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After Arsenal ’s 5-1 Champions League win over Sporting CP in Lisbon last month, a special visitor joined them in the dressing room. Former right-back Cedric Soares, back living in the city he spent 17 years in as a Sporting academy graduate, is a free agent after his four-and-a-half-year stint at Arsenal came to an end in the summer. Advertisement The 33-year-old is training with a club in Portugal to stay fit as he waits on the right offer to resume his career, but he was not going to miss the chance to watch his two former teams compete — or catch up with Oleksandr Zinchenko , the successor to his vacated No 17 shirt. “It was funny,” Cedric tells The Athletic. “Zinny called me at the beginning of the season and said, ‘Brother, can I take your number?’. “I said, ‘Obviously, but be careful because this number weighs heavy!’ “He hadn’t been playing so much because of injuries so when I saw him I said, ‘I told you it was heavy!’. Zinny is a really good guy so he loves to joke around.” Mikel Arteta presented Cedric and Mohamed Elneny with signed jerseys as a memento of their time at the club after the final game of last season. Cedric has been back in the inner sanctum twice already, having also been invited to spend some time with his former team-mates when they hosted another of his previous clubs Southampton in October. Being an honorary member of the squad is something he grew used to in his final two years at Arsenal. The Portuguese defender played just 244 minutes in that time but he was a senior figure in a young dressing room in which only Elneny, Jorginho and Thomas Partey were also over the age of 30. Even though his contributions on the pitch had come to a virtual halt, he still had a leadership role to play as one of the team captains, something that was voted for by his team-mates. “It means they trust you and trust your opinion,” says Cedric. “I really had to fight for my space at Arsenal but I think I got my recognition and my space inside the club. Obviously, there was the last two seasons where I didn’t play as much. My job was to keep myself fit and to work as hard as possible in training. Then the rest is the rest. I can’t really control if I play or not play. But it was good because I saw the project and I was still involved in a way. Advertisement “It was hard because I left a lot of friendships and I worked so hard to build the image (of who I was). It’s not something that you build in one day. You can easily come, work for a month and then stop but if you work over the years people go, ‘This guy is always there, on time, working hard and when he’s called to perform he’s helping the group. Over five years you can’t fake it.” Cedric was Arteta’s second signing as manager in January 2020, joining on a six-month loan from Southampton that was made permanent later that summer. He joined eight games into the Arteta era, which passed its fifth anniversary earlier this month , meaning he is one of only a handful to have witnessed the evolution of this Arsenal team and Arteta himself. “Mikel was young too when he arrived at the club,” Cedric says. “He had his idea but he had to teach a completely new squad about that idea. I think, over time, he improved in how he passed over the idea and he also got more experience and adapted the game. It’s not exactly the same idea as five years ago. “Over time he improved on the man-management as well. I think he has a much closer relationship with the players now. He chose most of them. That helps because he believes more in the players and I think the players feel that, so they give it back as well.” Cedric says he was already very tactically minded when he arrived at Arsenal and rarely stopped giving commands and information, but he has a better understanding of the bigger picture for his time at Arsenal. “Mikel changed the way I see football. I would say it’s on another level tactically,” says Cedric. “You really have to see the (numerical) advantage. When it is there and when it is not there, it means it is somewhere else on the pitch. In that way, I really improved my tactical view of the game and because I worked so long with Mikel I watch the game through his eyes a bit. Obviously, I have my ideas, but he teaches you to see it automatically and instinctively because you have to decide quickly on the pitch. He teaches everything. Advertisement “Now, when I’m watching a game, I say, ‘Don’t go there because of this or that on the other side’. I’m thinking to myself, ‘That’s Mikel’.” Cedric lived through Arteta’s difficult start when Arsenal finished eighth in his first two seasons and then missed out on the Champions League late on in his third year. Arteta was pragmatic early on, switching to a back three to try to stem the flow of goals, but there were growing pains, severe ones, when he tried to adapt to a brand of possession football. It was only in 2022-23 that Arsenal made the leap to being an elite team, vindication of the decision to afford him time for his vision to embed in the minds of the players. “I remember speaking with Declan (Rice) when he arrived and after training he came to talk to me,” says Cedric. “I was putting on my boots and he came to me and said, ‘Brother, I don’t know how to do it. It is just too many things to think. He wants me to receive with this foot and move there at the same time. It’s hard’. “I told him I remember because we all have been there. My advice was to just try to flow. Mikel doesn’t expect you to understand everything in one session or two sessions. Don’t forget what brought you here. It means you already have your quality, now you just have to adapt your quality to Mikel’s idea. “It will take time, but he will tell you if a player cannot go here or there. If it’s wrong, he will correct you again and with time you will understand. Correct, correct, correct. Then suddenly it becomes your habits.” Being immersed in such an environment led to a group of five players, including Cedric, starting their coaching journey with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in 2022. He completed his UEFA A licence course in the summer. Granit Xhaka , a close friend of his, was part of that cohort and the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder is someone who Cedric may cross paths with in the future. Advertisement “Me and Granit are both coaching once a week to make sure we keep the rhythm and don’t forget what we were told,” he says. “Granit is very direct, like me. There is no fuss when you speak to him. I was joking with him who would be the first coach and the assistant out of the two of us but he said he couldn’t listen to me!” Cedric has a clear passion for coaching and hopes to stay in football when he retires. It gives him a different perspective on how Arteta’s coaching staff have combined to develop the team. “ Carlos Cuesta does the work on the defensive organisation and I think the idea has got a lot stronger,” says Cedric. “He is not doing the same role as Steve Round (ex-assistant who left last summer). Steve was an experienced guy who knew the game and when he said certain things you could tell he had the experience of being a player. Carlos is someone who works with the players and if someone says to do something another way, then he will listen but make sure what he still wants is there. “The team is different now. There were a few more experienced players (in 2022-23) but we pressed even more in that season. We pressed constantly. “I think they can play in any context now. Now there is not just one plan, they are able to switch it in the game and the players know exactly if a player goes here then the space is there or if the press isn’t working then we do this. It doesn’t need to come from the manager as much and I think this is what he wanted from the start. That was his vision.” It was the second half of the 2020-21 season when things started to click for Arteta. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy, while Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka both became regulars. “And I started to play,” says Cedric, laughing, but it is true that his re-entry into the team did coincide with a surge in form. It helped him win over some fans who had written him off after making only 22 starts in all competitions during his first 18 months. He started 14 of the final 17 league games during the 2021-22 season and scored on the final day against Everton . It was his most consistent run of his 64 appearances for Arsenal but it proved to be short-lived. Advertisement “I was playing good and finished on a high with my goal against Everton,” he says. “I had a couple of offers that summer but I was happy and started the pre-season well. At the end of it, the manager decided to try Ben (White) there. It was difficult as it was me, him and (Takehiro) Tomiyasu. If there are two of you then you can play some games. Mikel explained it to me but it was still hard.” Cedric made just two Premier League appearances from the bench in the first half of that season as Arsenal racked up 50 points from a possible 57. They were five points clear of Manchester City with a game in hand as the January transfer window shut, but Cedric made a deadline-day loan move to Fulham . Arsenal’s late-season collapse is widely attributed to the injuries suffered by William Saliba and Tomiyasu, with Rob Holding failing to replicate the Frenchman’s level. Had Cedric remained in the building, White may well have moved inside to centre back, with Cedric coming in at right back. “I was going to Fulham as Marco Silva knew me and wanted to buy me but they couldn’t agree the financials,” he says. “We were first in the league and Mikel said to me I was going at the best moment but I am not someone who is happy to sit on their money and not play so I decided to still go on loan. “I was thinking that in March and April time they would need players with experience, so when they got injured just after I left it was frustrating, as I think I would have played. There was no way to bring me back.” Cedric was around for the duration of last season’s title push, however, and he sought to use his experience to support his team-mates when things threatened to implode. “In tough moments after a bad game, I tried to make sure the players did the simple things well, even with the ones who didn’t play,” he says. “He may be upset with the manager but is he pushing in training or is he relaxing? Can I give him a word before training? Suddenly the guy’s training well and the manager is like, ‘Wow, I thought this guy would be walking today’.” Advertisement “In December when we lost a few games I could see Bukayo (Saka) being a little shy. I said to him this is not the time, you need to keep going and playing with courage. “He is a great boy who listens a lot but I was behind him after every game saying, ‘Don’t just do it this game, do it the next, and the next’. He is so consistent for a young winger and that is not easy to do. “I don’t think this team relies on one player, which is a good thing to me. If Bukayo is not producing his magic then (Gabriel) Martinelli can or someone else does.” Saka, like many of his team-mates returned from the mid-season break with a new lease of life. Arsenal recovered from a run of just one win in five at the end of 2023 to produce 16 victories in their final 18 games, scoring 54 goals and conceding only nine times. It left many wondering what magic Arteta had worked. “In Dubai, the training is always more relaxed,” says Cedric. “We still train and do stuff like some set pieces but it wasn’t always about football. “All the families being there together having dinner really brought the team together. One dinner, he gave everyone a piece of paper and asked them to write down what value and attribute they were bringing to the team every single day. What was the value they added? We got to read them all and that was special.” It has been six months without a club for Cedric but he still looks in peak condition. “Obviously, my idea is to try to finish the badges while I’m playing, but my main target is still to play. I think it’s too early now to retire. I’m fit and, thank God, I have had no serious injuries. “When you have not played, the other teams have doubts. How is he? Is he playing good? Why didn’t he play? “I wanted to immediately find a good project. I had some stuff in the beginning of the market which I didn’t take and then I had some things I was not really excited about. Now I had this break, I want to start as soon as possible.” (Top photo: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)The Atlanta Falcons re-signed linebacker Rashaan Evans to the practice squad on Tuesday. Evans played in two games for the Falcons earlier this season and received one defensive snap and five on special teams. He was on the roster Weeks 9-15 before being released Dec. 21. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Stacker examined Census of Agriculture data from the Department of Agriculture to see which states produce the most Christmas trees. Click for more. States that produce the most Christmas treesCaitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Wemby at The Garden. LeBron vs. Steph. The NBA's Christmas Day lineup, as always, has star power LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday the league’s oldest player and brightest young star will be big parts of the holiday showcase. It’s another Christmas quintupleheader, with Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks, Minnesota going to Dallas for a Western Conference finals rematch, Philadelphia heading to Boston to renew a storied rivalry, James and the Los Angeles Lakers taking on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and Denver playing at Phoenix. Pro Picks: Chiefs will beat the Steelers and Ravens will edge the Texans on Christmas Day Playoff berths, draft positioning and more are up for grabs in Week 17. There’s going to be plenty of football on television this holiday week with the NFL playing games on five out of six days, starting with a doubleheader on Christmas Day featuring four of the AFC’s top five teams. Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs visit Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Then, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens take on C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. The Bears host the Seahawks on Thursday night and there are three games on Saturday, making Sunday’s schedule light at nine games. Falcons drafting Penix no longer a head-scratcher with rookie QB shining in place of benched Cousins It was the most surprising first-round pick in a long time when the Atlanta Falcons chose Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall selection in the NFL draft last April. That came just six weeks after the Falcons had signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million in guarantees. But that move is no longer a head-scratcher after Penix's solid starting debut in place of a benched and turnover-prone Cousins. Several teams have fared well with new quarterbacks this season including the Steelers, Broncos, Vikings and Commanders. Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could start a trend in skiing. And pro sports in general ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Lindsey Vonn thinks her new titanium knee could be the start of a trend in ski racing. The 40-year-old American standout had replacement surgery in April and returned to the World Cup circuit after nearly six years last weekend. She says her knee feels “amazing" and that "it’s something to seriously consider for athletes that have a lot of knee problems.” Her surgery was the first of its kind in World Cup skiing. Vonn had a robot-assisted surgery in April with part of the bone in her right knee cut off and replaced by two titanium pieces. She was planning her comeback a month later. Boise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for its third trip to the Fiesta Bowl. This time it's in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year’s Eve. Boise State's first appearance on the national stage was in a memorable victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2007. But former coach Chris Petersen said the victory in that bowl three years later over TCU was even more meaningful for the program. Players have mixed feelings about being on the road on Christmas as NFL adds more holiday games OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Games on Christmas aren’t new to the NFL. The Miami Dolphins famously beat the Kansas City Chiefs in a playoff game on Dec. 25, 1971 — a double-overtime classic that still holds the record for the NFL’s longest game. In 2020, New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara tied an NFL record with six touchdowns in a game when the Saints beat Minnesota on Christmas. Lately the league has been much more aggressive about scheduling games on Christmas. That's been met with mixed feelings among the players. Baltimore tackle Ronnie Stanley says there is an offensive line Christmas party planned for Friday at center Tyler Linderbaum’s house. Quarterback Lamar Jackson’s plan is to celebrate on Thursday. Embiid ejected after drawing 2 technicals in game against Wembanyama and Spurs PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s game against San Antonio after drawing two technical fouls. Referee Jenna Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2 minutes, 59 seconds left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and received another technical — and ejection — from Schroeder before any more game time elapsed. Embiid was close to Schroeder, but it wasn’t clear from replays whether he made contact with the official. An enraged Embiid charged toward the officials after the ejection and was restrained by teammate Kyle Lowry, head coach Nick Nurse and several assistants. Nikki Glaser uses Prime Video's NFL postgame show appearances to help prepare for Golden Globes INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Nikki Glaser has become a familiar face to football fans this season. Her breakthrough performance at the Tom Brady Roast on May 5 paved the way for five appearances on Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame show. Glaser said before last Thursday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers that doing her “Late Hits” segment was a no-brainer following her success at the Brady roast. Leaving Thunder, Bucks off the NBA's Christmas game list has those teams feeling snubbed Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference and has a MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Milwaukee has the NBA’s leading scorer in Giannis Antetokounmpo. They were the teams that made their way to the NBA Cup final. By any measure, they’re both very good teams. And neither will play on Christmas Day this year. Bah, humbug. The NBA faces the same challenge every summer, figuring out which 10 teams will get the honor of playing on Christmas Day. But the Bucks and Thunder are right to feel snubbed.

Powering Peace: Bayelsa, Rivers Unite To Combat Power Asset VandalismGermany’s chancellor appears to be heading for defeat; France’s president is mired in crisis. But while Europe’s traditional power duo are in the doldrums , there is a strong, stable and pro-EU leader east of Paris and Berlin – Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk. For European officials, it’s a helpful gift of the calendar that Poland takes charge of the EU Council rotating presidency from 1 January. Tusk, a former European Council president, returned as Poland’s prime minister in 2023, leading a broad coalition that defeated the rightwing populist party Law and Justice (PiS). One of his first acts was to end a long-festering dispute with Brussels with a pledge to restore constitutional norms, which unlocked billions of frozen EU funds. Tusk later showed his influence inside the European Council of EU leaders, helping to orchestrate the return of his centre-right ally Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president. An EU presidency is a technical business: chairing hundreds of meetings, setting agendas. Tusk has no formal role. But symbolism matters. The presidency logo, a Polish flag entwined with the letters “E” and “U”, is intended to project Poland’s return to the European mainstream. Tusk’s government, which has pledged to prioritise security during its six-month stint, is an especially welcome contrast after the Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán’s rogue diplomacy during his country’s presidency. Michał Wawrykiewicz, a centre-right MEP, affiliated to the governing Civic Coalition, said: “We are just after the presidency of Hungary, which is the biggest violator of all of the fundamentals of the European Union . So it is a good time slot for my country to prove that we are one of the leaders of the European Union.” But the image of harmony regained is not quite what it seems. First, Poland’s democratic restoration is incomplete. As many as a third of Poland’s 10,000 judges are so-called “neo judges”, according to the Council of Europe – ie politicised appointees who took office through processes introduced by PiS that were widely deemed to violate the rule of law. Tusk’s government faces a legal minefield in restoring independent judges , while the PiS-aligned President Andrzej Duda is blocking many reforms. “It shows how difficult it is to reverse the country on the democratic path after such a huge devastation,” said Wawrykiewicz, a lawyer who campaigned to restore the rule of law before he was elected as an MEP in 2024. Duda is nearing the end of his term limit, so presidential elections likely in May will be critical in determining whether Tusk’s government can fulfil its promise to restore the rule of law in Poland. That could affect how Poland runs its presidency. Some EU insiders contend that Poland’s government is playing it safe by avoiding putting controversial topics on the EU agenda, such as 2040 carbon reduction targets. Before Duda stands down, he could be a helpful bridge to Donald Trump’s White House. Anna Wójcik, of Kozminski University in Warsaw, said Tusk’s government could use the “surprising card of President Duda, who has good relations with the president-elect of the United States”. More broadly, Warsaw has a good story to tell Trump, who has fiercely criticised Nato allies for “not paying their bills” . Poland, already the biggest defence spender in GDP terms in Nato, is expected to spend 4.7% of its economic output on defence in 2025. This will be an advantage in Washington and “a way of proving that Europe can well commit and even over-commit” to Nato goals, Wójcik said. During its EU presidency, Poland is expected to make the case for more European defence spending, including via EU financing, which could entail joint borrowing. The European Commission has put the cost of boosting EU defences at a minimum of €500bn and has promised an options paper on how to raise these funds early in 2025. Any agreement on European defence spending will have to go through Europe’s largest contributor to the EU budget, Germany , where political opposition and legal constraints make common borrowing deeply problematic. More broadly, despite the return of a pro-EU government in Warsaw and the epoch-making “turning point”, the Zeitenwende , in Germany, German-Polish relations are weighed down by mistrust and recrimination. Under the previous PiS government, Poland waged a long-running campaign for reparations for damage caused by the Nazi invasion and occupation. Germany, meanwhile, was one of Warsaw’s toughest critics on the politicisation of its courts, helping to broker an agreement in 2020 that meant EU funds could be frozen over rule-of-law violations. In theory, Tusk’s election should have improved relations, but the mood remains sour. Berlin was exasperated when in May Tusk joined forces with the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to call for a European air defence shield to protect EU airspace against all incoming threats, described as “a bold initiative that will send a clear and strong message to our friends and foes”. Germany dismissed the plan as a nonstarter, objecting to its vast cost and apparent emphasis on it being made in Europe. For Tusk, facing smears from his PiS rivals of being pro-German, that refusal closed down a positive, future-looking project that could have put relations on a better path. “There is no agreement on how to solve this conundrum in the Polish-German relations,” said Piotr Buras, the head of the European Council on Foreign Relations’ office in Warsaw. “This is a major problem for Tusk because he is the one who faces accusations that he is too pro-German, so he needs to make himself more credible to the Polish public opinion by being tough on Germany.” Buras thinks the rest of the EU underestimates how far PiS “redefined the parameters of the Polish European debate”. Polish support for the EU remains high but has fallen back from the stratospheric enthusiasm of the recent past: a survey for the Warsaw-based pollster CBOS showed 77% of respondents in favour of the EU in April 2024, down from 92% less than two years earlier. Opposition to Ukrainian refugees in Poland is growing. “Tusk is very much under pressure from the opposition, from the PiS, and he needs to be very, very cautious and he is very cautious,” Buras said. “That sets limits for some major pro-European, courageous initiatives.”

One small change in the new Escape From Tarkov patch notes was skipped by a lot of players, but it could be one of the most impactful changes in Tarkov for a wile and has seemingly fixed one of the biggest issues the game has. The next Escape From Tarkov wipe is out now and the patch notes make for some very interesting reading. There’s all the things we expected, such as new weapons , the customs rework and the new type of extraction . But there was one line of text hidden away towards the bottom of the patch notes, and it looks like it could fix one of the oldest problems in Tarkov. Ever since I have started playing Tarkov , I can reasonably play for about a week or maybe 10 days before I start to feel very outmatched when it comes to power level against other PMCs. Put me in a fair fight with equal gear and I feel like I stand a decent chance of winning, but as someone who would rather spray up close and personal rather than sit 200 meters away and hit a headshot with precise aim, I can never compete once players start getting long range weapons that can one shot me with good aim. This has meant that I typically last a week or two actually playing Tarkov as most people do, and then I become a rat scurrying through the shadows trying to avoid fights and find loot. But, in the patch notes for Escape From Tarkov update 0.16.0.0 there is one change that could fix, or at least partially solve that issue. Now the flea market will not unlock in Tarkov for a couple of weeks after the wipe, this means that you will have to find all the gear and items you intend to use, and should slow down the progression that the best players can make in the opening days of the wipe. After the progression was criticised a lot in the last wipe, it seems that Battlestate Games is testing this no flea market option as a way to slow down the opening days of the wipe, and keep more players on a slightly more level playing field for longer. I’m hopeful this means that I can survive in the trenches for longer, as fewer players will get better gear within a few days of the wipe by being able to source it off the flea market. I doubt it will entirely solve the problem, but it should make the early wipe much more manageable for the average player. The response from Escape From Tarkov fans has certainly been mixed, but after multiple wipes where it felt like some players reached the end game within a couple of days of the wipe, this can only be a good thing in my books. Hopefully this will be a regular occurrence and the flea market will become a less integral part of the game going forward. It’s fun to flip rare items to other players for a ton of cash, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of making the early wipe worse for a lot of players.Retailers are having to fine-tune return policies to prevent increased abuseWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the U.S. government believes missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared 12 years ago near the Syrian capital, is alive and that Washington is committed to bringing him home after Bashar Assad’s ouster from power in Damascus . “We think we can get him back," Biden told reporters at the White House, while acknowledging that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. "Assad should be held accountable.” Biden said officials must still identify exactly where Tice is after his disappearance in August 2012 at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus. “We've remained committed to returning him to his family,” he said. Tice, who is from Houston, has had his work published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers and other outlets. A video released weeks after Tice went missing showed him blindfolded and held by armed men and saying, “Oh, Jesus.” He has not been heard from since. Syria has publicly denied that it was holding him. The United States has no new evidence that Tice is alive, but continues to operate under that assumption, according to a U.S. official. The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. will continue to work to identify where he is and to try to bring him home. His mother, Debra, said at a news conference Friday in Washington that the family had information from a “significant source,” whom she did not identify, establishing that her son was alive. “He is being cared for and he is well — we do know that,” she said. The Tice family met this past week with officials at the State Department and the White House. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Debra Tice said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media Sunday. “We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed and he’s going to need lots of care and direction. Direct him to his family please!”

MILWAUKEE — Brooklyn fans had expected Kevin Durant to lead their team to its first ever NBA title. Now, many are hoping to land a local prospect that their former star sees a lot of himself in. When Brooklyn committed to a rebuild they bet a big part of their future foundation on next June’s lottery pick, with Ace Bailey — a freshman at nearby Rutgers — one of the most sought-after prospects. The sinewy forward has often been likened to Durant and the former Net agreed that it’s an apt comparison. “Yeah, I think so,” Durant said after guiding his Phoenix Suns to a 110-100 Christmas Day victory over Denver. “Ace is a pure, pure talent. Being able to shoot the ball with that type of touch from anywhere. It’s insane the shots that he can make over multiple people at that length. It’s incredible to watch.” Durant was incredible to watch. And Nets fans are hoping whoever they land in the lottery will be as well. Bailey would be one of the best-case scenarios. The Hall of Fame-bound Durant spent parts of four seasons in Brooklyn, the first recovering from a ruptured Achilles before requesting a trade to Phoenix midway through the latter. He appeared in 129 games with the franchise and averaged 29.0 points, the most in Nets (NBA) history and his highest with any team. It was Durant’s February 2023 departure, less so than that of James Harden or Kyrie Irving, that slammed the door shut on Brooklyn’s title hopes. After floundering along last season, they finally committed to a rebuild by trading away Mikal Bridges this summer. Now, it’s a lottery pick next summer the Nets fans are already eyeing. Two weeks ago, they had been sitting 15th in the draft order. But after dealing point guard Dennis Schroder to Golden State — and dealing with the absence of leading scorer Cam Thomas — they entered Thursday night’s game in Milwaukee with the seventh-worst record. That gave them a 31.9 percent chance at a top-four pick — the neighborhood they’ll need to be in to have a chance at Bailey. Durant even compared the Rutgers star favorably within himself at 18-years-old. “Him and his teammate Dylan Harper are playing some great ball. They’re one of my favorite teams to watch. But I see some of my game in Ace,” Durant said. “I think he’s part of the midrange game. He’s probably a little bit more advanced than I was at that age. But he’s a problem. I can’t wait to see his career growth.” Nets fans would love that to be with them. Bailey is generally tabbed third in most mock drafts and big boards, behind teammate Harper and presumptive top pick Cooper Flagg from Duke. A 6-foot-10 guard with an impressive wingspan, his length makes him almost impossible to guard. He’s averaging 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds with impressive range. But his 33.3 percent from deep needs work, as does his shot selection. As Durant said, the shots he can make are “insane.” But he’s oozing potential. And Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks has personally made no fewer than four trips down the New Jersey Turnpike to Piscataway. With Bailey (and Harper) starring at Rutgers, and the Nets banking on June’s lottery pick as a foundation of their rebuild, there will certainly be more. There is another connection between Durant and Bailey — mini-Durant? — with the veteran superstar having welcomed Bailey, Harper and two others into the Nike family with NIL deals last month. Durant recorded a voiceover for a video , saying “They told me you’re part of the family now. Well, welcome. But y’all ain’t really showed me nothing yet. When it’s time, we raise the bar. We’ve got to provide. Wins. Dreams. Rings. Attitude. Something. There’s no free meals at our table. Ask the greats. This family ain’t for everyone. So let’s see what you got: I’ll be watching.”Ghana opposition leader Mahama officially wins election

paano mag withdraw sa nice88 Nigeria and Brazil have signed a multi-billion dollar project targeted at supporting agricultural businesses in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas with technical and financial resources. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) on behalf of Nigeria, while Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) signed for Brazil. According to a statement on Sunday signed by State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Abiodun Oladunjoye , the MoU was signed on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Naija News reports the MoU was signed on behalf of the government by the Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, Temitope Fashedemi , and the President of FGV, Professor Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal , at FGV Headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The project, supported by Deutsche Bank, will focus on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural financing . The statement added that “The agreement marks a new phase of strategic collaboration between Nigeria and FGV, the Green Imperative Project (GIP) lead implementer, one of the largest international agricultural technology transfer initiatives. “Conceived in 2018, GIP is a 1.2 billion dollar cooperative effort between Brazil and Nigeria, designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector through Brazilian expertise in tropical agriculture. “Since the MoU was conceived in 2018, both parties have engaged in many meaningful discussions to advance its design and implementation. “The project, supported by Deutsche Bank, aims to deliver transformative agricultural technologies and knowledge transfer over its 10-year duration. “Over the next five years, the project will identify and support one agribusiness in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas with technical and financial resources, driving sustainable development and economic growth. “This partnership paves the way for Brazil to engage with Nigeria’s dynamic and rapidly growing agricultural sector. Together with FGV, we are poised to unlock the potential of private sector investment in key areas critical to our food security,” Fashedemi said at the signing ceremony. “Under the MOU, private-sector projects on fertiliser production, hybrid seed technology and agricultural financing are projected to attract $4.3 billion in private-sector investment.” Senior members of Nigeria’s presidency, officials of FMAFS and FGV’s leadership attended the signing ceremony.

Baxter International Inc. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the day

The dizzying array of legal threats to Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro

NoneDear Readers: Thank you for all your responses to “Letting Go Is Hard to Do.” We have undeniably wonderful parents among our readership. Here are two of my favorite letters. Dear Annie: This is in response to “Letting Go Is Hard to Do,” who was worried about the choices her daughter might be making at college after seeing a questionable bank transaction. I am also the mom of a college-age student. We have had a joint account ever since my son was a senior in high school. I made a promise to myself to not allow our joint checking accounts to be a way to peek into his world. Trust me, it is very hard not to look — especially when I am transferring money to his account. If his spending info pops up, I look away and put my hand over so I cannot see. It is a don’t-see-don’t-tell trust that I never told him I had in place. He is very independent, and if I’d have questioned things, he would have started to mistrust me. There is always a way teens get around roadblocks; it’s called taking cash out of the account and spending it that way or buying a Visa gift card with the cash. It gets easier as they get older to not look. I encourage you to think about why you need to look at how she spends her money. My son was no angel for a good four to five years. But he trusts me now, and when the really hard/big things come up, he comes to me for comfort and direction, and to ease his fears. Let a little more of the string go, and when your bird flies, you will be rewarded with trust and honesty. — Money and Trust Dear Annie: I want to be as polite as I can in this reply to the mom who’s concerned about her 18-year-old daughter essentially just being an 18-year-old away at college. With all due respect, Letting Go — because you sound like a great mom and you seem to have a good bond with your daughter — maybe drop the “God’s gift” talk, stop thinking about what your religion teaches about birth control and just ask your kid if she’s OK and let her know you’re there to talk. She may not be as interested as you are in what God and your religious community’s leadership thinks about her sex life. Meanwhile, here on Earth, you’re both humans who love each other. Lead with that. In terms of sex addiction and so-called addictive behaviors, aka symptoms of a disease called addiction, which aren’t “behaviors” in an addict but rather compulsions, again, be honest. Talk about it head-on. Don’t minimize it if you’re truly worried. And if you’re not, let her live her life and keep your opinions to yourself. You can either have a relationship that is close, honest and real or have some mix of hope, denial and religious idealism. But the half-measure of trying to have both almost guarantees the first will be lost, which would be a shame. Keep your life between you and God, her life between you and her, and trust God to know how to handle the rest. God is too busy caring for billions of souls to really care much about birth control and sex toys. Take God’s lead. — Dad of a Teen, Too

Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Back when he lived in Newtown, Alan Jones had a wall covered in photographs of himself with the Pick and Stick crew. There were football players, political allies, celebrities and billionaires; the “Moses of the airwaves” had cultivated a powerful fellowship over his first 20-odd years on air, and still had half his radio career to run. Yet even then, some in his orbit had misgivings about getting too close to Jones. “The last place you wanted to end up was on his wall,” said one. Being close to Jones was, as one former staffer put it, “an exhausting thing”. It was like being smiled upon by a capricious emperor. The anointed ones, who ranged from sports stars to musicians to prime ministers and premiers, were graced with favours and largesse. But they had to pay homage or risk it all. Jones’ warning that a failure to respond to a request would “be the end of our friendship”, was ominous indeed. This patronage was one of myriad ways Jones transformed himself from an everyday shock jock into The Man Who Ran Sydney. In the era when talkback was king and he had a 20 per cent audience share, he used his intellect, charisma and money to exploit the platform like no one else. “His power isn’t explained by the size of his audience,” says Chris Masters, author of Jonestown . “It’s explained more by how he used it as leverage to advocate for his own interests and the interests of his powerful mates.” For decades, power protected Jones. He bullied his staff, bulldozed elected officials, and was perceived to favour handsome young men. Few were game to challenge him. Those who did paid the price. Jones was a man “drunk on power”, said one former staffer, and he “did not know when to stop”. But his grip loosened as society changed and Jones refused to change with it, as advertisers became reluctant to align themselves with his increasingly fringe views, and as movements such as #MeToo put the anatomy of power under the microscope. Power protected Alan Jones, seen here departing after giving evidence during the inquiry into Cash for Comment. Credit: Brendan Esposito Last year, Jones faced his own reckoning. The Herald’s chief investigative reporter Kate McClymont revealed allegations that he had used his power for sexual gratification, by groping and indecently assaulting young men, including one of his producers, without their consent. One of the men, who has since died, alleged that he “forces himself on young men and uses his power in a predatory way”. Another man, an employee, says he was groped by Jones. “He knew I wasn’t gay so it was about power dynamics,” he said. Police investigated. This week, Jones was charged with 26 offences involving nine alleged victims. He says he is innocent. The charges are before the courts. When one family contacted police a few years ago to raise allegations that Jones had indecently touched a relative, the officers were blunt. It would be the word of a social colossus against that of an ordinary person. Jones was not, the family recalled one of them saying, “Joe Blow from Bunnings”. Talkback radio used to be the only way ordinary people could speak directly to politicians, even if the microphone was controlled by the host. It was a win-win; listeners on so-called Struggle Street could get their problems addressed, politicians could talk directly to the people, and broadcasters were the powerbroker in the middle. “Forget the press gallery,” prime minister Paul Keating once said. “If you educate [broadcaster] John Laws, you educate Australia.” Articulate, relentless, merciless Jones outclassed all his rivals when he first fired up on air in 1985. He was an unlikely success story; a cross between a priest and a schoolmaster, who would sermonise and patronise in a voice so grating he was nicknamed The Parrot. Yet listeners loved it. “He played all the tabloid tricks,” says Masters. “Flatter your public, tell them ‘my listeners are my best researchers’. He ended up generating a kind of cultist following.” He slept three hours a day and seemed to devote the remaining 21 to work. He’d insist that his office reply to every letter. He’d often dictate them himself to his typist. In 1999, he wrote 3000 letters to government in eight months, the Herald learnt under freedom of information laws. Almost 140 of those were to the prime minister, premier, and a handful of ministers. He expected recipients to reply promptly. Failure to do so risked an on-air dressing down. Premiers and prime ministers would put a staff member in charge of responding within 24 hours. They were dubbed the Minister for Alan Jones. Alan Jones was a prolific correspondent with prime ministers, premiers and government ministers. Credit: Dallas Kilponen The line between policy and personal blurred. Once, he was pulled over by NSW Police highway patrol on a trip to Canberra and didn’t realise he was crossing two lanes of the Hume to get to the kerb. He was almost hit by a truck. The next day, he wrote to then-police minister Paul Whelan, attempting to get the “cowboy” officer sacked. “I’m sick and tired of defending the police force when it’s peopled by yahoos like this,” he wrote. He would text politicians at all hours, furiously criticising their decisions and offering unsolicited advice about how those decisions would end in disaster. Once, he flamed a senior NSW minister for what he described as unforgivable ignorance. “Who the f--- do you think you are?” the radio broadcaster told the elected member of parliament. A response that pleased him could lead to benevolence. Another letter, obtained by The Guardian under a similar FOI request 20 years later, involved a back-and-forth with then-Coalition sports minister Stuart Ayres about a sailing issue. Jones approved of Ayres’ actions. “That’s why you are a very good minister,” he wrote. “Is everything OK in the electorate? Yell out if I can help. With best wishes, Alan.” Many argue Jones, himself a failed political candidate for the Liberal Party, was only able to hold so much power because politicians surrendered it to him. Yet those who resisted grovelling found themselves in a bind. “It wasn’t that the ministers lacked courage,” said one former senior NSW Coalition minister. “It’s that you couldn’t convince a cabinet or party room to stand up to him too.” Taking on Jones about one thing meant the broadcaster would attack everything else that minister tried to do. “It subverted your ability to do other things,” he said. “It wasn’t worth the fight.” When Coalition premier Mike Baird backflipped on his plan to shut down greyhound racing after a sustained campaign by Jones, he was photographed arriving at Jones’ apartment at Circular Quay for a dinner of humble pie to win back support. Jones told his listeners the next day that the government would receive “full marks” from him if it reversed the ban. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott with broadcaster Alan Jones after he addressed a rally in Canberra. Credit: Andrew Meares Jones would frequently shower praise on his long-time friend Tony Abbott: the broadcaster was one of two speakers at an event last year marking 10 years since Abbott became prime minister. When Abbott was in the top job, Jones would send him a weekly missive with about 30 dot points, offering advice, warnings, and tips on who was white-anting him, said one person close to him. Staff heard him dictate a sign-off: “Go for the jugular, Tony.” Abbott denies the story. “Mr Abbott ran his own political strategy and famously wrote his own speeches and personally signed off his own media releases,” said a spokesman. Politicians found their own ways of managing him. “There were certain techniques that worked with Alan, like going into the studio in person,” the former minister said. “It was harder for him to be mean to you if you were right in front of him. Colleagues used to say they would take a young male staffer with them [to put Jones in a good mood], like a burnt offering. Writing him a handwritten note; he’d write to you, and what I learnt was that you had to write back yourself, and give him answers to keep him [from speaking about the issue on radio].” The aim was to keep their issue off-air, said the politician. Being lauded could be as dangerous as being rubbished. “If you got praised by him, it was probably because you leaked to him, so your colleagues would be suspicious – and generally rightly so. Alan never did anything without a reason.” Jones might have left politicians so intimidated that they couldn’t sleep before an interview, but no one was more attuned to the vagaries of his mood than those who worked for him. The former teacher and rugby union coach was an exacting boss. One producer remembers sitting in the car park before work in the wee hours of the morning, wondering if he could face it all again that day. “I don’t think he ever said hello to me in all the years I worked for him,” he said. “Every day started with incredible tension.” For their first six months, Jones would put a new producer to a kind of loyalty test involving verbal abuse and the rubbishing of their work. “It was routine humiliation,” said one. Once, when Jones was dissatisfied with the performance of his staff, he made them write to the finance department to say they didn’t deserve to be paid for their day’s work. Another time, Jones found some faxes that had not been replied to, and made staff cancel leave to write back. Alan Jones was a money spinner who called the shots at the stations that employed him. Credit: Nick Moir “The way he blew up at people was a craft,” said another former producer, who – like many people interviewed for this story – spoke on the condition of anonymity because he still feared Jones’ impact on his career. “He never swore, but it was an articulate spray that was like being lashed by lightning. It was personal, it was cruel, it was demeaning. But it wasn’t someone losing control. The sprays were directed at staff, at salespeople, at CEOs. There was no one at 2GB that Jones felt he couldn’t stand over.” Jones was the station’s money-spinner. “What he wanted, he got,” says Mike Carlton, who worked with Jones at 2UE before the breakfast presenter jumped ship to 2GB. “He would just send in his manager, ‘Alan wants this, Alan wants this done’, and management would cave because they were desperate to keep him on side.” Working for Jones was intense. Yet Jones kept staff loyal, partly with occasional explosions of generosity. A Christmas card with $500 inside. Tickets to Wimbledon. A lavish dinner. There was also the sense that, beyond the bullying, the program was doing some good. “A lot of the stuff he pointed out related to stupid government policy, and a lot of it ended up benefiting people who deserved a result,” said a former producer. “That’s where it gets a little bit tricky; without an aggressive champion, they would never have got the result they deserved.” Many wondered what drove him so relentlessly. It wasn’t money for its own sake; those close to him estimate he has given away millions over the years. He would pay friends’ children’s school fees, give them money to buy their first property, cover their health bills. He still pays for the reunions of school football teams he coached in the 1960s. “He’d give it to people who were broke, who needed money for legal fees,” said one person who worked with Jones. He would also allow people to stay in his opulent homes, in Sydney, the Southern Highlands, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The guest list raised eyebrows; one former producer recalls dropping some briefs over and meeting the “procession of [male] athletes who would stay there”, he says. “Many of them were emotionally needy; quite a few had come from broken homes, and didn’t have supportive family relationships. There was a bit of a theme going through that. Part of it was he didn’t want to be alone.” Jones’ sexuality was scuttlebutt for decades, raised publicly only in double entendre. Jones never commented, not even after being arrested in a London public toilet – that was also a gay beat – for “outraging public decency” (he was cleared). He once told this masthead’s David Leser that he didn’t “believe people should be asked to [comment] in relation to their private lives”. But many, like Masters, believe Jones’ sexuality may be key to understanding his accumulation of power. He grew up in Queensland when homosexuality was illegal, and moved in worlds in which it was spurned, such as schoolboys’ boarding houses when he was a teacher, and rugby union when he was a coach. “There were good reasons for him to don the mask,” says Masters. “We’ve seen this in other powerful men from that era, the power base was built around them as a protective screen. It’s the manipulations – where to go, who you know, who can pull strings – that keeps you safe.” As his power grew, Jones became complacent. His staff and his acolytes were afraid to challenge him. He didn’t verify information he’d been given before presenting it on air, and got things wrong. The end began with his 2012 attacks on Julia Gillard – who stood opposite his good friend Abbott in the parliamentary chamber – when he said she should be tied in a chaff bag and dumped at sea. Within a week of The Sunday Telegraph reporting Jones’ comments to a Young Liberal dinner that Gillard’s father, who had passed away not long before, had “died of shame”, around 70 advertisers backed away from his show and Mercedes-Benz confiscated Jones’ $250,000 sponsored car. Jones apologising for his remarks about Julia Gillard's father dying of shame in 2012. Credit: Dean Sewell The editor who published The Sunday Telegraph ’s story, Neil Breen – who is now a television reporter for Nine, owner of this masthead – paid the price for challenging Jones. “From that day on, it always had an effect on my career,” he said. It angered some of Jones’ supporters at News Limited. It prompted Jones to run interference when Breen worked in radio. It disrupted relationships that still haven’t recovered. “You were just up against forces,” he said. “He was a significant foe.” Jones’ final, self-inflicted blow came in 2019, when he told then-prime minister Scott Morrison to “shove a sock” down the throat of New Zealand’s then-prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. The condemnation was swift and significant, and advertisers – whose business covered his $4 million salary – fled. Jones was already on thin ice due to his alliances with fringe politicians such as then-MP Craig Kelly, and a mammoth defamation payout for blaming a family for the deadly Grantham floods. He resigned from 2GB in 2021. Without his platform, Jones’ power rapidly dwindled. Even if he had stayed on air, his influence may not have protected him from the indecent assault allegations. Over the past decade, abuse of power accusations have all but ended the careers of other once-untouchable men even if they are eventually cleared, like the late cardinal George Pell. The world has changed. Power is a less effective cocoon. While speaking up still requires enormous courage, victims are no longer stigmatised. Where allegations of predatory behaviour were once stifled, police now take so-called silent crimes seriously. Where stars were once allowed to behave as they wanted as long as they brought in money, companies must now actively protect their workers. “There’s been a very important shift in how we operate as a society,” says academic and former journalist Catharine Lumby, who once had a piece critiquing Jones pulled when she wrote for The Bulletin , which was owned by Jones’ good friend Kerry Packer. “The avenues of survivors of assault and harassment are more educated; there’s been a sea change in attitudes.” Those who knew Jones say he would have stayed in front of a microphone until he died if he could have, holding on to the power that kept him safe and the busyness that kept him from introspection. The haunted, brilliant, flawed man “was scared of what came next”, says a former staffer. “He didn’t want any time to look in the mirror. He wanted to fill every day so there was no time for self-reflection.” Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .

CURTIS JONES FIRED Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League as the title favourites survived a scare in their 3-1 win against struggling Leicester on Thursday. Arne Slot’s side were shocked by Jordan Ayew’s early strike at Anfield, but the leaders recovered their composure to equalise just before the interval through Cody Gakpo. England midfielder Jones marked his 100th top-flight appearance with the second goal soon after half-time. Mohamed Salah’s 19th goal this term wrapped up Liverpool’s 11th win in their last 13 games in all competitions. Liverpool’s comeback lifted them seven points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who were beaten 2-1 by Fulham earlier in the day. The rampant Reds, who hold a game in hand on Chelsea, have been beaten just once in 17 league matches this season. They have won 22 of their 26 games in all competitions in a remarkable run since Slot arrived from Feyenoord in the close-season to replace Jurgen Klopp. Klopp led Liverpool to their last Premier League title in 2020 and Slot has them perfectly positioned to emulate that feat in the second half of the season. Also through to the League Cup semi-finals and top of the Champions League, Liverpool, who travel to West Ham for their last match of the year on Sunday, will go into 2025 in contention of an unprecedented quadruple. Third-bottom Leicester are one point from safety after a third consecutive defeat. Salah nearly gave Liverpool the perfect start as his close-range effort smacked the post. But on a night when Anfield was surrounded by a murky mist, Liverpool’s defence was lost in the fog in the sixth minute. - Relentless pressure - Stephy Mavididi surged away down the left wing and whipped in a low cross which Ayew controlled adroitly before spinning to smash a low shot past Alisson Becker at his near post. Liverpool’s defence was unusually lax in the early stages and Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss was left unmarked for a volley that whistled over. But the tide soon turned and Darwin Nunez met Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross with a header that was deflected behind before Salah’s chipped effort looped onto the roof of the net. Andrew Robertson was inches away from equalising when the Liverpool defender’s header cannoned off the post. Slot’s men were pouring forward in waves and Salah’s curler ricocheted off the crossbar just before half-time. Gakpo ensured Liverpool would be rewarded for their relentless pressure on the stroke of half-time as the Dutch forward stroked a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the area. Gakpo’s 10th goal in all competitions this season was a familiar sight for Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who coached him during their time at PSV Eindhoven. Leicester haven’t won at Anfield in the Premier League since 2000 and their hopes of a historic victory were in tatters just four minutes into the second half. Sweeping into the Leicester area in a blur of pace and movement, Salah and Alexis Mac Allister teed up Jones to slot home from close range, with the goal surviving a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside. Patson Daka couldn’t convert Mavididi’s cross as Leicester mounted a rare raid before Nunez saw his blast pushed away by Leicester ‘keeper Jakub Stolarczyk. Salah put the final flourish on Liverpool’s stirring fightback, cutting in from the right flank to guide a fine finish into the far corner in the 82nd minute.David Michaels In the late 1970s, when Jimmy Carter was president, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was less than a decade old and still developing basic workplace safety rules. As unimaginable as it is now, workers did not have the right to know the names and toxic properties of the chemicals to which they were exposed, or to be trained on protective measures. OSHA had proposed a “right to know” standard, but it was halted by the incoming administration of President Ronald Reagan. We are at a similar moment now: We can expect public health regulations to be weakened or stopped by the incoming Donald Trump administration. In response, states and localities need to step in and ensure better protections for their residents. States and localities can be leaders in public health because in our federal system, most public health powers reside in the states. No matter what Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, advocates for federal government actions, key policies on pediatric vaccinations, including school attendance requirements, are set by states and localities. History is instructive. With the end of the federal right-to-know effort in the 1970s, workplace safety advocates began focusing on state and local laws. In a famous example, a workers’ rights coalition in Philadelphia sensationalized the need for right-to-know rules by opening an unmarked pressurized canister at a public hearing of the City Council; panic-stricken council members demanded to know “What’s in this stuff?” The activists had made their point, and the council enacted what’s considered the nation’s first civic right-to-know ordinance. State and local health departments can make heroic achievements, but sometimes fail to do so. Early in the influenza pandemic of 1918, the Philadelphia health commissioner, ignoring warnings from medical experts, refused to cancel a major parade to raise money for war bonds. Within three days, all 31 of Philadelphia’s hospitals were full; within six weeks, more than 12,000 residents were dead. By contrast, the St. Louis health department did what we would now call “flattening the curve” — closing schools, movie theaters and pool halls, and banning all public gatherings, over the objections of business owners. The peak mortality rate in St. Louis was a fraction of that of Philadelphia. Changes in state and local policies can even drive improvements in federal policies. Businesses generally want uniform national marketing and labeling policies. Faced with a range of different right-to-know requirements around the country, many industries recognized they would be better off with one national standard. By 1983, President Reagan’s OSHA issued the Hazard Communication Standard, which labor and public health activists had been demanding. State laws reducing consumer exposures to toxic chemicals have also been effective in shaping national environmental policies. The original Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 helped eliminate or reduce the use of some particularly dangerous chemicals — low-hanging regulatory fruit like PCBs and dioxin — but was generally toothless when it came to many other chemicals, particularly ones that disrupt the endocrine system. Parents who wanted children’s toys and water bottles to be free of these chemicals pushed numerous states to pass laws banning or limiting the presence of the substances in certain products. The challenge of meeting inconsistent laws in multiple states, and the fear of a greater proliferation of these laws, brought the chemical industry to the table to negotiate strengthened legislation with environmental activists in 2017. Unfortunately, politics and ideology now drive much local public health decision-making, with dangerous effects on health and disease prevention. During the COVID pandemic, there was significant variation in the strength and timing of requirements meant to limit the spread of the virus. Not surprisingly, disagreements over public health protection continue. North Carolina and New York’s Nassau County recently passed laws banning the wearing of masks, including N95 respirators, in public. It seems likely that some states or localities will roll back school vaccination requirements, which will probably be followed by outbreaks of the serious and sometimes fatal pediatric infectious diseases that were common before mandatory vaccination policies. States also play a major role in enforcing national environmental requirements. If the Environmental Protection Agency is handcuffed by the Trump administration, states can and should step into the enforcement breach. Likewise, state governments, especially those with their state OSHA programs, can issue their own workplace standards. This dynamic is already underway around exposures to extreme heat. This summer, OSHA proposed a heat standard, requiring employers to take steps to prevent heat-related illness, but these reforms are likely to be stopped by the new administration. Not wanting to wait for the slow OSHA standard-setting process to finish, local and state governments — including California, Maryland, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada and Washington — have issued their own heat standards. But just as some states are enacting more protections, others are fighting such efforts. For example, two Texas cities — Dallas and Austin — passed ordinances requiring employers to give workers a 10-minute break every four hours in periods of extreme heat. But the Texas state legislature last year passed legislation forbidding municipalities from requiring worker protections stronger than state regulations. The Florida legislature did the same in July. The challenge for the public health community in the coming four years is to strengthen public health protections at the state and local level, promoting advances that prevent disease and save lives. We must also document our successes and failures, objectively determining the impact of protections (or the lack of protections) in states and localities across the nation. At this critical juncture, we need to ask: Are we going to be the Philadelphia of 1918, or the St. Louis? David Michaels is a professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. He served as assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from 2009 to 2017.

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Electronic Arts Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitorsPresident-elect Donald Trump on Friday nominated Dr. Marty Makary to lead the Food and Drug Administration , selecting a surgeon and author who gained national attention for opposing vaccine mandates and some other public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Makary, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, is the latest in a string of Trump nominees who have declared the U.S. health system “broken” and in need of a shakeup. In books and articles Makary has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. He will need to be confirmed by the Republican-led Senate to take the post. Trump announced the nomination in a statement Friday night, saying Makary “will restore FDA to the gold standard of scientific research, and cut the bureaucratic red tape at the agency to make sure Americans get the medical cures and treatments they deserve.” Headquartered in the Maryland suburbs outside Washington, the 18,000 employees of the FDA are responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs , vaccines and medical devices as well as a swath of other consumer goods, including food , cosmetics and vaping products . Altogether those products represent an estimated 20% of U.S. consumer spending annually, or $2.6 trillion. Makary gained prominence on Fox News and other conservative outlets for his contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic. He questioned the need for masking and, though not opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, had concerns about vaccinations in young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that COVID-19 vaccinations prevented more than 686,000 U.S. deaths in 2020 and 2021 alone. While children faced much lower rates of hospitalization and death from the virus, medical societies including the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that vaccinations significantly reduced severe disease in the age group. Trained as a surgeon and cancer specialist, Makary was part of a vocal group of physicians calling for greater emphasis on herd immunity to stop the virus, or the idea that mass infections would quickly lead to population-level protection. In a February 2021 Wall Street Journal piece , he wrote that “COVID will be mostly gone by April, allowing Americans to resume normal life.” That summer the delta variant of the virus ripped through the U.S. , followed by omicron in the winter, leading to hundreds of thousands of additional deaths. If confirmed, Makary would be expected to report to anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Trump's pick to oversee the nation’s Department of Health and Human Services , which includes the FDA. Makary does not share Kennedy’s discredited views on vaccines , but he has a similar distrust of the pharmaceutical industry. Makary has lamented how drugmakers used misleading data to urge doctors to prescribe OxyContin and other opioids as low-risk, non-addictive pain relievers. That marketing was permitted under FDA-approved labeling from the 1990s, suggesting the drugs were safe for common ailments like back pain. In more recent years, the FDA has come under fire for approving drugs for Alzheimer's , ALS and other conditions based on incomplete data that failed to show meaningful benefits for patients. A push toward greater scrutiny of drug safety and effectiveness would be a major reversal at FDA, which for decades has focused on speedier drug approvals . That trend has been fueled by industry lobbying and fees paid by drugmakers to help the FDA hire additional reviewers. Kennedy has proposed ending those payments, which would require billions in new funding from the federal budget. Other administration priorities would likely run into similar roadblocks. For instance, Kennedy wants to bar drugmakers from advertising on TV , a multibillion-dollar market that supports many TV and cable networks. The Supreme Court and other conservative judges would likely overturn such a ban on First Amendment grounds that protect commercial speech, experts note. Makary would also inherit a raft of ongoing projects at the FDA kicked off by outgoing Commissioner Robert Califf, including the reorganization of the agency's food division and plans to regulate artificial intelligence in medical technology. In the event of other controversial initiatives under Trump, career staffers may simply drag the work out until a new administration comes to power. “The bureaucracy can wait anybody out, and that’s an attitude I think you’ll hear a lot,” said Wayne Pines, a former FDA official under Republican and Democratic administrations. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

“Reforms, inflation, and interest rates.” Details of the businessmen’s meeting with the Prime Minister

filo Gladstone Commercial Corporation ( NASDAQ: GOOD ) is an industrial-focused net lease real estate investment trust with considerable upside potential in a strong U.S. economy. Consumer and business confidence have soared after the re-election of Donald Trump which creates a favorable backdrop for Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of GOOD either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — On a damp Wednesday night with temperatures dipping into the 30s, fans in sparsely filled stands bundled up to watch Buffalo beat Eastern Michigan 37-30 on gray turf. The lopsided game was not particularly notable, but it was played on one of the nights the Mid-American Conference has made its own: A weeknight. “A lot of the general public thinks we play all of our games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not just some of them in November,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a telephone interview this week. “What it has done is help take what was a pretty darned good regional conference and has given it a national brand and made it a national conference.” When the conference has played football games on ESPN or ESPN2 over the last two seasons, the linear television audience has been 10 times larger than when conference schools meet on Saturdays and get lost in the shuffle when viewers have many more choices. The most-watched MAC game over the last two years was earlier this month on a Wednesday night when and there were 441,600 viewers, a total that doesn’t include streaming that isn’t captured by Nielsen company. During the same span, the linear TV audience has been no larger than 46,100 to watch two MAC teams play on Saturdays. “Having the whole nation watching on Tuesday and Wednesday night is a huge deal for the MAC,” Eastern Michigan tight end Jere Getzinger said. “Everybody wants to watch football so if you put it on TV on a Tuesday or Wednesday, people are going to watch.” ESPN has carried midweek MAC football games since the start of the century. ESPN and the conference signed a a decade ago that extends their relationship through at least the 2026-27 season. The conference has made the most of the opportunities, using MACtion as a tag on social media for more than a decade and it has become a catchy marketing term for the Group of Five football programs that usually operate under the radar in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and New York. Attendance does tend to go down with weeknight games, keeping some students out of stadiums because they have class or homework and leading to adults staying away home because they have to work the next morning. “The tradeoff is the national exposure,” Buffalo coach Pete Lembo said. “You know November nights midweek the average fan is going to park on the couch, have a bowl of chips and salsa out in front, and watch the game from there.” When the Bulls beat Ball State 51-48 in an overtime thriller on a Tuesday night earlier this month, the announced attendance was 12,708 and that appeared to be generous. There were many empty seats after halftime. “You watch the games on TV, the stadiums all look like this,” Buffalo fan Jeff Wojcicki said. “They are not packed, but it’s the only game on, and you know where to find it.” Sleep and practice schedules take a hit as well, creating another wave of challenges for students to attend class and coaches to prepare without the usual rhythm of preparing all week to play on Saturday. “Last week when we played at Ohio in Athens, we had a 4-four bus ride home and got home at about 3:30 a.m.,” Eastern Michigan center Broderick Roman said. “We still had to go to class and that was tough, but it’s part of what you commit to as an athlete.” That happens a lot in November when the MAC shifts its unique schedule. During the first two weeks of the month, the conference had 10 games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays exclusively. This week, there were five games on Tuesday and Wednesday while only one was left in the traditional Saturday slot with Ball State hosting Bowling Green. Next week, Toledo plays at Akron and Kent State visits Buffalo on Tuesday night before the MAC schedule wraps up with games next Friday and Saturday to determine which teams will meet in the conference title game on Dec. 7 in Detroit. In all, MAC teams will end up playing about 75% of their games on a Saturday and the rest on November weeknights. When the Eagles wrapped up practice earlier this week, two days before they played the Bulls, tight end Jere Getzinger provided some insight into the effects of the scheduling quirk. “It’s Monday, but for us it’s like a Thursday,” he said. Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler said he frankly has a hard time remembering what day it is when the schedule shift hits in November. “The entire week gets turned upside down,” Loeffler said. “It’s wild, but it’s great for the league because there’s two days a week this time of year that people around the country will watch MAC games.” ___ AP freelance writer Jonah Bronstein contributed to this report. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and

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Shohei Ohtani likely to win his third MVP award and Aaron Judge his second NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is expected to win his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge is likely to earn his second AL honor when the Baseball Writers’ Association announces its balloting. Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title. Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left leg Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks. The Washington Capitals confirmed Ovechkin’s injury and prognosis Thursday after he was evaluated by doctors upon the teams’ return from a three-game road trip. This prolonged absence puts a pause on Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. He scored 15 goals in his first 18 games this season to move just 27 away of passing Gretzky. Ovechkin was on pace to break the record in February before his shin-on-shin collision with Utah’s Jack McBain on Monday night. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. QB Daniel Jones disagrees with the Giants' decision to bench him and says he wants to play EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With tears occasionally welling in his eyes, Daniel Jones disagreed on Thursday with the New York Giants' decision to bench him earlier this week and perhaps end his five-plus tenure as the team’s quarterback. The 27-year-old Jones said he gave the team everything he had after being taken sixth overall in the 2019 draft and he believes he still has a future in the NFL. He held himself accountable for the Giants making the playoffs once in his tenure as the starter. Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer’s use of its vintage logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages earlier this week over products made and sold by the firms Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc. Penn State accused the firms of selling counterfeit clothing and accessories. The defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with Penn State. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, but the Pennsylvania case was the first to go to trial. Defense lawyers declined to comment on the verdict and whether they planned an appeal. Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Man City and eyes 'more trophies' MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking time with Manchester City is far from over. The City manager has signed a two-year contract extension ending speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would prolong his tenure to 11 seasons. Guardiola’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season. The four-time defending Premier League champions announced the deal Thursday. The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the club. Jannik Sinner leads Italy back to the Davis Cup semifinals and a rematch against Australia MALAGA, Spain (AP) — No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner has led defending champion Italy to a comeback victory over Argentina for a return to the Davis Cup semifinals. A rematch of last year's championship matchup against Australia now awaits in the final four on Saturday in Malaga, Spain. Italy fell behind 1-0 in the quarterfinals when Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1. But two-time Grand Slam champion Sinner overwhelmed Sebastián Báez 6-2, 6-1. Then Sinner teamed with Matteo Berrettini in the deciding doubles match to win 6-4, 7-5 against Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Australia eliminated the U.S. to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year. Drama surrounds final 3 races of F1 season as drivers voice displeasure with recent FIA decisions LAS VEGAS (AP) — There’s three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen is inching so close to a fourth consecutive world championship he could wrap it up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But all is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing. There’s a new race director following the shock sacking of Niels Wittich that blindsided the Grand Prix Driver’s Association so badly they created an Instagram account to rebuke the lack of FIA transparency. It’s the lone post on the account. Greg Maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media said last week he was stepping down from his position and F1 furiously denied over the weekend that Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Management, was also on the move. Colorado's 2-way star Travis Hunter eyes Big 12 title and more before 'for sure' entering NFL draft DENVER (AP) — Travis Hunter made a pair of proclamations when he announced he’s for sure turning pro after this season, but not until he sees Colorado all the way through the College Football Playoff should the Buffaloes make it there. The first was a given for the junior who plays both receiver and cornerback. The second is a risk-reward play for a projected first-round draft pick who averages around 120 snaps a game. In years past, it took two extra postseason wins to capture a national title. Now, it could take up to four additional contests. That’s more of a chance to shine, but also more chance for an injury. 76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has a bone bruise on his left knee and will miss two games, the team said. The 76ers said George did not suffer any structural damage when he injured the same knee that he hyperextended during the preseason in Wednesday night’s loss at Memphis. George will miss home games Friday against Brooklyn and Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team says George will be evaluated again on Monday.By Emily Brookes * Cask, box, bag-in-box. Chateau Cardboard. Goon bag. Whatever you call it, you probably don't have a high opinion of box wine. In Aotearoa it's been synonymous with "bad wine", a hangover from the 1980s when, much cheaper per millilitre of grog than glass bottle and cork, it became the preferred receptacle for wine made from inferior grapes that would otherwise have been waste. As our wine industry matured, serious winemakers turned to bottles, leaving casks the preserve of students looking for a cheap way to a good night and those who make mulled wine at Christmas. "It's very unusual for New Zealand that no one picked it up and said, 'Actually this is a great delivery system'," says winemaker Matt Dicey. Until now. There's nothing about being in a bag that makes wine bad; in fact, thanks to its one-way valve, it keeps wine fresher once opened for longer than a bottle. And Dicey is among a wave of Kiwi winemakers on a mission to show that box wine can be good wine, and that we should all be embracing it. Dicey and his brother, James, make wine under their eponymous label in Bannockburn, Central Otago. Far from cheap and inferior, their Pinot Noir typically starts at above $35 retail, and they farm organically. The brothers' eco-consciousness led them to put some of their wine into box (their preferred term). "For 98 percent of people that buy wine, they drink it immediately, and the need for a bottle in that circumstance is non-existent," says Dicey. "It's actually a terrible delivery system, because it's so carbon intensive." Fellow winemaker Nadine Worley is from Australia - where the "goon bag" was developed, in the 1960s. After 10 years making wine at Marlborough's Mud House, she started teaching sustainability in the Viticulture programme at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT). "I was down this big rabbit hole, which you only have time to do in academia, going - oh my god, why is no one talking about this? You've grown the grapes, you've made the wine, the last thing you do is package it, and that has such a big impact on your environmental footprint". So when she and her friend, viticulturist Logie Mackenzie, decided to launch their own organic wine label, they looked for a non-glass packaging solution. Fugitive launched in 2021 with Sauvignon Blanc in stainless steel kegs and reusable bottles. But as of 2023, at Fugitive bottles are out, and wine in 2L fully recyclable soft plastic bladders held in cardboard boxes are in. "I was really anti-plastic, so that's something I had to wrestle with," Worley says. She was swayed by studies that showed these materials netted 40% less carbon emissions than a standard 750ml bottle. Dicey is a much bigger operation than Fugitive, making many different wines, most of it bottled. Still, when the brothers decided to put some wine into box (aluminium was discounted for being difficult in large format; PET is arguably the best in terms of recyclability but allows too much oxygen to enter the wine), they chose to lead with a big hitter. "We decided Central Pinot was the perfect thing to change the perception of what's being delivered in box," Dicey says. "The perfect foil for people's negative connotations around what it meant to have a cask wine." The answer to whether the same wine would taste different in bottle as opposed to box is "an easy yeah-nah," says Dicey. "There should be no taste difference between bottle and box." So how has the market responded? "Only once have I been booted out of a restaurant for pouring someone a glass from a bag-in-bottle," Dicey says. "You certainly have some pushback from a certain subset within consumers, but you get no pushback from others." Those born after the era of boxed Muller-Thurgau, the same generation that has grown up with the threat of climate change, are generally much more open-minded. Once opened, a box wine will stay fresh for a month, even six weeks - much longer than a bottle of wine. Dicey reckons that promotes responsible drinking, and brings pricing benefits. "It can be a $15 glasspour and there's no wastage." Both Dicey and Fugitive had to import their own bagging machines, as there were none available in Aotearoa. But recently Wineworks Marlborough, a contract bottling and warehousing company, has imported its own bagging unit from France. "We have many clients who are looking at alternative packaging formats to be able to offer their premium product, just delivered in a different way," says CEO Peter Crowe. Though trials of the machine only finished in early November, Wineworks already has a few clients lined up, among them Muse, another Marlborough winery making only box wine. "We have interest from around 20 different winery clients considering this format," Crowe adds. He credits Dicey with leading the charge in boxing "premium (New Zealand) offerings at premium pricing", saying research shows others should quickly follow suit (Mt Edward has notably boxed some of the 2023 wines in its lower-budget Ted range). "Overseas there is a growing trend for premium wines packaged in bag-in-box, particularly amongst younger drinkers," Crowe notes. "This is just the start of the box wine revolution," Worsley agrees. "We did it with screw caps - people used to think you can't put good wine under screw cap." There will always be a place for glass bottles, particularly for ageing wine. But, "that glass bottle we've been using, it's pretty much the same bottle for 400 years. So I think it's time we had another look at that." *Emily Brookes in a freelance lifestyle and entertainment writer.

NEW DELHI: A 20-year-old Delhi University student, Arjun Tanwar, was arrested for murdering his father, a retired Armyman, mother and his sister at their residence in south Delhi's Neb Sarai. Tanwar allegedly committed the murders early on Wednesday, the couple's wedding anniversary. In a bid to mislead cops, he went for his usual early morning run, and on returning raised an alarm that his family had been murdered. According to police, the accused, Arjun, believed that his father, Rajesh Kumar (51), intended to transfer ownership of his property to his sister, Kavita (23). This, coupled with his father's purported disapproval of his boxing career and public humiliation, fuelled Arjun's anger and resentment towards his family, cops said. Police received a call from Arjun at 6.53am, claiming that his parents were murdered. The investigation revealed that the victims' throats were slit, and they sustained multiple stab wounds. After murders, 20-year-old followed his daily routine Rajesh's body was found on the first floor, while his 46-year-old wife Komal's and daughter Kavita's bodies were discovered on the ground floor, each on separate beds. Neighbours who witnessed the scene reported that clothing was placed around the victims' necks to stem the flow of blood. A team under the supervision of DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan scanned multiple CCTV footages and found no signs of forced entry or burglary. Everything inside the house appeared to be in its original place. "When we questioned Arjun, he started giving different answers, and there were multiple contradictions," joint CP (south) Sanjay Kumar Jain said, adding that Arjun subsequently confessed to the crime. The team that cracked the case was formed under ACP Abhinendra Jain and led by inspector (AATS) Umesh Kumar. During interrogation, Arjun revealed that he devised the plot to eliminate his family members a week ago. He chose Wednesday, which was his parents' wedding anniversary, believing that no one would suspect him. To create a web of deception, he went out of the house at 5.30am for his daily morning run. "When he returned, as per his plan, he rushed to a gym where he works out and informed the gym owner that his parents had been murdered," police said. He then alerted the neighbours and relatives. He further told police that he first killed his sister and then his father. His mother went to the bathroom, and as soon as she returned, he killed her. The sister and mother showed resistance, which was evident from the nature of their injuries, while he killed his father in his sleep. He used his father's Army knife for the murders. "He told us that he opted for slitting their throats as he knew it would prevent them from screaming. He was so enraged with his father that he stabbed him in the head," police said. Arjun said his father regularly scolded him over his daily routine and studies. He was also angry that his parents supported his sister, who was pursuing a master's degree and doing well in her studies. The accused was also pursuing a BA in political science from a college affiliated with Delhi University. He is a trained boxer and represented Delhi in boxing and won a silver medal. He studied at Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan. "Arjun harboured a deep grudge against his father and family members, feeling that no one supported him. He felt neglected and isolated. He also suspected that his father was planning to give their property to his sister," police said. Rajesh reportedly reprimanded and physically assaulted him in front of others outside their home. According to sources, on Dec 1, during his sister's birthday celebration, his father had physically assaulted him. Police are also scanning Arjun's digital devices to check if he watched any videos to plan his crime. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .ExxonMobil Corp. XOM may be pumping out oil, but its stock chart has hit a dry spell . What Happened : ExxonMobil stock is about to form a death cross — a bearish technical indicator where the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average. Chart created using Benzinga Pro A Slippery Slope For XOM Stock The numbers don't lie: Exxon's stock price of $106.49 is firmly below its 20-day ($111.37), 50-day ($116.32), and 200-day ($116.24) simple moving averages. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator at a negative 2.89 screams bearish, while a Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 23.54 suggests the stock is oversold. For optimists, the oversold RSI could hint at a potential rebound. But with the broader trend signaling bearish momentum, a quick turnaround might require more than geopolitical jitters or OPEC decisions. Europe: No Love Lost For Exxon Exxon's President for Europe, Philippe Ducom , didn't mince words when he labeled Europe's competitiveness as being "in a crisis." With decarbonization investments largely bypassing Europe in favor of U.S. projects, the company is focusing on regions with fewer regulatory hurdles. Despite investing $20 billion globally in clean energy initiatives by 2027, Exxon isn't planning a major European pivot. Instead, its future bets are in places like Texas, where clean hydrogen and lithium projects are underway. Exploring New Frontiers Exxon's exploration efforts continue in Guyana's Stabroek Block, with the Haimara-3 well appraising its 2019 gas discovery. While oil remains a priority, the company is increasingly evaluating the potential for standalone gas development in Guyana, potentially setting the stage for new revenue streams in 2025. Outlook: Drilling For Optimism? ExxonMobil's death cross doesn't mean it's game over, but the bearish signals are piling up. With regulatory challenges in Europe and volatile oil prices, XOM stock faces strong headwinds. Investors hoping for a bounce might want to watch geopolitical developments and the company's U.S. clean energy plays closely. Now Read: Warren Buffett Invested $4 Million In Disney Back In 1966, Says Exit ‘Was A Huge Mistake Image: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.How a librarian from Wake Forest, N.C., became Jimmy Carter's pen pal for two decades

Australia's proposal to ban under-16s from social media platforms is "rushed", social media companies claimed Tuesday, expressing "serious concerns" about potential unintended consequences. The landmark legislation would force social media firms to prevent young teens from accessing their platforms or face fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million). Platforms such as X, Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta have criticised the 24-hour time frame given for stakeholder comments, claiming a lack of consultation and inadequate details about how the legislation would work. X said in its submission that it had "serious concerns" the ban would have "a negative impact" on children, adding it breached their "rights to freedom of expression and access to information". The company added that the proposed law was "vague" and "highly problematic" and that there was "no evidence" that it would work. Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world's strictest measures aimed at children. The proposed laws, which were presented to parliament last week, would also include robust privacy provisions that require tech platforms to delete any age-verification information collected. The government is trying to approve the law this week, before parliament breaks for the rest of the year. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said in its submission the ban would "fail" in its current form because there was not enough consultation with stakeholders. "More time should be taken to get this bill right," it said. TikTok raised concerns over the privacy provisions -- including that they overlapped and contradicted other legislation -- and the limited time to consult stakeholders. "Its rushed passage poses a serious risk of further unintended consequences," the company's submission said. Key details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear. Some companies will be granted exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teenagers may need to use for school work or other reasons. Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and election-meddling claims. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted Tuesday that "social media is causing social harm". "It can be a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators," he wrote in an opinion piece. "And because it is young Australians who are most engaged with this technology -- it is young Australians who are most at risk." The laws would give families "peace of mind" that their children's well-being and mental health were being prioritised, he said. If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban. The proposal comes just months before Australians go to the polls in a general election that must be held in the first half of 2025. lec/arb/fox90 niner 。

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again on Sunday in defeating the Bears that he's directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the NFL 's most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O'Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he'd muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he'd been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time," said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an extraordinary amount of coverage , the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O'Connell's system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it's required. That wouldn't be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league's biggest surprises in what's now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. "That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” What's working The Vikings' defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). What needs help The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they've struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Stock up Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. Stock down TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. Injuries The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O'Connell said on Monday those players were still in "evaluation mode." Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. Key number 101.7 — Darnold's passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. Up next The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dave Campbell, The Associated PressMika Zibanejad reveals what Rangers locker room talked about moments before facing Buffalo SabresBroncos, left tackle Garett Bolles agree on 4-year extension to protect rookie quarterback Bo Nix DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year extension on Thursday, locking up a big piece to protect rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Canadian Press Dec 12, 2024 2:54 PM Dec 12, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Denver Broncos place-kicker Wil Lutz (3) is congratulated by offensive tackle Garett Bolles after a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year extension on Thursday, locking up a big piece to protect rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Bolles has spent his entire career with the organization after being drafted out of Utah with the 20th overall pick in 2017. He has a chance this season to help the Broncos into the postseason for the first time since they won Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season. The Broncos (8-5) are currently in the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. They can put some distance between them and Indianapolis on Sunday (6-7) with a win over the Colts. After an up-and-down start in Denver, Bolles has developed into a dependable pass protector. He's allowed one sack and 24 quarterback pressures over 13 starts this season. What's more, his 4.9 percent quarterback pressure rate is the second-lowest mark among tackles with at least 200 pass blocking snaps this season, according to NextGen Stats. With time to scan the field, Nix leads all rookies in completions (277), yards passing (2,842), offensive touchdowns (22) and passing touchdowns (17). Bolles earned second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors after the 2020 season. On social media , Bolles posted: “Broncos Country, It’s been a great 8 years! Thanks for everything! And ... I’m not leaving. The show goes on!” Since 2017, Bolles has allowed the sixth-fewest sacks (36) among tackles with at least 3,100 snaps. The extension of Bolles means the Broncos have all five starting offensive linemen on board through next season. Guard Quinn Meinerz agreed to four-year contract extension in July. The Broncos also signed cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a four-year contract extension in September worth $96 million, including $77.5 million in guarantees. Linebacker Jonathon Cooper agreed to a four-year, $60 million extension in November. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Rested Ravens are a big favorite over struggling Giants, who are mired in an 8-game losing streak Dec 12, 2024 5:03 PM Lions and Bills meet in matchup of odds-on Super Bowl favorite and a top contender Dec 12, 2024 5:00 PM Lions aim to extend franchise-record winning streak to 12 against AFC East champion Bills Dec 12, 2024 5:00 PM

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower after weak signals on the economyRuben Amorim impressed with Arsenal’s corners after first defeat as Man Utd bossMalik Nabers tees off on 'soft as f---' Giants after embarrassing home loss

Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 banPilots report mysterious lights 'moving at extreme speeds' across Oregon skies

SHARPSVILLE — When she was first nominated for the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Dr. Jennifer Toney said she was excited to meet the other nominees and see what the teachers could teach each other. Although the title ultimately went to secondary teacher Leon Smith from the Haverford Township School District in Havertown, Delaware County, Toney said the experience of traveling to Harrisburg and meeting so many other educators was “an honor.” “I’m still processing things, because this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Toney said Wednesday after returning from the event. “It was a very emotional and very exciting experience.” Toney, a third-grade English language arts teacher at Sharpsville Area Elementary School, was one of 11 finalists recognized during the SAS Institute, the state Department of Education’s annual professional development conference. The conference was held Sunday through Wednesday at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. Toney said the candidates did have some knowledge of each other through some Zoom calls prior to the conference, but it was a “wonderful opportunity” to meet the other finalists in-person and share their experiences. The judges from the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year program even said it was “impossible” to compare the different candidates, due to the diverse backgrounds, styles and qualifications each candidate brought to the table. Toney, who wore her Sharpsville-blue jacket for the conference, was joined by Sharpsville Area Elementary School Principal Ericka Dungee and Toney’s former student Benny Bissell, now in sixth grade. Since each finalist was allowed to have a former student represent them, Benny gave a brief yet humorous speech where he introduced Toney, “the best teacher ever.” “He was amazing and he definitely gave it his Blue Devil Best,” Toney said of Benny. Even though the title of 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year ultimately went to Smith, Toney said she and the other finalists will continue to be active in National State Teachers of the Year events. Smith in particular will represent Pennsylvania at multiple local, state and national functions. “As a team, we already have plans to support our organization and Smith, so we’re going to have a grueling schedule for the next two years,” Toney said. Toney said she was excited to return to class and share her experience with the students, as well as the importance of being grateful and supporting someone. “There is no losing in something like this, it just shifts the platform on how I can lead and advocate for teachers and students,” Toney said. For any teachers who may be nominated as state 2026 Teacher of the Year, Toney strongly recommended getting to know their fellow finalists and the share best practices that can benefit the next generation of teachers. “I’ve learned so much from the other finalists, and we should remember what it was like when we were starting out as teachers and the people who helped us,” Toney said. Toney has worked at Sharpsville Area School District for 16 years. She is a 2002 graduate of DuBois Central Catholic High School and received dual degrees in early childhood education and elementary education from Gannon University in Erie in 2006. She received her masters of education degree from Gannon in 2008. Toney received her PhD with a focus on curriculum and instruction from Kent State University in 2017. Aside from her career as an educator and her work with the NSTOY Pennsylvania chapter, Toney is involved with the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at .BEAVER CREEK, Colo. (AP) — As the situation stands, snowboarder/ski racer Ester Ledecka has two Olympic races on the same day in 2026, at nearly the same time and in Italian mountain towns hours apart. The Czech Republic standout simply can’t make both starting gates. So she may have a big decision to make on Feb. 8, 2026 — race in the women's downhill at the Milan-Cortina Games or go for a three-peat in snowboarding’s parallel giant slalom. Unless, of course, her lobbying efforts pay off. Ledecka said she's going through her country's Olympic committee to reach out and see if one of the events can be switched. The Winter Games schedule was just recently released. “It’s like someone has broken your dream,” the 29-year-old Ledecka said after a training run in Beaver Creek as she prepares for a World Cup downhill and super-G this weekend. “So please change it. Please, please, please. It’s my biggest dream to do both. I can create a great show for people.” Ledecka is the rare athlete to do both winter sports at such a gold medal-winning level. Nearly seven years ago, Ledecka was a surprise winner in the super-G at the Pyeongchang Games — from bib No. 26, no less. A week later, she captured gold in the parallel GS (PGS). At the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, she defended her PGS crown along with finishing fifth in the super-G, 27th in the downhill and fourth in the Alpine combined. To amend an Olympic schedule would not be unprecedented. Before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, the International Olympic Committee and the governing body for track and field accommodated a request from Allyson Felix to go for a 200-400 double. She earned a silver in the 400. In 1996, the schedule was shifted so American sprinter Michael Johnson could run in the 200 and 400 at the Atlanta Games. He won gold in both. “I would appreciate it,” said Ledecka, who started skiing at 2 years old and snowboarding three years later. “They’re fighting (for it) right now.” The current schedule has snowboarding parallel giant slalom holding a qualifying round from 9 a.m. to 11 on Feb. 8 in Livigno, Italy. The final is set for 1 p.m. Meanwhile, the women's downhill is set to take place in Cortina at 11:30 a.m. It's about a 4-hour drive between the two events. For now, she's leaning toward snowboarding. Only because a few days later she could ski race in a super-G. “I was quite sad about that fact,” Ledecka said of the conflict between events. "We'll see. It’s still quite far away.” Ledecka has 88 World Cup starts in skiing, with 10 podium finishes and four wins. She has 63 World Cup starts in snowboarding, featuring 39 podium finishes and 25 wins. “I don’t know how she does it,” said American ski racer Jacqueline Wiles, who dabbled in snowboarding as a kid. “It’s absolutely insane.” Ledecka enjoys both sports for different reasons. In skiing, it's for the speed. For snowboarding, it's the execution of a turn. It's not always easy splitting her time between the two sports, fitting in training around events. She won a PGS race on Nov. 30 in China before arriving in Beaver Creek. After this, it's off to St. Moritz, Switzerland, for more ski racing. She's currently traveling with eight snowboards and 20 pairs of skis. “You cannot believe how stacked the ski room is right now,” Ledecka cracked. “I really admire my tech guy and how he's handling it all. I’m very happy to have my team help me do this, my dream, of going from the snowboard World Cup to the ski World Cup. I'm having a lot of fun.” Notes: Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland had the fastest time in the second training run Thursday. Italians racers Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone were both within a second. ... Lindsey Vonn is not expected to forerun before the third and final training session Friday. The 40-year-old Vonn still plans on testing out the course before this weekend's races on the Birds of Prey course. AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

In conclusion, Ragnar Klavan's decision to retire from professional football and pursue a leadership role within the Estonian Football Association symbolizes a new beginning for the veteran player. As he embarks on this next phase of his football career, Klavan's legacy as a player and now as a potential football administrator will continue to inspire and influence the next generation of football enthusiasts. Watch this space as Klavan navigates this exciting new chapter in his footballing journey.download nice88 。

Congratulations to the selected teams and their schools who will participate in the Lunar Autonomy Challenge ! 31 teams were selected for the qualifying round, engaging 229 students from colleges and universities in 15 states. Teams will now move on to a Qualifying Round where they will virtually explore and map the lunar surface using a digital twin of NASA’s lunar mobility robot, the ISRU Pilot Excavator (IPEx) . Teams will develop software that can perform set actions without human intervention, navigating the digital IPEx in the harsh, low-light conditions of the Moon. The Qualifying Round will extend to February 28, when the top-scoring teams will proceed to the Final Round, with the winners announced in May 2025. The Lunar Autonomy Challenge is a collaboration between NASA, The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Caterpillar Inc., and Embodied AI. ​ Learn more: https://lunar-autonomy-challenge.jhuapl.edu/ ​

Lululemon, the renowned athletic apparel brand known for its premium quality and stylish designs, has recently made waves in the retail industry by targeting county towns in China for its expansion strategy. This unique approach has not only sparked substantial growth in the brand's performance but has also positioned it as the fastest-growing market in China.

Moreover, the pursuit of profit through algorithms can exacerbate existing societal inequalities and biases. Algorithms trained on biased data or designed to target specific demographics can perpetuate discrimination and reinforce existing power dynamics. For example, algorithmic systems used in hiring processes or financial lending may inadvertently discriminate against marginalized groups, perpetuating systemic injustices.

In the world of food enthusiasts, sometimes the most extraordinary experiences come from the most unexpected places. And for this group of intrepid adventurers, the memory of their expedition to obtain and enjoy the frozen pig's head would forever be etched in their minds as a tale of daring, camaraderie, and, above all, the sheer joy of indulging in a truly exceptional culinary experience.Eddie Howe was seething following gaffer half-time actions with referee Andy Madley at St James' Park. With the Reds lagging a goal behind at the interval, and three Liverpool players Madley's books, Slot's move raised more than a few eyebrows. The Reds bounced back with Curtis Jones netting an equaliser, only for Anthony Gordon to snatch back Newcastle's lead. Nevertheless, stunning double seemed set to nick the points for Liverpool until Fabian Schar's last-gasp equaliser, owing to a clanger from Caoimhin Kelleher. Come and join The Daily Star on , the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X. Fear not, we're not leaving , but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on , and see us social better than the rest. You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a . So what are you waiting for?! Let's Post-match, Dan Walker from Amazon Prime Video dropped the bombshell that Slot had nipped in to see Madley during the pause in play, and when pressed, a visibly miffed Howe remarked: "I don't think I'll go there. I think that's a can of worms. I tend to focus on my team." Walker spilled the beans further, mentioning Madley's pre-game offer that both sides could enter if they wanted, yet it's believed Howe was furious over Slot's grabbing the opportunity at such a crucial juncture, reports . Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter! From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox. It only takes a matter of seconds. Simply , then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories. You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, Slot refused to slam his team despite their lead being trimmed to just seven points at the summit, saying: "I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half but we were not good enough in the first half. Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved. "They were really aggressive and forced us into mistakes but we were so much better in the second half. I knew the game could be changed around, we were much better with the ball. "After the week we had we could change the game which is a very positive thing to take. Every time we need Mo Salah he scores a goal."

Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facilityThe growing discontent among Tencent Video members highlights the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with customers and delivering on the promised benefits of a membership program. As competition in the online streaming industry continues to intensify, platforms like Tencent Video must prioritize customer satisfaction and value to retain existing members and attract new subscribers.

Director Zhang Wei, known for his keen eye for detail and storytelling finesse, is confident that Fu Jing's performance in "Moonlight Madness" will not disappoint. "Fu Jing is a talented and dedicated actress who brings a level of authenticity and depth to her characters," he said. "I believe that her transition into comedy will be seamless, and she will surprise audiences with her comic timing and charm."Amidst the outpouring of grief and condolences for Liu Dabeili, the focus has shifted to the young son she leaves behind. As a single mother, her sudden departure has left her child orphaned and in need of support and care. Many are now calling for attention to be given to the well-being and future of the young boy, urging for measures to be taken to ensure he receives the necessary support and guidance in the wake of this tragedy.The decision to reconfigure the A2 factory to produce micro OLED displays marks a strategic shift for Samsung, as the company seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for high-quality displays in various consumer electronics products. Micro OLED technology offers several advantages over traditional OLED displays, including better energy efficiency, higher resolution, and improved brightness and contrast levels. By investing in this cutting-edge technology, Samsung aims to stay ahead of its competitors and meet the evolving needs of consumers in an increasingly competitive market.

In conclusion, the reports of scalpers snatching and reselling Shanghai consumption vouchers highlight the need for stronger measures to protect the integrity of the distribution process. Residents are calling for improvements in usage restrictions and greater oversight to prevent further abuse. By working together, we can ensure that these vouchers fulfill their intended purpose of supporting local businesses and benefiting the community as a whole.

Football is a sport filled with excitement, unpredictability, and moments that capture the hearts of millions around the world. Recently, two players have been in the spotlight for different reasons, highlighting the ups and downs that come with being a professional footballer.Tech billionaire Elon Musk spent at least $270 million to help Donald Trump win the US presidency, according to new federal filings, making him the country's biggest political donor. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Musk, the world's richest person, was an ardent supporter of Trump's White House campaign -- funneling money into door knocking operations and speaking at his rallies. His financial backing, which has earned him a cost-cutting advisory role in Trump's incoming government, surpassed spending by any single political donor since at least 2010, according to data from nonprofit OpenSecrets. The Washington Post reported that Musk spent more this election cycle than Trump backer Tim Mellon, who gave nearly $200 million and was previously the Republican's top donor. Musk donated $238 million to America PAC, a political action committee that he founded to support Trump, filings late Thursday with the Federal Election Commission showed. An additional $20 million went to the RBG PAC, a group that used advertising to soften Trump's hardline reputation on the key voter issue of abortion. Musk has been an ever-present sidekick for Trump since his election victory in November, inviting him to watch a rocket launch in Texas by his SpaceX company. Trump has selected the South African-born tycoon and fellow ally Vivek Ramaswamy to head the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, through which the pair have promised to deliver billions of dollars of cuts in federal spending. However, with Musk's businesses all having varying degrees of interactions with US and foreign governments, his new position also raises concerns about conflict of interest. The president-elect has nominated several people close to Musk for roles in his administration, including investor David Sacks as the so-called AI and crypto czar. Meanwhile, billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman, who has collaborated with Musk's SpaceX, was named the head of US space agency NASA. pgf-bjt/acbTitle: World Record Broken at 12:13, North Korean Women's Team Takes the Lead! Weightlifting Showdown Between North and South Intensifies, Peak Duel Resurfaces

Lang Ping's journey to greatness began as a player, where she distinguished herself as one of the best volleyball players in the world. Known for her powerful spikes and strategic gameplay, she led the Chinese national team to numerous victories, including the gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Her impact on the sport was profound, inspiring a generation of young athletes to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

NEW YORK — He’s one of the most famous corporate leaders in the world, delivering products embraced by billions. But the haters give companies like Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Platforms something to worry about. In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses that consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million on guards, alarms and other measures to keep Zuckerberg and the company’s former chief operating officer safe. Some high-profile chief executives surround themselves with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while he walked alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take in protecting their leaders against threats. Thompson had no personal security and appeared unaware of the shooter lurking before he was gunned down. And today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. “We are better today at collecting signals. I’m not sure we’re any better at making sense of the signals we collect,” said Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software for companies. After Thompson’s shooting, Burton said, “I’ve been on the phone all day with some organizations asking for consultation, saying, ’Am I doing enough?’” Since the killing, some health insurers have taken steps to safeguard their executives and rank-and-file workers. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit healthcare firm, said Friday that it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution,” the company said in a statement. A Medica spokesman said the company had also removed biographical information about its executives from its website as a precaution. UnitedHealth Group, parent of the insurer Thompson led, removed photos of its top executives from its website hours after the shooting, later removing their names and biographies. But well before the attack, some of the biggest U.S. companies, particularly those in the tech sector, were spending heavily on personal and residential security for their top executives. Meta, whose businesses include Facebook and Instagram, reported the highest spending on personal security for top executives last year, filings culled by research firm Equilar show. Zuckerberg “is synonymous with Meta and, as a result, negative sentiment regarding our company is directly associated with, and often transferred to, Mr. Zuckerberg,” the Menlo Park, California, company explained earlier this year in an annual shareholder disclosure. At Apple, the world’s largest tech company by stock valuation, CEO Tim Cook was tormented by a stalker who sent him sexually provocative emails and even showed up outside his Silicon Valley home at one point before the company’s security team successfully took legal action against her in 2022. Cook is regularly accompanied by security personnel when he appears in public. Still, the $820,000 the company allotted last year to protect top executives is a fraction of what other tech giants spent for CEO security. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and other top executives. Of those that did, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to about $98,000. In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare’s Thompson was walking to when he was shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. joined that group Thursday, citing the UnitedHealthcare executive’s death in announcing that its upcoming investor day will be held online, rather than in person as originally planned. “But there are also company cultures that really frown on that and want their leaders to be accessible to people, accessible to shareholders, employees,” Komendat said. Depending on the company, such an approach may make sense. Many top executives are little known to the public, operating in industries and locations that make them far less prone to public exposure and to threats. “Determining the need for and appropriate level of an executive-level protection program is specific to each organization,” said David Johnston, vice president of asset protection and retail operations at the National Retail Federation. “These safeguards should also include the constant monitoring of potential threats and the ability to adapt to maintain the appropriate level of security and safety.” Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, Komendat said. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. “There are always threats directed towards senior leaders at companies. Many of them are not credible,” Komendat said. “The question always is trying to determine what is a real threat versus what is someone just venting with no intent to take any additional action.” Burton, a former special agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, points out that despite the current climate, there is little in the way of organized groups that target companies. Today, one of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to zero in on such dialogue and decide whether or not it represents a real threat. And CEOs aren’t the only targets of disgruntled customers. In the U.S., there were 525 workplace fatalities due to assault in 2022, according to the National Safety Council. Industries including healthcare, education and service providers are more prone to violence than others, and taxi drivers are more than 20 times more likely to be murdered on the job than other workers, the group said. But the ambush of UnitedHealthcare’s Thompson this week is bound to get some CEOs second-guessing. “What invariably happens at moments like this in time is you will get additional ears listening” to security professionals seeking money to beef up executive protection, Burton said. “Because I can guarantee you there’s not a CEO in America who’s not aware of this incident.” Geller, Bussewitz and Liedtke write for the Associated Press.

heylink nice88 register It seemed like companies couldn’t hire information technology analysts fast enough in 2014 when Michael Deneen began his IT career. Job counts nationally soared in the 2010s and early 2020s, but then the market flattened and a profession that looked like it might grow uninterrupted started shedding jobs. Laid off twice this year from Minnesota IT jobs, Deneen said he’s found it hard to snag the next gig. “Before I could have three, four offers lined up and would have to choose between them,” the Columbia Heights man said. “It’s like I’m struggling to even get a foot in the door in places that I’m more than qualified for.” Even with the state’s relatively low 3.5 percen t unemployment rate, some mid-career Minnesotans and those just coming out of college are seeing a job market now that worries them. Recent layoffs at Cargill in the Twin Cities and last week’s announcement that Arctic Cat, the Minnesota snowmobile maker, will shutter its manufacturing operations next year in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, have added to the anxiety. Analysts say Minnesota’s job market remains robust, but for some there’s a skills matchup problem as some sectors grow while others flatten or decline. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s been hard,” Deneen said of finding the next IT job. “I’ve had a lot of self-doubt now, like questioning is this really an industry I am good at? Is this something I should even be in anymore? I’m also 40. It’s like, I can’t really switch careers at this point.” Health care, government, leisure and hospitality and transportation are among the Minnesota sectors that continue to show strong job growth, according to state data. Other industries are growing slower, including construction and manufacturing. “We’ve heard from some folks that maybe it has taken a little longer than what they remember in the past if they were previously unemployed. Some individuals don’t say that at all,” said Sara Garbe, workforce development supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “November and reaching December, we certainly see a slowdown of hiring and folks may mention things like that they’ve heard from recruiters that maybe a decision won’t be made until after the holidays or after the first or the last quarter of the year,” added Garbe, whose staff works with new job seekers and those in mid-career. For recent college grads who haven’t landed work, the holiday season can bring its own pressures. Raina Hofstede, 22, studied English at Harvard University. Since graduating in May and coming back to Minnesota, she said job prospects have been nearly nonexistent. “I feel kind of directionless in the time period that I’m waiting,” said Hofstede, who grew up in Coon Rapids. “I feel like I really want to plan. I’m at a point where, like, I’d love to get things moving.” She’s applied to post-undergrad internships and career-advancing work. She’s looking into publishing, creative writing spaces and museums and hopes a stint working in comedy clubs while at Harvard might intrigue an employer. The search and the uncertainty around it is a grind, she acknowledged. “I think, as time goes on, and this feels sad, but I think as time goes on, my belief in myself slowly drops a little bit more with more rejections, and so I feel like I’ll be applying to less and less competitive things as I move forward,” Hofstede said. ' Minnesota showed strong steady job growth coming out of the Great Recession in 2009, reaching nearly 3 million jobs by February 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic torpedoed that growth — the state lost more than 400,000 jobs, nearly 14 percent of its employment, in the span of a few months. Job counts didn’t return permanently to pre-pandemic levels until September last year. The current state and national unemployment rates are relatively low, although they have ticked up over the past year. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is lower than the U.S. unemployment rate at 4.2 percent. Based on the most recent data, Minnesota has six unemployed people for every 10 job openings where nationally there are nine unemployed people for every 10 openings. Knowing that doesn’t make it easier for those looking for work, waiting for answers from prospective employers. “It just kind of feels like they have no respect for a candidate or their time, or them as a person,” Deneen said of the current market. “It’s an entire game, and it shouldn’t be this way.” Garbe said technology is transforming job searches in ways that may make landing work more challenging for some in mid-career or just starting out. Companies are using automated systems or in some cases artificial intelligence systems to screen applicants before a human gets to them. She encourages job seekers to reach out to one of DEED’s more than 50 CareerForce offices across the state where analysts can review resumes or cover letters with job seekers and offer help with writing and strategy. They can also connect people to needed training or certifications. Garbe also suggests reflecting on what you’ve accomplished to boost your self-confidence if you get overwhelmed. Social media has become a resource for job seekers as they look. Groups on Reddit like r/StudentJobSearch have become a space for venting and advice with conversations about job searching and applications. LinkedIn is also seeing similar support groups, including two Deneen is in that focus on networking and project management. Hofstede said she’s found solace leaning on those around her who are going through these same experiences. She and a group of new graduates meet at their public library to sift through job postings and work on cover letters and resumes together. “Something of a little community of people who are unemployed and looking for jobs, and I like having the friends support,” she said. “It is harder to go through something uncertain like this alone.”Knowing The Pain Points Locked In Profit On GE VernovaSunday, December 29, 2024 UK Airports Struggling with Heavy Fog and Delays Heavy fog continued to disrupt air travel across the United Kingdom for the second consecutive day, affecting some of the country’s busiest airports. Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, and Heathrow were among those hardest hit by poor visibility on Saturday afternoon. Delays and cancellations stretched into Sunday, as air traffic control provider Nats confirmed that “temporary” restrictions remained in place due to the persistent fog and low visibility in certain areas. Weather experts had warned that the fog would persist, particularly affecting southern regions of England and Wales. The dense fog created hazardous conditions for air travel, as flights continued to be delayed or canceled, with little respite in sight. The weather conditions affected not only airlines but also passengers, who found themselves stuck in crowded terminals, with limited seating and few food options. Airport Conditions and Disruptions The fog-related disruptions created a challenging situation for travelers at UK airports. At Gatwick’s South Terminal, passengers found themselves with nowhere to sit as they waited for updates. Many were forced to sit on the floor or stairs, extending their Christmas breaks unexpectedly. The delays were particularly difficult for passengers traveling with tight schedules, with some hoping to make it home for important events like birthdays or family gatherings. Among the affected passengers was James King, who, with his wife, was traveling from Stockholm. Their flight had to stop for refueling in Dublin before returning to Stockholm due to crew flight time restrictions. They hoped to return on the same day, but the delays meant their journey would take much longer. Similarly, Yvonne, traveling from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, experienced multiple delays, and her flight was eventually canceled, forcing her to wait until Sunday to fly home. Passengers like Elif Arjin Celik, who was trying to leave Gatwick for Istanbul, faced similarly packed terminals, with long waits and limited amenities. Wider Impact on the Travel Industry The ongoing fog crisis is affecting more than just passengers and airlines. With multiple airports impacted by delays, the broader travel industry is feeling the strain. Airlines must reroute or cancel flights, affecting not only travelers but also their operations and schedules. The financial consequences are significant, as airports and airlines struggle to accommodate the disrupted passengers, while travelers are left dealing with the inconvenience of extended waits, rebooked flights, or even having to purchase new travel essentials. Travelers are advised to stay in close contact with airlines to monitor flight statuses and are encouraged to seek refunds or rerouting if their flights are canceled. Many passengers are also reminded of their rights, with experts urging them to remind airlines of regulations that allow for refunds or alternative flights when cancellations occur. However, even with these protections, the emotional and logistical stress caused by such disruptions has made a substantial impact on the public’s perception of travel reliability. Passenger Experience and Safety Measures Despite the disruptions, there were a few key strategies in place to help passengers manage the situation. Some travelers, like those on KLM flights, were provided with accommodation for additional nights, although complications arose, such as baggage being left behind at airports. Other passengers found themselves stranded in terminals, struggling with overcrowded spaces and limited food and restroom facilities. While many passengers were left frustrated, experts advised that anyone affected by cancellations should remember they have the right to be rerouted or refunded, offering a glimmer of hope for those facing difficult situations. In addition, the importance of safety was emphasized, particularly for drivers, who were warned to take extra care on the roads during the foggy conditions. Improving the Travel Experience Amid Adverse Weather Although the disruption caused by fog was severe, the experience highlighted the importance of preparedness in air travel. Both airports and airlines are continually working to manage adverse weather conditions, but unforeseen events like this fog can still cause massive delays. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport early, check the status of their flights regularly, and ensure they have access to sufficient food, water, and accommodations when necessary. The weather conditions over the weekend followed earlier delays and cancellations from the previous day. As of Sunday, conditions were expected to improve, with clearer skies forecasted across much of the country. Travelers were advised to plan for extra time, especially when traveling in areas with lingering fog and mist. A Global Impact on Travel Trends This weather disruption is part of a broader global trend in which adverse weather events continue to affect air travel around the world. As more unpredictable weather patterns emerge, the travel industry must adapt to ensure smoother, safer experiences for passengers. Travelers are advised to be vigilant, especially during peak seasons, when weather events can have widespread consequences. For the aviation sector, continued investment in weather-related technology, improved communication, and passenger services will be vital in mitigating the impact of future disruptions. Navigating Travel Challenges While the UK airports continue to deal with the fallout from this foggy weekend, travelers are urged to remain patient and prepared. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that weather can bring to air travel, but it also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of disruptions.

he has hit back at claims the received a favorable call after holding on for a nerve-wracking win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday. The Chiefs, now 11-1, looked set to fall to their second defeat of the season as the Raiders drove down the field and in position for a game winning field goal in the closing stages of the game. Instead disaster struck for Las Vegas when quarterback couldn't get his hands on an errant snap, which ricocheted off his chest. Chiefs linebacker was quickest to the ball and recovered it, though a flag was thrown on the play. Many believed a false start was set to be called, which would have blown the play dead and allowed the Raiders to keep possession of the ball However, after the officials came together to discuss the play, an illegal shift was called. That penalty doesn't result in the play being blown dead, meaning the Chiefs got the ball before kneeling out the clock to claim a 19-17 win. The decision has generated plenty of discussion on social media, with some fans believing the NFL clears up penalty call After the game Raiders reporter asked the NFL to clear up the call, and according to the league's ruling, an illegal shift was the correct call because the clock was stopped before the play. "Had the clock been running at the snap, then by rule an illegal shift would convert to a false start. Since the clock was stopped (spike on the 2nd down play), an illegal shift is a live ball foul," the league said. Regardless of how some fans may feel, the decision stands and the Chiefs walked away from the game with their They also set an NFL record for their 14th consecutive one-score win, and clinched a playoff spot for the 10th consecutive season.U.S. shares higher at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.97%

Early Wage Access Solutions: Bridging the Gap Between PaydaysPresident-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US ambassador to France, in the latest of several controversial picks. Kushner "is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," Trump said on his Truth Social website, adding that Jared "worked closely with me in the White House." The choice is in keeping with Trump's pattern, so far, of selecting people, often wealthy, who are close to his family or of proven loyalty. Kushner is a multimillionaire real estate executive and former attorney; his son was a senior adviser during Trump's first term. Trump did not mention, however, that the elder Kushner once served jail time -- a two-year sentence, most of it served in a federal prison. Kushner, who is now 70, pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign contributions. The case, which was prosecuted by then US attorney Chris Christie, included sordid details, to which Kushner admitted: that he had hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, a man cooperating in a campaign finance inquiry, and then videotaped the encounter and sent it to the man's wife, Kushner's sister, to dissuade her from testifying against him. More from this section Christie, who worked on Trump's first presidential transition team and then opposed him in this year's Republican primary contests, later said Kushner had committed a "loathsome" and "disgusting crime." In 2020, Trump issued a pardon to Kushner, whose conviction had resulted in him being disbarred in three states. Nominees for key ambassadorships are often business associates of a president-elect, or major political donors. But it is rare, if not unprecedented, to name a convicted felon. The first two men to fill the prestigious Paris post were famed inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin and a future president, Thomas Jefferson. If confirmed, Kushner would succeed Denise Bauer, a former ambassador to Belgium who was a major Democratic fundraiser and donor. md/bbk/md

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Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has admitted his recovery back from a long-term knee injury was “awful” and led to doubts as to whether he would ever return to play. Mings sustained a second career Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in August 2023, during Villa’s opening day season fixture away to Newcastle United . Recovery was arduous, with the England international also suffering cartilage damage. Advertisement The extent of the injury was severe as Mings suffered noticeable muscle atrophy in his right leg and, given it was his second ACL after the first was at Bournemouth and took 473 days to recover from, caused psychological challenges. This time, the 31-year-old was out of action for 445 days, only returning in October’s Carabao Cup defeat against Crystal Palace . Mings made his first Premier League start on Wednesday evening, in the 3-1 victory at Brentford, marking an impressive and extensive turnaround, especially during stages of recovery, which Mings expressed the difficulty of. “It was (the journey back) awful, absolutely awful,” said Mings, speaking in the mixed zone after the game against Brentford . “But I’ve done it before and I did it again. I was always wondering what was keeping me going, whether it was nights like tonight, family, or personal pride. It was a little bit of everything. When times get tough, you ask, what am I still doing this for? “The messages I had from them (supporters), was really heartwarming and played a big part. I thank the Villa fans for that because the roar when your name is called out and all of those things add up to my journey back. Tonight was a good feeling.” As The Athletic has detailed in a separate piece, Mings’ rehabilitation was broken down into stages, owing to the sheer length of tthe imescale. He flew to Philadelphia for three weeks and worked with an ACL specialist — someone he had spent time with during his previous injury at Bournemouth. Sources close to the situation, who, like others in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, describe the facility as “top class”. “You have good days, bad days, good hours, bad hours,” added Mings. “But I am a big believer in visualisation. I played tonight over in my head many, many times before, so when you step back out there I feel very comfortable and like I have never been away because of the mental work I have done before. Advertisement “It also means I have seen way worse in the last 16, 17 months than bad days in football, which means I can contextualise it a little bit and means I am very calm after a loss or bad performance. “Like (there were) times when I genuinely did think I would not be able to recover from this knee injury, such was the severity of it and the complications with it. When I think of where I have been, bad days in football don’t seem too bad. “I did not conclusively think “this is it” but there were definitely days when I thought I have been banging my head against a brick wall for a few months and I have not seen any progress. When is something going to change? I never thought: ‘I am never going to play football again’. But there were certainly days when I thought, will I? If that makes sense.” Mings had three stints in the U.S., including at the start of the year, as well as a period in Qatar, continuing to work. Progress was not straightforward; there were periods when he felt ahead of schedule — Unai Emery’s long-standing prediction was that he would be available to train in September — running on the grass and gently increasing his workload. At other times, optimism would fracture after frustrating setbacks. “I think probably around April of this year (was the low point),” he said. “The journey was very stop-start, stop-start. Right up until October and November of last year, I was still having operations to get the knee right, so the rehab didn’t really start until that point. “There were a lot of setbacks so it was probably April I was thinking, I have pretty much exhausted all avenues of what I can do here. Honestly, the only thing you do in that situation is keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep going. That is why I say you have to draw on every part of internal and external motivation you have. There are different days and different things. “Sometimes when you are away from home, away from family – I had a lot of time in America – you think if the family think I can do this, then I sure as hell will keep turning up every day and doing the work.” GO DEEPER Inside Tyrone Mings' 445-day road to recovery (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

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https www facebook com nice88 ph The Wolves' current situation is made even more precarious by the fact that they are not the only team struggling at the bottom of the table. With three teams languishing at the foot of the league standings, the battle to avoid relegation has never been more intense. The Wolves' recent slide down the table has only added to the drama and excitement of the relegation battle, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

KrebsOnSecurity.com turns 15 years old today! Maybe it’s indelicate to celebrate the birthday of a cybercrime blog that mostly publishes bad news, but happily many of 2024’s most engrossing security stories were about bad things happening to bad guys. It’s also an occasion to note that despite my publishing fewer stories than ever this past year, we somehow managed to attract near record levels of readership (thank you!). In case you missed any of them, here’s a recap of 2024’s most-read stories. In January, KrebsOnSecurity told the story of a Canadian man who was falsely charged with larceny and lost his job after becoming the victim of a complex e-commerce scam known as triangulation fraud. This can occur when you buy something online — from a seller on Amazon or eBay , for example — but the seller doesn’t actually own the item for sale. Instead, they purchase the item using stolen payment card data and your shipping address. In this scam, you receive what you ordered, and the only party left to dispute the transaction is the owner of the stolen payment card. March featured several investigations into the history of various people-search data broker services. One story exposed how the Belarusian CEO of the privacy and data removal service OneRep had actually founded dozens of people-search services , including many that OneRep was offering to remove people from for a fee. That story quickly prompted Mozilla to terminate its partnership with OneRep , which Mozilla had bundled as a privacy option for Firefox users. A story digging into the consumer data broker Radaris found its CEO was a fabricated identity , and that the company’s founders were Russian brothers in Massachusetts who operated multiple Russian language dating services and affiliate programs, in addition to a dizzying array of people-search websites. Radaris repeatedly threatened to sue KrebsOnSecurity unless that publication was retracted in full, alleging that it was replete with errors both factual and malicious. Instead, we doubled down and published all of the supporting evidence that wasn’t included in the original story, leaving little room for doubt about its conclusions. Fittingly, Radaris now pimps OneRep as a service when consumers request that their personal information be removed from the data broker’s website. Easily the longest story this year was an investigation into Stark Industries Solutions , a large, mysterious new Internet hosting firm that materialized when Russia invaded Ukraine. That piece revealed how Stark was being used as a global proxy network to conceal the true source of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns against enemies of Russia. Much of my summer was spent reporting a story about how advertising and marketing firms have created a global free-for-all where anyone can track the daily movements and associations of hundreds of millions of mobile devices , thanks to the ubiquity of mobile location data that is broadly and cheaply available. Research published in September explored the dark nexus between harm groups and cybercrime communities consumed with perpetrating financial fraud . That analysis found an increasing number of young, Western cybercriminals are also members of fast-growing online groups that exist solely to bully, stalk, harass and extort vulnerable teens into physically harming themselves and others. One focus of that story was a Canadian cybercriminal who used the nickname Judische. Identified by the Mandiant as one of the most consequential threat actors of 2024, Judische was responsible for a hacking rampage that exposed private information on hundreds of millions of Americans. That story withheld Judische’s real name, but the reporting came in handy in late October when a 25-year-old Canadian man named Connor Riley Moucka was arrested and charged with 20 criminal counts connected to the Snowflake data extortions . In November, KrebsOnSecurity published a profile of Judische’s accomplice — a hacker known as Kiberphant0m — detailing how Kiberphant0m had left a trail of clues strongly suggesting that they are or recently were a U.S. Army soldier stationed in South Korea . My reporting in December was mainly split between two investigations. The first profiled Cryptomus , a dodgy cryptocurrency exchange allegedly based in Canada that has become a major payment processor and sanctions evasion platform for dozens of Russian exchanges and cybercrime services online . How to Lose a Fortune with Just One Bad Click told the sad tales of two cryptocurrency heist victims who were scammed out of six and seven figures after falling for complex social engineering schemes over the phone. In these attacks, the phishers abused at least four different Google services to trick targets into believing they were speaking with a Google representative, and into giving thieves control over their account with a single click. Look for a story here in early 2025 that will explore the internal operations of these ruthless and ephemeral voice phishing gangs. Before signing off for 2024, allow me to remind readers that the reporting we’re able to provide here is made possible primarily by the ads you may see at the top of this website. If you currently don’t see any ads when you load this website, please consider enabling an exception in your ad blocker for KrebsOnSecurity.com. There is zero third-party content on this website, apart from the occasional Youtube video embedded as part of a story. More importantly, all of our ads are static images or GIFs that are vetted by me and served in-house directly. Fundamentally, my work is supported and improved by your readership , tips, encouragement and, yes, criticism. So thank you for that, and keep it coming, please. Here’s to a happy, healthy, wealthy and wary 2025. Hope to see you all again in the New Year!

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NoneAs autumn ushers in its presence, a new wave of cold air is gearing up to spread its chilly fingers across the southern regions of China. This anticipated drop in temperature is set to bring relief to residents and wildlife alike, as the scorching heat of summer begins to wane and make way for cooler, crisper days ahead.None

In terms of performance, the YU7 SUV is anticipated to offer multiple powertrain options, including electric and hybrid variants, catering to the evolving preferences of eco-conscious consumers. By embracing sustainable mobility solutions, Xiaomi aims to align its automotive endeavors with its commitment to environmental stewardship and a greener future.XCHG Limited Reports Second Quarter 2024 Unaudited Financial Results

Russia is negotiating with the new Syrian authorities on maintaining two of its military bases in the country, Tartus and Khmeimim. Moscow and the Syrian jihadists who seized power in the country last weekend are currently discussing “maintaining Russia’s presence in Syria and its previous status,” according to TASS sources familiar with the negotiations. “The Russian side has secured temporary security guarantees, so the military bases are operating as usual,” the agency's source has said. On December 9, a TASS source reported that the day before, armed formations of then-President Bashar Assad's opponents had established full control over the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located. They did not invade the Russian bases in Tartus and Khmeimim. The situation in Syria has rapidly deteriorated over the past two weeks, with assorted militants led by the Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham (HTS) jihadist group launching an offensive against the country’s troops, taking over major cities and ending up in Damascus. However, jihadists did not enter the Russian bases in Tartus and Khmeimim. After the collapse of the Syrian military Assad fled the country, finding refuge in Russia. According to a statement by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian diplomats have already discussed several issues with the HTS political committee, including “ensuring the security of our diplomatic mission and Russian citizens who are on the territory of Syria.” Russian military forces are present in Syria at Khmeimim Air Base and at a logistics support center in Tartus, located in the western part of the country along the Mediterranean coast. In 2017, Moscow and Damascus agreed to the stationing of Russian troops at these bases for 49 years.Title: Trump Threatens NATO Members with Withdrawal from the OrganizationThe decision to target a left winger in the upcoming transfer window reflects Arsenal's desire to inject more creativity and width into their attacking play. By adding a player who can stretch opposition defenses and provide natural width on the left flank, the Gunners hope to unlock new dimensions in their attacking strategy and increase their goal-scoring output.

Phelan's arrival at Plymouth Argyle has generated significant buzz among fans and pundits alike, with many viewing it as a major coup for the club. The 58-year-old coach is widely regarded as one of the best in the business, having played a pivotal role in Manchester United's success during his time at the club.

As the saga unfolds in the coming weeks, one thing is for certain - Manchester United will not rest on their laurels when it comes to reshaping their squad and seeking out new talent to take the club forward. The departure of this once-promising talent may mark the end of an era, but it also opens the door to new opportunities and fresh beginnings for both the player and the club.Meanwhile, in another corporate scandal, 百川智能 (BaiChuan Intelligent) is facing backlash after reports emerged that the company has been engaging in a questionable practice of forcibly buying back employee stock options at below-market prices. This controversial move has raised concerns about the company's treatment of its employees and ethical standards.Indian-American Kash Patel Nominated As FBI Director By Trump

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have officially signed right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia to a two-year, US$15-million contract. The Blue Jays announced the deal Friday, two days after multiple media outlets reported the agreement. The 34-year-old Garcia was traded from Toronto to Seattle on July 26 for outfielder Jonatan Clase and catcher/outfielder Jacob Sharp. He had a 6.00 ERA in nine innings over 10 appearances for the Mariners. He was 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA and five saves overall this year in 39 games and 39 innings. Garcia is 22-29 with a 3.59 ERA and 26 saves over 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-19), Miami (2020-21), Houston (2021), Toronto (2022-24) and Seattle. He missed the 2017 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. The Canadian Press

As the Amazon Global Selling Seller Summit unfolds in Nanjing's Jianye district, the city has an unprecedented opportunity to showcase its strengths and potential as a prominent player in the global e-commerce landscape. With a strong focus on supporting entrepreneurship and encouraging businesses to embrace cutting-edge practices, Nanjing is poised to emerge as a key destination for forward-thinking enterprises looking to expand their market reach and achieve long-term success.

In a significant development amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, the country's Prime Minister has agreed to transfer power to the opposition forces. This decision marks a crucial step towards achieving a peaceful resolution to the long-standing crisis that has ravaged the nation and its people. The move comes as a result of intensive negotiations and a mutual agreement between the government and the opposition, with the aim of creating a more stable and inclusive governance structure that prioritizes the well-being of all Syrian citizens.

5. Cutting out entire food groups: Eliminating entire food groups, such as carbohydrates or fats, from your diet may seem like a quick way to lose weight. However, this can deprive your body of essential nutrients and make it difficult to maintain a balanced diet. It is important to focus on moderation and variety in your food choices for optimal health.

Despite both being accomplished badminton players with busy training schedules and tournament commitments, Zheng has been quite open about his desire to get married and start a family. In a recent interview, he expressed his hopes that Huang would agree to get married next year. This public display of affection has captured the attention of fans and the media alike, with many eagerly anticipating a wedding announcement in the near future.Buggs' 15 lead East Tennessee State over Austin Peay 79-57

It is important for employees, customers, and the public to be aware that misinformation and speculation can be harmful and create unnecessary fear and uncertainty. As a responsible company, Hisense Group is committed to transparency and open communication with our stakeholders. We encourage anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to us directly for accurate information and clarification.

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Pep Guardiola has pledged to step aside if he fails to turn around Manchester City’s poor run of form. The City boss is enduring the worst run of his glittering managerial career after a six-game winless streak featuring five successive defeats and a calamitous 3-3 draw in a match his side had led 3-0. The 53-year-old, who has won 18 trophies since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2027 just over a week ago. Yet, despite his remarkable successes, he still considers himself vulnerable to the sack and has pleaded with the club to keep faith. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem,” said the Spaniard, who watched in obvious frustration as City conceded three times in the last 15 minutes in a dramatic capitulation against Feyenoord in midweek. “I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there. “My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try come back’, and especially when everybody comes back (from injury) and see what happens. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead. “More than ever I ask to my hierarchy, give me the chance. “Will it be easy for me now? No. I have the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it.” City have been hampered by a raft of injuries this term, most pertinently to midfield talisman and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Euro 2024 winner is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his absence has been keenly felt over the past two months. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has also not started a match since September. The pressure continues to build with champions City facing a crucial trip to title rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Defeat would leave City trailing Arne Slot’s side by 11 points. “I don’t enjoy it at all, I don’t like it,” said Guardiola of his side’s current situation. “I sleep not as good as I slept when I won every game. “The sound, the smell, the perfume is not good enough right now. “But I’m the same person who won the four Premier Leagues in a row. I was happier because I ate better, lived better, but I was not thinking differently from who I am.” Guardiola is confident his side will not stop battling as they bid to get back on track. He said: “The people say, ‘Yeah, it’s the end of that’. Maybe, but we are in November. We will see what happens until the end. “What can you do? Cry for that? You don’t stay long – many, many years without fighting. That is what you try to look for, this is the best (way). “Why should we not believe? Why should it not happen with us?”IDF completes raid on northern Gaza hospital, arrests 240 terror suspects1 2 3 Sambalpur: Forests are the backbone of Odisha's economy and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at the Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association's conference. He added, "Odisha is second in the country when it comes to forest coverage and Sambalpur is one of the districts with the largest forest cover. Between 2025 and 2070, there is an aim to increase the forest cover. Four out 19 sanctuaries in the state are in Sambalpur. Hence, there should be efforts made for sustainable development of all the jungle products, livelihoods, wildlife and economy in coordination." He urged for the development of ponds, forest land rights and PESA law's right to implementation. "There should be a continuous effort from the govt to reduce the human-animal conflict , besides the use of advanced technology for the development and conservation of forests," he added. "We took an oath to bring carbon emissions to net zero by 2070 as per the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following Mission LiFE, PM's ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' movement was launched," he said. Regarding the inclusion of forests in school curriculum, the minister said, "State govt has decided to implement the National Education Policy. There will be a new syllabus as per the policy, which will include forest-centric culture and history of forest conservation movements." "Development does mean developing just the capital city, development should reach every region in the state," Pradhan said. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

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Shatel: Is Omaha big enough for two professional volleyball teams?TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel said Sunday that the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found after he was killed in what it described as a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” The UAE's Interior Ministry later said authorities arrested three perpetrators involved in the killing of Zvi Kogan. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel “will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death.” Israeli authorities did not say how they determined the killing of Kogan was a terror attack and offered no additional details. Kogan, 28, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who went missing on Thursday, ran a kosher grocery store in the futuristic city of Dubai, where Israelis have flocked for commerce and tourism since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in the 2020 Abraham Accords . The agreement has held through more than a year of soaring regional tensions unleashed by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack into southern Israel . But Israel's devastating retaliatory offensive in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon, after months of fighting with the Hezbollah militant group, have stoked anger among Emiratis, Arab nationals and others living in the the UAE. Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, has also been threatening to retaliate against Israel after a wave of airstrikes Israel carried out in October in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Emirati government did not respond to a request for comment. However, senior Emirati diplomat Anwer Gargash wrote on the social platform X in Arabic on Sunday that “the UAE will remain a home of safety, an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence and a beacon of development, pride and advancement.” Early on Sunday, the UAE’s state-run WAM news agency acknowledged Kogan’s disappearance but pointedly did not acknowledge he held Israeli citizenship, referring to him only as being Moldovan. The Emirati Interior Ministry described Kogan as being “missing and out of contact.” “Specialized authorities immediately began search and investigation operations upon receiving the report,” the Interior Ministry said. The ministry later said that three “perpetrators” had been arrested “in record time” without giving additional details. Netanyahu told a regular Cabinet meeting later Sunday that he was “deeply shocked” by Kogan's disappearance and death. He said he appreciated the cooperation of the UAE in the investigation and that ties between the two countries would continue to be strengthened. Israel's largely ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, condemned the killing and thanked Emirati authorities for "their swift action." He said he trusts they “will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Israel also again warned against all nonessential travel to the Emirates after Kogan's killing. “There is concern that there is still a threat against Israelis and Jews in the area,” a government warning issued Sunday said. Kogan was an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of ultra-Orthodox Judaism based in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood in New York City. It said he was last seen in Dubai. The UAE has a burgeoning Jewish community, with synagogues and businesses catering to kosher diners. The Rimon Market, a kosher grocery store that Kogan managed on Dubai’s busy Al Wasl Road, was shut Sunday. As the wars have roiled the region, the store has been the target of online protests by supporters of the Palestinians. Mezuzahs on the front and back doors of the market appeared to have been ripped off when an Associated Press journalist stopped by on Sunday. Kogan’s wife, Rivky, is a U.S. citizen who lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The UAE is an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and is also home to Abu Dhabi. Local Jewish officials in the UAE declined to comment. While the Israeli statement did not mention Iran, Iranian intelligence services have carried out past kidnappings in the UAE. Western officials believe Iran runs intelligence operations in the UAE and keeps tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living across the country. Iran is suspected of kidnapping and later killing British Iranian national Abbas Yazdi in Dubai in 2013, though Tehran has denied involvement. Iran also kidnapped Iranian German national Jamshid Sharmahd in 2020 from Dubai, taking him back to Tehran, where he was executed in October . ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tia Goldenberg And Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

Raghu Kulal of ‘Guruvandana Pottery Products’ at Aloor village near Kundapura in Udupi district making a pottery product using solar powered pottery wheel. | Photo Credit: RAVIPRASAD KAMILA Spinning a solar-powered pottery wheel to make a clay product at Aloor village near Kundapura in Udupi district, Raghu Kulal says, “Now I can make up to 70 clay vessels a day when compared to 20 vessels a day earlier when I was using a manually-operated wheel.” Not just the pottery wheel, the pug mill and the blunger at his ‘Guruvandana Pottery Products’ are also solar powered. The 3 kW capacity off-grid solar unit was set up by SELCO Solar Light Private Ltd. “Going in for a solar unit not only helped in increasing the output but also in making better quality products,” Mr. Kulal told The Hindu. Under the conventional method, the pottery business entrepreneur said, two persons took a day just to prepare about seven baskets of clay for making the products. “Now, the solar-powered pug mill and blunger do so in half an hour.” Mr. Kulal said that he went in for the solar unit nine years ago in 2015. “As a teenager, disgusted with the traditional pottery making profession of my father, I went to Belagavi to work in a hotel. I left the village thinking that the there was no dignity in the profession. I had to return following the death of my father. After availing training in pottery making, marketing and installing a solar unit which changed the phase of production, I realised that there was no fault in the profession but the fault was with me,” Mr. Kulal said. He said that The Concerned for Working Children (CWC) trained him with 14 others at Namma Bhoomi in Kundapura for six months. Mr. Kulal told The Hindu that with the solar unit in place, he and his family members can work at any time. His two sons, who are graduates, and among whom one is pursuing post-graduation, stay with and assist him in continuing the entrepreneurship. He said two persons who were working with him and trained by him have now set up independent solar-powered pottery workshops in the same village. They are Rajesh at Kalthodu and Chandrashekar at Halli. Terracotta products made by Raghu Kulal of ‘Guruvandana Pottery Products’ at Aloor village near Kundapura in Udupi district. | Photo Credit: RAVIPRASAD KAMILA Guruprakash Shetty, Deputy General Manager, SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd., told The Hindu that the SELCO set up solar units at 29 pottery units in Karnataka since 2015-16. Their capacity varied from 1 kW to 3 kW depending on the need. In addition to the coastal belt, some of them are in Chickballapur, Tumakuru and Bengaluru areas with a major financial contribution from potters and some from SELCO. Numerous benefits “Technology intervention has not taken away the skills of pottery making. It has instead helped in saving a heritage profession from extinction. It helped in increasing efficiency, income and brought dignity to the profession. It also helped in preventing migration from rural areas,” Mr. Shetty said. Limitations of manual pottery wheels “A manual pottery wheel requires labour and involves a lot drudgery and time. The AC pottery wheel cannot deal with erratic power cuts in rural areas and its wheel size restricts the load capacity. Considering these challenges, SELCO intervened with an efficient solar-powered pottery wheel. The increase in productivity by DC wheel has brought a steady rise in daily income,” the DGM said. Shekar Shetty, Area Manager (Operations) of the company added, “The first step of pottery – mixing the clay and water with hands takes about four days of labour. A blunger easily mixes the clay without wasting the labour. SELCO solar powered this blunger and made the process much more efficient.” Pots made by Raghu Kulal of ‘Guruvandana Pottery Products’ at Aloor village near Kundapura in Udupi district. | Photo Credit: RAVIPRASAD KAMILA Published - December 15, 2024 11:15 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Karnataka / Mangalore / sherds and pottery / arts, culture and entertainment / solar / environmental issues / Belgaum / hotel and accommodation / Bangalore / technology (general) / heritage / labour / electricity production and distributionSAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Residents of this capital city have asked concerned government officials to stop the construction of a baywalk and seawall spanning four coastal villages here, saying the project will "endanger the environment, health and livelihood of the residents" in the area. In a letter to Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David on Monday, Koalisyon Isalbar Ti Pintas Ti La Union Inc. (Kiplu) President Crisanto Palabay said that the project has already started in the coastal villages of Ilocanos Sur, Ilocanos Norte, Pagdaraoan and Carlatan. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.NoneAfter two months since going on a labor strike, the union representing mental health workers and Kaiser Permanente will return to the bargaining table on Jan. 9, officials announced Monday. Nearly 2,400 Kaiser mental health therapists, social workers, psychiatric nurses and psychologists — represented by National Union of Healthcare Workers — began their strike on Oct. 21 and held their last negotiating session two days later. Due to mounting political pressure from state elected leaders within recent weeks, Kaiser is ready to renegotiate, union officials said during an online media briefing. “Kaiser is creating a patient care crisis by keeping patients away from their therapists, and there is still no sign that it sees any urgency in reaching a fair agreement to end the strike,” Sal Rosselli, president emeritus of the union, said. “It’s deeply troubling that Kaiser still seems intent on slow-walking negotiations when it has never been clearer that patients are suffering from Kaiser’s refusal to bargain in good faith,” he added. According to the union, the key issues remain Kaiser’s “unwillingness” to provides its mental health professionals in Southern California the “same amount of time for critical patient care duties that can’t be done during appoints as their counterparts in Northern California — as well as the same wage levels and retirement benefits as comparable workers throughout the Kaiser system.” In a statement, the company called the strike “unnecessary” and maintained patients are receiving timely access to mental health care and services through an “extensive, high-quality” network of 13,000 therapists across SoCal. Kaiser noted more than 45% of its therapists have returned to work and are caring for patients and members. “NUHW continues to demand that we settle a contract agreement so therapists would spend almost 50% of their time in non-patient care,” Kaiser said in its statement. “This is not logical and would result in 15,000 clinical appointments per month not being staffed.” The company argued that the union’s demand would result in its members receiving more than 40% above their peers in the market — describing it as “not logical.” Employees already earn at market or up to 10% above the market rate, according to Kaiser. Therapists are paid at 18% above the market, and the company is offering more. We have launched our year-end campaign. Our goal: Raise $50,000 by Dec. 31. Help us get there. Times of San Diego is devoted to producing timely, comprehensive news about San Diego County. Your donation helps keep our work free-to-read, funds reporters who cover local issues and allows us to write stories that hold public officials accountable. Join the growing list of donors investing in our community's long-term future. The company also refuted a claim made by the union that therapists do not receive a pension. Kaiser Permanente said they offer a pension plan in which they match up to 9% almost double the national average. A majority of state senators and assembly members have signed letters urging Kaiser CEO Greg Adams to settle negotiations. California Treasurer Fiona Ma and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond have sent similar letters. Kaiser said it appreciates that “they have asked both sides to reconvene and seek a solution.” “We have been deeply disappointed by the union’s lack of engagement in bargaining to this point,” Kaiser said in its statement. “We are pleased that they have agreed to return to the bargaining table on Jan. 9.” “We hope that NUHW is returning to the bargaining table with a sincere interest in reaching an agreement that is good for our therapists and members,” the statement continued. According to the union, there will be no picket lines on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Other than those days, picket lines will continue as scheduled weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a lunchtime rally with community and elected leaders at all strike locations including San Diego County. A full list of picket line locations is available here . Get Our Free Daily Email Newsletter Get the latest local and California news from Times of San Diego delivered to your inbox at 8 a.m. daily. Sign up for our free email newsletter and be fully informed of the most important developments.

Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. And this wasn't on a whim: He knows how to play and even brought his own chess set. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two — he told Bleacher Report afterward that both of the losses were to professional chess players — before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. The Spurs play at Minnesota on Sunday. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAAfghan women turn to entrepreneurship under Taliban

Banihal/Bhaderwah (J-K), Dec 28 (PTI) Stuck in snow, while many sulked, some chose to allay their hardships by playing cricket inside the out-of-bounds 8.5-km Navyug Tunnel in Kashmir. Heavy snowfall has stranded hundreds of commuters on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Many spent the night inside their vehicles in the freezing temperature and demanded a fast reopening of the arterial road. The cold, however, failed to dampen certain sturdy spirits who warmed up with a good game of cricket inside the Navyug Tunnel that connects Banihal town in Ramban district of Jammu region with Qazigund in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. A video of the scene showed up on social media and was shared widely. Authorities on Saturday pressed men and machinery to ensure early reopening of the highway – the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country. The highway was closed down for vehicular traffic late Friday evening after the heavy snowfall – this season's first – rendered the road slippery. Ramban Deputy Commissioner Baseer-ul-Haq Chaudhary along with Senior Superintendent of Police Kulbir Singh visited Banihal to take stock of the situation. Many tourists had to spend the night inside their vehicles in the freezing temperatures. Lakhpat Behal, a tourist from Chandigarh, said they reached the tunnel around 7 pm on Friday and were not allowed to move forward. "We have been waiting in our vehicles for more than 20 hours, waiting for clearance from the authorities," he told PTI near the Navyug tunnel. A newlywed couple from Mumbai was also forced to spend the night in the vehicle. "The policemen asked us to return from the tunnel while we were heading for Kashmir but there were no hotels for accommodation...It is a nightmare to stay in the vehicle for 20 hours with no information when the road is going to be thrown open," the husband, who wished not to be named, said. Tourists from Sangrur-Punjab and Madhya Pradesh said their dream visit to Kashmir turned horrendous for them. "We had decided to visit Kashmir on New Year to enjoy snow. We did enjoy the snowfall but faced a lot of trouble. We were concerned for our children who had to spend the night in the vehicle," Yasmeena, who was accompanied by two children and three more family members, said. Ramban, along with adjoining Doda and Kishtwar districts, experienced the first major snowfall overnight, much to the delight of the locals, especially agriculturalists and those associated with the tourism industry. The snowfall not only ended the nearly two-and-a-half months dry spell in the Chenab Valley region but also turned Bhaderwah, Bhallessa, Doda and Kishtwar towns white after a gap of two years. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)NEW YORK — The brooding waltz was carefully composed on a sheet of music roughly the size of an index card. The brief, moody number also bore an intriguing name, written at the top in cursive: “Chopin.” A previously unknown work of music penned by the European master Frederic Chopin appears to have been found at the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan. The untitled and unsigned piece is on display this month at the opulently appointed institution, which had once been the private library of financier J.P. Morgan. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is held in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum on Nov. 13 in New York. Robinson McClellan, the museum curator who uncovered the manuscript, said it's the first new work associated with the Romantic era composer to be discovered in nearly a century. But McClellan concedes that it may never be known whether it is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. The piece, set in the key of A minor, stands out for its “very stormy, brooding opening section” before transitioning to a melancholy melody more characteristic of Chopin, McClellan explained. “This is his style. This is his essence,” he said during a recent visit to the museum. “It really feels like him.” McClellan said he came across the work in May as he was going through a collection from the late Arthur Satz, a former president of the New York School of Interior Design. Satz acquired it from A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., an avid autograph collector who had been director of the school. McClellan then worked with experts to verify its authenticity. The paper was found to be consistent with what Chopin favored for manuscripts, and the ink matched a kind typical in the early 19th century when Chopin lived, according to the museum. But a handwriting analysis determined the name “Chopin” written at the top of the sheet was penned by someone else. Born in Poland, Chopin was considered a musical genius from an early age. He lived in Warsaw and Vienna before settling in Paris, where he died in 1849 at the age of 39, likely of tuberculosis. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is seen in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum, Nov. 13 in New York. He’s buried among a pantheon of artists at the city’s famed Père Lachaise Cemetery, but his heart, pickled in a jar of alcohol, is housed in a church in Warsaw, in keeping with his deathbed wish for the organ to return to his homeland. Artur Szklener, director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw, the Polish capital city where the composer grew up, agreed that the document is consistent with the kinds of ink and paper Chopin used during his early years in Paris. Musically, the piece evokes the “brilliant style” that made Chopin a luminary in his time, but it also has features unusual for his compositions, Szklener said. “First of all, it is not a complete work, but rather a certain musical gesture, a theme laced with rather simple piano tricks alluding to a virtuoso style," Szklener explained in a lengthy statement released after the document was revealed last month. He and other experts conjecture the piece could have been a work in progress. It may have also been a copy of another's work, or even co-written with someone else, perhaps a student for a musical exercise. Jeffrey Kallberg, a University of Pennsylvania music professor and Chopin expert who helped authenticate the document, called the piece a “little gem” that Chopin likely intended as a gift for a friend or wealthy acquaintance. “Many of the pieces that he gave as gifts were short – kind of like ‘appetizers’ to a full-blown work,” Kallberg said in an email. “And we don’t know for sure whether he intended the piece to see the light of day because he often wrote out the same waltz more than once as a gift.” David Ludwig, dean of music at The Juilliard School, a performing arts conservatory in Manhattan, agreed the piece has many of the hallmarks of the composer’s style. “It has the Chopin character of something very lyrical and it has a little bit of darkness as well,” said Ludwig, who was not involved in authenticating the document. But Ludwig noted that, if it's authentic, the tightly composed score would be one of Chopin’s shortest known pieces. The waltz clocks in at under a minute long when played on piano, as many of Chopin’s works were intended. “In terms of the authenticity of it, in a way it doesn’t matter because it sparks our imaginations,” Ludwig said. “A discovery like this highlights the fact that classical music is very much a living art form.” The Chopin reveal comes after the Leipzig Municipal Libraries in Germany announced in September that it uncovered a previously unknown piece likely composed by a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in its collections. Christmas music has a long and storied history beginning centuries ago with pagan rituals. Those traditions evolved with St. Francis of Assisi’s Nativity plays in the 13th century, and survived Puritan rule when many Christmas traditions and celebrations were banned during part of the 17th century. Traveling minstrels spread original songs before the invention of the printing press in 1440 ushered in an era of texts that served as the foundation for some of the most beloved Christmas songs. These tunes would be shared in the form of poetry and hymns printed on broadsides . Today, Christmas music runs the gamut from silly to revolutionary. Songs range from grandmothers getting trampled by reindeer to those based on the work of a Romantic-period poet. Who knew that the catchy tune of Wenceslas, the king with the funny name, is a reverent song about the patron saint of the Czech Republic? Or perhaps it would surprise readers to discover that “Silent Night” was designated as an item of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. These songs we know by heart and hear so often have rich histories rooted in things like war, religion, social reform, and slavery. Stacker compiled a list of Christmas songs released before 1920 and explored the origins of these pieces. This list includes Christmas carols, famous instrumentals, popular hymns, and spirituals from countries around the world. Many of these songs were created out of a chance collaboration between artists spanning time and space; a clergyman pens a hymn, and years later, a composer resurrects those words and sets them to a melody. It may come as no surprise, then, that what people consider to be Christmas classics are among the most-covered Christmas songs of all time . “Silent Night,” for example, had 137,315 recordings according to a 2017 Billboard report. Read on to learn about the rich histories of some of the most beloved Christmas songs that are more than a century old. You may also like: 71 years of Emmy history Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh,” “Jingle Bells” is one of the most beloved and ubiquitous Christmas carols in existence. In 1965, astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford made “Jingle Bells,” the first song heard from space as they orbited Earth aboard the Gemini 6. It may be surprising that this Christmas classic was written as a Thanksgiving song. This traditional English Christmas carol refers to the practice of wassailing, the definition of which has evolved over the years . In the song, wassailing is the practice of traveling door-to-door, wishing good health, and asking for a bit of hospitality and Christmas tidings in return, including a drink from a communal bowl filled with mulled cider or ale called wassail. Other familiar variants of the song include “Here We Come A-Caroling,” and “Here We Come A Christmasing.” Published by hymn writer John Mason Neale in 1853, this carol was based on the life of the virtuous ruler Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia . Wenceslaus I was revered for his piety, morality, and virtue. After his assassination, he was posthumously conferred as a king by Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, which is why people don’t sing of good Duke Wenceslaus. Wenceslaus was elevated to sainthood immediately after his death, and he's considered the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The version of “O Tannenbaum” most of us are familiar with today was written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz, a well-known organist and composer from Leipzig, Germany. Anschütz’s version was one of many based on a 16th-century German folk song that pays homage to the steadfast nature of the "Tannenbaum," the German word for a fir tree. The song’s association with Christmas began with Anschütz even though no explicit mention of Christmas was made in his original lyrics. Furthermore, most Christmas trees are spruce, not fir. Readers may be more familiar with the song’s English title, “O Christmas Tree.” If you’ve ever wondered what “God rest you merry” means, you’re not alone. This carol’s title is often misinterpreted, mispunctuated, and widely debated. The phrase “rest you merry” is used in the same way we use “rest assured.” It is not an address to merry gentlemen but rather an imperative statement to all gentlemen to be happy, citing the birth of Christ. It’s even referenced in Charles Dickens' classic “A Christmas Carol.” The earliest known print edition of the carol dates back to 1760, but its author is unknown. You may also like: 30 celebrities you might not know are LGBTQ Originally titled “Three Kings of Orient,” this carol was written by journalist-turned-clergyman John Henry Hopkins in 1857 for a Christmas pageant and published six years later. The carol chronicles the Christian gospel of Matthew in which three biblical magi, commonly known as the three wise men, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the birth of Jesus. Edmund Sears—a Unitarian pastor in Wayland, Mass.—wrote a five-stanza poem titled “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” in 1849. It was adapted by American composer Richard Storrs Willis in 1850 and set to a melody called “Carol.” The words of this poem-turned-carol are regarded as an account of the issues at the time. Topics referred to in the song include the end of the Mexican-American war and a call for peace among men. Proudly rejoicing the nativity of Jesus, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was an African-American spiritual dating back to 1865. John Wesley Work Jr. was a composer and ethnomusicologist who compiled hundreds of spirituals and even composed a few, including “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” in his work: “American Negro Songs and Spirituals; A Comprehensive Collection of 230 Folk Songs, Religious and Secular.” Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 and published in 1871, this carol explores what the shepherds present at the birth of Jesus must have been thinking when they encountered him. In gospel, hymns, and art, shepherds are central characters in the Nativity of Jesus. The song is set to the familiar melody of “Greensleeves,” a 16th-century English folk song. The exact origins of this popular carol are unknown, but it is most often credited to John Francis Wade. Originally written and printed in Latin as “Adeste Fideles,” it first appeared in Wade’s 1751 collection “Cantus Diversi.” You may also like: Exploring minority representation in the biggest box office winners ever What began in 1818 as a modest performance outside of St. Nicholas parish in Oberndorf, Austria, has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Translated into over 300 languages, “Stille Nacht” was written by a priest named Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818. The song became popular among traveling folk singers, and before long, it could be heard around the world. The English version we know today called “Silent Night” was not written until 1863. “Stille Nacht” was named an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 . “Carol of the Bells” is no doubt familiar to you, if not by name, then by melody. The carol was based on an Ukranian folk chant called "Shchedryk,” which was traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve as it spoke of good fortune for the upcoming year. American composer Peter J. Wilhousky adapted the lyrics "Shchedryk” into a Christmas song in 1919 using the original musical arrangement by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych. Many artists have covered the carol over the last century, and one of its more popular variants is “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was based on a poem of the same name written by English poet Christina Georgina Rossetti in 1872. English composer Gustav Holst first set the poem to music in 1906. This particular carol was published by Cecil Sharp, a famous conservator of English folk tradition, in 1911. The song is packed with symbolism that dates back to pagan rituals. Holly, representing males, and ivy, representing females, used to be burned together during the pagan festival of Beltane to encourage a fruitful spring. In Christianity, holly is symbolic of the crown of thorns Jesus wore during his crucifixion. With this rich history, evergreens like holly and ivy are viewed as symbols of rebirth and renewal, which are common themes celebrated at Christmas time. This carol was based on the poem "Christmas Bells," written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863. With an injured wife and a son who joined the union army against his father’s wishes, Longfellow lamented hearing bells on Christmas Day during the American Civil War. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness when goodwill and peace on Earth seemed impossible. The poem was set to music in 1872 by English composer John Baptiste Calkin. You may also like: Mistakes from the 50 best movies of all time “O Holy Night” is based on a French poem titled "Minuit, Chrétiens," written by Placide Cappeau at the behest of a parish priest. Composer Adolphe Adam set the poem to music that same year, and it quickly gained popularity throughout France. When Cappeau denounced the Catholic Church to join the socialist movement, the church responded by denouncing his beloved carol. The song made a resurgence after it was translated into English and introduced in America by John Sullivan Dwight. After visiting Bethlehem in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem , Phillips Brooks was inspired to write about his experiences. Brooks, an Episcopal priest, shared the poem he had written with Lewis Redner, his church’s organist, and asked him to create a melody for it so they could perform it at an upcoming Sunday school service. In a single evening, Redner composed the tune that we know today. Reflecting on the success of the carol, Redner stated : “Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.” Mistakenly attributed, for many years, to Martin Luther—the seminal figure of Europe’s Protestant Reformation in the 16th century—and even titling early versions of this piece “Luther’s Cradle Song,” “Away in a Manger” is a relatively simple carol with unknown origins. The first record of the text being set to music with the title “Away in a Manger” is found in the 1885 publication “Little Children's Book for Schools and Families.” The carol we know as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was originally titled "Hymn for Christmas-Day,” published in 1739 by Charles Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement and brother to John Wesley, the movement’s founder. But it was George Whitefield who adapted the text in 1753 to give us that familiar opener “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The melody was composed by Felix Mendelssohn and later adapted by William H. Cummings in 1855 to create the song that's popular today. This numeric carol was originally published in England in 1780 in a children’s book called “Mirth Without Mischief.” It is believed to be a type of children's memory-and-forfeit game in which the singer must remember every verse or forfeit something if they make a mistake. You may also like: Best and worst Al Pacino movies Citing the gospel of Luke, this English carol is based on a French song called “Les Anges dans nos campagnes.” The lyrics were written by James Chadwick, a bishop in 1862. His words were set to the tune "Gloria," which was arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes. This Christmas ballad is believed to date back to the 15th century. Unlike many other carols that reference the gospels of Luke or Matthew, this story takes place sometime in between as Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. It is one of the few depictions of Joseph struggling to accept Mary’s pregnancy, evidenced through lyrics such as “O then bespoke Joseph/ With words so unkind,/ Let him pluck thee a cherry/That brought thee with child.” The song was made popular again by Joan Baez’s rendition in 1961. The exact origins of this carol are unknown, but it is believed to be one of the oldest carols still sung today. Dating back to the 12th century, “The Friendly Beasts” is a traditional French carol about the animals present at the birth of Jesus and the gifts they bestowed on him. “Joy to the World” was originally written as a hymn by Isaac Watts. Watt’s adaptation of Psalm 98 interprets Christ as the king of the church and as the king of the world. “Joy to the World” is one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time . Perhaps the darkest song on this list, “Coventry Carol,” depicts the biblical event “The Massacre of the Innocents” in which King Herod ordered the killing of all male babies under the age of two in Bethlehem. The song takes the form of a lullaby recited to the persecuted children. In Christianity, “The Massacre of the Innocents” is an important part of the broader Nativity story and thus a relevant story in the Christmas narrative. “Coventry Carol” was originally part of a medieval mystery play performed in England called “The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.” You may also like: Best Grateful Dead albums of all time Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Activist Ananym has a list of suggestions for Henry Schein. How the firm can help improve profits

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GetDandy Celebrates Milestone: Over 100,000 Unfair and Illegitimate Reviews Removed, Setting a New Standard in 360-Degree Brand SecurityRarely does a college basketball game provide such stark contrast between the sport's haves and have-nots as when Jackson State faces No. 9 Kentucky on Friday in Lexington, Ky. While Kentucky claims eight NCAA Tournament crowns and the most wins in college basketball history, Jackson State has never won an NCAA Tournament game and enters the matchup looking for its first win of the season. Impressive tradition and current record aside, Kentucky (4-0) returned no scholarship players from last season's team that was knocked off by Oakland in the NCAA Tournament. New coach Mark Pope and his essentially all-new Wildcats are off to a promising start. Through four games, Kentucky is averaging 94.3 points per game, and with 11.5 3-pointers made per game, the team is on pace to set a school record from long distance. The Wildcats boast six double-figure scorers with transfer guards Otega Oweh (from Oklahoma, 15.0 ppg) and Koby Brea (from Dayton, 14.5 ppg) leading the team. The Wildcats defeated Duke 77-72 on Nov. 12 but showed few signs of an emotional letdown in Tuesday's 97-68 win over a Lipscomb team picked to win the Atlantic Sun Conference in the preseason. Kentucky drained a dozen 3-pointers while outrebounding their visitors 43-28. Guard Jaxson Robinson, held to a single point by Duke, dropped 20 points to lead the Kentucky attack. Afterward, Pope praised his team's focus, saying, "The last game was over and it was kind of on to, ‘How do we get better?' That's the only thing we talk about." Lipscomb coach Lennie Acuff also delivered a ringing endorsement, calling Kentucky "the best offensive Power Four team we've played in my six years at Lipscomb." Jackson State (0-5) and third-year coach Mo Williams are looking for something positive to build upon. Not only are the Tigers winless, but they have lost each game by nine or more points. Sophomore guard Jayme Mitchell Jr. (13.8 ppg) is the leading scorer, but the team shoots just 35.8 percent while allowing opponents to shoot 52.3 percent. The Tigers played on Wednesday at Western Kentucky, where they lost 79-62. Reserve Tamarion Hoover had a breakout game with 18 points to lead Jackson State, but the host Hilltoppers canned 14 3-point shots and outrebounded the Tigers 42-35 to grab the win. Earlier, Williams, who played against Kentucky while a student at Alabama, admitted the difficulties of a challenging nonconference schedule for his team. "Our goal is not to win 13 nonconference games," Williams said. "We're already at a disadvantage in that regard. We use these games to get us ready for conference play and for March Madness." Jackson State has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2007. The Tigers had a perfect regular-season record (11-0) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2020-21 but lost in the league tournament. Kentucky has never played Jackson State before, but the game is being billed as part of a Unity Series of matchups in which Kentucky hosts members of the SWAC to raise awareness of Historical Black Colleges and Universities and provide funds for those schools. Past Unity Series opponents have been Southern in December 2021 and Florida A&M in December 2022. --Field Level MediaNO. 20 TEXAS A&M 81, RUTGERS 77A cultural and food map outlines a tour around PJ’s oldest township

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