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Elon Musk, the world's richest man, spent more than $250 million in the final months of this year's election to help Donald Trump win the presidency, federal filings revealed Thursday. The sum is a fraction of Musk's wealth. But it is nonetheless a staggering amount from a single donor, who poured the cash into allied groups and is now playing a role in helping shape the next administration. One of Musk's most brazen moves -- which emerged only Thursday -- was spending $20 million to prop up a super political action committee that was named after Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the late liberal Supreme Court justice, but that sought to help Trump by softening his anti-abortion positions. Musk put the lion's share of the money he donated toward his main super PAC, America PAC, cutting three checks for $25 million each in the final weeks of the race, according to the new filings with the Federal Election Commission. Musk also spent $40.5 million on legally controversial checks to voters in swing states who signed a petition in support of the Constitution. Over the course of the race, he gave America PAC a staggering $239 million in both cash and in-kind contributions. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Legal Complete Guide to AI Governance and Compliance By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Crypto & NFT Mastery: From Basics to Advanced By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development C++ Fundamentals for Absolute Beginners By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program America PAC conducted what it described as an expansive ground-game effort on Trump's behalf. Musk came to see defeating President Joe Biden as a vital imperative and swung hard toward Trump after the assassination attempt against him in July. He became so invested in the effort that he campaigned frequently for the Republican nominee in Pennsylvania, widely seen as the most important battleground state. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Musk also donated $4 million to America PAC on Nov. 12, a week after Election Day. He has vowed to keep his super PAC active by targeting progressive prosecutors and supporting Trump's agenda. Since the election, Musk has become inescapable at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club in Florida. He is leading an effort to try to trim the size of the federal government, and he has weighed in on various personnel choices that the incoming president has made. While some in Trump's orbit -- and at times the president-elect himself -- have at times seemed weary of Musk's constant presence, the upside he brings in the form of enormous financial support and a major social media platform have clearly outweighed any concerns. Musk's total spending on the election is not yet known -- and may never be. He cut other political checks to conservative down-ballot groups this cycle, including $12 million to two groups trying to elect Republican senators, the Senate Leadership Fund and the Sentinel Action Fund. Musk, who originally wanted to keep his support for Trump quiet, may have also funded dark-money entities that will never disclose his involvement or donations. On Thursday, Musk was revealed as the hidden funding source behind RBG PAC , a Republican group that worked to elect Trump but was named after a liberal jurist who despised him. A trust belonging to Musk was the sole funder of RBG PAC, which had not yet disclosed its donors before a filing late Thursday. During the election, the group had run ads arguing that Trump's position on abortion was not dissimilar from that of Ginsburg, a feminist icon. "Great Minds Think Alike," read the text on the super PAC's website, featuring twin large photos of Trump and Ginsburg, who died in 2020. Her family bitterly opposed the ads. Ginsburg's granddaughter, Clara Spera, said in a statement in October that the family condemned the use of her grandmother's name and that doing so to "support Donald Trump's reelection campaign, and specifically to suggest that she would approve of his position on abortion, is nothing short of appalling." The effort by RBG PAC was meant to reassure female voters who were wary of Trump because of his opposition to abortion rights. He has boasted of being proud of appointing the conservative justices, including Ginsburg's successor, who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. When the group began running ads, there were hints of Musk's involvement. The group's leader, May Mailman, at times defended Musk on television. The ads were part of a broader effort to use various pro-Trump entities to fund ads targeted at specific segments of voters in a race that Trump's advisers anticipated could be closer than it ultimately was. He swept the seven battlegrounds and won the popular vote, the first time a Republican had done so in 20 years.

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Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd Overview I previously covered Hormel Foods ( NYSE: HRL ) during the first quarter of 2024 and issued a hold rating due to the shift in consumer spending towards store-branded items. A driver of the lackluster sales Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

National Perspective: Government drama won’t start until Jan. 20‘Saltburn’ star deactivates Instagram account due to ‘hatred’, ‘too many lines being crossed’

Things are really starting to cook for , a Surrey family business that makes South Asian-influenced, ready-to-eat meals sold in stores and served at a growing number of hospitals, schools and other institutions. Cooked and packaged at a Newton plant since 2019, the Khan family's butter chicken, channa masala, beef haleem and other products come frozen in bags and boxes, ready for the microwave. The company recently scored the Emerging Business trophy during hosted by BC Food & Beverage, a not-for-profit association representing the province's food and beverage processing industry. Rushd Khan operates Barakah Eats with the help of father Zafar, mother Lubna, wife Arshiya and a dozen employees. "We're very proud of the award, which reinforces our mission since we've launched this business as an extension of our family business including the restaurant ( , located near the KPU Surrey campus in Newton)," Rushd said. "It (the award) will help with the growth of our businesses, for sure." In a competitive frozen-food market, key for Barakah Eats products is halal certification — food that adheres to Islamic dietary laws and regulations. "Some hospitals, like Surrey Memorial, Langley and BC Children's Hospital just this month, they started using some of our products for patient care because they're halal-certified," Rushd explained. "That has been a gap among hospital patients, who can now ask for halal-certified meals. The hospitals noticed that there was a lot of food waste, because some people couldn't eat the food." Barakah Eats products have been tasted at in recent summers and will be featured at the new Halal Expo Vancouver, planned Feb. 7-8 at Cloverdale Agriplex (details on ). In Arabic, the company name means "blessings," a word embraced by the Khan family. "I never thought it would get to this, with people all over the place eating our food. It's unbelievable," patriarch Zafar Khan said. "Food is my passion, you know, so we have a tandoor in my backyard when we built our house, where we make naan," he added. "I went to back to Pakistan to learn how to make it, and at that time we didn't have a restaurant or anything yet." Looking ahead, the Khans aim to grow the Barakah Eats name in the food manufacturing market. "We see ourselves becoming more of a national company, hopefully by next year," Rushd said. "Right now our business is predominantly in B.C. We do some business outside of B.C. with our vegetarian products, but the meat license with CFIA certification (Canadian Food Inspection Agency), that's our target right now. Once we get over that hump, that opens up a lot of doors for us to start exporting across Canada and then outside of Canada as well. We already have a HACCP-certified facility." BC Food & Beverage's 2024 Rise Awards attracted 400 people to Anvil Centre in New Westminster on Nov. 29, a night when "exceptional leaders, innovators and brands" were recognized in 16 categories. “These awards showcase the talent, dedication and innovation that define B.C.’s food and beverage industry,” James Donaldson, CEO of BC Food & Beverage, raved in a . Other Rise Awards winners are Terra Breads (Hall of Fame inductee), Chocxo Chocolatier (Best in Brand), Vancouver Island Sea Salt (Circularity), Fine Choice Foods (Export), Authentic Indigenous Seafood (Indigenous Led Business of the Year), Blume (Innovation), Jeff Lee of Honey Bee Zen Apiaries (Leadership), Fine Choice Foods (Outstanding Workplace, Health & Safety), Salt Spring Kitchen Co. (People's Choice), Salt Spring Coffee (Social Impact), Chiwis (Sustainability) and Binny Boparai-Gill of Farming Karma Fruit Company (Woman Entrepreneur of the Year). Products of the year are Plant-based Crumbles-Chorizo, made by The Better Butchers (Gold award), Honey Salt Popcorn, Popstastic (Silver) and Dark Chocolate Lemon Crème Cups, Chocxo Chocolatier (Bronze).Wicked Box Office Predictions Double Gladiator II’s Opening Weekend EstimateNEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protara Therapeutics, Inc. TARA , a clinical-stage company developing transformative therapies for the treatment of cancer and rare diseases, today announced the closing of its underwritten public offering of 13,690,000 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $6.25 per share and pre-funded warrants to purchase 2,325,372 shares of common stock at a price of $6.249 per pre-funded warrant, which represents the per share price for the common stock less the $0.001 per share exercise price for each such pre-funded warrant. In addition, Protara has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,402,305 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $100 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by Protara and excluding any exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase additional shares and the exercise of any pre-funded warrants. Protara intends to use the net proceeds received from the offering to fund the clinical development of TARA-002, as well as the development of other clinical programs. Protara may also use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. TD Cowen, Cantor, LifeSci Capital, Oppenheimer & Co. and Scotiabank acted as joint book-running managers of the offering. The shares of common stock and the pre-funded warrants were issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-275290) that was declared effective on November 14, 2023 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from the offices of TD Securities (USA) LLC, 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, New York 10017, by email at TD.ECM_Prospectus@tdsecurities.com or by telephone at (855) 495-9846; Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., 110 East 59th Street, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Capital Markets, or by email at prospectus@cantor.com; or LifeSci Capital LLC, 1700 Broadway, 40th Floor, New York, New York 10019, or by email at compliance@lifescicapital.com . This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. Forward-looking Statements Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Protara may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "proposed," "continue," "designed," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected use of proceeds therefrom, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including Protara's expectations related to the use of proceeds from the offering. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements, including additional risks and uncertainties, are described more fully under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Protara's filings and reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Protara undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Company Contact: Justine O'Malley Protara Therapeutics Justine.OMalley@protaratx.com 646-817-2836 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Court challenge over vote to extend post-Brexit trading arrangements dismissed

Vikings Sign DE Jonathan Harris To PS, Cut CB Kelvin JosephWashington, DC, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coming from Tennessee, Florida and Ohio, are Arwood, Ernest and Yana, three of the hundreds of AmeriCorps NCCC members supporting disaster recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton . They are serving with FEMA Corps , an innovative, team-based national service program that provides 18-to-26‐year‐olds the opportunity to gain experience and training in emergency response while supporting immediate needs after a disaster for survivors and their communities. Arriving immediately in Florida after Hurricane Helene, their team of six members has been on the ground for the past two months. The AmeriCorps NCCC team is helping survivors connect to the resources they need by tabling at sites, canvassing neighborhoods, and more. They were previously in Selma, Ala., inspecting travel trailers and mobile housing units for water damage, decay, and other issues, helping supplement housing in areas facing housing shortages due to disaster impacts. The Leader Arwood is the AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader and joined after graduating from American University in December 2023. Arwood was struggling to find a job that was both inspiring to work for and that he was qualified to hold when he found AmeriCorps. "The opportunities of AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps were incredibly enticing," said Arwood, from Tennessee. "I was very interested in the chance to serve my country in such a unique way while also gaining valuable practical experience in an industry so interesting and robust as emergency management. AmeriCorps has put me in an incredible position both socially and professionally. Bayou 4 is composed of incredibly capable and compassionate members whose dedication to service and kindness is as palpable as admirable." Together with the team, Arwood is making a difference in affected communities. At the beginning of the deployment, the team spent most of the time registering survivors for support. Since deployment, the team has transitioned to canvassing neighborhoods to ensure that everyone in the community who needs assistance is registered. "The quick response and our team's efforts in supporting this response, led to many survivors being granted aid early in the recovery process, allowing for the community to move towards recovery." Passion Meets Opportunity Ernest is a Floridian who is helping his home state recover from the disasters. Before AmeriCorps, Ernest worked in retail while pursuing a degree from Florida State College. He chose to serve with AmeriCorps because emergency management was his passion. AmeriCorps service was an opportunity for Ernest to gain the experience needed to kickstart his career in emergency management. Ernest shares that his most memorable moment was when a small act of compassion gave survivors the hope they needed. "When I first got deployed to help with Hurricane Helene, I was stationed at a registration intake center," said Ernest. "A local florist gave us flowers she needed to get rid of, so our team set them at each table. About halfway through the day, a woman started to break down. She told me that she was putting on the bravest face ever since the disasters to get herself through the day. But, when she came in to get help, she was stunned to see the flowers. She was unsure where to go for help, but when she walked in and saw the flowers, she felt a sense of comfort that we would help her." Since deployment, Ernest has visited nearly 1,000 homes across communities and has helped more than 150 people register for disaster assistance. Finding Careers For Yana, AmeriCorps was an opportunity to find a carer pathway. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Yana joined AmeriCorps NCCC after graduating from college. He decided to take a gap year before attending graduate school to help people in need and gain work experience. What he's learned is far more than experience. "There was this one interaction where I was so thankful for being there to help this survivor," said Yana. "When he first came in, he was extremely worried that he wouldn't get any aid due to not having things or not being qualified. I registered him and explained a bit of the process as far as I knew, which helped. Having heard that the aid he would be given was a grant to do with it what he needed it for – that his spending of the money wasn't tracked or needed to be sure for what it was given out for – he teared up knowing he was receiving the help he desperately needed. That moment, I was just grateful to be there and help this community member be relieved and grateful for the aid." This team's experience is one of many for AmeriCorps members. Through national service, Americans are provided the opportunity to explore careers beyond their work experience and education. Whether it's gaining skills in emergency management systems, using tools to repair roofs, or learning how to interact with people coping with unforeseen challenges, it's a chance to seek challenges and grow. Learn more about the more than 750 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who have and continue to support disaster recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Attachment AmeriCorps NCCC

Linda Annis offered a holiday message for shoppers: don’t let Christmastime Grinches steal your Christmas or your Christmas cheer. Annis, executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, gave her annual tips for a crime-free Christmas at a home in Cloverdale Dec. 9. “Every year, we ask the Grinch himself to help us remind people to follow some very common-sense precautions,” she said. “Nonetheless, every year we hear stories of people who still take chances with their valuables and their personal safety. That’s why we like to come out as the shopping season heats up with some helpful reminders, and a few things people might not have thought about.” Annis, who is also a Surrey city councillor, said the message is “especially important” as the year draws to a close and concerns with crime and public safety are riding. “Now is not the time to let down our guard when it comes to porch pirates, purse snatchers, home break-ins, parking lot B&Es and online fraudsters,” she said. “If you see a crime in action, call 9-1-1 or the local police right away. And if you have information about what nefarious deeds somebody’s up to, or see a suspicious person in the neighbourhood, but want to remain anonymous, call us at Crime Stoppers.” She added if anyone has information, they can telephone Crime Stoppers, use the P3 smartphone app to report crime anonymously, or visit solvecrime.ca. “Your anonymity is guaranteed by the Supreme Court of Canada. You’ll never be questioned or called to testify.” Annis, the Grinch, and little Cindy Lou Who teamed up to stage safety scenarios. Their efforts helped illustrate the dos and dont’s for the holidays as it pertained to shopping, both at stores and online. Annis ended her remarks with a few red hot, Grinch-thwarting tips to help prevent the onset of some Christmas blues. Ask neighbours to help keep an eye on your front door for deliveries. Some thieves actually follow delivery trucks to people’s homes so they can steal parcels as soon as the truck is gone. Use your video camera feeds to watch for both deliveries and crooks. Maybe you’ll spot someone stealing your Christmas lawn display, or packages from your porch. Where programs exist, register your doorbell and home security cameras to help police quickly find recordings of neighbourhood crimes. Voluntary programs in some cities, like Project Iris in Surrey, could help police solve a break-in or other crime at your house or your neighbour’s. Does the website you’re buying from, and the merch you buying, look legit? Maybe it’s cheaper that it really should be? Organized retail crime costs Canadians almost $5 billion a year, so buy from established businesses, not unknown sources. Shoplifted or stolen goods may be sold online or through flea markets, with the money often going to gangs dealing in drugs or illegal weapons. Think about who might be watching your sunny vacation pics on social media. Remember, your post from the beach tells the whole world you’re not at home – and that includes thieves. Large empty boxes outside your home tell everyone what valuable goodies are inside your house to steal. Boxes from that gaming computer, 65-inch TV, or other expensive gifts should be stored out of sight until the cardboard can be recycled. You can also close blinds to keep people from seeing inside your house. Etch your valuables in case they’re stolen. Ask local police to help etch your property with your driver’s license number. Also photograph valuables showing make, model and serial number. Theft is getting worse, so don’t leave valuables visible in your car. Before you lock up your car to go shopping, leave nothing visible inside. Not even pocket change or empty bottles or cans. And don’t fill your car with gifts and then go back into more stores. Someone may be watching what you’ve bought. Find a busy, well-lit section of the parking lot and lock your gifts out of sight in the trunk. Leave your garage door opener at home or in your pocket. A thief who takes your remote sitting from your console, and finds your address somewhere in the car, considers that an open invitation to come open your garage for a look. Watch your pockets in busy stores. Keep purses and wallets where you can keep track of them and thwart pickpockets who look to take advantage while jostling with holiday crowds. Visit for more info.Jaipur: Eight branded medicines failed quality tests from samples collected by drug control officers from chemist shops in the state, officials said Wednesday. These medicines did not conform to claims made with respect to presence, amount, or functional activity of their drug composition. According to the health department's report, samples of drugs in combination with nimesulide and paracetamol (pain relief), pheniramine maleate injection (to treat symptoms of allergic conditions), combination of calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 suspension (dietary supplement for people who have bone problems or low calcium and vitamin D levels), combination of telmisartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide (to treat high blood pressure), combination of telmisartan and amlodipine (for high blood pressure), combination of levocetirizine dihydrochloride and montelukast (relieves sneezing and runny nose due to allergies), heparin sodium injection (anticoagulant), and injection of sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim (treats infections caused by bacteria) failed quality tests. These drugs were manufactured in Baddi of Himachal Pradesh, Vadodara of Gujarat, Roorkee of Uttarakhand, Sirmour of Himachal Pradesh, Solan of Himachal Pradesh, and Digiana of Jammu. A health department official said directions were issued to all drug control officers of the state to ensure that the stocks of these drugs are not consumed anymore. Appropriate safeguards for consumers are to be provided by withdrawing the available stock and taking appropriate action as per the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt'

Ayaan, Risheek from J&K among 17 awarded Bal Puraskar by President Murmu

ZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics. Get local news delivered to your inbox!STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - New York City Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island/South Brooklyn) announced this morning at New Dorp High School that he has secured city funding for a new Athletic Trainer Pilot Program, which will be implemented at three Staten Island high schools. The program, with a total funding of $360,000, will allocate $120,000 to each of the three schools — Tottenville High School, Port Richmond High School, and Susan Wagner High School — to hire two athletic trainers at each location. These trainers will be available at the schools’ discretion to support athletic programs, practices and events where their services are most needed. “This is going to be a major step forward for the health, wellness and wellbeing of our student athletes here in the borough,‘’ Carr said. ”It’s a pilot program that will hopefully, eventually, be scaled up to benefit high schools across New York City." The program will be modeled after the blueprint developed at New Dorp High School, where they introduced the in-house use of an athletic trainer. Carr added that New York state mandates the presence of a healthcare professional at games and practices, and emphasized that athletic trainers are the truest fulfillment of that requirement because these professionals are with student-athletes throughout the entire season, ensuring they receive top-notch care and addressing any healthcare needs as they arise. It is recommended that a physician be present at all football games and to be readily available during practice sessions in New York state. “There were a number of private schools that were able to afford them on their budget ... so we had a gap that we needed to fill at our other public high schools,” he said. New Dorp High School is one of the few public schools on Staten Island to have an athletic trainer, Amanda Coppola, who has been with the school for over a decade. In addition to training student-athletes, she also provides treatment when needed. Priya Shahi New Dorp High School is one of the few public schools on Staten Island to have an athletic trainer, Amanda Coppola, who has been with the school for over a decade. Coppola is a full-time staff member, teaching science during the day in a medical practice class and covering athletes’ games and practices after school — where she not only trains them but also provides treatment when necessary. In addition, Coppola works with student interns, providing them the opportunity to go out in the field to gain hands-on experience. Athletic training is among the fastest growing professions in health care. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 13% from 2023 to 2033 , much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. One of the healthcare professionals the New Dorp High School students have the opportunity to work with is Dr. John Reilly, an orthopedic trauma surgeon with more than 40 years of experience. Dr. John Reilly, an orthopedic trauma surgeon with more than 40 years of experience, shared that he has been involved with sports on Staten Island since 1981 and highlighted the significant improvements in sports care over the years. However, he emphasized that "the job’s not done." (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi) Priya Shahi Reilly shared that he has been involved with sports on Staten Island since 1981 and noted how much sports care has improved over the years. He highlighted advancements, such as the availability of AEDs on the field, concussion protocols, better rehabilitation for athletes, improved care for adolescent athletes, advancements in nutrition, and the introduction of synthetic turf. “The job’s not done,‘’ he said. ”We need to make sure that the funding becomes permanent and it’s permitted in all the public schools. We should be a city and a borough that should be seen as leaders in this effort and we should not always have to pay catch up when it comes to the kids’ health.” He added that while a gym teacher traditionally has a background in athlete physiology and anatomy, they are not typically trained in injury prevention or treatment. In contrast, an athletic trainer is specifically trained in healthcare, with a focus on managing and preventing injuries. “The people that are in these positions as athletic directors, they’re my friends and we talk about this all the time,” said New Dorp High School Athletic Director Rich Rucireto. “I am very lucky that I have an athletic trainer with me at every home event and on the road for football games, lacrosse games, basketball games etc. . . . She treats all the athletes that are injured and we make those phone calls to those parents to let them know. It’s peace of mind for the parents.”

NoneThink you've got the wine thing figured out? Knowing which varietals please your palate and how to spot a good budget bottle are big steps in the right direction, but there are a few easy-to-make wine mistakes that could be jeopardizing the experience. To brush up on common wine blunders, we pulled up a barstool next to Jerry Chandler, a wine consultant and the GM of Charlotte's The Bohemian Wine Bar . Chandler talked us through five mistakes almost every wine drinker makes at some point, including serving it at a suboptimal temperature or employing overzealous cork-popping techniques. Read more: 35 Best Wine Gifts for 2024, According to a Sommelier Perhaps most surprising was his suggestion to stick red wine in the fridge before pouring since most of us serve it too warm, Chandler explains. Here are five wine mistakes to avoid to help you get the most out of every bottle. 1. Serving white wine too cold and red wine too warm Wine is often served too cold or too warm to express its full slate of aromatic compounds. We tend to drink white wine straight out of the refrigerator and red wine right off the counter, but both could benefit from coming a little more toward the center for an ideal serving temperature. Neither ice cold white wine nor too-warm red wine can express their aromatic compounds effectively. The flavors of white wine are more dynamic in the 40s or 50s (Fahrenheit, that is) and red wines in the 50s or 60s. To achieve this, "it's OK to put red wine in the fridge for 10 or 15 minutes, just to get it a little bit cooler," Chandler says. Similarly, you can remove your white wine from the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before you intend to serve it, or just chill a room temperature bottle of white in a bucket of ice water for that same amount of time. "That's going to give you that temperature that's going to be in the 40s," he says, "but it's not going to be too cold." Note that ice plus water and salt will chill your bottle much faster than just ice alone. You can tuck a bottle into the freezer for a few minutes, "just don't forget about it, because you're going to burn that wine and a lot of the sugars are gonna separate," Chandler says. Sparkling wine can also do with a little temperature increase, but be aware of an increased degree of fizz as well. "It's going to be a bit more lively," he says, and give more of a pop when opened. 2. Popping sparkling wine incorrectly When uncorking Champagne, leave the cage on and use a gentle pull and twist. Speaking of which, while the pop of a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine can be festive, it's reducing the carbonation in the bottle and also can be dangerous. Most sparkling wines are topped with a mushroom-shaped cork, plus a metal cage, which keeps the cork in place since the bottle's contents are pressurized. But that cage has another purpose. It can also help you open the bottle safely. It should be unscrewed and loosened, but left in place to help you remove the cork. "You use the sides of the cage to gently grip and twist. That's going to allow some of the pressure to slowly alleviate from the bottle," Chandler says, which releases the cork in a slower and more controlled fashion and preserves more of the carbon dioxide responsible for the bubbles. "I watch so many people just unscrew the cage and then take the cage off, and I always feel my heart skip a beat because you are allowing that cork to do anything it wishes, including blasting off in any direction, full speed," Chandler says. "Never remove that cage unless you're removing it with the cork." 3. Storing it improperly Wine should be kept somewhere dry, cool and away from direct sunlight. You don't have to have a wine cellar or wine collection to heed a few common sense practices when it comes to storing wine. Most wine in the US is consumed within a few hours of purchase, in which case not a lot can go wrong, but even if you're keeping a bottle for a couple of days to save for a special occasion, "make sure you're being mindful," Chandler says, to ensure that whatever wine you have doesn't become a waste of money due to improper handling. Light, heat and motion can have an effect even on inexpensive bottles. "You don't ever want to leave wine where the temperatures will constantly fluctuate" Chandler says, which can be anywhere that gets direct sunlight at any part of the day. "You also don't want to leave it somewhere where it is constantly going to be moving," he says, which can disrupt any sediment and affect its flavor. Leaving a bottle of wine in a vehicle, for example, can expose it to extreme temperatures both high and low as well as subject it to excessive movement. The best way to store wine for more than a few hours is on its side in a consistently cool place that doesn't receive direct sunlight. 4. Being a packaging snob If you turn your nose up at wine with a screw top, you're going to miss out on a few excellent budget-friendly bottles. There may have been a time when the heaviness of the bottle or the type of closure used were guarantees of a wine's quality, but that is no longer the case. Along with other types of alcoholic beverages, wine has evolved to meet the moment, and matters of sustainability as well as improvements in technology have created more diverse packaging options. "Science has come a long way in preserving wine, especially over the past 20 years," Chandler says, but some people still hold prejudices about wine that's sealed with a screw top. ("Stelvin closure" to wine pros.) "You're not going to want to lay down a bottle for 20 years that has a screw top," he says, "but for wines that you're going to drink soon, a screw top is perfectly fine." Read more: Ask the Expert: How to Find a Great Wine on a Budget Many wine producers are actually decreasing their bottle weight as they've rolled out sustainability initiatives, and some major wine reviewers are refusing to rate wines whose bottles are above a certain weight. Both canned wine and boxed wine are also increasing in quality as those packages are also becoming championed with sustainability measures. Basically, wine has entered its "don't judge it by its cover" era. 5. Never leaving your comfort zone Adventurous wine drinkers have more fun. There are literally thousands of wine grape varieties, not to mention wine producers, yet most of us tend to drink the same few bottles on repeat. Because of the way wine is distributed in the US, it's difficult to find producers whose wines are consistently available from store to store. Or to find a bottle you loved at a restaurant on your local retail shelves. A lot of us tend to drink the same mass-produced brands and familiar grapes, because we can always find them. This too, is a mistake, in terms of getting the best bang for your buck, knowing what's actually in your bottle and expanding your palate. "With mass-produced wines I always think about what else is in there to keep them at that same consistent flavor profile," Chandler says. (Hint: it's more than just grapes.) Anything that has the kind of marketing budget for major advertising tends to represent wine made in conference rooms rather than in vineyards. It can be understandably hard to branch out, however. "When I first started learning wine, I only wanted to drink certain things because I didn't want to spend the money and risk it," Chandler says. Rather than focus on a few bottles, try to understand the flavor profiles you like and be willing to engage with wine pros in retail or restaurant settings that can use your preferences to introduce you to new things. "Wine is an endless experience," he says, "and we want people to be as excited to try this thing for the first time the way we were."