Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals'Bitget Becomes the First Exchange to Support VND Bank Transfer via VietQR

Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talk

Wind Turbine Gearbox and Direct Drive System Market Analysis By Top Keyplayers - Enercon, Siemens(Gamesa), Winergy, Bosch Rexroth, Emergya Wind Technologies, Inox Wind, Ishibashi Manufacturing, Lagerwey Wind, Leitwind, Moventas, Northern Power Systems, Re

Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldier and wounds 18 as Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center has killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. The Hezbollah militant group meanwhile fired around 160 rockets and other projectiles into northern and central Israel on Sunday, wounding at least five people. Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines. The Israeli military expressed regret over the strike, saying it occurred in an area of ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. It said it does not target the Lebanese armed forces and that the strike is under review. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the countries. The Sado mines were listed in July as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after Japan moved past years of disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines’ dark history. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldier and wounds 18 as Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center has killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. The Hezbollah militant group meanwhile fired around 160 rockets and other projectiles into northern and central Israel on Sunday, wounding at least five people. Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines. The Israeli military expressed regret over the strike, saying it occurred in an area of ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. It said it does not target the Lebanese armed forces and that the strike is under review. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the issue of Korean forced laborers at the site before and during World War II. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the two countries, which since last year have set aside their historical disputes to prioritize U.S.-led security cooperation. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.

Stronger privacy protections will be put in place to protect the identities of Australians online when a world-first teen social media plan is legislated, as the Coalition works to soothe backbench worries about over-regulation of the internet. Peter Dutton is determined to work with Labor this week to secure passage of the bill banning children under 16 from social media sites, but a growing number of backbenchers including former LNP ministers Keith Pitt and Matt Canavan and MP Garth Hamilton have been expressing concerns about handing over identifying documents to tech giants. In parliament on Monday, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she welcomed opposition MPs’ assessment of the bill and Labor sources said they were open to good faith amendments from Coalition communications spokesman David Coleman, who first floated the ban in an interview with this masthead in April and who has been working closely with Labor in recent weeks. Labor has played down the prospect of a digital ID but Coalition MPs were told in a joint party room meeting that amendments would be made to the bill to explicitly rule out the use of a digital ID and documents such as passports. Several Coalition MPs in the Canberra party room meeting, speaking anonymously to disclose confidential discussions, confirmed the Coalition had been working on stronger privacy protections with Labor. MPs including leading moderate Bridget Archer, shadow assistant minister Paul Scarr and Canavan expressed concern in the meeting about rushing the bill. This masthead revealed earlier on Monday that a growing number of Coalition MPs were uneasy with Dutton’s intention to go along with Labor’s bill, which many experts, the Greens and teals have described as rushed. MPs were only given three hours to scrutinise the bill in a condensed inquiry on Monday. Experts who appeared at the inquiry were mixed in their views on the extent of social disharmony and mental ill health caused by teens’ use of social media. Leaders of mental health group Headspace said being online affected how teens felt about themselves but the communities they found on digital platforms were also invaluable.6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison as post-election violence roils Mozambique

As I See It: Why I really resigned from the Corvallis Planning Commission

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal investigators in New York are seeking records from the manufacturer of an AI-powered weapons scanner that was briefly deployed this summer in New York City’s subway system. The tech company, Evolv, revealed in a public filing that it “received a voluntary document request from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York” on Nov. 1. It was unclear what the request was seeking. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment on the request, which was first reported by the Daily News. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Evolv said the company was “pleased to cooperate with all government agencies and regulators who request information from our company.” The Massachusetts-based tech company, whose scanners have also been used at sports stadiums and schools, has faced allegations of misconduct. Last month, Evolv’s board of directors fired its chief executive following an internal investigation that found certain sales had been “subject to extra-contractual terms and conditions.” On Tuesday, the company announced it had resolved a previous probe launched by the Federal Trade Commission last year over allegations of deceptive marketing practices. The company is also under separate investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite the legal and regulatory scrutiny, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a pilot program this summer to bring a handful of scanners to the city's subways to deter gun violence. The initiative drew immediate criticism from civil liberties groups who said the searches were unconstitutional, along with questions about its efficacy. In October, the city revealed the scanners did not detect any passengers with firearms — but falsely alerted more than 100 times. At the time, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department said it was still “evaluating the outcome of the pilot” and had not entered into any contract with Evolv. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Ravens LB Roquan Smith inactive vs. Chargers

By Dr Bomai D Witne SORCERY or witchcraft accusations and accusations related violence existed in many countries for many centuries. Sorcery is a belief that some people in a particular community possess supernatural powers to cause illness, deaths, or misfortunes to the community and witchcraft is a belief that refers to the use of some forms of supernatural powers and materials to cause illness, deaths, or misfortunes in the community. Beliefs of sorcery or witchcraft continue to lead to accusations and violence in many communities around the world. I use the word sorcery and sorcery accusations related violence (SARV) in this article to refer to different forms of violence related to sorcery beliefs and inflicted on individuals accused of practicing sorcery or witchcraft. Papua New Guinea needs a combination of locally relevant approaches to address and prevent SARV. The peacebuilding strategies and responses to SARV by the Yuri people of Chimbu Province provide insights into the way that indigenous knowledge systems can be harnessed in community responses to SARV. In Europe, SARV ended in the eighteenth century due to improved laws and law enforcement, education, science and rapid socioeconomic, cultural, political, and religious development. However, in many post-colonial countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, sorcery beliefs have also been part of the worldview of the people. Contemporary circumstances such as illness, deaths and misfortunes in the community have been interpreted in the context of sorcery beliefs, and in many instances, resulted in accusations and violence. For example, some farming Ngamiland people of Tanzania, accused old women of using sorcery powers to cause draught and killed them. The Maluku people of Indonesia accused political rivals or competitors of using sorcery to make opponents sick or die. They used both modern medicines and the services of local diviners, who were believed to possess powers to heal victims of sorcery. These are only two of many documented examples of SARV. They only just begun to hint at the complexity of the problem of SARV. The instances of SARV have increased in many countries. The United Nations Human Rights Commission now recognises SARV as an ‘egregious violence’ that required the states, civil society organisations, scholars, practitioners and all levels of national communities to develop nationally and locally appropriate ways to address it. PNG is one of many nations to take up the challenge of developing a national response to SARV. There is also interest and support for understanding local responses to SARV in a linguistically and culturally diverse country such as PNG, with diverse beliefs and ritual of supernatural powers, sorcery, and SARV require multiple responses in recognition of the diverse context and the challenges of addressing SARV in PNG. This article focuses on how the Yuri people addressed SARV. The Yuri people are comprised of more than 13 clans based in scattered villages along the Kubor Range, in the central highlands of Chimbu Province in PNG. The Yuri people’s responses to SARV offers a unique perspective that can inform national and global conversations of SARV when viewed through the lenses of Indigenous Knowledge, local transrational peacebuilding, social relationships, and restorative justice. This framing of Yuri responses to SARV follows the lead of Melanesian cultural authorities, who have observed that people in different communities, like the Malaita people of Solomon Islands, were knowledgeable and able to find solutions to their problems and adapt new knowledge in changing circumstances. Peace studies scholars pointed out that the different experiences, knowledge, and skills that are possessed by people in a community offer potential for bridging different knowledge systems to arrive at ‘transrational’ peace. This is one of a number of important concepts from peace studies that also help to foreground the importance of social relationships and the culture of mutual caring and sharing for others as the foundation for peacebuilding and restorative justice. Peace studies research has also established that the desire for peace and safety within communities can be built and maintained through collective discussions and consensus. It creates agency for men, women, youth, community leaders and all members of the community who participate in conversations and engage in activities to advance their own wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of others and the community. In an endeavour to create a safe and peaceful community, SARV must be assessed with the view to identify and address underlying causes. In the context of Yuri, every Yuri person was already embedded in Yuri social relations and peace-building initiatives since 2013. My role was to organise my clan group for peacebuilding and people from other clans did the same. We came together to publicly denounce all forms of violence and establish peace in the community. The actions and support of the community was expressed through the cultural activities such as singing, dancing, hosting tribal youth camp, peace walks, participating in sports, inter Christian worship and spreading message of peace and unity. This local initiative was to understand the importance of a peaceful society based on unbreakable social harmony and relationships to address and prevent SARV which was helpful to Yuri as well as people working to end SARV in national and international contexts. Dr Witne has recently completed a PhD by publication under the Australia Awards Scholarship at the Queensland University of Technology. The title of his thesis is Understanding Indigenous responses to sorcery accusation related violence: Peacebuilding by the Yuri people of Papua New Guinea. He is a lecturer in Political Science and PNG National History in the Division of Social Science at the University of Goroka. Dr Witne shares part of his PhD thesis.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced its integration of Vietnamese Dong (VND) transfer through VietQR, making it the first cryptocurrency exchange to adopt this groundbreaking payment method. The integration simplifies access to the crypto market, removing traditional barriers and ensuring a seamless experience for its users. VietQR is a standardized QR code system designed to facilitate secure and instant digital payments across Vietnam enabling real-time money transfers by scanning a QR code. This system has become a cornerstone of Vietnam's shift toward a cashless economy, offering unparalleled convenience and security. By integrating VietQR, Bitget is leveraging this advanced infrastructure to make crypto more accessible to everyday users. With this launch, Bitget users in Vietnam can now deposit VND through VietQR and withdraw funds via bank transfers. Deposited VND can be used to purchase popular crypto such as BTC, ETH, USDT, SOL, and BGB through Bitget's cash conversion feature. The exchange has implemented top-tier security measures to protect deposits while ensuring a fast and efficient trading experience. "We're continuously working on lowering the entry barriers for our users to access crypto. Be it via fiat or general payment applications, we want to deliver seamless reach worldwide. With VietQR we open up easy accessibility to all our users in the region. South East Asia has a strong potential to take over the west as potential crypto hubs, with integrating crypto with apps that we use in our everyday lives will bring us closer to mass adoption,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget. To celebrate the launch, Bitget has introduced an exclusive campaign offering users a transaction fee rebate for their deposits using VND via cash conversion, capped at 100 USDT per user. Additionally, traders can earn a 5 USDT bonus for completing trades of at least 200 USDT on both Spot and Futures markets. The campaign is limited to the first 1,000 users, rewarding early adopters for joining the platform. This integration shows Bitget's continuous efforts to enhance user experience with driving financial inclusion in various regions. By connecting with local payment technologies like VietQR, Bitget continues to bridge the gap between traditional finance and crypto. For more details and to begin trading with VND, visit www.bitget.com . About Bitget Established in 2018, Bitget is the world's leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 45 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price , Ethereum price , and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more. Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World's Top Football League, LALIGA , in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM market, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency. For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c799938-2d04-4956-a6ad-3d7825d48ce9

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalitionGaetz is out. Will Trump's other Cabinet picks be confirmed?

Edmonton city council discusses how to help newcomers

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