jili slot lucky Homelessness increase a symptom of government inaction: frontline workersAmericans are more optimistic about 2025 than they were about 2024 — in large part because of President-elect Donald Trump, according to new polling. In a December CBS News/YouGov poll, 57% of respondents said that, when looking ahead to 2025, they feel more hopeful than discouraged . Meanwhile, 23% said they feel more discouraged, and 20% said they feel both equally. In contrast, a poll taken during December 2023 found that 47% of respondents were hopeful about 2024 — marking a 10-point difference. An additional 22% said they were discouraged, and 31% said they felt both equally. The latest poll — fielded between Dec. 18-20 with a sample of 2,244 adults — asked the hopeful respondents what makes them feel mostly optimistic about the new year. It provided them with seven options. Sixty percent said “Trump becoming president” made them feel mostly hopeful, making it the most popular choice. Following that, 55% said family and personal relationships, 51% said personal finances and opportunities, and 51% said the U.S. economy, according to the poll, which has a margin of error of 2.4 percentage points. Slightly less than half, 47%, said personal health, 34% said American politics generally and 33% said “the state of the world.” The poll, using the same seven choices, then asked the discouraged respondents what makes them feel mostly pessimistic about 2025. The vast majority, 85%, said Trump becoming president made them mostly disheartened, again making it the most popular choice. Meanwhile, 74% said American politics generally, 71% said the state of the world and 58% said the American economy. Less than half, 46%, said personal finances and opportunities, while 28% said personal health, and 17% said family and personal relationships. The responses were largely skewed based on partisan affiliation, with 85% of Republicans saying they feel hopeful and 38% of Democrats saying the same.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the U.S. ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies,” Trump said in in his post. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial services firm Stephens Inc., having taken over the firm from his father. Trump has already named many of his nominees for his Cabinet and high-profile diplomatic posts, assembling a roster of staunch loyalists. Over the weekend, Trump announced he intends to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. During his first term, Trump selected Robert “Woody” Johnson, a contributor to his campaign and the owner of the New York Jets football team, as his representative to the United Kingdom. The Associated PressAB-PMJAY has reduced cancer patients' financial burden significantly: Prime Minister ModiA Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They're due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple's hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. RELATED STORY | Florida social media influencer arrested for stealing from Target According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He'd then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards' attorney declined to comment. Lawes-Richards' public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. "This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable," Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue." The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. "I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations," Latz said in a statement. "This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online." Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis.

Grim news for Aussie jobseekers as market is shrinking

JERUSALEM — Israel approved a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah militants on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, starting at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza , where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. There appeared to be lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the U.S.-France-brokered ceasefire agreement after Netanyahu presented it, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . President-elect Donald Trump vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it called Hezbollah targets across Lebanon while the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously were not targeted. The warnings sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, with mattresses tied to some cars. Dozens of people, some wearing pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few miles from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 20 miles north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have exchanged barrages ever since. Israeli security officers and army soldiers inspect the site Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024, where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel. Israel escalated its bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut and Federman from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Washington Commanders win in overtime to clinch play-off berthIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fighting

VenHub Global, Inc. is an emerging AI and robotics technology company that has developed a 24/7 fully-autonomous retail Smart Store, headquartered in Pasadena, CA, and has amassed a robust pre-order backlog of 1,000+ stores with potential revenue of more than $300 million 1 VenHub’s innovative solution offers low building and operating costs and advanced security features, empowering store owners to deliver a seamless customer experience VenHub’s proprietary robotic arms technology and cutting-edge vision system ensures precise product delivery, while its AI-driven platform is expected to optimize store operations VenHub intends to build strategic partnerships, diversify product offerings, and advance its technology for future growth The proposed business combination with Target Global Acquisition I Corp. values VenHub at a pro forma enterprise value of $715 million 1 and is targeted to close in Q2 2025 PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via IBN – VenHub, a disruptive AI and robotics company (“VenHub” or the “Company”), and Target Global Acquisition I Corp. (NASDAQ: TGAA) (“TGAA”), a NASDAQ-listed special purpose acquisition company, today announced they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement, dated as of December 2, 2024 (the “Business Combination Agreement”). The proposed business combination (the “Proposed Business Combination”) is expected to be completed (the “Closing”) in the second quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals. The combined company will operate as VenHub Global Holdings, Inc. following the Closing and is expected to list on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “VHUB”. As one of the leading providers of a 24/7 autonomous smart store, VenHub has introduced and developed a solution with the potential to transform how consumers interact with technology in retail environments. Powered by proprietary software and unique robotics arms technology, VenHub’s product offering can provide a seamless customer experience. Manufactured by a leader in the global robotics industry, the innovative robotic arms technology can differentiate VenHub from traditional retail solutions and well-positions the Company in the automated retail space. Additionally, VenHub’s cutting edge vision system adds precision and reliability to its product offering, and the efficiency and security of the Smart Stores are enabled by VenHub’s intellectual property portfolio. Founded in 2023, VenHub is addressing challenges facing traditional retail stores, including inefficient inventory management, limited hours, high labor costs, and security concerns. The Smart Stores are designed to utilize data-driven inventory management, a self-service delivery system, and advanced security protection, all of which reduce labor costs and collectively enhance sales and growth potential. Through these potential competitive advantages, VenHub has secured over 1,000 customer pre-orders across 48 states, with potential revenue of more than $300 million 1 in pre-order value. This pre-order book demonstrates market confidence in VenHub’s smart store technology. VenHub’s growth strategy focuses on geographic and store format expansion to meet the growing demand for autonomous retail solutions, as well as product diversification to enhance VenHub’s market presence and operational efficiency. The Company’s CapEx-light business model has the potential to create value for stakeholders, and its diversified business model with potential for recurring revenue can allow VenHub to achieve its expansion plan. Key Investment Highlights Disruptive AI & Robotics Technology – innovative product with potential to revolutionize consumer behavior. Sizeable Total Addressable Market – over $2 trillion 1 end-market across convenience stores, traditional retail, and gas stations, which is global in nature. Large Pre-order Book with Deliveries Beginning this Year – over $300M 2 in potential revenue from customer pre-orders with production beginning in Q4 2024 and targeted delivery of the first Smart Stores in Q1 2025. Attractive Financial Profile – unit level economics driven by immediate positive gross profit and EBITDA margins. Leadership Expertise – accomplished management team with strong automation, logistics, supply chain, robotics, and retail experience. Management Commentary Shahan Ohanessian, Chief Executive Officer of VenHub, commented : “This is day one for VenHub on a larger stage,” Shahan Ohanessian, CEO of VenHub, remarked. “We’re at the starting line of what I believe will be a remarkable journey, turning our vision into reality and expanding our reach on a global scale. We're not just joining the market; we're aiming to pioneer a new frontier in smart retail that enhances how businesses and consumers connect.” Mike Minnick, Chief Executive Officer of TGAA, added : “We are excited to partner with Shahan and the VenHub team. VenHub’s efficient, capital-light business model, combined with strong near-term projected positive cash flow generation, positions the Company for sustainable growth. This approach enables strategic expansion into multiple geographic markets while leveraging internally generated cash flow and maintaining disciplined resource allocation.” Proposed Business Combination Overview The Proposed Business Combination implies a pro forma enterprise value of $715 million, which assumes an estimated equity value of $650 million, $26 million in new cash to the balance sheet (assuming 100% redemptions by TGAA public shareholders), and $0.6 million in existing cash. The Proposed Business Combination is expected to provide net cash to VenHub of up to $14 million to support VenHub’s continued geographic expansion and product diversification. Cash proceeds raised will consist of TGAA’s approximately $20.4 million cash in trust, net of redemptions. The cash in the TGAA trust account is anticipated to support the Company’s growth capital needs, including VenHub’s production, marketing and sales efforts. It is intended that 100% of existing VenHub stockholders will roll over their equity and, assuming no redemptions and full rollover, own approximately 89% of the pro forma equity of the combined company in connection with the transaction. The Proposed Business Combination has been approved by the boards of directors of both VenHub and TGAA and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025, subject to shareholder approvals and other customary closing conditions. For a summary of the material terms of the Proposed Business Combination, as well as a supplemental investor presentation, please see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed today by TGAA with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Additional information about the Proposed Business Combination will be described in TGAA’s proxy statement relating to the Proposed Business Combination, which it will file with the SEC. Advisors Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC, is serving as the exclusive financial advisor, capital markets advisor and placement agent to VenHub. Smith Eilers PLLC is serving as legal counsel to VenHub. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is serving as legal counsel to TGAA. Travers Thorp Alberga is serving as legal counsel to TGAA with respect to Cayman Islands law. About VenHub VenHub Global, Inc., f/k/a Autonomous Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is reshaping the retail industry with its groundbreaking autonomous and robotic-operated Smart Stores. Leveraging advanced AI and smart inventory management systems, VenHub offers a seamless shopping experience that operates 24/7. This approach not only increases revenue but also significantly reduces operational costs compared to traditional retail setups. VenHub’s modular design allows for quick installation and easy customization to meet a wide range of consumer needs. The company operates across three main retail formats: fixed Smart Stores for permanent locations, mobile Smart Stores for flexibility and broader accessibility, and innovative solutions that upgrade existing retail spaces and shopping centers into advanced Smart Shopping environments. With its forward-thinking strategy, VenHub is poised to transform the retail landscape, providing an efficient and accessible shopping experience that anticipates the future of commerce. About Target Global Acquisition I Corp. TGAA Acquisition I Corp. is a blank check company incorporated as a Cayman Island exempted company and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. TGAA’s units, Class A ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “TGAAU,” “TGAA,” and “TGAAW” respectively. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. TGAA’s and VenHub’s actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, TGAA’s and VenHub’s expectations with respect to future performance and anticipated financial impacts of the Proposed Business Combination, the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Proposed Business Combination and the timing of the completion of the Proposed Business Combination. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside TGAA’s and VenHub’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement, (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against TGAA and VenHub following the announcement of the Business Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein; (3) the inability to complete the Proposed Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of TGAA or other conditions to closing in the Business Combination Agreement; (4) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement or could otherwise cause the Proposed Business Combination to fail to close; (5) the amount of redemption requests made by TGAA’s shareholders; (6) the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of the post-business combination company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC following the Proposed Business Combination; (7) the risk that the Proposed Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Proposed Business Combination; (8) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (9) costs related to the Proposed Business Combination; (10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (11) the possibility that VenHub or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (12) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement relating to the Proposed Business Combination, including those under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” which will be set forth in a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by TGAA and the Company and in TGAA’s other filings with the SEC. Some of these risks and uncertainties may be amplified by future events and there may be additional risks that we consider immaterial or which are unknown. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. TGAA cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. TGAA cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. TGAA does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based . Additional Information and Where to Find It This press release relates to a proposed transaction between the Company and TGAA. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act. TGAA and the Company intend to file a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a proxy statement/prospectus of TGAA. The proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all TGAA shareholders. TGAA also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of TGAA are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by TGAA through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by TGAA may be obtained free of charge from TGAA’s website at https://tgacquisition1.com/ or by written request to TGAA at: Target Global Acquisition I Corp., PO Box 10176, Governor’s Square 23, Lime Tree Bay Avenue, Grand Cayman KY1-1102, Cayman Islands. Participants in the Solicitation TGAA and the Company and their respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from TGAA’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about TGAA’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of TGAA’s securities is set forth in TGAA’s filings with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph. No Offer or Solicitation This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to purchase any security of TGAA, VenHub or any of their respective affiliates. No such offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom. The contents of this press release have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction. INVESTMENT IN ANY SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY OTHER REGULATORY AUTHORITY NOR HAS ANY AUTHORITY PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE OFFERING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. Investor Relations Contact IR@VenHub.com 888-585-4999 Wire Service Contact : IBN Los Angeles, California www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com 310.299.1717 Office Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com 1 Grand View Research, “GVR Report cover Convenience Stores Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Cigarettes & Tobacco, Foodservice, Packaged Beverages, Center Store, Low Alcoholic Beverages), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2028”, May 2022 2 Based on management estimates. As of September 30, 2024.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Nyle Ralph-Beyer's 20 points helped Sacred Heart defeat Division III-member Manhattanville 100-60 on Sunday. Ralph-Beyer also had five rebounds for the Pioneers (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Anquan Hill scored 18 points and added seven rebounds. Griffin Barrouk had 16 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (4 for 7 from 3-point range). Andrew Saint-Louis led the Valiants in scoring, finishing with 26 points. John Ranaghan added 10 points for Manhattanville. Don Mays Jr. also had eight points. Sacred Heart hosts Canisius in its next matchup on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The Centre for Ageing Better said data analysed on its behalf suggested more than a fifth of people in this age group are living in a poor-quality home that could be making their existing health condition worse. It said people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, those living in London and those who have a serious health condition or disability are more likely to be affected. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing covering 2022/23 was analysed by the National Centre for Social Research on behalf of the charity. It found an estimated 4.5 million people aged 50 or older in England with a health condition aggravated by the cold are living in a home with one or more serious problems. Some 2.8 million were aged between 50 and 70, while 1.7 million were aged 70 and older. Health conditions included respiratory diseases, congestive heart failure, heart disease and lung conditions, including asthma. Housing problems identified in the research included damp, water leaks, bad condensation, electrical or plumbing problems, rot and decay. While some 2.2 million people over 50 with health and housing problems owned their home outright, the biggest proportion of people (51%) with such issues lived in rented accommodation. The charity said older renters with a health condition were up to three times more likely to have five or more issues with their home than someone in the same age group who owns their home. Those with a health condition that can be affected by poor housing who had a significant issue in their homes were most likely to live in London (52%) followed by the North East (35%) and the North West (35%), the West Midlands and the East of England (both on 28%), and the South West (27%). Almost half (46%) of people aged 50 and above from black and minority ethnic backgrounds with one of the health conditions had at least one problem with their home, which the charity said amounted to almost 500,000 people. Among white people in this age group it was just under one in three (32%). The research also suggested people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds living with a health condition were also more than twice as likely to have five or more issues with their housing compared with their white counterparts – 15% compared with 6%. Dr Carole Easton, the charity’s chief executive, said not only does the research show the difficulties faced by those living in poor housing, but it is also “very bad news” for both the economy and the NHS. She said: “Our latest research shows that our poor-quality housing crisis is putting people with health conditions in their 50s, 60s and beyond, in harm’s way. “This is obviously terrible for those individuals who live in homes that carry a very real risk of making them sick, particularly when winter comes around. “But it is also very bad news for the country. Older workers living in homes that are making their health conditions worse are going to be less likely to be able to work and help grow the economy. “Older people whose serious health conditions are made worse by their homes will require treatment, putting additional winter pressures on our health system. “All could be averted if we tackled poor-quality housing with the urgency and priority it demands.” Holly Holder, deputy director for homes at the charity, said the Government must “fix this hidden housing crisis by delivering a national strategy to tackle poor quality housing across all tenures and committing to halving the number of non-decent homes over the next decade”. She added: “No-one should have to live in a home that damages their health, yet it is the norm for far too many people in England today. “By failing to address poor-quality homes we are limiting the lives of some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people. “Our new analysis shows that the combination of health and house problems are most likely to impact groups of people who are already disadvantaged by multiple health and wealth inequalities.” A Government spokesperson said: “Despite the challenging inheritance faced by this Government, through our Plan for Change we’re taking action to improve housing conditions across all tenures and ensure homes are decent, safe and warm – especially for the most vulnerable. “We’re consulting on reforms to the Decent Homes Standard next year to improve the quality of social and privately rented housing, and introducing Awaab’s Law to both sectors to tackle damp, dangerous and cold conditions for all renters in England. “Our warm homes plan will also help people find ways to save money on energy bills and deliver cleaner heating, with up to 300,000 households to benefit from upgrades next year.”49ers rule out Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa; QB Brandon Allen to start at Green BayPresident-elect Donald Trump called his meeting with Justin Trudeau productive and says the prime minister made a commitment to work with the United States to end the drug crisis amid the threat of stiff tariffs. Trudeau flew to Florida Friday evening to attend a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump's transition team is based. The in-person meeting came at the end of a rocky week in which Trump threatened to impose stiff tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, unless the two countries stop illegal border crossings and prevent illicit drugs from entering the U.S. In a post on Truth Social, Trump says he and Trudeau discussed the drug crisis, particularly fentanyl, illegal immigration, as well as trade, energy and the Arctic. Trump's post did not directly mention tariffs. Trudeau told reporters in West Palm Beach Saturday morning that he had an excellent conversation with Trump’s transition team. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2024. The Canadian Press

Flag football scours nation with talent camps to uncover next wave of starsCanada Set to Deploy More Resources at Border to Address Trump Concerns -- Update

ORLANDO, Fla. — Next time Iowa State plays football, it will be in Dublin, Ireland. Saturday’s 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl win against Miami signaled the end of Iowa State’s first 11-win season. And at the rate modern college football moves with the transfer portal and NIL, the smart teams have already been thinking about the 2025 season. Here are the three biggest questions facing Iowa State ahead of that Aug. 3, 2025 game against Kansas State in Ireland. 5 takeaways from Iowa State vs Miami: Carson Hansen positions himself to be lead back in 2025 Iowa State woke up Sunday with a massive hole in its production. Senior receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins combined for 2,377 receiving yards this season. The other 17 players who caught a pass this season combined for 1,203. Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) runs after a reception before he is tackled by Miami defensive back Zaquan Patterson (20) during the the Pop Tarts Bowl Saturday in Orlando. JOHN RAOUX, ASSOCIATED PRESS We know how the Cyclones will try to replace the duo. On Dec. 14, ISU landed a commitment from sophomore Eastern Carolina receiver Chase Sowell and three days later one from former UCF receiver Xavier Townsend. A funny coincidence is Sowell stands 6-foot-4, the same height as Higgins, while Townsend is listed at 5-foot-11, identical to Noel. Next season, Iowa State should also look to the tight end position to fill some lost production. Ben Brahmer’s sophomore season essentially ended in November after he suffered a leg injury against UCF. He caught 10 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. How Iowa State orchestrated a comeback against Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl Sophomore tight end Gabe Burkle saw a leap in his production after Brahmer got hurt. Burkle finished the season with five catches against Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship and four against Miami, including a leaping touchdown catch in the first quarter. Burkle and Brahmer finished as the third and fourth leading receivers behind Noel and Higgins. Although the winter transfer portal window for underclassmen closed Saturday, there could still be Cyclones who enter. Every player on a team in the postseason has an additional five days after the season ends to enter the portal. No Iowa State opt-outs were reported leading up to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but NFL Draft prospects Higgins and defensive back Darien Porter both chose not to play. Don’t be surprised if there are some Cyclones who enter the portal between now and the Thursday deadline. That’s not particularly an indictment on ISU’s program or culture, just the reality of modern college football. Derek Hoodjer is ISU’s assistant AD for player personnel. He is in charge of building ISU’s roster and navigating the portal. After the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Hoodjer celebrated with players on the field and made sure Noel got to lift the bowl trophy after his postgame press conference. Hoodjer is going to be the busiest person in Ames for the next couple weeks. Beau Freyler's Iowa State teammates made sure he celebrated last game from the Pop-Tarts Bowl stage Iowa State rode its defense until wheels fell off. The tires might still be discarded in a corner of AT&T Stadium after Arizona State ran all over the Cyclones in a 45-19 win. Iowa State defensive lineman J.R. Singleton (58) and wide receiver Jaylin Noel hold up the championship trophy after winning the Pop Tarts Bowl on Saturday against Miami in Orlando. John Raoux, Associated Press Miami quarterback Cam Ward threw for three touchdowns in the first half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl before sitting out the second half to preserve his NFL Draft stock. Credit to the ISU defense, it forced a punt and interception on Miami’s final two possessions to lead to a win. Rampant injuries made every defensive effort this season a patchwork attempt. Through the first 10 games, ISU averaged 6.4 key defensive players sidelined . The Cyclones injury luck can't be worse next season, right? That’s probably true, but graduation is still going to cost ISU several key pieces. Safety Beau Freyler is the “nucleus” of Iowa State’s team and played his last game Saturday. Darien Porter is a veteran in ISU’s secondary and top special teams contributor who opted out of the Miami game with NFL Draft hopes. redshirt senior J.R. Singleton led the team with four sacks and finished his career Saturday.Justin Tucker's erratic season isn't getting any better, and it's hurting Baltimore's outlook

WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump selected Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, to serve as U.S. Ambassador to France on Saturday. “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kusher, of New Jersey, to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to France,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Saturday. “He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests,” he added. This breaking news story will be updated. Sign-up for Your Vote: Text with the USA TODAY elections team.CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two New Hampshire fathers who were barred from school district events for wearing pink wristbands marked “XX” to represent female chromosomes insisted at a federal court hearing Thursday that they didn't set out to harass or otherwise target a transgender soccer player at the game they attended. But a judge hearing the case suggested the message the parents sent may matter more than their intentions. Kyle Fellers and Anthony Foote sued the Bow school district after being banned from school grounds for wearing the wristbands at their daughters' soccer game in September. The no-trespass orders have since expired, but a judge is deciding whether the plaintiffs should be allowed to wear the wristbands and carry signs at upcoming school events, including basketball games, swim meets and a music concert, while the case proceeds. Testifying at Thursday's hearing, both men said that they did not view the wristbands as a protest against Parker Tirrell, a transgender girl on the opposing team, but rather as a show of support for their daughters and their teammates. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe questioned whether there is a meaningful distinction and whether their intentions matter. “Sometimes the message you think you’re sending might not be the message that is being sent,” he said. McAuliffe asked Foote whether it occurred to him that a transgender person might interpret the pink XX wristbands as an attempt to invalidate their existence. “If he’s a trans female, pink might be a color he likes,” Foote said. McAuliffe also noted that while both plaintiffs said they had no problem with transgender people outside the issue of sports, they repeatedly referred to the athlete in question as a boy. “You seem to go out of your way to suggest there’s no such thing as a trans girl,” McAuliffe said. Foote disagreed, saying it was “like learning a new language” to refer to transgender people. In a separate courtroom earlier Thursday, another judge held a hearing on a lawsuit brought by Parker Tirrell and another student challenging the state law that bans transgender athletes in grades 5 to 12 from teams that align with their gender identity. It requires schools to designate all teams as either girls, boys or coed, with eligibility determined based on students’ birth certificates “or other evidence.” U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty ruled earlier this year that the teens can try out for and play on girls school sports teams. The order only applies to those two individuals for now as they seek to overturn the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act on behalf of all transgender girl students in New Hampshire. Lawyers for the teens said in court Thursday they hoped the matter could go to trial and be resolved before the start of the next school year in September. They said the teens’ school districts and others in the state have asked for guidance regarding the statute. Lawyers for the state said they needed more time to prepare. Judge Talesha Saint-Marc suggested the timing of the trial was ambitious and asked that both sides talk further about scheduling. Gov. Chris Sununu, who signed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law in July, has said it “ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports by maintaining integrity and competitive balance in athletic competitions.” About half of states have adopted similar measures. In the Bow case, school district officials have said they acted appropriately in sanctioning the parents for conduct they knew violated school policy at athletic events. They'll explain their evidence on Friday. On Thursday, the plaintiff's lawyer, Endel Kolde, accused the district of “breathtaking” overreach by asserting that the wristbands target transgender students in general, regardless of whether such students were present at the events. “This is viewpoint discrimination, and it’s very clear they’re proud of it,” Kolde said. Kolde initially conceded that a school district can limit speech “to some degree” to protect children from harassment, but he stopped short of agreeing with the judge’s claim that yelling “transgender students out” at a particular player would be subject to such regulation. “It might be,” he said. “I’m trying to get you to concede the obvious,” McAuliffe said. “It’s less than obvious to me,” Kolde said. Feller, the first witness in the case involving the wristbands, said he purchased them thinking his daughter and her teammates would wear them, but ended up wearing one himself after they declined. After being told to leave the game, he stood in the parking lot with a sign that said “Protect women’s sports for female athletes.” “I wanted to support women’s sports and I believed what was going on was a travesty,” he said.Former model had 12 alcoholic drinks before crash that caused death of woman, court told

SANTA CLARA — No Brock Purdy. No Nick Bosa. No chance for the 49ers on Sunday in Green Bay? “We’re missing two good players definitely but we’ll have a lot of good players out there,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan countered. “By no means do we not have a chance to win. We’ll fight our tails off. We’ll expect a real good game.” Purdy’s throwing-shoulder soreness will force him to miss his first game due to injury since becoming the 49ers’ starting quarterback nearly two years ago, and that thrusts ninth-year journeyman Brandon Allen into his 10th career start and first since 2021 with Cincinnati. Bosa’s oblique and hip injuries will sideline him for his first game of this wobbly season. Also ruled out were cornerback Charvarius Ward (personal), return specialist Jacob Cowing (concussion), defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) and linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee), while left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable as a game-time decision for a second straight game. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) are good to go for an offense that must make do without Purdy at the NFL’s most historic venue. Allen, who last threw a regular-season pass in 2022 as Joe Burrow’s backup in Cincinnati, will guide the 49ers’ offense in a key game as San Francisco aims to make a playoff push. “It’s an opportunity,” Allen said. “The circumstances are what they are. Our team all year long, we’ve been dealing with injuries here or there. It’s been a big next-man-up mentality. It’s definitely an opportunity for me to go out, play well, put our guys in a good position to win the game. “Obviously we want Brock back and healthy and all that,” Allen added. “For the time being, it is an opportunity for me.” Josh Dobbs, who lost out to Allen in training camp and the preseason for the QB2 role, will serve in that capacity Sunday at Lambeau Field, where neither quarterback has played a regular-season game. Rookie Tanner Mordecai likely will be elevated from the practice squad Saturday to serve as the emergency No. 3 quarterback. Purdy wore a resigned, dour expression but offered upbeat words as he walked through the locker room, saying: “We’re all good.” This is not how Shanahan scripted it earlier in the week. “(Purdy) got the MRI on Monday, we thought he just needed some rest and really weren’t concerned about not being there this week,” Shanahan said Friday. “I don’t want to say there’s long-term concern,” Shanahan said Friday. “We got the MRI on Monday. We thought he just needed some rest and really weren’t concerned about him not being good this week.” Purdy rested his arm Wednesday, then left the practice field Thursday after a few light throws. “It surprised him, surprised us how it felt, so we had to shut him down,” Shanahan said. “The MRI doesn’t look like (it’s serious) so it should be alright. But the way it responded this week, it’s really up in the air for next week. We’ll have to see on Monday.” The 49ers follow this week’s trip at Green Bay with a prime-time appearance next Sunday, Dec. 1 in Buffalo. “I know this is like the first time Brock’s missed a game probably in his life,” Allen said. “He’s a tough guy and I’m not too worried about it. I don’t think any of our guys are. He’ll rehab and get back as fast as he can.” No one is saying when Purdy got hurt in Sunday’s 20-17 loss to Seattle, whether it was from diving for the goal line on his first-quarter touchdown scramble or later in the game. Shanahan did note that Purdy struggled to keep his shoulder loose and threw on the sideline, then the pain intensified after the game and into Monday. “It was somewhere during that Seattle game and I’m not sure Brock knows,” general manager John Lynch said on KNBR. “He fought through it through the course of the game. I did see him during the course of the game, anytime there was a pause, he kept throwing. At that point, you’re feeling something but he was so focused on trying to win.” Shanahan lauded Allen as a “really good thrower” who “runs our offense well” and that “guys believe in him.” The feeling is mutual on Allen’s side, as he explained what it was like as Purdy’s stand-in on the starting unit in practice this week: “It’s been a blessing to have them in the huddle with me and the leadership that’s in the huddle, so I can just come in and fill the spot for Brock for now, just try to make some plays and get the ball in their hands.” Added Shanahan: “It’s not a big game-plan adjustment. This is something we didn’t think would happen early in the week. We were fully preparing for Brock to go.” The Packers prepared that way, too. Allen is no total stranger, however. Packers coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Friday in Green Bay, prior to Purdy’s no-show practice: “I know Brandon. I was with him in L.A. (in 2017). He’s been in the league a long time. But I wouldn’t expect their offense to change a whole bunch.” BOSA WILL REMAIN HOME While Purdy traveled with the 49ers to Green Bay, Bosa was staying behind to rehabilitate the upper-body injuries that forced him to miss Sunday’s fourth-quarter collapse against Seattle. It will be the first game Bosa has missed since Oct. 16, 2022 with a groin injury. The 49ers lost a road game that day to Atlanta 28-14 during a season in which Bosa was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Sam Okuayinonu figures to make his first career start in place of Bosa while Leonard Floyd makes his 11th start at the other defensive end slot. WILLIAMS QUESTIONABLE Williams, with the help of a pain-killing injection, made it through the Seattle loss at what he said afterwards was 65 percent. Although listed as questionable, Shanahan reiterated Williams’ status could go right up to kickoff. Jaylon Moore likely would start in place of Williams, if needed. WARD BACK NEXT WEEK? Ward, mourning the death of his 23-month-old daughter, was declared out but Shanahan hoped to have the All-Pro cornerback next week when the 49ers visit Buffalo. “He’s taken three full weeks off,” Shanahan said. “It’s not like dealing with all that stuff he’s getting workouts in and all that. We’re just happy to get him back in the building this week. We don’t want to put any pressure on him, hopefully he’ll be good to go next week.” Among those listed as questionable is guard/center Jon Feliciano, whose 21-day window of practicing while on injured reserve is about to expire. If the 49ers don’t put Feliciano on the 53-man roster by Monday, he’ll spend the rest of the season on injured reserve. PACKERS INJURIES Cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was ruled out after being unable to practice all week, and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) also will not suit up for Green Bay’s defense. Defensive tackle Colby Wooden is questionable as the only other Packers player on their injury report.

"Homework is now complete": City of Vancouver outlines plan for a future without the Park Boardjl99 jili slot download 。

Trump's tariff threat a grim reminder of turbulent trade in first administration

Huawei unveils HarmonyOS Next, its 1st Android-free operating system

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been told to pause the process of passing the Tax Reform Bills into law The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Group spokesperson, Dare Glintstone Akinniyi, said the sudden accelerated hearing of the bill is raising concerns Speaking during an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, Akinniyi said Tinubu's government is insensitive and will push the people to the wall, very soon CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events FCT, Abuja - The spokesperson, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Group, Dare Glintstone Akinniyi, said Nigerians cannot afford a new tax reform system proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu . Akinniyi said Tinubu’s tax reform bills will add more burden to the lives of Nigerians, describing the increment of VAT as anti-people. He said this during an exclusive chat with Legit.ng on Saturday, November 30. Read also 2027 presidency: How Atiku, Peter Obi, others plan to displace Tinubu, political analyst explains PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! The PDP chieftain wondered by Tinubu is introducing a tax system to the detriment of the masses. “Nigerians can't afford a new tax system which will add more burden to their lives. The increment of VAT is anti-people. We have the fuel and electricity hike already causing too much hardship, so why bring in a tax system to the detriment of the masses? “The Federal government is insensitive and will push the people to the wall, very soon.” He said a section of the country and some analysts have kicked against the timing and inadequate consultations with the general public. He called on President Tinubu to pause the process of passing the bills into law. “When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu set up the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee (PFPTRC) in July 2023, one would think it would be entirely in the favour of the ordinary people. Read also Protests rock Abuja community over ongoing demolitions, residents call on Tinubu to intervene “The sudden accelerated hearing of the bill is raising concerns, even against the recommendations of the National Economic Council headed by VP Shettima.” Akinniyi said the tax reform bills are not the North versus the South as some people might want others to believe. “Personally, I do not see it as a North vs South thing, apart from the timing of the bill, it will sort the tax system issues we have on the ground. “Rather, it will make the North to be more creative in developing what it has instead of relying on other sections of the country for development; and also make the North look into their resources to develop themselves.” Senate passes Tax Reform Bills for second reading Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the controversial four Tax Reform Bills scared the second reading at the Nigerian Senate on Thursday, November 27. The federal lawmakers passed the proposed bills after debates and consideration of the general principles during plenary. Read also “Will entirely cripple the North”: Nigerian gov Zulum rejects Tinubu’s tax reform bill, cites consequences The Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), sponsored the Bills proposed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngIn addition to internal strife, Damascus also faces external pressures and influences that impact its security situation. Regional rivalries, geopolitical interests, and foreign interventions have all played a role in shaping the dynamics of the conflict in Syria, with repercussions felt acutely in the capital. The city's strategic importance as a political and military center makes it a magnet for competing actors seeking to advance their agendas at the expense of stability and peace.Chinese Concept Stocks Rally Overnight: The Golden Dragon Index Surges by 8.5%, Market Sentiment Soars

kk jili slot Trump’s Cabinet And Key Jobs: Brooke Rollins Tapped For Agriculture Secretary

Football fans across the country held their breathe this Saturday during the Colorado-Kansas game. That's because future NFL quarterback Shedeur Sanders took one of the worst hits we've seen all season. Sanders was scrambling around the pocket looking for an open man downfield. He found an open receiver, but it came at a price. Kansas defensive end Dean Miller literally launched his body into the knees of the talented Colorado quarterback . It was such a brutal collision that Sanders flipped onto his head. After staying on the ground for a few moments, Sanders got up and walked over to Colorado's sideline. He had a brief talk with his father, Colorado coach Deion Sanders, before returning to the field. What made this situation so absurd is that Kansas wasn't flagged for unnecessary roughness. Fans watching this game couldn't believe it. "Insane that that’s not roughing bro what are we doing," one fan said. Another fan asked, "How is that not targeting or some kind of flag?" "Should’ve been roughing. Don’t bother replying to try and debate it," a third fan replied. "I might be Shedeur's biggest hater but holy crap that was dirty," a social media user commented. Kansas with a big hit on Shedeur Sanders 😬 pic.twitter.com/5jXVaGb1Rh Sanders returned to the field and delivered a touchdown pass to Drelon Miller on the same drive, so he got the last laugh. So far, Sanders has played a near-perfect half of football. He has completed all but one of his 13 pass attempts for 157 yards with two touchdowns. Ed Zurga/Getty Images Even though Sanders is playing extremely well, Kansas leads 20-14 over Colorado. The second half of the Colorado-Kansas game will be televised on FOX. Related: There's Growing Speculation That A Favorite Has Emerged For Shedeur Sanders

Report: Bulls actively trying to trade pair of star playersDeveloping nations staged a walkout at the United Nations climate talks in Baku, demanding wealthy emitter nations step up financial aid to combat the effects of global warming. Host nation Azerbaijan urged delegates to seek consensus as COP29, already extended into an extra day, verged on the brink of failure. “I know that none of us wants to leave Baku without a good outcome,” COP President Mukhtar Babayev told climate officials from around the world on November 23, urging them to “bridge the remaining divide.” Small island states and the least developed nations walked out of negotiations on a funding package for poor countries to curb and adapt to climate change, saying their climate finance interests were being ignored. “[The] current deal is unacceptable for us. We need to speak to other developing countries and decide what to do,” said Evans Njewa, chair of the Least Developed Countries group. Developing countries have been pushing rich countries for years to finance their attempts to battle the impact of climate change, saying that the extreme weather and rising seas hurting them is the result of greenhouse gas emitted by the wealthy nations decades ago. In 2009, rich countries pledged $100 billion a year in annual climate aid by the early 2020s but some have been struggling to meet their commitments. The last official draft on November 22 pledged $250 billion annually by 2035, more than double the previous goal, but far short of the annual $1 trillion-plus that experts say is needed. Experts said that rich countries like the United States and Europe are facing budget constraints due to the coronavirus pandemic and now wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The United States has allocated $174 billion to Ukraine and billions more to Israel to help bolster their defenses. European nations have also allocated well north of $100 billion for Ukraine. In a bid to save COP29, representatives from the European Union, the United States, and other wealthy countries met directly with those of developing nations to work out an agreement. “If we don’t get a deal I think it will be a fatal wound to this process, to the planet, to people,” Panama’s special representative for climate change, Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez said. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev has fired several top officials in the State Security Service (SSS) and Interior Ministry in a sweeping reshuffle following an assassination attempt last month on a close ally of his eldest daughter. Abdusalom Azizov, the head of the State Security Service (SSS) and Alijon Ashurov, the head of the Presidential Personal Security Department, were among those dismissed by Mirziyoev on November 22, several law enforcement sources told RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service. Meanwhile, Otabek Umarov, the deputy head of the SSS and the husband of Mirziyoev’s youngest daughter, left the country on November 23, the sources said. It is unclear whether he fled or intends to come back, they added said. The upheaval is the biggest in the security services since the authoritarian Mirziyoev took office eight years ago. It comes amid a back-door power struggle among Uzbekistan's political elite that was thrust into the spotlight following an assassination attempt on Komiljon Allamjonov, a former high-ranking official in the presidential administration. Alisher Ilkhamov, an analyst at U.K.-based political risk firm Central Asia Due Diligence, said Mirziyoev needed to take action to show that no one was above the law and demonstrate his control over the country. "Impunity for such actions is a sign that the group that committed this is given carte blanche. And this will create a certain mood in society - an atmosphere of fear," he said. Allamjonov was traveling in a car on October 26, one day before parliamentary elections, when it was sprayed with bullets. Allamjonov survived, but the incident -- the first assassination attempt on a current or former member of Mirziyoev’s administration -- sent shockwaves through the country. The alleged mastermind, Shokhruh Akhmedov, was apprehended in South Korea. An RFE/RL investigation linked Akhmedov and other suspects to organized crime, prior assassination attempts in Turkey, and high-level officials within Uzbekistan’s administration, including Umarov. The 40-year-old Allamjonov left his government post in September allegedly to focus on a private business venture. Meanwhile, Umarov had been accused of allegedly establishing a "deep state," controlling the country's security services and major businesses through his proxies. Sources close to the investigation have suggested that the organizers of the attack may have sought to curb Allamjonov’s growing influence and connections within the administration. Prior to the assassination attempt, Allamjonov received the personal backing of 39-year-old Saida Mirziyoeva, the president’s eldest daughter who is widely seen as his potential successor. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Russia is seeking to drive his forces out of the Kursk region before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year but added that the military situation in the Donetsk region is the most critical for his country. “I am certain that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants to push us out before January 20,” Zelenskiy told reporters, referring to the day of Trump’s inauguration. “It is very important for him to show that he controls the situation” in Kursk. Ukraine stunned the Kremlin by sweeping into the Kursk region in August, seizing nearly 1,400 square kilometers of Russian territory. With Trump promising to end the war upon entering office, Moscow could be forced to exchange land it seized in Ukraine for Kursk territory should it fail to push Ukrainian forces out in time. Putin has sent tens of thousands of Russian troops to Kursk who are mounting wave after wave of counterattacks, a source on Ukraine's General Staff said. Russia has regained about 800 square kilometers in Kursk or about 40 percent of the territory Ukraine seized, the source said. Zelenskiy said that Ukrainian troops are inflicting large-scale losses on Russian forces in Kursk. Russia has recently been losing as many as 1,500 troops a day to injury and death across the entire theater of the war, the most since the invasion began in February 2022, Ukrainian and Western officials said. “Russia hasn’t suffered such losses as it is now suffering in Kursk,” Zelenskiy said. Russia has recruited more than 11,000 North Korean troops to help it take back Kursk territory. The North Korean troops reportedly arrived last month though it is unclear if they have taken part in fighting yet. The United States and the United Kingdom reportedly gave permission this week to Ukraine to strike inside Russia with ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles respectively. The missiles are precision, tactical weapons designed to hit command-and-control centers, logistics and arms depots near the front. Ukraine has already used the missiles to strike in Kursk and the neighboring region of Belgorod. Russian Advances Meanwhile, Russian ground forces continue to make incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, including near the town of Velyka Novosilka, according to Deep State, an open-source organization with ties to the Ukrainian Army, and confirmed by other analysts. Ukraine has been struggling to hold back the Russian advances due to a lack of manpower, raising concern about a possible breakthrough. While Russia is losing forces at a greater rate, the Kremlin is able to quickly replace them thanks to lucrative wages and incentives. Putin on November 23 widened those incentives, signing a law permitting the cancellation of debt for new army recruits volunteering to fight in Ukraine. The new law allows the state to forgive up to 10 million rubles ($95,835) of debt for those signing contracts with the Defense Ministry to fight in Ukraine for at least a year, beginning on December 1. The law applies to all potential recruits who have had debt collection proceedings opened against them before December 1. The maximum debt forgiveness is several times the average annual salary in Russia’s provinces. Valeriy Zaluzhniy, the former commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, said in an interview published on November 23 that new technological advances will prevent a “serious breakthrough” at the front. Ukraine and Russia have been rapidly developing reconnaissance and strike drones as well as electronic warfare weapons. The technology advancements have helped Ukraine partially compensate for its lack of manpower. In the interview, Zaluzhniy said that Russia will struggle to expand the front line and break through because it would require huge resources "which the Russians no longer have." Trump Presidency U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations outside Rome on November 25-26 to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. It will be the last G7 meeting for the Biden administration, which is seeking to ensure that support for Ukraine is sustained when Trump enters office in January. Trump has criticized aid to Ukraine, raising questions whether he will continue support should a peace deal not be reached. The president-elect met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Florida on November 22 to discuss Ukraine and other issues facing the alliance. Meanwhile, Trump is reportedly considering Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, for the new post of special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zelenskiy told reporters that the war could end next year if Ukraine continues to get strong Western support. Zelenskiy spoke with media following the Grain From Ukraine Summit in Kyiv. Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of grains to world markets. Prior to the conference, Zelenskiy visited a memorial to the victims of the Holodomor, the man-made famine orchestrated by the Soviet government in the 1930s that led to the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. In a clear reference to Putin’s war against Ukraine, Zelenskiy said: "There is something we know for certain. They wanted to destroy us. To kill us. To subjugate us. They failed." The violent detentions of brawling foreign university students, including from Iran, in Tatarstan has led to a protest by Iran’s consul general to the Russian region. “Iranian citizens studying abroad have the right to respect and fair treatment,” Consul General Davud Mirzakhani said on November 23. “We will ensure that the rights of our students are fully protected." "The Russian police confuse the Iranian people with those of other nations," Mirzakhani added. "We will never allow anyone to treat our people abroad inhumanely and illegally." The comments came after a brawl broke out among foreign students at Kazan Federal University on the morning of November 22 as they stood in line for documentation needed to renew their student visas. Video of the incident can be seen here: According to the Russian news agency TASS, two students who instigated the brawl were detained. Iranian students involved in the incident were later released. However, Tatarstan’s Investigative Committee announced that it has opened a criminal case against one student who “used violence against a police officer.” It is not clear if the student being investigated was among those released. Local media reported that the brawl may have started when someone cut into a large line of students who had been waiting to register their documents for hours. Foreign students were reportedly transferred from their dormitories at the university to make room for attendees of the BRICS summit held in Kazan on October 22-24. Students affected by the move launched a petition to protest the decision at the time, and were reportedly among those attempting to get their documentation in order on November 22. Local media reported that the foreign students lining up for documents were there trying to extend their student visas needed to study in Kazan. Following the brawl, the university reportedly opened additional service stations for the foreign students to submit their documents. Local authorities have reported that at least 25 people, most of them Shi’a, were killed on November 22 in fresh sectarian violence in a tribal region of northwest Pakistan long known as a hotspot of Shi’ite-Sunni conflict. The deaths in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province came just two days after dozens of people were killed when gunmen opened fire on a convoy of vehicles in the Sunni-majority district. Speaking to RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal on November 23, Kurram district administrative head Javedullah Mehsud said the renewed clashes erupted unexpectedly and the authorities could not respond in sufficient numbers to control them. Other news agencies, citing local officials, reported that at least 32 people had died and 47 were wounded in the violence on November 22. Locals in the Bagan area of the district told Radio Mashaal that an angry mob of hundreds of Shi’a set several shops and homes on fire. Locals in the predominantly Sunni area claimed that some inhabitants were unaccounted for. Local Shi'ite leader Malik Dildar Hussain told Radio Mashaal that Shi’a have frequently come under attack in the area. On November 21, at least 50 people, including several women and children, were killed and more than 40 wounded when gunmen opened fire on November 21 on a police-escorted convoy of 200 vehicles carrying Shi'ite Muslims. The convoy was traveling from the provincial capital, Peshawar, to Parachinar, the capital city of the Kurram district. The threat of additional violence led local authorities to impose a curfew on November 22 and to suspend mobile telecommunications services in the remote mountainous district. Local leaders told RFE/RL that most of those killed in the renewed violence on November 22 were Shi'a, but at least four Sunnis were also among the dead. No group has taken responsibility for the attack. RFE/RL correspondents on the ground reported on November 22 that heavily armed people set fire to a military checkpoint in the area overnight. In Parachinar, witnesses reported seeing dozens of angry people armed with automatic weapons gathering amid reports that several other facilities of the Pakistani Army and the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary had been attacked and destroyed. RFE/RL correspondents reported hearing heavy gunfire. Jamshed Shirazi, a social activist in Parachinar, told RFE/RL that several government installations were damaged by the mob. "People are expressing their anger by attacking government offices," Shirazi said. Jalal Hussain Bangash, a local Shi'ite leader, voiced dismay at the violence during a Friday Prayers sermon on November 22 and said that Shi'a had nothing to do with the ensuing violence, RFE/RL correspondents on the ground reported. Hamid Hussain, a lawmaker from Kurram in the national parliament, was adamant that the violence was the work of provocateurs. "We are helpless. Neither Shi'a nor Sunnis are involved in this. This is [the result of] some other invisible forces who do not want to see peace in the area," Hussain told RFE/RL. Sectarian tensions have risen over the past several months in the Kurram district, which was formerly semiautonomous. Seventeen people were killed in an attack on a convoy on October 12, and there have been a handful of deadly attacks since then. Sunnis and Shi'a living in Kurram have clashed over land, forests, and other property as well as religion over the years, despite government and law enforcement efforts to build peace. Minority Shi'ite Muslims have long suffered discrimination and violence in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Russia has included the territories it occupies in Ukraine in its recent greenhouse gas inventory report to the United Nations, drawing protests from Ukrainian officials and activists at the COP29 climate summit in Baku. The move by Moscow comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin eyes potential peace deal negotiations with incoming U.S. President Donald Trump that could decide the fate of vast swaths of territory. "We see that Russia is using international platforms to legalize their actions, to legalize their occupation of our territory," Ukraine's Deputy Environmental Minister Olha Yukhymchuk told Reuters. She said Ukraine is in touch with officials from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN's main climate body, to ask it to resolve the dispute. Russia had already included emissions from Ukraine's Crimea region, annexed in 2014, in its last few reporting submissions to the UNFCCC. The Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party, fresh off a contested victory in parliamentary elections last month that ignited calls for fresh polls and pro-EU demonstrations in Tbilisi, is preparing to hold its first parliamentary session on November 25. In comments to RFE/RL, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said that foreign diplomats would not be invited to attend the opening session, saying it “should only be celebrated by the Georgian people." EU and other Western officials have expressed serious doubts about the October 26 elections in which Georgian Dream officially won 53.9 percent of the vote. Opposition leaders this week called on foreign diplomats not to legitimize the new parliament by attending the first session of parliament. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to recognize the result validated by the country’s Central Election Committee (CEC), and protests demanding new elections continue to be held in the country’s capital. Protesters have alleged that there was widespread fraud during the campaign and vote, and that Russia heavily influenced the outcome favoring Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012. In recent days, Georgian police have shut down the demonstrations, including through the use of violence on November 19. Video footage by RFE/RL correspondents in Tbilisi showed police dragging people to the ground, including women, and beating them before taking them away. The same day, Zurabishvili filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court "requesting annulment of the election results as unconstitutional.” The first item on the agenda for the opening session, which will be attended by the head of the CEC, will be recognizing the authority of all 150 parliament members. Georgia has been a candidate for EU membership since last year, but a "foreign influence" law and anti-LGBT measures enacted under Georgian Dream’s leadership have stalled that effort. The United States in July announced that it would pause more than $95 million in assistance to the Georgian government, warning it that it was backsliding on democracy. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering tapping Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, to be a special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to four sources familiar with the transition plans. Grenell, who served as Trump's ambassador to Germany, as special envoy to Serbia-Kosovo talks, and was acting director of national intelligence during Trump's 2017-2021 term, would play a key role in Trump's efforts to halt the war if he is ultimately selected for the post. While there is currently no special envoy dedicated solely to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump is considering creating the role, according to the four sources. Grenell has advocated for the creation of "autonomous zones" as a means of settling the conflict. He also suggested he would not be in favor of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the immediate future. EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola supports the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine in its defense against Russia's full-scale invasion and said Germany should quickly deliver its long-range Taurus system to the embattled country. Metsola, in an interview published on November 23 by the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers, said "yes," when asked whether countries providing long-range missiles to Ukraine should allow it to use them against targets in Russia -- and whether Germany should deliver its Taurus weapons system to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, has been staunchly opposed to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. His coalition partners, the pro-business Free Democrats and the Greens, however, are in favor of sending Kyiv the missiles. Austria has dropped its long-standing veto to Bulgaria and Romania joining the passport free Schengen zone, opening the door to their accession next year. The breakthrough development was announced on November 22 by the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, which hosted a meeting in Budapest with the interior ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, and Austria. The EU will meet with the two candidate countries to finalize a joint security package at a meeting on December 11-12. The two countries could become Schengen members in January. “Bulgaria and Romania belong fully to the Schengen area. I welcome the positive outcome of informal discussions in Budapest today.” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said in a tweet following the announcement. The addition of Bulgaria and Romania will expand the Schengen zone to 28 states, including 24 EU members. Ireland and Cyprus will remain the only EU members not part of the Schengen Area. Bulgarians and Romanians currently are not permitted to travel freely into other Schengen member states over land borders. Early this year, they received the right to travel freely by air and sea in the first concession by Vienna. After the meeting in Budapest, Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter told media that the agreement to be signed next month includes the establishment of a special contingent of at least 100 border police officers on the Turkish-Bulgarian border. Hungary will contribute to the full deployment of the officers and provide the necessary technical equipment to ensure effective protection of the border, he said. Pinter expressed confidence that the issue could be resolved by December 31. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said a January accession date is a realistic goal. Yekaterina Neroznikova, a journalist and member of the Marem human rights group, is facing administrative charges in Russia for her alleged involvement with an "undesirable organization." The charges stem from Neroznikova's participation in an interview with RFE/RL earlier this year, where she discussed the high-profile abduction of Seda Suleimanova, a native of Chechnya. The administrative protocol was filed with the Zhukovsky City Court in Moscow Oblast on November 15, with a hearing scheduled for November 26. Neroznikova, who left Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, disclosed the development to the OVD-Info human rights group, a prominent watchdog monitoring political persecution in Russia. The case against Neroznikova is linked to her April 2024 appearance on RFE/RL’s program Human Rights Are A Right. During the program, she discussed the abduction of Suleimanova, who was forcibly taken from St. Petersburg in August 2023 by local police and Chechen operatives. Suleimanova, who fled Chechnya in 2022 because of pressure being put on her to agree to a forced marriage, has been missing since September last year. The charges against Neroznikova are seen as part of Russia’s broader crackdown on dissent and press freedom. Suleimanova's case has prompted global protests and solidarity campaigns highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Chechnya and Russia in general. According to Neroznikova, a man identifying himself as an officer of the Interior Ministry contacted her relatives last week before reaching out to her directly. He informed her of the administrative charges, citing her commentary on RFE/RL as the reason. RFE/RL's Russian Service and its multiple projects in the Russian language were designated as "undesirable organizations" in Russia in February 2024, making any association with them punishable under Russian law. Participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization” in Russia can result in fines of up to 15,000 rubles for individuals. Repeat offenses within a year can escalate to criminal charges, carrying penalties of up to four years in prison. Suleimanova's case has drawn international attention. In 2022, she fled her family in Chechnya to avoid an arranged marriage and persistent conflicts. In August 2023, she was abducted in St. Petersburg by individuals including local police and plainclothes Chechen security officers. She was taken to her family in Chechnya, and no information about her whereabouts has been available since September 2023. An investigation into Suleimanova’s disappearance was launched in March 2024 following thousands of public appeals. Despite the family's claims that she left home again in February, observers remain skeptical, citing conflicting statements made by her relatives. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country's new intermediate-range ballistic missile, a nuclear-capable weapon, will continue to be tested, including in combat conditions, as Moscow struck several Ukrainian regions with other, less powerful weapons. "We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia," Putin said on November 22 at a meeting with Defense Ministry officials and military-industrial complex officials. The Kremlin leader also called for serial production of the large missile to begin. Russia launched the so-called Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine on November 21 in a strike targeting the city of Dnipro. Putin said at the time it was part of Moscow's response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil with U.S.-supplied ATACMS and British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The use of the Oreshnik "is first and foremost a messaging and saber rattling kind of weapon. This is the sort of delivery system that's not cheap. It's not a battlefield sort of weapon," Tom Karako, a missile defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told RFE/RL. Putin added on November 22 that the Oreshnik is new and not an upgrade of previous Soviet-designed weaponry. The United States said the new missile is “experimental” and based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Ukraine initially accused Russia of having used an ICBM in the Dnipro attack. An ICBM has never been used in a war. Strategic Weapons Russia has been striking Ukraine with Iskanders, ground-launched, short-range ballistic missiles, and Kinzhals, air-launched, intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as various cruise missiles. Russia probably only has several units of the Oreshnik in stock, a U.S. official told media following the November 21 strike. Ukraine's military intelligence put the figure at up to 10 units. If Russia were to move forward with serial production of the Oreshnik, it would be for its nuclear force posture and not for use in a conventional war like the one with Ukraine, Karako said. "This is not an alternative to a cruise missile. It's probably designed for strategic weapons," he said. Zelenskiy's Response In his November 21 address to the nation announcing the use of the Oreshnik, Putin said that the missile traveled at a speed of Mach 10, or 2.5-3 kilometers per second, claiming that "there are currently no ways of counteracting this weapon." Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on November 22 that Ukraine was working on developing new types of air defenses to counter "new risks," a reference to missiles like the Oreshnik. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said testing a new weapon for the purposes of terror in another country was an "international crime" and called for a worldwide "serious response" to keep Russia from expanding the war. "When someone starts using other countries not only for terror, but also for testing their new missiles through acts of terror, then this is clearly an international crime." A lack of air defenses has been one of Ukraine's major weak spots in the 33-month war with Ukraine. Zelenskiy has called on the West to deliver more air defense systems since the first days of the invasion. He had also called on the West to ease restrictions preventing Ukraine from striking inside Russia with powerful long-range weapons. Zelenskiy said the deep strikes were necessary to target airfields critical for Russia's daily aerial attacks. The United States and the United Kingdom reportedly lifted the restrictions on November 17 with Ukraine using their long-range weapons -- ATACMS and Storm Shadow respectively -- to hit targets in Russia's regions of Belgorod and Kursk. Putin launched the Oreshnik into Ukraine to warn the West against arming Ukraine. Parliament Session Canceled Russia did not use the Oreshnik to strike Ukraine during another deadly air attack on November 22. Two people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian strikes on Sumy, Artem Kobzar, the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city, reported in a video statement on Telegram. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian drone attacks were under way in four regions -- Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr. In the capital, which has been on edge for several days amid intense Russian attacks on Ukraine, lawmakers were advised to avoid the government district on November 22 and parliament canceled a scheduled session due to warnings of a potential missile strike. "We were informed about the risk of a missile strike on the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv in the coming days. Putin has significantly raised the stakes . Tomorrow's parliamentary session is canceled," lawmaker Taras Batenko said. Oleksiy Honcharenko, another lawmaker, said on Telegram that the next session was now planned for December, although parliament leaders have not officially commented on the warnings. Zelenskiy's office assured the public that the presidential administration would continue operating "as usual" on November 22. The Russian Supreme Court has declared the international organization Post-Russia Free Nations Forum a terrorist group, the latest move in the Kremlin's clampdown on any sign of dissent. The organization, founded in Poland in 2022, has been accused of promoting separatism and aiming to disband the Russian Federation into independent states under foreign influence. Russia is a multiethnic state comprised of more than 80 regions, many of which have large indigenous populations, such as Chechnya and Tatarstan. Since coming to power in 1999, Russian President Vladimir Putin has centralized authority, curtailing the autonomy that some ethnic regions enjoyed. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its attempt to wipe out Ukrainian identity has shone a bright light on the Kremlin's historical mistreatment of its own indigenous populations and triggered a "decolonization" movement that seeks to give more prominence to ethnic groups within Russian historical and cultural studies. The case against the Post-Russia Free Nations Forum was launched in late October by the Prosecutor-General’s Office, which cited its activities as a threat to Russia’s territorial integrity and national security. In its statement, the Prosecutor General’s Office alleged that the forum operates through 172 regional and national entities, including the Baltic Republican Party, the Ingria Movement, the Congress of Peoples of the North Caucasus, the Free Yakutia Foundation, and the Far Eastern Confederation. The office claims these groups are directed by exiled leaders of separatist movements. “These leaders aim to divide the Russian Federation into independent states that would fall under the influence of hostile foreign countries,” the Prosecutor-General’s Office stated on its official website. The Post-Russia Free Nations Forum is registered in Poland and describes itself as a civic movement advocating for greater regional autonomy within Russia, with some members supporting full independence for regions. On its website and social media platforms, the organization also uses variations of its name, such as the Post-Russia Free States Forum. Ukrainian businessman Oleh Mahaletskiy positions himself as one of the founders of the group and is believed to be a major sponsor. The group’s activities have included discussions on decentralization and independence, with notable speakers such as the noted Tatar activist Nafis Kashapov, Bashkir activist Ruslan Gabbasov, Russian opposition politician Ilya Ponomaryov, U.S. political analyst Janusz Bugajski, and others. Following the November 22 terrorist designation by the Supreme Court, all activities of the Post-Russia Free Nations Forum are now banned in Russia. Membership or association with the group is subject to criminal prosecution under Russian anti-terrorism laws. Critics of the ruling argue that the designation reflects a broader crackdown on dissent and regional autonomy movements in Russia. They note that the Forum primarily operates abroad and online, raising questions about the ruling’s effectiveness outside Russian borders. The Forum has not yet responded to the court’s decision. Observers suggest that this ruling may escalate tensions between Russia and countries hosting members of the organization, particularly Poland, where it is registered. The authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has threatened to shut down the Internet in the event of mass protests during or after the upcoming presidential election, after the previous vote in 2020 erupted in unprecedented unrest amid opposition allegations it was rigged. Speaking to students at Minsk State Linguistic University on November 22, Lukashenka defended past Internet restrictions and warned of future measures to throttle dissent. "If this happens again, we will shut it down entirely. Do you think I will sit idly and pray you don't send a message when the fate of the country is at stake?" state news agency BelTA quoted him as saying. Lukashenka admitted that Internet disruptions during the 2020 protests were conducted with his approval, citing the need to "protect the country." Following the August 9, 2020, election, which many Western governments have said was not free and fair, Internet access across Belarus was disrupted for several days and intermittently blocked. The disputed election that extended Lukashenka's decades of rule -- he has held power since 1994 -- for another term was widely condemned as fraudulent by the United States, the European Union, and other international actors. The protests, which demanded Lukashenka’s resignation, were met with mass arrests, alleged torture, and violent crackdowns that left several people dead. Many opposition leaders remain imprisoned or in exile, while Lukashenka refuses dialogue with his critics. The next presidential election in Belarus is scheduled for January 26. Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist for RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service, was honored with the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a ceremony held in New York on November 21. Kurmasheva, who was recently released from detention in Russia after spending 288 days in custody, thanked the CPJ for its efforts toward gaining her freedom. "Journalism is not a crime," she said , noting that more than 20 journalists are currently imprisoned in Russia. Kurmasheva added that she was dedicating the award to her colleagues still imprisoned , including RFE/RL journalists Ihar Losik and Andrey Kuznechyk in Belarus, Vladislav Yesypenko in Crimea, and Farid Mehralizada in Azerbaijan. "My colleagues are not just statistics; like me they are real human beings with families who miss and love them. There are dozens of other journalists in Russian prisons. They should be released at once," Kurmasheva stressed . Other recipients of the award this year included Palestinian journalist Shorouq al-Aila, Guatemalan journalist Kimi de Leon, and Nigerien investigative journalist Samira Sabou, all recognized for their courage in the face of persecution. Detained by authorities in June 2023 as she was visiting relatives in the central Russian city of Kazan, Kurmasheva was initially charged with not declaring her U.S. passport. She was released but barred from leaving the country. That October, however, she was arrested, jailed, and charged with being an undeclared "foreign agent" -- under a draconian law targeting journalists, civil society activists, and others. She was later hit with an additional charge: distributing what the government claims is false information about the Russian military, a charge stemming from her work editing a book about Russians opposed to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. RFE/RL, as well as the U.S. government, called the charges absurd. The prisoner exchange that came to fruition on August 1 included 24 people in all -- including Kurmasheva, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich, and Russian political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza -- in a complex, seven-country deal. Religious tensions are on the rise in northwestern Pakistan following a deadly attack on a police-escorted convoy of Shi'ite Muslims that threatened to reignite sectarian violence in a strife-plagued region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. In the aftermath of the attack on the 200-vehicle convoy traveling from Peshawar to Parachinar, the capital city of the Kurram district, authorities on November 22 imposed a curfew and suspended mobile service in the remote mountainous district. RFE/RL correspondents on the ground reported on November 22 that heavily armed people set fire to a military checkpoint in the area overnight. In Parachinar, dozens of angry people carrying automatic weapons were gathering, amid reports that several other facilities of the Pakistani Army and the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary were attacked and destroyed, with RFE/RL correspondents reporting sounds of constant heavy gunfire. Jamshed Shirazi, a social activist in Parachinar, told RFE/RL that several government installations had been damaged by the angry protesters. "People are expressing their anger by attacking the government offices," Shirazi said. But Jalal Hussain Bangash, a local Shi'ite leader, voiced dismay at the violence during a Friday Prayer sermon on November 22 and said that Shi'a had nothing to do with the ensuing violence, RFE/RL correspondents on the ground report . Hamid Hussain, a lawmaker from Kurram in the national parliament, was adamant that the violence was the work of provocateurs. "We are helpless. Neither Shi'a nor Sunnis are involved in this. This is some other invisible forces who do not want to see peace in the area," Hussain told RFE/RL. At least 48 people, including several women and children, were killed and more than 40 wounded when gunmen opened fire on November 21 on the convoy of vehicles in the Kurram district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. Local leaders told RFE/RL that most of those killed were Shi'a, but at least four Sunnis were also among the dead. No one has taken responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series of deadly confrontations in Kurram, long known as a hotspot of Shi'ite-Sunni sectarian conflict. Local tribal leader Malik Dildar Hussain told RFE/RL that there were about 700 people in the convoy. Tensions in Kurram began to heat up in the past several months, where clashes again erupted between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim tribes in the area, which was formerly semiautonomous. On October 12, 17 people were killed in an attack on a convoy, and there have been a handful of deadly attacks since then. Sunnis and Shi'a live together in Kurram and have clashed violently over land, forests, and other property as well as religion over the years, despite government and law enforcement efforts to build peace. Minority Shi'ite Muslims have long suffered discrimination and violence in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Moscow launched another deadly attack on Ukraine on November 22, a day after firing what it said was a new intermediate-range missile that the Kremlin boasted was a " warning " for the West, after Kyiv reportedly obtained permission from President Joe Biden to strike into Russia with U.S. long-range missiles. Two people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian strikes on Sumy, Artem Kobzar, the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city, reported in a video statement on Telegram. Ukraine's air force said Russian drone attacks were under way in four regions -- Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr. In the capital, which has been on edge for several days amid intense Russian attacks on Ukraine, lawmakers were advised to avoid the government district on November 22 and parliament canceled a scheduled session due to warnings of a potential missile strike. "We were informed about the risk of a missile strike on the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv in the coming days. Putin has significantly raised the stakes . Tomorrow's parliamentary session is canceled," lawmaker Taras Batenko said, while lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on Telegram that the next session was now planned for December, although parliament leaders have not officially commented on the warnings. The office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy assured the public that it would continue operating "as usual" on November 22. On November 20, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine warned of a significant Russian air attack, prompting the temporary closure of its operations. The embassies of Spain, Italy, and Greece also suspended services for the day. On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the "successful combat testing" of a new Oreshnik (Hazel Tree) intermediate-range ballistic missile amid the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Putin claimed the missile was used in a strike on Ukraine's eastern city of Dnipro, asserting it was a response to NATO’s "aggressive actions" and Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles to target Russian territory. On November 22, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the test was a message to the West that Moscow will respond harshly to any "reckless" Western moves in support of Ukraine. "The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine, and subsequently participate in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side," Peskov told reporters. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns are not taken into account have been quite clearly outlined," he said. Ukraine's military intelligence said on November 22 that Russia may have up to 10 units of the new missile. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited his Israeli counterpart to visit Hungary, defying an arrest warrant for issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Benjamin Netanyahu that other European states say they will honor. Orban, speaking during his regular weekly interview with Hungarian state radio, said on November 22 that the ICC's decision a day earlier to issue the warrant accusing Netanyahu of "crimes against humanity and war crimes" committed during the war in Gaza was "outrageously brazen" and "cynical." The ICC issued similar arrest warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas military leader who Israel claims to have killed but whose death the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist group has not officially acknowledged. The ICC said Netanyahu and Gallant were suspected of using "starvation as a method of warfare" by restricting humanitarian aid while targeting civilians in Israel's war in Gaza -- charges Israeli officials deny. Orban said the ICC move against Netanyahu "intervenes in an ongoing conflict...dressed up as a legal decision, but in fact for political purposes." "Later today, I will invite the Israeli prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu, to visit Hungary, where I will guarantee him, if he comes, that the judgment of the ICC will have no effect in Hungary, and that we will not follow its terms," he added. "There is no choice here, we have to defy this decision," Orban said. Shortly after the ICC decision was announced, the European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said ICC decisions "are binding on all states party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU member states." However, the EU's most powerful members, Germany and France, on November 22 reacted with restraint to the ICC warrants. A spokesman said the German government will refrain from any moves until a visit to Germany by Netanyahu is planned. "I find it hard to imagine that we would make arrests on this basis," Steffen Hebestreit said on November 22, adding that legal questions had to be clarified about the warrant. In Paris, Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine only said that France acknowledged the ICC's move and voiced its support for the ICC's independence. "France takes note of this decision. True to its long-standing commitment to supporting international justice, it reiterates its attachment to the independent work of the court, in accordance with the Rome Statute," Lemoine said. Hungary, a NATO and European Union member state, has signed and ratified the 1999 document. However, it has not published the statute's associated convention and therefore argues that it is not bound to comply with ICC decisions. Netanyahu on November 22 thanked Orban for his show of "moral clarity." "Faced with the shameful weakness of those who stood by the outrageous decision against the right of the State of Israel to defend itself, Hungary" is "standing by the side of justice and truth," Netanyahu said in a statement. A right-wing nationalist in power since 2010, Orban has maintained close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has voiced opposition to the EU's sanctions imposed on Moscow after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Orban has previously said that Hungary would not arrest Putin either, despite the ICC arrest warrant issued on the Russian leader's name for war crimes for his role in deporting Ukrainian children. Furthermore, he flew to Moscow in July immediately after Hungary took over the EU's rotating six-month presidency to meet with Putin, in defiance of the fellow members of the bloc. Soltan Achilova, a veteran journalist and former RFE/RL correspondent in Turkmenistan, was forcibly hospitalized in Ashgabat on November 20 in what appears to be a move by the government to prevent her from flying to Geneva to receive an international award. According to the Chronicle of Turkmenistan website, four men in medical gowns arrived at the 75-year-old's apartment early that morning, claiming she was suspected of carrying an infectious disease and needed an "urgent" examination. Achilova, who showed no signs of illness, was forcibly taken to the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases in Ashgabat's Choganly district. Her family was not allowed to accompany her and her apartment keys were confiscated. One family member said one of the men told Achilova, "Why do you need keys in the afterlife?" Doctors have not disclosed when she will be released. Turkmenistan is consistently ranked by media watchdogs, such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF), among the worst countries in the world for press freedom. Independent media are nonexistent in the authoritarian Central Asian state, where journalism "amounts only to praise for the regime," according to RSF. The government continues a relentless clampdown on dissent -- with critics being harassed, beaten, tortured, jailed, and even killed. Many others have been forced abroad into exile. Human rights groups, including the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights and the International Partnership for Human Rights, immediately condemned Achilova's forced detention, calling it a stark escalation in Turkmenistan's crackdown on free speech. They demanded her immediate release and an end to the persecution of journalists. Achilova, the only journalist in Turkmenistan who openly criticizes the authoritarian government, has faced repeated harassment, threats, and attacks. In November 2023, border guards at the Ashgabat airport destroyed her passport to prevent her from traveling to Switzerland, where she was scheduled to attend the Martin Ennals Award human rights ceremony. Achilova has faced verbal threats and physical attacks, which the journalist and her supporters describe as government retaliation for her work. Many of her relatives have also been threatened. Ashgabat doesn't tolerate any dissent, and the government has stifled independent media, forced opposition activists into exile, and blocked access to all major social media and messaging apps to virtually cut its citizens off from the rest of the world. The Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy, has canceled appearances by opera singer Ildar Abdrazakov over his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pina Picierno, a vice president in the European Parliament, announced the cancellation on the social network X on November 21, emphasizing that Abdrazakov's ties to the Kremlin made him unfit for a leading cultural institution in Europe. She had led a campaign to keep Abdrazakov from performing in productions of Verdi’s Don Carlos and Attila operas. The Anti-Corruption Foundation of Aleksei Navalny had previously named Abdrazakov, who comes from the Bashkortostan region, as a regime supporter, citing his performances at events tied to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a lucrative appearance on Red Square in 2022. This marks the latest in a series of international cancellations for Abdrazakov, whose scheduled performances in the United States and Germany were also recently cancelled. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here . Iran has vowed to respond to a resolution adopted by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that criticizes the Islamic republic for what it says is poor cooperation by installing a number of "new and advanced" centrifuges. The resolution, which comes shortly after the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi from a trip to Iran , reportedly says it is "essential and urgent" for Tehran to "act to fulfill its legal obligations." A joint statement by Iran's Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization said on November 22 that the country's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, "issued an order to take effective measures, including launching a significant series of new and advanced centrifuges of various types." The Iranian announcement came after the IAEA's board on November 21 issued a second resolution condemning Tehran's cooperation with the agency after a similar warning in June. Some analysts say the resolution may be a step toward making a political decision to trigger a "snapback" of UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against Iran. The "snapback" mechanism is outlined in UNSC Resolution 2231, which enshrined a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. However, the option to reimpose the sanctions expires in October 2025. The IAEA resolution, put forward by France, Germany, and Britain and supported by the United States, comes at a critical time as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return at the White House in January. Trump during his first term embarked on a "maximum pressure" campaign of intensified sanctions on Iran and unilaterally withdrew the United States in 2018 from a landmark 2015 agreement that lifted some sanctions on Iran in exchange of curbs to its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful. The resolution passed on November 21 also urged Iran to cooperate with an investigation launched after uranium particles were found at two sites that Iranian authorities had not declared as nuclear locations. Nineteen of the 35 members of the IAEA board voted in favor of the resolution. Russia, China, and Burkina Faso opposed it, 12 members abstained, while one did not vote, diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity told the AP. It also calls on the IAEA to come up with a "comprehensive report" on Iran's nuclear activities by spring. During Grossi's visit, Iran agreed with an IAEA demand to limit its stock of uranium enriched at 60 percent purity, which is still under the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear weapon, but it is much higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in the 2015 deal. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was Tehran's chief negotiator for the 2015 agreement, warned that Iran would not negotiate "under pressure." Tehran has responded to previous similar resolutions by moves such as removing IAEA cameras and monitoring equipment from several nuclear sites, and increasing uranium enrichment to 60 percent purity at a second site, the Fordow plant. Two people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian strikes on Sumy early on November 22, Artem Kobzar, the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city, reported in a video statement on Telegram. "Several powerful explosions were heard in Sumy," he said in the video, adding that rescue teams, police, and ambulances were working at the site of the explosions. Kobzar urged residents to take shelter, saying that air defenses were still engaging incoming drones in the morning. Ukraine's air force said Russian drone attacks were under way in four regions -- Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, click here . A senior North Korean general has been wounded in Russia’s Kursk region, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western officials. More than 10,000 North Korean troops are supporting Russian forces in Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping to recover the swath of the Kursk region that Ukraine seized in August before President Donald Trump takes office early next year. The United States this week gave Ukraine the green light to use its long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian assets in Kursk and said North Korean troops would be fair game. It is unclear how the North Korean general was wounded, the WSJ reported . The United States has imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Russia’s third-largest lender, and dozens of other financial institutions as President Joe Biden seeks to further curtail the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine before he leaves office in two months. Gazprombank, which plays an important role in facilitating Russian energy exports, was the only remaining large Russian lender not under U.S. sanctions. Washington and Brussels had avoided sanctioning Gazprombank amid concern over possible energy export interruptions. Along with Gazprombank, the United States also announced sanctions on more than 50 other Russian banks conducting international operations, more than 40 Russian securities registrars and 15 Russian finance officials. The United States also warned financial institutions against joining Russia’s version of the international messaging system for banks known as SWIFT. Russia is seeking to attract international banks to its messaging platform to get around U.S. financial sanctions. “Today’s action reaffirms the U.S. commitment to curtail Russia’s ability to use the international financial system to conduct its war against Ukraine and disrupts Russia’s attempts to make cross-border payments for dual-use goods and military materiel,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a November 21 statement. Ukraine backers had been calling on the Biden administration for months to tighten sanctions on Russia’s banking sector, saying the Kremlin was finding ways around existing sanctions to pay for technology imports and other dual-use items. In addition to facilitating energy payments, Gazprombank had been acting as a conduit for the purchase of military goods. The Kremlin also uses Gazprombank to pay Russian soldiers and compensate families for war deaths. “I am grateful to @POTUS and his administration for today’s strong package of financial and banking sanctions targeting Russia’s economy and war chest,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a tweet . Eddie Fishman, a former State Department official and sanctions expert, called the latest announcement a “strong step” toward closing loopholes around Russia’s energy sector, which generates about half of federal budget revenues. Biden will leave office on January 20 to make way for President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to end the war in Ukraine by getting Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table, something that experts say will be harder done than said. The financial sanctions come at a critical time for Russia’s economy as Putin’s record spending on the war effort drives up inflation and interest rates. The Russian Central Bank last month raised interest rates to 21 percent, the highest in decades, and could continue to ratchet them up with no end in sight to the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said his military fired a new intermediate-range missile into Ukraine following accusations by Kyiv that it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In a November 21 video statement to the nation, Putin said the use of the new weapon was a response to the United States and the United Kingdom giving permission to Kyiv to fire their long-range missiles into Russia. "In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested," Putin said, adding that it was a hypersonic, ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Earlier in the day, Kyiv accused Russia of striking Ukraine with what it said appeared to be an ICBM. The new weapon was part of a larger missile attack on Dnipropetrovsk, home to important military-industrial plants. ICBMs, which are designed to deliver long-distance nuclear strikes, have never been used in war before. "On the morning of November 21, 2024...Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (facilities and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian Air Force said in its statement on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram later that the new Russian weapon had "all characteristics -- speed, altitude -- [of an] intercontinental ballistic missile." Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Russia struck Ukraine with an "experimental" intermediate-range ballistic missile that was based on its RS-26 Rubezh ICBM. She said Russia had informed the United States it would be launching the experimental missile shortly beforehand through "nuclear risk reduction channels." She said the new weapon had a smaller warhead that some other missiles Russia has launched into Ukraine. A U.S. official who asked not to be identified told media that Putin was seeking to intimidate Ukraine but added that Moscow only had a few of the "experimental" missiles. The Russian attack comes just days after reports that Ukraine used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS systems to strike military targets deeper inside Russia following the long-sought approval by President Joe Biden. The RS-26 Rubezh is a solid-fueled, road-mobile ICBM currently in development that has been tested with heavier payloads at intermediate ranges. Military analysts said ICBM missiles can be classified as intermediate-range weapons when their payloads are increased and ranges decreased. The main target of the Russian attack was the southeastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine's most important industrial region, and its capital, the city of Dnipro. Ukraine's air force said that besides the ICBM, Russian aircraft also launched a hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile and seven subsonic Kh-101 cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down six Kh-101 missiles, the air force reported. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said his region bore the brunt of the Russian attack. "Since early in the morning, the aggressor massively attacked our region," Lysak reported on Telegram, adding that preliminary information showed that an industrial facility was damaged in the regional capital, Dnipro, where two fires were started by the attack. Explosions were also reported in Kremenchuk, in the central Poltava region. Moscow's use of a large number of sophisticated missiles as opposed to the usual drone attacks appears to be in response to Ukraine's gaining approval to use some Western-donated long-range missile systems to strike deeper into Russia. On November 20, Russian military bloggers and a source cited by Reuters reported that Ukraine had fired up to 12 Franco-British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia's Kursk region, part of which has been under Ukrainian control following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian troops in August. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to confirm whether the missiles had been used. Previously, London had given permission to use the Storm Shadows, which have a 250-kilometer range, within Ukraine's territory. Earlier this week, Ukraine reportedly used ATACMS to strike a military facility in Russia's Bryansk region after Biden was reported as giving his OK. The White House has not officially confirmed the approval and Ukraine hasn't directly acknowledged the use of ATACMS on Russian targets. Russia has long warned that Ukraine's use Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike inside its territory would mark a serious escalation of the conflict. On November 21, Moscow said a new U.S. missile defence base in the Polish town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, which was opened on November 13 as part of a broader NATO missile shield, will lead to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger. "This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies in the North Atlantic alliance in the strategic sphere," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "This leads to undermining strategic stability, increasing strategic risks and, as a result, to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger," Zakharova said. Poland rejected the claim, saying there were no nuclear missiles at the base. "It is a base that serves the purpose of defense, not attack," Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said on November 21.

10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024

Top 5 Cyber Security Controls for SMEs

Road problems continue for Kraken, falling 2-1 in Los AngelesSince its introduction in 1947, the Beechcraft Bonanza has stood as an icon in general aviation, earning its reputation as one of the most popular single-engine aircraft ever produced. Known for its sleek design, impressive performance, and unmatched longevity, the Bonanza has captured the hearts of pilots worldwide . With over 17,000 units produced and counting, it remains a testament to innovation, reliability, and adaptability. But what exactly makes the Bonanza so enduringly popular? Let’s take a closer look. A revolutionary beginning At the end of World War II, Beechcraft, like many aviation companies, sought to shift from military to civilian aircraft production. In 1947, the Bonanza was unveiled as a revolutionary design that broke away from the conventions of its time. While most general aviation planes then were fabric-covered and tail-dragger designs, the Bonanza introduced an all-metal, low-wing monoplane configuration. The Bonanza also incorporated advanced technologies for the era, including retractable landing gear, which was uncommon in single-engine planes at the time. These features set a new standard for general aviation and attracted private pilots and small business owners seeking high performance and sophistication. The Beechcraft Bonanza is the most popular single-engine aircraft in the family that has been produced for more than 70 years. Performance and reliability The Bonanza’s early success was largely due to its impressive performance. Its original 185-horsepower Continental engine offered cruising speeds of over 170 mph, significantly faster than most competitors. Over the decades, upgrades were made, with modern variants boasting engines that produce up to 300 horsepower and allow speeds exceeding 200 mph. More than just fast, the Bonanza is dependable. It has a reputation for robust construction and excellent handling characteristics, making it suitable for novice and experienced pilots alike. Adaptability and longevity A major factor in the Bonanza's sustained popularity is its adaptability. Beechcraft has continuously updated the aircraft, integrating new technologies to meet the evolving needs of pilots. From advanced avionics to airframe refinements, the Bonanza has stayed at the cutting edge of general aviation. According to the European Bonanza Society , the introduction of the Model 33 Debonair in 1959 and later the Model 36 reflected Beechcraft's understanding of market demands. While the Debonair was a more affordable option with simplified features, the Model 36 catered to families and business users with its stretched fuselage and six-seat configuration. These variations expanded the Bonanza’s appeal to a wider audience. The V-tail design was phased out in 1982, with Beechcraft shifting entirely to the straight-tail configuration used in the Model 33 and Model 36. This decision addressed stability and maintenance concerns associated with the V-tail while preserving the aircraft’s core strengths. The straight-tail Bonanzas are known for their exceptional durability, with many models flying reliably after decades of use. A cult following Beyond its technical merits, the Bonanza has cultivated a passionate and loyal community. Owners and pilots often describe the aircraft as a "pilot’s airplane," emphasizing the joy of flying it. Its responsive controls, solid feel, and high-quality construction have made it a favorite for those who value the flying experience itself. The aircraft does carry with it a certain level of status, particularly among private pilots and small business owners. Its elegance and performance have earned it a reputation as the "Rolls-Royce of single-engine aircraft," further enhancing its allure. Organizations such as the American Bonanza Society (ABS) , founded in 1967, foster camaraderie among Bonanza enthusiasts. With thousands of members, ABS provides resources, training, and support for owners, ensuring the aircraft remains safe and enjoyable to operate. This sense of community has played a significant role in the Bonanza’s enduring popularity. Safety innovations and training While early Bonanzas were occasionally criticized for their perceived difficulty in handling—particularly the V-tail variants—Beechcraft and the broader aviation community addressed these concerns through design improvements and pilot education. The Bonanza has become far safer, due to things like: The introduction of the straight-tail variants significantly improved stability and came with a lower structural failure rate than the V-tail version. Modern Bonanzas are equipped with advanced avionics and safety systems, including autopilot, synthetic vision, and terrain awareness. These features enhance situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, making the Bonanza safer than ever. Organizations like ABS promote safety by offering specialized training programs. These initiatives help pilots understand the aircraft’s unique characteristics and develop the skills needed to operate it safely. Modern-day appeal Today, the Bonanza remains a top choice for pilots seeking a versatile, high-performance aircraft. Modern versions, such as the G36 Bonanza, are equipped with cutting-edge Garmin avionics suites, plush interiors, and other premium features, making them ideal for both personal and business use. Despite its premium price—new models start at over $900,000—the Bonanza offers excellent value. Its combination of speed, range, comfort, and durability is unmatched in the single-engine piston category. Furthermore, its resale value remains strong, reflecting its reputation and demand. The Bonanza is also a reliable workhorse for owner-pilots who use it for transportation over moderate distances. Its ability to land on shorter runways adds to its versatility, allowing access to a broader range of airports. A legacy of excellence Few aircraft can claim the legacy of the Beechcraft Bonanza. With over seven decades of production, it is one of the longest-continuously produced aircraft in history. Its timeless design, exceptional performance, and adaptability have cemented its place in aviation history. The Bonanza’s enduring popularity is a testament to Beechcraft’s commitment to quality and innovation. It continues to inspire pilots around the world, offering a perfect blend of style, performance, and practicality. For those fortunate enough to own or fly one, the Bonanza is more than just an airplane—it’s a piece of aviation history and a symbol of excellence. As the Bonanza continues to evolve, it’s clear that this iconic aircraft will remain a cornerstone of general aviation for generations to come. The single-engine plane has an enduring reputation that is as iconic as it is ominous.

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) — The New York architect facing murder charges in a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach killings was charged on Tuesday in the death of a seventh woman. Rex Heuermann pleaded not guilty to killing Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found on Long Island in 2000. Mack, 24, had been working as an escort in Philadelphia and was last seen by her family that year in New Jersey. Some of Mack’s skeletal remains were initially discovered in Manorville, New York; authorities found more of her remains about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west, in Gilgo Beach, more than 10 years later. They were unidentified until genetic testing revealed her identity in 2020. Human hair found with Mack’s remains was sent for testing earlier this year and found to be a likely match with the genetic profile of Heuermann’s daughter, prosecutors said in court papers. His daughter is not accused of any wrongdoing and would have been 3 or 4 years old when Mack died. Heuermann, 61, is charged with killing six other women whose remains were found on Long Island. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. “The lives of these women matter,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said at a news conference with Mack's parents and other victims' relatives. “No one understands that more than the families.” Mack's parents didn't speak. Four other victims' relatives gave the Macks roses and hugs and, through an attorney, expressed their sadness and solidarity. “They were, and they are, loved. And they are missed every day by those who knew them and who had a strong bond with them,” said Gloria Allred, who represents the families of Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor and Megan Waterman. Outside of court, Heuermann’s lawyer Michael Brown disputed evidence presented in Mack’s death, saying the DNA technology used to connect her and other victims to Heuermann has never been deemed reliable in a New York case. He also argued that Tierney’s office has yet to produce proof any victims’ DNA was found in Heuermann’s home, including the many weapons and tools seized during recent searches of the property. “There’s something a little weird about these allegations,” Brown said. “Something that doesn’t sit right.” The investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings dates back to 2010, when police searching for a missing woman found 10 sets of human remains in the scrub along a barrier island parkway, prompting fears of a serial killer. Over the years, investigators used DNA analysis and other clues to identify the victims, many of whom were sex workers. Police also began reexamining other unsolved killings of women on Long Island. The case has dragged on through five police commissioners, more than 1,000 tips, and doubts about whether there was a serial killer at all. Story continues below video Heuermann, who lived with his wife and two children in Massapequa Park on Long Island and commuted to a Manhattan architecture office, was arrested on July 13, 2023. At that point, he was charged with murdering Barthelemy, Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. Earlier this year, he was charged in the deaths of three other women — Brainard-Barnes , Taylor and Sandra Costilla . In a June court filing, prosecutors said they had recovered a file on a hard drive in Heuermann’s basement that he used to “methodically blueprint” his killings — including checklists with tasks for before, during and after, as well as lessons for “next time.” In court papers on Tuesday, prosecutors said the document, which was created the same year as Mack’s murder, includes details that align with her case. For example, it names “Mill Road” — a road near where Mack’s first remains were found — under the heading “DS,” which investigators believe stands for “dump site.” The document also lists “foam drain cleaner” under “Supplies.” Prosecutors say that on Oct. 3, 2000, Heuermann’s phone records appear to show him making two calls to a Long Island plumbing company, and he paid another company the following month to check his mainline drain. In recent searches of Heuermann’s home and office, authorities say they found old magazines and newspapers with articles about the Gilgo Beach killings and investigation that prosecutors believe he kept as “souvenirs” or “mementos.” Among them was a July 29, 2003, copy of the New York Post that included an article about the investigation into Mack and Taylor’s remains. Tierney said Tuesday that evidence points to Heuermann’s home as the scene of the killings — in most cases, when his family was out of town. Heuermann’s estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, said in a statement that she still does not believe her husband was capable of committing the crimes he’s accused of. The couple’s now grown children said in a separate statement they remain “steadfast in observing the legal process play itself out, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it is.” Authorities have still not charged anyone in the deaths of some other people whose remains were found on Long Island. Among them is an unidentified male victim who died in 2006 and likely presented outwardly as a female, and Karen Vergata , whose remains were discovered in 1996 but only identified through new DNA analysis in 2022. ___ Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed from New York.NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Javon Small scored five of his 31 points in overtime and Tucker DeVries added key free throws late in regulation and finished with 16 points as West Virginia beat No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. Small's layup with under 2 minutes left in OT gave West Virginia a 79-75 lead. After a Gonzaga miss, Sencire Harris hit two free throws to make it a six-point lead. With 27.1 seconds left, Harris made a steal and scored on a dunk for an eight-point lead, putting the game out of reach. Amani Hansberry scored a career-high 19 points and Toby Okani added 10 for West Virginia (3-2). Braden Huff scored 19 points and Khalif Battle 16 for Gonzaga (5-1). Takeaways Gonzaga showed its depth, outscoring the West Virginia bench 30-2. West Virginia’s only loss was by 24 points at Pitt, but the rebuild under Darian DeVries is showing promise. Key moment Gonzaga turned it over at midcourt late in regulation when Tucker DeVries poked it away from Nolan Hickman and raced the other way before getting fouled. DeVries made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to tie it at 71-all. Battle inbounded the ball and got it back, but lost control on a drive as time expired. Key stats The shorter Mountaineers outrebounded Gonzaga 42-36 and shot 50% in the second half, battling the Zags to a draw in the paint. Nembhard had 12 assists and just one turnover in 43 minutes, but was 1 of 10 from the field. Up next West Virginia will play Louisville on Thursday in the winner's bracket. Gonzaga faces No. 14 Indiana on the consolation side. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballLongtime U.S. women’s soccer star announces her retirement

Migration crisis as human issue, not political game

WASHINGTON — Walmart, the world's largest retailer , has started giving associates body cameras to wear as part of a pilot program at a few of its U.S. locations. A person familiar with the program said that these body cameras are specifically for the safety of employees and not designed for anti-theft measures. It's not clear how many stores are part of the program, but the company confirmed its being tested in just one market right now. Fox Business reports the pilot involves multiple stores in Denton, Texas, about 40 miles from Dallas, which have reportedly posted signage letting customers know body cameras are being used. A shopper in Denton also shared a photo with CNBC that showed an associate checking receipts while wearing a yellow and black body camera earlier this month. "While we don’t talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry," Walmart said in a statement on Tuesday. "This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions." A photo reportedly of Walmart body cameras in charging bays was posted on Reddit last month . The photo included instructions for how to use the camera to record "an event if an interaction with a customer is escalating." While Walmart's body camera pilot program is focused on employee safety, it comes after another national retailer rolled out body cameras to help curb shoplifting. TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods stores started having their stores' unarmed security guards wear body cameras late last year, parent company TJX revealed in an earnings call back in May . A company spokesperson said at the time that they hoped the body cameras would help de-escalate incidents, deter crime and demonstrate to our employees and customers that they take safety in stores seriously.Adobe Announces Reflection Removal Feature

Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!

Alaska Airlines selected to connect San Diego and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with nonstop serviceTrump’s tariffs would devastate auto sector, raise consumer costs: industry leaders

Increasing Automotive Demand: A Key Driver Transforming The Automotive Ethernet Market 2024

( MENAFN - PR Newswire) Exclusive Christmas Package Offer Starting from $499 For Two to $699 For Three HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MONOPOLY DREAMSTM Hong Kong offers to magnify your festive excitement with its exclusive Christmas Package starting from 21st Dec, 2024 till 1st Jan, 2025. Bundled perfectly for families, friends and MONOPOLY fans of all ages, you don't need to wait till Boxing Day to unwrap your dream fun. Irresistible offers with more than 30% discounts, ranging from $499 Package-for-2 to $699 Package-for-3, coming with "Walk into MONOPOLY", "Häagen-Dazs Festive Ice Cream", "Cotton Candy", Gashapon treats, together with a Christmas gift for every person. MONOPOLY DREAMS leverages the classic elements of Monopoly, with emphasis on interactive experience to highlight tourist spots suiting all ages, has soon flourished as a "must visit" destination for local and foreign visitors soon since its inauguration. Keeping abreast of the times, MONOPOLY DREAMS is now equipped with AR and 4Dx interactive game technology, bringing the famous board game to life to explore Mr Monopoly's Vault and hoover up properties like a billionaire by devoting in the "Walk into MONOPOLY" game, and win prizes. There are also a wide range of boardgames in the MONOPOLY retail shop perfect for festive gifting to beloved family members, friends and fans. For details of Christmas Exclusive Packages and ticketing channels, please visit MONOPOLY DREAMSTM Hong Kong's official website: Address: Level 3, Peak Galleria, 119 Peak Road, Hong Kong Opening Hours: 10:00 to 20:00 【 ABOUT MONOPOLY DREAMS HONG KONGTM 】 MONOPOLY DREAMS HONG KONGTM is the first MONOPOLY (aka TYCOON)-themed attraction in the world, as well as a brand-new tourist attraction in Hong Kong. It is located at the most popular tourist spot – the Peak, which is the most expensive title deed and the supreme "king of property" in the MONOPOLY Hong Kong Edition. MONOPOLY classical elements like Train Station, Water Works, Ultimate Banking will be ready to give you the best MONOPOLY experience! Everyone can try their luck and pursue their dreams in MONOPOLY DREAMS TM! Let's Own It All together! For more details, please visit MONOPOLY DREAMSTM Hong Kong official website: SOURCE Monopoly Dreams MENAFN17122024003732001241ID1109004995 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Andy Cohen reacts to Kenya Moore taking accountability for ‘RHOA’ sex poster scandal

Injuries pile up, 49ers uncertain QB Brock Purdy can return SundayMolded Pulp Packaging Market 2024: Segmentation Trends, Industry Size, Growth, Regional Opportunities and Forecast to 2031 | Huhtamaki Oyj, Bordrene Hartmann A/S, Sonoco, Sabert Corporationsuper ufa slot jili 。

T he unprecedented firing by Ukrainian forces of British-made long-range Storm Shadow missiles at military targets inside Russia last week means the UK, along with the US, is now viewed by Moscow as a legitimate target for punitive, possibly violent retaliation. In a significant escalation in response to the missile launches, Vladimir Putin confirmed that, for the first time in the war, Russia had fired an intermediate-range ­ballistic missile, targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Putin also said Russia now believed it had the “right” to attack “military facilities” in countries that supply Kyiv with long-range weapons. Though he did not say so specifically, he clearly meant attacks on the UK and US. Yet in truth, Britain and its allies have been under constant Russian attack since the war began. Using sabotage, arson, deniable cyber-attacks and aggressive and passive forms of covert “hybrid” and “­cognitive” warfare, Putin has tried to impose a high cost for western support of Ukraine. This largely silent struggle does not yet amount to a conventional military conflict between Nato and its former Soviet adversary. But in an echo of Cuba in 1962, the “Ukraine missile crisis” – fought on land, air and in the dark-web alleyways and byways of a digitised world – points ominously in that direction. Concern that Russia’s illegal, full-scale 2022 invasion of Ukraine would trigger a wider war has preoccupied western politicians and military planners from the start. The US, UK and EU armed and bankrolled Kyiv and placed unprecedented, punitive sanctions on Moscow. But US president Joe Biden remained cautious. His primary aim was to contain the conflict. So the convenient fiction developed that the west was not fighting Russia but, rather, helping a sovereign Ukraine defend itself. That illusion was never shared by Moscow. From the outset, Putin portrayed the war as an existential battle against a hostile, expansionist Nato. Russia was already big on ­subversion. But as the conflict unfolded, it initiated and now appears to be accelerating a wide array of covert operations targeting western countries. Biden’s decision on long-range missiles, and Moscow’s furious vow to hit back, has placed this secret campaign under a public spotlight. Russian retaliation may reach new heights. But in truth, Putin’s shadow war was already well under way. Last week’s severing of Baltic Sea fibre-optic cables linking Finland to Germany and Sweden to Lithuania – all Nato members – is widely regarded as the latest manifestation of Russian hybrid warfare, and a sign of more to come. Some suggest the damage was accidental. “Nobody believes that,” snarled Boris Pistorius, Germany’s defence minister. Such scepticism is based on hard experience. Last year, Finland said a damaged underwater natural gas pipeline to Estonia had probably been sabotaged . And an investigation in Nordic countries found evidence that Russia was running spy networks in the Baltic and North Sea, using fishing vessels equipped with underwater surveillance equipment. The aim, it said, was to map pipelines, communications cables and windfarms – vulnerable targets of possible future Russian attacks. Earlier this month, a Russian ship, the Yantar – supposedly an “oceano­graphic research vessel” – had to be militarily escorted out of the Irish Sea . Its unexplained presence there, and previously off North Sea coasts and in the English Channel, where it was accompanied by the Russian navy, has been linked to the proxi­mity of unprotected seabed inter-connector cables carrying global internet traffic between Ireland, the UK, Europe and North America. Suspected Russian hybrid warfare actions on land , in Europe and the UK, are multiplying in scope and seriousness. They range from large-scale cyber-attacks, as in Estonia, to the concealing of incendiary devices in parcels aboard aircraft in Germany, Poland and the UK. Western spy agencies point the finger at the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency (which was responsible for the 2018 Salisbury poisonings ). Naturally, all this is denied by the Kremlin. It gets even more alarming. In the summer, US and German intelligence agencies reportedly foiled a plot to assassinate top European defence industry executives, in an apparent effort to obstruct arms supplies to Kyiv. Putin’s agents have been blamed for a wide variety of crimes, from assassinations of regime critics on European soil, such as the 2019 murder in Berlin of a Chechen dissident, to arson – for instance, at a warehouse in east London this year – to the intimidation of journalists and civil rights groups, and the frequent harassment and beating of exiled opponents. National infrastructure, elections, institutions and transport systems are all potential targets of hostile online malefactors, information warfare and fake news, as Britain’s NHS discovered in 2017 and the US in 2016 and 2020 during two presidential elections. Some operations are random; others are carried out for profit by criminal gangs. But many appear to be Russian state-organised. Such provocations are intended to sow chaos, spread fear and division, exacerbate social tensions among Ukraine’s allies and disrupt military supplies. In January, for example, a group called the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn caused significant damage to water utilities in Texas. Biden administration officials warned at the time that disabling cyber-attacks posed a threat to water supplies throughout the US. “These attacks have the potential to disrupt the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water,” state governors were told. Alerts about Russia’s escalating activities have come thick and fast in recent months. Kaja Kallas, the former Estonian prime minister and newly nominated EU foreign policy chief, spoke earlier this year about what she called Putin’s “ shadow war ” waged on Europe. “How far do we let them go on our soil?” Kallas asked. In May, Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, accused Moscow of repeated acts of sabotage. In October, Ken McCallum, head of MI5 , said the GRU was engaged in “a sustained mission to generate mayhem on British and European streets”. Nato’s new secretary-general, Mark Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, added his voice this month. Moscow, he said, was conducting “an intensifying campaign of hybrid attacks across our allied territories, interfering directly in our democracies, sabotaging industry and committing violence ... the frontline in this war is no longer solely in Ukraine.” It remains unclear, despite these warnings, how prepared Europe is to acknowledge, first, that it is now under sustained attack from Russia and is involved, de facto, in a limit­less, asymmetrical war; and second, what it is prepared to do about it at a moment when US support for Nato and Ukraine has been thrown into doubt by Donald Trump’s re-election. When the foreign ministers of Poland, Germany and France – the so-called Weimar Triangle – plus the UK, Italy and Spain met in Warsaw last week , they tried to provide answers. “Moscow’s escalating hybrid activi­ties against Nato and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale, creating significant security risks,” they declared. But their proposed solution – increased commitment to Europe’s shared security, higher defence spending, more joint capabilities, intelligence pooling, a stronger Nato, a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and a reinforced transatlantic alliance – was more familiar wishlist than convincing plan of action. Putin is unlikely to be deterred. Far from it, in fact. Last week’s missiles-related escalation in verbal hostilities has highlighted the Russian leader’s flat refusal to rule out any type of retaliation, however extreme. His mafioso-like menaces again included a threat to resort to nuclear weapons. Putin’s very public loosening of Russia’s nuclear doctrine , which now hypothetically allows Moscow to nuke a non-nuclear-armed state such as Ukraine, was a tired propa­ganda ploy designed to intimidate the west. Putin is evil but he’s not wholly mad. Mutual assured destruction remains a powerful counter-argument to such recklessness. Putin has other weapons in his box of dirty tricks, including, for example, the seizing of blameless foreign citizens as hostages. This kind of blackmail worked recently when various Russian spies and thugs were released from jail in the west in return for the freeing of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and others. Putin also has another nuclear card up his sleeve. Greenpeace warned last week that Ukraine’s power network is at “heightened risk of catastrophic failure”. Russian airstrikes aimed at electricity sub-stations were imperilling the safety of the country’s three operational nuclear power plants, the group said. If the reactors lost power, they could quickly become unstable. And then there is the possibility, floated by analysts, that Russia, by way of retaliation for Biden’s missile green light, could increase support for anti-western, non-state actors, such as the Houthis in Yemen. In a way, this would merely be an extension of Putin’s current policy of befriending “outlaw” states such as Iran and North Korea, both of which are actively assisting his Ukraine war effort. All of which, taken together, begs a huge question, so far unanswered by Britain and its allies – possibly because it has never arisen before. What is to be done when a major world power, a nuclear-armed state, a permanent member of the UN security council, a country sworn to uphold the UN charter, international human rights treaties and the laws of war, goes rogue? Putin’s violently confrontational, lawless and dangerous behaviour – not only towards Ukraine but to the west and the international order in general – is unprecedented in modern times. How very ironic, how very chastening, therefore, is the thought that only another rogue – Trump – may have a chance of bringing him to heel. Biden can do nothing now to halt the war. He had his chance in 2021-2022 and blew it. His missiles, landmines and extra cash have probably come too late. And in two months’ time, he will be gone. On the other hand, Trump’s warped idea of peace – surrendering one quarter of Ukraine’s territory and barring it from Nato and the EU – may look increasingly attractive to European leaders with little idea how to curb both overt and covert Russian aggression or how to win an unwinnable war on their own. Putin calculates that Europe, ­prospectively abandoned by the US, fears a no-longer-hybrid, only too real, all-out war with Russia more than it does the consequences of betraying Ukraine. Cynical brute that he is, he will keep on clandestinely pushing, probing, provoking and punishing until someone or something breaks – or Trump bails him out.West Virginia knocks off No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime in the Battle 4 AtlantisAre you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data

Aaron Rodgers Reveals How Revamped Jets Coaching Staff Would Impact 2025 Return - Sports IllustratedOnce again, some Oklahoma state legislators are considering phasing out personal and corporate income taxes with the goal of eliminating the tax entirely by 2035. State Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, authored House Bill 1009, and if it passes, it will reduce the personal income tax rate by 0.004% annually over 10 years. Steagall filed an almost identical bill, H.B. 3058, during the 2024 session, but the bill never made it out of the Appropriations and Budget Committee. “Recent polls show Oklahomans overwhelmingly support the elimination of the state income tax, an effort for which I have filed legislation in the past two years and filing once again for the 60th Legislature,” Steagall said in a press release about the new bill. “The state income tax is a clear violation of our own state constitution and I will continue to pursue righting this wrong in the upcoming session.” Article 2, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution is the part Steagall said the imposing of an income tax violates. Under this section, titled “Inherent rights,” the Constitution states: “All persons have the inherent right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry.” In an interview with Fox23, Gov. Kevin Stitt said having a state income tax puts Oklahoma at a disadvantage. “Stitt believes states like Texas, Nevada and Florida are more attractive to employers looking to leave higher tax states to save money and operate with fewer regulations, and he believes Oklahoma is keeping itself at a disadvantage when trying to attract more companies,” states the article titled, “Exclusive: Gov. Stitt still pushing for state to eliminate income tax,” published Feb. 6. In September 2023, former State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton said former Gov. Mary Fallin’s efforts in eliminating the state income tax was not a good thing. “[Fallin] had convinced the Legislature at that time that she would find other sources, but she never did, so once those monies were taken out, the coffers were dry,” Pemberton said. “We had to raise taxes in 2017.” Incoming State Sen. Julie McIntosh, R-District 3, is in favor of removing the personal and corporate income tax. “It is a regressive form of taxation which punishes productivity, and personal productivity is necessary for the success of our society,” McIntosh said. “We have seen repeatedly that when we cut taxes productivity rises and so does revenue into government coffers.” McIntosh believes the job market and business sector will “blossom and companies will come to Oklahoma,” if the corporate tax is eliminated. “This raises wages through competition and job opportunities,” McIntosh said. “Our tax rate and budget could be significantly lower if we stop paying for the many programs that are not constitutionally required of our government.” She is in favor of people keeping as much of their money as possible, and believes citizens will spend more wisely than government, and the free market will expand and “buoy us all to greater prosperity.” When Tahlequah Daily Press asked what programs are unconstitutional, McIntosh did not respond. TDP asked how that money would be made up and whether elimination of the tax would require fees to be raised, such as with the turnpike fees, which were recently increased 15%. “The turnpike is its own entity funded by bonds and tolls and doesn’t receive tax dollars,” McIntosh said. State Sen. Avery Frix, R-District 9, said he is a strong advocate for reducing the state income tax and putting money back into Oklahomans’ pockets and local economies. “While the path to zero income tax is still being paved, we will continue fighting for a solution that both benefits taxpayers and secures our state’s financial future,” Frix said. Several elected officials were asked to comment on this week’s roundup question, but due to the Christmas holiday, McIntosh was the only one who was able to respond. On the Dec. 21 Facebook Forum, TDP readers were asked if they thought the elimination of income taxes was feasible without drastically cutting state services; how can the lack of funds from the tax cut be made up; and if fee hikes would be used. Eric Swanson said people like the idea of abolishing taxes, but fail to consider how programs would be affected once that funding is gone. “Lawmakers who support tax cuts should be honest with voters about the pros and cons,” Swanson said. “Unfortunately, many lawmakers focus on the advantages and downplay or ignore the pitfalls — until a budget shortfall occurs and they are forced to raise taxes to close the gap.” Former resident Jack Webb, who now lives in Washington, said there is no income tax in his state. “Much of the tax burden will be shifted to property taxes and service fees. There are no free lunches in America,” Webb said. “And before you say it exempts non-property owners from the tax burden, it doesn’t; it’s simply passed on to them in the form of higher rent. Developers aren’t going to eat that tax burden no more than retailers will eat the tariffs.” Webb said it will probably be a good incentive to start new businesses and expand existing ones. Lee Guthrie writes for the Tahlequah Daily Press.By Associated Press STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Two Oregon men were found dead in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch, authorities said Saturday. The 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office said via Facebook. The weather and the men’s lack of preparedness led the office to draw that conclusion, it said. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. The two men were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which is about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Portland. A family member reported them missing at around 1 a.m. on Christmas Day after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sixty volunteer search-and-rescue personnel helped in the three-day search, including canine, drone and ground teams. The Coast Guard used infrared technology to search from the air. Authorities used camera recordings to locate the vehicle used by the pair off Oklahoma Road near Willard, which is on the southern border of the national forest. Be civil. Be kind.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing vs. ASML: Which Stock Will Outperform in 2025?

ATLANTA (AP) — Even when grappling with a four-game losing streak and the uncertainty generated by quarterback Kirk Cousins’ eight interceptions and no touchdown passes in that span, there is some solace for the Atlanta Falcons. They play in the NFC South. There is more good news: The Falcons' next two opponents, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, are tied for the NFL's worst record at 2-11. Coach Raheem Morris says he is sticking with Cousins for next Monday night's game at Las Vegas. Sunday's 42-21 loss at Minnesota dropped Atlanta to 6-7, one game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Buccaneers, so if they can take advantage of their cushy closing stretch of games that also includes Washington and Carolina, they could salvage their season. “We’re right in this thing,” right guard Chris Lindstrom said Monday before acknowledging he is “obviously not happy or satisfied with where we’re at." Lindstrom said he maintains "the ultimate belief in what we’re doing and everything that we have going on and everything is still in front of us.” Cousins and the Falcons must solve their red-zone woes to maintain hopes of the team's first playoff appearance since 2017. The Falcons rank eighth in the NFL with 371 yards per game but only 19th with their average of 21.4 points thanks to their persistent problems inside the 20. Even the forgiving NFC South can't make up for the scoring problems caused by penalties, turnovers and other persistent breakdowns. “You can't live with it at all,” Morris said Monday when asked about Cousins' recent streak of interceptions. Even so, Cousins remains the starter as first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. awaits his opportunity. “It’s for sure Kirk is our quarterback but I have no hesitations about what our young man has been doing and how he has been preparing and the things he is ready to do,” Morris said. “So if that time ever came I would have a lot of confidence in what Mike is able to do, but Kirk is our quarterback. Kirk is the guy who is going to lead us.” With four sacks against the Vikings, the Falcons may have finally solved their longtime pass-rush woes. Atlanta had five sacks in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 1, giving the team back-to-back games with at least four sacks for the first time since 2019. Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie had one of Sunday's sacks, giving him four for the season. With nine sacks in the last two games, the Falcons have almost doubled their NFL-low total of 10 through their first 11 games. Even as the pass rush was productive, the Falcons' defense showed a sudden inability to prevent big plays through the air. Atlanta allowed four completions of more than 40 yards as Vikings receivers Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson combined to catch five scoring passes from Sam Darnold, who did not throw an interception. Morris said the Vikings' strategy was to avoid cornerback A.J. Terrell, “making other people make plays, and we didn’t go out there and make them.” Running back Tyler Allgeier had nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Even while Bijan Robinson continued to produce with 22 carries for 92 yards and a score, Allgeier re-emerged as a strong complement with his second-highest rushing total of the season. Cousins has an unhealthy ratio of 17 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions. “Kirk was the guy who led us to the 6-3 record,” Morris said. “We’ve got to find a way to get out of the funk. ... For us, it’s going to be his opportunity to go out and right the ship and he has earned it.” 142: Wide receiver Darnell Mooney set a career high with 142 yards on six catches. It was the third game this season Mooney has led the Falcons in receiving yards. Former Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to start for the Raiders on Monday night after Aidan O’Connell's knee injury in Sunday's 28-13 loss at Tampa Bay. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflWhat to Wear in Las Vegas, When Your Style Is Not Las Vegas

Brazil's top court takes on regulation of social mediaPolitechnica's Insights on Women Voters Shaping Indian ElectionsThe teenage girl's plight is often portrayed in popular media as screaming matches with parents, sneaking out of the house late at night and crying over the latest crush. Adolescent girls experience significant cognitive growth during these pivotal years, but dealing with new circumstances at school, in the home and beyond can rightfully trigger intense emotional responses. But what if we erased the assumption of volatility, deeming some teenage girls as "too emotional" or "highly emotionally reactive" as a temporary state of being rather than a fixed attribute? It turns out that empowering teen girls with a psychoeducational intervention can have a significant impact. Karen Rudolph is a professor of psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a researcher at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Center for Social & Behavioral Science at Illinois. Her latest study sought to investigate whether a single-session intervention could improve teenage girls' emotional responses to stressors. Her paper appears in the Child Development journal. "We wanted to understand the role of emotion mindsets; that is, whether people believe emotions are innate and fixed or whether they can be more malleable," Rudolph said. "We looked at the role of emotion mindsets during the teenage years, when kids are thought to be highly emotional, and were curious if we could cultivate a growth emotion mindset in girls." A so-called "growth mindset," as opposed to a "fixed mindset," is not a new concept and has been applied in different settings, including education. Instead of a child labeling themselves as "unintelligent," educators can foster the belief that with continued learning and studying, they can gain knowledge, meaning intelligence isn't a fixed attribute but rather something that can be taught and learned. "We adapted this concept to showcase the differences in mindsets about emotion," Rudolph said. "Then we set out to develop an intervention conveying several important ideas, one of these being that negative emotions are natural and normal, but that practicing certain emotion regulation strategies can help adolescent girls feel more in control of their emotions." Rudolph and her team created a self-administered psychoeducational lesson, E-MIND, which aims to cultivate a growth mindset about emotions. The teens received information about the human brain's neuroplasticity, a scientific concept suggesting that the brain is constantly evolving, and individuals can help change it. Girls in the E-MIND group were exposed to the idea that practicing healthy regulation strategies, such as reframing situations in their head or seeking support from others, can help individuals down the line, in part by changing connections in the developing brain. A control group received a psychoeducational lesson that provided general education about the brain and its functions. To test the intervention's effect, the teens were surveyed before and after tasks such as a stressful oral presentation. They also received a follow-up survey two and four months later to gauge the degree to which the lessons stuck. "We were pleased to see that after the intervention, the E-MIND group was more likely to report that they were proactively dealing with negative emotions, such as reframing situations or seeking support from other people and were less likely to report that they were responding to stressful situations involuntarily," Rudolph said. "Girls in this group reported fewer reactions to stressors that included ruminating, freezing or not knowing how to handle duress." Overall, results from the study suggested that the E-MIND lesson promoted stronger growth mindsets and improvements in emotion regulation self-efficacy and strategy use both in the lab and in everyday life, with the most consistent results in girls who had high levels of pre-intervention fixed mindsets or who perceived the lesson to be easier to understand. "There were a few areas where we didn't find much of a difference between the control group and the E-MIND group, which is equally important to understand," Rudolph said. For example, participants did not report a meaningful difference in their experience of negative emotions around the stressful oral presentation. Additionally, independent observers could not see visible group differences in the oral presentation between the two groups, one that received the intervention and one that did not. These observer reports were instead predicted by the teens' mindsets prior to receiving the intervention. "What this tells us is that maybe the lesson is encouraging them to think and act differently, but it still might take a while to succeed in managing emotions," Rudolph said. Another key component of the research was using functional magnetic resonance imaging at Beckman to monitor different patterns of brain function associated with emotion regulation following the intervention. Rudolph said that so far, they have only scratched the surface in terms of understanding whether the intervention influenced how different regions of the brain were activated when trying to regulate negative emotions. However, some early results suggest that the intervention group may show more adaptive neural regulation of emotion than the control group . "We can't say yet whether this will be an intervention for girls who are at high risk for emotional disorders, but it could be a helpful community staple that can have important benefits for teenagers," Rudolph said. "Given its low cost, this intervention could one day be integrated into school curricula or other community health programs." More information: Karen D. Rudolph et al, Cultivating emotional resilience in adolescent girls: Effects of a growth emotion mindset lesson, Child Development (2024). DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14175

Barclays PLC lifted its position in shares of American Superconductor Co. ( NASDAQ:AMSC – Free Report ) by 376.2% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 58,328 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 46,080 shares during the period. Barclays PLC’s holdings in American Superconductor were worth $1,377,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AMSC. Amalgamated Bank purchased a new stake in American Superconductor in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. nVerses Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of American Superconductor in the second quarter valued at approximately $42,000. CWM LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Superconductor during the third quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in American Superconductor during the third quarter worth $88,000. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in American Superconductor during the second quarter worth $96,000. 52.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on AMSC. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $29.00 target price on shares of American Superconductor in a research report on Monday, September 30th. Craig Hallum restated a “buy” rating and set a $33.00 price target on shares of American Superconductor in a research report on Tuesday, September 10th. American Superconductor Trading Down 5.4 % Shares of NASDAQ AMSC opened at $25.06 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.90 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.26. American Superconductor Co. has a 1-year low of $9.37 and a 1-year high of $38.02. The firm has a market cap of $988.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -501.10 and a beta of 2.21. About American Superconductor ( Free Report ) American Superconductor Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions worldwide. The company operates through Grid and Wind segments. The Grid segment offers products and services that enable electric utilities, industrial facilities, and renewable energy project developers to connect, transmit, and distribute power under the Gridtec Solutions brand. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMSC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Superconductor Co. ( NASDAQ:AMSC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for American Superconductor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Superconductor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry said the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme will begin from January 1. This programme will be implemented by focusing on 341 Local Government bodies. The programme is designed to foster the social, environmental, and ethical awakening of the country while strengthening environmental, economic and social sustainability. It also aims to enhance the efficiency of state machinery to ensure the successful realisation of its objectives. A Gazette notification was issued recently establishing an 18 member Presidential Task Force to plan and implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” Programme, a key feature in President’s policy statement. They have been tasked with preparing a plan, guide, implement, review the progress and complete the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme within a given time frame aiming to achieve the objectives of elevating society to a more advanced status through a social, environmental and ethical awakening. The Task Force is headed by Secretary to the President Dr.N.S.Kumanayake. The other members are the Army, Navy and the Air Force Commanders, the acting Inspector General Priyantha Weerasuriya, Urban Development Authority Chairman Kumudu Lal De Silva, I.S.Jayaratna, Gihan De Silva, Sandya Salgado, Dr.Gamini Batuwitage, Dr. Anuruddha Gamage, Dilruk Wanasinghe, Deepal Sooriyaarachchi, Sisira Amarabandu, Krishantha Cooray, Jayathu Perera, Ruwan Weerasooriya and Dayan Karunarathna. The said Presidential Task Force should submit reports to the President from time to time, in respect of the execution of the aforesaid tasks.

VERONA — New York Farm Bureau attracted a record-breaking 400-plus attendees and nearly 70 sponsors to its state Annual Convention in Verona, held Dec. 3-5. This was the 68th annual meeting of the organization. The theme for this year’s convention, “Farming Forward: Diversification, Innovation, Leadership,” brought together members, agribusinesses and thought leaders to share new technology, learn ways to farm smarter, promote the agricultural industry and more. The event included nine educational workshops that focused on zoning, permits and assessments; changes in predictive weather science; advocating for agriculture; thriving through diversification; harnessing digital technologies; adaptive leadership in agriculture; adapting a systems approach to farm performance; diversifying the market with Farm to School; and ensuring fire safety. “The theme of this year’s convention, ‘Farming Forward,’ is critical to everything we do. We must embrace change to remain successful,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “That means fostering relationships with our agricultural partners, with the business community, with state legislators and with federal lawmakers. In this way, we bring everyone together to formulate policy, which is the cornerstone of our organization.” Larry Weaver, a comedian, author and motivational speaker, was the keynote speaker. Weaver underscored the importance of hope in the world of farming, peppering his address with personal anecdotes and positive messaging. In addition, Kathleen Chiavetta, chief operating officer of Chiavetta Catering and Chicken BBQ in Angola, delivered a passionate member story. A cornhole tournament and “Family Feud”-style game called Field-to-Fork provided lively entertainment. At the awards banquet Wednesday night, two members received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, New York Farm Bureau’s highest honor, and two members received the James Quinn Memorial Award. Robert Somers and Judi Whittaker were the winners of the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards. Somers, who had worked for the Department of Agriculture and Markets for almost 30 years before his retirement, resides in Washington County, where he manages his family’s large woodlot. Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball presented the award. Whittaker, a third-generation owner of Whittaker Farms in Broome County, has been instrumental in advocating for safety measures for farmers, including the passage of legislation allowing New York air ambulances to carry lifesaving blood products. New York Farm Bureau Vice President Eric Ooms presented the award. The James Quinn Award was named after the first Farm Bureau president in the country, who hailed from Broome County. Awards were presented to Barb Hanselman of Delaware County, a staunch advocate for farmers who has successfully challenged restrictive regulations, and Star Bashaw of Franklin County, who focuses on safety training for farmers. Two New York Farm Bureau members, Eric Ooms and Tony LaPierre, were honored for their years of dedicated service as they step down from the board of directors. Ooms has served as vice president since 2008, while LaPierre has served as a board member since 2017. The banquet wrapped up with the announcement of the winners of two prizes, awarded to the top points earners in an interactive app. Lawana Morse was the winner of a Champion Power Equipment portable inverter generator, and Daniel Brenner was the winner of a Klein Tools flashlight and a gift basket of Farm Bureau merch. Both prizes were provided by Grainger. The convention concluded with the state Annual Meeting, a full day of elections and policy review. David Fisher was reelected president, while Kim Skellie was elected vice president upon the retirement of Eric Ooms. On the state board of directors, two new members were elected: Ryan Akin of Canandaigua, Ontario County (District 3) and Michael Murphy of Franklin County (District 7). Bill Zalakar was reelected as chair of the Promotion & Education Committee, and Rich De Meyer was reelected as chair of Young Famers & Ranchers Committee. Delegates from 52 county Farm Bureaus engaged in robust discussions of a variety of new policies, including issues related to maple, dairy, equine, labor and renewable energy. Delegates voted on policy positions that New York Farm Bureau will advocate for at the state and federal levels. The organization’s state legislative priorities will be released in January.As most presidential candidates do, Donald Trump made big promises on the campaign trail leading up to his landslide victory in the 2024 election. He promised that the rhetorical catchphrase 'Drain the Swamp,' which has been a hallmark of rallies and events since his first campaign in the 2016 election cycle, had evolved into a focused plan to cut wasteful spending drastically and also to significantly reduce the size of the government itself. Advertisement It's a promise made by many Republican candidates in the past. For as long as we can remember, the GOP has stated its goal of a smaller, more efficient, less intrusive federal government. However, they have failed to achieve that goal. In fact, the opposite has been true. Through Democratic and Republican Administrations alike, the federal government has grown exponentially, even during Trump's first term as president. President-Elect Trump is promising that this time will be different. He plans to apply what he's learned during his first term to make good on that promise. He's not just going to 'Talk the Talk,' he intends to 'Walk the Walk.' He knows he can't do this alone. His first term may have been hindered by the belief that, as the elected Chief Executive, his subordinates, both appointed and career bureaucrats, would implement his policies as instructed. He failed to anticipate how hard 'The Swamp' would fight back, even those in trusted positions he had appointed. For as much confidence as Donald Trump exudes, he may have been slightly naive. He does not appear to intend to make the same mistake twice. Trump is no longer a political outsider. He fully anticipates the fight ahead of him. He knows 'The Swamp' he intends to drain will not go quietly, and he is assembling a team that shares the same vision and is prepared to fight alongside him to achieve it. Here are a few examples. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will head the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. We're not sure how the... Eric V.

The connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. --Field Level MediaPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the politics of negativity lost in Maharashtra, as the politics of 'vishwas vad' emerged victorious. Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Election Results Jharkhand Election Results Bypoll Election Results Modi made these remakrs while delivering his victory speech after Mahayuti won majority seats in the state of Maharashtra. "We are celebrating the victory of ' Maha vijay ' in Maharashtra. Today, ' vikaswad ' won in Maharashtra, true societal values have won too. Lies, betrayal have lost in the state today," said the Prime Minister. Modi went onto add that with this win, Maharashtra has taken a step forward in teh direction of developing India. "Today, negative politics and nepotism have lost. Maharashtra has strengthened the dream that is viksit bharat ," Modi said. Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrow's Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Advanced Java Mastery: Object-Oriented Programming Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Leadership Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Leadership From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Assembly Election Results Live Updates Maharashtra Poll Results Highlights 2024 Jharkhand Poll Results Highlights 2024 (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Investigator finds Colorado voter system passwords were not intentionally posted online

ubet95 jili slot online

From revisiting the political scandal that sparked a cultural reckoning in Canberra to a rich-lister’s unravelling, there were no shortage of court battles being waged — or defended — by the top end of town in 2024. We revisit some of the cases that dominated headlines and left us shocked, perplexed, and — at times — even entertained. Brittany Higgins defended a defamation action launched by Senator Linda Reynolds. Credit: Composite image/Holly Thompson Villain or victim? Reynolds v Higgins It was a story of an alleged rape in the halls of Parliament House and a covert political cover-up, and like all “fairytales”, it needed a villain. That was how WA Senator Linda Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett began the five-week-long trial in her defamation suit against former staffer Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz, the most high-profile case to go before WA’s civil courts in 2024. The former defence minister sued Higgins over social media posts accusing her of mishandling the former staffer’s alleged rape by Bruce Lehrmann in March 2019 — a claim that was later aired by the media and created a storm that led to Reynolds’ political demise. Higgins fiercely defended the action on the basis her posts were true, but opted against taking the stand at the eleventh hour amid concerns for her health. The trial, which the pair mortgaged and sold their homes to pursue, pored over the events of 2019 in excruciating detail, dragged in high-profile figures — from former prime minister Scott Morrison to broadcaster Peta Credlin — and threw private texts into the public arena we imagine the parties would have preferred to remain private. It also spawned fresh evidence Reynolds now wants to use as a weapon in her bid to have Higgins’ $2.4 million compensation claim probed by the corruption watchdog. Lehrmann has maintained his innocence since his 2022 criminal trial was aborted due to juror misconduct, but a Federal Court judgment found, on the balance of probabilities, that he did rape Higgins. Lehrmann is now appealing that ruling. Justice Paul Tottle is expected to hand down a judgment in the court row in the New Year, but we suspect there won’t be any winners in this saga. Western Australia’s mining dynasty, of which the nation’s richest person Gina Rinehart is the most famous member, was embroiled in a court fight over the rights to the Hope Downs projects in the state’s iron-rich Pilbara region. Credit: Marija Ercegovac Gina Rinehart: 1, Bianca and John: 0 The high-stakes clash over the Hope Downs iron ore project , which pitted Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart against two mining dynasties and her eldest children, occupied two floors of the Supreme Court for more than six months in 2023. And yet still, there was unfinished business in the battle for the multibillion-dollar asset. The case made headlines again in April, when Rinehart’s eldest children lost an eleventh-hour bid for 82 top secret documents their billionaire mother claimed were protected by legal privilege. The pair, who have been locked in a bitter battle with their mother over mining assets left behind by their pioneer grandfather Lang Hancock, believed the files might aid their pursuit for ownership of Rinehart-led Hancock Prospecting’s sprawling mining tenements in the state’s north-west. But Justice Natalie Whitby ruled the pair had insufficient evidence, lashing the handling of the case and its burden on the public justice system after revealing the court book spanned 6000 pages. “To say that the resources dedicated to these privilege claims was grossly disproportionate to the issues in the dispute is an understatement,” she wrote. Ouch... We’re still awaiting a judgment from Justice Jennifer Smith on the broader row. We hope Justice Smith is not spending the whole festive season “in the area of or contiguous to” her desk and what we imagine is a very lengthy draft judgment. Beleaguered Mineral Resources boss takes on media to keep court row quiet He gained a reputation as the uninhibited billionaire mining boss behind Mineral Resources’ meteoric rise, but it would be what Chris Ellison kept hidden that would be his downfall. Depressed lithium prices, sweeping cost cuts and a debt-laden balance sheet saw Ellison declare it the “shittiest time” to be a managing director in one newspaper interview. Just a few months later, he would announce plans to vacate the top job, undone by an exposé in the Australian Financial Review detailing his involvement in an alleged decade-long tax evasion scheme. But as shareholders were demanding answers and the corporate regulator was beginning its own probe, Ellison’s lawyers were busy fighting to keep the media from undoing sweeping gag orders over documents filed in his now-settled row with a former contracts boss. The documents were central to the two-year court row MinRes, Ellison and self-proclaimed whistleblower Steven Pigozzo had been fighting on several fronts until inking a peace deal in July — which featured explosive allegations of misconduct. While a string of Pigozzo’s claims had been republished by the media, much of the case had been covered by suppression orders which were broadened when both parties asked that more than 16 legal documents be permanently removed from the case file. “The non-publication orders are sought to fortify matters raised previously about allegations that were not just irrelevant but scandalous,” Ellison’s lawyer told the court. WA Health, scientist ink top-secret stem cell patent peace deal She was the face of Royal Perth Hospital’s state-of-the-art cellular therapy facility, the Perth scientist behind a medical invention that saw her wheeled out by the health department’s publicity team to showcase its life-changing research. That was until the day of Dr Marian Sturm’s retirement in 2021, when the health service dragged her to court demanding compensation and that the licence agreement for the invention be torn up. The three-year medicine ownership battle came to an abrupt end in March after the East Metropolitan Health Service and Sturm’s company Isopogen inked a top-secret peace deal. The lawsuit centred around intellectual property rights to an improved method of manufacturing mesenchymal stromal cells used to treat inflammatory illnesses, which Sturm developed in 2007 and registered in her name and that of her capital-raising vehicle Isopogen. Sturm’s relationship with the EMHS soured amid claims she had breached her contract by asserting ownership over the medicine, which saw Isopogen, two former employees, the state’s own patents attorneys and its insurer embroiled in a bitter legal pursuit with the health service. The parties claimed they had reached a mutually acceptable, confidential settlement which provided a comprehensive framework for “an ongoing relationship”. A spokesperson for the health service told this masthead that gag order extended to how much this three-year sparring match cost the taxpayer. How convenient. Vegan activist Tash Peterson, partner cop $280k bill in defamation row She’s not quite the “top end of town”, but we couldn’t take a look back at the biggest civil cases of 2024 without referencing the whopping damages bill handed to Perth’s most prominent animal rights activist. In November, Tash Peterson and her partner were ordered to pay $280,000 in damages to the owners of a Perth veterinary clinic for defamation after a bizarre dispute in 2021. The dispute, which was later circulated on social media, was sparked after Peterson and Jack Higgs spotted two cockatiels in a large cage at the front of Dr Kay McIntosh and Andrew McIntosh’s Bicton Veterinary Clinic. What unfolded was a bizarre tirade in which Peterson accused the clinic of “advertising animal slavery” — despite neither of the birds being able to survive in the wild — and of eating their own patients. Peterson and Higgs had claimed their tirade was justified as honest opinion, defending the content on the basis it was substantially true and a matter of public interest. But the part of the trial that managed to capture the most attention were revelations about just how deep Peterson’s pockets were, with the V-Gan Booty Pty Ltd entity behind her burgeoning OnlyFans account generating more than $380,000 in earnings in 2022 alone. We suspect this won’t be the last we see of Peterson. Get alerts on breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert .

The last time a Democratic president died was in 1973 when Lyndon Baines Johnson passed away at the age of 64, just a few years after leaving office. Following the death of Jimmy Carter on Sunday at the age of 100 , the nation will now see the first funeral for a Democratic president in more than 50 years. Carter is the longest-living president , who also had the longest post-presidency after leaving office at the age of 56 in 1980. There are a number of traditions and customs that govern the death of a US president, but the wishes of the family are also heavily considered, meaning the proceedings can be quite different from each other. Since the death of Johnson, there have been four state funerals for former presidents – Johnson’s in 1973, Ronald Reagan’s in 2004, Gerald Ford’s in 2007 and George HW Bush’s most recently in 2018. Richard Nixon, who died in 1994, opted for a smaller and more private ceremony at his presidential library amid concerns that reminiscing about the Watergate scandal could overshadow any larger proceeding. The US “conducts state funerals on behalf of all persons who hold, or have held, the office of president as well as a president-elect and other persons designated by the president,” according to the US Army Military District of Washington. A state funeral lasts seven to 10 days and includes three parts – ceremonies in the president’s home state, ceremonies in Washington DC, and finally ceremonies in the state where they choose to be buried. The ceremonies in the capital region may include Armed Forces honor guards, military bands, and units from the National Guard and the US Armed Forces reserves. Outside of the capitol region, services may also include local units. If a president dies in office, the first thing that must happen is that the vice president takes the oath of office to become president. One of the first things a president must do is plan their own funeral, according to the White House Historical Association. Following the passing of a president, the family coordinates the proceedings. The then-state funeral planner for public affairs for the Joint Task Force, National Capital Region in Washington, Barbara Owens, said in 2006 following the passing of Mr Ford that “Until the family has had a chance to meet with our commanding general and go over the events of the next days, we will not know what that schedule will be.” “They can choose to have a simple funeral – they can choose to have a full honor funeral. It simply is up to the family,” she added at the time. When the White House is made aware of the death of a former president, the current president announces the death by proclamation before ordering the Department of Defense to organize a state funeral. The president also orders federal agencies and departments closed to observe a national day of mourning. When a president dies, all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels in the US and its territories should fly the flags at half-staff for 30 days, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. After lying in state at the presidential library of a former president, as was the case for Reagan in California, the casket is then transported to the US Capitol to lie in state there. During transportation, the casket is escorted by the military and transported using a presidential plane. In 2018, George HW Bush was transported from Houston, Texas to lie in state at the US Capitol for two days before he was buried at his presidential library in College Station, Texas. The lying in state allows current and former elected officials and the public to pay their respects. Lying in state in the White House has so far only occurred for presidents who died in office. The funerals are traditionally held at the Washington National Cathedral in the nation’s capital. Events surrounding the funeral usually last for five days and the proceedings depend on each individual president. In terms of seating arrangements, the presidential party comes first, followed by foreign chiefs of state, which are arranged alphabetically according to the English spelling of their country. After that, royalty representing chiefs of state are seated, followed by heads of government, the AP noted in time for Ford’s 2007 funeral. When a president is buried, seven honor guards fire a three-volley salute at the gravesite of the president, and military installations around the country fire a 21-gun salute for the former commander-in-chief. In the past, the caskets of several presidents traveled across the country by train to allow people all over the country to pay their respects. In 2018, George HW Bush’s family decided also to have his casket crisscross the nation. The president is finally buried, usually at a place that holds personal significance to them. Several presidents are buried at their presidential libraries while Presidents William H Taft and John F Kennedy are buried at Arlington National Cemetary. The Associated Press contributed to this reportDetroit Lions look to break 7-year losing streak this Thanksgiving amidst an incredible seasonNone

Rarely does a college basketball game provide such stark contrast between the sport's haves and have-nots as when Jackson State faces No. 9 Kentucky on Friday in Lexington, Ky. While Kentucky claims eight NCAA Tournament crowns and the most wins in college basketball history, Jackson State has never won an NCAA Tournament game and enters the matchup looking for its first win of the season. Impressive tradition and current record aside, Kentucky (4-0) returned no scholarship players from last season's team that was knocked off by Oakland in the NCAA Tournament. New coach Mark Pope and his essentially all-new Wildcats are off to a promising start. Through four games, Kentucky is averaging 94.3 points per game, and with 11.5 3-pointers made per game, the team is on pace to set a school record from long distance. The Wildcats boast six double-figure scorers with transfer guards Otega Oweh (from Oklahoma, 15.0 ppg) and Koby Brea (from Dayton, 14.5 ppg) leading the team. The Wildcats defeated Duke 77-72 on Nov. 12 but showed few signs of an emotional letdown in Tuesday's 97-68 win over a Lipscomb team picked to win the Atlantic Sun Conference in the preseason. Kentucky drained a dozen 3-pointers while outrebounding their visitors 43-28. Guard Jaxson Robinson, held to a single point by Duke, dropped 20 points to lead the Kentucky attack. Afterward, Pope praised his team's focus, saying, "The last game was over and it was kind of on to, ‘How do we get better?' That's the only thing we talk about." Lipscomb coach Lennie Acuff also delivered a ringing endorsement, calling Kentucky "the best offensive Power Four team we've played in my six years at Lipscomb." Jackson State (0-5) and third-year coach Mo Williams are looking for something positive to build upon. Not only are the Tigers winless, but they have lost each game by nine or more points. Sophomore guard Jayme Mitchell Jr. (13.8 ppg) is the leading scorer, but the team shoots just 35.8 percent while allowing opponents to shoot 52.3 percent. The Tigers played on Wednesday at Western Kentucky, where they lost 79-62. Reserve Tamarion Hoover had a breakout game with 18 points to lead Jackson State, but the host Hilltoppers canned 14 3-point shots and outrebounded the Tigers 42-35 to grab the win. Earlier, Williams, who played against Kentucky while a student at Alabama, admitted the difficulties of a challenging nonconference schedule for his team. "Our goal is not to win 13 nonconference games," Williams said. "We're already at a disadvantage in that regard. We use these games to get us ready for conference play and for March Madness." Jackson State has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2007. The Tigers had a perfect regular-season record (11-0) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2020-21 but lost in the league tournament. Kentucky has never played Jackson State before, but the game is being billed as part of a Unity Series of matchups in which Kentucky hosts members of the SWAC to raise awareness of Historical Black Colleges and Universities and provide funds for those schools. Past Unity Series opponents have been Southern in December 2021 and Florida A&M in December 2022. --Field Level Mediasuper ace jili slot register 。

Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and RussiaNasdaq surges above 20,000 after US inflation data matches estimates

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Aaron Cooley's 17 points helped Brown defeat Stony Brook 77-54 on Wednesday. Cooley also contributed five rebounds for the Bears (4-3). AJ Lesburt Jr. scored 16 points, going 6 of 10 (4 for 8 from 3-point range). Landon Lewis shot 5 of 8 from the field to finish with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds. Joseph Octave finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Seawolves (2-5). Stony Brook also got 17 points and three steals from Ben Wight. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Barry Keoghan has seemingly addressed the rumors that he cheated on Sabrina Carpenter with TikTok sensation Breckie Hill hours after he deactivated his Instagram. The announcement of a "taking a break" between pop star Sabrina , 25, and actor Barry, 32, only came to light on December 4, but internet sleuths suggested Barry had been unfaithful after he was seen with Breckie at a Hollywood hotel. Barry took to Twitter today to defend his reputation against the "lies and hatred" spread by online trolls. "I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don't respond too. I have to respond now because it's getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed," he penned. Inside Sabrina Carpenter's relationship drama with Barry Keoghan ahead of Netflix holiday special Sabrina Carpenter celebrates Netflix Christmas special after Barry Keoghan breakup "I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine." The Hollywood star went on: "Dragging my character and everything I worked extremely hard for and stand for. Talking about how I was a heroine baby and how I grew up and dragging my dear mother into it also. Knocking on my grannies door. Sitting outside my baby boys house intimidating them. That's crossing a line." Barry Keoghan expressed his dedication to being a good father, saying: "Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy. I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what.", reports the Mirror . He added: "I need you to remember he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all. Thank u x". The Irish actor was referring to his two year old son Brando, whom he shares with his ex-partner Alyson Kierans, a London-based dentist. This comes after Barry recently addressed fans who suggested he was neglecting his son in favor of his Hollywood career, leaving all parenting responsibilities to Alyson.

In the latest episode of 'The OGs' show, Miami Heat legend (and former Lakers guard) Pat Riley was asked to pick between the Showtime Lakers and the Miami Heat superteam with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Riley played a massive role in both title pursuits, but he says that the 1980s Lakers would come out on top. Fan question: "Your Heat vs your Lakers at peak who wins?" Pat Riley: "I'll be very honest with you. I think the 'Showtime' team of Scott, Cooper, Magic, Worthy, Kareem. Those five guys. It would be hard for any other five to beat them. I say this because of the greatness of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was the one guy that you could not guard. You could double him, but you could not guard him. It'd be a great series and I'd go seven with it. Whoever's got the home-court advantage would probably win." Pat Riley has been on some of the greatest teams in NBA history, both as a player and as a coach/executive. Today, he's widely respected across the league for his experience, wisdom, and vast array of accomplishments. Riley's NBA journey began back in 1967 as the 7th overall pick. After three years with the Rockets, he finally landed with the Lakers, where he quickly became an important rotation player. In 1972, Riley won his first and only championship as a player alongside Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor. Riley took over as the Lakers head coach after retirement and led them during their most prosperous stretch to date: the Showtime era. With Magic Johnson , Michael Cooper, Mitch Kupchak, Kurt Rambis, and others, the Lakers were able to win five championships over eight years to establish one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. That's not to mention Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , who Riley admits was the star of the show. His greatness alone made the Lakers nearly unbeatable at the time, with averages of 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 56.7% shooting. With 38,387 points scored, Kareem ranks second on the NBA's all-time scoring list. The "big three" Miami Heat may not have quite as much firepower but they could certainly put up a good fight in a hypothetical series. LeBron's arrival in 2010 made the Heat a powerful superteam and, along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, won two championships for the city in four straight trips to the Finals. The Heat's famed 27-game win streak in 2013 marked the height of their powers and it's a level of dominance that hasn't been replicated since. While that Heat squad did not have Karem Abdul-Jabbar , they did have LeBron James in his prime, who many believe to be the greatest player ever. LeBron certainly would have posed a problem for the Showtime Lakers, but it wouldn't have done much to challenge Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Heat, who were historically weak at the center position, would have had no answer to Kareem and his dominance on the post. When you look at it like that, it makes sense why Riley chose the Lakers over the Heat. Nowadays, of course, he's a Heat man through and through, but it won't stop him from calling things as he sees them. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski has been selected by Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist Civic Coalition as its candidate in next year's presidential election, beating out Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski. Tusk announced the decision at a party gathering on Saturday, a day after more than 22,000 party members voted in a primary to select who should run to replace the incumbent, Andrzej Duda. Tusk said Trzaskowski won nearly 75% of the votes, and Sikorski slightly over 25%. Political observers in Poland say Tusk's pro-European Union party has already put itself in a strong position ahead of the presidential election by showing that it had two strong candidates, generating a buzz around them and allowing party members to choose in a democratic process. “We are responsible people, we are responsible for the fate of our homeland today,” Tusk told supporters at the party event. He said it was only the start of what is expected to be a difficult campaign. The primary process distinguishes Tusk's party from its main rival, the national conservative Law and Justice party, known by its acronym PiS, whose candidate will be handpicked by leader Jarosław Kaczyński. The candidate is expected to be announced at a party convention in Krakow on Sunday. “In PiS, one vote matters, while we value every vote, and that’s how we differ,” Trzaskowski told party members in his acceptance speech. “I’m convinced that we’re coming out of this primary stronger, we’re all stronger, and I have a very strong mandate and a lot of energy, determination and courage to beat PiS.” Sikorski congratulated Trzaskowski and promised his support. Trzaskowski has long been considered the obvious candidate for Tusk’s party but was recently challenged by Sikorski, who argued that his experience in security and defense issues made him the better choice at a time of war in neighboring Ukraine and political change in the United States. But party members overwhelmingly stuck with Trzaskowski — and were in a good mood as they gathered over coffee and cookies after cheering the outcome. One, Małgorzata Kobus, told The Associated Press that she voted for Trzaskowski because he has been an excellent mayor, preserving green spaces and historical monuments in the capital. She also appreciates that he is highly educated and fluent in several foreign languages. Another, Hanna Szulczewska, thinks Trzaskowski is well suited to the difficult times in a region near Ukraine. She was persuaded by polls that show Trzaskowski would have a better chance of beating out candidates from other parties. “I am really convinced that he will make a fantastic president,” she said. “And strategically we really need a strong candidate.” Trzaskowski, 52, has been mayor since 2018 and has overseen a rapidly changing city of nearly 2 million people that has absorbed large numbers of Ukrainian refugees. He ran for president in 2020, barely losing to Duda. A first round of the presidential election is due to be held in May, and a possible runoff two weeks later if no candidate gets an outright majority in the first round. President Duda will complete his second five-year term in August 2025 and is prevented by the constitution from running again. It is a priority for Tusk to have an ally win the presidency because it will determine whether he can fulfill his agenda. He is currently unable to complete some of his campaign promises because Duda wields veto power over legislation, but also because of opposition within his own three-party coalition. The Civic Coalition is led by Tusk’s party Civic Platform and also includes smaller parties including the Greens.Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weightBy COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives,” he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet’s clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” Related Articles National News | Ex-US Sen. Bob Menendez seeks new trial, citing prosecutors’ recently admitted error National News | Federal court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Fox News for Jan. 6 conspiracy theory National News | Northern lights may be faintly visible across parts of the US this Thanksgiving National News | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National News | White House pressing Ukraine to draft 18-year-olds so they have enough troops to battle Russia John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel. Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.

India News | Hemant-Kalpana – Power Couple Behind JMM's Spectacular Performance in Jharkhand

best jili slot game 2023 Brisbane news live: Labor eyes last chance of 2024 to tick policy boxes, Immigration, perhaps more than any other issue, is what propelled Donald Trump to the White House in both 2016 and 2024. This policy included two major prongs: the first, building a robust, impenetrable wall on the nearly 2,000-mile-long US-Mexico border; the second, mass deportations. While the rhetoric eight years focused primarily on the former, all throughout this year, the rhetorical emphasis shifted to mass deportation. This is partly attributed to the influx of recent illegal migrants under Joe Biden: an estimated 10-25 million illegals, many of which include violent criminals, have crossed over the US-Mexico border and infiltrated the country in the past four years alone, presenting an unmanageable crisis of immediate urgency. The reasons for this catastrophe are twofold: the political class in Washington, DC, colloquially termed "the Uniparty" prefers mass migration. Importing the third world allows them to safeguard their power indefinitely. While the trends shifted slightly this year, with President Trump making inroads among several traditionally Democrat-leading constituencies, including Hispanic Americans and, to a lesser extent, Asian Americans, the general rule still holds: migrants, the children of migrants, and even the grandchildren of migrants overwhelmingly – by margins of two-thirds or more – vote for the Democrat Party. Thus, open borders are an easy way for Democrats to reliably expand their coalition. For this reason, states like Virginia, Colorado, and New Mexico, once Republican strongholds, now, as a result of recent mass migration, consistently and reliably vote Democrat. The gargantuan efforts taken by Republicans in recent years to preserve battleground states like Florida and Pennsylvania, which required registering hundreds of thousands of new voters to keep those states red, merely proves the rule. No such efforts would have been needed had the border always been closed. Moreover, the electoral college distribution reflects... Paul IngrassiaSt. Petersburg council rejects immediate repair to Rays' ballpark roof after first giving approval

Hungary grants 'asylum' to wanted Polish politician

Week 12 has started with an upset. The Cleveland Browns prevailed over the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 on Thursday Night Football , surviving the elements of the first snow game of the 2024 season. Cleveland took a commanding 18-6 lead early in the fourth quarter with Pittsburgh unable to find offensive rhythm, but it came back to seize a 19-18 lead late on fueled by forcing turnovers in the weather. However, Jameis Winston responded with a late nine-play, 45-yard drive to give Cleveland the advantage again. Russell Wilson had the chance to reply one last time for the win, but the Browns swatted down his last-ditch Hail Mary attempt. The shock result moves Cleveland to 3-8, while Pittsburgh dropped to 8-3 in an AFC that is tight at the top. Let's analyze the game further with winners and losers: Chubb has been far from his best after returning from gruesome leg injuries sustained last season, but he played a pivotal role for Cleveland. The 28-year-old rushed for 59 yards on 20 carries for two touchdowns, including the eventual game winner. It was his first multi-rushing touchdown game since Halloween of 2022. Though this game may not spur Cleveland up the AFC ladder, it's a positive sign for Chubb to pick up individual momentum. The Steelers typically deploy a robust defense under Mike Tomlin, but the offensive talent around Wilson has been in question. Mike Williams was acquired at the deadline, but he's still yet to produce for any team this season and did not feature in this game. Wilson completed 21 of 28 passes for 270 yards, one touchdown and a pick, but the offense's inability to consistently move the chains in the first three quarters was evident. Pittsburgh's downfall in this game may have just foreshadowed how its season could end against stronger teams. Cleveland hosted the first snow game of the season. While the temperature and field was just fine during the first half, the snow kicked it up a notch in the second. It predictably resulted in more drops by receivers and fumbles. The two teams combined for five fumbles, with three recovered by the opposition. Cleveland's fourth-quarter miscue could've been costly, but it held on for the victory. Most of the key team stats point to this being a game the Steelers let slip away. Specifically, the third-down disparity ended on a brutal note from Pittsburgh's point of view. Pittsburgh converted on a solid 7-for-16 third downs, and had more total yards, drives and possession time along with fewer penalties. Cleveland, on the other hand, converted on just 1-for-10 third downs. But it flipped the switch when it mattered the most, moving the chain on all four fourth-down attempts. Pittsburgh wasn't limited by the snow given how it managed to retake the lead during the pouring, but the statistics will definitely frustrate Mike Tomlin and Co. After a slow and poor first eight weeks of the season, Jeudy has found improved form with Winston as QB1. He ended the game with six catches on six targets for 85 yards, coming up big whenever the Browns needed him. It also marked four straight games of at least five or more catches for the 25-year-old. While that might not sound like a lot for the former first rounder, he logged three straight games of just one catch each from Weeks 5-7. Last time out against the Saints he recorded six catches on 11 targets for a season-high 142 yards and a score.Dozens of striking postal workers with London local 566 rallied Saturday outside the Canada Post administration building on Highbury Avenue. Organized by the London and District Labour Council, the rally had guest speakers from multiple unions showing their support for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) who have been on strike for just over two weeks. “We're fighting for pensions, we're fighting for safer working conditions, especially for our letter carriers and we’re fighting for wages,” said Kim Rouble, president of CUPW Local 566. “Nobody wants to be on strike, but we are fighting for a cause, and they're very justified in being out here. That's why you're seeing the strength and the unity and the numbers that you're seeing. We believe in what we're fighting for.” Joining them was Mark Platt, the National director of the Ontario region of CUPW. “It's inspiring to see the members standing up for themselves,” said Platt. Striking Canada Post workers chant during a rally on Highbury Ave. on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024 (Brent Lale/CTV News London) “This is the time our membership has their voice and has a chance to tell the employer that they want to be treated with fairness and respect, and they want to get decent wages in a collective agreement. We’re into a third week of a job action against the employer, and the employer has not been moving that whole time. The Minister of Labor intervened last Wednesday and sat the parties down and said he wasn't going to bail the employer out. He told the parties that there has to be a negotiated settlement.” The rally comes just days after Canada Post has laid off striking employees. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu confirmed the layoffs, saying they are temporary. She said the organization has informed some employees that the collective agreements are no longer in effect and their conditions of employment have now changed, as per the Canada Labour Code — referring to the section of the code that covers lockout notices. "Our business has been significantly impacted leading up to and throughout this labour disruption. We have taken steps to adjust our operations," Liu said. Neither the union nor Canada Post provided details on the extent of the layoffs. Earlier in November, Canada Post issued a lockout notice but said it didn't intend to lock out employees, instead saying the notice would allow the company to make changes to its operations in order to respond to the effects of a strike. London-North-Fanshawe NDP MP Lyndsey Matthyssen attended to show support for the striking workers, and said this “government has never stood up for workers.” London MP Lyndsey Matthyssen speaks to the crowd of striking Canada Post workers during a rally on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024 (Brent Lale/CTV News London) She is happy the government isn’t interfering in the dispute and added that her party won’t ever let it happen. “These are incredible folks that are fighting for themselves, they are fighting for their jobs, are fighting for pay equity and a fair living wage,” said Matthyssen. “They're fighting for so many things against an employer that is bullying them, that is doing illegal things, and we can't allow that to happen.” CUPW said it has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board over the layoffs of striking employees. Striking Canada Post workers from CUPW Local 566 march up Highbury Ave. on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024 (Brent Lale/CTV News London) CUPW said the layoffs are an "intimidation tactic" that violates the Canada Labour Code. Canada Post spokeswoman Lisa Liu said in a statement that the Crown corporation has received the complaint and is reviewing it. Liu said Canada Post denies any violation of the labour code. “We're waiting for the employer to come back to the table and seriously negotiate with us,” said Platt. “The picket lines across the country have had huge amounts of membership on them, and they're strong, and the members want to get this settled and out of the way so we can get back to work and deliver Christmas to the employer. They have to stop with the tactics. They have to get down to bargaining and get a settled agreement out of the way so we can get back to serving Canadians.” The rally ended with a march down Highbury Ave, with workers chanting “solidarity” and ‘hold the line.” “We're 55,000 strong, so it's not just London, it's 55,000 of us and our families,” added Rouble. - with files from The Canadian Press 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. Editor's Picks 20 Of The Best Gift Ideas For Men Under $200 13 Of The Best Self-Care Gifts You Can Find On Amazon Canada 19 Of The Best Tech Gifts Under $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Cookware Sets In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide To The Best Space Heaters In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) Our Guide to the Best Portable Induction Cooktops in Canada in 2024 (And Where to Get Them) Gifts 21 Of The Best Gift Ideas For Women Under $300 19 Of The Best Stocking Stuffers For Teenagers 15 Useful Amazon Products That Make Great Stocking Stuffers Beauty Our Guide To The Best Self Tanners You Can Get In Canada 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit Deals Here Are All The Best Amazon Black Friday Deals You Can Find On Beauty Products In Canada Here Are The Best Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals You Can Find On Household Essentials In Canada This Smart Security Camera System Will Help You Keep An Eye On Your Home (And It's On Sale For 62% Off Right Now) London Top Stories 'We have to remain strong': Striking London postal workers hold solidarity rally 'We’ve helped 1,500 families this year': Lights and Sirens Toy Drive aids LIFE*SPIN Collision closes Wellington Road northbound London considers opening up more land for residential development in city’s rural areas Parts of region bracing for up to one metre of snow this weekend Sarnia to modify waste collection pickup - check to make sure your day hasn't changed London Knights win 17th straight, Cowan misses third straight game City and Byron property owner approach agreement after years of disputes CTVNews.ca Top Stories Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News. Toronto man accused of posing as surgeon, performing cosmetic procedures on several women A 29-year-old Toronto man has been charged after allegedly posing as a surgeon and providing cosmetic procedures on several women. W5 Investigates | 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group. Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine U.S. dollar U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100 per cent tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. 'Disappointing': Toronto speed camera cut down less than 24 hours after being reinstalled A Toronto speed camera notorious for issuing tens of thousands of tickets to drivers has been cut down again less than 24 hours after it was reinstalled. Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period. Bruce the tiny Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with abstract art Mononymous painter Bruce has carved a lucrative niche on social media with his abstract artworks, crafted entirely from the colourful juices of fruits. Why this Toronto man ran so a giant stickman could dance Colleagues would ask Duncan McCabe if he was training for a marathon, but, really, the 32-year-old accountant was committing multiple hours of his week, for 10 months, to stylistically run on the same few streets in Toronto's west end with absolutely no race in mind. It was all for the sake of creating a seconds-long animation of a dancing stickman for Strava. Mont-Tremblant World Cup skiing races cancelled due to warm weather Fans hoping to see the world's top woman skiers compete next week in Mont-Tremblant, Que., are out of luck after the PwC Tremblant World Cup was cancelled due to warm weather. Kitchener SIU invokes mandate after OPP-involved shooting on Highway 401 in Cambridge Highway 401, through Kitchener, was brought to a standstill Friday due to a police-involved shooting. Family of Guelph, Ont. man killed in B.C. crash pushing for case review The family of a Guelph, Ont. man who was killed in a car crash in British Columbia is pushing for a review of the case, after learning about the charge that a driver involved is now facing. Region of Waterloo considers reducing, and even cutting, some services to keep tax increase down The Region of Waterloo is considering reducing or eliminating some services in an effort to lower the potential 2025 tax increase. Barrie Snow closes portion of Highway 11 OPP have closed a segment of Highway 11 in South Muskoka due to unsafe driving conditions caused by weather. Muskoka declares significant weather event The District Municipality of Muskoka has declared a significant weather event in response to the snow that continues to fall in the region. Road closed for 'suspicious' structure fire Emergency crews tended to a structure fire in Tottenham Saturday morning that has been deemed suspicious. Windsor Habitat Windsor-Essex marks milestone as it adapts to growing housing crisis Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex is marking a major milestone for the number of homes it has built, repaired or restored over the past 30 years. Bright Lights Windsor opens its 2024 display with a splash The cold couldn't keep hundreds from attending Friday night's opening of Bright Lights Windsor. The annual tradition returns this year with several new features. Firearms offender arrested in Windsor after violating conditions of release Just a month after being released from jail on firearm related charges, a Windsor man has been arrested once more. Northern Ontario Saultites keep digging as the snow keeps falling Snowfall in Sault Ste. Marie seemed to be delayed this year, but the cruel joke by Mother Nature saw a single dump make up for weeks of fall-like weather. Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News. Man fined $10K for abandoning homemade barge in Lake Nipissing A man from Lavigne, Ont., has been fined $10,000 for abandoning a homemade barge in Lake Nipissing. Sault Ste. Marie Saultites keep digging as the snow keeps falling Snowfall in Sault Ste. Marie seemed to be delayed this year, but the cruel joke by Mother Nature saw a single dump make up for weeks of fall-like weather. Two arrested following shooting on Manitoulin Island The Manitoulin detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have two people in custody following a shooting incident in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Thursday. Another 60 cm of snow possible in the Sault as severe weather continues Closures and cancellations are piling up in Sault Ste. Marie as a major winter storm continues for another day Friday. Ottawa Ottawa ringette team loses club support for naming itself 'The Boobies' An Ottawa ringette team says it has lost support from its club after it deemed the team's new name to be inappropriate. New plan in the making to free cargo ship stuck in St. Lawrence River A new plan to free the Tim S. Dool, a large cargo ship that ran aground on a shoal along the St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. last week is expected to be finalized early next week. What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Nov.29-Dec. 1 Santa Claus visits Ottawa and eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Black Bears play their first game and Christmas market season continues. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa and eastern Ontario this weekend. Toronto Toronto man accused of posing as surgeon, performing cosmetic procedures on several women A 29-year-old Toronto man has been charged after allegedly posing as a surgeon and providing cosmetic procedures on several women. Why this Toronto man ran so a giant stickman could dance Colleagues would ask Duncan McCabe if he was training for a marathon, but, really, the 32-year-old accountant was committing multiple hours of his week, for 10 months, to stylistically run on the same few streets in Toronto's west end with absolutely no race in mind. It was all for the sake of creating a seconds-long animation of a dancing stickman for Strava. 'A huge, huge hit:' Ontario would be disproportionately impacted by Trump’s proposed tariffs, expert says If U.S. President-elect Donald Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports, Ontario will likely see the brunt of the impact, a business professor at Carleton University says. Montreal Buying a home? Here's everything you need to know about Quebec's 'welcome' tax Anyone who has bought a home in Quebec knows the rollercoaster high of making that big, life-changing purchase – and the sudden crash that occurs when the welcome tax bill comes in the mail, alongside its 30-day payment deadline. Immigrants take to the streets to protest against the freezing of immigration programmes In response to the freeze on immigration programmes announced by Ottawa, an organization that defends the rights of immigrants is organising a demonstration in front of the Montreal office of the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration early on Saturday afternoon. Montreal researchers make breakthrough discovery in fighting HIV Researchers in Montreal have made a breakthrough discovery in HIV research by finding a way to expel the virus from its hiding places and destroy it. Atlantic Furry fashionista’s turn Halifax street into Maritimes’ cutest runway The annual pet parade, an adored holiday tradition, returned to Halifax on Saturday. 3,500 people without power in New Brunswick after heavy snowfall Roughly 3,500 people in New Brunswick are still without power after wet, heavy snowfall caused trees to come into contact with power lines early Friday morning. Man charged after Halifax high school placed in hold and secure A man has been charged after a high school in Halifax was placed in hold and secure Friday morning. Winnipeg City shuts out province with 6-0 win in Winnipeg 150 hockey game The provincial government opened the floodgates to the City of Winnipeg Saturday, falling 6-0 in a match-up 50 years in the making. True North officially buys Portage Place Mall True North Real Estate Development (TNRED) has officially purchased Portage Place Mall. Canopy skating rink opens at The Forks Winnipeggers looking to lace up their skates this season can head to The Forks and hit the ice at the canopy rink. Calgary Man who died trying to help stranded motorist identified as Khalid Farooq, father of 5 The man who lost his life trying to help a stranded motorist Wednesday has been identified as Khalid Farooq. Cautious optimism? Alberta energy sector prepping for a turbulent 2025 Energy sector leaders say they're happy with how 2024 went but fear the stretch of good fortune could end in 2025. Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News. Edmonton Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News. Massage therapist charged in connection with sexual assault at Mill Woods clinic An Edmonton massage therapist has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident earlier this year. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores in OT to lift Oilers to 4-3 win over Utah Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored 1:18 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-3 on Friday night. Regina Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening Less than a year after an LED volume wall was introduced to the film world in Saskatchewan, the equipment is making its exit from the province. Over 400 volunteers play a part in 2024 Canadian Western Agribition As the Canadian Western Agribition (CWA) comes to s close, organizers are celebrating the volunteers who have helped make the event a success over the years. Postal workers union files unfair labour practice complaint over Canada Post layoffs The union representing Canada Post workers has filed an unfair labour practice complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board over the layoffs of striking employees. Saskatoon Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed during his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday. One dead, two injured in Sask. highway collision A 61-year-old man was killed and two others were taken to hospital following a collision between an SUV and a truck near Prince Albert on Friday night. Saskatoon temporary smudge location to be taken down While the City of Saskatoon says it granted a temporary permit for smudging and a ceremonial open fire, that expired at 6p.m. Tuesday night. Vancouver 1 dead following crash on Sea to Sky Highway Bruce the tiny Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with abstract art Mononymous painter Bruce has carved a lucrative niche on social media with his abstract artworks, crafted entirely from the colourful juices of fruits. Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News. Vancouver Island Yuletide festivities help kick off holiday season in Greater Victoria Greater Victoria has a host of yuletide festivities this weekend for residents ready to kick off the holiday season. Supreme Court clears way for B.C. to include other governments in opioid lawsuit B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma says a Supreme Court of Canada victory has cleared a "pathway" for governments across the country to go after opioid makers and distributors for damages arising from the opioid crisis. Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Stay Connected

( MENAFN - Caribbean News Global) More than six workers among 10 and 4 enterprises among five in the world operate in the informal economy. Contrary to the old forecasts, informality has not diminished over time and is even increasing in many countries. Informal economies are typically characterized by a high incidence of poverty and severe decent work deficits. Without formalization, decent work for all and equity in society will remain an illusion. In 2015, the ILO adopted the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation . The Recommendation is a powerful tool to advance towards the attainment of SDGs . During the last years, a growing number of countries worldwide have developed strategies and policies to facilitate transition to formality. Social partners are also developing their relations with workers and enterprises in the informal economy. Formalization of the economy is a complex and long term process that often requires to combine interventions on laws and regulations with those aiming to foster productivity and the ability to generate wealth. For part of the workforce, the reduction of decent work deficits is the first step toward a progressive formalization in the longer term. The significant reduction of informality in some countries illustrates that achieving results is largely possible. Formalization Asia-Pacific forum drives efforts to formalize informal economy, addresses climate impact on vulnerable workers – Regional stakeholders urge integrated strategies to promote decent work, emphasizing climate resilience and systemic change ahead of 2025 International Labour Conference discussions. Cooperative care models address global needs and improve social well-being – Panelists at the session on cooperatives and the care economy explored how cooperatives and SSE entities can improve care provision, empower women, and foster decent work. The post Transition to formal economy appeared first on Caribbean News Global . MENAFN26122024000232011072ID1109033653 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Rico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85None

Giants Week 12 report card: Is Brian Daboll’s message even getting through?

The Gophers and Penn State spent Oct. 12 in the greater Los Angeles area, with the Nittany Lions facing USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that afternoon and Minnesota taking on UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in the evening. A week earlier, the Gophers had defeated No. 11 Southern California 24-17 in a thrilling game that ended with fans storming the field at Huntington Bank Stadium, an emotional release after the team started the season with three losses in its first five games. When the Nittany Lions faced USC, they trailed 20-6 at halftime and needed a touchdown in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter to force overtime, in which they prevailed 33-30. After the Gophers rallied to beat UCLA 21-17, a Minnesota observer pondered the results and thought, “Maybe they’ll have a chance against Penn State in November.” That scenario played out Saturday in Minneapolis where the Gophers did have a chance to beat No. 4 Penn State — until they didn’t. The Nittany Lions left Huntington Bank Stadium around 7 p.m. with the Governor’s Victory Bell, thanks to a 26-25 triumph built on their ownership of key moments, particularly in the fourth quarter. Penn State overcame a 10-0 second-quarter deficit and a 22-16 disadvantage late in the third in improving to 10-1 and staying in contention for a College Football Playoff berth. The statistics show that the Gophers checked several boxes needed to upset a team as good as Penn State. Minnesota limited the Nittany Lions’ possessions, holding the ball for 34 minutes, 11 seconds to the visitors’ 25:49. The Gophers defense was tough on third down, holding Penn State to 1-for-11 in those situations. Minnesota’s special teams contributed three field goals, a blocked punt and a blocked extra-point attempt that was returned for two points and a 19-16 halftime lead. “I thought we had really good game plan,” Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said. “I thought we executed it really well on the offense, defense and special team sides.” Penn State, though, negated those statistical edges that the Gophers built. While the Nittany Lions didn’t have the ball often in the second half — four possessions total — they hogged it for 8:50 in the fourth quarter. Minnesota held Tyler Warren, Penn State’s star tight end/H-back/wildcat QB, largely in check through the game’s first 39 minutes, but then he caught three consecutive passes for 30 yards to ignite the Nittany Lions’ go-ahead touchdown drive late in the third quarter. In a game that had only three penalties, Penn State also capitalized fully on a questionable pass interference penalty on Gophers cornerback Ethan Robinson, scoring a touchdown only three plays later. And that 1-for-11 showing on third downs? The Nittany Lions made that point stat by converting three fourth-down situations on their final drive, which bled the final 5:48 off the clock. The most important of those three conversions, of course, was the fake punt that Penn State coach James Franklin called with the Nittany Lions clinging to a one-point lead and knowing Gophers kicker Dragan Kesich can connect from the upper-50s. Facing fourth-and-1 from the Penn State 34, Franklin saw that the Gophers had their return personnel on the field rather than a “safe” grouping of defensive players. Luke Reynolds, a true freshman tight end and five-star recruit, took the direct snap and sprinted 32 yards to the Minnesota 34. “I just felt like we needed to try to end the game on our terms, with the ball in our hand,” Franklin said. The Gophers have had a season full of tight games, with seven of the 11 they’ve played decided by eight points or fewer. They’re 3-4 in those contests, losing the past two to fall to 6-5 overall. They’ll try to end the skid in Friday’s regular-season finale at Wisconsin. “I told our team, ‘We’re just as good as anybody we’ve played or lost to,’ " Fleck said. “We’ve just got to do it.”Adam Titlbach had the only goal for Vancouver Giants – his eighth tally of the season – as Everett Silvertips scored two power play goals and two shorthanded goals in a 7-1 win on Friday night, Nov. 30 at the Langley Events Centre. Giants Head Coach Manny Viveiros apologized to the fans. "We just got outclassed," Viveiros said. "Completely outclassed. Credit to Everett. They're good. They work. They know their identity. They know how to play. Even if they don't have their game, they stick with it. We don't do that. Our group doesn't do that. When things get tough sometimes, guys do individual things instead of staying with the system or giving ourselves an opportunity to at least compete. We didn't do that tonight. I'm just sorry for the fans that had to watch that tonight. It was not a good effort from our group at all tonight." The Giants' record drops to 10-9-4 this season, while the first place Silvertips improve to 20-3-2-1. Everett has a league best 12 road wins and have one regulation loss in their last 18 games (14-1-2-1). Julius Miettinen scored a pair for Everett, who also got goals from Dominik Rymon, Carter Bear, Clarke Schaefer, Jesse Heslop and Tyler McKenzie. The final shots on goal in the game were 40-19 for Everett. Silvertips got things started with a shorthanded goal 6:31 into the first period, after McKenzie stole the puck on the forecheck and found Rymon for a one-timer. The visitors extended their lead to 2-0 with 31 seconds left in the first period when Bear got the last touch at the far post following a tremendous pad save from Carter Capton. Less than five minutes into period two, Vancouver got some life thanks to an Everett turnover where Brett Olson fed a pass to Titlbach in front of the goal. Several minutes later, however, Everett went back ahead by two thanks to Schaeffer's first career WHL goal, off a good shot pass from defenceman Eric Jamieson from the left circle. Miettinen would get on the board with another shorthanded goal when he beat two Giants defenders to a loose puck at centre ice and broke in alone, firing home his eighth of the season to make the score 4-1 after 40 minutes. Heslop scored 29 seconds into the third period to stretch the Silvertips lead to 5-1, before Miettinen and McKenzie added goals as well, making it a 7-1 final. Everett outshot Vancouver 40-19. Next, Giants host the Seattle Thunderbirds Sunday, Dec. 1 at LEC. Puck drops at 4 p.m.

Buccaneers Dominate Giants Behind Bucky Irving’s Breakout PerformanceCelebrity series of The Apprentice to air on BBC for 20th anniversary – with hopes of signing Cheryl and Piers MorganNEW DELHI: Suspense continues in Maharashtra over selecting the new Chief Minister in the state. High-level meetings are in full flow in the state while Shiv Sena rallied behind their support for Eknath Shinde. However, the Sena members announced that they would comply with whatever final decision from Delhi. The stakes are high for BJP's strong leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after the party won 132 seats in the state, asserting total domination over their allies. Fadnavis also has the support of RSS and Ajit Pawar. If needed, the NCP leader will pass a resolution favouring Fadnavis to be the next CM. However, it will be a blunder for the BJP to upset Eknath Shinde, who stood with the party during a crucial stage. There are also rumours about power sharing among Fadnavis and Shinde for two and a half years each. There are also indications that Shinde was offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister and other important portfolios. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will take the final decision in consultation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Parliamentary Board. Amit Shah consulted with Fadnavis, Shinde and Ajit Pawar on Sunday. The term of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly ends on Tuesday. According to the rules, it is pertinent for the government to be formed by Monday itself.

Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Lampkin 7-13 3-3 17, Deck 5-7 2-3 13, Hardaway 3-5 2-4 9, Wooten 9-13 3-6 23, Talley 3-5 0-0 7, Brackens 0-0 0-0 0, Brannon 0-0 0-0 0, McGrew 0-2 0-0 0, Moore 0-1 0-0 0, Price 0-1 0-0 0, Totals 27-48 10-16 69 Augmon 1-2 0-0 2, McFarland 0-1 0-0 0, Blair 4-12 7-7 18, Cooke 2-8 1-2 5, Love 6-16 6-6 19, Bostock 0-4 0-0 0, Chevalier 1-2 0-0 2, Merchant 3-11 1-4 7, Totals 17-56 15-19 53 3-Point Goals_North Texas 5-13 (Deck 1-2, Hardaway 1-2, Wooten 2-5, Talley 1-1, McGrew 0-2, Price 0-1), Houston 4-20 (Blair 3-6, Cooke 0-2, Love 1-6, Bostock 0-2, Chevalier 0-1, Merchant 0-3). Assists_North Texas 17 (Hardaway 5), Houston 3 (Love 2). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_North Texas 38 (Lampkin 10), Houston 26 (Love 8). Total Fouls_North Texas 18, Houston 18. Technical Fouls_None. A_864.

Chargers focused on avoiding a letdown and not a potential playoff berth in matchup with Patriots

When Nathan Walker scored just 11 seconds into Thursday night’s eventual shootout win over San Jose, it marked the fastest goal of the NHL season. Walker capitalized on a poor rim by Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov that was picked off by Radek Faksa, and centered to Walker at the net-front. Faksa started the play by winning the game’s opening faceoff, part of a perfect 6 for 6 first period in the circle for the veteran center. “I think if you can just have a good shift in itself, let alone get a goal on the first shift, it kind of sets the tone for the game,” Walker said. “Faks made a great heads up play for me there. ... Just stayed in front of the net, and got a nice little deflection on it.” Walker’s goal was the fastest by a Blues player since Zack Bolduc scored 11 seconds into the game on April 7 in Anaheim. It was tied for the sixth-fastest goal in franchise history, as Alexander Steen (March 16, 2010) and Greg Paslawski (Oct. 29, 1985) share the record at eight seconds. Walker’s goal was seven seconds faster than the previous quickest tally, which was Michael Kesselring’s goal 18 seconds into Utah’s game in St. Louis on Nov. 7. The line of Walker, Faksa and Toropchenko is one of just 28 around the NHL that have played at least two hours together at 5 on 5. During that time, the Blues are even (6-6) in goals. “We’ve got a Russian, a Czech and an Aussie, so the communication is a little tough sometimes,” Walker said. “It’s good. We chat a lot. We’re good friends on and off the ice, so it definitely makes for a good mix.” Welcome back Blues defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph was the only St. Louis player on the ice for both goals scored on Thursday night, as he helped get the puck deep before Walker’s goal in the first period, and then Joseph picked up the primary assist on Jordan Kyrou’s second-period goal. Joseph was playing his first game in a week following a lower-body injury in Buffalo that forced him to miss three games. In total, he logged 15:53 of ice time with two shot attempts and one blocked shot. “I thought P.O played very well,” Blues coach Drew Bannister said. “I thought he stepped in and played well. I was happy for him, I was happy for the team.” With Joseph on the ice at 5 on 5, the Blues outshot the Sharks, 13-5. That 72.2% share of shots on goal was the second-highest of the season for Joseph in 14 games played. Stuck out there Leading up to Alexander Wennberg’s game-tying goal with 8.8 seconds remaining in the third period on Thursday, a quartet of Blues were trudging through shifts that nearly reached three minutes. Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, Colton Parayko and Ryan Suter were all on the ice for the 2:39 preceding Wennberg’s goal with the extra attacker. It was by far each player’s longest shift of the evening. Jake Neighbours, Brayden Schenn and Radek Faksa rotated in as the fifth Blues skater on the ice. The shift spanned four faceoffs (three lost by Thomas to Macklin Celebrini, one won by Faksa vs. Celebirni) and San Jose’s timeout about a minute into the shift. The Blues iced the puck with 1:23 left in the third period, so they were not allowed to change, but a stoppage with 45 seconds could have allowed St. Louis to get fresh bodies on the ice. Parayko and Suter lead all Blues skaters in total time on ice at 5 on 5, while Thomas averages more than a minute more of ice time than the next closest Blues forward at 5 on 5.BLOUNTVILLE – It was a tough start for Carter Jones and West Ridge, but the Wolves were howling at the end of the night. Jones scored 13 of her game-high 17 points in the second half to help West Ridge to 62-52 season-opening Hall of Champions victory over Cocke County on a bitterly cold Friday night outside of Evelyn Rafalowski Athletic Complex. West Ridge (1-0) outscored the Lady Red 22-6 in the fourth quarter to pull away from a squad that advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals last season. "That is a very good team," West Ridge head coach Kristi Walling said, "a lot of good players, they are well coached, that is a big win for us, that is a very good team." Playing their up-tempo style of play, the Wolves led the entire first half, taking a 19-14 lead after one quarter and 28-23 going into the halftime break. Foul trouble prevented Jones from staying on the floor, but that changed after the break. "She couldn't get in the rhythm there in the first because she got two fouls early so she had to sit and go in and come in and out, couldn't really get in a rhythm," Walling said. "I was proud of her for stepping up big there in the second half." West Ridge got nine 3-pointers for five different players, including three by Randi Smith and two each from Jones and freshman Addison Bunn, who had 14 points in her varsity debut. "She did a great job for us. She hit some big shots for us and did a good job on defense." Walling said. "I am super proud of all the kids, every kid that came in tonight contributed." Cocke County (1-1) fought back in the third period, taking its first lead at 33-32 with 4:28 to go in the third quarter. That margin grew to as much as eight before taking a 46-40 in the final period, led by Karmine Carmichael, who paced the Fighting Cocks with 16 points, and Shakira Reed, who added 11. "We switched up our defensive strategy there in the third a little bit, kind changed things a little bit and I think that really helped," Walling said. It was all Wolves from that point, taking the lead back on 3s by Millie Shelton and Jones and a short jumper from Allie Reilly to put West Ridge up to stay. "It was back and forth. That is what I love about this team, they never give up," Walling said. "They are going to fight back, they work hard, they come in every day at practice and work hard. They are great kids to be around, I enjoy being around them every day." Smith added nine points for the Wolves, while Shelton had eight, including a running jumper to put the Wolves up 50-47 with 5:06 to play as the Wolves ran the floor much of the night, which is what Walling wants from her squad this season. "That is our thing this year," she said. "We kind of like to run so we have to be in condition to be in shape because that is our game plan." BOYS West Ridge 66, Cocke County 60 Avery Horne canned four 3-pointers, including three in the third quarter, and finished with 27 points to lead the Wolves to a season-opening victory over the Fighting Cocks. Led by 6-foot-6 Kyler Hayes, Cocke County rallied from a 14-11 deficit after one quarter to take a 32-26 lead into the break. West Ridge (1-0) was able to use the 3-point shot to get ahead of the Fighting Cocks, canning six of them. Horne had three of his four 3s in his own 13-point third quarter for the Wolves. Trey Frazier added 12 points for West Ridge, while Leming and Eli Bright hit late free throws in the final 32 seconds to secure the win. Ethan Fine led the Fighting Cocks (0-2), which dropped a two-point decision against Elizabethton on Wednesday, with 21 points, while Hayes finished with 17. Trent Tatum added eight points and Dylan Bannan had six for West Ridge head coach John Dyer, who picked up his 613th career win in what is the start of his 40th season as a head coach, having also been at Sullivan East and Johnson County.

casino plus jili slot Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference and classified documents cases against TrumpINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts defense started this season struggling. It couldn't stop the run, couldn't keep teams out of the end zone, couldn't get off the field. Now the script has flipped. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's group is playing stouter, holding teams — even the high-scoring Detroit Lions — largely in check long enough to give Indy a chance to win, and it's the Colts offense that has struggled. “They are playing their tails off. You don’t want them on the field a bunch and as an offense you want to be able to play complementary football,” running back Jonathan Taylor said after Sunday's 24-6 loss. “I would say specifically on offense, it sucks when you can’t help your defense out when they are fighting their tails off all game.” Indy's defense held up its end of the bargain by limiting the Lions (10-1) to 14 first-half points and allowing just 24, matching Detroit's lowest output since Week 3. The problem: Even when the Colts (5-7) did get Detroit off the field, they couldn't sustain drives or score touchdowns. Again. Anthony Richardson provided the bulk of the ground game by rushing 10 times for 61 yards, mostly early. Taylor managed just 35 yards on 11 carries and a season-high 10 penalties constantly forced the Colts to dig out from deep deficits. Part of that was by design. “We knew Jonathan Taylor was going to be the guy we needed to shut down,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We did that. The quarterback runs. It got us on a couple but overall, we did what we needed to do, and we kept them out of that game." Part of it could be because of an injury-battered offensive line that has started three rookies each of the past two weeks and finished the previous game with the same three rookies. Whatever the fix, Indy needs a good solution. There is good news for Indy is that its schedule now gets substantially more manageable. After losing four of five, all to teams in playoff position and three to division leaders, Indy faces only one team with a winning record in its final five games. The most recent time the Colts played a team with a losing mark, Richardson rallied them past the New York Jets 28-27. But Colts coach Shane Steichen knows that's not the answer. The Colts must get this offense righted now. “We’ve got to get that figured out. We’ve got to get him going on the ground,” Steichen said when asked about Taylor, who has 92 yards on his past 35 carries. “We’ll look at the offensive line. We’ll look at everything." Pass rush. Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner's presence certainly has been felt since he returned from a sprained ankle Oct. 27. In those past five games, the Colts have had 14 sacks, including three of Jared Goff on Sunday. Penalties. The Colts have had one of the cleanest operations in the league most of this season. Sunday was an anomaly, but one that can't merely be written off. WR Michael Pittman Jr. The five-year veteran is one of the league's toughest guys, but playing through a back injury appeared to take its toll on Pittman's productivity. Since sitting out in Week 10, Pittman has 11 receptions for 142 yards including six for 96 yards, his second-highest total of the season, Sunday. Tight ends. Each week the Colts want their tight ends to make an impact. And each week, they seem to fail. It happened again Sunday when Drew Ogletree dropped a TD pass that would have given Indy a 10-7 lead. Instead, Indy settled for a field goal and a 7-6 deficit. Through 12 games, Indy's tight ends have a total of 26 catches, 299 yards and two TDs. That's just not good enough in a league where versatile, productive tight ends increasingly signal success. Pittman and WR Josh Downs both returned to the game after leaving briefly with shoulder injuries. WR Ashton Dulin did not return after hurting his foot in the second half. But the bigger questions come on the offensive line. LT Bernhard Raimann (knee) was inactive Sunday, and rookie center Tanor Bortolini entered the concussion protocol Monday. Bortolini was one of three rookie starters the past two weeks, replacing Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly who is on injured reserve. 55.88 — Indy has scored touchdowns on 55.88% of its red zone trips this season. While it puts it near the middle of the NFL, it's cost the Colts multiple wins. Richardson needs to rebound from this latest 11 of 28 performance and show he can lead the Colts to victories week after week. He'll get plenty of chances over the season's final month, starting with next week's game at the New England Patriots. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Fate puts diehard Detroit Lions fan from Texas at Soldier Field at the right time to save a life

Burt died over the weekend, the Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia, said. He was at least 90 years old. “Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor – an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” Crocosaurus Cove wrote in social media posts. The aquarium added: “He wasn’t just a crocodile, he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years.” A saltwater crocodile, Burt was estimated to be more than 16 feet long. He was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and became one of the most well-known crocodiles in the world, according to Crocosaurus Cove. The 1986 film stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton, played by actress Linda Kozlowski, goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile before being saved by Dundee. Burt is briefly shown lunging out of the water. But the creature shown in more detail as Dundee saves the day is apparently something else. The Internet Movie Database says the film made a mistake by depicting an American alligator, which has a blunter snout. The Australian aquarium where Burt had lived since 2008 features a Cage of Death which it says is the nation’s only crocodile dive. It said it planned to honour Burt’s legacy with a commemorative sign “celebrating his extraordinary life and the stories and interactions he shared throughout his time at the park”.With more than half of the 16 teams still mathematically alive to make the conference championship game, the Big 12 will command a lot of attention in the final week of the regular season. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State would play for the Big 12 title and likely College Football Playoff spot on Dec. 7 if they both win Saturday and there's a four-way tie for first place. There are seven other teams that begin this week with hopes, slim in most cases, of getting into the game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Last week it was No. 19 BYU and No. 23 Colorado that had the inside track to the championship game. Arizona State beat the Cougars and Kansas knocked off the Buffaloes, and here we are. "Everybody counted us out, I think, two weeks ago," Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after his team beat Utah 31-28. "We didn't flinch. We didn't waver. And we just keep fighting." The Cyclones were national darlings the first half of the season as they won seven straight games to match the best start in program history. Back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas followed. Now they've won two straight heading into "Farmageddon," their rivalry game against Kansas State at home. "Right now they've got the pen and they continue to write the story," Campbell said of his players, "and I hope they will continue to write it the way they've got the ability to write it. Unwavering. Tough, mentally tough, physically tough. This group has stood for it every step of the way." Arizona State has been an even better story than the Cyclones. The Sun Devils have six more wins than they did last season, when they went 3-9. They were picked to finish last in their first year in the Big 12. They'll go for their fifth straight victory when they play at Arizona on Saturday. "These guys came off no momentum and everybody doubting them, and everybody is still doubting them. That's what makes this special," second-year coach Kenny Dillingham said. "Hopefully the expectations become higher. I don't know if there's a way we can exceed expectations more than we're exceeding them right now." Checking in on five of the Top 25: The Ducks were idle Saturday after clinching a spot in the Big Ten championship game with their win at Wisconsin on Nov. 16. Oregon can go 12-0 in the regular season for the first time since 2010 if it beats Washington at home this week. Oregon's only two losses last season came against the Huskies, both decided by three points. The first was a top-10 matchup in the regular season and the second was a top-five matchup in the Pac-12 championship game. The Ducks are 19 1/2-point favorites this time, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Buckeyes' showdown with upstart Indiana combined with Michigan's dropoff after winning the national championship have lowered the volume on this week's meeting with the Wolverines at the Horseshoe. If Michigan beats Ohio State a fourth straight time and it keeps the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game and playoff ... well, there'll be lots of noise in Columbus then. The Lone Star Showdown returns to the gridiron for the first time since 2011, when Texas and Texas A&M were in the Big 12. The Longhorns head to No. 20 Texas A&M on a four-game win streak. The Aggies have lost two of three after Saturday's four-overtime loss at Auburn. The winner advances to the Southeastern Conference championship game against Georgia. The Broncos are tied with Notre Dame for the second-longest active win streak, at nine games, and they seem to have adopted a survive-and-advance mantra. They trailed 23-point underdog Wyoming in the fourth quarter before winning 17-13 and clinching a spot in the Mountain West championship game. They won their previous game, 42-21 against San Jose State, but didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Two weeks ago they beat a three-win Nevada team 28-21. Just when you think Illinois is about to cash in for the season, they do what they did against Rutgers. The Illini were down 31-30 when they lined up for a 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds left. Ethan Moczulski missed. But wait. Rutgers called timeout before the snap, and Bret Bielema thought better of trying another kick and sent his offense back on the field. Luke Altmyer passed to Pat Bryant for the winning 40-yard touchdown. The Illini won't play for the Big Ten title, but they have a chance for nine wins and a nice bowl. Ohio State played in three of the five regular-season top-five matchups and won three of them. The Buckeyes lost to Oregon and beat Penn State and Indiana. ... Kansas' 37-21 win over Colorado made the Jayhawks the first FBS team with a losing record to beat three straight Top 25 opponents. The Jayhawks, who were 2-6 a month ago, will be bowl eligible if they win at Baylor. ... Nebraska ended the longest power conference bowl drought with its 44-25 win over Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers haven't played in a bowl since 2016. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was taking part in a cabinet committee meeting on Canada-U.S. relations today, amid increasing calls for his resignation. A mid-day adjustment to Trudeau's itinerary was issued by the Prime Minister's Office and noted he was taking part in the meeting virtually, though a specific time wasn't listed. Neither Trudeau, nor Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc issued a public comment after the meeting. Last week was a chaotic one for the governing Liberals, starting with Chrystia Freeland's cabinet resignation just hours after she was set to table the fall economic statement. Freeland and LeBlanc have previously spoken with the media at the conclusion of these cabinet committee meetings on dealing with the incoming Trump administration. The committee was reformed following Donald Trump's re-election, and a chief topic of discussion at the meetings has been border security after the incoming president threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian products. Several Liberal MPs publicly called for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader since Freeland's resignation, and the NDP has joined the other major opposition parties in saying it no longer has confidence in the minority Liberal government. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024 David Baxter, The Canadian Press