![z? = *UK&!8%%'^r=[ɲ~SxCL&]v=UQ`\vL /!wyH ӮԜA ^j .>_R2bD|0:nɟ9vKg Ȗ 9o*eN꩘'iyِe](https://cdndark.darkhorizons.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fincher-on-his-abandoned-20000-leagues.jpg)
z? = *UK&!8%%'^r=[ɲ~SxCL&]v=UQ`\vL /!wyH ӮԜA ^j .>_R2bD|0:nɟ9vKg Ȗ 9o*eN꩘'iyِeSquaring off in the second round of the NCAA Division II football tournament, fourth-seeded (Super Region 1) Slippery Rock defeated top-seeded and PSAC champion Kutztown University 25-24 Saturday afternoon at Andre Reed Stadium in Kutztown. A thrilling game went the distance and then some, and the Golden Bears (11-1) struck first in overtime after The Rock elected to play defense after winning the overtime coin toss. A 2-yard rushing touchdown by Luke Maxwell completed the 9-play drive giving Kutztown a 24-17 lead after the first overtime possession. However, Slippery Rock responded quickly and with vigor, and after a holding penalty brought back a touchdown run on third-and-3 from the 18, a 28-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Long to Logan Ramper put The Rock in position to tie the game. But a closely contested matchup would go just one play further, as Slippery Rock coach Shawn Lutz elected to go for a two-point conversion. To win the game, Long threw a screen pass to Mike Soloman near the left sideline. Soloman then immediately lateralled the ball back to Idris Lawrence in motion along the left side and Lawrence scooted into the end zone just past the left pylon for the game winning conversion. “It was just guts,” Lutz said. “We’re a relentless program. Give all the credit to Kutztown. They’re a great team. Our kids just don’t quit. I’m just really proud of them.” The Golden Bears were 11-0 and the PSAC champion heading into the game. Holding a 14-9 lead with just over 13 minutes left in the fourth, Kutztown stopped The Rock on fourth-and-3 from the Golden Bears’ 44. With a perfect defensive read of a pass coming over the middle, Drew Henson made a hard hit on Mike Soloman who then subsequently dropped what would have been a first down completion from Long. On the ensuing drive Kutztown ran eight straight runs before an incomplete pass on third-and-8 from Slippery Rock’s 21 forced a 38-yard field goal attempt by Will Smith. Smith’s kick was good, making it 17-9 with 6:50 to go in the game. The Rock would not be denied and showed plenty of resilience while trailing in the fourth quarter. An 8-yard touchdown pass from Long to Kam Kruzelyak completed an 11-play, 66-yard drive for Slippery Rock. Long then found Ramper in the back middle of the end zone for a two-point conversion pass as Ramper leaped over the defenders and kept both feet in bounds. “They went for the two point conversions and good for them, I give them a lot of credit for trying to get it done,” Golden Bears coach Jim Clements said. “They hit us on two two point conversions and they just did a great job.” Long finished the game 27-for-39 passing for 288 yards with two touchdown passes and Logan Ramper had a game-high 120 receiving yards off of nine receptions as The Rock outgained the Golden Bears 288-79 through the air. Kutztown had the better game on the ground, outgaining Slippery Rock 229-61 by means of a dominant rushing attack led by Steven Burkhardt who had 82 rushing yards on 13 attempts and a touchdown. Quarterback Judd Novak also had a solid game running the football for the Golden Bears, as the redshirt sophomore had 79 rushing yards and a touchdown run on 12 carries. Novak was also 8-for-17 passing for 79 yards. “It didn’t come down to just the last play,” Clements said. “We had plenty of opportunities to win the game earlier, and we didn’t make plays when we needed to.” A huge 28-yard pass from Novak to Mekhi Gibson on third-and-8 by Kutztown from its own 48 put the Golden Bears in striking distance to start the fourth quarter. Moments later, a 9-yard touchdown run by Novak gave Kutztown its first lead of the game at 14-9. The Golden Bears trailed 9-7 at the half. After receiving the second half kickoff and starting at its own 25, Kutztown picked up three consecutive first downs on three plays to begin a promising drive at the start of the third quarter. However, after making it to The Rock’s 25 yard line, penalties proved costly and a holding penalty on third-and-10 followed by an illegal block in the back made it an insurmountable third-and-30. Slippery Rock led 9-7 at the end of the third. On the opening drive of the game, Slippery Rock orchestrated a dominating 18-play, 75-yard drive that took over ten minutes off the clock. A 1-yard touchdown run by Chris D’Or was the culmination of six first downs and eight rushing attempts that earned him 16 rushing yards for the first quarter. Quarterback Brayden Long was 5-for-5 for 45 passing yards for the Rock on the opening drive. The extra point was no good making it 6-0 to start. Kutztown started its first drive on its own 26 and picked up one first down after Novak rushed for five yards on third-and-2 from the 34. However, the Golden Bears committed an illegal formation penalty on third and 1 from their own 46 and only picked up two yards on a Novak run on third and 6. After making a stop on defense and starting again from its own 16 with nine and a half minutes left in the first half, Kutztown’s offense got going courtesy of a strong ground game from Burkhardt. A 12-play, 84-yard drive ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Burkhardt after he picked up 57-yards on seven attempts. The score made it 7-6 with 2:12 remaining in the first half. A 30-yard run on second-and-3 by Burkhardt from the Golden Bears’ 23 started the momentum, and then a 2-yard run by Burkhardt on fourth-and-1 on the Slippery Rock 38 kept the drive going. A 12-yard run by Burkhardt on second-and-10 from the 14 set up Kutztown’s first touchdown of the game. With 28 seconds left in the first half, The Rock took over at their own 43 and advanced to the Kutztown 24 before kicking a 41-yard field goal to make it 9-7 at the completion of the first half. At the end of the first half, Slippery Rock had the better passing numbers while the Golden Bears were stronger on the ground. Long was 13-for-19 at the end of the first half for 145 passing yards and the Rock had 36 rushing yards, while Kutztown had 91 rushing yards, with 57 coming from Burkhardt and 22 coming from Novak. Ramper had 82 receiving yards on seven receptions in the first half. Kutztown defeated Slippery Rock 28-16 in last year’s national quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals where the Golden Bears lost to Colorado School of Mines 35-7. The Golden Bears were the 2023 Super Region 1 champions and were a perfect 7-0 in conference play this season. “They’re a great group,” Clements said of Kutztown’s seniors. “They’ve been through a lot. Each of them has their own story on what they’ve done here over the last four or five years. They’re all great kids and I couldn’t have done anything without those guys. They’re probably the winningest senior class in school history if I had to guess or tied with it, so yeah, it’s great group of guys.”Seahawks safety Coby Bryant said earlier this week he had his “fingers crossed" that he might avoid punishment from the NFL for his celebration following a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown last Sunday that keyed Seattle’s 16-6 win over Arizona. It wasn’t to be as the NFL revealed Saturday that Bryant was indeed fined $6,594 for what was termed unsportsmanlike conduct for “obscene gestures” for his backward dive into the end zone accompanied by a little, uh, extracurricular activity that paid homage to former Seahawk Marshawn Lynch’s trademark move. There were no other fines levied from the game. In getting fined Bryant also found paid a small tribute to Lynch — Lynch was fined $11,050 following his dive-and-grab celebrating his “Beast Quake II’’ run against Arizona in 2014. Bryant also got better news from the league earlier in the week when he was named as the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week. Bryant joked after the game that maybe Lynch would help him pay his fine. Ultimately, the Seahawks will likely consider it a small price to pay for what a play that may turn out to be as pivotal of the season. The play came on a fourth down with Arizona threatening to cut into Seattle’s 7-3 lead midway through the third quarter. The TD made it 13-3 and gave the Seahawks the breathing room they needed to win the game and move into a tie for first place with the Cardinals. Fine amounts are determined via a formula agreed to jointly by the NFL and the NFLPA and affirmed in the bargaining agreement between the two. Fines for games the previous week are revealed every Saturday. The NFL explains the fines as necessary to enforce “the league’s and the union’s expectations for players to conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game, themselves, their fellow players, the fans and the league. The rules are intended to protect the players from unnecessary risk, promote player safety and emphasize sportsmanship and respect of teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans.’’ As explained on the league’s website, “fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.’’ Hall, Okada elevated from practice squad The Seahawks elevated quarterback Jaren Hall and safety Ty Okada from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Okada, who has been elevated two other times this season, will provide depth with safety AJ Finley listed as questionable for the game. Hall was elevated for the first time since being signed to the practice squad in September. He was a fifth-round pick by Minnesota in 2023 and started two games for this Vikings during his rookie season.None
Where do Democrats go from here?Albanese preparing January reshuffle to replace Shorten before election
The full report can be read in PDF form here . Below is a brief introduction. A pilot study conducted by CDT and Doublethink Lab examines “embedded propaganda” (EP) in African news media. Our study defines EP as the practice of republishing PRC state-media content under a local masthead. This practice is part of the PRC’s external propaganda localization strategy, often referred to as “borrowing a boat to get out to sea” ( 借船出海 ). We sought to track the extent of EP and whether or not it was properly attributed to its source. Focusing on text-based media outlets from Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana during the first 11 months of 2022, we made the following main findings: Our study found 1,203 EP articles across nine outlets in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana. The majority were published in Uganda’s The Independent (534) and Ghana’s News Ghana (602), and EP comprised a relatively low proportion of the outlets’ total articles. The content of EP articles varied in terms of geographical subject matter, topic, and framing. This included articles both related and unrelated to the PRC and the outlets’ home countries. Most EP news items did not contain a significant pro-PRC bias. The type and consistency of attribution varied among different media outlets. Only a very small number of EP articles (7) failed to properly attribute the PRC state-media source. This is not enough data to provide strong explanatory correlations, but it is more likely that editors were inconsistent or inattentive rather than intentionally deceptive in their choices of re-attribution. The presence of EP articles is cause for concern, insofar as societies depend on citizens informed by transparent and independent media landscapes. As argued by Paul Nantulya , a research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies who focuses on China-Africa relations, “The embedding of CCP media in African media ecosystems risks distorting Africa’s information spaces—and therefore access to independent information shaping citizen debates on a host of issues ranging from governance, society, and the economy.” To the extent that EP permeates African media ecosystems, the narratives that emerge from local information spaces may increasingly resemble PRC narratives rather than genuinely African ones. After all, PRC state media, in contrast to Western news agencies, exists explicitly to serve official interests . It is therefore important to closely track the spread of this phenomenon in order to better understand how to foster resilient and healthy media environments. The findings of our pilot study demonstrate how this methodology can be used for different types of evidence-based monitoring and analysis of EP that we hope can be replicated in future studies at a larger scale. The data has been published by Doublethink Lab and is publicly available on GitHub . The full report can be read here . Categories : CDT Highlights , China & the World , Level 2 Article , Politics , Society Tags : Africa , Africa relations , CGTN , Chinese media , people's daily , state media , Xinhua Related Posts Translation: Anodyne Winners of 34th China Journalism Awards Prompt Declaration That “News is Dead” Chinese Perspectives on the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election China Tightens Grip on Critical Minerals China’s Global Fishing Fleet Intrudes on Distant Waters Translations: “Real Reporters Are Rarer Than Pandas. We Can’t Send Them Off to Clown Around at the Olympics” (3) Sinopsis: How Pro-Russian Narratives Spread in Malaysian Chinese-language Facebook Circles Chinese Investment in Africa Under Scrutiny During FOCAC 2024 Ongoing Deletion of Investigative Reports on Corpse-Trafficking Scandal Mass Censorship of National Corpse Trafficking Scandal Hu Xijin Banned From Weibo for Comments on Private Economy Word of the Week: Garbage Time of History (历史的垃圾时间, lìshǐ de lājī shíjiān) Party Propagandists Promote, Then Backtrack on “Xi as Reformer” Narratives Amid Third Plenum Third Plenum Ends Without Major Announcements Beyond Praise of XiPassing on the exams
Dejan Kulusevski cannot wait to play Man City again after Tottenham run riot
Published 21:42 IST, November 30th 2024 Congress's 'Delhi Nyay Yatra', which is slated to cover 70 assembly constituencies, targets Arvind Kejriwal with ‘Sheesh Mahal’ tableau. New Delhi: The Congress party, on Saturday, carried out the ‘Delhi Nyay Yatra’ with a tableau featuring a ‘Sheesh Mahal (Referred to Delhi CM residence), a gold-plated toilet seat and liquor bottle, alleging unprecedented corruption by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. As the Congress launched an attack on the ruling AAP government, the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ tableau drew attention across the national capital. While unveiling the tableau in Delhi Hari Nagar, Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav that it symbolises unprecedented corruption by Kejriwal. Yadav said, “Kejriwal, who hailed from a humble background, lived in a small flat, drove a Wagon-R, and with a perpetual cough for company, and who had said that he would not accept any official bungalow, car or security, built a Rs 175 crore “Sheesh Mahal” illegally for himself, with a gold-plated commode, and travelled in luxury vehicles with security to flaunt his power, but did nothing for the people or for the development of the city, which he allowed to deteriorate with air and water pollution causing serious health hazards to the people.” He said that Kejriwal, who also spent lakhs to cure his cough at a resort in Bangalore, neglected Delhi and its residents to drive them into total misery, yet he was swearing by the name of “Aam Aadmi”. Addressing a gathering in Hari Nagar, Devender Yadav said that the float was to expose the corruption and misuse of power by Arvind Kejriwal, who betrayed the people with false promises. He said, “In the name of freebies, Kejriwal served people with dirty water, inflated power bills and an obsolete public transport system. The people of Delhi elected Kejriwal thrice to power, expecting a clean and transparent government by an honest man, but what they got in return was corruption, destruction of the city and a most corrupt chief minister, who became inaccessible to people after getting power.” Taking a veiled dig at Kejriwal calling him ‘Kattar Imandar’, the Delhi Congress president alleged that the former CM destroyed youths of the city by opening liquor vends all over, including non-confirming areas like unauthorised colonies and rural areas, in a liquor scam which eventually landed him in jail. Delhi CM's Residence Was Reportedly Renovated at Around Rs 45 Crore Pertinently, former CM Arvind Kejriwal had promised before his first Delhi assembly elections that he would live an austere life as a chief minister. However, later, it came to light that he spent crores on the renovation of his official residence in Delhi’s Civil Lines. It was claimed that Kejriwal spent a whopping Rs 45 crore on renovation of his official home at 6, Flagstaff Road, Civil Lines in Delhi. The huge expenditure triggered a political row, with the opposition parties demanding his resignation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released documents that claimed Rs 44.78 crore were spent on "addition/alteration" at the chief minister’s government residence between September 2020 and June 2022. This included Rs 11.30 crore for interior decoration, Rs 6.02 crore on flooring, and Rs 1 crore on curtains along with crores on appliances and other fixtures. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 21:42 IST, November 30th 2024Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks, an injury that pauses the Washington Capitals superstar captain’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. The Capitals updated Ovechkin’s status Thursday after he was evaluated by team doctors upon returning from a three-game trip. The 39-year-old broke the leg in a shin-on-shin collision Monday night with Utah's Jack McBain, and some of his closest teammates knew it was not good news even before Ovechkin was listed as week to week and placed on injured reserve. “Everyone’s bummed out,” said winger Tom Wilson, who has played with Ovechkin since 2013. “We were sitting there saying: ‘This is weird. Like, it’s unbelievable that he’s actually hurt.’ It’s one of those things where like, he’s going to miss games? I’ve been around a long time, and it’s new to me.” Ovechkin in his first 19 seasons missed 59 games — and just 35 because of injury. Durability even while throwing his body around with his physical style is a big reason he is on track to pass Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals that once looked unapproachable. “He doesn’t go out there and just coast around,” Wilson said. “He’s played 20 years every shift running over guys and skating. He’s a power forward, the best goal-scorer ever maybe, and he’s a power forward that plays the game really hard.” Ovechkin surged to the top of the league with 15 goals in his first 18 games this season. He was on pace to break the record and score No. 895 sometime in February. “You know when goal-scorers start scoring, it’s dangerous,” said defenseman John Carlson, who has been teammates with Ovechkin since 2009-10. “There was a bit of that in the downs that everyone was feeling about it too, of course. We see him coming to the rink every day, we know what’s at stake. You never want anyone to get injured, but there’s a lot to it and certainly he was playing his best hockey in years.” AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Gastrointestinal Cancer Drugs Market Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts 2024 to 2031 | Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
Now through March 7, 2025 , give the gift of warmth by donating to the NBC10, Telemundo62, and NBC Sports Philadelphia "Bundle Up Philly" winter clothing drive. As the winter season approaches, there is a strong need to help vulnerable community members stay warm during these cold months. As part of this annual community initiative, we invite you to donate new or gently used coats to Cradles to Crayons at any of the locations listed below. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Items most needed for children sizes 0-18/20: HOW TO HELP Shop the Amazon Wish List: Make a monetary donation to Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia: Drop off donations at any of the following locations : Cradles to Crayons works with 278 human service organizations located throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Camden counties. These partner organizations include homeless shelters, social service agencies, schools, health centers, hospitals, etc., and they can distribute the exact coats and items based on age, gender and sizes needed . Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. NBC10, Telemundo62, and NBC Sports Philadelphia are proud to partner with Cradles to Crayons and Xfinity along with our sister stations in Boston and Chicago. With the help of one another, we can "Bundle-Up Philly" to help thousands of local families stay safe, warm, and comfortable this winter season! Follow the effort on social media using #BundleUpPhilly #GearUpforWinter #C2CPhillyConor McGregor axed from 'Hitman' game after being found guilty in civil rape caseDejan Kulusevski cannot wait to play Man City again after Tottenham run riot
The Delhi BJP has strongly condemned the alleged attempt to throw liquid on AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal during his foot march and urged the police to take strict action against those involved.Reacting to the incident, BJP’s Delhi unit chief, Virendra Sachdeva, called for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the ordeal. He also alleged that the incident might be a politically motivated spectacle orchestrated by AAP out of desperation and frustration. In a video statement, BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor reaffirmed the party’s strict stance against violence, emphasizing that the BJP does not support or condone such acts under any circumstances. Advertisement He noted that electoral campaigns across the country involve leaders operating under varying levels of security, yet incidents like these seem to occur exclusively with Kejriwal during elections. Kapoor termed the incident “bizarre,” highlighting that such events appear to have become a recurring pattern for Kejriwal, recalling past controversies like the “slap incident.” He suggested that these spectacles might be attempts to garner attention or sympathy. The BJP has reiterated its condemnation of all forms of violent protests, with Kapoor pointing out that the people of Delhi are questioning why such incidents consistently happen to the former Chief Minister during election periods. AdvertisementHe and perennial rival Luke Humphries provided a taste of what might be to follow in next month’s World Darts Championship, but it was “Cool Hand” who emerged victorious 11-7 to retain his Players Championship title. It brings to an end a 12-match winning run that saw him lift the Grand Slam of Darts last weekend and through to the final in Minehead having seen off Ross Smith and Mike De Decker on finals day. Littler ended World Grand Prix champion De Decker's hopes of a second big-stage triumph in Sunday afternoon's quarter-finals, before edging out former European Champion Smith 11-9 in the semis. Despite posting some huge checkouts in the game's latter stages, he was left to rue a slow start in the final as he fell 5-1 down, although the £60,000 in prize money moves him up to fourth on the PDC Order of Merit. "It was tough - I missed a few doubles and if you don't take chances early it's a lot to come back," said the 17-year-old. "Luke took full advantage, so fair play to him. I know I hit the 170 and the 164 but I didn't have enough in the end." Luke Littler salutes the Minehead crowd having received his runner-up trophy (Image: Kieran Cleeves/PDC) For a match that was so highly anticipated, it is fair to say it struggled to catch fire in the early stages. Both players’ averages were in the low-80s, but it was Humphries who took his chances – a break of Littler’s throw in the very first leg was consolidated by a hold to go 2-0 up. Even the teenager’s favourite double 10 was deserting him and although he did get himself on the board with a hold of throw, the next two legs were symptomatic of his struggles to take his chances. It took Humphries 19 darts to win both the fourth and fifth legs to stride into the first break with a 4-1 lead. Both men came back firing and produced the kind of darts everybody expected, with Humphries retaining control but Littler producing the biggest moments. A “tops-tops” finish to check out 105 was followed by the “big fish” checkout of 170 in consecutive legs on his own throw to halt the Humphries charge and when his rival failed to close out the 10th leg, Littler took his chance to break back by hitting double top. That meant that, having been staring down the barrel of a 7-3 deficit, “The Nuke” went into the second break just two legs behind at 6-4. Littler appeared to have found his stride, and the Minehead crowd had found their voices in support of him even if the line was crossed on occasion, with an instance of whistling drawing the ire of both players and the match referee. Two more superb ton-plus checkouts – 164 in Leg 11 and 136 in the 15th either side of a 12-dart hold – ignited those in attendance, but Humphries was holding off any attempts by Littler to break his throw and retained the advantage heading into the final mini-session. However, that was to be as good as it got for Littler as Humphries swept the final session, claiming a crucial break of throw in Leg 17 before closing out victory by hitting his second match dart. Littler and Luke Humphries have now met in three major finals, with Sunday providing Humphries with his second victory (Image: Kieran Cleeves/PDC)
Former Oregon Ducks star ‘rolls’ with the Chicago Bears‘Peak popularity’: Why names go in and out of vogueIn the United States, retirees must meet certain criteria established by Social Security to maintain their benefits. Beneficiaries are required to update personal information, adhere to taxable income limits, and report any relevant changes to avoid fines or suspension of their Social Security checks. In addition, new income limits will be implemented by 2025 that may affect some beneficiaries’ eligibility. SSA requires all beneficiaries to disclose any significant changes in their circumstances. This includes a relocation, a new job that changes reported income, marital status, or any other change that impacts family composition. This information is important since it has a direct impact on the amount of Social Security checks received each month . Social Security checks will change, and some retirees could be left without their $1,960 check Serious repercussions may result from breaking the previously mentioned assignment, which could include anything from a brief suspension of Social Security checks to the permanent termination of payments. Similarly, if significant changes are not communicated, money that was wrongfully obtained may have to be repaid. For instance, failing to disclose a change of address, a new job, or an increase in income may result in payment suspension. Beneficiaries also need to make sure that the registration residence is accurate and that they don’t leave the country for longer than 30 days without telling the authorities. An additional deciding aspect is immigration or legal status. To prevent issues with Social Security checks, any change in citizenship status or the presence of a criminal record must be disclosed right away. Social Security confirmed changes in taxable income limits for next year The Social Security Administration will raise the taxable earnings cap for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) starting in 2025 . This cap will rise from $168,600 to $176,100, meaning that Social Security taxes will be paid on a greater percentage of workers’ income. This change will impact both contributions and SSDI beneficiaries. To remain eligible, they must comply with the new income limits. Those who surpass this amount may lose their Social Security checks, emphasizing the significance of cautious planning and monitoring of annual income. Compliance with regulations and frequent communication with the Social Security Administration (SSA) are critical for ensuring that benefits are not terminated. The following are the primary steps recommended by the agency on its official website: More than 100,000 beneficiaries will no longer receive Social Security checks Figures from the SSA show that last year more than 100,000 people were removed from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lists across the country. For example, approximately 7,380,740 Americans were getting SSI payments in May 2023, and 7,261,340 received Social Security checks in May 2024, a reduction of 119,395 from May 2023 to this past May. If you are presently receiving SSI benefits or want to apply for this Social Security program, find out more about the causes that have contributed to this reduction of recipients. Most of the 7.2 million recipients of Social Security checks are from this population, with 6 million aged 65 and over and 1.1 million aged 65 and over. The number of blind or disabled recipients no longer receiving Social Security checks fell by 140,034 from 6,281,068 in May 2023 to 6,141,034 in May 2024, while the 65+ group increased by 20,639 from the previous year. It is challenging to identify the reason behind the drop in the number of blind and low-vision users throughout this time. According to Newsweek, more than 10,000 people in several states have been denied SSI benefits, raising serious worries about the impact of this dramatic decision on their well-being. In California, nearly 17,000 disabled recipients, mostly blind or disabled, will be ineligible for SSI between May 2023 and 2024, resulting in 16,573 fewer applications.UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC job
Abdi inquest: Arresting officer feared for his safety during deadly arrest, jurors hear
DoorDash will require its drivers to verify their identities more often as part of a larger effort to crack down on unauthorized account sharing. DoorDash has been under pressure to ensure its drivers are operating legally. Over the summer, for example, it pledged to do a better job identifying and removing dangerous drivers after a flood of complaints of dangerous driving from cities. Officials in Boston, New York and other cities have said that in many cases, people with multiple traffic violations continue to make deliveries using accounts registered to others. The San Francisco delivery company said Thursday it was requiring some drivers to complete real-time identity checks immediately after they complete a delivery. Previously, drivers were occasionally asked to re-verify their identities before or after a shift. DoorDash has introduced the new system in Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle and other cities, and said it planned a wider rollout next year. DoorDash said it also has developed an advanced machine learning system that can flag potential unauthorized account access, including login anomalies and suspicious activity. If the company detects a problem, it will require drivers to re-verify their identity before they can make more deliveries . U.S. drivers must verify their identities with a driver’s license or other government-issued identification, and upload a selfie that matches their identification photo before they can do work for DoorDash. They also must submit to background checks, which require a Social Security number. The company said it found that some drivers were getting around the requirements by sharing accounts with authorized users. In some cases, drivers who were not authorized to drive for DoorDash paid authorized users for access to their accounts. Some federal lawmakers have demanded that DoorDash and other delivery apps do a better job of keeping people who are in the U.S. illegally off the platforms. Republican U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Braun of Indiana and Ted Budd of North Carolina sent letters to delivery companies in April asking them to crack down on account sharing. “These illegal immigrants are delivering food directly to consumers’ doors without ever having undergone a background check and often without even using their real names,” the letter said. It added that working illegally can also be dangerous for migrants, creating the potential for exploitation and abuse. The Associated Press left messages seeking comment Thursday with Gig Workers Rising and Justice for App Workers, which both represent delivery drivers. DoorDash won’t estimate how many drivers are using shared accounts, but said its safeguards are effective. Last year, it began asking drivers to re-verify their identities monthly by submitting a selfie. The company said it is now asking more than 150,000 drivers to complete selfie checks each week, and it’s removing them from the platform if they don’t comply.
SARAH Hadland and Vito Coppola kicked off Musicals Week on Strictly tonight with a dance to Popular from Wicked. Fans were in love with their electric performance to the song, and despite the duo receiving praise from the judges, many felt they had been underscored. Sarah and Vito's Charleston was full of energy and included several intricate lifts. Judges commended the telly star for having the vitality to be swung around on stage so vigorously despite being 50 years old. Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse each awarded the performance a 9, while Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke gave it a perfect 10. Although the pair did quite well, several fans were frustrated that they didn't receive a perfect score. One viewer took to social media, fuming: "Sarah undermarked again! Should have got 40." Another branded the scores a "joke", adding: "How was that not 4 10s for Sarah & Vito... it was absolutely BRILLIANT. "What has she got to do to get 40??" A third even questioned if the duo had done something to annoy the judges early on in the competition, asking: "So what do Sarah and Vito have to do to get 10s from Craig and Motsi? "Thinking Claudia was right last week when she asked Craig what the beef with Sarah was. Undermarked yet again." This comes after fans had previously claimed that Sarah and Vito had been given an unfair advantage by getting assigned a song from Wicked. This is because the recent release of the highly-anticipated remake has made the song more relevant than others. Although many people predicted this selection would land Sarah at the top of the leader board, it seems judges only have eyes for the actress's actual dancing skills.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors' dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors' request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story.President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday (November 30, 2024) threatened 100% tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. His threat was directed at countries in the BRICS bloc, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey , Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members , and several other countries have expressed interest in joining. While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its pre-eminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system. Mr. Trump, in a Truth Social post, said: “We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy.” At a summit of BRIC nations in October, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of “weaponising” the dollar and described it as a “big mistake.” “It’s not us who refuse to use the dollar,” Mr. Putin said at the time. “But if they don’t let us work, what can we do? We are forced to search for alternatives.” Russia has specifically pushed for the creation of a new payment system that would offer an alternative to the global bank messaging network, SWIFT, and allow Moscow to dodge Western sanctions and trade with partners. Mr. Trump said there is “no chance” BRIC will replace the U.S. dollar in global trade and any country that tries to make that happen “should wave goodbye to America.” Published - December 01, 2024 01:33 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit international relations / diplomacy / politics / USAPune: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Saturday that some people had raised red flags on the possibility of "30% vote manipulation " during the assembly poll, and the election outcome prima facie showed it held truth. "Before the election, some people made a presentation that it is possible (to increase votes through manipulation), and they also raised a red flag saying it will be done in the election. It was our shortcoming that we did not pay heed to them. We never thought the Election Commission of India would go to that extent in taking a wrong stand. After the poll results, though, prima facie it appears that the red flags raised by those people hold truth," the NCP (SP) chief said during a media interaction when asked about the opposition take on the EVM issue. Pawar visited Pune's Mahatma Phule Wada to meet 95-year-old social worker Baba Adhav, who was observing a hunger strike against the alleged corruption and use of money in the recent election. After the meeting, the veteran politician said, "Parliamentary democracy looks in danger, given the current situation. Those in govt have no interest in this. The opposition has been raising the issues in Parliament for the past six days, but not even for a minute has the discussion happened on issues of national interest. It clearly shows the intention of the people in govt to attack parliamentary democracy," he said. The opposition parties have been raising the issue of alleged EVM manipulation in the assembly poll, questioning the spurt in the number of votes polled in the last hour of the voting in the state. During Pawar's interaction with Adhav, he said some people said 30% of votes could be added to increase the vote count. Following the defeat in Haryana and Maharashtra assembly polls , Congress is planning a nationwide movement to raise issues over the conduct of the polls. Speaking about it, Pawar said, "The issue was raised in the Congress Working Committee's meeting where it was suggested that it should be raised by the members of the INDIA bloc at the national level. The decision on the issue is expected either on Monday or Tuesday." Speaking about Adhav's hunger strike, Pawar said, "Some people met me outside Parliament recently, and they remembered JP Narayan's movement. They spoke about initiating a similar movement in the country. Adhav's agitation has given voice to the concerns of common people, but he will need support."
