President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Battacharya, a Stanford University Professor of Medicine, to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which sponsors public health and medical research. Battacharya rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic by opposing lockdowns and, later, vaccine and mask mandates. An elite doctor takes on the Covid consensus Battacharya was born in Kolkata, India, and emigrated to the United States when he was a child. He attended Stanford University for both his undergraduate and Ph.D. work in economics as well as for his M.D. He first worked for the RAND Corporation as an economist during the late 1990s before securing a position at the Stanford School of Medicine. At Stanford, Battacharya has been a prolific researcher who focused on issues of aging, nutrition and wellness. He still serves as the university's director of the Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. In 2020, he became one of the leaders of a movement pushing back against stay-at-home orders and business closures early in the Covid-19 pandemic. A widely shared March 24, 2020, Wall Street Journal op-ed that he co-authored with Eran Bendavid speculated that no more than 20,000 to 40,000 people would die of the virus in the United States. A policy of indefinite lockdowns "may not be worth the costs it imposes on the economy, community and individual mental and physical health," they said. In terms of the "claim-staking" article's accuracy, "for every death his estimate implied, there were, in the end, more than 35," said David Wallace-Wells at The New York Times . Battacharya was also one of the three initial co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 anti-lockdown open letter that was eventually signed by thousands of public health leaders and scientists. Existing Covid mitigation policies, including business restrictions and school closures , were "producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health," the authors said. Instead, they recommended a policy of "focused protection," which would allow "those who are at minimal risk of death to live their lives normally" while concentrating mitigation measures on the highest-risk individuals. The letter's recommendations are "the epitome of arrogance," said Brooks B. Gump at U.S. News and World Report . Critics charged that the Great Barrington Declaration's "approach would endanger Americans who have underlying conditions" and could result in perhaps a half-million deaths," said Apoorva Mandavilli and Sheryl Gay Stolberg at The New York Times . More than 1.2 million Americans have died of Covid-19 since March 2020. Battacharya also published numerous scholarly studies about Covid-19, including a 2020 European Journal of Clinical Investigation paper . Assessing the success or failure of various mitigation strategies in containing the spread of the virus, "we fail to find an additional benefit of stay-at-home orders and business closures," they said. Battacharya also opposed mask mandates in schools. Masking schoolchildren can interfere with communication and "exacerbates the chances that a child will experience anxiety and depression," he wrote in a 2021 paper with Neeraj Sood. Mixed reactions Reactions to Battacharya's nomination have been mixed, breaking down largely along familiar Covid battle lines. Battacharya is a "serious scientist with a track record of success," said Justin Perry at The Dispatch , praising his courage in challenging the public health consensus during the pandemic. Battacharya's appointment will be a "major victory for science and academic freedom," said John Tierney at City Journal , who expects Battacharya to use his funding discretion to reward research universities that uphold conservative viewpoints about academic freedom. Battacharya is "actually qualified," said Zeynep Tufekci at The New York Times . While many of his predictions were wrong, he should be appreciated for forcing officials to consider "the societal cost of prolonging early pandemic measures," said Tufekci. Battacharya is "an A-tier Covid minimizer" whose appointment is "very worrying in the context of what the NIH does," said Beatrice Adler-Bolton at the Death Panel podcast . His appointment is "a nod not only toward Covid and lockdown skeptics but also to those who might place economic concerns over public health," said Hafiz Rashid at The New Republic .By DAVID A. LIEB Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. Related Articles National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads . In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.nice88 free 100 apk 。

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $50,000 In Match To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $50,000 in Match between May 2, 2023 and November 6, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Match Group, Inc. (“Match” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: MTCH) and reminds investors of the January 24, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Match Group materially understated the challenges affecting Tinder and, as a result, understated the risk that Tinder’s monthly active user count would not recover by the time the Company reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2024; and (2) as a result, defendants’ statements about Match Group’s business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. On November 7, 2024, Investopedia published an article entitled “Match Group Stock Slips as Fourth Quarter Outlook Disappoints.” This article said that “[s]hares of online dating giant Match Group tumbled Thursday morning despite a third-quarter earnings beat released after the bell Wednesday. [. . .] Match said Tinder Direct revenue came in below its own expectations, as the app’s monthly active users (MAUs) declined 9% from the same time last year and its revenue per payer (RPP) grew less than expected. Some new features tested with Tinder users in the quarter negatively impacted subscription revenue, which the company said will likely also have an impact on fourth quarter revenue.” On this news, the price of Match Group stock fell by 17.8% to close at $31.11 per share on November 7, 2024. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Match’s conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Match class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/MTCH or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fdafeab3-e66c-4705-b292-211a18341546New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings

House guest insists on doing wasteful chore as ‘thank you’RFI traveled to Cameroon for Christmas, celebrated by Christians around the world, to take stock of the situation in the country and the challenges that await it in the new year. We discuss the upcoming presidential elections and the health of Paul Biya with Samuel Kleda, the Archbishop of Douala, on RFI. Below, find the full translation of this interview between Bishop Kleda and RFI : RFI: Hello, Bishop Kleda. Hello. And thank you for accepting RFI’s invitation on this busy day for you. First, I would like to ask you this question: What message did you deliver during your Christmas homily? Samuel Kleda: At this time when there is so much violence and there are conflicts everywhere, we need peace, and our Lord Jesus Christ is the prince of peace. RFI: You mentioned, Bishop, violence precisely. The year ending in Cameroon has been marked by violence in the two English-speaking provinces. How do you react to that? Samuel Kleda: Clearly, we, as representatives of the Church, have consistently prayed for peace and urged our leaders to take all necessary steps to achieve a peaceful resolution. Without such a solution, violence will inevitably persist. RFI: How, in your opinion, could we put an end to the violence? Samuel Kleda: I believe the first step is to agree to listen to one another. When conflicts arise between human groups, the most effective approach, in my view, is to come together—whether around a table or under a tree—and engage in open dialogue to foster mutual understanding. This process demands a great deal of humility from everyone involved. Whether one holds power or does not, we must all have the modesty to say, “Let us sit down as brothers and sisters, talk openly, engage in dialogue, and work together to reach an agreement. RFI: Let’s turn, if you will, Bishop Kleda, to next year. The presidential election is scheduled for October. What is your dearest wish for this election? People, people are worried? Samuel Kleda: But for me, what I want for my country is a peaceful transition. Which means what we are going to do, but we organize elections according to the standards, elections, isn’t it, where everyone accepts, accepts the democratic game. That’s my position. If it is he who wins an election fairly, it is he who must govern. And that’s what I want for my country. RFI: You were talking about concern, concerns; there are some in particular about the health of Paul Biya. He is now ninety-two years old, and recently his health has been the subject of concern. Are these concerns that you share? Samuel Kleda: I believe that as human beings, our time in this world is finite. We are not capable of performing miracles, which is why I emphasize the importance of transition. It is crucial to ensure everything is well-prepared and to avoid being caught off guard. RFI: There are precisely, Bishop Kleda, hierarchs of Paul Biya’s party, the CPDM, who have been calling on him for months to stand again for this presidential election scheduled for October 2025. What do you say about this? Samuel Kleda: I would simply say that this is not realistic, simply that this is not realistic. RFI: Bishop Kleda, there are currently several dozen politicians in prison in Cameroon, notably the former Secretary General of the Presidency, Marafa Hamidou Yaya, and several dozen executives of the MRC of opponent Maurice Kamto. What does that inspire in you? Samuel Kleda: No, but I think it creates a lot of suffering. If we see if they are, if they have been imprisoned for reasons, I do not know for what political reasons. So you can’t put someone in jail for their opinions. If we are in a democracy, everyone has the right to express themselves. RFI: I would like to discuss with you the suspicious disappearance seven years ago of Bishop Benoît Balin, whose lifeless body was recovered from the waters of a river near the town of Baffia. Does the church today know more about the circumstances of his death? Samuel Kleda: Absolutely nothing. Nobody told us anything. Obviously, at the conference level, we, the bishops, had filed a complaint against X, since we do not know the assassins, but we would have liked the Cameroonian justice to help us, wouldn’t we, to shed light on this matter. But that did not prosper and we are at that level. RFI: One last question before leaving you: Bishop Kleda, and it is very simple: to whom do your thoughts particularly go on this December 25th? Samuel Kleda: First and foremost, my thoughts are with those who suffer—the poor, those who have nothing, and those struggling in our world today. But of course, I do not forget anyone. I also think of those who believe in the possibility of peace and harmonious living within a country. I hold all of this in my prayers, hoping for peace everywhere. And I trust the message has been conveyed. RFI: Thank you very much, Bishop Kleda, for accepting RFI’s invitation. Samuel Kleda: Thank you.ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. 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The hits keep coming for Justin Baldoni, as it’s been revealed that the disgraced actor’s own publicist couldn’t “stand” him and found him to be “unlikable,” even as she still allegedly agreed to help him wage a “smear campaign” against his co-star Blake Lively. The Daily Beast reported Wednesday that publicist Jennifer Abel’s apparent animosity towards Baldoni was revealed in text messages she exchanged with colleagues as she prepared to help him boost his public image and his work on the film, “It Ends With Us,” according to a new lawsuit filed against Baldoni and the publicist. Baldoni directed the dramatic film about domestic violence, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, and starred as an attractive doctor who becomes abusive to his wife, played by Blake Lively. “I can’t stand (Baldoni),” Abel allegedly wrote in a Jan. 14, 2024, text message, the Daily Beast reported. “He’s so pompous.” In another message sent on the same day, Abel also wrote: “He needs to be humbled. When this movie flops, he’s going to try to blame every person around him for it.” “He may fire us because even if we put together an amazing campaign, it’s not going to change the fact that he’s so unlikable and unrealistic as a leading man,” Abel allegedly wrote in yet another text message, according to the Daily Beast. Abel is being sued by her former boss, Hollywood power publicist Stephanie Jones, for breach of contract and defamation, according to the Daily Beast and other outlets . The CEO alleged in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that Baldoni originally hired her PR company, Joneswork, to represent him, with Abel assigned to be the company’s point person for Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer. Jones said that Baldoni signed a one-year contract with Joneswork for $25,000 a month, The Hollywood Reporter said . But in August, just as “It Ends With Us” was released theatrically, Baldoni dropped Jones’ firm and followed Abel to her newly launched PR firm. Jones alleges that she fired Abel after learning that Abel had been stealing documents from her firm as she prepared to start her own business, the New York Times also reported . When Abel left the company, she handed over her phone, which allowed Jones and her legal team to uncover a trove of messages that revealed that Abel had been working with Melissa Nathan, a crisis communications manager, on a retaliation campaign against Lively to boost Baldoni’s image, according to the Times and the Daily Beast. Jones’ lawsuit alleges that Abel and Nathan “secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign” against Lively behind Jones’ back. Jones’ lawsuit was filed three days after Lively filed her own blockbuster complaint against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment on the set of the film. In her complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Lively also alleged that Baldoni, Wayfarer and their public relationships representatives — Abel and Nathan — engaged in a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation, as The Hollywood Reporter explained. With the release of “It Ends With Us,” Baldoni allegedly feared that Lively’s allegations about his on-set behavior would be revealed, according to the New York Times. In response, Abel and Nathan began “to formulate a no-holds-barred strategy to discredit and suppress any potential revelations about Baldoni’s on-set behavior” to boost the actor’s profile. But even as Abel and Nathan sought to glorify Baldoni, Abel privately showed her disdain for him, according to the Daily Beast. Jones alleges that Abel and Nathan were motivated to carry out the alleged smear campaign by “avarice” and not because of “any sincere appreciation for Baldoni.” In the text exchange in which Abel called Baldoni “pompous,” she also complained that the actor wanted to go off on a “men’s retreat” over the summer, just as the film was being released. Over the past few years, Baldoni has built a personal brand around positioning himself as a #MeToo ally, who writes and speaks about the harm caused by toxic masculinity and men’s failure to embrace their vulnerability. In another series of text messages exchanged between Abel and an anonymous person on Jan. 13, 2024, the publicist described a kissing scene between Baldwin and Lively in the film as “so cringey,” the Daily Beast reported. When the recipient replied by saying, “Blake was probably grossed out too,” Abel allegedly responded: “Yeah and filed a cease and desist.” Related Articles Entertainment | ‘Morrison Hotel’ made famous by The Doors goes up in flames in LA Entertainment | Judge says woman accusing Jay-Z, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of raping her at age 13 can proceed anonymously Entertainment | ‘Baby Driver’ actor Hudson Meek dead at 16 Entertainment | Britney Spears spends Christmas with estranged son Jayden Entertainment | Hwang Dong-hyuk on killing off his ‘Squid Game’ characters and wanting to work with Jake Gyllenhaal Abel appears to be referring to the sexual harassment allegations Lively raised against Baldoni. In her complaint, Lively said she detailed her concerns about Baldoni during an “all-hands” meeting with him and producers in early January 2024. With her husband, Ryan Reynolds, also present, Lively alleged that Baldoni improvised unwanted kissing and intimate touching while filming scenes. She also claimed that he discussed his own sex life and porn addiction and that both he and Heath repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including when she was breastfeeding. The Daily Beast said that Abel’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Jones’ lawsuit. Earlier in the week, Freedman categorically denied the allegations in Lively’s suit, writing in a statement that the suit is “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He also described it as “yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ (Lively’s) negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film.” Since news of Lively’s allegations against Baldoni broke over the weekend, the “Jane the Virgin” alum has faced cascading consequences, according to the New York Times. The powerhouse talent agency, William Morris Endeavor, dropped him as a client, while author Hoover and “It Ends With Us” cast members Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar voiced public support for Lively. Earlier this week, Liz Plank, who has co-hosted the “Man Enough” podcast with Baldoni and Heath, announced she would no longer be appearing on the show. Moreover, Vital Voices, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women, rescinded an “ally” award it had presented to Baldoni earlier this month for “advocating on behalf of women and girls.”

Israel has struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media says at least six people were killed. or signup to continue reading The head of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was about to board a plane at the airport on Thursday when it came under attack. A crew member on the plane was injured, he said. The Israeli military said that in addition to striking the airport, it also hit military infrastructure at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Kanatib on Yemen's west coast. It also attacked the country's Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations. The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency said that three people were killed in the strikes on the airport and three were killed in Hodeidah, while 40 others were wounded in the attacks. Later on Thursday, the Houthis said they were ready to respond quickly to the attack and meet "escalation with escalation", Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported. Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned escalations between Israel and Yemen. "Israeli airstrikes today on Sanaa International Airport, the Red Sea ports and power stations in Yemen are especially alarming," the UN chief's spokesperson said in a press briefing while expressing concerns about the risk of further regional escalation. Israel said it struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with Channel 14 that Israel was only at the beginning of its campaign against the Houthis. "We are just getting started with them," he said. The prime minister has been strengthened at home by the Israeli military's campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in southern Lebanon and by its destruction of most of the Syrian army's strategic weapons. Tedros said he had been in Yemen to negotiate the release of detained UN staff and to assess the humanitarian situation. "As we were about to board our flight from Sanaa ... the airport came under aerial bombardment. One of our plane's crew members was injured," he said in a statement. "The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged," he said, adding that he and his colleagues were safe. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the incident. The Houthi transport minister told Saba that both the airport and Hodeidah port would resume normal operations from Friday. More than a year of Houthi attacks has disrupted international shipping routes, forcing firms to re-route to longer and more expensive journeys that have in turn stoked fears over global inflation. The UN Security Council is due to meet on Monday over the Houthi attacks against Israel, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said on Wednesday. On Saturday, Israel's military failed to intercept a missile from Yemen that fell in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area, injuring 14 people. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. 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 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. 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! Advertisement Advertisement

Former 'New Mexican' owner changed paper, served in Senate

Georgia Republicans recommend further law to restrict transgender women's participation in sportsLarge fossil fuel companies would have to pay fees to help New York fight the effects of climate change under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The new law requires companies responsible for substantial greenhouse gas emissions to pay into a state fund for infrastructure projects meant to repair or avoid future damage from climate change. Lawmakers approved the bill earlier this year to force big oil and gas companies to contribute to the cost of repairs after extreme weather events and resiliency projects such as coastal wetland restoration and upgrades to roads, bridges and water drainage systems. “The Climate Change Superfund Act is now law, and New York has fired a shot that will be heard round the world: the companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable,” said state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat who sponsored the bill. “The planet’s largest climate polluters bear a unique responsibility for creating the climate crisis, and they must pay their fair share to help regular New Yorkers deal with the consequences,” Krueger said. The biggest emitters of greenhouse gases between 2000 and 2018 would be subjected to the fines. The law won’t start penalizing companies immediately. Instead, the state must come up with rules on how to identify responsible parties, notify companies of the fines and create a system to determine which infrastructure projects will be paid for by the fund. Legal challenges are expected. “This type of legislation represents nothing more than a punitive new fee on American energy, and we are evaluating our options moving forward,” the American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry’s top lobbying group, said in a statement. New York’s governor signed the measure months after Vermont put a similar law in place. Large fossil fuel companies would have to pay fees to A Nebraska man is getting title to his home back, Technology stocks led a broad rally on Wall Street Tuesday American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a

SARAH Hadland and Vito Coppola kicked off Musicals Week on Strictly tonight with a dance to Popular from Wicked. Fans were in love with their electric performance to the song, and despite the duo receiving praise from the judges, many felt they had been underscored. Sarah and Vito's Charleston was full of energy and included several intricate lifts. Judges commended the telly star for having the vitality to be swung around on stage so vigorously despite being 50 years old. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse each awarded the performance a 9, while Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke gave it a perfect 10. Although the pair did quite well, several fans were frustrated that they didn't receive a perfect score. One viewer took to social media, fuming: "Sarah undermarked again! Should have got 40." Another branded the scores a "joke", adding: "How was that not 4 10s for Sarah & Vito... it was absolutely BRILLIANT. "What has she got to do to get 40??" A third even questioned if the duo had done something to annoy the judges early on in the competition, asking: "So what do Sarah and Vito have to do to get 10s from Craig and Motsi? "Thinking Claudia was right last week when she asked Craig what the beef with Sarah was. Undermarked yet again." This comes after fans had previously claimed that Sarah and Vito had been given an unfair advantage by getting assigned a song from Wicked. This is because the recent release of the highly-anticipated remake has made the song more relevant than others. Although many people predicted this selection would land Sarah at the top of the leader board, it seems judges only have eyes for the actress's actual dancing skills.Councillor at the centre of Doug Beattie’s resignation removes UUP from social media accountsSANTA CLARA — prepared as if he was the 49ers’ starting quarterback all week, but the reality didn’t hit home until Friday, when Brock Purdy again missed practice. “I know he had a plan for his shoulder all week, rest it a little bit on Wednesday and we’d split reps,” Allen said of Purdy. “I think the plan Thursday was to come out and practice. I guess in warmups it just wasn’t feeling right. I found out (Friday).” Allen, a 32-year-old veteran in his ninth season, will start Sunday when the 49ers (5-5) visit the Green Bay Packers (7-3) at Lambeau Field. Purdy was ruled out with a shoulder injury sustained in a , the first time he has missed a start because of injury after 31 regular-season and six postseason starts. Here are five things to know about Allen: The Fayetteville, Arkansas native’s father Bobby spent more than 20 years as an Arkansas assistant coach. After a redshirt season in 2011, Allen played in 42 games with 38 starts for the Razorbacks. As a senior, Allen completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 3,440 yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions as Arkansas went 8-5. His brother Austin took over as the Arkansas quarterback. In his ninth season, only Joe Ferguson (11 seasons) of the Buffalo Bills has more time in the NFL among Arkansas quarterbacks. Drafted in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Allen spent his rookie season behind Blake Bortles and Chad Henne as a third-string quarterback and did not play. He was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017 and played behind Jared Goff and Sean Mannion before being signed by the Denver Broncos in 2019. Allen won his first start against Cleveland 24-19 in Week 9 of that season, passing for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Allen signed with Cincinnati in 2020, spent time on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster in November. Subbing for Joe Burrow, Allen had his career-best game, passing for 371 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-31 win. Allen is 2-7 as an NFL starter with 1,611 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 78.0 passer rating. Allen became a 49er on May 8, 2023, signing as a free agent. The 49ers, who up to that point seldom kept a third quarterback on the 53-man roster, kept Allen as a No. 3 all season behind Purdy and Sam Darnold after the previous year’s injuries to Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, and finally Purdy in the NFC Championship Game. Allen did not take a snap. Related Articles Allen signed another one-year contract with the 49ers for one year and $1.21 million (which is more than the $985,000 that Purdy makes on his rookie deal). The 49ers also signed Joshua Dobbs to a one-year, guaranteed $2.35 million contract. Allen and Dobbs competed throughout training camp, with Allen earning the nod from coach Kyle Shanahan. “You’ve got to make a decision. Usually I don’t want to have to make it,” Shanahan said. “I want it to be that obvious, let it play out. Brandon had the head start just being here. I thought he did some better things in practice.” While in Denver, Allen’s offensive coordinator was Rich Scangarello, who was the quarterbacks coach under Shanahan in 2017-18. In Los Angeles, the head coach was Sean McVay and the offensive coordinator was Matt LaFleur, both of whom run variations of the Shanahan offense. In 2018, Zac Taylor was his quarterbacks coach with the Rams. Taylor, upon being hired as head coach in Cincinnati, signed Allen to back up Burrow.