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On the table, unconscious and stretched out on a pillow, Joe Mangy looks deceptively peaceful. The koala's watery, red-rimmed eyes are the only sign of the disease at war with his body. Tubes snarl out of a mask covering his face as a vet tech listens to his chest with a stethoscope. He is not healing as well as they had hoped. Eight days earlier, Joe Mangy – who is about two years old – was found wandering in the middle of a suburban road. Dazed and confused, eyes nearly glued shut with mucus, he was rushed here, to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary's hospital. Enveloped by rainforest on Queensland's Gold Coast, the park is full of koalas like this. Outside the clinic, in a "Koala Rehab Centre" faintly perfumed by eucalyptus leaves, is a three-year-old recovering from a hysterectomy. "It saved her life... but she can't reproduce," the head vet Michael Payne says. Another male koala stares blankly through narrowed slits. His left tear duct is so inflamed his eyeball is barely visible. This hospital is ground zero of a grim chlamydia epidemic which is killing thousands of koalas and making even more sterile, pushing the national icons to the brink of extinction. But it's also at the core of desperate bid to save them with a vaccine – frustrated efforts which, after over a decade, are still tied up in regulation and running out of both time and money. Even a few decades ago, spotting a koala snuggled in a backyard tree was nothing out of the ordinary. They were plentiful on the country's populous east coast. But in recent times the species has been in dramatic decline – in some places plummeting by 80% in just 10 years. Land clearing and urbanisation are leaving the marsupials hungry and homeless, while natural disasters are drowning or cooking them en masse. "[But] it's the chlamydia that shot up tremendously - almost exponentially," says Dr Payne, who has run the Currumbin clinic for more than 20 years. "You get days where you're euthanising heaps of koalas that just come in completely ravaged." Estimates vary greatly – koalas are famously difficult to count – but some groups say as few as 50,000 of the animals are left in the wild and the species is officially listed as endangered on most of the eastern seaboard. There are now fears the animals will be extinct in some states within a generation. Dr Payne wistfully recounts "the early days" when his hospital only saw a handful of koalas a year. They now see 400. So many come through the door that the team has started giving them two names, a vet nurse says, cradling Joe Mangy as he wakes from the anaesthetic. His last name is a nod to the state of his eyes when he first arrived, she explains. Of the top reasons koalas are brought into wildlife hospitals – vehicle strikes, pet attacks and chlamydia – the bacterial infection is the biggest and deadliest. It results in conjunctivitis for koalas like Joe Mangy, but presents as an infection of the genitals and urinary system for others. Particularly unlucky animals, get both at the same time. At its worst, the ocular form can be so bad koalas are blinded and starve to death, while the urogenital infection produces giant fluid-filled cysts so "nasty" everyday bodily functions like passing urine make the animals cry out in pain. "Their reproductive system falls apart," Dr Payne explains. If caught early enough, treatment is an option, but that in itself is a potentially fatal "nightmare" as the antibiotics destroy the gut bacteria which allow koalas to digest otherwise toxic eucalyptus leaves – their main food source. On a species level though, the disease, which spreads through bodily fluids, causes even greater ruin. Chlamydia is not uncommon in other animals – koalas are suspected to have first caught it from livestock – but the spread and intensity of the disease amongst the marsupials is unmatched. Experts estimate around half of koalas in Queensland and New South Wales could be infected, but just a suburb away from Currumbin, in Elanora, that has climbed beyond 80%. It is the most diseased population in the region and numbers have been "falling off a cliff", Dr Payne says. "It's a disaster." Enter the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and their vaccine, which aims to prevent and treat chlamydia in koalas and has been almost two decades in the making. Alongside Currumbin, they're trying to save the Elanora koalas from oblivion: capturing 30 youngsters and vaccinating them, before recatching them at intervals over three years to track their health. So far only three of the vaccinated koalas in this research trial have contracted the disease, though all recovered, and encouragingly, more than two dozen joeys have been born - bucking the infertility trend. "There's generations of koalas now that have come through. We've got grand joeys," Dr Payne says excitedly. Currumbin has also been vaccinating every koala which comes through their hospital, and have reached about 400 koalas this way. But treating and vaccinating each koala with chlamydia costs them about A$7,000 (£3,500, $4,500). Capturing, jabbing, and tracking each wild Elanora koala is basically double that. Two hours away, researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) are doing their best to flatten the wave of disease too, with a separate vaccine. They inoculate about 2,000 koalas a year through wildlife hospital trials and tack themselves onto development projects or research studies in the region that involve their capture. They've just wrapped a decade's-worth of those projects into one study of more than 600 animals – the largest and longest of its kind. Incredibly, deaths dropped by two thirds among vaccinated koalas. Molecular biologist Samuel Phillips tells the BBC about one local koala population they studied which was at risk of extinction. Authorities are now looking at translocating some animals so they don't overpopulate the area. "It turned it around completely." And crucially, the study found that the koalas that did contract chlamydia were doing so later in life, after their peak breeding years had begun. Dr Phillips and his research partner Peter Timms have now submitted their vaccine to the federal regulator for approval but say they're keeping their hopes in check. "There'll be hurdles," Dr Timms explains. In the meantime, for their small, overstretched team, dividing time and funding is an impossible balance. Do they involve themselves in as many trials as possible to help small groups of koalas now, or do they devote their efforts to advancing the tedious research and approval process which could help a huge cohort of them down the track? "People come to us semi-regularly and say, 'Can we vaccinate more koalas?' And the answer at some point is 'No', because otherwise we're just spending all our time and energy doing [that]," Dr Timms says. It has now been a decade since these two research teams first started seeing results, and there is still no real timeline on when a jab will be ready. And even when it is, there are huge barriers to any roll out. While making the vaccine isn't that costly, finding, capturing, and vaccinating wild koalas is extraordinarily expensive and time-consuming. Dr Phillips says they would have to strategically target select populations, though they're not yet sure how many koalas in each they'd need to treat to reverse decline. That challenge will be doubly complicated with the QUT vaccine, though, because it requires two doses, as opposed to UniSC's single-shot formula. The QUT team has been developing an implant – inspired by a human contraceptive device – that dissolves after four weeks to provide the booster. It will be trialled on Currumbin's captive koalas next year. Then there is the question of funding, which has been, and continues to be, fickle. Both vaccine developers provide their shots to wildlife hospitals and research trials for free, relying on individual donors, generosity from their universities, and the unpredictable whims of election cycles. State and federal governments are the biggest financial backers of the vaccine projects – last year Canberra gave QUT and UniSC A$750,000 each. "No-one wants to imagine an Australia without koalas," Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said at the time. But government contributions are random, and never quite enough. "I cannot believe somebody will not come along tomorrow and say 'You need to vaccinate? Here's my cheque to cover the next 10 years'. But we can't find them," Dr Timms says. However, the biggest barrier is the mountain of red tape researchers are yet to cut through. Both groups have conservation charities and wildlife hospitals knocking down the door, desperate for access, but until they go through the "painful" approval process, their hands are largely tied. "[It's] a critical step that is just taking too long. It kills me," Dr Payne says. "We've kind of passed it being urgent. It was urgent probably 10 years ago." Adding to their despondency, is a fact all involved stress repeatedly: the vaccine is simply not enough to save the species. And so even the lucky koalas like Joe Mangy, who dodge death by chlamydia and return to the wild, still must face off against a myriad of other mortal threats. "It's death by a thousand cuts, right?" Dr Timms says.Shytoshi Kusama Says 'Time To Stop Being Shy' As SHIB Lead Developer Plans 44-Part Podcast To Discuss Tech And TREATJennison Associates LLC Invests $703,000 in Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ:DRS)

Santa and Mrs. Claus use military transports to bring Christmas to Alaska Native villageLOS ANGELES (AP) — Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Indeed it did. Democrat Adam Gray's come-from-behind victory over Republican Rep. John Duarte in a Central Valley farm-belt district Tuesday — the final House contest decided this year — gave Democrats their third pick-up of a GOP-held seat in the state, a small victory in a for Democrats nationally. While Democratic wins narrowed the gap in the House, Republicans held their ground in two other toss-up contests that helped the GOP defend its fragile majority in Washington. Republicans won 220 House seats this , with Democrats holding 215 seats. Despite falling short of a majority, Democrats stressed that the party will gain seats next year, leaving the chamber even more closely divided. “Netting three seats was a very big deal,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber, who lives in Redlands, east of Los Angeles, said in Washington. Democratic enthusiasm was tempered, however, by turnout figures that lagged the 2020 presidential election in the heavily Democratic state, even with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket in her home state. Also, Republicans made in the state Legislature. Voters overwhelmingly endorsed a that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again and increases penalties for some drug charges amid frustration over retail crimes, a proposal opposed by some Democrats. The election showed Democrats will need to pay closer attention to issues like crime and the cost of living, even in a state where the party holds every statewide office and dominates the Legislature and congressional delegation, Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney said. In the House, Democrats “were hoping that California would push them over the top to gain a majority. But their gains elsewhere were not strong enough,” Pitney added, pointing to GOP wins in North Carolina. Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting Tuesday all ballots had been counted. Duarte in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes. He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt — about 11 points over registered Republicans. Gray said in a statement: “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come, and we’re expecting a photo finish this year, too.” In other Democratic House gains, first-time candidate Derek Tran ousted Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California district anchored in Orange County, while Democrat George Whitesides toppled Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is a district north of Los Angeles. In a district east of Los Angeles, Republican Rep. Ken Calvert again held off Democrat Will Rollins in a repeat of their 2022 contest. And Republican Rep. David Valadao kept his grip on a farm-belt seat, despite its heavy Democratic registration edge. The outcome will leave Republicans with nine of the state's 52 U.S. House seats next year. Although California is often seen as a liberal monolith, a string of House districts has proved volatile in recent elections, spotlighting their importance to both parties. Democrats snatched seven seats from Republicans in 2018, then Republicans seized four from Democrats in 2020. In the 2022 elections, Republicans gained one seat, from 11 to 12, while Democrats dropped to 40 seats from 42, after California lost a House seat in reapportionment after the 2020 census. Overall, the state dropped to 52 districts from 53. The state played a pivotal role in securing the gavel for Republicans in 2022 and .

Given everything that had occurred in the previous hour or two, it made bizarrely perfect sense that Sione Tuipulotu’s grandmother would hand him the Hopetoun Cup trophy after beating the Wallabies at Murrayfield. “She whispered in my ear and said, ‘we got them’,” Tuipulotu said post-game. Sione Tuipulotu is presented with the Hopetoun Cup at Murrayfield by his grandmother Jaqueline Thomson. Credit: Getty Images The Scotland captain’s answer came with a broad grin, and an even broader Australian accent. And it all came after a memorable afternoon at Murrayfield where Tuipulotu – and his 77-year-old grandmother – were in the middle of absolutely everything, much to the delight of an adoring Scottish crowd. But first to re-cap. Born and raised in Melbourne, Tuipulotu played for the Junior Wallabies but couldn’t crack a regular spot for the Rebels in Super Rugby, and so he moved to Scotland to play. The son of a Tongan-Australia father and a mother with Italian-Scottish heritage, Tuipulotu qualified as eligible for Scotland due to his maternal grandmother Jaqueline Thomson, who was born in Greenock in the Scottish lowlands but emigrated to Australia as a child and settled in Frankston. The nuggety centre debuted for Scotland in 2021 and quickly became a fan favourite, and Thomson became something of a cult hero, too, often getting thanked on Scottish rugby social media after a big game by Tuipulotu. The 27-year-old was made captain ahead of the November internationals, and last week, Thomson was flown to Scotland by a sponsor, for the first time in decades, as a surprise for Tuipulotu and his brother Mosese, who both play rugby in Scotland and are close to their gran. Tuipulotu hadn’t seen her in years and after the reunion video did the rounds in Scotland, Thomson was given a rousing cheer when the video – and Thomson – were shown again on the Murrayfield screen on Sunday just before kickoff. When her grandson later scored a try and pointed to her in the stand, the camera found the overwhelmed grandmother; this time shaking her head. Sione Tuipulou scores for Scotland. Credit: Getty Images “It was super special,” Tuipulotu said. “I don’t really score many tries, to be honest. Not for Glasgow, not for Scotland. But that one was pretty special to score while my gran was here and knowing how much she also wanted to beat Australia.” Divided loyalties have long been dealt with for Tuipulotu, but he appeared to set a physical, no-backward-step tone against Australia for his Scotland teammates. Early on he had a push-and-shove with Tom Wright, and Tuipuloltu was heard to say on the ref’s mic “you forget I know who you are”. “We know who you are too lad,” Wright said. The microphone didn’t pick up a feisty episode later with big-money recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, when the Wallaby belted Tuipulotu with a chest tackle but immediately grabbed his injured arm. When play broke down, Tuipulotu came back over to Suaalii and exchanged words about who’d come off worse. With insult added to his injury, an angry Suaalii then sought to scrap with Tuipulotu. “I’ll see you next time”: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Sione Tuipulotu trade words at Murrayfield. Credit: Getty Images “I will see you next time,” Suaalii said, before departing and setting a potentially spicy Lions series soap opera next year. Tuipulotu said: “I didn’t really know it was him that hit me. I don’t know how it looks on camera, but it felt humongous. And when I popped up, I was just kind of looking around at who it was and then I saw that he was on the ground, so I said something to him. And then he went off the pitch. That’s all I can really say about it.” What did you say? “I said, I hope you’re OK,” Tuipulotu said with a grin post-game. Later Thomson was enlisted to give her grandson the Hopetoun Cup, the trophy contested between Australia and Scotland. Asked afterwards if it all felt a bit strange seeing his grandma being on the big screen, cheered by 68,000 people and handing out trophies, Tuipulotu choked up. “It does feel weird. But I feel really blessed because of this all happening,” he said. “And not just for me. Before the match, I was a little bit emotional about the fact that her life’s just gone full circle. That she’s back here watching me play for Scotland and watching me captain Scotland. I’m just happy that she gets to have that moment. “She moved over to Australia as a young girl and raised my mum with limited stuff. And now she gets to enjoy this, gets to sit in the stand and get some recognition. It makes me so happy.” Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter .Jayden Daniels dazzles again as Commanders clinch a playoff spot by beating Falcons 30-24 in OTPublished 3:44 pm Sunday, November 24, 2024 By Data Skrive Top 25 teams will hit the court in five games on Monday’s college basketball slate. That includes the Auburn Tigers taking on the Iowa State Cyclones at Lahaina Civic Center. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Catch tons of live college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

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Australia Shares Set for Opening RiseMumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 24 (ANI): Domestic stock markets are expected react, when it opens on Monday, to the recent election outcomes in Jharkhand and Maharashtra as well as domestic macroeconomic data and foreign Institutional fund flows, according to the market analysts. The market analysts say that the bi-monthly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) which will take place in the first week of December will also have an impact of the activities of the investors, as analysts anticipate a 25-bps rate cut amid concerns of slowing economic growth and moderating inflation. Also Read | Why is IPL 2025 Mega Auction Live Streaming Online Not Available on Disney+ Hotstar App and Website?. The last trading session in the market ended with decent gains, offering relief after weeks of correction. Despite a negative bias for most of the week due to persistent FII selling, Friday's sharp recovery, led by bargain hunting in index heavyweights, helped indices close near their highs. Also Read | Who Is Atul Limaye? Know All About RSS Strategist Behind MahaYuti's Monster Win in Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. The Nifty and Sensex gained nearly 2 per cent, ending at 23,907.20 and 79,117.10, respectively. "Markets will first react to the outcomes of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. Additionally, macroeconomic indicators, including GDP and infrastructure output, will garner significant attention. Participants remain focused on FII fund flows, given their ongoing selling spree," said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd. "Looking ahead, the RBI's meeting from December 4th-6th is generating significant interest, with analysts anticipating a 25-bps rate cut amid concerns of slowing economic growth and moderating inflation," said Manish Goel, Founder and MD, Equentis observing the markets. Goel further added that the upcoming week is likely to bring heightened volatility and cautious trading as investors navigate political uncertainties, economic data releases, and corporate developments. Observing the mood of the market, Joseph Thomas, Head of Research, Emkay Wealth Management stated that despite the up seen in the market during the trading sessions, it remains to be seen to what extent the current momentum is going to be sustained next week. "The Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Middle East situation which is still awaiting resolution, local election results in crucial states etc. are all factors that may have some impact on the markets in the coming wee," he added. Market experts are hopeful despite the high volatility in the markets, as Krishna Appala, Sr. Research Analyst, Capitalmind Research said, " Despite global challenges, India's long-term growth story remains compelling." Most sectors, except energy, contributed to the rebound, with realty, auto, and FMCG leading the pack. IT and banking played a pivotal role in capping losses and driving the recovery in the benchmark. Broader indices also edged higher, with gains ranging between 0.9 per cent and 1.8 per cent. On the other hand, the foreign investors extended their selling spree in Indian equity markets for the third consecutive week in November, according to data released by the National Stock Exchange. This week alone, foreign investors sold equities worth Rs 11,412 crore, adding to the ongoing selling pressure. With this, the net selling by foreign investors in November has reached Rs 41,872 crores, indicating persistent bearish sentiment from overseas players. The consistent outflow has weighed on market sentiments, creating volatility in the indices. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) have continued to provide much-needed support to the Indian markets. This week, DIIs purchased equities worth Rs 11,035 crore, cushioning the impact of foreign outflows. Their total net buying in November now stands at Rs 37,559 crore. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

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Majestic Capital ( OTCMKTS:MAJCQ – Get Free Report ) and ProAssurance ( NYSE:PRA – Get Free Report ) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations and valuation. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Majestic Capital and ProAssurance”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Majestic Capital has higher earnings, but lower revenue than ProAssurance. Profitability Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and recommmendations for Majestic Capital and ProAssurance, as reported by MarketBeat. ProAssurance has a consensus price target of $18.67, suggesting a potential upside of 12.18%. Given ProAssurance’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe ProAssurance is more favorable than Majestic Capital. Institutional and Insider Ownership 85.6% of ProAssurance shares are owned by institutional investors. 14.3% of Majestic Capital shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of ProAssurance shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary ProAssurance beats Majestic Capital on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Majestic Capital ( Get Free Report ) Majestic Capital, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides workers’ compensation insurance products. The company underwrites workers’ compensation insurance products through independent insurance brokers and agents to various size businesses; and excess and frequency coverage policies to self-insured entities. It offers primary workers’ compensation insurance to employers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. The company also engages in underwriting reinsurance. In addition, it offers various management services, including general management, underwriting, risk assessment, general recordkeeping, and regulatory compliance services; safety and loss control services; and claims management services to self-insured groups under fee-for-service arrangements. Further, the company acts as a broker for insurers and places the excess coverage for the groups. It serves transportation, healthcare, wholesale and retail, manufacturing, and hospitality industries; contractors; and colleges and universities. Majestic Capital, Ltd. was formerly known as CRM Holdings, Ltd. and changed its name to Majestic Capital, Ltd. in May 2010. Majestic Capital, Ltd. was founded in 1999 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. About ProAssurance ( Get Free Report ) ProAssurance Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty insurance, and reinsurance products in the United States. The company operates through Specialty Property and Casualty, Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and Segregated Portfolio Cell Reinsurance segments. It offers professional liability insurance to healthcare providers and institutions, and attorneys and their firms; medical technology liability insurance to medical technology and life sciences companies; and custom alternative risk solutions, including assumed reinsurance, loss portfolio transfers, and captive cell programs for healthcare professional liability insureds. The company also provides workers’ compensation insurance products, such as guaranteed cost policies, policyholder dividend policies, retrospectively rated policies, and deductible policies, as well as alternative market solutions that include program design, fronting, claims administration, risk management, SPC rental, asset management, and SPC management services for individual companies, agencies, groups, and associations. The company also participates in Syndicate 1729 at Lloyd’s of London for underwriting. It markets its products through independent agencies and brokers, as well as an internal business development team. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Receive News & Ratings for Majestic Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Majestic Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Mark Few likes No. 3 Gonzaga's toughness after win over future Pac-12 'partner' SDSU

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Holiday shopping can be, well...hard. No one seems to make wish lists anymore, and every time you try to ask a loved one what they would want, you are met with responses like “ I don’t need anything this year ” or “ Don’t spend your money on me. ” It seems like an impossible feat. Todd Snyder , a brand that is known for creating high-quality menswear, is here to help. From wool sweaters to watches, they put together a luxury gift guide filled with their best-selling products so you can easily find a present for the hardest person on your list (we’re looking at you, Dads, brothers, and Fathers-in-Law of the world). Shop 20 of our top selections below. $198.00 Donegal wool dates all the way back to 18th-century Ireland and is known for its naturally insulating and breathable properties. This crewneck sweater is made of that same spotted, multi-colored yarn and is available in four different chic colors. Grab one for everyone on your list before it sells out — because it will. $228.00 Selvedge jeans shot to mainstream popularity in the last decade or so, but let’s be real —thanks to the likes of Bob Marley, Elvis Presley, and Bob Dylan , they’ve also been cool. This pair has a roomy but not baggy fit, comes with multiple coin pockets, and is available in sizes 28 to 38. $561.00 Sleek, durable, and currently on sale for under $600, this Unimatic Classic Series Watch looks like a luxury timepiece, but it won’t break the bank. It’s water-resistant, made with stainless steel, and comes in a 40 mm size — proving that the best things really do come in the smallest packages. $98.00 Todd Snyder and Champion first collaborated in 2023, and their “Relaxed Drop” is still one of our favorites to date. Take this vintage-inspired sweatshirt, for instance: It’s lightweight, can be paired with jeans or joggers, and has a cool, sun-faded look that doesn’t try too hard. $155.00 If you’re having a hard time shopping for your Dad, Father-in-Law, or estranged co-worker whose name you pulled for office Secret Santa, may I present to you this Leather Hunting Flask . With the ability to fit 200 ml of liquid it comes with two stainless steel cups and a hand-crafted Koozie — you can’t go wrong. $248.00 While this Donegal Polo is a far cry from the Donegal Sweaters worn by Irish fisherman, we won’t judge if you want to still want to sing a Sea Shanty while wearing it. Soft and stylish, it’ll become your new closet staple. $118.00 Beanies aren’t always the easiest type of headwear to rock. For lack of better words, sometimes they can look just plain...wrong. Luckily, Todd Snyder seemed to crack the code with this Brushed Alpaca Beanie . Soft, stretchy, and available in three stylish colors, it’ll keep you warm without looking like Eric Cartman from South Park. $99.00 $188.00 47% off Gifting someone a flannel for the holidays is a tradition as old as time, but this Todd Snyder option takes it up a modern notch. Made with 100% cotton, it’s comfortable, breathable, and works for just about anybody and any body. $70.00 With notes of Sea Lavender, Citrus, and Suede, this 7 oz candle makes a great stocking stuffer or white elephant present. But a word of warning: it smells so good you’ll want to keep it for yourself. $247.00 Make him feel like he’s living in the lap of luxury with these cashmere-lined gloves . Crafted in Britain by John Dent — a brand that has made accessories for Movie Stars and Monarchs alike — they’re hand-sewn, versatile, and come in multiple size options. $710.00 Of course, if you’re going to get him cashmere-lined gloves, you might as well get him these Suede Indy Boots , too. Made famous by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones , they’re an elegant option that can be worn on any adventure. $2,050.00 A briefcase makes a great holiday gift because it’s something that they’ll actually use all year round. This leather option features a removable strap, laptop sleeve, and chic brass hardware, showing that you can still be stylish while keeping all of your shit safe. $498.00 This is the type of sweater that you’ll never want to take off — end of story. Made with a soft-to-the-touch yarn and cool 3D texture, you’ll find that the best time to wear a plaid sweater is quite literally all the time. $188.00 Todd Snyder’s Chinos are one of the brand’s best-selling styles, and for good reason. They boast an easy-to-wear fit that is super-flattering, super-comfortable, and, you guessed it, super-versatile. Snag them in all eight colors, and you’ll never struggle to find bottoms again. $307.00 People often shy away from sunglasses as a present because they’re a rather personal preference—but you don’t have to worry about that with this beige pair. Simple and clean, they’ll look stunning on any face shape. $998.00 The perfect hybrid between a coat and button-down, this overshirt is roomy, made with a soft knit-cashmere blend, and will help elevate any ensemble. $98.00 Socks can often be seen as a “cop-out” gift, but I think (and will die on this hill) that they make a great present. And these aren’t just any socks ; they’re made with cashmere, so they double as house slippers, workwear, and everything in between. $145.00 Take it from someone who wants jewelry for every holiday and birthday (okay, and minor inconvenience): You can never go wrong with a piece of precious metals. Made from sterling silver (but also available in gold), this chain bracelet is as surprising as it is subtle. $998.00 This is THE cardigan (and no, we’re not talking about the rock band that sings “Lovefool”). It’s heavy but doesn’t weigh you down, has a cool intricate pattern, and has a hand-stamped zipper for added detail. It’s everything you could want from a sweater and more. $60.00 Whether they display it on their coffee table or read it cover to back, this book about infamous product designer Dieter Rams is a one-of-a-kind gift that sparks intrigue and interest.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — When the San Francisco 49ers used a third-round pick to draft Jake Moody last year, the hope was it would settle their kicking position for years to come. A shaky second half to Moody's second season with San Francisco has put that into question headed to the offseason. Moody missed his sixth field goal in the past seven games last week, leading to questions about whether the 49ers will need to replace him or at least bring in competition for next season. Coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Moody on Thursday, attributing some of the struggles to a high ankle sprain he suffered in his kicking leg earlier in the season. “I still feel the same about him, that I believe he is going to be our guy," Shanahan said. “Everyone has got to perform and do things like that and I think he has had a tough year. ... I thought he was doing really well and then had a high ankle sprain to his kicking foot. Since he’s come back, he hasn’t been as consistent, obviously. But I think a lot of that probably has to do with that, just common-sense wise.” Moody got off to a strong start this season, making all six field goals he attempted in the season opener and going 13 for 14 before injuring his ankle while attempting to make a tackle on a kickoff return in Week 5. He missed three games and has struggled since he returned. He missed three field goals in first first game back at Tampa Bay, two more in the snow at Buffalo in Week 13 and then a 41-yarder last week against the Dolphins. “That’s the great thing about kicking is, you can be as talented as whoever and you can struggle,” Moody said. “I feel like this year, I’ve struggled. It doesn’t really waver my confidence or anything. I feel like, throughout my entire life, I’ve gone through struggles, I’ve gone through high points. The biggest thing is to just stay consistent, not change anything.” Moody had an up-and-down rookie season, making 21 of 25 field goals in the regular season and missing only one extra point. But he missed a potential game-winning kick in a loss at Cleveland and missed field goals in playoff wins against Green Bay and Detroit. Moody then made three field goals in the Super Bowl with two coming from more than 50 yards, including a go-ahead 53-yard kick late in the fourth quarter against Kansas City. But Moody also had an extra point blocked in that game. “I believe we’ve got the right guy and I think that eventually, I think he has shown that at times,” Shanahan said. "I thought he showed that at times his rookie year. I thought he showed that big time being 12 out of 13 to start this year. And I think he’ll show us all that in the future.” NOTES: The Niners placed LT Trent Williams on IR after his ankle injury hasn't healed as quickly as hoped. Shanahan didn't think there were any long-term issues. ... LB Dre Greenlaw (calf) will be shut down for the rest of the season after playing parts of two games in his return from a torn left Achilles tendon. ... OL Spencer Burford (calf) didn't practice but might be able to play this week. ... San Francisco has signed two OL this week, adding Matt Hennessy and Charlie Heck. ... RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring, foot) was limited but appears on track to play this week. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLMind the Gap: Six Tips to Assess Your Healthcare Coverage Before the New Year

Trump trolls Trudeau as 'governor' of CanadaMind the Gap: Six Tips to Assess Your Healthcare Coverage Before the New Year

(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP members can take advantage of benefits available to them to help find the coverage and savings information they seek." 1. Examine your vision coverage Eye health is important to quality of life, both in terms of moving around safely and appreciating your surroundings. Regular eye exams with an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help make sure your vision is sharp while also monitoring for any issues. However, many health insurance plans don't include vision coverage. If you do see a gap in your coverage, AARP members have access to information on vision insurance options that offer individual and family plans, featuring a large doctor network, savings on frames, lens enhancements, progressives and more. 2. Plan for prescriptions While several health plans offer coverage for prescription drugs, discounts can vary, especially when it comes to different types of medication. AARP ® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum RX ® can help with savings. This program offers a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on FDA-approved medications. Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more. 3. Confirm your primary care With a new health insurance plan, you might find that your primary care physician is no longer in-network or that they no longer accept your insurance. Perhaps you have relocated and are in the market for a new doctor. Whatever the case, there's no time like the present to search for a new primary care physician who meets your needs. If you're on Medicare, Oak Street Health can be a great resource. The only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging , one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. Hearing aids can be an enormous help, improving socialization, boosting confidence and even helping to increase balance. However, many insurance plans do not include coverage for hearing aids. AARP ® Hearing SolutionsTM provided by UnitedHealthcare ® Hearing provides savings on hearing aids and hearing care . Members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories — no insurance needed. Plus receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. 6. Consider physical therapy Often, the only times that people consider whether their health insurance covers physical therapy is if they already participate in it or after the doctor has prescribed it. As we age, though, physical therapy can be a useful tool in improving balance or recovering from an injury or procedure to help you remain active. Fortunately, the question of coverage or finding an in-network location doesn't have to derail you. AARP ® Physical Therapy At HomeTM by Luna accepts most insurances and Medicare and is available to members and non-members alike. Plus, Luna's experts come to you, so you can receive quality care from the comfort of your home. If you're creating an end-of-year to-do list, consider adding an assessment of your healthcare coverage. After all, the best time to realize you have a gap in coverage is before you need it. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits . AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.Qatar's prime minister said on Saturday that momentum had returned to talks aimed at securing a truce and hostage exchange deal in Gaza following Donald Trump's election as US president. The Gulf emirate, along with the United States and Egypt, had been involved in months of unsuccessful negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release. But in November, Doha announced it had put its mediation on hold, saying it would resume when Hamas and Israel showed "willingness and seriousness". "We have sensed, after the election, that the momentum is coming back," Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani told the Doha Forum for political dialogue. He spoke as a source close to the Hamas delegation in the talks told AFP that a new round of negotiations will "most likely" begin in the coming week. Sheikh Mohammed said that while there were "some differences" in the approach to an agreement by the outgoing and incoming US administrations, "we didn't see or recognise any disagreement on the goal itself to end the war". He said there had been "a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office", adding this had affected Qatar's decision to get talks "back on track". "We hope to get things done as soon as possible. We hope that the willingness of the parties to engage in a good faith continues," he said. The source close to the Hamas delegation, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP: "Based on contacts with the mediators, we expect a new round of negotiations to begin in Cairo, most likely this week, to discuss ideas and proposals regarding a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange." The source added that Turkey, as well as Egypt and Qatar, had been "making commendable efforts to stop the war". In a statement later on Saturday, the group said Turkish spy chief Ibrahim Kalin met with a Hamas delegation in Doha to discuss the war in Gaza. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. During the attack, militants kidnapped 251 people, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 declared dead by the Israeli military. Israel's retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 44,664 people, a majority civilians, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry which the UN considers reliable. The US president-elect this week warned on social media of unspecified massive repercussions if the hostages were not released by the time he takes office next month. Trump has vowed staunch support for Israel and to dispense with outgoing President Joe Biden's occasional criticism, but has also spoken of his desire to secure deals on the world stage. On Saturday, Qatar's premier dismissed the prospect of his country facing greater pressure over the status of the Hamas political bureau, which the Gulf state has hosted since 2012 with Washington's blessing. Sheikh Mohammed called the Hamas office a "platform to convene between the different parties". Qatar was not "expected to enforce solutions" on the Palestinian militants, he added. csp/srm/dcp/itFrom Shopping to Advice From Warren BuffettWho is Vorian Atreides? The earliest member of the House Atreides in the Dune timeline might not be who you think it is. In the original Dune novels written by Frank Herbert, it’s heavily implied that Paul’s line can trace its origins deep into Earth's history, possibly even connecting to Ancient Greece. But relative to Dune’s future history, the first person with the last name Atreides was also the most notorious. And, although this character has yet to make a physical appearance in Dune: Prophecy , he was name-dropped in a big way in the third episode. In continuity created by the expanded Dune novels, Vorian Atreides is the oldest ancestor of House Atreides and the bane of House Harkonnen. But because Dune: Prophecy takes place after Vorian’s ascendency during the Butlerian Jihad, how is he still alive? In Episode 3, “Sisterhood Above All,” Valya (Jessica Barden) is furious to learn that Vorian has “resurfaced.” Here’s why this could set up big things for the finale of Dune: Prophecy , and how the mention of Vorian could subtly reshape the entire Dune franchise. Spoilers ahead. While a huge portion of Episode 3 takes place in flashbacks, the events that Valya references are even deeper in the past. While arguing with her family, Valya is furious that “Vorian murdered Griffin, and now he’s disappeared again. It’s not fair!” Griffin was Valya’s brother, who Valya once saved from drowning by using the Voice for the first time. So Vorian’s slaying of her brother is a huge motivating factor for Valya’s machinations, which informs the entire show. A mysterious Atreides House Atreides in Dune: Prophecy Episode 3, “Sisterhood Above All.” Not part of Frank Herbert’s original vision, Vorian became a pivotal figure when he retroactively became the beginning of the Atreides line in the 2002 book The Butlerian Jihad . Prior to that, the unofficial 1984 book, The Dune Encyclopedia , had posited someone named “Demetrios Atreides” as the start of the line. Vorian, in current canon, is the beginning of this family, at least for the purposes of figuring out how the aftermath of the defeat of the Thinking Machines leads to the status quo of the Imperium in Dune: Prophecy . In the books, Vorian was raised to be sympathetic to the Thinking Machines, but later turned on them and became one of the biggest supporters of the anti-AI movement. But before he switched side s, he had a “life extension treatment” as a young man, which allows him to exist in various eras of the Dune timeline, and appear relatively the same age. He’s not shown up in Dune: Prophecy yet, but that almost certainly will change before the end of the show. Is Vorian the Key to Dune: Prophecy ? Valya with her brother Griffin. Why did Vorian murder him? Because Griffin’s murder happens offscreen, by the end of Episode 3, we’ve yet to see Vorian. In fact, when Tula poisons a bunch of members of the Atreides line, Vorian isn’t around. This fact, combined with the detail that Vorian has memories that date back from before the Sisterhood was formed, seems to suggest that unveiling Vorian before the end of the series could help unlock a few mystery boxes at the same time. In the prequel books, Vorian is neither a hero nor villain, and like many Dune characters is complex and full of duplicity. Right now, to the Harkonnen sisters on the show, he’s the worst person ever. But we also don’t know exactly what happened to cause Vorian to slay Griffin — could it have something to do with Thinking Machines? We know that Tula and Valya favor the technology, but use it in secret, against the wishes of the Imperium, and seemingly against some founding aspect of the Sisterhood itself. Because Vorian Atreides remembers when the Thinking Machines ruled everything and is active in the timeframe of Dune: Prophecy, it seems almost impossible that he won’t play a major role by the end of the series. So far in Prophecy , we’ve seen the Harkonnens clash with the Atreides in the distant past, and in recent flashback. But maybe the ultimate showdown will happen in the present, when the Harkonnen sisters come face-to-face with their greatest foe, and discover he might not be quite what they expected. TV Shows Science Fiction Books

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The Biden administration is poised to escalate export restrictions against China's semiconductor sector, as reported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in an email to its members. Reuters has revealed that these restrictions could affect as many as 200 Chinese chip companies, barring them from receiving goods from U.S. suppliers. The Commerce Department, responsible for overseeing U.S. export policy, intends to release these new rules by next Thursday, just ahead of the Thanksgiving break. The Chamber of Commerce and the Commerce Department have both declined to comment on the matter. This move marks a continuation of Biden's strategy to limit China's technological progress amid concerns over potential military applications. Recent reports also suggest another set of regulations focusing on high-bandwidth memory chips is likely to be introduced next month. (With inputs from agencies.)

Walgreens Boots Alliance is considering selling the company to a private equity firm — a move that would take the publicly traded company private, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens has been in discussions with Sycamore Partners over a deal that could be completed early next year, the Journal wrote, citing unnamed “people familiar with the matter.” A Walgreens spokesperson declined to comment on the report Tuesday, telling the Tribune, “we don’t comment on rumors or speculation about our business.” A spokesperson for Sycamore also declined to comment. Walgreens’ stock shot up 21% on the news early Tuesday afternoon. New York-based Sycamore specializes in retail and consumer investment, and would likely sell off pieces of the business or work with partners, the Journal reported. The report follows years of struggles for the massive retail pharmacy chain, some of which are related to industrywide challenges over reimbursements for medications, while others stem from past moves made by Walgreens. The company announced plans in October to close 1,200 stores — about 14% of its U.S. locations — over the next three years, saying that only about three-quarters of its U.S. stores are profitable. Walgreens has also conducted several rounds of layoffs, eliminating more than 1,000 jobs over the last few years, including many in Illinois. The company has had a cost-cutting program in place for years, and exceeded its goal of cutting $1 billion in costs last fiscal year, following years of similar measures. Many of the cuts came as Walgreens worked in recent years to become more of a health care destination, partnering with various health care providers. Walgreens invested billions in primary care provider VillageMD and had planned to put Village Medical clinics in 1,000 of its stores by 2027. But Walgreens has since backtracked on that plan. In March, CEO Tim Wentworth said Walgreens had recorded a $5.8 billion impairment charge related to VillageMD, and that VillageMD would close 160 clinics. In August, Walgreens said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it was considering selling all or part of its VillageMD business. In recent months, Wentworth has indicated that Walgreens is now working on a different strategy of focusing more on its historic work as a retail pharmacy-led organization. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Warning issued to dog walkers over reports of poison left in Essex park

FOOTBALL Azeez Al-Shaair of the Houston Texans took to X on Monday morning to apologize to Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars after his violent blow to the quarterback’s facemask led to Lawrence being carted off the field with a concussion. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In the long post , Al-Shaair, who was ejected for the hit, first said he didn’t see Lawrence sliding until “it was too late” and that it happened “in the blink of an eye” before saying he was sorry. “To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening,” Al-Shaair wrote. “Before the game we spoke and I told you how great it was to see you back out on the field and wished you well. I would never want to see any player hurt because of a hit I put on them, especially one that was ruled ‘late’ or ‘unnecessary.’ ” • Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, 47, revealed he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. In an announcement on Instagram, Moss directed urged men to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying for any particular illness. • Aaron Rodgers will remain the New York Jets’ starting quarterback despite speculation he could be benched in what has been a disappointing season. FIGURE SKATING GRAND PRIX: World pairs champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada withdrew from the Grand Prix final at Grenoble, France, because Deschamps is recovering from an illness and unable to compete. Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini of Italy will replace them. The competition begins Thursday with the pairs short program, and medals will be decided after the pairs free skate Friday night. BASKETBALL WNBA: An expanded WNBA with more games and a new franchise will tip off May 16. The league extended its schedule to 44 games this year, up from 40, with the addition of the expansion Golden State Valkyries . The new team, which has over 20,000 season ticket deposits, will play its inaugural game at home on opening night against Los Angeles. The Indiana Fever will host the league’s All-Star Game on July 19. GOLF LPGA: Mollie Marcoux Samaan is resigning in January as commissioner, a surprise announcement after record growth in prize money along with criticism the LPGA wasn’t gaining in popularity during the surge in women’s sports. Marcoux Samaan will leave Jan. 9, three weeks before the LPGA begins its 75th season. Liz Moore, the chief legal and technology officer, will be interim commissioner until a search committee hires a new one. BASEBALL HALL OF FAME: Hall of Fame players Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Tony Pérez, Lee Smith and Ozzie Smith are among 16 members of the classic era committee that will consider an eight-man Hall ballot that includes Dick Allen, Dave Parker and Luis Tiant. The ballot also includes Tommy John, Steve Garvey and Ken Boyer, and former Negro Leaguers John Donaldson and Vic Harris. The classic era committee considers players, managers, umpires and executives whose greatest contributions to the sport were before 1980. • The Chicago Cubs added Matthew Boyd to their rotation in their first big offseason move, agreeing to a $29 million, two-year contract with the veteran left-hander, who made a successful return from Tommy John surgery, going 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in eight starts with Cleveland this year. TENNIS DAVIS CUP: The Davis Cup Final 8 will be held in Italy from 2025 through 2027, the International Tennis Federation announced, with Bologna hosting next year. Led by Jannik Sinner , the Italians won the past two Davis Cup titles in Malaga, Spain, the site for the men’s team competition each of the past three years. — News service reports We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous‘Matter of Immense Pride for India’: PMO on Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad’s Elevation As Cardinal by Pope FrancisAP News Summary at 3:17 p.m. EST

Matt Eberflus Defends Questionable Challenge in Bears' Loss to VikingsRetiring Naeher is proud of her achievements and looking forward to USWNT's next generationRomania braces for parliamentary vote after far right's poll upsetsuper ph slot login register 。

AP Business SummaryBrief at 9:51 a.m. ESTFrance celebrated the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark from destruction during a 2019 blaze. A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times. "Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy," archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago. Trump could be seen sitting on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the overhaul. In a short speech, Macron expressed the "gratitude of the French nation" for the restoration work, achieved at frenzied speed over the last five years. France had "rediscovered what great nations can do -- achieve the impossible", he said. One of the most moving moments came when firefighters in their protective gear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word "Merci" ("Thank you") was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece. Small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds outside to witness the renaissance of a monument, which came close to collapsing due to the intensity of the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. "I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. Saturday's service featured classical music, the cathedral's choir as well as the "re-awakening" of the 8,000-pipe organ which is considered the voice and soul of the cathedral. A televised public concert planned outside featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. He scored a major coup by attracting Trump along with around 40 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame. Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed. Trump has vowed to end the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office on January 20, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron. One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people and weighed into a row about whether the place of worship and tourist attraction should remain free to enter. The "immense" numbers set to visit Notre Dame should be welcomed "generously and free of charge", he said, clearly opposing a proposition from the French culture ministry to charge for entry. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. adp-sjw/jjChuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83

Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia. His victory ahead of centre-right mayor Elena Lasconi -- who scored 19.18 percent -- ended the hopes of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to compete for the presidency in the December runoff. After coming third at 19.15, Ciolacu said his Social Democratic Party (PSD) won't challenge the narrow result, and announced his resignation as party leader. Experts say the far right's surprise success could affect the parliamentary elections later this week, and even influence the chances of forming a future government. In the runoff ballot on December 8, Lasconi will face Georgescu, a NATO critic who in the past expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgescu's popularity surged ahead of the vote with a viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, which shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Romania. In a first reaction on his YouTube channel, the 62-year-old independent candidate insisted "there is no East or West", stressing that neutrality was "absolutely necessary". "I am not an extremist, I am not a fascist -- I am a Romanian who loves his country," he said in reference to media reports that "tried to portray" him in a wrongful way. For his rival Lasconi, the upcoming runoff represents "an existential battle", "a historic confrontation" between those who wish to "preserve Romania's young democracy" and those who want to "return to the Russian sphere of influence". "We must not allow anger to throw us back into the past," she said to thunderous applause from her supporters, vowing to stand up for Europe and NATO. The political earthquake comes amid soaring inflation and mounting fears of Romania being potentially dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, as the country has emerged as a key player on the alliance's eastern flank. In Sunday's vote, another far-right contender, AUR party leader George Simion, secured nearly 14 percent. Already pounding the campaign trail for this week's parliamentary elections, Simion said Romania now has "the chance to have a sovereign government and a sovereign president". Overall, the far right won more than a third of all votes in Sunday's presidential ballot. "The far right is by far the big winner of this election," political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP, predicting a possible "contagion effect" in the parliamentary vote. Extremist forces and Lasconi's centre-right party now have "wind in their sails", sociologist Gelu Duminica said, though "it remains to be seen if they know how to capitalise" on it. The PSD, which has shaped the country's politics for more than three decades, has never before been eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. The National Liberal Party (PNL) party, with whom the PSD currently governs, also suffered a defeat. While many expressed their disbelief over the poll in the streets of the capital Bucharest, others were enthused. Maria Chis, 70, said she was surprised by Georgescu's lead in the first round but had been impressed after watching his TikTok videos. "He seems a man of integrity, serious and patriotic. He inspires seriousness. I think only someone like him can bring change," said the pensioner, who was planning to vote for him in the second round. Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy. "There is sorrow, disappointment, that after so many years in Euro-Atlantic structures we voted for a pro-Russian by over 20 percent," the 42-year-old said. "There is clearly a strong fragmentation both in society and in the political class, and I think we saw that yesterday," he said. ani-anb-kym/sbkRetiring Naeher is proud of her achievements and looking forward to USWNT's next generation

NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minerals Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MTX) (MTI), a global specialty minerals company, today announced the closing of a new seven-year $575 million senior secured Term Loan B (TLB) along with the increase of its Revolving Credit Facility (Revolver) from $300 million of capacity due 2027 to $400 million due 2029. Proceeds from the TLB will be used to refinance MTI's existing $523 million Term Loan A and repay outstanding Revolver borrowings. This transaction extends the weighted average tenor of MTI's capital structure to more than five years, increases the company's liquidity by $150 million, and is neutral to the company's leverage position. "We are pleased with this refinancing, which reflects the strong credit profile of the company. We improved our balance sheet flexibility by extending maturities and increasing liquidity,” said Erik Aldag, Chief Financial Officer. "Our balance sheet is now even stronger and is well-positioned to support our long-term growth strategy.” About Minerals Technologies Inc. New York-based Minerals Technologies Inc. (MTI) is a leading, technology-driven specialty minerals company that develops, produces, and markets a broad range of mineral and mineral-based products, related systems, and services. MTI serves a wide range of consumer and industrial markets globally, including household, food and pharmaceutical, paper, packaging, automotive, construction, and environmental. The company reported global sales of $2.2 billion in 2023. For further information, please visit our website at www.mineralstech.com . Investor Contact: Lydia Kopylova, (212) 878-1831

Skattebo and Arizona State to the playoff after 45-19 win over Iowa State in Big 12 title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Big 12 newcomer Arizona State will represent the conference in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Cam Skattebo ran for 170 yards and two scores while adding a touchdown catch the 12th-ranked Sun Devils beat No. 16 Iowa State 45-19 in the Big 12 championship game. The Sun Devils with 34-year-old head coach Kenny Dillingham are 11-2 after being the preseason pick to finish at the bottom of their new 16-team league. They have won six games in a row. Iowa State is 10-3, already the first 10-win season in the program's 133-year history. Boise State makes the College Football Playoff as Big 12's 1st-round bye chances dim INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The first big win in college football’s postseason goes to Boise State. The have Broncos captured the Mountain West Conference title and earned their spot in the sport’s first 12-team playoff. As for the losers, there was UNLV, which fell 21-7 to Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos in the conference title game. But more than that, it was the Big 12, which saw one path to a first-round bye in those playoffs blocked off by Jeanty and Company. Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn finished in the middle of the pack in a pair of lower-level downhill events as she competed for the first time in nearly six years. The 40-year-old Vonn is on the comeback trail after stepping away from the sport because of injuries. Vonn wasn't concerned with times and places in the races so much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races she had enough points to enter World Cup events. Man City drops more points after draw with Crystal Palace and Man United loses again Manchester City’s Premier League title defense has taken another blow after a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. Four-time defending champion City ended a seven-game winless run on Wednesday by beating Nottingham Forest. But City has dropped more points on Saturday after the draw at Selhurst Park. It could have been worse for City after Palace led twice. Pep Guardiola’s team is fourth in the standings and eight points behind leader Liverpool. Liverpool has a game in hand after its derby with Everton was postponed due to a storm. Amber Glenn becomes first US woman in 14 years to win figure skating Grand Prix Final GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Amber Glenn has become the first American to win the women’s Grand Prix Final competition since Alissa Czisny 14 years ago. Glenn landed a triple axel on her way to a total score of 212.07 points to beat Japan's Mone Chiba and triple world champion Kaori Sakamoto. That continues a stunning breakout season at the age of 25 for Glenn. The U.S. could win two more titles later Saturday. Ilia Malinin leads the men’s event ahead of the free skate and Madison Chock and Evan Bates lead the ice dance. Norris takes pole for season-ending Abu Dhabi GP and Hamilton 18th in Mercedes farewell ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Lando Norris took pole position for the last Formula 1 race of the season alongside teammate Oscar Piastri to put McLaren on the verge of a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Norris’ last lap put him .209 of a second faster than Piastri, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. .020 further back. Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton qualified 18th for his last race with Mercedes after a bizarre incident wrecked his final qualifying lap. A plastic pole marking the inside of a corner was knocked loose by Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Hamilton drove over it. Big 12's Yormark brings up hard choices for fans before sparsely attended title game ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — College football fans are facing some hard choices in the expanded playoff system with some teams set to play away from home multiple times. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark raised that point before the sparsely attended title game between No. 12 Arizona State and 16th-ranked Iowa State. There were thousands of empty seats at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. Yormark says he remains committed to having a Big 12 title game. Besides the issues of fans, there have been suggestions that some leagues might be better off without title games as it relates to playoff hopes. Everton vs. Liverpool postponed because of Storm Darragh. Other Premier League games remain on LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — The Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool has been postponed because of Storm Darragh's dangerous winds and heavy rain on the west coast. The Met office says parts of Wales have experienced wind gusts of over 90 mph. The four other Premier League games Saturday remained on as planned. Manchester United will host Nottingham Forest at 5:30 p.m. local time at Old Trafford. The remaining games start at 3 p.m. local time. Aston Villa hosts Southampton and urged fans to use extra time to get to Villa Park in Birmingham. In London, Brentford will host Newcastle, and Crystal Palace will host Manchester City. Ashton Jeanty lets his play do the talking for CFP-bound Boise State BOISE, Idaho (AP) — After Ashton Jeanty streaked through the middle of UNLV’s defense on his way to a 75-yard touchdown run Friday night in the Mountain West Conference title game, he didn’t strike the Heisman pose. He didn’t even lobby for it after the game, instead letting his play do the talking in No. 10 Boise State's 21-7 victory over No. 19 UNLV 21-7. Jeanty added another 209 yards — his sixth game over 200 yards this season — to push his total to 2,497 — just 132 yards short of passing Barry Sanders’ FBS season rushing record. The Broncos earned a spot in the College Football Playoff with the victory. No. 24 Army wins AAC championship in first attempt as Daily runs for 4 TDs in 35-14 win over Tulane WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Bryson Daily rushed for four touchdowns to tie the American Athletic Conference championship game record, and No. 24 Army completed a perfect first season in the league by beating Tulane 35-14. Kanye Udoh rushed for 158 yards, including a 72-yarder to set up a Daily TD, and a score. Daily added 126 yards on the ground for the Black Knights, who overwhelmed AAC opponents with their bruising, clock-eating rushing attack during their first around the league, then ran it to perfection in the championship game. Army moved to 11-1. Daily had runs of 5, 3, 4 and 7 yards.

superb customer service 。

Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systemsNone

Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into a Texas cityOil-Dri’s Board of Directors Declares Quarterly Dividends

In a world where visuals have become a fundamental part of communication, stands out as one of the most popular graphic design platforms globally. Known for its intuitive design tools, Canva has democratized the design process, making it accessible to individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises alike. Whether you’re a professional graphic designer or a complete beginner, Canva offers the tools you need to create stunning designs quickly and easily. This article will explore Canva’s features, how it benefits different users, and how it has transformed the world of design. Founded in 2012 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, started as an online platform designed to simplify the graphic design process. The company’s mission is to provide users with an easy-to-use platform that allows them to create high-quality designs without the need for advanced design skills. Today, Canva has evolved into a comprehensive design tool used by over 60 million people worldwide, from individuals creating social media posts to large corporations designing marketing campaigns. Canva’s user-friendly interface, extensive template library, and customizable design elements make it a powerful tool for everyone, regardless of their level of design experience. Canva is a game-changer for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have access to expensive design software or in-house design teams. Here’s how Canva can help businesses succeed: While Canva is widely popular, it does face competition from other design tools. Here’s how Canva compares to its main competitors: As Canva continues to grow and innovate, several exciting developments are on the horizon: Whether you’re a small business owner, marketer, or casual user looking to create beautiful designs, offers the perfect solution for your needs. With its user-friendly interface, vast template library, and powerful design tools, Canva has revolutionized the way people approach graphic design. By providing a platform that is both accessible and affordable, Canva has empowered millions of users to create professional-grade designs without the steep learning curve of traditional design software. As Canva continues to grow and innovate, it will undoubtedly remain a leader in the graphic design space, helping users from all walks of life create stunning visuals with ease.You'd think by the time I reached adulthood I'd have a reliable that can withstand the frequent downpours, gale force winds and tumultuous weather Mother Nature throws at us. However, it was only recently I discovered the ultimate outdoor coat which has not only kept me warm in the recent arctic temperatures (and I get cold incredibly easily) but also completely dry during a bout of rain as Storm Bert hit. And you can bet I'll be using it during Storm Darragh. Made by renowned outdoor specialists and Helen Skelton-approved brand , the gorgeous, durable and surprisingly stylish Black Velvet Sheen is a bit of an investment at , but in my eyes totally worth it. Perfect for a treat for yourself or a loved one ahead of the Christmas rush, the coat is available in three different colours - an all with a lovely soft velvet sheen, a camel and cream and 'Moonvista' purple. The coat comes in sizes XS to XL. Without gushing too much, as someone who feels the cold and usually gets battered by the rain I can say it's honestly one of s I've ever owned. Let me tell you why. It construction it smart: it's easy to get in and out of thanks to the 2-way centre-front zipper and can keep your essential items well protected with its interior pockets and zippered hand pockets, reports . I personally love too - which is still roomy even for a small and I'm usually a size 10 - and think it looks really quite chic. Although, one thing I will note is that it is not particularly long - leaving your legs vulnerable to getting drenched, which is a bit of a downside. That aside, the technology incorporated into this coat makes it a top choice for both casual town strollers and avid hikers, whether you're tackling a coastal walk, a woodland wander or a mountain climb. Keeping you cosy in the icy temperatures, this coat really feels like being enveloped thanks to its 700 fill down insulation and Omni-Heat Reflective technology, inspired by NASA's space blankets. With a warmth rating of 2/3 on Columbia's scale - a figure that indicates it's 'best suited for hiking, winter sports and city exploration' - the coat features an Omni-HeatTM Infinity gold dot reflective lining. is described by the brand as a 'thermal-reflective pattern delivering increased heat retention and high breathability'. This lining is golden in name and nature; opening the coat reveals a sea of shimmering gold foil-like material, and the warmth it generates is extraordinary. I seize every opportunity to wear it. While I've typically sported this coat along a windswept beach, exposed to the elements - with my Bulo Point puffer providing excellent protection for my arms, torso and head - I thought a clever idea would be to put it to the test during the most recent Storm Bert. Despite having a 1 out of 4 on the brand's moisture-repellent scale ( claims it can resist moisture absorption best suited for drizzle), it performed remarkably well. Usually, when I wear a 'waterproof' jacket in the UK's somewhat biblical downpours, it becomes so heavy that it seeps through the seams and my shoulders end up soaked. However, with , my entire upper body remained dry. It was a pleasant surprise, and I felt super snug. Now, with , I was impressed by how much it kept out the rain - although perhaps it was beginner's luck, and if I wear it out in more torrential rain, it might let some water in. But on its first extreme outing, it held up well. Additionally, the hood kept my hair safe and dry and didn't blow down during a slight gale, thanks to its adjustable tightened straps. The only improvement I would suggest is for the hood to extend a bit further, offering more protection for my eyes. Although there was enough material to manually hold it out. The rain didn't ruin the 'velvet' look of the coat either, as it dried quickly and looked as good as new, feeling soft to the touch. All things considered, this coat is likely the best I've ever owned and it's completely worth the £270 price tag. If you're finding the Columbia coat a bit pricey, . Available in six different colours, the Uniqlo coat boasts over 750 fill power and 'superior water-repellent functionality'. Meanwhile has been marked down from £99.99 to £59.99. Having undergone thermal testing up to -30C in a lab, you can be assured this coat will keep you warm. It's also water resistant and offers a stylish and cosy fit. For get it from the website

(Bloomberg) -- Nissan Motor Co.’s latest outlook downgrade has shined a light on the Japanese carmaker’s tendency to overpromise and underdeliver, testing the trust of its investors and suppliers. The manufacturer has failed to meet its initial annual unit sales target during eight of the past nine fiscal years, four of which had a gap of more than 10%, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. For this fiscal year through March, it lowered an initial goal by 8.1% to 3.4 million vehicles. Nissan’s propensity to promise too much is a habit it picked up when Carlos Ghosn was in charge, according to Tatsuo Yoshida, senior auto analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. By contrast, Toyota Motor Corp.’s sales have never fallen short of forecasts by more than 10% during the same period, while Honda Motor Co. has seen drops of similar scale only twice. Six years have passed since Ghosn’s surprise exit, but Nissan hasn’t been able to escape his operational style, Yoshida said, much less build a new one. Chief Executive Officer Makoto Uchida, appears to realize as much, saying that “Nissan needs to be better at measuring the accuracy of its goals.” Uchida, who forfeited half of his compensation beginning this month, also told reporters during a post-earnings briefing that the carmaker has been affected “not only by external challenges, but also by our own specific issues.” Nissan’s troubles deepened after its rapid decline opened the door to one of Japan’s most influential activist investors. A fund controlled by Effissimo Capital Management Pte took a 2.5% stake in the carmaker while share prices were down after it announced quarterly results earlier this month. Speculation abounds as to why Effissimo resurfaced now, but it was a striking reminder of its dramatic 2021 standoff with Toshiba Corp., which ended in the dismissal of its CEO. Nissan’s market capitalization, which stands at about ¥1.5 trillion ($9.7 billion), has been shrinking since peaking at almost ¥6 trillion in 2015. It’s now Japan’s fifth-largest carmaker as measured by market value after Toyota, Honda, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Ghosn, who joined Nissan’s executive ranks in 1999 from Renault SA after the French carmaker rescued the company, made three commitments in his revival plan including getting the struggling company out of the red and pledged to resign should he fail to meet any of them. In the end, all of his goals were accomplished ahead of schedule and Nissan posted record profits. After that, the long-term goal shifted to building more capacity and reaching greater scale in order to challenge Toyota and major carmakers in the US. That put Nissan on a path to higher incentives and fleet sales as it aspired to sell more vehicles. An aging product lineup is arguably Nissan’s biggest challenge. While Toyota and Honda have largely refreshed their models in North America, Nissan’s last significant updates were the Pathfinder and Frontier in 2021. The carmaker plans to roll out a plug-in hybrid version of the Rogue in fiscal 2025, followed by one using the company’s e-Power gas-electric technology the next year. Nissan ranked behind Toyota and Honda in a survey published in November by Japanese weekly magazine Diamond, which asked major automakers’ partners to rank them based on the trustworthiness of their production plans. The accuracy of Nissan’s sales forecasts has been “unusually low” in recent years, according to SBI Securities Co. analyst Koji Endo. For some time now, Endo added, the company has been repeating the cycle of failing to meet its targets and resorting to stopgap measures to cut costs. That still continues; Nissan revealed plans earlier this month to terminate 9,000 jobs and reduce capacity by a fifth, putting much of the blame on a downturn in sales across North America and China. As the impacts of those cost cuts make their way downstream, the pain of Nissan’s rapid decline will weigh on the bottom lines of its countless suppliers and business partners. Nissan already encountered trouble earlier this year for squeezing parts makers. Suppliers risk incurring losses if they believe Nissan’s forecasts, Yoshida said. “That’s why they take those numbers from Nissan and aim lower.” More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”

superkill Murder charges after woman burnt to death on NYC subwayWith a downtick in the number of graft cases registered this year as compared to 2023, the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) 2024 report card has worried the activists, who feel that the agency is not doing enough to weed out the all-pervasive ill. The decline is apparently a matter of concern for Mumbai from where the lowest number of bribe takers (53) were caught this year. With 231 'tainted' officials, Nashik earned the infamy of having the highest number of bribe takers. Between January and December 26, 2024, the ACB registered 707 cases, compared to 812 cases last year. This has also impacted the number of alleged bribe-takers, which has dropped from 1,186 in 2023 to 1,063 in 2024. According to the official data for this year, the ACB laid 670 traps compared to 795 traps in 2023. Notably, the figure on other counts – misappropriation and other corruption cases – saw a rise in 2024. The former category saw registration of 30 cases compared to 12 last year, while seven offences were filed in the latter category, which saw five cases in 2023. In Mumbai, the ACB arrested 53 accused this year, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and two for other forms of corruption. However, the 2023 figure of those arrested stood at 57, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and three for corruption. The ACB operates through eight divisions: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nanded. The number of those arrested in other districts are as follows: 114 in Thane, 217 in Pune, 93 in Nagpur, 99 in Amravati, 180 in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and 88 in Nanded. Most cases (177) were registered against the revenue department officials, involving Rs34.44 lakh bribe money. It was trailed by the police department (133 cases, Rs53.4 lakh) followed by the regional transport offices (nine cases, Rs50.1 lakh), social welfare department (nine cases, Rs42.17 lakh). Surprisingly, not a single case was registered against any staff of the BMC, BEST or the prison department. Activist Kamalakar Shenoy said, “The ACB is playing mischief with taxpayers. The bribe amount hints that action was just taken against lower cadres. The higher-ups, including ministers and bureaucrats, are saints.” Accusing the agency of illegally forwarding the complaints to the other departments, Shenoy said, “The ACB prepares incorrect closure reports. The frauds of thousands of crores are simply being brushed under the carpet.” Sanjay Parande, former additional superintendent of police, ACB Mumbai, said, “The number of traps cannot be a yardstick for gauging the level of corruption in any particular department. There are more complaints against those in the police or revenue because they interact with the citizens on a daily basis.”Aston Villa boss in 'very soft' claim after dramatic ending to Juventus stalemate

Jessica Hamilton, a clinical psychologist at University of Kansas Health System, said people concerned about bitter political arguments during Thanksgiving gatherings could opt out of those conversations. She said holiday dinner hosts could set boundaries for guests to forbid quarrels about the November election. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from KU Health System YouTube channel) TOPEKA — Personal political agendas, social-media inflamed partisanship and tough-to-swallow outcomes in the 2024 election are likely to simmer as families with divergent perspectives gather around dinner tables for annual Thanksgiving meals. Instead of settling whether it was acceptable to substitute lasagna for turkey as the main course, folks were likely to argue about attributes and shortcomings of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Rather than consider whether the menu should include fried apples, braised collard greens, macaroni and cheese or roasted broccoli, relatives could slide into debate on the potential of tariffs igniting inflation. In lieu of conversation about whether pecan pie should be displaced by English toffee for dessert, diners might bicker about implications of Republicans simultaneously controlling the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Clinical psychologists Greg Nawalanic and Jessica Hamilton, of the University of Kansas Health System, said supper-time strife could be reduced by taking a healthy approach to political differences. They recommended families and friends strive to set boundaries, be courteous, actively listen to others, express curiosity and focus on the big picture of a holiday associated with counting blessings. “If you are on the winning side, then that’s great for you. Have those feelings. Celebrate it. Maybe keep it inside of you. Talk to like-minded people about that,” Nawalanic said. “But when you have friends or family who were opposing, try to be gracious about it. Remember, they were just as invested as you were ... but now are very disappointed.” He said that during the two weeks after the Nov. 5 election about 90% of his counseling sessions were tied to ballot-box results. Hamilton said some of her patients were suffering anticipatory anxiety because they understood their personal political ideas didn’t align with others in the family. Some clients, she said, were experiencing political grief because a majority of voters didn’t see national, state or local candidates in the same way or took a contrary position on taxation, gambling or abortion questions. She said the desire of people to stand up for personal values made it difficult to accept the political opinions of rivals. One option on Thanksgiving was to not participate in political dialogue at the dinner table, she said. Those who do ought to take a deep breath before commenting to avoid escalating a rhetorical quarrel, she said. “If you want to engage, I would say engage in a way that is true to the kind of person that you want to be,” Hamilton said. “Are you wanting to be ‘right’ as far as politics go? Or, do you want to be understanding and recognize that there is a difference and be respectful?” She suggested individuals direct conversations toward poignant or humorous family stories and histories rather than squabble about political events capable of driving people apart. Hamilton said it would be acceptable for a Thanksgiving host to set ground rules in advance that precluded back-and-forth friction on political topics. Adults and children might be well-served by looking at election results through the lens of good sportsmanship, she said. “We teach our kids this,” she said. “Why aren’t we displaying that as adults? How can we be good sports and appreciate one another?” Nawalanic said the environment of some Thanksgiving gatherings could be compared to a visit to a dentist. It might not be pleasant, he said, but the agony was of limited duration. He said individuals consumed political news in different ways with some remaining glued to social media and others taking passive interest until Election Day. He said social media amplified discord during the 2024 elections. In the end, he said, technology played a larger role in this election because messaging left little room to calmly consider the range of candidates and issues. “We have to understand that when we go into these conversations there’s been an echo chamber that is so reinforced and impregnable,” Nawalanic said. “If you try to talk or communicate at your dinner table the way you’re doing it online — if you’re one of those little snipers who wants to nail you — let’s not do that.” He advised people to resist the temptation to sever family relationships based on results of November’s voting. Perhaps it would be best to explore more substantive reasons for contemplating closure of those doors, he said. “If you’re considering ending a relationship because of politics, it’s probably less about the politics and more about personality attributes in the way they’ve gone about it,” Nawalanic said. Nawalanic said it could be useful to snack before arriving for the big Thanksgiving meal, because hunger could trigger what he referred to episodes of “hanger” when controversial topics were broached. He said consumption of alcoholic beverages ought to be minimized at dinners where discord could arise because “wine is not adaptive coping.” He said it was important to remember this year’s snapshot of people around the dinner table was certain to change by next year. “Do you want to look back on this Thanksgiving and think, ‘It was such a nice, lovely family time together and a great meal,'” Nawalanic said. “Or, do you want to remember, ‘I burned her with that comment. When I said that, she felt it.'”With a downtick in the number of graft cases registered this year as compared to 2023, the Anti-Corruption Bureau's (ACB) 2024 report card has worried the activists, who feel that the agency is not doing enough to weed out the all-pervasive ill. The decline is apparently a matter of concern for Mumbai from where the lowest number of bribe takers (53) were caught this year. With 231 'tainted' officials, Nashik earned the infamy of having the highest number of bribe takers. Between January and December 26, 2024, the ACB registered 707 cases, compared to 812 cases last year. This has also impacted the number of alleged bribe-takers, which has dropped from 1,186 in 2023 to 1,063 in 2024. According to the official data for this year, the ACB laid 670 traps compared to 795 traps in 2023. Notably, the figure on other counts – misappropriation and other corruption cases – saw a rise in 2024. The former category saw registration of 30 cases compared to 12 last year, while seven offences were filed in the latter category, which saw five cases in 2023. In Mumbai, the ACB arrested 53 accused this year, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and two for other forms of corruption. However, the 2023 figure of those arrested stood at 57, including 50 caught in traps, one in a misappropriation case and three for corruption. The ACB operates through eight divisions: Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nanded. The number of those arrested in other districts are as follows: 114 in Thane, 217 in Pune, 93 in Nagpur, 99 in Amravati, 180 in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and 88 in Nanded. Most cases (177) were registered against the revenue department officials, involving Rs34.44 lakh bribe money. It was trailed by the police department (133 cases, Rs53.4 lakh) followed by the regional transport offices (nine cases, Rs50.1 lakh), social welfare department (nine cases, Rs42.17 lakh). Surprisingly, not a single case was registered against any staff of the BMC, BEST or the prison department. Activist Kamalakar Shenoy said, “The ACB is playing mischief with taxpayers. The bribe amount hints that action was just taken against lower cadres. The higher-ups, including ministers and bureaucrats, are saints.” Accusing the agency of illegally forwarding the complaints to the other departments, Shenoy said, “The ACB prepares incorrect closure reports. The frauds of thousands of crores are simply being brushed under the carpet.” Sanjay Parande, former additional superintendent of police, ACB Mumbai, said, “The number of traps cannot be a yardstick for gauging the level of corruption in any particular department. There are more complaints against those in the police or revenue because they interact with the citizens on a daily basis.”

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of a rally in the capital to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison, a security officer said Sunday. Khan has been behind bars for more than a year and has over 150 criminal cases against him. But he remains popular and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. Shahid Nawaz, a security officer in eastern Punjab province, said police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters. They include five parliamentarians. Pakistan has sealed off Islamabad with shipping containers and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with PTI strongholds in Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Tit-for-tat teargas shelling between the police and the PTI was reported on the highway bordering Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns.” The government and Interior Ministry posted the announcement on the social media platform X, which is banned in Pakistan. They did not specify the areas, nor did they say how long the suspension would be in place. “Internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country,” the posts said. Meanwhile, telecom company Nayatel sent out emails offering customers “a reliable landline service” as a workaround in the areas suffering suspended cellphone service. Khan’s supporters rely heavily on social media to demand his release and use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi was traveling to Islamabad in a convoy led by the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur. “She cannot leave the party workers on their own,” said Akram. There was a festive mood in Peshawar, with PTI members dancing, drumming and holding up pictures of Khan as cars set off for Islamabad. The government is imposing social media platform bans and targeting VPN services , according to internet advocacy group Netblocks. On Sunday, the group said live metrics showed problems with WhatsApp that were affecting media sharing on the app. The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert for Americans in the capital, encouraging them to avoid large gatherings and warning that even “peaceful gatherings can turn violent.” Last month, authorities suspended the cellphone service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to thwart a pro-Khan rally. The shutdown disrupted communications and affected everyday services such as banking, ride-hailing and food delivery. The latest crackdown comes on the eve of a visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko . Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said authorities have sealed off Islamabad’s Red Zone, which houses key government buildings and is the destination for Khan’s supporters. “Anyone reaching it will be arrested,” Naqvi told a press conference. He said the security measures were in place to protect residents and property, blaming the PTI for inconveniencing people and businesses. He added that protesters were planning to take the same route as the Belarusian delegation, but that the government had headed off this scenario. Naqvi denied cellphone services were suspended and said only mobile data was affected. Associated Press writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar and Asim Tanveer in Multan contributed to this report.

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A New Trump Tower Is Going Up in This Middle Eastern CountryAs PTI convoys from across the country reached Islamabad for the party’s much-touted powershow — despite a court order and government warnings against it — the party claimed its workers were being arrested and dispersed using teargas. On Nov 13, Imran Khan issued a “ final call ” for nationwide protests on Nov 24 (today), denouncing what he described as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that PTI’s planned protest is unlawful and directed the federal government to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order in Islamabad without disrupting public life, particularly as the Belarusian president is scheduled to arrive over the weekend with a high-profile delegation. As PTI supporters, who had set off on their journey earlier in the day, began reaching Islamabad despite government warnings of arrests, the party claimed the police was detaining its workers and using teargas to disperse them. In a post on X at 7:10pm, the PTI shared what it said were “visuals of the extreme shelling by fascist regime against own citizens at Islamabad Express”. Earlier, a Dawn.com correspondent in Islamabad said mobile internet services were down across the city, while major roads, including motorways, were blocked with containers. Pictures shared by the correspondent showed mostly deserted roads and people on motorbikes making their way from a narrow corner of a road blocked by trucks. Trucks block a road in Islamabad. — photo by Umar Bacha “These constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability ... we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,” Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident of Islamabad told Reuters in front of a closed market. Separately, in a notification seen by Dawn.com , the office of the district magistrate in Islamabad ordered the closure of all public and private educational institutions in the capital territory tomorrow. The PTI, in a post on X , claimed that the convoy of National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub was targeted near Taxila and shells were fired at it. PTI MNA Sher Afzal Marwat shared a video of his brother Latif Khan saying a convoy led by him was fired at with “strict teargas shelling” and that roads were blocked. Earlier today, the PTI claimed a “family that had reached D Chowk last night” had been arrested, sharing a video of a woman speaking from inside a prisoner van while another was taken inside too. The woman asked for the reason for being detained, saying, “Okay, we can say sorry that we should not have come to this area.” In another post, the PTI shared a video without specifying the location, saying: “The fascist regime has started, as expected, tear gas shelling against peaceful Pakistanis.” Speaking at D-Chowk, the final destination of PTI’s main convoy, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, “One option is that we let them come and [...] paralyse Islamabad. The other option is to protect Islamabad. “The area where they (the PTI) have called the protest is a protected area of Islamabad, monitored by the IG and DIG,” Naqvi said, referring to the Red Zone. “Any protesters who enter that area will be arrested,” he warned. View this post on Instagram Despite the security apparatus in place, Naqvi maintained that the blockades were “not as bad as last time” and that the government was trying to give as much relief as possible to those inconvenienced. Referring to the arrival of a Belarusian delegation in the capital, Naqvi said PTI supporters were coming on to the route through which the delegation was supposed to pass. He criticised the PTI for organising protests today instead of attending the funerals being held in Kurram, referring to violent clashes there in the past few days. Addressing the PTI demonstrators, he said: “If you wish to protest, that is your right, but you know exactly who is coming and you have been blocking off roads and causing trouble.” Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said a “comprehensive security plan” had been formed to prevent mischief. Police personnel align before being deployed near a Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers to hinder a rally by members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s PTI demanding his release, in Islamabad on Nov 24, 2024. — AFP “If a road is closed, a lane has been kept open along it,” the IG said while speaking to the media, stressing that the purpose of the security plan was to secure the people’s lives and property. “There are obstacles, but the movement of people has not been stopped,” he claimed, adding that action would be taken against people carrying weapons or prohibited items. In a post on X earlier today, the Islamabad police said Rawat T Cross was closed for traffic on both sides and only one lane was open at Chungi No.26 for traffic heading both ways. “However, internal roads are partially open for traffic in Islamabad which can be used in case of extreme need,” the police said, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. In a separate post , the police shared pictures of its personnel stationed at various points to “ensure the imposition of Section 144”, which prohibits gatherings. State broadcaster PTV News shared a post on X pointing out how there were “neither any people nor any flags” on Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, compared to previous instances “when the PTI used to hold its musical shows every other night”. Punjab, especially Lahore, came to a grinding halt on Saturday after the entire intercity bus operation — particularly routes leading to Islamabad and Rawalpindi — were suspended. The security at the Lahore railway station was also beefed up after a huge number of passengers thronged it in a bid to reach their destinations. Internet tracking monitor Netblocks said WhatsApp backends have been restricted in Pakistan, according to a post on X at 1:07am. “Live metrics show WhatsApp backends have been restricted in Pakistan corroborating reports of media sharing issues; the measure comes as authorities tighten security ahead of protests planned by opposition party PTI calling for the release of former PM Imran Khan,” Netblocks said. View this post on Instagram Addressing the media later today, interior minister Naqvi said: “Mobile services are working. The internet has been shut down.” A day ago, the interior ministry said that WiFi and mobile internet services would be suspended only in areas with “security concerns” and remain operational as normal in the rest of the country. In a televised statement, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar termed the PTI responsible for Islamabad’s closure and for “causing damage to businesspeople and the economy”. He asserted that while some routes in the city were closed, others were still open. “The main highway is closed, but despite that people are out and about,” Tarar said. The minister added, “When a party tries to spread division, they do so through violence and property damage. We saw it during the 2014 sit-in, PTV was set on fire and the gates of Parliament were broken down.” Separately, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said “PTI’s act will be exposed today”. “I am sure their act will be exposed today [...] why are they spreading anarchy? “Barrister Gohar said [the protest was to] release Imran Khan but he hasn’t been arrested by a deputy commissioner, [through] detention orders or any administrative orders [...] the cases are in the courts and he will have to get himself cleared in those cases.” “If he thinks he is innocent that doesn’t mean you start causing destruction, it means you face your cases in court and tell your lawyers to get the cases disposed quickly,” he said, referring to Imran’s legal challenges. Rallies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power, left for Islamabad early in the morning, according to the Dawn.com correspondent. MPAs and MNAs of their respective constituencies were leading their convoys and would join the rallies at Burhan near Hazara interchange, the correspondent said, citing PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai. View this post on Instagram However, a heavy police contingent was present on GT Road and motorway at Attock’s Hassanabdal to stop the procession from reaching Islamabad. Several convoys are en route to the capital, PTI shared in multiple posts on X. According to a post on X , a main convoy led by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur departed from CM House in Peshawar. CM Gandapur, expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, earlier called on people to gather near the entrance of the city’s red zone, known as “D Chowk”. Islamabad’s red zone houses the country’s parliament building, important government installations, as well as embassies and foreign institutions’ offices. “[Imran] Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met,” he said in a video message yesterday. A post on PTI MNA Asad Qaiser’s X account said his convoy will reach Swabi’s Ambar Interchange, where it will join CM Gandapur. Supporters led by Omar Ayub also set off on their journey from Haripur, the PTI said. Rehana Dar , mother of former PTI leader Usman Dar and who contested the Feb 8 general elections against PML-N’s Khawaja Asif, also set off with her convoy from Sialkot. Other convoys include those of PTI’s Peshawar president Irfan Saleem , KP health minister Pakhtunyar Khan’s convoy from Bannu, KP minister Dr Amjad Ali and law minister Advocate Aftab Alam . In a post on X , former KP minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said: “To assume that unjust laws should just be followed, that try to protect state capture and make the judiciary subservient, is wrong.” However, he appealed to all protesters: “Stay peaceful. At all costs. Do not let anyone sabotage your protest.” Another post showed a convoy led by PTI South Punjab president Senator Aoun Abbas and MNA Zartaj Gul had departed for Islamabad. A video shared by the party showed Gul standing atop a vehicle, waving a white flag and chanting “Imran Khan Zindabad. Release, release Imran Khan”. A convoy led by the president of PTI’s Balochistan chapter was also on its way to Islamabad. View this post on Instagram A convoy led by PTI leaders Usama Mela and Ansar Iqbal Haral also departed from Sargodha’s Kot Momin. A post by the PTI on X called for protesters to carry signs and placards in English “in order to amplify our message globally.” “Let our voices echo loud and clear as we stand united for justice, democracy, and a constitutional Pakistan!” PTI leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the Punjab Assembly opposition leader, had earlier said protesters would not leave Islamabad until their demands were accepted. Since Imran’s arrest in August 2023 on several counts, his party has been holding protests across the country for his release and against the alleged rigging of the Feb 8 elections. The last protest in Islamabad by the PTI in early October turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused the other of instigating the clashes. Also on Saturday, the Nat­io­nal Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) issued an alert for possible terrorist attacks during the PTI’s march towards Islamabad, reliable sources told Dawn . According to sources, the alert was issued after “technical and human” intelligence gathered by the apex counter-terrorism body revealed that terrorists were planning “major activities” in big cities of Pakistan. Multiple sources confir­med “necessary preparat­ions” by the terrorists in Afgh­a­n­istan, who “ent­ered into Pak­istan” on the night bet­ween Nov 19 and 20. They were expected to station themselves in big cities, the sources added. The terrorists, whom the government and the military refer to as Fitna-al-Khawarij , will possibly target the PTI’s protest “for their vested interest”, as per the sources. Nacta has sugge­sted authorities ensure ex­t­reme vigilance and he­i­ghten security measu­res to prevent the att­ack. The government has vowed to suppress the power show with full force, deploying massive security forces, enforcing a sweeping ban on gatherings, blocking highways and motorways and launching a crackdown on leaders and workers of the opposition party. Paramilitary soldiers stand guard at the Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers ahead of a protest rally by PTI in Islamabad on November 24. — AFP The capital police have prepared a list of over 1,500 PTI leaders and workers in Islamabad and constituted 27 teams to arrest them so they could not participate in the protest. The police also arrested 350 other workers of the party, including leader Nafisa Khattak as well as a nephew and brother-in-law of the party’s Islamabad chapter president Amir Mughal. An overnight crackdown was also launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where some elected councillors were among those held. Besides Muzaffarabad police arresting 26 people , the houses of various leaders were also raided, including of AJK Assembly’s opposition leader Khawaja Farooq Ahmed. The government has also put all public sector hospitals in Islamabad on high alert in order to meet any emergency situation. Among methods to curtail the protest is the closure of various motorways and key arteries of Punjab, severing paths to Islamabad at multiple points. The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) announced that six key motorways would be closed for all types of traffic “due to maintenance” from Friday night, advising travellers to avoid unnecessary travel during this period. The motorways closed to traffic are: M1 from Peshawar to Islamabad, M2 from Lahore to Islamabad, M3 from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem, M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan, M11 from Sialkot to Lahore, and M14 from Yarik to Hakla. Meanwhile, local autho­ri­­ties blocked bridges over the Chenab and Jhelum rivers in Gujrat district to restrict PTI protesters’ movement towards Islam­abad. The closure caused significant inconvenience to commuters who found themselves stuck in long queues of trucks and other vehicles on both sides of the rivers. Heavy containers and trolleys were parked on both sides of the bridges. More to follow Additional input from Reuters

WASHINGTON (AP) — A person accused of accosting U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol Office building pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanor assault charge. Witnesses told police that James McIntyre, 33, of Chicago, shook Mace's hand in an “exaggerated, aggressive” manner after approaching the South Carolina Republican in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday evening, according to a police affidavit. Mace, who is identified only by her initials in a court filing, posted a string of social media messages about the incident. She said she was “physically accosted” at the Capitol, and she thanked President-elect Donald Trump for calling her Wednesday morning to check on her condition. “I’m going to be fine just as soon as the pain and soreness subside,” Mace wrote. Mace declined to be treated by a paramedic after her encounter with McIntyre, who was arrested Tuesday by the Capitol Police, the affidavit says. Mace told police that McIntyre said, “Trans youth serve advocacy,” while shaking her hand. Last month, Mace proposed a resolution that would prohibit any lawmakers and House employees from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” Mace said the bill is aimed specifically at Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride — the first transgender person to be elected to Congress. A magistrate judge ordered McIntyre’s release after an arraignment in Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Efforts to reach an attorney for McIntyre weren't immediately successful.AudioEye, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AEYE – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 558,900 shares, a drop of 19.4% from the November 30th total of 693,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 232,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.4 days. Approximately 7.6% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Insider Activity at AudioEye In other AudioEye news, CFO Kelly Georgevich sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.00, for a total transaction of $290,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 88,981 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,580,449. This represents a 10.10 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, insider Carr Bettis sold 225,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.00, for a total transaction of $5,400,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 200,045 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,801,080. This represents a 52.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 1,342,859 shares of company stock valued at $32,684,480 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 40.70% of the company’s stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On AudioEye Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in AudioEye during the second quarter worth about $348,000. Palisades Hudson Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in AudioEye during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $142,000. Rhumbline Advisers bought a new stake in shares of AudioEye in the 2nd quarter valued at $147,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in AudioEye by 130.6% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 26,939 shares of the company’s stock worth $473,000 after acquiring an additional 15,256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ClariVest Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in AudioEye in the second quarter valued at about $664,000. Institutional investors own 51.11% of the company’s stock. AudioEye Stock Performance Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. HC Wainwright lifted their target price on AudioEye from $28.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $35.00 price objective (up from $25.00) on shares of AudioEye in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $30.13. Read Our Latest Report on AEYE AudioEye Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) AudioEye, Inc provides patented, internet content publication, distribution software, and related services to Internet and other media to people regardless of their device, location, or disabilities in the United States. Its software and services enable conversion of digital content into accessible formats and allows for real time distribution to end users on any Internet connected device. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AudioEye Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AudioEye and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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SMU has plenty to play for when it closes the regular season against California on Saturday afternoon in Dallas. The Mustangs (10-1, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who checked in at No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday, would like to send their seniors off the right way. They would also like to complete a perfect regular season before appearing in the ACC title game in their first year in the conference. Most importantly, they want to continue to strengthen their playoff case. "You've got the College Football Playoff, so every game matters. That's what's so cool about it now. The regular season is important," SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. "We'd like to finish well in everything we do, particularly on Saturday, to finish off the regular season, continue our momentum into the following week. Hopefully, continue to show the committee and others that we're worthy of continuing to play this year." The Mustangs are a worthy playoff team to date. Kevin Jennings has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 2,521 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has rushed for 315 yards and four TDs. Brashard Smith has been another standout, rushing for 1,089 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, the Mustangs rank tied for 14th in the country with 20 takeaways. "Obviously they've had a phenomenal season," Cal coach Justin Wilcox said of SMU. "As soon as you turn the tape on, it doesn't take very long to see why their record is what it is. They're very, very good really in every phase of the game - extremely explosive and quick and fast. They've got a dominant D-line. We've got a lot of challenges in front of us and our guys are excited for that." Cal (6-5, 2-5) is coming off an emotional win, defeating rival Stanford 24-21 on Saturday to secure a bowl berth. The Golden Bears will appear in consecutive bowls for the first time since 2018-19 and are now looking to clinch their first winning season since 2019. SMU is not overlooking Cal, as all five of the Golden Bears' losses have come by one score. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a better 6-5 team in America," Lashlee said. "I think you can conservatively say they very, very easily could be 9-2." Cal is led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for 3,004 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tight end Jack Endries leads the team with 555 yards receiving, while wide receiver Nyziah Hunter has caught a team-leading five touchdowns. Defensively, Cal has the ACC's top scoring defense (20.7 points per game) and is tied with Clemson for the ACC's best turnover margin (plus-13). Defensive back Nohl Williams is the star of the group -- he leads the country with seven interceptions. Even though oddsmakers are heavily favoring SMU, Cal is going into the game with a simple mindset. "Our task at hand is to make the best bowl game right now," Mendoza said. "And the way to do that is to go into Dallas, give it our best and ruin SMU's season." Saturday will mark the first conference meeting between these ACC newcomers, and just the second meeting between the programs all time. SMU won a 13-6 game back in 1957. --Field Level MediaWhat's New? Russia and Iran plan to formalize relations with the signing of a new strategic partnership treaty in the days before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The news was broken by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, who told reporters on Monday that he hoped the leaders of the two nations would sign the agreement "at the end of January," Russian state-owned outlet Sputnik reported. Newsweek has contacted the foreign affairs ministries of Iran and Russia for comment. Why It Matters The new treaty, potentially occurring just days prior to Trump's inauguration on January 20, signals an attempt by the two nations to combine their respective powers in the face of growing isolation on the world stage. Russia and Iran are members of what analysts at the Center for New American Security have dubbed the Axis of Upheaval , a group of states, which also features China and North Korea, that have increasingly positioned themselves as opponents of Western powers. The two nations have been heavily sanctioned and censured by the U.S. and its allies over the past few years, the former as a result of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the latter because of concerns over alleged, covert attempts to develop nuclear weapons as well as the actions of its military proxies in the Middle East. What To Know A treaty with Iran has been in the works for years, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry, which in early 2022 claimed that a "major new interstate agreement" was being finalized, without providing specifics. In late October, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the 16th annual BRICS summit in Kazan , Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the agreement would be ready for the two leaders' signatures in the near future, and that this will "will formalize the parties' commitment to close defense cooperation and interaction in the interests of regional and global peace and security." "An agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran will be an important factor of strengthening Russia-Iran relations," Lavrov said at the International Conference on Eurasian Security. The new bilateral treaty will replace the 20-year strategic agreement signed between the countries in 2001 and extended in 2020 and is said to contain promises of cooperation in areas such as energy, manufacturing, transportation and agriculture, according to state-linked Iranian outlet Mehr News Agency. In mid-2023, Russian outlet News.ru noted that difficulties had arisen in constructing the new treaty as a result of Russia's alleged support of the United Arab Emirates' claims to islands in the Strait of Hormuz that Iran considers part of its territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the parties were still working on the "speedy completion" of the document. Russia and Iran have in the past collaborated in these economic areas while also working to bypass their respective sanctions . In October, Pezeshkian described the relationship between the two nations as "strategic and sincere," and said that economic and cultural cooperation was " getting stronger day by day ." In September, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Iran of supplying Russia with ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine, though Tehran has denied reports claiming it was doing so. What People Are Saying Mohammed Soliman , director of Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program, Middle East Institute, in comments to Breaking Defense in July: "A comprehensive agreement might formalize closer political ties, potentially strengthening their shared opposition to the West, particularly in light of the Ukraine conflict and sanctions. While not explicitly mentioned, the agreement could lead to further collaboration on military technology or intelligence sharing." What Happens Next? A Russian delegation led by deputy prime ministers Alexei Overchuk and Vitaly Savelev arrived in Tehran on Monday, according to Iranian media reports, where they are set meet with Pezeshkian. The new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement will be discussed during the meetings, according to Iran International . Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this article? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.Michael Taube: Trudeau's 'feminist' criticism of American voters is delusional

Everyone knows the best accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey, and all the trimmings, is the one thing that makes this holiday truly special: wall-to-wall live sports! I'm going to watch Thanksgiving Day sports on TV – and not just the NFL – around the clock and you can join me on my streaming odyssey with this, my (pretty ambitious) 24-hour Thanksgiving viewing schedule. Below, I've compiled all the best Thanksgiving Day games, from football to soccer , boxing, golf , snooker and cricket – along with the best Thanksgiving and Black Friday deals for each streaming service you'll need. Ready? Here we go... THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024 (All times ET) 2:30 a.m. South Africa vs Sri Lanka – Test Cricket You're not going to find much sports on TV at this crazy hour but if you insist on getting up seriously early on Thanksgiving because you've forgotten to brine the turkey or you just can't sleep, then let's try a little gentle Test cricket from sunny South Africa as we pull ourselves together. It's Day 2 of the second Test but you probably don't know how the game works anyway, so who cares? Just enjoy the sound of the clunk of leather on willow as you rub the sleep from your eyes. Don't worry, the proper sports start soon. Willow TV via Sling TV ( save 50% – $10 for your first month ) 5 a.m. Eastern SC vs Sydney – AFC Champions League soccer Look, U.S. athletes are still asleep, so sports from the other side of the world are all we're getting right now. You've just managed two and a half hours of cricket, how bad can a soccer match between a team from Hong Kong and Australia really be? Maybe don't answer that. Look, it's this or Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Dynamic Herb Cebu. Believe me, this is the better option. Sydney F.C. have some players that used to be good! Paramount+ ( save 76% – $2.99/mo for your first two months ) 6:45 a.m. Live racing from Taunton – U.K. horse racing OK. Everyone else in the house is going to start getting up soon. This might be our last chance of watching some pretty fringe sports before the late evening. This race meeting from Somerset, U.K. (not far from where the summer Glastonbury Festival takes place) is going to take us to a seriously muddy corner of Great Britain while we eat our cornflakes. Just thank your lucky stars you're not trackside in the cold and you can switch over whenever you like. If you need to spice things up, there's always the option of checking out the odds... Free on ITVX in the U.K. ( save 71% on NordVPN and watch from anywhere ) 8 a.m. Spanish Open – Ladies European Tour golf I'd like to tell you that this is going to be a classic but it's Day 1 of the Spanish Open and, with Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu or other U.S. athletes not involved, it's going to be one for the purists. If British horse racing didn't put you to sleep, then this one might. That or maybe get to peeling the potatoes. You've got an hour. There's a big fight next... Fox via Sling TV ( get your first month from only $20 ) 9 a.m. Gib vs Slim – Misfit boxing The biggest YouTuber beef since KSI vs Logan Paul gets underway at Misfit 019 in Qatar today. American Slim Albaher is unbeaten (7-0) and fights, having served up a plateful of punches against Salt Papi (Nathaniel Bustamente to his friends) last time out. Saudi AnEnson Gib, with just the one defeat to Jake Paul on his record, returns after a unanimous decision vs Jarvis back in 2023. The sport of kings or boxing's latest freakshow? Not sure, but it's a great excuse to crack into the drinks and snacks supplies. DAZN ( save up to 50% for Black Friday ) 11 a.m. UK Championship Snooker – Last 16 The Gibs vs Slim main event doesn't actually get into the ring until 5 p.m.. If the quality of the undercard has the consistency of my mother-in-law's gravy, then we might want to switch between the boxing and the snooker championships in the U.K.. It's one of the big three events in the snooker calendar and, if you've never watched the masters of the baize before, then give it a try. It's a game of extreme skill like no other and a very nice pace for background viewing if your guests are insisting on actually talking to you. Matchroom.live (Fans in the U.K. can watch for free on BBC iPlayer ) 12:30 p.m. Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions – NFL Ah, finally, an American sport! Customarily little more than stuffing, the Lions are the best team in the NFL right now, and look primed to break a seven-year Thanksgiving Day losing streak this time around. While Thomas Brown has already had a positive impact on Caleb Williams, it’s the Bears defense that’s largely to blame for their five-game skid. You might want to think about putting the turkey in the oven... CBS via Fubo ( reduced from $79.99 to $49.99 for Black Friday ) 1:30 p.m. South Carolina vs Iowa State – College Football Or, you could watch College Football . UCLA ended top-ranked South Carolina’s historic winning streak last weekend courtesy of a 77-62 stunner, which means the body-language and hindsight merchants will be out in force for the Thanksgiving clash with No.8 Iowa State. This is a whole different kind of pressure for the national champions. Fox via Sling TV ( get your first month from only $20 ) 3 p.m. Man Utd vs Bodo/Glimt – Europa League soccer Talking of turkey, never underestimate Manchester United's ability to gobble up a smaller team. Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt will be dreaming of stuffing the Red Devils but new coach Ruben Amorim, who led Sporting Lisbon to a sensational 4-1 thrashing of Man City a matter of weeks ago, will want to improve on his first game in charge which was a rather bland 1-1 draw against Ipswich. Paramount Plus ( save 76% – $2.99/mo for your first two months ) 3 p.m. Tottenham vs Roma – Europa League soccer Getting hungry? There's yet more European football to be served up – namely a mouthwatering showdown between England's Tottenham Hotspur and Italy's Roma. Spurs' last six games have included wins over Man City (twice) and Aston Villa, and defeats to Ipswich, Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. My point? Ange Postecoglou’s men aren’t so much inconsistent as mind-bogglingly volatile. There's no telling what we'll see today but expect some great entertainment! Paramount Plus ( save 76% – $2.99/mo for your first two months ) 4:30 p.m. Giants vs Cowboys – NFL My turkey is burnt to a crisp but that's ok, because my butt is well and truly glued to the couch for another helping of NFL. Dallas might be the 14th seed in the NFC (a distant 3rd in the NFC East) with seven games to play, but their near-miraculous victory over the Commanders has given them a huge lift. Better yet for Texas, the hapless Giants have incomprehensibly picked Tommy DeVito ahead of Drew Lock in the aftermath of Daniel Jones’ departure. Fox via Sling TV in selected cities ( get your first month from only $20 ) 8:20 p.m. Dolphins vs Packers – NFL The Dolphins looked as lifeless as my half-eaten sweet potato pie a month ago. But Tua Tagovailoa’s return has been the ultimate second helping, delivering three straight wins and reviving their playoff hopes. Now the 8th seed in the AFC, they’re preparing to face the NFC’s 6th-seeded Packers in what’s shaping up to be the Thanksgiving Day game of the year. But while the Dolphins are heating up, there’s one thing they can’t seem to handle: the cold. And Lambeau Field? That place is going to be colder than my Aunt Linda’s casserole that she insists on bringing every year. NBC via Sling TV (first month half-price) in selected cities / Fubo ( save $30 ) 11: 30 p.m. Australian Open – DP World Tour golf If the game winds down in the fourth quarter with either the Dolphins or Green Bay running away with it, you might want a change channel ahead of the final whistle. The good news is that sports on the other side of the planet are picking up about now. The DP World Tour is Down Under for the Australian Open. Ryggs Johnston, of the USA, is one of the early tees on what's Friday over there. The 24-year-old former Arizona Sun Devil is a relative newbie to the pro tour but it's been a season of promise so far. Maybe a little Thanksgiving spirit on his side is all he needs to push for something special? Peacock ( save 76% – get a whole year for $19.99 ) 12 a.m. Katompa vs Sabelo – South African boxing Still with me? Good, because South African boxing is about to be the best thing you've never watched. 'African Nights' pitches undefeated Congolese prodigy Ardy 'The Eagle' Katompa (6-0) against South Africa's Sabelo Ngebinyana (15-9-2) in a huge super-bantamweight bust-up at Sandton Shui Hall, Johannesburg. A win for Katompa could set the young buck on the path to boxing superstardom. DAZN ( save up to 50% for Black Friday ) Ok, it's bedtime. But there's a ton more Thanksgiving sports on TV this weekend and like 'The Eagle', I don't plan on throwing in the towel. Join me tomorrow if you think you can go again... More from Tom's Guide

Following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF, through COGAT’s Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza (CLA), continues to act per international law to facilitate and support humanitarian responses for Gaza residents, particularly in the medical field. Accordingly, on Saturday, in coordination with the CLA for Gaza, 17 patients and their caregivers were transferred from Kamal Adwan Hospital to other hospitals in the Gaza Strip via two ambulances. This transfer was carried out as a part of the IDF and health authorities' request to safely evacuate hospitals in the area to protect residents along humanitarian evacuation routes and operational medical centers in the Gaza Strip. 323 patients, caregivers, and medical staff have been transferred from hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip over the past few weeks. Additionally, Kamal Adwan Hospital has received 60,000 liters of fuel, 230 crates of medical supplies and medication, 180 blood units, and eight trucks of food and water in recent weeks.Uber Technologies Inc UBER has turned profits as of late, helped in part by its “Uber One” subscription. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly investigating the company over an alleged breach of consumer protection laws. What Happened: The FTC opened the investigation earlier this year, according to Bloomberg, citing documents it obtained. The investigation focuses on customer complaints about being enrolled in the Uber One subscription without their consent. Customers have also raised concerns that canceling the subscription is unnecessarily difficult. Uber One is a $9.99 monthly subscription that provides discounts on rides and Uber Eats. The regulatory agency has previously pursued cases against Amazon.com Inc , Adobe Inc and others for similar cancelation practices. The FTC sent a complaint to Uber shortly following Donald Trump ‘s election win on Nov. 5 seeking a monetary settlement, Bloomberg reports. Uber rejected the FTC’s offer, alleging the agency attempted to fast-track a resolution before Trump took office. In the waning days of the Biden Administration , the FTC has accelerated several of its investigations. Why it Matters: The company announced in October that Uber One had over 25 million subscribers. It has also recently expanded to India, according to the Times of India. The ongoing FTC probe is not the first time Uber has caught the attention of regulators. Uber and the FTC settled a lawsuit in 2018 over allegations that the San Francisco, California-based company exaggerated driver compensation in advertising. As part of the settlement, Uber refunded an average $222.96 to affected drivers. In September, Forbes columnist Len Sherman called for regulators to investigate the company for anti-competitive behavior. Also Read: Stocks Fall, Yen Eyes Best Day In 2 Months, Bitcoin Rebounds Above $96,000: What’s Driving Markets Wednesday? Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Global leaders expressed their condolences on Sunday following South Korea’s deadliest airplane crash, which claimed 179 lives. A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 burst into flames after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport, leaving only two survivors. As grieving relatives gathered at the airport, messages of sympathy poured in from across the world. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his sorrow in a message to South Korea's acting president, Choi Sang-mok. "I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims' families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery," Xi said, as quoted by China’s state broadcaster CCTV. Iran’s foreign ministry also offered condolences to South Korea and Thailand, the flight’s point of origin, which lost two nationals in the crash. "We send our sympathy to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured," said spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared his grief in a social media post, describing the incident as a "tragic plane crash." "We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea," Erdogan said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her heartbreak over the tragedy, saying, "As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief." France’s foreign ministry shared its "great emotion" at the "terrible toll," offering condolences to affected families. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called the crash "an incredible loss and pain" and referred to it as "yet another blow to the nation’s heart," citing South Korea’s recent political turmoil. Greece’s foreign ministry conveyed sorrow via social media, extending condolences "during this difficult time." Spain’s foreign ministry called the crash a "terrible accident," offering solidarity with the victims and their families. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed "disbelief" at the tragedy, describing the scenes as "horrific." As the sovereign of the Vatican City, Pope Francis addressed worshippers at the Vatican, and said he joins "in prayer for the survivors and the dead." The pontiff expressed solidarity with grieving families, calling it a "dramatic plane crash." The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also issued a statement. "We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew, and their loved ones," it said. The tragedy has united the global community in mourning as investigators work to uncover the cause of the disaster.

Government was lobbied in 1998 to do more for ex-prisoners, records showNoneThe government was lobbied to do more to assist former paramilitaries to get jobs and integrate back into society months after being released from prison in 1998. Declassified files show the then Northern Ireland Office minister, Adam Ingram, resisting the pressure by stating society was “not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up”, expressing concerns that ex-prisoners could end up teaching the children of their victims. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland and led to the establishment of the Stormont powersharing Assembly. The deal also saw the release from prison of hundreds of paramilitary prisoners. The issue of how to integrate them back into society was the subject of a meeting in December 1998 between Mr Ingram and Projex 2000, a private sector group which included representatives of ex-prisoners. Among those who attended the meeting for Projex 2000 were John White of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), Brendan Mackin of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), businessman Ken Cleland and Paul Mageean of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). A minute of the meeting shows that the minister advised the group to start lobbying the local parties in the Assembly as he said much of the responsibility for what they were concerned about would fall to Stormont. Mr Cleland says the government had committed to providing assistance for politically motivated prisoners in the Good Friday Agreement, but there had been “no tangible signs of this apart from the prisoner releases”. It adds: “The Minister pointed out that it was difficult to avoid comparisons with politically motivated prisoners and ‘ordinary decent criminals’. “There was already a huge reaction in society to the prisoner release programme.” The group raised concerns about the exclusion of former political prisoners from compensation schemes and highlighted difficulties in finding employment, suggesting a partnership between the prisoner groups, the government and the private sector. The minute states: “John White interjected to say that the prisoner groups were also concerned about media reporting that prisoners were getting huge sums of money on leaving prison.” It continues: “Mr Mackin said the reality at present is that prisoners’ groups do not see anything tangible coming from the Good Friday Agreement. “It seemed to him to be a complete waste of resources for prisoners to come out of prison highly educated but unable to get jobs.” The minister responded that the government had “taken a lot of gambles with no payback”. The minute continues: “As an after-thought he (Mr McCleland) added that it was ironic that someone like David Ervine may end up as a Minister in the New Assembly yet would be unable to employ civil service staff who were politically motivated ex-prisoners. “Again, the Minister emphasised that we are not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up. “There were legitimate concerns that ex-prisoners could end up for instance teaching the children of their victim.” The minute adds: “He emphasised that every ex-prisoner does not become a good guy so we have to move cautiously.” It says Mr Mageean said it was “ironic that the Government had signed up to the release of several hundred prisoners but yet would not allow them to get a job in somewhere like a passport office”. It continues: “The Minister reminded him that a sizeable part of the Northern Ireland community are not signed up to the (Good Friday Agreement), we have to move carefully; there is a much wider issue here.” As an action point after the meeting, the minister said he would write to all political parties in the Assembly to ask them to nominate someone to deal with the issue of prisoner re-integration.superl philippines 。

Global High Education Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Ellucian, Workday Student

Internet Advertising Market is set for a Potential Growth Worldwide: Excellent Technology Trends with Business Analysis 12-19-2024 08:11 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: AMA Research & Media LLP Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Internet Advertising Market Insights, to 2030" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Internet Advertising market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world. Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Research @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/15509-global-and-india-internet-advertising-market-1?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Some of the key players profiled in the study are: Alphabet Inc. (United States), Facebook, Inc. (United States), Baidu, Inc. (China), Yahoo! Inc (United States), Microsoft (United States), Alibaba (China), Aol(Verizon Communications), eBay, Inc. (United States), Linkedin (United States), Amazon (United States), IAC (United States). Scope of the Report of Internet Advertising Internet Advertising refers to a form of marketing and advertising which use the Internet and delivers promotional marketing messages to consumers. The Internet Adverting market has emerged as a strong marketing and by use of different strategy. The latest development and innovation are gaining the ground with which usage of social media for advertisement has increased. Internet Advertising is expected to rise owing to the increase in Internet users and high adoption rate of smartphones and other portable devices. The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: by Type (Search Ads, Mobile Ads, Banner Ads, Classified Ads, Digital Video Ads, Others), Industry Verticals (Retail, Automotive, Entertainment, Financial Services, Telecom, Consumer Goods, Others), Type of Device (Desktop, Mobile devices, Market by mode of advertisement, Publisher web site, Email, Social media web site, Application sponsoring) Market Trends: Development and Innovation in the Internet Advertisement Opportunities: Advertising Through Mobile Application and Social Media Video Advertising and Live Video Streaming Market Drivers: Rise in Demand For Internet Advertisement Owing to Growing Adoption of Mobile Phones Evolution of Communication Technology Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc. Have Any Questions Regarding Global Internet Advertising Market Report, Ask Our Experts@ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/15509-global-and-india-internet-advertising-market-1?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Internet Advertising Market: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Internet Advertising market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary - the basic information of the Internet Advertising Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges & Opportunities of the Internet Advertising Chapter 4: Presenting the Internet Advertising Market Factor Analysis, Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region/Country 2015-2020 Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Internet Advertising market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by Manufacturers/Company with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions (2024-2030) Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source finally, Internet Advertising Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/15509-global-and-india-internet-advertising-market-1?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Middle East, Africa, Europe or LATAM, Southeast Asia. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA - 08837 Phone: +1(201) 7937323, +1(201) 7937193 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com About Author: AMA Research & Media is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. This release was published on openPR.Jimmy Carter, 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies at 100

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan on Thursday denounced new U.S. sanctions on the country’s ballistic missile program as “discriminatory” that put the region’s peace and security at risk. Pakistan’s foreign ministry warned in a statement that the sanctions “have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond.” It also cast doubt on U.S. allegations that targeted businesses were involved in weapons proliferation because previous sanctions “were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever.” It also accused the U.S. of “double standards” for waiving licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other countries. The sanctions freeze any U.S. property belonging to the targeted businesses and bar Americans from doing business with them. The U.S. State Department said one such sanctioned entity, the Islamabad-based National Development Complex, worked to acquire items for developing Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program that includes the SHAHEEN series of ballistic missiles. The other sanctioned entities are Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprise. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wednesday on X that the U.S. had “been clear and consistent about our concerns” over such weapons proliferation and that it would “continue to engage constructively with Pakistan on these issues.” The sanctions were also opposed by the party of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Zulfiqar Bukhari, a Khan’s spokesman, took to the social platform X to criticize the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, saying “we strongly oppose U.S. sanctions on the National Development Complex and three commercial entities.” The latest U.S. sanctions came months after similar measures were slapped on other foreign entities, including a Chinese research institute, after the U.S. State Department accused them of working for the National Development Complex, which it says was involved in the development and production of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missiles. Analysts say Pakistan’s nuclear and missile program is primarily aimed at countering threats from neighboring India. Security expert Syed Muhammad Ali called the sanctions “short sighted, destabilizing and divorced from South Asian regional strategic realities.” Pakistan became a declared nuclear power in 1998, when it conducted underground nuclear tests in response to those carried out by its rival and neighbor India. The two sides regularly test-fired their short, medium and long-range missiles. The two South Asian rivals have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The disputed Himalayan region is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety. Munir Ahmed, The Associated PressThe Scottish Government has been urged to do more to address falling teacher numbers, as figures show increasing numbers of pupils are having to “trek miles” for lessons in key subjects. According to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats through a freedom of information request, 1,599 pupils were affected by “consortia arrangements” between schools in the 2023/24 academic year, up from 1,468 the year before. Consortia arrangements enable pupils to travel to a different school for lessons that are not offered at their own school. The figures show some pupils in Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Orkney, Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders and South Ayrshire travelled more than 10 miles for lessons in a number of subjects. This included pupils in the Borders travelling up to 12 miles for advanced higher physics, maths and history lessons, and pupils in Dumfries and Galloway travelling 20 miles for advanced higher religious, moral and philosophical studies lessons. Meanwhile, pupils in East Lothian had to travel 23 miles for business skills lessons. The number of of consortia arrangements also rose from 399 in 2022/23 to 471 last year. Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Willie Rennie said the figures showed there were “not enough teachers in key subjects”. “The SNP once claimed that education would be their defining mission. Instead, it has become their defining failure,” he said. “On their watch, young people are having to trek miles and miles to attend lessons in key subjects. “These journeys take up huge chunks of the school day, precious time that could be better spent learning or engaging in extracurricular activities.” “There are not enough teachers in key subjects. By failing to promote teaching as a rewarding career, the SNP are denying young people the guidance and support they need, especially in more rural and remote communities. “It creates a vicious cycle that diminishes the skills of future generations and undermines teacher recruitment for years to come. “Scottish Liberal Democrats want to end this crisis, and that’s why we will continue to call for the government to properly resource teachers and staff and to finally guarantee teachers stable contracts they can depend on.” Figures released earlier this month showed there were 53,412 full time equivalent teachers, down by 621 from last year, with the vast majority of the fall being among primary school teachers. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While it is disappointing that teacher numbers have declined, the Scottish Government has reached an agreement with local authorities to restore teaching posts to 2023 levels next year and is providing £186.5 million to support them to do this. “ Scotland has more teachers per pupil and the highest paid teachers in the UK. We are investing more per pupil than any other UK nation, and this investment has seen record levels of literacy and numeracy in the most recent figures and record levels of positive destinations for school leavers.”

Former President Jimmy Carter dies at age 100ROSEN, NATIONALLY REGARDED INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. Investors to ...Chargers focused on avoiding a letdown and not a potential playoff berth in matchup with Patriots

( MENAFN - GetNews) Charleston, SC - cyber Husky, a leading provider of managed IT services , cybersecurity solutions, and cloud technology, is excited to announce the opening of its new office space in Charleston. This move reflects the company's continued growth and commitment to providing exceptional IT support to businesses in Charleston and beyond. With a dedicated focus on cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and managed IT services, Cyber Husky has built a reputation for helping businesses optimize their IT infrastructure while safeguarding their digital assets. The new office will allow Cyber Husky to better serve its expanding client base and strengthen its position as a leader in technology solutions. We are thrilled to be moving into a larger office space," said Shea Erickson, the CEO of Cyber Husky. "This new location will enhance our ability to support our clients' evolving IT and cybersecurity needs, and it's a key step in our mission to provide businesses with innovative, cost-effective solutions that keep them ahead of the competition. Cyber Husky's expert team provides cloud and IT solutions tailored to each client, ensuring that businesses can focus on what they do best while Cyber Husky handles the complexities of their IT infrastructure. The company's offerings include proactive cybersecurity services, cloud migrations, infrastructure management, and comprehensive IT support. This new office will also serve as a hub for recruiting top talent to expand the Cyber Husky team, enabling the company to meet the increasing demand for its services. About Cyber Husky Cyber Husky is an agile technology company specializing in cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and managed IT services. The company is dedicated to delivering high-quality IT support that allows businesses to focus on their core operations without worrying about the complexities of technology. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, Cyber Husky helps organizations stay on the cutting edge of technology while keeping their systems secure and efficient. MENAFN26122024003238003268ID1109033550 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Spy satellites will be used to track migrants attempting to cross Channel in new £15m schemeEconomic zones to be set up to increase export of pink salt: minister

superph game The bottom fell out in April. On April 16, the federal government unveiled its , a 416-page document containing billions of dollars in funding commitments and policy initiatives for tech. Most of it was ignored due to the unexpected insert of a that, to many, seemed directly targeted at those who finance, build, and work for Canadian tech companies. The announcement was a shock to those hoping for meaningful updates on past tech commitments, such as open banking, SR&ED, and the forlorn Canada Innovation Corporation. It was also a shock to ISED employees BetaKit spoke with who suddenly found their work on what might have been considered a weighty innovation budget completely overshadowed. “This has been a lost decade of innovation policy in Canada and the signals have revealed themselves to be incompetency and an inability to get things done.” The response, if not unanimous, was swift and loud. Over 2,000 prominent tech leaders against the changes, with some calling the decision a “mistake,” while others opined that it was “Time to start your next company in the US.” The reaction crystalized a looming malaise over several headwinds faced by the country and diminished faith in our current government’s capacity to face them, prompting BetaKit to launch a focused on Canadian productivity, innovation, and optimism. The kicker? Eight months later, the feds the capital gains tax inclusion rate increase law, leaving the CRA to move forward that it will eventually come to pass. The ongoing Liberal political crisis, exacerbated by its finance minister resigning on the morning of the , will more likely result in an election, the prime minister’s resignation, or both. It is not often you get to call the Canada Revenue Agency optimistic, but here we are. Whether or not this government survives the next election will not do much to improve the legacy of its innovation file, which has been marked by indiscriminate spending and unfinished policy commitments. “This has been a lost decade of innovation policy in Canada and the signals have revealed themselves to be incompetency and an inability to get things done,” Ben Bergen, president of the Council of Canadian Innovators, told me. .

Hyundai Motor and Kia's Robotics LAB Announce Plans to Launch 'X-ble Shoulder' at Wearable Robot Tech DayReiterates Commitment to Investing in America to Lower Grocery Prices, Raise Associate Wages, and Support Local Communities Highlights Resilience of Value Creation Model and Strong Momentum to Drive Long-term, Sustainable Growth Board of Directors Authorizes $7.5B Share Repurchase Program including $5B Accelerated Share Repurchase CINCINNATI , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today terminated its merger agreement with Albertsons after the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon granted the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction to block the proposed merger. After reviewing options, the company determined it is no longer in its best interests to pursue the merger. "Kroger is moving forward from a position of strength. Our go-to-market strategy provides exceptional value and unique omnichannel experiences to our customers which powers our value creation model. We look forward to accelerating our flywheel to grow our alternative profit businesses and generate increased cash flows. The strength of our balance sheet and sustainability of our model allows us to pursue a variety of growth opportunities, including further investment in our store network through new stores and remodels, which will be an important part of our 8 – 11% TSR model over time," said Rodney McMullen , Kroger's Chairman and CEO. America's Grocer is Committed to Lowering Grocery Prices & Investing in Associates "Kroger has an extraordinary track record of investing in America," said McMullen. "We are at our best when we serve others – our customers, associates, and communities – and we take seriously our responsibility to provide great value by consistently lowering prices and offering more choices. When we do this, more customers shop with us and buy more groceries, which allows us to reinvest in even lower prices, a better shopping experience and higher wages. We know this model works because we've been doing it successfully for many years, and this is exactly what we will continue to do." Kroger's ongoing investments in America include: "I appreciate our associates who remained focused on taking care of our customers, communities and each other throughout the merger process," added McMullen. Share Repurchase Program Including Accelerated Share Repurchases Now that Kroger has terminated the merger agreement, the company is ready to deploy its capacity. With its strengthened balance sheet, Kroger will resume share repurchases after a more than two-year pause. Since announcing the merger, Kroger used its strong free cash flow and debt financing to build meaningful balance sheet capacity while maintaining its investment-grade rating. Kroger's Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $7.5 billion of common stock. The new repurchase authorization replaces Kroger's existing $1 billion authorization which was approved in September 2022 . Kroger intends to enter an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement for the repurchase of approximately $5 billion of common stock. "Our strong balance sheet and free cash flows position us to deliver on our commitment to grow the business and return capital to shareholders, maintaining capacity to invest in lower prices and higher associate wages," McMullen said. Kroger expects to continue to generate strong free cash flow and remains committed to its capital allocation priorities including maintaining its current investment grade debt rating, investing in the business to drive long-term sustainable net earnings growth, and returning excess free cash flow to shareholders via share repurchases and a growing dividend over time, subject to board approval. Looking forward, Kroger plans to host an Investor Day event in late spring of 2025 to share an update on its strategic priorities, future growth prospects and long-term financial outlook. Merger Debt Redemption In connection with the termination of the merger agreement, Kroger will begin the process of redeeming the $4.7 billion of its senior notes issued on August 27, 2024 , that include a special mandatory redemption provision in accordance with their terms. The notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date. Termination of Exchange Offers In connection with the termination of the merger agreement, Kroger has also elected to terminate its previously announced offers to exchange (collectively, the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding notes (the "ACI Notes") issued by Albertsons Companies, Inc., New Albertsons, L.P., Safeway Inc., Albertson's LLC, Albertsons Safeway LLC and American Stores Company, LLC (collectively, the "ACI Issuing Entities"), for up to $7,441,608,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes to be issued by Kroger and cash. Kroger has also elected to terminate the related solicitation of consents (the "Consent Solicitation" and, together with the Exchange Offer, the "Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation") on behalf of the ACI Issuing Entities to adopt certain proposed amendments to the indentures governing the ACI Notes (the "ACI Indentures"). As a result of the Exchange Offer being terminated, the total consideration, including any consent fee, will not be paid or become payable to holders of the ACI Notes who have validly tendered and not validly withdrawn their ACI Notes for exchange in the Exchange Offer, and the ACI Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering holders. As a result of the Consent Solicitation being terminated, the proposed amendments to the ACI Indentures and the supplemental indentures previously entered into reflecting such proposed amendments will not become operative. About the Exchange Offers Global Bondholder Services Corporation served as exchange agent and information agent for the now terminated Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. You should direct questions and requests for assistance to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (855) 654-2015 (toll-free) or (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers), or by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com . About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human SpiritTM. We are, across our family of companies nearly 414,000 associates who serve over eleven million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names , serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" about Kroger's financial position and the future performance of the company. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "achieve," "committed," "confidence," "continue," "deliver," "expect," "future," "guidance," "model," "outlook," "strategy," "target," "trends," "well-positioned," and variations of such words and similar phrases. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include the specific risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for our last fiscal year and any subsequent filings, as well as the following: Kroger's ability to achieve sales, earnings, incremental FIFO operating profit, and adjusted free cash flow goals may be affected by: the termination of the merger agreement and our proposed transaction with Albertsons and related divestiture plan; labor negotiations; potential work stoppages; changes in the unemployment rate; pressures in the labor market; changes in government-funded benefit programs; changes in the types and numbers of businesses that compete with Kroger; pricing and promotional activities of existing and new competitors, and the aggressiveness of that competition; Kroger's response to these actions; the state of the economy, including interest rates, the inflationary, disinflationary and/or deflationary trends and such trends in certain commodities, products and/or operating costs; the geopolitical environment including wars and conflicts; unstable political situations and social unrest; changes in tariffs; the effect that fuel costs have on consumer spending; volatility of fuel margins; manufacturing commodity costs; supply constraints; diesel fuel costs related to Kroger's logistics operations; trends in consumer spending; the extent to which Kroger's customers exercise caution in their purchasing in response to economic conditions; the uncertainty of economic growth or recession; stock repurchases; changes in the regulatory environment in which Kroger operates, along with changes in federal policy and at regulatory agencies; Kroger's ability to retain pharmacy sales from third party payors; consolidation in the healthcare industry, including pharmacy benefit managers; Kroger's ability to negotiate modifications to multi-employer pension plans; natural disasters or adverse weather conditions; the effect of public health crises or other significant catastrophic events; the potential costs and risks associated with potential cyber-attacks or data security breaches; the success of Kroger's future growth plans; the ability to execute our growth strategy and value creation model, including continued cost savings, growth of our alternative profit businesses, and our ability to better serve our customers and to generate customer loyalty and sustainable growth through our strategic pillars of fresh, our brands, personalization, and seamless; the successful integration of merged companies and new strategic collaborations; and the risks relating to or arising from our proposed nationwide opioid litigation settlement, including our ability to finalize and effectuate the settlement, the scope and coverage of the ultimate settlement and the expected financial or other impacts that could result from the settlement. Our ability to achieve these goals may also be affected by our ability to manage the factors identified above. Our ability to execute our financial strategy may be affected by our ability to generate cash flow. Kroger assumes no obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable law. Please refer to Kroger's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-reiterates-its-commitment-to-lower-prices-and-initiates-new-7-5b-share-buyback-program-302329493.html SOURCE The Kroger Co.The former Cy Young winner re-signed with the Guardians on Wednesday, a reunion that seemed unlikely when he became a free agent. However, the 29-year-old Bieber decided to stay with the AL Central champions after making just two starts in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Bieber agreed last week to a one-year, $14 million contract. The deal includes a $16 million player option for 2026. It seemed like a long shot that Bieber, who is 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA in 132 starts, would return to Cleveland. He had turned down long-term offers in the past from the club, and it was expected he would sign with another contender, likely one on the West Coast. But the California native has a special connection with the Guardians, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Bieber, who won the AL Cy Young in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, threw only 12 innings last season before lingering issues with his elbow forced him to have surgery. He is expected to join Cleveland's rotation at some point in 2025. A two-time All-Star, Bieber was named MVP of the midsummer event in 2019 when it was held in Cleveland. He has the highest strikeout ratio per nine innings (10.2) and third-highest winning percentage (.660) in the franchise's 124-year history. Bieber is one of just three Cleveland pitchers to start five season openers, joining Stan Coveleski (1917-21) and Corey Kluber (2015-19). While Bieber had some elbow issues in the past, he didn't show any issues before being shut down. He struck out 11 in six scoreless innings against Oakland on March 28, and followed that up with six more shutout innings at Seattle on April 2. DALLAS — Pitchers again dominated the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings, comprising 11 of the 15 unprotected players who were picked Wednesday. The 121-loss Chicago White Sox had the first pick and selected 24-year-old right-hander Shane Smith from the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Smith was an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest when he was signed by Milwaukee in July 2021. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has gone 13-7 with a 2.69 ERA and 203 strikeouts over 157 innings in 19 starts and 54 relief appearances over three minor league seasons. There were 14 teams who made picks in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft of players left off 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Only Atlanta made two selections, after making none since 2017. Atlanta chose right-hander Anderson Pilar from the Miami Marlins with the 11th pick, and then took infielder Christian Cairo from the Cleveland Guardians with the 15th and final pick in the MLB portion. The 26-year-old Pilar was original signed by Colorado as a minor league free agent in 2015 and has pitched in 213 minor league games that included 17 starts. He is 28-20 with a 2.86 ERA. Teams pay $100,000 to take a player in the major league portion. The players must stay on the big league roster all of next season or clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for $50,000. Six of the 10 players selected during the Rule 5 draft last December — five of them right-handed pitchers — remained last season with organization that selected them. Two of the four position players taken Wednesday by other teams came from the Detroit Tigers organization: catcher Liam Hicks and third baseman Gage Workman. Miami drafted second after Colorado passed making a selection, and took Hicks. Workman was taken by the Chicago Cubs with the 10th pick. Baltimore lost two right-handed pitchers on back-to-back picks, Juan Nunez to San Diego with the 12th pick before Connor Thomas went to Milwaukee. DALLAS — Tom Hamilton, who has called Cleveland games on the radio for 35 seasons, won the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting on Wednesday. Hamilton, 70, joined the team's broadcast in 1990, when he was with Herb Score in the booth and part of the coverage of their World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. Hamilton became the voice of the franchise when Score retired after that second World Series. Hamilton will be honored during the Hall of Fame’s induction weekend from July 25-28 in Cooperstown, New York. He was selected the hall's Frick Award 16-member committee as the 49th winner. There were 10 finalists on this year's ballot, whose main contributions came as local and national voices and whose careers began after, or extended into, the Wild Card era. The other nine were Skip Caray, Rene Cardenas, Gary Cohen, Jacques Doucet, Ernie Johnson Sr., Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Dave Sims and John Sterling. DALLAS — The Texas Rangers acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in a trade for three minor league players. Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, with 150 strikeouts in 535 at-bats with 31 walks. He started 59 games at third base and made 50 starts at first. Five days of service time short of being eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, he will be eligible next winter and can become a free agent after the 2028 World Series. Miami got infielders Max Acosta and Echedry Vargas and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza. The acquisition of Burger comes about a month after the Rangers hired former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker as a senior adviser for baseball operations. Luis Urueta, Miami's bench coach the past two seasons, also was added recently to manager Bruce Bochy's on-field coaching staff for 2025. BRIEFLY WHITE SOX: Mike Tauchman is switching sides in Chicago. The White Sox announced a $1.95 million, one-year contract for the outfielder. Tauchman, 34, grew up in Palatine, Illinois, about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, and played college ball for Bradley in Peoria, Illinois. He spent the previous two seasons with the Cubs. TRADE: All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects. Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez and outfielder Braden Montgomery are headed to Chicago.

Dhadrianwale no stranger to controversiesCEAT Kelani Holdings has broadened the scope of its flagship community initiative promoting road safety around schools by engaging with the Police and the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) of the Sri Lanka Army, two institutions that play lead roles in this domain. The company recently presented stocks of traffic management-related signboards and traffic cones to these institutions, as one of its community commitmentsthat makes up the ‘CEAT Cares’ portfolio of community projects. The signboards and traffic cones presented to the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station are to be strategically placed on main roads to facilitate traffic management near schools, government institutions and other high-traffic areas within the station’s jurisdiction, supporting CEAT’s efforts to help improve road safety and aid law enforcement maintainsmooth traffic flows. The signboards presented to the Military Police of the Sri Lanka Army will facilitate the SLCMP’s role in traffic control and ensuring safety during major national celebrations such asthe Independence Day celebrations andnational war heroescommemoration ceremonies, as well as events organised by the Sri Lanka Army. An articulation of CEAT’s credo – ‘Making mobility safer and smarter every day’ – the CEAT Cares programme has been sustained by CEAT Kelani Holdings since 2010 and has benefitted 290 schools across the country to date. It involves the presentation of traffic safety equipment to schools located close to main roads and in high congestion zones as part of the company’s continuing commitment to make commuting safer, especially for school children. This flagship community initiative was designed to reflect CEAT’s focus on safety on the roads – a key element in all its products.King and PM honour former US president Jimmy Carter after his death aged 100

Artist Jasleen Kaur wins Turner Prize for work exploring her Scottish Sikh identity

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 27, 2024 / Chivy , the exclusive dating app reshaping modern connections, is thrilled to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership with CLEAR , the secure identity company. With this collaboration, Chivy becomes the first live dating app to implement CLEAR's trusted solution, transforming the way users experience security in online dating and building the most authentic and safe environment for real connections. Through this partnership, Chivy members can now verify their profiles using CLEAR's identity verification solution. CLEAR's integration allows users to validate their identity with ease, using phone number verification and a quick selfie. This streamlined process reduces friction during onboarding, strengthens user trust, and prioritizes community safety, allowing Chivy members to focus on meaningful interactions. "Our partnership with CLEAR marks a new era for dating app security," said Nikko Shkreli, Founder of Chivy. "At Chivy, we are dedicated to fostering genuine, secure connections within a trusted community. Partnering with CLEAR allows us to enhance this mission by building a space where users feel comfortable engaging with others authentically." CLEAR's identity verification technology is already trusted across airports, healthcare systems, financial services providers, arenas and stadiums, and other consumer environments to provide individuals with safe, secure experiences. By bringing this pioneering security standard into the online dating world, Chivy aims to protect users from impersonation and spam, setting a higher benchmark for the industry. With Chivy's focus on curated connections, this partnership aligns seamlessly, empowering members to connect with confidence. Chivy's focus on fostering authentic relationships within a carefully curated, vibrant community resonates deeply with today's dating culture. This partnership with CLEAR, a proven leader in secure identity, reinforces Chivy's commitment to redefining how singles meet and connect, while providing an unparalleled level of trust. About Chivy Chivy is the exclusive dating app reimagining how people connect through curated experiences and safe, meaningful interactions. Through in-person events and innovative app features, Chivy's mission is to build real connections for a vibrant, dynamic community. For more information, visit getchivy.com . CONTACT: Nikko Shkreli Founder | CEO Chivy Inc. New York www.GetChivy.com Email: contact@getchivy.com SOURCE: Chivy Inc View the original on accesswire.com

ANKARA NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled new discoveries about the early universe since its launch on Dec. 25, 2021, offering groundbreaking insights into the cosmos. Compiled from open sources by Anadolu, JWST’s findings over the past three years span studies on the Solar System, the Milky Way, the first stars and galaxies formed after the Big Bang, exoplanets, and potential signs of life. Positioned beyond Earth’s atmosphere to avoid light interference, the telescope’s visible and infrared cameras have captured stunning images of the universe’s most distant and ancient regions. With its exceptional imaging capabilities, JWST discovered the JADES-GS-z14-0 galaxy as it was about 300 million years after the Big Bang, having accumulated a mass equivalent to 400 million Suns in a short period. Unlike most galaxies, which appear red due to dust absorbing blue light, this galaxy stands out as bright, large, and blue. Scientists speculate that this could result from massive early stars collapsing without explosions, or supernovae, dispersing dust over vast distances. Odd chemical makeup in early galaxies During the universe's earliest stages, only hydrogen, helium, and small amounts of lithium existed. Elements essential for life, such as calcium and oxygen, were forged within early stars. Data from JWST’s Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) revealed unusual chemical properties in early galaxies, including higher concentrations of nitrogen, helium, neon, and carbon than those found in the Sun. These findings expose significant gaps in our understanding of the chemical evolution of stars and galaxies. Using the gravitational lensing effect of massive galaxy clusters, JWST detected faint, early galaxies that emitted four times more light than expected, highlighting their critical role in ending the universe’s "cosmic dark ages" after the Big Bang. One extraordinary discovery was the star “Earendel,” twice as hot and a million times brighter than the Sun, dated to just 1 billion years after the Big Bang. Mysterious red dots in early universe JWST also captured images of numerous “small red dots” scattered across the early universe. Initially thought to be massive galaxy clusters, these dots were later identified as hydrogen gas spinning around supermassive black holes at thousands of kilometers per second. These red dots might also represent intermediate stages of star clusters transforming into galaxy cores, offering valuable insights into the birth of galaxies and supermassive black holes. In addition to active galaxies, JWST uncovered "galactic corpses" — remnants of intense star formation during the cosmic dawn. These large, ancient galaxies, formed within 700 million years of the Big Bang, challenge existing galaxy formation models, prompting scientists to rethink theories on the rapid emergence of massive galaxies and the potential role of dark matter. *Writing by Merve BerkerStock market today: Wall Street inches higher to set more recordsPower Corp. of Canada stock falls Tuesday, underperforms market

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Cynthia Yan had owned her new Tesla for less than a month when someone caused $3,000 of damage to it. The Vernon woman said she had parked the car on 31st Street near the Georgette Shop on Dec. 23 when the damage occurred. "Someone decided it was okay to jump on my vehicle. Thanks to him, there is now an enormous dent on my hood," Yan said. Teslas have multiple cameras on them, and one of them captured footage of the act of vandalism. The video shows two young men walking down the alley, when one of the men runs over to the car and body slams the hood of the vehicle. The two then run away. Yan told Castanet that she's frustrated by the incident, especially since it was close to Christmas and she is already having a tough year financially. She estimates the cost to repair the damage is about $3,000. Yan said she has to go to Kelowna for repairs, noting she paid $140,000 for the Tesla X. Since she posted the incident on social media, Yan has received an outpouring of support. The incident has been reported to RCMP and ICBC. Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to call police.

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Ontario Provincial Police reported two separate incidents of snow machines falling through ice on eastern Ontario lakes this weekend. Frontenac OPP say they were first called to an area on Shabomeka Lake in North Frontenac Township on Saturday after a resident reported snowmobile tracks leading to a large hole in the ice. After an investigation, officers were able to locate the rider at his home and confirmed there were no other passengers unaccounted for. Officers found the snowmobile crashed through the ice approximately 20 feet from the shore. The driver was able to escape the vehicle and made it back to the dock unharmed. The snowmobile remains at the bottom of the lake in 10 feet of water, OPP say. On the same day, OPP officers were called to an area of Sydenham Lake in South Frontenac Township after a side-by-side UTV crashed through the ice and sunk to the bottom. The rider was able to escape and made it back to shore "freezing cold and soaking wet" but was not injured. The vehicle went through the ice approximately 100 feet from the shoreline. It is not known how deep the lake is in that area. In both cases, the Ministry of Environment was notified and the responsibility for removing the vehicles from the water will fall on the owners. "The extreme fluctuation between warm and cold temperatures means no ice is safe ice," OPP said. OPP is sharing the following snow machine safety tips: Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks Here Are All The Best Amazon Boxing Day Deals You Can Find On Beauty Products In Canada These Walking Pads Will Help You Get 10,000 Steps Every Day (And They're On Sale In The Name Of Boxing Day) 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Home If You're Headed Somewhere Warm On Vacation, Don't Forget To Pack These 16 Things Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals 11 Bestselling Coffee Makers And Espresso Machines You Can Get On Sale Right Now Don’t Walk, Run! These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day Ottawa Top Stories 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal Eastern Ontario farm wants your Christmas trees to feed its animals: ’They do like the fresh needles’ Two adults taken to hospital following basement fire in Centretown West FOG ADVISORY | Environment Canada warns of 'near-zero' visibility as fog blankets Ottawa Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season OPP warning of thin ice after two recreation vehicles fall through eastern Ontario lakes Ottawa OPP seizes $28K, suspected drug tablets following traffic stop on Highway 417 What's happening in Ottawa over the holidays CTVNews.ca Top Stories Detractors in Liberal ranks at mercy of Trudeau decision: analyst As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Recognize the name Jolt Cola? The 1980s soda aims to make a comeback — this time with even more caffeine Jolt Cola, the soda brand that gained attention in the 1980s for offering “all the sugar and twice the caffeine,” is heading back to stores in 2025. This time, it’s promising more than twice the original caffeine content. Looking to get rid of your Christmas tree? This farm will feed it to its goats Now that the holidays are almost over, many people may be looking to dispose of their Christmas tree. One farm in Massachusetts is letting people do just that, in a furry and eco-friendly way. 'Let's not panic': Canada picks up the pieces after ugly Latvia loss at world juniors Canada was embarrassed on home soil 3-2 by Latvia — a country it had thumped by a combined 41-4 score across four previous meetings — in a shocking shootout Friday. 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films dominated the holiday box office this week, with 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' winning the three-day weekend over 'Mufasa' by a blue hair. Atlantic TSB investigating airplane landing incident at Halifax airport The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says they are investigating an aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport that caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. N.B. entrepreneur honours memory of mother with 'thank you' note legacy N.B. entrepreneur Emily Somers honours her mother with 'thank you' notes. 75-year-old man hospitalized after being struck by vehicle: Bridgewater police A 75-year-old Lunenburg County man is in hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Bridgewater, N.S., Friday morning. Toronto ‘Significant rainfall,’ and fog expected in the GTA, much of southern Ontario Sunday It’s expected to be a wet and foggy day across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Sunday, with as much as 30 mm of rain expected in some locations. Suspect charged after woman found dead at Niagara Falls home A suspect has been charged after a woman was found dead inside her Niagara Falls home. SIU investigating after Toronto cops discharge sock round, less-lethal firearm at man that resulted in serious injuries The province’s police watchdog is investigating after Toronto officers discharged sock round and less-lethal firearm at a man who had allegedly stabbed another person in the city’s Rockcliffe-Smythe area on Saturday morning. Montreal Over a dozen community groups refuse to leave Montreal centre despite eviction order More than a dozen groups have refused to vacate a community centre in Montreal's Ahuntsic neighbourhood despite an eviction order from their landlord, Quebec's largest school service centre. Earthquake near Maniwaki felt in Gatineau, Ottawa, and Montreal A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning, according to Earthquake Canada. Authorities change plan to free stranded vessel near Vercheres The Canadian Coast Guard announced on Sunday morning that a change of strategy was underway to salvage the vessel that ran aground on Christmas Eve in the St. Lawrence River, in the Verchères sector of the Montérégie region. Northern Ontario Mississauga tow truck driver charged for impersonating a cop in northern Ont. A southern Ontario resident has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer during a towing incident in northwestern Ontario. Detractors in Liberal ranks at mercy of Trudeau decision: analyst As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Montreal motorist dead after 5-vehicle collision in Kirkland Lake: OPP Ontario Provincial Police in Kirkland Lake, Ont., are investigating a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 that killed one person. Windsor Crews battle two apartment fires in under two hours Windsor Fire and Rescue responded to two calls at Ouellette Avenue apartment buildings Sunday morning. Rainfall warning in effect across the region It’s a wet and gloomy day across the region. Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Windsor, Essex County, and Chatham-Kent. 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. London Fatal crash in Middlesex County Middlesex County OPP attended the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision in Strathroy-Caradoc early Sunday morning. New Year’s Eve in London’s Victoria Park You can ring in 2025 this Tuesday night at London’s free New Year’s Eve in the Park celebration. 'Let's not panic': Canada picks up the pieces after ugly Latvia loss at world juniors Canada was embarrassed on home soil 3-2 by Latvia — a country it had thumped by a combined 41-4 score across four previous meetings — in a shocking shootout Friday. Kitchener Cambridge industrial plant dealing with major damages after fire A fire Saturday morning has a Cambridge industrial plant dealing with major damage. A plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Detractors in Liberal ranks at mercy of Trudeau decision: analyst As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Barrie Deluxe taxi goes up in flames in Barrie parking lot Some locals were quick to pull out their cellphones and capture a minivan as it went up in hot flames in a Barrie parking lot. Region under rainfall warning, fog advisory Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka, upper York Region and Grey County are under rainfall warnings and fog advisories as of Sunday morning. $47K in drugs seized, man arrested in alleged domestic assault Police in Owen Sound made one arrest and seized a ‘large’ quantity of multiple drugs after responding to an alleged domestic assault on Saturday. Winnipeg 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Experts, province urge caution over ice conditions after man dies in Hanover The province, along with outdoor enthusiasts, are urging people to use caution near frozen bodies of water after a man died when his skid steer loader fell through the ice. Cross-country ski race returns to Windsor Park The Prairie Holiday Loppet made its long-awaited return to Winnipeg’s Windsor Park Saturday, with dozens of racers hitting the trails. Calgary 1 arrested after 3 stabbed in Airdrie, including 2 youth Airdrie RCMP have arrested a male in connection with multiple aggravated assaults that left three people injured. Jonathan Huberdeau scores twice as Calgary Flames beat San Jose Sharks 3-1 Jonathan Huberdeau scored twice and the Calgary Flames beat San Jose 3-1 on Saturday night, handing the Sharks their seventh straight loss. Olympic Games in 2026 on the horizon for world champion ski jumper Alex Loutitt The words "why not me" are tattooed on the back of Alexandria Loutitt's hand between her thumb and wrist. Edmonton Edmonton street photographer captures moments and people one frame at a time A local photographer who is passionate about capturing moments in one-hundredth of a second embraced many styles of his trade before landing on one which truly represents his mantra: street photography. 2 vehicles fall through ice at Sylvan Lake, promoting police warning RCMP issued a warning Saturday after two vehicles fell through the ice on Sylvan Lake. Olympic Games in 2026 on the horizon for world champion ski jumper Alex Loutitt The words "why not me" are tattooed on the back of Alexandria Loutitt's hand between her thumb and wrist. Regina Regina police charge 2 youths in city's 6th homicide of 2024 Two Regina teens are facing murder charges in connection to the death of a Regina man on Boxing Day. Regina man showcases local bead supply business Jeramy Hannah recently began selling beading supplies, after he realized the beaders in his life were struggling with a lack of local vendors, prompting him to create a business called Bead Bro. 'A great holiday memory': Echo Valley Provincial Park gets plenty of visitors at Skate the Park launch Families and groups of friends made use of the good weather as the new season of Skate the Park got underway at Echo Valley Provincial Park. Saskatoon U18 provincials curling tournament underway in PA Teams from across Saskatchewan are in Prince Albert for the U18 curling provincials. Police made two arrests following a shooting in Saskatoon A swift response from Saskatoon police led to the arrest of a man and woman following a reported shooting Friday afternoon. Saskatoon fire crews battle house fire Saskatoon firefighters responded to a house fire on the 100 block of Klassen Crescent Friday afternoon. Vancouver 2 shot during fight outside Surrey pub Two people were injured in a shooting outside of a Surrey pub in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to authorities. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Vancouver Island Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Kelowna B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025. B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Stay Connected‘City of Yes’ negotiations ongoing as critical vote on Adams’ zoning plan delayed

Downtown project gets one step closerETSU shuts down Charlotte for third straight winsuperph legit or not 。

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey motions to guard Mikaylah Williams (12) in the fourth period of the season opener against Eastern Kentucky on Monday, November 4, 2024 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save To win Monday, the LSU women's basketball team needed a little luck . Coach Kim Mulkey acknowledged that fact Wednesday in The Bahamas, not long after the Tigers dismantled NC State, defeating their first ranked opponent of the season and winning the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship. This time, LSU didn't need a miraculous last-second layup to win. The No. 7 Tigers (8-0) gave away a large chunk of their possessions against the Wolfpack, but they made enough shots, grabbed enough offensive rebounds and found enough defensive stops to make up for those miscues and beat No. 20 NC State 82-65. "I thought that the two games we played here told us a little bit more about ourselves," Mulkey said. "It helped us get better." In LSU’s tight Monday win over Washington, it shot 33% from the field. But the Tigers played more efficient offense on Wednesday against NC State, a team that reached the Final Four last season. They converted 53% of their shots and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, earning an 20-board advantage on the glass against the Wolfpack, which shot just 36% from the field and scored only 18 points off LSU’s 21 turnovers, enough to tie its season high. Star sophomore Mikaylah Williams was held scoreless for the first time in her career on Monday against Washington. On Wednesday, she notched a game-high 24 points after hitting seven of her 13 shots from the field and four of her seven attempts from beyond the arc. Her scoring lifted LSU through the eight-minute stretch of the second half in which it sat star junior Flau’jae Johnson , who committed two quick fouls and four early turnovers. Johnson finished with 16 points after shooting 5 of 7 from the field. Star senior Aneesah Morrow posted her seventh double-double of the season after notching 20 points and 15 rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting. Transfer Kailyn Gilbert , the guard who rolled in the go-ahead layup that gave the Tigers their come-from-behind win over Washington on Monday, came off the bench and chipped in 12 points. "That's what a Final Four-type team looks like," NC State coach Wes Moore said. "They're obviously very athletic, very aggressive. And the tough part was they shot the ball really well today. You got to hope, when you play a team like that, that maybe they're not knocking down 3s and jumpers." Senior guard Saniya Rivers led NC State (4-3) in scoring with 21 points after she eight of her 19 field goal attempts and two of her four 3-point tries. The Wolfpack received only six points from its bench. LSU gave point guard Last-Tear Poa her first start of the season in place of transfer Shayeann Day-Wilson , a senior who had gone scoreless in three straight games. Mulkey said she based that decision on the production Poa gave the Tigers in their win over Washington. But Day-Wilson tallied seven points, nine assists and seven rebounds in 35 minutes off the bench, and Poa logged only four minutes. "Shayeann (Day-Wilson) and Mikaylah (Williams) got good looks against Washington," Mulkey said. "They just missed them. Today. they hit them. So, that's how this game is." Mulkey brought only three players off the bench against NC State: Day-Wilson, Gilbert and Arkansas transfer Jersey Wolfenbarger. LSU has now beaten each of the first two power-conference teams it's faced this season. The Tigers outscored those opponents by a combined 18 points after leading for 36 total minutes. LSU's 17-point margin of victory over the Wolfpack was the fourth-largest advantage it's earned in a ranked win under Mulkey. Across those four seasons, LSU is now 9-4 in regular-season games against ranked teams. Prior to their win over NC State, the Tigers had dropped three of their previous four such contests. LSU is also now 10-1 under Mulkey in games in which it's committed at least 20 turnovers. Next, the Tigers will return to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to face NC Central at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Then they’ll face their third power-conference foe in a Dec. 5 home game against Stanford in the annual SEC/ACC challenge.

Why Kinross Gold (KGC) is the Best Canadian Stock to Buy Under $10?Oregon already secured its spot in the Big Ten championship game, but the top-ranked Ducks have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale. Revenge may be on Oregon's mind when the Ducks host longtime rival Washington on Saturday in Eugene, Ore. Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) would perhaps be closing in on its second straight College Football Playoff appearance had the Huskies (6-5, 4-4) not dealt the Ducks their only two losses last season. Washington edged Oregon 36-33 in Seattle last October, then slipped past the Ducks 34-31 in the Pac-12 title game to secure a playoff spot for the second time in school history. Both teams joined the Big Ten in August. Third-year Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is 33-5 leading the Ducks. But he remains winless against the Huskies (0-3). Oregon plots to sprint out of its late-season bye after using time to heal injuries, but Lanning doesn't believe the break should stall the flow of an undefeated season. "It's always about what we're able to do on the field. Motivation is overrated," Lanning said. "Our guys have to want to go out there and execute at a really high level. Since the beginning of the season we've talked about playing our best football at the end of November. We're there. This is our opportunity to go play our best football against a good team." The Ducks could have star wide receiver Tez Johnson back from a shoulder injury this week. Johnson has missed the past two games. That would be good news for quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who would regain the team's leader in receptions (64), receiving yards (649) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Washington, under first-year head coach Jedd Fisch, is 63-48-5 all-time against Oregon but is just 1-12-1 when facing the No. 1-ranked team in the country. The Huskies are led on offense by running back Jonah Coleman, who has racked up 1,008 yards and nine scores on the ground this season. Coleman averages 5.8 yards per carry and has 36 runs of at least 10 yards. In the passing game, wide receiver Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead with nine in touchdown catches and ranks sixth in the conference with 764 receiving yards. Whom Boston will be catching passes from is not yet known, however. Washington has not revealed whether Will Rogers or Demond Williams Jr. will start at quarterback. Rogers has started every game for the Huskies but was benched in favor of Williams two weeks ago after throwing a pair of interceptions in a 31-19 win over UCLA. Fisch said he has a "good idea" of how he will use his quarterbacks on Saturday, and while he wouldn't go as far as to name a starter, he did say Rogers responded well in practices last week. "On the same token, Demond's energy and Demond's confidence showed up. His ability to jump right in and feel really good about leading the group whenever it was his turn... he did a really nice job there as well," Fisch told Seattle Sports. "I think both guys responded well to the week of practice, and now, really, it's important for us that the guy we believe will start the game gets a significant amount of reps in practice week. But as you know, we're not afraid to play two quarterbacks." --Field Level MediaYears ago, every time the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots clashed, it was appointment viewing for NFL fans league wide. For more than a decade, each contest featured Tom Brady squaring off against Peyton Manning, and later Andrew Luck. However, the last three meetings ahead of the AFC foes' Week 12 contest have all featured different quarterbacks under center for Indianapolis. While each game between the two since 2018 saw Mac Jones take leadership of New England, 2024's contest in Massachusetts pits rookie quarterback Drake Maye against second-year gunslinger Anthony Richardson. Despite recent games between the Colts and Patriots not harboring nearly as much excitement as those in the past did, neither squad has been able to win consecutive games since New England beat Indianapolis eight straight times from 2010-2018. That trend may change in Week 12, as the Colts are favored to beat the Patriots by 2.5 points on the road, according to BetMGM . Indianapolis heads to Foxborough with a 5-6 record while New England sits at 3-9. The over/under set for the contest is at 42.5 points, considering the fact that the Patriots average 16.4 points per game and surrenders 23.5 through the first 12 weeks of the season. The Colts average 20.2 per contest while allowing 22.8 points per game. BetMGM's winning team model projects 75.5% confidence in an Indianapolis win, but it predicts New England to cover the spread with 59.3% confidence. Indianapolis has lost four of its last five contests whereas New England has lost three games in that same span. However, the Patriots are 0-3 against AFC South opponents this season while the Colts are 2-1 against AFC East foes, sporting a loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 10. MORE NFL: Where the Colts stand in the AFC playoff picture in Week 13

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