711 logo design

Strictly: Kai Widdrington on Channel 4's Celebrity HuntedMatt Gaetz says he won’t return to Congress next year after withdrawing name for attorney general

The gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fled New York City by bus, police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. Here's the latest: The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. “We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity. A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he ambushed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack . ▶ Read more about the search for the gunman In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. ▶ Read more about how companies protect their leaders Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. — Mike Balsamo Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations. The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday. “The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.” Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution. The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event. “All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.” Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage. The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said. But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter. “We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX. Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely. Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said. Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled. The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. ▶ Read more about the steps companies take to protect their leadership Police said Thursday they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper from a trash can near the scene of the ambush and think the suspect bought them from a Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The items were being tested by the city’s medical examiner.

EUGENE, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- ODR.com , the leading provider of online dispute resolution services, today announces the launch of their ODR.com for family disputes platform , designed to help couples resolve their divorce and separation cases efficiently and effectively, enabling courts to alleviate bottlenecks and direct more attention to the most complex cases. This technology simplifies the separation process by providing a straightforward and affordable do-it-yourself solution for couples by addressing parenting, property, and money matters in a highly intuitive way. The technology leverages artificial intelligence to suggest appropriate divisions and support levels. It also enables mediators to engage with couples online to offer support whenever they’re needed. ODR.com for family disputes is mobile-optimized, generates formal documentation for settlement agreements and parenting plans, and offers seamless integration into most court case management systems. This new platform leverages cutting-edge technology originally developed over five years in Australia by National Legal Aid as part of amica.gov.au . International award-winning user experience design firm Portable built and scaled this technology, which has handled more than 11,000 cases in Australia (including 4,000 couples dividing their assets and 1,400 couples creating parenting plans), saving courts more than $80 million. The new ODR.com Family Dispute Resolution platform combines the proven power of that system with ODR.com ’s cutting-edge case management and online workspaces to deliver a best-in-class solution fully updated for North American courts. Most family courts remain primarily offline, resulting in too much friction for court staff and the parties. More than 95% of divorcing couples use mobile devices each day in their personal and professional lives, but when they get to the courts they often encounter paper-based processes, legacy systems, and long delays waiting for in-person hearings. ODR.com for family disputes helps family courts modernize their services with intuitive technology, reducing costs and time to closure while improving litigant satisfaction. “ODR.com for family disputes leverages the great work done in Australia to bring the most scaled, proven online divorce and separation system ever built into North America,” said Colin Rule, CEO of ODR.com . “We believe the power of the ODR.com back end and tools that facilitate amicable resolutions, combined with the mobile-optimized self-service features designed by Portable, will dramatically improve resolution rates for family courts across the United States and Canada.” ODR.com (a wholly owned for-profit division of the American Arbitration Association, the largest provider of dispute resolution services in the world) offers cutting-edge functionalities like 24x7 accessibility, integrated video-conferencing, artificial intelligence, and a nationwide panel of top dispute resolution experts. ODR.com ’s management team has led the development of family ODR for more than a decade, including the launch of the first online divorce and separation platform ever built (the Dutch Legal Aid Board’s Rechtwijzer ) in 2013. “Portable is excited to work with ODR.com to bring our platform to North America,” said Simon Goodrich, co-founder of Portable. “Now divorcing couples in the United States and Canada will be able to leverage the same powerful front end tools we’ve scaled in Australia. Partnering with ODR.com means we can deliver even more functionality by integrating world-class mediation services and smooth integration into courts.” To learn more about family dispute resolution and ODR 2.0 (next generation online dispute resolution), visit ODR.com/family . About ODR.com ODR.com is the global leader in online dispute resolution. It serves courts, universities, businesses of all sizes, and governmental agencies at all levels. ODR.com offers a proven, secure and scalable online dispute resolution platform which is used by more than 200 dispute resolution partner organizations worldwide, including the International Monetary Fund, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and NASA. Learn more at www.odr.com . About Portable With more than 1,000 successful projects alongside Australia's leading government agencies and purpose-driven organizations, Portable understands the critical role that effective collaboration plays when working to solve complex challenges impacting the lives of people in communities around the world. Portable is a world leader in legal design and digital tool development, focusing on service design, AI and improving Access to Justice. amica.gov.au won a 2024 Anthem Award for world leading impact across its service and innovation categories. Learn more about Portable at www.portable.com.au . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121543825/en/ CONTACT: Colin Rule crule@odr.com (541) 345-1629 KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA CANADA OREGON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: LEGAL SOFTWARE INTERNET ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FAMILY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY CONSUMER SOURCE: ODR.com Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 06:03 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 06:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121543825/enSchool ‘mall’ teaches biz skills, importance of giving

Creative Biolabs Event Review: Scientist Solution Vendor Event on Cancer TherapyRemember the San Francisco 49ers’ shootout in New Orleans in 2019 — the game in which Jimmy Garoppolo and Drew Brees combined for nearly 700 passing yards and nine passing touchdowns, the one in which receiver Emmanuel Sanders caught and threw for a touchdown, the one in which George Kittle had his late-game catch-and-run heroics? Advertisement The 49ers had the same halftime yardage total — 319 — Sunday against the Chicago Bears as they did at halftime in New Orleans five years ago. The only difference is that they lost a yard on an end-of-half kneeldown on Sunday. The 319 yards were the highest halftime total for any team this season while the Bears’ 4 yards were the lowest halftime total for any team. Chicago played better in the second half, but the final yardage total — 452 to 162 — remained lopsided. Due largely to a 9-minute Bears drive to begin the third quarter, the time of possession wasn’t skewed as badly — 31:48 to 28:12 — in favor of San Francisco. The 49ers ran 61 plays versus 52 for the Bears. By game’s end, most of the 49ers’ starters were watching from the sideline, which should be a benefit considering the short turnaround before Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams . GO DEEPER Before dismantling Bears, the 49ers found their missing element: Desperation Here’s how the individual snaps were divided: Quarterback: Brock Purdy 57, Brandon Allen 4 Purdy survived an ugly hit in the fourth quarter on which Bears defensive end Darrell Taylor pulled him down by his neck. Kyle Shanahan on Monday said Purdy seemed to have “no lingering issues” from the play, which drew a roughing the passer penalty and likely will get further scrutiny from the NFL . One of the themes this season has been how long Purdy has been holding onto the ball before his throws — more than 3 seconds, one of the longest durations of any starting quarterback. On Sunday, his time-to-throw stat was 2.87 seconds, per Next Gen Stats, which was in the middle of the pack. This could have been bad: Darrell Taylor hits Brock Purdy high, then holds on to his neck as the two go to the ground... [image or embed] — Matt Barrows ( @mattbarrows.bsky.social ) December 9, 2024 at 8:26 AM Running back: Isaac Guerendo 34, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback) 31, Patrick Taylor Jr. 20, Deebo Samuel Sr. 5, Kittle 5, Ke’Shawn Vaughn 3 Guerendo suffered a foot sprain in the fourth quarter and his availability for Thursday is murky. Shanahan said Guerendo wouldn’t have been able to practice if the 49ers had held a session on Monday and seemed to doubt that he’d take part in Tuesday’s session. Advertisement “I’ll be surprised if he does much (Tuesday), but hopefully Thursday will be enough time for him,” Shanahan said. If Guerendo can’t play against the Rams, Taylor, who had seven carries for 25 yards Sunday, would get his first career start with Vaughn and newcomer Israel Abanikanda backing him up, likely in that order. Guerendo, meanwhile, looked an awful lot like former 49ers tailback Raheem Mostert on a second-quarter run in which he beat a Bears defender to the sideline and gained 30 yards. Per Next Gen Stats, he reached 20.17 mph on the carry, the third-best speed for a ball carrier in Week 14. He hit 19.88 mph on a catch and run in the first quarter, the seventh-fastest speed so far this week. The 49ers gave Isaac Guerendo extra credit for this first-quarter catch because it was made on the NE corner of the field while looking into the low winter sun... pic.twitter.com/iy8CPue06r — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 9, 2024 Wide receiver: Jauan Jennings 45, Samuel 43, Ricky Pearsall 30, Chris Conley 15. Jacob Cowing 3 Jennings, who had two touchdown catches Sunday, has caught six of the eight touchdowns by 49ers’ receivers this season with Samuel and Pearsall catching one each. The 49ers tried to get Samuel going as a runner and receiver on Sunday. Some plays seemed promising but he was unable to slip from — or stomp through — the defense as he’s done in previous years. He averaged 2.6 yards a carry Sunday and has a 2.9-yard average for the season. Samuel’s rushing averages: Tight end: Kittle 47, Eric Saubert 17, Brayden Willis 4, Jake Tonges 3 Of Kittle’s 151 receiving yards, 103 came after the catch. That’s his highest total since he had 109 YAC yards in a Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in 2021. Kittle had 32 yards on a rarely-used tight end screen in the first quarter. He said that the 49ers leaned on their screen game more than usual on Sunday because the Bears defensive ends were so aggressive in getting up the field. Advertisement How often do the 49ers run that play to the tight end? “In the last five years — twice,” Kittle said. “It was probably like in ‘20, ‘21.” GO DEEPER Before dismantling Bears, the 49ers found their missing element: Desperation Offensive line: Dominick Puni 61, Jaylon Moore 61, Jake Brendel 58, Colton McKivitz 58, Spencer Burford 51, Ben Bartch 10, Sebastian Gutierrez 3, Nick Zakelj 3 Burford got praise from teammates for stepping in at right guard — not his usual position — after Bartch suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter. Burford practices at both tackle and guard during the week, with most of the latter coming at left guard. He allowed one quarterback pressure on Sunday. Shanahan said Aaron Banks is now out of concussion protocol and should be able to step back into his left guard spot on Thursday. Bartch likely is headed to injured reserve. Gutierrez, who was added to the 53-man roster Saturday, played three snaps at right tackle; Zakelj got his first offensive snaps since Week 1 when he was in for the game’s final, kneeldown snap. Defensive line: Sam Okuayinonu 39, Maliek Collins 30, Leonard Floyd 28, Yetur Gross-Matos 27, Jordan Elliott 26, Robert Beal Jr. 20, Evan Anderson 14, Kalia Davis 14, Khalil Davis 14 It’s remarkable that Gross-Matos had three sacks and Floyd two despite scant opportunities. Both were in on only 19 pass-rush snaps. That’s the third-fewest of the season for Floyd, who’s played every game so far. The seven-sack game reorganized the 49ers’ sack-leader list. Floyd is first with 8 1/2, followed by Nick Bosa (7) and Collins (5). Collins essentially took over Arik Armstead ’s spot this year. Armstead last year had five sacks in 12 games. This year he has one sack for the Jacksonville Jaguars . Bosa continues to be day-to-day with a hip/oblique injury. He said Sunday that he couldn’t have played against the Bears and is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Rams game. GO DEEPER 49ers mock draft reaction: Derrick Harmon's a great fit, but is there a tackle to pursue? Linebacker: Fred Warner 46, De’Vondre Campbell Sr. 34, Dee Winters 27, Jalen Graham 7 Winters emerged with an ankle injury and is day-to-day this week. He started Sunday’s game as the third linebacker but took over for Campbell at weakside linebacker in the second half. Winters played well overall but dropped an interception — and pick-six — opportunity in the first quarter. Advertisement Shanahan said Dre Greenlaw has “a chance” to make his 2024 debut against the Rams but said it will hinge on how Greenlaw looks in practice this week. Cornerback: Deommodore Lenoir 46, Renardo Green 45, Charvarius Ward 44, Isaac Yiadom 9, Nick McCloud 7 Shanahan said Sunday’s sack fest was tied to strong coverage by the 49ers’ secondary. The standout of the group was Green, who was targeted five times and allowed three catches for 21 yards. Safety: Malik Mustapha 45, Talanoa Hufanga 39, Ji’Ayir Brown 15, Tashaun Gipson Sr. 7 The 49ers seemed to get a lift from Hufanga’s return to the starting lineup and Shanahan noted that the safety was in on the first tackle of the game. Asked why Hufanga replaced Brown and not the rookie, Mustapha, in the starting lineup, Shanahan said Mustapha simply has been better. “I think he’s been playing at a higher level,” Shanahan said. “He’s been one of the better players on our defense, I think, over the last month or so. Nothing against (Brown). We still wish he could be out there. But when we had to make a decision we kept Mustapha out there.” Special teams: Tonges 24, Yiadom 19, Conley 18, Willis 18, Graham 18, McCloud 18, Beal 17, Saubert 17, Taylor 17, Jake Moody 13, Winters 12, Pat O’Donnell 9, Taybor Pepper 8, Hufanga 7, Brown 7, McKivitz 6, Puni 6, Moore 6, Zakelj 6, Spencer Burford 6, Gutierrez 5, Samuel 3, Bartch 1, Gipson 1, Anderson 1, Elliott 1, Gross-Matos 1, Campbell 1, Collins 1, Mustapha 1, Warner 1, Lenoir 1 The special teams didn’t have any crippling plays on Sunday, but it wasn’t a perfect effort, either. Moody had two kickoffs that failed to land in the landing zone between the goal line and the 20-yard line. This year that’s a penalty in which the ball is placed at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. (Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)From Stress to Spark: My Spicy Vanilla Offers Fresh Ways to Reconnect

Where’s Niko? Jovic has gone from starter to Heat’s missing man amid Spoelstra challenges.The Australian government’s support for a UN resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation of Gaza is to blame for a widely condemned arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, the Jewish state’s prime minister says. It is impossible to separate the reprehensible arson attack from the federal government’s “extreme anti-Israeli position,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on social media early on Saturday. “Including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel ‘to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible’, and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country,” he wrote on X. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “The burning of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is an abhorrent act of antisemitism,” he said. The Adass Israel synagogue at Rippon Lea in Melbourne’s southeast had two of its three buildings gutted after suspected masked intruders allegedly broke into the building and set it alight in the early hours of Friday. Two congregants preparing for morning prayers, were inside. They were evacuated, with one sustaining minor injuries. Police have not ruled out terrorism as a motive, believing the attack was targeted. The suspects had poured accelerant on the floor inside the synagogue and set it on fire before fleeing when they were disturbed by a congregant, police said. Israel President Isaac Herzog said he firmly condemned the horrific arson amid an intolerable wave of attacks on Jewish communities when he spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday night. “I noted to the prime minister that this rise and the increasingly serious antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community required firm and strong action, and that this was a message that must be heard clearly from Australia’s leaders,” he said. “I thanked him for his ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism, and expressed my trust that the local law enforcement would do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Political and religious leaders have widely condemned the attack on the synagogue, built by Holocaust survivors. Albanese said he had no tolerance for antisemitism. “This deliberate, unlawful attack goes against everything we are as Australians and everything we have worked so hard to build as a nation,” he said in a statement. Australian Federal Police will provide all requested resources to Victorian authorities, he said. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said police patrols would be increased, and pledged $100,000 to rebuilding the synagogue.

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Andrew Holifield scored 17 points as Lamar beat Louisiana 74-45 on Saturday. Holifield also contributed 11 rebounds for the Cardinals (5-5). Janko Buljic scored 12 points, shooting 6 of 9 from the field. Alexis Marmolejos had 11 points and shot 4 for 5, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc. Kyndall Davis finished with 11 points for the Ragin' Cajuns (2-9). Brandon Hardy added 10 points for Louisiana. Kentrell Garnett also recorded nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine US dollarZscaler Stock Sees IBD RS Rating Climb To 76

The City boss is enduring the worst run of his glittering managerial career after a six-game winless streak featuring five successive defeats and a calamitous 3-3 draw in a match his side had led 3-0. The 53-year-old, who has won 18 trophies since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, signed a contract extension through to the summer of 2027 just over a week ago. Yet, despite his remarkable successes, he still considers himself vulnerable to the sack and has pleaded with the club to keep faith. “I don’t want to stay in the place if I feel like I’m a problem,” said the Spaniard, who watched in obvious frustration as City conceded three times in the last 15 minutes in a dramatic capitulation against Feyenoord in midweek. “I don’t want to stay here just because the contract is there. “My chairman knows it. I said to him, ‘Give me the chance to try come back’, and especially when everybody comes back (from injury) and see what happens. “After, if I’m not able to do it, we have to change because, of course, (the past) nine years are dead. “More than ever I ask to my hierarchy, give me the chance. “Will it be easy for me now? No. I have the feeling that still I have a job to do and I want to do it.” City have been hampered by a raft of injuries this term, most pertinently to midfield talisman and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Euro 2024 winner is expected to miss the remainder of the season and his absence has been keenly felt over the past two months. Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has also not started a match since September. The pressure continues to build with champions City facing a crucial trip to title rivals and Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday. Defeat would leave City trailing Arne Slot’s side by 11 points. “I don’t enjoy it at all, I don’t like it,” said Guardiola of his side’s current situation. “I sleep not as good as I slept when I won every game. “The sound, the smell, the perfume is not good enough right now. “But I’m the same person who won the four Premier Leagues in a row. I was happier because I ate better, lived better, but I was not thinking differently from who I am.” Guardiola is confident his side will not stop battling as they bid to get back on track. He said: “The people say, ‘Yeah, it’s the end of that’. Maybe, but we are in November. We will see what happens until the end. “What can you do? Cry for that? You don’t stay long – many, many years without fighting. That is what you try to look for, this is the best (way). “Why should we not believe? Why should it not happen with us?”

Where are graves and bodies, Dar questions PTI claims Security personnel are martyred during PTI’s protest but found no evidence of any citizen’s death, says Asif ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif made it clear on Saturday that the Centre had no intention to impose governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, being ruled currently by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government. Addressing a press conference here, he said the PTI tried to sink the country’s economy. “PTI launched a third onslaught on the Centre which was thwarted.” Rubbishing the PTI’s claim about causalities at the hands of law enforcers, the minister said: “Security personnel were martyred during the PTI’s protest but found no evidence of any citizen’s death.” He said: “The KP government attacked Centre with [official] weapons and equipment.” He advised the provincial government to focus on the law and order situation in the province in general and in Parachinar in particular. Separately, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday the state had decided that all ‘miscreants’ involved in the recent violent protests would be tried speedily and severe punishments would be awarded to them. He told a news conference in Rawalpindi and said in a statement issued earlier that the state had decided that no one would be given concessions, so that an example could be set for future. Referring to PTI leaders’ press conference held the other day, he said a series of allegations were levelled by the party about killing of its activists by the law-enforcers. However, three days have passed, but the party had not been able to present a single picture or video of the firing. The PTI leaders, he pointed out, presented contradictory figures about the death of protesters, but PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals said that no bodies were brought to them. “You are playing old pictures and AI-generated footages,” he told the PTI leaders. “Why did they not share the videos of their protesters firing and throwing shells at the police? Why was there a need to bring a false narrative about the bodies? A picture was also shared with blood on the road in the Blue Area, after which I went to that road and made a video and showed every inch where there was not even a single spot of blood,” he noted. Tarar said that a man, who had reportedly fallen from a container during the PTI’s protest in the federal capital, was injured but was completely fine now. He refuted outright claims circulating online about his death. Tarar lamented that propaganda was done that a person was offering prayers and was killed by pushing him down. However, he made it clear that the man was a resident of Mandi Bahauddin and was completely fine. His video had emerged, he got hurt on the arm and had bandages as well. Tarar condemned the humiliation of senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja in the PTI meeting recently and said “he is my teacher; Sahibzada Hamid Raza is the son of a great father; he was also treated inappropriately; we still respect his father’s grave”. The minister said there was an internal turmoil with [Bushra] ‘Bibi’ wanting dead bodies, which were not found. Therefore, these people started propaganda. He alleged these people even eat apples and post on social media, so where are pictures and videos of the dead? And where are their graves, he asked. “What will happen to the 35 Afghan citizens, who have been arrested; the weapons that have been found from your people; you will know all this. “I have also told journalists belonging to the international media that all this is despicable propaganda; firearms are not given to the forces in any protest. Do they have evidence, we have shown CCTV footage of their people firing and attacking officials,” the minister asked. He pointed out that there is a video available of their escape. Why is there no firing in it and why are people not seen dying? The minister claimed that many of their important leaders were absent from the protest. There was an Aleema group and a Bushra Bibi group in the PTI; today Bushra Bibi’s spokesperson Mashal Yousafzai was removed from her post. Attaullah Tarar said: “Whenever Pakistan starts developing, these miscreants come to the streets.” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Saturday also questioned the PTI claims about protesters allegedly killed by the law-enforcers. He said that stories about gunshot wounds and indiscriminate firing by the law enforcement agencies were malicious and absolutely false. Taking to X, the foreign minister asked, “Where are the graves and dead bodies? The so-called protestors came armed with heavy ammunition and tear gas canisters. The mob was determined to create chaos and ready to kill.” He added that the security and law enforcement agencies exercised maximum restraint with patience despite deaths within their ranks. “PTI leaders abandoned their workers and are now developing a ridiculous and lies-based narrative of state brutality,” he tweeted. Separately, PMLN parliamentary leader in Senate and Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Irfan Siddiqui took strong exception to PTI leader Sardar Latif Khosa’s statement on Nov-26 protest call. He said “if a lie is made into a political weapon, there is no limit to it”. On social media platform ‘X’, he said, “Senior lawyer Sardar Latif Khosa first revealed that “278” PTI workers were killed by the security forces”, and then said in a TV show, “In the entire human history, there is no such instance of massacre. This bloodshed has left far behind Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and Israeli massacres in Palestine”. Irfan Siddiqui said India and Israel never imagined that such a worthy advocate would have been available to them from the PTI ranks in the anti-Pakistan campaign. “Does the incompetent group that shames Pakistan all over the world by telling unfathomable lies have the right to be called a political party,” he questioned. Also, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari claimed exposing false propaganda of the PTI by sharing a video of a person, who was falsely declared dead. She said after yet another failed rebellion, the “vultures of the PTI movement” are resorting to present fake videos and images. The propaganda cell of PTI was desperately trying to sell lies and search for dead bodies. She questioned whether these lies and propaganda should be given a free pass. Such actions were a disgrace, and strict action would be taken against those spreading fake news and false propaganda.For centuries, Türkiye and Iraq have shared a complex and evolving relationship shaped by their common Ottoman past, cultural ties and overlapping strategic interests. However, this history has also been marked by moments of tension and competition, particularly in the post-Ottoman period. Today, as Iraq navigates its internal challenges and regional dynamics, Türkiye must contend with the reality of Iranian influence in Baghdad, balancing its historic ties and strategic ambitions against the backdrop of growing regional rivalries. The Ottoman Empire ruled over the territories of modern-day Iraq from the 16th century until its dissolution after World War I. While this period fostered administrative cohesion and economic integration, it also sowed the seeds of future tensions. The Ottoman system of governance, which emphasized religious and ethnic pluralism, laid the foundation for Iraq’s diverse societal fabric, but the fall of the empire left a power vacuum that would later be exploited by competing foreign interests. For Türkiye, the Ottoman legacy is both a source of soft power and a historical point of contention. In Iraq, some political factions, particularly those with strong nationalist or sectarian leanings, view Türkiye’s interest in the region as neo-Ottomanism – a desire to reassert influence reminiscent of its imperial past. This perception complicates Ankara’s efforts to build trust, especially in predominantly Shiite regions more closely aligned with Iran. Since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Iran has steadily expanded its influence, filling the void left by the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Tehran’s strategy has involved cultivating ties with Iraq’s Shiite-majority political parties, paramilitary groups like the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces – PMF), and economic elites. This influence extends to critical sectors, including energy, infrastructure and defense, giving Iran significant leverage over Baghdad’s domestic and foreign policy. For Ankara, this presents a dual challenge. On the one hand, Iran’s dominance limits Türkiye’s ability to exert influence in Baghdad, particularly on issues such as trade routes, security cooperation and energy policy. On the other hand, Tehran’s support for militias in northern Iraq threatens Türkiye’s national security, as these groups often operate in proximity to PKK strongholds. In the post-2003 political realignment following the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Iran-backed political parties, such as the Islamic Dawa Party and the Fatah Alliance, have dominated Iraq’s political landscape, often sidelining Sunni and Turkmen representation, which Türkiye supports. Iran and Türkiye vie for influence in Iraq’s lucrative energy and construction sectors. While Turkish companies have made inroads, Iranian firms benefit from Baghdad’s reliance on Tehran for electricity and natural gas. The presence of Iran-aligned militias, some of which have clashed with Turkish forces in northern Iraq, adds a layer of complexity to Ankara’s military operations against the PKK and pursuing large-scale investments in the country. The Turkmen community has long been a cornerstone of Türkiye’s cultural and strategic engagement in Iraq. Concentrated in contested areas such as Kirkuk, Tal Afar and Mosul, the Turkmen are viewed by Ankara as a natural ally and a counterbalance to both Kurdish aspirations for independence and Iranian-backed Shiite dominance. While the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) represents a significant political voice, internal divisions and limited support from Baghdad have weakened its effectiveness. The city of Kirkuk remains a flashpoint. Türkiye has historically opposed any move to incorporate Kirkuk into the KRG, arguing that it would marginalize the Turkmen population. This stance has put Ankara at odds with Irbil and, at times, Baghdad. The Kurdish question adds another layer of complexity. While Ankara maintains robust economic ties with the KRG, particularly in the oil sector, it remains wary of Kurdish separatism. Türkiye’s military presence in northern Iraq, justified as part of its anti-terror operations against the PKK, often strains relations with both Baghdad and Irbil. Ankara’s vision for Iraq emphasizes economic integration, territorial integrity and regional stability. This vision aligns with key initiatives such as the Development Road Project, which seeks to transform Iraq into a trade and logistics hub linking the Gulf to Europe via Türkiye. However, this vision directly clashes with Iran’s strategy of keeping Iraq within its sphere of influence as part of its “Shiite Crescent” policy. While Türkiye conducts cross-border operations against the PKK, Iran-backed militias operate under the guise of the PMF, often challenging Iraqi sovereignty and complicating Turkish military efforts. The assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in 2020 temporarily weakened Iran’s grip but also led to increased anti-Türkiye rhetoric among certain Iraqi factions. Türkiye remains one of Iraq’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding $13 billion (TL 452.56 billion) in recent years. Yet, Iran’s economic footprint, particularly in southern Iraq, presents a formidable challenge. Key Turkish projects , such as the Ovaköy border crossing, aim to bypass Iranian-controlled routes, signaling Ankara’s desire to reduce Baghdad’s reliance on Tehran. Türkiye’s ability to mediate between Baghdad and Irbil has positioned it as a stabilizing force. However, Iran’s influence often undercuts Turkish efforts, particularly in the context of Iraqi elections and government formation. Several key figures have shaped this strategic rivalry and partnership. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has emphasized Türkiye’s role as a regional power, advocating for closer ties with Sunni and Turkmen factions in Iraq. On the Iraqi side, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has sought to balance relations with both Ankara and Tehran, recognizing the economic and security benefits of Turkish engagement while remaining beholden to Iran-aligned political factions. In the Iranian camp, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and figures like Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force, continue to drive Tehran’s agenda in Iraq, leveraging both hard and soft power to maintain their influence. The historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and Iraq provide a vital foundation for bilateral relations, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Ankara’s ability to navigate its rivalry with Tehran while maintaining strong ties with both Baghdad and Irbil will determine the future trajectory of Turkish-Iraqi relations. In this evolving geopolitical landscape, Türkiye must leverage its economic and military strengths, coupled with its cultural diplomacy, to counter Iranian hegemony and promote a vision of regional stability that aligns with its interests.

No. 10 Maryland holds off George Mason late, 66-56 in a matchup of unbeatensJOYROOM Foldable Magnetic Car Mount (JR-ZS373) REVIEW

Officials at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) have taken a proactive approach to artificial intelligence in the past year — forming a task force to conduct surveys on how schools were already using generative AI, then creating guidelines to vet tech vendors, pilot new AI products, train staff to use new tools and even budget for future innovations. At the California Information Technology in Education (CITE) conference in San Diego this week, three of those officials shared what they've learned so far about bringing AI to schools ethically and effectively, and what they’d recommend to educators who aren’t sure where to start. Christopher Hoang, LACOE assistant director of technology, innovation and outreach, said the AI landscape changes weekly or even daily, so LACOE opted for a flexible-governance approach. “Working with our team, I intentionally told them, ‘I don’t want policy,’ because the moment you put policy in place is the moment it becomes rigid,” he said. Mike Lawrence, IT director at ABC Unified School District, said his district focused less on specific tools and more on general behavior goals. He made an to the district’s existing technology policies to address issues like privacy, attribution and critical thinking. For attribution, the policy includes a “badge” system, which uses physical stickers and posters to show the role AI played in producing work: produced by AI alone, produced by AI and modified by a human, or produced by a human and modified by AI. “We’re encouraging our staff and students to attach those badges to the work that they submit so that it opens up a conversation and takes away some of the taboo around those tools,” Lawrence said. LACOE’s guidelines are also adaptable but focus less specifically on instruction, including vetting tips for the procurement process and advice on collecting ongoing feedback. LACOE director of technology learning and support services Johan Madrigal said that as AI transforms education, it will be important to create guidance like this quickly to ensure the technology furthers organizational goals rather than disrupting them. He said including leadership in early conversations helped LACOE establish guidance relatively quickly. “Getting in front of everybody was critical for us,” Madrigal said. “We got in front of our executive cabinet, we had the training with them, and they were all very positive on what it can mean for their own group. That kind of led the way for us to have outreach with all of the groups.” One thing presenters said they learned from talking to other ed-tech leaders across the U.S. is the need for ongoing, hands-on experiences, not one-time overviews. “Professional development for us has to be hands-on,” Hoang said. “Anyone who says an hour of AI training is enough is lying to you.” Lawrence suggested that the training start with introductory activities that assume everyone has used AI before, allowing them to learn by exploring rather than telling. For example, instead of explaining the importance of specific prompts, a professional development session might display an image and ask attendees to use an AI image generator to recreate it as closely as they can. After introducing AI, LACOE's recommendation is to break training down into targeted sessions for different groups — teachers, administrators, classified staff, et cetera. Panelists also stressed the need for investment and setting aside funding for ongoing AI initiatives and training. Another unanimous tip from LACOE officials was that effective guidance and professional development will include everyone — not just teachers and administrators but also support staff, families and students. AI has the potential to perpetuate digital divides if not addressed holistically, Hoang said. Panelists highlighted the need to include the community in addition to employees. LACOE held focus groups with students to understand their views of AI and hear their input on guidance principles. In those discussions, Hoang asked students if their parents knew about AI, and all said “yes” even though they had never discussed it explicitly, he said. However, when he told students to ask their parents about AI and circle back with him, he found many parents did not actually know the basics of the technology. “We assume everyone knows about it, just because everyone in here is very tech-y,” he said. “But the fact is, most people still don’t know about it. They might see it in the news, but they don’t know about it.” ABC Unified hosted community roundtables to raise awareness about AI. In one event centered on students’ opinions of AI, facilitators gave students a potential use case for AI in academics, then asked them to raise a red or green paddle to indicate whether they thought the situation was ethical or not. “I think the kids were harder on it than we would have been,” Lawrence said. Another event focused on families’ knowledge and concerns about AI in education. At this session, Lawrence heard one parent say AI just seems like cheating to them. “You may have an open AI policy in your district with guidelines, but if the parents at home are like, ‘No, absolutely not, that's cheating,’ then the students will be limited in their ability to learn AI and be able to apply it ethically and appropriately,” he said.