibits at the Plains High School. January 13, 2021 The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Redesignation Act became law. The measure to upgrade the status of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop. April 19, 2021 At age 93, Vice President Mondale died at his home in Minneapolis. Carter called him “a model of public service” and “the best vice president in our country’s history.” July 7, 2021 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in Plains. November 2, 2021 The Atlanta Braves won Major League Baseball’s World Series. The Carters were always big fans and attended home games when they could. Sometimes, the love between them was captured by the kiss cam. A postgame statement from the couple read, “We are thrilled to congratulate our beloved hometown Atlanta Braves for winning their 3rd World Series in our lifetime.” January 5, 2022 For the one-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack that aimed to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, Carter’s article, “I Fear for Our Democracy,” was published in the New York Times . For more information on Jimmt Carter’s life and political career please go to https://www.americustimesrecorder.com/category/jimmy-carter/

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Hello PROJECTION! Joy Reid Says Your Trump Supporting, Democracy-Ending Family Will 'Turn You In'

UK to tax private schools in £1.5 bn boost to public educationHow co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageIt’s been a long, fun holiday tournament season. There have been big crowds at games all over the state. High school basketball is alive and well in Illinois, despite the lack of star power in the senior and junior classes. So far I’ve had a chance to visit the Plano Christmas Classic, the Hinkle Holiday Classic at Jacobs, the Pontiac Holiday Tournament and Rich’s Big Dipper. I’ll be at York’s Jack Tosh and maybe stop in at Hinsdale Central over the next two days. The long, drawn-out holiday tournament season does have one significant drawback. It was very awkward updating the rankings before all the holiday tournaments finished. Kenwood drops out of the top spot after losing to Rich in the Big Dipper semifinals. Rich , despite a shaky overall season, vaults up to No. 2. There isn’t a team in the state playing better than the Raptors right now and that’s an important factor in the rankings. DePaul Prep takes over at No. 1. It’s the first time the Rams have been on top since the short COVID season. That was a difficult decision because Kenwood beat DePaul Prep the first week of the season. But the Rams have been rock solid since then and winning the Pontiac Holiday Tournament is the premier accomplishment in the state during the regular season. St. Ignatius, Geneva and Bloom drop out. Fremd was an easy addition after winning the Wheeling tournament. New Trier returns after beating Bloom and Joliet West and giving Curie a great test at Pontiac. Deerfield makes its season debut. The Warriors lost to Fremd in the Wheeling title game and have a win against Evanston on their resume. Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Dec. 29, 2024 With record and last week’s ranking 1. DePaul Prep (14-1) 2 Pontiac champs 2. Rich (7-4) 20 Big Dipper champs 3. Kenwood (13-1) 1 Lost to Rich 4. Brother Rice (13-0) 4 In title game at Hinsdale Central 5. Bolingbrook (12-2) 5 Faces Metamora Monday 6. Waubonsie Valley (12-0) 3 Jacobs champs 7. Warren (10-2) 9 Proviso West champs 8. Homewood-Flossmoor (13-2) 7 Jayden Tyler is a star 9. Benet (13-2) 18 Beat Simeon 10. Simeon (8-4) 12 Leaving Pontiac 11. Lincoln Park (13-3) 8 Fell short against Warren 12. Curie (10-3) 15 Lost to DePaul Prep 13. Kankakee (10-1) 11 Champs at Kankakee 14. Niles North (10-3) 10 Lost to Hinsdale Central 15. Fenwick (12-2) 13 Still alive at York 16. Mount Carmel (11-2) 14 Finished third at Pekin 17. Hinsdale Central (11-2) 25 Hosts Brother Rice in title game 18. Waukegan (10-3) 19 Champs at Elgin 19. Young (9-5) 16 Lost to Warren 20. Hersey (12-1) 19 Played well at Pekin 21. St. Laurence (11-3) 6 Lost to Lyons 22. Fremd (13-1) NR Champs at Wheeling 23. Marist (13-2) 24 Lost in semis at Centralia 24. New Trier (13-4) NR Proved a lot at Pontiac 25. Deerfield (11-4) NR Second place at Wheeling

Roborock Sweeps Into Summer with Qrevo Edge and Qrevo CurvIndustry body CII on Sunday pitched for cuts in personal income tax rates and excise duty on fuel and introducing consumption vouchers in the upcoming budget to boost consumption. Engineering Exports Promotion Council (EEPC) has proposed a faceless GST audit system to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 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 "Domestic consumption has been critical to India's growth story, but inflationary pressures have somewhat eroded the purchasing power of consumers," said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). "Government interventions could focus on enhancing disposable incomes and stimulating spending to sustain economic momentum." Persistent food inflation pressures impinge upon low-income rural households who allocate a larger share to food in their consumption basket, Banerjee said. Retail inflation fell to 5.5% in November, after rising to a high of 6.2% in October. Reducing excise duty on fuel, which constitutes a significant part of household expenses, would lower inflation and increase disposable income, CII said. It also suggested reducing the marginal tax rate for personal income up to ₹20 lakh per annum, which would encourage higher consumption and enhance tax revenue. "The gap between the highest marginal rate for individuals at 42.74% and the normal corporate tax rate at 25.17 %, is high," CII said in its release. Additionally, it proposed raising the daily minimum wage under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to ₹375 from ₹267, which would involve an additional expenditure of ₹42,000 crore. The annual payout under the PM-Kisan scheme should also be raised to ₹8,000 from ₹6,000, incurring an additional cost of ₹20,000 crore, assuming 100 million beneficiaries, the industry body said. 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View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Unit costs under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana -Gramin (PMAY-G) and PMAY-U (Urban) should also be increased, it added. CII suggested the introduction of consumption vouchers for specific items and timeframes. These vouchers could target Jan-Dhan account holders who are not beneficiaries of other welfare schemes. Banerjee highlighted a decline in household savings due to lower returns on bank deposits compared to equities and mutual funds, combined with higher tax burdens on interest income. To address this, CII recommended reducing the tax rate on interest income from deposits and shortening the lock-in period for fixed deposits with preferential tax treatment from five years to three years. EEPC India has proposed the introduction of a faceless goods and services tax (GST) audit system. "This system, by using technology and ensuring anonymity, will reduce compliance costs...(and) streamline procedures, allowing MSMEs to focus on growth and innovation," said Pankaj Chadha, chairman of EEPC India. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Giants' Jones takes responsibility, ponders future

How to break your food delivery habit in 2025World News | Biden Admin Expects Continuation of Bipartisan Support to India-US Relationship: WH

london piccadilly circus NoneNoneBIOVAXYS ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF FIRST TRANCHE OF PRIVATE PLACEMENT AND ANNOUNCES DEBT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

City to sterilise beloved Japanese monkeysThe resolution creating the committee focused in particular on Willis’ hiring of special prosecutor Nathan Wade, with whom she had a romantic relationship, to lead the prosecution against Trump and others.

The Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has identified about 150 opaque legislations inhibiting and weakening Nigeria’s economic growth. The Group said its dedicated center, Earnest Shonekan Centre, was currently working on these opaque legislations with a view to coming up with corrective versions. NESG Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, disclosed this over the weekend at a quarterly engagement with the media. Reviewing economic performance in 2024, NESG suggested that the debt procured should be tied to projects abd not consumption. While he noted inflation was decelerating, he said the pace of declaration wasn’t one to be excited about. “This is because of the structural defects driving inflation – fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange are still high,” he said. He said for economic growth to be achieved, growth would have to be redirected. “And there are a couple of other ones that need to be accelerated for us to drive growth. So I think there’s a lot on that. “Ultimately, we must redirect economic policy for growth. The balance sheet must reflect that growth. The investment priorities, the debt must reflect that growth. “Spending plans must reflect that we are prioritised for growth. But we cannot pursue growth without carrying our people along. Social investments must increase. “But without transmission efficiency and transparency, Nigerians will not accept that we are doing social investments. Like I said when I began, the social investments have struggled to gain citizen trust. Because a lot of them, the citizens, can’t see broad accountabilities for them. “On the look out, if you look at what’s happening in the inflation in terms of the momentum, the momentum has started slowing down”, he said. Speaking on the country’s debt profile, he said attention shouldn’t be on the debt profile but rather, the purposes the debts are put on to. “What do you do about the debt profile? The philosophy of sovereign debt has to do more with your strategy for growth. And I think the frustration should not be about the debt profile. The frustration is debt for what. “If all your debt is consumption debt, it’s not driving the factors of production, which triggers higher levels of productivity, which allows you to grow and, of course, allows you to pay for the debt when there’s a problem. “So I think our conversations should shift beyond debt to GDP, debt to revenue servicing. Before, debt to revenue servicing was a big problem.”UN watchdog to conduct probe into sexual misconduct allegations against top international prosecutor