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Face of King Tut's grandmother is reconstructed using her 3,400-year-old remainsThe best full English breakfasts around Wycombe that won't break the bankVoluntary schemes set standards for the production of sustainable fuels and gases – Hydrogen included Voluntary schemes and national certification schemes of EU countries help to ensure that biofuels, bioliqui ds and biomass fuels as well as renewable hydrogen and its derivatives (renewable fuels of non-biological origin or RFNBOs), and recycled carbon fuels (RCF) are sustainably produced by verifying that they comply with the , as well as the relevant methodologies for RFNBOs and RCF. As such, the schemes check that Several schemes also take into account additional sustainability aspects such as soil, water, air protection and social criteria. For the certification process, an external auditor verifies the whole production chain from the origin of the raw material and energy to the fuel producer or trader. While the schemes are run privately, the European Commission can recognise them as compliant with the rules included in the Renewable Energy Directive. Voluntary schemes under the Renewable Energy Directive The EU sustainability criteria cover the production of fuels and energy from agricultural as well as forest biomass and organic waste. Detailed rules describing the certification process are enshrined in the Implementing Regulation on sustainability certification. The sustainability framework for bioenergy has been complemented by rules ensuring the sustainability of renewable hydrogen and its derivates. The European Commission adopted delegated acts including criteria for the sourcing of renewable electricity that is used for the production of RFNBOs as well as a methodology for determining emission savings of RFNBOs and RCF. Interested voluntary schemes may apply for recognition by the Commission under the sustainability framework. The Commission will assess the applications by applying the following . In case schemes are interested to certify also RFNBOs and RCF an will be used. Recognition criteria For a scheme to be recognised by the Commission, it must fulfil criteria such as The decision recognising a voluntary scheme has usually a legal period of validity of 5 years. the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Voluntary schemes set standards for the production of sustainable fuels and gases – Hydrogen included, CertifHy Achieves Official Recognition by the European Commission to Issue RFNBO Certification Brussels – 23/12/2024 – CertifHy, a pioneer in hydrogen and e-fuels certification, proudly announces its official... Euractiv – Hydrogen 2.0: Strengthening the EU’s role as a global leader A stable regulatory environment, international cooperation and more focus on hydrogen derivatives are key for Europe to scale its hydrogen... John Cockerill, Johnson Matthey and ETFuels Announce Strategic Partnership for 120,000 ton Texas e-Methanol Project ETFuels has selected John Cockerill and Johnson Matthey as key strategic partners for its 120,000 ton...

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Musk shares wild conspiracy as to why Ellen DeGeneres has left the United StatesKuni Tyessi in Abuja The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) in its skills qualification framework has revealed that it has targeted 1.5 million Nigerians for digital skills in the year 2025. It says it will achieve this through partnership and collaborations with reputable organisations with high impact on information technology, new digital skills development centres and the provision of support to accredited digital skills training centres. It says betting the targeted number for digital skills, the aim of the 3-day workshop was to validate the newly developed National Occupational Standards which will enable the creations of new digital skills under the Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework to be awarded by the Council. Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN)’s Validation Workshop of National Occupational Standards in ICT, the Registrar of the Council, Mr. Muhammed Bello Aliyu, said the new standards were developed to provide competences in over 35 digital skills areas. He said the framework aims at promoting lifelong learning which is necessary to enhance employability and provide quality assurance and recognition that qualifications are relevant to perceived social and economic needs. He added that the Council is setting the pace for a national digital transformation and providing support for innovation and digital economy through education and has taken the burden of bridging the gap created by unavailability of qualitative technical and vocational education. According to him, “Our desire as the awarding body for NSQ-ICT is to ensure that 1.5 million Nigerians acquire digital skills in 2025. This will be achieved through partnerships and collaborations. “The Nigerian Skills Qualifications Framework is a system for the development, classification and recognition of skills, knowledge, understanding and competencies acquired by individuals, irrespective of where and how the training or skill was acquired.” He said it is hoped that candidates who will be trained using the National Occupational Standards will be able to work and develop the local economy as well as be able to outsource opportunities.

SOUTH EASTON, Mass. (AP) — Louie Semona's 22 points helped Stonehill defeat New Hampshire 90-83 on Sunday. Semona also added six rebounds for the Skyhawks (7-7). Chas Stinson scored 16 points while going 6 of 10 and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line and added five assists and three steals. Josh Morgan shot 4 of 8 from the field, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 4 from the line to finish with 12 points. Sami Pissis finished with 20 points for the Wildcats (2-12). Khalil Badru added 15 points for New Hampshire. Giancarlo Bastianoni also put up 14 points and 12 rebounds. The loss was the Wildcats' sixth in a row. Stonehill's next game is Sunday against Lafayette on the road, and New Hampshire visits Iowa on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Streamoz Enhances Streaming Experience With New Features And Improvements

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I like Martha Stewart. Always have. Two recent documentaries, "Martha" on Netflix and the CNN series "The Many Lives of Martha Stewart," follow the Greek drama that make Stewart a cultural fascination to this day. They recount the jihad against this visionary who came under attack for being a woman with fierce ambition. Admittedly, Stewart's hardedged perfectionism and nuclear-powered drive had created some tension with her product, the "soft" home arts of cooking, flower arranging and chair reupholstering. But did she have to be destroyed? Sure, Stewart engaged in some insider trading that may have seemed nothing more than an innocent stock tip. She shouldn't have lied about it to the FBI. But did journalist Dominick Dunne have to call her the "Goddess of Greed" over a transaction that saved the creator of a billion-dollar business only $45,673? It sure didn't merit five months in prison. In 1987, the cultural hyenas jumped on her for signing a $5 million contract with Kmart. Stewart was allegedly "selling out" the domestic lifestyle she had cultivated, moving away from authenticity toward mass production and profit. Heaven forfend. The year before, The Disney Co.'s CEO walked off with a $90 million severance check after 14 months of undistinguished performance. She was tenacious. So what? Male executives wore that badge proudly. This woman built a business empire based on creating artistic cheese trays and making wreaths from dry leaves. Try that, Elon Musk. Some of her trouble came in the sub-message that our home lives had turned slovenly because Americans had stopped caring about family dinners and dust balls under the sofa. Some translated that not as a call to do better but as an indictment. But Stewart had no army. Those who accused her of creating unrealistic expectations for women juggling work and family should have been asked: Whose expectations? One could simply enjoy watching her on TV or reading her magazine, Martha Stewart Living. Her projects were properly labeled "aspirational." I once tried to follow her instructions for coloring cloth with natural vegetable dyes. Two hours later, I ended up with blotchy fabric and hands stained by beet juice. I tried, I failed, and I had a funny story to tell. I was intrigued by her demonstration on how to roll an ironed tablecloth in parchment paper to prevent wrinkles. And how nice that she could whip up 80 perfectly iced little cakes in no time. I can't do a single backflip. Must I resent Simone Biles for executing a triple-double in one move? It took Superwoman strength to plant an orchard with 122 trees and who knows how many rose bushes. One interviewer noted that people living in Detroit or New York City couldn't do rose gardens. She responded, "But yes, they want roses." The fantasy was more than half the point. Women were among her leading inquisitors. One called her "the most intimidating homemaker on earth." Another female interviewer tells her, "Either they worship you or they say you make us crazy." There was a third possibility — that they found her entertaining. Stewart can lay claim to two heroic feats: She played a big part in improving the quality of American homelife. And she rebuilt a business that had been left for dead. Above all, Martha was a great tough broad. You saw how TV's Larry King kept badgering her about her failed marriage in a way that would have seemed bizarre had the executive been a man. "I had sacrificed a marriage because of the allure of a great job," she finally relented. And she didn't regret it? She did not. I like Stewart, still going strong at 83. More than ever. Harrop, who lives in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island, writes for Creators Syndicate: fharrop@gmail.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 26 November 2024 at 22:30 EET Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 26.11.2024 Espoo, Finland - On 26 November 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia's Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 26 November 2024 was 3,494,389. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 361,446,696 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today - and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: [email protected] Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 40 803 4080 Email: [email protected] Attachment Daily Report 2024-11-26

Spain's monarch pays tribute to the victims of Valencia floods in his Christmas Eve speechAs snow blankets the Colorado mountains, outdoor enthusiasts have a unique opportunity: the winter hut trip. Whether you’re a skier or a snowshoer, a hut trip offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nature while exploring the rugged beauty of the state’s wilderness and enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of a cozy mountain hut. From the towering peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the snow-covered trails in Summit County, Colorado’s winter hut trips provide an unforgettable experience for adventurers of all levels. Huts fill up fast, so check each property’s for pricing and availability. Located between Telluride and Silverton near the top of Ophir Pass in the San Juan Mountains, the Opus Hut was built for backcountry skiers, mountaineers, hikers and mountain bikers. At 11,700 feet, the hut sits at treeline with low-angle glades below and open slopes above. While intermediate powder skiing is available out the back door of the hut, owner Travis Mohrman said the terrain is best suited for experienced backcountry skiers. Mohrman estimates that 15% to 20% of the groups visiting Opus Hut do so with guides. “They’re not personally comfortable with the terrain or they’re not from the area,” Mohrman said. “They guides are knowledgeable about local conditions — what the snow is, what’s safe and what’s not safe.” The cabin accommodates up to 20 people in five rooms. Some visitors book the whole hut and bring friends and family, while others reserve available beds in unbooked rooms. The hut features solar-powered lighting and 110-volt outlets for charging electronic devices. It also has filtered drinking water, hot and cold tap water, and indoor composting toilets. It provides full bedding and clean sleeping bag liners. During winter, the hut has four to six employees who sleep in a separate cabin. They prepare meals with natural, organic, and, when possible, locally grown products. The hut accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets–just be sure to inform the staff beforehand. It also offers beer, wine, and a limited selection of spirits for purchase. “You can travel much lighter if you don’t have to bring in your food,” said Mohrman, who took over the hut three years ago. “You don’t have to focus on the upkeep of being in the backcountry.” Reservations for Opus Hut open Aug. 1. “The winter fills up quick,” Mohrman said. “Every winter weekend books in the first five minutes.” Nestled at 11,200 feet in the San Juan National Forest, Campfire Ranch Red Mountain Pass is the perfect base for exploring world-class skiing, split boarding, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. Located between Silverton and Ouray, it’s is accessible during the winter via a half-mile backcountry over-snow approach. Campfire Ranch is an ideal choice for novices. While other Colorado hut systems require you to carry your own food, bring sleeping bags, and live off-grid, this one provides food service, solar-powered electricity, Wi-Fi, and bedding. The dog-friendly cabin accommodates eight people. “We took a hospitality approach to remove barriers to entry for people who want to have the experience but don’t have the gear or the knowledge,” said Katrin Meiusi, director of marketing for the properties. Campfire Ranch first opened a campground on the Taylor River in Almont near Crested Butte. RVs are not permitted at the campground, which is open from May to October. Amenities include unlimited firewood, clean bathrooms, and drinkable well water. The 38 backcountry huts managed by the non-profit 10th Mountain Division Hut Association are connected by 350 miles of trails among some of the tallest peaks in the lower 48 states. All huts, some of which accommodate up to 17 people, have kitchens with propane burners for cooking — propane is provided. They provide pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, a percolator or French press for coffee, salt and pepper, paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and trash bags. Some huts have ovens and propane grills. All huts provide lighting from on-site solar power, propane or a generator. A few huts also have outlets for charging small devices such as phones. The huts have either an outhouse or an indoor bathroom with toilet paper supplied. All huts include mattresses and pillows, but you must bring your sleeping bag and pillowcase. Summit Hut Association operates five backcountry huts open for winter from November to May. Francie’s and Janet’s cabins are also open for summer use from July to September. All huts have solar-powered lights, fully stocked kitchens, and wood-burning stoves. Francie’s, Janet’s, and Sisters’ cabins have saunas and indoor toilets. The association hosts its annual Backcountry Ball fundraiser in October at The Maggie on Peak to kick off the season. The event includes dinner, drinks, a silent auction and entertainment. Proceeds help maintain the network of backcountry cabins.

The old adage that “speed kills” is ringing true among the world’s fastest roller coasters that have been closing at an alarming rate — but fortunately for thrill seekers a new coaster king will soon arise in 2025. Kingda Ka at New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure — the reigning champ for speed (128 mph) and height (456 feet) — became the latest of the world’s fastest coasters to fall. ALSO SEE: Six Flags to spend $1 billion on 11 coasters over next 2 years Six Flags announced last week that Kingda Ka would be removed and replaced by a new record-breaking launch coaster in 2026. “Kingda Ka has delivered more than 12 million rides since 2005,” Six Flags said in a statement. “What was cutting edge roller coaster technology 20 years ago has been surpassed by more modern advancements.” Four other coasters on Roller Coaster Database’s world’s fastest list are currently “standing but not operating.” That leaves Red Force (112 mph) at Spain’s Ferrari Land as the reigning world’s fastest coaster. Fury 325 (95 mph) at North Carolina’s Carowinds currently holds the title as America’s fastest coaster . The Superman reverse freefall launch coaster will reclaim the U.S. title it hasn’t held in more than two decades when the Magic Mountain ride eventually returns to operation. The Superman: Escape from Krypton coaster closed for repairs in September, according to Magic Mountain officials. A reopening date has not yet been announced. ALSO SEE: Six Flags Magic Mountain plans 21st roller coaster for 2026 The record-setting coaster opened at Magic Mountain in 1997 as Superman: The Escape — tying Tower of Terror at Australia’s Dreamworld as the world’s fastest coaster. The nearly identical Intamin shuttle coasters shared the throne until the 112 mph Dodonpa coaster opened in 2001 at Japan’s Fuji-Q Highland. Cedar Point’s Top Thrill Dragster grabbed the title of world’s fastest coaster in 2003 with a top speed of 120 mph. Kingda Ka became the king of the world when the top hat-style Intamin Accelerator coaster debuted in 2005. Formula Rossa snatched the world’s fastest crown in 2010, but the coaster has been closed since January to repair the launch system — a process that can take a year or more, according to Screamscape . Ring Racer remains an expensive but worthless white elephant — operating for only a few days when it opened in 2013, but still “standing but not operating” to this day. ALSO SEE: Coaster war brewing between Six Flags Magic Mountain and relatively unknown European rival Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa, Cedar Point’s Top Thrill 2 and Magic Mountain’s Superman are all eventually expected to reopen. Cedar Point closed Top Thrill Dragster for the entire 2022 and 2023 seasons after a metal piece flew off the ride and seriously injured a woman waiting in the attraction queue in August 2021. The rechristened Top Thrill 2 replaced the Intamin hydraulic launch system with a Zamperla electro-magnetic propulsion launch system in May — but the ride only operated for about a week before the park closed the coaster again due to mechanical issues. The world’s fastest coaster list will be reshuffled again in 2025 when Falcon’s Flight debuts at Six Flags Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia. Falcon’s Flight will become the world’s fastest coaster at a blistering 155 mph — 6 mph faster than Formula Rossa’s top speed of 149 mph.

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Stocks closed higher on Tuesday, even as a single biotech slid as much as 12% and dragged on the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average. Yields were up too after President-elect Donald Trump said he'll impose new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China on day one of his new administration. "On Friday, the President-elect used his Truth Social platform to announce hedge fund manager Scott Bessent as his Treasury Secretary, cheering markets with a relatively conventional pick to steer the world's No. 1 economy," writes Bloomberg's Alan Crawford . "But any vague hopes that Trump was going mainstream were short-lived," Crawford continues. "He sent investors into a flap with another post yesterday pledging to hit Mexico and Canada with tariffs of 25% on 'ALL products' entering the US, plus levies of 10% on China." Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. Investors seemed to shrug off the president-elect's after-hours post, reverting to the cautious optimism generated by the Bessent nomination . In an October interview with Matt Peterson of Barron's, Bessent expressed his belief that Trump "won't do anything to take the economy off the cliff." Noting that Alexander Hamilton, America's first Treasury secretary, "also happened to be America's original proponent of tariffs," Bessent in a November 15 Fox News op-ed suggests Trump will deploy them "as a negotiating tool with our trading partners." As Peterson frames it in a follow-up filed today, "The new tariffs plan raises this question: How far Trump can push his attempts at an international economic reordering without upsetting the markets?" Following Monday's sharp declines as investors priced in their initial reaction to the Bessent nomination, yields on both the 10-year U.S. Treasury note and the 2-year U.S. Treasury bill rose again early on Tuesday. The yield on the 10-year was up 3 basis points to 4.30% as of 4 pm Eastern time, while the 2-year yield gave back most of the 5 basis points it added intraday and closed flat at 4.25%. The S&P 500 was up 0.6% at 6,021 – its second-ever close above the 6K level. The Nasdaq Composite added 0.6% to 19,174. And the Dow rallied off its intraday low and closed higher by 0.3% at 44,860. Amgen weighs on the Dow Amgen ( AMGN ) traded down as much as 12.3% Tuesday after the company reported Phase 2 trial data for its weight-loss drug that came up short of Wall Street expectations for its efficacy. The biotech stock closed down 4.8% at $280.01, dragging on the Dow. The drugmaker said non-diabetic overweight or obese patients lost an average of 20% of their body weight after a year on its MariTide therapy, with no plateau. Those results are in line with data for Eli Lilly's ( LLY ) Zepbound, but they're also at the low end of Wall Street expectations. Mizuho Securities America healthcare strategist Jared Holz told CNBC that "investors remain even more confident" that LLY and Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) will lead the weight loss drug market. Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug is called Wegovy. William Blair analyst Matt Phipps said AMGN still offers "a differentiated product profile versus currently approved GLP-1 therapies" and that MariTide has "potential for meaningful market share." Amgen said it will test MariTide in a Phase 3 clinical trial. Stocks on the move Kohl's ( KSS ) stock plunged 17% after the retailer came up short of top- and bottom-line expectations for its third quarter and slashed its full-year outlook due to softness in its apparel and footwear businesses. "We are not satisfied with our performance in 2024 and are taking aggressive action to reverse the sales declines," said CEO Tom Kingsbury in what is his last statement on the retailer's quarterly results as its chief executive. On Monday, Kohl's announced that Kingsbury will step down on January 15, 2025. Ashley Buchanan, the former CEO of Michael's, will become Kohl's third CEO since 2018. Best Buy ( BBY ) stock fell 4.9% after the electronics retailer missed top- and bottom-line expectations for its fiscal third quarter. Management also trimmed Best Buy's full-year outlook. Citing "a combination of the ongoing macro uncertainty, customers waiting for deals and sales events, and distraction during the run-up to the election," CEO Corie Barry said Best Buy "delivered an in-line non-GAAP operating income rate" even though sales "were a little softer than expected." The consumer discretionary stock has enjoyed a solid 2024, rising more than 20% even accounting for Tuesday's decline. But Best Buy is among the companies most exposed to potential new tariffs on imported products. Rivian Automotive ( RIVN ) stock rose as much as 5.7% after the electric vehicle (EV) maker announced it had secured a conditional commitment for a loan of up to $6.6 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy. RIVN closed lower by 0.4%. Proceeds from the loan, should it close, will fund construction of a new EV plant in Georgia and will allow Rivian "to more aggressively scale our U.S. manufacturing footprint for our competitively priced R2 and R3 vehicles that emphasize both capability and affordability," said CEO RJ Scaringe. "Although we still remain confident in the long-term Rivian vision," wrote Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives in a November 8 note, "it will take some serious strides for the company to regain trust in the short-term vision in the eyes of the Street." Incoming economic data The backward-looking minutes from the November FOMC meeting show monetary policymakers continue to focus on incoming data and to prioritize the health of the labor market amid signs of progress in their fight against inflation . "In discussing the outlook for monetary policy, participants anticipated that if the data came in about as expected, with inflation continuing to move down sustainably to 2 percent and the economy remaining near maximum employment," the November FOMC minutes read, "it would likely be appropriate to move gradually toward a more neutral stance of policy over time." According to the CME FedWatch tool , the probability of a 25 basis point rate cut at the next Fed meeting in December is now 59.6%, down from 74.6% on October 25. As for fresh economic data, home price growth in the 20 largest U.S. cities slowed to 4.6% in September from the year-ago period. That's down from a 5.2% increase in the prior month, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices . "Home price growth stalled in the third quarter, after a steady start to 2024," notes Brian D. Luke , head of commodities, real estate and digital assets at S&P Dow Jones Indices. Bright MLS Chief Economist Lisa Sturtevant notes that the home-price index usually "has shown an increase in home price growth between August and September. This year, the September data could be indicative of a slowdown in home price appreciation in the months ahead." New home sales declined 17.3% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 610,000 in October from the prior month, according to the Census Bureau . The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index rose to 111.7 in November, an increase of 2.1 points from its 109.6 reading in October. "November's increase was mainly driven by more positive consumer assessments of the present situation, particularly regarding the labor market," said Dana M. Peterson , chief economist at The Conference Board. Wednesday's economic calendar is packed. Fresh data on initial jobless claims, durable goods orders, the U.S. trade balance, retail and wholesale inventories, and GDP will be released at 8:30 am Eastern time. Personal Consumption and Expenditures Price Index (PCE) data for October will follow at 10 am. The PCE is the Fed's preferred inflation gauge. Based on data compiled by FactSet, analysts expect the PCE to show a 0.20% month-over-month increase in October vs 0.18% in September. The forecast for the year-over-year rate is 2.3% vs 2.1% in September. The consensus sees core PCE rising 0.29% in October vs 0.25% in September. Year-over-year core PCE is forecast at 2.8% vs 2.7%. Related content Best Dividend Stocks to Buy for Dependable Dividend Growth The Best Large-Cap Stocks to Buy Four Ways to Maximize Your 401(k) Contributions Before the Year EndsWatch: AI robo-rat wins over real rodents - The TelegraphAt least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.

The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. The origin story is Hollywood-esque It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Is the origin story humbug? Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” A rare addition to Santa’s story NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.

Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talkUNBC forward Sveta Boykova named Canada West Biosteel player of the week

Biden says Assad's fall in Syria is a 'fundamental act of justice,' but 'a moment of risk'As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through Jan. 15, you’re likely seeing fewer social media ads promising monthly cash cards worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars that you can use for groceries, medical bills, rent and other expenses. But don’t worry. You haven’t missed out on any windfalls. Clicking on one of those ads would not have provided you with a cash card — at least not worth hundreds or thousands. But you might have found yourself switched to a health insurance plan you did not authorize, unable to afford treatment for an unforeseen medical emergency, and owing thousands of dollars to the IRS, according to an ongoing lawsuit against companies and individuals who plaintiffs say masterminded the ads and alleged scams committed against millions of people who responded to them. The absence of those once-ubiquitous ads are likely a result of the federal government suspending access to the ACA marketplace for two companies that market health insurance out of South Florida offices, amid accusations they used “fraudulent” ads to lure customers and then switched their insurance plans and agents without their knowledge. In its suspension letter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cited “credible allegations of misconduct” in the agency’s decision to suspend the abilities of two companies — TrueCoverage (doing business as Inshura) and BenefitAlign — to transact information with the marketplace. CMS licenses and monitors agencies that use their own websites and information technology platforms to enroll health insurance customers in ACA plans offered in the federal marketplace. The alleged scheme affected millions of consumers, according to a lawsuit winding its way through U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale that seeks class-action status. An amended version of the suit, filed in August, increased the number of defendants from six to 12: — TrueCoverage LLC, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based health insurance agency with large offices in Miami, Miramar and Deerfield Beach. TrueCoverage is a sub-tenant of the South Florida Sun Sentinel in a building leased by the newspaper in Deerfield Beach. — Enhance Health LLC, a Sunrise-based health insurance agency that the lawsuit says was founded by Matthew Herman, also named as a defendant, with a $150 million investment from hedge fund Bain Capital’s insurance division. Bain Capital Insurance Fund LP is also a defendant. — Speridian Technologies LLC, accused in the lawsuit of establishing two direct enrollment platforms that provided TrueCoverage and other agencies access to the ACA marketplace. — Benefitalign LLC, identified in the suit as one of the direct enrollment platforms created by Speridian. Like Speridian and TrueCoverage, the company is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. — Number One Prospecting LLC, doing business as Minerva Marketing, based in Fort Lauderdale, and its founder, Brandon Bowsky, accused of developing the social media ads that drove customers — or “leads” — to the health insurance agencies. — Digital Media Solutions LLC, doing business as Protect Health, a Miami-based agency that the suit says bought Minerva’s “fraudulent” ads. In September, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in United States Bankruptcy Court in Texas, which automatically suspended claims filed against the company. — Net Health Affiliates Inc., an Aventura-based agency the lawsuit says was associated with Enhance Health and like it, bought leads from Minerva. — Garish Panicker, identified in the lawsuit as half-owner of Speridian Global Holdings and day-to-day controller of companies under its umbrella, including TrueCoverage, Benefitalign and Speridian Technologies. — Matthew Goldfuss, accused by the suit of overseeing and directing TrueCoverage’s ACA enrollment efforts. All of the defendants have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit. The motions deny the allegations and argue that the plaintiffs failed to properly state their claims and lack the standing to file the complaints. The Sun Sentinel sent requests for comment and lists of questions about the cases to four separate law firms representing separate groups of defendants. Three of the law firms — one representing Brandon Bowsky and Number One Prospecting LLC d/b/a Minerva Marketing, and two others representing Net Health Affiliates Inc. and Bain Capital Insurance Fund — did not respond to the requests. A representative of Enhance Health LLC and Matthew Herman, Olga M. Vieira of the Miami-based firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, responded with a short message saying she was glad the newspaper knew a motion to dismiss the charges had been filed by the defendants. She also said that, “Enhance has denied all the allegations as reported previously in the media.” Catherine Riedel, a communications specialist representing TrueCoverage LLC, Benefitalign LLC, Speridian Technologies LLC, Girish Panicker and Matthew Goldfuss, issued the following statement: “TrueCoverage takes these allegations very seriously and is responding appropriately. While we cannot comment on ongoing litigation, we strongly believe that the allegations are baseless and without merit. “Compliance is our business. The TrueCoverage team records and reviews every call with a customer, including during Open Enrollment when roughly 500 agents handle nearly 30,000 calls a day. No customer is enrolled into any policy without a formal verbal consent given by the customer. If any customer calls in as a result of misleading content presented by third-party marketing vendors, agents are trained to correct such misinformation and action is taken against such third-party vendors.” Through Riedel, the defendants declined to answer follow-up questions, including whether the company remains in business, whether it continues to enroll Affordable Care Act clients, and whether it is still operating its New Mexico call center using another affiliated technology platform. The suspension notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services letter cites several factors, including the histories of noncompliance and previous suspensions. The letter noted suspicion that TrueCoverage and Benefitalign were storing consumers’ personally identifiable information in databases located in India and possibly other overseas locations in violation of the centers’ rules. The letter also notes allegations against the companies in the pending lawsuit that “they engaged in a variety of illegal practices, including violations of the (Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act), misuse of consumer (personal identifiable information) and insurance fraud.” The amended lawsuit filed in August names as plaintiffs five individuals who say their insurance plans were changed and two agencies who say they lost money when they were replaced as agents. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of 55 counts of wrongdoing, ranging from running ads offering thousands of dollars in cash that they knew would never be provided directly to consumers, switching millions of consumers into different insurance policies without their authorization, misstating their household incomes to make them eligible for $0 premium coverage, and “stealing” commissions by switching the agents listed in their accounts. TrueCoverage, Enhance Health, Protect Health, and some of their associates “engaged in hundreds of thousands of agent-of-record swaps to steal other agents’ commissions,” the suit states. “Using the Benefitalign and Inshura platforms, they created large spreadsheet lists of consumer names, dates of birth and zip codes.” They provided those spreadsheets to agents, it says, and instructed them to access platforms linked to the ACA marketplace and change the customers’ agents of record “without telling the client or providing informed consent.” “In doing so, they immediately captured the monthly commissions of agents ... who had originally worked with the consumers directly to sign them up,” the lawsuit asserts. TrueCoverage employees who complained about dealing with prospects who called looking for cash cards were routinely chided by supervisors who told them to be vague and keep making money, the suit says. When the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began contacting the company in January about customer complaints, the suit says TrueCoverage enrollment supervisor Matthew Goldfuss sent an email instructing agents “do not respond.” The lawsuit states the “scheme” was made possible in 2021 when Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The act made it possible for Americans with household incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level to pay zero in premiums and it enabled those consumers to enroll in ACA plans all year round, instead of during the three-month open enrollment period from November to January. Experienced health insurance brokers recognized the opportunity presented by the changes, the lawsuit says. More than 40 million Americans live within 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level, while only 15 million had ACA insurance at the time. The defendants developed or benefited from online ads, the lawsuit says, which falsely promised “hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars per month in cash benefits such as subsidy cards to pay for common expenses like rent, groceries, and gas.” Consumers who clicked on the ads were brought to a landing page that asked a few qualifying questions, and if their answers suggested that they might qualify for a low-cost or no-cost plan, they were provided a phone number to a health insurance agency. There was a major problem with the plan, according to the lawsuit. “Customers believe they are being routed to someone who will send them a free cash card, not enroll them in health insurance.” By law, the federal government sends subsidies for ACA plans to insurance companies, and not to individual consumers. Scripts were developed requiring agents not to mention a cash card, and if a customer mentions a cash card, “be vague” and tell the caller that only the insurance carrier can provide that information, the lawsuit alleges. In September, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the claims. In addition to denying the charges, they argued that the class plaintiffs lacked the standing to make the accusations and failed to demonstrate that they suffered harm. The motion also argued that the lawsuit’s accusations failed to meet requirements necessary to claim civil violations of the RICO Act. Miami-based attorney Jason Kellogg, representing the plaintiffs, said he doesn’t expect a ruling on the motion to dismiss the case for several months. The complaint also lists nearly 50 companies, not named as defendants, that it says fed business to TrueCoverage and Enhance Health. Known in the industry as “downlines,” most operate in office parks throughout South Florida, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit quotes former TrueCoverage employees complaining about having to work with customers lured by false cash promises in the online ads. A former employee who worked in the company’s Deerfield Beach office was quoted in the lawsuit as saying that senior TrueCoverage and Speridian executives “knew that consumers were calling in response to the false advertisements promising cash cards and they pressured agents to use them to enroll consumers into ACA plans.” A former human resources manager for TrueCoverage said sales agents frequently complained “that they did not feel comfortable having to mislead consumers,” the lawsuit said. Over two dozen agents “came to me with these complaints and showed me the false advertisements that consumers who called in were showing them,” the lawsuit quoted the former manager as saying. For much of the time the companies operated, the ACA marketplace enabled agents to easily access customer accounts using their names and Social Security numbers, change their insurance plans and switch their agents of record without their knowledge or authorization, the lawsuit says. This resulted in customers’ original agents losing their commissions and many of the policyholders finding out they suddenly owed far more for health care services than their original plans had required, the suit states. It says that one of the co-plaintiffs’ health plans was changed at least 22 times without her consent. She first discovered that she had lost her original plan when she sought to renew a prescription for her heart condition and her doctor told her she did not have health insurance, the suit states. Another co-plaintiff’s policy was switched after her husband responded to one of the cash card advertisements, the lawsuit says. That couple’s insurance plan was switched multiple times after a TrueCoverage agent excluded the wife’s income from an application so the couple would qualify. Later, they received bills from the IRS for $4,300 to cover tax credits issued to pay for the plans. CMS barred TrueCoverage and BenefitAlign from accessing the ACA marketplace. It said it received more than 90,000 complaints about unauthorized plan switches and more than 183,500 complaints about unauthorized enrollments, but the agency did not attribute all of the complaints to activities by the two companies. In addition, CMS restricted all agents’ abilities to alter policyholders’ enrollment information, the lawsuit says. Now access is allowed only for agents that already represent policyholders or if the policyholder participates in a three-way call with an agent and a marketplace employee. Between June and October, the agency barred 850 agents and brokers from accessing the marketplace “for reasonable suspicion of fraudulent or abusive conduct related to unauthorized enrollments or unauthorized plan switches,” according to an October CMS news release . The changes resulted in a “dramatic and sustained drop” in unauthorized activity, including a nearly 70% decrease in plan changes associated with an agent or broker and a nearly 90% decrease in changes to agent or broker commission information, the release said. It added that while consumers were often unaware of such changes, the opportunity to make them provided “significant financial incentive for non-compliant agents and brokers.” But CMS’ restrictions might be having unintended consequences for law-abiding agents and brokers. A story published by Insurance News Net on Nov. 11 quoted the president of the Health Agents for America (HAFA) trade group as saying agents are being suspended by CMS after being flagged by a mysterious algorithm that no one can figure out. The story quotes HAFA president Ronnell Nolan as surmising, “maybe they wrote too many policies on the same day for people who have the same income or they’re writing too many policies on people of a certain occupation.” Nolan continued, “We have members who have thousands of ACA clients. They can’t update or renew their clients. So those consumers have lost access to their professional agent, which is simply unfair.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.Gurugram, Dec 24: DLF Golf and Country Club and the DLF Golf Academy are proud to announce a landmark achievement in their history as the students of the Academy secure the top positions in the Men’s and Women’s professional golf rankings in India for 2024. A statement said that for the first time, the Academy is home to both the Men’s Tata Steel PGTI Order of Merit winner Veer Ahlawat and the Women’s Hero Order of Merit winner Hitashee Bakshi, marking a significant milestone in the Academy’s legacy of excellence and its commitment to shaping the future of Indian golf. In addition to these remarkable achievements, the Academy is also proud to recognize the accomplishments of Ranveer Singh Saini, who was honored by the President of India with the prestigious Shresth Divyangjan Award at an official function by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Earlier in the year, he claimed a silver medal at the prestigious Golf Masters tournament in Macau. Ranveer’s dedication and resilience in the sport continue to inspire countless individuals and are a testament to the inclusive spirit that the Academy stands for. Furthermore, Kartik Singh has emerged as the 2024 All India Junior Boys Champion as well as Top ranked Amateur Golfer of India. Kartik’s titles at the young age of 14, mark another momentous achievement for the Academy, highlighting the depth of talent nurtured within its training programs. To commemorate these extraordinary accomplishments, DLF Golf and Country Club invited its other standout students, partners, and golf enthusiasts to join them in a special Celebration of Excellence on 24th December 2024. This event honored the relentless efforts of these top achievers and their families, as well as other students who have made significant strides in their golfing careers. Speaking about the celebration, Tusch Daroga, Vice President – DLF Golf and Country Club, said – “At DLF, we have always been passionate about nurturing a vibrant sporting culture. Our vision has consistently been to provide world-class facilities and opportunities for athletes to excel. This commitment is reflected in our significant investments in cutting-edge technology and comprehensive training programs at our state-of-the-art DLF Golf Academy. We believe in fostering a love for the game and empowering aspiring golfers to reach their full potential.” Anitya Chand, Director of Instruction, DLF Golf Academy, added – “The success of the DLF Golf Academy is not just measured by the skill of the players we produce, but by the culture of discipline, passion, and perseverance we cultivate. Every swing, every lesson, every challenge faced on the course is a step toward excellence—not just in golf, but in life. While we celebrate this unique milestone today, we must take a moment to reflect on the years of hard work which has culminated in these achievements – not just from the players but also from their families as well at the instructing staff at the Academy.”

DAMASCUS (Agencies): The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Tuesday they have launched a counter-offensive against the Ankara-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey. The SDF is Washington’s critical ally in Syria, targeting sleeper cells of the extremist ISIS group scattered across the country’s east. Since the fall of the totalitarian rule of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, clashes have intensified between the US-backed group and the SNA, which captured the key city of Manbij and the areas surrounding it. The intense weekslong clashes come at a time when Syria, battered by over a decade of war and economic misery, negotiates its political future following half a century under the Assad dynasty’s rule. Ruken Jamal, spokesperson of the Women’s Protection Unit, or YPJ, under the SDF, told The Associated Press that their fighters are just over seven miles away from the center of Manbij in their ongoing counter-offensive. She accused Ankara of trying to weaken the group’s influence in negotiations over Syria’s political future through the SNA. “Syria is now in a new phase, and discussions are underway about the future of the country,” Jamal said. “Turkey is trying, through its attacks, to distract us with battles and exclude us from the negotiations in Damascus.” The Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says since the SNA’s offensive in northern Syria against the Kurds started earlier this month, dozens from both sides have been killed. Ankara sees the SDF as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. Turkish-backed armed groups alongside Turkish jets for years have attacked positions where the SDF are largely present across northern Syria, in a bid to create a buffer zone free from the group along the large shared border. While the SNA was involved in the lightning insurgency — led by “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” — that toppled al-Assad, it has continued its push against the SDF, seen as Syria’s second key actor for its political future. On Monday, the SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami said the group’s forces pushed back the Turkish-backed armed opposition forces from areas near the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates, a key source of hydroelectric power. He said the SDF also destroyed a tank belonging to the armed opposition forces southeast of Manbij. The British-based war monitor said on Tuesday that the Kurdish-led group, following overnight fighting, has reclaimed four villages in the areas near the strategic dam. Turkish jets also pounded the strategic border town of Kobani in recent days. During Syria’s uprising-turned-conflict, the Kurds carved out an enclave of autonomous rule across northeastern Syria, never fully allying entirely with al-Assad in Damascus nor the armed opposition forces trying to overthrow him. Even with the al-Assad family out of the picture, it appears that Ankara’s position won’t change, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s landmark visit to Syria maintaining a strong position on the Kurdish-led group in his meeting with de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa of HTS. “It has turned the region into a cauldron of terror with PKK members and far-left groups who have come from Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Europe,” Fidan said in a news conference after the meeting. “The international community is turning a blind eye to this lawlessness because of the wardenship it provides [against ISIS].” With the ongoing fighting, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi has expressed concern about a strong ISIS resurgence due to the power vacuum in Syria and the ongoing fighting, which has left the Kurdish-led group unable to carry out its attacks and raids on the extremist group’s scattered sleeper cells. Tens of thousands of children, family members, and supporters of ISIS militants are still held in large detention centers in northeastern Syria, in areas under SDF control.It's Spotify Wrap Time Of The Year! Here's What You Can Expect From Your 2024 RecapMarin Voice: Public transit agencies should push to be more eco-friendly

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is set to break more records Monday as U.S. stocks rise to add to last week’s gains. The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher, as of 3 p.m. Eastern time, and sitting just below its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 397 points, or 0.9%, to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market amid what some analysts called a “Bessent bounce” after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Scott Bessent , a hedge fund manager, to be his Treasury Secretary. Bessent has argued for reducing the U.S. government’s deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through tax and other revenue. Such an approach could soothe worries on Wall Street that Trump’s policies may lead to a much bigger deficit, which in turn would put upward pressure on Treasury yields. After climbing above 4.44% immediately after Trump’s election, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell back to 4.26% Monday and down from 4.41% late Friday. That’s a notable move, and lower yields help make it cheaper for all kinds of companies and households to borrow money. They also give a boost to prices for stocks and other investments. That helped stocks of smaller companies lead the way, and the Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped 2%. It’s set to top its all-time high, which was set three years ago. Smaller companies can feel bigger boosts from lower borrowing costs because of the need of many to borrow to grow. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks the market’s expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do with overnight interest rates, also eased sharply. The Fed began cutting its main interest rate just a couple months ago from a two-decade high, hoping to keep the job market humming after bringing high inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. But immediately after Trump’s victory, traders had reduced bets for how many cuts the Fed may deliver next year. They were worried Trump's preference for lower tax rates and higher spending on the border would balloon the national debt. . A report coming on Wednesday could influence how much the Fed may cut rates. Economists expect it to show that an underlying inflation trend the Fed prefers to use accelerated to 2.8% last month from 2.7% in September. Higher inflation would make the Fed more reluctant to cut rates as deeply or as quickly as it would otherwise. Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle expects that to slow by the end of next year to 2.4%, but he said inflation would be even lower if not for expected tariff increases on imports from China and autos favored by Trump. In the stock market, Bath & Body Works jumped 19.1% after delivering stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The seller of personal care products and home fragrances also raised its financial forecasts for the full year, even though it still sees a “volatile retail environment” and a shorter holiday shopping season this year. Much focus has been on how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. Last week, two major retailers sent mixed messages. Target tumbled after giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed Walmart , which gave a much more encouraging outlook. Another big retailer, Macy’s, said Monday its sales for the latest quarter were in line with its expectations, but it will delay the release of its full financial results. It found a single employee had intentionally hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses, and it needs more time to complete its investigation. Macy’s stock fell 2.9%. Among the market's leaders were several companies related to the housing industry. Monday's drop in Treasury yields could translate into easier mortgage rates, which could spur activity for housing. Builders FirstSource, a supplier or building materials, rose 6.2%. Homebuilders, D.R. Horton, PulteGroup and Lennar all rose at least 5.8%. In stock markets abroad, indexes moved modestly across much of Europe after finishing mixed in Asia. In the crypto market, bitcoin was trading around $96,800 after threatening to hit $100,000 late last week for the first time. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle The Oliver Fire Department raised a total of $1,500 for Oliver’s Starfish Pack Program at its 10th Annual Drive-Thru Breakfast on Saturday morning (Nov. 23). “A big thank you to everyone who came out to the Drive Thru-Breakfast,” said the Oliver Fire Department (OFD) on social media. Fill ur boots – Oliver Fire Chief Bob Graham collects donations in a fireman’s boot. Don Urquhart photo The breakfast by donation consisted of a breakfast sandwich (English muffin, egg, cheese and ham), hash brown, apple and coffee or orange juice, all served up to the car window by Oliver firefighters inside the firehall. Fire Chief Bob Graham told the Times Chronicle that the event started off a bit slower than previous years, lacking the early rush which possibly explains the slightly lower donations than the $2,000 that is typically raised at the event. When it was suggested that the weather, cold and rainy, might be to blame for the lack of early morning rush Graham laughed and recounted the various cold and snowy drive-through events in past years, including one year in which everyone’s windows were frozen shut requiring them to open their doors to get the breakfast items. Last stop on the line for choice of beverage. Don Urquhart photo All proceeds go to the Starfish Pack Program which ensures students who rely on school breakfast and lunch programs on school days don’t go hungry on weekends. Each week, volunteers fill backpacks with 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and snacks and then deliver them to local schools for the students to take home on the weekend. The students return the empty backpacks to the school the following week, and our volunteers pick them up to be refilled for the following weekend. It costs approximately $600 to fill a backpack for a student for the full school year. For more information visit the Oliver Starfish or general Starfish website . Don Urquhart photo To contact the Oliver Starfish Pack Volunteer Coordinator, Sam Marsel, email [email protected] or call 250-488-7700. A donor form can be downloaded here .None

lucky cat gold (NAPSI)—The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but when the average American is spending nearly $1,000 on gifts, food, and decorations, they can also be the most stressful. For many, the pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday can stretch budgets a bit too far. Many of today’s shoppers seek advice from their favorite online influencers, sourcing creative hacks, recipes, DIY projects, and tips to keep the holidays magical without overspending. In fact, 69% of consumers say they value and actively seek out influencer recommendations. Now, questions don’t need to get buried in the comments. This December, TextNow is flipping the script on holiday stress by introducing the Holiday Hotline , a free resource to help you navigate the season, with advice a mere text away. Whether it’s finding affordable gifts, creating a festive dinner on a budget, or even learning how to save on your monthly bills, the Holiday Hotline can make things simpler, cheaper, and—perhaps most importantly—more joyful. TextNow Holiday Hotline: Expert Advice at Your Fingertips From December 5–10, TextNow’s Holiday Hotline connects you with relatable experts (aka some of your favorite influencers including social media creator and podcast host Remi Cruz, Kayla Savings, and Melissa Weiss) who will share their go-to tips for a budget-friendly holiday. Here’s what you can expect: • Holiday Budgeting 101: Learn simple ways to stretch every dollar and avoid those dreaded post-holiday bills. • Affordable Gift-Giving Ideas: Thoughtful, creative gifts that won’t break the bank. • Festive Decorating on a Dime: Transform your home into a holiday wonderland with budget-friendly hacks. • Stress-Free Holiday Cooking: Recipes and meal-planning tips to impress your guests. Need more advice? Just text the hotline at 310-299-3584, and you’ll get personalized, practical tips sent straight to your phone. Win $1,000 for Your Holiday Dinner As if free expert advice wasn’t enough, TextNow is also giving you the chance to win big this holiday season. Enter the $1,000 Dinner Giveaway for a shot at a $1,000 gift card to cover your holiday expenses—whether it’s for food, gifts, travel, or whatever else makes your season special. Entering is simple: 1.Head to TextNow’s Instagram . 2.Like the giveaway post. 3.Share your best holiday tip in the comments (bonus: share the post to your story for an extra entry). 4.The giveaway runs from December 5-12, with winners announced from December 13-16. Save More This Holiday Season TextNow is more than just a phone service—it’s a way to take control of your budget, not just during the holidays but year-round. • Free Phone Service: Unlimited calling and texting on the nation’s largest 5G network free. No gimmicks, no contracts. • Free Essential Data: Get free data for such essential apps as maps, rideshare, and email when you activate your SIM card. • Additional Flexible Data Plans: Add extra data only when you need it, with hourly, daily, or monthly passes. Getting started with TextNow is easy. Download the app to call and text for free over Wi-Fi or unlock free cellular service with a $4.99 SIM card. Learn More For more details, visit www.TextNow.com . Word Count: 491President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Christmas Day to suggest that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky should run for Prime Minister of Canada — or, as Trump put it, " Governor of Canada." "I just left Wayne Gretzky, 'The Great One' as he is known in Ice Hockey circles," Trump wrote . "I said, 'Wayne, why don't you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada - You would win easily, you wouldn't even have to campaign.'" "He had no interest," Trump continued. "But I think the people of Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement. It would be so much fun to watch!" The prodding follows recent statements from Trump suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States. Earlier in December, after dining with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump jokingly referred to Trudeau as the "Governor of the Great State of Canada." During the Mar-a-Lago dinner, Trump reportedly said that Canada should join the U.S. as a state, claiming many Canadians would save on taxes and benefit from military protection. The president-elect also criticized Canada's trade policies and questioned why the U.S. provides subsidies to its northern neighbor. While Gretzky has expressed no interest in politics, Trump's comments have sparked a flurry of online debate about his repeated "51st state" suggestions. Meanwhile, Trudeau has yet to publicly respond to Trump's remarks.

Ammar Samad, General Manager of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, in an interview with Gulf Times : Q: With over 20 years of experience in hospitality, what drew you to the wellness industry and the role at Zulal Wellness Resort? A: Hospitality has always been about creating meaningful experiences for people, but wellness takes it to another level. It’s about helping individuals feel healthier, more balanced, and truly cared for. Zulal’s unique approach, blending Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) with modern wellness practices, was a big draw for me. It’s a chance to be part of something groundbreaking in the region and globally. Q: How has your previous experience managing prominent hotel groups and spa facilities in Doha influenced your leadership approach at Zulal? A: My past roles taught me that exceptional service starts with a passionate and motivated team. At Zulal, we don’t just create memories - we inspire transformative wellness journeys. We focus on empowering our guests to take charge of their wellbeing while nurturing the growth of our team to ensure alignment with our mission. It’s not just about meaningful moments but it’s about creating lasting impacts that guide our guests toward a healthier and more mindful way of life. Q: As the General Manager, what is your vision for Zulal Wellness Resort in its journey to becoming a global leader in wellness tourism? A: I see Zulal becoming a global benchmark for wellness tourism by combining authentic traditions with forward-thinking innovation. My vision is for guests to leave feeling genuinely transformed - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well - while experiencing Qatar’s rich cultural heritage. Q: How do you plan to build on the resort’s strong reputation while introducing innovative guest experiences? A: It’s about staying true to our roots while embracing change. We’re enhancing our offerings with advanced wellness technologies like genomic testing and creating new programs tailored to what our guests need. At the same time, we’re maintaining the personalised care and warmth that define the Zulal experience. Q: Zulal is the first resort in the region to focus on Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM). How do you ensure the authenticity and effectiveness of TAIM-based treatments and programs? A: We work closely with specialists who understand the depth and history of TAIM. Every program and treatment is designed with care, staying true to traditional practices like Hijama (cupping) while incorporating scientific advancements to maximise their benefits for guests. Q: Personalization is often key in wellness tourism. How does Zulal tailor its programs to meet the diverse needs of its guests? A: Personalization starts with understanding our guests. We take the time to learn about their goals and needs, whether it’s stress relief, detoxing, or family bonding. From there, we craft programs that resonate with them, ensuring they leave with lasting results and a sense of fulfillment. We are the first Family Wellness Resort dedicated for multigeneration: The resort aims to support the next generation in adopting healthier lifestyles through the concept of Family Wellness. Our retreats are designed to strengthen family bonds, promote healthy habits, and create lasting memories. Q: How does Zulal Wellness Resort contribute to Qatar’s vision of being a global hub for wellness and tourism? A: Qatar is well-positioned to emerge as a hub for medical tourism, with to its advanced healthcare and respect for cultural roots. At Zulal Wellness Resort, we’re contributing to this vision by creating a wellness experience that’s genuinely rooted in tradition yet modern in approach. With our TAIM-inspired retreats and strong presence in international wellness communities, we’re putting Qatar on the map as a unique wellness destination. By upholding high standards and building our reputation abroad, we aim to help establish Qatar as a global leader in wellness and medical tourism. Q: How does Zulal integrate sustainability into its operations? Are there any innovations in wellness technology or practices that Zulal is exploring or implementing? A: Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, from minimising waste to using energy-efficient solutions. We’re also exploring advanced wellness technologies, such as genomic testing for personalized health plans, and continuously innovating to make wellness more impactful and eco-friendly. Q: Looking ahead, what milestones or goals are you most excited about achieving with the resort? A: I’m excited about further improving Zulal’s global reputation and expanding our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our guests. We have some incredible initiatives in the pipeline, and I can’t wait to see how they will enhance guest experience and our contribution to wellness tourism. Q: Is there anything you’d like to share with readers about the future of wellness and the role of Zulal in shaping it? A: The future of wellness is about finding balance - not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too. At Zulal, we’re committed to leading this journey, blending time-honoured traditions with modern innovations to create experiences that truly transform lives. Related Story Doha Global South Health Policy initiative makes great progress: Gates Foundation official Winners of Qatar's Global Dialogue Award honoured at ceremony

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NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. The United States offered its condolences, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying that Singh was “one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-India strategic partnership.” “We mourn Dr. Singh’s passing and will always remember his dedication to bringing the United States and India closer together,” Blinken said. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.

INOVIO Announces Proposed Public Offering

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. The United States offered its condolences, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken saying that Singh was “one of the greatest champions of the U.S.-India strategic partnership.” “We mourn Dr. Singh’s passing and will always remember his dedication to bringing the United States and India closer together,” Blinken said. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.Mysterious flying objects overhead. Concern and confusion. And calls for military intervention. This isn't the plot of "War of the Worlds," but rather the result of numerous unidentified possible drone sightings on the East Coast in recent weeks . The possible drones have been spotted over residential neighborhoods, restricted sites and critical infrastructure. The sightings have put intense pressure on federal agencies to provide more information about the aircraft, as officials have urged calm and emphasised there is no evidence suggesting the sightings pose a security threat. This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, New Jersey, on Dec. 5. (CNN) "I want to assure the American public that we are on it," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABC's "This Week." Reported drone activity prompted at least one airport – New York's Stewart International Airport – to temporarily close its runways for about an hour on Friday night. "This has gone too far," said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Saturday, adding last month she "directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he's asking DHS to deploy special detection systems that use 360-degree technology to detect drones. "If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is the technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on," Schumer said Sunday while discussing the technology. The FBI and DHS said in a joint statement Thursday there is "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus." Despite reassurances from federal officials, local politicians continue to press for more information and resources to... CNN

Netanyahu blames Labor over synagogue fireWASHINGTON (TNS) — The Founding Fathers had a lot to say about Thanksgiving. George Washington issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789 . His successor, John Adams, recommended a day of fasting, humility and prayer. But what about the Founding Mothers? We’ve all heard of Abigail Adams, Martha Washington and Dolley Madison. Few, however, know historian, playwright, poetess, and scholar Mercy Otis Warren — and that’s a shame. Turning to Mercy on Thanksgiving is particularly appropriate, as she wrote with insight about the virtue of gratitude. Mercy Otis Warren was a political woman among political men. Her father was a delegate in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where her husband would later serve as speaker. Her brother, James Otis, famously argued in colonial court against British writs of assistance — general warrants that allowed English soldiers to search American homes, ships and other buildings without concrete evidence that the law had been violated. Not only did these arguments portend the Fourth Amendment, but John Adams (who, along with Abigail, was friends with Mercy) wrote that “Then and there the Child Independence was born.” Mercy herself anonymously published satirical plays and poems in the newspapers to drum up support for the patriot cause. They were often thinly veiled depictions and reactions to revolutionary developments in Massachusetts, where the Warrens resided. For example, “The Squabble of the Sea Nymphs,” a poem about the Boston Tea Party, was published in The Boston Gazette. Her series of plays extolling the American patriots and debasing the loyalists were so popular that “Rapatio” (her chosen character name) became a recognized label for Thomas Hutchinson, the loyalist governor who enforced the despised Stamp Act. Later, Mercy would participate in the debates surrounding the merits of the Constitution. Her “Observations on the New Constitution,” published under the pseudonym A Columbia Patriot, would help ensure the passing of the Bill of Rights. She would become the third American woman to produce a significant body of poetry, a feat that caused Alexander Hamilton to write that, “in the career of dramatic composition at least, female genius in the United States has outstripped the Male.” Finally, Mercy’s three-volume "History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution" is one of the few written by a contemporary and the only Anti-Federalist (the name for the group of men and women who opposed ratification of the Constitution) account of the Revolution. As early as 1791, Mercy observed that the American people were no longer as firmly attached to the republican principles that had birthed the Revolution. Ingratitude would soon follow, she felt, a vice that troubled her so deeply that she opens her "History" with a warning about it, noting that: "the hurry of spirits, that ever attends the eager pursuit of fortune and a passion for splendid enjoyment, leads to forgetfulness; and thus the inhabitants of America cease to look back with due gratitude and respect on the fortitude and virtue of their ancestors." And at the end, Mercy, ever the student of ancient history and philosophy, noted that the: "ancient Persians considered ingratitude as the source of all enmities among men. They considered it 'an indication of the vilest spirit, nor believe it possible for an ungrateful man to love the gods or even his parents, friends, or country.'” Ingratitude breaks down those earthly attachments that make us most human: our bonds to family, fellow citizens, country and ancestors. It causes us to forget that the prosperity we enjoy is not simply of our own making, that generations past made immeasurable sacrifices for the sake of their descendants. When we no longer feel duty-bound to acknowledge and respond to what we’ve received, we open ourselves to meanness and break the goodwill of friends and family. Absent that goodwill and mutual trust, the civic ties of friendship unravel, later supplanted by utilitarian self-interest or, worse, the politics of resentment. Like others of the Founding era, Mercy believed that the American system of government depends on a virtuous people. In a republic, the will of the people will ultimately prevail in institutions and laws. If the people’s reason surrenders to their passions and impulses, the law too becomes unreasonable. It is worth remembering Mercy Otis Warren on Thanksgiving because, as she taught, gratitude is a consequential and tutoring virtue. We practice gratitude in our everyday lives by responding to gifts and services freely offered. We practice it as a nation by preserving our memorials and historic sites, and, with them, our heritage. And, of course, we practice it on Thanksgiving, by gathering over a meal to celebrate the civic friendships that American acts of gratitude have made possible. (Brenda M. Hafera is the Assistant Director and Senior Policy Analyst at The Heritage Foundation's Simon Center for American Studies.)

, /PRNewswire/ -- The tech workforce saw modest movement in the latest national employment data, according to , the nonprofit association for the tech industry and workforce. Analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals the tech unemployment rate for the month fell slightly to 2.5%, matching the low end of the rate for 2024. The national unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2% in November. Employment within the technology industry sector was essentially flat with a decline of 1,636 jobs for the month. The tech sector employs nearly 5.6 million people, which translates to a percentage decline of essentially 0%. Tech professions throughout the economy declined by 6,000 in a national workforce of nearly 6.5 million workers. "While a flat month in the aggregate as some employers take a breather, the data continues to highlight the diversity of hiring activity across the tech workforce," , chief research officer, CompTIA. "Across industry sectors, metro areas and company sizes harnessing tech talent remains a top priority." Active employer job postings for new hiring totaled more than 475,000 in November, down about 42,000 from October. Companies added nearly 184,000 new tech job postings last month, with employers in consulting, finance, manufacturing and technology hardware, software and services among the most active. Artificial intelligence (AI) hiring momentum continues to build. In the aggregate employers recorded nearly 331,000 active job postings throughout 2024 in recruiting for AI job roles and AI skills, a year-over-year increase of 71%. Across all tech occupations 44% of November postings did not specify a four-year degree requirement for applicants. Some occupations had notably higher percentages, including network support specialists (84%) and tech support specialists (71%). The data indicates hiring for work from home (WFH) positions is holding steady at about 20% of total tech job recruiting. On a hiring activity volume basis, the top WFH positions include software developers, IT project managers, data scientists and analysts, tech support specialists, and systems analysts. The "CompTIA Tech Jobs Report" is available at . The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world's leading information technology (IT) certification and training body. CompTIA is a mission-driven organization committed to unlocking the potential of every student, career changer or professional seeking to begin or advance in a technology career. Millions of current and aspiring technology workers around the world rely on CompTIA for the training, education and professional certifications that give them the confidence and skills to work in tech. Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job postings from Lightcast may be subject to backward revisions. Monthly occupation level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tends to experience higher levels of variance and volatility. Active job postings include open postings carried over from previous months and new postings added by employers. CompTIA +1.630.678.8468 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE CompTIABudlender argues that Ramaphosa did not intend to break the law

Illumen Capital is doubling down on its support for fund managers and founders from underrepresented communities. The firm is an impact fund of funds that has previously supported ways to address racial bias in investing. Yesterday, the firm, founded by Daryn Dodson, announced the raise of a $32.75 million “Catalyst Fund “to once again support emerging fund managers and founders, especially those hailing from underrepresented backgrounds. The news comes during a fraught time for many diverse funding managers and founders, who are seeing less financial support than in the years before. Black founders raised less than 1% of venture capital funding last year, according to Crunchbase, and as of H1, was on track to continue seeing a funding decline. Speaking to TechCrunch, Dodson said, “During terms of economic uncertainty, political polarization, and concerns of ongoing inflation, we’ve seen biases increase,” Dodson told TechCrunch, adding that these biases are also playing out in the venture space, where billions of capital are still going to the same people. When asked about fundraising, Dodson said that the firm was fortunate enough to have “established deep relationships,” with limited partners that are “committed to backing the next generation of VC and PE managers.” The firm has approximately $285 million in assets under management, it said. It last raised a $168 million Fund II in 2023 to also address racial and gender bias in investing. Dodson said the Catalyst Fund is a complementary strategy to its first two funds. “Whereas our Fund I and Fund II focused on more established managers, the Catalyst Fund prioritizes first-time managers and early-stage founders,” he continued. “It was intentionally a smaller vehicle, and we were fortunate that two of our anchor investors from our Fund II – Ford Foundation and Health Forward Foundation – backed this latest fund.” The Fund hopes to invest at least 65% of capital into first-time venture managers and up to 35% of capital as direct co-investments into companies sourced through any of its active funds. “At least 90% of the fund will likely be focused domestically,” Dodson continued. “And up to 20% in emerging markets.” The fund will look generally at managers working in education, health and wellness, financial inclusion, climate, and sustainability, he said. Dodson hopes to deploy the fund within the next year and a half. “We see our Catalyst Fund taking advantage of a market inefficiency,” he said. “With the Catalyst Fund, we hope to demonstrate the intrinsic value of backing diverse-led funds, and identify the best of the next generation of venture managers.”

Less-than-Truckload (LTL) Market to grow by USD 120.31 Billion (2024-2028), fueled by e-commerce growth in retail, with AI shaping market trends - Technavio

The year in whoppers: The left tried to fool voters on Joe Biden’s fitness, media claimed Kamala Harris wasn’t the border czar and moreBRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY / ACCESSWIRE / December 6, 2024 / Tharimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq:THAR) ("Tharimmune" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to pioneering therapies in immunology and inflammation, today announced it has entered into a securities purchase agreement to raise gross proceeds of approximately $2.02 million through a private placement. The agreement includes the issuance of 961,446 shares of common stock (or common stock equivalents) and warrants to purchase up to an additional 480,723 shares of common stock. Each share (or common stock equivalent) is priced at $2.10 and is accompanied by a warrant. The warrants will have an exercise price of $2.031 per share, becoming exercisable six months after issuance and expiring five and one-half years from the date of issuance. The closing of this transaction is expected on or about December 9, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. Strategic Investors and Placement Details The financing was led by Gravitas Capital and SDS Capital Group, alongside other biotechnology-focused private investors. President Street Global served as the exclusive placement agent for the offering, ensuring seamless execution of the transaction. After deducting placement agent fees and other offering-related expenses, the Company intends to allocate the net proceeds toward clinical development, including advancing its flagship TH104 development program, as well as general working capital. Advancing Innovation in Biotechnology This financing reinforces Tharimmune's commitment to advancing its portfolio of therapeutic candidates. TH104, the Company's lead clinical asset, is designed to address chronic pruritus associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare and challenging autoimmune liver disease. Regulatory Details The securities in this private placement were offered under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Regulation D thereunder. The shares of common stock and underlying warrants are not registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws. The Company has agreed to file a resale registration statement covering these securities to enable their future trading upon registration or qualification under applicable laws. About Tharimmune Tharimmune, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies in immunology, inflammation, and oncology. The Company's lead product candidate, TH104, leverages a unique transdermal buccal film technology designed to address inflammatory conditions, including pruritus associated with PBC. Tharimmune is also advancing TH023, an oral TNF-alpha inhibitor, and exploring novel multi-specific biologics targeting solid tumors. Through a licensing agreement with OmniAb, Inc., the Company harnesses cutting-edge antibody discovery platforms to target specified disease markers. Learn more at www.tharimmune.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, including statements regarding the timing and design of Tharimmune's future Phase 2 trial, Tharimmune's strategy, future operations, future financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "depends," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "target," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences, include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Risk Factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and other periodic reports filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this release. Subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's views to change; however, the Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrences of unanticipated events, except as may be required by applicable law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this release. Contact Information Tharimmune, Inc. ir@tharimmune.com Alliance Advisors IR Tirth T. Patel tpatel@allianceadvisors.com 212-201-6614 SOURCE: Tharimmune, Inc. View the original on accesswire.com

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As fans eagerly await news of Puig's future, one thing is clear: the football world has not heard the last of this rising star. With his eyes set on even greater achievements, Puig is poised to make a lasting impact on the sport for years to come. Watch this space, because the best is yet to come from the 25-year-old sensation known as Puig.Although the details surrounding Bo's disappearance and subsequent discovery have not been fully disclosed to the public, it has been confirmed that the individuals responsible for this incident have been apprehended. The authorities have taken swift action and imposed criminal sanctions on the perpetrators involved.lucky calico slot online 。

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump was on the verge of backing a 16-week federal abortion ban earlier this year when aides staged an intervention. According to Time magazine's cover story on his selection as its 2024 Person of the Year, Trump's aides first raised concerns in mid-March that the abortion cutoff being pushed by some allies would be stricter than existing law in numerous states. It was seen as a potential political liability amid ongoing fallout over the overturning of Roe v. Wade by a conservative majority on the Supreme Court that includes three justices nominated by Trump in his first term. Trump political director James Blair went to work assembling a slide deck — eventually titled “How a national abortion ban will cost Trump the election" — that argued a 16-week ban would hurt the Republican candidate in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, the magazine reported. “After flipping through Blair’s presentation" on a flight to a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in April, Trump dropped the idea, according to the report. "So we leave it to the states, right?" Trump was quoted as saying. He soon released a video articulating that position. At the time, Trump’s campaign denied that he was considering supporting the 16-week ban, calling it “fake news” and saying Trump planned to “negotiate a deal” on abortion if elected to the White House. Here are other highlights from the story and the president-elect's 65-minute interview with the magazine: Trump reaffirmed his plans to pardon most of those convicted for their actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. “It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said of the pardons. “Maybe the first nine minutes.” Trump said he would look at individuals on a “case-by-case" basis, but that “a vast majority of them should not be in jail.” More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured and sent lawmakers running into hiding as they met to certify Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 victory . More than 1,000 defendants have pleaded guilty or been convicted at trial of charges, including misdemeanor trespassing offenses, assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy. Trump insisted he has the authority to use the military to assist with his promised mass deportations , even though, as his interviewers noted, the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of the military in domestic law enforcement. “It doesn’t stop the military if it’s an invasion of our country, and I consider it an invasion of our country," he said. “I’ll only do what the law allows, but I will go up to the maximum level of what the law allows. And I think in many cases, the sheriffs and law enforcement is going to need help." Trump did not deny that camps would be needed to hold detained migrants as they are processed for deportation. “Whatever it takes to get them out. I don’t care," he said. “I hope we’re not going to need too many because I want to get them out and I don’t want them sitting in camp for the next 20 years.” Trump told Time he does not plan to restore the policy of separating children from their families to deter border crossings, but he did not rule it out. The practice led to thousands of children being separated from their parents and was condemned around the globe as inhumane. “I don’t believe we’ll have to because we will send the whole family back,” he said. “I would much rather deport them together, yes, than separate.” Trump dismissed the idea that Elon Musk will face conflicts of interest as he takes the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency , an advisory group that Trump has selected him to lead. The panel is supposed to find waste and cut regulations, including many that could affect Musk's wide-ranging interests , which include electric cars, rockets and telecommunications. “I don’t think so," Trump said. “I think that Elon puts the country long before his company. ... He considers this to be his most important project." Trump lowered expectations about his ability to drive down grocery prices. “I’d like to bring them down. It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up. You know, it’s very hard. But I think that they will,” he said. Trump said he is planning “a virtual closure" of the "Department of Education in Washington.” “You’re going to need some people just to make sure they’re teaching English in the schools," he said. “But we want to move education back to the states.” Yet Trump has proposed exerting enormous influence over schools. He has threatened to cut funding for schools with vaccine mandates while forcing them to “teach students to love their country" and promote “the nuclear family,” including “the roles of mothers and fathers” and the “things that make men and women different and unique.” Asked to clarify whether he was committed to preventing the Food and Drug Administration from stripping access to abortion pills , Trump replied, “It’s always been my commitment.” But Trump has offered numerous conflicting stances on the issue, including to Time. Earlier in the interview, he was asked whether he would promise that his FDA would not do anything to limit access to medication abortion or abortion pills. "We’re going to take a look at all of that,” he said, before calling the prospect “very unlikely.” “Look, I’ve stated it very clearly and I just stated it again very clearly. I think it would be highly unlikely. I can’t imagine, but with, you know, we’re looking at everything, but highly unlikely. I guess I could say probably as close to ruling it out as possible, but I don’t want to. I don’t want to do anything now.” Pressed on whether he would abandon Ukraine in its efforts to stave off Russia's invasion , Trump said he would use U.S. support for Kyiv as leverage against Moscow in negotiating an end to the war. “I want to reach an agreement,” he said, “and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon.” Trump would not commit to supporting a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state alongside Israel, as he had previously. “I support whatever solution we can do to get peace," he said. "There are other ideas other than two state, but I support whatever, whatever is necessary to get not just peace, a lasting peace. It can’t go on where every five years you end up in tragedy. There are other alternatives.” Asked whether he trusted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , he told Time: “I don’t trust anybody.” Trump would not rule out the possibility of war with Iran during his second term. “Anything can happen. It’s a very volatile situation," he said. Asked if he has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin since the Nov. 5 election, Trump continued to play coy: "I can’t tell you. It’s just inappropriate.” Trump insisted that his bid to install Matt Gaetz as attorney general ”wasn’t blocked. I had the votes (in the Senate) if I needed them, but I had to work very hard.” When the scope of resistance to the former Republican congressman from Florida became clear, Trump said, “I talked to him, and I said, ‘You know, Matt, I don’t think this is worth the fight.'" Gaetz pulled out amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, and Trump tapped former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the Cabinet post. Trump, who has named anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, did not rule out the possibility of eliminating some childhood vaccinations even though they have been proved safe in extensive studies and real world use in hundreds of millions of people over decades and are considered among the most effective public health measures in modern history. Pressed on whether “getting rid of some vaccinations” — neither Trump nor the interviewers specified which ones — might be part of the plan to improve the health of the country, Trump responded: “It could if I think it’s dangerous, if I think they are not beneficial, but I don’t think it’s going to be very controversial in the end.” “I think there could be, yeah," Trump said of the prospect of others in his family continuing in his footsteps. He pointed to daughter-in-law Lara Trump , who served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee and is now being talked about as a potential replacement for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Trump has chosen for secretary of state. Trump said the former and soon-to-be first lady Melania Trump will be joining him at the White House during second term and will "be active, when she needs to be.” “Oh yes,” he said. “She’s very beloved by the people, Melania. And they like the fact that she’s not out there in your face all the time for many reasons.”

Another contributing factor to the success of these funds is their rigorous risk management practices. Private equity managers have implemented robust risk control measures to protect their investors' capital and ensure sustainable long-term returns. By conducting thorough due diligence, monitoring portfolio exposures, and actively rebalancing their positions, these funds are able to navigate risks effectively and seize opportunities for upside potential.

WASHINGTON (AP) — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As the blueprint for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, Trump pulled an about-face . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump's election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps' Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump's choices portend for his second presidency. The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president's proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration's agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025's and Trump's campaign proposals. Vought's vision is especially striking when paired with Trump's proposals to dramatically expand the president's control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government's roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk's and Ramaswamy's sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump's choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans' health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over overlaps in the two agendas . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump's West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump's “family separation policy.” Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick to lead the CIA , was previously one of Trump's directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document's chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe's chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe's and Trump's approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025's FCC chapter and is now Trump's pick to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts.lucky 9 card game 。

Baku: Countries agreed on Sunday to an annual finance target of $460 billion to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments, according to a hard fought deal clinched at the COP29 conference in Baku. The new goal is intended to replace developed countries’ previous commitment to provide $150 billion per year in climate finance for poorer nations by 2020. That goal was met two years late, in 2022, and expires in 2025. Activists participate in a demonstration for climate finance at the COP29 UN Climate Summit. Credit: AP Countries also agreed on rules for a global market to buy and sell carbon credits that proponents say could mobilise billions more dollars into new projects to help fight global warming, from reforestation to deployment of clean energy technologies. On Saturday, negotiators went from one big room where everyone tried to hash out a deal together into several separate huddles of upset nations. More to come ReutersPeering Into Ally Financial's Recent Short Interest

Drug-resistant infections may be a global killer, associated with nearly five million deaths a year, but a fifth of all these deaths occur in just one single country — India. Yet, despite this and being portrayed by the international community as the ground zero of the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis, India may be the heart of the solution. Because, given its scientific expertise, clinical resources and pharmaceutical sector, India has everything it needs to not only reverse the crisis within its own borders but also to lead the way in the global AMR response. AMR is a growing threat Such solutions are urgently needed because AMR has now reached an alarming tipping point. Having remained relatively flat for more than three decades, the global number of deaths associated with AMR is now expected to rise sharply. By the year 2050 it could increase by 70% and claim as many as 169 million lives. A key way to prevent this is by developing effective new treatments and ensuring that people get access to them. India is uniquely positioned to deliver on both of these, and, moreover, has a strong track record of doing so. During the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and then again, more recently, with the COVID-19 pandemic, India became one of the foremost producers and global suppliers of affordable medicines and vaccines. Similarly, in recent years India has also significantly increased access to childhood immunisation and, thanks to the largest and most ambitious national immunisation campaign pre-COVID-19, has for more than a decade been polio-free, a feat many experts thought not possible. In theory, India can now have similar successes with AMR. Not just because it has the ability to develop much needed tools, such as new antibiotics, but also because it has all the key pieces in place required to develop the right antibiotics. This will be key as it will also help to address the chronic lack of access across the globe, which currently kills more people than drug-resistant infections. Poor access is partly the result of fewer antibiotics being developed and manufactured. But even so, long before pharmaceutical companies started to withdraw from the market, millions of people, particularly those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), were not getting the antibiotics they needed either because they were priced out of reach, not registered in their country or simply were not being developed in the first place. In addition, antibiotics were often not approved or formulated for those populations most at risk, such as children and infants. Have dedicated R&D If we are to change this, then a radically different approach is needed — one involving a research and development (R&D) ecosystem geared entirely towards affordable antibiotics targeting those multidrug-resistant infections that pose the greatest public health threat. And it is hard to imagine a country in a better position to achieve this than India. First, there is India’s high burden of drug-resistant infections. The one advantage of this is that when trials or studies are carried out on larger and more relevant populations, the results tend to be a lot more robust. This is important not just in terms of ensuring that the right antibiotics are developed for the right kinds of drug-resistant infections, but also that they can be developed for groups which may be at high risk, but might otherwise be excluded from trials, such as newborns, women and people living with co-morbidities. Then there are India’s expert medical and scientific communities and its clinical trial networks. Under the auspices of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), these networks include research institutions and clinical research organisations which are helping to plug vital data gaps that are important for antibiotic development and introduction. Such trials can, for example, provide greater clarity on disease burden and antibiotic usage, and can help to identify solutions to important barriers to antibiotic access. The third essential piece is India’s highly innovative biotech and pharmaceutical industry, which, in addition to innovative R&D, has a long history of commercial partnerships and technology transfers. Given that many biotech companies developing antibiotics are small and lack any kind of manufacturing capabilities of their own, such partnerships are essential to take a drug beyond the initial R&D. In addition, there are signs that Indian-based biotechs and innovator companies may be emerging that can help address AMR. And from an access perspective, establishing a pathway between innovation and manufacturing is also critical because it includes all the necessary activities to ensure that an antibiotic can be manufactured and commercialised at an affordable price and in sufficient supply. In perspective The final piece of the puzzle is India’s huge population, and the high antibiotic need that comes with it, both of which conspire to make a sustainable market for antibiotics possible. Because for antibiotics to be both affordable and financially viable, sufficient volumes are needed, which is precisely what India has. Given that the historic decline of antibiotic R&D is often blamed on market failures, the economies of scale of India suggest that some markets can in fact succeed. The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is deeply involved with India, partnering with the ICMR as well as several pharmaceutical firms and manufacturers and carrying out studies within India. Because not only does India provide a way to tackle AMR differently but also because there is so much to gain from it. If the Government of India were to further embrace this, such as through additional funding for clinical trials, capital expenditure grants for pharmaceutical companies, import waivers for key manufacturing equipment and by implementing pooled procurement models for antibiotics, this would not only bode well for India but also for the rest of the world. Partly because if India is able to tackle AMR domestically it will have a big impact on AMR globally. But also if India, once again, takes on the role of the global supplier and even innovator of affordable life-saving drugs, it will pave the way for other countries to tackle AMR too. Dr. Manica Balasegaram is Executive Director, Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) Published - November 24, 2024 04:30 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit prescription drugs / generic drugs / medicine / medical research / medical conditions / pharmaceutical / India / health treatment / Coronavirus / AIDS / vaccines / children / government / poliomyelitis / imports

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Countries agreed on Sunday, November 24, to an annual finance target of $300 billion to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments, according to a hard fought deal clinched at the COP29 conference in Baku. The new goal is intended to replace developed countries’ previous commitment to provide $100 billion per year in climate finance for poorer nations by 2020. That goal was met two years late, in 2022, and expires in 2025. Countries also agreed Saturday evening, November 23, on rules for a global market to buy and sell carbon credits that proponents say could mobilize billions more dollars into new projects to help fight global warming, from reforestation to deployment of clean energy technologies. – Rappler.com

The COP29 summit has agreed to inject at least $US300 billion ($A462 billion) annually to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments. Login or signup to continue reading The new deal clinched at the UN conference in Baku is intended to replace developed countries' previous commitment to provide $US100 billion ($A154 billion) per year in climate finance for poorer nations by 2020. That goal was met two years late, in 2022, and expires in 2025. Countries also agreed early on Sunday on rules for a global market to buy and sell carbon credits that proponents say could mobilise billions more dollars into new projects to help fight global warming, from reforestation to deployment of clean energy technologies. The funding is intended to help developing countries enhance climate protection and adapt to the devastating effects of global warming, such as more frequent droughts, storms and floods. The $US300 billion will go to developing countries who need the cash to wean themselves off the coal, oil and gas that causes the globe to overheat, adapt to future warming and pay for the damage caused by climate change's extreme weather. It's not near the full amount of $US1.3 trillion ($A2 trillion) that developing countries were asking for, but it's three times the $US100 billion a year deal from 2009 that is expiring. Delegations said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. "Everybody is committed to having an agreement," Fiji delegation chief Biman Prasad said as the deal was being finalised. "They are not necessarily happy about everything, but the bottom line is everybody wants a good agreement." It's also a critical step toward helping countries on the receiving end create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. It's part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the UN talks in Paris in 2015. The Paris agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate fighting ambition as away to keep warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3 degrees Celsius and carbon emissions keep rising. Countries also anticipate that this deal will send signals that help drive funding from other sources, like multilateral development banks and private sources. That was always part of the discussion at these talks — rich countries didn't think it was realistic to only rely on public funding sources — but poor countries worried that if the money came in loans instead of grants, it would send them sliding further backward into debt that they already struggle with. "The $US300 billion goal is not enough, but is an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future," said World Resources Institute President Ani Dasgupta. "This deal gets us off the starting block. Now the race is on to raise much more climate finance from a range of public and private sources, putting the whole financial system to work behind developing countries' transitions." It's more than the $US250 billion ($A385 billion) that was on the table in the first draft of the text, which outraged many countries and led to a period of frustration and stalling over the final hours of the summit. After an initial proposal of $US250 billion a year was soundly rejected, the Azerbaijan presidency brewed up a new rough draft of $US300 billion, that was never formally presented, but also dismissed roundly by African nations and small island states, according to messages relayed from inside. The several different texts adopted early on Sunday morning included a vague but not specific reference to last year's Global Stocktake approved in Dubai. Last year there was a battle about first-of-its-kind language on getting rid of the oil, coal and natural gas, but instead it called for a transition away from fossil fuels. The latest talks only referred to the Dubai deal, but did not explicitly repeat the call for a transition away from fossil fuels. with DPA and AP 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. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!None

Many beaches along the central and northern stretches of the Peruvian coastline were closed to prevent risk to human life, local authorities said. Waves there submerged jetties and public squares, sending residents fleeing to higher ground, according to images on local media. In neighboring Ecuador, the National Secretariat for Risk Management said a body was recovered in the coastal city of Manta. "The Manta Fire Department reported that, at 6:00 am, the body of a missing person was found lifeless in the Barbasquillo sector," the agency announced on social media. Peru closed 91 of its 121 ports until January 1, the National Emergency Operations Center said on its X social media account. The municipality of Callao, close to the capital Lima and the location of the country's main port, closed several beaches and barred tourist and fishing boats from venturing out. "These waves are being generated thousands of kilometers away from Peru, off the coast of the United States," navy Captain Enrique Varea told Channel N television. "They are waves generated by a persistent wind on the surface of the ocean that is approaching our coasts," he said. Dozens of small fishing boats and businesses near the sea were affected, according to images broadcast on television and social networks. axl/rmb/nro/acbSportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78This social app will match you with a group of strangers for dinnerStock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the market

Retired soldier charged for alleged involvement in farm work scamBhagalpur: Three Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) students, aiming to become ‘ saffron entrepreneurs ’ and cultivate one of the precious spices commercially, has brought a new revolution in ‘kesar’ cultivation by growing it in Bhagalpur using controlled environments and modern technologies. Saffron is grown in India primarily in the Jammu and Kashmir region, but the students with the assistance of researchers and scientists at BAU, Bhagalpur, have successfully cultivated it through aeroponics and vertical farming method . The endeavour has been named ‘From Kashmir to Sabour (Bhagalpur); A Learning Journey’. Groomed by BAU vice chancellor D R Singh and scientists, the three students — Praphull Kumar Singh, Neeraj Sahu and Raushan Kumar — under the guidance of Anil Kumar Singh (director of research, BAU), Sailbala Dei (deputy director research) and Nitu Kumari (assistant professor, agricultural economics), besides the support from Sabour Agri Incubators, have been able to cultivate the saffron, also known as ‘red gold’, at Bhagalpur and plans to turn this into entrepreneurship venture. We also published the following articles recently Maharashtra Jharkhand Maharashtra Alliance View i Party View Seats: 288 Results Majority: 145 BJP+ 229 MVA 47 OTH 12 Results : 288 / 288 BJP+ WON Jharkhand Alliance View i Party View Seats: 81 Results Majority: 41 INDIA 56 NDA 24 OTH 1 Results : 81 / 81 INDIA WON Source: PValue 3 BAU students successfully grow kesarwith aeroponics, vertical farming method Three ambitious students from Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) have achieved a groundbreaking feat by successfully cultivating saffron in Bhagalpur. This achievement, mentored by BAU scientists, involved replicating Kashmir's climate using aeroponics and vertical farming within a controlled environment. BAU advances in climate-resilient crops for sustainable agriculture Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) in Ranchi is developing climate-resilient crops and promoting water-efficient farming practices to boost yields for oilseeds, pulses, and vegetables. BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. S C Dubey stressed the importance of expanding crop coverage and adopting conservation agriculture techniques. BAU advances in climate-resilient crops for sustainable agriculture Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) is developing climate-resilient crops to boost yields using residual monsoon moisture for winter crops. The focus is on expanding oilseed, pulse, and vegetable cultivation with minimal irrigation. BAU also stresses the importance of integrated farming models tailored to Jharkhand's needs and securing external funding for research.

lucky calico withdrawal The Department of Agriculture will require dairy producers in several states to submit raw milk samples in order to test for Bird Flu infection. No, this does not mean the milk you buy at the grocery store could be infected with Bird Flu. Pasteurization kills the virus, and the risk of transmission to humans remains low. The live virus has, however, been identified in raw, unpasteurized milk, so if you’re into that kind of thing, this may be a sign to reconsider what you’re drinking. The new federal guidelines are part of a “National Milk Testing Strategy” (NMTS) aimed at identifying bird flu infections in dairy cattle herds amidst an outbreak of the disease in several states. According to a press release issued by the USDA on Friday, “this NMTS is designed to increase USDA’s and public health partners’ understanding of the virus’ spread in the United States through a structured, uniform, and mandatory testing system that will help swiftly identify which states, and specific herds within them, are affected with H5N1.” Infected herds are subjected to enhanced biosecurity measures to decrease the risk of transmission to other livestock — as the virus is incredibly deadly to poultry — as well as mitigate the risk of potential human transmission. “This testing strategy is a critical part of our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of individuals and communities nationwide,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Our primary responsibility at HHS is to protect public health and the safety of the food supply, and we continue to work closely with USDA and all stakeholders on continued testing for H5N1 in retail milk and dairy samples from across the country to ensure the safety of the commercial pasteurized milk supply.” Read that twice: the nation’s “pasteurized milk supply.” Unpasteurized “raw” milk, the consumption of which has been promoted by health conspiracy theorist and presumptive HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., can contain all manner of deadly pathogens, other bacteria and viruses, and a myriad of icky things found on an udder. In March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) all issued warnings against drinking raw milk. Save yourself an upset tummy, or something much worse, and avoid the raw stuff. While you’re at it, send Louis Pasteur’s long departed soul a little “thank you” for creating one of the greatest advancements in food safety in human history.In conclusion, the experience of selling the "East-facing house" and moving into the "West-facing house" was a poignant reminder that appearances can be deceiving. What may seem like an upgrade on paper can turn out to be a downgrade in reality. It is a lesson I will not soon forget as I navigate the challenges and joys of homeownership.

Aaron Rodgers, Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner on Jets' woeful season: 'We're ready ... then we get our ass kicked' | Sporting News

While the investigation was ongoing, UEFA took swift action by removing Koot from their list of referees. This move was seen as a proactive step by UEFA to address concerns regarding the credibility and integrity of the refereeing system in football. By excluding Koot, UEFA made a clear statement that misconduct and bias would not be tolerated in the sport.

Title: How Many Hours of Sleep Do Adults Need? 7 Hours of Sleep May Not Be Suitable for Everyone

No. 24 Illinois pushes guards; next up is winless Chicago State

Recently, the return of Concubine Xi to the palace has captured the attention of viewers worldwide. The hit drama series "Concubine Xi Returns to the Palace" has become a sensation on Youku, with fans unable to get enough of the captivating storyline and exceptional performances.

In the aftermath of the play's controversial ending, protests erupted outside the theater, with demonstrators calling for the shutdown of the production and demanding accountability from the playwright and director. Social media was ablaze with heated debates and discussions about the ethical boundaries of artistic expression and the responsibility of creators to consider the impact of their work on society.The Biden administration's decision to engage with all Syrian groups represents a significant diplomatic initiative that carries both risks and opportunities. On the one hand, engaging with the Assad regime and other controversial actors may face criticism from those who view them as illegitimate or responsible for human rights violations. On the other hand, dialogue and engagement can help build trust, foster communication, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable peace process.6 key data points NYPD will use to get the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter

Trump and Elon Musk bring American swagger, joyous awe back to space travelluckycalico ph m home 。

In the world of fashion, trends come and go, but some unexpected sources have a way of inspiring the most avant-garde designs. One such trend that has taken the fashion world by storm is the Barnyard Chic trend, affectionately dubbed "Barn Wind" by insiders. This unique style takes rustic elements from the farm and elevates them to high fashion status, blending the rough with the refined in a truly innovative way.Head to Head Review: MiMedx Group (NASDAQ:MDXG) & Daxor (NASDAQ:DXR)Grammy-nominated singer Khalid addressed his sexuality Friday after an alleged scorned lover attempted to out him. In an X post , Khalid shared a rainbow emoji and wrote, “There y’all go. next topic please.” The message came after an aspiring singer named Hugo D. Almonte shared a photo of them together and claimed they broke up over a “lie that I broke into his house.” When social media users began to question Almonte’s relationship claims, Khalid came out and confirm that he is gay. However, he made no mention of Almonte or the allegations mentioned in his post. “I am! And that’s okay,” wrote Khalid, who is best-known for collaborations with singer Normani, Benny Blanco and Halsey. In another message, Khalid wrote, “I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality it ain’t nobodies business! But I am okay with me 🖤 love yall.” As commentators came to Khalid’s defense and slammed Almonte’s efforts to out him, he added, “aight love y’all thank y’all I’m off this 🤞🏾.” Elon Musk’s former pal, philosopher Sam Harris, claimed the billionaire is in the throes of social media addiction, “snorting ketamine and tweeting at all hours of the day and night,” he added in the Friday episode of his The Bulwark podcast. Harris called Musk’s X behavior “palpably, visibly deranged” and said he signal boosts “lunatics.” Harris explained, “We’re seeing the total derangement of a personality based on social media addiction.” Harris also slammed Musk’s so-called “service to humanity by boosting to 200 million followers obvious lies and conspiracy theories.” In response to Harris, Musk replied to a clip from Harris’ show and said he “is just actually not that smart.” Last week, Musk also called Harris “an utter idiot” and “subtarded” in response to another clip. “I heard the other day I was trending on X because Elon had attacked me,” Harris said. “I’ve been off for two years and the guy still attacks me by name on the platform.” Musk slammed Harris again when he said on Nov. 4 that he would “vote for virtually any other human being over” President-elect Donald Trump. “Sam Harris is, ironically, irrationality personified,” Musk wrote . Sam is subtarded 😂 Cannabis use is becoming increasingly mainstream, and Cycling Frog has been contributing to this shift with a variety of easy-to-use hemp-derived cannabidiol products like gummies, softgels, and THC seltzers. These seltzers are a must-try: low in calories, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO, they offer a refreshing alternative for those seeking alcohol-free options. As Brandon H., a Cycling Frog customer, puts it, “I’m 2.5 years sober from alcohol, and these give me the smooth buzz I’ve been looking for since I quit drinking. I love them!” Cycling Frog is introducing two new flavors to its roster—raspberry lemonade and cran razz. The raspberry lemonade is highly potent, packing a whopping 50mg of THC and CBD–this is for experienced users only. Cran razz , on the other hand, has 10mg of THC and CBD. It’s a great option for those looking for a more balanced and manageable buzz. But act fast, cran razz is only here for a limited time. Black currant is Cycling Frog’s star player, earning awards for its perfectly balanced sweet-tart flavor. With 5mg of THC and 10mg of CBD, it’s an ideal choice for newcomers or those looking for a gentle high. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Longtime Melania Trump aide Hayley Harrison has been promoted to be her chief of staff, the former first lady’s office announced on X on Friday. “Mrs. Harrison has maintained an integral role and exceptional leadership on the First Lady’s team over the past seven years,” read the statement. “She has a strong understanding of White House operations, and as Chief of Staff, Mrs. Harrison will oversee and manage the East Wing’s team while strategically liaising with other parts of government.” Harrison was named in President-elect Donald Trump ’s indictment for mishandling of classified documents case, reported ABC News in 2023. Named as Trump Aide 1 in the case, Harrison texted another Trump aide about moving the classified documents out of the business center at Mar-a-Lago to make more room for staff to work. “There is still a little room in the shower where his other stuff is,” Harrison allegedly wrote to another staffer. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting Trump on the classified documents case, is expected to wind down the investigation before Trump takes office. Melania’s former chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, spoke at the Democratic National Convention in July and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Donald Trump Jr. mocked MSNBC for its declining ratings on Friday as he and Elon Musk toyed with the prospect of buying the left-leaning cable news channel—apparently in jest. The exchange on X was kicked off when the president-elect’s eldest child responded to a post from the finance meme account @WallStreetMav that suggested that MSNBC was “up for sale” amid reports that Comcast, its parent firm, was spinning the network and other cable assets off into their own company. “Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!!” Don Jr. wrote , to which the world’s richest man responded, “How much does it cost?” Don Jr. apparently couldn’t pass up the chance for a dig at the network that often criticizes his father. “I mean it can’t be much,” he wrote . “Look at the ratings.” The channel’s struggles—with ratings down 40 percent from this time last year, per Nielsen—reportedly have star host Rachel Maddow taking a $5 million pay cut, meaning she’ll earn a $25 million salary over the next five years rather than the $30 million she currently receives. I mean it can’t be much. Look at the ratings. https://t.co/txcATgBbA2 From tough workouts to long days in the office to natural aging, muscle and joint pain is an unfortunate part of life. Salviv’s new oil spray unlocks the power of magnesium sourced from the Dead Sea—one of the saltiest seas in the world—to soothe pain. This magnesium is renowned worldwide for its potency and purity. Magnesium is a vital nutrient (and natural muscle relaxant) that many people often aren’t getting in their daily diets. A lack of magnesium can cause issues like cramps, stiffness, spasms, pain, and inflammation. While Salviv’s oil spray doesn’t add more magnesium to your diet, it harnesses its benefits for targeted relief. Using the spray couldn’t be easier: spray the oil wherever you’re feeling discomfort or tension and massage the magnesium solution gently into the skin and let it absorb. In addition to its muscle and joint relief, Salviv recommends this oil spray to improve sleep quality. A few sprays before bed can calm your nervous system, allowing you to enjoy deep, restorative sleep. Its compact size and ease of use makes the oil spray an excellent go-to solution for on-the-spot relief. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. Former Rep. Mike Rogers is no longer under consideration to lead the FBI, a senior Donald Trump adviser said Friday. “Just spoke to President Trump regarding Mike Rogers going to the FBI. It’s not happening—In his own words, ‘I have never even given it a thought.’ Not happening," Dan Scavino, who will serve as deputy chief of staff in the incoming administration, posted on X . Sources told Fox News that Rogers, who lost his Senate race in Michigan earlier this month, visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss leading the law enforcement agency. During his first administration, Trump appointed Christopher Wray for the 10-year term but has repeatedly criticized him since then and said on the campaign trail that he wants to fire Wray. Rogers, who once served as an FBI officer and was on the House Intelligence Committee for four years, was also floated for the job in 2016. A civil jury found former UFC Champion Conor McGregor liable in a sexual assault case on Friday, ordering him to pay $257,000. According to the woman who brought the case against McGregor, the former fighter “brutally raped and battered” her in December 2018, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder and severe bruising. She also alleged in her testimony that McGregor put her in a chokehold several times during the encounter and threatened to kill her. The jury, which included eight women and four men, deliberated for around six hours in the High Court in Dublin, Ireland, before ultimately siding with her, reported Associated Press . Outside of the courthouse, the visibly shaken woman said she would now be able to move on with her life. In his testimony, McGregor alleged that the woman’s claims came after they had consensual sex. McGregor later took to X and said he’d be appealing the verdict. “The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages,” McGregor said. “I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed.” I will be appealing today's decision. The judge's instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future.... Theater kids have been singing during screenings of Wicked , and AMC isn’t having it. With the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical—starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande—set to appear in theaters across the U.S. on Friday, the movie theater chain is planning to air a 30-second ad ahead of screenings that implores attendees not to belt out the show’s immensely catchy numbers, Vulture reported . And yes, that even includes “Popular.” Some attendees of early screenings for the flick told The New York Times they were put off by their fellow audience members’ blatant disregard for movie theater norms. “It started slow. Then people heard each other—it was like they encouraged each other,” attendee Angela Weir told the Times . “It was a beautiful scene, and then you’re taken out of it.” But those with the irresistible inclination to join Grande, Erivo, and the rest of the cast need not fret too much. About 1,000 North American cinemas will host special sing-along showings of Wicked beginning after Christmas, Variety reported earlier this week. While Baby Boomers say a person has to earn around $100,000 a year to be “financially successful,” members of Generation Z say they would need to make almost six times that figure—$587,800—to fit the label, Axios reported based on a September survey by Empower. Gen Z is truly in a league of its own—Generation X put the figure at $212,300, while for Millennials it was a bit lower, at $180,900. Across all generations, the average was $270,200. Despite their lofty ideal of financial success, 71 percent of Gen Z still said they thought they would achieve financial success in their lifetime, which was more than any other generational group. Boomers, who reportedly control over half of all American wealth, could actually end up helping Gen Z achieve their goal. Over the next few decades, as much as $50 trillion could flow from the older generation to younger ones in the form of inheritances—although experts also warn that it could also end up being spent on health-care costs for the aging Boomers. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Don’t get me wrong—I’m looking forward to turkey and mashed potatoes next week, but when I saw The Caviar Co . was offering a whopping 40 percent off all caviar and roe this week (including the smallest sizes!), I nearly screamed. The huge (and very rare) sitewide sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on my favorite fancy treat or to spice things up on Turkey Day. The Caviar Co . offers a wide range of roe and caviar species, breeds, and styles (e.g., some with more “pop” and others that are more of a dip or spread) at various price points. Roes start at just $10 an ounce, and caviar at $40 an ounce. If you’re looking for an at-home caviar experience that’s equal parts chic and tasty (and never stuffy), The Caviar Co . will not disappoint. Whether you’re new to caviar and looking for a solid, entry-level-friendly tasting kit or a seasoned caviar connoisseur, you really can’t go wrong with The Caviar Co .—especially when everything is almost half off. Morning Joe star Mika Brzezinski announced Friday she’s leaving Twitter, encouraging her followers to listen to her appearance on The Daily Beast Podcast as she headed for the exit. “I’ve decided to leave X, but I’d love to keep the conversation going. Join me on BlueSky !” the MSNBC host wrote in her presumably final post on Elon Musk ’s platform. Brzezinski’s penultimate post promoted her Daily Beast Podcast episode, in which she spoke about why she visited Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago after his election victory. The personal visit, which Brzezinski made with her husband and co-host Joe Scarborough, set off a furious backlash —and an exodus of viewers —over what some saw as a capitulation to the president-elect after years of denouncing him. “We heard from many of you wanting to let us know that it was the right thing to do, our jobs,” Brzezinski said as she introduced the footage Friday. “We’ve also faced a lot of criticism about the meeting, largely from folks online.” On the podcast, Brzezinski told co-hosts Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee that one of the reasons she and Scarborough went to Mar-a-Lago is that “people are really scared about Donald Trump’s comments about political adversaries.” She added that while she doesn’t “regret anything” she said during the campaign, she is nevertheless “looking at how to do things differently.” “I would never turn down an opportunity to gain insight or information,” Brzezinski added. “Never.” Watch the full podcast interview below. New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast drop every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify , Apple Podcasts , YouTube , or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each episode debuts. Donald Trump will not be sentenced on his 34 fraud convictions anytime soon, a New York judge ruled Friday. With his court order, Judge Juan Merchan indefinitely postponed the hearing that was scheduled to take place next week, allowing Trump’s legal team time to submit their motions for dismissal of the hush money case by December 2. After that, the District Attorney’s office will have a week to deliver its response. On Tuesday, prosecutors signaled that they were fine to give Trump’s attorneys more time to get their argument together, but would oppose any attempts to toss the case. Still, given that Trump is about to assume ultimate pardon power, it now seems unlikely that any consequences will follow from the May conviction. “Just as a sitting President is completely immune from any criminal process,” Todd Blanche, a Trump lawyer poised to join his client’s Justice Department, argued to Merchan in a letter, per NBC , “so too is President Trump as President-elect.”

What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show

The tactical battle between Ancelotti and Atalanta's manager promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams vying for a crucial victory in the Champions League knockout stage. Real Madrid's lineup, as predicted by AS, showcases a blend of experienced stalwarts and young talents, all ready to showcase their skills on the European stage.

"Four Seas Brothers" follows the intertwined lives of four brothers - Jack, Michael, Tony, and Alex - as they navigate the treacherous waters of the criminal underworld in a bustling metropolis. The film opens with a gripping prologue that sets the stage for the brothers' destinies, establishing the central conflicts and motivations that will drive the narrative forward.South Korea's ex-defense minister attempts suicide, police raid presidential office

Britain should move thousands of inmates into low-security open prisons to tackle the overcrowding crisis and reduce reoffending, a senior government adviser has said. David Gauke, the Tory former justice secretary, urged ministers to copy Spain, where a much greater proportion of convicted criminals are free to work and study outside prison walls during the day. In an interview with The Times, he said the policy saved money and meant that inmates were better prepared for release and therefore less likely to reoffend. Gauke, who was justice secretary under Theresa May, is leading a review of sentencing policy for the Labour government, which will influence changes to legislation by the end of next year. He said: “We don’t make as much use of open prisons

Modi's party heads for victory in Maharashtra state election while opposition wins JharkhandOver the years, He Jiong and Wang Han have shared countless memorable moments with us, from heartwarming performances to hilarious skits, from emotional tributes to heart-pounding games. Their ability to adapt to different situations and engage with a wide range of personalities is truly remarkable, making each New Year's Eve gala a uniquely entertaining experience. Their dedication to providing quality entertainment and their unwavering passion for their craft have earned them a special place in the annals of Chinese television history.

Title: Incident Report: Ambulance Blocked by Vehicle Owner, Leading to Administrative Detention

To prevent NPC companions from talking too much and potentially annoying players, developers can implement a system of dynamic dialogue options. By allowing players to choose when and how they interact with their companions, developers can give players a greater sense of agency and control over the conversation. This not only empowers players to decide the pace and depth of the interactions but also prevents them from feeling bombarded by excessive dialogue. Additionally, incorporating contextual cues and triggers can help ensure that NPC companions only speak when it is relevant to the gameplay or story progression.China International Barter Trade Center (CIBTC) is a leading barter trading service platform in China, dedicated to promoting a cashless trade system among businesses and individuals. Barter trade, a method of exchange where goods and services are directly exchanged for other goods and services without the use of money, has a long history in China and has been experiencing a renaissance thanks to platforms like CIBTC.

Britain should move thousands of inmates into low-security open prisons to tackle the overcrowding crisis and reduce reoffending, a senior government adviser has said. David Gauke, the Tory former justice secretary, urged ministers to copy Spain, where a much greater proportion of convicted criminals are free to work and study outside prison walls during the day. In an interview with The Times, he said the policy saved money and meant that inmates were better prepared for release and therefore less likely to reoffend. Gauke, who was justice secretary under Theresa May, is leading a review of sentencing policy for the Labour government, which will influence changes to legislation by the end of next year. He said: “We don’t make as much use of open prisons

d lucky ones cast Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officeWhen Jennifer Ogg signed up an Ironman race in Cozumel, Mex., she had no idea that months later, she’d get the call to be inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame. The retired officer with the London Police Service couldn’t attend the ceremony Saturday in Sarnia, Ont., but told CTV News she’s both sad and thrilled at the same time. “I wish I could be there, but to have my name alongside guys like Troy Ross, it's a definitely a huge honour and a celebration for those who helped me get there,” said Ogg. Ogg is one of Canada’s all-time great female boxers. She is a four-time national champion and finished her career with a 69-7 record, including 14-1 in international bouts. Ogg became the first female boxer in Ontario to win a World Amateur Championship when she captured the title in 2002 in Antalya, Tur. London boxer Jennifer Ogg celebrates a World Championship gold medal in 2002 in Antalya, Turkey (Source: Jennifer Ogg) “When they announced to the team (in 2002), I wasn't on the list at first which was devastating,” said Ogg. “But Tom Hennessey (Bluewater Boxing Club President) contacted Boxing Canada and made a deal with them. He said if I didn't medal, that he would foot the bill, but if I did medal, that they (Boxing Canada) would pay. I was accepted and I had five fights.” Hennessey recalls he road to the World title. “It was her will to win and her will to fight,” said Hennessey, who is a board member with Boxing Canada, was chair of the Boxing Canada elite and under-23 national championships in Sarnia. “She broke her hand just before the championships but that didn't hold her back. She trained with one hand. Once she healed, she went over there and had five bouts in six days and won the gold medal.” Ogg was among a star-studded class of inductees. She goes into the hall with seven former Olympians Jamie Pagendam, Raymond Downey, Howard Grant, Domenic Figliomeni, Egerton Marcus, Troy Ross and coach Colin MacPhail. Ogg recalled how she discovered the sport. “I was working one night, and I happened upon the All-Nations Boxing Club on Glebe Street,” said Ogg. “Frank Rodriguez had a club and that's how it all started.” She would train there, then started working with Darryl Walker in St. Thomas, before moving to Bluewater Boxing in Sarnia. “Jen was born and raised in the London area, but she came here to train,” said Hennessey. “She would come down here at 5 a.m. and train and go to work in London and then come back at 5 p.m. and train. She did that all the way through to the World Championships. She is a rare breed of an individual that comes along every now and then.” Ogg was also a top three finalist, alongside Catriona Le May Doan and Beckie Scott, for Canadian Female Athlete of the Year. “When I won the gold (in 2002) it was it was amazing,” said Ogg, who is now the president of Boxing Ontario. “We were rushed into drug testing, and I just wanted to get on the phone and call everybody. I remember calling mom and dad, and it was amazing. A lot of my friends met me at the airport when I went home, and it was the best moment of my life.” Olympic cousins inducted Among those in attendance for the ceremony were cousins Egerton Marcus and Troy Ross. Both of them were enshrined. Cousins Troy Ross (left) and Egerton Marcus were inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Sarnia, Ont. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) “When I started, I was training with my uncle, and Troy was my little cousin behind me,” said Marcus, a silver medalist in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. “He was one of the toughest ones because he had two brothers, and they were bigger than him. To be honoured like this and go into the hall of fame with him is amazing.” Ross is a two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medalist. Hall of Fame boxer Troy Ross signs a glove which was put up for auction (Brent Lale/CTV News London) “This is a legacy,” said Ross. “There are so many other fighters that paved the way for today. To be on a plaque with legends like Lennox Lewis, my cousin Egerton Marcus, guys that I've looked up to in the sport for so many years and trying to get to what they have done in the sport, and now being able to be inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame, it’s just actually surreal.” Ross is also known for acting in several movies. He played opposite Russell Crowe in Cinderella Man in 2005, Resurrecting the Champ in 2007 with Samuel L. Jackson and in Phantom Punch in 2008. “The good thing about acting is that we're acting and it's not real hard punches,” said Ross. “There are punches being thrown and there's punches being landed, but they’re nothing like what's in the ring. Working with Russell Crowe, he is a great actor and just being able to work alongside him was amazing. He took us under his wing, and just being able to work with him and to see the other side of acting was amazing.” The induction ceremony took place Saturday night between championship fights. The inductees called it a “full circle moment” as they were being honoured, the next generation of fighters were battling in the ring. 2024 Canadian Olympic Bronze Medallist Wyatt Sanford was in Sarnia, Ont. supporting the young boxers competing in the National Championships (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London) “it's an important event because it's a pathway and this is a new quadrennial,” said Hennessey. “We just had the Olympics in Paris, and now the next Olympics are in L.A. in 2028. This is the start of all these kids. Canadian champions today, maybe Olympic champions in four years.” London Top Stories World Champion Jennifer Ogg of London, Ont. among inductees in Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame Two displaced in $200,000 house fire Three people in hospital due to collision Sarnia police warning of scams Assault at Santa Claus parade leads to charges United Way’s living wage rises Easton Cowan needs a point Sunday to tie 55-game OHL point streak record CPKC Holiday Train to stop in Southwestern Ontario Sunday night CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger. ‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14. A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls. Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada. These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech. Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device. Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup Jannik Sinner clinched Italy’s second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season by beating Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor. Lotto Max jackpot hits $80M for second time ever The Lotto Max jackpot has climbed to $80 million for just the second time in Canadian lottery history. Montreal police chief expects additional arrests following anti-NATO protest Montreal's police chief says he expects more arrests stemming from a Friday anti-NATO protest that turned violent, with smashed windows and burned cars in downtown Montreal. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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Barrie Driver seriously injured after crashing into tree: OPP First snowfall hits region Local high school basketball team wins provincial championship Windsor How a senior's efforts to craft hats for students knitted his community together Increased police presence in Tecumseh CPKC Holiday Train coming to Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex Northern Ontario Northern Ont. First Nation files claim against Ontario and Newmont mining Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. More carrots pulled from grocery store shelves in expanded recall for E. coli: CFIA Sault Ste. 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'It's an optimistic space:' Inside Toronto's new drug withdrawal centre Routes to avoid during the 120th Santa Claus Parade on Sunday Montreal Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident Two suspicious fires in Rawdon Montreal police chief expects additional arrests following anti-NATO protest Atlantic ‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home Nova Scotia retirement community asks people to ‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ Man arrested in Saint John, N.B., for weapons offences Winnipeg Winnipeg postal workers still collecting letters to Santa amid ongoing strike Have you seen Bostyn? Winnipeg police search for missing teenager The Thriftmas Special: The benefits of second-hand holiday shopping Calgary Snowfall warning lifted but flurries remain in Sunday forecast Revival of Pospisil, power play fuels Flames to 4-3 shootout win over Wild Want to go out? 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Stock market today: Wall Street rises with Nvidia as bitcoin bursts above $99,000Robert Braswell scores 19 to help Charlotte earn 77-63 victory over Georgia StatePenn State looks to control offensive glass vs. Penn

'Gaddar, Puppet': How Eknath Shinde Proved His Critics Wrong in 2 YearsAcclaimed Hong Kong film star Tony Leung Chiu Wai has a new feather in his cap. The 62-year-old actor was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on Nov 23. Both Leung and his wife, actress Carina Lau, posted photos of him dressed in a red robe and a graduation cap at the conferment ceremony on their respective Instagram accounts. Lau, 58, wrote: “Congratulations, Dr Leung.“ The star received the doctorate alongside other honorary doctorate recipients. They included American chipmaker Nvidia co-founder and chief executive Jensen Huang, who was conferred a Doctor of Engineering. Leung was given the title of Doctor of Humanities. Both Leung and Lau uploaded a picture of Mr Huang and Leung shaking hands while seated next to each other. The university said in an article published on news outlet South China Morning Post that Leung is “a role model for the university’s students, encouraging them to dream big and make a positive impact on society”. Yvonne Lim moving back to S'pore after 10 years in Taiwan Leung is known for his roles in Wong Kar-wai movies like Happy Together (1997) and In The Mood For Love (2000). His role in the latter won him Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival. He is also the first Chinese actor to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival in 2023. A post shared by Carina Lau (@carinalau1208) Leung, who gave a speech in English, said at the ceremony: “I’ve been acting for 42 years and I have become who I am with a bit of method, ambition, discipline, hard work and, of course, a lot of luck to be better each time when the camera rolls.” He also shared his secret to being a good actor, which is to treat himself as a beginner with every new project. “This will keep you fresh, so you won’t have an ego and imagine yourself as an experienced actor, because that will drag you down.” He then encouraged the audience: “Love what you do, have passion. It’s not an easy path, but for me, it is very rewarding.”

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Matt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general

Prairie View fires football coach Bubba McDowellFARMVILLE, Va. (AP) — Keishon Porter had 20 points in North Carolina Central's 77-70 win against Longwood on Saturday. Porter also contributed three steals for the Eagles (5-8). Po'Boigh King scored 16 points while shooting 6 for 10, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. Kelechi Okworogwo finished 4 of 4 from the floor for eight points. Colby Garland led the Lancers (9-3) with 15 points, six assists and four steals. Michael Christmas added 14 points and six rebounds. Elijah Tucker scored 13. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Today is an exceptionally significant day in the history of our Parliament. For decades, political power in our country shifted back and forth between two main camps. However, during the last Presidential and General Elections, that political power was entrusted to a new camp, us. This marks a monumental moment in the history of Sri Lanka’s Parliament. This mandate is a comprehensive one, encompassing numerous key aspects. Under our country’s established electoral system, this Parliament now includes the highest number of representatives ever elected under a singular mandate. This is a numerically significant achievement. However, beyond its quantitative value lies a qualitative strength: for the first time in a long while, the public mandate has brought about a political transformation that enabled the formation of a new Government. People from all provinces—North, South, East, and West—representing diverse communities, contributed to this mandate. I believe that for an extended period, the political framework in our country, and the bases of political power, were often shaped along regional, ethnic, or religious lines. Such political divisions inevitably resulted in growing alienation among communities. Suspicion and mistrust between different groups grew. When racism becomes the cornerstone of a political ideology, the unavoidable outcome is the emergence of counter- racism from opposing groups. Racism in one part feeds and strengthens nationalism in another. This is a dynamic we have experienced throughout our country’s political and social history. Yet, today, all communities across all provinces have trusted us and granted us this power. It is with profound gratitude that I extend my deepest respect and thanks to the people who trusted us. At the same time, I also acknowledge that there are sections of the population that did not trust us but instead placed their faith in other political movements. They, too, are an integral part of this democratic process. That is the Nature of Democracy. Democracy is not about uniting all people under a single party or a single ideology. The essence of democracy lies in the coexistence of diverse political ideologies and groups. It thrives on the presence of political factions with varying economic and political perspectives. As a democratic state, we do not advocate for one-party rule. Instead, we embrace multi-party politics as a core principle of our democratic framework. We are fully aware that there is a significant portion of the population who did not vote for us. It is the responsibility of our Government to represent and address the needs and aspirations of all citizens, regardless of whether they voted for us or not. Our commitment is to fulfil the expectations of every citizen of this nation. Elections create a contract between the people and us. This bond is formed when we present our policy statement and ideas, outlining how the country’s future should be shaped. People who place their trust in these ideas cast their votes for us. With their votes, the people have fulfilled their part in this relationship by granting us the mandate to govern. Now, it is our turn to fulfil our part by serving the people. Therefore me and my Government are fully committed to upholding this bond. We will ensure that this trust is never violated and that governance continues responsibly, always prioritising the well-being of the people. During this election campaign, it became evident that despite our differences in province, culture, language, and religion, we came together for a shared purpose and united behind a common goal. This unity displayed during the elections signifies a powerful moment in building national harmony, which the people of our country have long yearned for. While we may hold diverse political opinions, I assure you with full responsibility that we will not allow a resurgence of divisive racist politics in our country. Similarly, no form of religious extremism will be permitted to take root. Our nation has endured immense suffering due to ethnic conflicts. This soil has been soaked with enough blood, and rivers have flowed with the tears of countless people. Mistrust, suspicion, and anger among communities have grown to alarming levels. As representatives of this Parliament, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that our future generations inherit a nation free of such suffering. We owe it to them to create a state where such tragedies are not repeated. In politics, we may have countless slogans and battle cries, whether they be about economy or democracy. However, I guarantee that no one will be allowed to use nationalist or religious rhetoric as a means to gain political power in this country. Moreover, this mandate reflects another significant aspiration of the people: the desire to transform the corrupt political culture that has taken root in this country over many years. I have been serving in this Parliament since the year 2000. I have represented this Parliament continuously for 24 years. However, over these years, I have witnessed first-hand its gradual decline. I have seen the erosion of public trust in this institution and experienced the deterioration of the respect once held for it, both within these chambers and among the general public. The respect and honour once associated with this Parliament have steadily deteriorated. What was once a revered institution has now become an object of public distrust, hostility and contempt. It is seen as an adversary by the people, a body they feel disconnected from and disillusioned with. I do not believe that such a Parliament is fit to govern, lead, or wield the sovereign power of the people. A Parliament like that is no longer fit to exercise financial control on behalf of the people. Nor is it suitable to continue drafting laws on behalf of the public. So, what must be done? The Parliament holds the central role in upholding the people›s sovereignty and exercising their power. It is the primary institution responsible for creating laws for the benefit of the people. Therefore, it is imperative that Parliament does not drift further away from the people or lose its relevance to them. The primary mission of this Parliament must be to restore its dignity and uphold its superior status as an institution. At this critical juncture, restoring the dignity and supremacy of Parliament should be a top priority. Today, this Parliament includes a significant number of new members. This offers an opportunity to establish good practices swiftly and effectively. I believe our current Speaker, the parliamentary staff, and all elected members have a crucial role in revitalising this Parliament. Together, we must re-establish it as a body that truly represents the people and regains the trust and respect it once commanded. This Parliament will no longer remain a hidden chamber concealed from the public. Today, Parliament operates in alignment with advancements in modern technology and media, making every daily occurrence open to the public. It will no longer serve as a secretive or inaccessible centre shielded from public scrutiny. Instead, we are striving to transform this Parliament into a transparent and accessible institution for all citizens. As representatives of the people, we must continually uphold the principle that everything we say, the way we behave, and the opinions we express are subject to public scrutiny. If anyone believes that being entrusted with power marks the end of accountability, they are mistaken. The public retains the authority to scrutinise us until the next transfer of power, the next electoral mandate. Therefore, I firmly believe that in the coming years, this Parliament has the potential to become one that successfully withstands public scrutiny. To achieve this, I look forward to the support and contributions of the Honourable Speaker and all Members of Parliament. Furthermore, we are aware that this election marks a historical milestone in Sri Lanka as the one where the highest number of public servants voted in favour of a single Government. However, it is no secret that the general public does not hold a favourable perception of the state service in our country. There exists significant dissatisfaction and negative sentiments among the public towards state services. Similarly, many within the state service themselves feel dissatisfied and unfulfilled in their roles and professional lives. As a result, we are faced with a dual challenge: an unsatisfied public and a discontented state service workforce. Our ultimate responsibility, therefore, is to establish a state service that satisfies both the citizens it serves and the individuals who work within it. Through this mandate, the people have shown their support for the reforms and proposals we presented to establish a better, more efficient public service. We firmly believe that moving forward without a strong and effective public service is not possible. Across the world, whenever countries undergo significant transformations, both political leadership and the functionality of the public sector play a critical role in achieving success. No matter how ambitious the goals and expectations of political leaders may be, those goals can only be realised if there is a well-structured and responsive public service to implement them. That is why we believe it is essential to rebuild a competent, people-centric public service that prioritizes the well-being of the citizens. The strong mandate we have received from public servants themselves underscores this need. We are fully focused on addressing this critical issue. Moreover, democracy and freedom are fundamental principles. Every citizen should feel free to practice their religion, speak their language, and live according to their cultural values without fear or discrimination. No one should feel that their beliefs, culture, or political affiliations make them targets of undue pressure or prejudice. While political changes may occur, individual identities and freedoms must always be respected. As I have said before, different communities may have their unique identities, but freedom is a common right for all. It is our responsibility to create a democratic and Free State where every citizen can live without fear or suspicion. We assure you that we are fully committed to fulfilling this responsibility and will work tirelessly to ensure this vision becomes a reality. A key responsibility we face is reaffirming the supremacy of the rule of law in our country. The rule of law is not upheld solely by enacting legislation in this Parliament. While we have drafted progressive and robust laws through extensive discussions and debates within this institution, enacting laws is not sufficient. These laws must be implemented effectively, and the people must feel that justice is being upheld. Unfortunately, over time, public trust in the rule of law has eroded. People no longer believe that they can obtain justice by seeking redress through the legal system when wronged. Their confidence in the ability of the legal system to resolve injustices has diminished. This signifies a breakdown in public faith in the supremacy of law and order. Without strengthening this foundation, we cannot build a just and prosperous state. A well-functioning rule of law must be the cornerstone of a good governance system. Therefore, as a state, as a Government, and under the leadership of the President, we must all adhere to the law. No politician, authority, or individual should place themselves above the law. Everyone must operate within its boundaries, and we must work to restore the public’s trust in it. Importantly, this effort is not about pursuing personal vendettas or engaging in witch hunts. Every citizen has the right to engage in politics freely. But there have been controversial crimes that must be addressed. If perpetrators believe that such crimes can be buried and forgotten over time, it only deepens the public’s distrust in the legal system. To restore this trust, crimes that fuelled controversy must be thoroughly investigated, justice must be served to the victims, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. These incidents cannot simply become political rhetoric for campaigns, as has often happened in the past. History shows that no state that failed to achieve justice for such crimes has succeeded in progressing. I assure you that the crimes that fuelled controversy will be exposed, the perpetrators will face justice, and fairness will be ensured for the victims. We aim to establish a state where law, justice, and fairness prevail. If we fail to do so within this mandate, there is little point in dreaming of such a state in the future. Let us remember that the public mandate we have received is steeped in these expectations and yearnings for justice. This mandate reflects the grief of families mourning their lost loved ones, the despair of friends of those murdered, and the cry for justice echoing throughout this country. If we fail to deliver justice, who else will? Who can we entrust this responsibility to? No one. If we do not fulfil this duty, the public’s dreams of justice and fairness will wither away. I believe that without action, even the faintest hopes for justice will vanish in this nation. Justice and fairness must be re-established in this country. We must address not only these crimes but also the corruption and fraud that have contributed to our nation’s turmoil. By enforcing the law, reaffirming its supremacy, and restoring public trust, we can rebuild the foundation of justice. If we do not do it, then who will? This is the pressing question before us today. As we took office, we were fully aware of the depth and scale of the economic challenges we were facing, even while we were engaged in opposition politics. Our economy was caught in a severe crisis, deeply entrenched in a massive recession and substantial economic contraction. We found ourselves dealing with an extremely fragile economic system. This economy cannot withstand drastic shocks, and so, immediately upon taking power, our focus turned to ensuring economic stability and reaffirming trust with the relevant economic stakeholders. We understood that even the smallest error could have significant repercussions due to the scale of the crisis. Any disruption would only further harm the already delicate economic system. That’s why we have approached every decision with utmost caution, taking into account every possible angle, to avoid any further damage. This economic crisis has left us with no room for mistakes. Therefore, when managing this economy, we must carefully consider every aspect, thoughtfully analyse all factors, engage in dialogue, and make well-informed decisions. Therefore, during the presidential and general elections, we promised the people that we would manage the economy in accordance with the parameters agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund. As a result, we are currently engaged in several crucial actions to stabilise the economy, and everyone knows that the third review by the IMF has been delayed. Originally, this review was supposed to begin in September, but due to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, it was postponed. As soon as the General Election was concluded, the IMF delegation arrived on the 17th, and we have been in extended discussions with them. We are optimistic that by the 23rd, we will be able to finalise and will be able to sign an agreement with the IMF staff level, marking a critical step in our journey with the IMF. This is a crucial step in moving forward with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Additionally, the debt restructuring program agreed upon with the IMF has faced some challenges. When we assumed power, we had already reached an agreement on the restructuring of bilateral debt. We also had already started discussions on international sovereign bond debt in the commercial market. We recall that these discussions were publicly announced through the media, with the final agreement being made just two days before the Presidential Election. As a result, we were not given an opportunity to revisit discussions on debt restructuring. The negotiations had already been on-going for more than two years. If we were to restart discussions on the restructuring program for an extended period, it would be impossible for us to move the economy forward without completing the debt restructuring process. When we assumed office, the discussions on debt restructuring, which had been on-going for nearly two years, were in their final stages. At this juncture, debating whether the proposed restructuring plan is good or bad, advantageous or disadvantageous, serves no purpose. This is the reality we are faced with. Based on this, we have reached a common understanding regarding bilateral debt. We are now prepared to quickly formalise agreements with individual countries accordingly. On the other hand, with regard to international sovereign bonds and commercial market debt, we have reached a preliminary agreement. We anticipate that this process will be completed by the end of December. Consequently, we believe that the debt restructuring program with the International Monetary Fund can be successfully concluded before the end of this year. Additionally, we expect to secure staff-level agreement for the third review of the program this week, which will provide a credible foundation for rebuilding our economy. However, as a policy, we do not believe that this framework alone will suffice to address all the deep-seated crises facing our economy. Nevertheless, it will be adequate for managing the crisis in our financial sector. Yet, the economic structure of our nation is severely compromised, akin to a system suffering from significant structural collapse. Therefore, to navigate out of this breakdown, we must adopt a new economic strategy. This new economic strategy is centred on three key pillars. First, we must achieve rapid growth and expansion in the production of goods and services in our country. It is essential to both increase and broaden the production of goods and services to revitalise our economy. Often, the significant economic growth of our country is driven by the Western Province. Therefore, the economy must be expanded to other provinces as well. The main strategy for our economy is rapid growth in the production of goods and services, along with quick expansion. The next key characteristic of this economy should be that it involves the people. We cannot benefit from an economy that excludes the people. An economy that turns people into mere spectators will not bring us any gains. In every aspect of the economy, people should become active participants according to their abilities. If the people are not involved as key players in the economy, the benefits of that economy will not reach them. Therefore, our primary goal is to design an economy where people can be integrated as participants in the economic process. This becomes the second characteristic of our economic strategy. The third characteristic of our economic strategy is that no matter how much national wealth we produce, if it becomes concentrated in the hands of a few, it will not bring stability to the state or the economy. Therefore, all citizens must come together to generate significant national wealth. The country’s natural resources are utilised to produce this wealth. If we all contribute to the creation of substantial national wealth but it becomes concentrated among a few, it will not stabilise the economy or society. Our policy, therefore, is that the benefits of the economy must be fairly distributed among the people. We have seen the history of large-scale crises created when wealth becomes concentrated among a few. Hence, we approach managing the economy from the standpoint that economic benefits must flow fairly to all citizens. Ensuring consistent, high-quality goods and services at fair prices through effective market management We also have a policy regarding the interventions to the market. We understand that our country does not have a large market. Within this market, monopolies could be formed. For example, if we look at rice, our daily rice consumption is around 6,500 metric tons. Annually, we need approximately 2.3 million metric tons of rice. When compared with other countries around the world, our market shows the characteristics of a small market. The danger of a small market is that monopolies can be formed within it. Therefore, the market does not operate based on the data and trends in the economy. This is an experience we have encountered. Our market does not operate based on economic factors. Today, our country’s market operates on monopolistic control. Monopolies are able to influence the pricing and decision-making of goods. They can determine the purchase prices of rice and other goods. These decisions are not made based on market factors but on the monopolistic power they hold in the market. As a result, the creation of monopolies in the market has led to the public bearing a heavy cost to purchase essential goods and services. Therefore, we hope to re-establish control over how our country’s market operates. As a Government, our goal is to ensure that consumers have continuous access to goods and services at fair prices, while maintaining quality. This is a responsibility that the Government has towards the public, and it is a responsibility we cannot neglect. To fulfil this responsibility, we are focusing on several mechanisms. One of these is the role of competition in the general economy, which can help create sustainability and quality while also determining prices. Therefore, in certain sectors, we expect to achieve these objectives through competition. However, there are also sectors where the market is not solely driven by free competition. In these areas, regulation through market authorities can ensure proper functioning. We have already established regulatory institutions for this purpose, and laws for regulatory authorities have been enacted in Parliament. However, we must reconsider whether these regulatory bodies and laws are sufficient to address the distortions currently present in the market. There are other sectors that are also crucial for the economy, particularly sensitive areas. In these sectors, market competition alone is not sufficient, and the state must play a role in controlling a segment of the market to ensure proper regulation. One such sector we are especially mindful of is the energy market. The free energy market should not be solely determined by free competition. When managing the energy market, the state must represent a portion of the market. This is a very sensitive area in the economy, as even a small fluctuation in the energy market can have a severe detrimental effect on the entire economy. Therefore, we firmly believe that in such sectors, the state must play an active role in regulating and representing the market. Similarly, in the financial market, what would happen if it were allowed to operate freely without regulation? The Central Bank acts as the regulatory authority, but we believe that the state should also represent a segment of the financial market. Therefore, we consider certain critical areas in the market that should be managed by a state entity. We firmly believe that the state should operate as a regulatory arm in the market to ensure its stability and proper functioning. Fourthly, instead of a fragmented market, we have the ability to organise and structure the market. We understand that in both our country and globally, the management of the market plays a crucial role, and cooperative networks contribute significantly to this. Therefore, we aim to strengthen these cooperative networks and position ourselves as a strong competitor in the market. Our strategy for managing production and the marketplace is straightforward and based on this foundation, and we are committed to implementing it. This is our core foundation. Based on this, we have identified a few key areas where we can achieve short-term growth in the production of goods and services. One such area is the tourism industry, where we can quickly gain momentum. We have already developed plans to attract 4 million tourists and generate an $8 billion economy through the tourism sector within the next 3 to 4 years. The highest number of tourists we’ve ever had was in 2018, with around 2.3 million visitors, bringing in approximately $4.3 billion to the economy. However, our goal is to attract 4 million tourists and generate an $8 billion economy through this sector. We believe that this is an area where we can achieve rapid growth. The next key sector is Information Technology (IT). As we know, there is rapid growth in IT markets worldwide. Therefore, we need professionals with IT skills, literacy, and expertise. Currently, there are around 85,000 IT professionals in our country. Within the next five years, we aim to increase this number to 200,000. At present, our IT export income is around $1.2 billion, which is relatively small. We plan to increase IT exports to $5 billion, aiming for a significant transformation in the IT sector. To achieve this, we are focusing on education, particularly in languages, as a critical part of this strategy. We envision the IT sector as a major contributor to our country’s economy, offering significant potential for growth. We also know that our country’s strategic location gives us a significant advantage in becoming a major trade and maritime hub. Even today, the Port of Colombo ranks highly among global ports. However, we have recognised the need for increased efficiency and faster management. Are the teams responsible for managing the port’s operations satisfied with the current supply of goods and services? No, it has become inefficient. Therefore, we are in a unique position to leverage our location to transform our country into a powerful global trade and maritime centre. We must fully utilise this geographic advantage. We have already developed plans for this transformation, and we envision this as a place where we can rapidly unlock economic potential. Similarly, we know that the environment here is ideal for it. There is a large farming community with access to fertile land. However, the outcome has been a farming community burdened with debt. A community that has been forced to mortgage even their jewellery to the bank. A community that has had to pledge its water pumps as collateral. We have made significant investments in agriculture. Over the past few decades, we’ve heavily invested in irrigation. Today, I know we are continuing to invest in the development of the irrigation sector. We have also spent a great deal on agricultural research. But what has been the result? The farmer has become trapped in debt, turning them into a marginalized member of society. This has led to health insecurity. The education of children has been ruined. They have been deprived of comfortable homes. The poverty of the farmer, who is caught in the struggles of agricultural life, has become a significant social tragedy. Therefore, we hope to make a new leap in agriculture. Specifically, we must revive our seed research laboratories. We must develop seed farms. We must reinstate a strong agricultural extension service. We must enter the market for agricultural products, not only meeting the needs of our country but also targeting the export market. We do not believe that the lives of the people can be improved through farming alone without innovation in the agricultural sector. We see it as a place where we can make rapid progress. That is why we increased the fertilizer subsidy given to the agricultural industry from Rs.15, 000 per hectare to Rs. 25,000 initially. If there are other areas that need subsidies, we are ready to provide them. Because agriculture must become a major part of our country’s economy. We are also focusing on the fishing industry. Our nation’s sea is eight times the size of our land, yet we are only utilizing a small portion of this vast resource. The fishing industry holds great potential for boosting our economy. In the past, due to rising fuel costs and other expenses, many boats were stranded on land instead of being out at sea. This situation yielded no results. Therefore, our first priority was to get those boats back into the water. That’s why we implemented a fuel subsidy for the fishing community. According to the latest reports, all the boats that were previously stranded have now been launched back into the sea. This is a positive sign, and it shows that the economy is on the path to a much-needed leap forward. Additionally, in the long term, we believe that the natural resources in our country, particularly mineral resources, hold enormous potential for our economy. However, we have not been able to extract the value we need from these resources, nor have we added the necessary value for a long time. Therefore, we aim to establish a value-added industrial system by integrating both the state and private sector to transform these mineral resources into more value-added products. We have already discussed this with local industrialists in our country. We do not believe this can be achieved solely by the state. For certain areas, we require technology, and for others, we need capital. Hence, we hope to engage private entrepreneurs to help develop this industrial system. We believe this will mark a new turning point for our economy. Furthermore, we believe that the area where our economy can undergo a significant transformation is science and technology. If we examine the developed countries around the world, each has invested a substantial portion of its annual budget in new research. The market does not progress by offering traditional and conservative goods and services. It evolves continuously, leaving behind old products and services, creating new markets for innovative products and services. Recently, several countries in the Asian region have successfully captured these new markets. However, we have failed to participate in the new global market. Instead, we have remained a participant in the market that offers traditional and conservative goods and services. Our goal is to make a significant leap in the field of scientific research. This is why we have established a dedicated Ministry of Science and Technology and appointed former Professor Chrishantha from the Ragama Medical Faculty, who has vast experience in the field, as its Minister. We have also appointed individuals like Gomika, who has conducted major research in the United States and brought international recognition to Sri Lanka, as the Advisor to the President on Science and Technology. We expect this transformation in science and technology to bring about a major impact. The next key area is digitalization, and building a digital economy. We believe that we can grow from a digital economy into a USD 15 billion economy. To support this, we have created a separate Ministry of Digitalization. In particular, we are fortunate to have Hans Wijayasuriya, who has deep knowledge and experience in this field. He has resigned from a prominent international company to dedicate himself to digitizing Sri Lanka. I am ready to appoint him as the Secretary of that Ministry, Chairman of the ICT Institute, and Advisor to the President on Digitalization. It is essential that this initiative is managed from a single, unified place. We are committed to achieving this goal. Digitalization is crucial, especially for providing services to citizens and advancing the economy to a new level. To elevate our country from its current state to a new level, the hallmark of that future will be a Digital Sri Lanka. Our Government is fully dedicated to achieving this vision. We are doing everything in our power to ensure its success, and we are confident it will be realized successfully. Next, we will launch a major initiative called “Cleaning Sri Lanka.” I plan to establish a presidential task force to lead this effort. It’s important to note that Clean Sri Lanka is not just about the environment. While our people can bring about positive changes in political leadership and the civil service, we also need a transformation in the mind-set of citizens to build a strong nation. Without this positive shift in citizenship, we will not succeed in achieving the broader goals of political transformation. Therefore, we must make a concerted effort to foster good citizenship, positive attitudes, responsible actions, and proper behaviour. This is the core objective of the “Clean Sri Lanka” program. In particular, though it may not be a topic for national assembly discussions, even issues at the provincial council level need attention. For example, we should ask the women of our country: Do they have access to clean toilet facilities? I am aware that some women who travel to Colombo from remote areas often avoid drinking water until they return home. Why? She does not have access to a clean sanitation system. Even where toilet facilities exist, maintaining them in a clean and hygienic manner has become unmanageable. Despite having a physical infrastructure, where is the development in societal attitudes? What was meant to be a shared public space has been reduced to a site of neglect and destruction. What does this reflect? It is a manifestation of the mind-set and attitudes prevalent within a certain segment of our citizens. Through the Clean Sri Lanka Program, we aim to initiate such a transformative change in these perceptions. How do we safeguard public property? How do we become citizens who are accountable to society? How do we preserve our nation’s resources, not only for those of us living today but also for future generations? How do we drive responsibly as motorists? How do we cross the road safely? How do we respect one another? How do we follow basic courtesies when entering a space? Don’t we aspire to create such a society? Right now, we exist in a community burdened by tragedy, a fractured society filled with conflicts and discontent. A society where even minor incidents frequently escalate into confrontations, rather than being resolved with patience, forgiveness, or compassion. There is no space for tolerance, understanding, or empathy. What we are witnessing is a society hardened and parched, deprived of humanity’s fundamental virtues. This society needs revival. A parched, joyless, and rigid society cannot progress. We need a community that smiles, a society where people look at one another with kindness and compassion. We need a humane, empathetic society, one that is sensitive to the pain of others and ready to provide solace. In particular, we aspire to bring about significant transformation in the fields of education, literature, law, and societal values. This includes fostering an advanced and qualitative society. With this goal in mind, the National People’s Power Government is committed to creating an environment that nurtures these values, enabling a progressive and compassionate community. Poverty needs to be eradicated. Doesn’t every citizen deserve a fair meal, quality education for their children, a decent home, stable income opportunities, and mental well-being? Addressing rural and urban poverty has become one of the Government’s primary missions. As an initial step toward eradicating poverty, we are committed to increasing the existing welfare allowances fairly in the upcoming budget. Additionally, provisions will be made to support schoolchildren from economically disadvantaged families with allowances for essential school supplies. From October, we are increasing pensions for retirees, and in the forthcoming budget, we will ensure a fair increase in wages for public sector employees. Child malnutrition will not be allowed to escalate into a future social crisis. To combat malnutrition, we plan to provide targeted allowances to affected families and ensure that pregnant mothers receive the necessary nutritious meals to safeguard their health and well-being. Furthermore, we will facilitate access to goods and services currently out of reach for many due to poverty. However, long-term reliance on such measures is not sustainable for any Government. Every country at any given time has economically productive and non-productive populations. Even in what are considered the most developed nations, there exists a population outside active economic participation. Therefore, it remains the Government’s enduring responsibility to support these groups, and we will not neglect this duty. In particular, our nation has a significant population of differently-abled individuals. You are aware that in households with a differently-abled child, the entire family often faces considerable hardship. These children are frequently deprived of opportunities to lead culturally enriching lives, and their conditions often consume the lives of their parents and siblings. This should not be the inevitable fate of families with differently-abled members. Therefore, we are introducing special mechanisms and allowances to support differently-abled individuals. Our Government must be one that looks after all its citizens, a Government that leaves no one behind. This responsibility and commitment are inherent to every administration. We will fulfil that commitment and are prepared to act in accordance with this responsibility. We do not believe that poverty can be eradicated solely through the continued provision of relief and allowances. To eliminate poverty, individuals must engage in economically productive activities that yield tangible outcomes. Currently, the primary economic activity of many living in poverty is agriculture. Unless agriculture is transformed into a profitable enterprise, it will be impossible to lift these individuals out of poverty. Similarly, without making the fishing industry a lucrative one, we cannot address the poverty faced by fishing communities. Therefore, our first priority is to develop the economic activities in which these individuals are already engaged, turning them into successful and profitable ventures. However, we recognize that these activities alone are insufficient for a village’s economic advancement. New economic opportunities and resources must be introduced within rural areas. We also see an alarming trend of small and medium entrepreneurs seeking opportunities abroad. Instead of this exodus, we must foster a mind-set of staying and thriving as small and medium-scale entrepreneurs within the country. Providing the necessary technical knowledge, capital, and access to markets is a responsibility the Government takes seriously. However, we acknowledge that our local market is limited, with only around 3.8 million participants in our dual economies, making it a relatively small market. It is not feasible for industries, entrepreneurs, and businesses to develop into a robust economic community solely within this small domestic market. Thus, these industrialists and entrepreneurs must look outward, exploring new markets beyond our borders. In this context, we intend to overhaul our diplomatic services entirely. While maintaining our commitment to fostering international relations, we are also committed to going beyond traditional diplomacy to assist Sri Lankan industries in finding and accessing global markets. To achieve this, we are realigning the operations of our diplomatic missions. Additionally, we recognize the immense technical expertise and resources available in the construction industry within our country. We must strategize to take this industry beyond Sri Lanka’s borders. Furthermore, Sri Lanka possesses unique and indigenous products that hold significant potential. By adding more value to these products and building a modern industrial framework, we aim to take them to international markets. This is a critical step in enhancing their worth and ensuring the sustainable economic growth of the nation. Therefore, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs must not merely act based on their own preferences and decisions. The growth of the small and medium enterprise sector must also align with the vision of the state and the Government, and we must take responsibility for fostering this development. To this end, we have formulated clear plans. Our vision is encapsulated within the framework of “A Thriving Nation– A Beautiful Life,” where the detailed strategies and initiatives are outlined. Our ministers are already studying the responsibilities assigned to their respective ministries within this framework. While we may not be in a position to present a complete budget immediately, we plan to submit an interim budget by early December to allocate the necessary financial provisions for the next four months. By early February, we aim to present a comprehensive budget proposal and expect it to be approved in Parliament by mid-March. Thus, the practical implementation of this plan is embedded within the upcoming budget. Although the ideas have currently been shared in conceptual terms, the budget will be structured based on these concepts and we anticipate having it passed in Parliament by mid-March. Our nation is at the beginning of a new era of transformation in its economy and society. I am hopeful that all members of this Parliament will support making this new era of transformation a success. While we may belong to diverse political camps, hold opposing ideologies, and even engage in fierce debates and criticism, today, we are united by a common goal. As representatives of the people, we share the profound responsibility of creating a better country. My Government and I am fully committed to this responsibility, and I trust that the leaders and members of all opposition parties will extend their support to this endeavour. In conclusion, I am reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure the maturity of democracy in the region. Tinubu told West African leaders to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections, which are a model of democratic maturity and commitment to national unity. At the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Sunday in Abuja, President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, lauded President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for the resounding success of their recent presidential and parliamentary elections, which set a high standard for the region. “I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire Africa continent,” he stated. “Despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African countries, the region has continued to record democratic gains. Just a week ago, on December 7 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections took place in Ghana, the second-largest democracy in our region. “One of the leading candidates who happens to be the incumbent vice president, His Excellency Mahamudu Bawumia, together with the leadership of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat and accepted the outcome of the presidential election by congratulating the president-elect, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his victory, even before the official announcement of the election results. “This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana.” President Tinubu praised President Akufo-Addo for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to ECOWAS during his two terms of office, describing him as a formidable Pan-Africanist. President Tinubu also congratulated the government and people of Senegal on their successful parliamentary elections. He praised Ghana’s Foreign Minister Shirley Ayokor Botchwey for painstakingly leading the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of the Reform and wished her a successful tenure as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth. In his second term as ECOWAS chair, President Tinubu highlighted achievements from his first term, including strides in regional integration, economic growth, conflict resolution, and counterterrorism efforts. He said the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and Common External Tariff (CET) had strengthened trade and economic cooperation. Similarly, regional infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West Africa Power Pool, and modernising key border posts with advanced equipment and joint border operations utilising state-of-the-art technology have significantly enhanced connectivity and promoted greater regional integration. “Furthermore, our efforts in stabilising our region through peacekeeping missions currently in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau, as well as previous operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have demonstrated our capacity to act decisively in the face of adversity. President Tinubu said the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism had provided a comprehensive framework to combat violent extremism and enhance regional security. President Tinubu urged member states, as ECOWAS nears its 50th anniversary in 2025, to recommit to the bloc’s founding ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity. “As a regional community, we must maintain our fundamental responsibility: to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper. As leaders, we know that security is not a luxury but a necessity. Equally, enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation,” he said. The presidents of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal attended in person alongside the vice president of Sierra Leone, the finance minister of the Benin Republic, the foreign affairs minister of Togo, and the Ambassador of Cape Verde to Nigeria. The president of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray, commended Nigeria for paying 100 per cent of its community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024, saying it reflected Nigeria’s leadership and commitment under President Tinubu. “For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100 per cent of its community levy from 2023. I’m therefore pleased to announce that on Friday, December 13, 2024, Nigeria spent N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100 per cent of the 2023 levy and the 2024 levy up to July 2024. “We all agree that this payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to our community. At a more personal level, it represents confidence in the management I have been privileged to lead since 2022.” He encouraged other member states to meet their financial commitments dutifully. Meanwhile, ECOWAS has announced that Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will officially withdraw from the regional bloc on January 29, 2025. The announcement was made during the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS at the presidential Villa in Abuja, where president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, delivered a communique detailing the withdrawal timeline and subsequent plans for managing the separation. The decision marks a significant shift in West Africa’s geopolitical landscape. The three countries decided to sever ties with the regional bloc following recent political tensions and military-led transitions within their borders. According to the communique, the three countries will cease to be ECOWAS members on January 29, 2025, as per Article 91 of the bloc’s revised treaty. A six-month transitional period, ending on July 29, 2025, has been established to facilitate diplomatic efforts to reintegrate the countries into the organisation. During this period, ECOWAS will continue mediation efforts led by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, whose mandates have been extended until the end of the transition. Despite the impending withdrawal, ECOWAS has expressed its openness to the return of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. “The Authority decides to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period,” the communique stated. ECOWAS has, however, directed its Commission’s president to initiate formal withdrawal procedures after the January 2025 deadline and develop a contingency plan to manage the separation. The plan will address political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the three nations. The withdrawal follows months of strained relations between ECOWAS and the three Sahelian countries, which have been under military-led governments since recent coups. ECOWAS imposed sanctions on these nations, citing their deviation from democratic norms, which further isolated them from the regional bloc. Efforts by ECOWAS leaders, including its chairman, President Tinubu, had sought to bridge the divide, but the latest decision signals a shift towards formalising the separation. ECOWAS has directed its Council of Ministers to convene an extraordinary session in mid-2025 to address the implications of the withdrawal. This session will focus on adopting separation modalities and defining the framework for future interactions with the departing nations. Meanwhile, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc. According to a statement by the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, ECOWAS Commission president, Dr Omar Touray, announced the six-month grace on Sunday in Abuja after the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. “The Authority takes note of the notification by the Republic of Burkina Faso, Republic of Mali and Republic of Niger of their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. “The Authority acknowledges that by the provisions of Article 91 of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, the three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from January 29, 2025. The Authority decides to set the period from January 29, 2025 to July 29, 2025, as a transitional period and to keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries during the transition period. “In this regard, the Authority extends the mandate of the President of Togo and the President of Senegal to continue their mediation role up to the end of the transition period to bring the three member countries back to ECOWAS,” Touray read from the communiqué. ECOWAS leaders commended the exemplary diplomatic engagement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal and President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS, President Bola Tinubu, and other individual member states toward the three countries. In his closing remarks, President Tinubu called on all member states to redouble their efforts to ensure that the decisions reached at the session translate into tangible benefits for ECOWAS citizens. He congratulated the outgoing chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, as he attended his valedictory session as AUC chair. He further praised Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whom he fondly called “Mr. Democrat,” saying ECOWAS will continue to draw from his fountain of wisdom.

Article content As 2024 fades into the history books, now’s a good time to take stock of our government so we can look forward to a new year that brings change and stability. The dying days of the old year brought chaos to Parliament Hill, caused by the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and procedural wrangling over the government’s refusal to hand over documents related to a green slush fund. Sustainable Development Technology Canada was supposed to help innovative environmental companies. About $400 million was handed out in questionable grants and when MPs asked to see documentation for who received the money, the Liberals balked. House Speaker Greg Fergus has said no other business can proceed until the Liberals produce the documents, so Parliament has ground to a halt. This shows a shocking disregard for parliamentary privilege; MPs have the right to ask for and get vital documents such as this. It shows an unmitigated arrogance on the part of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that he won’t cough them up. It is, however, consistent with Trudeau’s track record. He shows disdain for Opposition politicians and the people they represent. Those who cross him — be it his former attorney-general Jody Wilson-Raybould or Freeland — are summarily fired. In Freeland’s case, her resignation letter threw the government into even more turmoil. Trudeau has stumbled from one scandal to another — yet he hangs tough. In 2017, then-ethics commissioner Mary Dawson found he’d breached the rules in connection to a 2016 vacation trip to the Aga Khan’s private island. In 2020, his government was probed over almost $1 billion in controversial contracts to family friends in the WE charity. The ethics commissioner ruled Trudeau hadn’t breached conflict of interest rules, but his then-finance minister, Bill Morneau, had put himself in a position of conflict of interest. Morneau later quit politics. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Then there’s ArriveCAN, where about $54 million was spent on an app that should have cost a fraction of that and which only 4% of travellers now use. After each gaffe, Trudeau says he’ll do better. He doesn’t. He rolls along to the next embarrassing gaffe. We’re told he’s contemplating his future over the holidays. He shouldn’t have to. His party should give him the boot before he can do more damage.Rizvi alleges conspiracy behind Secretariat fire

Donald Hand Jr. racked up a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds to help Boston College stave off visiting Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70 on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Chad Venning added 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting and Dion Brown contributed eight points, eight rebounds and four assists as the Eagles (8-5) wrapped up their nonconference slate with just their second win in six games. Ahmed Barba-Bey, a grad transfer from Division II, exploded for a season-high 31 points to power FDU (4-11). Barba-Bey buried 8 of 9 attempts from the 3-point arc. Terrence Brown added 15 of his 20 points in the second half, as the Knights made it close before falling to 0-10 on the road this season. Bismark Nsiah scored 10 points. Boston College led 70-59 with 3:39 to play when Barba-Bey was fouled attempting a corner 3. He made all three of his foul shots, and after a stop Brown got to the bucket to cut FDU's deficit to six. It was 72-67 when Venning made a clutch turnaround jumper from the high post with 51 seconds left. Boston College let Barba-Bey get loose for his eighth 3-pointer, pulling FDU within four, its closest margin of the half. But Hand drove to the basket and scored with 29 seconds on the clock, and FDU was out of time. The Knights trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, but Barba-Bey kept them in the game. He made a fastbreak layup off Brown's steal and added a 3-pointer on the next possession, turning what was a 10-point deficit to a manageable 29-24 game. Boston College led 38-28 at halftime, with Hand scoring 15 for the hosts and Barba-Bey pouring in 16 for the Knights, including 4-of-5 shooting from deep. FDU pulled within nine points three times in the early stages of the second half, the third coming when Nsiah knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 56-47 with about 10 minutes to go. --Field Level Media

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