Black Friday is fast approaching, and shoppers are gearing up. The National Retail Federation expects more than 183 million people to shop over the weekend spanning Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday this year. But fraudsters are preparing for Black Friday too, looking for opportunities to steal your money or personal information. Before you dive into holiday shopping, learn how to spot common scams and protect yourself. Fraudsters commonly send phishing emails and text messages impersonating delivery services or popular retailers like Amazon. These messages, which typically claim there’s an issue with processing or delivering the order, may request payment information or include malicious links. A message might say something like, “Part of your address is missing. Please click on this link to complete the address,” says Raj Dasgupta, senior director of global advisory at BioCatch, a fraud prevention firm. If you get a similar message when you’re not expecting a package, that should raise doubts, Dasgupta says. But even if you have ordered something, don’t overlook warning signs. It's unusual for delivery services to hold up packages or seek payment, because shipping costs are almost always charged to the shipper, not the receiver, says Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the nonprofit National Cybersecurity Alliance. Avoid clicking on links in texts or emails, and don’t share personal or payment details. To verify whether an order update is genuine, “go back to your original order on the site,” Steinhauer says. You can log in and check the order status and reach out to customer service directly if there's a problem, he says. When shopping online, carefully scrutinize sellers and products to avoid winding up with counterfeit items — or nothing at all. Sponsored ads on social media sites and search engines aren’t always vetted enough, Steinhauer says, which means you may come across scams. Fraudsters buy Google ads for popular search terms like “Black Friday deals” or desirable products, such as exercise equipment, Dasgupta says. When people click on these ads, they might land on a “sophisticated-looking fake website” that mimics a well-known site, such as Macy’s, or on a made-up company’s page, he says. Shoppers never receive the product they’re attempting to purchase, or they get an inferior product. Ignore “sponsored” links, and read URLs closely. There will usually be “something off,” Steinhauer says, such as a slight misspelling or dashes in the website name that aren’t normally there. “The best thing is to go to the legitimate website or app that you know is the right one, and just shop there,” he says. Watch for ​​ third-party seller scams on legitimate websites, too. Some companies, such as Walmart and Target, allow outside vendors to sell merchandise through their platforms — and the reliability can vary. Reading seller reviews before you buy can help you avoid bad actors. Be wary of sellers who ask for gift cards or peer-to-peer payments . If a service like Venmo or Cash App is the only payment method accepted, that’s an immediate red flag, Dasgupta says. And if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. A QR code, or quick response code, is a barcode that usually leads to a website when scanned with a smartphone camera. “Quishing” is when scammers create QR codes that link to fraudulent websites or install malware on devices. These codes may show up on parking meters, in mysterious packages delivered to your physical address or in your email inbox. For example, a scammer posing as your bank might email you a code and instruct you to update your login credentials. Email services often filter out known malicious links or domains and send them to your spam folder, Steinhauer says, but a QR code can get past these filters because it’s an image. Don't scan codes you receive unexpectedly, and closely inspect QR codes in public places for signs of tampering. Heed the advice above, and follow these additional steps to guard against fraudsters. More Black Friday content from NerdWallet Lauren Schwahn writes for NerdWallet. Email: lschwahn@nerdwallet.com . Twitter: @lauren_schwahn. The article Holiday Shoppers Beware: 3 Traps to Avoid as Scammers Prepare originally appeared on NerdWallet. Get local news delivered to your inbox!nice88 app login register 。

2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death on US-Canada border

ST. PAUL — The Winnipeg Jets don’t have another defenceman like Dylan Samberg, who has stepped up to play a big role for the NHL’s No. 1 team so far this season. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * ST. PAUL — The Winnipeg Jets don’t have another defenceman like Dylan Samberg, who has stepped up to play a big role for the NHL’s No. 1 team so far this season. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? ST. PAUL — The Winnipeg Jets don’t have another defenceman like Dylan Samberg, who has stepped up to play a big role for the NHL’s No. 1 team so far this season. His extended absence due to a broken foot is looming large on a blue line that had, until Saturday night in Nashville, enjoyed a remarkable stretch of good health and good fortune. “He does so much for us,” said teammate Dylan DeMelo. “Not just shot blocking, but having a good stick and breaking up a lot of plays.” Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg (54) climbs over the boards and onto the bench after being injured in Saturday’s game against the Nashville Predators. (Mark Humphrey/Associated Press files) Playing on the second-pairing with the resurgent Neal Pionk, Samberg has been an unheralded shining star for the Jets. The 25-year-old Minnesota product is averaging a career-high 20:17 of ice time per game, which is fourth overall on the team behind Josh Morrissey, DeMelo and Pionk. He and Pionk are both plus-12 this year at even strength, which is terrific when you factor in they’re often paired against the other team’s best. Although offence isn’t his top priority, Samberg has already set a new career-high with three goals to go with three assists. And while he’s not at the physicality level of Brenden Dillon, the former teammate whose role he moved up to fill this year, the 6-4, 216-pound Samberg brings some size and grit to a back-end that doesn’t have a lot of it, especially with Logan Stanley also sidelined with an injury. Samberg can clear out the front of his net, be a menace on the penalty kill and get his hands dirty if needed. Digging into the advanced stats, Samberg’s Corsi For Percentage is 53.11, which tops all Winnipeg defencemen, according to the Natural Stat Trick website. That metric deals with a team’s puck possession when the player is on the ice. Anything above 50 per cent is considered good. Anything above 55 per cent is considered elite. Samberg ranks 18th overall among NHL D who have played at least 350 minutes. It’s a similar story for the Expected Goals Metric, where Samberg’s 53.52 per cent is second only to Pionk’s 54.92 per cent. Both are inside the league’s top 20 overall. “It would be a big loss if he’s out for any length of time,” captain Adam Lowry said following the 4-1 loss to the Predators, which wasn’t helped by the fact the Jets were playing for a second straight night and forced to go with just five defencemen for the majority of the contest after Samberg went down thanks to a Steven Stamkos slapper. There’s no clear timeline for Samberg, but a broken foot means multiple weeks, not days, for the team’s second-best left-shot defenceman. So where does the club go from here to fill what coach Scott Arniel says is a “big hole” on a roster that is surrendering just 2.43 goals per game, which is third-best in the league? The Jets spent Sunday resting and recovering here in the Twin Cities and will return to the ice on Monday for a marquee matchup with the Minnesota Wild. It’s a battle of 1 vs. 2 in the overall NHL standings, and who would have predicted that at the quarter-point of the campaign? Injuries are part of the game, and every team is going to deal with some key ones at various points. The Wild, for example, may not have leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov for a second straight game as he deals with a lower-body issue. Looking at internal solutions, Ville Heinola immediately jumps out, with the planets seemingly aligned in his favour for a change. The smooth-skating, puck-moving 23-year-old has been on the wrong end of some bad timing in his young career, dating back to training camp prior to the 2023-24 season when he was set to crack the opening-night roster, only to break his ankle in the final exhibition game. Heinola spent months recovering, then never got a sniff of the NHL as the Jets were flying high and not a single regular defenceman got hurt during the 82-game campaign, which Winnipeg finished fourth-overall with 110 points. Dylan Samberg defends against Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby in Friday’s game in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press files) This past September, with Dillon and Nate Schmidt both moving on in unrestricted free agency, the door was wide open for Heinola. But an infection in his surgically-repaired ankle forced him to go under the knife once again. Now, he’s back, having resumed skating a few weeks ago and playing two games with the Manitoba Moose on a conditioning assignment. After being held off the scoresheet in Thursday’s season debut, he had the primary assist on Saturday’s game-winning goal against the Rockford IceHogs at Canada Life Centre. Heinola flew to Minnesota on Sunday to join the Jets, and the 20th-overall pick in the 2019 draft seems likely to jump right into the lineup — perhaps beside Pionk. Arniel could opt to ease Heinola in by putting him on the third pairing beside Colin Miller and moving Haydn Fleury up to skate with Pionk. Fleury, by the way, has solid underlying metrics — his Corsi For Percentage is second on the Jets behind Samberg — albeit in much less minutes and a more sheltered role. The only other internal option right now is Dylan Coghlan, a 26-year-old journeyman signed as a free agent this past summer who has been a healthy scratch for all 21 games so far this year. As a right shot, it’s unlikely he slots in ahead of Heinola or Fleury at this point. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Stanley will factor in once he’s cleared, but he hasn’t played since Nov. 9 against Dallas and has only just resumed skating on his own, not taking any contact as he deals with an undisclosed mid-body injury. The other option is via the trade route, and you have to believe bolstering the blue line was already on general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s wish list prior to Samberg going down. A right-shot defender is the more likely target, with the idea of upgrading over Miller (and Coghlan), especially if the team believes top prospect Elias Salomonsson needs a full year to develop on the farm with the Moose. The Jets may not have Samberg for a while, but they do have the benefit of some time and patience thanks to a sizzling 17-4-0 start. There’s no reason to push the panic button or do anything rash, even if their resiliency is about to be tested in a big way. mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca X and BlueSky: @mikemcintyrewpg Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the before joining the in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. . Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the before joining the in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. . Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement

Percentages: FG .440, FT .926. 3-Point Goals: 10-27, .370 (Byrd 4-5, Gonsalves 3-9, Berrett 2-7, Bieker 1-4, Riley 0-2). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 4 (Ariyibi 3, Rainwater). Turnovers: 14 (Ariyibi 3, Rainwater 3, Byrd 2, Gonsalves 2, Riley 2, Bieker, Misic). Steals: 5 (Bieker 2, Ariyibi, Byrd, Riley). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .556, FT .550. 3-Point Goals: 8-17, .471 (Washington 3-6, Jones 2-2, Barbee 1-1, Martindale 1-2, Adams 1-3, Beard 0-1, Brinson 0-1, Cain 0-1). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 5 (Jones 3, Fofana 2). Turnovers: 11 (Jones 3, Adams 2, Beard, Brinson, Fofana, Fuller, Martindale, Washington). Steals: 7 (Barbee 2, Jones 2, Washington 2, Adams). Technical Fouls: None. A_138 (7,321).

The internet can’t put down Dave Blunts’ ‘I Can’t Put Down The Cup’

Minnesota Vikings ruthlessly cut a player on his birthday... and their fans are all predicting the same thingAs ski resorts across the Pacific Northwest begin to open, anticipation is growing for what experts predict could be an unforgettable season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 60% chance of La Niña conditions, leading skiers and snowboarders to gear up for a winter filled with fresh powder, stunning views, and epic runs. In the 2023-2024 season, the National Ski Areas Association reported that 60.4 million people hit the slopes nationwide, but only 16.5 million chose the Pacific Northwest. However, that number may rise this season as renowned resorts like Mount Baker, Crystal Mountain, and Stevens Pass prepare for what could be one of their snowiest winters. Here's what you need to know to take full advantage of this potentially record-breaking ski season in the PNW. I've skied at more than 20 resorts across the United States, from the East Coast to the West Coast. I can attest that skiing in the Pacific Northwest offers an entirely different experience, primarily due to heavy snowfall and the Pacific Northwest's distinct type of snow. According to AccuWeather's Senior Meteorologist Brian Wimer , "Ski resorts on the West Coast, such as in Washington, Oregon, and California, have much more moisture available in comparison to interior Western states like Utah and Colorado." Coastal states experience more frequent snowstorms than ski areas in other parts of the United States. For example, Mount Baker in Washington is famous for being the world's snowiest ski resort , largely due to its prime location close to the coast. Another result of the Pacific Northwest’s location is the snow’s water content, which influences its texture. Areas closer to the ocean tend to have snow with higher water content, while this decreases as you move inland. As water content lowers, snow becomes drier and more powdery, much like the conditions found in the Rockies. While you'll enjoy plenty of powder days in the Pacific Northwest, the snow won't feel quite the same as Colorado's. You can still carve through fresh snow, but it tends to be heavier and wetter, making many PNW skiers opt for thicker skis. One of the great things about the Pacific Northwest is how long the winter season lasts. From November to May, there's plenty of time to enjoy the slopes. As someone who loves skiing here, I can confidently say there's no wrong time to visit. However, I recommend coming between January and April, as the mountains receive the most snowfall during this period. The base layers have time to build up, ensuring most runs are open and ready for action. My favorite time to ski in the Pacific Northwest is early spring. While many skiers and snowboarders race to get the first tracks after a fresh snowstorm or overnight grooming, spring skiing in the PNW offers a special experience. The best time to enjoy spring skiing is in the afternoon, so most people don't hit the slopes until lunchtime. You still get the occasional snowstorm, but the warmer temperatures make it unique. There's something about skiing in lighter layers, with many opting for just a t-shirt, that makes it feel like a whole new adventure. Experts at the NOAA expect above-average precipitation across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho in early winter, leading to favorable snow conditions at their ski resorts. The Pacific Northwest offers various ski resorts , from charming local mountains to world-famous destinations. With La Niña's predicted snowfall this winter, several spots are worth considering for your trip. My personal favorite in Oregon is Mount Bachelor. Over in Washington, you can't go wrong with Summit at Snoqualmie, Mission Ridge, or Crystal Mountain. And while Idaho might not always be the first place you think of for skiing, the state has some incredible resorts, including Schweitzer and Sun Valley. To fully enjoy this ski season, I highly recommend planning ahead and booking your trip to one of the top resorts in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. In addition, keeping up with weather apps and following resort social media accounts is essential for tracking snowstorms and staying informed. While chasing storms may not be feasible for everyone, it remains one of the best ways to guarantee optimal conditions. If you're anticipating a significant storm and can take time off, seizing that opportunity to hit the slopes could make for an unforgettable ski experience. The Pacific Northwest offers something extraordinary with its heavy snowfall, breathtaking views, and diverse range of resorts. While many skiers and snowboarders anxiously monitor weather forecasts and resort updates, planning early is always smart. By booking your lift tickets, flights, and accommodations at the start of the season, you'll avoid price hikes and set yourself up for an incredible winter adventure in the Pacific Northwest. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.Comedians roast celebrity guests at GQ Awards in Sydney

Seahawks are optimistic again and set to battle Cardinals for the NFC West lead

Ethan Taylor scores 21 as Air Force takes down Mercyhurst 82-48EPL: Lawrenson predicts scoreline of Man City vs Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, other fixturesWho Is Floyd Mayweather’s Girlfriend? Gallienne Nabila’s Job & Relationship History By Netizens are eager to know who is and their relationship history. Dubbed as one of the greatest boxers of all time, Mayweather Jr. is no stranger to the spotlight. Over the years of his illustrious career, fans have always been eager to get a peek into his personal life. Here’s everything we know about Floyd Mayweather’s girlfriend, their relationship timeline, and more. Who is Floyd Mayweather dating? Mayweather has been romantically linked with several women over the years. Albeit, he is known to keep his private life away from the public eye. Various reports have concluded that the boxing legend is currently seeing Nabila and they have been dating on and off for a while. Moreover, the two are often seen together on public outings and vacations. What is Gallienne Nabila’s job? According to her profile, Galliene Nabila is currently signed under the renowned Wilhelmina Models in Los Angeles. She has also previously worked under Elite Model Management. Nabila has shot for several notable brands including Quay, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Fashion Nova. Besides her career as a model, she is also an aspiring actress. In 2023, Nabila founded her charity organization called Gallienne’s Girls. The nonprofit aims to support young women to discover their passion and reach their goals. In the she shared to announce the launch of Gallienne’s Girls, Nabila wrote, “I’m excited to announce the launch of Gallienne’s Girls, my nonprofit organization that is dedicated to inspire and uplift young girls to be confident and pursue their passions with determination.” Additionally, Galliene Nabila has forayed into fashion design. In 2023, she launched her bathing suit line in collaboration with Nalia Swim. Floyd Mayweather and Gallienne Nabila’s relationship history Although it is unknown when and how Floyd Mayweather and his girlfriend Gallienne Nabila first met, multiple reports suggest that they first got together in 2019. Their relationship has been on and off since then. The boxer was briefly linked with Anna Monroe in 2020. (via ) However, he got back together with Nabila in 2021. Since then, the pair has been spotted attending several public events together, including numerous NBA games. In 2023, Nabila posted a few on her social media sporting a large diamond ring, making netizens believe that an engagement announcement was on the way. However, neither she nor Mayweather have confirmed the speculations. In 2024, the couple was also celebrating Valentine’s Day, indicating that they are going steady as of writing. Namrata is a SEO Content Writer for ComingSoon and an avid reader, with a profound love for movies and anime, especially the works of Hayao Miyazaki. She holds a masters in English literature and has been producing content for over two years. Share articleThe Right Private Wealth Management Assistance Services

IT was Jose Mourinho who best summed up how a footballer’s career can be here and gone in a flash. Former Manchester United manager Mourinho said: “I am 56 now and yesterday, I was 20. Time flies. One day, you will regret if you don’t reach what you can reach.” Mourinho was talking to Dele Alli in a documentary series while he was manager at Tottenham. It could be a conversation Ruben Amorim has with 27-year-old Marcus Rashford now he is Old Trafford boss. We all know what Rashford can do. He burst on the scene aged 18 in 2016 with a Europa League double — his first United goals — on his debut against Midtjylland. READ MORE ON MAN UTD And we saw it two seasons ago, when he posted a career-best of 30 goals as United finished third and won the Carabao Cup . The kid who grew up in Wythenshawe with the dream of playing for the Red Devils was in the spotlight. But the floodlights have faded. In the last 18 months, he has lost his place in the England squad, the United team and hit more headlines for what he did off the field than on it. Most read in Football FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS Partying after a defeat in the Manchester derby , out until the early hours in Belfast when he was due to train later that day. Just recently as he prepared for life under new boss Amorim, he took the time off given for the international break to jet to New York . He was court-side for the NBA match between New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, dressed in a long Louis Vuitton coat and sporting glitzy grillz. Fine if you are on top of your game... not such a good look when you cannot find it. And Rashford has not been able to find it for some time. There were nine cry-offs from the last England squad for their final two matches under Lee Carsley and still he was not worth a call. Which tells you where he is at. Amorim employed Rashford up front for his first game in charge against Ipswich, on Sunday, mainly because Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are so bad. Inside two minutes he took advantage of some great work by Amad Diallo to put United into the lead and then...he faded. Red Devils fans have started cheering when he gets subbed now. Previous boss Erik ten Hag was at his wits’ end with Rashford by the final days of his reign. The Dutchman privately admitted he would have dumped him into the reserves after that Belfast party incident in January had he had enough players available to take his place. Ten Hag did everything to protect Rashford and help him but was let down by the player. Everyone knows there is a good guy there. Rashford’s MBE for charitable work, helping the poor and hungry, tells you all you need to know about a man with a good heart. And his tears when United won the FA Cup last season told you how much he loves the club. But he has been too easily swallowed up by the celebrity and party lifestyle on offer to all young stars if they want it. Amorim emphasised ahead of Thursday's Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt — who, with 6,500 fans at Old Trafford , will have one-eighth of the Norwegian city’ s population in attendance — that the drive to get back to his best has to come from Rashford first. It was the same mantra that came from Ten Hag. Amorim knows playing through the middle is not his best position and will employ him wide, in the long run, in a 3-4-3. IN theory at least, the only way is up for Manchester United, writes Charlie Wyett. We are nearly a third of the way through this Premier League season and it is still staggering to see United lurking in 12th place. They have managed just four wins with a goal difference of 0. Only Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton have scored less. It is certainly not a false position and a point at Ipswich illustrated the massive job that Ruben Amorim faces. United’s fans sang the name of their new manager throughout the game. They also gave the players rapturous applause on the final whistle and although this was an improvement on some of the performances this season, the bar has been set pretty low. The club’s optimistic supporters will see that their team is only six points off the top four. Ultimately, though, it is difficult to see United even reaching last season’s final position of eighth as they look worse. United’s patched-up defence will improve - and a three-man formation at the back will help them - but you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from. Marcus Rashford struck after 81 seconds and then went missing for the rest of his 68 minutes on the pitch. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were also introduced in that double change midway inside the second half but added absolutely nothing. What a terrible couple of signings they have proved to be and United’s fans would swap both of them for Ipswich’s Liam Delap. Amorim did not celebrate the Rashford goal and paced around his technical area throughout looking uneasy. Each time there was a break in play, he called over players for instructions. Alejandro Garnacho headed over to the touchline on a couple of occasions while there were also words for Diogo Dalot, Casemiro and Jonny Evans. Amorim, a manager with infectious enthusiasm, will be hopeful he can get his message across to all of the players in the next few weeks. But the problem for the Portuguese coach is that this was the first of 10 games in the space of 33 days. What he really needs are spells on the training ground without a midweek game but he does not have that luxury. The only problem is the shortage of alternatives. United’s lack of goals has been a problem for some time and just three teams have scored fewer than their 13 goals in the Prem this season. Rashford is top scorer with five in all competitions . Hojlund has two and Zirkzee one. Amorim said: “There is a concern but we have to improve as a team. We have quality players who can score so many goals. “But you could feel it in the second half on Sunday, we controlled possession of the ball but we were not dangerous. “Maybe because we spend the week trying to work on build up and then the rest was not working. “We will try to improve as a team and Rasmus and Josh and Rash will score more goals. “Even Bruno Fernandes has to score more goals! Amad has to be better near the goal.” READ MORE SUN STORIES Rashford has to improve and quickly. Because today he might be 27 but tomorrow he could be 56. WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies . Optimism and hope was at an all-time low. But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals. Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term. He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival. And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford. Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up. Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”. United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won't be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.” And yet, you cannot help but compare the two. For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.

Bengals optimistic heading into new month, meeting vs. Steelers( MENAFN - Jordan Times) AMMAN - Minister of Social Development and Head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment Wafa Bani Mustafa met on Sunday with Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality, Stephanie Copus Campbell, to explore avenues for cooperation and the exchange of expertise. During the meeting at the ministry's headquarters, attended by Australian Ambassador to Amman Bernard Lynch, the officials reviewed the ministry's key social programmes and services focused on empowering women, including initiatives for women residing in the ministry's care homes who have experienced abuse. Bani Mustafa also shared insights into the ministerial committee's efforts to enhance women's empowerment, highlighting the progress made in recent years through legislative reforms designed to increase women's political and economic participation, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. The envoy expressed her admiration for the ministry's work and the strides made by the committee, stressing her commitment to furthering cooperation in the field of women's empowerment. MENAFN24112024000028011005ID1108920884 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.

A majority on the Republican-dominated State Board of Education said Thursday that it wanted more control over whether school library books are considered sexually explicit or not. Ten members on the board responsible for determining what Texas' 5.5 million public schoolchildren learn in the classroom voted to call on the Texas Legislature, which convenes in January, to pass a state law granting them authority to determine what books are appropriate for school-age children. Local school districts currently manage that process. Republican members said granting the board control would alleviate the state's more than 1,200 public school districts of the burdensome task. They also said it could offer a solution to a recent court ruling stopping Texas from fully enforcing a state law requiring booksellers to rate their materials for appropriateness - based on books' depictions or references to sex - before selling them to school libraries. "This board knows how to vet material. We have processes. We know how to do that. We can create a transparent process to do that work," Florence Republican board member Tom Maynard said. "We'd get lots more emails, I know, but I think it's work that ... really needs to be done." The board, which has shifted further to the political right in recent years, will formally ask the Legislature to grant it "discretion to create rules, procedures and timelines" for the book review process and amend current state law, known as House Bill 900, to streamline the process, according to the recommendation proposed on Thursday. The proposal received immediate pushback from some of the board's Democrats, who argued that the process should remain under the purview of local school districts. "They better understand their communities and know what their constituencies need and want rather than the State Board of Education," said San Antonio Democrat Marisa B. Pérez-Diaz. "I think we've got a lot of bigger fish to fry." Rebecca Bell-Metereau, a Democrat from San Marcos, questioned whether the board could handle what she considers "a Herculean task to read and rate all of these books." "That seems just insane to me, even if we were paid - and we're not," Bell-Metereau said. Republican Aaron Kinsey, chair of the board, said the book review process could mirror how the body oversees instructional materials, an undertaking that includes using outside reviewers to help sort through school lessons. Evelyn Brooks, a Frisco Republican, said she supports establishing uniform guidelines for all school districts to follow when selecting books for their libraries. "They could have their own communities involved in what they want in their libraries, but the standard has been set to alleviate confusion," Brooks said. "There is a lot of confusion at the board meetings, even though the law is very straightforward. It's just been a very muddy area." Under House Bill 900, books are considered "sexually relevant" if the material describes or portrays sexual activity and is part of the required school curriculum. Books are considered "sexually explicit" if the material describing or portraying sexual behavior is not part of the required curriculum and is portrayed in a "patently offensive way," defined by the state as going against "current community standards of decency." Schools are required to remove "sexually explicit" books from library shelves, while students seeking to check out books with a "sexually relevant" rating require parental consent. Earlier this year, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most conservative in the nation, blocked Texas from requiring booksellers to rate their materials. The court agreed, in part, that complying with the law would pose an undue economic burden on the vendors. The enforceable part of the law, however, still prohibits school libraries from acquiring or keeping "sexually explicit" materials on their bookshelves. But conservative advocates have still shown up to State Board of Education meetings in recent months to raise complaints about the presence of such materials in their school libraries and what they describe as inaction by local school districts. The discussion over what entities should control the book review process comes as Texas officials have sought to exert more control over what materials children are exposed to in public schools. The state has passed legislation limiting how schools can talk about America's history of racism and its diversity while proposing other bills to ban classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity. Ahead of the legislative session, Rep. Jared Patterson of Frisco has already filed House Bill 183 , a bill that would grant the State Board of Education its wish by giving the curriculum-setting body the authority to prohibit school districts from using library materials it considers "inappropriate" or "sexually explicit." Texas banned 538 books during the 2023-24 school year, according to PEN America , an organization tracking bans throughout the country. More than half of the books outlawed across the U.S. included sex or sex-related topics and content, while 44% included characters or people of color. Thirty-nine percent included LGBTQ+ characters or people. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government, and statewide issues.

But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”

Danny Jones’ wife breaks down in tears on camera as she admits she struggling while he’s on I’m A CelebCelebrity-inspired Thanksgiving recipes, plus last-minute holiday meal ideas

State’s financial watchdog slams ‘reactive’ budget with no long-term plan