4'j piso wifi EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Ahamad Bynum scored 19 points off of the bench to help lead UTEP over Seattle U 88-72 on Saturday night. Bynum shot 7 of 9 from the field and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Miners (6-2). Otis Frazier III added 18 points while going 6 of 9 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 4 for 4 from the line while he also had five assists. Kevin Kalu had 13 points and shot 5 of 6 from the field and 3 for 3 from the line. The Redhawks (3-6) were led in scoring by Paris Dawson, who finished with 18 points and two steals. Seattle U also got 14 points and eight rebounds from Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe. John Christofilis had 13 points. UTEP took the lead with 18:55 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 48-23 at halftime, with Frazier racking up 12 points. UTEP extended its lead to 77-49 during the second half, fueled by a 7-0 scoring run. Bynum scored a team-high 12 points in the second half as their team closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, Data Skrive.BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria gained speed on Saturday with news that they had reached the suburbs of the capital and with the government forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. As they have advanced, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands rushed the Syria border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those that remained open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some shops were selling items at three times the normal price. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said, insisting on anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” It was the first time that opposition forces reach the outskirts of Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. Amid the developments, Syria’s state media denied rumors flooding social media that Assad has left the country, saying he is performing his duties in Damascus. Assad's chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine . Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. Pedersen said a date for the talks in Geneva on the implementation of U.N. Resolution 2254 would be announced later. The resolution, adopted in 2015, called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said insurgents were in the Damascus suburbs of Maadamiyah, Jaramana and Daraya. Opposition fighters were also marching from eastern Syria toward the Damascus suburb of Harasta, he added. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. Syria’s military, meanwhile, sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama , the country’s fourth largest city. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an interview Thursday from Syria that the aim is to overthrow Assad’s government. The Britain-based Observatory said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs, where a battle is looming. If the insurgents capture Homs, they would cut the link between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where the president enjoys wide support. The Syrian army said in a statement Saturday that it has carried out redeployment and repositioning in Sweida and Daraa after its checkpoints came under attack by “terrorists.” The army said it is setting up a “strong and coherent defensive and security belt in the area,” apparently to defend Damascus from the south. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. Tartus is home to the only Russian naval base outside the former Soviet Union while Latakia is home to a major Russian air base. In the gas-rich nation of Qatar, the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey met to discuss the situation in Syria. Turkey is a main backer of the rebels. Qatar's top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed said he was surprised by how quickly the rebels have advanced and said there is a real threat to Syria’s “territorial integrity.” He said the war could “damage and destroy what is left if there is no sense of urgency” to start a political process. After the fall of the cities of Daraa and Sweida early Saturday, Syrian government forces remained in control of five provincial capitals — Damascus, Homs and Quneitra, as well as Latakia and Tartus on the Mediterranean coast. On Friday, U.S.-backed fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces captured wide parts of the eastern province of Deir el-Zour that borders Iraq as well as the provincial capital that carries the same name. The capture of areas in Deir el-Zour is a blow to Iran’s influence in the region as the area is the gateway to the corridor linking the Mediterranean to Iran, a supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. With the capture of a main border crossing with Iraq by the SDF and after opposition fighters took control of the Naseeb border crossing to Jordan in southern Syria, the Syrian government's only gateway to the outside world is the Masnaa border crossing with Lebanon. Karam reported from London. Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed to this report.

Paveletzke's 23 lead Ohio past Morehead State 88-76

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas won the Big 12 title in 2023 on its way out the door to the Southeastern Conference. It was still swinging open when Arizona State waltzed in and won the league title in its debut season. And now the old Big 12 champs meet the new Big 12 champs on the path toward a potential national title. The fifth-seeded Longhorns and fourth-seeded Sun Devils play News Years Day in the Peach Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff . Both had their doubters they could get here. Texas (12-2) still had to prove is was “ready” for the SEC. Arizona State (11-2) was picked to finish last in the Big 12. But the Sun Devils quickly started winning and having fun in some new road environments in college towns smaller than some of their stops in the more cosmopolitan old Pac-12. All-American running back Cam Skattebo led the barnstorming tour. “We were not used to getting tortillas thrown at us at Texas Tech. You’re not used to some of these environments,” Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham said Monday. “When you’re in the Pac-12, you’re playing in Seattle, you’re playing in L.A., you’re playing in Salt Lake City. We got to face a lot more small college town football with really, really great environments. ... It was definitely fun to join a new league,” Dillingham said. RELATED COVERAGE Hajj-Malik Williams throws 2 TDs passes to help No. 24 UNLV beat Cal 24-13 in the LA Bowl Mike Shula is back in the SEC at South Carolina after nearly two decades since Alabama fired him College Football Playoff picks: SMU, Clemson, Vols, Hoosiers beware as CFP opens on campus And Dillingham laid down some Texas roots. The Sun Devils are recruiting Texas players out of high school, and the current roster has six transfers who started their college careers in burnt orange in Austin. “The guys we’ve gotten from Texas and coach (Steve Sarkisian’s) program have been unbelievable,” Dillingham said. “We know what we’re getting when we’re getting a guy from that program, and that’s a guy who has worked really hard, competed and been pushed. Those are the things that we like to bring in.” Safety Xavion Alford was named All-Big 12 . Defensive end Prince Dorbah is another Sun Devils starter. Defensive lineman Zac Swanson, who has two sacks this season, is another former Longhorn who said he relished a chance to beat his former team. Recruited by Texas out of Phoenix, Swanson was a reserve in 2022 and 2023 behind future NFL draft picks T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy. “That’s a team who kicked me out and said I’d never I was never going to be good enough to play there,” Swanson said last week. “That’s something that has been on my agenda for a while.” Dillingham joked he’d like to get more Texas transfers this week. Sarkisian simply noted that he wished he’d signed Skattebo, a Californian who transferred from Sacramento State after the 2022 season. “I was unaware, so kudos to them. They found him, he’s a heckuva player,” said Sarkisian, who also is a California native. Sarkisian said he was impressed by the Sun Devil’s first-year success in the Big 12. “We were in that Big 12, what, for 27 years? We won four. This is their first year in and they won a Big 12 Championship. It’s a really hard thing to do,” Sarkisian said. “They’re playing with a ton of confidence right now. The last two months, I think they’re playing as good a football as anybody in the country.” Despite wining that last Big 12 title and a playoff appearance in 2023, Texas still faced skeptics that the Longhorns would take their lumps in the SEC this year. Texas was more than ready for the league and the Longhorns made it to the SEC championship game. Their only two losses have been to Georgia, the No. 2 seed in the playoff. Sarkisian still remembers his 5-7 Texas debut in 2021. The program wasn’t ready for the SEC and the playoff back then, but it certainly is now. Texas is the only one of last year’s four playoff teams to make the expanded 12-team field this year. “There’s a lot to be proud of, but mostly I’m proud of our veterans, our leaders, our seniors, because those guys went from 5-7 in year one, they went through 8-5 in year two, and they didn’t jump ship. They hung in there with us. They believed in what they were doing,” Sarkisian said. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Decoding NIO's Options Activity: What's the Big Picture?Taylor Swift Fan Behind Eras Tour Updates Account — and Viral 'Seemingly Ranch' Moment — Reveals Identity (Exclusive)

Like every team in the National Hockey League, the Vancouver Canucks have played their final game before the short holiday break. Per the AHL transactions page , the Canucks have papered down forwards Phillip Di Giuseppe , Max Sasson , and Linus Karlsson bringing their roster down a minimum of 18 skaters and two goalies. The roster moves will give Vancouver a relatively large window of salary cap relief despite all three players earning below $900K on their current contracts. The Canucks don’t play until Saturday when they take on the Seattle Kraken meaning all three players will likely be recalled then. The veteran Di Giuseppe played in three games for Vancouver during his recent call-up from December 17th to today, tallying two assists and 12 hits while averaging 12:39 of ice time. He’ll likely spend more time on the Canucks roster for the rest of the season after returning from an injury earlier in the year. Di Giuseppe is in the final season of a two-year, $1.55MM agreement signed with Vancouver and can bring quality defensive play toward the bottom of the lineup. Sasson, the second forward included in today’s transaction, is starting to rack up playing time in the NHL. The former Western Michigan University standout has scored one goal and five points in 12 games for the Canucks this season and has seen his ice time climb to or near 13 minutes in three of his last four games. There’s a legitimate chance his playing days in the AHL are over for the foreseeable future unless Vancouver makes a notable outside addition to their bottom six. Karlsson also sustained an early-season injury keeping him out of the lineup for both Vancouver and the Abbotsford Canucks for much of the 2024-25 regular season. He’s gotten off to a hot start in Abbotsford scoring five goals and six points in seven games but he failed to find the scoresheet during his pair of contests in the NHL. He’s an interesting offensive weapon Vancouver could toy with toward the bottom of their forward grouping given that Karlsson is only a year removed from scoring 23 goals and 60 points in 60 AHL games. This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.Report: Former Nebraska coach Scott Frost returns to UCF as head coach

1. Defense first The St. Bonaventure men's basketball team used defense to set the early tempo in a 65-55 win against the University at Buffalo on Saturday at the Reilly Center in Allegany. Bona stunted UB’s scoring chances early – building its own scoring opportunities off turnovers – had six points off turnovers in the first five minutes, as it built a 10-0 lead and opened it to as many as 15-2. UB had 18 turnovers, including 10 in the first half – UB entered averaging 14.7 per game – and Bona finished with 16 points off turnovers, including 12 first-half points. The Bulls cut Bona’s lead to 23-19 with less than 3 minutes left in the first half on Tyson Dunn’s layup, but the Bonnies scored nine points inside the final 2:15, including Jonah Hinton’s 3-pointer, to take a 32-22 lead at halftime. St. Bonaventure Bonnies center Noel Brown (24) reaches looking for 2 against Buffalo Bulls during the first half of their NCAA basketball game at the Reilly Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. 2. Persistence pays off The Bonnies led wire to wire, but worked their way through a scrappy Bulls team to finish 21 for 47 from the floor, but at one point early in the second half, the Bonnies were 12 for 29 from the floor. The persistence paid off, particularly about six minutes into the second half, when the Bonnies opened a 38-30 lead to 44-30, after Michael Folarin’s second-chance jumper at 6:31. Bona also got a boost when UB hit a scoring drought of nearly four minutes, ended by Brayden Jackson’s 3-pointer eight minutes into the second half, which made it 44-33. Chance Moore led Bona with 16 points. 3. Sabol for three, three, three ... UB guard Ryan Sabol finished with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3 of 6 on 3-pointers against the Bonnies. Sabol, a sophomore guard, needs one 3-pointers to make it to 100 in his first two seasons with the Bulls. Sabol had two 3-point attempts inside the final minute that clanked off the rim, including one with his team trailing 59-53, which left him at 99. Still, Sabol leads the MAC with 37 3-pointers, and began Saturday as one of three players tied for fourth in the nation in 3-pointers made. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! College/high school sports enterprise reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Nagpur: The Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav concluded in spectacular style on Monday evening with a sensational live concert by popular singer Jubin Nautiyal. The star's electrifying performance had the youth swaying to his tunes, turning the event into an unforgettable musical fiesta. The grounds of Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education were packed to capacity well before the concert began. Enthusiastic fans queued up from noon, eagerly awaiting the musical sensation. The venue echoed with cheers as Jubin set the stage ablaze with his hit numbers like ‘Kaise Jiunga Tere Bina', ‘Raataan Lambiyan', ‘Tera Ban Jaunga', and ‘Kinna Sona'. Jubin connected deeply with the audience, saying, "It feels like coming home, thanks to Nitin Gadkariji, who brought me back to this beautiful city after four years." His soulful renditions and heartfelt interactions had fans singing along in unison, creating a magical atmosphere. The concert was a mesmerising blend of versatility and energy, captivating the audience with a medley of Hollywood hits, classic and contemporary Bollywood numbers, soulful qawwalis, and heartfelt ghazals, all delivered in his unique style. Known for his devotional renditions, Jubin also performed spiritual songs from Jagarata and his iconic track ‘Mere Ghar Ram Aaye Hai', which gained fame during Ayodhya's Ram Mandir inauguration. The crowd, particularly the youth, resonated with every note — singing along, dancing to his rocking performances, and lighting up the venue with mobile flashlights in unison at his request, creating a magical atmosphere. The concluding day began earlier with a rousing performance by the Gajvakra Dhol Tasha Pathak, which was followed by the stellar act of the Shiv Navyug Pathak, India's first drum and flag team comprising of young children. Their synchronised beats and energetic display earned thunderous applause from the audience. Union minister Nitin Gadkari , the visionary behind the festival, expressed his gratitude to the audience for making the ninth edition of the Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav a resounding success. He highlighted the unprecedented reach of the event, which, through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, engaged over 1.52 crore people. "This festival is growing bigger each year. The massive turnout and participation prove that we need an even larger venue to accommodate the passion of Nagpur's cultural enthusiasts," Gadkari said. He assured that there would be a mega celebration next year as the festival would celebrate its 10th year. Gadkari also honoured the organising team for their dedication and tireless efforts in ensuring the festival's success. Key members, including Anil Sole, Gaurishankar Parashar, and many others, were felicitated for their contributions. On Tuesday, 400 bhajan groups in Nagpur district will get tabla (percussion instrument) and harmonium – the two important instruments for bhajans — in a grand function to be held at 9.30am. Gadkari will hand over this gift to the select 400 groups. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes.

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Women will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. People are also reading... Bomb cyclone, flood risk in Benton County this week OSU women's basketball: An early look at this edition of the Beavers Albany's Joel Dahl pleads guilty to sex crime involving minor OSU football: Beavers' season hits a new low in loss at Air Force Strike over: Benton County, union reach tentative deal What's available from Benton County services as strike nears Week 2 As I See It: Corvallis' failure to care for homeless is not because it can't Republic Services resubmits landfill expansion, here's what's new Albany mom suspected of drowning her child to use mental health defense Philomath city councilor resigns, cites conflict with new job Sweet Home man sentenced for crash that injured his daughter American flag thrown by driver fleeing Benton County deputies OSU football: It's time to look ahead to next year In trying to flee, suspect accused of driving over Albany police officer The real reason Corvallis' Pastega Lights moved to Linn County The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. States with gains By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. States that lost At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Why it matters Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." 20 political cartoons draw out Donald Trump's win November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.None1 2 Bhubaneswar: Amidst the supply disruption of potatoes to Odisha from West Bengal, the price of this kitchen essential increased from Rs 33 per kg to Rs 45-50 per kg in retail markets over the last two days. The shortage of potatoes in the city markets was apparent as many shops remained closed and little stock was available on Saturday. "On Thursday, potatoes were selling at Rs 33 per kg as I bought 3kg for Rs 100, but today it is selling at Rs 50 per kg. Potato is an essential item for every kitchen and with small kids around, potato is a must. But if the price goes up like this, we must stop consuming potatoes. The govt must intervene and ensure a smooth supply at an affordable price for consumers," said Rashmita Biswal, a homemaker. Potato supply from West Bengal was stopped on Wednesday night, causing an artificial shortage in the markets of Odisha. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee ordered restrictions on the supply of potatoes to other states following a rise in prices in the source state until the fresh harvest of the kitchen essential hits the market and prices stabilize in the retail markets. In West Bengal, potatoes are selling between Rs 32 to Rs 40 per kg in retail markets, sources said. "Since the supply of potatoes to Odisha has been stopped, the wholesale price has also gone up significantly. In the last few days, the wholesale price for one quintal increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,700. The situation may become worse if immediate steps are not taken," said Sudhakar Panda, secretary of Odisha Byabasayee Sangha. Odisha requires around 14 lakh tonnes of potatoes annually to meet the requirement while the state requires 4,500 tonnes every day. Odisha mostly depends on West Bengal for potatoes. MSID:: 115846066 413 |

Florida requires teaching Black history. Some don't trust schools to do it justiceB.C.'s Finance Minister Brenda Bailey Wednesday (Nov. 20) said British Columbia is "very interested in remaining competitive" when it comes to hosting film productions. Bailey made these comments following meetings with executives from Warner Bros Entertainment Inc and Netflix and before meetings with Hallmark. Bailey is part of a B.C. delegation that includes industry figures represented by Screen BC speaking for the provincial motion picture industry, as well as relevant political leaders. Joining Bailey is B.C.'s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Spencer Chandra Herbert (Vancouver-West End) and Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film Nina Krieger (Victoria-Swan Lake) -- all of them sworn in Monday. Bailey said the trip to California is not so much an elevator pitch to Hollywood executives about the benefits of filming in British Columbia, but ensuring that B.C.'s strong relationship with established partners continues. It comes as the provincial film industry is trying to recover from labour disputes in the film industry and a general pull-back in productions for economic reasons. The B.C. NDP campaigned on increasing the production services tax credit to 36 per cent from 28 per cent that B.C. offers to global film and TV production to help support an increasingly important industry. Premier David Eby reiterated that promise in late October after California had announced changes to its financial support for the film industry centred in Los Angeles, but long globalized. California Governor Gavin Newsom specifically proposed expanding that state's film and television credit program to US$750 million from US$330. Responding to Newsom's announcement, Eby said his government would work with the provincial film industry. "We know that if you are competitive, we can bring in the big productions," he said. "(We) are not going to be able to outbid the lowest common denominator bidders in the United States, but if we are competitive, combined with the amazing crews that we have, we can deliver some of the biggest productions available." Bailey, who has had a history of working with the film industry in her previous role as Minister for Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, acknowledged California's financial commitment. But money night not be everything, she added. "It's important to note that it is not a strict competition on tax credits," she said. "There are many factors that go into placing a product (in a specific location)." Other jurisdictions outside of California have also recognized the economic potential of the film industry in courting productions of various sorts. They include Ireland, whose government has extended its low-tax approach in fields such as high technology and finance to film. So how much does this aspect concern Bailey? "We're really down here talking to studio heads about what the opportunities are to work together," she said. "We know that a decision to place a major project in British Columbia has just such incredibly positive outcomes for us and we are taking these meetings to have discussions about those future opportunities," she said. One such future opportunity could be developing tourism around film locations, she added, pointing to the community of fans that has sprung up around the show The Last of Us, which has filmed in British Columbia including Nanaimo as well as Alberta. Bailey's visit comes as a new U.S. administration said to be generally hostile toward international ties and trade prepares to take office. In other words, the political interests of California — historically a 'blue state' — and those of incoming U.S. president Donald Trump may find themselves in alignment, with B.C.'s film industry thus facing strong political headwinds. "It's interesting, that particular topic (protectionism) hasn't come up in the meetings that we have taken today," Bailey said. "The topics have been more around competitiveness and talent and opportunities in the future." Bailey's trip to California has not gone unnoticed. Vancouver-based journalist Bob Mackin called it the "(first) junket of the new" Eby cabinet on social media. So what's Bailey's reaction? "I think the point of this trip is to really communicate to (Hollywood) executives that British Columbia is very interested in their business....we are talking about 47,500 jobs," she said. "So yes, I'm very interested in defending these jobs and keeping these jobs in British Columbia." Bailey said the delegation arrived late Tuesday evening and is scheduled to return Thursday morning. "So it's a fast and important trip."Brown's 17 lead Rhode Island over Charleston (SC) 91-53

Doubles duo earn shot at another titleCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Arkansas defensive end Landon Jackson was carted off the field and taken to a hospital with a neck injury late in the first half of Saturday's game at No. 24 Missouri. Jackson appeared to injure his neck while trying to tackle Missouri running back Jamal Roberts. Medical personnel tended to Jackson for approximately 10 minutes before he was placed on a backboard and driven to a waiting ambulance. Jackson gave a thumbs-up sign as he was carted off the snow-covered field. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said Jackson had movement in his arms and legs but was experiencing pain in his neck. He said Jackson was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Jackson leads the Razorbacks with 9 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks, and is considered a potential first-round pick in next year's NFL draft. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

A Richmond man failed to report almost $7.5 million in income from flipping homes and has been sentenced in provincial court to a conditional sentence and fines of more than $2.1 million. Balkar Singh Bhullar pleaded guilty in August 2023 to one count of tax evasion under the Income Tax Act. A Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) investigation showed Bhullar failed to report $7,485,246 in taxable income for the years 2011, 2012 and 2014. The income was from assignment fees earned from flipping 14 properties between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2014, thereby allowing him to evade $2,153,394 in federal Income taxes, according to a news release from the CRA. Bhullar, who is 67 years old, was sentenced on Dec. 19 in B.C. Provincial Court (Robson Square) to a conditional sentence of two years less a day and a fine of $2,153,397.

a bet casino Fall is a time of transition from warm days to cooler nights. It is also an ideal time to begin to prepare for winter. Here are some quick home maintenance tips that are perfect for your fall checklist. Close the pool. There is a saying that “the leaves will tell you.” You will not want to waste energy or risk clogging your pool with leaves. Winterize outdoor kitchens and showers. Clean gutters and make sure there are no issues or clogs. Clean your fireplace and chimney. This should be done annually. Repave the driveway or fill with loose gravel if an unpaved driveway. Prune and mulch landscape. Check the roof for any damage or repairs. Fix/repair any fences or gates. Check emergency supplies. Make sure if a storm were to come, you are stocked, ready and prepared. Check equipment such as hot water heaters, HVAC units and boilers.Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Norfolk Southern Corp. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

Brunch has a special seat at the table: It bridges savory and sweet and breakfast and lunch, and appeases both early birds and late risers. It’s a meal with very few rules, which is especially welcome to cooks as we head into a season filled with tradition and culinary expectations. Want to serve pancakes alongside prime rib or burgers with doughnuts? No problem. Gooey mac and cheese and quiche? Why not? Brunch is also a chance to try new flavors and dishes or put a different spin on tried-and-trues — like these recipes from recent cookbooks. Let’s start with biscuits. A good biscuit recipe should be in every cook’s repertoire, and we found one in America’s Test Kitchen’s “When Southern Women Cook.” In addition to including more than 300 recipes, it tells the stories of women who have helped shape the cuisine of the American South. The ATK drop biscuit recipe features two variations — chocolate chip and bacon, cheese and black pepper — inspired by Bomb Biscuits restaurant in Atlanta that would be a fine addition to any meal. Joey Maggiore’s debut cookbook, “Brunch King,” caught our attention with its fun boozy drinks made with breakfast cereal, but the Italian American chef’s inventive breakfast bruschetta and over-the-top breakfast burger made us true fans. For the bruschetta, batons of brioche are pan-toasted in butter, topped with crème brûlée custard and brown sugar and then broiled, garnished with strawberries and, if you’re in a playful mood, strawberry cotton candy. Maggiore’s brunch burger starts with a bacon/ground-beef patty, and then stacks all your brunch favorites between two buns: hash browns, eggs, cheese and hollandaise. It’s a natural pairing with a Bloody Mary, and a post-brunch nap would not be out of the question. The chef, who runs a family of restaurants in the Phoenix area, is not shy about making a culinary statement. The traditional breakfast dish shakshuka, eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce, is reimagined as a breakfast sandwich thanks to Owen Han, whose passion for sandwiches has made him a sensation on TikTok, where he’s amassed more than 4 million followers. His new book, “Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich,” will provide plenty of creative brunch options — and lunch and dinner, too. Cooking for a crowd? Another social media standout, Heather Bell, can help. Bell chronicles her life with eight kids as@justthebells10 , and her slow-cooker Denver omelet from “Mama Bell’s Big Family Cooking” goes together quickly. It keeps the oven open for other morning brunch duties, but is hearty enough to pinch hit for a make-ahead supper, too. Whether you follow these recipes or use them to spark ideas of your own, just remember the most important rule of brunch: There are no rules. Makes 12 biscuits. One of the best starting recipes for new biscuit bakers is drop biscuits — and they’re just as soul satisfying as any. Unlike rolled and stamped biscuits that typically call for carefully cutting cold fat into flour before liquid is added, drop biscuits are simply stirred together, dropped onto the baking sheet, and baked. For a drop biscuit with buttery flakes, stir together warm melted butter and cold buttermilk before incorporating the dry ingredients. This causes the butter to clump up; it looks like a mistake, but it produces pockets of steam in the oven for light, fluffy — and easy — stir-and-drop biscuits. The flavor variations are inspired by flavors at Erika Council’s Bomb Biscuits restaurant in Atlanta. From “When Southern Women Cook,” from America’s Test Kitchen (America’s Test Kitchen, 2024). 2 c. (10 oz.) all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1⁄2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. sugar 3⁄4 tsp. table salt 1 c. buttermilk, chilled 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tbsp. unsalted butter Directions Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 475 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk flour, ­baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt together in large bowl. Stir buttermilk and melted butter together in 2-cup liquid measuring cup until butter forms clumps. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir with rubber spatula until just incorporated. Using greased 1⁄4-cup dry measuring cup, drop level scoops of batter 1 1⁄2 inches apart on the prepared sheet. Bake until tops are golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and brush on biscuit tops. Transfer biscuits to wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Bacon, Cheese and Black Pepper Biscuits: Add 4 slices cooked, crumbled bacon, 3⁄4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, and 1 teaspoon pepper to flour mixture and stir to combine before adding buttermilk mixture. Chocolate Chip Biscuits: Increase sugar to 1⁄2 cup. Add 1⁄2 cup semisweet chocolate chips to flour mixture and stir to combine before adding buttermilk mixture. Serves 4. From “The Brunch King: Eats, Beats, and Boozy Drinks,” by Joey Maggiore, who writes: “Bruschetta is one of those dishes we always eat. So naturally, I had to make it part of an Italian breakfast. With the creamy crème brûlée topping, crispy sugar and sweet strawberries, bruschetta doesn’t get much better than this. And don’t forget the cotton candy! It gives the palate that sweet kiss at the end. Note: Store extra custard in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. If using frozen custard, defrost in the fridge for 2 days. (Figure 1, 2024). For the crème brûlée custard: 4 egg yolks 1⁄4 c. granulated sugar 1 3⁄4 c. heavy cream 1 Madagascar vanilla bean, split lengthwise For the bruschetta: 1 tbsp. butter 6 slices brioche bread, each cut into 3- by 3- by 1-inch batons 1 1⁄2 c. crème brûlée custard 3 tbsp. brown sugar 12 strawberries, sliced 1⁄2 c. strawberry cotton candy, torn, optional Directions To make the crème brûlée custard: Fill a medium saucepan halfway with water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof bowl large enough to fit over the pan. Whisk until smooth and pale yellow. Set aside. Pour cream into a small saucepan. With the tip of a knife, scrape seeds from the vanilla bean into the pan, add the bean and stir. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, making sure not to burn the mixture. Simmer gently for 3 minutes. Remove bean and scrape any more seeds into the pan. Stir and simmer for 3 more minutes. Ladle a small amount of cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. (This tempers the eggs. If hot cream is added at once, the eggs will scramble.) Keep adding ladles of cream, whisking continuously, until incorporated. Place the bowl over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk vigorously, occasionally scraping the sides to prevent eggs from scrambling. Whisk until the mixture forms a smooth custard. Remove from heat, then transfer to a container (or spread in a baking pan to cool faster). To make the bruschetta: Preheat broiler over high heat. Melt butter in a hot griddle or large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add bread and toast for 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet. Top each baton with a layer of crème brûlée custard, then sprinkle with brown sugar. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until sugar is caramelized. (Or use a kitchen torch and treat your guests to a show.) Arrange strawberries over the caramelized sugar and top with cotton candy, if using. Makes 4 sandwiches. Shakshuka (or one of its derivations) is a popular breakfast throughout northern Africa, southern Europe and Turkey, which covers quite a lot of territory. It is quite simple, consisting of eggs poached in a spicy vegetable sauce. Served on a toasted roll, it becomes a more substantial meal. If you wish, add sliced avocado to your sandwich. From “Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich,” by Owen Han (Harvest, 2024). 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 small yellow onion, chopped 1⁄2 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1⁄2-in. dice 3 cloves garlic, minced 1⁄2 tsp. ground cumin 1⁄2 tsp. sweet or smoked paprika 1⁄8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 large eggs 1⁄2 c. (50 g) crumbled feta cheese 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or cilantro 4 crusty round sandwich rolls, such as kaiser rolls, split, brushed with olive oil, and toasted Directions Make the spicy tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the cumin, paprika and cayenne and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes with their juices and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook at a brisk simmer, stirring often, until the juices thicken, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Using the back of a large spoon, make 4 evenly spaced wells in the sauce. Crack an egg into each well. Cover the skillet and simmer over medium-low heat until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 4 to 5 minutes. Season the eggs with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the cheese and parsley (feta cheese does not melt). Remove from the heat. For each sandwich, place a roll on a dinner plate. Use a large spoon to transfer an egg and a serving of the sauce onto the roll bottom. Cap with the roll top, cut in half, and serve immediately with a fork and knife. Serves 2. From “The Brunch King: Eats, Beats, and Boozy Drinks,” by Joey Maggiore, who writes: “If I put a burger on a menu, it has to be the best burger I have ever eaten. Here, I have a half-pound beef and bacon patty stacked with crispy hash browns, pepper jack cheese, fried onions, hollandaise and a fried egg with an oozy yolk — and every bite pops. Pair this with one a Bloody Mary for the perfect hangover cure.” (Figure 1, 2024) For the hash browns: 4 russet potatoes 2 eggs, beaten 1 large white onion, finely chopped 1⁄2 c. all-purpose flour Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste 1 to 2 tbsp. canola oil For the burger: 8 oz. ground beef (90% lean) 8 oz. bacon, finely chopped 1 tbsp. butter 2 brioche burger buns 2 tsp. olive or canola oil 2 eggs Kosher salt and black pepper 2 slices pepper jack cheese 2 hash browns Fried onions, for serving 1⁄2 c. hollandaise (see below), for serving To prepare the hash browns: Shred potatoes with a box grater. Place in a medium bowl of ice water for 15 minutes. Drain, then rinse under cold running water until water runs clear. (This helps to remove excess starch.) Drain and squeeze dry. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, eggs, onion and flour. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, shape the potato mixture into golf-ball-sized balls. Flatten, then place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess moisture. Add oil to the skillet. Carefully place potatoes in the hot oil and fry for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. For crispier hash browns, press down with a spatula after flipping. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Hash browns can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost at room temperature on a paper towel-lined plate. To prepare the burgers: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine ground beef and bacon and mix thoroughly. Form into 2 (8-ounce) patties. Melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add burger buns, cut sides down. Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown. Set aside and cover with paper towels to keep warm. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add eggs, then break the yolks and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until the whites are set. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Generously season both sides of the patties with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip, then cook for another 3 minutes. Place in the oven and cook for another 4 minutes for medium. Top with cheese and return to the oven for another minute, until cheese has melted. Top each toasted bottom bun with a burger patty, followed by a hash brown, fried egg and fried onions. Serve with a ramekin of hollandaise on the side. Easy blender Chef Pierce hollandaise: Melt 2 sticks of butter and set aside. Place 6 egg yolks, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon hot sauce and 1⁄8 teaspoon paprika in a blender and blend on high speed for 30 seconds. With the motor still running, slowly pour in the warm melted butter in a thin and steady stream until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Season with salt to taste, and use immediately. Serves 10. From “Mama Bell’s Big Family Cooking” by Heather Bell, who writes: “We have made so many wonderful dinner recipes with the slow cooker that I had to try out breakfast. When I was growing up, my mom and dad made breakfast for dinner at least three times a week. Our family really loved breakfast foods. So to make a breakfast recipe and serve it to my family for dinner seemed like a super cool idea. They loved it!” (Adams Media, 2024) 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped 1 (16-oz.) pkg. sliced black forest ham, chopped 10 large eggs 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. ground black pepper 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 c. whole milk 2 tbsp. avocado oil 4 c. (1-in. cubes) French bread 2 c. shredded medium Cheddar cheese, divided Directions In a medium bowl, combine red and green peppers, onion and ham. Stir together and set aside. In a separate medium bowl, combine eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, mustard and milk. Whisk together until lightly scrambled and set aside. In a 10-quart slow cooker, spread oil on the bottom, then layer with 2 cups cubed bread, half of the vegetable and ham mixture, and 1⁄2 cup cheese. Repeat the layers (bread, vegetables and ham, 1⁄2 cup cheese) and then pour egg mixture over the top. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, until egg is cooked through. When done, sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top and serve. _______ ©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

NoneBy Wendy Fry | CalMatters If you’ve hunted for apartments recently and felt like all the rents were equally high, you’re not crazy: Many landlords now use a single company’s software — which uses an algorithm based on proprietary lease information — to help set rent prices. Federal prosecutors say the practice amounts to “an unlawful information-sharing scheme” and some legislators throughout California are moving to curb it. San Diego’s city council president is the latest to do so, proposing to prevent local apartment owners from using the pricing software, which he maintains is driving up housing costs. Also see: California rent hikes: Where are the biggest increases in November? San Diego’s proposed ordinance, now being drafted by the city attorney, comes after San Francisco supervisors in July enacted a similar, first-in-the-nation ban on “the sale or use of algorithmic devices to set rents or manage occupancy levels” for residences. San Jose is considering a similar approach. And California and seven other states have also joined the federal prosecutors’ antitrust suit , which targets the leading rental pricing platform, Texas-based RealPage. The complaint alleges that “RealPage is an algorithmic intermediary that collects, combines, and exploits landlords’ competitively sensitive information. And in so doing, it enriches itself and compliant landlords at the expense of renters who pay inflated prices...” But state legislators this year failed to advance legislation by Bakersfield Democratic Sen. Melissa Hurtado that would have banned the use of any pricing algorithms based on nonpublic data provided by competing companies. She said she plans to bring the bill back during the next legislative session because of what she described as ongoing harms from such algorithms. “We’ve got to make sure the economy is fair and ... that every individual who wants a shot at creating a business has a shot without being destroyed along the way, and that we’re also protecting consumers because it is hurting the pocketbooks of everybody in one way or another,” said Hurtado. RealPage has been a greater impetus for all of the actions. The company counts as its customer landlords with thousands of apartment units across California. Some officials accuse the company of thwarting competition that would otherwise drive rents down, exacerbating the state’s housing shortage and driving up rents in the process. “Every day, millions of Californians worry about keeping a roof over their heads and RealPage has directly made it more difficult to do so,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a written statement. A RealPage spokesperson, Jennifer Bowcock, told CalMatters that a lack of housing supply, not the company’s technology, is the real problem — and that its technology benefits residents, property managers, and others associated with the rental market. The spokesperson later wrote that a “misplaced focus on nonpublic information is a distraction... that will only make San Francisco and San Diego’s historical problems worse.” As for the federal lawsuit, the company called the claims in it “devoid of merit” and said it plans to “vigorously defend ourselves against these accusations.” “We are disappointed that, after multiple years of education and cooperation on the antitrust matters concerning RealPage, the (Justice Department) has chosen this moment to pursue a lawsuit that seeks to scapegoat pro-competitive technology that has been used responsibly for years,” the company’s statement read in part. “RealPage’s revenue management software is purposely built to be legally compliant, and we have a long history of working constructively with the (department) to show that.” The company’s challenges will only grow if pricing software becomes another instance in which California lawmakers lead the nation. Following San Francisco’s ban, the Philadelphia City Council passed a ban on algorithmic rental price-fixing with a veto-proof vote last month. New Jersey has been considering its own ban. Is it price fixing — or coaching landlords? According to federal prosecutors, RealPage controls 80% of the market for commercial revenue management software. Its product is called YieldStar, and its successor is AI Revenue Management, which uses much of the same codebase as YieldStar, but has more precise forecasting. RealPage told CalMatters it serves only 10% of the rental markets in both San Francisco and San Diego, across its three revenue management software products. Here’s how it works: In order to use YieldStar and AIRM, landlords have historically provided RealPage with their own private data from their rental applications, rent prices, executed new leases, renewal offers and acceptances, and estimates of future occupancy, although a recent change allows landlords to choose to share only public data. This information from all participating landlords in an area is then pooled and run through mathematical forecasting to generate pricing recommendations for the landlords and for their competitors. The San Diego council president, Sean Elo-Rivera, explained it like this: “In the simplest terms, what this platform is doing is providing what we think of as that dark, smoky room for big companies to get together and set prices,” he said. “The technology is being used as a way of keeping an arm’s length from one big company to the other. But that’s an illusion.” In the company’s own words, from company documents included in the lawsuit, RealPage “ensures that (landlords) are driving every possible opportunity to increase price even in the most downward trending or unexpected conditions.” The company also said in the documents that it “helps curb (landlords’) instincts to respond to down-market conditions by either dramatically lowering price or by holding price.” Providing rent guidance isn’t the only service RealPage has offered landlords. In 2020, a Markup and New York Times investigation found that RealPage, alongside other companies, used faulty computer algorithms to do automated background checks on tenants. As a result, tenants were associated with criminal charges they never faced, and denied homes. Impact on tenants Thirty-one-year-old Navy veteran Alan Pickens and his wife move nearly every year “because the rent goes up, it gets unaffordable, so we look for a new place to stay,” he said. The northeastern San Diego apartment complex where they just relocated has two-bedroom apartments advertised for between $2,995 and $3,215. They live in an area of San Diego where the U.S. Justice Department says information-sharing agreements between landlords and RealPage have harmed or are likely to harm renters. The department in August filed its antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, alleging the company, through its legacy YieldStar software, engaged in an “ unlawful scheme to decrease competition among landlords in apartment pricing ”. The complaint names specific areas where rents are artificially high. Beyond the part of San Diego where Pickens lives, those areas include South Orange County, Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, and Murrieta and northeastern San Diego. In the second quarter of 2020, the average rent in San Diego County was $1,926, reflecting a 26% increase over three years, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune . Rents have since risen even more in the city of San Diego, to $2,336 per month as of November 2024 – up 21% from 2020, according to RentCafe and the Tribune. That’s 50% higher than the national average rent. The attorneys general of eight states, including California, joined the Justice Department’s antitrust suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The California Justice Department contends RealPage artificially inflated prices to keep them above a certain minimum level, said department spokesperson Elissa Perez. This was particularly harmful given the high cost of housing in the state, she added. “The illegally maintained profits that result from these price alignment schemes come out of the pockets of the people that can least afford it.” Renters make up a larger share of households in California than in the rest of the country — 44% here compared to 35% nationwide. The Golden State also has a higher percentage of renters than any state other than New York, according to the latest U.S. Census data . San Diego has the fourth-highest percentage of renters of any major city in the nation . The recent ranks of California legislators, however, have included few renters: As of 2019, CalMatters could find only one state lawmaker who did not own a home — and found that more than a quarter of legislators at the time were landlords. Studies show that low-income residents are more heavily impacted by rising rents. Nationally between 2000 and 2017, Americans without a college degree spent a higher percentage of their income on rent. That percentage ballooned from 30% to 42%. For college graduates, that percentage increased from 26% to 34%. “In my estimation, the only winners in this situation are the richest companies who are either using this technology or creating this technology,” said Elo-Rivera. “There couldn’t be a more clear example of the rich getting richer while the rest of us are struggling to get by.” The state has invested in RealPage Private equity giant Thoma Bravo acquired RealPage in January 2021 through two funds that have hundreds of millions of dollars in investments from California public pension funds, including the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the Regents of the University of California and the Los Angeles police and fire pension funds, according to Private Equity Stakeholder Project. “They’re invested in things that are directly hurting their pensioners,” said K Agbebiyi, a senior housing campaign coordinator with the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit private equity watchdog that produced a report about corporate landlords ‘ impact on rental hikes in San Diego. RealPage argues that landlords are free to reject the price recommendations generated by its software. But the US Justice Department alleges that trying to do so requires a series of steps, including a conversation with a RealPage pricing adviser. The advisers try to “stop property managers from acting on emotions,” according to the department’s lawsuit. Related Articles Housing | California rent hikes: Where are the biggest increases in November? Housing | 20%-plus of US spends entire paychecks on rent, poll says Housing | Why US sued to stop landlords colluding on rents Housing | Rent inflation won’t cool until 2026, Cleveland Fed says Housing | California has 18 of 20 costliest US cities to rent a house Read this story in Spanish If a property manager disagrees with the price the algorithm suggests and wants to decrease rent rather than increase it, a pricing advisor will “escalate the dispute to the manager’s superior,” prosecutors allege in the suit. In San Diego, the Pickenses, who are expecting their first child, have given up their gym memberships and downsized their cars to remain in the area. They’ve considered moving to Denver. “All the extras pretty much have to go,” said Pickens. “I mean, we love San Diego, but it’s getting hard to live here.” “My wife is an attorney and I served in the Navy for 10 years and now work at Qualcomm,” he said. “Why are we struggling? Why are we struggling?”America’s banking regulator says that it’s costing more to supervise the country’s largest financial institutions. As such, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced Wednesday (Nov. 27) that it was hiking its assessment rates for 2025. The increases are chiefly for larger banks and other institutions requiring more supervision, the OCC said in a news release. “The OCC increased the rates in the general assessment fee schedule for assets above $40 billion by 16 percent to reflect the increased cost of supervising the largest institutions,” the release said. “The OCC increased all other rates in the general assessment fee schedule by 2.65 percent to account for inflation.” The assessment schedule will still include a surcharge for banks that need increased supervisory resources, the OCC added. Banks subject to the surcharge calculate this fee by multiplying the sum of the general assessment — based on the bank’s book assets up to $40 billion — and bank credit union association assessments by 50% for 3-rated banks and 100% for 4- and 5-rated banks. For next year, the OCC is hiking the asset cap from $40 billion to $250 billion, reflecting growth in the banking sector since the asset cap was last raised in 2014. “The 2025 assessment rates will provide the OCC with sufficient resources to recruit, train, and retain the talent and to update the agency’s technology systems as necessary to perform its important mission to maintain the safety, soundness, and fairness of the federal banking system,” the release said. The new assessment rates will go into effect Jan. 1, and will be reflected in assessments paid on March 31 and Sept. 30 of next year. In other OCC news, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu said last week he supports “federal payments regulation and a chartering regime for nonbanks.” Testifying the House Financial Services Committee, Hsu said that if FinTechs remain licensed and regulated at the state level only, some will likely exploit regulatory gaps. “I support the Treasury Department’s call for federal payments regulation and a chartering regime for nonbanks,” Hsu said in the statement. “If well designed, such a system — which could be modeled on the dual banking system with distinct roles for federal versus state authorities — would provide the guardrails necessary to close regulatory gaps, protect consumers and promote more responsible innovation and competition.”

As safety continues to be a top priority for both car manufacturers and consumers, the latest release of the Ideal L6 model has taken the spotlight with its impressive C-NCAP scores. The C-NCAP (China-New Car Assessment Program) is a comprehensive safety assessment system that evaluates the crashworthiness and safety features of vehicles, providing valuable insights into their overall safety performance.Utah Hockey Club walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto trafficIran condemns U.S. "illegal interventions" in Venezuela's internal affairs

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The Orangeburg Touchdown Club concluded its 22nd season Thursday with SC State head coach Chennis Berry giving an overview of his team’s MEAC championship season. “We still have some work to do (this season),” Berry said. “We know there’s some work down the line a few weeks from now, but my focus is on a good Norfolk State football team. I always make sure our players are locked into the task at hand. We’re focused on now.” Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com. View our latest offer at TheTandD.com/subscribe South Carolina State is set to honor 27 seniors Saturday prior to its game against the Spartans. As Berry laid out his coaching philosophy, he was sure to highlight what he and his staff do off the field for the team. “This game of football has an expiration date,” Berry said. “We want to make sure these young men continue to win of the field. They will be fathers, husbands and leaders of the community long after playing football. We concentrate on a holistic development because we care about them.” Orangeburg Touchdown Club members Willie Jeffries, far left, and Oliver 'Buddy' Pough, far right, recognize Orangeburg-Wilkinson's Jordan Avinger, center right, and Denmark-Olar's Robert Bovain as the Players of the Week during Thursday's meeting. Berry also invited SC State’s defensive coordinator Jordan Odaffer and offensive coordinator Johnathan Williams to address the club. Odaffer has helped lead an SC State defense that is second in the MEAC in total defense and leads the league in rushing defense. Defensive end Ashaad Hall leads the league in sacks and tackles for loss. Odaffer said he and his staff track 17 defensive metrics on four different levels (elite, acceptable, needs improvement and failure). “Out of the 17 metrics, we currently have 10 at the elite level meaning we’re in the top ten percent of teams in the country,” Odaffer said. “I could not be prouder of our young men, but it has everything to do with them and their work and nothing to do with me.” Williams has helped South Carolina State become the MEAC leader in total offense averaging just over 418 yards per game. SC State currently has the top three receivers in the league in Caden High, Einaj Carter and Justin Smith-Brown. “We’re charged with the task of bridging the gap between potential and performance,” Williams said. “We saw that potential either on the field or during the recruiting process, but we had to get (our players) to perform. We don’t ask our guys to be great, just that they are consistently good every day.” Orangeburg Touchdown Club member Willie Jeffries, left, and Candace Berry-Vaughn, executive director of the Orangeburg County Community of Character present the Willie Jeffries Character Award to Branchville's Khasean Saldano. The Orangeburg Community of Character presented its Willie Jeffries Character Award to Branchville lineman Khasean Saldano. Jeffries was also honored by being selected as The Works Physical Therapy Comeback Player of the Year. Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s Jordan Avinger received the Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week presented by The Works while Denmark-Olar’s Robert Bovain was named Defensive Player of the Week. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Austin, Dec. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SNS Insider report indicates that, “ The Surface Disinfectant Market size was valued at USD 5.4 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 10.3 billion by 2032, and grow at a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period 2024-2032. ” The Surface Disinfectant Market is experiencing significant growth driven by heightened hygiene awareness, the rise in healthcare-associated infections, and stringent government regulations enforcing sanitation standards. Demand for advanced disinfectant solutions is particularly strong in healthcare, hospitality, and residential sectors, where maintaining a germ-free environment is essential. Companies are innovating to develop faster, more effective, and eco-friendly products, exemplified by Diversey’s launch of Oxivir Three 64 in May 2024 and SC Johnson's new disinfectant line in May 2023. Additionally, research published in May 2023 confirmed the efficacy of alcohol-based disinfectants against emerging pathogens like the monkeypox virus. With technological advancements and sustainability trends shaping market dynamics, there is a growing emphasis on safer formulations, such as bio-based and accelerated hydrogen peroxide disinfectants, creating new opportunities for market participants while reflecting a competitive landscape focused on meeting the rising demand for superior hygiene solutions. Download PDF Sample of Surface Disinfectant Market @ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3602 Key Companies: 3M Company (C. diff Solution Tablets, HB Quat Disinfectant Cleaner) BASF SE (Glutaraldehyde-based disinfectants, Hydrogen peroxide solutions) Diversey Holdings, Ltd. (Oxivir TB, Virex II 256) Ecolab (Oasis Pro 66, Peroxide Multi Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant) Evonik Industries AG (Vestocide, Protectol PE) GOJO Industries, Inc. (PURELL Healthcare Surface Disinfectant, PURELL Professional Surface Disinfectant) Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Pril Surface Cleaner, Bref Power Cleaner) Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health (Band-Aid Antiseptic Wash, Neosporin Wound Cleanser) Kimberley-Clark Corporation (KCWW) (Kimcare Antibacterial Surface Cleaner, Scott 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes) Medline Industries (Micro-Kill R2, Micro-Kill One Germicidal Alcohol Wipes) PDI Inc. (Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Wipes, Sani-Prime Germicidal Spray) Procter & Gamble (Microban 24 Sanitizing Spray, Comet Disinfecting Cleaner) Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC (Lysol Disinfecting Spray, Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleaner) SC Johnson Professional (TruShot Disinfectant, Windex Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner) Spartan Chemical Company (TB-Cide Quat, Halt Disinfectant Cleaner) Steris (Spor-Klenz Ready-to-Use Disinfectant, Vesphene II SE Disinfectant) The Clorox Company (Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes, Clorox Disinfecting Mist) Unilever (Domestos Surface Spray, Cif Pro Formula) W.M. Barr (Klean-Strip Disinfectant Cleaner, Mold Armor Mold and Mildew Killer) Whiteley Corporation (Viraclean, Hypochlor) Surface Disinfectant Market Report Scope: If You Need Any Customization on Surface Disinfectant Market Report, I nquire Now @ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/3602 What are the growth factors of the Surface Disinfectant market? The growth of the Surface Disinfectant market is primarily driven by several factors: The increasing focus on sanitation in healthcare settings, where surface disinfectants are crucial in controlling infections, has driven the growth of the market. The food sector is heavily investing in surface disinfectants to ensure hygiene and safety, with stringent regulations being enforced globally. Increased awareness about the importance of clean environments, especially post-COVID-19, has made disinfectants a staple in homes and commercial spaces. Supply Chain Analysis of the Surface Disinfectant Market The Surface Disinfectant market shows varied adoption across sectors, with healthcare leading at 40% adoption and an 8.5% CAGR, driven by heightened hygiene protocols and infection prevention. The food and beverage industry follows at 25% adoption with a 7.2% CAGR, due to strict food safety standards. Residential and commercial spaces account for 20% of adoption and a 6.8% CAGR, as consumer hygiene awareness increases. Retail and wholesale stores represent 15% with a 5.9% CAGR, driven by cleanliness standards and public health concerns. Additionally, the rise in demand for eco-friendly disinfectants and regulations in regions like Europe further boosts market growth across these industries. Which segment dominated the Synthetic Paper Market? In 2023, the hospitals and clinics segment dominated the surface disinfectant market, holding around 40% of the market share. This dominance is driven by the stringent hygiene standards and infection control requirements in healthcare environments. Hospitals and clinics rely on high-performance disinfectants to sanitize surfaces, medical equipment, and patient areas. Alcohol-based and hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants are commonly used in these settings due to their quick action and effectiveness against pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The essential need for infection prevention in healthcare facilities ensures sustained demand for disinfectants in this sector. Recent Developments April 2023: SC Johnson unveiled its new FamilyGuardTM Brand Disinfectant Line, enabling families to maintain a clean and safe environment while enjoying activities without worry. January 2023: Medline partnered with Integrated UVC Solutions to advance UV disinfection in healthcare. Through this collaboration, Medline will distribute the Spectra 1000 device, providing integrated surface and air disinfection solutions to healthcare providers. Speak with O ur E xpert A nalyst T oday to G ain D eeper I nsights @ https://www.snsinsider.com/request-analyst/3602 Regional Analysis In 2023, North America dominated the Surface Disinfectant market in 2023, holding a market share of 40%. This is largely attributed to the region’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, high consumer awareness regarding hygiene, and the increased use of disinfectants in both residential and commercial spaces. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the market, leading to a long-lasting demand for disinfectants in public areas, healthcare settings, and food service industries. In addition, U.S. government regulations on cleanliness and infection control have further supported the dominance of this region. The Surface Disinfectant Market is poised for strong growth, driven by innovations in product formulations and a rising demand for hygiene solutions across various sectors. The market's growth is primarily fueled by the increasing adoption of disinfectants in healthcare and food safety, as well as heightened consumer awareness around cleanliness and health. Table of Contents – Major Key Points 1. Introduction Market Definition Scope (Inclusion and Exclusions) Research Assumptions 2. Executive Summary Market Overview Regional Synopsis Competitive Summary 3. Research Methodology Top-Down Approach Bottom-up Approach Data Validation Primary Interviews 4. Market Dynamics Impact Analysis Market Driving Factors Analysis PESTLE Analysis Porter’s Five Forces Model 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting Production Capacity and Utilization, by Country, by Region, 2023 Raw Distribution Channel Pricing Analysis, by Country, by Region, 2023 Regulatory Impact, by Country, by Region, 2023 Environmental Metrics: Emissions Data, Waste Management Practices, and Sustainability Initiatives, by Region Innovation and R&D, by Region, 2023 6. Competitive Landscape List of Major Companies, By Region Market Share Analysis, By Region Product Benchmarking Strategic Initiatives Technological Advancements Market Positioning and Branding 7. Surface Disinfectant Market Segmentation, by Composition 8. Surface Disinfectant Market Segmentation, by Form 9. Surface Disinfectant Market Segmentation, by End-use 10. Surface Disinfectant Market Segmentation, by Distribution Channel 11. Regional Analysis 12. Company Profiles 13. Use Cases and Best Practices 14. Conclusion Buy Full Research Report on Surface Disinfectant Market 2024-2032 @ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/3602 Buying Options 5 Reports Pack (USD 7500) 10 Report Pack (USD 12000) Vertical Subscription (150 Reports Pack Valid for 1 Year) Use this link to Purchase above packs @ https://www.snsinsider.com/subscription [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com ] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world.Utah Hockey Club walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto traffic

However, others suggest that Nvidia's situation may be more complex and connected to the broader geopolitical tensions between the United States and China. As the trade war between the two superpowers intensifies, technology companies are increasingly caught in the crossfire, facing restrictions on doing business with Chinese firms and heightened scrutiny of their strategic investments. Nvidia's proposed acquisition of Arm Holdings, which has close ties to Chinese tech companies, has raised red flags in Washington and fueled suspicions about potential national security risks.

Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrum

Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base who have gravitated in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success — Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice Friday night. For decades, labor unions sided with Democrats and were greeted largely with hostility by Republicans. Now, with Trump’s populist appeal, his working-class base saw a decent share of union rank-and-file voting for Republicans this year, even as major unions, including the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers, endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the White House race. Trump sat down with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union leadership and members this year. When he emerged from that meeting, he boasted that a significant chunk of union voters were backing him. Of a possible Teamsters endorsement, he said, “Stranger things have happened.” The Teamsters ultimately declined to endorse either Trump, the former president, or Harris, the vice president, though leader Sean O’Brien had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Kara Deniz, a Teamsters spokesperson, told the Associated Press that O’Brien met with more than a dozen House Republicans this past week to lobby on behalf of Chavez-DeRemer. “Chavez-DeRemer would be an excellent choice for labor secretary and has his backing,” Deniz said. The work of the Labor Department affects workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize and employers’ rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. On Election Day, Trump deepened his support among voters without a college degree after running just slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Biden with noncollege voters in 2020. Trump made modest gains, earning a clear majority of this group, while only about 4 in 10 supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. Roughly 18% of voters in this year’s election were from union households, with Harris winning a majority of the group. But Trump’s performance among union members kept him competitive and helped him win key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Chavez-DeRemer was one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act, which would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The measure would 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. Trump’s first term saw firmly pro-business policies from his appointees across government, including those on the National Labor Relations Board. Trump, a real estate developer and businessman before winning the presidency, generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. During his recent campaign, Trump criticized union bosses and at one point suggested UAW members should not pay their dues. His first administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge since struck down the Biden administration’s more generous overtime rules. Trump stacked his incoming administration with officials who worked on the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint, which includes a sharp swing away from Biden’s pro-union policies. “Chavez-DeRemer’s record suggests she understands the value of policies that strengthen workers’ rights and economic security,” said Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of National Employment Law Project, which is backed by many of the country’s major labor unions. “But the Trump administration’s agenda is fundamentally at odds with these principles, threatening to roll back workplace protections, undermine collective bargaining, and prioritize corporate profits over the needs of working people. This is where her true commitment to workers will be tested.” Other union leaders also issued praise but sounded a note of caution. “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching ... as she moves through the confirmation process,” the president of the National Education Association, Becky Pringle, said, “and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler welcomed the choice while taking care to note Trump’s history of opposing polices that support unions. “It remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as secretary of labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda,” Shuler said.Utah Hockey Club walks to arena after bus gets stuck in Toronto traffic

The Orangeburg Touchdown Club concluded its 22nd season Thursday with SC State head coach Chennis Berry giving an overview of his team’s MEAC championship season. “We still have some work to do (this season),” Berry said. “We know there’s some work down the line a few weeks from now, but my focus is on a good Norfolk State football team. I always make sure our players are locked into the task at hand. We’re focused on now.” Support local journalism by becoming a member at www.TheTandD.com. View our latest offer at TheTandD.com/subscribe South Carolina State is set to honor 27 seniors Saturday prior to its game against the Spartans. As Berry laid out his coaching philosophy, he was sure to highlight what he and his staff do off the field for the team. “This game of football has an expiration date,” Berry said. “We want to make sure these young men continue to win of the field. They will be fathers, husbands and leaders of the community long after playing football. We concentrate on a holistic development because we care about them.” Orangeburg Touchdown Club members Willie Jeffries, far left, and Oliver 'Buddy' Pough, far right, recognize Orangeburg-Wilkinson's Jordan Avinger, center right, and Denmark-Olar's Robert Bovain as the Players of the Week during Thursday's meeting. Berry also invited SC State’s defensive coordinator Jordan Odaffer and offensive coordinator Johnathan Williams to address the club. Odaffer has helped lead an SC State defense that is second in the MEAC in total defense and leads the league in rushing defense. Defensive end Ashaad Hall leads the league in sacks and tackles for loss. Odaffer said he and his staff track 17 defensive metrics on four different levels (elite, acceptable, needs improvement and failure). “Out of the 17 metrics, we currently have 10 at the elite level meaning we’re in the top ten percent of teams in the country,” Odaffer said. “I could not be prouder of our young men, but it has everything to do with them and their work and nothing to do with me.” Williams has helped South Carolina State become the MEAC leader in total offense averaging just over 418 yards per game. SC State currently has the top three receivers in the league in Caden High, Einaj Carter and Justin Smith-Brown. “We’re charged with the task of bridging the gap between potential and performance,” Williams said. “We saw that potential either on the field or during the recruiting process, but we had to get (our players) to perform. We don’t ask our guys to be great, just that they are consistently good every day.” Orangeburg Touchdown Club member Willie Jeffries, left, and Candace Berry-Vaughn, executive director of the Orangeburg County Community of Character present the Willie Jeffries Character Award to Branchville's Khasean Saldano. The Orangeburg Community of Character presented its Willie Jeffries Character Award to Branchville lineman Khasean Saldano. Jeffries was also honored by being selected as The Works Physical Therapy Comeback Player of the Year. Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s Jordan Avinger received the Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week presented by The Works while Denmark-Olar’s Robert Bovain was named Defensive Player of the Week. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.In conclusion, the disagreements between Zelensky and Trump on ceasefire conditions highlight the divergent perspectives and priorities of the parties involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. It is essential for all stakeholders to work together towards a peaceful resolution that upholds the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of civilians. Only through genuine dialogue and cooperation can a sustainable and just peace be achieved in the region.Martha Barrantes Forecasts the Future of Accounting: Key Insights for Small Businesses to Stay Competitive

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy say they’re hunting for ways to make American government more efficient. One possible target: the semiannual changing of the clock that so many Americans dislike. “Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes!” Musk wrote last week on his social platform, X, linking to another user’s online poll that found most respondents wanted to end daylight saving time. The practice of shifting clocks forward one hour in March and back one hour in November is intended to maximize Americans’ exposure to sunlight during working hours but has long been derided for causing groggy mornings, missed appointments and even some public health problems. “It’s inefficient & easy to change,” Ramaswamy wrote in a reply to Musk. It was not immediately clear whether the two men, whom President-elect Donald Trump has tapped to run a new effort dubbed the “Department of Government Efficiency” were seriously floating a new policy priority or just spitballing on social media. It was also unclear how a Trump White House would seek to end clock changes, given that Congress – not the executive branch – has controlled the nation’s time shifts, and lawmakers’ recent legislation has stalled. Ramaswamy did not respond to a request for comment. X and Tesla, which Musk also owns, did not immediately respond to requests sent to them asking for comment from Musk. In a follow-up post, Musk told Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that he did indeed want to end the time changes. The simmering fight over how Americans set their clocks, and when they must do it, has drawn unusual coalitions in Washington based more on geography than on politics. Republicans and Democrats, mostly from the coasts, have called for year-round daylight saving time, saying that permanently advancing the clocks one hour and never “falling back” would allow more people to enjoy sunshine and avoid the frustrations involved with resetting clocks. “Switching the clocks just doesn’t make sense for a country on the move,” Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts) said in a statement to The Washington Post. “But we need permanent daylight saving time – more hours of daylight in the evening means more hours to get things done.” Politicians in the center of the country have often balked at the idea, warning that a year-round “spring forward” would mean winter sunrises that could creep past 9 a.m. in cities such as Indianapolis and Detroit. Meanwhile, public health groups have said that permanent standard time would be more natural for our circadian rhythms, citing research that the clock changes increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke and other health problems. “There is a significant stress on the body, and changes that occur, when we are not aligned to the right internal clock,” Lourdes DelRosso, a sleep medicine physician at the University of California at San Francisco-Fresno and co-chair of this year’s World Sleep Day awareness event, said in an interview earlier this year. A March 2023 YouGov poll found that 62% of Americans want to end the practice of changing the clocks, but there was little consensus over what to do next. Half of respondents said they wanted year-round daylight saving time, just under one-third wanted permanent standard time and the remainder said they were unsure or had no opinion. For more than a century, Americans have shifted their clocks forward every spring and back every fall, a tradition that was eventually enshrined in federal law. Voters’ complaints about those clock changes are not new. Lawmakers in the early 1970s moved to permanently adopt daylight saving time, but the decision almost immediately backfired with nationwide complaints, such as children waiting in the dark for school buses to arrive. Congress rolled back the change after 10 months. That defeat has not stopped Markey and other lawmakers who have steadily pushed to lengthen the number of days that Americans spend under daylight saving time, extending that period in 1985, and again in 2005. Most Americans now live with daylight saving time for 238 days a year – nearly eight months. (Two states, Hawaii and most of Arizona, have opted out of the semiannual time changes and remain on permanent standard time, which states are allowed to do.) But states cannot adopt permanent daylight saving time unless Congress passes a bill that allows them to do so. There is a growing political movement attempting to do just that; the Senate in 2022 passed a bill that died in the House. Twenty states have also approved measures that would allow them to adopt year-round daylight saving time if Congress passed a bill making it permanent nationwide, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other countries have ended their own clock changes, including Mexico, which moved to abolish daylight saving time in 2022. Musk was born and spent his childhood in South Africa – which does not follow daylight saving time – and has previously mocked America’s semiannual time changes. “Finally, an explanation for daylight savings that makes sense ...” the billionaire entrepreneur wrote on social media in 2017, linking to a video by the Onion, a satirical news site, that lampooned the practice. President Biden’s views on time changes are unclear. The White House has not responded to questions in the past two years about whether Biden supported efforts in Congress to adopt year-round daylight saving time, which may have stifled lawmakers’ attempts to attract support for their bill. But the next president appears more receptive. “Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!” Trump wrote on social media in March 2019, the Monday morning after the “spring forward” took effect that year. The Transportation Department oversees the implementation of daylight saving time, and agency officials have said DOT does not have the authority to change it without an act of Congress. It is not clear whether Musk and Ramaswamy, who have argued that recent Supreme Court decisions would allow the White House to make regulatory changes without going through Congress, see a path to doing so with daylight saving time. Their commission is supposed to make its recommendations to the president by July 4, 2026 – the date they’ve targeted to wind down their panel. Musk and Ramaswamy may have other allies in Trump’s emerging administration. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Trump’s pick to serve as secretary of state, has spent years calling to end clock changes and make daylight saving time year-round. “My Sunshine Protection Act would end this stupid practice of changing our clocks back and forth,” Rubio said in a statement in March, referencing his legislation. His office did not respond to a request for comment about whether Rubio had spoken with Musk and Ramaswamy about ending the semiannual clock changes. “Can we just stop changing our clocks twice a year?” Jim O’Neill, Trump’s pick to be deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, wrote on X in 2022. “The one industry that doesn’t need disruption is daylight.” We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use . More information is found on our FAQs . You can modify your screen name here . Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve. Please sign into your Sun Journal account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can register or subscribe . Questions? Please see our FAQs . Your commenting screen name has been updated. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous Next »a jaballa 。

Title: The Trend of Young People Choosing Disney for Study Sessions

The intersection of sports and fashion has long been a captivating space for fans and enthusiasts alike. When two powerhouses come together to collaborate on a unique and innovative project, the result is often a groundbreaking product that resonates with audiences on a global scale. This is precisely the case with the recent fan-designed FC Barcelona x Kobe Bryant co-branded away jersey for the upcoming season.WASHINGTON (AP) — In the two weeks since Donald Trump won the presidency, he's tried to demonstrate his dominance by naming loyalists for top administration positions, even though many lack expertise and some face sexual misconduct accusations. It often seems like he's daring Congress to oppose his decisions. But on Thursday, Trump's attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country's top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump's other picks might exceed his party's willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he's denied. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s choices for other positions. “One at a time,” he said. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump's election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . Although some of his personnel choices have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News host, is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth's lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn't the only hurdle for Kennedy; he's spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there's grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale." “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke," Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.

In conclusion, the recent ban of 83 accounts in the foreign server of "Infinity Warmth" is a clear indication of the game developers' unwavering stance against cheating and their dedication to maintaining a fair and competitive gaming environment. By prioritizing integrity and fairness, "Infinity Warmth" is not only safeguarding the gameplay experience for its players but also setting a standard for ethical gaming practices in the industry as a whole.Irving's journey to becoming the Mavericks' one-on-one king was not an easy one. He had to face off against some of the toughest competition in the league, including the likes of Luka Dončić, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Tim Hardaway Jr. But through his sheer determination, skill, and basketball IQ, Irving was able to emerge victorious time and time again, earning the respect and admiration of his teammates and coaches.

The drop in food prices was particularly significant, as it is a crucial component of the CPI and has a direct impact on people's daily lives. Factors such as the increase in supply and the decrease in demand for certain food products contributed to the decline in food prices. Additionally, the easing of transportation and logistics costs also played a role in the overall reduction in food prices.

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abet raz LINCOLN — There’s a cost to Nebraska football embracing its 34-year tradition of Black Friday games. A chance to reflect much, for one thing. Or celebrate, for another. NU on Saturday ended a 10-game losing streak to Wisconsin and a seven-season bowl drought in one fell swoop, but when the Huskers reconvened Monday, a short week of preparation for a nasty rival stared them right in the face. “We haven’t even had a team meeting since the game,” Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said at his weekly press conference. “We walked in today, 8 o’clock, and it’s Iowa special teams (prep). No time for ‘hey, great job.’ There’s no time for it.” Bad memories still linger in the Huskers’ minds, though. The Hawkeyes have won eight of the last nine in this series — six of those by one score, including last year, a 13-10 gut punch that kept Nebraska from making a bowl. If Iowa blew kisses at NU in 2019 on a game-winning field goal, they did something else in 2023. “Their players are waving at our guys — ‘hey, have a good Christmas!’ — that was painful,” Rhule said. “That was really painful. So I don’t doubt that our guys will be ready. But their guys will be ready. It really just comes down to football.” Win the turnover battle. Block and tackle well. Make plays when they’re available. Execute the way offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen wants. To focus on those things — without the psychological pressure of a long December hanging over the program’s head — is a nice bonus to clinching the bowl before heading to Kinnick Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. game on NBC. The temps will be in the 20s; Nebraska, practicing outside most of the year, is prepared for that. Iowa’s offense, though fitted with a new coordinator, resembles a more effective version of the Hawkeyes’ recent attacks, with a blend of power and zone runs executed by running back Kaleb Johnson, second nationally in rush yards. Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten — and 13 th nationally — in rushing yards per game. “They’ve run some people off the field just by running the football down their throat,” Rhule said. So, Iowa is Iowa is Iowa. It was Iowa 10 years ago, when it lost 37-34 to Nebraska two days before the firing of Bo Pelini. It was Iowa two years ago on the day it lost to NU just as the school was finalizing a deal for Rhule. And at 7-4 overall — 5-3 in the Big Ten — this season, it is Iowa now. Nebraska, on the other hand, moved from a program with no bowl berths this decade to at least one this winter. It saw, in its win over Wisconsin, a work ethic rewarded, a process confirmed and a rare midseason offensive coordinator hire vindicated. “They know that they can do it, they know they’re capable of it,” Rhule said. “So let’s continue to do it. That’s the expectation now. What was once possible, now we know we can do it, so let’s do it.” Rhule anticipates Nebraska’s roster will be healthier after the flu ran through the team last week, and NU’s offense now manages playing time the way the Husker defensive coaches have — by who practices well during the week. That translated into backups who got more snaps against Wisconsin than other games this season — Emmett Johnson, Luke Lindenmeyer and Nate Boerkircher — and who stood more often on the sideline. That’s Holgorsen’s effect, to some degree, and it’s the new price of success. "Dana's brought a standard, offensively, that, I'm not going to say we didn't have before,” Rhule said, “but he has the experience to kind of follow through on it that will be good for us all to learn from.” The lessons learned in a game are the lessons learned in a season, Rhule said. The week is short, the prep is detailed and Iowa is Iowa. Who might Nebraska be? “We have to make sure the football’s right,” Rhule said. Get local news delivered to your inbox!A Nigerian billionaire’s firm is set to roll out the first AI-powered Radio station in Nigeria The new radio station will commence operations in January 2025, combining entertainment and e-commerce KongaFM will be a pioneer said station in Africa, combining artificial intelligence with entertainment PAY ATTENTION: Follow our WhatsApp channel to never miss out on the news that matters to you! Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade. Nigeria is set for a historic launch of its first AI-powered radio station, marking a breakthrough initiative by Konga, an e-commerce company. The station is reportedly scheduled to begin operations in January 2025 and will be known as KongaFM. KongaFM to combine AI and entertainment The station is said to be the first in Africa to combine artificial intelligence with entertainment and commerce. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! According to reports, a source disclosed that KongaFM will be a pioneer platform to empower brands, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers to connect with unreached markets and change the e-commerce landscape. Read also Nigerian billionaire starts another building material business as cement price increases Leadership reports that the station will deliver non-stop music and a unique mix of entertainment and commercial opportunities. The platform's latest media push is part of its wider plans to disrupt conventional marketing communications and amplify consumer engagement across sectors such as FMCG and electronic and digital solutions. Company promises statement in January The move is reportedly set to ignite the FX market, influencing the pricing and availability of critical goods and commodities. It aligns with Konga’s history of innovation in the e-commerce sector. The company has not commented on the new move, although Konga Group CEO Nnamdi Ekeh promised an official statement in January. Konga was acquired by the Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Ekeh, merging with Yudala, a then-burgeoning e-commerce firm. Nigerian billionaire launches cable television Legit.ng earlier reported that KongTV, Africa's first 24-hour buyers and sellers television platform , launched in 2023. The television station launched on November 6, 2023, which coincided with the company's biggest sale of the year. Read also Nigerian entrepreneurs share N11m in TrendX’s Pitch2win competition The television station is designed to offer competitive pricing from sources including manufacturers, distributors, merchants, and resellers. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng

Infinix partners UNESCO to empower UI students with AI, robotics training

( MENAFN - Swissinfo) Iran has summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents US interests. This was to protest against the arrest in the US and Italy of two Iranians suspected of transferring sensitive technologies, local media reported. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox On Monday, the US justice system formally accused Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedini of“exporting sophisticated electronic components to Iran”, in violation of US regulations and US sanctions against Iran. These components were used in a drone attack in Jordan in January that claimed the lives of three US servicemen, the US Department of Justice said in a statement. Iran had denied any involvement and denounced the allegations as“baseless”. MENAFN22122024000210011054ID1109021555 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Eagle-eyed viewers spot Tulisa was eager to remove 'all traces' of I'm A CelebWhy drone hysteria has taken off

Do you often find yourself in bed, endlessly scrolling, not remembering what you were supposed to do before you got distracted? Do you ever feel more overwhelmed and stressed after checking your phone? These are signs that it may be time to declutter your social media . Although social media is essential in today’s digital age to stay connected with loved ones, for productivity, and to stay up-to-date with news, it can also be overwhelming. Decluttering can be a way to regain control of your digital environment, allowing you to remain connected but be more intentional about its use. The Problem With Digital Clutter Digital clutter is having overwhelming notifications, irrelevant content, and unused apps on your phone. Too much overwhelming content online can have potentially negative mental health effects . Social media can cause anxiety because it offers too much content, constantly swaying your emotions as you scroll. One way to tell that social media affects your mood is if you continually feel overwhelmed, anxious, or negative after viewing content. It can be challenging to let go of social media use or minimize it. Social media is the modern way to keep up with family and friends. Letting go can mean experiencing some FOMO (fear of missing out), but it may be for the better if it impacts your daily life. Benefits of Decluttering Your Social Media After decluttering the content seen online, you may have better mental clarity. Beyond digital apps, ads, and notifications being distracting, online content can no longer make you feel down after using it. Additionally, limiting social media use may improve sleep , further improving your cognition. Smartphones are incredibly useful tools. They allow us to be productive on the go, provide us with essential daily functions, and keep us in touch with people. However, we often become distracted by something else on the phone other than what we should be doing. Decluttering your digital world can lead to better time management, so your attempts to be productive are productive. A Guide to Decluttering Your Feeds First, audit any accounts you are following. Go through each account and ask, “Does this bring value to my life?” Or “Do I care about keeping up with them?” Removing harmful, unhelpful, distracting, or useless accounts can better align what you see online with your interests. Blocking ads on social media or any other website can prevent you from falling into a digital rabbit hole. Popups and ads often redirect us to interesting websites but don’t necessarily add value to our time. Turn off any unnecessary notifications. Every ding you hear, and every numbered icon on your app reminds you of something else you could be doing. With intentional actions, there’s no time like the present. Streamlining your feeds can help remove emotionally charged content. It doesn’t feel good to turn off your phone after watching a video that made you sad, angry, anxious, or stressed. Using tools like Instagram’s favorites or TikTok’s “not interested” can help streamline your feed to only show content relevant to your interests. Setting strict boundaries about when, where, and how long you can use social media is important. Yes, these platforms are addictive, so placing strict time limits can help you not become immersed for too long. Setting up screen time limit apps can hold you accountable for the time spent online. Maintaining a Decluttered Digital Space Periodically check in so your feeds, notifications, and ads are relevant and manageable. As your life evolves, so should your digital space. Ensure your online content is serving you rather than the other way around. Having a healthy relationship with the online world is essential in an increasingly digital world. Decluttering your digital space has clear positive effects: more time, mental clarity, and peace of mind. Starting small is all it takes to make a meaningful change. Consider using these tips to create a more intentional and fulfilling online experience. DISCLAIMER: No part of this article was written by The Signal editorial staff.European troika says diplomatic talks with Iran will continue

Fushi Technology To Launch AI Agent Industry Vertical Applications, Accelerating Southeast Asia Market Expansion Media Outreach Newswire APACPPAC component of power bill reduced, relief for consumers in Delhi: Officials

Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughing HOUSTON (AP) — Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in corporate fraud and greed in America after it went bankrupt in 2001, is coming back. But the infamous company's return seems to be an elaborate joke. If its return is comedic, some former Enron employees who lost everything in the company’s collapse aren’t laughing. They're angry at a publicity stunt they say minimizes what they went through. Enron was once the nation’s seventh-largest company, but it went bankrupt amid massive accounting fraud. On Monday, a company representing itself as Enron announced it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” But a paper trail of legal documents points to the comeback being parody and performance art. Sean Penn accuses Academy Awards of cowardice at Marrakech Film Festival MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — Sean Penn has blasted the organizers of the Oscars of being cowards who, in effect, limit the kind of films that can be funded and made. The 64-year-old actor said Tuesday he gets excited about the Academy Awards only on the rare occasion that films he values are nominated. Penn’s remarks dovetail with longstanding criticisms of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for lacking diversity. The institution has in recent years tried to adopt more proactive steps to reform and rebrand itself, but has faced criticism for not going far enough. Penn's comments came at the Marrakech Film Festival. Kendrick Lamar and SZA announce 2025 North American stadium tour NEW YORK (AP) — “Not Like Us,” it’s like them. Kendrick Lamar and SZA will hit the road together in 2025. Lamar and SZA announced Tuesday the Grand National Tour, which will hit 19 stadiums across North America next spring and summer. The tour kicks off on April 19 in Minneapolis before going to Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington state, California, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Michigan and Washington, D.C. Tickets go on sale Friday. A pre-sale for Cash App Visa Card holders will launch Wednesday. The news arrives less than two weeks after Lamar released his latest album, “GNX,” which features SZA on two tracks. Authorities fear a Pennsylvania woman was swallowed by a sinkhole while looking for her cat Authorities fear a grandmother who disappeared while looking for her cat may have been swallowed up by a sinkhole that recently opened up in a western Pennsylvania village. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole in Marguerite on Tuesday morning but detected nothing. A second camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe. Police say the family of 64-year-old Elizabeth Pollard called police at about 1 a.m. to say she hadn't been seen since going out Monday evening to search for Pepper, her cat. They found her 5-year-old granddaughter in her parked car near the manhole-sized opening. It’s not clear what happened to Pepper. Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 games without pay after violent hit on Trevor Lawrence HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games for repeated violations of player safety rules following his hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion. Al-Shaair’s punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, he noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons. Runyan says “video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide.” Last 2 defendants in Atlanta's Young Thug trial are acquitted of murder and gang charges ATLANTA (AP) — The long-running gang and racketeering trial in Atlanta that led rapper Young Thug to plead guilty in October has ended with a jury finding the last two defendants not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges. Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges and Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of a gun possession charge. Jury selection in the trial began nearly two years ago after prosecutors indicted 28 defendants. They said YSL was a criminal gang co-founded by Grammy-winning Young Thug. The Atlanta-born rapper’s given name is Jeffery Williams. He was released on probation after pleading guilty to gang, drug and gun charges. Great Lakes region braces for more snow while cleaning up after lake-effect storms Cleanup work is continuing around parts of the Great Lakes region socked by lake-effect snowstorms that dropped several feet of snow over the weekend. Forecasters are warning that another storm system could add a few more inches and maybe even more later this week. Many school districts in western Pennsylvania remained closed Tuesday as the storms were finally slowing after several days of lake-effect snow that also fell on parts of western New York, Ohio and Michigan. Snow totals since Thanksgiving in some places are nearing six feet. New women's baseball league names 97-year-old AAGPBL alum honorary chair on advisory board Former baseball pitcher Maybelle Blair will be an honorary chair on the advisory board of the Women’s Professional Baseball League, which last month announced plans to launch in 2026 as a six-team circuit for female players. The 97-year-old Blair helped inspire the baseball film “A League of Their Own” with her play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She will chair a board of women who have worked in sports and business. The list includes a leader from the upstart Professional Women’s Hockey League, a longtime ESPN executive, and baseball pitcher and six-time World Cup winner Ayami Sato. Search suspended for man believed to have gone overboard from cruise ship off California's coast SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it has suspended the search for a man believed to have gone overboard from a cruise ship as it was returning to San Francisco after a voyage to Ensenada, Mexico. The Ruby Princess arrived in San Francisco at 6:50 a.m. Monday following the five-day trip. Officials searched the ship several times for the missing passenger. They also scoured CCTV videos, but there was no sign of the man. Princess Cruises says the 72-year-old American citizen was traveling alone. The Coast Guard began aerial searches that were suspended around 5:30 p.m. Chicago house party shooting kills 3 men and wounds five other people, police say CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police say eight people were shot at a house party, three of them fatally. Others fled as gunfire erupted. Police Chief of Patrol Jon Hein says officers responded Monday afternoon to the “social gathering” at a home in the city's southwest Chicago Lawn neighborhood. He says four men and four women between the ages of 20 and 35 were shot. Police say a 26-year-old man and two other men were pronounced dead. A 27-year-old woman was in critical condition, a 24-year-old woman was in serious condition and three other shooting victims were in good condition.Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the party could not buck the trend in Ireland of junior coalition partners in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments losing support in subsequent elections. He said they expected to retain two to three seats out of the 12 they had won in the 2020 election on the back of a worldwide “Green wave”. “Undoubtedly it’s a disappointing result for our party today,” Mr O’Gorman told reporters in Ongar, Dublin. “It’s hard for a smaller party in government, that’s long been the tradition, the history in Ireland. We hoped going into the election to buck that but we haven’t been able to buck that today.” Mr O’Gorman, a candidate in Dublin West, is among the outgoing Green Party TDs in a battle to retain their seats. Culture Minister Catherine Martin, who is fighting to remain a Green Party TD for Dublin Rathdown, said it was a “very tight” race in her four-seat constituency. “We go in (to government) not afraid of that because the issue of the climate and biodiversity crisis is (greater) than our survival,” she said on RTE Radio. “I stand over and am proud of our track record of delivery.” Green candidate in Waterford Marc O Cathasaigh said he would not be “in the shake-up” to retain his seat in that constituency, while junior minister Ossian Smyth looks at risk of losing his seat in Dun Laoghaire. Junior minister Joe O’Brien is expected to lose his seat in Dublin Fingal, Neasa Hourigan is at risk in Dublin Central, while Wicklow’s Steven Matthews garnered just 4% of first preferences. Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who announced his retirement from frontline politics in June, said his party had not had a good day. Arriving at the count centre at the RDS in Dublin, the outgoing environment minister told reporters: “If you don’t get elected you accept that, but you come back stronger and you learn lessons, and we’ve done that in the past and we will do that again.” He added: “No matter what the results today there will be a strong Green Party in Ireland, we have deep roots in the community and it’s a very distinct political philosophy and I think there is still space for that in Irish politics, for sure.” Mr Ryan said he did not believe his decision to retire, and the timing of his announcement, had affected the party’s showing. “Unfortunately – and this is just one of those days – we didn’t get the number of votes,” he said. He added: “We’ll look back and see what are the lessons, and what can we learn and what can we do differently. “It’s just one of those days when we didn’t have a good day.

Director of people and culture, Nurse Next Door Age 37 I am proud of working with Nurse Next Door for the past 13 years and being part of the company’s amazing growth. When I started, Nurse Next Door had 30 franchises in Canada and today we have over 400 franchises spread across Canada, the U.S., Australia and England. An initiative I am particularly proud of is Caregiving as a Career, which is challenging industry norms, ensuring caregivers are respected, valued and well paid. Caregiving as a Career works to ensure caregivers have job security, benefits and guaranteed hours, trusting their employer has their back. The toughest yet most liberating lessons have been around my own personal and professional development. Challenging myself to look at how I can set my life up differently as a leader, to work through others. This was difficult at first—I was so accustomed to working hard and doing everything myself. It is a work in progress that is highlighted by opening the door for others and stepping into mentorship versus management. It is amazing to see the learnings that have come about from this change in work both myself and amongst our team. I used to think that leadership was about hierarchy and power. Now I know that leadership is quiet. It’s about opening doors for others, boosting up those around you, recognizing the little things and helping others see their own potential. Relationships always come first. Get to know the people you are doing business with, ask them about themselves and their family. Not only is it much more fun, you will learn alot too. Listen to your intuition, especially around people. Success is living a life where you are always striving for excellence, challenging yourself and not settling or allowing for mediocrity. I have an amazing husband and three little kids, ages six, four and three. I am constantly balancing being the mom I want to be with growing my career, embracing self care and continuing to generate a beautiful relationship of 15 years. I love to exercise, I have completed two full marathons and around seven half marathons. I plan to continue living an active and full life, everyday! The sky is the limit. I am committed to continuing to nurture Caregiving as a Career and bringing the Nurse Next Door leadership and development framework—bold kindness—to the world. I am always working on myself and how I show up as a leader and plan to do this while supporting the company to expand into new international markets. This is a massive honour. I want to thank the whole team at Nurse Next Door as I wouldn’t have recieved this without our collective efforts. This award reflects all the amazing work being done across Nurse Next Door. I also want to thank my husband Chris, who is my teammate everyday and without him none of this would be possible. I am so grateful to my parents who support me no matter what, my amazing kids who inspire me daily and our nanny Tess who is always in our corner and supports me in my journey as a mother. When we look at ourselves as 100 per cent responsible for everything in our lives, the journey gets a whole lot more interesting and fun There are so many—organizations I am involved with are JABC, The Forum and YWCA Exercise and walking—workouts at Kondi are my favourite Whistler Miku and Minami hands down; I’m also a sucker for the Naam I love To Be Magnetic, Move With Heart (podcast), Wayne Dyer and Goop Exercising, walking and taking breaks throughout the day to think and reflect Cathy Thorpe has been my mentor for over 10 years—I am forever grateful to her and the whole leadership team at Nurse Next Door This year I had the honour of being a surrogate to twins for my best friend—it has been such a giftEagle-eyed viewers spot Tulisa was eager to remove 'all traces' of I'm A Celeb

Michigan's defense of national title fell short, aims to cap lost season with win against Ohio State

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Kailyn Gilbert scooped in a layup with 1.6 seconds remaining and then stole the ball on the last play of the game to give No. 7 LSU a 68-67 win over Washington in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship first round on Monday. Flau’Jae Johnson had to save the ball from going into the backcourt during a scramble that ended in Gilbert's go-ahead basket. Gilbert corralled the loose ball over a diving Washington player, sliced through the defense and tossed up a shot that hung on the back of the rim before falling through. Gilbert's ensuing steal sealed it. Aneesah Morrow had her 80th career double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Tigers (7-0). Johnson also had 19 points and Sa'Myah Smith added 16 with a career-high 15 rebounds. Sayvia Sellers had a career-high 24 points for the Huskies (6-2). Ellie Ladine had 14 points and nine rebounds. Washington, 16-15 last year, 6-12 in its final Pac-12 season, showed a lot of grit. LSU also showed a lot of grit in pulling out a win despite shooting a season-low 33%, going 3 of 19 from 3-point range. Sellers hit a tough step-back 3-pointer to bump the Washington lead to 62-57 with 4:31 to play and 18 seconds later she fouled out. The Husky reserves played 27 minutes and didn't score. LSU was 15 of 21 from the foul line as two Husky starters had four fouls in addition to Sellers fouling out. Washington shot 7 of 10 from the line. The Tigers also had 26 second-chance points off of 27 offensive rebounds. LSU plays N.C. State or Southern on Wednesday in the tournament's championship game. Washington will play before that game against the loser of N.C. State-Southern. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballQuarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase are in a rare class of QB-WR duos who got to ply their trade together in college and in the pros. But just because they’re buddies doesn’t mean they don’t have little nagging habits that bother the other. Chase spoke about one of his habits—using copious amounts of “warm skin lotion”—to help him stay warm in the freezing Cincinnati cold. However, this habit has always been part of his routine, even in college, and it’s something that pushes his QB to the edge. Chase was smirking throughout the presser, so the lotion is clearly nothing more than an inside joke. However, Bengals fans were surely laughing nervously and feeling a bit uneasy when they heard Chase say that Burrow would withhold the ball from the superstar receiver. But it seems to be all in good fun. Chase recalled a time in college when Burrow made him remove the ointment after seeing how “shiny” the wideout became with it before the game. Burrow and Chase played together at LSU from 2018 to 2019, winning a National Championship in that final year. The Cincinnati Bengals then drafted Burrow No. 1 overall in 2020. The next year, the same team nabbed Chase at No. 5 overall. The Chase-Burrow connection has been working like gang-busters for Cincinnati this year if you look strictly at the box score—but if you take a gander up at the scoreboard, the combo has not been getting it done. Burrow leads the league in passing TDs and is top five in yards, passer rating, and INT rate. Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in both receiving yards and TDs, and is just short of the receptions lead too. And yet, the Bengals have stumbled out to a 4-7 record in 2024. That’s their worst start to a season since 2020, when they went 4-11-1 in Burrow’s rookie year. They still have designs on the postseason in 2024, however. A tough divisional matchup with the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, who are sitting at 8-3, is on the horizon this Sunday. With temperatures expected to be in the 20s and 30s degrees Fahrenheit, Chase will need the “warm skin lotion”. Burrow might just have to deal with his WR1 being a little shiny on Sunday.

NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Sana Biotechnology, Inc. ("Sana" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SANA ). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Sana and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On November 4, 2024 , Sana issued a press release announcing that it "will suspend development of both SC291 in oncology and of SC379, its glial progenitor cell program, as it seeks partnerships for these programs". In the press release, Steve Harr, Sana's President and Chief Executive Officer stated that "we need to ensure that we are directing our investments into the areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact for patients" and that "[t]his modified strategy will also help us reduce our cash burn but comes with the necessity of parting with some talented and valued colleagues." On this news, Sana's stock price fell $0.37 per share, or 9.84%, to close at $3.39 per share on November 5, 2024 . Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York , Chicago , Los Angeles , London , Paris , and Tel Aviv , is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz , known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud , breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP《TAIPEI TIMES》 US approves US$387m in arms sales

Air force F-16V jets are pictured in Chiayi County on Nov. 18, 2021. Photo: Cheng I-hwa, Bloomberg REGIONAL STABILITY:The arms sale to Taiwan is the 18th approved by US President Joe Biden’s administration and the sixth since William Lai was elected president on Jan. 13 / Staff writer, with CNA 請繼續往下閱讀... The US government on Friday announced arms sales involving spare parts and support for F-16 fighter aircraft and follow-up support for Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment (IMSE), at a total cost of US$387 million. It is the 18th arms sale approved by US President Joe Biden’s administration to Taiwan and the sixth since the nation’s presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13. The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said it delivered the required certification notifying the US Congress of the latest arms sale on Friday. 請繼續往下閱讀... The proposed arms sale is consistent with US law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8, the agency added. The agency in a statement released on Friday said the US Department of State has approved foreign military sales of spare parts and support for F-16 fighter jet and active electronically scanned array radars and related equipment at an estimated cost of US$320 million to Taiwan. Deliveries are expected to begin next year. The agency said the proposed sale would improve Taiwan’s ability to meet threats by maintaining the operational readiness of its fleet of F-16 aircraft. The agency in a separate statement said the US State Department has also approved the sale of follow-up support for IMSE for about US$65 million. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US requested the procurement of extended services provided under a previously implemented case, including follow-up support for the IMSE and Experimental Force system. The proposed sale aims to extend those same services for an additional two years, the agency said. The two arms sale deals serve “US national, economic and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” it said. The proposed arms sale deals would also “help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region,” it added. The sale of spare parts and support services for F-16 aircraft would be transferred from US government stock, the agency said. Implementation of the sale would not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Taiwan, it added. In terms of the sale of follow-up support for IMSE, the agency said the principal contractor would be General Dynamics Mission Systems, in Fairfax, Virginia. Implementation of the sale would not require the assignment of US government representatives, but would require three contractor Technical Assistance Representatives being sent to Taiwan to support equipment fielding and training, it added. In Taipei, the Presidential Office yesterday said the latest arms sale deepened the Taiwan-US security partnership and is an important cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Ministry of National Defense expressed gratitude to the US for the latest arms sale, which it said would continue to provide Taiwan with assistance building the nation’s self-defense capabilities and establish a foundation to maintain regional stability. The sale of spare parts and support for F-16 fighter jets and active electronically scanned array radar logistics is expected to help maintain the combat readiness of the air force’s F-16 fleet and strengthen the country’s air defenses, it said. The proposed sale of IMSE follow-up support would provide Taiwan with necessary assistance to maintain the effectiveness of its tactical regional communications system, reinforce field information communication capabilities and establish a reliable defense, it added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said it has received a formal notice from the US government for the two proposed arms sale deals, which highlight the efforts of the Biden administration to ensure Taiwan has sufficient self-defense capability to take on threats from China. MOFA also thanked the US government for approving the two arms sale deals to Taiwan based on the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and “six assurances.” The TRA was enacted in 1979 to maintain commercial, cultural and other unofficial relations between the US and Taiwan after Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The TRA also requires the US “to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character.” The “six assurances,” which were issued by then-US president Ronald Reagan to Taiwan in 1982, include pledges that the US would not to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan and would not hold prior consultations with China on arms sales to Taiwan. 新聞來源: TAIPEI TIMES 不用抽 不用搶 現在用APP看新聞 保證天天中獎 點我下載APP 按我看活動辦法Groundbreaking broadcaster Greg Gumbel, 78, diesUrsid meteor shower 2024: How and when you can witness this year's last celestial show

Cracks emerge in Trump's MAGA coalitionNone

1 2 Hyderabad: "No MLA or MP would've helped us the way he did," said Bhagya Lakshmi, while fighting back tears. Lakshmi, who has dwarfism and was on the verge of destitution just a few years ago, now runs a tiffin centre in Nagole and provides employment to three people. She is one of the many whose lives have changed for the better, thanks to Serve Needy, a city organisation, which helps the needy. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025: Who went where and for how much IPL 2025: Complete list of players of each franchise Founded in May 2014 by Goutham Kumar, the organisation has helped over 500 people from falling into bad times, and has been feeding hundreds every day for the past 10 years. Not just this, it has helped cremate over 5,500 unidentified bodies. For the 39-year-old Goutham, serving people has become a life mission. While working as a corporate employee in Bengaluru, he felt the need to give back to society. "What started as a small initiative to help homeless people on the streets has now turned into a full-fledged mission," Goutham says. Apart from conducting food distribution programmes at govt hospitals including Gandhi, Osmania, Niloufer and NIMS, Serve Needy has provided study materials to blind and deaf students. The team also conducts regular night patrols to rescue the homeless and provide them with medical care and shelter. The foundation has a network of 20 volunteers, who handle burial of unclaimed bodies and ensure the deceased receive dignified last rites. SOCIAL MEDIA, GAME CHANGER To mobilise hands and reach a wider audience, Goutham turned to social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. "Through social media, we can reach out to more people in need and also connect with donors who want to contribute to our cause." Goutham said some comment that he is capitalising on the misery of others and gaining popularity. "But I tell that it (social service) is not a one-off thing." Madhavi Thala, who is a disabled woman, came to know about Goutham through Facebook. "I approached him for help. He spent over ₹2 lakh and helped me set up a tailoring shop with a tailoring machine. Today, I can earn a living on my own," she said. While managing these costs is a challenge, Goutham remains optimistic. The team spends over Rs5 lakh a month and runs on donations. "The support from the community has been overwhelming," he said.Americans more hopeful about 2025 than they were for 2024 — CBS News poll

abets in tagalog Happy Valley star James Norton is a busy man: as well as starring in new Netflix movie Joy and upcoming ITV series Playing Nice , he's got a couple of historical dramas in the pipeline. One of those is House of Guinness , a new show from Peaky Blinders boss Steven Knight which tells the story of the family behind the iconic Irish brewery, and also boasts Louis Partridge, Anthony Boyle and Jack Gleeson among its cast. It sounds like a blast, and so when we spoke to Norton about Joy during the London Film Festival last month, we couldn't resist asking him what to expect from the series. "We are half just over halfway through the first series, hence my very dark hair and everything – tinted eyebrows and all that jazz," he said. Keep up to date with all the dramas - from period to crime to comedy By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time. "I'm playing an Irish man from Dublin, and it's really fun. It's a really, really fun job. Steven Knight is at his best, he's blessing us with these incredible scripts. And it's just a delight." Expanding a little more on the show, he explained: "It's the Guinness world of 1860, at the moment they exploded onto the world and became this kind of international phenomenon. [It's] such an interesting time, politically." And he added: "It's got beer, it's got this, like, eccentric family, we've got these, you know, Steven Knight characters all kind of jostling and playing, fighting, f**king. It's just, like, really exciting." Read more: James Norton on bursting into tears reading Joy script and Happy Valley memories Outlander stars know what the future is for Bree and Roger The show was initially announced by Netflix back in March, with Knight commenting at the time: "The Guinness dynasty is known the world over – wealth, poverty, power, influence, and great tragedy are all intertwined to create a rich tapestry of material to draw from. "I’ve always been fascinated by their stories and am excited to bring the characters to life for the world to see." We can't wait! House of Guinness is coming soon to Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month . Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream . Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. People are also reading... Recap: Here's how Joey Graziadei will win 'Dancing with the Stars' They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Kidnapping in Nebraska prompted police chase that ended with 3 dead on I-29 in Missouri Zitel bound over to district court in death of child Courthouse lighting ceremony planned for Sunday No change in bond amounts in child abuse death case Clabaugh family presents Outstanding Educator award Harmonizers to perform At the courthouse, Nov. 16, 2024 Inside Nebraska volleyball’s finishing kick for a Big Ten title: First up, Wisconsin Chamberlain among seven inducted into Nebraska Baseball HOF Just Askin': Dana Holgorsen noncommittal on future, ranking a big week for Nebraska Athletics How one Virginia woman persevered through abuse, oppression in Christian 'cult' Streaming review: 'Landman' gives Billy Bob Thornton a real gusher of a series “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? Shoppers say they want eco-friendly products, so why aren't they buying them? On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. Barriers to sustainable shopping There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Social media users had much to say after news broke that UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson was assassinated in New York City on Wednesday morning, and most of it was critical of the late executive and the healthcare giant. Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group and the nation's largest health insurance provider, brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Johnson was one of the highest-paid executives with a $10.2 million salary, bonus and stock options, according to Reuters. Johnson was expected to speak at an investor meeting on Wednesday in which he was to announce that the company was projected to make about $455 billion in 2025 . One reason the company may have become so profitable, as one X user pointed out, is by denying the most claims out of any health insurance provider. "Today we remember the legacy of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson," Ken Klippenstein, a journalist at The Intercept, tweeted with an accompanying infographic of claim denial rates by insurance company. Today we remember the legacy of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson pic.twitter.com/iyAJwUBe0w Johnson took over as CEO in 2021, the same year UnitedHealthcare implemented NaviHealth, an AI tool that continues to help the company make coverage decisions. In 2023, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of deceased patients. It alleged that the tool allowed UnitedHealthcare to "systematically deny claims" of Medicare beneficiaries requiring life-saving care. The program had a 90% error rate, which was calculated based on the percentage of payment denials reversed through internal appeals processes or administrative law judge rulings. The lawsuit alleged UnitedHealth knew about the astronomical error rate but continued using it knowing just 0.2% of patients would file appeals to overturn the decision, STAT News reported . X users voiced their dismay over UnitedHealthcare's practices, including NaviHealth, which they claim have killed many insured Americans. "Just a reminder that Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth who got rich off denying healthcare to human beings with a [sic] families absolutely deserved worse than what he got," X user @NotDelMario wrote. Just a reminder that Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth who got rich off denying healthcare to human beings with a families absolutely deserved worse than what he got. Rest in Piss "Fun fact: roughly three million Americans have medical debt greater than the $10,000 reward offered for information on the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter!," another X user shared. Fun fact: roughly three million Americans have medical debt greater than the $10,000 reward offered for information on the UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter! "I will not shed one tear for the CEO of a greedy insurance company. Instead I weep for every person who has died due to lack of healthcare and for the 100 million Americans saddled with medical debt," X user @ProudSocialist posted. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in New York City today. I will not shed one tear for the CEO of a greedy insurance company. Instead I weep for every person who has died due to lack of healthcare and for the 100 million Americans saddled with medical debt. pic.twitter.com/1HPMjoeoU6 Other social media users, like X user @tobitax, pointed out that other CEOs and "industry leaders might want to read the comments and think hard about them." Saw mainstream news coverage about the killing of the CEO of United Healthcare on TikTok and I think political and industry leaders might want to read the comments and think hard about them pic.twitter.com/RuBii9KFH4 His tweet accompanied images of TikTok comments mirroring insurance companies' verbiage when denying health insurance claims. "I'm sorry, prior authorization is required for thoughts and prayers," one user wrote. "Sending prior authorization, denied claims, collections & prayers to his family," another quipped. "So many jokes and gallows humor around the murder of Brian Thompson! The greed of CEOs and health care profiteers has worked its way into our collective consciousness. Something wealthy people should pay attention to, but wont," X user @julia_doughty warned. So many jokes and gallows humor around the murder of Brian Thompson! The greed of CEOs and health care profiteers has worked its way into our collective consciousness. Something wealthy people should pay attention to, but wont. "was wondering how UnitedHealthcare gets away with being such a sh---y company and this probably has something to do with," Klippenstein stated in a follow-up tweet with an image of the insurance company's more than $100 million spent on lobbying since 1998. was wondering how UnitedHealthcare gets away with being such a shitty company and this probably has something to do with it pic.twitter.com/RFatM0rKW6 Other X users also pointed out Democrats' hypocrisy in mourning Johnson's death while remaining quiet about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. "It is no mystery who democrats actually work for, and it isn't you," X user @SxarletRed wrote. She also included screenshots of X posts from Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) denouncing Johnson's murder. It is no mystery who democrats actually work for, and it isn’t you. pic.twitter.com/Galr84TGB9 "Democrats have shown infinitely more empathy for Brian Thompson than they ever have for any Palestinians," X user @marionumber 4 added. Democrats have shown infinitely more empathy for Brian Thompson than they ever have for any Palestinians https://t.co/GrieP7Y7Nf pic.twitter.com/PvDnMxGaJn "If you need to renew your hope for humanity, read the TikTok comments responding to the news of the UnitedHealthcare CEO's assassination," another X user posted with screenshots of several TikTok comments. If you need to renew your hope for humanity, read the TikTok comments responding to the news of the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s assassination pic.twitter.com/iZwEof6e1X "Will his family still be billed?" one user joked. "Did the ER wait to render care until they confirmed coverage?" another added. Originally published by Latin Times

Liudmila Chernetska/iStock via Getty Images Cidara Therapeutics ( NASDAQ: CDTX ) has been making significant progress in developing its drug-FC conjugate [DFC] using its proprietary Cloudbreak technology platform. What makes these molecules ideal is that they are designed to both inhibit proliferation of This article is published by Terry Chrisomalis, who runs the Biotech Analysis Central pharmaceutical service on Seeking Alpha Marketplace. If you like what you read here and would like to subscribe to, I'm currently offering a two-week free trial period for subscribers to take advantage of. My service offers a deep-dive analysis of many pharmaceutical companies. The Biotech Analysis Central SA marketplace is $49 per month, but for those who sign up for the yearly plan will be able to take advantage of a 33.50% discount price of $399 per year. Terry Chrisomalis is a private investor in the Biotech sector with years of experience utilizing his Applied Science background to generate long term value from Healthcare. He is the author of the investing group Biotech Analysis Central which contains a library of 600+ Biotech investing articles, a model portfolio of 10+ small and mid-cap stocks with deep analysis for each, live chat, and a range of analysis and news reports to help Healthcare investors make informed decisions. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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Exela Technologies Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day

President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 4 nominated businesswoman and former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration (SBA). Loeffler, 53, co-chairs the president-elect’s second inaugural committee with Las Vegas real estate developer Steve Witkoff. The role of SBA administrator requires Senate confirmation. Loeffler, raised on an Illinois corn and soybean farm, served in the Senate from 2020 to 2021. She was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2019 following the Dec. 31 resignation of former Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.). She lost a 2020 special election in a 2021 runoff to Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). “Prior to her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Kelly built a 25-year career in financial services and technology,” Trump said in the post. The SBA is an independent Cabinet-level federal agency dedicated to promoting and supporting small businesses in the U.S. economy. Created by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1953, the SBA maintains a vast network of field offices and partnerships. SBA staff help entrepreneurs start and build companies by counseling small business owners, expanding access to federal contracts, and connecting these entities with lenders for funding. In Trump’s first term, he had four SBA administrators, including Linda McMahon, who is now Trump’s Education Secretary nominee. Isabel Casillas Guzman currently heads the SBA, taking over from Tami Perriello in March 2021. “With 95 percent of the world’s consumers based outside of the United States, our small businesses need access to markets abroad to grow and create good jobs in America,” Guzman said in a statement. Over the years, the federal agency has come under scrutiny over its mandate. In the past decade, reports have highlighted that the SBA has often helped larger businesses.Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday urged the public to support government efforts to end violence against children and women. She was referring to the government's anti-violence campaign efforts, which are part of this year's National Violence Elimination Against Children and Women Month. The government designated November as the month of National Violence Elimination Against Children and Women in 1999, aligning with the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov 25. Ms Paetongtarn said the government has for this year planned an anti-violence awareness campaign under the theme "Act Now to End Violence against Women and Girls". The campaign aims to prioritise the end of domestic violence, promote empathy and raise public knowledge of relevant legal protections. According to Ms Paetongtarn, families are the most important unit of society, and they are a protective shield and foundation of one's strength and security. However, she said domestic violence, both physical and mental, has become more of an issue. Ms Paetongtarn said a lack of social intervention is a factor that allows domestic violence to continue. She said the matter should not be regarded as a personal issue but a societal problem. She encouraged people encountering domestic violence to call the police or the Social Assistance Centre 1300 Hotline. The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) issued a statement on Monday marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It called on the government to follow protocols listed in the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, especially to include domestic violence as a national agenda. The government was urged to amend related laws to provide more protection to victims of violent crimes and address issues of social identity complexity that might lead women, such as those with disability and ethnicity, to be at more risk of falling victim. NHRC also called for the protection of female activists who are at risk of being harassed. According to the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), at least 30,000 women each year file a petition stating their rights have been violated or that they were physically assaulted or emotionally abused.Asset manager Browning West LP sold a quarter of its stake in Gildan Activewear Inc. GIL-T for $181-million this month after leading a successful campaign in the spring to reinstate the T-shirt maker’s founder and replace the board. Browning West is the latest in a string of Gildan’s institutional investors to sell a portion of their holdings after the Montreal-based company’s share price soared subsequent to the return of chief executive officer Glenn Chamandy in May. In U.S. regulatory filings, Browning West said it needed to take profits after Gildan’s success made it an outsized holding in the Los Angeles-based fund manager’s portfolio. Last December, Gildan’s board dismissed Mr. Chamandy, then aged 61, over succession issues after 40 years at the company and two decades as chief executive officer. Gildan is one of the world’s largest clothing manufacturers, with a $10.7-billion market capitalization. In January, Browning West launched a campaign to name a new board and bring back Mr. Chamandy, and revealed a significant stake in the company. Normally low-profile fund managers such as Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd., Turtle Creek Asset Management Inc. and Anson Funds joined the crusade and issued a series of public statements supporting the former CEO. In May, after a bitter proxy battle that cost the company $82-million, roughly 85 per cent of Gildan shareholders voted to replace the board and hand control back to Mr. Chamandy. Gildan’s stock price is up by 65 per cent since the boardroom battle began in January. The shares blew through analysts’ price targets this fall as international sales rose and several competitors stumbled, including Berkshire Hathaway Inc.-owned Fruit of the Loom Ltd. In recent months, filings showed that Jarislowsky, Turtle Creek and Anson all sold a portion of their Gildan holdings. Two other significant shareholders, Fidelity parent FMR LLC and Coliseum Capital Management LLC, also sold more than a million Gildan shares this fall. This week, Browning West said it sold approximately 2.6 million Gildan shares at $69.50 each. In a filing, the fund manager said it took profits “to effectuate a rebalancing of Browning West’s portfolio in light of the significant appreciation in [Gildan’s] stock price.” Browning West ”continues to have a positive view on [Gildan’s] future performance,” the filing says. The fund manager continues to own 7.03 million Gildan shares, or 4.5 per cent of the company, a stake worth approximately $485-million. In late November, prior to the recent stock sale, Browning West managing partner and chief investment officer Usman Nabi said in an e-mail: “We believe Gildan has a strong value creation path ahead of it and look forward to being an engaged and supportive shareholder for many years.” “We are proud of the role Browning West played to rebuild the governance of Gildan, and to restore Glenn Chamandy’s visionary leadership to an iconic Canadian and Quebec champion,” Mr. Nabi said. Since Mr. Chamandy’s return to Gildan, his strategy has included ramping up the company’s share-buyback program. Since May, Gildan has bought back 14.3 million of its own shares. The company’s current repurchase plan, set in August, allows Gildan to buy back up to 16 million shares or 10 per cent of its float by August, 2025.

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European markets head for negative open after France's government loses confidence vote( MENAFN - Gulf Times) The deadliest air accident ever in South Korea killed 179 people yesterday, when an airliner belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway, erupting in a fireball as it slammed into a wall at Muan International Airport. Jeju Air flight 7C2216, arriving from the Thai capital Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew on board, was trying to land shortly after 9am (0000 GMT) at the airport in the south of the country, South Korea's transport Ministry said. Two crew members survived and were being treated for injuries. The deadliest air accident on South Korean soil was also the worst involving a South Korean airline in nearly three decades, the transport ministry said. The twin-engine Boeing 737-800 was seen in local media video skidding down the runway with no visible landing gear before crashing into navigation equipment and a wall in an explosion of flames and debris. “Only the tail part retains a little bit of shape, and the rest of (the plane) looks almost impossible to recognise,” Muan fire chief Lee Jung-hyun told a press briefing. The two crew members, a man and a woman, were rescued from the tail section of the burning plane, Lee said. They were being treated at hospitals with medium to severe injuries, said the head of the local public health centre. Authorities combed nearby areas for bodies possibly thrown from the plane, Lee said. Investigators are examining bird strikes and weather conditions as possible factors, Lee said. Yonhap news agency cited airport authorities as saying that a bird strike may have caused the landing gear to malfunction. The crash was the worst for any South Korean airline since a 1997 Korean Air crash in Guam that killed more than 200 people, transportation ministry data showed. The previous worst on South Korean soil was an Air China crash that killed 129 in 2002. Experts said that the bird strike report and the way the aircraft attempted to land raised more questions than answers. “A bird strike is not unusual, problems with an undercarriage are not unusual,” said Airline News editor Geoffrey Thomas.“Bird strikes happen far more often, but typically they don't cause the loss of an airplane by themselves.” Under global aviation rules, South Korea will lead a civil investigation into the crash and automatically involve the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States where the plane was designed and built. The NTSB said later that it is leading a team of US investigators to help South Korea's aviation authority. Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration are taking part. Hours after the crash, family members gathered in the airport's arrival area, some crying and hugging as Red Cross volunteers handed out blankets. Many victims appeared to be residents of nearby areas returning from vacation, officials said. Families screamed and wept as a medic announced the names of victims identified by their fingerprints. Papers were circulated for families to write down their contact details. One relative stood at a microphone to ask for more information from authorities. “My older brother died and I don't know what's going on,” he said.“I don't know.” Another asked journalists not to film. “We are not monkeys in a zoo,” he said.“We are the bereaved families.” Mortuary vehicles lined up outside to take bodies away, and authorities said a temporary morgue had been established. The crash site smelled of aviation fuel and blood, according to Reuters witnesses. Workers in protective suits and masks combed the area while soldiers searched through bushes. The control tower issued a bird strike warning and shortly afterward the pilots declared mayday and then attempted to land from the opposite direction, a transport ministry official said. A passenger texted a relative to say a bird was stuck in the wing, the News1 agency reported. The person's final message was:“Should I say my last words?” The aircraft was manufactured in 2009, the transport ministry said. The Boeing model involved in the crash, a 737-800, is one of the world's most flown airliners with a generally strong safety record. It was developed well before the MAX variant involved in a recent Boeing safety crisis. Boeing said in an e-mailed statement:“We are in contact with Jeju Air regarding flight 2216 and stand ready to support them. We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and our thoughts remain with the passengers and crew.” The two CFM56-7B26 engines were manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France's Safran, the transport ministry said. A CFM spokesperson said:“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jeju Air flight 2216. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those on board.” Jeju Air chief executive Kim E-bae has apologised for the accident, bowing deeply during a televised briefing. He said that the aircraft had no record of accidents and there were no early signs of malfunction. The airline will co-operate with investigators and make supporting the bereaved its top priority, Kim said. No abnormal conditions were reported when the aircraft left Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, said Kerati Kijmanawat, president of Airports of Thailand. The passengers included two Thai nationals and the rest are believed to be South Koreans, according to the transportation ministry. It was the first fatal flight for Jeju Air, a low-cost airline founded in 2005 that ranks behind only Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines in terms of the number of passengers in South Korea. The accident happened only three weeks after Jeju Air started regular flights from Muan to Bangkok and other Asian cities on December 8. Muan International is one of South Korea's smallest airports but it has become much busier in recent years. All domestic and international flights at the airport were cancelled after the accident, Yonhap reported. South Korean acting President Choi Sang-mok, named interim leader of the country on Friday in an ongoing political crisis, arrived at the scene of the accident and said that the government is putting all its resources into dealing with the crash. Two Thai women were on the plane, aged 22 and 45, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said. The Thai foreign ministry later confirmed both were among those killed. The embassy in Seoul is co-ordinating with the South Koreans and arranging for family members to travel from Thailand, the ministry said in a statement. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra sent condolences to the families of the dead and injured in a post on X, saying that she had instructed the foreign ministry to provide assistance. World leaders meanwhile sent condolences to South Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he was“shocked” to learn of the crash, in a message to South Korea's Acting President Choi. “I express our deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy for the victims' families, and wish those injured a speedy recovery,” he said, quoted by China's state broadcaster CCTV. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said that she was“heartbroken to see images of the plane crash in Muan”. “As your partner, Europe stands with you in this time of grief,” the European Commission president said. Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told worshippers at the Vatican that he joins“in prayer for the survivors and the dead”. “My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic plane crash,” he said. France's foreign ministry said that Paris learnt“with great emotion the terrible toll” and sends condolences to the affected families. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the crash is“yet another blow to the nation's heart” after“a difficult period” – alluding to weeks of political turmoil in Seoul. “This is an incredible loss and pain” for the friends and families of those killed, he said. Tehran expressed its“condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand”, the departure point of the plane which had two Thai nationals on board. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed“the families of the victims, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured of this tragic incident”. “We are shocked and saddened by the accident involving Jeju Air flight 7C2216,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 340 airlines that comprise 80% of air traffic, said in a statement.“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew on the flight and their loved ones.” “We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred at Muan International Airport in our friend, the Republic of Korea,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on X. MENAFN29122024000067011011ID1109040161 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.None{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-30T01:04:33+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-30T01:04:33+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-30T01:04:31+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22926/entertainment/miss-naomie-to-tesfay-youve-shaped-me-into-a-woman-i-am-today", "headline": "Miss Naomie to Tesfay: You’ve shaped me into a woman I am today", "description": "Miss Rwanda 2020 has acknowledged the love her husband Michael Tesfay never ceased to show her ever since they met, and the role he played in shaping her...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22926/entertainment/miss-naomie-to-tesfay-youve-shaped-me-into-a-woman-i-am-today" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/30/67517.jpeg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/30/67517.jpeg" }, "articleBody": "Miss Rwanda 2020 has acknowledged the love her husband Michael Tesfay never ceased to show her ever since they met, and the role he played in shaping her into the woman he married. It was all fun and joyful when Nishimwe and the Ethiopian technpreneur tied the knot in a glamorous wedding ceremony on Sunday, December 29,2024. The celebrity couple confessed their love before their Rwanda and Ethiopian-Eritrean families in a religious wedding ceremony held at Women Foundation Ministries, Kimihurura. They were wedded by church founder Apostle Mignone Kabera. Their religious wedding was preceded by introduction ceremony held at Intare Conference Arena, Rusororo. The same venue also hosted the newlyweds’ reception. The wedding day was both emotional and spiritual to the couple as well as their guests. When the couple exchanged vows to each other with so much emotion, their loved ones were also sobbing in their seats, proud of the beautiful union of the two. In her vows, Naomie confessed that Michael was the husband she prayed for. “From the first moment I met you, I felt your love till now it hasn’t changed. You have shaped me into a woman I am today: stronger, beautiful and confident, just because of your love and support...,” the beauty queen said in her vows. Tesfay also expressed how his life changed in the most beautiful way the first time they met. “You have been my partner in faith and my greatest supporter and the love I never dreamed I deserved. Your grace, kindness and unwavering belief in us have shown me the true meaning of commitment...,” he said. After exchanging wedding rings, the couple received blessings from the apostle and parents for the new journey they have just begun. During the reception Tesfay and Naomie made quite an entrance, dressed in an Ethiopian cultural attire. Making their way to the podium, they were welcomed by Ethiopian music which they danced to along with their families. Choreographer Sherrie Silver, who is also a close friend to Naomie, surprised the newlyweds with a performance of the kids from the Sherrie Silver foundation. The reception was mainly about dancing to Ethiopian music on both sides, followed by speeches from family members and friends of the couple. Almost all the speeches talked about how the two have a strong connection and perfect love for each other. Michael to time to thank his parents, Naomie’s parents who have believed in him and promised to always honor his wife. He also thanked his friends who have come from different parts of the world, especially Canada, to support him and his wife Naomie. Tesfay and Naomie were first reported to be dating in early 2022 before making their relationship public via their social media a few months later, sharing photos of them together with captions of romance. Born in Toronto, Canada, to Eritrean parents, Naomi’s fiancé moved to kigali in 2021 after completing his studies and joined the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga where he actively plays his part in the club’s initiatives. He is currently working closely with the Ministry of Health to set up a Tele-mental health line for Rwandans. Naomie is the fourth beauty queen to get married since 2009, after Grace Bahati, Aurore Mutesi Kayibanda and Elsa Iradukunda who tied the knot with former Miss Rwanda organiser Dieudonné Ishimwe, widely known as Prince Kid. Her wedding attracted a host of celebrities including Miss Rwanda 2028 Liliane Iradukunda, Miss Rwanda 2016 Jolly Mutesi, Miss Rwanda 2023 Divine Nshuti Muheto, who was also Naomie’s bridesmaid. Also in attendance were renowned creative entrepreneur Gael Karomba, also known as Coach Gael, Afro Nation founder Smade, choreographer Sherrie Silver as well as basketball players Adonis Filer and Axel Mpoyo among many others.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eliane Irakoze" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }

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Dr Manmohan Singh was a distinguished leader, an eminent economist: PM's Principal Secy PK MishraThe Empty Stocking Fund is a 43-year-old project of The New Mexican . Each year, hundreds of people receive aid from the fund during the holiday season to help cover rent payments, medical bills, utility costs, car repairs, home improvements and other needs. Who it helps: Applicants, who must live within 50 miles of Santa Fe and must provide documents that provide proof of their identity, are considered without regard to race, age, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Applications for aid are currently on pause due to overwhelming demand. 2024 goal: $475,000 This holiday charity project, which began in 1981, is jointly administered by the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Enterprise Bank and Trust, the Salvation Army, Presbyterian Medical Services, The Life Link, Habitat for Humanity, Esperanza Shelter, Youth Shelters and Family Services, Gerard’s House and a private individual. To donate: Make your tax-deductible donation online by visiting santafecf.org/funds/empty-stocking-fund . In person, visit the Santa Fe Community Foundation at 501 Halona St., or The Santa Fe New Mexican , 150 Washington Ave., Suite 105, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contributions can also be mailed to Empty Stocking Fund, C/O Santa Fe Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827. Donors can request to remain anonymous. Anonymous: $600 Anonymous: $400 Anonymous: $350 Anonymous: $103.09 Anonymous: $25 Anonymous: $206.19 Anonymous: $7,122.34 Linda and Elijah Garcia: $20.62 Harry Georgeades: $200 Gino's Gym/Gino Brazil — in memory of Angie Brazil and Mary Beth Shymkus: $250 Marisa Gjurgevich: $103.09 David Goodrich and Brian Clarke: $515.46 Jeannice Gordon: $100 John and Oneida Gummersall: $250 Laura and David Hansen: $900 Happy Huskies Giving Fund: $50 Allen Hartford: $150 Jackie and John Hiatt: $250 Bernard Holzapfel: $250 Vicki and David Hunt: $500 Pamela S. Hyde: $1,100 Jack and MaryLou Davis Foundation: $5,000 The D.J. Kahlo Fund: $1,000 Sue Katz: $97.42 Anne and Mark Keller — in memory of Nathan Keller: $1,030.93 David King: $100 Cumulative total: $38,906.61Rep. Mike Flood joins The Lead

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Adani Group is facing fallouts on several fronts as investors and partners rethink ties with the Indian conglomerate in the wake of bribery and fraud accusations by U.S. authorities. Projects and investments tied to the Indian conglomerates' businesses spanning across the world have come under the spotlight, following the indictment of its billionaire founder on bribery and fraud charges. Adani Group is facing fallouts on several fronts as investors and partners rethink ties with the Indian conglomerate in the wake of bribery and fraud accusations by U.S. authorities. 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are Projects and investments tied to the Indian conglomerates' businesses spanning across the world have come under the spotlight, following the U.S. indictment of its billionaire founder on bribery and fraud charges last Thursday. "The US indictment is likely to constrain the group's access to new financing in the near term, particularly in the offshore capital markets, Leonard Law, a senior credit analyst at Lucro Analytics told CNBC. The group has denied any wrongdoing . The allegations are "more serious" than those from short-seller Hindenburg Research's report in 2023, and the legal proceedings are likely to be protracted , he added. Fitch Ratings has put several dollar bonds issued by Adani Group companies on its negative ratings watchlist, which means the bonds could potentially be downgraded. The action reflects higher corporate governance risk and "potential contagion risk" that could affect access to funding and liquidity. Money Report Walmart pulls back on DEI efforts, removes some LBGTQ merchandise from website Gold plunges 3% as Trump Treasury pick and potential Israel-Hezbollah truce fuel risk-on mood Following the bombshell indictment last week, which triggered a selloff in the conglomerate's stocks, Kenyan president William Ruto scrapped airport and electricity deals worth about $2.5 billion with the group, Reuters reported. French energy giant TotalEnergies, on Monday suspended new investments linked to Adani Group and claimed it was not informed of the investigation into the alleged corruption scheme. "Until such time when the accusations against the Adani group individuals and their consequences have been clarified, TotalEnergies will not make any new financial contribution as part of its investments in the Adani group of companies," the French company said. Shares of the French oil major, which owns a 19.75% stake in Adani Green Energy and a 50% holding in joint ventures with Adani Green, fell 2.4% on Monday. The U.S. International Development Finance Corp has said it would review its prior agreements to lend $553 million t o a Sri Lankan port development that's backed by the Adani Group. "DFC is aware of the recent allegations related to Adani and is actively assessing the ramifications in light of the recent DOJ announcement," an official with the development agency said in a statement. The New York Federal Prosecutors last week indicted Adani and seven other people on charges of paying about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure solar energy contracts that could yield more than $2 billion of profits over 20 years. The charges also included misleading U.S. and international investors about the its compliance with antibribery and anticorruption practices, while raising more than $3 billion in capital to fund these energy contracts. In an escalation of its stateside legal battle, Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani Group, and his nephew, Sagar Adani, were reportedly summoned by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over their involvement in the alleged bribery. The Adani group representatives did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comments on Tuesday. The company had earlier said the U.S. authorities' accusations were " baseless " and that it will seek "all possible legal recourse." Meanwhile, India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has already called for Adani's arrest , according to domestic media . Indian securities watchdog is reportedly probing whether the Adani group failed to disclose information regarding the U.S. DOJ's investigation into its bribery charges. Proceedings in the country's parliament were suspended on Monday after disruptions from lawmakers who demanded a discussion on the Adani's corruption allegations. A fresh petition has also been filed in the Indian Supreme Court seeking a probe into the bribery charges by the Indian authorities , according to local media. Adani Group had spent the bulk of last year attempting to move past a scathing report by the short-seller Hindenburg Research that accused it of financial misconduct and stock manipulation. Shares of the Indian group's flagship firm Adani Enterprises has declined over 20% as of Tuesday since the notice of indictment, while the company in the eye of the storm Adani Green Energy has lost more than 35%. Adani Power has shed around 15% while Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone shares price dropped 11% since then. 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Trump's Bold Appointments Amidst Legal Battles and Policy ShiftsKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday's Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro had reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia is launching production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said with a thin smile. “Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development." But he added, "we have this system now. And this is important.” Testing the missile will continue, “including in combat, depending on the situation and the character of security threats created for Russia,” Putin said, noting there is ”a stockpile of such systems ready for use.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin's claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow's talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick... there will be consequences,” he said. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday's missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He underlined that the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who added this is not the first time such a threat has been received. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office continued to work in compliance with standard security measures, a spokesperson said. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile, whose name in Russian means “hazelnut tree,” was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region, and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles (6 1/2 kilometers) southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. The stricken area was cordoned off and out of public view. With no fatalities reported from the attack, Dnipro residents resorted to dark humor on social media, mostly focused on the missile’s name, Oreshnik. Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia struck a residential district of Sumy overnight with Iranian-designed Shahed drones, killing two people and injuring 13, the regional administration said.. Ukraine’s Suspilne media, quoting Sumy regional head Volodymyr Artiukh, said the drones were stuffed with shrapnel elements. “These weapons are used to destroy people, not to destroy objects,” said Artiukh, according to Suspilne. —— Associated Press journalists Lorne Cook in Brussels, Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, and Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary, contributed. —— Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineAP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:04 p.m. EST

When people open their banking app or log into their account to pay a bill, most will complete their task quickly so they can move on to something else. But if a customer is being talked into transferring their cash to a scammer, there are subtle shifts in behaviour that leave a digital trail of clues. In these cases, banks say, the customer might spend longer than usual logged in, or they could move their mouse in a less purposeful way – such as by drawing circles on the screen – as they listen to the scammer’s instructions over the phone. Banks can detect suspicious transactions from information such as how frequently a user is touching their screen. Credit: iStock If the unsuspecting victim has allowed a scammer to take control of their computer, there can be other clues. The customer may not touch their phone’s screen as frequently as they usually do, or the criminal who has taken over might type faster than the customer usually does. Banks can now see all these clues, and use that information to spot suspicious transactions. “When I log in, and I know why I’m logging in, I behave with purpose,” says Tim Dalgleish, one of the architects of BioCatch Trust, a system that looks for data such as this to detect scams and fraud. “In one of these scam scenarios, you’re basically being coached, coerced, tricked or bullied to do something different.” Late this year, major banks signed up to the BioCatch system as part of the banking industry’s effort to stem a $2.7 billion wave of scams. While it’s early days, it’s hoped these sorts of digital clues – alongside lots of other information – can be used to stop more scams in the milliseconds before a customer sends their cash, after which it can be much harder to retrieve the money. The banking industry’s war on scams is a long-running fight in which businesses face fierce pressure to do more to prevent customer losses, but there are tentative signs of progress. It’s a battle in which speed is everything, and co-operation between banks, telcos, tech giants and authorities is vital. ‘Speed is everything’ Time is of the essence when fighting scammers. The rise of near-instant money transfers between bank accounts, which launched in Australia in 2018, means once someone is tricked into clicking “send” on a payment, there is very little time to put a halt on the transaction. It is up to banks to sift through millions of transactions, detect the suspicious ones and raise a red flag, in near-real time. But how do you detect a payment to a scammer in mere milliseconds? This is an area where banks have invested millions in systems that crunch reams of data and raise alerts or block payments from going through. National Australia Bank’s executive for group investigations, Chris Sheehan, has high hopes that over time, the BioCatch system will make it very difficult for scammers to operate in Australia. National Australia Bank’s executive for group investigations, Chris Sheehan. More broadly, he says it is an example of collaboration that wouldn’t be possible in markets overseas – one due to Australian banks’ history of data-sharing to fight scams, as well as the fact our banking market is relatively small and concentrated. “This type of industry-wide collaboration – it is a global first,” says Sheehan, a former Australian Federal Police senior officer. “And frankly, I don’t think anywhere else in the world can do it the way we’ve done it here.” While banks’ anti-scam systems have historically focused on detecting and responding to scams, he says that won’t cut it any more. The BioCatch move is an example of where banks need to focus – on stoping scams before the money’s been transferred. “We need to be stopping the scam, stopping the crime, before it occurs,” he says. More broadly, it’s also an example of the co-operation between banks that goes back to 2016, when the industry launched the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX), a bank-backed group of which Sheehan is a director. The exchange allows member banks to quickly report fraud as well as share intelligence on scams with other businesses such as telcos or technology firms. Sheehan says that when this intelligence loop is “fully mature”, it will allow a bank to pass on a scam URL or dodgy phone number to, say, Telstra or Google, and have the number or website taken down immediately. Commonwealth Bank’s head of group fraud, James Roberts, says this scheme – known as “the loop” is another example of Australia leading the charge globally through fast sharing of information between telcos, banks, social media companies and regulators. “Speed is everything. The faster we can take down a link or a dodgy advertisement ... the less people will get scammed by it, so you’re reducing the blast radius,” says Roberts, who is also a director of the AFCX. There will be extra refinements in the new year as banks face continuing pressure to curb scam losses. Australian Payments Plus (AP+), a payments organisation, will in 2025 launch an industry-wide name-checking system , which checks the name of accounts to which cash is being transferred. Some banks already offer this service. “The solution has been built. It’s in testing at the moment and will be going live across the banks throughout 2025,” says AP+ chief executive Lynn Kraus. Losses still way too high Of course, banks have been touting anti-scam technology for years, and it hasn’t stopped a wave of losses that hit $2.7 billion in 2023 – a 13 per cent fall on 2022 levels but a figure that is still far too high. Will these new anti-scam measures make a more meaningful difference? Even banks don’t claim anti-scam technology can solve the problem on its own. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones unveiled the government’s anti-scam laws in October. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer There is widespread agreement on the need for closer work between banks and social media companies, and new laws unveiled by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones in October will require these businesses to report scams as soon as they are detected, with the threat of $50 million fines. “Our scams crackdown will cut off the avenues scammers use to target Australians by setting a high bar for what businesses must do to prevent them,” Jones said. Consumer advocates maintain there should also be more emphasis on requiring banks to compensate scam victims, an approach that has been adopted in the UK but resisted by the federal government. Yet despite all the work still to be done, there are tentative signs of progress. CBA’s Roberts notes the banking giant reported a 50 per cent reduction in customer scam losses last financial year. Other banks have also reported declines. NAB’s full-year results showed a 20 per cent fall in customer losses from scams, Westpac said scam losses were down 29 per cent, and ANZ reported a 46 per cent drop in customer scam losses. Roberts says the reduction in scam losses seen in Australia is better than the situation in some peer countries, though he adds the problem remains significant. “It does not mean the problem is solved – and it has tragic consequences for consumers, but at least there’s a trend directionally,” he says. NAB’s Chris Sheehan also says the $2.7 billion in industry-wide scam losses in 2023 was “way too high”, and he stresses the battle against scanners must continue. But he, too, says there are some encouraging signs. Ultimately, he says, there is no silver bullet in the fight against scams and the bank expects to be constantly changing its defences as the scammers also evolve. Scam-fighting is also a part of finance where banks put aside their commercial rivalry and frequently work together to share information against a common enemy. Indeed, last year the competition watchdog gave the Australian Bankers’ Association and its members permission to talk together to develop industry standards for anti-scam measures. Not only does information-sharing help to spot the scammers, there’s also no public benefit in a situation in which some banks have far better anti-scam systems than others, because you can be sure that the criminals will cotton on to any vulnerabilities. “When it comes to fighting crime and preventing the impact of crime on our customers, we don’t compete on that,” Sheehan says. “We realise that we have to work together because otherwise we’ll just get picked off individually.” The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the day’s trading. Get it each we e kday afternoon .

Dhaka committed to safeguarding rights of all peopleNEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. His weekslong journey would take him from Tehran, through rural Iranian villages, on foot across a mountainous borderland and ultimately to Hamburg, Germany. As arduous and dangerous as the trip was, Rasoulof’s travels had an added wrinkle: He was trying to finish a movie at the same time. A week after arriving in Germany, Rasoulof would premiere his film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” at the Cannes Film Festival in France. As he fled, Rasoulof was preoccupied with the movie’s edit, which was being carried out in Germany. “I remember when I was sitting in the car that was driving me to the border,” Rasoulof says. “I had my laptop and I was taking notes and sending them to my editor. The two friends who were taking me kept saying, ‘Put that thing away for a second.’” In Cannes, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” won a special jury prize and Rasoulof was celebrated with a 13-minute standing ovation. The movie has since been hailed as one of the best of the year, and arguably its most daring. Rasoulof made “Sacred Fig” clandestinely in Iran, directing scenes from a separate location to avoid raising suspicions. (The opening titles read: “When there is no way, a way must be made.”) Its story — a devastating family drama set during the 2022 protests that engulfed Iran — would surely only add to Rasoulof’s prison sentence. So after all of this, how is he feeling? When he recently met with The Associated Press for an interview, Rasoulof shrugged. “Ordinary,” he says. Rasoulof, 52, has a more gentle, bemused presence than some of his films would suggest. But how could Rasoulof, after what he’s lived through this year, feel anything like ordinary? “I still haven’t grasped the meaning of exile,” he explains. “I think it will take some time. The feeling of that void has not hit me yet, and I think it may never come.” Rasoulof has been busy traveling from film festival to film festival. In September, he and his 24-year-old daughter attended the Telluride festival in Colorado. Many more such stops were to come. Since fleeing Iran, Rasoulof has effectively been immersed in the world he’s long known: cinema. “Maybe I am living in the world of cinema, and maybe that’s why things are so familiar,” he agrees. “Maybe that’s why I don’t feel I’m in exile.” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” currently playing in theaters, is the Oscar submission from Rasoulof’s adoptive home, Germany. He’s settled in with his family, grateful for how the country has welcomed him. Speaking through an interpreter, Rasoulof grants that he’ll probably always mentally have a bag packed, ready to return to Iran should the chance ever come. But what “home” constitutes has changed for him. “I might be able to change this concept of home for myself,” he says. “I walk on the streets here and I see people of different colors and forms from all over the place, and they all call this place home. So there’s always the chance that one can build something new.” How oppressive politics can infiltrate the home is central to “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It concerns a family of four: Iman (Missagh Zareh), a lawyer newly appointed to the Revolutionary Court in Tehran; his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Iman is proud of his high position, but, when the government crackdown on protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini accelerates, his daughters are increasingly at odds with him. After Iman’s gun goes missing, his wife and daughters turn into suspects. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” populated with real cellphone videos from the protests, plays out as an excruciating microcosm of Iranian society. “It wasn’t like I put those videos in. They just came in,” says Rasoulof. “The reality is that it was through those videos I realized what happened. When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement occurred, I was in prison.” Rasoulof has spent several spells in Tehran’s Evin Prison. In 2010, he was arrested on set for filming without a permit. In 2022, he was jailed for seven months after pursuing the release of another of Iran’s most prominent filmmakers, Jafar Panahi. Panahi, who secretly made the film “No Bears,” was only released in 2023 after commencing a hunger strike. “My windows at home opened to the hills that have the Evin prison in them,” says Rasoulof. “I knew behind those walls many of my friends were sitting.” Rasoulof, inspired by the courage of the younger generation, resolved to pour the same spirit into “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” Although it wasn’t until Rasoulof’s appeal of his sentence failed that he resolved to flee, he grants that deciding to make “Sacred Fig” essentially sealed his fate. “Making this film was part of that decision,” he says. “Although I had made up my mind earlier, because it was such a bitter decision, I was denying it and delaying it, waiting for a miracle to allow me to stay.” “I would open the fridge to make sure there was nothing there that would go bad,” he adds. “It was a strange circumstance.” For the film’s actors and crew members, signing up for the movie meant also becoming co-conspirators. Everyone knew the risks. And, like Rasoulof, many of them have since left Iran. Rostami and Maleki also now live in Germany. Asked if his collaborators are all currently safe, Rasoulof responds: “No one is safe from the Islamic Republic.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. In his new life, Rasoulof is experiencing freedoms he never had in Iran. His films, for example, are widely available outside his native country but not in Iran. His prize-winning 2020 drama “There Is No Evil,” about capital punishment in Iran, is banned — though, ironically, Rasoulof’s prison guards enjoyed watching it with him from a flash drive. “I haven’t seen many of my films on a big screen, especially my last film,” he says. “I really want to see ‘There Is No Evil’ on a big screen. A festival in Portugal has promised to take me to see my own film.” The name of Rasoulof’s film comes from his memory of an ancient fig tree he once visited on an island in the south of Iran. It’s a tree that, with apparent metaphorical meaning for the Iranian government, spreads its seeds onto other trees, killing them and growing in their place. Rasoulof pulls out his phone to share a photo of his apartment in Tehran. Outside a large window, you can see the walls of Evin running along a craggy hillside. Inside are many houseplants. “This is my home,” he says. “I have a lot of plants. I really miss my plants. I have a neighbor who takes care of them for me. I actually have a fig tree at home.” Advertisement Advertisement The Free Press acknowledges the financial support it receives from , which makes our coverage of religion possible.In keeping with a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition, President Joe Biden recently pardoned a pair of turkeys . During a ceremony at the White House, the birds — named Peach and Blossom — were spared from the dinner table and given a new lease on life. While it was an act of pure political pageantry, it highlights the president’s expansive pardon powers — which could be used liberally during his final two months in office. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada, claiming it will eliminate hundreds of jobs and potentially terminate a quarter of a million contracts that it has with Canadian advertising clients. The company filed documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Dec. 5, seeking to set aside the order to wind-up and cease business in Canada. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must close its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to pause the order while it argues its case on why the government's decision should be overturned. It claims the minister's decision was "unreasonable" and "driven by improper purposes." "TikTok Canada provides hundreds of Canadians with well-paying jobs, and contributes millions of dollars annually to the Canadian economy," the application says. "Through the TikTok platform, Canadian businesses and content creators can reach a global audience of over one billion monthly users." The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time that the government was taking action to address "specific national security risks," though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok's court application says Champagne "failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)" The company argues the government ordered "measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies." It says the reasons for the order "are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies." TikTok Canada also claims it "participates in important Canadian public policy issues at the federal and provincial level, including those related to online safety, elections, and culture." The company's filing says TikTok Canada "worked with Elections Canada and the Privy Council Office on partnerships to support election integrity on the TikTok platform." TikTok claims the foreign investment review and economic security branch of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada "abruptly" finished the company's national security review at the end of October, and ordered the company to wind-up its Canadian operations a week later. The company's court application says there were "less onerous" options available than ordering the shut down, which it claims "will cause the destruction of significant economic opportunities and intangible benefits to Canadian creators, artists and businesses, and the Canadian cultural community more broadly." The company's law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would "eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press

AP News Summary at 6:46 p.m. ESTNHL-worst Blackhawks fire Richardson as coachMemphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui Invitational LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn in the first round of the Maui Invitational. Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers, who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies. Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Judge rejects request to sideline a San Jose State volleyball player on grounds she’s transgender A judge has rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she’s transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship in Las Vegas this week. His order also upholds the seedings and pairings in the tournament. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and Los Angeles Angels agree to a $63 million, 3-year contract, AP source says A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $63 million, three-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by the New York Post, was subject to a successful physical. An All-Star with Seattle in 2021, Kikuchi was 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA this year for Toronto and Houston, which acquired him on July 30. Kikuchi was 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 starts with the Astros. He is 41-47 with a 4.57 ERA in six seasons. Conference title games a chance at a banner, bragging rights and, for some, a season-wrecking loss Indiana should be able to breathe easy. The Hoosiers have very little chance of making it to the Big Ten championship game. In the Southeastern Conference, Georgia has a spot in the league title game but with that comes a lot of worry. Conference title games give teams a chance to hang a banner, but for national title contenders it is an additional chance for a season-wrecking loss — even with an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the season with a broken collarbone HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Monday that quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. Pierce said Aidan O’Connell is on injured reserve with a broken thumb. He could be available to start when the Raiders visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. The Raiders also could turn to Desmond Ridder. He replaced Minshew when he was injured late in Sunday’s 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. UCLA moves up to No. 1 in AP Top 25 women's basketball poll for first time in history UCLA has earned the school's first No. 1 ranking in in The Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll. The Bruins knocked off the previous top team, South Carolina, which had held the No. 1 spot for the previous 23 polls. UCLA moved up four spots. UConn remained No. 2. Notre Dame pulled off its own upset, beating then-No. 3 USC and moving up to third. South Carolina dropped to fourth, Texas is fifth and USC fell to sixth. Iowa is in the poll for the first time in the post-Caitlin Clark era, coming in at No. 22. Kansas stays at No. 1 ahead of showdown vs. No. 11 Duke; Ole Miss, Mississippi St back in AP Top 25 Kansas remained solidly entrenched at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll ahead of its showdown with Duke in Las Vegas. The Jayhawks received 51 of 62 first-place votes from the national panel of media, putting them well ahead of two-time reigning national champion UConn, which was second with six first-place votes. Gonzaga was third with two first-place votes, Auburn was next with three, and Iowa State rounded out a top five that was unchanged from the previous week. Xavier, Ole Miss and Mississippi State entered the poll at the expense of Illinois, St. John's and Rutgers. Wake up the ghosts! Texas, Texas A&M rivalry that dates to 1894 is reborn AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player who grew up in the state has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade it has been only ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. That changes this week when one of college football’s great rivalries is reborn after a 12-year hiatus. Third-ranked Texas plays at No. 20 Texas A&M with a berth in the conference championship game on the line. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

David E. “Dave” Nething of Jamestown, ND died December 2, 2024, of natural causes at SMP Health - Ave Maria, Jamestown, ND at the age of 91. Twice each day for many years, Dave prayed to God he would be a better person and a better friend in Jesus than he was the day before. He knew when he reached the ultimate being the best person he could and the best friend of Jesus possible for him; God would take him from his earthly life. It is his life we will celebrate at United Presbyterian Church in Jamestown, ND on December 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Arrangements are in the care of Eddy Funeral Home. Dave was born June 29, 1933 in Valley City, ND when his family lived in Wimbledon. The family moved to Pingree where he attended school leaving the last semester of high school to enter the military service. His diploma was granted in May of 1951. When he entered active federal duty he went to Camp Rucker, Alabama in 1951. He entered Jamestown College in 1952 and graduated in 1956. It was in college where he met and married Marjorie Moffatt of Rugby, ND in 1955. In the autobiography and memoirs book he wrote for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in 2011, he dedicated it to Marge and said the following: “Throughout our life together, she has been my best friend and supporter. Starting with our first meeting, you need to realize whatever I accomplished, her presence and willingness to endure were ever present. Without her steady guidance, our lives would never have matured to the level we have enjoyed.” His college part-time jobs included part owner of a service station in Pingree with his brother Edwin, college bookstore, Jimmy Grill, construction truck driver, railroad section crew, radio announcer, school bus driver, college commons (kitchen help) and railroad yard clerk. His first job out of college was high school principal and teacher at Pingree High School. In addition, he coached boys & girls basketball and softball. The following year he started working in insurance and real estate business in Jamestown. He entered the University of North Dakota Law School and graduated in 1963 with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree with Honors. During the summers of Law School he worked in Alaska for the State Department, and part time waiter in the Red Dog Saloon and radio announcer. He passed the North Dakota Bar Exam in 1963, then went to work in the office of the Attorney General in Bismarck. In 1964, he opened his law office in Jamestown. He was appointed Assistant State’s Attorney for Stutsman County through 1969 and did all prosecution of criminal cases. In 1965, he formed a partnership with Clint Ottmar which was continued to 1976. During this time he was a part-time Business Law instructor at Jamestown College and the Assistant City Attorney for Jamestown, ND. From 1976 thru 2000 he was a sole practitioner of law and was the City Attorney for Jamestown, for four years. He was very active in his community including serving on the Jamestown Stutsman County Business & Industrial Development Commission, Commissioner Chairman of ND Supreme Court Grievance Commission, Presbyterian Church Trustee and Deacon, President of Rotary, Director of Stutsman County Fair Board, Director of Camp Rokiwan Board, Delegate to ND Constitution Convention, member of American Legion and Masonic Bodies. He enjoyed politics and became very active in the Republican Party. He served as Secretary for the Stutsman County Republican Committee, State Chairman, ND Young Republicans and on various District and State Committees. In 1960, he was a Delegate to the National Republican Convention held in Chicago. In 1966, he was elected to the North Dakota Senate and served until his retirement in 2012. At that time he was the longest serving Republican State Senator in the United States. He thoroughly enjoyed serving in the legislature and served on 26 different committees during his 46 years. He was elected Senate Majority leader in 1974 thru 1986 and was elected President Pro-tem 1997-98. In 1985-86, he was elected President of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the only legislator from ND to hold that office Higher Education Policy was of special interest. He served on the Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education (WICHE) and was Chairman in 2005. He was also very interested in telecommunications. He was the prime sponsor of legislation to provide Telecommunication Regulatory reform in North Dakota. He was very active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Locally he was Exalted Ruler and served on many committees. He was a trustee for the North Dakota Elks Association and served as Chairman of the Board. He received 28 different recognition awards during his time in legislature. In addition, he was inducted into Jamestown College Hall of Fame. Received the “Greater North Dakotan” Award from Greater North Dakota Association. Was presented the “Commodore in the ND Mythical Navy” Award for unwavering support of water issues from Governor Hoven and the North Dakota Water Users Association. In 2012 was the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of North Dakota. Dave was an energetic, loving, caring and positive thinking man whose life centered on his state, community, family and his faith in God. He instilled these values in his children and taught them the importance of faith, love and family. His wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all brought joy to him in many different ways and he was very proud of each of them and their spouses. In 2011 Dave became an author and over several years presented his family with 4 books “Grandpa Dave, Citizen Senator”, “Grandpa Dave: the Person and the Family” “Grandpa Dave and Grandma Marge - Lonesome Lovers - Alaska - Summer of 1961” and in 2024, ”Grandpa Dave: A Lifetime of Activities.” Dave enjoyed writing about family history especially for his grandchildren. He is survived by his best friend and supporter for 69 years, Marjorie, three children, Deborrah (Francis) Lee, Scot (Darlene) Nething, and Melissa, (Rick) Morris all of Jamestown, Granddchildren: Jeff (Jill) Lee and daughters: Arya & Kyra; Heidi (Nick) Bollinger and sons: Cashton & Jack; Andy Lee (Kalli Swenson); Robyn Nething; Ben (DeeAnn) Lee and children: Danica, Silas, Lila, June, Ruby and sister-in-law Bonnie and (Tom) Lavik of Blaine, MN. He was preceded in death by parents, Edwin Sr. and Esther Stein Nething, siblings Edwin (Lorrie) Nething, Dorothy (Jack) Swearingen, Marlen (Art) Gray, Marge’s parents James and Emma Moffatt, and his paternal grandparents August and Lizzie Nething and maternal grandparents E.W. and Hulda Stein. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be sent to SMP Health - Ave Maria, 501 19th St. NE, Jamestown; Jamestown Regional Medical Center, 2422 20th St. SW, Jamestown; or the charity of choice.B.C. premier says feds and provinces plan right-left approach to Trump's tariff plansMiley Cyrus used to struggle to "connect with people" because of her fame

Ciani had nine rebounds for the Flames (9-4, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Javon Jackson scored 14 points while going 4 of 10 from the floor, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and 4 for 6 from the line. Ahmad Henderson II shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points. The Redbirds (8-5, 0-2) were led by Malachi Poindexter, who posted 20 points. Ty Pence added 10 points and Dalton Banks pitched in with nine points, five assists and two steals. Jackson scored nine points in the first half and UIC went into the break trailing 35-33. UIC outscored Illinois State by eight points in the second half. Ciani led the way with 14 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .jrbetsilog 。

Moreover, the competitive landscape of the e-commerce industry is contributing to the excitement surrounding the "Double 12" promotions. With major players vying for consumer attention and market share, the pressure is on to deliver the most compelling deals and promotions to attract shoppers. As a result, consumers can expect to see a wide range of discounts, promotions, and special offers across various product categories, creating a shopping frenzy that is sure to delight bargain hunters and savvy shoppers alike.Expanded CFP field draws more bets and on more teamsWarren Buffett gives away another US$1.1B, announces plans for distributing $147B fortune after death - CTV NewsROHM’s EcoSiC Technology Adopted in COSEL’s HFA/HCA Series 3.5kW Output AC-DC Power Supply Units

In light of these developments, it is important for users to be mindful of the terms and conditions of their subscription agreements and respect the rules set forth by content providers. While it may be tempting to share login credentials with others, it is essential to understand the implications of such actions and the negative impact they can have on the sustainability of the platform and the creative industry as a whole.Authored by Alexander Langlois via American Greatness, On December 19, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that there are roughly 2,000 troops stationed in Syria – 1,100 more than previously shared with the public. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder disclosed the new number almost off-handedly, without explanation for the shock news as Syria experiences a generational moment following former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapse on December 8. The announcement personifies the ongoing and widespread disdain of American political and military leaders for transparency on military operations abroad. Indeed, the laxness with which Ryder announced the new deployment numbers is unacceptable. These forces are not, as the spokesperson claimed , simply “temporary rotational forces” but reflect the worst excesses of mission creep that have come to define U.S. military operations in the post-9/11 era. Ryder’s follow-on statements, in the same breath as his claims of the temporary nature of the deployment, highlight this bleak reality: “Right now, there are no plans to cease the defeat-ISIS mission.” Rather, the Biden administration feels empowered to expand that mission and lie to the American people about what exactly it is doing in Syria. Such an outcome results from unchecked executive power in the U.S. government and Congressional reluctance to question support for anything labeled as counterterrorism (CT) operations. Worse, the announcement comes as news surfaces that U.S. President Joe Biden experienced “ good days and bad days ” as early as 2021 concerning his mental acuity – another inconvenient fact hidden from U.S. citizens, raising questions regarding who has actually been steering policy in the White House. The inconvenient truth for Biden’s advisors is simple: U.S. forces continue to operate in a country that has not invited them to establish a presence and without any constitutionally mandated Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) required to make such military operations legal under U.S. law. Only Congress can pass an AUMF – the president cannot unilaterally declare one. Flimsy arguments connecting the Islamic State to Al-Qaeda – arguing that the former grew out of the latter – are another ugly expansion of unchecked executive power aimed at limiting U.S. citizen input on the critical decisions of their elected officials. Such a pass must be rejected. For two decades, U.S. officials have worked to expand global military power in a resource-draining deluge of unsustainable overextension. On the same day as Ryder’s announcement, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – the primary defense appropriations package – to the tune of $895 billion. As U.S. debt approaches $37 trillion , the government should be more transparent on such issues – not less. Yet rather than taking that approach, the Pentagon failed its seventh straight audit in 2024. This unacceptable situation is why expanding the defeat-ISIS mission should be rejected, especially given the facts on the ground. To be sure, while the Islamic State has expanded its operations in Syria in 2024, the number of attacks pales in comparison to the height of the group when ISIS actually held and governed territory. With less than 20 attacks in September, compared to hundreds in April 2022, the Islamic State is no longer a serious threat to U.S. interests—and its reach is extremely limited. It has long been unable to conduct international attacks from either Syria or Iraq. Most of its fighters in these two countries remain in prisons operated by local U.S. partners – namely the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria. While some cite the presence of roughly 10,000 fighters in these prisons as an army-in-waiting for the group, the reality is alternative policy options exist for both securing these prisons and limiting the wider supposed threat while ending – not expanding – the defeat-ISIS mission. Those options include regional partnerships, not limited to Turkey or the plethora of armed groups operating in Syria today. Given the Islamic State’s inherent weakness, it should not be difficult to establish a sustainable agreement – namely one that ends the U.S. presence in the country by allowing those capable local actors with more of an interest in ending the threat from re-appearing in their communities. An open-ended U.S. presence will not fully resolve this problem, as personified by never-ending CT operations across Africa and Asia with no end in sight. Ultimately, the issue of U.S. military overreach is bigger than Syria, even if the country is central to debates on U.S. forces abroad. Officials must recognize that U.S. primacy on the regional and global stage does not come from doing everything, everywhere, all at once. Rather, it is achieved through strategic honesty and military restraint that right-sizes efforts abroad based on necessity as the world is – not how unelected officials wish it to be. Misleading the American public cannot remain the U.S. foreign policy norm, which already discounts the will of the average American citizen in a smugness that has long pervaded the space. As announcements like the one on Syria indicate, the time is now to shift away from this unsustainable and anti-democratic approach.'India’s Global Role Critical For Lasting Peace': Ukraine FM After Talks With EAM Jaishankar In Rome

NEW YORK , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global mosquito repellent market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.16 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 6.4% during the forecast period. Increase in number of awareness campaigns by government organizations and vendors is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing demand for natural organic repellents. However, competition from professional household insecticide services poses a challenge. Key market players include Baldha Industries Pvt. Ltd., Coghlans Ltd., Dabur India Ltd., Enesis Group, Globe Janakantha Shilpa Paribar Ltd., Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Goodluck Syndicate, Healthium Medtech Pvt. Ltd., Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Juno Laboratories Pty Ltd., Jyothy Labs Ltd., Kalpana Naturals, Maruti Plastorub Industries, Mosfly International Sdn Bhd, Murphys Naturals Inc., Pascoes Pty Ltd., PT. SINAR ANTJOL, Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, Sarex, and Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Mosquito Repellent Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.4% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 4156.7 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.61 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 63% Key countries China, Germany, US, India, and UK Key companies profiled Baldha Industries Pvt. Ltd., Coghlans Ltd., Dabur India Ltd., Enesis Group, Globe Janakantha Shilpa Paribar Ltd., Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Goodluck Syndicate, Healthium Medtech Pvt. Ltd., Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Juno Laboratories Pty Ltd., Jyothy Labs Ltd., Kalpana Naturals, Maruti Plastorub Industries, Mosfly International Sdn Bhd, Murphys Naturals Inc., Pascoes Pty Ltd., PT. SINAR ANTJOL, Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, Sarex, and Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. Market Driver The mosquito repellent market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing threat of mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Yellow fever in both urban and rural areas. The proliferation of mosquito populations is influenced by environmental conditions, including humid climate and heavy rains. Key players in the market include PelGar International, AoGrand Group, Enesis Group, and Herbal Strategi. Pest control services are also expanding their offerings to include mosquito control, recognizing the need for effective solutions in the face of urbanization and the movement of people. The production and distribution of mosquito repellents are increasing in areas with high mosquito activity, such as Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in the UK, and Dusseldorf in Germany . Consumers are seeking quality products to protect against these deadly diseases, leading to a wide variety of mosquito repellent types, including coils, sprays, creams and oils, and plant-based repellents. However, concerns over the adverse effects of chemical repellents have led to the development of alternative solutions. The home care industry is also responding to the growing demand for mosquito repellents, with consumer lifestyles driving the trend towards online shopping for non-essential items. The market is expected to continue growing as the threat of mosquito-borne diseases persists, particularly in semi-urban and rural places where abiotic factors and climate change can contribute to insect growth and reproduction. Additionally, the market is also witnessing the emergence of new technologies such as smart filtration systems and nanofiber filtration to improve product efficiency and workplace safety. The market is expected to face challenges from regulatory bodies and environmental concerns, particularly with regards to the use of chemicals and greenhouse gases in production and the disposal of plastic containers and cartridges. In summary, the mosquito repellent market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing threat of mosquito-borne diseases, particularly in urban and rural areas. Key players are expanding their offerings to meet consumer demand for effective and safe solutions, while new technologies are being developed to improve product efficiency and reduce environmental impact. However, regulatory and environmental challenges remain, and companies must continue to innovate to meet these challenges and stay competitive in the market. The mosquito repellent market is experiencing a notable trend towards organic and natural products. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the potential health risks associated with synthetic repellents, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. In response, vendors are introducing mosquito repellents formulated with natural ingredients. This shift in consumer preferences is expected to significantly boost market growth during the forecast period. The rising demand for organic and natural mosquito repellents is a key market driver. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! The mosquito repellent market faces significant challenges in both urban and rural areas due to the proliferation of mosquitoes in various environmental conditions. Mosquitoes carry deadly diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Yellow fever, which pose health risks to consumers. Urbanization and construction of buildings and apartments contribute to the growth of mosquito populations, especially in semi-urban and rural places. PelGar International, AoGrand Group, Enesis Group, Herbal Strategi, and pest control services are key players in the market. However, the movement of people and undisturbed conditions facilitate mosquito breeding, leading to an increase in mosquito-borne diseases. Cockroach infestation and rodent activities can also contribute to mosquito breeding. Hand sanitizers, Red Cross Society, and personal protective equipment are essential in preventing the spread of diseases. However, the production and use of pesticides, such as Cyfluthrin, Permethrin, and Pyrethroids, can have adverse effects on consumers and the environment. The market offers a wide variety of products, including sprays, vaporizers, and plant-based repellents. Malaria cases and deaths continue to be a concern, especially in areas with heavy rains and humid climates. Consumers prioritize quality products and are increasingly turning to online shopping for convenience. Climate change and weather conditions also impact mosquito reproduction and mortality rates. Companies must address environmental concerns, such as emission levels and microchips, semiconductors, and recycling, to ensure sustainable business practices. The market also faces challenges related to workplace safety, respiratory ailments, and health consciousness. The mosquito repellent market has faced challenges due to the rise of professional household insecticide services. These services offer effective and long-lasting solutions against household insects, including mosquitoes, although they come with a higher price tag and are not ideal for regular maintenance. Allergic reactions to insecticide fumes are a concern for some consumers, but professional services use non-irritating, odorless, residue-free, and safe products, even in kitchen spaces. Despite these advantages, the growth of the mosquito repellent market has been hindered by the increasing popularity of professional insecticide services. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This mosquito repellent market report extensively covers market segmentation by Distribution Channel 1.1 Offline 1.2 Online Product 2.1 Self-applicable 2.2 Others Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Offline- In the global mosquito repellent market, offline distribution channels held the largest share in 2023. Consumers prefer this mode of distribution due to its tangible experience and easy access to a wide range of products. Major offline channels include specialty stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets, convenience stores, and drug stores. The increasing number of supermarkets and hypermarkets, driven by population growth, is a significant trend in the market. Consumers increasingly prefer these retail formats for mosquito repellent purchases due to the ability to read product labels, immediate access, and expert advice. Major retailers, such as Walmart Inc., Target Brands, Inc., and Tesco Plc, have dedicated spaces for mosquito repellent products. The expansion of these retailers and the rise in the number of hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and drug stores contribute to the growth of the mosquito repellent market through these channels. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The mosquito repellent market encompasses a wide range of products designed to prevent the proliferation of mosquitoes in both urban and rural areas. Mosquitoes, known carriers of deadly diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Yellow fever, thrive in humid climates and are particularly active in environmental conditions conducive to their population growth. Rapid urbanization and construction contribute to the increase in mosquito breeding sites, making mosquito repellents essential. The market includes various types of repellents such as bags, cartridges, drums, and water treatment solutions. The production process involves greenhouse gases emission from chemical processing, drug manufacturing, and environmental remediation. Process efficiency and workplace safety are crucial considerations in the market to ensure the production of effective and safe mosquito repellents. The mosquito repellent market encompasses urban and rural areas, with environmental conditions playing a significant role in mosquito breeding and the proliferation of deadly diseases such as Dengue, Zika, Yellow fever, and malaria. Mosquitoes thrive in undisturbed conditions, particularly in areas of heavy rain and humid climates, leading to an increase in mosquito populations and malaria cases. The movement of people and construction of buildings in semi-urban and rural places further contributes to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The market for mosquito repellents includes a wide variety of products such as coils, sprays, creams and oils, and plant-based repellents. Consumers are increasingly conscious of health problems associated with mosquito-borne diseases and are buying quality products from brand owners. Online shopping and non-essential items have also become popular in the home care industry, driving business expansion. However, the use of mosquito repellents comes with its own set of health concerns, including skin reactions, rashes, swelling, itching, and eye irritation from chemicals. Adverse effects from chemicals such as cyfluthrin, permethrin, pyrethroids, picaridin, and citronella have been reported. The market also includes pest control services, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment from companies like PelGar International, AoGrand Group, Enesis Group, and Herbal Strategi. The Red Cross Society and various community organizations also play a role in disease prevention and control. The production and bottling of mosquito repellents involve chemical processing, drug manufacturing, and environmental remediation. Process efficiency, workplace safety, and health consciousness are key concerns for consumers and manufacturers alike. The market for mosquito repellents is not limited to mosquitoes, as cockroach infestation and rodent activities also contribute to the need for effective pest control solutions. The use of hand disinfectants, water treatment, and various filter systems are also important in preventing the spread of diseases. The market for mosquito repellents is influenced by various abiotic factors, including climate change, weather, and physiology, which can impact mosquito reproduction and mortality rates. The use of mosquito repellents is essential in preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, which can lead to significant health problems and even deaths. The market for mosquito repellents is also impacted by the production and use of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, which can contribute to the degradation of the atmosphere and the environment. The use of microchips, semiconductors, and recycling are important in reducing the environmental impact of mosquito repellent production and use. The market for mosquito repellents is also influenced by various other industries, including the automotive industry, which contributes to the production of dust, dirt, contaminants, and particulate matter, which can impact air quality and contribute to respiratory ailments. The use of nanofiber filtration, smart filtration systems, and the Internet of Things are important in reducing the impact of these pollutants on health and the environment. In conclusion, the mosquito repellent market plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases and ensuring public health and safety. However, it is essential to consider the potential health concerns and environmental impact of mosquito repellents and take steps to mitigate these risks through the use of quality products, effective production processes, and responsible disposal practices. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Distribution Channel Offline Online Product Self-applicable Others Geography APAC Europe North America 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 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. 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/mosquito-repellent-market-to-grow-by-usd-4-16-billion-2024-2028-awareness-campaigns-drive-growth-report-with-ai-powered-market-evolution---technavio-302321181.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Football clubs ‘alarmed’ by lack of consultation on regulator – Karren BradyCompany to Participate in Sidoti Small-Cap Conference and CEO Summit Conference MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (NYSE: VPG), a leader in precision measurement and sensing technologies, announced today that it will present at the following investor conferences in December 2024: Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 9:15 a.m. ET. A live and on-demand webcast of VPG's presentation will be available to the public. It can be accessed via the following link: https://sidoti.zoom.us/webinar or on VPG's website at ir.vpgsensors.com/events . December 17, 2024, in New York, NY. The NYC Summit is an independently organized investor conference featuring 17 technology companies. It will feature an in-person "round-robin” format consisting of small group meetings with company management teams. About VPG Vishay Precision Group, Inc. (VPG) is a leader in precision measurement and sensing technologies. Our sensors, weighing solutions and measurement systems optimize and enhance our customers' product performance across a broad array of markets to make our world safer, smarter, and more productive. To learn more, visit VPG at www.vpgsensors.com and follow us on LinkedIn . For Investors: Vishay Precision Group Steve Cantor, 781-222-3516 [email protected]The Apprentice star also argued that a lack of clarity from the Government on the ownership test is causing “significant uncertainty” for potential investors. This came as the House of Lords continued its scrutiny of the Football Governance Bill, which seeks to establish an independent regulator for the top five tiers of the men’s game. In the upper chamber, Baroness Brady said: “We are creating legislation which will profoundly affect 160 quite unique institutions, from Premier League clubs through to the National League community clubs, but it is important for everyone to understand that the consultation with these affected businesses by the current Government has been remarkably limited, almost unbelievably so. “Just seven Premier League clubs, I was one of them, was granted a brief half-hour meeting with the Secretary of State over the summer. “And following this cursory engagement, significant decisions were made that could fundamentally affect the future of English football, most notably with the inclusion of parachute payments within the backstop mechanism. “This is particularly concerning given that fundamental issues still remained unresolved, we still lack any clarity on Uefa’s position on state interference, for example, this clearly creates profound uncertainty for clubs competing in or aspiring to European competition, as well as our national teams.” “We don’t know what the ownership test will look like, this causes significant uncertainty for potential investors as to whether they are able to own a club,” she added. Lady Brady continued: “I have spoken to many of my colleagues across all of the football pyramid, we are all alarmed about and puzzled by the lack of discussion on the Bill with ministers. “Would the minister agree that we all want to get the detail of this Bill right? And can she see any downsides to providing meaningful opportunities to hear from all clubs across the football pyramid affected by the legislation?” Prior to this, Tory shadow sports minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay had tabled an amendment which he said would allow clubs to “make their views known on this legislation” by including specific competitions on the face of the Bill. Labour frontbencher Baroness Twycross told the upper chamber: “I don’t think the leagues are confused either on which leagues this legislation will apply to.” She added: “This power is both reasonable and the result of evidence-based consultation with all key stakeholders in the industry. “This power ensures that the competitions in scope can be amended in a timely manner and ensures the scope of the regime remains relevant.” The peer later said: “Over the past three years there have been countless opportunities for all affected and interested parties to make representations.” Lady Brady also raised concerns about the financial distribution backstop, which she said is “clearly designed as a mechanism to gain direct access to, and apportionate Premier League revenue, and no-one else’s”. “I might add the backstop will allow the IFR (Independent Football Regulator) to do this even if it was against the Premier League clubs’ will, or even without the clubs’ agreement, even if it was to have a detrimental effect on the clubs and the overall competition it removes revenue from,” she added. The backstop would allow the new IFR to intervene in the distribution of Premier League broadcast revenue down the leagues as a last resort. It could be triggered by the Premier League, English Football League (EFL) or National League to mediate the fair financial distribution of this revenue if they are not able to come to an agreement. Conservative peers later raised concerns over the cost implications to clubs of establishing the regulator, although they faced claims of “filibustering” – wasting time by making overlong speeches in a bid to delay progress. Watching opposition benches blatantly filibustering to destroy the Football Governance Bill is nothing short of sporting vandalism.Football is broken. Clubs are struggling. Now those seats have been lost, do they no longer care about likes of Reading or Southend? @FairGameUK — Niall Couper (@NiallCouper) December 4, 2024 Labour peer Lord Watson of Invergowrie questioned why Lord Parkinson was showing “confected outrage” at the Bill when the former culture minister would have been defending a similar proposal had the Tories remained in power. Lord Parkinson, in his reply, said: “We want to see this regulator established, we want to see it doing its work and doing so effectively, but we also see before us a Bill that is different because of the election that was called and the result that happened, and we’re interrogating particularly closely the changes that the Government have made to the Bill – of which there are many. “And we have more concerns on these benches than we did before the election from my colleagues behind me about the way we do it.” The Tory peer pointed to Labour frontbenchers fulfilling their duties to “properly scrutinise” then-government legislation when they were on the opposition benches. Lady Twycross, in an intervention, said: “While I agree that (Lord Parkinson) is correct that I would scrutinise legislation when I was sitting on those (opposition) benches, I have never sought to filibuster a Bill to which my party had committed, which my party had laid before Parliament, and intended to filibuster it to the point of getting us stuck in treacle.” Lord Parkinson replied: “That is not what we’re doing.” Niall Couper, chief executive of the campaign group Fair Game, wrote on social media site X: “Watching opposition benches blatantly filibustering to destroy the Football Governance Bill is nothing short of sporting vandalism.”

KABUL (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has reported on a meeting between Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Yue Xiaoyong, Special Envoy of the People’s Republic of China for Afghanistan. The discussions centered on enhancing bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation, and addressing regional issues. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, Deputy Spokesman for the Ministry, stated that Mawlawi Muttaqi emphasized the positive trajectory of relations between Afghanistan and China, acknowledging the significant advancements in trade and mutual cooperation. Special Envoy Mr. Yue Xiaoyong highlighted the importance of respecting Afghanistan’s values and decisions, expressing China’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with the country. He also extended an invitation for the Acting Foreign Minister to participate in the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. In an earlier engagement, Yue Xiaoyong met with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, where he reiterated China’s support for Afghanistan’s stance in international platforms and underscored Beijing’s intention to deepen and sustain cooperation with Kabul.The recent draw in the King's Cup competition of Spanish fourth-tier team facing none other than the mighty Real Madrid has sent shockwaves through the footballing world. As the news broke, football fans around the globe were left in disbelief, eager to witness this David vs Goliath showdown on the pitch.

B.C. mining could find mother lode in trade dispute between China, U.S.WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him and is headed back to the White House. The decision, revealed in court filings, also amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to criminal cases that had been seen as the most perilous of the multiple legal threats Trump has faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump’s victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Smith’s team emphasized that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. ___ Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story. Alanna Durkin Richer And Eric Tucker, The Associated Press

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(Infrastructure Maintenance with Tunde Obileye) The current economic situation has stretched the facility management industry and its practitioners to deliver strategic solutions with less in very difficult circumstances. As a result, the opportunities and challenges come in equal proportions. Focus, however, is on the opportunity to scale up the internal systems of the service provider (FM organization) to be more effective, efficient in productivity, which can increase customer satisfaction. In a highly competitive market, service-based businesses need to capitalize on any opportunity to set themselves apart from their competitors. While implementation and service management are important, perhaps the best way to demonstrate capacity for exceptional service delivery as an FM organization is to foster strong customer relationships based on the quality of its service. To achieve this, the following guidelines are provided to raise the service level in recommitting to customer satisfaction. Communication When it comes to clients, facilities managers cannot over-communicate. Clients feel more comfortable when they know what is going on. The level of communication must reflect timelines, context, and its ability to clearly identify the value addition to the client. In a world of constant connectivity, the ability of facility managers to cut through the flood of information with quality and timely answers can achieve much. Service Management Defining expectations is vital to service management. FM practitioners and organizations need to make sure that they are on the same page regarding what to expect (or not expect) from their service offerings. This includes what the services cover, potential limitations, costs, how to get assistance when required, and more. This level of definition should involve co-operation from both client and service provider. Technology As services become increasingly digitized where possible, facilities managers can drive the use of technology to improve problematic processes. For example, technology can be used to capture and store data. In general, service delivery automation is high return and low risk, and more FM organizations are finding ways to cut costs and provide a more satisfactory customer experience. Resource Utilization Every organization has limited resources and wish to utilize same wisely. It is therefore important for FM organizations to understand their current resource needs and anticipate future resource needs. They need to be able to track employee requirements and capacities. With this information, facilities managers can schedule in accordance with current projects, and ensure that no resource is over or underutilized. Strong Culture After establishing a feasible service concept, the next area of focus should be the culture which will be instrumental to achieving success. Employees should be aligned when it comes to a specific set of all-encompassing principles. It should be noted that whilst methodology is crucial to service delivery, this should feel more like a philosophy. FM organizations should never take for granted that their culture is strictly internal because it also shows up in the way service is delivered, Relationship and interaction with clients is a reflection of the corporate culture and clients know it. The better the service provider understands it’s value proposition and what the organization represents, the more it translates to the clients. More often than not, clients know when a service provider and its employees are on the same page.

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Amid what he called “angst” over the departure of a successful defensive coordinator, Nebraska coach Matt Rhule on Wednesday named an interim replacement for Tony White while resisting any firm timeline for hiring the permanent guy. “I have no timetable other than to get it right,” Rhule said as part of his Signing Day press conference. “Just to make it right.” White left Monday for the same job at Florida State. Defensive backs coach John Butler, a longtime NFL assistant who also coordinated Penn State’s defense in 2013, will oversee the Husker defense in a bowl game later this month. Butler is also a candidate for the permanent role, Rhule said, and ran the unit in Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve had a lot of players come into me and voice their opinions,” Rhule said. “A lot of guys love John on the staff, on the team.” People are also reading... Whether Butler or some other coach fills the coordinator role, Rhule intends to continue running the 3-3-5 system Whie brought with him from Syracuse. The scheme favors an aggressive blitz scheme and can be hard for opposing offenses to decipher when rushing the ball. “I don’t want to switch to something different,” Rhule said. “I want to do this defense. Whoever that is, I don’t want to make that decision for the short term — where we all feel good about it — and I don’t want to make a ‘splashy’ hire.” Two years ago White fit that bill coming from Syracuse. In two seasons at NU, he coordinated national top-20 defenses in both points and yards per game allowed. On Sunday, two days after his defense allowed just 164 yards in a 13-10 loss to Iowa, Rhule said White came to him and desired to take the Florida State job for “family reasons.” Terrance Knighton, the team’s defensive line coach, has left, too, according to reports and his own X social media account, although Rhule deemed Knighton still “with” the team on Wednesday. The same was true of receivers coach Garret McGuire, who has the option, Rhule said, to remain with the team in an adjusted role after Rhule made official the hire of Kentucky receivers coach Daikiel Shorts, who had previously played and coached under new Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. “It was Dana’s only request,” Rhule said. Holgorsen would like to retain offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas, running backs coach EJ Barthel and tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield, demoted in early November from the playcaller role. Shorts, Rhule said, is a strong recruiter who understands Holgorsen’s system. “The offense will be better,” that it had been for the first 21 games of his tenure, Rhule said, thanks to Holgorsen’s addition and more time in the system. Nebraska’s defense will continue to play well, Rhule said, regardless of the coordinator. “Did I want Tony to leave? No. But it’s OK,” Rhule said. “Coaches are going to leave. If we have good players and we have good coaches, people are going to come try to get them. If no one’s trying to take our players and no one’s trying to take our coaches, that means we’re in trouble. “So that’s what it’s going to be. And the thing I’m seeing is, people all over the country are saying ‘Nebraska is a place with resources’ so it’s ‘hey Coach, I’d love to come coach there.’” Subscribe for the best Husker news & commentary Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Lily Phillips, OnlyFans Star, Accused of Hiding Her Plan To Have Sex With 101 Men From Airbnb Owner Whose London Flat She Used; May Face Ban on Accommodation Booking Platform

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Lions’ superfan calls for a blowout against PackersCHICAGO (AP) — When the Chicago Bears threatened to score in the closing minutes of a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, fans expressed their feelings loud and clear. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * CHICAGO (AP) — When the Chicago Bears threatened to score in the closing minutes of a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, fans expressed their feelings loud and clear. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? CHICAGO (AP) — When the Chicago Bears threatened to score in the closing minutes of a 6-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, fans expressed their feelings loud and clear. They weren’t cheering for a touchdown or field goal. They had something else in mind. “Sell the team!” they chanted. With their skid at 10 games, a season that started with playoff hopes can’t end soon enough for the Bears (4-12). They will wrap it up when they visit the rival Green Bay Packers on Jan. 5. “My job is to go out there and win games,” quarterback Caleb Williams said. “And we don’t focus on the outside noise. The fans are going to cheer and maybe boo sometimes. And you can’t react to that. It’s not something that we react to.” Chicago is 14-36 in three seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and has two double-digit losing streaks. The Bears dropped their final 10 in 2022 when they were tanking as part of a franchise-record 14-game skid that stretched into last year. They’ve never lost more than 10 in a row in a single season. The slide was at six games when they fired former coach Matt Eberflus the day after a loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving, following a series of poor late-game decisions. They’re 0-4 under interim coach Thomas Brown, and they’ve been dominated by Green Bay in recent decades. What’s working The defense. A defense that has gone from ranking seventh in yards per game through the first six weeks to 25th did its part against Seattle. The six points allowed were a season-low and the 265 yards the Bears gave up were their second-lowest. “As we know, our defense has a certain standard and we’ve showed it,” cornerback Kyler Gordon said. “So, obviously syncing a little bit. Just getting back on the guys to get back right. It’s just important to know what we can do and just go in there and execute.” What needs help Pass protection. Williams was sacked seven times, bringing his NFL-leading total and individual franchise record to 67. The Bears broke their previous mark of 66 sacks allowed in 2004, when they used four quarterbacks. Their issues on the offensive line are well-documented. And so is Williams’ tendency to hold onto the ball too long, resulting in unnecessary sacks. “There were miscues,” Williams said. “There were stupid sacks that I was taking, losing 10, 14 yards, which is frustrating. But I will say that I will definitely take the heat for this one just because (of) some of the situations that I put us in.” Stock up DE Montez Sweat. The Bears gave up 53 yards rushing on Seattle’s game-opening field-goal drive. But the line performed better after that. Sweat picked up his first sack since Week 12 against Minnesota on the first play of Seattle’s second possession, when he took down Geno Smith for an 8-yard loss. Though he’s only missed one game, Sweat has been slowed by ankle and shin injuries. His 5 1/2 sacks are a big drop from last season, when he had a combined 12 1/2 for Washington and Chicago while becoming the first NFL player to lead two teams in the same season. Stock down Williams. Coming off a promising outing against NFC leader Detroit that followed some shaky outings, Williams had a rough night. The No. 1 overall draft pick completed 16 of 28 passes for 122 yards — not much more than his low of 93 in a Week 1 win over Tennessee — after throwing for 334 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. The seven sacks for 46 yards both matched his second-highest totals. Injuries The Bears reported no injuries during the game. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 5 — The Bears once again had trouble sustaining drives, converting just 5 of 15 third downs and punting on seven of their 10 possessions. They tied a season low with 11 first downs and managed 179 yards. Chicago owns the NFL’s second-worst third-down conversion rate at 31.8% and is averaging a league-worst 287.3 yards per game. Next steps The Bears have lost 11 straight against the Packers — the longest streak by either team in the storied rivalry — and 26 of 29 counting the playoffs. They’ve dropped eight in a row at Lambeau Field since a win in 2015. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement Advertisement

Thursday, December 5, 2024 Facebook Instagram Twitter WhatsApp Youtube Personal Finance Education Entertainment Jobs Alert Sports Hindi Technology Complaint Redressal. Fact-Checking Policy Correction policy Authors and Team DNPA Code of Ethics Onwership and Funding Cookie Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Contact US About Us More Search Home Personal Finance 8th Pay Commission: Central employees will get good news on 8th Pay... Personal Finance 8th Pay Commission: Central employees will get good news on 8th Pay Commission? government made it clear By Shyamu Maurya December 5, 2024 0 6 Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram 8th Pay Commission: Central employees will get good news on 8th Pay Commission? government made it clear More than one crore central government employees and pensioners are waiting for the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. Its implementation will increase the basic salary, allowances, pension and other benefits of the employees. 8th Pay Commission latest news: The government has given a big blow to the central employees. In fact, the Finance Ministry said on 3 December 2024 that there is no plan to constitute the Eighth Pay Commission in the near future. Let us tell you that more than one crore central government employees and pensioners are waiting for the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. Its implementation will increase the basic salary, allowances, pension and other benefits of the employees. What did the government say Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, said that at present no proposal is being considered to constitute the 8th Central Pay Commission. Actually, it was asked whether the central government is thinking of announcing the new pay commission in the Union Budget 2025-26. Constituted every 10 years The Central Pay Commission is generally constituted every 10 years to assess and suggest changes in the salaries, allowances and perks of central government employees. The 7th Pay Commission was constituted by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on February 28, 2014. It submitted its recommendations on November 19, 2015 and the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission came into effect from January 1, 2016. Now the next pay commission i.e. 8th Central Pay Commission is expected to be implemented from January 1, 2026. Whenever a pay commission is implemented, it usually leads to a revision in the salary structure of central government employees and pensioners. The salary usually includes dearness allowance and dearness relief (DR). Currently, central employees get DA of 53 per cent. The same allowance is also given to pensioners. The government increases the allowance i.e. DA twice a year. This is done on a half-yearly basis. Join Informal Newz Tags 8th Pay Commission Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Previous article UPI transaction limits: RBI increased the limit of UPI Lite transactions, now you can do this much per transaction per day Shyamu Maurya Shyamu has done Degree in Fine Arts and has knowledge about bollywood industry. He started writing in 2018. Since then he has been associated with Informalnewz. 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Hundreds of migrants have been detained trying to reach the UK via Ireland in an apparent reversal of the previous trend seen when asylum seekers feared . Criminal gangs have been charging up to £7,000 to transport migrants over the border from Ireland to the north by touting it as a safer route than crossing the Channel on small boats, according to immigration officials. The interceptions in Northern Ireland are part of a UK Home Office campaign called Operation Comby to crack down on abuses of the Common Travel Area, which allows people to travel between the south and north without restrictions. It is a reversal of the migrant flow earlier this year when hundreds of because they . In one three-day operation, revealed on Thursday by the Home Office, 35 in multiple locations across the UK and Ireland. Immigration Enforcement teams, alongside police forces and other international partners, descended on locations including Belfast, Scotland, Liverpool and Manchester as part of the three-day operation. Checks were conducted at major ports, airports, road networks and private addresses across the country, targeting illegal migration and disrupting smuggling routes. Some £5,000 of criminal cash, a car and two fraudulent identity documents were seized. The documents are used by people-smuggling gangs, enabling them to evade immigration controls. , the border security minister, said the UK government was taking the fight against people smugglers to “every border”. She said: “This government will not stand by as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, giving them false hope of a better life in the UK. Driven by greed, these gangs have no regard for human life or safety, charging outrageous fees, preying on those desperate to escape hardship, and forcing them into illegal and dangerous situations. “We are taking the fight to them on every front with our new Border Security Command. Dismantling the business models of these gangs does not just apply to the small boats trade – we are also stamping out other routes into the UK to bring them to justice and slash their profits.” On Tuesday, Home Office officials detained four individuals trying to board ferries or planes in Belfast. One was an Iranian who appeared to have travelled from Barcelona to Dublin posing as a Ukrainian. He was stopped by two immigration enforcement officials as he approached the boarding card turnstiles at Belfast airport. Within minutes, the officers suspected that his Ukrainian passport was counterfeit and he admitted to being Iranian. Officers said the detention could be “low hanging fruit” that led to a potential smuggling gang in Dublin or elsewhere in Europe using the Common Travel Area as a back door to Great Britain. Jonathan Evans, the inspector at the criminal and financial investigations unit in immigration enforcement in Belfast, said the numerous stamps in the man’s passport were designed to make it look like he was well-travelled. This suggested that the document had been prepared by a criminal gang “to make it look like he has gone through multiple border controls previously” with immigration stamps from other countries. He added: “We will now run his fingerprints through our databases and talk to Europol. “We will also probably put out a national alert to see if there have been any other Ukrainian counterfeit passports used and this could lead us to a new method used by organised criminals.” The going the other direction from Britain to Belfast and then Dublin was the centre of a political row in Ireland earlier this year. Helen McEntee, the justice minister, said there was anecdotal evidence of a sharp rise in the number of those seeking international protection entering the country via Northern Ireland. Maintaining the invisible border between Northern Ireland and the Republic was a political red line during the . Ireland and the EU faced down Brexiteers who wanted a hard border. Asylum applications in Ireland have jumped from just under 5,000 in 2019 to more than 17,536 so far this year, according to Irish government data.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.Italian journalist arrested in Iran, tossed into infamous Tehran prison, Rome officials say

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. donors gave $3.6 billion on Tuesday, an increase from the past two years, according to estimates from the nonprofit GivingTuesday. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving, now known as GivingTuesday, has become a major day for nonprofits to fundraise and otherwise engage their supporters each year, since the 92nd St Y in New York started it as a hashtag in 2012. GivingTuesday has since become an independent nonprofit that connects a worldwide network of leaders and organizations who promote giving in their communities. The amount donated this year represents a 16% increase compared to 2023, or an 11.9% increase when adjusted for inflation. This year, about 18.5 million people donated to nonprofits and another 9.2 million people volunteered, according to GivingTuesday’s estimates. Both the number of donors and the number of volunteers increased by 4% from the group’s 2023 estimates. “This just really shows the generosity, the willingness of American citizens to show up, particularly collectively,” said Asha Curran, CEO of the nonprofit GivingTuesday. “We are just seeing the power of collective action and particularly collective giving over and over and over again.” “For us, it’s not just about the number of dollars,” Curran said. “It’s about the number of people who feel like they have agency over the way their communities progress forward into the future.” The nonprofit GivingTuesday estimates the amount of money and goods donated and the number of participants using data from donor management software companies, donation platforms, payment processors and donor-advised funds. Curran said they are purposely conservative in their calculations. Nonprofits in the U.S. raised $3.1 billion in both 2022 and 2023 on GivingTuesday. That mirrored larger giving trends where the overall amount of donations dropped in 2022 and mostly held steady in 2023 after accounting for inflation. It’s never easy to predict current giving trends, but Una Osili, associate dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, said there were economic forces pushing in both directions. “At the very same time, there’s a lot of uncertainty, especially around prices, the cost of living, the supermarket toll that people are expecting to continue even though inflation has moderated,” she said. Donating or volunteering with nonprofits aren’t the only ways people participate in their communities. Many give to crowdfunding campaigns, political causes or support people directly in their networks. But tracking charitable donations is one way that researchers use to understand people’s civic engagement. “This country is undeniably in a lot of pain and very divided right now,” Curran said. “And so to have a day that felt as hopeful and as optimistic as yesterday did, I’m sure was not only comforting to me, but to many, many millions of people.”Sources: Nagle back with Fritz as Houston OC

Pride, bragging rights and more than $115M at stake when final college playoff rankings come outPatna: As part of the ongoing probe into the NEET-UG 2024 question paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a fifth charge sheet on Friday against five accused in a Special Court in Patna. The charge sheet has been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy), 109 (Abetment), 409 (Criminal Breach of Trust), 420 (Cheating), 380 (Theft), 201 (Causing Disappearance of Evidence), and 411 (Dishonestly Receiving Stolen Property) and under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). The five individuals named in the charge sheet are Amit Kumar Singh, a resident of Dhanbad; Sudip Kumar, a resident of Bokaro, Yuvraj Kumar, a resident of Bokaro, Abhimanyu Patel, a resident of Nalanda, and Amit Kumar, a resident of Patna. With this, the total charge-sheeted accused in this case stands at 45, and all of them are still in judicial custody, the CBI said in a statement on Friday. The probe agency had earlier filed four charge sheets on August 1, 2024, September 19, October 5 and November 11 against 40 other accused. The CBI took over the investigation of the case from Shastri Nagar Police Station, Patna on June 23, 2024. Names of the candidates, who are beneficiaries of the paper theft/unfair means and names of the MBBS student who had solved the stolen paper or who had appeared in the exam as impersonators have already been identified and shared with the National Testing Agency (NTA)/Ministry of Education. The CBI probe into the alleged question paper leak for NEET-UG 2024 revealed that individuals colluded with exam officials and the question paper was accessed illegally prior to the exam, leading to suspicions of unfair advantages for certain candidates. Despite these findings, the Supreme Court ultimately decided against cancelling the exam, citing insufficient evidence of widespread misconduct and the potential negative impact on over 24 lakh students who participated.

Commerce Bank reduced its holdings in MercadoLibre, Inc. ( NASDAQ:MELI – Free Report ) by 2.9% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 779 shares of the company’s stock after selling 23 shares during the period. Commerce Bank’s holdings in MercadoLibre were worth $1,598,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Planning Capital Management Corp boosted its stake in MercadoLibre by 9.1% during the third quarter. Planning Capital Management Corp now owns 60 shares of the company’s stock worth $123,000 after acquiring an additional 5 shares in the last quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP raised its holdings in shares of MercadoLibre by 3.6% during the third quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP now owns 143 shares of the company’s stock valued at $293,000 after purchasing an additional 5 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of MercadoLibre by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 618 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,016,000 after purchasing an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. grew its stake in shares of MercadoLibre by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 1,472 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,419,000 after buying an additional 6 shares during the period. Finally, Evolutionary Tree Capital Management LLC increased its position in MercadoLibre by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Evolutionary Tree Capital Management LLC now owns 2,071 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,403,000 after buying an additional 6 shares in the last quarter. 87.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. MercadoLibre Stock Up 1.9 % Shares of NASDAQ:MELI opened at $2,005.00 on Friday. MercadoLibre, Inc. has a 1 year low of $1,324.99 and a 1 year high of $2,161.73. The company has a market capitalization of $101.65 billion, a PE ratio of 70.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 1.61. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $2,025.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $1,856.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.22. Analyst Ratings Changes Get Our Latest Stock Report on MercadoLibre MercadoLibre Company Profile ( Free Report ) MercadoLibre, Inc operates online commerce platforms in the United States. It operates Mercado Libre Marketplace, an automated online commerce platform that enables businesses, merchants, and individuals to list merchandise and conduct sales and purchases digitally; and Mercado Pago FinTech platform, a financial technology solution platform, which facilitates transactions on and off its marketplaces by providing a mechanism that allows its users to send and receive payments online, as well as allows users to transfer money through their websites or on the apps. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MELI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MercadoLibre, Inc. ( NASDAQ:MELI – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for MercadoLibre Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MercadoLibre and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .With Chicago skid at 10 games, finale can't come soon enough for BearsKylian Mbappé’s challenging adjustment to life in La Liga continued as Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat against Athletic Club at San Mamés, their second league loss of the season. The French forward, who had been expected to make an immediate impact, missed a crucial penalty and struggled to make his mark in a game that further highlighted the difficulties he faces in his new surroundings. The pivotal moment arrived in the 70th minute, when Mbappé had a golden opportunity to equalize after Antonio Rüdiger was fouled in the penalty area. However, Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala guessed correctly, saving Mbappé’s spot-kick. The miss echoed his penalty failure in last week’s Champions League clash against Liverpool, adding to his frustrations. Despite his struggles, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti defended Mbappé after the match, acknowledging that adaptation takes time. “He’s not at his best level yet, but he’s working hard to improve,” Ancelotti said. “He’s scored 10 goals and will continue to grow.” Mbappé was deployed in a central role due to Vinícius Júnior’s absence, but he often drifted wide, disrupting the fluidity of Real Madrid’s attacking play. While his pace and occasional flashes of brilliance were evident, the consistency that was expected from the 25-year-old has yet to materialize following his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain. The defeat leaves Real Madrid four points behind league leaders Barcelona, as they continue to search for the right balance and form in their bid for the title.