poker game free Islam is a unifying thread across the Muslim world, but its practice and interpretation vary widely based on historical, cultural and political contexts. Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan offer starkly contrasting perspectives on Islam, reflecting their unique journeys through conservatism, modernisation and fundamentalism. While Saudi Arabia attempts to reconcile its strict Wahhabi roots with a modern, globalised identity, Afghanistan under Taliban rule clings to a regressive and rigid interpretation of Islamic law, particularly in its treatment of women. Saudi Arabia: Evolving Beyond Narrow Wahhabism For much of its modern history, Saudi Arabia has been synonymous with Wahhabism, a puritanical branch of Sunni Islam. Established in the 18th century as part of a pact between the Wahhabi movement and the Al-Saud family, this ideology shaped the Kingdom’s laws and social norms. Strict dress codes, gender segregation and the absence of cultural entertainment were defining characteristics. The discovery of oil in 1938 transformed Saudi Arabia into a global economic powerhouse but did little to alter its conservative social fabric. Women were forbidden from driving until 2018, religious police patrolled public spaces to enforce Islamic norms and live music and cinema were banned. This changed dramatically under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, a reform agenda aimed at diversifying the economy and projecting a modern, progressive image of Saudi Arabia. Today, the Kingdom hosts concerts, fashion shows and sporting events that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. Saudi women now drive, work in various industries and travel without male guardianship. These reforms reflect a society grappling with its dual identity: a modern state vying for global influence and an Islamic society rooted in tradition. However, this transformation is not without contradictions. While Riyadh dazzles with events featuring global stars like Céline Dion and Jennifer Lopez, the Kingdom continues to uphold one of the harshest justice systems in the world. Mass executions, particularly of foreign nationals, reveal a darker side of its governance, underscoring the tension between progress and repression. Qazi Faez Isa And Islam - Part II Afghanistan: The Grip of Taliban Fundamentalism In contrast to Saudi Arabia’s evolving interpretation of Islam, Afghanistan under the Taliban remains firmly entrenched in a regressive, fundamentalist ideology. The Taliban’s version of Islam, heavily influenced by Deobandi principles and Wahhabi teachings, emerged from decades of conflict and foreign intervention. During the 1980s, Saudi Arabia played a significant role in funding madrassas along the Afghan-Pakistan border, which indoctrinated young men with conservative Islamic teachings. These madrassas served as a breeding ground for the Taliban, whose rise to power in the 1990s marked a dark period for Afghan women and minorities. Saudi Arabia’s path forward lies in balancing its conservative Islamic roots with the demands of a modern state. The Kingdom’s reforms are driven by necessity, as it seeks to diversify its economy and attract global investment Since regaining control in 2021, the Taliban have reinstated draconian laws that systematically exclude women from public life. Girls are banned from attending schools and universities, women cannot work in government institutions or businesses and they are prohibited from appearing in media or even visiting parks without a male guardian. These policies not only violate basic human rights but also contrast sharply with the relative progress seen in other Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia. Women’s Rights: A Tale of Two Realities The status of women offers a stark lens through which to compare Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. Women in Saudi Arabia have gained unprecedented freedoms in recent years. They can now pursue higher education, work in diverse industries and participate in public life. However, cultural conservatism still imposes limits and full equality remains a distant goal. Under Taliban rule, Afghan women face unparalleled restrictions. They are effectively erased from public life and denied education, employment and the freedom to move independently. This is a severe divergence from Islamic teachings that emphasise education and respect for women. From Art To Algorithm: Social Media And The Death Of Culture, Society The influence of Wahhabism, exported by Saudi Arabia in the late 20th century, has shaped the ideological framework of groups like the Taliban. Yet, while Saudi Arabia has moved toward moderation and modernity, Afghanistan has doubled down on rigid fundamentalism. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reflects an acknowledgment that economic growth and global engagement require a more inclusive society. Afghanistan, in contrast, remains isolated, with its rulers prioritising ideological purity over progress. Saudi Arabia’s path forward lies in balancing its conservative Islamic roots with the demands of a modern state. The Kingdom’s reforms are driven by necessity, as it seeks to diversify its economy and attract global investment. Its evolving interpretation of Islam may inspire other Muslim-majority nations to explore similar pathways. Afghanistan, however, faces a grimmer future. The Taliban’s refusal to adapt to the changing world not only isolates the country but also perpetuates suffering for its people, particularly women. The global community’s challenge lies in finding ways to support Afghan civil society while addressing the Taliban’s oppressive policies. The stories of Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan underscore the diversity of Islam and its interpretations. While both nations have been shaped by conservative ideologies, their trajectories could not be more different. Saudi Arabia’s embrace of reform signals hope for a more inclusive future, while Afghanistan’s descent into fundamentalism highlights the dangers of ideological rigidity. For the Muslim world, these contrasting paths serve as a reminder that Islam’s essence is not monolithic but adaptable to the needs and aspirations of its followers. The choices made by leaders and societies will determine whether Islam is a force for progress or a tool of oppression in the 21st century.Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins

Black Friday 2024 is officially here! This is the moment we’ve all waited for and we’re finally shopping like it is our job. Because it is ! As we have with the last two Prime Days , our shopping and deals crew has rounded up the top items we’ve decided to buy this week during all of the big Black Friday deals . We’ve got a decade of experience with shopping online and watching Black Friday sales, so these are our predictions for products we expect to see on sale this week. Some of these hot-ticket items are also expected to sell out fast . We saw an early Black Friday Dyson Airwrap deal sell out in a day just a few weeks ago. Each member of the team has narrowed down some of the top coveted items we’re hoping to snag at a discounted rate during all of these Black Friday sales. New skincare from Paula’s Choice , Belif and BIODANCE I plan to restock my skincare lineup when Belif, BIODANCE, and Paula's Choice run their Black Friday deals. Amazon I’m Ana, the manager of the Content Innovation & Digital Growth team, and I am still trying to recover from the days of using St. Ive’s face wash and over-exfoliating my skin. I wait all year and snag everything during Black Friday or Prime Day to stock up on what I need. Black Friday always tends to be the best day to score the biggest deals on the brands I love, like Paula’s Choice , Belif , and BIODANCE . The big bottle of Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant is normally a whopping $35, but for Black Friday it is down to $27. While Paula’s Choice has markdowns, I’ll also snag some of their C15 Super Booster (24% off) to help get rid of hyperpigmentation on my skin. I’ve read online these two are like a power duo to minimize the appearance of pores and help bring more life to your skin. These might just be buzzwords, but they’re working on me. For the last three Black Fridays, I’ve bought this belif The True Cream Moisturizing Eye Bomb for anywhere between 30% to 50% off and I plan to do the same in 2024. It always lasts me the full year, since I use it only at night and I’ve never had an issue with it in all of these years. It is perfect for my sensitive skin and keeps the skin around my eyes soft and smooth. I’ll probably pick up the brand’s Cooling Eye Gel for a morning pick-me-up since it is 34% off. As I’ve mentioned before, I am the TikTok-obsessed member of my team. That means I got sucked into trying BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask , and the hype is real. This mask is like a breath of fresh air for my skin. It is so intensely hydrating, which means I need to snag as many discounted packs as I can get ahead of the cold winter months. A 4-pack is currently 32% off for Black Friday, while the 16-pack is 30% off. A new pair of HOKA Clifton 9 sneakers I'm hoping to score a great deal on the HOKA Clifton 9 during Black Friday sales this week. HOKA For me, Black Friday is typically a restock time. I don’t want a PS5 or a new TV, I want to replace my favorite things that desperately need it. I am a HOKA girlie and have been for years now. I’ve worn my Clifton 9 sneakers into the ground. Literally . The bottoms of my soles have officially worn out around the toes and I need to put my current pair to rest. I have a pair of Bondi 8 sneakers but have found those are better suited for my 30,000 step days in Disney World and my HOKA Clifton 9 sneakers are my preferred shoe for walks around my neighborhood and at my Rumble boxing classes. My current pair is just the classic Black/White colorway , and I want to restock those exact sneakers. But, if I were to see these on super sale, I’d be inclined to snag two pairs and get a new color as well, I’ve got my eye on the Sunlit Ocean / Lilac Mist and Frost / Rose Gold colorways. A slew of Amika hair products Another restock I plan to do for Black Friday is on Amika haircare, when the brand slashes prices by around 30% off. Amazon I wasn’t kidding that Black Friday has a recurring theme for me: restocking. The final thing I plan to restock is my Amika staples. I have been growing my hair out for years and it has been a success in large part due to investing in quality hair products, and Amika is a brand I’ve grown obsessed with over the last few years, but it comes with a hefty price tag. The Top 2 Amika products that I’m planning to grab when they go on sale are the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner and Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask . Both smell absolutely amazing and leave my hair feeling softer than ever. I tend to use the mask once a week and then use the leave-in conditioner every few days, I’d love to use it daily but at $29 per 200 ml, I try to conserve it. I’ve got my eye on the Amika Power Hour Curl Refreshing Spray to see if it goes on sale as well because I’m always on the hunt for a good curl product. Solo Stove Yukon Smokeless Fire Pit I plan to buy the Yukon Backyard Bundle while it is currently marked down by $290 for Black Friday. Solo Stove Hi, I’m Dawn, one of our team’s Shopping Tips & Deals writers and this is going to be a stellar year for Black Friday savings. I’m already seeing so many cheap sale prices, but I have my sights set on a few key items for the holidays. At the very top of my Black Friday shopping list is a Solo Stove Smokeless Fire Pit . This is a major splurge and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it’s been on the wishlist since summer. Our current fire pit burnt its last fire in early June and my husband and I’ve been mulling over a new one ever since. But unlike last time, we’re going big with the Solo Stove Yukon Smokeless Fire Pit . This fire pit carries a hefty price tag normally ($450) and if you decide to go with the Backyard Bundle like we are, it’ll cost you $940. But Solo Stove has big savings on its smokeless fire pits for Black Friday and the Yukon Backyard Bundle is $290 off, dropping its price to $650. Normally, I’d balk at the price but there are a few additional factors in this decision. First, the Yukon Backyard Bundle has everything (removable base plate, ash pan, shield, stand, lid, and shelter). So, instead of piecing all the accessories together afterward, you get them all in a bundle at a discounted price. Second, this fire pit is “smokeless,” and if you’ve ever seen the meme, no matter where I sit the smoke follows me. Yes, that is my superpower. Lastly, this fire pit has a lifetime warranty and I’m not buying another one ever again. The viral Orolay Down Jacket The Orolay Women's Thickened Down Jacket is 45% off on Amazon for Black Friday. Amazon More out of necessity than style, I’m grabbing the Viral Orolay Down Jacket for Black Friday. This viral jacket has sold out so many times on Amazon, I’ve lost count, but I’m expecting it to sell out again this year. The main reason this jacket is on my Black Friday wishlist is for warmth. I want a jacket that’s extremely warm to layer up with this winter. I am done freezing to get the mail, walk the dogs, take the garbage out, and run to my car in the snow and ice. I just want to be warm and this jacket looks like it will fit the bill. With over 28,000 positive ratings, the Orolay Down Jacket has become a fan favorite with its wind-resistant and waterproof design. It’s touted for its fleece-lined hood, numerous pockets, and fitted wristbands that keep the cold out. Reviewers have said, “Very warm, stylish, soft, and full of down for a cold winter,” and I hope when it arrives, I’ll agree. Currently, the Orolay Down Jacket is on sale for 45% off on Amazon, and I don’t expect it to creep any lower before the holidays. This one’s already in my cart in green. The kitchen essential Our Place Always Pan 2.0 The Always Pan is currently $55 off at Our Place for Black Friday. Our Place I waited a long time to finally decide that I needed and deserved the Our Place Always Pan . I’ve seen the commercials, read the articles, seen it in action online, and lusted over it on my social feed. But finally, I am giving into temptation and buying what I now consider an essential part of dinner planning and preparation. If you’re not familiar with the Always Pan , this famous pan replaces 10 pieces of cookware, including your fry pan, saute pan, steamer, roasting dish, baking dish, skillet, saucier, nonstick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. So, basically, this is the only pan you’ll ever need (or rather I’ll need) to cook with. This is also a viral product that has sold out multiple times since its release back in 2019. Now in its second generation, the Always Pan 2.0 has a toxic-free design, is oven-safe up to 450 degrees, and is just so nice to look at with a variety of colors to choose from. Thankfully, Our Place is having a Black Friday sale with the “lowest prices of the year” and the Always Pan 2.0 is now $95, instead of $150, for a savings of $55 off. So, this one is getting wrapped up under the tree just for me (in Spice). BÉIS best-selling luggage BÉIS luggage is at the top of my list, because I’ve written about the brand so many times, I know I finally need to join the party. BÉIS Hi, I’m Danielle, another Shopping & Commerce Writer on our Content Innovation team. To be completely honest, I’m not planning any huge frivolous Black Friday purchases this year because my husband and I spent a nice chunk of change on an end-of-year vacation for our 10-year wedding anniversary and we’re Christmas shopping for three kiddos already. I have a few things that I’d be happy to buy, though, if the price is too good to pass up. BÉIS luggage is at the top of my list because I’ve written about the brand so many times, I know I finally need to join the party. The last time we got new luggage was right before our wedding and, while the soft-side Samsonite 3-piece has served us well over the last decade, it’s high time we invested in some hard-shell suitcases. BÉIS has some of the sleekest carry-ons and check-in luggage around, and the neutral colors are trendy, but totally timeless, too. So, I’ve been thinking about snagging a Large Check-In Roller , a Medium Check-In Roller , and a Carry-On Roller for our family of five. BÉIS already has bundling offers where you can get 10% off when you combine two rollers and 15% off when you combine three rollers, but I’d love to see each piece 20-25% off for Black Friday, which would bring my total expense down by over $200 (reduced to well under $700). We’re thinking about a trip to Disney next year, so I might even take the opportunity to stock up on some kids’ luggage and backpacks for my little mousketeers , as well. The Real Life Play Kitchen from Lovevery At $300, this definitely isn’t a cheap gift, but Lovevery is offering up to 25% off sitewide / holiday bundle savings for Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Lovevery My youngest, who is two years old now, was a Lovevery baby through and through. He had Play Kits for every developmental stage, and we’ve passed everything down to my sister for her newborn to use as he grows up. Even my middle child, my little girl — who is 5 years old now — got an incredible amount of use out of her 4-year-old Play Kit last year. I have hyped the brand for years, telling parents, friends, and family members how amazing all of the playthings, books, and activity mats are, so I was so excited to hear about The Real Life Play Kitchen coming out. Designed for toddlers aged 18 months and older, this adorable pretend and practical play mini kitchen is a perfect Christmas present for my son — I can already picture it in the middle of his presents with a huge bow on it. What sets this play kitchen apart is its thoughtful design, which takes inspiration from always-popular water tables and trendy sensory bins. The sink has a gentle water flow and a spill-proof basin, so when the littles are playing, they won’t be making too big of a mess. The child-sized utensils and food-grade accessories, like a colander and cutting board, also lets toddlers and preschoolers mimic grown-up activities in a safe and scaled-down environment. Plus, the interchangeable colored and patterned backsplashes — six of them — add a personalized and highly aesthetic touch. I’m seriously obsessed with this kitchen because it’s not obnoxiously primary-colored or blaring with earworm-y songs or sounds and it encourages creativity and a sense of responsibility. I can imagine my little guy rinsing vegetables, chopping pretend food and drying dishes, and I can only hope those simple building blocks breed important life skills, cooperation and the concept of everyone in our family having a role and contributing. At $300, this definitely isn’t a cheap gift , but Lovevery is offering up to 25% off sitewide / holiday bundle savings for Black Friday/Cyber Monday. This first-time-ever move for the brand is knocking 10% off spends of $80+, 15% off spends of $125+, 20% off spends of $250 or more and 25% off spends of $500 or more. So, I can get the kitchen for $240, instead $300, through Dec. 8! Beekman 1802 Bloom Cream Daily Face Moisturizer Right now, the Jumbo Bottle is 35% off — $82, down from $108 — but if Black Friday brought an additional 10-15% off in discounts, I’d be sold. Beekman 1802 During this time of year, my hands are usually dry, red, and cracked. And I’ve used every hand lotion and body moisturizer out there to fix the problem, from Kiehl’s and CeraVe to Aveeno and Aesop. I honestly just tried Beekman to placate my mom, who couldn’t stop talking about how great “the goat’s milk beauty products” were, but after only a few days of using the Wicked Defy Gravity Whipped Body Cream (which I was, fortunately, able to sample ahead of the “Wicked” premiere), my hands were changed for the better — well, for the best, really. My skin has never felt softer and more youthful, and I’m a TOTAL convert now. Not only has this whipped body cream gone on without a greasy after feel, but it also absorbs instantly, and it leaves my hands smelling like fruity pebbles in the best way, thanks to the sweet Elphaba-inspired gourmand scent. I’m obsessed with this fluffy paraben and sulfate-free rich goat milk and creamy butter salve, and I’ll be heartbroken when the container is wiped clean. So, I plan on replenishing the “Elphie lotion mommy loves!” and also stocking up on some other hero body creams . While I’m at it, I’d also love to try Beekman’s famous Bloom Cream Daily Face Moisturizer with moisturizing goat’s milk, hydrating and pore-minimizing niacinamide. The company says this bestselling “elegant, lightweight formula is designed to work on all skin types and it literally blooms out of the bottle with every pump.” And if it works in any way like the Whipped Body Cream, then I will become a customer for life. Right now, the Jumbo Bottle is 35% off — $82, down from $108 — but if Black Friday brought an additional 10-15% off in discounts, I’d be sold. TCL 50-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV with Fire TV (2024 Model) Amazon has the TCL 55" TV on sale of the lowest price of the year for Black Friday. Amazon I’m Victoria Rosenthal, associate editor for SEO/commerce on the Content Innovation Team. My TV is a relic from my college years. Despite it being an old geezer, it has withstood the test of time — 12 years to be exact. This 21-inch Samsung flat-screen has seen it all: all-nighters, breakups, procrastination, (not great) dorm room dance practice, Beyonce’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, the whole final season of “Breaking Bad.” Although this baby has been at my side for over a decade, it’s time for an upgrade. That upgrade won’t be so difficult or pricey since I’m going with the latest model of the TCL 50-inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV with Fire TV . It’s a big enough size for a bedroom with a renter-friendly footprint. It has enhanced visuals and sound thanks to its 4K UltraHD resolution screen, Dolby Atmos Audio, and Enhanced Dialogue Mode for more intelligible and clear audio. Plus, I can actually enjoy playing video games with my Nintendo Switch , FireTV Stick with the Xbox Game Pass app, PlayStation 2, and PS4 on this larger TV in Auto Game Mode. It automatically turns on when you hook up a gaming console and uses the lowest possible input lag and latency for improved gameplay. It already has a 4-star rating on Amazon and a 4.2-star rating at Best Buy . And you can’t beat Amazon’s Black Friday deal that gives you 23% off, bringing the price down from $300 to $230. As a replacement for my beloved college TV, this one might be a winner. Ticket to Ride Board Game Amazon has “Ticket to Ride” on sale for $25 during its Black Friday sale. Amazon As a board and card game fan, I love trying out as many of them as possible. My favorites range from “13 Dead End Drive” and “Exploding Kittens” to “Jumanji” and “Nightmare The Video Board Game.” But one game I’ve always wanted to play more is “Ticket to Ride.” After playing it once in a board game café, I was hooked. A board game that’s meant to transport you into another world, time, or dimension and immerse you in the story will always be added to my cart. While going cross country to claim the most train lines and points, the competition, strategy, and fast pace bring excitement to the game, unlike some slow-burn titles that one might call boring (cough cough, “Monopoly” ). “Ticket to Ride” is easy to learn so anyone can quickly understand the gameplay and join in. Also, there’s a feature where Amazon Alexa can act as a player for a more immersive experience. She can keep track of gameplay and points and add atmospheric sound effects and music that transports you back to 1910 in the United States. Because of its $55 price point, I’ve always been hesitant to spend that kind of money on a board game. But now that Amazon has “ Ticket to Ride ” on sale for $25 during its Black Friday sale, that’s over half off the retail price. I have no reason not to buy it! The Best Black Friday Deals in 2024 Walmart, Amazon and Target have Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals up to $75 off — but they’re selling out lightning fast Nordstrom Rack’s Black Friday deals have the best ‘Flash Sale’ markdowns on handbags, hair tools, luggage and more Dick’s Sporting Goods Black Friday sale has HOKA, Nike, New Balance, more top sneakers up to 50% off — but only for a limited time Dyson just dropped all of its Black Friday deals, including $100 off the Airwrap and these sales won’t last for long Walmart has the Apple Watch SE 2 on sale for only $149 in a can’t-miss Black Friday deal

Stehr pushes reform for long-term care workersDarrell Kelley Named Artist of the Month by MTVrock

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. People are also reading... OSU football: A prediction gone badly wrong OSU men's basketball: Beavers hope blowout wins pave the way for bigger things Philomath driver suspected of DUII in Corvallis pileup Rebuilding the Pac-12 Conference Corvallis man fatally hit by vehicle in Washington Corvallis police seek grinches who stole Christmas OSU police chief put on leave Corvallis woman accused of hammer attack, break-in in Philomath As I See It: Six reasons why Trump won again Corvallis Samaritan hospital has new CEO OSU police chief put on leave Corvallis sued following DUII arrest of diabetic teen Corvallis middle housing project struggles to achieve liftoff thanks to a sewer pipe Why did Trump win? Election debrief hosted by Corvallis group Albany's Talking Water Gardens goes silent — with no restart date "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon that will take effect at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Moments after U.S. President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire deal , which Israel's Cabinet approved late Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike slammed into the Lebanese capital. Residents of Beirut and its southern suburbs have endured the most intense day of Israeli strikes since the war began nearly 14 months ago, as Israel's nationwide onslaught of bombings signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold. At least 42 people have killed by Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Tuesday, according to local authorities. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens in the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel a day after Hamas’ attack. The fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: BEIRUT — The Health Ministry in Lebanon says 18 more people have been killed by Israeli airstrikes across the country, bringing the total death toll on Tuesday to at least 42 people. Eleven people were killed by Israeli bombing in eastern Lebanon, four were killed by strikes on border crossings between northern Lebanon and Syria, and three people were killed in southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said early Wednesday. In the hours before a ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel launched its most intense wave of strikes on the capital Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict. Strikes have targeted what Israel said were Hezbollah-related targets in several other parts of the country as well. Israel’s military issued a record number of evacuation warnings in Beirut, sending people fleeing from their homes. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, and hopes it can end the violence and suffering of people in both countries, the U.N. spokesman says. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Hezbollah to swiftly implement all commitments under the agreement, and take immediate steps toward fully implementing the 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the last Israel-Hezbollah war, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said late Tuesday. Resolution 1701 called for the deployment of Lebanese forces throughout the south, which borders Israel and is now mainly controlled by Hezbollah, and it calls for all armed groups including Hezbollah to be disarmed. Neither has happened in the past 17 years. Dujarric said U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon “both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates.” WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s senior national security team was briefed by the Biden administration as negotiations unfolded, according to the senior U.S. official. The official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity in a White House-organized call, added that the incoming Trump administration officials were not directly involved in the talks, but that it was important that the incoming administration knew “what we were negotiating and what the commitments were.” The official said “all fire will stop from all parties” at 4 a.m. local time. The next step would be what the official described as a “phased withdrawal” by the Israeli military. As the Israelis pull back, Lebanese national forces will occupy the territories. The process is slated to finish within 60 days. Lebanese forces is supposed to patrol the area and remove Hezbollah weaponry and infrastructure there. “Hezbollah is incredibly weak at this moment, both militarily and politically,” the official said. “And this is the opportunity for Lebanon to re-establish its sovereignty over its territory.” The official said the ceasefire agreement will strengthen what’s known as the “tripartite mechanism” by including the United States and France. The goal is to address violations of the ceasefire without a return to hostilities. UNITED NATIONS – The top U.N. envoy for Lebanon welcomed the ceasefire announcement and urged Israel and Hezbollah militants to take concrete actions to fully implement the 2006 agreement that ended their last war. U.N. Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said the agreement “marks the starting point of a critical process” that must see both sides fully implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1701. It called for the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south bordering Israel and the disarmament of all armed groups including Hezbollah – neither of which has happened in the past 17 years. “Nothing less than the full and unwavering commitment of both parties is required,” Hennis-Plasschaert said. “Neither side can afford another period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm.” She commended the parties for “seizing the opportunity to close this devastating chapter,” stressing that “Now is the time to deliver, through concrete actions, to consolidate today’s achievement.” UNITED NATIONS — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for urgent international intervention to stop what he described as “an ongoing genocidal war” in Gaza. Abbas heads the Palestinian Authority which has limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas. The U.S. and others want a reinvigorated Palestinian Authority to run Gaza when the war ends. In a speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Abbas accused Israel of repeating what happened to the Palestinians in 1948 and 1967 – displacing them and seizing their land and resources. Abbas demanded to know how long the world will remain silent and refuse to compel Israel to abide by international law. The speech to U.N. member nations was read by Palestinian U.N. ambassador Riyad Mansour. “The only way to halt the halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” Abbas' speech said. This must be done in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions which call for a two-state solution, he said. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hezbollah, describing it as a crucial step toward stability, the return of displaced people to their homes and regional calm. Mikati made these comments in a statement issued just after U.S. President Joe announced the truce deal. Mikati said he discussed the ceasefire agreement with Biden by phone earlier Tuesday. The prime minister reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing U.N. resolution 1701, strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the south, and cooperating with the U.N. peacekeeping force. He also called on Israel to fully comply with the ceasefire and withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance the U.N. resolution. JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Wednesday, Dec. 25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 1:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: Loyola of Chicago vs. Murray St., Seventh-Place Game, Honolulu 3:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: Charleston vs. Charlotte, Fifth-Place Game, Honolulu 6:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oakland vs. Hawaii, Third-Place Game, Honolulu 8:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: Oregon St. vs. Nebraska, Championship, Honolulu NBA BASKETBALL Noon ABC — San Antonio at New York ESPN — San Antonio at New York 2:30 p.m. ABC — Minnesota at Dallas ESPN — Minnesota at Dallas 5 p.m. ABC — Philadelphia at Boston ESPN — Philadelphia at Boston 8 p.m. ABC — L.A. Lakers at Golden State ESPN — L.A. Lakers at Golden State 10:30 p.m. ABC — Denver at Phoenix ESPN — Denver at Phoenix NFL FOOTBALL 1 p.m. NETFLIX — Kansas City at Pittsburgh 4:30 p.m. NETFLIX — Baltimore at Houston The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by TV listings provided by .Osotspa records big jump in S&P scoreSaudi Arabia Green Cement Industry Report 2024: Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2019-2029

Electric motors power a range of technologies, including ships, airplanes, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. However, these motors are typically made with rare Earth materials, which present numerous environmental and economic challenges. Rare earths are limited resources, and their mining processes can cause significant environmental pollution. Additionally, the global supply of these materials is largely controlled by a few countries, making them expensive to extract and vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. To address these issues, a team at Texas A&M University, led by Dr. Hamid Toliyat, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with Mehdi Seyedi, a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering, and Dr. Dorsa Talebi, a postdoctoral researcher, is developing a motor that does not rely on rare Earth materials. High-power electric motors They aim to create a cost-effective, compact, efficient, and sustainable electric motor that eliminates the need for rare earths and reduces dependence on foreign markets. Dr. Talebi notes, “There are many unethical mining processes for extracting rare earth materials, which are also very energy-intensive. While there are global projects aimed at mining rare earths more sustainably, there is inadequate regulation. To meet the demands of growing industries, we need an alternative. Our motor addresses this need by not requiring rare earths.” For their two-year project titled “Advancing Electric Vehicle Propulsion: High Power Rare-Earth-Free Electric Motor Development,” the team aims to replace rare Earth components, such as neodymium magnets, with abundant and environmentally friendly materials like copper. “Using copper coils instead of rare Earth materials in the motor’s rotating part is much more accessible,” Talebi stated. “It is also expected to be cheaper since it avoids the cost of rare earth materials and permanent magnets needed for vehicle propulsion. By removing rare earths from the supply chain, we reduce our dependency on foreign countries, and copper is more sustainable since it is readily available.” The team has conducted simulations to validate their concept and created a prototype to demonstrate the feasibility of their motor. They are working to ensure that their motor’s performance matches that of current rare Earth motors used in electric and hybrid vehicles while remaining competitive with other rare earth-free alternatives. Using copper Dr. Toliyat explained, “In terms of power-to-weight ratio, our technology is comparable to motors utilizing rare earth materials.” Seyedi added, “Many automotive manufacturers are already moving away from rare earth materials and developing rare earth-free motors. However, their options are limited and come with significant challenges. We hope our approach will resolve most of these issues, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution.” The team received nearly $500,000 from a Type 2 award as part of Texas A&M University’s Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM) Innovation Awards program, which focuses on projects approaching market readiness. Ultimately, the team aims to commercialize its motor and establish its own company, holding issued U.S. patents and pending US patent applications for its innovation. “This innovation could significantly impact the automobile industry,” Dr. Talebi remarked, “and it can also be extended to wind turbines, renewable energy solutions, and transportation systems.” Dr. Alan Palazzolo, a professor in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, is the project’s co-principal investigator. The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the official research agency for Texas A&M Engineering, manages funding for this research.

Celebrities can spark change when they speak up about their healthRep. Nancy Pelosi was hospitalized and undergoing medical evaluation Friday after sustaining an undisclosed injury during a European trip with a congressional delegation. It wasn’t immediately clear what type of injury the former House Speaker suffered or how serious her condition is, although she was said to be continuing to work from the hospital. A spokesperson said the 84-year-old California Democrat is “currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals.” “Pelosi sustained an injury during an official engagement and was admitted to the hospital for evaluation,” Ian Krager, the spokesman, said in a statement. Pelosi traveled to Luxembourg with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge , a key turning point in the fight against the Nazis. “(Pelosi) regrets that she is unable to attend ... engagements to honor the courage of our service members during one of the greatest acts of American heroism in our nation’s history,” Krager added. Despite her advanced age, Pelosi appears to be in good health and has suffered few known major medical scares. She recently won reelection to a 20th term representing San Francisco’s deep-blue 11th congressional district. Pelosi has remained a major political force in the Democratic Party even after handing the Democratic baton in the House to Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , who recently won a second two-year term as minority leader. She was credited with bulldozing President Biden into dropping his reelection bid after a dismal performance in a debate with President-elect Trump. The two Democratic allies admit they haven’t spoken since, a sign of continuing friction. ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Tineco Recognized as Global Leader in Emerging Floor Washer Category

DrBalcony App Redefines Balcony Inspections with Unparalleled EfficiencyBy Lauren Beavis An adorable little donkey named Wonder has received a new prosthetic leg to help her stand and walk - just in time for Christmas. Wonder was born with two deformed hooves leaving her unable to stand or walk. But since being fitted with a specialist prosthesis, the young mule is now able to walk "better than ever before". At a young age, she was admitted to Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire in the Netherlands - a center for neglected, abused, confiscated, sick or old donkeys . When veterinarians at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Ghent University heard about Wonder's condition, they got in touch with Wesley Michiels from Pet Orthopedics - a company that makes prostheses and braces for animals. Wesley Michiels, head of Pet Orthopedics , said: "The vets contacted us and explained that they wanted to amputate the leg - asking us how they could best go about it to ensure that the donkey would be able to walk again with a view to a prosthesis. "We were on site for about three weeks to carry out the measurements on Wonder." As the vets amputated her little hooves - the orthopedics were able to fit a prosthetic leg that grows as Wonder does. Wesley said: "The cooperation results in a perfect amputation stump so that the prosthetic device also fits perfectly. "Wonder is still a little donkey who still has to grow in the future, so the prosthesis is adaptive so we can adjust it when she grows. "In the beginning, she has to learn how to use the leg more - but with the prosthetic device she is now already walking better than before." Wesley says he has worked with donkeys before - but a full prosthesis for the species was a new task for him. He added the new technology has helped many species - from alpacas to dogs and now donkeys . Wesley said: "In the past, the legs of animals were completely amputated up to the shoulder or up to the hip for a problem with toes for example - then sometimes you couldn't do anything with one leg. "But now many vets first call us to ask for advice about the amputation, so that we can put a prosthesis afterwards."Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In Humacyte To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in Humacyte between May 10, 2024 and October 17, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Humacyte, Inc. (“Humacyte” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HUMA) and reminds investors of the January 17, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) that the Company's Durham, North Carolina facility failed to comply with good manufacturing practices, including quality assurance and microbial testing; (2) that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed while Humacyte remediated these deficiencies; and (3) that, as a result, there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On August 9, 2024, after the market closed, Humacyte issued a press release announcing that the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") "will require additional time to complete its review of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for the acellular tissue engineered vessel (ATEV) in the vascular trauma indication." The press release disclosed in part, that, "[d]uring the course of the BLA review, the FDA has conducted inspections of our manufacturing facilities and clinical sites and has actively engaged with us in multiple discussions regarding our BLA filing[.]" On this news, the Company's stock price declined $1.29, or 16.4%, to close at $6.62 per share on August 12, 2024, on unusually heavy volume. On October 17, 2024, during market hours, the FDA released a Form 483 concerning Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina facility, which revealed a number of violations, including "no microbial quality assurance," "no microbial testing," and inadequate "quality oversight." On this news, the Company's stock price declined $0.95, or 16.35%, to close at $4.86 per share on October 17, 2024, on unusually heavy volume. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information Humacyte’s conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Humacyte class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/HUMA or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/807ffe71-382e-48fd-91d1-846d96405715

BERWYN, Pa. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Envestnet, Inc. (the " Company "), yesterday announced that, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 11, 2024 , by and among the Company, BCPE Pequod Buyer, Inc. (" Parent "), a Delaware corporation, and BCPE Pequod Merger Sub, Inc. (" Merger Sub "), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger Agreement"), Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the " Merger "), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation. At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.005 per share, of the Company (the " Common Shares ") (other than any Common Shares (i) owned by Parent (or any of its affiliates), Merger Sub or the Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Parent (or any of its affiliates), Merger Sub or the Company, (ii) that are Rollover Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (iii) held in treasury of the Company, and (iv) as to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised in accordance with Delaware law) was automatically cancelled, extinguished and converted into the right to receive $63.15 in cash per one Common Share. As a result, a Share Exchange Event and a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurred under each of the Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2020 , among the Company, the guarantor party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the " Trustee "), which governs the Company's 0.75% Convertible Notes due 2025 (the " 2025 Notes ") (such indenture, the " 2025 Indenture ") and the Indenture, dated of November 17, 2022 , among the Company, the guarantor party thereto and the Trustee, which governs the Company's 2.625% Convertible Notes due 2027 (the " 2027 Notes ", and together with the 2025 Notes, collectively and individually, the " Notes ") (such indenture, the " 2027 Indenture ", and together with the 2025 Indenture, collectively, the " Indentures ", and each, an " Indenture ", as applicable), triggering the adjustments to the conversion rights as described below. The effective date of the Share Exchange Event and Make-Whole Fundamental Change was November 25, 2024 (the " Effective Date "). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the applicable Indenture. The Company announced that, pursuant to the terms of the respective Indenture, in connection with the consummation of the Merger which constitutes a Share Exchange Event under each Indenture, the Company and the Trustee entered into supplemental indentures to each Indenture providing that, following the effective date of the Merger, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes into shares of common stock of the Company at the then applicable conversion rate shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes solely into a number of units of Reference Property in an aggregate amount equal to the applicable conversion rate in effect on the conversion date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares), multiplied by $63.15 , the price paid per share of Common Stock in the Merger. Because the Merger constituted a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Notes are convertible, at the option of the Holder, at any time from the Effective Date until 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on the business day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Purchase Date to be determined by the Company and separately announced to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Indentures as a result of the Merger (the " Conversion Period "). Also because the Merger constituted a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the conversion rate for the 2027 Notes will be temporarily increased during the Conversion Period. Such conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of the 2027 Notes increased by 3.2973 units of Reference Property from 13.6304 units of Reference Property to 16.9277 units of Reference Property. The Company's conversion obligation with respect to Notes that are converted prior to the end of the Conversion Period will be fixed at an amount in cash equal to $591.602 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2025 Notes validly surrendered for conversion, and $1,068.984 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2027 Notes validly surrendered for conversion. The right of the Holders to convert their Notes is separate from the right, at the Holder's option, to submit their Notes for purchase upon a Fundamental Change. If a Holder submits a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, such Holder may not surrender such Notes for conversion unless the Holder validly withdraws such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time. Holders should review the applicable Indenture carefully and should consult with their own financial and tax advisors. None of the Company, Merger Sub, Parent or any of their respective affiliates, or any of its or their respective boards of directors, employees, advisors or representatives or U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, in its capacity as trustee, paying agent or conversion agent with respect to the Notes, is making any representation or recommendation to any Holder as to whether or not to surrender or convert that Holder's Notes. The Trustee, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent is: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Corporate Actions 111 Fillmore Avenue St. Paul, MN 55107-1402 Telephone: (800) 934-6802 Email: [email protected] Any questions or requests for assistance in connection with the conversion of the Notes may be directed to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, in accordance with the contact information listed above, or the Company. About Envestnet Envestnet is helping to lead the growth of wealth managers and transforming the way financial advice is delivered through its ecosystem of connected technology, advanced insights, and comprehensive solutions – backed by industry-leading service and support. Serving the wealth management industry for 25 years with more than $6.5 trillion in platform assets—more than 111,000 advisors, 17 of the 20 largest U.S. banks, 48 of the 50 largest wealth management and brokerage firms, more than 500 of the largest RIAs -- thousands of companies, depend on Envestnet technology and services to help drive business growth and productivity, and better outcomes for their clients. Data as of 9/30/24. SOURCE Envestnet, Inc.Heavy Lift Magnets Market Outlook and Future Projections for 2030

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