Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, leads fan balloting for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games after one week of voting, the league announced on Monday. Ravens superstar Jackson set the overall pace with 44,681 votes followed by teammate Derrick Henry, the running back leader, in second overall at 40,729 votes. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was third overall at 40,602, only 127 votes behind Henry in the rusher's race, with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen fourth overall on 36,574 and Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs fifth on 35,637. The Detroit Lions lead all clubs in total votes received, followed by the Ravens, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. The NFL's revamped all-star event will be staged in Orlando, Florida, for the second consecutive year. In all, 88 players will gather on February 2 in skills competitions and a flag football showdown with coaches Peyton and Eli Manning. While other vote totals were not revealed, Washington rookie Jayden Daniels was the top NFC quarterback in the fan voting and top receivers were Minnesota's Justin Jefferson in the NFC and Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase in the AFC. NFL fans can vote as often as they wish through December 23 with selections decided by a consensus of ballots by players, coaches and fans with each group counting for one-third of every player's final total. NFL players and coaches will cast votes on December 27. js/rcwRavens QB Jackson leads first NFL Pro Bowl fan voting results
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By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Related Articles Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.The Houston Rockets have received three fines stemming from their loss at the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Head coach Ime Udoka, forward Tari Eason and center Alperen Sengun have been fined $50,000, $35,000 and $15,000, respectively. Udoka has been fined $50,000 for confronting and directing profane language toward a game official, failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected, and public criticism of the officiating during his postgame press conference. Eason has been fined $35,000 for throwing a towel and directing inappropriate language in the direction of a fan in the spectator stands after the game had concluded. Sengun has been fined $15,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a game official. The in-game incident, for which Udoka and Sengun were both assessed technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Rockets’ 120-111 loss to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Tuesday, Dec. 3.Swaffar: Three things to watch in USD’s playoff opener against Tarleton State
Mediaweek’s Media Movers charts the biggest people moves in the industry over the past week. Paul “Fatty” Vautin is retiring from Channel 9 , marking the end of a 33-year career at the network. Known for his wit, warmth, and passion for rugby league, Vautin leaves a legacy of countless live sports commentary and entertainment hostings that created unforgettable television moments. Following his playing career where he represented Australia and captained his beloved Queensland Maroons and Manly Sea Eagles, including a premiership in 1987, Vautin began his broadcasting career at Channel 9 in 1991 on the Midday show alongside Ray Martin, Derryn Hinch and Kerri-Anne Kennerley, where he co-hosted a weekly sports segment with former cricketer Simon O’Donnell. Jenni Dill and Martin Brown The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) announced a renewed board with Jenni Dill appointed chair of the board as Martin Brown steps down from the role. Brown reflected on his tenure and said: “I’m incredibly proud of how far AANA has come, the value we are delivering to our members and the impact we are having on the industry. This was made possible through the trust of our members, the dedication of the AANA team and the support of our board. I am confident that AANA will soar to new heights with Jenni Dill at the helm.” Dill thanked Brown for his leadership and said: “Martin has made an incredible contribution to AANA and the industry. We cannot thank him enough for leaving the AANA in such a strong position as the leading marketing industry body in Australia. I’m both honoured and excited to step into this role and lead our efforts in supporting and championing Australia’s marketing community.” After 15 years as a co-host, ABC News Breakfast ‘s Michael Rowland is leaving the program . The broadcaster revealed his departure Monday, saying he was taking a long break, but assured he would return with the ABC later in 2025. Friday, 13 December will be Rowland’s last day on air. Rowland started at the ABC over 35 years ago and has co-hosted News Breakfast since 2010. “I will miss the fabulous Brekky team, but I will miss our viewers even more. I am intensely proud of helping build the News Breakfast audience over the years. Thank you all sincerely for entrusting me with your mornings,” he said. Angela Robinson Publicis Sapient has appointed Angela Robinson as country managing director (MD) for Australia, based in Publicis Sapient’s Melbourne office. Robinson’s appointment reflects the importance of Australia for Publicis Sapient’s continued global growth. The digital consulting company’s deep expertise in digital innovation and artificial intelligence ( AI ) solutions directly supports the country’s digital business transformation goal to become a world-leading digital economy and society by 2030 . As managing director for Australia, Robinson will play a strategic role in driving business growth in Australia, as well as managing the operational business and community. The Brag Media , Australia’s largest creator of premium youth content and events, has announced Neil Griffiths as the new Editor-in-Chief of Rolling Stone Australia . Griffiths will quit his current role of Managing Editor at trade media website Mumbrella to join the iconic music brand in January 2025. Griffiths has more than a decade of experience in media and entertainment across print, online, radio, TV and podcasting. He has worked both in Australia and New York across a variety of platforms and hosted music and entertainment podcast The Plug. He was previously Head of Online News and Content at themusic.com.au . [insert Jack’s pic] The Brag Media has also confirmed it will strengthen its commercial leadership team with the promotion of Jack Castles to Head of NSW Partnerships. Castles will assume responsibility for the strategic oversight of the NSW client portfolio and oversee the management, development and growth of partnership opportunities in the state, reporting directly to Batoul Peters , Head of National Partnerships. Castles joined The Brag Media as Partnerships Manager in June 2023 and has driven impressive commercial growth. Pearman Media has welcomed Katy Lozancic as general manager. Lozancic brings a wealth of global knowledge and leadership to the independent media agency team with her extensive experience in both the independent and agency sectors. Her background includes a long tenure at Group M Australia, where she served as a client lead and general manager of MediaCom and managing director of Maxus. Dominic Pearman , managing director of Pearman, said: “Having someone with the calibre of Katy is exactly what we need. Katy’s experience in navigating the complexities of Independents and Network agencies makes her a perfect fit for our culture and values. “Her proven track record in driving growth and innovation within global network media agencies will also be invaluable as we are on a significant growth journey.” Mike Byrne ARN has let go of Mike Byrne , content director for WSFM, following the station’s milestone achievement of reaching the coveted number-one spot in the most recent radio survey. Byrne’s exit marks the end of a significant chapter for the Sydney station, which he has led since January 2020. The news follows ARN’s announcement that WSFM will be rebranded as GOLD101.7 in January 2025. ARN confirmed the news today with Mediaweek in a statement acknowledging Byrne’s instrumental role in WSFM’s success. “Mike leaves having achieved the milestone of taking WSFM to number 1 overall for the first time since it converted to FM,” the statement read. “A loyal and passionate member of the ARN family, we sincerely thank Mike for his outstanding contributions.” Orchard has appointed Anne Ngo to the newly created role of head of customer growth and martech. In her new role at the creative technology agency , Ngo will be responsible for driving Orchard’s martech offering across both its consumer and healthcare divisions, as well as innovating across customer experience, data, and martech. Ngo has over 15 years of global experience in customer growth, lifecycle marketing, and digital transformation and brings a a wealth of experience in both CX and martech to Orchard. She joins the agency after spending nearly four years as Akcelo’s customer strategy and martech director. Anne Ngo Morning Glory with Matty Johns will return to SEN in 2025, marketing the host’s fifth year on air with the network. Kicking off on Friday 7 February 2025, the show will air weekly from 9 am to midday AEST, broadcast across SEN stations including SEN 1170am in Sydney, SENQ 693am in Brisbane, and SEN 1620am on the Gold Coast, with fans being able to enjoy their favourite Friday tradition, running all the way through until the NRL Grand Final in October. Matty Johns first joined SEN in October 2020 during the launch of the network’s 1170am band in Sydney, with the show later simulcasting into Brisbane following the inception of SENQ 693am in July 2022. Johns’ weekly program has gone on to be a hit with both radio and digital audiences, with professional rugby league player-turned-media personality known for his unique blend of humour, insight, and a touch of chaos. Johns is ready to deliver more of what listeners love in 2025, with iconic segments like ‘Movie of the Week’, ‘Morning Glory Jeopardy’, and a host of surprises all returning. Jack Nimble revealed a change in leadership ahead of the new year, three years since its acquisition by Sparro in 2021. James McInnes, Adam Wise, Angus Mullane, Hayley Olsson Co-founders Adam Wise and Angus Mullane have decided to leave the business to pave the way for the next generation of leadership and spend time with their families. Stepping up are long-standing employees of Jack Nimble, James McInnes and Hayley Olsson . The duo have been promoted to key roles to fulfil the day-to-day leadership responsibilities of the business. They will work closely with Sparro co-founders Morris and Cam Bryant to guide the agency strategy moving forward. Flywheel , Omnicom’s cloud-based digital commerce practice within global marketing and sales solutions company , has appointed Mohammad Heidari Far as managing director, and Elise Luu as eCommerce director for Flywheel Australia. The company, which has operations in the Americas, Europe, and APAC, provides a wide range of data and AI-powered commerce solutions ranging from self-service software to full-service management of digital commerce operations across more than 400 digital marketplaces, including nine of the top 10 global marketplaces and key Australian retailers including Amazon, Coles 360, Cartology, MixIn, and Uber . “Australia represents one of the most dynamic and high-growth regions for digital commerce,” Alex McCord , CEO of Flywheel, said. “Mo and Elise bring strong leadership, expertise, and a proven track record of success in unlocking growth for clients both globally and locally. They will be instrumental in driving value for Omnicom’s clients as we continue to expand our presence and deliver transformative commerce solutions in the region. Jasmin Bedir, Giorgia Butler and Brendan Willenberg. Innocean Australia CEO Jasmin Bedir has welcomed the appointment of Brendan Willenberg as the agency’s new executive creative director. Willenberg steps into the role after Wesley Hawes exited the business in October to join 72andSunny as its new ANZ chief creative officer. Willenberg has enjoyed a 20-year career as one of the nation’s top creatives and led some of the country’s best-known non-traditional campaigns, including “Pitvertising” for Rexona, “Losing Lena” for Code Like a Girl, “Support Acts” for Wrigley’s Extra, and “Fallout with a V” for V Energy drinks. He has won a host of Cannes Lions, Effies, AWARD Awards, One Show and Spikes and was runner up for the Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award for Code Like a Girl’s “Losing Lena” campaign. He was named the fifth best ECD in APAC by One Show and won AWARD’s Agency of the Year in 2019 at Clemenger. StackAdapt has appointed Alessandra Alessio as director of marketing for the APAC region. Alessio will focus on elevating the multi-channel advertising platform‘s brand presence across the region and will lead marketing strategies to showcase the company’s full suite of capabilities and support brands navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape. She brings just under two decades of experience in the digital advertising industry to StackAdapt and will spearhead growth initiatives across Asia-Pacific. Alessio, who will be based in Singapore for the role, joins StackAdapt after 16 years at Google, covering B2B marketing and sales roles, focusing on adtech, measurement, and data privacy solutions. Josh Adsett Seven’s former chief of staff, Josh Adsett , has been appointed executive editor for 10 News First Queensland , bringing over 25 years of experience reporting on Queensland’s most significant stories. In his new role, Adsett will helm the 5pm bulletin for 10 News First Queensland, leading a dedicated team of journalists and production crews to deliver the news that matters most to Queenslanders. Adsett, a Brisbane native, began his journalism career in 1998 with 7 Local News in Mackay. He went on to work as a reporter, story producer, and bureau chief with 7 News Brisbane Gold Coast Bureau, and later served as chief of staff for 7 News Gold Coast. Martin White , head of broadcast news at Paramount Australia and New Zealand, said: “Josh embodies everything we stand for at 10 News First. He’s an exceptional journalist, a skilled newsmaker, and an inspiring leader. I’m excited to see the impact he will have as we continue to strengthen our commitment to local news in Queensland.” Andrea Van Unen-Smith Senetas Corporation has appointed Andrea Van Unen-Smith as chief marketing officer . In the role, Van Unen-Smith will oversee Senetas’ marketing and public relations focusing on aligning with key industry narratives, including the impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity. Van Unen-Smith brings a wealth of experience to the Cybersecurity and secure networking solutions company, with over two decades in technology marketing and communications, including roles at Juniper Networks , Palo Alto Networks , and UiPath . Her expertise in driving comms strategy across cybersecurity, networking, and automation, makes her an ideal leader to drive Senetas’ next stage of growth. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in shaping marketing initiatives, developing impactful campaigns, and enhancing brand visibility in highly technical and competitive global markets. Beau Ryan, Natarsha Belling and Aaron Woods have been named the new breakfast hosts of 104.9 Triple M Sydney after Mark Geyer was axed from the spot earlier this month. Starting on January 20, Triple M Breakfast with Beau, Tarsh & Woodsy, brings together three fantastic local Sydney voices to engage and entertain listeners, from 6-9 am weekdays on 104.9 Triple M Sydney and LiSTNR . Dave Cameron , SCA chief content officer, said: “In 2025, the Triple M network will continue to have a steadfast approach to locally focussed Breakfast shows across the country, hosted by much-loved local identities in each city that can connect with local audiences and clients. Sydneysiders know their city to be Australia’s most exciting, and they deserve something just as exciting, fresh and locally relevant to wake up to, instead of the tired same-same approach of other Sydney stations.” Beau Ryan, Natarsha Belling and Aaron WoodsLIVESTREAMED: Appropriation Budget: Could parliament's inaction lead to a government shutdown? Ghana Police Service outlines operational strategy for ...The Israeli military said Monday that Omer Neutra, a dual American Israeli citizen who was serving in the Israeli Defense Forces during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, died that day. The 21-year-old was previously thought to have been taken hostage, sparking hope he might one day come home alive along with the roughly 100 other people believed to still be in Hamas’ captivity. It’s unclear why the Israeli military refrained from clarifying that Neutra was deceased until today, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz writing on social media that Neutra “fell in a heroic battle” on Oct. 7. Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, told CNN last week they’d hoped the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon might lead to progress on a similar agreement with Hamas and the release of their son. “We have seen that attention both in Israel and around the world was taken from the war in Gaza to the war in Lebanon in the last four or five months, and that was a concern to us,” Ronen Neutra said . “But at the same time, we are disappointed that it was not combined with a hostage deal, which is really the most urgent element right now. We consider it a missed opportunity.” The two also visited President Joe Biden at the White House less than a month ago, where presumably they made a similar plea. Biden paid tribute to Omer Neutra, a Long Island native, in a statement Monday, saying he and first lady Jill Biden were “devastated and outraged” to learn of Neutra’s death. “Less than a month ago, Omer’s mother and father joined me at the White House to share the pain they’ve endured as they prayed for the safe return of their son — pain no parent should ever know,” Biden said. “They told me how Omer’s grandparents were Holocaust survivors and how their family’s strength and resilience has been carried through the generations.” Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone. Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. “During this dark hour — as our nation joins Omer’s parents, brother, and family in grieving this tragic loss — we pray to find strength and resilience,” he continued. “And to all the families of those still held hostage: We see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong.” Related From Our Partner
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Jack Eichel says Team USA seeks to prove it has closed the gap on Canada at 4 Nations Face-OffVERMILLION — The FCS Playoffs have returned to Vermillion. Fourth-seeded South Dakota will host 13th-seeded Tarleton State in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday at the DakotaDome. Tarleton State is in its first go-around in the playoffs since moving to FCS in 2021, while USD received its second-straight first-round bye in the playoffs. ADVERTISEMENT With a quarterfinal berth at stake, this is the first time the two programs will meet on the gridiron. Here are three things I’ll be watching: This doesn’t have a whole lot to do with the Coyotes themselves. In fact, USD has been one of the best teams in the country when it comes to taking care of the ball and limiting the amount of turnovers forced by opposing teams. The Coyotes only turned the ball over six total times during the regular season. That was the second-best mark in the entire country. The only team who took better care of the ball was North Dakota State who only gave the ball away a staggering three times. No, this has almost everything to do with Tarleton State. Just as the Coyotes have been one of the best teams in the country when it comes to limiting turnovers, the Texans have been one of the best teams in the country when it comes to forcing turnovers. They have 29 total takeaways, which is tied for third-most in the country. They also have the second-best turnover margin in the FCS (16) and only trail, NDSU. So, it’s one of the best teams at forcing turnovers against one of the best ball security teams. Whoever walks out of the Dome with a positive turnover margin could very well walk out as winners, too. The Coyotes have already faced some of the best running backs the country has to offer during Valley play. But, if they want to advance to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs, they’ll have yet another high-quality running back to slow down. This time, it comes in the form of Kayvon Britten. ADVERTISEMENT Britten has been one of the best backs in the country this year, running for 1,896 yards and 18 touchdowns. Both those marks are second in the FCS. He’s been a headache for opposing defenses and was also one of the main reasons Tarleton State defeated Drake in the first round. He rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns as the Texans took down the Bulldogs 43-29. So, what’s USD’s plan to slow down the dynamic Texan? Head coach Bob Nielson responded to that earlier in the week. “He's not very tall, really strong runner, he'll break tackles, but he's really good at finding a seam," Nielson said. "In their run game with the long mesh RPOs and things he's doing, they're getting him the ball and having him read and find that seam in the defense. ... You’ve got to do a good job of keeping the leverage tackling because he'll bounce the ball outside and take what should be a short gain and make it a long one.” The first-round bye week was beneficial to the Coyotes in many ways. One of the large benefits is overall a week of rest and rehab for those who have been dealing with lingering injuries or got banged up in the final game against NDSU. That being said, the NDSU win generated a lot of momentum and was USD’s third straight victory to conclude the regular season. The reason I wonder if there could be a slow start in the Coyotes' future is because it’s already happened once this season following a bye. Against Indiana State, USD struggled a bit to really get in a groove (albeit, the Coyotes eventually ran away with a 49-0 win). Not to mention, that’s also happened against other opponents such as Youngstown State and UNI, the latter of which was at home as well. That’s not to say that USD will come out and fall behind by double-digits, as has happened multiple times this season. But, with this being the playoffs, anything can happen. And if the Coyotes start out slow, it may be easier said than done to make up that deficit quickly like they have in the past.
OpenAI has debuted a “research grade” version of its main artificial intelligence (AI) model. “As AI becomes more advanced, it will solve increasingly complex and critical problems. It also takes significantly more compute to power these capabilities,” the company wrote in its announcement Thursday (Dec. 5). With that in mind, OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Pro, a $200-per-month plan that includes unlimited access to the company’s smartest model, OpenAI o1, as well as to o1-mini, GPT-4o and Advanced Voice . In addition, it includes o1 pro mode, a version of o1 that uses more compute to “think harder and provide even better answers” to the most difficult problems. OpenAI said it eventually plans to add more powerful, compute-intensive productivity features to this plan. “ChatGPT Pro provides a way for researchers, engineers, and other individuals who use research-grade intelligence daily to accelerate their productivity and be at the cutting edge of advancements in AI,” the company said. OpenAI added that evaluations by external expert testers found that o1 pro mode produces more reliably accurate and comprehensive responses, particularly in areas like data science, programming and case law analysis. The launch comes one day after OpenAI announced that ChatGPT now has 300 million weekly active users, with 1 billion user messages being sent on the AI chatbot each day. In addition, 1.3 million developers have built on OpenAI in the U.S. The 300 million figure marks an increase of 50 million users in a matter of weeks. Meanwhile, this weekend saw the news that OpenAI hopes to get to 1 billion users over the next year, with the company expecting a new stage of growth fueled by new products, new data centers and its collaboration with Apple . Next year, the company “will be coming into our own, as a research lab serving millions ... hoping it can be billions of consumers around the world,” chief financial officer Sarah Friar said in an interview with the Financial Times. In other AI news, PYMNTS wrote Thursday about new research showing that AI systems employing large language models can now effectively control computer interfaces via natural interaction, autonomously navigating software, complete tasks and manipulate interfaces the way humans do. “This technology will change our relationship to software,” Joan Palmiter Bajorek , CEO and founder of Clarity AI , said in an interview with PYMNTS. “For most people, speaking is one of the most natural ways of interacting with another person. So, instead of manually clicking on buttons, interfaces that incorporate voice AI could be some of the most naturalistic we use. Instead of typing a prompt into ChatGPT, you could simply speak your request out loud.”
ROSEN, A LEADING INVESTOR RIGHTS LAW FIRM, Encourages ASP Isotopes Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action - ASPIWARMINGTON: Metrolinx boss finally thrown off train as Ford tries to get Crosstown back on rails
VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby says his fellow premiers and the federal government have hatched a game plan to fight U.S. tariffs, with conservative premiers lobbying Republican counterparts, left-leaning provincial leaders courting the Democrats, and Ottawa focusing on president-elect Donald Trump. The premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about using their political diversity and connections to thwart the prospect of Trump's proposed 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, Eby said Thursday in a year-end interview. He said it was discussed that conservative premiers Danielle Smith in Alberta, Doug Ford in Ontario and Nova Scotia's Tim Houston are well-placed to lobby Republican governors and business leaders. Eby said as a New Democrat he will likely have more in common with Democrat governors and business leaders from the West Coast states. "I can easily have conversations with governors and businesses down the West Coast of the U.S., where we have close relationships and our politics are very similar," he said. "Premier Smith can have conversations with Republican governors. That would be more challenging for me, and (she) would have more connections potentially with the Trump administration than an NDP administration in B.C. would." He said a meeting last week between the premiers and Trudeau discussed Canada's diversity of representation, and how it could bring leverage and advantages in tariff talks. "It's interesting, there was a lot of talk about what unity means in terms of Canada's response to the tariffs," he said. "There's obviously a diversity of views around the Council of the Federation table of all the premiers. Certainly, mine is not the same as Premier Smith's or Premier Ford's or Premier Houston's, and that diversity of views is actually potentially a significant strength for us as we enter into these discussions." Eby also said he was prepared to appear on American's right-leaning Fox News TV network, as did premiers Ford and Smith. "Anything that I can do to support the national effort to protect the families in Canada from the impact of tariffs and also families in the U.S. from those unjustified tariffs," he said. "Absolutely, if I thought it was helpful." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Dirk Meissner, The Canadian PressNoneReactions have continued to trail the decision of members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemning the delay in convening the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party. Former National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, and Ambassador Umar Damagum’s loyalist, Daboikiabo Warmate, sharply disagreed on the BoT’s position. Ologbondiyan in a statement said the decision mandating the North Central geo-political zone to nominate a replacement for Senator Iyorchia Ayu is timely, patriotic, and commendable. “The decision is in consonance with the demand of the North Central zone, which has consistently agitated that the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Ilyasu Damagum, revert to his elected position as Deputy National Chairman and allow the North Central to produce a successor. “This bold and courageous decision of the BoT must be commended by the rank and file of the party,” Ologbondiyan stated. But Warmate argued that the open attack on the NWC by the BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara was uncalled for and a breach of the PDP constitution. He also claimed that the BoT meeting did not meet the required two-thirds majority to form a quorum and take bidding decisions, as stated in the constitution. Warmate said the reason given for the postponement of the NEC meeting was genuine, stating that it was done after due consultations. He alleged that the BoT Chairman contravened section 32(11) of the PDP Constitution on the formation of a quorum. “Out of the 126 members of the board, only 36 were in attendance which didn’t meet the required two-thirds needed to sit and take decisions that should be made public. “The BoT Chairman also contravenes section 10(1g); 2 and 4, and section 58(1a, h, and i) which caution members from making public any dispute in the party,” he added.
The downfall of America's 'most hated mayor' as he sparks fresh outrage among despairing residents Just 18 months into office and Johnson is already seen as Chicago's worst mayor By JAMES REINL, SOCIAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT, FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 19:02, 23 November 2024 | Updated: 19:02, 23 November 2024 e-mail View comments Brandon Johnson struck an uplifting note in his inaugural speech as Chicago 's mayor in May 2023, saying a 'better day is ahead' for a city gripped by 'violence and despair.' Eighteen months later, and residents of the third-biggest US city are waiting on the Democrat to deliver, as his popularity collapses amid a series of political missteps . Just 14 percent of Chicagoans approve of the mayor, and 70 percent view him unfavorably, according to a recent survey by San-Francisco based Change Research. Critics say the dad-of-three has been too hostile to police while abandoning his teachers' union pals and the cash-strapped Chicagoans who voted him into office. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, a political science professor, says Johnson, 48, gets bad advice and makes too many 'rookie mistakes.' 'The honeymoon is well over. There has to be some wins coming,' Caliendo told CBS News. Johnson's office did not answer our request for comment. His supporters say it's hard to reverse Chicago's long-standing problems of poverty, crime , and racial tensions overnight when the city faces a $1 billion budget deficit crisis. Against this backdrop, DailyMail.com takes a look at what's gone wrong for Chicago's mayor... THE THIN BLUE LINE Mayor Brandon Johnson's approval rating is 56 points underwater after just 18 months on the job The mayor was not welcome at the funeral this month of slain Chicago Police Officer Enrique Martine Read More Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson tries to blame Richard Nixon for July 4 weekend of gun violence Voters in Chicago, like anywhere else, want to feel safe when they walk down the street. But Johnson fell into the progressive politician's trap of going softer on lawbreakers than the public can stomach. As America grappled with the police killing of George Floyd, Johnson, then Cook County Commissioner, joined others in calls to 'defund the police.' He backtracked on this during a mayoral election campaign that pitted him against centrist Democrat Paul Vallas, who vowed to hire more officers amid widespread public safety concerns. Even so, his mayorship has suffered by a lack of commitment to law and order. The number of aggravated assaults in Chicago jumped 4 percent to 14,029 between 2023 and 2024, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA). The numbers of homicides, rapes, and robberies fell slightly, but remains alarmingly high. In his draft budget for the hard up city, Johnson last month proposed swingeing cuts to police training and reform efforts. Maggie Hickey, an independent monitor of the Chicago Police Department, said it 'risks undoing' progress in the force. Johnson's lack of support among street cops was plain to see this week. He planned to attend his funeral of Officer Enrique Martinez, who was killed during a traffic stop on the South Side. But the officer's family and the police union raised objections. Johnson eventually backtracked, saying he was 'honoring' the family's request to stay away. When it comes to cops, crime and public safety, Johnson just can't get it right. THE UNION'S MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE Johnson was supposed to be the mayor who could handle contract negotiations with a powerful teaching union Instead, a public school system for some 323,000 students has been thrown into chaos Read More America's 'most hated mayor' is blasted by fuming residents over radical new policy The Chicago Teachers Union bankrolled Johnson's mayoral campaign - pouring cash into the candidacy of one of its ex-organizers and former social studies teacher. As mayor, Johnson was expected to repay the largesse when teachers contracts were re-negotiated in 2024. But cash-strapped Chicago can't afford to meet educators' demand for a 9 percent annual pay bump. Johnson tied himself in knots trying to keep the union happy while balancing the books. His plan to fill a looming deficit in the schools budget with a $300m short-term, high-interest loan was rejected by the public school district's CEO, Pedro Martinez. When Johnson tried to get school board members to oust Martinez, they refused and resigned instead. Last month, the mayor hastily appointed new board members, but the damage was already done. The public spat threw a system for some 323,000 students into chaos, and Johnson had alienated many of his former backers. WINDY CITY WELCOME Mayor Johnson visits a police headquarters that was housing asylum-seekers and migrant new arrivals in May 2023 Johnson was in August ranked as America's 'worst sanctuary mayor' by the Immigration Reform Law Institute, a watchdog Read More School board is set to RESIGN after hated city mayor 'forced' bosses to remove public schools CEO Chicago is not the only liberal US city struggling to cope with the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers across the southern border. But Johnson has struggled especially hard to accommodate the tens of thousands of newcomers who arrived looking for work and schools and without a roof over their heads. When his administration turned public schools into shelters and doled out apartments to foreigners, residents in the mostly-black affected neighborhoods vented their ire on social media. In one viral clip, an African-American woman slammed the mayor's support for asylum seekers, with shelters and $9,000 payouts, saying it was at the expense of the blacks who helped elect him. 'I don't understand how they can give these immigrants thousands of dollars in the state of Illinois, but look what they're doing to our own f******g people,' said the Chicago woman. She described seeing 'Latinos' arriving in her neighborhood in a '12-foot box truck,' using government welfare checks to 'buy up everything' and effectively price black residents out. 'The fact they are here, and our government is giving more to them than to the people who were born here, is really starting to p**s us off,' she added. 'Mayor Brandon, we are coming for your a**.' Johnson was in August ranked as America's 'worst sanctuary mayor' by the Immigration Reform Law Institute, a watchdog. The group said he'd lavished hundreds of millions of dollars on immigrants while his own voters languished in poverty. DEARTH OF TAXES Downing a pint at a Chicago boozer will get more expensive under Mayor Johnson's tax hike plans Johnson has failed miserably at what 17th Century French statesmen Jean-Baptiste Colbert called the 'art of taxation.' For Colbert, it involved 'so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest amount of feathers with the least amount of hissing.' Yet the hissing after Johnson's hikes on property and liquor taxes has been hard to ignore. When he proposed $300 million rise in property taxes in the 2025 budget, City Council members had a rare moment of unanimity. They voted 50-0 against the proposal. The mayor's revised plan, a $150 million hike, is only slightly less unpopular. Chicagoans already pay among the highest property taxes in the country. Poor and minority groups have long said the taxes make homeownership a pipe dream. One Chicago resident, a woman known only as Mrs Lawrence, slammed the mayor at a recent city meeting. 'We paid for these properties for a purpose and not for you to go touchin' it with $300 million that you want to siphon out of the citizens' pockets,' she said. Seemingly not content with taxing Chicagoans into homelessness, the mayor also took aim at their Friday nights. He seeks to raise taxes in liquor in bars and restaurants to 35 percent, the first such bump since 2008. Hospitality groups are fighting against the plan, saying it will upend their industry. THE TRUMP SLUMP Donald Trump made gains with voters across Illinois in this month's election, but did not win the state Johnson's predecessor Lori Lightfoot didn't leave office with a smile on her face The writing has been on the wall for Johnson for some time. Voices calling for his recall are growing louder. This month's presidential election was another wake-up call about the changing face of blue US cities. President-elect Donald Trump's vote share rose from 15.8 percent across Cook County, which includes Chicago, in 2020, to 21.4 percent this year. MAGA Chicagoans blasted Johnson's tax hikes at a heated city council meeting this month in a sign of the city's shifting political sands. Among the most vocal critics was Tyjuan Sims, who confronted Johnson directly, accusing him of neglecting Chicagoans while helping undocumented immigrants. 'The feds need to address you! The DOJ needs to address you! And hopefully Donald Trump will address you,' Sims yelled in the chamber. 'You're gonna protect the undocumented, while you're gonna allow for the citizens in Chicago to suffer under your, what? Three percent?' Johnson has been on the back foot for weeks. Reporters quizzed him about his doomed taxation plans and dismal approval ratings this week. He said it was 'too early' to grade his performance, and talked up recent gains — investment flows to Chicago and a falling homicide rate. Johnson is having a hard time, but he can perhaps take some solace in the fact that he's not the only unpopular mayor Chicagoans have complained about. His predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, was so unpopular that she failed to make the mayoral run-off vote in 2023. Before her, Rahm Emanuel dropped his 2019 reelection bid amid controversies over rising crime, school closures and an infamous police shooting. Share or comment on this article: The downfall of America's 'most hated mayor' as he sparks fresh outrage among despairing residents e-mail Add commentRavens QB Jackson leads first NFL Pro Bowl fan voting results
SAN FRANCISCO , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Valley's seasoned veterans in retail and e-commerce are rallying behind Jingo , a bold leap forward in transforming the online shopping experience. By blending personalization with advanced technology, Jingo is rethinking the way shoppers discover products and how brands connect with their audiences. A Powerhouse Backing Founded by e-commerce veterans, Ujjal Pathak and Rohan Bhanot , who bring years of experience building online shopping platforms, Jingo has secured backing from a powerhouse group of investors and advisors with expertise from leading companies such as Pinterest, Walmart, Minted, eBay, Square, Nike, Klarna, and Intuit. Their collective knowledge in e-commerce, retail, and fintech provides the strategic guidance needed to bring Jingo's vision of a smarter, more equitable shopping platform to life. Solving the Real Problem in E-Commerce Amazon has been shaping online shopping for nearly 30 years, while Walmart has stood as a retail giant for over 60. While these platforms revolutionized e-commerce for past generations, Jingo is built from the ground up to meet the needs of today's digitally native consumers. Designed with Gen Z and Millennials in mind, Jingo delivers a shopping experience that feels intuitive, personal, and deeply connected to modern lifestyles. For customers, the challenge isn't simply finding products—it's making better decisions . Endless choices often lead to decision fatigue and frustration. Jingo tackles this by prioritizing relevance over sheer quantity. Using machine learning, the platform curates and presents personalized assortments early in the shopping journey, showing the most relevant products at the right time. This thoughtful approach fosters confidence and transforms decision-making into an enjoyable process. For brands and sellers, major marketplace platforms often tie visibility to significant advertising spend, creating barriers for smaller players. Jingo flips this model by leveraging advanced machine learning to surface products only to customers with genuine interest. This precision eliminates waste, reduces noise, and ensures that every connection between brands and customers feels meaningful. Empowered by tools like real-time insights, predictive analytics, and curated discovery, brands can optimize inventory, anticipate trends, and connect with their ideal audience without relying on costly campaigns or third-party tools. Jingo is creating a marketplace where both customers and sellers thrive, redefining how value is delivered in online shopping. A Transformative Vision for the Future Jingo's ambitions go far beyond optimizing today's online shopping experience. The platform is building toward a future where commerce is redefined through intelligent systems that seamlessly integrate into users' lives. Imagine a world where shopping evolves from a process you initiate to an experience that happens intuitively. Jingo's end-state vision is to create intelligent systems capable of learning, adapting, and acting on behalf of users , delivering personalized, proactive, and effortless commerce. This approach points to a future where products appear at your doorstep before you even think about shopping, making commerce an invisible yet integral part of daily life. By designing systems that dynamically adapt and provide proactive support, Jingo aims to fundamentally change the way consumers and brands interact, setting a new standard for convenience, personalization, and connection. Flipping the Script for Brands and Sellers Beyond offering better targeting, Jingo is reimagining the commission structure to create a fairer and more seller-focused marketplace. For the first 1,000 brands and sellers who join, Jingo introduces a groundbreaking model: These incentives, coupled with Jingo's advanced tools like predictive analytics and real-time insights, empower sellers to focus on delivering quality products while Jingo ensures they reach the right customers. By reducing the noise-to-signal ratio, brands can build lasting, loyalty-driven relationships in a transparent and equitable ecosystem. Brands and sellers interested in being part of this transformative journey can contact the Jingo team at partner@jingo.app A Bold Vision for E-Commerce With the support of Silicon Valley's leading minds, Jingo is setting a new benchmark for what online shopping can achieve. By addressing decision-making challenges for consumers and creating deeper, more equitable connections for brands, Jingo is leading the next wave of e-commerce innovation. To celebrate its launch, Jingo is running a referral campaign from December 6, 2024 , to February 28, 2025 . Participants can earn credits to shop on the platform once it's live, with prizes of $50,000 for the top referrer, $30,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third. Jingo is more than a platform—it's a movement toward smarter, more personalized, and intuitive commerce. By building systems that anticipate, simplify, and deliver, Jingo is shaping the future of shopping for consumers and sellers alike. Get in Touch For PR inquiries, strategic partnerships, or more information, contact contact@jingo.app View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/redefining-the-future-of-shopping-jingo-gains-silicon-valleys-backing-302324337.html SOURCE Jingo Technologies, Inc.
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Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 05.12.2024The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a massive, almost unprecedented, political polarisation in India. The contest was largely between two broad camps, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Parties that did not align themselves to either of these two sides, such as the Biju Janata Dal or the YSR Congress Party, saw themselves getting decimated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Six months after the Lok Sabha elections, how do things look like for the NDA and INDIA? The short answer to this question is that the NDA draws strength from its biggest constituent while INDIA loses it because of the Congress. This is largely because of the Congress’s inability to do better against the BJP. Going forward, it also means that the Congress will have to struggle to be seen as the natural leader in the INDIA bloc. The numbers speak for themselves. This is obvious in the Lok Sabha statistics. Out of the 293 MPs that the NDA has, 82% or 240 come from the BJP. The Congress, on the other hand, had a share of just 42.3% of the INDIA bloc’s 234 MPs. However, the latest assembly elections provide a good opportunity to do this comparison at the state level. The NDA currently has 20 chief ministers among Indian states and Union territories; 65% or 13 of them come from the BJP. Among the nine chief ministers in the INDIA bloc, the Congress has only three: in Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. This also holds at the level of number of MLAs which is the basic unit of the federal polity in India. The BJP has 1,593 MLAs in the country as of today, which is 2.4 times the number of Congress MLAs in the country. This more than nullifies the advantage of the rest of INDIA bloc constituents which have 965 MLAs compared to just 515 from other NDA partners. The number of MLAs includes those from all states and UTs that have a legislature, and for Maharashtra and Jharkhand it includes latest results. A look at strike rate numbers – seats won as a share of seats contested – should make this clear. The Congress collapsed to one of its worst ever strike rates in the 2014 elections when it won just 9.35% of the 464 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) it contested. The BJP’s strike rate in 2014 was a massive 65.9%, its best ever in Lok Sabha elections then. Things were pretty much the same for the Congress in 2019 when its strike rate was 12.4% compared to BJP’s 69.5%. This changed significantly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when the BJP’s strike rate fell to 54.4% and the Congress’s went up to 30.5%. If one were to compare strike rates of the Congress and BJP in assembly elections held after the 2024 Lok Sabha, the BJP has managed to improve its figures while the Congress’s 2024 number has not improved. To be sure, Lok Sabha and assembly polls are not entirely comparable and it was believed until the 2024 results that the BJP enjoyed a bigger advantage in national polls. Having said this, strike rates are a good way to look at the political momentum or lack of it behind a party and the BJP seems to be doing something right. (See Chart 2) Once again, the picture becomes clear if we look at the Congress and BJP performances in ACs where both of them contested between Lok Sabha elections since the BJP captured power in 2014. Between the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress won 33.1% of such ACs while the BJP won 40.5%. The remaining were won by other parties. Between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress’s strike rate in such ACs fell to 22% while the BJP’s went up to 46.4%. In the assembly election cycle after 2024 Lok Sabha elections, these numbers are 20% and 59% for the Congress and BJP, respectively. We have not included any bypolls in our analysis. (See Chart 3 ) The numbers are unambiguous. To pivot balance of power in national politics, Congress will have to better its game against BJP. Allies can only help to an extent.
