bmy88 net State Representative Chris Pielli Named Legislative Fellow at West Chester University

Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, commonly known as Omar al-Bashir, was born on January 1, 1944, in a small village in Northern Sudan. He joined the Sudanese Army in 1960 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a prominent military figure in the country. In 1989, Bashir led a military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government and established himself as the President of Sudan.Angela Merkel's Memoir: A Tale of Leadership and ReflectionsThe removal of Omar al-Bashir from power was seen as a significant step towards democracy and accountability in Sudan. It opened up a new chapter in the country's history, with the formation of a transitional government composed of both civilians and military representatives. The transitional government faces numerous challenges, including economic reform, peace-building efforts, and the establishment of democratic institutions.

Recently, two high-ranking officials, often referred to as "tigers" due to their influential positions, have been arrested on corruption charges in China. Among them, one has been accused of engaging in blind and reckless decision-making in the country's poverty alleviation campaign.Those who watched the video may be forgiven for thinking ghosts are real. Before their eyes was the familiar face of the late former Indonesian dictator Suharto , seated at a desk against a yellow background, wearing a traditional black kopiah hat and a batik shirt. Flanked by the flags of Indonesia and his party, Golkar, Suharto urged his listeners to vote for Golkar representatives in the upcoming elections. There was just one problem: the video came out in January 2024, a month before the presidential election that had as its frontrunner, Suharto’s former son-in-law and general, Prabowo Subianto, and Suharto died 16 years ago, in January 2008. Racking up over 4.7 million views as of December 22, the video was a “deepfake,” where technology was used to mimic the appearance and voice of the late dictator. It was shared by Erwin Aksa, the deputy general chair of Golkar, on X (formerly Twitter). Aksa clarified in the video caption that it was made using artificial intelligence technology, or AI. After exhorting viewers to elect the “right representatives,” Aksa said: “This video was made using AI technology to remind us how important our votes are in general elections which will determine the future so that the hopes of the Indonesian people are realised and prosperous.” Must Read What can the Philippines learn from how AI was used in Indonesia’s 2024 election? In neighboring Malaysia, the fast and affordable Internet connections available there allow citizens to consume online content at faster rates than ever before, including short videos like TikTok reels. This helped shape elections as well. The rise of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS) in the 2022 general election, the party that won the most seats (49 out of 222) in parliament, could be largely attributed to PAS’ mastery of TikTok , according to experts. Elections galore 2024 has been a remarkable year for elections , and particularly for elections in Asia. We’ve seen voters in Taiwan, Bangladesh, South Korea, Iran, Japan, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan head to the polls, in many cases, resulting in changes of government or at least significant losses by the incumbents. If that does happen, long-running policies or plans for the future may be shelved, as the country either adjusts to a new government with different priorities, or the incumbents revise their policies to appeal to more voters before they get thrown out of power. With such high stakes, it is important that elections are kept free and fair, and voters have all the necessary information before they make up their minds. But if AI technology can be misused, generate misinformation and manipulate the voters, could elections be tipped one way or the other by nefarious actors, people who may not even reside in the country? We shine a spotlight of how AI, social media and electoral politics have already become enmeshed and entrenched in two recent elections in Malaysia and Indonesia. Internet-savvy countries Indonesia is a massive country in Southeast Asia, with a population of over 278 million, but it also has a high level of internet penetration. According to Indonesian site Antara News , citing the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association in January 2024, said that Internet penetration had reached 79.5%. With this figure reaching even higher levels among the younger generations (Generation Z from 19 to 27 years old had over 87% ), and the fact that Indonesia recorded the most number of TikTok users in the world in July 2024, surpassing the United States, it seems likely that Internet videos will remain an indelible element of future elections. Indonesia eventually elected Prabowo Subianto , defense minister and chair of Gerindra as the next president. But Golkar improved its own performance , gaining 15.3% of the vote as opposed to 12.3 in 2019, remaining the second-largest party in the legislature. Perhaps the AI video helped them on their way. In Malaysia, the use of the Internet has become far more widespread. “The environment has changed completely,” said James Chin, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania, about modern social media. Thanks to upgraded Internet access and cheaper telecommunications technology, more people in Malaysia have access to social media than ever before. “For example, you can get unlimited broadband for your mobile phone in Malaysia, the cost is about 25 ringgit (US$6) a month,” he said. And what do the people use their high-speed Internet connections for? Getting online and sharing content one may have found elsewhere, without being too concerned about its authenticity. Lessons from Indonesia The Republic of Indonesia is somewhat overlooked when democratic elections are discussed, but it happens to be the world’s third-largest democracy , after India and the United States of America. With a GDP of US$1.37 trillion (2023), and a formidable military , Indonesia is one of the most significant countries in the Southeast Asia region. It is also a major diplomatic power in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and arguably in the greater Asia Pacific region. With its prominent position, elections in Indonesia therefore have significant impact on the region and the wider world. Hundreds of people run for elected office to help shape Indonesia’s destiny. One such person is Anindya Shabrina, 29, a legal affairs specialist who joined Indonesia’s Labour Party and ran as a candidate in the February 2024 elections. Describing herself as politically active since she was a student, Anindya decided to join the Labour Party, attracted to its left-leaning stance and open approach to recruitment. “Traditionally, young people who can compete in electoral politics here are mostly from political or wealthy families, but in the Labor Party, anyone can run.” Despite her parents’ concerns, they gave their full support to Anindya’s bid to stand for a seat on the Regional People’s Representative Council of East Java, in an ultimately unsuccessful effort. And perhaps they were right to be concerned. Anindya called the experience “incredibly challenging”, citing the financial disparity between herself and her more established opponents, who could promise tangible monetary assistance while she could only expound on her proposals. Anindya said that during the course of her campaign, she had come across several instances of AI-generated video clips used to support candidates, including the Suharto video. Even her own party got involved, although they decided to stop following concerns raised by creative industry workers. However, there was another, far nastier hurdle she faced. Anonymous online detractors leveled personal attacks and harsh criticism at her, and she even faced attacks from supposed political allies who objected to her even taking part in the election. “There have been attempts to cancel me, including spreading strange rumors, and an anarchist group even created a poster calling for violence against me.” When asked if she thinks AI technology would have made the situation worse, Anindya had zero doubt. “Especially for women,” she added, raising the possibility of using AI to create fake nude images. This is not an unfounded fear, with women politicians in other countries being harassed, insulted and attacked online. During the rule of right-wing Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, there was a surge of online gendered attacks , particularly on social media networks like Facebook. Lower barrier to entry Manipulated or edited photographs have been around for decades. Soviet Union dictator Josef Stalin had photos edited when the people in them drew his ire. In the computer age, Photoshop became a common tool, and was quickly used to transform photos for political purposes. Behold this picture of Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate in the 2008 election, edited to look as though she was toting a gun and wearing a bikini. But although Photoshop was widely available, anyone who intended to create digitally-manipulated images with the programme had to have some skills in the first place. In contrast, using an open AI program has a much lower barrier to entry. As Benjamin Ang explained, “AI opens up the capability to more people in Photoshop.” Previously, one needed skills in Photoshop or video and audio editing. But now, such skills are practically not needed because all the tools are available to the public, even if they don’t understand the language of their target audience. Ang is a Senior Fellow of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the Head of the Centre of Excellence for National Security. In his concurrent role as Head of Digital Impact Research, Ang is very familiar with the development of AI, and its widespread use in society, including in the political arena. Ang shed some light on just how and why AI has come about by leaps and bounds within the last few years, going from science-fiction and the mostly theoretical realm to widespread, everyday use. Calling it a “hockey-stick” effect, where progress is flat for a long time before it suddenly shoots up, Ang pointed to two other factors for the rapid development of AI. The first is the development of computer chips to the point where processing power is fast enough to handle the demands of AI. The second, Ang pointed out, is there has been roughly two decades of social media use where people have uploaded a staggering amount of personal information online. This, he said, allowed programmers to feed such information into data sets to train machine learning algorithms. Speed and ease Ang also highlighted that AI has made the speed of generating such content much faster. “Something which would have taken you an hour or several hours to do in Photoshop, or maybe a day to do video or audio editing can now be done in seconds. And because it can be done in seconds, you can keep on iterating it. You do it once, you can see ‘is it working’? You can do it again and again until you can really refine it, at a scale that has never before happened.” Roy Lee, an Assistant Professor of Information Systems Technology and Design at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, agrees. “Modern AI tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces and require minimal technical expertise. Unlike complex software like Photoshop, which demands specialised skills, AI platforms often offer intuitive prompts and automated features, enabling average users to generate high-quality content effortlessly.” The role of social media While AI has come on by leaps and bounds, its combination with social media is like setting an open flame to touchpaper; you get fireworks. Chin elaborated on the rise of the Malaysian Islamist Party (PAS) in the 2022 general election. The key to their victory, in his view, was their mastery of using TikTok to win the hearts and minds of voters. The party backed influencers who created “very slick, professionally-run” videos that in combination with their popular religious messaging, created a “powerful machine.” But what about AI-generated videos? As in Indonesia, Chin foresees the same thing happening in Malaysia. While such content is currently “simple stuff,” using cartoon figures and the like, he has no doubt that come the next election cycle, political parties will be investing their resources in creating such content. “If you speak to all the political parties in the old days, a major portion of [their] money goes to ground campaigning, paying campaign workers, setting up booths, holding night ceramahs (night rallies). If you talk to them now, right, most of them said that they’re going to shift the bulk of those resources now towards social media.” Chin also believes that in the wrong hands, misleading content created by AI will be very effective, especially once high-quality videos start being produced in earnest. He pointed out that such content did not need to be entirely faked or created out of whole cloth. Perhaps an existing video could be edited to add a few words, or redact them, to produce a misleading message. And if it’s uploaded to TikTok, with its notoriously short attention span? “I doubt very much that the ordinary voter would be able to tell the difference.” What can be done? Indonesia has taken a few tentative steps to address the problem. About a week after the presidential election in February 2024, then-President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo signed legislation that requires digital platforms to pay media outlets that provide them with content. While it does not directly tackle the misuse of AI content, it could help to ensure digital platforms are more circumspect about the kind of content they share. In September 2024, the Jakarta Globe reported that Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology was preparing to issue new regulations to establish “clear guidelines” for the use of AI technology in Indonesia. Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said it would be carefully studied, and require consultation with the “AI development ecosystem.” The existing circular, issued on a temporary basis by the ministry, merely outlines “ethical guidelines” for the use of AI, including “respecting human rights” and the “need for transparency.” However, despite the change in presidential administrations, Nezar was re-appointed to his post by the new president, Prabowo, who took over in October 2024. There is some hope that Indonesia will continue to work on creating AI regulations. Meanwhile in September 2024, Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation introduced the National Guidelines on AI Governance and Ethics, which seek to support safe and responsible AI development. Singapore looks ahead However, Indonesia and Malaysia’s neighbor Singapore is not waiting around, and has already introduced and passed legislation specifically governing the use of AI-generated content in an election, with one eye on its own upcoming general election. The city-state has recently gone through a rare leadership change, just its third in its near-60-year history. The new prime minister, Lawrence Wong, took over in May 2024. Unlike leaders of other countries, such as Japan, Wong did not call for snap elections soon after being sworn in. He must call for a new general election by November 2025, which leaves quite some time. He has time to see a new bill being introduced in parliament to directly address the issue of misleading, manipulated content. In October 2024, Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo played a “deepfaked,” AI-generated video of herself in parliament. The virtual Teo said : “It only took one person one hour to create this, using easily accessible software that anyone can use right now from the Internet. Imagine if someone produced realistic deepfakes, depicting Members of this House saying or doing something we did not actually say or do, and disseminated it. Such technology will only improve, and deepfakes may become even more realistic, convincing, and easy to make.” The bill, which was passed by Singapore’s parliament, is a very narrowly-targeted one. It prohibits the publication of online content that “realistically depicts a candidate saying or doing something [they] did not.” It covers misinformation from both AI-generated content and non-AI techniques used to create content, such as Photoshop or audio dubbing. However, the law only kicks in when the Writ of Election is issued to the close of the polls, which means it is only active for Singapore’s election season. It doesn’t matter whether the content boosts or denigrates a candidate; both are prohibited. Reposting or sharing such content is also not allowed. Measures include asking the users to take down the content, or forcing the social media site to disable access to Singaporean users. Punishments include fines for up to S$1,000 (US$760) or jail for up to a year, and up to S$1 million (US$760,000) in fines for a social media service that does not comply. Harsh? Effective? It remains to be seen. Lee called the legislation a “commendable step,” but said the main challenge depends on its execution. “Social media companies will need to regulate and investigate digitally manipulated content swiftly when requested to take down such content. Given the vast amount of content they handle daily, this poses a significant challenge in terms of scalability and response time.” Cross-border content could also happen, and getting users to take down misleading content who are not in the country could take some time. To Lee, strengthening collaboration between regulators and social media platforms is important to ensure “comprehensive protection.” Beyond governments But what else can be done, if not through government legislation? According to Lee, enhancing public awareness and media literacy is also crucial. “Educating citizens on identifying manipulated content empowers them to critically assess information,” he said. And in what may be an illustration of the old adage, “set a thief to catch a thief,” Lee shared that AI solutions can also be used to detect misinformation on social media platforms, and other platforms with user-generated content. He believes fostering partnerships between academia and industry to continuously improve such tools could significantly reduce the spread of misinformation. Chin is more skeptical. He pointed out that for such AI-generated misinformation, the content is likely to be shared to you by a trusted individual, like a friend or family member. Chin also feels that Singapore’s attempt to tackle AI-generated misinformation may not be easily replicated in other countries. “It’s a small city state, it’s much easier to handle. But for countries like Malaysia, I think, is increasingly becoming difficult. Even for Singapore, right, I think it will be very difficult in the coming years because of new platforms like Starlink, which allows you to link directly to the satellite. So whatever filters you put in at the platform level, the ISP level, even that can be bypassed with new technology.” – Rappler.com Sulaiman Daud is a 2024 #FactsMatter fellow of Rappler. He is a writer and editor at Mothership , Singapore’s youth-focused digital news platform . Must Read How AI was used in 2024 elections: Voice and chatbot clones, drafting speeches, emails

Revival of negotiations

Exclusive | Xiaohongshu Establishes Application Algorithm Department, Xiaohou Appointed as Department HeadGaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Florida Republican made the announcement Thursday. Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump could face resistance from members of his own party. Trump said in a social media post that Gaetz “did not want to be a distraction for the Administration.” Gaetz said “it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work" of the transition team. He added, “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaulThe convening of experts from the five nuclear-weapon states in Dubai underscores China's proactive approach to nuclear diplomacy and its willingness to engage with other major nuclear powers. By facilitating dialogue and cooperation, China seeks to build consensus on key nuclear issues and promote greater transparency and confidence-building measures among nuclear-armed nations.

No Easy Fix For The Housing ProblemKolkata, Dec 30 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be making a trip on Monday to Sandeshkhali, a conglomeration of islands in North 24 Parganas district, after avoiding such initiatives during the entire period of crisis there earlier this year, following allegations of sexual harassment of local women and land grabbing of people by her party member and local leader, Sheikh Shahjahan. On December 26, the Chief Minister announced that she would be going there to attend an official programme on December 30 and hand over documents of public services to 100 beneficiaries there. "On Monday, a total of 20,000 individuals will be handed over such papers from different camps established there on that day," Banerjee said. Doubts were raised from different quarters, including the opposition parties in the state, as to why the Chief Minister was avoiding a visit to Sandeshkhali while it witnessed violence earlier this year, following a protest by local women there against sexual harassment and land grabbing. Political observers feel that the Chief Minister's visit to Sandeshkhali on Monday is significant as she is expected to make important announcements from there on that day. In January this year, Sandeshkhali for the first time hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons as a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and their escorting central armed forces personnel (CAPF) personnel attempted a raid and search operations at the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the multi-core ration distribution case in West Bengal. Shortly after that, when the entire focus of the media and central agencies was shifted over to Sandeshkhali, the local people whose land was allegedly grabbed by Shahahjan and his associates and the women becoming victims of sexual harassment by them came out on the streets protesting on the issue. Shahjahan is currently in judicial custody.

Title: "Dark Mythology: 6.09GB Update Now Available! Exclusive Launch on Epic Platform"

His recent beef with Drake ended in a resounding victory, he was awarded a coveted performance slot at the Super Bowl halftime show, and, earlier this month, he was nominated for seven Grammys. Yet on his surprise-released LP GNX , Kendrick Lamar seems mad as hell. A closer look at the lyrics offer some clues to his reasoning: People he cares about are dying and getting locked up; others he looked up to are either disappointed by him or disappointing him. Also, he’s clearly still sour about the entire feud with Drake. Even when he slips into standard rapper braggadocio (private jets, etc.), it feels like his heart isn’t in it. GNX Kendrick feels like someone trying to convince himself that all of this is still worth it. Being lonely at the top, of course, is nothing new; Drake himself expertly — if a bit cynically — commodified the successful sadboi schtick. And while it’s possible Kendrick saw the success of “Not Like Us” and leaned into indignance for commercial purposes, it’s also unlikely. Kendrick has been called many things, but a cynic is not one of them. What follows are 11 moments on GNX that force us to consider: After all the wins, what is Kendrick Lamar still so bitter about? Yesterday, somebody whacked out my mural That energy’ll make you niggas move to Europe But it’s regular for me, yeah, that’s for sure The love and hate is definite without a cure” — “wacced out murals” From the first bar on the first track, Kendrick wants us to know that, despite near universal acclaim, he’s not immune to hatred — even in his hometown. The mural in question, on the exterior of a Compton restaurant, was vandalized earlier this year with an “OVO” tag, among other verbal detritus. Snoop posted “Taylor Made,” I prayed it was the edibles — “wacced out murals” This bar is the facepalm emoji in lyric form. During their recent beef, Drake released a song called “Taylor Made Freestyle” that used computer-simulated voices emulating Tupac and Snoop Dogg. Snoop posted the track to Instagram , which Kendrick is clearly still sore about, but chalked it up to Uncle Snoop’s love for weed. (Snoop clearly still finds all of this hilarious .) Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down” — “wacced out murals” Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me — “wacced out murals” After Kendrick was announced as the headliner of the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans, the typical praise chorus was far quieter. In its stead came (loud) doubts, with Birdman, Master P, Nicki Minaj, and others openly questioning the snub of hometown hero Lil Wayne. So while Kendrick will still get the benefits of the largest promotional vehicle in music, the fact that it comes at the cost of disappointing an artist he looks up to has clearly tarnished the experience. For his part, Wayne appears plagued by hurt feelings and short-term memory loss, wondering “ Man Wtf I Do ?!” just two months after admitting the snub “broke” him. Okay, fuck your hip-hop, I watched the party just die Niggas cackling about— while all of y’all is on trial Niggas thought that I was antisocial when I stayed inside of my house — “wacced out murals” It’s hard to tell which specific death or trial Kendrick is referring to here. What’s clear is that he’s hyperaware of the dangers that rappers face. Whether it’s prosecution by the government or violence from other gang members , Kendrick is fearful enough for his freedom and safety to simply stay inside. More money, more power, more freedom Everything Heaven allowed us, bitch I deserve it all — “man at the garden” Kendrick sounds like he’s trying to convince himself that he deserves his success and accolades. The doubt is coming from inside the house... How annoying, does it angers me to know the lames can speak On the origins of the game I breathe? That’s insane to me— “man at the garden” Certain levels of fame and fortune invite criticism from, well, everyone. Including “the lames.” It seems Kendrick has yet to accept this. I got this fire burnin’ in me from within Concentrated thoughts on who I used to be, I’m sheddin’ skin Every day, a new version of me, a third of me demented, cemented in pain Juggling opposing kinds of fame I don’t know how to make friends, I’m a lonely soul — “reincarnated” “Reincarnated” is a fascinating exercise in exploring the concept of reincarnation, imagining a spiritual connection to the ancestors. But before his trip through the past, he sets the emotional stage by reflecting on his painful growth as a remedy for his struggles with loneliness and self-doubt. He seeks not pity but salvation, searching for the fire to fuel his personal growth. It’s commendable, if a little sad. To all my young niggas, let me be the demonstration How to conduct differences with a healthy conversation If that’s your family, then handle it as such Don’t let the socials gas you up or let emotions be your crutch— “heart pt. 6” “Heart pt. 6” is a full-on nostalgia trip, with Kendrick reminiscing on a time when TDE was underground, Jay Rock was about to be the major label star, Ab-Soul was the genius lyricist, and Schoolboy Q wasn’t even rapping. But there’s a clear undertone of regret in how his relationship with TDE and Black Hippy dissolved, evidenced by this attempt at wise words directed at those who may follow in his footsteps. He’s achieved nearly everything someone in his position can achieve. But mans still misses making music with his best friends. Nigga feel like he entitled ’cause he knew me since a kid Bitch, I cut my granny off if she don’t see it how I see it, hm Got a big mouth but he lack big ideas — “tv off” Play that opp shit around me, I’ma tell you, “Turn it off” Heard what happened to your mans, not sorry for your loss — “peekaboo” True bitterness transcends even death. #RIPBOZO .

bmy88. net Dublin Mid-West General Election 2024 updates: Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin would ‘relish opportunity to fix housing’ as he’s elected on first count

Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home after rebel takeoverAP News Summary at 1:24 p.m. EST

Honeywell cuts guidance as Bombardier partnership to lift investment costsNone

In his freshman season playing basketball at Chabot College in Hayward, former St. Bernard’s Crusader Aaiden Burris has quickly become a staple in the Gladiators’ rotation. Burris has shined off the bench for Chabot in the team’s first six games, averaging 9.7 points per game with four rebounds during the Gladiators 5-1 start to the season. “We got to our first tournament and I didn’t really know where I was in the rotation,” Buriss said. “First game comes around, I get in and I hit my first three.” Going into the season opener against Alameda, Burris didn’t know for certain if he’d be seeing the court at all. “We’re having our team breakfast and Coach likes to go through the rotation and all that before the game and he points at me ‘You’re coming off the bench’ and I’m like alright, I’m ready,” Burris recalled. “We were playing Gary Payton that game, Gary Payton is coaching at Alameda, that’s our first game of the season so we already knew it was going to be a packed house. I remember getting in the game, I go to the corner and my All-State point guard swings it to the corner and I just let it fly and it was nothing but net. Ever since that first shot things have been going really good.” The jump from the Little 4 to the Coast-North conference has been a substantial one for Burris but he’s adjusted along with the level of competition. “At first it was definitely a big jump for me,” Burris said. “Back in Humboldt, I was really just a three-point type of guy and now since I’ve been down here, I’ve been able to expand my game a lot to doing other things because that’s what I had to do to, I don’t want to say survive, but if I say survive, you know what I mean.” Buriss has been working hard to improve his ballhandling and defense as he’s now having to face larger and more explosive opponents at the collegiate level. Burris has played 24.7 minutes per game which is fifth most on the Gladiators, serving as a 6th man off the bench for Chabot. “I know defense was really something I needed to work on because guarding kids down here is not like guarding kids back home,” Burris said of the change in competition. “I can’t just stand still and put my hands up and get a block, down here I got to guard someone 94 feet that might have just came from a D-1 school.” In addition to the more talented opponents, Burris also has to adjust to no longer being one of the taller players on the court at any given moment. “I was always one of the biggest guys, if not the biggest guy on my team until Rowan [Cromwell] came around,” Burris said of his former Crusader teammate. “In high school I could post up anybody I wanted, I could do easy things that now at this college level, it’s like OK I can’t really do that. I got to stick to my strongsuits.” Even with the added layers to his game, Burris remains a shooter first and foremost, launching 6.7 threes a game and is currently shooting them at a 30% clip, with his overall field goal percentage at 40% for the season. Burris has gotten a lot of confidence from his head coach, Keenan McMiller, who told Burris on his first day on campus that he believes the St. Bernard’s alum is a Division 1 talent. “He instills confidence in me every practice,” Burris said of McMiller. “Sometimes me and him will talk on the phone for an hour. We have a strong relationship, I don’t have any family out here so me and him in the summer got super close. I’m an adult now but he’s kind of like my authoritative figure.” Chabot won the Chabot Classic on their homecourt before heading down to Los Angeles for the Pasadena CrossOver Tournament where the Gladiators went 2-1 with a couple of overtime games. Burris is excited for the start of conference play, where he believes Chabot can make a run at the Coast-North title. “I can’t wait for conference,” Burris said. “We have the best conference in California so I’m just excited to go play in those games and put my name out there.” Dylan McNeill can be reached at 707-441-0526Payment Processing & Acquiring: Technology Behind Retail TransactionsSean Penn Challenges Political Correctness As He Is Feted With Career Award At Marrakech

President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, is throwing a bomb in his party's post-election soul-searching. Democrats are still sifting through the rubble of their loss to President-elect Donald Trump last month, with some in the party blaming a reputation -- justified or not -- as elitists out of touch with everyday voters' concerns while cozying up to other wealthy and well-connected allies. Now, after months of vows that he wouldn't do so and arguing the justice system treated Trump appropriately, Biden is scrapping his son's supposedly politicized convictions on tax and gun charges, sparking a warning the move fortifies perceptions that the party doesn't keep its word and is playing by its own set of rules. "This literally reinforces the very challenge that Democrats confronted in the election, which is elites talking to elites convincing each other that they're right. Well, you can't get any more elite than this," said Chris Kofinis, a Democratic strategist and former aide to Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va. "It's not the question of pardoning the son. What about everybody else's son?" Kofinis added. "If you're going to take this kind of a dramatic action that's going to benefit a single person in your family, you have a responsibility to go out there and say why. But you can't say the reason why is because the justice system is rigged, because you just spent the last four years saying it wasn't rigged. So, it's not rigged for Trump, but it's rigged for your son?" Hunter Biden had been convicted on federal gun charges after lying about his drug use on an application for a firearm and had pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges, including three felonies. MORE: How President Biden came to the decision to pardon his son Hunter The president's announcement Sunday evening marked a bombshell at the tail end of a holiday weekend. In it, Biden insisted that his son had been "treated differently" after "several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election." The pardon is also particularly broad, covering all "offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in" from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024, beyond the gun and tax charges. Republicans swiftly cried foul at the move, lambasting it as a manipulation of justice, particularly after Biden for months said he wouldn't use his power to intervene in his son's legal troubles. "Joe Biden has lied from start to finish," House Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., wrote in a post on X . "It's unfortunate that, rather than come clean about their decades of wrongdoing, President Biden and his family continue to do everything they can to avoid accountability." "Tonight's pardon is wrong. It proves to the American people that there is a two-tier system of justice," added Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Senate Republican in the next Congress. Democratic lawmakers were tighter-lipped over the pardon late Sunday but were more vocal in their opposition by Monday afternoon. "Democrats should have been for reforming and curtailing pardon power from Day 1 of the Biden Presidency. As a father, I empathize with President Biden, but we must be the party of reform whether it's about the archaic pardon power, opposing super PACs or broad war powers," Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said on X . "President Biden's decision to pardon his son was wrong. A president's family and allies shouldn't get special treatment. This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests," Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich, added . Now, some party operatives warned to ABC News, Democrats risked being seen as executing the same behavior they'd been warning against from Trump ahead of his inauguration, making their campaign rhetoric about the justice system's integrity apply to only one side of the political divide. "It is somewhat toying with [voters]," one Democratic pollster said. "The takeaway, to the extent that there are any left, for the average, independent voter is, is that, both sides are just playing games with each other. They don't mean any of this rhetoric." The White House Monday sought to play damage control, laying blame at the feet of Republicans who will have unified control of Washington starting later next month and have hammered away at Hunter Biden's legal travails and business ties for years. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden issued the pardon in part "because they didn't seem like his political opponents would let go of it." "They would continue to go after his son. That's what he believed," she added, declining to speculate on the political fallout of the move. "Two things could be true. You can believe in the department of justice system, and you could also believe that the process was affected politically," she insisted. MORE: Washington DC reacts to President Biden pardoning son Hunter in shock decision The pardon controversy is coming as some Democrats partly blame Biden's decision to run for reelection in the first place as a reason for Harris' defeat. While many Democrats expressed empathy for Biden's position as a father, they suggested it marked another reason to put the president in the rearview mirror as the party puts together a new playbook for the future -- a separation that, some hoped, could minimize any long-term fallout. "I think the party is already going to move on from him so deeply and so completely that I don't know that this severs that connection between Biden and the future the Democratic Party any more or any less than it already would have been. If anything, it may quicken it," one senior Democratic strategist said. "I think it's politically stupid," the person said. "It makes us look bad, and it makes us look like we don't have the moral high ground, and we either need to own that, or we need to own that we need to stop being so preachy. I think it's bad politics, but it's not clear to me what exactly the repercussions will be." Still, that doesn't mean Democrats who are skeptical of any long-term implications are pleased with the move. Nearly every Democrat who spoke to ABC News worried that Biden's pardon kicked the door open for Trump to protect people they predicted will be unworthy of pardons. And to fend off any prolonged fallout amid a broader makeover, even theoretical, some suggested that a robust denouncement from party leaders could go a long way. "It's not going to eliminate it, because Biden is the president of the United States," the Democratic pollster said. "But if Democrats ever hope to reinvent themselves in a post-Biden future, they're going to need to start by denouncing Biden now when it's hard, not in the future, when it'll be easier."Taurus – (20th April to 20th May) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, Look for opportunities to excel Consider better moments to excel in love. Look for opportunities to take your career to the next level. Monetary issues do not exist today and health is good. Explore love today and also take new opportunities in your job to get the best results. You are safe in terms of investments and this will also prompt you to try more options. No major health issue will also trouble you. Taurus Love Horoscope Today No major crisis will come up in the love affair. Despite friction in the first half of the day, you both will spend time together. Spare time for the lover and indulge in activities that you both love. Respect the privacy of the partner and also consider the preferences while you make decisions. An outsider may try to derail your relationship and it is vital to warn the partner about this. Married females should not go back to the ex-lover. Taurus Career Horoscope Today Your professional life will see new challenges. There can be tremors in the form of office politics and you may also be careful to stay away from controversies. Be careful while making statements in the team as this may be used against you by a coworker in the coming day. Businessmen may face minor troubles in the partnership but things will be sorted out in a day or two. You may also launch a new venture today. Taurus Money Horoscope Today This is a good time for investments but you need to keep your eyes open and must be selective. However, today you will not find success in online lottery. A relative may require financial help from you. Ensure you provide this. Some females may buy a new property while male Taurus natives will be happy to settle a monetary issue involving a friend. Businessmen will clear the dues and will also receive funds from promoters. Taurus Health Horoscope Today Keep a distance from junk food and have more nutritious stuff. Drink plenty of water and consume more veggies and fruits. Avoid any form of argument or confrontation that may seriously impact mental health. Children may complain about toothache and this may also stop them from attending school. The second part of the day is good for medical surgery. Taurus Sign Attributes Strength - Passionate, Practical, Meticulous, Patient, Artsy, Compassionate Weakness Intolerant, Reliant, stubborn Symbol Bull Element Earth Body Part Neck & Throat Sign Ruler Venus Lucky Day Friday Lucky Color Pink Lucky Number 6 Lucky Stone Opal Taurus Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces Good compatibility: Taurus, Scorpio Fair compatibility: Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius Less compatibility: Leo, Aquarius By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)

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Blockade of Democracy: Rahul Gandhi Stopped en Route to Violence-Hit SambhalInvestigative Journalist Ronan Farrow Talks Documentary About Military-Grade Spyware Being Used Against American CitizensThe French Parliament on Dec 4 backed a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Michel Barnier, ousting him and his Cabinet. PARIS – As France prepared for deepening political turmoil after a parliamentary vote on Dec 4 that toppled the government, one thing was clear: The paralysis risked unleashing a fresh wave of distress across one of Europe’s biggest economies. Business leaders, who had been grappling with uncertainty for months, say they are bracing for a hit to growth. Unions warn of widening layoffs. Thousands of civil servants, including teachers, hospital staff, airport employees and workers in the gas and electricity sectors, are planning street protests across the country for Dec 5. France’s economy was already in a rough patch when a deeply divided Parliament backed a vote of no-confidence in Prime Minister Michel Barnier, ousting him and his Cabinet and leaving the country without a functioning government or a budget for 2025 to rein in France’s troubled finances. Mr Barnier is likely to remain as a caretaker until President Emmanuel Macron appoints a new prime minister, and France will use the 2024 budget until a new one can be assembled. In the meantime, the government’s collapse “will make everything more serious and more difficult” for France, Mr Barnier said in a speech to Parliament before the vote. “At a time when economic growth in France is slowing markedly, this is bad news,” said Ms Charlotte de Montpellier, chief economist for France at ING bank. High energy costs and interest rates, a downturn in domestic industry, falling consumer confidence and a slowdown in business investment have left growth largely flat in France for the past two years. Political instability since Macron dissolved parliament in the summer and held snap elections that led to a more deeply fractured legislature caused businesses to further pause investment and hiring. The schism on Dec 4 risks ushering in “a new period of instability”, said the Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises, which represents the bulk of French businesses that make up the backbone of activity. “A France without a budget would open the door to a debt crisis, the consequences of which would hit economic players hard,” the group said. The turmoil heralds a sombre chapter for France, a cornerstone of Europe’s euro currency union. France has long been an engine of growth alongside Germany, but both countries have been steadily weakened since 2021 by Europe’s energy crisis and high interest rates, turning them from leaders of the bloc into laggards. But in recent months, fiscal troubles have piled on France’s problems. The country has been grappling with a ballooning debt and deficit, the result of unbridled government spending by Mr Macron since Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. That has fuelled concerns about the country’s creditworthiness by investors who have pushed France’s borrowing costs above those of crisis-scarred Greece. The problems have started to nudge up unemployment, ending a brief but intense spree of job creation that was largely supported by public spending. The jobless rate, which fell to a 15-year low of 7.1 per cent in 2024, rose to 7.4 per cent in the autumn. France’s industry minister, Mr Marc Ferracci, said thousands of additional job cuts are likely in the coming months. The challenges have only grown as the state of France’s overstretched finances has become apparent. With a deficit that has jumped to 6.1 per cent of economic output, from 5.5 per cent in 2024, the country is now in worse fiscal straits than Greece, Spain and Italy. The country’s debt has exploded to more than €3.2 trillion (S$4.52 trillion), or more than 112 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. The deficit had already started to widen during Macron’s first presidential term, after the yellow vest popular uprising in 2018 over a proposed gasoline tax increase set off nationwide protests by people struggling to make ends meet. Macron unleashed billions in subsidies and stimulus to quell the social maelstrom. Two years later, Covid-19 hit. Mr Macron, vowing to do “whatever it takes” to support the French economy, deployed hundreds of billions in spending to help companies furlough workers at 80 per cent of their pay, effectively nationalising a portion of private payrolls to prevent mass unemployment. The government also provided billions in cheap state-backed loans for companies. Just as the economy appeared to be recovering, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 sent energy prices soaring. Mr Macron authorised another round of major government spending to shield households and businesses. “Growth was financed through public spending,” Ms de Montpellier said. But the sustainability of the relief was not addressed, she added. “People knew that it was not going to last forever; now it’s actually the case.” NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now

While Messi and Ronaldo may no longer be the undeniable choices for the Best XI, their legacies as two of the greatest players to ever grace the football pitch are secure. Their impact on the game, their records, and their rivalry have shaped the modern era of football and will be remembered for generations to come.Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: the retrial of Yu Hua Ying is set to be a historic moment in the annals of the country's legal system. For Yang Niu Hua, it is yet another chapter in a saga that has consumed her life for the past three years, a reminder of the enduring power of the pursuit of justice and the weight of the law.None

In conclusion, the surge in stock prices witnessed today underscores the vibrancy and potential of the A-share and Hong Kong stock markets. As investors cheer the rally and look ahead to future opportunities, one thing is certain – the markets are alive and thriving, ready to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

Ashlon Jackson scores career-best 30 points to lead No. 14 Duke past No. 10 Kansas 73-62

Adam Clark scores 18 to help Merrimack knock off Niagara 80-62

NoneNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.

However, despite its strengths, "I Am a Criminal Detective" is not without its flaws. Some viewers have criticized the show for its pacing, suggesting that certain episodes drag on without significant plot development. Additionally, the series has been accused of occasionally resorting to clichéd plot twists and character tropes, which can detract from its overall impact.WARSAW, Ind. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE and SIX: ZBH), a global medical technology leader, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Premarket Approval Application (PMA) Supplement approval for the Oxford ® Cementless Partial Knee. The approval is based on safety and effectiveness data from an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study and non-clinical testing for cementless partial knee replacement (PKR). 1 The Oxford Cementless Partial Knee allows surgeons to perform a PKR with improved fixation, 2 better long-term implant survival rate 2,3 and improved efficiency in the operating room 4 (OR) compared to the Oxford Cemented Partial Knee procedure. Following more than 20 years of clinical experience and over 300,000 procedures across Canada , Europe , Middle East , Africa , and Asia , 5 the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee is now the only FDA-approved cementless partial knee implant in the U.S. "Cementless knee replacement procedures are increasingly preferred by surgeons seeking to improve surgical efficiency. The Oxford Cementless Partial Knee is coming into the U.S. with a proven track record of retaining more healthy anatomy with a less invasive approach and improved outcomes 6 as compared to a total knee replacement," said Joe Urban , President, Knees at Zimmer Biomet. "We are excited to address the unmet U.S. demand for a cementless partial knee with a new offering which has 20 years of clinical experience in more than 50 countries. 5 " Compared to traditional partial knee replacements that use bone cement to secure the implant in place, a cementless approach allows patients' natural bone growth to secure the implant for better long-term fixation. 2 The Oxford Cementless Partial Knee features a mobile bearing that can move with the femoral component throughout the entire range of motion to mimic natural knee movement. This design provides better range of motion, a more natural feel and a more stable implant-to-bone fixation for improved long-term implant survival. 2,3 The system's tibial and femoral components have a titanium and hydroxyapatite coating to promote bone growth into the implant 7 . The UK national joint registry has more than 33,000 patients treated with Oxford Cementless Partial Knees recorded with a 94.1% rate of implant survival at 10 years after surgery, 3 which is higher than the average 10-year survivorship for all other partial knees (89.9%). 3 Enthusiasm and usage of partial knee replacement continues to grow around the world as published research continues to demonstrate that PKR in appropriate cases provides improved patient outcomes compared to TKR. 6 "For younger and more active patients, the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee amplifies the benefits of a traditional partial knee replacement by offering knee flexion that resembles natural knee movement, and stronger adhesion of the implant to the bone for better long-term durability," said Adolph V. Lombardi Jr. , MD, FACS, President of JIS Orthopedics in New Albany, Ohio . "In my own practice, a cementless approach has increased OR efficiency by shortening my surgery time and reducing costs associated with cement preparation." Since its initial launch in England in 2004, the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee has become the preferred partial knee implant for Zimmer Biomet's European customers. 5 As part of the U.S. nationwide launch in Q1 2025, Zimmer Biomet will provide FDA-required training, focusing on the cementless surgical technique and proper patient selection. For patients in the U.S., the Oxford Partial Knee is the only implant with a lifetime limited warranty that covers the cost of Zimmer Biomet replacement implants.* Important Safety Information: The Cementless Oxford Partial Knee System is intended for use in unilateral knee procedures with osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis limited to the medial compartment of the knee. It is intended to be implanted without the application of cement for patients whose clinical condition would benefit from a shorter surgical time compared to the cemented implant. The Oxford Partial Knee is not indicated for use in the lateral compartment or for patients with ligament deficiency, or for use in simultaneous bilateral surgery or planned staged bilateral procedures. Potential risks include, but are not limited to, loosening, dislocation, fracture, wear and infection, any of which can require additional surgery. For a full list of product indications, contraindications and warnings, as well as further information on product IDE data, please see the associated product Information for Use (IFU) and Surgical Technique available at https://labeling.zimmerbiomet.com/ For more information about the Oxford Cementless Partial Knee, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com/oxfordcementless . About Zimmer Biomet Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. We seamlessly transform the patient experience through our innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence. With 90+ years of trusted leadership and proven expertise, Zimmer Biomet is positioned to deliver the highest quality solutions to patients and providers. Our legacy continues to come to life today through our progressive culture of evolution and innovation. For more information about our product portfolio, our operations in 25+ countries and sales in 100+ countries or about joining our team, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/zimmerbiomet or X / Twitter at www.twitter.com/zimmerbiomet . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning Zimmer Biomet's expectations, plans, prospects, and product and service offerings, including new product launches and potential clinical successes. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of some of such risks and uncertainties, see Zimmer Biomet's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in Zimmer Biomet's filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Zimmer Biomet disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers of this news release are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements, since there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this news release. *Subject to terms and conditions set forth within the written warranty References: Media Heather Zoumas-Lubeski 445-248-0577 heather.zoumaslubeski@zimmerbiomet.com Kirsten Fallon 781-779-5561 kirsten.fallon@zimmerbiomet.com Investors David DeMartino 646-531-6115 david.demartino@zimmerbiomet.com Zach Weiner 908-591-6955 Zach.weiner@zimmerbiomet.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zimmer-biomet-receives-fda-approval-for-oxford-cementless-partial-knee-only-cementless-partial-knee-replacement-implant-in-the-us-302315755.html SOURCE Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

Gretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Beans are kind of like the your best friend from high school — nearly forgotten but always ready to step back into the limelight and help out an old pal when needed. As gorgeously (and tantalizingly) demonstrated in Rancho Gordo’s new cookbook, “The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans” (Ten Speed, $35), beans are indeed a magical fruit, though not in the way you heard as a kid. Classified as both a vegetable and a plant-based protein in the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, beans and other legumes can be the ingredient you build an entire vegetarian or veggie-forward meal around. Or, they can help an economical cook stretch a dish twice as far with nutritious calories. A healthful and shelf-staple plant food — they last for years when dried — beans have been among a home cook’s most reliable pantry items for a very long time. (Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are thought to have been grown in Mexico more than 7,000 years ago.) That’s why, for some, they’re often something of an afterthought, especially if the only time you ate them as a kid was when your mom tossed kidney beans into a pot of beef chili or made baked beans (with brown sugar and bacon, please!) for a family cookout. Vegetarians have always appreciated their versatility and nutritional punch, and because they’re cheap, they also were quite popular during the Great Depression and World War II as C rations. Sales also peaked during the coronavirus pandemic, when shoppers stockpiled long-lasting pantry essentials. It wasn’t until Rancho Gordo, a California-based bean company, trotted out its branded packages of colorful heirloom beans that the plant began to take on cult status among some shoppers. Unlike the bean varieties commonly found in even the smallest grocery stores, heirloom beans are mostly forgotten varieties that were developed on a small scale for certain characteristics, with seeds from the best crops passed down through the generations. The result is beans that are fresher and more colorful than mass-produced beans, and come in different shapes and sizes. They also have a more complex and intense flavor, fans say. “The Bean Book” dishes up dozens of different ways to cook Rancho Gordo’s 50 heirloom bean varieties, which include red-streaked cranberry beans, mint-green flageolets, black and classic garbanzos and (my favorite) vaquero — which wear the same black-and-white spots as a Holstein cow. Other gotta-try varieties (if just for the name) include eye of the goat, European Soldier, Jacob’s Cattle and Good Mother Stallard, a purple bean with cream-colored flecks. “The very good news is that you have to work extra hard to mess up a pot of beans, and it’s not difficult to make an excellent pot,” Steve Sando writes in the book’s foreword. “The even better news is that you become a better cook with each pot you make.” Not convinced? Here are five reasons to jump on the bean bandwagon: Even the smallest grocery store will have a selection of dried and canned beans. Common varieties include black, cannellini (white kidney), Great Northern, pinto, navy, kidney, Lima and garbanzo (chickpea) beans. Even when they’re not on sale, beans are a bargain at the supermarket. Many varieties cost less than $1 a can, and dried beans are an economical way to build a menu. I paid $1.25 for a one-pound bag of cranberry beans, a smooth and velvety bean with a slightly nutty flavor, at my local grocery store. Rancho Gordo’s heirloom beans cost substantially more. (They run $6.25-$7.50 for a one-pound bag, with free shipping on orders over $50.) But they are sold within a year of harvest, which makes them more flavorful and tender. A bag also comes with cooking instructions and recipe suggestions, and the quality is outstanding. Plus, after cooking their beans with aromatics, “you are left with essentially free soup,” Sando writes in the cookbook. “If you drain properly cooked and seasoned beans, the liquid you are left with is delicious.” Beans are a great source of plant-based protein and both soluble and insoluble fiber, and they include essential minerals like iron, magnesium and potassium. If you’re watching your weight or following a particular diet, beans are naturally free of fat, sodium and cholesterol and are rich in complex carbohydrates. They also contain antioxidants and folate. And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, most types of dry beans are rich sources of iron. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating 1-3 cups of legumes, including beans, per week Dry beans have to be soaked overnight, but cooking them is easy. They can be cooked on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, in the pressure cooker and in the oven. Canned beans are even easier — just rinse and drain, and they’re ready to go. Beans can be used in so many different dishes. They can be made into soup, salad or dips, top nachos, add some heft to a casserole or be mashed into the makings of a veggie burger. You also can add them to brownies and other baked goods, toss them with pasta, add them to chili or a rice bowl or stuff them into a taco or burrito. Check out these four recipes: PG tested This light and creamy vegetarian soup benefits from a surprising garnish, roasted shiitake mushrooms, which taste exactly like bacon. For soup 1/4 cup olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 medium carrot, scrubbed and chopped 6 garlic cloves, finely grated or pressed 2 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 cups vegetable broth 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed For bacon 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, caps cut into 1/8 -inch slices 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt To finish Plant-based milk Chili oil, for drizzling Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Make soup: In large pot, heat oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are fragrant and tender, 8-10 minutes. Add vegetable stock and beans, increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened, 12-14 minutes. Meanwhile, make the bacon: Spread shiitake mushrooms into a single layer on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Bake until browned and crispy, 18-20 minutes, rotating pan front to back and tossing mushrooms with a spatula halfway through. Let cool in pan; mushrooms will continue to crisp as they cool. To finish, add some milk to the soup and use an immersion blender to puree it in the pot, or puree in a blender. (Cover lid with a clean kitchen towel.) Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Divide soup among bowls and top with shiitake bacon. Garnish with thyme sprigs and a drizzle of chili oil. Serves 4-6. — “Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking” by Joe Yonan PG tested Velvety cranberry beans simmered with tomato and the punch of red wine vinegar are a perfect match for a soft bed of cheesy polenta. This is a filling, stick-to-your-ribs dish perfect for fall. 1/4 cup olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups canned chopped tomatoes, juice reserved 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 4 fresh sage leaves Salt and pepper 4 cups cooked Lamon or cranberry beans 2 cups uncooked polenta 6 ounces pancetta, diced Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving In large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and red wine vinegar. In a small bowl, dissolve tomato paste in the broth and add to pan. Stir in sage and season with salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, 15-20 minutes. Add beans to tomato sauce. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare polenta according to package instructions. Place pancetta in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pancetta is brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper towel to drain. To serve, spoon polenta into serving dishes. Ladle the beans over the polenta and top with the pancetta. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with grated Parmesan. Serves 6. — “The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans” by Steve Sando PG tested Beans and seafood might seen like an unusual pairing, but in this recipe, mild white beans take on a lot of flavor from clams. Spanish chorizo adds a nice contrast. 4 cups cooked white beans, bean broth reserved 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 white onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/2 cup finely chopped Spanish-style cured chorizo 2 plum tomatoes, chopped 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 pounds small clams, scrubbed well Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish Country-style bread and butter, for serving In large pot, heat beans in their broth over medium-low heat. In large lidded saucepan, warm olive oil over medium-low heat. Add onion, garlic and salt and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chorizo and cook gently until some of the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and wine and cook to allow the flavors to mingle, 5-6 minutes. Increase heat to medium and add clams. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Uncover the pan and cook until all of the clams open, another few minutes. Remove pan from heat, then remove and discard any clams that failed to open. Add clam mixture to the bean pot and stir very gently until well mixed. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mingle but not get mushy. Ladle into large, shallow bowls and sprinkle with parsley. Set out a large bowl for discarded shells and encourage guests to eat with their fingers. Pass plenty of good bread and creamy butter at the table Serves 4-6. — “The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen” by Steve Sando with Julia Newberry PG tested So easy to pull together for your next party! 1 1/2 cups cooked cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Juice and zest of 1 lemon 1 small garlic clove, minced Generous pinch of salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 or 3 tablespoons water, if needed 2 fresh basil leaves, chopped, optional 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves chopped, optional In a food processor, pulse cannellini beans, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, salt and several grinds of pepper until combined. If it’s too thick, slowly add the water with the food processor running until it is smooth and creamy. Blend in the basil and/or rosemary, if using Serve with veggies, pita or bruschetta. Makes 1 1/2 cups — Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette ©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.2020 election fraud findings released online and via app

The news of Li Xiang's Rolls-Royce Phantom and Wang Shilin's driving test in London quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering waves of envy and admiration among netizens. Many praised Li Xiang for her success and ability to afford such luxury, while others marveled at Wang Shilin's poised and sophisticated behavior at such a young age.

The investigation into Nvidia comes amidst a broader crackdown on tech companies in China, as authorities seek to rein in monopolistic behavior and promote fair competition in the marketplace. In recent years, Chinese regulators have taken a series of actions against tech giants, including imposing hefty fines, introducing new regulations, and conducting antitrust investigations.While it is true that some industries may prioritize younger applicants for certain roles, Zhang Chaoyang believes that age should not be a determining factor in one's employability. He encourages individuals to showcase their experience, skills, and accomplishments to demonstrate their value to potential employers.

Jaylon Johnson isn’t interested in bright spots with the Bears’ skid at 5 gamesJudge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly6 Scenarios that can Lead to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Beware of Winter HeatingMemphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui Invitational

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Recent incidents prompt heightened security at Illinois StatehouseUnited Rugby Championship Edinburgh (35) 50 Tries: Van der Merwe, Muncaster 2, Bradbury 2, Hill, Price Cons: Thompson 5, Healy Pens: Healy Benetton (0) 33 Tries: Odogwu, Creevy 2, Izekor, Fekitoa Cons: Umaga 4 Edinburgh survived a major second-half scare to claim a bonus-point win over Benetton and move up to seventh in the United Rugby Championship table. The capital side were utterly dominant in the first half, scoring tries through Duhan van der Merwe, Ben Muncaster, Paul Hill and a double from Magnus Bradbury to lead 35-0 at the break. Benetton mounted an extraordinary second-half comeback, with two tries from Augustin Creevy and one for Paolo Odogwu, and although Ali Price crossed for the hosts, Alessandro Isekor and Malaki Fekitoa scores ensured a nervy finish. Muncaster grabbed his second try late on and Ben Healy kicked a penalty to ensure Edinburgh held on for the win. Sean Everitt's side's focus switches to the European Challenge Cup with a trip to Gloucester on Friday. The game was barely a minute old when a slick backs move put Edinburgh full-back Wes Goosen through a gap and he fed Van der Merwe to race home for the try. The second was not long in coming. From a messy line-out on the 22, Muncaster gathered the loose ball, powered through several tackles and stretched for the line to score. Benetton failed to deal with Edinburgh's power and Bradbury battered through a few bodies to go over as the home side forged a 21-point lead in as many minutes. Bradbury crossed for his second moments later as Edinburgh wrapped up the bonus point before the 25-minute mark. Prop Hill then pounced on a loose ball to charge home for a try in the final play of the first half to round off a one-sided opening 40 in blustery conditions. With the wind behind them, Benetton finally showed some signs of life early in the second half - Odogwu and substitute Creevy crossing in quick succession to check the home side's momentum. What looked like a fleeting show of defiance threatened to become something more when Creevy ploughed over again to make it 35-19. Edinburgh restored some order when Darcy Graham skipped his way through and popped a pass off the deck for Price to score. Benetton kept coming though, propelled forward by the wind, and flanker Izekor forced himself over to bring his side back within two scores. Fekitoa then went over for the Italians' fifth try and the grim spectre of collapsing from 35-0 up was staring Edinburgh in the face. The capital side brought themselves back from the brink, Muncaster going over from close range for his second try and Healy splitting the posts off the tee to secure a victory that should have been a lot more straightforward than it was. Edinburgh: Goosen, Graham, Currie, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Thompson, Price; Schoeman, Ashman, Hill, Sykes, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Muncaster, Bradbury. Replacements: Harrison, Venter, Rae, Skinner, Douglas, Vellacott, Healy, McCann. Benetton: Smith, Mendy, Fekitoa, Zanon, Odogwu, Umaga, Uren; Tetaz, Manfredi, Avaca, Scrafton, Snyman, Izekor, Halafihi, Favretto. Replacements: Creevy, Aminu, Pasquali, Kingi, Koroiyadi, Velez, Marin, Lynagh. Referee: Ben BreakspearBOSTON — Before the start of the 2024-25 season, Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs was looking forward to seeing the roster president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney had built. “There’s a lot of excitement around this team,” Jacobs said on Sept. 30. “I’ve thought personally and I’ll share this openly — I feel Don and Cam have done an excellent job this offseason in acquiring some great talent, some very exciting players.” Advertisement Twenty-five games later, the Bruins are 11-11-3 and fourth in the Atlantic Division. They have fired coach Jim Montgomery. Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov , their primary offseason signings, are improving but have yet to reach their thresholds. They are coming off a 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins , whose minus-32 goal differential is the worst in the league. “We’re a .500 club right now,” Jacobs said on Saturday ahead of the Bruins’ centennial game on Sunday against the Montreal Canadiens . “I think we’ve yet to play our best game.” The Bruins are 3-2-0 under interim coach Joe Sacco. Jeremy Swayman , who missed all of training camp before signing an eight-year, $66 million contract, has a .943 save percentage in his three starts following Montgomery’s dismissal. Swayman has an .892 save percentage over 17 appearances. Meanwhile, David Pastrnak is stuck in a seven-game goal-scoring drought for the second time this season. The Bruins have scored on 12 percent of their power plays, second-lowest in the league. “Being a captain and a player of this historic team means embracing what it means to wear the spoked B,” Brad Marchand said during a Saturday speech unveiling the franchise’s centennial bear statue next to TD Garden. “It means playing with that same spirit every night. Showing up in the toughest moments and leading by example, especially when times are tough.” “Tomorrow, it will officially be a year,” Jacobs said of the organization’s centennial celebration. “It’s going to be something. I sure hope we can put our best foot forward tomorrow afternoon when we play the Habs. Let’s get another ‘W’ in the books. We need it.” Required reading (Photo: Jessica Rinaldi / The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

AKRON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 2, 2024-- Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (“B&W” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BW) announced the following leadership changes that will become effective January 1, 2025. Lou Salamone, who has served as Chief Financial Officer since November 2018, has announced he will retire from his role. In connection with his transition from his current position, Mr. Salamone has entered into an agreement with the Company to provide consulting services, including transition support for the Chief Financial Officer role, for a one-year term commencing on January 1, 2025. “Lou’s leadership and support have been invaluable over the past six years as we worked through a number of challenges including the global impact of COVID-19,” Kenneth Young, B&W Chief Executive Officer, said. “Lou initially planned to join us for two years but signed on for another four, which shows his tireless efforts to support our Company and ensure it was on a strong path to future success. Lou will continue to provide strategic support and guidance to B&W under a consulting agreement for at least the next year as we look to refinance and reduce our debt obligations over the coming months.” With the retirement of Mr. Salamone, Cameron Frymyer is named Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Frymyer, who has served in various management positions for B&W for the past 20 years including his most recent role as B&W’s Senior Vice President, Business and Finance Operations, will work closely with Mr. Salamone to ensure an orderly transition of responsibilities. Chris Riker is named Chief Operating Officer, responsible for B&W’s global business operations and for the successful implementation of the company’s short- and long-term business growth and execution strategies as well as performance and cost-saving initiatives. Mr. Riker has led B&W’s Thermal Segment since August 2022 and has been instrumental in improving cash flows and margins within its global operations. Prior to that, he held several operational and finance-related leadership positions including Vice President of B&W’s Global Parts & Service operations, Vice President of B&W’s Industrial Steam Generation business, and Controller for B&W’s Diamond Power International, LLC subsidiary. He has nearly 15 years’ experience with B&W. Jimmy Morgan is named Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for leading the commercial and business development for B&W’s ClimateBrightTM and BrightLoopTM suite of products as well as select biomass and waste-to-energy projects that will leverage B&W’s new and emerging technologies. This a key role to drive growth from carbon capture and hydrogen technologies that will provide long-term revenue growth for B&W. Mr. Morgan has more than 31 years of large energy project experience including eight years with B&W where he has provided key leadership for a number of areas, including completing the challenging waste-to-energy projects in Europe. Gillianne Hetrick is named Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations, and will lead B&W’s Human Resources, Environmental Health, Safety & Security, Information Technology, Communications & Marketing, Facility Services, and Global Travel organizations. Ms. Hetrick has over 20 years’ experience in the energy and communications industries, with both public and private companies. “As we look to streamline our operations, reduce overhead costs and expand our new technologies, I am pleased to announce these new roles for Cameron, Chris, Jimmy and Gillianne,” Young stated. “Each of these highly talented individuals have demonstrated exceptional business experience, strategic vision and strong leadership skills as we’ve worked to reduce our debt, grow our business and transition B&W for the future. This leadership team is poised to help B&W expand and grow B&W’s Thermal, Renewable and Environmental segments, launch our new technologies and continue supporting our strong global base of customers.” Mr. Frymyer joined B&W in 1997 and has served in a number of senior-level Finance & Accounting and operational leadership roles during his 27 years with the company, most recently as Senior Vice President of Business Operations. Mr. Frymyer has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from The University of Akron and a Juris Doctor from The University of Akron School of Law. Mr. Riker joined B&W in 2010 and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Thermal, since 2022, a role in which he was responsible for the Company’s global thermal energy business that provides advanced technologies and equipment, as well as replacement parts and services, to keep thermal and industrial plants operating efficiently. Prior to joining B&W, he served as a consultant with KPMG LLP. Mr. Riker has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina. Mr. Morgan joined B&W in 2016 and has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2022. Before joining B&W, he was Executive Vice President for Allied Technical Resources, Inc. Previous positions included serving as Chief Operating Officer with BHI Energy, Vice President of Installation and Modification Services with Westinghouse and as Managing Director for AREVA T&D. He began his career with Duke Energy as a Maintenance Engineer. Mr. Morgan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of South Carolina, and a Master’s of Business Administration from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. Ms. Hetrick joined B&W in 2019 and has served as Vice President, Corporate Operations, since 2022. Prior to joining B&W, Hetrick held a number of positions at small to mid-sized publicly traded companies, where she led Human Resources, IT and Safety functions, and focused on business strategy, as well as process and operational efficiency improvements. Ms. Hetrick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication from Northern Michigan University. View source version on : CONTACT: Investor Contact: Investor Relations Babcock & Wilcox 704.625.4944 Media Contact: Ryan Cornell Public Relations Babcock & Wilcox 330.860.1345 KEYWORD: OHIO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER ENERGY UTILITIES OIL/GAS ENVIRONMENT COAL ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY NUCLEAR SOURCE: Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/02/2024 04:48 PM/DISC: 12/02/2024 04:48 PMReports: Bill Belichick interviews for North Carolina job

There are three games featuring a ranked team on Saturday’s college basketball schedule. Watch women’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.‘Christmas Light Fight’ Host Carter Oosterhouse on Holiday Traditions, Marriage to Amy Smart & MoreNASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to goHow to make the rooftop solar emergency backstop work for consumers

Charan Jeet Singh, Fiji's sugar minister and a millionaire businessman, has described delegates attending the United Nations climate summit COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, as a "financial burden to their respective countries". Singh, who was part of the 55-member Fijian government delegation to COP29, took to social media to express his dissatisfaction about the meeting. "My assessment of COP meetings and having first hand experience in the COP 29 meeting is that most of the attendees representing are just wasting time and are financial burden to their respective countries," he wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. "In future we need to send a very lean team of professionals, experts and negotiators who are objective and can deliver their hard and clear message to COP 30 come next year. Read more: Singh believes Fiji cannot be seen watching from the side anymore. He also claimed that 80 percent of climate funding to Pacific Islands goes to non-governmental organisations and governments for travel, consultancy, and wining and dining. "Enough of this drama please. Let's all be serious to save our Islands nations and the livelihood of our citizens and the generations to come. "We need funds to work and make life better for our citizens, not just talk. Let's walk the talk." Fiji's lead negotiator in Baku and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change permanent secretary, Sivendra Michael, told Islands Business that COP29 is "not an exciting journey". "It is a very tedious process, and it is about remaining focused and trying to take each day as it comes," he was quoted as saying by the regional magazine. Last week, Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Biman told AnewZ that COP29 allows "a lot of opportunities...in the overall objective in addressing the impact of climate change on the livelihoods of people."Billionaires have seen their combined wealth shoot up 121 percent over the past decade to $14 trillion, Swiss bank UBS said Thursday, with tech billionaires' coffers filling the fastest. Switzerland's biggest bank, which is among the world's largest wealth managers, said the number of dollar billionaires increased from 1,757 to 2,682 over the past 10 years, peaking in 2021 with 2,686. The 10th edition of UBS's annual Billionaire Ambitions report, which tracks the wealth of the world's richest people, found that billionaires have comfortably outperformed global equity markets over the past decade. The report documents "the growth and investment of great wealth, as well as how it's being preserved for future generations and used to have a positive effect on society", said Benjamin Cavalli, head of strategic clients at UBS global wealth management. Between 2015 and 2024, total billionaire wealth increased by 121 percent from $6.3 trillion to $14.0 trillion -- while the MSCI AC World Index of global equities rose 73 percent. The wealth of tech billionaires increased the fastest, followed by that of industrialists. Worldwide, tech billionaires' wealth tripled from $788.9 billion in 2015 to $2.4 trillion in 2024. "In earlier years, the new billionaires commercialised e-commerce, social media and digital payments; more recently they engineered the generative AI boom, while also developing cyber-security, fintech, 3D printing and robotics," UBS said. The report found that since 2020, the global growth trend had slowed due to declines among China's billionaires. From 2015 to 2020, billionaire wealth grew globally at an annual rate of 10 percent, but growth has plunged to one percent since 2020. Chinese billionaire wealth more than doubled from 2015 to 2020, rising from $887.3 billion to $2.1 trillion, but has since fallen back to $1.8 trillion. However, North American billionaire wealth has risen 58.5 percent to $6.1 trillion since 2020, "led by industrials and tech billionaires". Meanwhile billionaires are relocating more frequently, with 176 having moved country since 2020, with Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the United States being popular destinations. In 2024, some 268 people became billionaires for the first time, with 60 percent of them entrepreneurs. "The year's new billionaires were mainly self-made," said UBS. The report said US billionaires accrued the greatest gains in 2024, reinforcing the country's place as the world's main centre for billionaire entrepreneurs. Their wealth rose 27.6 percent to $5.8 trillion, or more than 40 percent of billionaire wealth worldwide. Billionaires' wealth from mainland China and Hong Kong fell 16.8 percent to $1.8 trillion, with the number of billionaires dropping from 588 to 501. Indian billionaires' wealth increased 42.1 percent to $905.6 billion, while their number grew from 153 to 185. Western Europe’s total billionaire wealth rose 16.0 percent to $2.7 trillion -- partly due to a 24 percent increase in Swiss billionaires. UAE billionaires' aggregate wealth rose 39.5 percent to $138.7 billion. UBS said billionaires faced an "uncertain world" over the next 10 years, due to high geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and governments with mounting spending requirements. Billionaires will therefore need to rely on their previous distinctive traits: "smart risk-taking, business focus and determination". "Risk-taking billionaires are likely to be at the forefront of creating two technology-related industries of the future already taking shape: generative AI and renewables/electrification," UBS predicted. And more flexible wealth planning will be needed as billionaire families move country and spread around the world. The heirs and philanthropic causes of baby boom billionaires are set to inherit an estimated $6.3 trillion over the next 15 years, UBS said. rjm/gv

Iceland votes for a new parliament amid disagreements on immigration, energy policy and the economy REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early electi Marco Di Marco And Danica Kirka, The Associated Press Nov 30, 2024 1:03 AM Nov 30, 2024 1:05 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message A Bilboard of the Democratic Party (Lýðræðisflokkurinn) reading "Let's limit the interest rate by law to a maximum of 4%" is backdropped by Mt. Esja covered with fresh snow, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo Marco Di Marco) REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Here’s what to look for in the contest. How does the election work? Voters will choose 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. Why now? A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But on Oct. 13 Benediktsson decided his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnson, a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Why is Iceland's politics so fractured? The splintering of Iceland's political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” What are the issues? Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. What about the volcano? Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,'' she said. —— Kirka reported from London. Marco Di Marco And Danica Kirka, 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 More World News Ireland headed for coalition government following parliamentary election, exit poll suggests Nov 29, 2024 2:54 PM In a shock offensive, insurgents breach Syria's largest city for the first time since 2016 Nov 29, 2024 1:04 PM Nigeria confirms that at least 27 people died and more than 100 are missing after boat capsized Nov 29, 2024 10:49 AM Featured FlyerAccording to the News & Observer, Belichick "blew them away in the interview," yet he is not likely to move forward because he is pushing 73 years old and has no experience in the college game. After he and the New England Patriots agreed to part ways following a 24-year stint, Belichick interviewed for the head job with the Atlanta Falcons, who instead hired Raheem Morris. The North Carolina interview is the first known instance of Belichick showing interest in a college position. Belichick is expected to draw interest for NFL openings in the upcoming hiring cycle. The Tar Heels retained an outside advisory firm to identify coaching candidates to replace Mack Brown, whom they fired at the end of the regular season. North Carolina went 6-6, including 3-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. "We've had a tremendous response of people across the country, of agents calling us, coaches, people calling on behalf of other people that are in the industry," North Carolina athletic director Bubba Cunningham said in an in-house interview the school posted online earlier this week. "We are very optimistic of where we are, the interest in our program is just extraordinary, and we'll get a great coach to lead us. Who can lead us in the next three, five, 10 years? We need somebody that can come in and take us from good to great." --Field Level Media

What state elections say about Indian democracyDecember 19, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Delft University of Technology Last week, a 100-meter-long test dune was raised on the coast near Monster. A hybrid dune, consisting of a combination of sand and hard elements. Researchers from TU Delft are monitoring how different configurations erode during stormy weather conditions. This will allow hybrid dyke-dune structures to be designed more efficiently and safely in the future. "We don't know exactly how long the set up will stand. We expect the dune , which is close to the coastline, to completely fade in the next two to three months," predicts Daan Poppema, postdoc Hydraulic Engineering. With hydraulic engineering companies Van den Herik and Boskalis, thousands of cubic meters of sand were moved for the construction of the test dune. This week, the last measuring instruments will be installed, and then the wait for nature's elements begins. The best of both worlds The Dutch coastline is traditionally protected by sandy dunes and hard dykes. The coast is being protected with hybrid dunes more often now, such as the dyke-in-dune constructions in Noordwijk, Katwijk and Groede. The idea is to combine the best of both worlds. Dunes match the natural character of the Dutch coast and help valuable nature. In addition, dunes can grow with sea level rise . Dykes, on the other hand, offer better erosion resistance than dunes. Due to interactions between sandy and hard elements, erosion occurs differently in hybrid dunes compared to sand dunes. The Hybrid Dune field experiment is a unique opportunity to better understand this process. The test dune consists of four different cross sections: A sandy dune; a dyke (sand covered with hard dyke slope); a dyke-in-dune (dyke slope covered with sand); and a barrier-in-dune (a core of containers in the dune). Measuring during storms Thanks to colleagues and Civil Engineering students, the test dune and shoreline are equipped with a wide range of measuring instruments. Says Poppema, "With the sensors we will measure the water flow, height of the waves and erosion of sand." When storms are approaching, researchers and students spring into action. Then drones and LiDAR (laser) take additional measurements to map dune erosion. Climate adaptation The dune is close to the high-water mark. This way, it will be possible to observe effects of extreme weather conditions as early as next year. "We don't want to wait 10 years for that one extreme storm, so at this carefully chosen location we are deliberately placing the dune in a vulnerable position," he says. Sea level rise and extreme weather events increase the urgency to work on new technical and natural solutions for climate-adaptive coasts and rivers. Provided by Delft University of Technologybmy.77 。

Induction prog held at CUK’s SPCS, SET

This holiday, the NFL is giving us the gift of a Christmas Day Beyoncé performance. The “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer is set to headline the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game’s the halftime show on December 25, after the Kansas City Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers play earlier in the day. Both games will feature a special pre-game performance of “All I Want for Christmas” by the one-and-only Queen of Christmas herself, Mariah Carey . The two big Christmas Day games will stream live on Netflix , who told CNN via a representative that they’ve optimized their technology to assure a smooth viewing experience after the reportedly glitchy Logan Paul-Mike Tyson fight . While it remains to be seen whether Taylor Swift attends the Chiefs game to support Travis Kelce, what’s for sure is that there will be a lot going on amid the festivities. Here’s how to watch and what to know. How can I watch? The Ravens-Texans and Chiefs-Steelers games will be both be exclusively streamed on Netflix for subscribers only. Both games will also be available in each teams’ market on their local CBS station. For the Chiefs-Steelers game, local viewers in Kansas City can watch it on KCTV, and on KDKA in Pittsburgh. For the Ravens-Texans game, local viewers can watch it WJZ in Baltimore and KHOU in Houston. Each game will also be available to watch on mobile devices through NFL+ in all markets. What time should I tune in? The Chiefs-Steelers game kicks off at 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT and the Ravens-Texans game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. EDT/1:30 p.m. PDT. When is Beyoncé performing? You can catch Beyoncé’s halftime show during the Ravens-Texans game, which will kick off at 4:30 p.m EDT. A Houston native, Beyoncé will likely show some pride for the home team as the game is taking place at Houston’s NRG stadium. The performance will mark the first time that Beyoncé will perform songs live from her hit album “Cowboy Carter.” According to Netflix , Queen Bey also has some surprises in store and is expected to bring along some special guests. “Cowboy Carter” was released in March and has gone on to earn 11 Grammy nods. Beyoncé is also quite familiar with being an NFL halftime show performer. The Grammy-winner headlined the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans and joined Coldplay and Bruno Mars on the field during the 2016 Super Bowl show. When is Mariah Carey performing? Mariah Carey, another Queen, will also be part of the NFL’s Christmas Gameday event with a performance of her iconic holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas is You.” Carey will “bring her signature blend of glamour and Christmas cheer” in a pre-taped performance, which will air twice – ahead of both live games – according to Netflix . The performance also marks a very special milestone as the song turned 30 years old this year. How will Netflix prevent tech issues and buffering? After what turned out to be a bit of a glitchy viewing experience for the tens of millions of people who tuned into Netflix’s livestream of the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight in November, the streamer told CNN they’re taking steps to assure a smooth viewing experience for all tuning into the Christmas Day games. A representative for Netflix told CNN that, based on what they learned from the Paul-Tyson fight’s livestream, they have made additional optimizations of their systems to improve the viewing quality and better handle the large-scale viewership that the NFL games are expected to draw.

France's second woman premier makes surprise frontline return

Hou_Stover 19 pass from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 14:42. Ten_FG Folk 51, 11:15. Ten_Westbrook-Ikhine 38 pass from Levis (Folk kick), 1:57. Ten_Pollard 10 run (Folk kick), 11:03. Hou_Collins 5 pass from Stroud (Fairbairn kick), 6:17. Hou_FG Fairbairn 28, 1:47. Ten_FG Folk 56, :00. Ten_FG Folk 51, 9:08. Hou_Ward 65 interception return (Fairbairn kick), :04. Hou_FG Fairbairn 54, 9:46. Ten_Okonkwo 70 pass from Levis (Folk kick), 9:35. Ten_safety, 1:13. A_71,055. RUSHING_Tennessee, Pollard 24-119, Levis 8-10, Chestnut 1-3. Houston, Mixon 14-22, Stroud 3-18. PASSING_Tennessee, Levis 18-24-1-278, Boyd 0-1-0-0. Houston, Stroud 20-33-2-247. RECEIVING_Tennessee, Boyd 6-55, Ridley 5-93, Pollard 3-10, Westbrook-Ikhine 2-48, Okonkwo 1-70, Chestnut 1-2. Houston, Collins 5-92, Mixon 5-23, Dell 3-72, Stover 3-26, Schultz 2-20, Woods 1-8, Metchie 1-6. MISSED FIELD GOALS_Houston, Fairbairn 28.After a thrilling double-overtime win over Fresno State, California Baptist makes the nearly 2,500-mile trip to Orlando to face Central Florida on Sunday. The Lancers (5-3) capped their time at the Acrisure Holiday Invitational in Palm Springs, Calif., with an 86-81 victory over the Bulldogs on Wednesday. That followed a last-second, 79-77 loss to SMU the day before. Dominique Daniels Jr. played 45 minutes against Fresno State and led California Baptist with 29 points. He paces the Lancers with 20.3 points per game, while Kendal Coleman averages 15.1 points and is shooting 59.7 percent form the floor. However, coach Rick Croy's team has struggled from 3-point range, shooting just 30.7 percent entering its first true road game this season. UCF (5-2) is coming off of an 84-76 win over Milwaukee last Wednesday despite being outrebounded 41-31. The Knights were helped by the heroics of senior guard Darius Johnson, who had 28 points as he shot a career-best 8-for-10 from beyond the arc. "Darius was terrific," UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. "He's so comfortable in his leadership role now, he's leading our team and running the show, and our new players are becoming more comfortable playing with him. He's been a rock for us this season, and you love to see it out of a senior point guard." "I had an extraordinary night shooting the ball from three," Johnson said. "I rarely think that would happen again, but it's great. I know my teammates are going to have nights like that as well." Johnson is among the nation's leaders in minutes per game (36.6) and is shooting a team-high 50 percent from 3-point range (23 of 46). He, along with his fellow guard Jordan Ivy-Curry, are each averaging 16.9 points to lead UCF. The Knights opened the season with an impressive win over Texas A&M, now No. 20 in the AP poll, but lost both games at last weekend's Greenbrier Tip-Off, including a triple-overtime defeat against LSU on Sunday. UCF has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 2018-19. This will be the first meeting between the Knights and the Lancers, who will each have time off afterwards. UCF won't play until Dec. 8 against Tarleton State, while California Baptist is idle until its Dec. 11 game at San Diego State. --Field Level Media

( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Empowering students through mentorship and real-world applications, e29 iGNITE bridges the gap between academic learning and industry innovation. TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, December 23, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- ELEMENT 29 LLC , a leader in advanced engineering solutions, is proud to unveil the "e29 iGNITE" (innovation, Growth, and Networking in Industry and Technology Education) initiative. This initiative exemplifies ELEMENT 29's commitment to fostering local collaboration by uniting universities, technology providers, and industry leaders. e29 iGNITE bridges academic knowledge with practical applications, preparing students to address industry challenges while advancing innovation and regional partnerships. Advancing Innovation Through Community Partnerships "The e29 iGNITE initiative demonstrates ELEMENT 29's dedication to uniting academia and industry," said Bill Cassidy, President & CEO. "By connecting universities, technology providers, and industry leaders, we empower students to address complex challenges while strengthening communities and advancing engineering and technology." The initiative offers students and teams a comprehensive platform to apply academic knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. Designed to enhance senior capstone projects and foster professional development, the initiative provides impactful mentorship, advanced resources, and hands-on opportunities. e29 iGNITE, Bridging Academics and Practice: -Mentorship and Development: Comprehensive guidance from seasoned professionals to refine methodologies, improve outcomes, and develop professional-grade presentations. -Resource Access: Utilize ELEMENT 29's cutting-edge tools, technologies, and collaborations, including the NASA Technology Transfer Program, to enhance project outcomes. -Real-World Applications: Engage in projects tailored to industry needs, fostering measurable results and practical expertise. -Community Engagement: Contribute to regional collaborations that strengthen ecosystems and address local and global challenges. -Career Preparation: Gain training in high-demand engineering competencies, ensuring participants are prepared to excel in a competitive job market. Core Competencies of e29 iGNITE The e29 iGNITE initiative provides specialized training and practical experience across multiple engineering disciplines: -AI & Digital Technology: Leveraging autonomous systems and AI-driven solutions to optimize industrial efficiency, safety, and productivity. Includes applications in predictive analytics, machine learning, and advanced robotics. -Process and Chemical Engineering: Developing and refining processes and chemical systems for enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and product quality in industrial and manufacturing settings. -Automation and Controls: Designing and implementing automated systems to streamline operations and improve productivity through advanced control strategies and technology integration. -Instrumentation Engineering: Applying advanced programming and instrumentation to monitor, measure, and control systems effectively, ensuring precision and operational reliability. -Electrical Engineering: Innovating in power systems, renewable energy integration, and sustainable solutions, including energy distribution, grid optimization, and smart technology implementation. -Mechanical Engineering: Designing and fabricating advanced machinery and mechanical systems to improve energy efficiency, durability, and overall performance in diverse industrial applications. -Civil and Structural Engineering: Planning and designing resilient infrastructure and sustainable buildings, incorporating advanced materials and environmental considerations to meet modern engineering demands. -Cybersecurity: Safeguarding critical systems against evolving digital threats by designing robust security frameworks, protecting data integrity, and ensuring system continuity. Application Process Eligibility Requirements: -Applicants must be enrolled in an ABET-accredited engineering program at a university. -Students must be in their second academic year or beyond. -Applications are open to individuals and teams. Submission Guidelines: Applications must be emailed to ... with the subject line: "e29 iGNITE Application: [Your Full Name/Team Name]" and include: Personal or Team Video Statement: -A 3-5 minute video introducing yourself or your team. -Highlight academic backgrounds, engineering interests, and career goals. -For teams, introduce each member and describe collaborative strengths. Supplementary Documentation: Resumes or CVs showcasing relevant experience and coursework. About ELEMENT 29 Based in Tampa, FL, ELEMENT 29 LLC is a global leader in engineering consulting with expertise in civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, chemical, and process engineering. Committed to sustainability and innovation, the company partners with private and government sectors to deliver tailored engineering solutions that address complex challenges. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies in automation, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, ELEMENT 29 empowers future engineers and drives impactful, real-world solutions. Bill Cassidy ELEMENT 29 +1 813-279-1898 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN23122024003118003196ID1109025229 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Yanks' Judge wins 2nd MVP in unanimous vote

Glucose Biosensors Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032) 12-19-2024 07:42 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: Cognate Insights Glucose Biosensors Market Latest Market Overview The global glucose biosensors market is projected to reach USD 28.5 billion by 2024, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% through 2032. Rising diabetes prevalence, along with growing demand for advanced glucose monitoring solutions, significantly drives market growth. Innovations in biosensor technology, which offer improved accuracy and convenience for glucose monitoring, further enhance the market's potential, making glucose biosensors a vital tool for diabetes management. The Glucose Biosensors Market has experienced steady growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding at a strong pace from 2024 to 2032. This analysis offers a comprehensive overview, providing valuable insights into key trends and developments within the Glucose Biosensors industry. 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Global market trend analysis including historical data, estimates to 2024, and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast to 2032 is given based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market segments involving economic and non-economic factors. Furthermore, it reveals the comprehensive competitive landscape of the global market, the current and future market prospects of the industry, and the growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and constraints in emerging and emerging markets. Global Glucose Biosensors Market Landscape and Future Pathways: North America: United States Canada Europe: Germany France U.K. Italy Russia Asia-Pacific: China Japan South Korea India Australia China Taiwan Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Latin America: Mexico Brazil Argentina Korea Colombia Middle East & Africa: Turkey Saudi Arabia UAE Korea Speak to Our Analyst for A Discussion on The Above Findings, And Ask for A Discount on The Report @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/check-discount/glucose-biosensors-market-research Key drivers and challenges influencing the Glucose Biosensors market: Regional Analysis: The report involves examining the Glucose Biosensors market at a regional or national level. Report analyses regional factors such as government incentives, infrastructure development, economic conditions, and consumer behaviour to identify variations and opportunities within different markets. 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For In-Depth Competitive Analysis - Purchase this Report now at @ https://www.cognateinsights.com/purchase-report/glucose-biosensors-market-research Contact Us: Cognate Insights Web: www.cognateinsights.com Email: info@cognateinsights.com Phone: +91 8424946476 About Us: We are leaders in market analytics, business research, and consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, financial & government institutions. Since we understand the criticality of data and insights, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available. To be at our client's disposal whenever they need help on market research and consulting services. We also aim to be their business partners when it comes to making critical business decisions around new market entry, M&A, competitive Intelligence and strategy. 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Bucharest (Romania), Dec 24 (AP) Romanian lawmakers on Monday voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election by a top court. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in Romania's 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, or PSD, the center-right National Liberal Party, PNL, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. It caps a month-long period of turmoil in which far-right nationalists made significant gains in a Dec. 1 parliamentary election, a week after a first-round presidential race saw the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu emerge as the front-runner. “It will not be an easy mandate for the future government,” Ciolacu, whose PSD party topped the polls in the parliamentary election, said in a statement Monday. “We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis," he said. "It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens, the trust of the people.” Romani's 16 ministerial positions will be shared among the parties, which will hold a slim majority in the legislature. It's widely seen as a tactical partnership to shut out far-right nationalists whose voices found fertile ground amid high living costs and a sluggish economy. President Klaus Iohannis was expected to swear in the new government later Monday. Ciolacu, who came third in the first-round presidential ballot despite polls indicating he would win the most votes, has served as prime minister since June 2023. Romania was plunged into turmoil after Georgescu's surprise success in the presidential race, after allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. Days before the Dec. 8 runoff, the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the presidential race. “We go through complicated times, but I think we all learned from mistakes of the past,” Ciolacu said. “I hope that together with my colleagues in the coalition, we'll find the best solutions to get past the challenges we have in front of us.” Ciolacu said that the new government would aim to quickly organize the rerun of the presidential election in which the new coalition has agreed to put forward an agreed common pro-European candidate. George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which came second in the parliamentary election, said that all lawmakers from his party on Monday would vote against the Ciolacu government. In 2021, the PSD and the PNL also formed an unlikely but increasingly strained coalition together with UDMR, which exited the Cabinet last year after a power-sharing dispute. (AP) AS AS (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines showed off her self-care and “MAHA” products in front of her showering husband, in a new cringeworthy video posted to Instagram. The 59-year-old actor and co-owner of the self-care brand Hines + Young, which she founded with her daughter Catherine Young, was filming a video to promote the company’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals at the same time Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was taking a shower. In the Instagram video shared on Friday and captioned: “H+Y content interruption,” Hines can be seen sitting in front of the camera holding a bottle of linen spray and a tin of body cream. “No, you can’t take a shower!” she laughs as her husband stands directly behind her washing his hair. “I’m doing a video. No, no, no, you’ve gotta give me a second. I’m doing a video for Hines + Young.” Wagging her finger at him, she exclaims: “Honey!” before continuing: “It’s 60 percent off for Black Friday and Cyber Monday... I gotta turn this off before he gets out.” In a subsequent post, Hines shared a photo of the brand’s soy candles engraved with the words “MAHA Make America Healthy Again” in reference to Kennedy’s new slogan following his nomination for Health and Human Services secretary by President-elect Donald Trump. Hines’s video comes months after Kennedy’s alleged entanglement in a sexting scandal with New York magazine’s Washington Correspondent Olivia Nuzzi came to light . A spokesperson for the publication told Status in September that Nuzzi “acknowledged to the magazine’s editors that she had engaged in a personal relationship with a former subject relevant to the 2024 campaign while she was reporting on the campaign, a violation of the magazine’s standards around conflicts of interest and disclosures.” That month, the publication announced it was placing Nuzzi, 31, on leave amid claims that she had a romantic relationship with Kennedy, 70. It was later announced that the Nuzzi and the publication had mutually parted ways. Nuzzi didn’t initially share with New York magazine that she had had a supposed relationship with Kennedy and the outlet only became aware long after the fact, people familiar with the issue told Status. The supposed relationship didn’t start until after a profile she wrote of Kennedy was published in November last year, a person close to Nuzzi told Status, adding that she didn’t use Kennedy as a source as she reported on the campaign. Another person familiar told the outlet that the relationship is thought to have begun around the new year. Kennedy and Hines got married in 2014, 10 years before his “personal relationship” with Nuzzi. Hines was previously married from 2002 to 2010 to movie producer Paul Young, with whom she shares 20-year-old daughter Catherine.Cal Baptist makes cross-country trip to battle Darius Johnson, UCF

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index eked out a gain Friday as a rise in tech stocks helped outweigh losses in energy, while U.S. markets were mixed after employment reports on both sides of the border. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 11.76 points at 25,691.80. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 123.19 points at 44,642.52. The S&P 500 index was up 15.16 points at 6,090.27, reaching another all-time high, while the Nasdaq composite was up 159.05 points at 19,859.77, another record. Both Canada and the U.S. got fresh jobs data on Friday, but the two reports painted very different pictures, said Pierre-Benoît Gauthier, vice-president of investment strategy at IG Wealth Management. U.S. employers hired more than expected last month but the unemployment rate also ticked higher to 4.2 per cent. “This report was just good enough,” said Gauthier — not too weak, but also not too strong. The report sealed expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will announce a quarter-percentage-point interest rate cut later in December, said Gauthier. It shows the economy continues to handle higher rates well, he added. In Canada, the economy added 51,000 jobs in November, while the unemployment rate jumped to 6.8 per cent. The jobs number was undermined by the fact the gain was mainly public-sector hiring, said Gauthier. “The federal government creating jobs is in no way, shape or form an indication of the strength of the Canadian economy,” he said. The Bank of Canada is set to cut next week, and Gauthier thinks it could be an outsized half-percentage-point cut. “The rate cuts here cannot come fast enough,” he said. But the Bank of Canada will need to keep an eye on the increasing differential between rates in the U.S. and Canada, he added, which could put further downward pressure on the already weak Canadian dollar. “The Bank of Canada will be stuck between a rock and a hard place, because at some point they'll still have to defend the Canadian dollar," he said. A lower Canadian dollar could also result in some inflation as imports from the U.S. cost more. The Canadian dollar traded for 70.74 cents US compared with 71.24 cents US on Thursday. The January crude oil contract was down US$1.10 at US$67.20 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was essentially unchanged at US$3.08 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was up US$11.20 at US$2,659.60 an ounce and the March copper contract was up a penny at US$4.20 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press

Lehigh advances to a second-round game at eighth-seeded Idaho on Dec. 7. The Mountain Hawks trailed 16-7 early in the fourth quarter after Richmond's Sean Clarke scored on a 7-yard pass from Camden Coleman. Green dashed 65 yards for a touchdown on the next play from scrimmage and Lehigh trailed 16-14 with 10 1/2 minutes remaining. The Mountain Hawks (9-3) forced a three-and-out, then Jamiel and Hayden Johnson connected on a 56-yard pass play for the go-ahead touchdown. The Spiders were stopped short of midfield on their final drive but nearly came up with a huge play when Lehigh's Quanye Veney muffed the punt at his own 14-yard line. Ignatious Williams recovered the loose ball for Lehigh to preserve the win. Johnson completed 14 of 18 passes for 199 yards. Jamiel caught 10 for 137 yards. Coleman was 24-of-37 passing for 199 yards. Zach Palmer-Smith had 107 yards rushing for Richmond (10-3). Richmond had 249 yards of total offense in the first half but managed only three short field goals by Sean O'Haire. The scoring drives were 76, 70 and 64 yards and Richmond controlled the ball for nearly 21 minutes in the first half. Lehigh took a 7-6 lead on Johnson's 7-yard TD pass to Logan Galletta, but the Spiders answered with O'Haire's third field goal for a 9-7 halftime lead. This is 13-time Patriot League champion Lehigh's first playoff appearance since 2017. Lehigh and Richmond will have a rematch in the 2025 season opener at Lehigh. It will be Richmond's debut as a member of the Patriot League. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

No. 4 South Carolina women rout Purdue 99-51Inside Daizen Maeda’s Celtic recovery plans as he reveals how he winds down but says ‘I have a different way from others

Netflix will have one of its biggest days Wednesday since the site launched in 1998 when it airs two NFL games for the first time. "NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix" begins with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m., before Pittsburgh hosts Kansas City. Baltimore faces Houston in the second game. The streaming giant agreed to a three-year contract in May to carry Christmas Day games. Where will the games be available? Netflix's 282.3 million subscribers in over 190 countries will be able to stream the games, marking the first time one outlet has distributed an NFL game globally. Netflix will have the games available in five languages — English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. The games will also air on CBS affiliates in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston. NFL policy dictates that games on cable or being exclusively streamed must also be on an over-the-air station in the competing teams' markets. It will also be available on mobile devices in the U.S. for those who have NFL+. Why is the NFL putting Christmas Day games on a streaming platform? The biggest reason is money. The league is getting $150 million from Netflix for the two games this season. It also continues the NFL's moves into streaming — Thursday night games are in their third season on Amazon Prime Video and the "Sunday Ticket" package moved to YouTube TV last year. But Christmas is on a Wednesday when games usually aren't played. That's true, but the league wasn't about to give up Christmas after seeing the ratings. Last year's three games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way, averaging 29.48 million. The Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens and Texans played on Saturday, giving them the same turnaround they would have if they played on Sunday and then Thursday. What is at stake for the teams playing? All four have clinched playoff spots in the AFC, but seeding remains up for grabs. Kansas City (14-1) can clinch the top seed — which would mean a first-round bye and home field throughout the playoffs — with a win over the Steelers. Pittsburgh and Baltimore are tied atop the AFC North at 10-5, with the Steelers holding the tiebreaker due to a better conference record. Houston (9-6) has wrapped up the AFC South and holds the fourth seed. Has Netflix fixed its streaming problems from the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight? Netflix hopes so. Brandon Riegg, Netflix's vice president of nonfiction series and sports, said the system was stress tested, and then some, during the Nov. 14 bout, along with internet service providers reporting they were also overwhelmed by the surge that occurred before and during the fight. The bout peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, including 38 million concurrent streams in the United States. According to the website Down Detector, nearly 85,000 viewers logged problems with outages or streaming leading up to and during the fight. Could there be the same number streaming the games that there were during the fight? Possible? Yes. Likely? No. The largest audience for a streamed-exclusive NFL game was 23 million on Peacock for last season's AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs. Nielsen will measure the ratings for the Christmas Day games, with early numbers expected late afternoon on Thursday. When could there be surge in demand on Wednesday? It will probably be at kickoff for both games, but especially around 5:45 p.m. EST. That would be near halftime of the Ravens-Texans game, and when Beyoncé will be performing. What other celebrities will appear? Mariah Carey will kick off the day with a taped performance of "All I Want for Christmas is You." There is no word if Taylor Swift will make the trip to Pittsburgh to watch her boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Swift has been spending time in Kansas City since she wrapped up her Eras Tour two weeks ago. How many Christmas games will Netflix carry in the next two seasons? The NFL will have at least two games on Dec. 25 in 2025 and '26, with Netflix slated to have at least one each year. Amazon Prime Video will have a night game with Christmas on a Thursday next year. Does Netflix have an interest in other sports? Netflix's worldwide partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment will begin on Jan. 6 when "Monday Night Raw" moves to the streaming service. On Friday, Netflix secured the U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The man who ended Nadal's career helps the Netherlands beat Germany to reach the Davis Cup final

LOS ANGELES—As California lawmakers in Sacramento held an emergency session to “Trump-proof” their state against a perceived threat to “California values”—namely with a proposed $25 million litigation fund to fend off federal overreach—Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger urged a different approach to a second Trump term. Barger, a Republican who nonetheless frequently votes in agreement with her four progressive counterparts, was newly sworn in on Dec. 3 as chair of the Board of Supervisors. She has served on the board since 2016. Last month, she cast a lone dissenting vote against a motion to support Newsom’s efforts to defend the state’s progressive gains on civil rights, climate policy, immigration, and abortion access against changes anticipated under the Trump administration. “For me, it’s frustrating because we’re assuming the worst,” Barger said on Dec. 4 in an interview with The Epoch Times. “And yet we are writing a letter to the Trump administration asking them to release $3.2 billion for the Olympics. My mom always said you get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.” L.A. transit officials recently asked the president-elect for funds to bolster the city’s transportation infrastructure in preparation for the 2028 summer games. Barger said she’s looking for common ground with the new administration, on which the county will depend for billions of dollars in discretionary funds—money that goes toward things such as food assistance benefits, transportation, and mental health infrastructure. “By isolating ourselves and assuming the worst, we’re setting ourselves up for failure,” Barger said, worrying that such an approach risks disenfranchising county residents. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the state Legislature’s emergency session, convened on Dec. 2, following a weeks-long, bellicose media volley with the president-elect. Looking toward what he called “litigation preparation,” he asked lawmakers for an additional $25 million in funding. However, Newsom has since tempered his tone slightly, saying in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, “It’s not a resistance brand” but rather a pragmatic response. Barger said the governor’s softened approach is a sign that state officials recognize no one knows exactly what the new Trump administration will do. “What we saw in 2016, it may not be what we’re going to see in 2024. The only way you can find out is by communicating and working together,” said Barger. Days earlier, Bonta in a statement noted that, “as a father of two incredible young women, who have fewer rights than their mother and grandmother, I see the concern in their eyes as they navigate a world that is chipping away at their reproductive rights.” The right to abortion and contraception is already enshrined in California’s constitution. However, there is a question as to whether Californians still prioritize the fights outlined by Bonta, Newsom, and local Democrats. The November general election revealed increasing political diversity among California’s electorate, with Trump gaining support generally as well as with key demographics, including Latinos, relative to 2020. Republicans flipped several key legislative seats, and voters reinstated harsher criminal penalties for retail and drug crimes and ousted two progressive, reformist district attorneys. Economic issues and illegal immigration helped deliver Trump’s sweeping victory, and resonate especially in California, which shoulders a disproportionate burden of the illegal immigration crisis and is home to some of the highest living costs in the country. “The outcome of this election—it was about the economy. It was about immigration. And people are sick and tired of working hard and not being able to afford a home and not being able to live the American Dream,” Barger said. In a Dec. 4 interview, Los Angeles Police Department’s new chief, Jim McDonnell, outlined a plan to protect illegal immigrants ahead of Trump’s plans for mass deportations, reiterating that LAPD does not enforce immigration laws. Barger said it’s not up to local governments to fix the country’s “broken” immigration system—“that’s up to Congress.” However, she said there’s a need to communicate with federal officials and address the impact on Los Angeles County residents. For example, she suggested, why not reach out to Tom Homan, Trump’s pick for border czar, and “have a dialogue, maybe educate him about how we go about providing services.” Barger points to a recent trip down to Skid Row—one of the densest concentration of homeless encampments in the country and just blocks from the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, where the Board of Supervisors meets. She talked to people who had come up through San Diego. “There are going to be things that are blamed on this [new] administration that quite frankly have been occurring for years,” Barger said. “We are the ones that are holding the bag as it relates to the impact this is having on L.A. County, but also on the individuals that are living on the street.” She also made the distinction between immigrants who go through a legal process to gain citizenship and those who come here illegally. Regarding the incoming administration’s focus on illegal immigrants who commit crimes, she said: “I have yet to talk to anyone that has a concern with that. Because at the end of the day, if you’re coming into this country and not following the laws and are arrested, especially for a violent crime, [you] should be held accountable and be deported.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has signaled a willingness to work with the Trump administration on homelessness, which has consumed her tenure and will likely define her legacy, despite disagreements over policy direction. Bass told the Los Angeles Times last month that she thinks she can find common ground with Trump on housing the city’s homeless population. Barger, similarly, said: “I think what I’m hearing is a different tone coming out of this president. More thoughtful and more strategic in terms of how he wants to go about the next four years. “And I’m hoping reasonable minds will take a step back and realize people are sick and tired of the partisan politics. They pay their taxes, whether they’re Democrat or Republican.”Fresno State QB Mikey Keene transferring to MichiganMost WNBA teams changed head coaches: let’s get to know the new hires

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Wallbox Receives Notice of Non-Compliance with NYSE Trading Share Price Listing Rulebmy88 games 。

Canadian businessman and resort owner Dean Lettman gives the “Sunday Observer” his take about plans by the Urban Development Corporation to revitalise Kingston Waterfront linking it to historic Port Royal. Photo credit Joseph Wellington. KINGSTON, Jamaica--In early December, when Canadian businessman and resort owner Dean Lettman banged his foot on a piece of steel protruding from a broken concrete curb wall – a common hazard at the Kingston Waterfront – he mused to himself, “When are they gonna be fixing this place?” Fortuitously, his near miss happened a stone’s throw from the Ocean Boulevard offices of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), which cocoons an ambitious plan to lead the renaissance of Kingston Waterfront, the storied home of the world’s seventh largest natural harbour, connecting it to the historic Port Royal when completed. The project, named Kingston Harbour Walk (KHW), is to be developed in three segments: segment one: Kingston Pen Gully to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Building; segment two: Rae Town to Harbour View; and segment three: Harbour View to Port Royal. Segments one and two are being advanced with support from the government of Jamaica and its international partners, namely the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The design for segment one is to be done under the Kingston Waterfront Improvement Project being implemented by Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) through loan funding from the World Bank, with the UDC as the lead implementing entity for the development of the public space. The design for segment two is being done with funds from the government of Jamaica GOJ and a grant from the CDB. The UDC will lead the implementation. According to UDC Chair Norman Brown, “The revitalisation of Kingston’s waterfront is a cornerstone in [the corporation’s – Ed.] vision for a sustainable and prosperous Jamaica.” “This project is more than an investment in infrastructure; it’s an investment in the future of our people, fostering economic growth, social cohesion and a renewed sense of national pride,” Brown said in a recent statement issued to the “Jamaica Observer”. The design work for the project will get under way in 2025. Envisioned as a 25-kilometre linear park stretching from down-town Kingston to the historic town of Port Royal, the KHW is expected to be a “world-class, green and sustainable public space supported by a multiplicity of experiences to connect Jamaicans with Kingston’s coastline”. According to the UDC, the development of the Harbour Walk “will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, social inclusion and resilience”. But that vision will be a hard sell to most of the Jamaicans and even tourists canvassed by the “Sunday Observer” during a recent visit to the area which, for decades, has provided solace to people from all walks of life as well as the odd dog and the random bird. “We know how governments operate, especially prior to an election year, you know that people are always trying to up the ante when it comes to that season, but I remember back in the ‘80s coming here as a tourist and seeing this waterfront; it was spectacular. I could walk down any one of those streets and it’s just like I’m down-town New York or in London,” Lettman, who is a resort and cafe owner in Parottee, St. Elizabeth, told the “Sunday Observer”. A Jamaican retiree relaxing under the shade of one of the many trees in the area, was a bit harder to convince about the project coming to life. “The amount a time I see people come measure up this place, only God can tell mi seh it a go do. Miss, yuh can’t believe it; they come and measure up and say this a go do and it still the same way. For a pretty little wata front like this, jus’ come here one Sunday and just look and see the amount a people, yuh would [be] surprised,” the retiree who preferred not to be identified said. “Why wi keep on living in dreams, a donkey years this a talk bout. Over the years this shoulda done a million times because millions grant to do these, where all those money turn?” he continued. “We only get promises. Place like this shouldn’t stay like this. The amount a people who come here, this place should a pretty,” he added. A fisherman who identified himself as “Teacha”, while baiting and throwing his line, told the “Sunday Observer” matter of a factly, “I don’t know, ennuh, let’s hope it happens and something bigger gwaan. We are here to see still, yuh know. Mi woulda like it done.” That sentiment was shared by a pair of tourists relaxing in the shade of a small palm several feet away who were in the area for the 2024 Kingston Biennial put on by the National Gallery of Jamaica. “We are from New York and Baltimore. My parents are from here. I believe things when I see them; it’s a lovely idea, as long as they are taking care of the people who are here and as long as they are getting the benefits from whatever development happens and no one is displaced or harmed in that process,” visual artist Lehna Huie told the “Sunday Observer”. For Kingston Craft Market vendor Kay-Ana, the improvements done to that space are a testament that the UDC can carry out the promised rebirth. “It already looks nice; for me this didn’t look like it does until they decided to redevelop it and have a craft market. This is beautiful and making it into a park will bring more of a sense where people can come and sit; you know, sometimes people want spaces where they can feel safe, because down-town has an image and you realise the hotel is now here, so it would be an awesome change. ... It will be an improvement for everybody,” she said optimistically. According to UDC General Manager Robert Honeyghan, “The redevelopment of Kingston’s waterfront is not just about transforming physical space – it’s about reigniting the heartbeat of our city and creating a dynamic environment where history, culture and community converge. This new waterfront is a chance for us to finally have a place where we can come together, celebrate our culture, and feel proud of our city.” The vision for the KHW linear park is that it will enable and re-energise the broader redevelopment of adjacent blocks and areas along the harbour, between Ocean Boulevard and Port Royal Street, Rae Town and Harbour View to Port Royal. The thrust for redevelopment will be flexible, with a mix of potential scenarios, including improvement and renovation of current real estate; with some higher-density construction that will transform and revitalise the area, introducing more commercial, residential and entertainment spaces. Kingston’s waterfront is steeped in history. The wider city’s grid plan, established in 1702, traces its origins to the original European settlements. The streets, laid out in a rigid north-south, east-west orientation, have seen centuries of change – from the booming days of sugar and rum trade to the challenges of post-Independence urban development. Yet, despite its historical significance, down-town Kingston has struggled to fulfil its potential as a cultural and economic hub. The 1960s and ‘70s saw the first major attempt to modernise the waterfront, with the creation of Ocean Boulevard and the construction of office buildings and hotels. However, the hoped-for revival of the central business district never fully materialised. Subsequent efforts in the 1990s focused on creating an institutional framework to attract private investment, but these, too, fell short of transforming the area. Today, Kingston’s waterfront remains a largely untapped resource, comprising only a few residential buildings and irregular cultural activities with the biggest success being the annual fireworks on the Waterfront which, since 1999, have been attracting thousands of people who welcome the new year. ~ Jamaica Observer ~Spotify Wrapped 2024: When it's coming, what to expect

One of the funniest aspects of the blanket Hunter Biden pardon issued by his senile father at the end of Thanksgiving weekend has been to watch the party of 'BUT MUH NORMS' twist themselves into logical pretzels trying to defend it. All of the usual suspects in the dead legacy media have been hard at work coming up with new justifications for the unjustifiable. There was Politico claiming that the elder Biden is 'just a good father,' the New York Times' hypocritical takes on Trump pardons in his first term versus the Hunter pardon ( Hint: 'It's (D)ifferent when they (D)o it ), and Ana Navarro faceplanting by using false information from ChatGPT to justify the pardon, just to name a few. Until today, though, we hadn't yet heard from one of the premier bastions of leftist brain rot regarding the pardon. Thankfully, that wait is over, as the apparatchiks at The Atlantic came out this morning with a truly ridiculous, but on-brand defense . Guess what? Poor Hunter was 'unfairly prosecuted.' Oh, and of course, it's all Trump's fault. "Hunter Biden was treated worse than an ordinary citizen because of his family connections," Kristy Greenberg writes. President Biden's "pardon was necessary to prevent Donald Trump’s Justice Department from targeting Hunter for years to come." https://t.co/M1EE8Vpa90 LOL. Hunter Biden is the textbook definition of someone who has been protected because of his father's political position, but you go off, Kristy Greenberg. Critics have argued that President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter was political nepotism—bad for the country, selfish, the height of privilege. But the actual story is the very opposite of nepotism: Hunter Biden was treated worse than an ordinary citizen because of his family connections. It’s good for the country when the president acts against injustice; President Biden rightly condemned the injustice of his son’s prosecution. His pardon was necessary to prevent Donald Trump’s Justice Department from targeting Hunter for years to come. Prosecutors charged Hunter with lying about his drug addiction when he purchased a firearm, and with possessing that firearm while he was a drug addict. They were wrong to do so. As a first-time offender with no criminal record or history of violent behavior who possessed a gun for only 11 days and didn’t use it, he did not pose a public-safety risk to warrant federal gun charges. Umm ... WUT? The party who wants to take all of our guns now thinks it's OK for Hunter to have lied because he illegally tossed his gun in a dumpster after less than two weeks? Not surprisingly, Greenberg also argues that Hunter should not have been charged with tax evasion, even though his tax bill was $1.4 million, and that his previous sweetheart plea deal ( struck down by the judge in the case who could not believe her eyes on what the deal included ) should have been honored. He's just an innocent in all of this, everyone. And that's why Trump's DOJ would go after him. It is also why Greenberg unsurprisingly argues that Biden should also pardon anyone and everyone who might be a 'political enemy' of Trump and his incoming DOJ. It's like Biden's own Oprah Winfrey show. 'You get a pardon! You get a pardon! EVERYONE gets a pardon!' He abused escorts, ran a prostitution ring, laundered money through a family influence peddling operation, got his brother's widow addicted to crack, disposed of a loaded gun near a high school and refused to pay child support. The Atlantic: Look how bad he's treated. https://t.co/lFu583aXSO Won't someone think of poor Hunter? The Atlantic right now: 🤡 https://t.co/Lu2X39Wh0B pic.twitter.com/PufL9EKuJW I’ve spent my entire life as an ordinary citizen believing I would go to prison if I used illegal drugs, hired Russian prostitutes, sold influence to foreigners, lied to evade taxes, and illegally purchased firearms. I’m glad I can finally let my guard down. https://t.co/1LQu2u4fgX The fact that Hunter was not prosecuted for nearly any of that, just the tax and gun charges, is all you need to know about how protected he was for his entire degenerate, corrupt adult life. Also, don't try those things at home, kids. Something tells us, you won't receive the special treatment unless your last name is Biden too. https://t.co/8s0EHB1Vns pic.twitter.com/o8tL6rTk3X Oops. Pardon the comparison on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor , but that is a tweet that will live in infamy. "Yes, let's go with this!" - Some editor at @TheAtlantic thinking anyone with half a brain is actually going to believe this story. https://t.co/g8l0jdtCjm The dead legacy media is only speaking these days to everyone already in their increasingly dwindling leftist bubble. They are a laughingstock among everyone else. The pretense that the ruling party didn't abuse the hell out of the system the previous four years is staggering. Once again projecting every bad motive and action they did onto Trump. https://t.co/e3uI0XJkTM Projection is all they have left. We saw that this week when Barack Obama laughably accused Republicans of rigging elections and weaponizing the justice system . pic.twitter.com/qyWdaknDFO We had that same look on our face while reading this joke of an article, Thomas. The actual reason the pardon was “necessary”. pic.twitter.com/EB626gpNxG Of course, we all know that Joe Biden was really pardoning himself. That's why we expect him to pardon even more members of the Biden Crime Family. This ratio is gonna be epic. Yes, The Atlantic is getting ratioed hard today. They even earned a Frog of Shame for their gaslighting. pic.twitter.com/HuRXU1a7zK This one wasn't even a challenge for Froggo. Will the Bidens ever get a fair chance in America?! https://t.co/mV9IzFarW8 Will Hunter Biden ever get a break? https://t.co/n7CwWNkvXO Maybe he can take consolation in his taxpayer-funded, Secret Service-protected, $30,000-a-month home in Malibu. You know, like everyone who is charged with gun crimes and tax evasion gets to live in. Reveals a profound ignorance of how the Justice Department works. https://t.co/1zmLOdin6W The funniest part is that Greenberg IS a former prosecutor in ... wait for it ... the Southern District of New York. That tells us everything. Oh, and she is an MSNBC contributor, in case we couldn't have guessed that already. But Greenberg's article is even more ludicrous in light of the fact that Hunter was charged under Merrick Garland's DOJ. Treated badly...by Biden’s justice department lol https://t.co/Qs2zrrjPYh Like we said at the start: Twisting themselves into pretzels to justify the unjustifiable. As usual, though, Biden and the Democrats like Greenberg who defend him, didn't really think this pardon through over the long term. I’m super happy that President Husk pardoned his scumbag spawn. It’s going to make it that much easier for Donald Trump to pardon every single J6 defendant and every other political prisoner. https://t.co/wFAtlN3LJW Yep. When Trump pardons ALL OF THEM, do not let anyone on the left screech about 'norms,' 'the rule of law', or 'our democracy.' After all, we don't let arsonists into our house after we've just watched them burn another home down, do we?The Bank of Scotland’s business barometer poll showed 73% of Scottish businesses expect to see turnover increase in 2025, up from 60% polled in 2023. Almost a quarter (23%) of businesses expect to see their revenue rise by between six and 10% over the next 12 months, with just over a fifth (21%) expecting it to grow by even more. The poll found that 70% of businesses were confident they would become more profitable in 2025, a two per cent increase when compared with the previous year. Revenue and profitability growth was firms’ top priority at 52%, though 40% said they will be targeting improved productivity, and the same proportion said they will be aiming to enhance their technology – such as automation or AI – or upskill their staff (both 29%). More than one in five (22%) want to improve their environmental sustainability. Other areas businesses are hoping to build upon AI-assisted technology (19%), and 24% will be investing in expanding into new UK markets and 23% plan to invest in staff training. The business barometer has surveyed 1,200 businesses every month since 2002, providing early signals about UK economic trends. Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland commercial banking, said: “Scottish businesses are looking ahead to 2025 with stronger growth expectations, and setting out clear plans to drive this expansion through investments in new technology, new markets and their own teams. “As we enter the new year, we’ll continue to by their side to help them pursue their ambitions and seize all opportunities that lie ahead.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica- C&W Business has returned as a partner for the 2024 staging of Tech Beach Retreat (TBR), scheduled to begin on Wednesday. The three-day summit will welcome scores of founders, global executives, and investors in technology at the Secrets Resort in Montego Bay. This marks C&W Business’ 4th year as a partner. Senior Director for C&W Business, Delroy McLean, notes that a key pillar of C&W Business participation in the conference will be its cybersecurity suite of products being offered in partnership with Fortinet. In a press release on Tuesday, C&W said during TBR, both entities will leverage real world examples on the fundamental role online safety plays in the successful expansion of the digital landscape. “Preparing our clients for a secure and productive digital future is at the core of what we offer at C&W Business, as this creates stronger economies, a more productive workforce, and operational efficiency. During the conference we look forward to sharing our innovations and key developments in our offering with the cadre of movers, shakers, and decision-makers in the regional technology space,” said McLean. McLean in lauding the efforts of the TBR founders and organisers, said “this conference has again significantly highlighted the Caribbean’s rapidly increasing potential as a nexus for technological innovation. We are incredibly happy to be able to continue our support again and look forward to ground-breaking advancements that will undoubtedly emerge from this vibrant community.” “Partnerships and collaboration are key to driving the future of technology in the Caribbean and Tech Beach provides a great platform for us to share our expertise and insight with people who have the ability to impact change,” McLean added. Co-founder of TBR, Kirk Anthony-Hamilton, described “C&W Business as an ‘invaluable partner’ in driving Tech Beach Retreat’s mission to empower the next wave of tech leaders and innovators.Security beefed up at Shambhu border as farmers to resume march to Delhi tomorrow

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VR Resources Ltd. ( TSX.V: VRR; FSE: 5VR ), (the “ Company ”), or (“ VR ”), announces the arrangement of a flow-through financing of $400,000. The Company plans to direct the funds immediately towards drilling planned for January on its copper- nickel-PGE and copper-gold properties in northwestern Ontario, namely: the new chargeability anomaly at Silverback, and follow up drilling to the recently completed Phase 1 drill program at Westwood on the Empire Project. The flow-through financing will consist of up to 8,000,000 units (the “ FT Units ”) at a price of $0.05 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to $400,000 . Each FT Unit consisting of one Flow Through common share (“ FT Share ”) of the Company and one-half of one non - flow through common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant a “ Warrant ”). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional common share (“Share”) at an exercise price of $0.08 per share for a period of 18 months from the closing date (“ Closing Date ”). The Closing Date for the Financing is expected to be on or before December 31, 2024, and is subject to all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The securities issued in connection with this Financing will be subject to a four-month and a day hold period from the Closing Date in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Red Cloud Securities Inc. (“ Red Cloud ”) is acting as a finder in connection with the Non-Brokered Private Placement. The finders’ fee will consist of 6% cash on the total financing and additional 6% Compensation Warrants associated with the financing (“Compensation Warrants”). The Compensation Warrants will permit the purchase of one common share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.05 per common share for a period of 18 months from closing of the Offering. Use of Proceeds The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "critical metals flow-through mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), and are related to the company's mineral exploration projects in Ontario, Canada, on or before December 31, 2025, and the Company will renounce all qualifying expenditures in favour of such subscribers to the financing effective December 31, 2024. The securities to be issued hereunder will not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the “United States” or to “U.S. persons” (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with an exemption from such registration. 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 state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About VR Resources VR is an established junior exploration company based in Vancouver (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCQB: VRRCF). VR evaluates, explores and advances large-scale, blue-sky opportunities in copper, gold and critical metals in Nevada, USA, and Ontario, Canada, and more recently, Canada’s newest discovery of a diamond-bearing kimberlite pipe at its Northway project. VR applies modern exploration technologies and leverages in-house experience and expertise in greenfields exploration to large-footprint mineral systems in underexplored areas/districts. The foundation of VR is the proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration, discovery and M&A. The Company is financed for its mineral exploration and corporate obligations. VR owns its properties outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: “ Justin Daley ” _____________________________ Justin Daley, MSc, PGeo President & CEO Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward looking statements in this release, for example include but are not limited to: the general use of proceeds, that the Company will complete the Financing; that the Company will carry out exploration on its Ontario properties this winter. Although the Company believes that the use of such statements is reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. The Company’s public disclosure filings can be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review the materials. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this releaseThe Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday took away the gaming license of the former top executive of the MGM Grand and Resorts World Las Vegas. Commissioners voted 3-0 with Commissioner Rosa Solis-Rainey absent to revoke the license of Scott Sibella by approving a stipulation of settlement signed by members of the Nevada Gaming Control Board on Dec. 10. Commissioner Abi Silver, citing a long-time friendship with Sibella, recused herself from deliberations. As part of that settlement, Sibella, 62, will not be able to apply for gaming licensing in the state until the end of 2028. He also was fined $10,000, a portion of the cost of the state’s investigation of him which hasn’t been completed, but already has cost well over $10,000. The Control Board’s settlement agreement with Sibella notes that while the disciplinary complaint against the former executive addresses his tenure at MGM Grand, it also resolves any “responsibility attributable” to him at Resorts World, which is involved in two pending disciplinary complaints filed by the board in August. License revocations are rare. Most often, a settlement involves an agreement for a casino company to voluntarily surrender its license when the two sides agree the accused company doesn’t have the resources to continue disputing a complaint. According to Gaming Control Board records, the Gaming Commission has revoked 15 licenses between January 1989 and August 2021. The last ones occurred July 30, 2020, when the Stateside Lounge on Las Vegas Boulevard North and its owner, Luca Bertolini, had license revocations when the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police determined the bar was a hangout for gang members. The revocations were uncontested. In a more high-profile case, CG Technologies LLC, formerly known as Cantor G&W Holdings and Cantor Fitzgerald, escaped the revocation of its license when the company was bought out by William Hill in 2019. CG and Cantor entities paid $9 million in fines and gaming commissioners considered revoking their license after a series of three sports betting complaints over a four-year period from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, commissioners fined CGT $2 million in a settlement after Control Board investigators determined that the company was taking wagers from outside the state, taking bets after events had concluded, made incorrect payouts to 1,483 bettors and misconfigured a satellite sports book betting station for the 2018 Super Bowl. Previously, CGT paid a fine of $5.5 million in 2014 when the company was known as Cantor G&W Holdings, and $1.5 million in 2016. Sibella’s gaming career The action at Thursday’s commission meeting in Boulder City – one of two municipalities within the state that do not permit gambling within their city limits – ends a lengthy saga for Sibella, who was a rising star within the industry in the early 2000s. The UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration alumnus with a degree in hotel administration began his career in hospitality with an internship at the Golden Nugget in downtown Las Vegas and eventually worked his way up to hotel manager. Sibella was named president and chief operating officer of The Mirage in 2007 and subsequently went on to become president and chief operating officer of the MGM Grand. In 2011, he appeared on “Undercover Boss,” a reality television show in which a top executive, usually in disguise, works among front-line employees. In Sibella’s appearance, he posed as a roulette dealer and mingled with casino customers. He capitalized on the notoriety of his appearance on the show and when he became the property’s president hosted “Undercover Weekends” with invited guests at the MGM. Among the invited guests was Newport Coast, California resident Wayne Nix , a former minor league baseball pitcher with Modesto in the Oakland Athletics farm system, who illegally took sports bets from major league players of several sports who liked to gamble. In multiple trips to Las Vegas, Nix would obtain chips on credit, the casino’s credit department would run a background check which would include obtaining credit reports, calling banks and obtaining banking information, conducting public record searches, contacting marketing hosts, asking customers to self-identify their occupation and business position, and contacting unaffiliated casinos to determine the credit worthiness of the customer, according to court documents. But court documents say Sibella deliberately avoided learning how Nix paid his marker and didn’t file any suspicious activity reports to authorities. Those are required whenever a transaction of more than $5,000 occurs. When Resorts World Las Vegas was near its opening in June 2021, Sibella took a buyout from MGM to become its top executive. When at Resorts World, Sibella helped the resort enter into a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels Corp., which brought the Hilton Honors program and its vast database to the Las Vegas property. Hilton brought its Hilton, Conrad and Crockfords brands to Resorts World. While at Resorts World, Sibella disclosed to his bosses in September 2023 that he was being investigated by federal authorities for the illegal gambling activity at MGM and he was asked to leave, citing that he violated company policies and the terms of his employment contract. Federal investigators determined it was a money-laundering scheme and focused their attention on Nix and Sibella. In January 2024, Sibella pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for failing to file suspicious activities reports while employed at MGM to federal officials investigating the presence of illegal bookmakers in violation of anti-money-laundering laws. In a 17-page plea agreement, Sibella admitted to knowing Nix ran an illegal bookmaking business, but still allowed him to gamble. MGM was also penalized. In non-prosecution agreements with the Justice Department, MGM Grand and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas were ordered to pay a combined $7.45 million fine as part of a money-laundering settlement for violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. Under those agreements, MGM Grand paid a monetary fine of $6.5 million, and forfeited $500,000 in proceeds traceable to the violation, which were counted toward the fine. The Cosmopolitan paid a monetary fine of $928,600, and forfeited $500,000 in proceeds traceable to the violation, which also were counted toward the fine. Sibella was sentenced to one year’s probation and fined $9,500, plus a $100 special assessment, for violating the federal Bank Secrecy Act. U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee pronounced the sentence May 8 in the Central District Court of California in downtown Los Angeles. Pending complaints against Resorts World Now that Sibella has been disciplined, regulators are expected to move next on Resorts World which is involved in two pending disciplinary complaints filed by the board on Aug. 15. A 12-count complaint against Resorts World’s affiliated holding company, Genting Berhad, alleges that the Las Vegas property allowed gamblers with ties to illegal bookmaking and histories of federal felony convictions to play at its casino. In that complaint, the Control Board said several individuals placed millions of dollars in wagers at Resorts World over several months, damaging the reputation of Nevada’s gaming industry. Suspected or known felons wagering at Resorts World included Mathew Bowyer, who earlier in August pleaded guilty to operating an unlawful gambling business, money laundering and subscribing to a false tax return; Edwin Ting, convicted in federal court of conducting an illegal gambling business and known to have ties to organized crime; Chad Iwamoto, convicted in federal court of transmission of wagering information and failing to file a monthly tax return for wages; and another individual suspected of being an illegal bookmaker. At the time, Resorts World acknowledged the complaint. “Resorts World Las Vegas is aware of the Nevada Gaming Control Board complaint,” an emailed statement said. “We are committed to doing business with the utmost integrity and in compliance with applicable laws and industry guidelines. We have been actively communicating with the GCB to resolve these issues so we can move forward and focus on our guests and nearly 5,000 team members.” On the same day the complaint against Resorts World was filed, the board also issued a complaint against Nicole Bowyer, Mathew Bowyer’s wife and a registered independent agent contracted by Resorts World. As an independent agent, Nicole Bowyer was allowed to directly profit from casino wagering. “Ms. Bowyer received payment from Resorts World despite surely knowing that her husband’s source of funds derived, at least in part, from illegal activity,” a Control Board representative said in a statement in August. According to the Control Board complaint, Nicole Bowyer earned more than $667,000 in 2022 and 2023 from her husband’s gambling activity at Resorts World. Nevada Revised Statutes suggest Resorts World could have its nonrestricted gaming license revoked or suspended, and the company could be fined up to $250,000 per count — for a total of $3 million. Earlier this month, Resorts World and Genting announced the formation of a four-person board of directors helmed by Jim Murren, the former CEO of MGM Resorts International. Murren’s tenure at MGM coincided with Sibella’s, which industry experts say should prompt state gaming regulators to ask questions around what Murren knew about the situation at MGM Grand, when he knew and what he did about it. In addition to appointing a board of directors, Malaysia-based Genting also named Alex Dixon, a former executive with both MGM and Caesars Entertainment, as CEO of Resorts World Las Vegas. Dixon’s tenure at Resorts World Las Vegas will begin Jan. 16. Resorts World posted its worst financial returns in two years during the third quarter of 2024, citing extreme summer heat, consumer economic concerns and domestic election anxiety for the underwhelming results. It’s unclear what will happen next with Sibella. There also are indications the illegal bookmakers who played at MGM Grand and Resorts World played elsewhere in Las Vegas. Control Board authorities would not confirm if an investigation is ongoing and whether other casinos would be implemented. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.None

Guest Column | A transformative journey: My time at OxfordWhy Gabriel copied Viktor Gyokeres celebration in Arsenal's Champions League win vs Sporting - Metro.co.uk

FACT FOCUS: Vermont ruling does not say schools can vaccinate children without parental consentNone

NoneBiden Says Carter to Receive a State Funeral in WashingtonLike , , and others, Steam is celebrating the holidays with a huge sale on games, with discounts of up to 95 percent. You can see many of the discounted titles right on the Steam homepage. But if you want to save the most, check out the Featured Deep Discounts page, which offers “especially great deals on some of the all-time greats.” This is where you’ll find the games that are 90 or 95 percent off. They include: Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift! And then the following games are all 90 percent off: Assassin’s Creed Origins ($5.99), Batman: Arkham Origins ($1.99), Borderlands Game of the Year Edition ($2.99), Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition ($3.99), Firewatch ($1.99), The Forest ($1.99), Grim Dawn ($2.49), Keep Talking and Nobody Gets Killed ($1.49), Metro Exodus ($2.99), South Park: The Stick of Truth ($2.99), State of Decay: Juggernaut Edition ($2.99), Stellaris ($3.99), Tales from the Borderlands ($1.99), Titanfall 2 ($2.99), Total War: Warhammer ($5.99), and Warhammer: Vermitide 2 ($2.99). Some of the other games that stick out as good deals to me include Battlefield 2042 (92 percent off, $4.79), Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (just released, 25 percent off, $52.49), Diablo IV (40 percent off, $29.99), Half-Life Alyx (67 percent off, $19.79), NBA 2K25 (60 percent off, $27.99), Silent Hill 2 (which was just released, so only 20 percent off, $55.99), and Tomb Raider (85 percent off, $2.24). But there are tons more, obviously. The Steam Winter Sale runs through January 2. Paul Thurrott is an award-winning technology journalist and blogger with 30 years of industry experience and the author of 30 books. He is the owner of and the host of three tech podcasts: with Leo Laporte and Richard Campbell, , and with Brad Sams. He was formerly the senior technology analyst at Windows IT Pro and the creator of the SuperSite for Windows from 1999 to 2014 and the Major Domo of Thurrott.com while at BWW Media Group from 2015 to 2023. You can reach Paul via , or . Join the crowd where the love of tech is real - become a Thurrott Premium Member today! Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

Zelensky's decision to reveal the latest death data is not only a gesture of respect for the fallen soldiers and their families but also a call for greater international attention and support for Ukraine's ongoing struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ukrainian President has urged the international community to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and to condemn any attempts to undermine its independence and security.Meet the 12 CFP Title Contenders: No. 11 SMUm bmy88 pro login 。

One of the key considerations for potential homebuyers is how the increase in interest rates will affect their monthly mortgage payments. Even a small uptick in rates can result in a significant increase in the total amount paid over the life of a loan. It is crucial for individuals to evaluate their financial situation and determine whether they can comfortably afford the higher payments.

In conclusion, the current status of Manchester United's Premier League title-winning squad from the 2012/2013 season serves as a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the inevitability of change in football. As players come and go, retire and move on to new challenges, the spirit of camaraderie and achievement that defined that championship-winning team lives on in the hearts of fans everywhere. The legacy of Manchester United's success endures, transcending individual players and moments to become a timeless symbol of excellence in the world of football.The fact that this tragedy unfolded in Japan, a country known for its high standards of living and quality of life, adds another layer of complexity to the story. How did she end up in a foreign country, alone and without the support system that could have potentially helped her through her struggles? Was it a desire to escape the pressures of her homeland that led her to Japan, only to find herself in a more dire situation?

Judge denies Musk $56 billion Tesla compensation packageAs the investigation progresses and more information comes to light, it is crucial for the authorities to keep the public informed and updated on the findings of their inquiry. Transparency, open communication, and a commitment to seeking justice and understanding in the wake of Liu Dameili's passing will be essential in addressing the concerns and questions raised by the public.Tommy Fury opponent Genadij Krajevskij dead aged 37 as tributes pour in for boxer

In conclusion, the 6.09GB update for "Black Myth: Wu Kong" on the Epic platform marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the game, offering players a wealth of new content, improvements, and optimizations to enhance their gaming experience. As players prepare to embark on an epic journey through a world filled with mystery, danger, and intrigue, the update sets the stage for an unforgettable adventure that is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who dare to enter the realm of "Black Myth: Wu Kong."

Then-President Donald Trump rose from his desk, where he had signed an executive order, and reached to shake the hand of Bishop Donte L. Hickman, senior pastor of Baltimore’s Southern Baptist Church. The White House ceremony during Trump’s first term marked the unveiling of a plan, supported by Hickman, intended to boost private investment in distressed communities . “He’s been an incredible leader,” Trump said of the pastor. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.In a chat with Forbes , Celtics star Jayson Tatum opened up on his NBA journey and what he expects after capturing his first championship. As he invoked the name of Kobe Bryant, Tatum explained that his hunger for success was not even close to being satisfied. Forbes: "All-NBA, champion, gold medal... specifically on the court, what else do you want to accomplish?" Jayson Tatum: "I want to continue to keep getting better. As a kid, I was very motivated. I set a bunch of goals for myself and I've been blessed in real-time to slowly check off certain boxes that I wanted to accomplish. I want to win MVP one day, I want to win more championships. I want to be the Finals MVP. Those are at the top of the list of things I still want to accomplish." Forbes: "When you consider those and obviously in the past you've spoken about being the face of the NBA. Is that the blueprint to getting there? How do you see yourself achieving that?" Jayson Tatum: "That's an opinion thing because if you ask 10 different people you might get 10 different answers. You put yourself in that conversation and people might see you in that light. How you carry yourself, how you represent yourself in certain situations. And obviously in your style of play. How you connect with the fans, how you dominate the game. Winning championships for sure helps." Forbes: "Speaking of the face of the NBA, you have spoken at length about your relationship with another face: Kobe Bryant. I'm curious, as you go forward, what do you model after him?" Jayson Tatum: "Being relentless. Kobe didn't stop at being satisfied with one championship or two or three, he ended up winning five. And he didn't have any regrets when he left. That's what I admire about him the most, he gave everything he had to the game of basketball." Tatum and the Celtics are only a few months removed from their Finals win over the Mavericks. Tatum was a beast in the series with averages of 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 5 games. While he didn't win Finals MVP ( the honor went to Jaylen Brown ), the Celtics are in a good position to make another Finals trip in this campaign. With Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzinis, the Celtics are the favorites to come out of the East, and they are already 2nd in the standings at 17-4. As a hardcore Kobe Bryant fan , Tatum has always incorporated elements of Kobe's game into his arsenal and that includes his insatiable drive to win. In 20 years in the NBA, Kobe maximized his career as a 5x champion, former MVP, and 18x All-Star. Just like Kobe , Tatum wants to be more than a one-hit wonder. He wants to win multiple titles and win as many awards as he can before his skills start to fade. With one title in the books at 26 years old, he's off to a pretty good start so far but the job is not yet finished. The next game for the Celtics is tomorrow, December 4th, at TD Garen against the Pistons at 7:30 PM EST. They play the Bucks on Friday, December 6th before a matchup against the Grizzlies on December 7th at 8:00 PM EST. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.The Shanghai Composite Index, the Shenzhen Component Index, and the ChiNext Index all displayed upward momentum right from the opening bell. Market observers pointed out that this simultaneous surge in the three major indices indicated a broad-based rally across the board, encompassing both blue-chip stocks and growth-oriented companies.

Following closely behind Manchester City are two of the league's traditional powerhouses, Manchester United and Arsenal, with 7 players each in the top 30 weekly wage list. Despite recent struggles on the field, both clubs have consistently invested in top talent, with players such as Paul Pogba, David De Gea, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mesut Ozil commanding significant salaries.

The unveiling of the 40-billion-yuan land parcel in Fengtai District marks a significant milestone in the development of Beijing's real estate market, underscoring the continued growth and dynamism of the city's property sector. As investors and developers eagerly await the outcome of the auction, all eyes are on the future of this prime residential land and the transformative project that will soon take shape on its grounds.In conclusion, the convergence of extended loan terms and increased financing ratios in specialized loans for stock holdings and repurchases represents a significant leap forward in financial optimization. By offering businesses greater flexibility, efficiency, and access to capital, these changes are poised to drive growth, innovation, and value creation in the financial markets. As companies leverage these enhanced opportunities, they are well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape and unlock new possibilities for success. It is clear that the era of optimized stock financing has arrived, paving the way for a new chapter of prosperity and progress in the financial world.The fact that this tragedy unfolded in Japan, a country known for its high standards of living and quality of life, adds another layer of complexity to the story. How did she end up in a foreign country, alone and without the support system that could have potentially helped her through her struggles? Was it a desire to escape the pressures of her homeland that led her to Japan, only to find herself in a more dire situation?Just now, OpenAI Sora officially exploded onto the scene, causing a massive surge in web traffic! The highly-anticipated unveiling of OpenAI's latest creation has taken the online world by storm, with users flocking to catch a glimpse of the cutting-edge technology in action.

The Enovate L7 represents the next generation of plug-in hybrid systems with its cutting-edge technology and futuristic design. This premium electric vehicle offers exceptional performance and efficiency, thanks to its dual-motor setup and intelligent power management system. The Enovate L7 sets itself apart with its long electric range, allowing drivers to travel extended distances on electric power alone. Additionally, Enovate has prioritized sustainability in the L7's development, using eco-friendly materials and production processes to reduce its environmental impact.In a stunning turn of events, the European Union's regulatory body, known for its strict oversight of tech giants, has uncovered a secret deal between two of the world's most influential companies - Google and Meta. The covert agreement, which involved the exchange of sensitive advertising data, has raised serious concerns about potential antitrust violations and the abuse of market dominance.

Title: NanShan Promo Nationwide Sale: Get Up to $400 Off, Xiaomi Smart Plug 3 for Only $38.8The Three Major Indices Opened Higher, ChiNext Index Surged by 4.88%, A-shares Soared

The announcement of the remastered edition has been met with excitement and anticipation from fans of the original game. The promise of updated visuals and refined gameplay mechanics has reignited interest in this modern classic and has newcomers eager to experience its challenges for the first time. The remastered edition is expected to offer enhanced graphics with improved textures, lighting, and effects, bringing the game's visually stunning world to life in breathtaking detail.OpenAI Sora, the newest addition to the OpenAI family, is a powerhouse of artificial intelligence, designed to revolutionize the way we interact with technology. From its advanced natural language processing capabilities to its impressive machine learning algorithms, Sora is poised to set a new standard in AI innovation.

( MENAFN - AFP) US President-elect Donald trump filed a brief Friday urging the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration if it is not sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance. "In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space to address these issues," Trump's legal team wrote, to give him "the opportunity to pursue a Political resolution." Trump was fiercely opposed to TikTok during his 2017-21 first term, and tried in vain to ban the video app on national security grounds. The Republican voiced concerns -- echoed by political rivals -- that the Chinese government might tap into US TikTok users' data or manipulate what they see on the platform. US officials had also voiced alarm over the popularity of the video-sharing app with young people, alleging that its parent company is subservient to Beijing and that the app is used to spread propaganda, claims denied by the company and the Chinese government. Trump called for a US company to buy TikTok, with the government sharing in the sale price, and his successor Joe Biden went one stage further -- signing a law to ban the app for the same reasons. Trump has now, however, reversed course. "Now (that) I'm thinking about it, I'm for TikTok, because you need competition," he recently told Bloomberg. "If you don't have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram -- and that's, you know, that's Zuckerberg." Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and part of his Meta tech empire, was among the social media networks that banned Trump after attacks by his supporters on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The ban was driven by concerns that he would use the platform to promote more violence. Those bans on major social media platforms were later lifted. In the brief filed on Friday, Trump's lawyer made it clear the president-elect did not take a position on the legal merits of the current case. "President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute," John Sauer wrote in the amicus curiae -- or "friend of the court" -- brief. "Instead, he respectfully requests that the court consider staying the act's deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump's incoming Administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case." MENAFN27122024000143011026ID1109035871 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Celebs Attending 'The Root 100' Awards Showbmy88 login password 。

The Swans stunned Pride Park into silence with less than two minutes on the clock when Zan Vipotnik sent a bullet past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Ronald slotted home his first of the season in the 14th minute. Cyrus Christie brought Tom Barkhuizen down inside the box and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dispatched the resulting penalty to cut the deficit in half and, despite piling on the pressure, Derby succumbed to a second home defeat of the season. Williams told a press conference: “We started the game very well, we were good up until we scored the second goal then we lost the grip on the game and I thought Derby were the better team. “The next thing for us we have to be able to maintain that level throughout the game and we weren’t able to do that to be quite honest today. “They made it difficult, reacted very well after the second goal and didn’t go under, far from it.” Swansea leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season and took three points back to south Wales following two last-minute defeats by Burnley and Leeds heading into the match. Williams added: “We’ve recently conceded late goals but they’re a very resilient group and we saw it out in the end. “We’ve dominated games a lot but probably failed to score when we’ve been that dominant and tonight we managed to score the goals when we were dominant. “We scored the goals at the right time today.” Derby had been unbeaten in their last three matches coming into this one but Paul Warne put defeat down to a poor start. He said: “We conceded two and didn’t get close enough, weren’t aggressive enough, not enough body contact and looked soft, that’s my fault. “Maybe I didn’t message it properly. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to shape and tactics but I thought that was what the difference was. “Credit Swansea for the win but after the 25 mins it looked like we would score. I really enjoyed it, that’s the truth. I had 70 minutes of a team giving everything, I don’t think we’ve had that many attempts in the Championship this season. “It’s a rude awakening, last year we would’ve won that 4-2.”Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the dataEstimated costs for Phase II of Manchester school facilities plans top $2 billion

Police deny sitting on evidence as Netflix doc brings renewed attention to JonBenet Ramsey’s killingTulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria fallout

In this era of constantly evolving solar technology, a patchwork of outdated design and sales software is not only so-last-century — it can inhibit solar consumers from obtaining the best return on their investment. Today’s state-of-the-art solar platform needs to transform the process of designing, selling, and delivering projects. So, when Aurora Solar’s people contacted CleanTechnica , describing their uncomplicated, personalized solar customer experience, we were interested to learn more. The company says it is different because it is putting the power of data and technology into the hands of every solar professional to make solar adoption simple and predictable. Its cloud-based platform uses data, automation, and AI to streamline workflows and grow solar businesses faster. More than 7,000 of the industry’s top organizations rely on Aurora and over 10 million solar projects have been designed with the platform globally. But it was more than Aurora Solar’s ingenuity and innovation that compelled us — its recent research indicates that it is ready to embrace new workers in the clean energy sector, which has shown industry growth of 66% in the last year. The conclusions point — at least in part — to Gen Zers who believe renewable energy can drive economic growth and create green jobs. Aurora Solar acknowledged in initial conversations with CleanTechnica that “there’s a stark reality – only 22% of the energy workforce and 32% of the renewable workforce are made up of women. The rising job opportunities in trades like solar are also causing a growing labor shortage. Therefore, we need more women to explore this industry.” The following is the CleanTechnica exclusive interview with Carina Brockl, chief revenue officer of Aurora Solar . It’s well known that today’s youth want more renewable energy. Your data indicates that 85% of Gen Z believe that renewable energy development can boost the US economy and create green jobs. What can be done to capture this momentum and translate it into more renewable energy options? Today’s younger workforce looks for purposeful work that provides opportunities to make a positive difference in the world. Gen Z is rethinking the value of a traditional four-year degree, and while renewable trade jobs require years of training, trade school enrollment is rising, per the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Trade jobs (e.g. electricians) may not be the first career that comes to mind, but these professionals are key in building our sustainable future. We must identify, incentivize, and train the next generation of frontline skilled trades. Only a small percentage of the energy workforce in general and the renewable workforce specifically is made up of women. What can be done at academic, vocational, and union sites to reach out to women and bring them into the renewable energy industry? To effectively address the labor gap, trade industries like solar need to make skilled roles more appealing to women. A key opportunity lies in amplifying the success of women already thriving in solar and other trade jobs, particularly through platforms like LinkedIn. This platform helps many professionals with shared interests to connect fostering greater awareness. Additionally, creating more mentorship opportunities such as 1:1 meet-ups or mentorship events is critical in helping attract more women into these specific fields, providing them with the guidance and support needed to succeed. Might you elaborate as to the significance of the new data that “two-thirds (66%) of professionals surveyed indicated that they increased in size over the past year?” We’ve seen an upward trend in professionals entering the clean energy sector. I believe two factors contributing to this are: the IRA and the growth of clean energy. As the largest legislative initiative addressing climate change in the U.S., the IRA is reshaping clean energy investments and strengthening domestic supply chains. The growth of solar, battery storage, and EVs in particular are disrupting the current energy system and helping build a sturdy avenue for professionals to join and make a greater impact. What is the cost-benefit ratio now — as opposed to 5 or 10 years ago– when considering solar? The cost-benefit ratio of solar significantly improved over the last 5-10 years. Hard costs, such as inverters, have dropped dramatically, while soft costs like permitting and labor remain steady. Incentives, including the IRA’s 30% federal Investment Tax Credit for PV system owners and local rebates, also lower upfront expenses. Additionally, programs like net energy metering (NEM) reduce electricity bills over time. With decreasing costs and rising energy prices, solar now offers quicker payback periods and greater lifetime savings compared to a decade ago. What can be done to expand solar for commercial and residential purposes, specifically? What large and small solar applications do you see becoming mainstream in the next 3, 5, and 10 years? Expanding solar for residential and commercial use requires integrating solar panels with advanced storage, electrification, and energy efficiency upgrades. Over the next 3-10 years, we can expect widespread adoption of solar-powered homes equipped with EV charging, heat pumps, and energy storage solutions. For businesses, optimized solar-plus-storage systems will become common, reducing energy costs and improving resilience against utility disruptions. These innovations will create more efficient and reliable energy solutions, addressing growing demands for clean, sustainable, and reliable power across diverse applications. How can solar sales pitches become more user-friendly? What can be done to expedite private solar installations? When will small solar arrays be more cost-effective to install? To make solar sales pitches more user-friendly, offering flexible leasing and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options through third-party ownership (TPO) programs can help ease financial concerns. Expediting private solar installations can be achieved by simplifying the process with platforms that integrate financing solutions directly with sales tools. Small solar arrays will become more cost-effective as TPO solutions grow, helping homeowners overcome high upfront costs and interest rates, and making solar more accessible to all. Renewable energy jobs now comprise more than 40% of the country’s 8.35 million people employed in the energy industry, according to the US Department of Energy’s annual US Energy and Employment Report published in September. Indeed, the US DOE argues that, as job opportunities expand, the clean energy industry should prioritize recruiting workers who have been underrepresented, underserved, and economically excluded. Women and minority groups are still underrepresented in the solar industry. For example, women (30%) and Black or African American (8%) in the solar workforce were much less represented than in the national workforce in 2023. The US DOE did acknowledge female leaders in the clean energy movement this autumn by announcing the winners of the 2024 Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) Awards. This year’s awards went to 9 women in private and public sectors who have demonstrated “outstanding leadership and accomplishments in clean energy.” Why just women? Because “the C3E Initiative aims to close the gender gap and increase the participation, leadership, and success of women in clean energy fields.” The C3E Initiative is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative (MIT), Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy, Arizona State University’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, and the DOE. Aurora Solar was the only climate tech business named to the 2022 Forbes AI 50, and it was voted the best solar software by Solar Power World in 2021. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook X Email Mastodon RedditBy Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse. Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it. People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps , including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle. These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but research released by Mozilla on Wednesday indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies. “I’ve been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I’ve noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies,” said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Júlia Keserű, who conducted the research. “That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry.” The report “From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age” recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections. Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles. Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records. One of the key reasons health information has value to companies — even when the person’s name is not associated with it — is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keserű said. Location data can “expose sophisticated insights about people’s health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics,” Mozilla’s report said, adding that “companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it.” A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report. In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge. “We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said. “As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.” Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications. Last month, Elon Musk suggested on X that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk’s call and submitted health information to the chatbot. While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners. Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data. Health information provided to hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient’s consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center. “In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue. Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. Washington, D.C., in July introduced legislation that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data. In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information. “This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we’re so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be,” Bernstein said. “A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect.” Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data. Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report. “Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue,” Keserű said. “Even if it’s biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By SHAWN CHEN NEW YORK (AP) — It’s time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we’ll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it’s also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season : Set devices up for automatic updates Whether it’s Windows , macOS , iOS or Android , simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family’s computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of “Why isn’t this app working?” type of questions from your relatives. Freeing up storage space Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. — Use the cloud to back up media: iPhone users can free up space occupied by songs and pictures by storing them on iCloud . Android users can use the Google Photos app to back up and store their photos on their user space. — Clear browsing data: Each major browser has an option to clear its data cache — cookies, search and download histories, autofill forms, site settings, sign-in data and so on. Over time, these bits take up a significant amount of storage space on mobile devices and home computers. So cleaning caches out periodically helps free up space and, in some cases, improves system performance. What’s my password? According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That’s a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that’s one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager . They’re useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys . Educate your loved ones about the latest scams As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. Related Articles National News | The next census will gather more racial, ethnic information National News | As data centers proliferate, conflict with local communities follows National News | NASA’s stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go National News | GivingTuesday estimates $3.6B was donated this year, an increase from 2023 National News | Digging resumes in the search for a woman in a Pennsylvania sinkhole A quick way to remember what to do when you think you’re getting scammed is to think about the three S’s, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard’s deputy chief security officer “Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected,” she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you’re victimized. How fast is their WiFi? Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they’ve paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they’re still rocking an aging modem and router.

Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid - PLAYER RATINGS: Which Reds youngster was man of the match? Who scored just 4/10 for visitors? And how did Jude Bellingham perform? Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night Join Mail+ for more exclusive scoops, in-depth reporting and analysis from inside the Liverpool camp By LEWIS STEELE Published: 22:11 GMT, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 22:25 GMT, 27 November 2024 e-mail 6 shares View comments Arne Slot enjoyed the biggest win of his Liverpool career so far as his side triumphed 2-0 over Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night. After a goalless first half, Liverpool leapt into the ascendancy early in the second thanks to Alexis Mac Allister's strike in the 52nd minute, putting Slot's side in control. It looked for all the world that Kylian Mbappe would level the scoreboard after Andrew Robertson was penalised for fouling Lucas Vazquez inside the penalty area, but the Frenchman's spot-kick was superbly denied by Caoimhin Kelleher between the sticks. Mohamed Salah missed a penalty he won himself later in the second to set up a nervy finished at Anfield, until substitute Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool the cushion of a second goal in the 76th minute. The victory keeps Liverpool at the summit of the Champions League group table, two points ahead of Inter Milan having won five in five under Slot. Mail Sport's Lewis Steele was at Anfield to rate the players' performances on the night. Liverpool triumphed over Real Madrid with a 2-0 win in the Champions League on Wednesday Cody Gakpo came off the bench to score Liverpool's second after Alexis Mac Allister's opener It was a disastrous night for Kylian Mbappe who missed his important penalty in the second half Liverpool Caoimhin Kelleher - 8 Biggest compliment Kelleher can receive is the regularity in which one forgets Alisson is injured. Moment of his career, perhaps, to save Mbappe’s penalty – Real’s first shot on goal. Made some good stops after that, too. Conor Bradley - 9 Two years ago this week he was playing for Bolton away at Fleetwood. Some rise for the youngster, who put in a perfect defensive display against Mbappe and assisted Mac Allister’s goal. Ibrahima Konate - 7.5 Chants of ‘Ibouuuuu’ every time he makes a defensive action are slightly annoying but that may be because they are so common. Another commanding display. Virgil van Dijk - 7 Bullied No 9 Diaz. Given Liverpool had never beaten Real in the Jurgen Klopp era, it felt his leadership was necessary to overcome any psychological hurdles. Andrew Robertson - 7 Fans are on his back questioning if the Scotsman is past his best. Gave away a cheap penalty here – as he did on Sunday at Southampton – but defended well otherwise. Got the assist for Gakpo’s goal with a beautiful cross. Ryan Gravenberch - 7.5 (booked) Salah aside, Gravenberch has been Liverpool’s Mr Consistent this season. Another assured performance here, despite a few unnecessary fouls. Defensively strong. Curtis Jones - 7.5 Popped up everywhere in a pleasing performance for Liverpool’s Scouser in the team. Was beating himself up for curling a shot just wide in the first half. Liverpool's stand-in goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher superbly denied Mbappe from the spot Conor Bradley (left) masterfully rose to the challenge at right back against the Spanish giants His man of the match performance helped Arne Slot claim his biggest win yet as Liverpool boss Alexis Mac Allister - 7.5 (booked) Beautiful finish to open the scoring and you could see what it meant to him when he greeted the Kop. Booked for a tug on Guler which will see him suspended for the trip to Girona. Mohamed Salah - 6.5 Some fans could not believe their eyes when he pulled his penalty wide. Not the best evening for Liverpool’s talisman but still dangerous. Luis Diaz - 6 Was not dangerous enough in the first half. Had a couple of shots which were not powerful enough. Darwin Nunez - 7.5 (booked) A bright performance from Nunez, who forced Courtois into two stellar stops in the first half, one from close range. Contributed a lot in the build-up to delight Slot. SUBSTITUTES Cody Gakpo (for Nunez, 67min) - 6 Dominik Szoboszlai (for Jones 83) Joe Gomez (for Bradley 87) Not used : Jaros, Davies, Endo, Elliott, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Morton . MANAGER Arne Slot - 7 Memorable night with his family in the stands. Got his tactics spot on again. Mohamed Salah was still dangerous even though he also missed a penalty in the second half Mac Allister has fast become an integral part of Liverpool's midfield since his arrival at Anfield Darwin Nunez put in a lively performance and forced Thibaut Courtois into a few key saves Read More Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah both MISS penalties during Liverpool's clash with Real Madrid Real Madrid Thibaut Courtois - 7 Man of the match in the 2022 Champions League final between these pair – and proved again why he is one of the best in the world here with some big stops. Federico Valverde - 6 Playing in an unusual right back berth due to Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez not being fit. Kept Diaz largely quiet. Raul Asencio - 6.5 Only made his full debut on Sunday against Leganes. Enjoyed his battle with Nunez and made some vital interventions. Antonio Rudiger - 6 Started attacks well and tried to get under the skin of Liverpool’s attackers Ferland Mendy - 7 (booked) Stood up tall to his battle with Salah and largely came out on top. Contributed very little at the other end, though. Courtois proved once again why he is one of the best goalkeepers in world football on the night Antonio Rudiger was kept busy as Liverpool found gaps in the Real Madrid defence with ease Federico Valverde played in an unusual position at right back and largely kept Luis Diaz quiet Eduardo Camavinga - 6.5 A lovely footballer to watch. Has a balletic way of running as he glides past players with ease. Did not threaten enough, though, overall. Read More Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid: Reds make their case for Champions League glory with dominant win Luka Modric - 7 Turns 40 next year but Modric is still a joy to watch. May not have the legs to drive through midfield but makes this team tick and it all looks easy for him. Arda Guler - 6 Was the brightest spark for Ancelotti’s men in the first half – although none of the attackers were at their best. Jude Bellingham - 4.5 His little brother Jobe was in the stands but did not have much to clap about as Jude barely had a sniff. Brahim Diaz - 5 Former Manchester City academy graduate was playing in a central position but lost his battle with Van Dijk and Konate. Kylian Mbappe - 4 Bullied by young Bradley and, like fellow Galactico Bellingham, Mbappe put in a ghostly performance. Penalty was weak. Jude Bellingham struggled to stamp his authority on the game in Real Madrid's engine room Mbappe put in a ghostly performance leading the line for Los Blancos and was bullied by Bradley Carlo Ancelotti's side sit perilously close to the qualification cliff edge after falling to 24th after their third loss in five Champions League matches, while Liverpool are at the summit of the table SUBSTITUTES Lucas Vazquez (for Camavinga, 56) - 6 Dani Ceballos (for Guler, 56min) - 6 (booked) Fran Garcia (for Mendy, 71) - 5 Endrick (for Modric, 79) (booked) Not used : Lunin, Gonzalez, Endrick, Vallejo, Garcia, Gonzalo, De Llanos, Yanez, Aguado. MANAGER Carlo Ancelotti - 5 Said he feels like an Evertonian yesterday – and his team were not too much better than Sean Dyche’s Toffees here. REFEREE Francois Letexier (France) - 5 Real Madrid Mohamed Salah Arne Slot Liverpool Share or comment on this article: Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid - PLAYER RATINGS: Which Reds youngster was man of the match? Who scored just 4/10 for visitors? And how did Jude Bellingham perform? e-mail 6 shares Add comment

It's prime time for returning stuff at stores. Retailers are still figuring out the best way to handle it.How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 11/27/2024FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein will be activated from injured reserve and will play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Friday that Zuerlein is returning after missing seven games with a knee injury to his left, non-kicking leg. He had been shaky before the injury, but the Jets have since been unsettled at the position, with Riley Patterson, Spencer Shrader and Anders Carlson all filling in. “He came back, looked healthy, kicked the ball well this week,” Ulbrich said of Zuerlein. “So, he’ll be our guy going forward here.” Zuerlein is officially listed as questionable to play, but was a full participant the final two practices. Wide receiver Davante Adams is also questionable , but likely to play after participating on a limited basis Friday because of a hip ailment that held him out Thursday. Cornerback Sauce Gardner is also questionable with a hamstring injury that sidelined him in the second half of New York’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams . Zuerlein, who re-signed with the Jets last offseason on a two-year deal, made just nine of 15 field goal attempts and missed one extra point in the first eight games this year. He had been one of the NFL’s most consistently reliable kickers the previous two seasons with the Jets. Patterson kicked in one game after the Jets placed Zuerlein on IR. Shrader also kicked in one game before he was signed off the practice squad by Kansas City. Carlson had been the kicker the past five games, but missed a field goal and an extra point against the Rams and the Jets signed Greg Joseph to the practice squad to provide competition. Ulbrich said earlier in the week Zuerlein would also be in the mix after a long layoff. “I think sometimes that can be powerful, an opportunity just to take a deep breath, get his body healthy again and get a restart,” Ulbrich said. “So I’m excited for him to do his thing these last two games and really demonstrate to everybody who he is as a kicker.” Adams said he was injured early in the game against the Rams, but was still able to catch seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. He said he was optimistic about his chances of playing at Buffalo. “We’re still working on it,” Adams said after practice Friday. “We’re treating it, trying to get it right so we can hopefully be there and ready by game time.” Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams could return after missing last week with a hamstring injury. He was listed as questionable and was limited at practice all week. Also questionable but expected to play are right tackle Morgan Moses (knee), safety Tony Adams (ankle), cornerback Michael Carter II (back), defensive end Haason Reddick (neck) and defensive lineman Braiden McGregor (ankle). Defensive tackle Leki Fotu was ruled out with a knee injury. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Digital, Information Communication Technology, and Cyber Security, Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, on Friday described the media as a “vital institution capable of propelling Nigeria towards economic and social greatness.” Olajide said this while speaking at the conferment of an Award of Excellence in Digital Innovation and Technology Advocacy on him by the Oyo state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The lawmaker representing Ibadan North-west and Ibadan South-west federal constituency of Oyo state in the House of Representatives, said the media “is an institution that stands for excellence and I believe it holds the key to driving economic development and transforming our nation.” “The media is an institution that stands for excellence and I believe it holds the key to driving economic development and transforming our nation. I urge the media to continue using its platform to promote policies and initiatives that foster growth and innovation,” he said. While expressing gratitude to the Oyo NUJ for the honour, he said the media “stands as a vital institution capable of propelling Nigeria towards economic and social greatness.” The lawmaker also lauded local government chairmen across Oyo state for their dedication to governance, noting that their efforts contributed significantly to grassroots development. “We may be of different party extractions, but I must acknowledge that the chairmen are doing well. Let us all serve with the fear of God at all times to ensure the welfare of the people,” he said. Speaking, the Oyo NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, praised Olajide’s contributions to the development of the technology sector, stating that the award was recognition of his significant impact. “Hon. Olajide has shown exemplary leadership in advancing digital innovation, and we are proud to honour him today,” he said.Cincinnati financial director Debbink buys $157,187 in stockUS SEC Chief Gary Gensler To Step Down Clearing Way For Trump's Pick

Shares of data company skyrocketed on Thursday after investors were pleasantly surprised with the financial results it reported for its fiscal third quarter of 2025. As of 2:25 p.m. ET, Snowflake stock was up 32%. Snowflake’s adoption is growing I believe that investors are looking at Snowflake’s business trends more than its headline numbers today. The company had some big customer wins during Q3, which was an encouraging sign. Like most enterprise software companies, its customers sign longer-term contracts, and this is recorded as remaining performance obligations. And in Q3, Snowflake’s customer growth resulted in big gains in remaining performance obligations. These jumped 10% quarter over quarter to $5.7 billion. For perspective, there was only a 4% jump between the second and third quarters of its fiscal 2024. Of course, Snowflake’s headline numbers were important too. Management had only guided for Q3 product revenue of $855 million at most, whereas it ended up generating $900 million. And it had a Q3 adjusted operating income margin of 6%, whereas it only expected a 3% margin. Those numbers were good also, but I think investors were more excited about the customer wins, because that’s something that will continue to provide strong financial results in coming years. Snowflake’s outlook is improving With upbeat Q3 results, Snowflake’s management raised its outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year. As a whole, the company believes it’s on pace to grow product revenue by 29% from its fiscal 2024, which is an increase from its previous guidance of 26% growth. Guidance for profit margins is likewise up. In recent years, enterprise customers had been reluctant to spend money. But it seems like the outlook is now improving for Snowflake, and investors are understandably excited about that.With each team coming off a come-from-behind win, West Virginia and North Carolina Central square off Tuesday night in Morgantown, W.Va. West Virginia (6-2) has won two straight games and is in the midst of a 16-day, four-game homestand that kicked off with a 73-60 win over Georgetown in the Big 12-Big East Battle on Friday night. North Carolina Central (4-7) comes off a 78-77 road win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday night. Javon Small led the Mountaineers with a game-high 26 points against Georgetown as they overcame a second-half deficit with a decisive run. "The way we played in the second half (against Georgetown), I'll take that team everywhere," West Virginia coach Darian DeVries said. "You have to be able to do that every single night, every single possession you don't always get to go on a 16-0 run to pull you out of it. That's where we are still growing as a team." Eduardo Andre was questionable for the Georgetown game after he missed the Mountaineers' 83-76 overtime win against Arizona on Nov. 29. But the fifth-year senior center returned with four points, three rebounds and four blocks. "It was good to have him back in the lineup for a reason," DeVries said. "That presence, especially defensively and the ability to block shots, that's a huge deal for us." Against Gardner-Webb, Po'Boigh King led NCCU with 28 points, well above his 17.4 points per game average, as the Eagles rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to win on a late 3-pointer from Isaac Parson. On offense, the Eagles take care of the ball. They are seventh in the nation in turnover margin at plus-7.5 per game. They seek extra possessions on defense and are second nationally with 18.9 turnovers forced per game "We're good enough, we just need to fine tune some things," NCCU coach LeVelle Moton said. "We've got to cross some T's, dot some I's and close. We can't be a really good basketball team until we get the mindset that when winning time presents itself in the last five minutes, (the other team) has to earn it." --Field Level MediaWorld’s best cities for 2024 shows two Aussie metropolises close to top spot

For many across the Middle East, the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire came as a relief: the first major sign of progress in the region since war began more than a year ago. But for Palestinians in Gaza and families of hostages held in the territory, the news appeared only to inaugurate a newer, grimmer period of the conflict there. For them, it marked yet another missed opportunity to end fighting that has stretched on for nearly 14 months. Palestinians had hoped that any ceasefire deal with Hezbollah would include a truce in Gaza as well. The families of people kidnapped when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel in October 2023, meanwhile, wanted part of the agreement to include returning their loved ones. Instead, the ceasefire was confined only to the fighting in Lebanon . “We feel this is a missed opportunity to tie in the hostages in this agreement that was signed today,” said Ruby Chen, whose son, Itay Chen, was taken hostage from an Israeli military base and has been declared dead. As much as they were intertwined, the two wars have been very different. In Lebanon, Israel said its aim was to drive Hezbollah back from the countries’ shared border and end the militant group’s barrages into northern Israel. The ceasefire that took effect Wednesday is intended to do that. In Gaza, Israel’s goals are more sweeping . Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been resolute in insisting that Hamas must be completely destroyed and Israel must retain lasting control over parts of the territory. Months of talks have failed to get Netanyahu to back down from those demands — or to convince Hamas to release hostages under those terms. For Palestinians in Gaza, that means continuing misery under an Israeli campaign that has demolished much of the territory and driven almost the entire population from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are going hungry while living in squalid tent cities as the second winter of the war brings cold rains and flooding. ”They agree to a ceasefire in one place and not in the other? Have mercy on the children, the elderly and the women,” said Ahlam Abu Shalabi, living in tent in central Gaza. “Now it is winter, and all the people are drowning.” Palestinians feel resigned to continued war The war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, when militants attacked Israel from Gaza, killing around 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has rained devastation on the Palestinian territory, killing over 44,000 people, according to local health officials. The officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and fighters in their count, say over half of the dead are women and children. Hezbollah began firing into Israel a day after Hamas’ attack in solidarity with the Palestinian militant group. The two sides have exchanged near-daily barrages since. Moving thousands of troops to its northern border, Israel ramped up bombardment of southern Lebanon and launched a ground invasion there two months ago, killing many of Hezbollah’s leaders . Palestinians now fear Israel’s military can return its full focus to Gaza — a point that Netanyahu made as he announced the ceasefire in Lebanon on Tuesday. “The pressure will be more on Gaza,” said Mamdouh Younis, a displaced man in a central Gaza tent camp. Netanyahu, he said, can now exploit the fact that “Gaza has become alone, far from all the arenas that were supporting it, especially the Lebanon front.” Israeli troops are already engaged in fierce fighting in Gaza’s north , where a two-month offensive has cut off most aid and caused experts to warn a famine may be underway . Strikes all over the territory regularly kill dozens. In signing onto the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah reversed its long-held position that it wouldn’t stop its barrages across the border unless Israel ends the war in Gaza. “This could have a psychological impact, as it will further entrench the understanding that Palestinians in Gaza are alone in resisting against their occupiers,” said Tariq Kenney Shawa, a U.S. policy fellow at Al-Shabaka, a Palestinian think tank. Hamas may dig its heels in It also leaves Hamas — its capabilities already severely damaged by Israel’s offensive — to fight alone. Hamas official Osama Hamdan appeared to accept Hezbollah’s new position in an interview Monday. “Any announcement of a ceasefire is welcome. Hezbollah has stood by our people and made significant sacrifices,” Hamdan told the Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, which is seen as politically allied with Hezbollah. Khalil Sayegh, a Palestinian analyst, said the ceasefire could make Hamas even less popular in Gaza, by proving the failure of its gambit that its attack on Israel would rally other militant groups to the fight. “It’s a moment where we can see the Hamas messaging become weaker and weaker, as they struggle to justify their strategy to the public,” said Sayegh. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire could help force Hamas to the negotiating table because it would show the group that the “cavalry is not on the way.” But Hamas experts predicted that it would only dig in both on the battlefield and in talks. Hamas has insisted it will only release all the hostages in return for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. “I expect Hamas will continue using guerrilla warfare to confront Israeli forces in Gaza as long as they remain,” said Shawa. Hostage families lose hope Dozens of Israelis thronged a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, protesting for the return of the hostages as the country waited to hear if a ceasefire in Lebanon had been agreed. Around 100 people taken hostage are still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the other hostages seized by Hamas were released during a ceasefire last year. Ricardo Grichener, the uncle of 23-year-old hostage Omer Wenkert, said the ceasefire with Hezbollah showed how the Israeli government was openly disregarding the hostages. Even though Israel has inflicted greater damage on Hamas in Gaza than on Hezbollah in Lebanon, he said “the decision to postpone a deal in Gaza and release the hostages is not based on the same military success criteria.” The most recent effort to wind down the war stalled in October. U.S. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he would begin a renewed push, but his administration is now in its waning days after the reelection of former President Donald Trump. “This ceasefire doesn’t concern our hostages. I believe that Netanyahu forgot about them, and he just wants to keep fighting in Gaza,” said Ifat Kalderon, clutching a photo of her cousin, Ofer Kalderon, who is a hostage and a father to four. “Ofer yesterday had his 54th birthday. His second birthday in Gaza,” she said. “It’s unbelievable that he’s still there.”Nvidia’s Bold Move! AI Chip Production Heads to the U.S.None

The connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.It’s fitting to look at PYMNTS’ Provider Ranking of Travel Apps , considering this week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Each month, PYMNTS determines the most popular apps in the travel sector based on the number of downloads and average users, as well as other metrics. The best travel apps provide various functions that elevate the travel experience, from planning and booking to navigating and managing itineraries. They streamline the travel process by simplifying planning, reducing costs and enhancing the overall experience through convenient features tailored for modern travelers. Check out which travel apps made our Top 10. The Top 6 No. 1 is Expedia , scoring 91 points. Expedia launched shoppable storefronts in September. The program enables social media influencers and brands to share travel recommendations through the Expedia app. The new Travel Shops feature streamlines the process, allowing users to transition from travel inspiration on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to booking travel experiences. The company’s flagship app now has artificial intelligence -powered tools, including Romie , an intelligent travel assistant that can join group chats to offer personalized recommendations and real-time support. Other additions include a personalized itinerary builder, AI-generated review summaries and improved destination comparison tools. These enhancements have contributed to a nearly 10% increase in global app downloads and a 3 percentage point rise in bookings made through the app. The travel giant also expanded its One Key loyalty program, introducing member-only discounts on its Vrbo vacation marketplace and increasing airline redemption options. The focus on personalization and digital engagement has yielded positive results, with One Key membership growing 7% year over year globally. Expedia’s use of AI extends beyond customer-facing features, encompassing fraud prevention and optimized distribution for hoteliers. TripAdvisor Upgrades With AI There is a three-way tie for second among Hotels.com , Airbnb and TripAdvisor , each registering 86 points. Last year, TripAdvisor unveiled a series of updates to its mobile platform , using AI to enhance user experience and streamline travel planning. The company’s flagship AI trip planner helped users generate about 15 times more revenue than the platform-wide average. Other AI-driven features include intelligent review summaries and personalized recommendations. In addition to its AI initiatives, TripAdvisor integrated direct hotel booking capabilities, offering users a more comprehensive and seamless travel preparation experience. There is a two-way tie for No. 5 between Booking.com and Sky Scanner , each recording 76 points. Nos. 7-10 Checking in at No. 7 with 73 points is Vrbo . Part of The Expedia Group , Vrbo, the company’s vacation rental platform, has seen improvements to its app . It’s faster, and there are new features designed to make shopping for vacation homes more seamless. It also added 1 million new listings, mostly in urban areas, transferred from Expedia’s brand to diversify its offerings. No. 8 is Kayak , with 70 points. No. 9 is Hopper , scoring 68 points. Rounding out the Top 10 is GetYourGuide with 67 points.

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