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Education suffering under feudal structure, says Khalid Maqbool After the 18th Amendment, education became the responsibility of the provincial governments, but it is still under the control of a feudal structure. As many as 30 million children are out of school, and there is a significant issue of ghost schools and teachers. Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, federal minister for education and science & technology, made these remarks at a session at the 17th International Urdu Conference organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan on its last day on Sunday. He stressed the need for transforming knowledge into wisdom. He highlighted that 70 per cent of gold medallists were girls, but 80 per cent of female students stayed at home after completing their education, which was detrimental for society. The session was titled ‘Taleem ki Surat e Haal’. The other speakers included Sadiqa Salahuddin, Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi, Amjad Siraj Memon, Mujib Sahraei, and NED University Vice Chancellor Dr Sarosh Lodi. Dr Jaffer Ahmed performed the duties of moderator. Dr Rafi mentioned that there were 30 government and 37 private universities in Sindh. He noted that Pakistan had a total of 284 government universities, which was a low number for a population of 250 million. Memon explained that medical universities were no longer limited to MBBS degree as medical technology was now a thriving field with global demand. Due to the high number of employees, most funds were consumed by salaries and pensions, he said. He added that 80 to 85 per cent of medical admissions were secured by female students. Dr Lodi shared that the NED graduates did not need any additional degrees, as students from the varsity were employed in 24 countries around the world. He emphasised that engineering education provided better opportunities for livelihood. Sadiqa spoke about the positive changes in schools in interior Sindh, noting that the people of Sindh had a strong desire for education. She was of the view that parents were now willing to educate their daughters.Hildebrandt had six rebounds for the Panthers (10-2). Kezza Giffa scored nine points, going 3 of 9 and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Abdoulaye had nine points and shot 3 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line. Myles Tate led the Mountaineers (6-4) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. CJ Huntley added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for Appalachian State. Jackson Threadgill had seven points and six rebounds. Up next for High Point is a Tuesday matchup with Carolina University at home, and Appalachian State visits Louisiana on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Simon Hildebrandt had nine points in High Point’s 65-59 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday. Hildebrandt had six rebounds for the Panthers (10-2). Kezza Giffa scored nine points, going 3 of 9 and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Abdoulaye had nine points and shot 3 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line. Myles Tate led the Mountaineers (6-4) in scoring, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals. CJ Huntley added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for Appalachian State. Jackson Threadgill had seven points and six rebounds. Up next for High Point is a Tuesday matchup with Carolina University at home, and Appalachian State visits Louisiana on Wednesday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

LONDON (AP) — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. His lawyer had called Hand a gold digger. The fighter, once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship but now past his prime, shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault after deliberating about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. He later said on the social platform X that he would appeal the verdict and the “modest award.” Hand's voice cracked and her hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends, jurors, the judge and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. “She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice,” she said. “I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” The Associated Press generally does not name alleged victims of sexual violence unless they come forward publicly, as Hand has done. Under Irish law, she did not have the anonymity she would have been granted in a criminal proceeding and was named publicly throughout the trial. Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. “He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.” Gordon said his client never pretended to be a saint and was only looking to have fun when she sent McGregor a message through Instagram after attending a Christmas party. He said Hand knew McGregor socially and that they had grown up in the same area. She said he picked her and a friend up in a car and shared cocaine with them, which McGregor admitted in court, on the way to the Beacon Hotel. Hand said she told McGregor she didn't want to have sex with him and that she was menstruating. She said she told him “no” as he started kissing her but he eventually pinned her to a bed and she couldn't move. McGregor put her in a chokehold and later told her, “now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to a UFC match when he had to admit defeat, she said. Hand had to take several breaks in emotional testimony over three days. She said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter and she feared she would never see her young daughter again. Eventually, he let go of her. “I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she testified. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. A paramedic who examined Hand the next day testified that she had never before seen someone with that intensity of bruising. A doctor told jurors Hand had multiple injuries. Hand said the trauma of the attack had left her unable to work as a hairdresser, she fell behind on her mortgage and had to move out of her house. Police investigated the woman’s complaint but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor, in his post on X, said he was disappointed jurors didn't see all the evidence prosecutors had reviewed. He testified that the two had athletic and vigorous sex, but that it was not rough. He said “she never said ‘no’ or stopped” and testified that everything she said was a lie. “It is a full blown lie among many lies,” he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. “How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.” McGregor’s lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. “You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” attorney Remy Farrell said. “I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.” The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked “happy, happy, happy.” McGregor said he was “beyond petrified” when first questioned by police and read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions. The jury ruled against Hand in a case she brought against one of McGregor’s friends, James Lawrence, whom she accused of having sex with her in the hotel without consent. Brian Melley, The Associated Press

The Ravens looked better defensively last week, but now Roquan Smith’s injury is a concern(Reuters) – A crypto venture recently unveiled by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his new Middle East envoy, billionaire Steve Witkoff, has partnered with a crypto platform that authorities and financial experts say has been used by criminals and Iran-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. World Liberty Financial Inc, founded by the Witkoff family two months before November’s U.S. election with Trump as a financial beneficiary, presents concerns over ethics and conflicts of interest, say six specialists in U.S. government ethics. Among their biggest concerns is World Liberty’s new partner: Tron crypto platform. Quicker and cheaper than Bitcoin, the Tron network has overtaken its rival as a vehicle for crypto transfers associated with groups designated as terror organizations by Israel, the United States and other countries, Reuters reported in 2023, citing interviews with seven financial crime experts and cryptocurrency investigations specialists. Tron announced last month it was investing $30 million in World Liberty. Tron’s founder, Chinese-born entrepreneur Justin Sun, will join the Trump-Witkoff venture as an advisor, Sun and World Liberty said on social media platform X. The British Virgin Islands-registered Tron is now World Liberty’s largest investor, Sun said. Crypto seizures announced by the Israeli security services since 2021 have frequently singled out Tron’s use by militants, including Hamas whose 2023 attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities, and triggered the Gaza war. Israel’s National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing (NBTCF), which is responsible for such seizures, froze 186 Tron wallets since July 2021, saying they were used by a “designated terrorist organization” or for a “severe terror crime.” Of those, Israeli authorities linked 84 Tron wallets to Hamas or Hamas allies, including Islamic Jihad, 39 to Hezbollah and 63 to unspecified terrorist groups or money changers. The most recent Tron seizure was announced on March 28. Reuters could not independently determine Tron’s use by militant groups, and the NBTCF did not provide evidence for its assertions or respond to requests for more details. Hamas and Hezbollah did not respond to requests for comment. Tron, which profits from transaction fees on its network, told Reuters its technology “has attracted both lawful users and those with illicit motives” but did not specifically respond to claims it has been used by militants. The company “has taken proactive measures to address the risk of illicit activities on its network,” a Tron spokesperson said in response to questions for this story. A collaboration with law enforcement launched in September froze $70 million in illicit funds, the spokesperson said. Sun, the founder, did not respond to a request for comment. On the sidelines of a crypto conference in Abu Dhabi, Eric Trump told Reuters that the use of crypto by criminal groups was “everybody’s foremost concern” but said traditional financial institutions were also used to funnel “bad money.” “Anything can be manipulated if used by the wrong people, and you have to crack down on it,” Trump’s second son said, adding that the crypto industry will do “a great job” of policing itself when it comes to illicit flows. The U.S. Treasury Department has also seized Tron wallets, including an account linked to a group that the department said raised money for Hamas in the wake of the 2023 attack on Israel. In March, the Treasury leveled sanctions against a Lebanon-based money changer who it said provided Hezbollah officials with crypto accounts, including a Tron wallet, to receive funds from Iran. Tron’s investment in World Liberty raised concerns among among ethics experts. “There are red flags all over this,” said Kathleen Clark, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis who specializes in government ethics. Her concerns include the significant size of Tron’s investment in World Liberty, whether Trump could benefit financially from it and the alleged use of Tron by militants including Hamas and Hezbollah. She also highlighted an investigation of Tron founder Sun by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In 2023, the SEC charged Sun with fraud, accusing him of artificially inflating trading volume and concealing payment to celebrities to promote his companies. Sun, who is based in Switzerland and is a citizen of Grenada, said the SEC charges “lack merit.” The case is ongoing. Clark questioned whether World Liberty’s close relationship with Sun would pose a conflict of interest for Trump once his administration takes over the SEC in January. Spokespeople for Trump and his transition team did not directly respond to questions about Trump’s financial ties to World Liberty, the Tron investment and potential conflicts. “President Trump didn’t get into politics for profit,” said transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. “He’s fighting because he loves the people of this country and wants to make America great again.” Militant groups and criminals like Tron because it gives users the option to conceal their identities, charges low fees and can be converted into cash easily, according to some crypto experts. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS Witkoff co-founded World Liberty and has a stake in a company — WC Digital Fi, LLC — that is entitled to some of World Liberty’s revenues, according to the company’s terms. He is a close friend of Trump’s and a donor to his Republican presidential campaign. He plans to put all his investments in a “blind trust,” said a person familiar with Witkoff’s plans who declined to be identified. The source, however, said Witkoff would retain ownership of his assets. Typically, in a blind trust, an outside manager controls an official’s assets, selling off those that pose a conflict and reinvesting the proceeds into investments unknown to the owner. Witkoff declined to comment. World Liberty did not respond to requests for comment about potential ethical issues and Tron’s investment in the company. Even with a trust, World Liberty sets up potential conflicts of interest, the ethics specialists told Reuters. Witkoff’s Middle East policy recommendations could be affected by what he sees as best for World Liberty as opposed to the United States, they said. Even if Witkoff sets up a trust and isn’t involved in World Liberty’s day-to-day operations, potential conflicts exist so long as he maintains a financial stake in the company, said Richard Painter, ethics counsel to former president George W. Bush and a University of Minnesota professor. “Whether you’re involved in the management of the company or not, that’s not relevant at all. What’s relevant is if you own a financial interest that could be directly impacted by your government work,” said Painter. Trump also faces potential conflicts from World Liberty, the experts said. Trump is listed as “chief crypto advocate” on World Liberty’s website and is entitled to a cut of its revenues, according to the company’s terms and conditions. World Liberty sells a proprietary token that cannot be traded, those terms and conditions say, unlike Bitcoin and other crypto tokens. Trump and other unnamed “affiliates” are entitled to 75% of some World Liberty revenues, according to the terms, raising the possibility of people buying World Liberty coins to try to gain favor with him. “Is this an alternative way of ingratiating yourself with Trump?” Clark said of World Liberty. Trump’s business dealings drew close scrutiny in his first term. While he was in office, at least 20 governments, including Saudi Arabia and China, collectively spent more than $7.8 million at his hotels and other properties, according to a report published by congressional Democrats in January. Trump did not face legal consequences for that spending. The Trump transition team did not respond to a request for information on what steps he would take to address any conflicts from World Liberty. World Liberty’s connection with Trump features heavily on the company’s website. A picture of Trump, ear bandaged after the July assassination attempt on him, greets visitors on the home page. The first people listed as members of the World Liberty team are Trump and his three sons, Don Jr., Eric and Barron, who are described as “Web3 ambassadors.” Trump himself, along with relatives and associates, unveiled the business during a live event on X in September. Don Jr. and Barron did not respond to requests for comment. Through World Liberty, Trump and his family could also benefit from possible regulatory changes that his administration makes involving crypto, the experts said. During the campaign, Trump vowed to name a new SEC chair to replace Gary Gensler, who took on the crypto industry with various lawsuits. Last week, he tapped crypto-friendly Washington lawyer Paul Atkins for the role. Witkoff’s sons, Alex and Zach, are also listed as co-founders of World Liberty. They did not respond to requests for comment. Eric Trump told Reuters he is “very involved” in World Liberty. If foreign governments or sovereign wealth funds were to invest in World Liberty, that could place Witkoff and Trump in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s “emoluments” clause, designed to thwart corruption and improper influence on government, said Larry Noble, a professor at American University and former general counsel of the Federal Election Commission. The clause bars federal officials from accepting gifts or other advantages from foreign governments without congressional approval. Diplomats said they were surprised when Witkoff, a New York real-estate investor, was named special Middle East envoy on Nov. 12 given his lack of foreign policy experience. He will assume the job at a time of heightened regional tensions, including the Gaza conflict, turmoil in Syria and the risk of a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran. Witkoff donated $250,000 to the pro-Trump super PAC spending group MAGA Inc in December 2023. He is worth at least $1 billion, according to Forbes. Already, the lines between Witkoff’s business venture and his diplomatic role are blurring. Witkoff spoke on Monday at the Abu Dhabi crypto conference. The program listed him as Trump’s special envoy to the region and also mentioned the crypto business in his biography. “A forward-thinking entrepreneur, Steve is now focused on the intersection of real estate, Bitcoin, and crypto,” the conference website read. Those attending paid as much as $9,999 to access special sessions, which were closed to the media. Tron’s Sun was also listed as a speaker. Witkoff did not respond to questions about the conference. SPECIAL ENVOY, FEW RULES Witkoff’s new role of special envoy is not defined by law and may not require confirmation by the U.S. Senate. The incoming administration could define him as a “special government employee,” a designation meant for temporary roles, said Scott Greytak, director of advocacy at Transparency International’s Washington office. In that case, “unlike regular government employees, he can continue receiving outside income without limits,” he said. “However, he must file a financial disclosure form and cannot take any official actions that would financially benefit himself.” Witkoff should also sign an agreement with the State Department that he will not talk with foreign government officials about crypto while on official business, said Meredith McGehee, an independent ethicist and former policy director of nonprofit watchdog the Campaign Legal Center. “That should be a wall. You can’t say: ‘By the way, what’s your government going to do on crypto?’” McGehee said. Special envoys under Biden, former President Barack Obama and Trump’s own first administration were typically not from the business sector, Reuters found in a review of the emissaries. None had founded a major company linked to a presidential candidate weeks before the election. Some had extensive investments in the private sector, however. Multimillionaire John Kerry divested assets identified by government ethics officers as potentially conflicting with his role as Biden’s special climate envoy, according to a 2021 certificate of divestiture from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. Trump has appointed a close business associate before. In 2016, he tapped the Trump Organization’s chief legal officer, Jason Greenblatt, as Special Representative for International Negotiations, a key role in Israeli-Palestinian talks. Greenblatt told Reuters he left Trump’s company before taking up his White House role. He did not recall whether he sold his investments before working as a special envoy, but said he would have followed applicable rules.With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight

Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to enter 2025 NFL Draft'Karunakaran tried to make him minister in 1971, but Antony stepped aside,' recalls VM SudheeranWhat is it about a good newsgathering movie? The pleasure of watching skilled, doggedly determined people coming together to tell a story, to shape the chaos of the world into something comprehensible makes for evergreen cinematic fodder, from “All the President’s Men” to “The Insider” to “Spotlight.” Add “September 5” to that list, which tackles the slippery madness of live television reporting, essentially invented by the ABC Sports team during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, during the hostage situation that unfolded in the Olympic Village, which ended in tragedy. The massacre still looms large in the historical memory, especially for the Munich-based filmmaking team behind the crackerjack newsroom thriller “September 5.” Since these were the first Olympic Games broadcast live via satellite, it was also the first time an attack such as this was broadcast to a global audience of millions, a watershed moment in media evolution. At a quick and gripping 95 minutes, it’s remarkable how writer/director Tim Fehlbaum marshals a large ensemble cast, makes an already well-known event feel like an urgent and unpredictable crisis, and allows the audience to ponder the larger implications of the characters’ choices. The script is by Fehlbaum, Moritz Binder and Alex David, and Fehlbaum’s crew delivers an impeccably crafted piece of filmmaking that spills the guts of live TV in fascinating ways. Cinematographer Markus Förderer’s camera restlessly roves around the dim production office, perfectly designed by Julian R. Wagner, stuffed with analog tech. Hansjörg Weißbrich’s edit seamlessly weaves together everything — including extensive archival footage — tracking many different characters, movements and screens in this film that immediately plunges you into this world but allows the situation to unfold moment-to-moment. It’s not easy to make things look effortless, and Fehlbaum’s film fluidly captures that behind-the-scenes effort: the sweat, the teamwork, the disagreements, the problem-solving, the cunning, the pleading and, yes, the mistakes that went into the ABC reporting that day. There’s a trio of decision-makers running the show, played by the terrific threesome of Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge, Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader and John Magaro as Geoff Mason, our ostensible lead, as we follow him throughout the day. Geoff is a young upstart, having directed live television covering golf tournaments and minor league baseball. He’s suddenly thrust into the highest-pressure live-television directing situation of all time as it becomes clear that a group of Palestinian commandos known as Black September have taken the Israeli Olympic team hostage in their apartments in the Olympic Village. Improvising on the fly, the team — normally used to covering sports — has to weigh their competitive desire to own the story, represented by the hard-charging Roone, with the cautious temperance of Marvin, who urges restraint in case they broadcast violence to concerned families watching at home. Much of the appeal of “September 5” lies in simply watching people who are very good at their jobs do them well, as these well-trained, knowledgeable professionals utilize their skills, emotional intelligence and critical thinking in their storytelling craft, even as they falter and flail in the chaos of the situation. Avoiding any significant comment on the longtime conflict between Israel and Palestine, “September 5” is tightly focused on how television news systems work and how this unique moment supercharged its evolution. While it is a thrilling, compulsively compelling watch, a good old-fashioned character ensemble piece, the message at hand is about the burden of responsibility in telling a story like this and the catastrophic mistakes that can happen in these moments, too. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Robert Braswell scores 19 to help Charlotte earn 77-63 victory over Georgia State

NEW YORK — They have seen him smiling on a hostel security camera, but don't know his name. They found the backpack he discarded while fleeing, but don't know where he's gone. As the search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer goes on, investigators are reckoning with a tantalizing dichotomy: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it, though they are confident it was a targeted attack instead of a random act. "The net is tightening," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Saturday. Hours after he spoke, police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his bag there Friday. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting Wednesday morning outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police provided no updates on the hunt Saturday, but investigators are urging patience — even with a killer on the loose. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson's family and coworkers and the shooter's randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. "This isn't 'Blue Bloods.' We're not going to solve this in 60 minutes," Kenny told reporters Friday. "We're painstakingly going through every bit of evidence that we can come across." The shooter paid cash at the hostel, presented what police believe was a fake ID and is believed to have paid cash for taxi rides and other transactions. He didn't speak to others at the hostel and almost always kept his face covered with a mask, only lowering it while eating. But investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment in which he briefly showed his face soon after arriving in New York on Nov. 24. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven't been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. On Friday evening, investigators found a backpack in Central Park that had been worn by the gunman, police said. They didn't immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. Another potential clue, a fingerprint on an item he purchased at a Starbucks minutes before the shooting, has so far proven useless for identifying him, Kenny said. Aided by surveillance cameras on nearly every building and block, police have been able to retrace the shooter's movements. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company's annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words "delay," "deny" and "depose," mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. Kenny said the fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client. Investigators know from surveillance video that the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle and ditched it around 7 a.m. near 85th Street. He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at 7:30 a.m. at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington. Investigators don't know what happened next. They are searching through more surveillance video but have yet to locate video of the shooter getting on a bus or exiting the station. "We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City," Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told CNN on Friday. Police have determined from video that the gunman was in the city for 10 days before the shooting. He arrived at Manhattan's main bus terminal on a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta, though it's not clear whether he embarked there or at one of about a half-dozen stops along the route. Immediately after that, he took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton and was there for about a half hour, Kenny said. At around 11 p.m. on the night he arrived, he went by taxi to the HI New York City Hostel. It was there, while speaking with an employee in the lobby, that he briefly pulled down the mask and smiled, giving investigators the brief glimpse they are now relying on to identify and capture a killer.

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Science Olympiad Foundation to announce IMO 2024-25 results soon: Know how to check rankings and win prizesHERZLIYA, Israel and CALGARY, Alberta , Dec. 12, 2024 /CNW/ -- Innocan Pharma Corporation INNO IP INNPF (the "Company" or "Innocan") a pharmaceutical technology company focusing on developing innovative drug delivery platform technologies and an owner of a proprietary intellectual property portfolio, is pleased to share its annual "State of Research and Development" update for 2024. This year, the Company achieved significant milestones in advancing research and development for its drug delivery platforms as well as its intellectual property portfolio. During 2024, Innocan achieved significant milestones in both scientific and regulatory domains. Preclinical studies of its liposome-cannabidiol technology (LPT - CBD ( demonstrated high CBD bioavailability, along with long-lasting pain relief and improved well-being in various animal models. Building on this compelling data, the Company secured agreement from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the preclinical and Phase 1 clinical development plan to advance LPT-CBD as a treatment for chronic pain in humans. Additionally, the FDA acknowledged LPT-CBD's development under the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway, which provides Innocan with an accelerated route to patent utilization and commercialization. On the veterinary front, LPT-CBD's innovation was recognized by the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), which granted Innocan a fee waiver for 2024 and issued a number that identifies an Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD). This designation allows Innocan to facilitate correspondence and data exchange with the CVM to support the development of LPT-CBD as a new veterinary drug. Iris Bincovich, CEO of Innocan Pharma, commented: "In 2024, we not only met but surpassed our FDA-related goals, achieving regulatory milestones ahead of schedule. With the FDA 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway meeting behind us, these advancements position us to accelerate our development in 2025, bringing us closer to delivering innovative pain management solutions for both human and veterinary applications." The 505(b)(2) FDA regulatory pathway offers a streamlined approach for developing a long-acting injectable cannabinoid using a liposomal drug delivery platform to treat chronic pain. By leveraging existing pre-clinical data from approved products, this pathway is expected to significantly shorten both development time and cost. This pathway facilitates innovative formulations like liposomal delivery, by allowing for modifications to dosage forms, administration routes, or drug combinations, all while adhering to stringent safety and efficacy standards. This approach is expected to accelerate market entry and address unmet medical needs in chronic pain management. Company ' s Update on its Activity in Research and Development and FDA interactions On February 26, 2024 , the Company announced the latest findings from the Company's pharmacokinetic study of its liposome CBD platform ("LPT-CBD") in rabbits. In agreement with studies conducted in other animals (mice, dogs, goats, and sheep) this study resulted in prolonged exposure of CBD obtained following a single subcutaneous LPT-CBD injection. This data along with data obtained from other organisms injected with the Company's liposomal CBD, consistently demonstrates that a detectable CBD level could be maintained for weeks following a single injection. On March 5, 2024 , the Company announced the results of a recent tissue distribution study of its liposome CBD platform (LPT-CBD), that indicated the potential of LPT-CBD to support a new therapeutic venue for neurological disorders. In this study, CBD was found to be in the brains of both mice and rabbits weeks after LPT-CBD was subcutaneously injected to them. LPT technology provides a long presence of CBD in the blood enabling CBD to pass the blood brain barrier (BBB) and deliver long brain exposure. On April 22, 2024 , the Company announced that it had submitted its letter of application for a Pre-IND meeting, the first phase in the FDA approval process in the United States for LPT-CBD. Innocan's Pre-IND meeting request letter to the FDA represents a key milestone and important first step in seeking approval of its LPT-CBD therapy for use in humans. The objective of the Pre-IND meeting is to obtain guidance from the FDA on the preclinical and clinical development plan, enabling the initiation of an investigational new drug ("IND") program in the United States . On May 9, 2024 , the Company announced the successful pre-clinical treatment of amputee female donkey with a liposomal-CBD injection. Miri, a-7-year-old female donkey, had undergone amputation of her right front limb, leaving the weight burden primarily on her left front limb. This led to an inflammatory disease affecting the soft tissue that connects the foot bone to the hoof, seemingly causing extreme pain and limited mobility. In a compassionate act, Miri was administered a liposomal-CBD injection. The effect was immediate as Miri regained her ability to walk and move as she had before her inflammatory disease developed. On May 21, 2024 , the Company announced significant advancements in the regulatory process for its LPT - CBD, which provides an innovative solution in non-opioid pain management. The FDA granted Innocan an INAD number and approved an initial meeting with the Company to discuss the strategic path forward. The meeting with the FDA was on July 31, 2024 , where Innocan presented its preclinical results and proposed clinical development plan. The meeting is key to launching human clinical trials for the LPT-CBD injectable drug, developed to provide a novel treatment option for chronic pain. On June 11, 2024 , the Company announced the success and conclusion of a preliminary safety evaluation of Innocan's single injection and sustained-release LPT-CBD conducted on minipigs. Recognized by the FDA as an excellent model for toxicology, minipigs are small breeds of miniature domestic pigs which share strong similarities with humans in crucial aspects such as drug metabolism, skin structure, genetics, and physiological mechanisms. In this preliminary safety study, minipigs received a single subcutaneous injection of LPT-CBD and were closely monitored for pharmacokinetics and basic safety parameters over one month. The animals all exhibited good drug tolerance and did not manifest any drug-related adverse reactions. On July 2, 2024 , the Company announced that it engaged the Past President of the Eastern Pain Association, Dr. William K. Schmidt , to support its LPT-CBD submission process to the FDA for chronic pain. His extensive expertise in pain-related clinical development and regulatory affairs will strongly contribute to Innocan's team during the LPT-CBD submission process with the FDA. Dr. Schmidt brings over 25 years of pharmaceutical industry clinical trial experience, specializing in analgesic and narcotic antagonist drug development. On July 26, 2024 , the Company announced that the CVM) granted the Company a sponsor fee waiver and assigned an INAD number for its LPT-CBD product. This represented a significant step for the Company, as an INAD designation facilitates correspondence and data exchange with CVM to support LPT-CBD development as a new veterinary drug. The Company further announced that following the assessment of LPT-CBD's scientific package, the CVM recognized Innocan's contribution to pursuing innovative animal drug products and technology and granted the Company a sponsor fee waiver for fiscal year 2024. Over the past year, repeated administration of LPT-CBD in dogs and other animals demonstrated both efficacy and tolerability, providing sufficient evidence for the INAD application. On September 3, 2024 , the Company announced that it received a positive response from the FDA following Innocan's successful pre-IND Type B meeting with the FDA held in July, for its lead drug product LPT-CBD. The FDA has agreed to LPT-CBD's submission under the 505(b)(2) New Drug Application (NDA) by establishing a scientific bridge to the reference listed drug. The 505(b)(2) abbreviated pathway, as it is often described, typically enables a faster route to patent utilization and commercial approval. This pathway is a significant milestone for Innocan, as it may pave the way for a streamlined and accelerated FDA approval process for LPT-CBD, while allowing Innocan to advance its patent protected innovation. In addition, Innocan has reached an alignment with the FDA on both its non-clinical development plan and the clinical study design for LPT-CBD's proposed IND filing for a Phase I clinical study. On October 9, 2024 , The Company announced that Dr. Joseph V. Pergolizzi, Jr. , M.D., a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board, was recognized among the top 2% most cited scientists in the world in a new list published by Stanford University . This achievement underscores Dr. Pergolizzi's long-term contribution to medical science and his influential role in shaping global healthcare practices. Dr. Pergolizzi was appointed to be part of Innocan's Scientific Advisory Board in September 2023 . His role focuses on promoting pharmaceutical human product R&D and supporting the Company's planned FDA filing for new medications. His expertise in pain management, critical care medicine, and regulatory processes are key in advancing the issuer's pharmaceutical developments. On October 11, 2024 , the Company announced promising results from a multi-year compassionate therapy using repeated LPT-CBD injections for pain relief in dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis. The therapy consistently demonstrated pain reduction and improved mobility, with effects lasting for several weeks after each injection as expected. These results further demonstrate that LPT-CBD can be a viable treatment option for managing chronic pain and enhancing the quality of life in animals. In two ongoing cases, dogs suffering from osteoarthritis who were treated with LPT-CBD after failing to respond to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral CBD, showed noticeable pain relief, substantially improved mobility and increased well-being which was clearly noticeable. Both dogs remained on LPT-CBD treatment for 2 and 2.5 years, respectively after their owners reported significant improvement in quality of life, receiving the treatment in addition to other conventional treatments. About Innocan Innocan is an innovator in the pharmaceuticals and wellness sectors. In the pharmaceuticals sector, Innocan developed a CBD-loaded liposome drug delivery platform with exact dosing, prolonged and controlled release of synthetic CBD for non-opioid pain management. In the wellness sector, Innocan develops and markets a wide portfolio of high-performance self-care and beauty products to promote a healthier lifestyle. Under this segment Innocan carries on business through its 60% owned subsidiary, BI Sky Global Ltd. which focuses on advanced, targeted online sales. www.innocanpharma.com For further information, please contact: Iris Bincovich, CEO +1-516-210-4025 +972-54-3012842 +44 203 769 9377 info@innocanpharma.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information Certain information set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, information regarding research and development, collaborations, the filing of potential applications with the FDA and other regulatory authorities, the potential achievement of future regulatory milestones, the potential for treatment of conditions and other therapeutic effects resulting from research activities and/or the Company's products, requisite regulatory approvals and the timing for market entry and potential for patent utilization and commercialization is forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Innocan's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Innocan, including expectations and assumptions concerning the anticipated benefits of the products, satisfaction of regulatory requirements in various jurisdictions and satisfactory completion of requisite production and distribution arrangements. Forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this news release. The key risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: general global and local (national) economic, market and business conditions; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities; and relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, customers, business partners and competitors. There are also risks that are inherent in the nature of product distribution, including import / export matters and the failure to obtain any required regulatory and other approvals (or to do so in a timely manner) and availability in each market of product inputs and finished products. The anticipated timeline for entry to markets may change for a number of reasons, including the inability to secure necessary regulatory requirements, or the need for additional time to conclude and/or satisfy the manufacturing and distribution arrangements. As a result of the foregoing, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information contained in this news release concerning the timing of launch of product distribution. A comprehensive discussion of other risks that impact Innocan can also be found in Innocan's public reports and filings which are available under Innocan's profile at www.sedar.com . Readers are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking information. Innocan does not undertake to update, correct or revise any forward looking information as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2570689/Innocan_Pharma_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/innocan-pharma-provides-its-annual-state-of-research-and-development-update-for-2024-302330659.html SOURCE Innocan Pharma Corporation View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/12/c7609.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Qatar tribune Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Chamber (QC) hosted the Qatar-Iran Joint Business Council meeting on Thursday to explore avenues for enhanced trade and investment cooperation between the two nations. The meeting, held at QC’s headquarters, brought together government officials, business leaders, and diplomats from both countries to discuss strategies for fostering economic partnerships. The Qatari delegation was led by QC First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari, while the Iranian side was chaired by Adnan Mousapour. Among the key attendees were HE Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs at Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Abbas Aliabadi, Iran’s Minister of Energy. Also present were QC board members, the acting general manager, the Iranian ambassador to Qatar, and several businessmen from both countries. In his remarks, Al Sayed highlighted the significant progress in Qatar-Iran economic relations in recent years. He underscored the abundant opportunities available for collaboration in sectors such as energy, agriculture, logistics, technology, financial services, and innovation. “The Qatar-Iran Business Council serves as a vital platform that reflects the shared commitment of both nations to deepen their commercial and economic ties,” he stated. The Iranian minister, echoed the sentiments, emphasising the mutual interest in strengthening trade ties. He praised the role of the business council and qatar chamber in enabling cooperation between the private sectors of the two nations. “Our shared goals in economic and trade development will pave the way for sustainable partnerships,” he said. Al Kuwari pointed to the Qatar-Iran Business Council’s crucial role in fostering collaboration between the business communities of both countries. “The council is a dynamic platform that enables the private sectors of Qatar and Iran to form robust partnerships and expand their cooperation,” he said. Al Kuwari noted that bilateral trade has reached QR534 million, a testament to the growing economic ties between the two nations. He further highlighted QC’s efforts in hosting delegations from Iran, aiming to promote partnerships and establish economic and commercial alliances. These initiatives, he said, reflect the chamber’s commitment to enhancing inter-trade and investment relations. Adnan Mousapour, representing the Iranian side, expressed optimism about the potential for increased trade and collaboration. He urged Qatari investors to visit Iran and explore opportunities in various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Mousapour emphasised that the business council could play a pivotal role in unlocking these opportunities and driving mutual growth. The meeting concluded with a shared vision for advancing Qatar-Iran economic relations. Both sides committed to leveraging the Business Council’s platform to facilitate joint ventures and strategic partnerships. Business leaders from both countries reiterated their enthusiasm for tapping into emerging sectors and fostering sustainable development. The Qatar-Iran Joint Business Council meeting marked another milestone in the evolving partnership between the two nations, showcasing their determination to build a future of shared prosperity. Copy 13/12/2024 10

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