Carmelo Anthony Was Pissed After The Knicks Traded J.R. Smith And Iman Shumpert To Play With LeBron James
The growing influence of technology on modern life has sparked a transformation across the globe, yet the social and economic implications of these changes are far from uniform. While the digital era has introduced remarkable conveniences, it has also reshaped traditional structures, bringing forth challenges that vary significantly by region. In Pakistan, for instance, internet outages, digital censorship, and VPN issues have increasingly become points of contention, especially as authorities justify these measures under the guise of national security. This development underscores a more profound dilemma— how far should governments go to regulate digital access in the name of security, and at what cost to personal freedoms, economic growth, and societal progress? Globally, the internet has revolutionized everything from education to commerce to social interaction. In democratic societies, where free access to information is seen as a fundamental right, the imposition of restrictions or surveillance measures can quickly raise concerns. The rise of social media and the ubiquity of digital communications have both democratized information and, paradoxically, made it easier for authoritarian regimes to control and monitor dissent. In countries like Pakistan, where security concerns are often cited, internet censorship has become increasingly pervasive, with recent months seeing significant outages linked to political unrest and social movements. The most notable example is the government’s decision to block platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which were used by political groups, raising alarms about the potential for long-term damage to Pakistan’s digital landscape. Pakistan’s reliance on the internet for economic activity, education, and political discourse has made these disruptions particularly damaging. The tech sector, for instance, has faced devastating financial losses. According to the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the recent internet issues and the implementation of a national firewall could cost the economy upwards of $300 million, with more losses expected if the situation persists. Such disruptions have also led to increased VPN usage as citizens and businesses seek ways to bypass restrictions. However, this has been met with further government scrutiny, including plans to regulate VPNs, citing concerns over their role in facilitating circumvention of restrictions. Beyond economic concerns, these restrictions have raised serious questions about the right to digital freedom. In many countries, especially authoritarian regimes like Iran and China, such digital controls have been part of a broader strategy to monitor citizens and suppress dissent. While Pakistan has yet to officially adopt such extreme measures, the emergence of a “national firewall”— a strategy to filter and block online content— indicates a potential shift toward stricter controls. Although the government has denied implementing such a system, many experts believe these tactics are already in place, with social media platforms regularly targeted during periods of heightened political tension. The growing use of VPNs to circumvent these measures reflects not only a demand for free information but also a growing resistance to authoritarian control. What is concerning is the way these actions not only curtail political freedoms but also disrupt the everyday lives of ordinary citizens. In Pakistan, the digital divide is widening, with rural areas and lower-income communities facing even greater challenges in accessing basic services, including healthcare and education. For the middle class, the inability to access social media platforms or international news outlets can isolate them from important global events. This erosion of access undermines Pakistan’s attempts to position itself as a competitive global player in the digital economy. Globally, digital inequality has similarly undermined the social fabric in various nations. In many developing countries, including parts of Africa and Asia, access to the internet is still limited, often due to infrastructural deficits or governmental control. These disparities in access hinder development and exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities. In contrast, regions with greater internet penetration have seen improvements in education, healthcare, and commerce, providing new opportunities for growth and innovation. However, the cost of digital surveillance, online censorship, and internet disruptions, as seen in Pakistan and other nations, must be considered as part of a global conversation on the ethics of digital governance. The implications of internet regulation in Pakistan are profound. Authorities claim that these measures are necessary to ensure national security, but the impact on economic activities and digital freedoms raises pressing questions. The efforts to block or limit access to certain platforms have damaged Pakistan’s standing in the global digital economy. For instance, as more businesses turn to VPNs to maintain operations amid restrictions, the performance of these services has dropped significantly. Pakistan’s reliance on VPNs has created a paradox in which the state seeks to restrict digital access, while citizens rely on these tools to circumvent these barriers. These contradictions expose the struggle between controlling information for security and fostering an open, innovative digital ecosystem that can drive long-term economic success. Ultimately, the debate around digital freedom versus national security will need to be addressed not just in Pakistan but globally. While the internet can be a tool for great progress, its power to disrupt and challenge political and economic norms cannot be underestimated. As countries like Pakistan grapple with the balance between security and digital freedom, it is crucial that they consider the long-term consequences of these decisions on their people, economies, and global standing. The rising tide of digital surveillance and censorship may very well be one of the defining challenges of the digital age, but its effects on human rights, freedom of expression, and economic growth cannot be ignored. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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In Uncertain Times, Shield Shades Are the Armor We Need
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The right frame can freeze a moment in time, creating meaning for the masses from a , a , towns , and a victory sealed with an . In 2024, photographers across the U.S. captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive , to hurricanes and that ravaged communities, to over the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The gallery from The Associated Press illustrates a new chapter of political history — the assassination attempt on former President , the moment President Joe Biden announced he , the campaign sprint by Vice President Kamala Harris in Biden’s place, and the raw emotion from during a grueling contest ultimately . Hurricanes whipped through the country with devastating imagery, leaving a path of wreckage and death from to . After Hurricane , in North Carolina was shown in a jarring photo covered in shards of debris thick enough to hide the surface of the water. Hurricane ripped apart the roof of in St. Petersburg, Florida, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. The scale of destruction experienced in some corners of the country in 2024 was hard to capture and might have been harder to fathom. That was the case when a container ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and crumple around the vessel, on the bridge. As flames , another image captured firefighters and sheriff’s deputies pushing a vintage car away from a burning home. , one photo is aglow with bright orange flames, broken up only by the subtle features of an animal running through them. But hope also persevered in the face of devastation. In , an image from Crystal River, Florida, shows Dustin Holmes holding hands with his girlfriend, Hailey Morgan, as they sloshed through floodwaters with her 4- and 7-year-old children to return to their flooded home. And in Manasota Key, Florida, a family was lit up by the glow of flashlights as they walked to check on their home damaged by Milton. Other photos from 2024 also grabbed the darkness and shadows to emphasize light: among them, a and a total solar . And, yes, eclipse glasses were back in style for a shared moment of skygazing. But many other photos delivered a blast of color, from the spectrum of the northern lights to a crew of workers wading into the deep-red of a Massachusetts . And, once again, captured the country’s attention, even as a part of the crowd. She rushed down from the stands to kiss her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, after the Chiefs , en route to win.None
Geneva [Switzerland], December 7 (ANI/WAM): In a historic first, developing economies in 2023 crossed the trillion-dollar mark in their exports of digitally deliverable services, according to new data released by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). That same year, global exports of digitally deliverable services totalled USD 4.5 trillion. Such services can be delivered remotely over computer networks. Some examples include information technology consulting, creative industries, telecommunications and financial services. Also Read | 'Matter of Immense Pride for India': PMO on Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad's Elevation As Cardinal by Pope Francis. While digital technologies have the potential to transform global services trade, their benefits remain unevenly distributed. UNCTAD data show that while digitally deliverable services account for 56% of services exports worldwide, that share is just 20% in least developed countries (LDCs). Also Read | South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Survives Impeachment Over Martial Law Declaration As His Party Leaders Boycott Vote. Despite a 43% increase between 2015 and 2023 in value terms, LDCs' share of global digitally deliverable services exports steadily fell from 0.24% to 0.19%. "The decline reflects not only persistent challenges facing LDCs related to infrastructure, digital skills gap and restricted markets access, but also systemic inequalities that continue to stymie progress," says Torbjorn Fredriksson, head of the e-commerce and digital economy programme at UN Trade and Development. Without targeted interventions, the digital economy risks entrenching existing inequalities rather than alleviating them." As part of its broader work to foster inclusive digital trade, UNCTAD supports the development of international guidelines to quantify e-commerce, aimed at helping inform evidence-based policymaking, particularly in developing countries. The fifth meeting of the organisation's working group on measuring e-commerce and the digital economy, set for 11 and 12 December, will continue advancing global cooperation to better measure digital trade. The two-day event will bring together international organizations, researchers, businesses and civil society representatives. Discussions will centre around capacity building and ways to enhance the availability, quality, comparability, usability and relevance of digital trade statistics. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)The resurgence of a forgotten master
WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans with obesity would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The costly proposal from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services immediately sets the stage for a showdown between the powerful pharmaceutical industry and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken opponent of the weight-loss drugs who, as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the agency, could block the measure. While the rule would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some have labeled them miracle drugs, it would cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. “It’s a good day for anyone who suffers from obesity,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told The Associated Press in an interview. “It’s a game changer for Americans who can’t afford these drugs otherwise.” The rule would not be finalized until January, days after Trump takes office. A bipartisan coalition of congressional members has lobbied for the drugs to be covered by Medicare, saying it could save the government from spending billions of dollars on treating chronic ailments that stem from obesity. While it’s unclear where Trump himself stands on coverage of the weight-loss drugs, his allies and Cabinet picks who have vowed to cut government spending could balk at the upfront price tag. Under the proposal, only those who are considered obese – someone who has a body mass index of 30 or higher – would qualify for coverage. Some people may already get coverage of the drugs through Medicare or Medicaid, if they have diabetes or are at risk for stroke or heart disease. Becerra estimated that an additional 3.5 million people on Medicare and 4 million on Medicaid could qualify for coverage of the drugs. But research suggests far more people might qualify, with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimating roughly 28 million people on Medicaid are considered obese. Medicare has been barred from offering the drugs under a decades-old law that prohibits the government-backed insurance program from covering weight-loss products. The rule proposed by the Biden administration, however, would recognize obesity as a disease that can be treated with the help of the drugs. The anti-obesity drug market has expanded significantly in recent years, with the Food and Drug Administration approvingb a new class of weekly injectables like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound to treat obesity. People can lose as much as 15% to 25% of their body weight on the drugs, which imitate the hormones that regulate appetites by communicating fullness between the gut and brain when people eat. The cost of the drugs has largely limited them to the wealthy, including celebrities who boast of their benefits. A monthly supply of Wegovy rings up at $1,300 and Zepbound will put you out $1,000. Shortages of the drugs have also limited the supplies. Kennedy, who as Trump’s nominee for HHS secretary is subject to Senate confirmation, has railed against the drugs’ popularity. In speeches and on social media, he’s said the U.S. should not cover the drugs through Medicaid or Medicare. Instead, he supports a broad expansion of coverage for healthier foods and gym memberships. “For half the price of Ozempic, we could purchase regeneratively raised, organic food for every American, three meals a day and a gym membership, for every obese American,” Kennedy said to a group of federal lawmakers during a roundtable earlier this year. Ozempic is a diabetes drug that can stimulate weight loss. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « PreviousNew 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Now Selling For $25 Less
/Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States / ST. ALBERT, AB , Nov. 26, 2024 /CNW/ - Enterprise Group, Inc. E ETOLF (the " Company " or " Enterprise Group "), a consolidator of services to the energy sector that is focused primarily on specialized equipment rental, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Raymond James Ltd. (the " Co-Lead Underwriters ") as co-lead underwriters on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (the " Underwriters ") pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, on a bought deal basis, an aggregate of 10,527,000 common shares at a purchase price of C$1.90 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$20.0 million (the " Offering "). The Company has also granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option, exercisable for a period of 30 days from the date of the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the aggregate common shares to be sold pursuant to the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. This funding initiative will support the Company's continued expansion plans, enabling it to capitalize on the robust growth opportunities currently in the burgeoning natural gas turbine power sector, while reinforcing its position as the leading player in the space. With robust activity fuelling the current quarter and a strong pipeline of projects supporting future expansion, the Company believes it is well-positioned to continue delivering strong results going forward underscoring its commitment to creating shareholder value while driving sustained, long-term growth. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 12, 2024 , or such other date as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters, subject to customary closing conditions, including required approvals of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The shares to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of a short form prospectus in each of the Provinces of Canada, except Quebec, and may be offered in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 , as amended, and applicable state securities laws, and certain other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States. This press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 , as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act "), and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in the U.S. Securities Act), absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Enterprise Group, Inc. Enterprise Group, Inc is a consolidator of services including specialized equipment rental to the energy/resource sector. The Company works with particular emphasis on systems and technologies that mitigate, reduce, or eliminate CO2 and Greenhouse Gas emissions for itself and its clients. The Company is well known to local Tier One and international resource companies with operations in Western Canada . More information is available at the Company's website www.enterprisegrp.ca . Corporate filings can be found on www.sedarplus.ca . Forward Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. The forward-looking statements in this news release including, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering, anticipated timing for closing of the Offering and the anticipated use of proceeds. Actual future results may differ materially. The Company's Annual Information Form and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the SEDAR+ website www.sedarplus.ca ) describe the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Enterprise Group, Inc. View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2024/26/c0809.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.US stocks rose to records on Tuesday, as indexes recovered from Donald Trump's market-moving tariff plans announced Monday evening and as traders digested the minutes of the Federal Reserve's last meeting. Investors were surprised on Monday evening by the President-elect's social media announcement that imports from China will face an extra 10% , while products from Mexico and Canada should expect a 25% duty. Trump said on Monday that these will stay in effect until drug and migrant flows are addressed by each country. Stocks sold off after hours before recovering early Tuesday. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 0.57% and 0.63%, respectively, while the Dow Jones increased by over 100 points. The 10-year Treasury yield rose three basis points to 4.298%. against the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso. Meanwhile, international stocks slid on fears of a widening trade war, with European, Japanese, and South Korean indexes falling after Trump's posts. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo hinted that US tariffs would be met with retaliation, while Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for cooperation. Investors also cheered the news of a . The cease-fire will take effect Wednesday morning and bring an end to 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, US-oriented investors parsed through the latest minutes from the Fed's last policy meeting. Central bank officials shared consensus for "gradually" cutting rates moving forward. "Many participants highlighted that uncertainties concerning the equilibrium fed funds rate, or the final destination, have complicated the assessment of how restrictive monetary policy should be," wrote Ryan Sweet, chief US economist at Oxford Economics. The market is awaiting several more data points this week. Initial jobless claims, a third-quarter GDP revision, and personal consumption expenditures data are scheduled for release Wednesday morning. 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We are accustomed to thinking of the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the neighboring Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts as the first to celebrate Thanksgiving, but some scholars say that isn’t accurate. Here’s the case for other possibilities. The Thanksgiving traditions started by the Pilgrims in Massachusetts in 1621 are what most Americans follow. But history shows a celebration to give thanks occurred in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619. Not only that, 56 years earlier than the Puritan Pilgrims’ gathering, 800 Spanish settlers who founded the city of St. Augustine celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving along with members of the Seloy tribe. In St. Augustine, according to the National Park Service, it could have been cocido, a stew made with salted pork, garbanzo beans and garlic seasoning, accompanied by hard sea biscuits and red wine. If the Seloy contributed to the meal from their food stores, the menu could have included turkey, venison, gopher tortoise, mullet, drum, sea catfish, corn, beans and squash. There are other accounts of thanksgiving celebrations predating the Pilgrims by the French settlers in Florida. An early French account dates to 1564, when persecuted Huguenot settlers celebrated in Northern Florida. A year later the French settlement was wiped out by the Spanish. When the first settlers arrived in Jamestown in April 1607 and raised a cross at Cape Henry, claiming the land for England, they may have had a thanksgiving predating their first known observance in 1619. In that year, Berkeley Hundred was settled, one of a number of plantations granted by the Virginia Co. of London to its stockholders. Prior to leaving England in September 1619, ship Capt. John Woodlief received instructions from investors that included these words: “That the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty god.” On Dec. 4, 1619, Woodlief’s ship checked in at Jamestown, the colony’s capital, where a mostly religious thanksgiving ceremony was held, after which the ship sailed up the James River about 30 miles. The Berkeley Hundred plantation was not around long after a growing number of native Powhatan tribal members went to war and drove the settlers out in March 1622. Jamestown: Traveling aboard the ships Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, 104 men landed in Virginia in 1607 at a place they named Jamestown. It was the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Plymouth: Thirteen years later, 102 settlers aboard the Mayflower landed in Massachusetts at a place they named Plymouth. Jamestown: Economic motives prompted colonization in Virginia. The Virginia Co., organized in 1606, sponsored the Virginia Colony. Organizers of the company wanted to expand English trade and obtain a wider market for English manufactured goods. They naturally hoped for profit from their investment in shares of company stock. Plymouth : Freedom from religious persecution motivated the Pilgrims to leave England and settle in Holland, where there was more religious freedom. However, after a number of years the Pilgrims felt that their children were being corrupted by the liberal Dutch lifestyle and were losing their English heritage. News of the English colony in Virginia motivated them to leave Holland and settle in the New World. Related Articles Jamestown: Inexperience, unwillingness to work and a lack of wilderness survival skills led to bickering, disagreements and inaction at Jamestown. Poor relations with tribes, disease and the initial absence of the family unit compounded the problems. Plymouth: Cooperation and hard work were part of the Pilgrims’ lifestyle. Nevertheless, they too were plagued with hunger, disease and environmental hazards. Jamestown: The settlers were members of the Church of England. Plymouth: The Pilgrims were dissenters from the Church of England and established the Puritan or Congregational Church. In 1619, the first representative legislative assembly in the New World met at the Jamestown church. Since New England was outside the jurisdiction of Virginia’s government, the Pilgrims established a self-governing agreement of their own, the Mayflower Compact. Jamestown: On Dec. 4, 1619, settlers stepped ashore at Berkeley Hundred along the James River and, in accordance with company investors’ instructions, celebrated their first official thanksgiving. Plymouth: In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a celebration to give thanks to God for his bounty and blessings. This occasion was the origin of the traditional Thanksgiving as we know it. You can find an interactive map of Historic Jamestown on the National Park Service site here . Sources: National Park Service, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Jamestown-Yorktown FoundationBroadridge Financial Solutions Inc. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors