Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most active and internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said the former president died Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. 2024 was a year of triumphs and setbacks for Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Here's how it unfolded The year 2024 saw President Vladimir Putin further cement his power as he sought to counter Russia's isolation over the war in Ukraine. He won a fifth term that will keep him in office until 2030 following an election with only token opposition. He tightened a political crackdown on Russian society, and his top opponent, Alexei Navalny, died in prison under still unknown circumstances. But gunmen massacred scores of people in a Moscow concert hall, and a bomb killed a top general in attacks that underscored security flaws. Ukrainian forces swept into the Russian region of Kursk, Putin boasted about a lethal new hypersonic missile, and a new Trump administration raised concerns about continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Russian man arrested for allegedly running LGBTQ+ travel agency found dead in custody A Russian man arrested for allegedly running a travel agency for gay customers has been found dead in custody in Moscow. That's according to independent news outlet Mediazona on Sunday. According to OVD-Info, Andrei Kotov of the Men Travel agency was in pretrial detention facing extremism charges. An investigator told Kotov’s lawyer that her client had died by suicide and was found dead in his cell. Just over a year ago, Russia’s Supreme Court effectively outlawed any LGBTQ+ activism in a ruling that designated “the international LGBT movement” as extremist. The move exposed anyone in the community or connected to it to criminal prosecution and prison.Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States, dead at 10023 in 1 super game instructions 。

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level Media

A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW The Department of Energy (DoE) hosts a lineup of activities to commemorate its 52nd year and National Energy Consciousness Month, including campaigns on energy literacy and awareness in the DoE’s effort to encourage everyone’s active participation in the country’s transition toward a greener, more sustainable energy system. IMAGE FROM DOE WEBSITE THE Department of Energy (DoE) is currently celebrating its 52nd year, coinciding with the observance of National Energy Consciousness Month (NECM) this December 2024. Register to read this story and more for free . Signing up for an account helps us improve your browsing experience. OR See our subscription options.

Barry Keoghan Says He's Received 'Disgusting' Harassment Amid Sabrina Carpenter SplitPHOENIX — Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest on Sunday in Phoenix. Panama's conservative president José Raúl Mulino, who was elected in April on a pro-business platform, roundly rejected that notion as an affront to his country's sovereignty. The Republican president-elect's comment came during his first major rally since winning the White House on Nov. 5. He also used his comments to bask in his return to power as a large audience of conservatives cheered along. It was a display of party unity at odds with a just-concluded budget fight on Capitol Hill where some GOP lawmakers openly defied their leader's demands. Addressing supporters at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Arizona, Trump pledged that his “dream team Cabinet” would deliver a booming economy, seal U.S. borders and quickly settle wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. “I can proudly proclaim that the Golden Age of America is upon us,” Trump said. “There’s a spirit that we have now that we didn’t have just a short while ago.” His appearance capped a four-day pep rally that drew more than 20,000 activists and projected an image of Republican cohesion despite the past week's turbulence in Washington with Trump pulling strings from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as Congress worked to avoid a government shutdown heading into the Christmas holiday. House Republicans spiked a bipartisan deal after Trump and Elon Musk, his billionaire ally, expressed their opposition on social media. Budget hawks flouted Trump's request to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, which would have spared some new rounds of the same fight after he takes office Jan. 20, 2025, with Republicans holding narrow control of the House and Senate. The final agreement did not address the issue and there was no shutdown. Trump, in his remarks in Phoenix, did not mention the congressional drama, though he did reference Musk's growing power. To suggestions that "President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon,” Trump made clear, “No, no. That’s not happening.” “He’s not gonna be president,” Trump said. The president-elect opened the speech by saying that "we want to try to bring everybody together. We’re going to try. We’re going to really give it a shot." Then he suggested Democrats have “lost their confidence” and are “befuddled” after the election but eventually will ”come over to our side because we want to have them.” A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal on Sept. 2 in Colon, Panama. Atop a list of grievances — some old, some new — was the Panama Canal. “We’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal,” he said, bemoaning that his country ”foolishly gave it away.” The United States built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s, as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter. The canal depends on reservoirs to operate its locks and was heavily affected by 2023 Central American droughts that forced it to substantially reduce the number of daily slots for crossing ships. With fewer ships using the canal each day, administrators also increased the fees that are charged all shippers for reserving a slot. With weather returning to normal in the later months of this year, transit on the canal has normalized. But price increases are still expected for next year. Mulino, Panama's president, has been described as a conservative populist who aligns with Trump on many issues. Panama is a strong U.S. ally and the canal is crucial for its economy, generating about one-fifth of that government’s annual revenue. Still, Trump said, that, once his second term is underway, "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question.” “I’m not going to stand for it," Trump said. "So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.” He did not explain how that would be possible. A short time after Trump's speech, Mulino released a video declaring that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to his country. Without mentioning Trump by name, Mulino addressed the president-elect's complaints over rising fees for ships crossing the canal, saying that they are set by experts who take into account operational costs, and supply and demand factors. “The tariffs are not set on a whim” Mulino said. He noted that Panama has expanded the canal over the years to increase ship traffic “on its own initiative,” and added that shipping fee increases help pay for improvements. “Panamanians may have different views on many issues” Mulino said. “But when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.” The canal aside, Trump’s appearance at Turning Point’s annual gathering affirmed the growing influence the group and its founder, Charlie Kirk, have had in the conservative movement. Kirk’s organization hired thousands of field organizers across presidential battlegrounds, helping Trump make key gains among infrequent voters and other groups of people that have trended more Democratic in recent decades, including younger voters, Black men and Latino men. ”You had Turning Point’s grassroots armies,” Trump said. “It’s not my victory, it’s your victory.” Earlier Sunday, Trump said that Stephen Miran, who worked at the Treasury Department in Trump's first term, was his choice to lead the Council of Economic Advisers. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Puma Exploration Announces Closing Of $668,500 Non-Brokered Financing

Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the US presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk's X, which they view as increasingly leaning too far to the right given its owner's support of President-elect Donald Trump, or wanting an alternative to Meta 's Threads and its algorithms. The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter, championed by its former CEO Jack Dorsey. Its decentralised approach to social networking was eventually intended to replace Twitter's core mechanic. That's unlikely now that the two companies have parted ways. But Bluesky's growth trajectory - with a user base that has more than doubled since October - could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. But with growth comes growing pains. It's not just human users who've been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. The skyrocketing user base - now surpassing 25 million - is the biggest test yet for a relatively young platform that has branded itself as a social media alternative free of the problems plaguing its competitors. According to research firm Similarweb, Bluesky added 7.6 million monthly active app users on iOS and Android in November, an increase of 295.4% since October. It also saw 56.2 million desktop and mobile web visits, in the same period, up 189% from October. Besides the US elections, Bluesky also got a boost when X was briefly banned in Brazil. Web Development Django & PostgreSQL Mastery: Build Professional Web Applications By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Entrepreneurship Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Design Canva Magic Write: Ideas to Stunning Slides in No Time By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) ChatGPT Mastery from Zero to Hero: The Complete AI Course By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Finance: Finance Beginner Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Entrepreneurship Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass By - CA Himanshu Jain, Ex McKinsey, Moody's, and PwC, Co - founder, The WallStreet School View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups: From Concept to Conversion By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program "They got this spike in attention, they've crossed the threshold where it is now worth it for people to flood the platform with spam," said Laura Edelson, an assistant professor of computer science at Northeastern University and a member of Issue One's Council for Responsible Social Media. "But they don't have the cash flow, they don't have the established team that a larger platform would, so they have to do it all very, very quickly." Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories To manage growth for its tiny staff, Bluesky started as an invitation-only space until it opened to the public in February. That period gave the site time to build out moderation tools and other distinctive features to attract new users, such as "starter packs" that provide lists of topically curated feeds. Meta recently announced that it is testing a similar feature. Compared to the bigger players like Meta's platforms or X, Bluesky has a "quite different" value system, said Claire Wardle , a professor at Cornell University and an expert in misinformation. This includes giving users more control over their experience. "The first generation of social media platforms connected the world, but ended up consolidating power in the hands of a few corporations and their leaders," Bluesky said on its blog in March. "Our online experience doesn't have to depend on billionaires unilaterally making decisions over what we see. On an open social network like Bluesky, you can shape your experience for yourself." Because of this mindset, Bluesky has achieved a scrappy underdog status that has attracted users who've grown tired of the big players. "People had this idea that it was going to be a different type of social network," Wardle said. "But the truth is, when you get lots of people in a place and there are eyeballs, it means that it's in other people's interests to use bots to create, you know, information that aligns with their perspective." Little data has emerged to help quantify the rise in impersonator accounts, artificial intelligence-fueled networks and other potentially harmful content on Bluesky. But in recent weeks, users have begun reporting large numbers of apparent AI bots following them, posting plagiarized articles or making seemingly automated divisive comments in replies. Lion Cassens, a Bluesky user and doctoral candidate in the Netherlands, found one such network by accident - a group of German-language accounts with similar bios and AI-generated profile pictures posting in replies to three German newspapers. "I noticed some weird replies under a news post by the German newspaper 'Die Ziet,'" he said in an email to The Associated Press. "I have a lot of trust in the moderation mechanism on Bluesky, especially compared to Twitter since the layoffs and due to Musk's more radical stance on freedom of speech. But AI bots are a big challenge, as they will only improve. I hope social media can keep up with that." Cassens said the bots' messages have been relatively innocuous so far, but he was concerned about how they could be repurposed in the future to mislead. There are also signs that foreign disinformation narratives have made their way to Bluesky. The disinformation research group Alethea pointed to one low-traction post sharing a false claim about ABC News that had circulated on Russian Telegram channels. Copycat accounts are another challenge. In late November, Alexios Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech, found that of the top 100 most followed named individuals on Bluesky, 44% had at least one duplicate account posing as them. Two weeks later, Mantzarlis said Bluesky had removed around two-thirds of the duplicate accounts he'd initially detected - a sign the site was aware of the issue and attempting to address it. Bluesky posted earlier this month that it had quadrupled its moderation team to keep up with its growing user base. The company also announced it had introduced a new system to detect impersonation and was working to improve its Community Guidelines to provide more detail on what's allowed. Because of the way the site is built, users also have the option to subscribe to third-party "Labelers" that outsource content moderation by tagging accounts with warnings and context. The company didn't respond to multiple requests for comment for this story. Even as its challenges aren't yet at the scale other platforms face, Bluesky is at a "crossroads," said Edward Perez, a board member at the nonpartisan nonprofit OSET Institute , who previously led Twitter's civic integrity team. "Whether BlueSky likes it or not, it is being pulled into the real world," Perez said, noting that it needs to quickly prioritize threats and work to mitigate them if it hopes to continue to grow. That said, disinformation and bots won't be Bluesky's only challenges in the months and years to come. As a text-based social network, its entire premise is falling out of favour with younger generations. A recent Pew Research Center poll found that only 17% of American teenagers used X, for instance, down from 23% in 2022. For teens and young adults, TikTok , Instagram and other visual-focused platforms are the places to be. Political polarization is also going against Bluesky ever reaching the size of TikTok, Instagram or even X. "Bluesky is not trying to be all things to all people," Wardle said, adding that, likely, the days of a Facebook or Instagram emerging where they're "trying to keep everybody happy" are over. Social platforms are increasingly splintered along political lines and when they aren't - see Meta's platforms - the companies behind them are actively working to de-emphasize political content and news.Is it possible to start investing with £80 of Christmas money? Yes – here’s how!

In a move that signals the continuing ascent of digital creators, popular YouTuber and multiplatform content producer Alan Chikin Chow has opened a new 10,000-square-foot production studio space in Los Angeles. Chow, who is the most-watched YouTube Shorts creator, regularly rakes in 1 billion views per month. His YouTube channel, at over 67 million subscribers, boasts a larger following than Taylor Swift’s. To date, his “Alan’s Universe” series has garnered over 500 million views across multiple platforms. “I truly believe that YouTube is the future of TV,” Chow tells Variety . “I believe in ‘Alan’s Universe,’ our show, as a franchise that will not only exist on digital but across multiple platforms of music, film and TV, merchandise and live touring. I am excited that this space is the physical indicator of that future.” “Alan’s Universe,” a series that encompasses both longform and shortform video on YouTube, YouTube Shorts, TikTok and Instagram, is “the fantasy of high school that you had before you got to high school and got jaded,” according to Chow. The longform videos, which are composed of a series of interconnected vignettes that are then cut down into shortform content, seemingly draw inspiration from Korean dramas and silent films, finely tuned towards a younger audience. The main visual reference for the newly built, brightly hued sets was “Idol School,” a 2017 Korean reality girl group survival competition. Chow, who has also racked up credits in TV shows and films such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Mean Girls,” says that the expansion of his digital-first business speaks to “the democratization of who is allowed to be a storyteller.” “In the past, there were a few key decision-makers that got to choose what stories get told,” he says. “But now, because of technology, that power has gone back to the people.”The Half Promise Of Weight-Loss Drugs1 person shot, 2 others hit by car at party in Goodyear

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Opinion: We Have a Duty to Remember the San Diego Victims of International Gender ViolenceSenate Republicans derailed President-elect Donald Trump ’s first jaw-dropping pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz . But it’s unclear if they will be able to block any other controversial nominees despite skepticism from some rank-and-file Republicans. In the weeks since Trump’s dramatic election victory, the power struggle between the president-elect and independent-minded Senate Republicans has been playing out in plain view. There had been questions about whether the new Senate GOP majority would simply kowtow to Trump, the party’s most dominant figure, and toss aside its constitutional duty of advise and consent. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Instead, a handful of GOP senators flexed their muscles and rejected Gaetz . Now their political resolve will be tested several more times as Trump’s frustration builds and the MAGA base demands that Republicans rally behind Trump and quickly get his team in place. Senators are getting a brief reprieve from questions about Trump’s nominees as they celebrate Thanksgiving. But when they return next week, the scrutiny will intensify and focus on a trio of Cabinet picks who are raising alarm bells on Capitol Hill and beyond: Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence ; Pete Hegseth for defense secretary ; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health and human services secretary . Trump appointments and nominees Here are some of the people that President-elect Donald Trump has named for high-profile positions in his administration. Positions in orange require Senate confirmation. Source: NBC News With the media spotlight off Gaetz, some Republican senators conceded that Trump’s other embattled picks will now be under the microscope. Hegseth, for example, is facing questions about a 2017 incident where a woman told police he took her phone and blocked her from leaving his hotel room before sexually assaulting her. Hegseth was not charged and has denied the allegations while confirming he paid the accuser in a confidential settlement, but the issue has come up in his meetings with Armed Services Committee members whose votes he will need . “Well, it’s a pretty big problem, given that we have ... a sexual assault problem in our military,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., who added that he backed bipartisan legislation by Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., to prevent sexual assault in the military. “This is why you have background checks, this is why you have hearings, this is why you have to go through the scrutiny,” Cramer continued. “I’m not going to pre-judge him, but yeah, it’s a pretty concerning accusation.” Political capital Before Gaetz withdrew his name, Cramer had warned that the Trump transition team was at risk of spending too much “political capital” fighting for a doomed Cabinet pick before the party even begins tackling its 2025 legislative agenda. The former Florida congressman had too much baggage, Cramer and others said — stemming from a yearslong sexual misconduct ethics probe and Gaetz's successful campaign to topple GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year — to win the 51 votes needed to be confirmed as the nation’s top law enforcement official. Republicans will control 53 seats in the new Senate, meaning they can only afford three GOP defections on any vote to confirm a nominee or pass legislation with Vice President JD Vance serving as the tie-breaker. Rather than drag out the fight for several more weeks, Gaetz dropped out of contention Thursday, paving the way for Trump to name former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department . The Bondi choice was cheered by Republicans, and she is expected to have a much easier path to confirmation. How much political capital Trump is willing to burn on other picks with baggage of their own is still an open question. Some Senate Republicans who leveled some of the strongest criticism at Gaetz said they could live with Hegseth, despite the 2017 assault allegations. “He wasn’t charged. He wasn’t even kind of charged in this. There was no crime committed. The police dropped everything there. ...” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., a Trump ally and vocal Gaetz critic, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday. “And so that doesn’t prevent Pete from moving forward in this.” Potential red flags Kennedy and Gabbard have their own past controversies that could become red flags for senators. Kennedy, whom Trump picked to be one of his top health officials, has made numerous false or misleading claims about vaccines, fluoride, raw milk and other things that would come under his purview if confirmed. As HHS secretary, Kennedy would oversee 13 federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Asked about RFK Jr’s position on vaccines, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, a member of the Senate Health committee that will host Kennedy’s confirmation hearing, told reporters that “as a parent” she would continue to advocate for the “benefits of modern medicine.” ​​Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., a close Trump ally, said on Fox News on Sunday he’s done an “unofficial whip count” on RFK, adding that he’s heard concerns but felt assured that the soon-to-be HHS nominee should be “confirmed quite easily.” Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman who changed parties and endorsed Trump, has faced scrutiny by Democrats — as well as some Republicans — for making positive comments about Russia and meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 . “I think she’s compromised ... Russian-controlled media called her a Russian asset,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a decorated Iraq War veteran and Armed Services member, said on CNN Sunday. She added that she didn’t think Gabbard could pass an FBI background check. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., shot back on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” labeling Duckworth’s insults about Gabbard “a slur.” “There’s no evidence that she’s an asset of another country,” he said. In a statement, Trump communications director Steven Cheung said, “President Trump is nominating high-caliber and extremely qualified candidates to serve in his Administration.” No vetting FBI background checks are typically conducted on executive branch nominees and appointees. But the Trump team has yet to submit any of his picks for such vetting. On Sunday, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., defended the move, saying Americans do not care about who conducts the vetting process. “I don’t think the American public cares who does the background checks. What the American public cares about is to see the mandate that they voted in delivered upon,” Hagerty, Trump’s former ambassador to Japan, said on ABC’s “This Week.” Democrats say that FBI background checks may save Trump and his team a lot of hassle and embarrassment. “He may have still decided to nominate Matt Gaetz, but if they did a thorough vetting, he may have decided not to,” Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said on NBC’s “Meet the Press" on Sunday. “That vetting process, having the FBI review potential nominees, is not only to protect the public interests, it’s to protect the president-elect’s interests, to make sure that he’s not embarrassed by nominating someone like Matt Gaetz.” Gabe Gutierrez, Ryan Nobles, Julie Tsirkin, Kate Santaliz and Hallie Jackson contributed. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com . More from NBC News:Bureaucracy is comprised of people we know, and is not all bad4070 super game 。

A Baltimore woman accused of sex-trafficking 11 women through a criminal organization she called the Pussy Kat Klub has pleaded guilty, state law enforcement officials announced Friday.

ST. PAUL — Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic died Friday following a battle with cancer. She was 62. Her family said she died surrounded by loved ones. “She had a heart of gold, willing to go to any measure to help those she loved,” they said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin the Minneapolis Democrat was committed to working for Minnesotans. She served in the Minnesota Senate for more than a decade. “It is impossible to overstate the positive impact that Senator Dziedzic’s leadership has had on our state,” Martin said in a statement. “She devoted her life to making her fellow Minnesotans’ lives better, and she refused to allow cancer to get in her way. Minnesota has lost a giant, but her extraordinary legacy will outlast us all.” Dziedzic was instrumental in holding together the Senate DFL caucus in 2023 as they passed, with a one-vote majority, a variety of Democratic priorities like funding universal school meals for students, approving a paid family and medical leave program, cementing legal protections for abortion and gender-affirming care and legalizing cannabis for recreational use. She was respected on both sides of the political aisle and her demeanor was always steady, even amid tense times in the Senate. Dziedzic’s laid-back style made her a surprising pick for majority leader after the 2022 election. Leaders from both major political parties said they were heartbroken by her death. “Senator Kari Dziedzic was a passionate legislator, a respected leader, and a trusted colleague and friend. She will be remembered for her integrity and her compassion for Minnesotans, something that we all saw as she continued to serve even as she battled cancer,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, an East Grand Forks Republican. “I’m deeply saddened at her passing and am praying for her family and friends as we all mourn this loss.” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said she was “one of the most skilled diplomats ever to serve in elected office.” ADVERTISEMENT “Her legacy includes significant achievements in policy and investment in Minnesota, but more importantly she will be remembered for treating people with dignity and respect and never giving up on finding workable compromises,” Hortman said. “She had an incredible ability to work diligently through the most arcane and difficult policy issues to find resolution.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, agreed, saying she was “an uncommon leader.” “Her talents as a consequential and thoughtful leader made us all better legislators, and her examples of kindness humor, and selflessness made us all better people,” Murphy said. Former Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen praised Dziedzic as a hard worker. “The last time I spoke to Kari a few weeks ago she was still serving her constituents,” she wrote on social media. “That’s Senator Dziedzic, the hardest working legislator I have ever had the honor to serve with. Rest in peace my friend.” Dziedzic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023 and underwent emergency surgery to limit its spread. She stepped down from her leadership position in February after her cancer recurred. The Senate will now stand in a 33-33 tie between Democrats and Republicans heading into the 2025 legislative session. Gov. Tim Walz has not yet said when he might call for a special election in the Minneapolis district. ADVERTISEMENT Dziedzic had a degree in engineering but couldn’t resist the family pull into public service. Her father, Walt, was a colorful Minneapolis city council member who later served on the park board. Dziedzic told MPR News that she felt drawn into politics after watching her father’s example. “I knew the long hours. I knew the phone calls at home. I knew what I was walking into,” she said. “But I also knew the opportunity that you have to help other people. And it’s about helping people and making your community better.” Dziedzic began a career in public service as a campaign volunteer and later moved on to become a scheduling aide for former U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone. After a stint working for a Hennepin County commissioner, she was nudged to run for a state Senate seat when longtime lawmaker Larry Pogemiller stepped down to take another government job. Gov. Tim Walz called Dziedzic a “one-of-a-kind leader.” He added, “Her legacy should inspire all of us in elected office to be better public servants.” Details for a memorial service have not yet been announced. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania is reeling after a little-known, far-right populist secured the first round in the presidential election, beating the incumbent prime minister. Calin Georgescu, who ran independently, will face reformist Elena Lasconi in a Dec. 8. runoff after most local surveys predicted he would win less than 10% of the vote. Georgescu, 62, was ahead after nearly all ballots were counted with around 22.95%. According to local media, Georgescu in the past has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a man who loves his country” and called Ukraine “an invented state.” He has also sparked controversy for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. Lasconi, of the progressive Save Romania Union party, or USR, followed with 19.17%. She beat by a slim margin incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, who stood at 19.15%. Lasconi on Monday warned that Romania is now in “a historical confrontation between preserving Romania’s young democracy ... and those who want to return Romania to the Russian sphere of influence.” She added: “Let us be very clear, Calin Georgescu is an open admirer of Vladimir Putin. He is open against NATO and the European Union ... He is for Romania’s isolation, which he calls neutrality ... And without NATO we are at the mercy of Russia.” Georgescu on Monday denied charges of being an extremist as “false, totally fake” and said he is “completely dedicated” to the Romanian people. “We remain directly linked to European values, but we must find our (own) values,” he said. “I’m not an extremist, I’m not a fascist, I’m a Romanian who loves his country.” Many observers have attributed Georgescu’s success to his TikTok account , which has 3.7 million likes and 274,000 followers. He gained huge traction and popularity in recent weeks. It is the first time in Romania’s 35-year post-communist history that the country’s most powerful party, the PSD, doesn't have a candidate in the second round of a presidential race, underscoring voters’ anti-establishment sentiment. Ciolacu's shocking defeat prompted him to submit his resignation as party leader on Monday. After polls closed on Sunday, the Central Election Bureau said 9.4 million people — about 52.5% of eligible voters — had cast ballots. Georgescu won 43.3% of the vote in Romania's large diaspora, while Lasconi got 26.8%. Romania's president serves a five-year term in the European Union and NATO member country and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments. According to his website, Georgescu holds a doctorate in pedology, a branch of soil science, and held positions in Romania’s environment ministry in the 1990s. Between 1999 and 2012, he was a representative for Romania on the national committee of the United Nations Environment Program. His campaign positions included supporting farmers, reducing import dependence and ramping up local energy and food production. Georgescu's rising popularity will be tested when he faces Lasconi, who may attract more moderate voters who initially choose other candidates. Lasconi, a former journalist, told The Associated Press ahead of the vote that she saw corruption as one of Romania's biggest problems and expressed support for increased defense spending and continued aid to Ukraine. If she wins the final vote, she will be the first female president in Romania's history. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister.

The Nashville Predators are amongst the worst teams in the league this season points-wise and are four games under .500 through a quarter of the 2024-25 season. Barry Trotz has been looking for ways to make the Predators better but not much has come from that just yet. Some teams have started to make some bigger decisions at this point in the season and Elliotte Friedman reported that after the New York Rangers got blown out by the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, the Rangers have made it clear that they are interested in making some moves. The two names that were brought up were Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider, but more names aren't off the table as well. Trotz is looking to make the Predators better before tearing anything down, so with these veterans available, he could shake up the Predators as well. Trouba has one more year left on his deal after this season at $8 million AAV with a 15 team no trade list. Kreider has two years left after this season on his $6.5 million AAV deal and also has a 15 team no trade clause. Do the Predators need both of these players? No. But grabbing one and sending something back that could also help the Rangers shake things up accordingly could be an intriguing option. The Predators are still reportedly searching for a top-4 defenseman on top of a top-6 center, so Trouba fits that bill. His analytics aren't spectacular, but he is a leader, been a part of many competitive teams, and is a force on the ice. Picture Nashville having Trouba, Jeremy Lauzon, and even Luke Schenn on the ice at any given time. That would be if Schenn isn't part of a package back to New York. It wouldn't be a long commitment to Trouba if the Predators aren't on his no trade list and Nashville likely wouldn't be taking his entire $8 million contract either. As for Kreider, this is a longer commitment and one that the Predators may not delve much into. He has taken a step back this season as this is only the second time in his 13-year NHL career (excluding a 23 game trial) that he has an expected goals percentage lower than 50% (currently 46.2%). He is on a 12-6-2 team that is winning games and through 19 games, he has yet to record an assist. Kreider is still scoring goals (9), something the Predators need, but he doesn't play center and the team would be acquiring another veteran who's 33 years old. I don't think that is exactly what they need. While Kreider could come into the top-6 and play net front on the power play, the issue of a lack of second line center would still be present. That won't look good if more moves are made without addressing what is actually needed. I'm sure Trotz will inquire about Mika Zibanejad as the Rangers have Vincent Trocheck, Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko (currently playing center), and Adam Edstrom as options down the middle in the top-9, but massive moves like moving an $8.5 million center with 5 years remaining on his deal are very difficult to pull off mid-season and I don't think the Rangers would be satisfied with what would be remaining without Zibanejad on a Stanley Cup hopeful team. This is definitely a situation Trotz is likely looking into, even if something doesn't get done. But it is his job to explore absolutely everything to make the Predators better as general manager. Nashville surely needs it. Visit team site to stay updated on the , coverage, , and more. Recent Predators NewsCharles Barkley is letting everyone know how he feels about Donald Trump voters. The legendary NBA star turned Turner Sports analyst isn't afraid to talk politics. Barkley, one of the biggest voices in social media, is a registered Independent, who voted for Kamala Harris this year. But Barkley, who grew up in Alabama and starred collegiately at Auburn, has made it clear that he has respect for people on both sides of the political aisle. Barkley, 61, is a good example for the rest of us. TNT. Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl is one of Barkley's good friends. Pearl is a conservative and has spoken out in support of Donald Trump. While Barkley might have voted for Kamala Harris, he can still be friends and respect Donald Trump voters. He's tired of people sending him articles about Bruce Pearl voting for Donald Trump. “Oh, another thing. The next one of you fools, idiots and (expletives) send me an article about Bruce Pearl supporting Trump, I’m gonna punch you in your face. Bruce Pearl can vote for who he wants to. Bruce Pearl got two jobs, win basketball games and graduate players,” Barkley said on his podcast with Ernie Johnson . “People can vote for who they want to. I voted for Kamala. But like I said, we didn’t win...it’s all our faults for not having a game plan. We’re not having concerts and rallies. People want solutions, they want money in their pocket, they want the border secure.” Barkley's main point - "people can vote for who they want to" - is a good one. And while he might lean left and vote for Kamala Harris, he's not afraid to rip the Democratic Party, too. “The reason I think the Democratic Party and Mr. Biden, President Biden, is losing Black votes is they only care about Black people every four years,” he said earlier this summer. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Barkley, who is set to join ESPN with the rest of the "Inside the NBA" team in 2025-26, hopefully won't ever stop speaking his mind - on politics or anything else. Good for Charles Barkley.5 Tech Gifts This Mom Influencer Says Are on Her List — and Should Be on Yours Too

Britney Spears Claims She's 5 Years Old and Has Moved to Mexico in Birthday VideoA number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”Former Virginia guard Jalen Warley is transferring to Gonzaga, according to several reports Monday. Gonzaga appeared to confirm the transfer by reposting the news on social media. Warley, who has 96 college games (58 starts) under his belt, will use a redshirt this year and spend 2025-26 in Spokane, Wash. Warley played three seasons at Florida State before transferring to Virginia before the 2024-25 season. He was allowed to enter the transfer portal again following the surprise retirement of coach Tony Bennett just three weeks before the season. With the Seminoles, Warley averaged 6.0 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. His junior year was his best, as he put up 7.5 points, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game over 33 appearances (32 starts). --Field Level MediaMother orca and children make 'grocery shopping' trip near downtown Vancouver

Donald Hand Jr. scores 29 with 10 rebounds, Boston College beats Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70ST. PAUL — Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic died Friday following a battle with cancer. She was 62. Her family said she died surrounded by loved ones. “She had a heart of gold, willing to go to any measure to help those she loved,” they said in a statement. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin the Minneapolis Democrat was committed to working for Minnesotans. She served in the Minnesota Senate for more than a decade. “It is impossible to overstate the positive impact that Senator Dziedzic’s leadership has had on our state,” Martin said in a statement. “She devoted her life to making her fellow Minnesotans’ lives better, and she refused to allow cancer to get in her way. Minnesota has lost a giant, but her extraordinary legacy will outlast us all.” Dziedzic was instrumental in holding together the Senate DFL caucus in 2023 as they passed, with a one-vote majority, a variety of Democratic priorities like funding universal school meals for students, approving a paid family and medical leave program, cementing legal protections for abortion and gender-affirming care and legalizing cannabis for recreational use. She was respected on both sides of the political aisle and her demeanor was always steady, even amid tense times in the Senate. Dziedzic’s laid-back style made her a surprising pick for majority leader after the 2022 election. Leaders from both major political parties said they were heartbroken by her death. “Senator Kari Dziedzic was a passionate legislator, a respected leader, and a trusted colleague and friend. She will be remembered for her integrity and her compassion for Minnesotans, something that we all saw as she continued to serve even as she battled cancer,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, an East Grand Forks Republican. “I’m deeply saddened at her passing and am praying for her family and friends as we all mourn this loss.” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said she was “one of the most skilled diplomats ever to serve in elected office.” “Her legacy includes significant achievements in policy and investment in Minnesota, but more importantly she will be remembered for treating people with dignity and respect and never giving up on finding workable compromises,” Hortman said. “She had an incredible ability to work diligently through the most arcane and difficult policy issues to find resolution.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, agreed, saying she was “an uncommon leader.” “Her talents as a consequential and thoughtful leader made us all better legislators, and her examples of kindness humor, and selflessness made us all better people,” Murphy said. Former Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen praised Dziedzic as a hard worker. “The last time I spoke to Kari a few weeks ago she was still serving her constituents,” she wrote on social media. “That’s Senator Dziedzic, the hardest working legislator I have ever had the honor to serve with. Rest in peace my friend.” Dziedzic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023 and underwent emergency surgery to limit its spread. She stepped down from her leadership position in February after her cancer recurred. The Senate will now stand in a 33-33 tie between Democrats and Republicans heading into the 2025 legislative session. Gov. Tim Walz has not yet said when he might call for a special election in the Minneapolis district. Dziedzic had a degree in engineering but couldn’t resist the family pull into public service. Her father, Walt, was a colorful Minneapolis city council member who later served on the park board. Dziedzic told MPR News that she felt drawn into politics after watching her father’s example. “I knew the long hours. I knew the phone calls at home. I knew what I was walking into,” she said. “But I also knew the opportunity that you have to help other people. And it’s about helping people and making your community better.” Dziedzic began a career in public service as a campaign volunteer and later moved on to become a scheduling aide for former U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone. After a stint working for a Hennepin County commissioner, she was nudged to run for a state Senate seat when longtime lawmaker Larry Pogemiller stepped down to take another government job. Gov. Tim Walz called Dziedzic a “one-of-a-kind leader.” He added, “Her legacy should inspire all of us in elected office to be better public servants.” Details for a memorial service have not yet been announced.

In the ever-evolving world of consumer electronics, has firmly established itself as a leading retailer known for its vast selection of products, exceptional customer service, and competitive pricing. From cutting-edge tech gadgets to home appliances and expert advice, Best Buy has become a trusted name for millions of consumers seeking quality and value. In this article, we will explore what makes Best Buy a premier destination for tech enthusiasts, shoppers, and families alike, as well as how the company continues to innovate and maintain its dominant position in the retail industry. Founded in 1966 as Sound of Music by Richard M. Schulze, small audio electronics store in St. Paul, Minnesota. Over the years, the company rebranded as in 1983 and expanded its product offerings to include home appliances, computers, mobile devices, and entertainment electronics. With a focus on customer service and a wide selection of products, Best Buy quickly grew to become one of the largest electronics retailers in the US. Today, Best Buy operates over 1,000 retail locations across North America and offers online shopping with free shipping and flexible return policies. The retailer is known for carrying a wide variety of brands, from premium labels like Apple and Sony to affordable options from other manufacturers. Best Buy’s dedication to providing quality products and personalized service has earned it a loyal customer base. As technology continues to advance, Best Buy is adapting to meet the needs of modern consumers. Here are a few ways the company is shaping the future of retail: While Best Buy remains one of the top electronics retailers, it faces strong competition from several other players in the industry. Here’s a look at how Best Buy compares to its competitors: has solidified its position as the leading retailer in the consumer electronics space due to its comprehensive product selection, excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and commitment to innovation. With a focus on providing expert advice, tech solutions, and an integrated shopping experience, Best Buy continues to be a top destination for anyone in search of the latest gadgets, appliances, and tech services. Whether you’re upgrading your home entertainment system or looking for a new laptop, Best Buy remains a trusted source for all your electronics needs.Thousands of Afghans on Thursday attended the funeral of the refugees minister, AFP journalists saw, after he was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul the day before in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. The Minister for Refugees and Repatriation, Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, was killed on Wednesday afternoon in a suicide bombing at the ministry's offices in the Afghan capital. Thousands of men, many of them armed, gathered for Haqqani's funeral in his home village of Sarana, in a mountainous area of Paktia province, south of Kabul. The funeral included heavy security, with armoured vehicles, snipers and personnel manning the area and the road from Kabul, which was jammed with hundreds of cars as mourners travelled from surrounding provinces. Senior Taliban officials, including the Chief of Army Staff Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, and Maulawi Abdul Kabir, political deputy of the prime minister's office, attended the funeral, according to an AFP team on site. The deceased's nephew, the powerful interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, also attended, along with foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. In a speech there, Muttaqi said the latest IS attacks had been planned "abroad", denouncing, without naming them, "countries harbouring" the organisation. "We call on all nations to work together to stop the common enemy, which does not recognise any kind of morality." In September, the Taliban authorities said IS had training camps in Balochistan province of Pakistan, which also regularly faces jihadist attacks. Haqqani, the highest ranked member of the Taliban government to be killed in an attack since their return to power, "was a big loss for us, the system and the nation", said Paktia resident Hedayatullah, 22. "May God protect our other leaders and keep them victorious." "Our leader... who had his life brutally taken away, achieved martyrdom," said Bostan, 53, haranguing the "cowardly attack" that killed Haqqani. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack on Thursday, offering condolences to the victims' families. "There can be no place for terrorism in the quest for stability," the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on X. The European Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the attack, along with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran. Haqqani -- who is on US and UN sanctions lists and never appeared without an automatic weapon in his hand -- was the brother of Jalaluddin Haqqani, founder of the feared Haqqani network responsible for some of the most violent attacks during the Taliban's two-decade insurgency. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a bomber detonated an explosive vest inside the ministry, according to a statement on its Amaq news agency, as translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. Taliban authorities had already blamed IS for the "cowardly attack" -- the first targeting a minister since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Violence has waned in Afghanistan since the Taliban forces took over the country that year, ending their war against US-led NATO coalition forces. However, the regional chapter of IS, known as Islamic State Khorasan, is active in Afghanistan and has regularly targeted civilians, foreigners and Taliban officials with gun and bomb attacks. bur-qb-sw/nroAs the list of the best moments of 2024 concludes, a new list of resolutions awaits! That said, manifesting glowing skin is one resolution that tops the list, and dermatologists couldn’t have agreed more. Here are some experts’ beauty resolutions for 2025. In the last leg of 2024, I came to realise how India’s beauty landscape underwent a huge evolution this year. International brands were seen sliding not just in our carts, but in our cities with physical stores. Not just that, we were introduced to several beauty trends shaping our daily routines, courtesy of digital media. That said, having flawless glass-like skin is a goal on almost every list, so much so that we have embraced Korean skincare , and how! Despite doing all the things right, following that routine traditionally, getting that perfect wing, the perfect pout or the right glow, we still seem to want more. Likewise, 2024 may have given us plenty to look back at, but we are greedy enough to manifest more, and healthy-looking skin is one of them. Joining the club, here we have some dermatologists sharing their beauty resolutions for 2025. Dermatologists share their beauty resolutions for 2025 Dr Kiran, Founder Isya Clinics “My beauty resolution is to focus more on prevention, regeneration and having healthy life longevity.” Diet: increasing protein intake, reducing carbs, increasing oral antioxidants Exercise: Increases metabolic resting metabolism through more muscle mass and improves stamina. Skincare face and body! Don’t forget the neck, hands, chest, and areas otherwise not noticed. Hair! 50% of women have hair thinning in their 40s—prevention of anti-pollution skin, diet, and hair care. Dr Su, MD in Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy “My beauty resolution for 2025 would hands down be Exosomes! This microscopic tiny molecule may sound complicated, but it’s the future of anti-aging skincare promoting skin regeneration, repairing skin barrier, boosting collagen, improving skin elasticity and reducing inflammation. I am all in to experience skincare with this science-backed molecule.” Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, Founder Isaac Luxe & Skin “In 2025, I resolve to let my beauty shine from within by boosting collagen, practising mindful and effective skincare routines, and enhancing results with cutting-edge technologies.” Dr Jaishree Sharad “I have no resolutions for myself coz I have always been disciplined but I’d like to tell people that there is no harm in doing anti-ageing aesthetic treatments from the age of 35 before the face sags. However, remember less is more” Dr Piyush Bhagde “A better version of myself.. better skin and a better me in 2025!! It’s that time of the year, to take stock of the past 12 months and consider what we want next year to look like. Even though sometimes we don’t fulfil all our resolutions, there’s something irresistible about making a list and kicking the year off right. Give 10 minutes of your day to skincare. Pause to find that time. Your skin will thank you for it. Skincare can involve your AM /PM skin regime, going to the spa, relaxing with a good sheet mask on your face, or enjoying a good massage. Once you’ve made it a habit and realised its benefits, you can extend this time to 20 minutes, 30..., or even more. Your skin reflects how you feel on the inside, and when you’re relaxed and happy, it simply shines brighter.” Dr Niti Gaur, Founder Citrine Clinic, Gurgaon Moisturise day and night: In the year 2025, moisturisation is essential to your skincare resolution. No matter your skin type or what season you are in, moisturisation is a must! Use sunscreen daily: Sun protection is often overlooked, especially during winter months. Irrespective of climate conditions, harmful UV rays have the potential to penetrate from clouds and reach your skin, leading to several unwanted skin concerns. Exfoliate once a week: Exfoliating your skin once a week can help get rid of all the accumulated dirt, dust, dead cells, and impurities from your skin. Use actives with caution: always consult a dermatologist before applying actives, otherwise, you could end up with a compromised skin barrier. Care for your body as much as your facial skin: don’t forget to exfoliate and hydrate your hands and feet. Focus on scalp health: protect your scalp and hair from excessive heat, harsh chemicals, and styling tools Get adequate hydration: Well-hydrated Skin looks supple, dewy and radiant. Prioritise your mental health: Stress and lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your skin. Make a promise to yourself to incorporate stress-relieving practices into your routine – whether it’s meditation, yoga or calming exercises. Surfing online or mindlessly scrolling on your phone right before hitting your bed can affect your sleeping habits and make your skin appear dull, exhausted, and lifeless. Eat clean: Resolve this year to avoid junk food as much as possible and stick to home-cooked food. Practice consistency: Consistency in maintaining your skincare routine, eating healthy, staying fit, and getting enough sleep will take you a long way in your skincare journey. Tags

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Elevating Excellence: The All-New Tenorshare Brand Website is UnveiledAlyssa Naeher didn't get a shutout in her final game as the goalkeeper for the United States women's team. But thanks to Lynn Williams, she did secure one final victory before her retirement from international play. Despite the absence of the Triple Espresso trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson, the USWNT bested a tough Netherlands team on Tuesday, 2-1. Williams scored the game-winner in the 71st minute, while the Americans were also aided by Veerle Buurman's own-goal in the first half. Buurman also opened the friendly's scoring, notching the Dutch's lone goal in the 15th minute. But Naeher was the story, and not only because it was her final match for the USWNT. She also made a number of key saves in the contest ( six in total ), stifling a torrid Dutch attack in the first half while keeping the United States in the contest. After the match, social media gave the USWNT legend her well-deserved flowers: It was a fantastic end to Naeher's decorated international career, and a positive close to what has been a superb year for the USNWT in general, highlighted by the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. The Americans will surely take an away draw against England and an away win over the Dutch—both without Triple Espresso—to close out the calendar year. It didn't come easy on Tuesday, however. The Netherlands dominated possession (57.2 percent), outshot the USWNT by a 23-5 margin (7-4 on goal) and had nine corners to exactly zero for the Americans. The Dutch dominated this game, especially the first half, but the USWNT managed to steal a win regardless. It was certainly what Naeher after a career that has included a gold medal and two World Cup triumphs. "Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honor," she said in a statement announcing her retirement last week. "When I began this journey, I never could have imagined where it would take me, and now I find myself so grateful for all the incredible teammates that I have shared the field with; teammates that have turned into lifelong friends."Netflix vs Disney: Who will win this unique war?

Special counsel Jack Smith filed a motion Monday in a Washington, D.C., federal court to dismiss all four felony charges against President-elect Donald Trump related to alleged interference in the 2020 election. “The Government’s position on the merits of the defendant’s prosecution has not changed. But the circumstances have as a result of the election held on November 5, 2024, the defendant will be certified as President-elect on January 6, 2025, and inaugurated on January 20, 2025: as a result of the election held on November 5, 2024, the defendant will be certified as President-elect on January 6, 2025, and inaugurated on January 20, 2025,” the reads. “This sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities...and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law and the longstanding principle that ‘[n]o man in this country is so high that he is above the law,’” the document continues. explained that in light of the long-held position of the Justice Department that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted, the charges must be dropped. BREAKING: Jack Smith moves to dismiss the case against Trump in Washington. — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) Trump spokesman Steven Cheung responded in a statement saying, “Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” “The American People re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate to Make America Great Again. Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President... — Gayle Trotter (@gayletrotter) Smith Trump with obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy against rights in his 2020 election interference case that he filed in Washington, D.C. However, the Supreme Court in July that presidents have immunity for official acts taken while in office. The decision required Smith to redo his indictment and pushed a potential trial until after the election. And in Florida, Smith indicted Trump for allegedly retaining classified documents containing national defense information, as well as obstruction and making false statements. But Judge Aileen Cannon in July that the DOJ’s appointment of Smith as special counsel was unconstitutional, concluding the move needed congressional approval. The DOJ has appealed the case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Presumably, Smith’s office will also be filing a motion to dismiss the documents case. reported that Smith and his team plan to resign before Trump takes office, according to a source. That leaves still outstanding against the president-elect. On Friday New York Judge Juan Merchan the sentencing hearing from the court calendar in Trump’s business records case by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and is allowing the president-elect’s attorneys to file a motion to dismiss it. Finally, Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis’ 2020 election interference case against Trump is currently at the state Court of Appeals. But the court issued an order Nov. 18 saying oral arguments were until further notice. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .Trump Steps Into Skilled-Work Visa Clash, Saying They’re ‘Great’“Wanted” posters with the names and faces of health care executives have been popping up on the streets of New York . Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid. The apparent targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the menacing threats that followed have sent a shudder through corporate America and the health care industry in particular, leading to increased security for executives and some workers. In the week since the brazen shooting, health insurers have removed information about their top executives from company websites, canceled in-person meetings with shareholders and advised all employees to work from home temporarily. An internal New York Police Department bulletin warned this week that the online vitriol that followed the shooting could signal an immediate “elevated threat.” Police fear that the Dec. 4 shooting could "inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence," according to the bulletin, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “Wanted” posters pasted to parking meters and construction site fences in Manhattan included photos of health care executives and the words “Deny, defend, depose” — similar to a phrase scrawled on bullets found near Thompson’s body and echoing those used by insurance industry critics. Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News last week that he told her some people had been threatening him and suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Investigators believe the shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione , may have been motivated by hostility toward health insurers. They are studying his writings about a previous back injury, and his disdain for corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Mangione’s lawyer has cautioned against prejudging the case. Mangione, 26, has remained jailed in Pennsylvania , where he was arrested Monday. Manhattan prosecutors are working to bring him to New York to face a murder charge. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said this week it was working with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and to reinforce security guidelines and building access policies, a spokesperson said. The company has taken down photos, names and biographies for its top executives from its websites, a spokesperson said. Other organizations, including CVS, the parent company for insurance giant Aetna, have taken similar actions. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. has announced that its investor day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said last week it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. Heightened security measures likely will make health care companies and their leaders more inaccessible to their policyholders, said former Cigna executive Wendell Potter. “And understandably so, with this act of violence. There’s no assurance that this won’t happen again,” said Potter, who’s now an advocate for health care reform. Private security firms and consultants have been in high demand, fielding calls almost immediately after the shooting from companies across a range of industries, including manufacturing and finance. Companies have long faced security risks and grappled with how far to take precautions for high-profile executives. But these recent threats sparked by Thompson's killing should not be ignored, said Dave Komendat, a former security chief for Boeing who now heads his own risk-management company. “The tone and tenor is different. The social reaction to this tragedy is different. And so I think that people need to take this seriously,” Komendat said. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and top executives. Of those, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to just under $100,000. Hours after the shooting, Komendat was on a call with dozens of chief security officers from big corporations, and there have been many similar meetings since, hosted by security groups or law enforcement agencies assessing the threats, he said. “It just takes one person who is motivated by a poster — who may have experienced something in their life through one of these companies that was harmful," Komendat said. ___ Associated Press reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco, contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

4070 super game benchmark Even the reliable elder statesmen can’t help Pep Guardiola’s side move a game closer to a shock Champions League exit

City slumped to their seventh defeat in 10 games in all competitions as they were beaten 2-0 at Juventus in their latest European outing on Wednesday. Second-half goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie at the Allianz Stadium left Guardiola’s side languishing in 22nd place in the standings. Juventus beat Man City 💪 — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) With just two games of the league phase remaining, a place in the top eight and automatic last-16 qualification looks beyond them and they face a battle just to stay in the top 24 and claim a play-off spot. City manager Guardiola said: “Of course I question myself but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments. “I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good (I say) we played good and today I thought we played good. “Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo. “We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box (at the right time) or have the composure at the right moment. “But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.” City now face a crunch trip to Paris St Germain, who are also at risk of failing to qualify, next month. Guardiola accepts the top 24 is now the only aim. He said: “It’s the target. We need one point or three points. We go to Paris to try to do it and the last game at home.” Veteran midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said after the game he felt City were suffering from a loss of confidence but Guardiola dismissed his player’s comments. “I am not agreeing with Ilkay,” he said. “Of course it is tough but, except one or two games in this period, we’ve played good.” City now face a further test of their resolve as they host rivals Manchester United in a derby on Sunday. "We played well" Pep Guardiola trusts in his squad despite 2-0 loss to Juventus... 📺 & — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Gundogan told TNT Sports: “It (confidence) is a big part of it. That’s a mental issue as well. “You can see that sometimes we miss the ball or lose a duel and you see that we drop immediately and lose the rhythm. They (the opponents) don’t even need to do much but it has such a big effect on us right now. “Even more you have to do the simple things as good as possible and create and fluidity, then it’s work hard again. This is how you get confidence back – do the small and simple things, (but) in crucial moments at the moment we are always doing the wrong things.” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was pleased with the hosts’ performance, which boosted their hopes of making the top eight. “It was a deserved victory,” he said. “We had to defend as a team and be ready to attack with quality. “We have shown we can compete at this level and now we have to do it consistently.”

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rookie guard will travel with the South Bay Lakers to make his road G League debut Thursday against the Valley Suns in Tempe, Ariz., sources told ESPN. The Lakers' No. 55 pick has played in three G League games -- all at home. James is averaging 8.7 points on 29.4% shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. He is coming off his strongest showing with South Bay, scoring 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting with four rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes in a win over the San Diego Clippers on Saturday. James, 20, was recently sidelined for several weeks while dealing with a bone bruise in his left heel. The organization was cautious in James' recovery, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, because the heel injury was affecting the same leg that required left knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus when he was in high school. Joey Buss, South Bay's president and CEO, told ESPN last month that James' split allegiances between the Lakers and their G League affiliate were not set in stone. "That's going to be fluid," Buss told ESPN. "We're going to do what's best for his development. There's going to be a lot of things that we do for all the assignment players, and decisions are made based off where they are, based off the injury status, based off how many bodies they need for practice. There's a lot of variables. So nothing unique for Bronny. He's just kind of in that system." The Lakers do not play again until Friday on the road against the , so James could theoretically play in Tempe on Thursday and be called back up to join L.A. on Friday in Minneapolis. James' father, , missed Wednesday's practice because of personal reasons, according to coach JJ Redick.With hours left before the U.S. government was slated to run out of money last week, Elon Musk and Donald Trump took to social media to strong-arm the House GOP into abandoning a bipartisan deal to keep the government open. Musk — who has taken to behaving like an unelected potentate — aimed a barrage of postings at GOP Congress members who were thinking of voting for the short-term spending bill. The social media posts came as Musk was also endorsing Germany’s Neo-Nazi A lternative for Germany (AfD) party in the country’s upcoming elections. Then, hours later, Trump — who on such matters of state spending has all-too-visibly taken a backseat to his centi-billionaire benefactor — weighed in with a series of impossible demands built around the GOP entirely scrapping the debt ceiling to give his incoming administration carte blanche for no-limits spending. A day after the Musk-Trump ultimatum was issued, an opportunistic alliance of Democrats and ultraconservative Republicans rejected the legislation Trump’s team had demanded. And shortly after that, Congress passed — and President Biden signed — a much slimmed down version of the original legislation to keep government funded until the spring. The bill did not contain a provision to abolish the debt ceiling and makes it all-but-certain that conservatives will be able to push another messy political fight over spending just months into the new Trump presidency. The Musk-Trump attempt, days before Christmas, to scupper legislation needed to keep government functioning and government funds flowing, turned out to be a ham-fisted effort at arm-twisting that ended up alienating core parts of the Trump congressional coalition. Trump emerged from the fight bruised and, arguably, weakened. But so did House Speaker Mike Johnson. Never a natural fit for the speakership, he has ended up alienating the incoming president — and his Musk-ovite henchman — mere weeks before he faces his own re-election moment in the House. In the abstract, getting rid of the debt ceiling isn’t a bad idea. Progressive Democrats have routinely expressed their fury at the leverage it gives to the most anti-government wing of the GOP. Those members have, in recent years, attempted to use the issue as a way to blackmail their colleagues into accepting their agenda of slashing spending while cutting taxes for the wealthy in exchange for not letting the U.S. government default on its debt obligations. And at times over the past four years, the risk of default has grown so large that some constitutional law scholars have even urged President Biden to invoke the 14 th Amendment — part of which states that the government will not default on its debts — to bypass an intransigent Congress. But Musk and Trump haven’t had a come-to-Jesus conversion moment around the importance of adequate government spending on services vital to the well-being of the country. In fact, Musk’s inchoate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has only just begun to use the threat of massive government cuts in order to tame the federal civil service and bend it entirely to the will of Musk-Trump. This is about the balance of power: In the same way that Trump floated the idea of recessing Congress to bypass the Senate ’s powers to confirm (or block) his cabinet nominees, so, having slogged through government shutdowns during his first term in office, he now wants to unilaterally concentrate the power to shape a financial agenda in the executive branch of government, largely removing the House of Representatives’ control over the purse strings. Trump sought to intimidate GOP congress members, by making it clear that he would encourage primary challenges against any member who supported the legislation, which included several Democratic priorities, to temporarily secure additional funds for the government. And, as gleefully noted by right-wing media outlets , he issued a double-edged note of optimism to Johnson, saying that he thought the speaker, who is up for re-election, would do just fine ... so long as he had the wisdom to pull the bipartisan deal. Johnson is all too aware that he only acquired his current job after his own caucus members defenestrated former Speaker Kevin McCarthy for daring to negotiate with the Democrats to keep government open a few debt ceiling spending fights back, and that he only got there after pretty much every other plausible candidate dropped out of contention. So, duly chastened, the current speaker immediately pulled the bill and set his caucus to work on penning new legislation that would fund the government enough to keep it up and running through the presidential transition period. In Trump’s imagination, Congress ought to be there to pass politically popular tax cuts. Despite his big talk on lowering government spending, he seems less keen on cutting spending on programs that his constituents use so as to fund these tax cuts. Instead, he wants the freedom to borrow more and more and more money as a hedge against the austerity politics demanded by so many on the right of his own party. In his first term, Trump explosively added to the national debt to the tune of roughly eight trillion dollars . His current set of proposals seem likely to prove an encore to this unseemly economic performance. Unfortunately for Trump, that economic worldview is anathema to many Freedom Caucus-styled Congress members, who have long sought to tie debt ceiling increases to cuts in overall government spending; and over the course of a frenetic 24 hours, dozens of ultraconservatives in Congress balked at passing legislation that would essentially strip Congress of one of its prime levers of control over the nation’s purse strings, and make it far easier for a strong president to basically push his personal wish-lists of tax cuts combined with spending on pet projects such as the border wall, with no concern for the long-term fiscal implications. There are few things on this earth that would convince dozens of this current crop of GOP congress members, beholden as they are to the MAGA base, to vote against the explicit orders of Donald J. Trump. But one of those things, it appears, is the nation’s debt ceiling. In presiding over passage of a government spending bill that didn’t meet Trump’s needs on the debt ceiling, Speaker Johnson’s challenges have suddenly become a whole lot bigger . At the best of times, Johnson’s hold over the GOP caucus, and its vanishingly slim majority in the House, has been tenuous. He managed to pass legislation continuing to fund Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russia’s invasion only with the backing of Democrats . A week after winning the presidential election, Trump endorsed Johnson’s re-election efforts ; now, however, the speaker has been unable to deliver the House on a key Trump demand. In consequence, it is more likely that, early in the new year, Johnson’s fractious House members will fail to unite in the way that is needed to deliver the votes that would keep him in control of the speaker’s gavel. It all speaks volumes to the chaos likely to engulf the Capitol over the coming years as Trump, governing by social media pronouncement, seeks to accumulate presidential powers at the expense of the other branches of government.

Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe4070 super game test 。

While the announcement of the job cuts has been met with criticism and concern from employee unions and labor advocates, the German Railway Freight Company has emphasized that it is committed to supporting those affected by the layoffs. The company has pledged to provide severance packages, job placement assistance, and training programs to help affected employees transition to new opportunities.Redefining the Future of Shopping: Jingo Gains Silicon Valley's Backing

The ensemble cast, including Elijah Wood as the brave hobbit Frodo Baggins, Sir Ian McKellen as the wise wizard Gandalf, and Orlando Bloom as the skilled elf archer Legolas, delivered standout performances that breathed life into their iconic characters. Each actor brought depth and emotion to their roles, creating a sense of camaraderie and unity among the Fellowship of the Ring that was palpable on screen.PHILADELPHIA -- Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called “circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.” Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. “Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. “Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballTitle: Microsoft Introduces Zero Water Waste Data Center Design: Each Facility Can Save Over 1.25 Billion Liters of Water Annually

REGINA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a new lieutenant-governor for Saskatchewan. Bernadette McIntyre is to serve in the role, representing the King in the province. Her duties include swearing in cabinet ministers, opening each session of the legislative assembly and providing royal assent to provincial bills. McIntyre has held executive roles at Saskatchewan Government Insurance and Wascana Centre Authority in Regina. She has also been a longtime community volunteer, receiving awards for her contributions in the sport of curling. McIntyre is to replace Russ Mirasty, who served as lieutenant-governor for five years. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Jeremy Simes, The Canadian PressDeep Dive Into Hewlett Packard Stock: Analyst Perspectives (9 Ratings)

Sonos To Take On Hubbl & Apple TV in 2025 As They Move To Make Money From Selling Ads & DataBrock Purdy will travel with the San Francisco 49ers for their Week 12 game against the Green Bay Packers, but it will be Brandon Allen making his first start for the team—and his first since 2021. Allen learned on Friday that he would start after Purdy, dealing with a shoulder injury sustained last Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, was ruled out for this weekend's matchup. "It's an opportunity," Allen told reporters. "The circumstances are what they are, but I think our team, all year long, we've been kind of dealing with injuries here and there, and it's been a big next-man-up mentality. "So it's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game. And obviously, we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for the time being, it is an opportunity for me." Despite Purdy missing Sunday's game, Allen expressed confidence that the injury won't affect the quarterback long-term. "I know this is like the first time Brock's missed a game, probably in his life," Allen said. "He's a tough guy. I'm sure he'll bounce right back. So, I'm not too worried about it. I don't think any of our guys are. He'll rehab and get back as fast as he can. ... I don't think it'll be anything lingering or long-term for him." Now in his second season with the 49ers, Allen has a solid grasp of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense and feels prepared for the upcoming challenge. "I feel very comfortable in the offense," Allen shared. "Definitely, going back to last year, and then all through this year, just being in the system, calling the plays, seeing them play out, all that. So, I definitely feel comfortable in this offense." Shanahan voiced his confidence in the veteran quarterback. "I think Brandon's a really good thrower, runs our offense well," the coach said. "He's done a really good job since he's been here. He's been here two years now, and guys believe in him, and he'll give us a good chance to win." Shanahan added that Allen's insertion into the lineup doesn't require significant changes to the game plan. "This is something that we didn't think would happen early in the week," Shanahan explained. "So we were fully preparing for Brock to go and getting a little surprised by this yesterday. Nothing has to change, so that's a good deal for us." At 32 years old, Allen takes a day-by-day approach to his career, a mindset that has served him well as a backup quarterback. When asked if he ever doubted he'd get another opportunity to start, he kept the focus on the present. "For me, it's my opportunity now, so I'll take advantage of it now," Allen said. "But those things really don't cross your mind, how long you're going to play and all that. There's definitely guys older than me still playing, so that usually doesn't come across my mind." This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

As the argument escalated, the man became increasingly agitated and threatened to smash his phone if he was forced to prove his innocence. The woman, undeterred by his threats, continued to demand evidence that no photos had been taken. Other passengers in the vicinity attempted to mediate the situation, urging both parties to remain calm and find a peaceful resolution.Robert Wickens moving up to IMSA GTD series in 2025 thanks to new Bosch hand controls

In conclusion, the midday trading session on the mainland stock market saw a high opening followed by a subsequent pullback, resulting in a modest gain of 1.58% for the Shanghai Composite Index. With total turnover exceeding 1.5 trillion RMB, the market continues to reflect a mix of optimism and caution among investors. Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the trading day progresses.Another issue raised by safety experts is the potential for windshields to shatter upon impact, posing a significant risk of injury to the rider and other road users. In the event of a crash, shards of glass from a shattered windshield can cause lacerations and other serious injuries, further highlighting the dangers associated with their use on electric scooters.

4070 ti super game test Hundreds pack Union Station for 9th annual tree lighting ceremonyFinancial giants have made a conspicuous bearish move on POET Technologies. Our analysis of options history for POET Technologies POET revealed 54 unusual trades. Delving into the details, we found 9% of traders were bullish, while 74% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 4 were puts, with a value of $219,512, and 50 were calls, valued at $2,702,382. Projected Price Targets Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $3.0 to $11.0 for POET Technologies during the past quarter. Volume & Open Interest Trends In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for POET Technologies options trades today is 4353.52 with a total volume of 144,184.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for POET Technologies's big money trades within a strike price range of $3.0 to $11.0 over the last 30 days. POET Technologies Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days Significant Options Trades Detected: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 04/17/25 $0.9 $0.8 $0.8 $8.00 $160.2K 1.8K 2.3K POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/16/26 $1.75 $1.55 $1.55 $7.00 $155.1K 2.7K 1.3K POET CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/15/27 $1.5 $1.25 $1.5 $10.00 $150.0K 10.1K 2.2K POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/15/27 $1.5 $1.4 $1.4 $10.00 $131.4K 10.1K 4.3K POET CALL SWEEP BEARISH 01/16/26 $1.2 $1.1 $1.1 $10.00 $110.0K 8.2K 1.8K About POET Technologies POET Technologies Inc is a design and development company offering high-speed optical engines, light source products, and custom optical modules to the artificial intelligence systems market and hyperscale data centers. Its integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET's Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges across a broad range of communication, computing, and sensing applications. The group's operations are located in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. Having examined the options trading patterns of POET Technologies, our attention now turns directly to the company. This shift allows us to delve into its present market position and performance Present Market Standing of POET Technologies Trading volume stands at 10,474,973, with POET's price up by 34.81%, positioned at $7.76. RSI indicators show the stock to be may be overbought. Earnings announcement expected in 78 days. What The Experts Say On POET Technologies 1 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $7.0. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access .* An analyst from Northland Capital Markets downgraded its action to Outperform with a price target of $7. Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest POET Technologies options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The American Legion Mourns Passing of President Carter

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has called for elections to be conducted using ballot papers, citing a lack of trust in electronic voting machines (EVMs). The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said this at a press conference at the SP headquarters here on Sunday, alongside Rahul Kumar Kamboj, an Indian-origin member of Parliament in Germany. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for "Even a country like Germany conducts elections using ballot papers. But in India, elections are conducted with EVMs to serve vested interests," Yadav said. Emphasising the need for elections that inspire confidence, he said, "No one trusts EVMs. Even the faces of those who win elections seem dejected as they too do not have faith in the system." At the press conference, Kamboj highlighted the benefits of Germany's ballot-paper voting system. "In Germany, voting is still conducted using ballot papers. It is an important system because any discrepancies can be addressed with a recount," he explained. 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We aim to facilitate cultural exchanges and I invite everyone to participate in the upcoming cultural festivals in Germany. Visa issues will no longer be a hurdle," he said. Kamboj also spoke of building a bridge between opportunities in Europe and their implementation in India, specifically in Uttar Pradesh. "If we can identify the opportunities available in Germany and Europe, and bring them to places like Lucknow, it will open new avenues. That is my mission," he added. Welcoming Kamboj, Yadav expressed enthusiasm for strengthening ties. "Your visit has created an opportunity to deepen the relationship between our regions, which will benefit the people of this state and country," he said. Highlighting the need for a stronger future for the next generation, Yadav said, "Our youngsters need better education, training and skills to secure good jobs. Building bridges between opportunities will open pathways to progress." You Might Also Like: 2024: Govt moves ahead with simultaneous polls plan; India holds largest democratic exercise Sharing a personal anecdote, Yadav recounted his government trip to Germany. "I remember visiting Frankfurt and deciding to travel to Hannover by road. The roads in Germany are among the best and that inspired me to replicate them in Uttar Pradesh. Today, when people drive on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, they feel that it is one of the best roads in the world," he said. Yadav reiterated his commitment to creating opportunities for the younger generation while strengthening ties between India and Germany. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

7 Canucks Leading Them Through Adversity This SeasonIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Josef Federman, Kareem Chehayeb And Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press Nov 26, 2024 1:08 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message President Joe Biden speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. ___ Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed. ___ Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Josef Federman, Kareem Chehayeb And Bassem Mroue, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More World News After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff Nov 26, 2024 12:50 PM After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff Nov 26, 2024 12:44 PM A fugitive wanted in the US for a pair of bombings is arrested in the UK after 20 years on the run Nov 26, 2024 12:33 PM Featured Flyer

Looking back, one constant that underlined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks' championship season was confidence from staff, players and even fans. Before the season, the club elevated Stephen Hogan from head coach to the franchise's first-ever sporting director. When the Switchbacks began the season with a franchise-worst 0-5 start, Hogan was surprised. "I was very surprised. Very, very surprised because in the preseason we did quite well," he said following a Switchbacks win on June 29. "I was never thinking like this is going to be the worst year in the club's history. I think I (had an interview) when we tied the game against Indy (Eleven) and I said, 'Once we get two wins, once we get two back-to-back, we'll get momentum.' And we did. We got two back-to-back and we started." That confidence grew as the season wore on and club fully committed to a team-first mentality in the way it approached training sessions and personnel. Colorado Springs goalkeeper Christian Herrera noted before a September match against Charleston Battery that this year's team had a chemistry that felt more sustainable than in previous seasons. "I know it may look similar (to last season) but I will say it's completely different," he said. "The group's just a lot more together. It's a team mentality. We go game to game, learning, people raise their hands saying, 'I could have done better there, I could have done better in this moment.' I think yeah we're hot right now but it's a different feeling than it was last year. It feels like it could last longer." That same week, midfielder Steven Echevarria mentioned having the right people in the building was key to the club's success. A few weeks prior to his comments, the Switchbacks' made a stunning move in August, transferring forward Maalique Foster to Indy Eleven. At the time, Foster was a key cog in the Switchbacks' lineup as the team's assist leader and second-leading scorer. In a statement coinciding with Foster's transfer, both Hogan and head coach James Chambers emphasized the club's team-first mantra. Following a Switchbacks win over Charleston Battery on Sept. 14, Echevarria was more blunt. "Throughout the years I've been here since this staff took over, we've not had a group that's as together as this one is. We've gotten all the people out of the building that don't need to be in the building and we have a group of guys that are fighting for each other," he said. "We want a home playoff game and we want (to) show this city that Colorado Springs is a soccer city." The Switchbacks made good on Echevarria's aspirations, claiming their first-ever USL Championship on Saturday, beating Rhode Island FC 3-0 at Weidner Field. For Switchbacks super fan Annie Coffman, there were no doubts heading into the league final. Watching her team hoist a USL Championship trophy wasn't a matter of if but when. Coffman had the same confidence the players have had since the club's first win of the season on April 27 at Oakland Roots SC. In truth, it's the same confidence she approaches every Switchbacks season with. "I traveled out to Oakland. I was going to every game win or lose and it was just fantastic to see them get a win and turn it around at that point. And I had total (confidence) in them the whole time, from the beginning that they could do this. I saw the talent there," she said. "It's never to me (been) crappy because I back them 100% But they have faltered in places and they have lacked a certain direction but this time they put it all together. The coaching staff has been fabulous and has really put this team together and then Matt (Mahoney's) direction as the captain. Each of them playing for each other, not playing for the glory of one, playing for the glory of the team has made the difference."The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), India on Sunday proposed the introduction of a "faceless" GST audit system to boost ease of doing business in the country. The apex engineering exports promotion body's proposal comes following the successful implementation of 'faceless assessment' by the Income Tax department. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for "The faceless GST audit system, by using technology and ensuring anonymity, will reduce compliance costs. A faceless system will streamline procedures allowing MSMEs to focus on growth and innovation," said Pankaj Chadha, chairman of EEPC India . The proposal is a part of EEPC India's Budget 2025 recommendation. By introducing a "faceless" GST audit system, India can further improve its ranking in the Ease of Doing Business index, making it a more attractive destination for foreign investors, it said. It also proposed that Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) related liabilities should be eligible for the 'Amnesty Scheme' to address challenges faced by exporters, who may be unaware of foreign bank charges and foreign business services. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

Budget set at 4.99%, eliminating dust suppression and selling off Clearville ParkAuto industry leaders say U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on Canadian goods would have devastating effects for the sector, forcing both Canadian and U.S. consumers to pay higher vehicle prices. Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, said it's unreasonable to apply such a tax to vehicle parts, which may cross the border up to eight times before ending up in a finished vehicle. He noted the auto industry works with single-digit profit margins. "A tariff of 25 per cent is like talking about purple unicorns," said Volpe in an interview. "I think we need to ignore the number, because cars would cease to be made by American companies if that came into effect." Trump sparked backlash among Canadian business and political leaders after posting to Truth Social on Monday that he will sign an executive order imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming to the United States from Canada and Mexico. The incoming president said such a tariff would remain in place until Canada and Mexico stop drugs and people from illegally crossing the borders. Global Automakers of Canada president and CEO David Adams said his organization had "obvious concerns" about the announcement. “A 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada — the largest trading partner of the United States — will negatively impact jobs and livelihoods on both sides of the border across a number of key sectors of our economies. This would also be the case for the automotive industry," said Adams in a statement. "In our view, Canada must act swiftly and firmly to make the case that the U.S. and Canada are stronger and more competitive when we face the global challenges together, not apart.” Volpe said any cross-border tax would increase the cost of components and raw materials that go back and forth between the neighbouring countries. That would lead to a slowdown in production and a supply shortage, prompting higher prices for customers at dealerships. "Everybody would feel it," he said. "First, the American consumer would feel it. But it wouldn't take too long before it would be shared by everybody, meaning everybody in Canada and Mexico as well." During the U.S. election campaign, Trump had promised to introduce a universal 10 per cent tariff on all American imports — a pledge that would reduce the size of the Canadian economy by around one per cent, resulting in $30 billion per year in economic costs, according to previous modelling by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. But asked if he would consider any tariff level digestible for the Canadian auto sector, Volpe replied, "Zero is the maximum." "It's simply because we've built this auto sector together," said Volpe. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press

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EDMONTON — Prairie premiers are urging Canada to act on American concerns over illegal cross-border traffic of people and drugs to stave off the looming threat of 25-per-cent tariffs. Alberta's Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan's Scott Moe, and Manitoba's Wab Kinew said Tuesday that Canada must better address the concerns of its largest trading partner. Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump promised Monday to impose the tariffs on his first day in office in January. He said he would keep the tariffs in place until Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent drugs such as fentanyl from entering the U.S. Smith told the legislature Tuesday the tariffs would be “devastating” across the board. She said she will highlight the "pressure points" that need to be addressed during a planned meeting Wednesday between premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "I believe the new (Trump) administration has been very clear about what it is they want. They want us to meet our two-per-cent NATO commitment, and they want to stop the leaky border," she said, pointing to the illegal fentanyl trade. In a video posted to social media, Smith said Canada needs to reach its pledged commitment to spend at least two per cent of its gross domestic product on defence by 2032. "If their trade partners are looking to be free riders on American security interests, that's also going to harm the relationship," Smith said, adding, "you also have to take seriously the asylum seekers." The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner, with $188 billion in bilateral trade in 2023. Last year, energy products accounted for more than 80 per cent of that trade, or about $134 billion. Smith said the vast majority of Alberta's energy exports to the U.S. are "delivered through secure and safe pipelines," which "do not in any way contribute to these illegal activities." Manitoba's premier said Tuesday the tariffs would mean a recession for his province and that Canada needs to show the new U.S. administration it's serious about border security and tackling the drug crisis. Kinew said it begins with Canada’s pledge to its NATO allies. "First and foremost, (it’s about) hitting that target of two per cent spending on defence,” said Kinew. “That gets us in the game just to be taken seriously as a security partner with the U.S. If we don't do it, it's going to become a trade problem." In Regina, Moe told reporters he understands Trump’s position on border security He proposed Trudeau look at having the Canada Border Services Agency work under the arm of the military. “I think that might be a way for us to really work collaboratively, to work together with our American people, but also ensuring that we do have a secure border,” he said. Moe added the proposed tariffs would hurt Saskatchewan’s export-based economy and drive up prices on both sides of the border. “This will have a significant impact in Canada and particularly in Saskatchewan. We export about 60 per cent of our products to the U.S. I don’t think any job, any industry would be untouched with a 25-per-cent tariff from the U.S. on all Canadian products,” he said. He said his province plans to use all levers at its disposal to stop the tariffs and will approach the U.S. directly, adding the province has a strong relationship with some in Trump’s administration. In 2023, Saskatchewan’s exports to the U.S. amounted to almost $27 billion after hitting a record high of $29 billion in 2022. Its top exports include crude oil, potash and canola. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina and Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press

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President Joe Biden’s announcement on Tuesday of a couldn’t have come soon enough for Lebanon, a country in the midst of a yearslong economic crisis and intense political paralysis. The war, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, as a series of hostile exchanges across the Israel-Lebanon border and escalated into a heavy Israeli air and ground campaign in Southern Lebanon, and turned some of Beirut’s districts into a war zone. Hours before the U.S.-brokered deal was announced, Israel in what was no doubt a message to the Lebanese militia: Israel can sustain the conflict for as long as it sees fit. In the end, Israel and Hezbollah concluded that they could gain more through negotiations than they could on the battlefield. The agreement is a recitation of , which ended a previous monthlong war between the two adversaries more than 17 years ago but was viewed by all the parties involved, Israel in particular, as a lackluster initiative that wasn’t enforced. The current deal seeks to strengthen UNSCR 1701 by adding stronger monitoring. During a 60-day ceasefire, Israeli troops will withdraw from Southern Lebanon, Hezbollah will do the same, and the Lebanese army will re-deploy to the area. Meanwhile, the approximately 60,000 Israelis who have been displaced in northern Israel will get to return home. In effect, the deal allows both Israel and Hezbollah to claim victory; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can boast that Hezbollah’s military capacity has been significantly diminished; Hezbollah can claim that its resistance drove Israeli forces out of Lebanon. Over the long term, the pause in fighting is designed to give Israel and Lebanon the time and space to officially demarcate their shared border. Yet, at the risk of sounding like a pessimist, just getting to that point would be an achievement. A lot can go wrong between now and then. After all, signing an agreement means nothing if it isn’t implemented. There are any number of ways the agreement can go sideways. First and foremost, the question of whether Hezbollah will actually withdraw north of the Litani River, approximately 20 miles from the Israeli-Lebanese border, is very much in question. Southern Lebanon is Hezbollah’s support base; the militia is a core part of the social fabric in the region, its fighters have homes and families there, and the small towns and villages dotting the area have often been given the short end of the stick from the Lebanese government, which has proven incapable of delivering social services or even basic administration. Hezbollah may be willing to move their weapons caches further north, but the idea that tens of thousands of Hezbollah fighters will uproot their lives is difficult to believe. In this case, Israel will then be forced with a choice: renew military operations and risk the resumption of war, or loosen enforcement and risk Hezbollah maintaining its power base. Second, is the Lebanese army capable of patrolling Southern Lebanon to Israel’s satisfaction? While the Lebanese army is a well-respected institution inside the country and crosses the usual sectarian divisions that have defined Lebanese political life for decades, it’s also arguably the weakest military in the Middle East. , the Lebanese army is smaller than Hezbollah. The since 2006 has barely kept the Lebanese army afloat. The defense systems you would expect a modern military to possess — air defenses, fighter and bomber aircraft, patrol vessels, various air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions — . Due in large part to Lebanon’s financial crisis, some of Lebanon’s soldiers to support themselves and their families. Israel understands all this but is nevertheless unlikely to be very patient. If the Lebanese army is unable or unwilling to do the job of clearing Hezbollah forces out and confronting the remnants that remain, the Israeli army will do it for them as Netanyahu during his remarks upon announcing the ceasefire. This, in effect, would negate the ceasefire and risk plunging the country into war again. Assuming the ceasefire in Lebanon sticks, Israeli and U.S. officials are hopeful it will change Hamas’ calculations about continuing its war with Israel in Gaza. “What Hamas wanted was support from Hezbollah and others,” an Israeli official the Times of Israel. “Once you cut the connection, you have the ability to reach a deal. It’s a strategic achievement. Hamas is alone.” But this sounds more like wishful thinking than reality. Hamas has experienced the most destructive war with Israel in its 37-year history, with tens of thousands of its fighters killed, its upper echelon wiped out and its control in Gaza at its weakest since it kicked the Palestinian Authority out of the coastal territory in 2007. Even so, it’s bottom-line negotiating position remains unchanged: If Israel wants to retrieve the rest of its hostages, it must withdraw entirely from Gaza and end the war permanently. Hamas’ strategy doesn’t depend on Hezbollah, so the notion it will adopt Hezbollah’s position now that it is out of the fight is fanciful at best. If all goes according to plan, Lebanon will now have a chance to rebuild. But how long the peace will stick is another matter entirely.

The 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. Declassified files show that former NIO minister Adam Ingram came under pressure to do more for prisoners in 1998 (David Cheskin/PA) 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”. “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.” Former UDP spokesman John White attended the meeting with Adam Ingram in 1998 (Brian Little/PA) 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.Emanuel Wallace, 27, from east London, is better known as Big Manny by his 1.9 million followers on TikTok, where he shares videos explaining various science experiments from his back garden while using Jamaican Patois phrases and London slang. In early December, Mr Wallace won the Education Creator of the Year award at the TikTok Awards ceremony, which he said is a “symbol that anything that you put your mind to you can achieve”. The content creator began making videos during the coronavirus pandemic when schools turned to online learning but has since expanded his teaching from videos to paper after releasing his debut book Science Is Lit in August. He believes his “unconventional” teaching methods help to make his content relatable for younger audiences by using slang deriving from his Jamaican and British heritage. “The language that I use, it’s a combination between Jamaican Patois and London slang because I have Jamaican heritage,” the TikToker, who holds a bachelors and masters degree in biomedical science, told the PA news agency. “That’s why in my videos sometimes I might say things like ‘Wagwan’ or ‘you dun know’. I just want to connect with the young people more, so I speak in the same way that they speak. “The words that I use, the way that I deliver the lesson as well, I would say that my method of teaching is quite unconventional. I speak in a way that is quite conversational.” Examples of his videos include lithium batteries catching fire after being sandwiched inside a raw chicken breast, as well as mixing gold with gallium to create blue gold, earning millions of views. Mr Wallace hopes his content will help make the science industry more diverse, saying “the scientists that I was taught about, none of them look like me”. “Now me being a scientist is showing young people that they can become one as well, regardless of the background that they come from, the upbringing that they’ve had,” he said. “I just want to make it seem more attainable and possible for them because if I can do it, and I come from the same place as you, there’s no reason why you can’t do it as well.” The TikToker has seen a shift in more young people turning to the app as a learning resource and feels short-form videos will soon become a part of the national curriculum in schools. “I’m seeing (young people) using that a lot more – social media as a resource for education – and I feel like in the future, it’s going to become more and more popular as well,” he said. “I get a lot of comments from students saying that my teacher showed my video in the classroom as a resource, so I feel like these short form videos are going to be integrated within the national curriculum at some point in the near future.” He also uses his platform to raise awareness of different social issues, which he said is “extremely important”. One of his videos highlighted an anti-knife campaign backed by actor Idris Elba, which earned more than 39 million views, while his clip about the banning of disposable vapes was viewed more than 4.6 million times. He said there is some pressure being a teacher with a large following online but hopes he can be a role model for young people. “I’m aware that I am in the public eye and there’s a lot of young people watching me,” he said. “Young people can be impressionable, so I make sure that I conduct myself appropriately, so that I can be a role model. “I always have the same message for young people, specifically. I tell them to stay curious. Always ask questions and look a little bit deeper into things.” His plans for 2025 include publishing a second Science Is Lit book and expanding his teaching to television where he soon hopes to create his own science show.By Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) What to know about the stroke device The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. How it worked on the first Jackson patient Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. More about the device Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Check out the report card from Nebraska's 44-25 win against Wisconsin on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Who can name Nebraska's last 100-yard rusher in a game, before Emmett Johnson achieved the feat Saturday? Johnson ran like he had something to prove, repeatedly shedding the first Badger to get to him. His best run of the day may have been a 19-yard burst in the third quarter when he patiently followed pulling linemen Ben Scott and Henry Lutovsky. Dante Dowdell has a knack for the end zone, scoring three times. (Trivia answer: Chubba Purdy ... against Wisconsin last year). Dylan Raiola has his rhythm back. He spent most of the game hovering around a 70 percent completion rate, which is reminiscent of his first four or five games. The ball is getting out of his hands quicker, and those pitch-and-catches are finally going for big gains. One of his best throws of the day was originally ruled a touchdown on a fade ball to Isaiah Neyor, but replay confirmed he didn't get a foot down. Jahmal Banks had a great TD snag in which he leaped, snared the ball and got his toes down. John Bullock's second tackle for loss of the game stopped Wisconsin's Tawee Walker on fourth-and-1 midway through the third quarter, and it felt like an early dagger for the home team. Bullock was a standout on senior day. The Huskers had some open-field tackling issues but held their own on third- and fourth-down situations. Darrion Dupree was a nice change-of-pace option for the Badgers, averaging 7.5 yards on his seven attempts. Wisconsin found success early on slant passes, including one that went to Vinny Anthony for 42 yards after Isaac Gifford whiffed on a tackle. After that, Braedyn Locke was able to open it for deep balls, including touchdown tosses of 24 and 58 yards. Wisconsin's Vinny Anthony had a big day, racking up six catches for 128 yards and Locke threw for more yards than he has in his past five games. A cool moment for DeShon Singleton, who came down with an interception in his final game at Memorial Stadium. Brian Buschini is having a great season, and Saturday was another notch on his belt. First, he ripped a 52-yard punt that flipped field possession, and he followed that up with a 49-yard boot that went out of bounds at the Wisconsin 3-yard line. Equally as impressive was kicker John "ol' reliable" Hohl, who made all three of his field goals and stayed clean on extra points. Oh, and how about Jacory Barney's 55-yard kick return to open the game? NU's third phase is trending up after a turbulent stretch. A question we might not ever get an answer to: Why was Matt Rhule forced to use a challenge to review Wisconsin's first-quarter touchdown? Don't all scoring plays get reviewed automatically? In a similar situation later in the game, Wisconsin was spared from using a challenge for officials to take another look at a Nebraska touchdown, which was reversed. Also, the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Micah Mazzccua for spiking the ball on a touchdown felt unnecessary. Nebraska scored a touchdown on its first possession of a game for the first time since the Northern Iowa game. A true tone-setter. There's plenty to unpack from Holgorsen's play sheet — it's no coincidence it only took him two games to pop a 100-yard rusher. And, 44 points for a team that has scored 20 (twice), 17, 7 and 14 in its past five games. That'll do. For the first time in 49 days, Nebraska won a football game. That was a long 49 for everyone involved. This one is a little more cathartic than usual, too, as the Huskers finally wrapped their arms around a bowl berth. It also takes a big bite out of the pressure NU faces on Black Friday vs. Iowa, which is no longer a "must-win." Get local news delivered to your inbox!A stroke changed a teacher’s life. How a new electrical device is helping her moveNEW YORK , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global casino gaming market size is estimated to grow by USD 43.3 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. Growth in spending capability of customers is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing use of social media marketing. However, difficulties in securing online payments poses a challenge.Key market players include Abbiati Casino Equipment S.r.l., ADP GAUSELMANN GMBH, AMATIC Industries GmbH, APEX pro gaming s.r.o, Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., Caesars Entertainment Inc., Eclipse Gaming Systems, Everi Holdings Inc., Incredible Technologies Inc., Interblock dd, International Game Technology plc, Jackpot Digital Inc., Konami Group Corp., Light and Wonder Inc., NOVOMATIC AG, PlayAGS Inc., Pockaj d.o.o., Rye Park LLC, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, and Universal Entertainment Corp.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Casino Gaming Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.2% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 43.3 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 3.07 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 36% Key countries US, China, France, Germany, and Canada Key companies profiled Abbiati Casino Equipment S.r.l., ADP GAUSELMANN GMBH, AMATIC Industries GmbH, APEX pro gaming s.r.o, Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., Caesars Entertainment Inc., Eclipse Gaming Systems, Everi Holdings Inc., Incredible Technologies Inc., Interblock dd, International Game Technology plc, Jackpot Digital Inc., Konami Group Corp., Light and Wonder Inc., NOVOMATIC AG, PlayAGS Inc., Pockaj d.o.o., Rye Park LLC, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, and Universal Entertainment Corp. Market Driver The Casino gaming market is experiencing significant trends in both electronic gaming and licensed casinos . Electronic Games Machines (EGMs) like slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and poker continue to dominate the scene. Bingo games and sports betting sites are also popular choices. Non-junket and junket casinos cater to different demographics, with PAGCOR regulating the industry. Gross gaming revenues from casino gambling remain strong, driven by domestic tourists and international travelers. Responsible and problem gambling are key concerns. Online gambling platforms offer convenience, with options like Card on Delivery, Cash on Delivery, and Pre-Delivery Online Payment. Offline gaming venues remain important entertainment centers in integrated resorts. Demographics shape demand, with live shows, concerts, fine dining, hotels, restaurants, and gaming technology enhancing the experience. Mobile phones and blockchain technology, including cryptocurrency , are transforming the industry. Sports betting is a growing segment, fueled by fan bases and global sports events. Casino operators, whether online or offline, are leveraging social media marketing to attract customers. With the widespread use of smartphones and enhanced internet connectivity, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube have gained immense popularity among consumers. These platforms are utilized extensively, with consumers dedicating anywhere from an hour to three hours daily. Vendors recognize the potential of these channels and employ innovative strategies to promote gambling activities and casinos . Social media marketing is a powerful tool in today's digital landscape, driving engagement and customer acquisition in the casino gaming market. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The Casino Gaming Market encompasses various sectors, including Licensed Casinos , Electronic Gaming, Bingo games, Sports betting sites, and Electronic Games. Challenges for this industry include managing House edge in games like Slot machines, Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker. Regulations for Non-junket and Junket casinos , under bodies like PAGCOR, impact gross gaming revenues. Domestic tourists and travel destinations contribute significantly to Casinos as gaming venues and entertainment centers in Integrated resorts. Responsible gambling and problem gambling are crucial concerns. The offline and online gambling landscape is evolving with Card on Delivery, Cash on Delivery, and Pre-Delivery Online Payment methods. Gambling expansion includes Online gambling platforms, Sports betting sites, and Tourists' preferences for Hotels, Restaurants, Entertainment, and Gaming technology. Demographics, Live shows, Concerts, Fine dining, Mobile phones, Blockchain technology, and Cryptocurrency are emerging trends. House edge, Money management, and Regulations remain key challenges. Casino gaming companies prioritize the security of their customers' financial information when accepting payments via credit or debit cards. Compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is essential to secure cardholder data and reduce financial fraud . Non-compliance can result in significant losses for both the companies and their customers in case of fraud or hacked cards. While some companies opt for external digital security services, others may not have the budget for such expenses. Regardless, adhering to PCI DSS standards is crucial to maintaining customer trust and ensuring secure transactions in the casino gaming market. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This casino gaming market report extensively covers market segmentation by Type 1.1 Land-based casino gaming 1.2 Online casino gaming Product 2.1 Slot machines 2.2 Lottery ticket machines 2.3 Electronic roulette 2.4 Multiplayer game stations 2.5 Gaming servers Geography 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Land-based casino gaming- The land-based casino gaming market has long been a significant contributor to the global casino industry, providing entertainment through classic games like blackjack, roulette, poker, and craps. Land-based casinos remain popular destinations for tourists, offering an unparalleled atmosphere with neon lights, slot machine sounds, and social interaction. However, the rise of online gaming poses a challenge. While some land-based casinos have lost revenue due to this shift, they have responded by introducing new attractions, luxurious amenities, and expanding their properties. The land-based casino gaming segment is expected to grow moderately during the forecast period, despite online competition. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The Casino gaming market encompasses various forms of gambling , including Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) and table games like Slot machines, Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker. Licensed Casinos offer both online and offline gaming experiences, with the latter including Bingo games, Sports betting sites, and non-junket and junket operations. Gross gaming revenues are a significant indicator of market size, with Casinos generating substantial income through Casino gambling . Entertainment centers and Integrated resorts serve as popular travel destinations for domestic tourists and international visitors alike. Responsible gambling initiatives are essential to mitigate problem gambling , ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all. EGMs and table games, despite having a house edge, provide excitement and entertainment for millions worldwide. Market Research Overview The Casino gaming market encompasses various forms of gambling , including Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) such as slot machines and electronic table games, Bingo games, Sports betting sites, and Licensed Casinos . These gaming venues offer a range of entertainment options, from Roulette, Blackjack, and Poker to Live shows, Concerts, and Fine dining. Gross gaming revenues are generated through Casino gambling , with non-junket and junket segments catering to different demographics. PAGCOR regulates the industry in some regions, while responsible and problem gambling initiatives are in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Demographics vary from domestic tourists to international travelers, with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment centers often serving as integrated resorts. Online gambling platforms are also gaining popularity, with options for Card on Delivery, Cash on Delivery, and Pre-Delivery Online Payment. Mobile phones and emerging technologies like Blockchain technology and Cryptocurrency are transforming the industry. Sports betting is a significant segment, with a house edge that can be as low as 1-3%. Gaming technology continues to evolve, with innovations in areas like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality enhancing the player experience. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Land-based Casino Gaming Online Casino Gaming Product Slot Machines Lottery Ticket Machines Electronic Roulette Multiplayer Game Stations Gaming Servers Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/casino-gaming-market-to-grow-by-usd-43-3-billion-2024-2028-rising-customer-spending-boosts-growth-ai-driving-market-transformation---technavio-302315570.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Prospera Financial Services Inc Sells 7,485 Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG)

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Dejan Kulusevski cannot wait to play Man City again after Tottenham run riotIn the age of digital transformation, entrepreneurship is at the forefront of driving economic growth and sustainable development in Africa. With the continent’s ambitious Agenda 2063 as a guiding framework, aspiring entrepreneurs are seeking ways to leverage the opportunities presented by the digital economy to propel continental prosperity. Central to this endeavour are key elements such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and innovative approaches that can pave the way for success in the fast-evolving landscape of African entrepreneurship. As entrepreneurs navigate the digital economy in line with Agenda 2063, they can tap into a multitude of resources and organizations for support. From the African Union’s economic development initiatives to regional economic communities, incubators, and online platforms, a wealth of opportunities exist for entrepreneurs to access mentorship, funding, and networking within the vibrant African startup ecosystem. By harnessing these resources and adopting innovative strategies, aspiring entrepreneurs can position themselves for success in building sustainable businesses that contribute to the continent’s long-term growth. Entrepreneurship in the digital economy in Africa is an area of immense potential and growth. As technology continues to advance and digital tools become more accessible, the opportunities for African entrepreneurs to innovate and create sustainable businesses are increasing. However, several key challenges and considerations need to be addressed to fully harness the potential of entrepreneurship in the digital economy in Africa. One of the key issues facing African entrepreneurs in the digital economy is access to technology and infrastructure. While mobile phone penetration is high in many African countries, access to reliable internet connectivity and affordable devices can still be a barrier for many entrepreneurs. Improving access to technology and infrastructure is essential to support the growth of digital entrepreneurs in Africa. Another challenge is building the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the digital economy. Many African entrepreneurs may lack the technical skills required to take full advantage of digital tools and platforms. Investing in education and training programs that focus on digital skills and entrepreneurship can help to bridge this gap and support the growth of a digitally literate workforce in Africa. The future of work in the digital economy is also a key consideration for African entrepreneurs. As automation and artificial intelligence continue to reshape the labour market, African entrepreneurs need to adapt and innovate to stay competitive. This may involve developing new business models, creating products and services that leverage technology, and embracing new ways of working. Sustainability is another important factor to consider in the context of entrepreneurship in the digital economy in Africa. As the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, there is a growing need for businesses to operate in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. African entrepreneurs have an opportunity to lead the way in creating innovative and sustainable businesses that not only drive economic growth but also contribute to environmental and social goals. As such, entrepreneurship in the digital economy in Africa holds immense potential for driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and promoting sustainable development. By addressing key challenges such as access to technology, building digital skills, adapting to the future of work, and promoting sustainability, African entrepreneurs can unlock the full potential of the digital economy and drive positive change across the continent. With a particular focus on Africa, how has the implementation of Agenda 2063 influenced the landscape of economic development and sustainability, particularly for aspiring entrepreneurs in the digital economy? Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of Africa, developed by the African Union to guide the continent’s development over the next 50 years. The agenda aims to accelerate Africa’s development by focusing on key areas such as infrastructure development, industrialization, trade, governance, and human capital development. While it has been in application for several years, there have been both successes and challenges in terms of its impact and advocacy. One of the key impacts of Agenda 2063 is the increased focus on regional integration and cooperation. The agenda emphasizes the importance of African countries working together to achieve common goals and address shared challenges. This has led to initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent. Regional integration efforts under Agenda 2063 have the potential to boost economic growth, trade, and investment in Africa. Another impact of Agenda 2063 is the increased focus on infrastructure development. The agenda prioritizes the development of key infrastructure such as transportation networks, energy systems, and ICT infrastructure to support economic growth and development. Investments in infrastructure under Agenda 2063 have the potential to improve connectivity, reduce trade barriers, and enhance competitiveness in African economies. However, there are also challenges and limitations in the implementation of Agenda 2063. One key challenge is the issue of financing. Many of the initiatives and projects outlined in Agenda 2063 require significant financial resources to implement. Mobilizing the necessary funding from both domestic and external sources remains a major challenge for African countries. Additionally, there is a need for better coordination and alignment of efforts among African countries and institutions to fully realize the potential of Agenda 2063. Improved governance, transparency, and collaboration are needed to ensure that the objectives of the agenda are effectively implemented. Essentially, while there have been significant efforts and achievements in implementing Agenda 2063, there is still work to be done to fully realize its transformative potential. Continued advocacy, political will, and commitment from African governments and stakeholders will be essential to ensure that Agenda 2063 leads to tangible and sustainable development outcomes for the continent. One can then ask, how can the principles of Agenda 2063 be effectively integrated with entrepreneurship practices in the digital economy to maximize opportunities and overcome challenges for the continent’s long-term prosperity and sustainability? Implementing entrepreneurship approaches in the digital economy in line with the provisions of Agenda 2063 offers numerous opportunities for promoting economic growth, job creation, innovation, and sustainable development in Africa. However, there are also significant challenges that must be navigated to harness the full potential of entrepreneurship in the digital economy. Here are some opportunities, challenges, and best approaches to address them: Opportunities: 1. Market Access: The digital economy provides African entrepreneurs with access to global markets, allowing them to reach a wider customer base and expand their businesses beyond local borders. 2. Innovation and Creativity: Digital technologies enable entrepreneurs to develop new products and services, improve business processes, and drive innovation in various sectors of the economy. 3. Job Creation: Entrepreneurship in the digital economy has the potential to create new job opportunities, particularly for young people who are tech-savvy and can leverage digital skills to start and grow their businesses. 4. Financial Inclusion: Digital payment systems and fintech solutions can improve financial inclusion by providing access to financial services for underserved populations, enabling more people to participate in economic activities. Challenges: 1. Digital Divide: Unequal access to digital infrastructure, such as internet connectivity and technology devices, can limit the participation of entrepreneurs in the digital economy, particularly in rural and remote areas. 2. Skills Gap: Many entrepreneurs lack the necessary digital skills and knowledge to leverage technology effectively in their businesses, hindering their ability to compete in the digital economy. 3. Regulatory challenges: Complex and outdated regulations may stifle innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital economy, creating barriers to entry for startups and hindering their growth. Best Approaches: 1. Capacity Building: Providing training and mentorship programs to entrepreneurs to enhance their digital skills, business acumen, and innovation capabilities. 2. Access to Finance: Facilitating access to affordable financing options, including venture capital, angel investors, and crowdfunding, to support entrepreneurial ventures in the digital economy. 3. Regulatory Reforms: Streamlining regulations and creating a conducive environment for digital entrepreneurship by promoting ease of doing business, protecting intellectual property rights, and ensuring data privacy and cybersecurity. 4. Collaboration and Networking: Encouraging collaboration between entrepreneurs, government agencies, academia, and industry stakeholders to foster innovation, share best practices, and create synergies for growth. By leveraging these opportunities, addressing challenges, and implementing the best approaches, Africa can unlock the full potential of entrepreneurship in the digital economy in line with the provisions of Agenda 2063. This will contribute to continental prosperity, sustainable development, and the realization of Africa’s vision for a prosperous and integrated continent by 2063. In light of these considerations, how can we strategically position and effectively leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity within the context of Agenda 2063 and digital entrepreneurship to advance our continental goals? Let’s delve deeper into this critical intersection to uncover comprehensive strategies and solutions for sustainable progress. Positioning AI and cybersecurity within the context of entrepreneurship in the digital economy in Africa is critical for leveraging the full potential of digital technologies while ensuring the security and privacy of online activities. Here are some key considerations for positioning AI and cybersecurity in this landscape: 1. Leveraging AI for Innovation and Efficiency: – African entrepreneurs can harness the power of AI to drive innovation, automate processes, and enhance decision-making in their businesses. – AI applications such as machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics can help entrepreneurs gain insights, optimize operations, and deliver personalized experiences to customers. 2. Addressing Skills Gaps and Adoption Challenges: – Promoting AI education and training programs to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to leverage AI technologies effectively in their businesses. – Encouraging collaboration between industry, academia, and government to foster AI adoption, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer. 3. Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures: – Implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect digital assets, sensitive data, and online transactions from cyber threats. – Promoting awareness of cybersecurity best practices among entrepreneurs, employees, and customers to prevent cyber attacks and data breaches. 4. Regulatory Framework and Compliance: – Establishing clear regulations and standards for AI applications and cybersecurity practices to ensure ethical use of AI and data protection. – Ensuring compliance with data privacy laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, to safeguard personal information and build trust with customers. 5. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: – Fostering collaboration between AI experts, cybersecurity professionals, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share resources, and address emerging cybersecurity threats. – Encouraging public-private partnerships to develop cybersecurity solutions, conduct research, and build cybersecurity capacity in Africa. By positioning AI and cybersecurity as integral components of entrepreneurship in the digital economy in Africa, entrepreneurs can unlock new opportunities for growth, innovation, and competitiveness while mitigating cybersecurity risks and safeguarding digital assets. This strategic focus on AI and cybersecurity will not only drive sustainable development and prosperity but also contribute to building a more resilient and secure digital ecosystem in Africa. Consequently, amid the focus on implementing Agenda 2063 as a framework for sustainability and economic development, where can emerging entrepreneurs seek assistance and guidance within the digital economy landscape? This crucial inquiry prompts us to explore the support systems available to aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving market. Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking support in the digital economy within the framework of Agenda 2063 can turn to various resources and organizations for guidance, mentorship, and funding opportunities. Here are some key avenues for help: 1. African Union: – The African Union plays a central role in advancing Agenda 2063 and promoting economic development in Africa. Entrepreneurs can access information, resources, and programs through the AU’s Department of Economic Development, Trade, Industry, and Mining. 2. National Governments and Ministries: – Many African countries have established entrepreneurship and innovation programs to support startups and small businesses. Entrepreneurs can reach out to their respective governments and relevant ministries for information on available resources and initiatives. 3. African Development Bank (AfDB): – The AfDB offers various funding mechanisms, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs for entrepreneurs in Africa. Aspiring entrepreneurs can explore the AfDB’s initiatives focused on sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth. 4. Regional Economic Communities: – Regional economic communities such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Community (EAC) provide platforms for collaboration, networking, and access to regional markets for entrepreneurs in Africa. 5. Incubators and Accelerators: – Entrepreneurship incubators and accelerators can provide aspiring entrepreneurs with mentorship, training, and networking opportunities to launch and grow their businesses in the digital economy. Examples include the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program and the MEST Africa incubator. 6. Innovation Hubs and Co-working Spaces: – Innovation hubs and co-working spaces offer entrepreneurs a collaborative environment to work, network, and access support services such as mentorship, training, and access to funding opportunities. Examples include iHub in Kenya and CcHUB in Nigeria. 7. Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists: – Aspiring entrepreneurs can seek funding from angel investors and venture capitalists who are interested in supporting startups in the digital economy. Platforms like VC4A and AngelList connect entrepreneurs with potential investors. 8. Online Platforms and Communities: – Online platforms and communities such as StartUp Africa and Africa Tech Summit provide information, resources, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs in the digital economy. Engaging with these platforms can help aspiring entrepreneurs stay informed and connected within the African startup ecosystem. By leveraging these resources and organizations, aspiring entrepreneurs can access the support, mentorship, funding, and networks needed to thrive in the digital economy within the context of Agenda 2063’s goals of sustainability and economic development in Africa. In conclusion, as Africa embarks on a journey towards achieving the goals of Agenda 2063, entrepreneurship in the digital economy emerges as a critical driver of continental prosperity and sustainability. By embracing innovative technologies like AI, prioritizing cybersecurity measures, and leveraging the wealth of resources available, aspiring entrepreneurs have the tools they need to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the African economy. Through collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, Africa’s future generations of business leaders can turn challenges into opportunities and navigate the complexities of the digital economy with resilience and determination. Ultimately, by harnessing the power of entrepreneurship within the context of Agenda 2063, Africa can unlock its full potential and pave the way for a prosperous and thriving future.Croatia's president faces conservative rival in election run-offMajor poll puts Ireland’s lead parties near neck-and-neck

While Clippers Nation and other parts of the NBA world await the return of star Kawhi Leonard, his teammates haven’t been sitting idly while his right knee recovers. They have won games that they had no business winning and are taking care of games that they should win – all without their star player. The Clippers are 18-13 and have a chance to improve upon that during a three-game trip that begins Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Kawhi? “We’re not thinking about Kawhi coming back yet,” center Ivica Zubac said, in a moment of honesty. When Leonard does return – Jan. 4 reportedly is a good bet – he will find a Clippers team that has developed a solid chemistry, come to rely on James Harden for leadership and Norman Powell for points and built a reputation for stingy defense. “We want to win games, we want to win every game no matter who’s out there and we got it done,” Zubac added. “No matter how it looks, we gotta win. We’re going to play hard; we’re going to defend. “Some nights we’re not going to shoot well, or we’re not going to defend, but one thing we can do every night is play defense. That’s what this team is going to do, we’re going to play hard and play tough on the defensive end and that’s going to give us a chance to win.’ With or without Leonard. “We just focus on what we can control and be in the moment,” Harden said. “Whenever that happens, (we’ll) get to that bridge when it comes. But we’re focused on the next game and the games that we’re in.” Don’t mistake the players’ insouciant attitude for not caring about their superstar teammate. They want Leonard back but can’t get caught up in the hoopla and speculation. They have at least three more games to play without Leonard, who stayed behind to get in more reps before the Clippers’ next home game. “It’s been next man up all year,” said Powell, who is averaging 24.4 points and shooting 46.6% from the 3-point range in Leonard’s absence. “When Kawhi comes back, they’ll figure it out. That’s not our job. Our job is to figure out our new roles and make it all work. “We all are pulling in the same direction. We all continue trying to prove everybody wrong and how they view us, and the job is to be ready for a deep playoff run. That’s how we see it.” When Leonard does return, (Jan. 4 has been rumored) there certainly will be changes in the lineup, players will need to sacrifice either minutes, points or both. “Everybody’s going to have to sacrifice and Kawhi comes back,” Powell added. “I mean, he’s a franchise player, but good thing about this team is we have no egos. We all want to win. We all got something to prove and we’re doing it together.” Harden said Leonard is aware how his comeback could upset what has been building all season. But the veteran point guard believes Leonard’s return will be seamless. The Clippers will continue to play aggressive defense and attack the basket. “We’re still going to put it the same way. It’s just now we got another elite weapon on both ends of the floor, so it’s definitely a bonus for us.”

NonePresident-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation fights in the Senate, even with Republicans in control, and one candidate has already withdrawn from consideration. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was Trump's initial pick for attorney general, but he ultimately withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation he was embroiled in. Here's a look at Trump's choices: Trump would turn a former critic into an ally as the nation's top diplomat. Rubio , 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate before the slot went to JD Vance. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His selection punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his own unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. Hegseth , 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. Bessent , 62, is a former money manager for George Soros , a big Democratic donor, and an advocate for deficit reduction . He founded the hedge fund Key Square Capital Management after having worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic House member from Hawaii who has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda. She unsuccessfully sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination and left the party in 2022. Gabbard endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him. Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. If confirmed she would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, spent several years in top national security and intelligence positions. Bondi , 59, was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist , Bondi also has served with the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-allied group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush-money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appeared on Fox News and has been critical of the criminal cases against him. The Republican U.S. House member narrowly lost her reelection bid on Nov. 5 but had received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the department's workforce and budget and put forth priorities that affect workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of a few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and penalize companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws in more than half the states. Lutnick heads the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect fill key jobs in his second administration. As secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions like other states, instead declaring South Dakota “open for business.” More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for writing in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog. She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Ratcliffe , a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term. He led U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S. Kennedy , 70, ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent before he dropped out and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential campaign. Kennedy's nomination alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Rollins , 52, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for Trump's second administration. She is a Texas attorney who was Trump's domestic policy adviser and director of his office of American innovation during his first term. Rollins previously was an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry , who also served in Trump's first term. Rollins also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years , sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential campaign, but was acquitted by the Senate. Collins also served in the armed forces himself. He is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. The North Dakota governor , 68, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the running. Burgum then became a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice in part because of his executive experience and business savvy. He also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump said Burgum would chair a new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. He also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Wright said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul , would make a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 in Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI" and "we will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often said his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Greer is a partner at King & Spalding, a Washington law firm. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization. He previously was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was the trade representative in Trump's first term. Wiles , 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. She has a background in Florida politics , helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida. A former Army Green Beret , he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Hassett, 62, is a major advocate of tax cuts who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump term. In the new role as chairman of the National Economic Council, Trump said Hassett will play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation as well as in renewing and improving tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017, many of which are set to expire after 2025. Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump's first administration. Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings in the first term, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Vought, 48, held the position during Trump’s first presidency. He the founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought also was closely involved with Project 2025 , a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump’s priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump’s first term. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation’s economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people living illegally in the U.S. Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect's campaigns and was described by the transition team as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides." He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House. Blair was political director for Trump’s 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and an assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump’s 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Leavitt , 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. McGinley was Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and they were golfing at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Kellogg , 80, is a highly decorated retired three-star general and one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for Trump's second term. He has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues and served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence . Kellogg also was chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump and stepped in as an acting national security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned the post. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests. Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary in Trump's first term. Stefanik, 40, is a U.S. representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders dating to his first impeachment trial. She was elected chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021, the third-highest position in House leadership, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after she publicly criticized Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. A former acting attorney general during Trump's first administration and tight end on the University of Iowa football team, Whitaker , 55, has a background in law enforcement but not in foreign policy. A fierce Trump localist, Whitaker, is also a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019 without Senate confirmation, until William Barr was confirmed for the role. That was when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Whitaker also faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. Oz , 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime TV talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz’s bid for elected office. Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor on Fox News. Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative after cardiac arrest, state should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Bhattacharya , 56, is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. As head of the NIH, the leading medical research agency in the United States, Trump said Bhattacharya would work with Kennedy Jr. to direct U.S. medical research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives. Bhattacharya is professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing irreparable harm. Gaetz, 42, withdrew from consideration to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. In choosing Gaetz, Trump had passed over more established lawyers whose names had been floated as possible contenders for the job. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him on Nov. 13. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Farnoush Amiri, Lolita C. Baldor, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly, Edith M. Lederer, Adriana Gomez Licon, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Michelle L. Price, Will Weissert and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who was at the centre of a Southern California missing person investigation before authorities said she voluntarily crossed into Mexico, has been found safe, her family said Wednesday. In their brief statement, Kobayashi’s mother and sister did not say when or where the 30-year-old was found, but they thanked supporters and said they were grateful she’d been located. “This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through,” the statement said. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Kobayashi’s family said last week that they were investigating whether she may have been part of a green card marriage scam. The acknowledgement came after a report in Los Angeles Magazine that said she may have been involved in a possible immigration scam, but a lawyer for the family has said they had not been able to verify information about a possible “secret marriage” and asked the public to avoid jumping to conclusions. Kobayashi’s father died by suicide November 24 after the family came to Los Angeles last month to search for her. Kobayashi, 30, landed at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8 with plans to catch a connecting flight to New York City, where the aspiring artist planned to visit the Museum of Modern Art, her family said. She missed her connecting flight and was reported missing five days later, after sending a message to her family that described being scared and suggested that someone may be trying to steal her money and identity, according to her aunt. The Los Angeles Police Department found video showing Kobyashi crossing into Mexico via a San Diego land port on November 12. Police officials said Kobyashi intentionally missed her flight and that there was no evidence of human trafficking or foul play. A review of her social media accounts led investigators to believe “there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would have the desire to disconnect from their phone,” said one of the officials, Lt Douglas Oldfield of LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.None

Panthers TE Ja'Tavion Sanders carted off field for neck injuryWASHINGTON — Mayor Richard J. Daley played a key role in the 1976 election of President Jimmy Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100. During the Democratic primary season, Daley was instrumental in landing the nomination for Carter. The Georgia governor would go on to win the 1976 presidential contest, though in November, he didn’t carry Illinois. “His political ties here were pretty strong,” William Daley, the son of the late mayor, told the Sun-Times. The powerful Chicago mayor took a chance on Carter, running in 1976 as an outsider. When Carter “started to win all the primaries,” showing his potential to clinch the nomination, William Daley said his father blocked a “movement by the so-called old-liners, institutional Democrats” who were trying to stop Carter and entice former Vice President Hubert Humphrey into the primary. “And my dad ... said, ‘No, nobody should challenge him. He’s winning with the voters, and he should be the nominee of the party,’” he said. WTTW’s John Callaway interviewed Carter in 2006 about his memories of coming to Chicago, Daley and the 1976 primary. “I came here as an unknown governor from Georgia,” Carter said, and went to see Daley “just to pay my respects, and he took a liking to me for some reason.” Carter said he would “spend some time with him on each visit. That was when I had maybe three or four percent in the polls; nobody thought I was gonna win.” Carter said, “Mayor Daley told me that if I carried Ohio” he would deliver Illinois votes for him. “So the night that I carried Ohio, the phone rang, Mayor Daley was on the phone, he said you’ve got 273 votes in the Democratic convention that you didn’t have a few moments ago.” After Carter won the nomination, Daley pushed to turn out Chicago votes for him in November general election. That included doing Carter a favor. A traditional get-out-the-vote giant torchlight parade was typically held the Saturday before the fall election, but in 1976, Daley moved it up, to Sept. 9. That idea was to give Carter a national boost with a tour de force in Chicago. The parade kicked off at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue, and the marchers wound their way to Medinah Temple, 600 N. Wabash Ave., the turnout a testimony to Daley’s powerful Democratic machine. Carter waved to the crowds from a convertible, where he sat between Daley and Sen. Adlai Stevenson III, coming to the city after stumping that day in Peoria, Springfield and Evergreen Park. As the presidential nominee, Carter returned to Chicago on Oct. 11, with wife, Rosalynn, and daughter Amy, marching next to Daley at the Columbus Day Parade on State Street. But it was not enough. Though Democratic presidential candidates have won Illinois in every election since 1992, back in 1976, Illinois was still a swing state. Despite losing nationally, Ford and his running mate, Sen. Bob Dole, took Illinois, with 50.1% of the vote to 48.1% for Carter and his vice presidential pick, Walter Mondale. That December, Carter returned to Chicago while president-elect to attend Daley’s funeral at the Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church. “He came to my dad’s funeral in December of ’76, and a month later, he was inaugurated and invited the four of us — my three brothers and I — to come to the inauguration,” William Daley said. “And it was really nice of him” reaching out to a family still in mourning. “But we went. He gave us great seats, and it was really nice of him.” Carter’s 1980 campaign: Byrne’s knifing Chicago is also the place where Carter, running for a second term, was double-crossed by Mayor Jane Byrne, in one of the most famous knifings in modern Chicago political history. Carter was in Chicago for a fundraiser at McCormick Place. Sen. Ted Kennedy was poised to challenge Carter in the Democratic primary. At the fundraiser, Byrne told the crowd that she would endorse Carter if the election were held that night, a message she also sent privately. Except the election was not held that night. Within weeks, Byrne did a U-turn, endorsing Kennedy. As the Sun-Times’ Basil Talbott reported at the time, “the mayor denied she was changing her mind about Carter, although on two recent occasions she said she would back him for reelection. “I told the president I could support him, until I thought he could not win,” Byrne said. Byrne didn’t have enough juice to defeat Carter, who was running in the March 1980 Illinois primary with the backing of the Daley clan. In the Illinois primary, Carter, with 65% bested Kennedy, at 30%. Byrne went on in the general election campaign to appear with Carter, the 39th president, at a Daley Center rally on Oct. 6, 1980. While Carter won Illinois in 1976, he lost the state in 1980. In November, Republican Ronald Reagan, born in Tampico, Ill., beat Carter 49.6% to 41.7% Reagan won the general election, becoming the 40th president. Carter visited Chicago in his post presidential years. He came for speeches, panels and to promote one of his signature initiatives, Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for low-income people. He also came to see his grandchildren. His son Jack lived in Evanston for a time, moving to the area in 1981. According to records in the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, Jack Carter worked at the Chicago Board of Trade, Citibank and Tabor Commodities, a subsidiary of Archer-Daniels-Midland, now known as ADM. Chicago fundraiser hosted by future Commerce secretary When Carter, then governor of Georgia, was running for president the first time, he came to Chicago for a fundraiser. One of the event sponsors was Philip Klutznick, a real estate developer, prominent Democrat and international Jewish leader. Klutznick couldn’t attend the event, so he asked his daughter, Bettylu Saltzman, to stand in for him. “And I was introduced in a rather inartful way to Gov. Carter,” Saltzman told the Sun-Times. She was referred to only as “Phil Klutznick’s daughter,” as if she were not a person with her own identity. Carter picked up on the slight. “And Gov. Carter, in a way so that other people could hear it said, ‘I bet you have a name,’” said Saltzman, recalling how his compassionate reply reflected the enduring decency Carter became known for. Klutznick would go on to serve as Carter’s commerce secretary from Jan. 9, 1980, to Jan. 19, 1981, with his daughter, Bettylu Saltzman, a major Democratic activist, instrumental in the later rise of Barack Obama. At Klutznick’s swearing-in — his oath was administered by Abner Mikva, the former Chicago congressman who was then an appeals court judge — Carter made a joke about Klutznick’s rag-to-riches story with a reference to Chicago’s Water Tower Place. Klutznick developed the mixed-use skyscraper, and he lived on the 72nd floor. Carter said, “He knows business from top to bottom, or I should say bottom to top. He was born in a room above his family’s store. He now lives in a penthouse — above the headquarters for a giant business complex.”

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With OpenAI ’s ChatGPT search now available for free to everyone, getting real-time answers has never been easier – especially on mobile. From quick sports updates and shopping deals to understanding a topic while you’re out and about, simply hit the globe icon to activate this type of search for personalized queries. Now, instead of sifting through endless search results, I get clear, conversational, and up-to-date responses. Whether I’m texting or choose Advanced Voice with Vision, I get the answers exactly as I want them, tailored to me. Even at this early stage, ChatGPT is so good I don't see the need to use Google as my primary search engine. The following are 7 prompts to try with ChatGPT search on mobile that will save you time, boost productivity and maybe even impress your friends while you’re at it. 1. Discover the latest news Prompt: What’s the latest news happening right now? Staying updated on breaking news or specific topics is as easy as sending a text. For this prompt example, I kept it broad, but you can ask ChatGPT search about any current event because it pulls in real-time headlines and summaries from reliable sources. Whether you’re tracking tech advancements, politics or even entertainment gossip, this prompt keeps you informed without digging through multiple news apps. This is especially handy if you’re on the go and need quick updates on a topic for work, school, or general curiosity. Personally, I like to use it if I see news on social media and want to learn more about what is going on in the world around me. 2. Get the best deals Prompt: Find me the best-reviewed [product] under [price]. Shopping smarter is one of the best uses for ChatGPT Search on mobile. For example: Find me the best-reviewed Bluetooth earbuds under $50.” ChatGPT can quickly summarize top product recommendations from trusted sources, giving you a snapshot of the most affordable and well-rated options. No more hopping between Amazon , Walmart and Reddit reviews to decide the right product for you. I use this feature all the time whether I'm out at the store and searching for deals at home on the couch. Using ChatGPT search on mobile is perfect for budget-conscious shoppers who want quick insights into the best deals available. 3. Summarize articles and emails on-the-go Prompt: Summarize the key takeaways from this article. I don't always have time to read the news, but I want to stay informed about what's going on. I also have an overwhelming amount of emails from my kids' many teachers. Rather than find myself in a TL;DR situation, ChatGPT simplifies the text for me so I don't miss out on anything I need to know. It's easy to get a summary; just drop in the email or link to an article and in seconds ChatGPT search will extract the most important points into a short, digestible summary. This prompt can be used for news articles, research studies or even opinion pieces to get a quick overview without missing the critical details. 4. Know the weather Prompt: What’s the weather like in [city] this weekend? Checking the weather doesn’t have to mean switching apps or typing into a search bar. Now you can get the daily or weekly forecast for your city or any city you wish. This can help as you travel or want to stay informed about the weather in the city of a loved one. I have a cousin in South Korea and often notice the difference in weather from where I live in New Jersey. For fun, I’ll ask ChatGPT what the weather is like so I get a better idea of her life overseas. ChatGPT search pulls up accurate forecasts for your destination, including temperatures and precipitation details. Whether you’re planning a quick trip or just deciding what to wear, it’s a hassle-free way to stay prepared. 5. Discover new things to do Prompt : What are the must-see attractions in [city or destination]? Taking a vacation? Need something to do with friends visiting from out of town this weekend? ChatGPT search can act as your virtual tour guide and come to the rescue right from your phone. With the kids out of school for the holiday break, I asked for local activities to help keep them busy. ChatGPT pulled together lists of top landmarks, museums and hidden gems based on real-time recommendations. It can even highlight trending activities or lesser-known spots that other tourists are enjoying. This prompt works equally well for weekend getaways, family vacations, or spontaneous trips, saving you time on research and helping you make the most of your travels. 6. Understand a difficult topic Prompt: Explain [complex topic] in simple terms. If you’ve ever been caught off guard by a topic of conversation you aren’t familiar with, ChatGPT search can come to the rescue. When you need to understand something quickly, ChatGPT can simplify it for you. For example: “Explain blockchain technology in simple terms.” The AI will break down the concept into clear, conversational language without overwhelming jargon. It’s like having a personal tutor who can explain anything, from quantum physics to financial markets, in plain English. In fact you can even add, “like I’m five years old" to the end of your search to really have the topic broken down for you. This is a great trick to grasp a topic fast without spending hours on research. This is especially helpful for students, professionals, or anyone looking to quickly grasp a topic without spending hours on research. 7. Compare products Prompt: Compare [product A] vs. [product B]. When making purchasing decisions, particularly big ones, you can lean on ChatGPT search to help compare products side-by-side. For example, I asked, “What are the differences between the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24?” With this prompt, I got a breakdown of the key features, pros and cons, and relevant reviews for both products. The ability to ask questions like this makes it easier to see which option is better suited to your needs, whether you’re buying tech gadgets, appliances, or cars. For shoppers trying to avoid decision fatigue, this prompt is a lifesaver. Final thoughts The real power of ChatGPT search on mobile lies in its ability to blend conversational AI with real-time, reliable information at a speed much faster than Google. Because the answer to each query is an actual response rather than several links to further search through, users get the answers they want faster. These prompts let you quickly access news, simplify your shopping, get travel advice, and even understand tough concepts — all within a single chat interface. Overall, I think it is far better than any other search engine available, but it does have a major flaw that all users should consider. Because chats are saved to help the conversational aspect of ChatGPT robust, it does pose an issue with privacy and security. I would never put in personal or classified information because ChatGPT uses text based on input and it stores prompts indefinitely. I suggest keeping that in mind as you do your searches to ensure you are staying safe and confidential information remains private. Using ChatGPT as my search tool has transformed my mobile browsing experience into something smarter, quicker, and far more intuitive. I encourage you to give it try, but remain diligent about not entering any sensitive information into your prompts. More from Tom's GuideNEW YORK (AP) — The leaders of Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign insist they simply didn’t have enough time to execute a winning strategy against Donald Trump, pointing to “ferocious” political headwinds that were ultimately too much to overcome in the 107-day period after President Joe Biden stepped aside. Harris’ leadership team, speaking on the “Pod Save America” podcast that aired on Tuesday, defended over the campaign’s closing days, some of which have faced scrutiny in the weeks since . Specifically, they defended Harris’ outreach to Republican voters, her from Biden, her silence on and her inability to schedule an interview with popular podcaster Joe Rogan. “In a 107-day race, it is very difficult to do all the things you would normally do in a year and a half, two years,” said Harris campaign senior adviser Jen O’Malley Dillon. David Plouffe, another senior adviser, added, “There was a price to be paid for the short campaign.” The pointed reflections on Harris’ loss came just before she was scheduled to host a conference call with supporters as the party begins a painful process of self-examination. Trump won every swing state and traditionally aligned with Democrats — young voters and voters of color, among them. Harris’ team did not question the legitimacy of Trump’s victory. “We lost,” O’Malley Dillon said. But none of the Harris’ advisers acknowledged any mistakes during the wide-ranging podcast interview hosted by former Democratic operatives. Instead, they indicated that Harris had few options given the compressed timeframe and the broad anti-incumbent headwinds that have challenged elected officials across the world. They also gave Trump’s team some credit. They specifically pointed to Trump’s closing attack ad, which highlighted Harris’ support for taxpayer-funded sex reassignment surgeries for transgender prisoners. “Obviously, it was a very effective ad at the end,” said Harris deputy campaign manager Quentin Fulks. “I think that it made her seem out of touch.” The campaign tested several potential response ads but, in the end, decided it was best to avoid a specific rebuttal. “There’s no easy answers to this,” O’Malley Dillon said. Plouffe said he thought the Trump attack ad against “Bidenomics” was even more effective, but he acknowledged that the transgender attacks were not helpful. “She was on tape,” he said. “Surgery for trans people who want to transition in prison was part of the Biden-Harris platform in 2020. It was part of what the administration did, right?” And while the campaign has faced lingering questions about its media strategy, Harris’ team said she actually wanted to participate in a podcast with Rogan, who is among the world’s most popular podcasters and ultimately endorsed Trump. Stephanie Cutter, another Harris senior adviser, said the campaign wasn’t able to “find a date” to make it work. “We had discussions with Joe Rogan’s team. They were great. They wanted us to come on. We wanted to come on,” she said. “Will she do it sometime in the future? Maybe. Who knows. But it didn’t ultimately impact the outcome one way or the other.” Plouffe noted that the campaign offered to do the Rogan podcast on the road in Austin, Texas. with Rogan in the podcaster’s studio. Harris’ campaign brass also defended her decision to court moderate Republicans in the campaign’s closing days. The decision has drawn ire from some progressives, who believe Harris should have worked harder to turn out more traditional Democratic voters. “This political environment sucked, OK? We were dealing with ferocious headwinds,” Plouffe said. “So we had a complicated puzzle to put together here in terms of the voters.” He acknowledged some “drift” toward Trump among non-college-educated voters, particularly voters of color, which made Harris’ outreach to moderate voters even more important. “Yes, of course you have to maximize your turnout and your vote share amongst liberal voters if you’re a Democrat. That was a huge focus,” he said. He added, “You’ve got to couple that with dominating in the middle. Not just winning it a little. We have to dominate the moderate vote.”Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 17 December 2024 at 22:30 EET Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 17.12.2024 Espoo, Finland – On 17 December 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: * Rounded to two decimals On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 17 December 2024 was EUR 3,741,698. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 216,009,778 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 40 803 4080 Email: investor.relations@nokia.com Attachment Daily Report 2024-12-17

The recruitment of five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi won't be over until pen hits paper. Fasusi verbally committed to Oklahoma in August and has held his pledge to this day. However, Texas and Texas A&M have continued pushing hard for the Lewisville (TX) product and have seemed to make a decent amount of headway over the last few weeks. The Longhorns hosted Fasusi for their game against Kentucky last week and the Aggies will host Fasusi for the Texas-Texas A&M game on Nov. 30. That marks back-to-back weeks that Fasusi will be in attendance for a Longhorns game. If Steve Sarkisian's squad delivers another impressive showing, Texas could certainly emerge as a legitimate player in his recruitment. On3's Chad Simmons reported that Fasusi's visit to Texas last weekend went well. "The way the offensive line has developed under coach Flood impresses me," Fasusi told On3. "That is big for me. The development part. Seeing how that group played with aggression was great to see.” While the five-star tackle did reaffirm his verbal pledge to Oklahoma for the time being, his comments regarding the upcoming in-state showdown between Texas and Texas A&M are interesting. "This is going to be a great game. I am not looking for anything in particular on this visit, but I want to be at this game and see what they are going to provide." Fasusi has repeatedly stressed the importance of relationships and player development when deciding on which school to attend. Sarkisian and his staff have a massive opportunity to make up ground in his recruitment with a win on Saturday. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle is ranked the No. 13 prospect in the nation for the 2025 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. Related: Texas A&M Player Fires Warning Shot at Texas Longhorns Ahead of Week 14

Albanian opposition supporters block the capital’s streets in an anti-government rallyBy Lindsay Shachnow Twenty-seven years ago, Bill Puder received a phone call from Jill Biden, shortly after he first opened Faregrounds Restaurant and Pudley’s Pub on Nantucket. “I didn’t know who she was,” Puder told Boston.com. “She asked me, can we cook Thanksgiving to-go for their family? I said sure, no problem.” Puder said he did not know of Joe Biden, who was a Delaware senator at the time, either. “He used to come in, pick it up,” he said. “We’d chat, hang out with Beau and Hunter.” Puder said he has made Thanksgiving dinner for the Bidens nearly every year since the first lady’s initial call. “We treat him just like a customer, just like everybody else that comes in here,” he said. However, since Biden took office as president, Puder stopped making dinner for the Biden family, but has still cooked Thanksgiving meals for his secret service members during Biden’s vice presidential and presidential terms. A private chef will make Thanksgiving dinner for the Bidens this year, according to Puder. Although Biden won’t be partaking in the meal at Faregrounds this Thursday, the president will carry on his decades-old tradition of traveling to Nantucket with his family, arriving at Nantucket Memorial Airport on Air Force One on Tuesday at 3:20 p.m., The Boston Globe reported . Ahead of Biden’s visit, Nantucket Police Lieutenant Angus MacVicar said the local police department has been working with the secret service, providing them with a few full-time officers who are more familiar with the area. “We’re expecting things to go as they have in the past and have minimal disruption,” MacVicar told Boston.com. “We hope everything goes well.” This Thursday, Puder will serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Nantucket family restaurant to 150 secret service members and roughly 50 other restaurant goers. They will eat alongside each other. Over three days, four workers prepare the food with the help of Puder’s wife and niece. Although Puder mixes up the menu slightly from year to year, he always includes traditional Thanksgiving dishes. So, what’s on the menu this year? The president’s secret service will eat buffet-style, starting with a butternut squash apple soup, clam chowder, and caesar salad. The main event will be a traditional roast turkey with gravy — Puder’s favorite dish to cook — alongside stuffing, roast prime rib, pan seared halibut, and a ham platter. Eight side dishes, including candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and glazed carrots, will fill out the meal. Puder, who has been cooking for nearly 50 years, bought Faregrounds in 1997, and held a local competition to decide on a name for the establishment. “The Faregrounds” was chosen because of the restaurant’s location on Faregrounds Road, and “Pudley’s Pub” is named after the Puder’s own pot bellied pet pig. Puder said he has “mixed feelings” about Biden leaving the White House in January, but still plans to cook Thanksgiving dinner for him and his family next year. “It’s a tradition for him,” Puder said of Biden, who has come to Nantucket for Thanksgiving almost every year since 1975. “He’s just a nice guy, and it’s such an honor to keep feeding him.” Lindsay Shachnow Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news for Boston.com , reporting on breaking news, crime, and politics across New England. Boston.com Today Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning. Be civil. Be kind.

If you have any Nintendo items on your holiday shopping list this year, then you'll want to check out the stat to avoid paying full price. Tons of deals are to be had on consoles, games and accessories, but beware: Products are already running out of stock at multiple stores. That includes the Nintendo Switch bundles. So if you're holiday shopping and need to snag some of these best Cyber Monday deals, you might want to act fast before they're gone. As of today, epic discounts are still available on items like the bundle for $75 off, 43% off the legendary and 40% off the hot-off-the-presses game — perfect timing for the upcoming movie hype. Whether you’re shopping for the gamer in your life or looking to join the fun yourself, these deals are here to level up your holiday gift-giving. So grab your cart (and your wallet) because these prices won’t wait. Nintendo Switch 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' Bundle 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' for Nintendo Switch 'Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020' for Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Pro Controller 'Sonic X Shadow Generations' for Nintendo Switch SanDisk 64GB 2-Pack microSDXC Card 'The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom' for Nintendo Switch 'Mario Party Superstars — US Version' for Nintendo Switch 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' This is the Switch that started it all and made the gaming system a must-have in every home with kids (and adult kids). This bundle is packed with straight-out-of-the-box value that includes two controllers, a console, a full download of the deluxe game and a 12-month individual membership download that connects you to a whole slew of other games. While the console is great on the go, this device also connects to your TV for a family game night. You know what? If you have a Nintendo Switch we are just going to assume you have . What's that you say? You don't? Well, we're not here to judge you for not playing the unfathomably excellent follow-up to and one of the top 10 most popular Switch games of all time. We don't get paid to judge. But we do get paid to tell you when there is an excellent deal that you're missing — and this is one of them. Right now, you can score this game from the iconic series for over 40% off. How does snagging 50% off a game featuring two legendary characters sound? This is one of the best gaming deals we've seen this year. This Olympic-themed title brings Mario and Sonic together, letting you play as characters from both of their iconic universes. Compete in sports like skateboarding, karate, boxing, track and field and more. "Great game that all the kids love and has quickly become a new go-to," . "Entertaining for adults as well. Good for quick, fast mini-games or hours of family fun." The Switches' Joy-Con controllers are all well and good, but when you have longer gaming sessions, a pro controller is in order. This wireless option lets you play from any point in the room. Additional buttons and two joysticks make for a more comfortable play experience. Are your kiddos looking forward to the latest Sonic movie? We sure are. Not only are we excited about the Keanu Reeves-voiced Shadow the Hedgehog, we're jazzed about the standoff between the two super-charged furballs. This is a bundle pack that includes two campaigns: Sonic's lighthearted adventures and Shadow's more dramatic ones. If you prefer downloading your games digitally instead of buying and storing physical ones, do yourself a favor and invest in a microSD card. With this deal, you get a pair, each with a generous amount of extra storage. You'll avoid that "low storage" notification thanks to these little green guys. "Got this for extra Switch space and it immediately recognized it," . "No corruption on any files or issues whatsoever." Link is one of those iconic characters in Nintendo history and The Legend of Zelda is a game that both experienced and casual gamers know well. This version is more lighthearted and calming than the original and and easy to play on a day when you just need to unwind, but don't want to concentrate too intensely. The best way I can describe this game is "slow and steady." In terms of price history, this is the lowest it's ever been! "As a long-time Zelda fan, I absolutely love being able to play this with my 7-year-old," . "I also love that for the first time, we get to play as Zelda instead of Link." It goes without saying that Super Mario games are some of Nintendo's most popular, so finding this one on sale is pretty rare since the demand is so high. If you're a fan of the bold colors, vibrancy and adventure motifs in the Super Mario franchise, this game is sure to be your next obsession. "My niece's boyfriend brought it along for us to play and we all loved it," . "Very enjoyable to play as a family. The moment I saw it on sale on Amazon, I bought it, especially since Mario games rarely reduce in price." This was the most popular game during the pandemic. It gave everyone an escape and a little bit of joy while they stayed indoors. Now, it's having a resurgence with the colder months officially here. Create your own island, plant crops, fish, make friends and more with this adorable community-based game that just feels like a warm hug. While this isn't the most affordable it's been all year, you can't go wrong with this deal, especially considering that this game is essentially never-ending. "Great game. Ages better than wine!" . "It's so much fun, so cute, adorable and there's quite a bit to do."None

No. 22 Iowa State still has a chance to play for a Big 12 title as Cyclones prepare to face Utah'Blessed': US Woman Sees Second Chance In Life After Pig Kidney Transplant

Grocery chain 'largely recovered' after cybersecurity incident