cockfighting pronunciation Republicans rally around Hegseth, Trump's Pentagon pick, as Gaetz withdraws for attorney generalWhen I was sworn in as the 110 th mayor of New York City, I promised to “Get Stuff Done.” That has been our focus ever since coming into office, and this past year was no different. Get the Full Story But, in 2024, we did more than just get stuff done — we delivered for you, every day and everywhere. We drove down crime, put billions of dollars back into working-class New Yorkers’ pockets, and shattered records for the most jobs, small businesses, and affordable housing construction in our city’s history. Thanks to our tireless police officers, New York remains the safest big city in America. Overall crime is down, with shootings, homicides, and transit crime all down by more than 6 percent this year. We put more police officers on our streets and took thousands of illegal guns, mopeds, and ATVs off of them. We seized more than 6,000 illegal guns in 2024, bringing the total number of guns removed from the streets to 19,600 since January 2022. We also cracked down on car theft and had 12 straight months in reductions. Safer streets and subways are just the start. Our “Charge Safe, Ride Safe” plan has helped cut lithium-ion battery fire deaths by 72 percent since we introduced it in 2023, while our “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative has shut down more than 1,300 illegal cannabis and smoke shops. To keep our young people safe and healthy, we delivered free, virtual therapy to 16,000 teenagers — largely in underserved neighborhoods — through our “Teenspace” initiative and sued the companies that own major social media platforms to hold them accountable for fueling the youth mental health crisis. This year, we also focused on not only creating a safer city, but a more affordable one, too. Affordability means having the resources and benefits to take care of expenses. We launched our “Money in Your Pocket” initiative to connect New Yorkers to dozens of federal, state, and local programs to save them money. And to build off of our reductions in child care costs, for the first time in city history, we extended 3K offers to every family who applied on time and enrolled 150,000 children in our early childhood education system. Additionally, we expanded the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit and gave $345 million back to New Yorkers. And — to deliver even more tax relief — we announced our plan to “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” by eliminating and cutting city income taxes for working-class families and giving $63 million back to nearly 600,000 New Yorkers. We look forward to working with our partners in Albany to get it done. We shattered affordable housing records for the second fiscal year in a row, unlocked billions of dollars for public housing, and moved a record 18,500 households from shelter into stable homes. After decades of inaction, we passed the most pro-housing zoning change in city history. Our historic “City of Yes” housing plan will build up to 80,000 new homes for New Yorkers and invest $5 billion in housing and infrastructure. We broke the jobs record, again and again, and oversaw the creation of 183,000 small businesses across the five boroughs — the most in city history. In 2024, New York City welcomed 65 million visitors to our city — the second highest number of tourists in our city’s history — and won the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals that will bring $2 billion in economic impact and create over 14,000 jobs for the New York-New Jersey region. We invested in public safety, public health, and public spaces. We issued rules to move 70 percent of all New York City trash off the streets and into container bins, took down hundreds of long-standing scaffolding sheds since launching our “Get Sheds Down” initiative, and created thousands of acres of new public space to make our city more welcoming to everyone — for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Above all, we are just getting started. Next year, we will unveil bold new initiatives to create an even safer, more affordable city for all. Until then, I wish you a happy holiday season in the greatest city in the world.None

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC. Mahomes completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Gray on the game’s opening possession and found him again for an 11-yard TD in the second quarter. Gray has four touchdown catches in the last two weeks — twice as many as nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce has all season — and has become a weapon in the passing game for the Chiefs, who lost top wide receiver Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Kelce was still a factor Sunday with a team-high six catches for 62 yards, although the four-time All-Pro looked dejected after dropping one easy pass. Kelce has 62 receptions for 507 yards this season, while Gray has 26 catches for 249 yards. But Gray's development is a good sign for the Chiefs — and he's on the same page with Mahomes. On his second TD, Gray said Mahomes “gave me the answer to the test there” before the play. “He told me what coverage it was pre-snap," said Gray, who had four receptions for 66 yards. “That’s just the blessing you have of playing with a quarterback like that. Offensive line did a great job blocking that up and the receivers did a great job running their routes to pop me open. Really just a group effort right there on that touchdown.” Gray said that's nothing new. “Pat’s preparation, his leadership is just something that I’m fortunate enough to play alongside,” Gray said. "I love it. It gets me motivated every time we go out there for a long drive. Having a leader like that, that prepares every single week in-and out, knows defenses, knows the game plans. “I’m just fortunate enough to play alongside a guy like that.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three TDs, and he knew what to do on the second TD to Gray. “It's not just me, it's the quarterback coaches and the players, we go through certain checks you get to versus certain coverages,” Mahomes said. “I was able to see by the way they lined up they were getting into their cover-zero look. I alerted the guys to make sure they saw what I saw and I gave the check at the line of scrimmage.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Steve Reed, The Associated PressSAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Nov. 26, 2024, the price of ASP Isotopes ( NASDAQ: ASPI) crashed as much as 30% during intraday trading after Fuzzy Panda Research published a sensational report claiming ASPI uses outdated equipment and is secretly paying for stock promotion. The report has prompted shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to commence an investigation into the allegations. The firm urges investors in ASP Isotopes who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now . Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/aspi Contact the Firm Now: ASPI@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 ASP Isotopes Inc. (ASPI) Investigation: The investigation is focused on ASP Isotopes’ disclosures about its Aerodynamic Separation Process (ASP) technology, which is designed to enrich isotopes, and its Quantum Enrichment technology, a laser-based process under development for nuclear fuel applications. The company’s statements came into question on November 26, 2024, when Fuzzy Panda Research published a report alleging that “ASP Isotopes (ASPI) is using old, disregarded laser enrichment technology to masquerade as a new, cutting-edge Uranium enrichment company.” Fuzzy Panda report also found that ASPI: Employed multiple individuals to promote its stock. Was assessed by former Centrus executives as possessing "virtually worthless" technology. Was perceived by other scientists as "selling hope" with technology deemed "impossible to scale.” On this news, ASPI stock dropped 23% in a single trading day. “We are focused on whether ASP Isotopes may have misled investors about the true commercial prospects for its ASP and Quantum Enrichment technologies,” said Reed Kathrein, the partner leading the investigation. If you invested in ASP Isotopes or have knowledge that may assist the firm’s investigation, submit your losses now » If you’d like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the ASP Isotopes investigation, read more » Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding ASP Isotopes should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email ASPI@hbsslaw.com . About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs’ rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Berman’s team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com . Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw . Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895CCAR_McKie 10 pass from Vasko (Hensley kick), 8:15. GAST_FG Rickman 28, 14:07. GAST_Brock 19 run (Rickman kick), 8:38. CCAR_Courtney 5 pass from Vasko (Hensley kick), 4:16. CCAR_FG Hensley 43, :01. CCAR_C.Washington 18 run (Hensley kick), 10:56. GAST_FG Rickman 30, 7:06. CCAR_McKie 31 pass from Vasko (Hensley kick), 2:44. GAST_Brock 1 run (pass failed), :25. CCAR_Vasko 10 run (Hensley kick), 9:50. CCAR_FG Hensley 23, 8:33. CCAR_Fletcher 39 interception return (Hensley kick), 7:13. GAST_Fleming 6 pass from Lowe (Hurst pass from Lowe), 4:36. RUSHING_Coastal Carolina, Washington 20-124, Vasko 13-68, Bennett 8-43, Price 5-26, Lloyd 3-10, Taylor 1-5, Duplessis 1-1, (Team) 2-(minus 2). Georgia St., Brock 14-71, Veilleux 11-62, Lowe 3-47, Dukes 2-11, Beasley 3-11. PASSING_Coastal Carolina, Vasko 13-17-1-200, (Team) 0-1-0-0, Duplessis 0-1-1-0, Kim 0-1-0-0. Georgia St., Veilleux 15-26-4-205, Lowe 2-6-0-21. RECEIVING_Coastal Carolina, McKie 5-81, Tucker 3-31, Karr 2-35, Duplessis 1-41, Berrong 1-7, Courtney 1-5. Georgia St., Hurst 8-131, Dukes 3-15, Riles 2-26, Fleming 2-18, Brock 1-21, Milton 1-15. MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.

Family says aspiring social media star found dead in Clayton County

Pep Guardiola: If I can’t reverse Manchester City slide then I have to go

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs left his team’s game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday because of a concussion. Doubs’ injury came on a third-quarter play in the end zone that resulted in a pass interference penalty against San Francisco’s Renardo Green. Doubs stayed down briefly after the play, then got up slowly before heading to the sideline. He went into the injury tent before walking to the locker room. The Packers then announced Doubs was out for the rest of the game because of a concussion. He had three catches for 54 yards before leaving. San Francisco defensive tackle Jordan Elliott left in the first half of the game to get evaluated for a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLNow that the election is behind us, market watchers are digging into what Trump’s victory could mean for the economy in the coming months. As the former and future President prepares to take office, certain economic trends have already become clear: inflation has been slowing throughout much of this year, and the Federal Reserve has adopted a lower-rate policy – both of which are likely to support economic growth. Don't Miss our Black Friday Offers: Unlock your investing potential with TipRanks Premium - Now At 40% OFF! Make smarter investments with weekly expert stock picks from the Smart Investor Newsletter More importantly, Trump has signaled his intent to pursue a deregulatory economic policy, consistent with his previous administration. Historically, such periods of deregulation have often fueled economic growth, setting the stage for a potential phase of expansion. This is the thesis behind recent comments from Raymond James’ market strategist Matt Orton, who stated, “We are heading into a very favorable seasonal period for the overall economy. So, I am very optimistic about where the markets go. I am more optimistic about the prospects that the growth we have been seeing can be maintained.” Against this backdrop, Raymond James analysts have spotlighted two stocks with big upside — including one with a potential gain of nearly 440%. What’s more, according to the TipRanks database , both stocks boast Strong Buy ratings from the analyst consensus. Let’s see why they are drawing plaudits across the board. Mural Oncology (MURA) Imagine a world where cancer treatments harness the body’s own defenses, using the immune system to fight back more effectively. That’s the vision behind Mural Oncology, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing cancer care. Mural has developed a proprietary protein engineering platform to create new cytokine-based oncological immunotherapies. At the forefront of Mural’s pipeline is nemvaleukin alfa, a novel engineered IL-2 variant. IL-2 is a cytokine that stimulates both effector immune cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells, making it a prime candidate for anti-tumor activity. The company plans to develop nemvaleukin into a best-in-class immunotherapy and currently has the drug undergoing multiple human clinical trials targeting conditions such as platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC), mucosal melanoma, and cutaneous melanoma. Mural’s two leading clinical trials are ARTISTRY-7, a Phase 3 trial testing nemvaleukin against PROC, and ARTISTRY-6, a Phase 2 trial testing the drug in combination with pembrolizumab against unresectable or metastatic mucosal melanoma. The former has completed enrollment with 456 patients, and interim overall survival results are expected to be released early next year, either in late Q1 or early Q2. The ARTISTRY-6 trial has 92 patients enrolled, and Mural expects to release top-line results from cohort 2 during 2Q25. These pivotal trials build on the success of ARTISTRY-1, a Phase 1/2 open-label study that evaluated nemvaleukin’s safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy. Results showed that nemvaleukin was well-tolerated and demonstrated durable responses in both monotherapy and combination therapy. With several potential catalysts on the horizon and a share price of only $3.35, Raymond James analyst Laura Prendergast sees a compelling opportunity for investors. “We believe MURA is currently undervalued for the following reasons: 1) lead asset, nemvaluekin, has near-term commercial opportunity that doesn’t seem to be on the radar yet for many investors, 2) management and board have notable experience that inspire confidence in ability to maneuver late stage drug development/commercial launch/BD execution; 3) MURA is currently trading at a 65% discount to cash and at 98% discount to its small cap biotech peer group,” Prendergast explained. “If MURA can execute on [its] catalysts, we anticipate the company could become a major buyout target. We analyzed recent biotech acquisitions with similar 5-year forward sales estimates to MURA. Average historical take out multiple for this peer group is 5x EV/5-year forward sales which implies a potential deal value of ~$1.2B and $48 target price for MURA,” the analyst further noted. For now, Prendergast rates MURA shares a Strong Buy, while her $18 price target suggests a robust upside of ~440% on the one-year horizon. (To watch Prendergast’s track record, click here ) Other analysts are also optimistic about the cancer drug maker. MURA’s Strong Buy consensus rating breaks down into 3 Buys and no Holds or Sells. In addition, the $16.33 average price target puts the upside potential at 387%. (See MURA stock forecast ) Disc Medicine (IRON) The next pick from Raymond James is Disc Medicine, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing treatments for hematologic diseases. Focused on the heme and iron pathways critical to red blood cell biology, the company aims to address some of the most pressing challenges in blood-related disorders. Disc Medicine’s approach is driven by two key technology platforms. The heme synthesis modulation platform focuses on erythropoiesis, the process of red blood cell production. Meanwhile, the hepcidin pathway modulation platform addresses iron homeostasis, regulating how iron is absorbed, stored, and utilized – critical for hemoglobin production and healthy red blood cell development. The company’s leading drug candidate, bitopertin, is a GlyT1 inhibitor designed to modulate heme biosynthesis. Disc Medicine is developing bitopertin as a potential treatment for erythropoietic porphyrias (EPP), a rare group of genetic blood disorders that cause extreme sensitivity to sunlight, severe pain, and skin blistering. Currently, no cure exists for EPP. Disc Medicine recently concluded a successful end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA and plans to provide updates in the first quarter of 2025. The company is also preparing to launch a follow-up clinical trial by mid-2025. In addition, Disc Medicine has seen success with its second drug candidate, DISC-0974. This is a new therapeutic agent under study as a treatment for various types of anemia, including anemia of myelofibrosis (MF) and anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The drug candidate is a monoclonal antibody and a first-in-class antagonist of hemojuvelin, designed to enhance iron levels in patients with anemia. The company has an ongoing Phase 1b study on the CKD track, and has plans to initiate a Phase 2 study on the MF track before the end of this year. All of this has caught the eye of Raymond James analyst Danielle Brill who wrote: “Disc Medicine has achieved regulatory alignment to file for accelerated approval for their lead asset bitopertin in EPP, representing our prior bull case scenario. This permits earlier market access for the company in addition to removing the risk having to run a large Phase 3 trial using a difficult primary endpoint... We expect a filing next year, with approval/launch by ~1H26 (RJ estimate).” “Furthermore,” the analyst added, “we have increasing confidence in Disc’s next pipeline asset DISC-0974 for the treatment of MF and CKD anemia, for which we recently saw positive proof-of-concept efficacy in CKD anemia in a Ph 1 SAD study (prior note). We are optimistic ahead of full Ph 1b data in MF anemia which are to be presented at ASH, along with other incremental updates across Disc’s pipeline.” This stance backs up the analyst’s Strong Buy rating on IRON stock, a rating that she compliments with a $110 price target – pointing towards a ~70% upside potential for the coming year. (To watch Brill’s track record, click here ) Brill’s colleagues on Wall Street are also in agreement. There are 10 recent analyst reviews of this stock on record and they are unanimously positive, giving IRON shares their Strong Buy consensus rating. The stock is currently trading for $64.96 and has an average target price of $92.40, suggesting a one-year upside of 42%. (See IRON stock forecast ) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks’ Best Stocks to Buy , a tool that unites all of TipRanks’ equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.Financial Survey: Hampshire Group (OTCMKTS:HAMP) vs. Gladstone Capital (NASDAQ:GLAD)

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On Wednesday, December 4th, Neptune Aviation, one of the largest aerial firefighting companies in the United States, revealed that it will convert a popular narrowbody commercial airliner, the Airbus A319, to a firefighting water bomber. Neptune Aviation is partnering with Aerotec & Concept to complete the conversion of the Airbus A319. The initial conversion is scheduled to be completed in 2027, and Neptune Aviation will introduce it into service shortly after. The aerial firefighting company will look to convert several other Airbus A319s for aerial firefighting purposes in the future. These airplanes and helicopters are fitted with the latest technology in aerial firefighting capability. The President of Neptune Aviation, Jennifer Draughon, spoke about the new soon-to-be-converted aircraft. Draughon stated, "As the leader in aerial firefighting, we are always focused on continuous improvement. The Airbus A319’s larger size and higher maximum takeoff weight allow for greater fire retardant capacity, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the safety of our crews, firefighters on the ground, and the communities we protect." Neptune Aviation's newest narrowbody firefighting aircraft Neptune Aviation will look to introduce a completed aerial firefighting aircraft in 2027, after the conversion is completed in partnership with the France-based Aerotec & Concept. The new Airbus A319 water bomber will be a significant upgrade to the firefighting company's fleet. Currently, Neptune Aviation flies nine British Aerospace 146 aircraft. According to Aero Time , these aircraft have a maximum capacity of 3,000 gallons for retardant. However, the newly converted Airbus A319 fleet will be able to carry a maximum of 4,500 gallons of retardant. It is not clear how many Airbus A319 water bombers Neptune Aviation will acquire in the future. However, it is likely that Neptune Aviation will keep a mixture of BAe 146 water bombers and Airbus A319 water bombers. This will provide the company with a wide range of aerial firefighting capabilities. The Airbus A319 has several other improvements in the performance category compared to the BAe 146s. However, the BAe 146s are smaller and easier to maneuver. Overall, these two aircraft have the following general performance specifications: Specification BAe 146 Airbus A319 Length 102 feet 111 feet Height 28 feet one inch 38 feet seven inches Wingspan 86 feet three inches 117 feet five inches Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) 84,000 pounds 166,000 pounds Typical cruise speed 404 knots (465 miles per hour) 448 knots (515 miles per hour) Range 2,090 nautical miles (2,405 miles) 3,750 nautical miles (4,320 miles) Service ceiling 35,000 feet 41,000 feet About Neptune Aviation Neptune Aviation Services is one of the largest aerial firefighting firms in the US. The company is based out of Missoula International Airport (MSO) in Missoula, Montana. However, Neptune Aviation provides aerial firefighting services to a wide range of areas, including throughout the US, Canada, Chile, and other areas around the world. The company was first founded in 1993 after Marta Amelia Timmons purchased Black Hills Aviation, which was previously based in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Since then, the company has focused on aerial firefighting services. However, the company also provides aviation maintenance services, air charter services, and operates a fixed base operator (FBO).

AP Trending SummaryBrief at 9:28 a.m. EST

In a significant move, MicroStrategy Inc. MSTR looks set to join the Nasdaq 100 index, prompting a major reconstitution of the index. This change, based on market cap rankings as of Nov. 29, will take effect after Dec. 20. What Happened : According to a report by Seeking Alpha, the inclusion of MicroStrategy, with its $94 billion market cap, will impact passive funds tracking the index, such as the Invesco QQQ Trust QQQ and the Invesco Nasdaq 100 QQQM . These funds, along with the Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call QYLD , will need to adjust their holdings to include MicroStrategy by Dec. 20. MicroStrategy’s entry into the NASDAQ 100 introduces Bitcoin exposure to passive investors, as the company holds nearly 2% of the Bitcoin supply. Known for issuing stock to purchase Bitcoin, MicroStrategy’s strategy could affect the index’s dynamics. See Also: MicroStrategy's Michael Saylor Calls Bitcoin The ‘Manhattan In Cyberspace,' Says It's An Asset You Could Expect To ‘Last 1,000 Years' The reconstitution may result in increased turnover and potential tracking errors for ETFs, as they will need to rebalance their portfolios to accommodate MicroStrategy’s growing market cap. This unique situation could lead to strategic trading opportunities for investors. Why It Matters : MicroStrategy’s potential inclusion in the NASDAQ 100 is a testament to its growing influence in the financial markets, particularly due to its aggressive Bitcoin strategy. Recently, Bernstein described MicroStrategy as a “Bitcoin magnet,” projecting it could hold 4% of the global Bitcoin supply by 2033. However, this strategy is not without risks, as some analysts caution about its long-term viability. Additionally, Michael Saylor , co-founder of MicroStrategy, recently revealed that the company is generating substantial profits from its Bitcoin holdings, reportedly making $500 million a day as Bitcoin nears $100,000. This has contributed to a surge in MicroStrategy’s stock, which has increased by 465% year-to-date, significantly impacting ETFs linked to its performance, as noted in a recent report . MicroStrategy’s recent $3 billion offering of 0% convertible senior notes, completed swiftly, underscores investor confidence in its strategy . These notes offer no interest but allow participation in the equity upside, reflecting the market’s appetite for exposure to MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin-driven growth. Price Action: Bitcoin was hovering at $96,776 at the time of writing, up by 0.46% in the last 24 hours, according to Benzinga Pro data. MicroStrategy’s stock closed at $387.47 on Friday, falling slightly by 0.35%. Year-to-date, the stock has gained 465%. The MicroStrategy stock has a consensus rating of “Buy,” according to Benzinga Pro data . The highest price target is $690, while the consensus price target is $449.50, implying a 16% upside. Read Next: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Simmer Down On Thanksgiving: Analyst Sees ‘Significant Shift’ From BTC Season To Alt Season Disclaimer : This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: MicroStrategy © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while the Republican represented Florida's western Panhandle. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R- Fla., speaks at AmericaFest, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Rick Scuteri Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee's work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report said. Before the report came out, Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee's process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Gaetz, who was first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his selection by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last month. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz has indicated interest in running for the open Senate seat in Florida. The committee painted a damning portrait of Gaetz's conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages and financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments, to document a party and drug-fueled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses. In addition to soliciting prostitution, the report said Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.” That same year, investigators said Gaetz arranged for a staffer to obtain a passport for a woman with whom he was sexually involved, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. In some of the text exchanges made public, he appeared to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asked one woman if she had a “cute black dress” to wear. There were also discussions of shipping goods. One of the exhibits was a text exchange that appeared to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asked Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense. Regarding the 17-year-old girl, the report said there was no evidence Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her. The woman told the committee she did not tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But Gaetz stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Florida law says it is a felony for a person 24 or older to have sex with a minor. The law does not allow a claim of ignorance or misrepresentation of a minor's age as a defense. Joel Leppard, who represents two women who told the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, said the findings “vindicate” the accounts of his clients and “demonstrate their credibility.” Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “We appreciate the Committee’s commitment to transparency in releasing this comprehensive report so the truth can be known,” Leppard said in a statement. At least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the committee earlier this month in voting to release the report despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. On behalf of the Republicans who voted against making the report public, the committee chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, wrote that while the members did not challenge the findings, “we take great exception that the majority deviated from the Committee’s well-established standards,” to drop any investigation when a person is not longer a member of the chamber. Guest added that releasing this report sets a precedent that “is a dangerous departure with potentially catastrophic consequences.” But Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Democratic member of the committee, said that for transparency, it was crucial for the public and Congress as an institution to read the findings. "I think that’s important for my colleagues here in the House to know how the committee reviews certain acts," he told The Associated Press. "Some of these were obviously conduct that crossed the line, but some of them weren’t.” Mounting a last-ditch effort to halt the publication of the report, Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal court to intervene. He cited what he called “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argued that he was no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction because he had resigned from Congress. The often secretive, bipartisan committee has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. But its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after the Nov. 5 election Day to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the committee's jurisdiction. But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer in the House and had withdrawn from consideration for Trump's Cabinet. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it. The committee detailed its start-and-stop investigation over the past several years, which was halted for a time as the Justice Department conducted its own inquiry of Gaetz. Federal prosecutors never brought a case against him. Lawmakers said they asked the Justice Department for information about its investigation, but the agency refused to hand over information, saying it does not disclose information about investigations that do not result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the department for records. After a back-and-forth between department officials and the committee, the department only handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the committee's report. The report said Gaetz was “uncooperative" throughout the committee's investigation. He provided “minimal documentation” in response to the committee’s requests, it said. “He also did not agree to a voluntary interview.” ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.HomeStreet EVP Godfrey B. Evans sells $53,547 in stock

The immigration officers sat in their vehicles before dawn near a two-story building. A New York subway line rumbled overhead, then an officer's voice crackled over the radio. After watching for about two hours, he said, “I think that's Tango,” using a term for target. “Gray hoodie. Backpack. Walking quickly.” > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are The immigration officers surrounded and handcuffed a 23-year-old man from Ecuador who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Kenneth Genalo, head of Enforcement and Removal Operations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York, said a popular misconception is that officers can sweep into a community and pick up a wide swath of people who are in the United States illegally and send them to their home countries. “It’s called targeted enforcement,” Genalo said. “We don’t grab people and then take them to JFK and put them on a plane." With Donald Trump returning to the White House, there is intense interest in how the Republican will carry out his immigration agenda , including a campaign pledge of mass deportations. His priorities could run into the realities faced by agents focused on enforcement and removals, including the unit in New York that offered The Associated Press a glimpse into its operations: The number of people already on its lists to target eclipses the number of officers available to do the work. The Biden administration had narrowed deportation priorities to public safety threats and recent border crossers. Trump's incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan , says officials in the new administration also will prioritize those who pose a risk, such as criminals, before moving on to immigrants whom courts have ordered removed from the U.S. But Homan also has signaled that enforcement could be wider: “If you’re in the country illegally you got a problem,” he said recently on Dr. Phil’s Merit TV. It's a tall order. Deportation orders far outnumber staff About 1.4 million people have final orders of removal, while about 660,000 under immigration supervision either have been convicted of crimes or are facing charges. But only 6,000 officers within ICE are tasked with monitoring noncitizens in the country and then finding and removing those not eligible to stay. Those staffing numbers have largely remained static as their caseload has roughly quadrupled over the past decade to 7.6 million. About 10% of that workforce was pulled from their regular duties last year to go to the U.S.-Mexico border at times when immigration spiked. Jason Houser, ICE chief of staff earlier in the Biden administration, said the number of officers needed to pursue those deemed a public safety threat are at direct odds with the goal of deporting people in large numbers. “You're not going to be able to do both of those with the resources you have, with the deportation officers you have,” Houser said. “Just the arithmetic, the time-intensive nature of those sort of arrests will overwhelm any ability to get to those large scale numbers.” Genalo said the officers in charge of individual cases have to get a lead, ensure they have the legal authority to arrest someone and then track the person down. They generally aren't allowed to enter a residence, so they want to catch people outside. How immigration removals work in the field On this recent operation, about a dozen officers gathered before 5 a.m. at a White Castle parking lot in the Bronx. After putting on their body armor and checking their equipment, they circled around for a briefing. Besides the 23-year-old Ecuadorian man, they were going after a 36-year-old Mexican man convicted of forcibly touching a young girl and another Ecuadorian also convicted of sexual abuse of a minor. The first target, the 23-year-old man, who pleaded guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl, was believed to usually leave the apartment building around 7 a.m. or 7:30 a.m. Sometimes he was with a woman and child. “Light came on in the first floor of the apartment,” an officer waiting outside said over the radio. Then later: “Someone came out of the basement, but it’s not our target.” They finally spotted him, swept him into the back of a vehicle and quickly left the neighborhood. Inside, the man's 22-year-old wife didn't know what had happened until he called later from detention. In an interview, she said they met in Ecuador and had a child — a bubbly 3-year-old girl with braids — and she was pregnant with their second. He worked construction while she was a manicurist. She said she knew why her husband had been arrested but felt there were important mitigating factors. She said they knew it was possible her husband could be sent back to Ecuador after his criminal case wrapped up but that it was still a shock. ICE deported more than 270,000 people over a recent 12-month period, the highest annual tally in a decade, the agency said in a recent report. But it also said it made fewer arrests of noncitizens, in part because of the demand of sending staff to the border. Of those arrested, a greater proportion had serious criminal histories. Working with local law enforcement Some cities and states work with ICE to turn over people in their custody who aren't U.S. citizens. But many left-leaning states and cities have so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In New York City, for example, ICE used to have an office at the jail to easily take custody of noncitizens. In 2014, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation kicking out ICE and restricting police cooperation. His successor, Eric Adams, has shown willingness to revisit some of those policies. He recently met with Homan and told reporters they agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes. Genalo said agents spend time and resources picking up immigrants few would argue should have the right to stay in America. “How can you state that sanctuary policies help the community when you’re releasing all these criminals right back into the community?” he said. “We’re safer when we collaborate.” Staffing is also an issue. He said he's supposed to have about 325 officers, but in recent years, the number has been about 30% lower. Many immigration advocates have long-standing concerns about ICE's tactics, and those concerns are deepening with Trump's return to office in January. Advocates say the incoming administration's position of going after public safety threats is already longtime policy. They object to rhetoric they say paints immigrants as people to be feared. They say there can be nuances in some cases: Maybe someone committed a crime a long time ago and has been rehabilitated, or someone facing a final order of removal moved and never got the notice. During Trump's first term, there were a lot of “collateral arrests” where immigration officers would detain others besides those being targeted, said Jehan Laner, a senior staff attorney for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. That destabilizes communities, she said, adding, “We saw them go after everyone.” Genalo said he couldn’t comment on the incoming administration’s plans but stressed that officers are going after specific targets with criminal histories. He said he has a docket of about 58,000 people who either have criminal convictions or pending charges. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to be tied up for a while dealing with the criminal population," Genalo said. ___ Associated Press reporter Cedar Attanasio contributed to this report.TV’s Dr. Oz invested in businesses regulated by agency Trump wants him to lead

ECI submits gazette, notification of poll results to Maharashtra guvUPS (NYSE: UPS) continues to struggle through a difficult period. The small package delivery market is over capacity, pressuring pricing power at a time when a weak economy is encouraging customers to shift to cheaper delivery options. It all adds up to a difficult period for UPS, and the company will end 2024 with significantly lower earnings than management anticipated at the start of the year. UPS will likely be a big winner if interest rates head lower. Here's why. Not just about end demand Interest rates are affecting not only UPS' end markets, but also its business model. CEO Carol Tome's tenure has been characterized by her admonishment of the "better not bigger" operating framework. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Breakfast News delivers it all in a quick, Foolish, and free daily newsletter. Sign Up For Free » In plain English, this implies focusing on targeted deliveries rather than chasing volume growth. This approach colors the company's structure and competitiveness in its end markets. The latter is the key to understanding why UPS needs lower interest rates. I'll return to that point in a moment. First, a few words on the cyclical benefit of lower rates. Lower rates will help volume growth Package deliveries have also been cyclical, and they always will be. When the economy is doing well, more physical goods are shipped, and vice versa. As such, the weakness in the economy over the last couple of years has negatively affected delivery volumes. Unfortunately, the delivery slowdown came after the package delivery companies ramped up capacity to align with the burgeoning demand created by pandemic lockdown measures. As management outlined during the investor day in March, the U.S. small package market has an excess capacity of some 12 million in average daily volume in 2024. It will take time for the industry to work through that overcapacity, and UPS, among others, is reducing capacity where necessary. Lower rates will spur business activity and consumer spending, leading to growth in package delivery volume, and customers will start switching back to more costly and more timely delivery options in response. UPS' business model will benefit, too Returning to the point about the UPS business model, it's fair to say that the "better not bigger" framework has been challenged this year. The company continued to focus on driving growth in selected end markets, such as higher-margin markets like small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and healthcare. Still, it's also taken on a significant amount of relatively lower revenue per piece volume of deliveries in 2024. You can see this in the chart below, where revenue per piece continues to decline, but volumes are growing again, leading to revenue growth. While it's not UPS' ideal scenario and seems inconsistent with "better not bigger," market conditions dictate it. A lower-interest-rate environment will improve overall package delivery demand and allow UPS to better align its business with its long-term strategy. There's little management can do about its end markets, and the pragmatic approach taken in 2024 -- by taking on lower revenue per piece deliveries -- is a net positive under the circumstances. UPS in 2025 With lower interest rates in 2025, UPS should be able to finesse a return to its core operating philosophy of growing in its targeted markets and hopefully improve its revenue per piece growth. That would be a positive development, because the good news from the third quarter came from its cost-per-piece reduction of 4.1% year over year. Not only is UPS doing an excellent job of cutting costs (the company is cutting 12,000 jobs this year to reduce cost by $1 billion) , it's also lapping the increases in costs associated with the improved labor contract agreed in 2023. Its medium-term plan, outlined in March, calls for ongoing investments in automation and smart facilities to improve network productivity, enabling UPS to consolidate its facilities and reduce cost per piece. A stock to buy? UPS has a lot to gain from a lower-rate environment: Improved pricing power, a potential improvement in revenue per piece while cost per piece is likely to be controlled, and UPS can return to focusing on higher-margin deliveries. It all speaks to a combination of revenue growth and margin expansion next year as the company recovers from a difficult couple of years. UPS is far from perfect, and there's no guarantee it will hit its full-year earnings expectations. But on balance, the stock looks like a good value, trading on 15.6 times estimated 2025 earnings. Should you invest $1,000 in United Parcel Service right now? Before you buy stock in United Parcel Service, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and United Parcel Service wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $829,378 !* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 25, 2024 Lee Samaha has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . If the Fed Keeps Cutting Interest Rates, This Stock Could Be a Winner was originally published by The Motley Fool

Global Billing & Invoicing Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-FreshBooks, Replicon TimeBill, Chargebee, Tipalti AP Automation, Zoho InvoiceHOUSTON , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sterling Group, a Houston -based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, is pleased to announce that John Griffin and Claudine Lussier have been promoted to Partner. "We are excited to recognize the extraordinary contributions of John and Claudine," said Brad Staller , Partner at The Sterling Group. "Each has played a critical part in Sterling's success to date. We are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and welcome them as Partners." John Griffin , Partner, joined Sterling in 2018 from McKinsey & Company's Houston office where he focused on strategic and operational initiatives for industrial and energy companies. John has been a leader on the PrimeFlight Aviation, West Star Aviation, Fencing Supply Group, Tangent Technologies, and Lynx FBO Network investment teams. John has also been a key member of the firm's Operations Committee, which drives continuous improvement in Sterling's own value creation capabilities. Claudine Lussier , Partner, Human Capital, joined Sterling in 2017 to lead Human Capital at Sterling and its portfolio companies. During Claudine's time at Sterling, she has contributed to a significant build-out of the team and has driven a dramatic improvement in Sterling's ability to drive value creation through the Human Capital lever. Claudine is a critical business partner to investment teams and management teams alike. To learn more about a career at The Sterling Group, please visit www.sterling-group.com/careers/ About The Sterling Group Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million . Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 73 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $24 billion . Sterling currently has $9.4 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com . Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-sterling-group-names-two-new-partners-302336718.html SOURCE The Sterling Group, L.P.cockfighting ring 。

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of the Phoenix Xcelerator, a pioneering program designed to empower & grow startups across the defense and aerospace sectors. Through structured programming—including a rigorous high-quality curriculum, personalized mentorship, and coaching—the Phoenix Xcelerator advances industry-informed and mission-led innovation. The program is funded in-part through a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). Why Arkansas ? Arkansas is home to over 178 aerospace and defense companies employing more than 10,900 people. Reports from federal sources highlight a decline in defense contractors, with the Department of Defense (DoD) vendors shrinking by 27.6% in the past decade. The Phoenix Xcelerator aims to reverse this trend, empowering startups to address defense challenges and reinforcing Arkansas's leadership in the sector. Arkansas's aerospace and defense exports, valued at over $850 million in 2023, represent 13% of the state's total exports, making them the top export category. Furthermore, the Little Rock Air Force Base reported a $1.38 billion economic impact in 2023. Major players like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Dassault Falcon Jet have positioned the state as a hub for defense innovation, with the Phoenix Xcelerator serving as a launchpad for the next wave of industry leaders. Program Details The Phoenix Xcelerator offers a 12-week intensive program, guiding participants through business validation, go-to-market strategies, and development of minimum viable products (MVPs) or prototypes. Participants gain expertise in non-dilutive funding opportunities such as SBIR/STTR and other grant programs, as well as access to capital networks for sustained growth. Established companies receive support in maximizing intellectual property and evaluating dual-use markets. Key features include: Access to aerospace and defense prime contractors. Site visits to defense manufacturing facilities. Technical guidance on compliance, defense standards, and government procurement. Networking with industry veterans, government experts, and successful entrepreneurs. The program emphasizes emerging technologies like directed energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drones, ISR and other technologies, ensuring readiness for critical defense challenges. Apply Now The Phoenix Xcelerator team brings decades of expertise to guide startups toward impactful, scalable growth. Entrepreneurs and companies working on dual-use technologies are encouraged to apply, gaining unparalleled resources and opportunities to innovate within the defense sector. To apply now, visit www.forge.institute/phoenix-xcelerator SOURCE Forge InstituteSouth Korea’s dedicated technology testbed vessel set for first trials in 2025Apple’s UK engineering teams have ‘doubled in size in five years’

University of Michigan researchers have dug deeper into the numbers-only data of COVID-19-era suicides and evaluated the narratives contained in reports from coroners, medical examiners, police and vital statistics. The researchers sought to understand how the crisis influenced suicide deaths in the first year of the pandemic, how the response by governments, employers and others influenced individuals, and if their handling could inform future public health responses. The researchers used the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Violent Death Reporting System , which compiles death reports and vital statistics and uses that information to write text narratives that describe the circumstances in the person’s life at the time of their death. According to the researchers, the CDC launched the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) to address this data gap and provide information that can reveal interactions between individual and macro-correlates of suicide. The outcome is that the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to an excess in suicide mortality in 2020. In looking at the narratives, the researchers found that the reasons behind the suicides are complex and that mental health may have been overlooked as the crisis unfolded. The analysis also points to the need for better coordination, support by employers, communities, public health leaders in future crises, especially in relation to mental health. According to lead researcher Briana Mezuk , professor of epidemiology: “We felt it was important to delve into the narratives of these deaths, rather than using numbers alone, to learn what roles the pandemic and the public health response to the pandemic might have played in these lost lives.” In looking at the deaths of individuals aged ten years old and above, the researchers found that 6.8 percent of suicide deaths in 2020, representing 2,502 cases, described an aspect of the pandemic, and 20 percent had no known circumstances described in death reports. Although many individuals experienced heightened emotional distress during that time, and some had feared this would lead to greater suicide mortality in 2020, no overall increase materialized in most countries, including the U.S. Nonetheless, research into the causes of suicide and with building mental health support remains a priority in the U.S.and other countries with similar rates. The study appears in the journal Public Library for Science One . The research is titled “Psychosocial and pandemic-related circumstances of suicide deaths in 2020: Evidence from the National Violent Death Reporting System”. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Florida Republican made the announcement Thursday. Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump could face resistance from members of his own party. Trump said in a social media post that Gaetz “did not want to be a distraction for the Administration.” Gaetz said “it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work" of the transition team. He added, “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.” Warrants put Israeli PM and others in a small group of leaders accused of crimes against humanity Arrest warrants issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas leader put them in a small group of leaders to be accused of crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court in the Hague issued the warrants Thursday for Netanyahu, his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif, a Hamas leader Israel claims it killed. The court says Hamas committed murder, rape and torture in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the Israel-Hamas war. The court also says Israel used starvation as a method of warfare and committed murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Several of Trump's Cabinet picks — and Trump himself — have been accused of sexual misconduct WASHINGTON (AP) — Former congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name as President-elect Donald Trump's choice for attorney general in the face of sexual misconduct allegations. He's not the only member of Trump’s chosen staff and Cabinet accused of some form of misconduct. Others include: Elon Musk, his choice to help lead a new outside panel seeking to boost government efficiency, Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Trump’s choice for defense secretary Pete Hegseth and Linda McMahon, his choice to lead the Department of Education. They all deny the claims. Elon Musk's budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump's second term WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has put Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of finding ways to cut government spending and regulations. It's possible that their efforts will lead to a constitutional clash. This week, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would encourage the Republican president-elect to refuse to spend money allocated by Congress, which would conflict with a 1974 law that's intended to prevent presidents from blocking funds. If Trump takes such a step, it would quickly become one of the most closely watched legal battles of his second administration. Musk and Ramaswamy also aim to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce. Death toll in Gaza from Israel-Hamas war passes 44,000, Palestinian officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials say the death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year. Putin touts Russia's new missile and delivers a menacing warning to NATO The new ballistic missile fired by Russia struck a military-industrial facility in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, but its real mission was delivering a deadly new message to NATO. Hours after Thursday’s strike touched off a debate over whether the Ukrainian plant was hit by an intercontinental ballistic missile, President Vladimir Putin cleared up the mystery in a rare and surprise appearance on Russian television. He described it as a new, intermediate-range ballistic missile that raced to its target at 10 times the speed of sound and couldn't be stopped by modern anti-missile systems. One Western expert said it was the first time that such a missile was used in the war — and perhaps in any conflict. Brazilian police indict former President Bolsonaro and aides over alleged 2022 coup attempt SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have indicted former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 other people on charges of attempting a coup to keep him in office after his electoral defeat in the 2022 elections. The findings are to be delivered Thursday to Brazil’s Supreme Court, which will refer them to Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, who will either formally charge Bolsonaro and put the former president on trial or toss the investigation. The former right-wing president has denied all claims he tried to stay in office after his narrow electoral defeat in 2022 to his rival, leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has faced a series of legal threats since then. Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court has overturned actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction on charges that he staged a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019 and lied to Chicago police. The state’s highest court ruled Thursday on Smollett’s argument that a special prosecutor should not have been allowed to intervene after the local state’s attorney initially dropped charges. The 5-0 decision did not address Smollett's claims of innocence. The Black, gay actor claimed two men assaulted him, spouted slurs and tossed a noose around his neck. Smollett was on the television drama “Empire,” which filmed in Chicago. Testimony at his trial indicated Smollett paid $3,500 to two men to carry out the attack. SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step down Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler will step down from his post on January 20. Since taking the lead at the SEC, the commission has been aggressive in its oversight of cryptocurrencies and other regulatory issues. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler, who has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry and repeatedly called for more oversight. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. US towns plunge into debates about fluoride in water NEW YORK (AP) — Fights are cropping up nationwide over fluoride in drinking water. Communities in Florida, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and elsewhere have debated the idea in recent months. And several have decided to stop adding it to drinking water. In August, a federal agency for the first time reported that there is a link between high levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQ in kids. And in September, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate it in drinking water. The decision to add fluoride to drinking water rests with state and local officials, but advisers to Donald Trump have suggested he would push to remove it.

SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) has strategically bolstered its financial standing by executing a registered direct offering of over 13 million ordinary shares at $1.90 each, amassing gross proceeds of $25 million. This move contributes to a total of $60 million raised through financings this week. The company has declared its resolve to abstain from further registered direct offerings for at least the next 60 days. The net proceeds are earmarked for significant technological advancements. SEALSQ plans to channel these funds into the deployment of next-generation post-quantum semiconductor technology and a boost in their ASIC capabilities across the United States. This allocation will not only support the firm’s technological infrastructure but will also aid in meeting general corporate needs and enhancing working capital. These steps are part of a broader strategy to strengthen their market position in cutting-edge technologies. Maxim Group took the central role as the sole placement agent in this financial maneuver, ensuring a smooth execution of the share offering. The company’s assertive financial activities signal its commitment to innovation and sustaining growth in the competitive semiconductor industry. This fundraising success solidifies SEALSQ Corp’s path towards future advancements. With significant funds secured and strategic plans in place, SEALSQ is well-positioned to make substantial strides in cutting-edge technology development and operational growth. SEALSQ Corp Raises $25 Million for Quantum Tech Innovations In an impressive financial move, SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) has successfully raised $25 million through a registered direct offering. This was achieved by issuing over 13 million ordinary shares at $1.90 each. In combination with previous financings, the company has now secured a total of $60 million within a week. Despite this aggressive fundraising, SEALSQ has announced a pause on additional registered direct offerings for at least the next 60 days. The funds raised are designated for crucial technological advancements, specifically in the realms of next-generation post-quantum semiconductor technology and enhanced application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) capabilities in the United States. This strategic investment is not only aimed at strengthening SEALSQ’s technological infrastructure but also at boosting their overall market presence in the semiconductor industry. Maxim Group played a pivotal role as the sole placement agent in the execution of this share offering, ensuring its smooth transition in the financial landscape. SEALSQ’s strategic financial maneuvers underline its unwavering commitment to innovation and growth within the highly competitive semiconductor sector. Technological Investments and Market Positioning SEALSQ’s significant injection of funds towards post-quantum semiconductor technology reflects the company’s focus on sustaining long-term growth in cutting-edge fields. This focus aligns with broader industry trends where advancements in quantum computing are becoming a significant point of interest for technology companies worldwide. The expansion of ASIC capabilities further underscores SEALSQ’s dedication to maintaining and enhancing its competitive edge in the semiconductor market. Future Outlook With the recent financial boost and clear strategic plans, SEALSQ Corp is poised for substantial progress in its technological development and operational capabilities. By prioritizing advanced technologies, SEALSQ is setting the stage for future innovations that could redefine their standing in the semiconductor industry. For more information about SEALSQ Corp and their future initiatives, visit their official website .Apple’s UK engineering teams have ‘doubled in size in five years’

South Korea’s dedicated technology testbed vessel set for first trials in 2025NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

( ) shares are having a strong start to the day. In morning trade, the ASX healthcare stock is up over 7% to $4.10. Why is this ASX healthcare stock jumping? Investors have been buying the regenerative medicine company's shares after it made a big . According to the release, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its premarket approval (PMA) supplement for RECELL GO mini. The company notes that as a line extension of the existing RECELL GO system, the RECELL GO mini disposable cartridge is designed specifically to treat smaller wounds up to 480 square centimetres. This compares to the standard RECELL GO disposable cartridge, which treats an area of 1,920 square centimetres. Why the mini version? Management points out that RECELL GO mini addresses a critical need in the full-thickness skin defect market, which includes a high volume of smaller wounds. As part of the RECELL GO platform, RECELL GO mini uses the same multi-use processing device as the standard disposable cartridge. However, it features a modified cartridge that is optimised for smaller skin samples. This reduces resource use and minimises waste. The company feels that this design provides an entry point for clinicians who may not have previously used the RECELL GO platform for smaller wounds, enabling broader accessibility and use in trauma and burn centres. The ASX healthcare stock's CEO, Jim Corbett, was pleased with the news. He said: The FDA approval of RECELL GO mini strengthens our ability to provide clinicians with fit-for-purpose solutions that meet the diverse needs of patients with full-thickness wounds. By introducing a treatment option specifically for smaller wounds, we are expanding the accessibility of RECELL to a wider range of patients. We believe this addition will drive greater adoption across trauma centers, where smaller wounds are common, and support our broader growth strategy. What's next? The company notes that it expects RECELL GO mini to serve as a growth driver within the broader RECELL GO platform, further advancing the ASX healthcare stock's strategy to expand its impact on patient care. Its rollout will begin with trauma and burn centres that currently treat smaller wounds during the first quarter of 2025. Following today's gain, this ASX healthcare stock is now trading largely flat year to date. Though, it remains down by a sizeable 65% over the past five years.Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightingsThe next mess: Syria

For the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract has been the talk of the winter , with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets on a $765 million, 15-year deal that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of $700 million on a 10-year, heavily deferred deal for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. Recommended Videos The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player who has true international appeal . His every move ( like his unexpected marriage announcement ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a $330 million contract to join the Phillies. Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him signing a $360 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted among the top 30 picks in the 2024 draft . Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously turned down a $440 million, 15-year offer to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbFor the second straight Major League Baseball offseason, a norm-shattering contract , with Juan Soto agreeing with the New York Mets that's the richest in baseball history. It comes almost exactly one year after the Los Angeles Dodgers forked out a princely sum of for two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani. They are believed to be the two richest contracts in pro sports history. The way it's going, a contract approaching $1 billion doesn't seem out of the question. But several factors are working against it — at least in the near future. There's reason to believe the megadeals for Ohtani and Soto are unicorns in the baseball world. Both players are uniquely talented, surely, but both also had unusual circumstances propelling their value into the stratosphere. Ohtani is the greatest two-way player in baseball history, capable of improving any team on both sides of the ball. He's also the rare baseball player . His every move ( ) is followed closely in his native Japan, adding another 125 million potential fans who buy merchandise, watch him play and help fill the Dodgers' coffers. Then there's Soto — a four-time All-Star and on-base machine who won a World Series with the Washington Nationals in 2019. The X-factor for him is he became a free agent at the prime age of 26, which is extremely hard to do under current MLB rules. Players have to be in the big leagues for six years before testing free agency. The precocious Soto debuted at 19 with the Nats, making him part of a rare group of players who reached the highest level of professional baseball as a teenager. That accelerated his free agency timeline. It's rare for players to debut that young, and rarer still for them to develop into stars and test the open market the first chance they get. Two recent examples are Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, who both reached free agency in 2019. Machado signed a free-agent record $300 million contract with San Diego, and Harper overtook him days later with a Most players debut in the big leagues from ages 22 to 26, which means free agency comes in their late 20s or early 30s. A typical example is Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is one of this generation's great players but didn't hit the market until he was 30. Judge played three seasons of college baseball for Fresno State before getting drafted by the Yankees in 2013 at age 21 — already two years older than Soto was when he made his MLB debut. It took a few years for the budding superstar to reach the majors, and he was 25 when he had his breakout season in 2018, smashing 52 homers to earn AL Rookie of the Year honors. By the time he reached free agency after the 2022 season, he had already passed age 30. It's a major factor that led to him with the Yankees, which seems downright reasonable these days after the Ohtani and Soto deals. Two major trends are colliding that will make it harder for guys like Soto to hit free agency in their mid 20s. First, MLB teams have been more likely in recent years to take college players early in the draft, betting on more experienced talents. Just 10 high school players were drafted . Second, teams are more eager to lock up young, premium talent on long-term deals very early in their careers, well before they hit free agency. Sometimes before they even reach the majors. Since Soto, just two players have debuted in MLB before their 20th birthday — Elvis Luciano and Junior Caminero. Luciano hasn't been back to the majors since his 2019 cup of coffee. Caminero is now 21 and has only played in 50 big league games. Among those that debuted at 20: Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a $340 million, 14-year deal with San Diego in 2021, years before reaching the open market. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio got an $82 million, eight-year deal before even reaching the big leagues. Young stars Corbin Carroll ($111 million, eight years with Arizona), Bobby Witt Jr. ($288 million, 11 years with Kansas City) and Julio Rodriguez ($209.3 million, 12 years with Seattle) also got massive guarantees early in their 20s to forgo an early free agency. The exception and wild card: Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be a 26-year-old free agent next offseason. Guerrero hasn't been as consistent in his young career as Soto, but a standout 2025 season could position him to threaten Soto's deal. More likely is that the player to pass Soto isn't in the majors yet — and might not even be in pro baseball. When 25-year-old Alex Rodriguez signed his record $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in 2001, it took over a decade for another player to match that total, when Albert Pujols got $240 million over 10 years from the Angels in 2012. For many players, passing up life-changing money in their early or mid 20s is too enticing, even if it means that they might not maximize their value on the free agent market later in their careers. Soto was determined to test the market. He famously to stay with the Washington Nationals in 2022, betting that he could make even more as a free agent. Not many players would turn down that kind of cash. Then again, that's what makes Soto so unique. And it's also why his $765 million deal could be the industry standard for some time. AP MLB:

AleAnna Accelerates Efforts to Improve Italy's Energy Sustainability and Security with Strategic Business Combination Concurrent with the completion of the Business Combination, Swiftmerge has changed its name to AleAnna, Inc. Commencing at the open of trading on December 16, 2024, the Class A shares of common stock and warrants of AleAnna are expected to begin trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbols "ANNA” and "ANNAW”, respectively. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Swiftmerge and was approved at an extraordinary general meeting (the "Shareholders Meeting”) of Swiftmerge's shareholders on December 12, 2024. Former equity holders of AleAnna Energy rolled 100% of their equity interests into the combined company. Prior to the execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 6, 2024, AleAnna Energy's equity holders contributed over $60 million in cash, bringing the company's total cumulative investment to nearly $175 million. This infusion of capital enabled the completion of the Longanesi Field tie-in and the acquisition of initial renewable natural gas ("RNG”) assets, both finalized in Q3 2024. Additionally, the investment covered expenses related to the business combination and provided funding for general corporate liquidity. As of the transaction close, AleAnna had approximately $28 million in cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet and no debt. This disciplined approach to financial management has empowered AleAnna to allocate significant capital to innovative exploration and development projects while preserving financial flexibility. Long History In Developing Resources in Italy AleAnna has a distinguished history in Italy, having been a leader in energy exploration and development for over a decade. Since its founding in 2007, the company has been dedicated to unlocking the significant potential of Italy's natural gas reserves through the application of cutting-edge seismic imaging and environmentally responsible practices. AleAnna holds one of the largest portfolios of exploration permits and production concessions in Italy, spanning over 2.3 million acres. By combining advanced technology with a deep respect for Italy's cultural and environmental heritage, AleAnna is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering the nation's energy independence and economic growth, earning its reputation as a trusted partner in Italy's energy future. Positioning itself as a leader in both onshore conventional natural gas and renewable natural gas (RNG) production, AleAnna is at the forefront of building a secure and reliable domestic energy supply for Italy and the broader European market. The company stands on the cusp of a major milestone, with the first phase of natural gas production from the Longanesi Field projected to commence in Q1 2025. Alongside this, additional gas discoveries at Gradizza and Trava, 13 development prospects in various permitting stages, and leases covering approximately 2.3 million net acres underscore AleAnna's commitment to future exploration and development. AleAnna is also helping drive the European Union's clean energy transition through its innovative approach to RNG. Leveraging the strategic overlap between its conventional and renewable assets in the Po Valley, AleAnna is transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy. With three RNG facilities operational and over 100 additional opportunities identified, AleAnna is poised for significant expansion in this sector. Guided by a commitment to corporate responsibility and a vision for a sustainable future, AleAnna integrates conventional and renewable energy solutions to reduce Europe's carbon footprint and advance its clean energy objectives. By delivering innovative energy solutions, AleAnna continues to shape Italy's energy landscape and support the EU's transition toward a greener future. Experienced Management And Board Of Directors The combined company will be led by William Dirks as Executive Director and Marco Brun as Chief Executive Officer, supported by a seasoned and highly skilled executive team. AleAnna's leadership team brings extensive expertise gained from top-tier energy companies, including Shell, Eni, and Exxon. This seasoned group combines in-depth knowledge of energy technology, operations, and business development with well-established regulatory and industry networks in Italy. Their collective experience equips AleAnna to effectively navigate the dynamic and rapidly evolving energy landscape. The Board of Directors, which will include Graham van't Hoff, William Dirks, Marco Brun, Duncan Palmer, and Curtis Hébert, collectively brings a wealth of experience spanning global energy markets, technical and operational expertise, European energy development, financial management, governance, and regulatory policy. This diverse set of skills and perspectives ensures comprehensive strategic oversight and positions AleAnna for sustained growth and success. With over 15 years of investment and operational experience in Italy, AleAnna has a competitive advantage in securing critical permits and approvals, positioning it ahead of its peers. The company's approach integrates cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading practices with strategic capital allocation to maximize the value of its conventional and renewable natural gas (RNG) assets. AleAnna is dedicated to sustainable, low-cost growth while maintaining strict capital discipline. By prioritizing innovation, efficiency, and long-term shareholder value, AleAnna is well-positioned to lead the next phase of Italy's energy transformation. Management Commentary Bill Dirks, Executive Director of AleAnna, commented, "Our investment in state-of-the-art subsurface technology has been a game-changer for AleAnna. By leveraging advanced seismic imaging and cutting-edge data analysis, we have achieved unparalleled accuracy in identifying and developing Italy's natural gas resources. This technology not only enhances our operational efficiency but also ensures that our exploration and development activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.” Marco Brun, AleAnna's Chief Executive Officer, added, "We stand at a pivotal moment in AleAnna's journey. As we gear up for production at Longanesi and scale our renewable natural gas (RNG) operations, we are proud to be at the forefront of driving a sustainable energy future. This strategy not only delivers value to AleAnna shareholders but also plays a key role in reshaping the energy landscape for generations to come.” About AleAnna, Inc. AleAnna is an innovative energy company dedicated to unlocking Italy's extensive natural gas reserves and advancing renewable energy solutions to address the country's energy needs and support Europe's sustainability and energy security goals. With a vast portfolio encompassing over 2.3 million acres of potential resources and state-of-the-art technologies, AleAnna is poised to lead Italy's energy transition. Guided by a commitment to environmental responsibility and operational excellence, AleAnna is shaping a sustainable and secure energy future. The company operates regional headquarters in Dallas, TX, and Rome, Italy, serving as strategic hubs for its global and local initiatives. Forward-Looking Statements The information included herein contains "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included herein, regarding the Business Combination, the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, AleAnna's future financial performance following the Business Combination, as well as AleAnna's strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used herein, including any statements made in connection herewith, the words "could,” "should,” "will,” "may,” "believe,” "anticipate,” "intend,” "estimate,” "expect,” "project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on AleAnna management's current expectations and assumptions about future events. They are based on current information about the outcome and timing of future events. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, AleAnna disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. AleAnna cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of AleAnna. These risks include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial, legal, political and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination and any transactions contemplated thereby, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of AleAnna to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its management and key employees; AleAnna's need for additional capital to execute its business plan and support its anticipated growth; costs related to the Business Combination; the risks associated with the growth of AleAnna's business and the timing of expected business milestones; AleAnna's ability to identify, develop and operate new projects; the reduction or elimination of government economic incentives to the natural gas market; delays in acquisition, financing, construction and development of new projects; decline in public acceptance and support of renewable energy development and projects; the ability to obtain necessary regulatory and governmental permits and approvals; uncertainty regarding the EU's clean energy transition, including existing regulations and changes to regulations and policies that affect AleAnna's operations; the ability to maintain the listing of AleAnna's securities on a national securities exchange; and the effects of competition on AleAnna's future business. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein and in any statements made in connection in addition to these occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that AleAnna does not know or that AleAnna currently believes are immaterial that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact AleAnna's expectations and projections can be found in filings it makes with the SEC, including the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed by Swiftmerge and AleAnna Energy with the SEC on November 21, 2024, including those under "Risk Factors” therein, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by AleAnna. SEC filings are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . Investor Relations Contact For AleAnna, Inc.: Bill Dirks [email protected]BOSTON , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Fund, Inc. CHN (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund's annual stockholder meeting (the "Meeting") will be scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2025 , via a virtual forum at 11:00 a.m. ET . Stockholders of record as of January 15, 2025 will be entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, the Meeting. The notice for the Meeting will be mailed to shareholders on or about February 10, 2025 . The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with the objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (i) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is in the People's Republic of China (" China "), or (ii) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is outside of China , or constituting direct equity investments in companies organized outside of China , that in both cases derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods and services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in China . While the Fund is permitted to invest in direct equity investments of companies organized in China , it presently holds no such investments. Shares of the Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CHN". The Fund's investment manager is Matthews International Capital Management, LLC. For further information regarding the Fund and the Fund's holdings, please call (888)-CHN-CALL (246-2255) or visit the Fund's website at www.chinafundinc.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-china-fund-inc-announces-date-of-annual-meeting-of-stockholders-302331705.html SOURCE The China Fund, Inc. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Several environmental groups are suing California air regulators over their recent update of a contentious climate program, saying they failed to address the pollution impacts of biofuels. The lawsuits target the low-carbon fuel standard , which requires California to reduce the environmental impact of transportation fuels by incentivizing producers to cut emissions. The California Air Resources Board voted last month to increase the state’s emission reduction targets, fund charging infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles, and phase out incentives for capturing methane emissions from dairy farms to turn into fuel. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Stock market 12-19-24: Wall Street ends little changed after giving up a big morning gain

The Columbus Blue Jackets are finally back home after their five-game road trip that saw them go through Chicago and then Western Canada. They bookended wins in Chicago and Winnipeg and suffered losses in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. This week in News and Rumors, we start with some good news that one of the Blue Jackets’ players was able to share while on the road trip. Werenski Makes Four Nations The rosters for the Four Nations Tournament was recently revealed. Team USA announced that Zach Werenski made their roster. The story of how Werenski found out was quite good. “We had a team dinner at Martini after our Carolina game,” Werenski said. “The restaurant I think closes at 11. We walked in right at 11 and Billy (Bill Guerin) was sitting there with Chris Kelleher at the bar. So me and my fiance went over and talked to him for a bit. I was kind of nervous. I wasn’t sure if I had made the team or not yet. I was just talking to him about the season. Then we went to the back room, sat down and then Ollie came in. And he said when he walked in, Billy grabbed him and said, can you grab Z’s fiance again?” “So then I kind of had a feeling when I was walking back out there. We’re going back out there like something’s up. It’s either going to be yes you made it or hey we’re going in a different direction. Then he was like guys, I forgot my wallet. I just want to see if you guys would buy, pay for our bill. I’m still kind of nervous. I don’t know what to say. My fiance right away was like, if you put him on Team USA, we’ll buy your dinner.” “In my mind, I was like don’t say that, but she doesn’t care. She was just having fun and Billy loved it. And he’s like well yeah because you’re buying because he’s in. Then it was a whirlwind. It was a cool moment. I gave him a hug. I gave my fiance a hug. Then we got back to our table and we asked the server to go get his bill for us to pay for it. By the time we asked the server, he was already gone. So I do owe him a dinner.” Flyers coach John Tortorella said on Tuesday morning that Werenski is “having a hell of a year.” At over a point per game offensively while outscoring the opposition when on the ice, he’s in the Norris Trophy conversation. He has done everything asked of him and then some to earn this opportunity. It’s nice to see it noticed at the national level too. Jenner Skating Tuesday morning in the Blue Jackets’ locker room brought an interesting sight. Captain Boone Jenner was in his jersey on his way out to the Ice Haus to get a skate in. It marked the first time to my knowledge Jenner had skated since his injury in training camp. Thanks to a fan comment, they mentioned Jenner started skating previously. It’s an encouraging sign as he starts his road to an eventual return. So this is good news. That is captain Boone Jenner. First time on the ice since the injury as far as I know. A great first step. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/QuMxyP3WOO We’re still nowhere close to Jenner playing in a game. The skate he did on Tuesday was on his own after the optional was done. Can he get back before the Stadium Series game on March 1? In a perfect world, everyone would love that. But the fact he has started skating is as good of news as anyone could have hoped for given the surgery and the severity of his injury. If there’s anyone who could get back as soon as possible against the odds, it’s Jenner. Lesson in Trouba Situation The Jacob Trouba situation with the New York Rangers has finally come to a conclusion. In the end, it was the Anaheim Ducks that acquired him. GM Don Waddell went on the Donnie & Dhali show in Vancouver last week and admitted the Blue Jackets were in on Trouba. At that time, Waddell said he didn’t know how things would end up. After the trade went down, multiple reports said that Trouba woudn’t waive his no-trade clause to come to the Blue Jackets. That was within his right to do especially considering the circumstances. But what should we take away from this situation? The lesson is that Waddell won’t wait around if a situation comes up that could improve the team. It’s not often players like Trouba become available. His physical presence would have been welcomed on the Blue Jackets. Although this didn’t work out, Waddell showed everyone that not only would he get involved in a particular situation, they’d have the framework together to make a deal. Had Trouba waived, he would have been a Blue Jacket. That should awaken everyone on the Blue Jackets. If they want to keep their spot, especially those lower in the lineup, Waddell will not hesitate to make a move. He did that already with Dante Fabbro. Now he’s on the top pair with Werenski. If another Trouba-like situation arises, don’t be surprised to see Waddell and the Blue Jackets trying to make something work. Side Dishes This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.NoneWiikwemkoong Unceded Territories has taken a significant step toward energy sustainability with the launch of a groundbreaking Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure project. Approved by Wiikwemkoong Leadership, this initiative combines cutting-edge technology and renewable energy to benefit the community and environment. In collaboration with Vortex Technology Group and supported by key funding programs, the project includes the installation of Level 2 and Level 3 EV chargers alongside a revolutionary Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS) at the community’s Recreational Complex. The launch event on November 27, 2024, was celebrated by Ogimaah Ominika and Vortex CEO Brian Walters. Ogimaah Ominika remarked, “When private sector companies partner and invest with Indigenous communities, the outcomes benefit technology, the environment, and the people.” The Vortex BESS technology, central to this initiative, offers unique advantages over traditional lithium-ion systems. Utilizing graphene-based, solid-state cells, the batteries are safer, longer-lasting, and faster-charging. They integrate seamlessly with the complex’s rooftop solar array, enabling EV charging and critical power supplies even during outages. This innovative design reflects Wiikwemkoong’s commitment to green energy and resilience. The project has been made possible through partnerships and funding from the IESO Indigenous Energy Support Program (IESP), NRCAN’s ZEVIP program, and in-kind contributions from Vortex. The IESP has supported over 170 Indigenous communities with $74 million since its inception, funding initiatives in renewable energy, storage systems, and microgrid development.The program underscores the role of Indigenous leadership in driving Ontario’s energy transition. Brian Walters highlighted, “This installation showcases how our technology can enhance EV charging and emergency power systems, reinforcing Wiikwemkoong’s leadership in sustainable innovation.” The project is more than infrastructure—it’s a vision for the future. The 24/7 accessible chargers will attract visitors to explore Wiikwemkoong’s cultural and ecological offerings while supporting a shift to cleaner transportation. By commissioning the chargers in mid-2025, the community will further its goals of environmental stewardship and energy independence. Wiikwemkoong’s initiative sets a national example, blending green innovation with cultural leadership to create lasting benefits for its people and the planet. -30- No media for this story

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.conditioning program for cockfighting 。

LUKE LITTLER turned on the style on a shocking night when several world darts champions bombed out of Butlin’s. Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and Stephen Bunting all crashed out of the first round of the Players Championship Finals on day one. 5 Luke Littler whitewashed Rob Cross inside 15 minutes 5 Littler continued his stunning form after Sunday's heroics 5 The teenager hit a 112.7 average 5 Littler passed £1m in prize money this year after winning the Grand Slam He passed £1m in prize money after beating Martin Lukeman 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday. But The Nuke – the overwhelming favourite for next month’s World Championship – showed his class with a 6-0 obliteration of Rob Cross in Minehead. Littler, 17, sensationally averaged 112.73 – the second-highest average in the tournament’s history – and nailed six of his 10 checkouts, five days after his Grand Slam of Darts success. The Warrington teen said: “It’s always good to start any major or competition well. READ MORE DARTS Ghoul Gaz Darts star claims Gary Anderson's success has set alarm bells ringing “In my first game of the Grand Slam, I sent out a real statement, that I am here to win. I’m very happy to get off the mark again here. “My performance is good and my confidence is high. My hopes are very high for the Worlds. But I have to focus on Minehead first. “Recent performances have shown why I should be favourite. On recent form, people might say that I’m the best in the world.” What Littler is doing this season is making many longstanding players seem old and staid – and his consistency is frightening. Most read in Darts CASE RULING McGregor sexually assaulted rape accuser in Dublin hotel, civil case jury rules TAN CAM RAID Scots Turkish barbers raided after 'sunbed spy cam' discovered in shop STORM ON Storm Bert to bring 'multi-hazard event' to Scotland amid 'danger to life' alerts HAIL HAIL Bizarre moment Celtic fan abruptly stops AGM for a Hoops-themed PRAYER BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S Where everything he touches finds the right bed, in comparison Wright’s woeful form on TV continues – as he was smashed 6-1 by Daryl Gurney in round one. The Scotsman, 54, might be a two-time world champion but he heads to Ally Pally with little confidence that he can have a long run in that competition. 'It's lovely to see' - Phil Taylor reveals chat with Luke Littler about prize money after teen becomes millionaire Former champion of the world Price was shocked 6-4 by French ace Thibault Tricole. It is another setback for The Iceman, 39, who failed to qualify for the Grand Slam of Darts and finished seventh in the Premier League. Van Gerwen, 35, was extremely poor as he was humbled 6-1 by Ian White in his first match. Bunting’s status as the No.2 seed mattered little as he lost 6-2 to Belgian outsider Mario Vandenbogaerde. At least Luke Humphries, the defending champion, did not join the casualty list as he knocked out Giant German Gabriel Clemens 6-2. Meanwhile, darts rookie Dom Taylor was booted out of the tournament after he failed a drugs test. The 26-year-old world No. 80 was set to make his debut appearance with a glamour first-round tie against former world champion Michael Smith , 34, last night. But hours before his contest, the Darts Regulation Authority announced it had suspended Taylor for a suspected doping offence. Read more on the Scottish Sun COMIC'S CASTLE Still Game star takes £150,000 hit to offload luxury £4m Scots castle HITTING THE HIGH NOTES Much-loved pub named best music bar in Scotland Known as The Tower , he was tested at a recent PDC Pro Tour event and returned a positive sample for a banned substance. The DRA have refused to say if the Bristol thrower had taken a performance-enhancing drug or if it was a result of recreational use. 5

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.UT power staff seek stay against administration’s decisionAndrew Coster switches focus from policing to prevention at Social Investment AgencyThe Syrian rebel forces that toppled Bashar Assad said Wednesday they have advanced farther into the eastern portion of the country as they continue to redraw the map and fill the vacuum left by Assad’s ousting. The news comes a day after Syria’s new interim leader Mohammed al-Bashir announced he was assuming the role of the country’s caretaker prime minister until March 1. Bashir previously served as the head of the rebel administration’s self-formed “salvation government.” As Syria and the rest of the world come to terms with the end of Assad’s rule, the U.S. and Syrian rebels are moving quickly to hold members of his regime accountable for war crimes. READ: Here’s a look back on the rise and fall of Assad and how he transformed from a beacon of hope into an iron-fisted leader. Born in 1965 in Damascus, Syria, Assad is the second son of former Syrian ruler Hafez Assad. Hafez Assad rose through the ranks of the Arab socialist Baath party, taking control of the Syrian branch of the party before becoming president. He led Syria for 30 years, enforcing his totalitarian rule through control of the military, security forces and a secret police force. Bashar Assad, second in the line of succession, was not expected to become president. His older brother Basil, a trained engineer turned politician, had been groomed to take over. Bashar Assad instead became a doctor in the 1980s and was studying in London to be an ophthalmologist in the early 1990s. But when Basil Assad died in a car accident in 1994, Bashar Assad was recalled to Syria to replace his brother as heir apparent. He entered the military academy in 1994 and was given control of Syria’s occupation of Lebanon in 1998. Following the death of Hafez Assad in June 2000, Bashar Assad became president that July. Reuters Dec. 11, 2024 Quick Descent Into Dictatorship Assad’s rise to power encouraged many in the Middle East and in the West, who were hopeful that the youthful, educated leader would bring reform and modernization to Syria. Assad initially pursued reform through economic change rather than political change, prioritizing free markets in place of state monopolies. He also released a large number of political prisoners in 2001 to show Western countries that Syria was evolving and progressing. But Assad’s reforms proved superficial, and his government quickly descended into autocracy backed by the military, while his economic plan mostly benefited the elite who were loyal to his family. Soon after his taking office, a reform movement known as the Damascus Spring led by writers, intellectuals and activists began. The movement called for transparency and democracy but was quickly suppressed. Assad’s favorability on the world stage further eroded in 2005 after Rafik Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon, was assassinated in a truck bomb explosion in Beirut. Syria was widely believed to be behind the killing, and a United Nations international independent investigation commission report found “probable cause” to believe high-ranking members of Syrian intelligence and the Assad family directly supervised the assassination. Hariri’s death set off a period of massive unrest in Lebanon, leading to former President George W. Bush singling out Syria and Iran as the “root cause” of the attacks. In December 2010, a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself on fire in protest of widespread corruption, kicking off waves of demonstrations across the Middle East in what is now known as the Arab Spring. Protests soon swelled beyond Tunisia into North Africa and the Levant, forcing longtime dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen to step down. The protests spread into Syria after 15 boys in the city of Deraa spray-painted a slogan associated with the demonstrations on a school wall. The boys were arrested and tortured, setting off a firestorm. Protesters took to the streets calling for an end to the Assad regime, more freedom and an end to corruption. Assad responded immediately, directing security forces to fire on demonstrators. Civilians who were arrested were subject to torture and extrajudicial killings in detention centers. The Syrian army in 2011 deployed tanks to Deraa, killing thousands and cutting survivors off from food, water, medicine and more for 11 days. The fighting quickly spread to other cities in and around Damascus, escalating the conflict into a full-blown civil war. Assad drew international condemnation when reports emerged in August 2013 that his forces used the chemical agent Sarin against an area held by rebel forces. The State Department says more than 1,400 people died in the rocket strike. The attack infamously crossed former President Barack Obama’s “red line” for U.S. intervention in the conflict, yet after much consideration Obama opted against direct U.S. military involvement. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has estimated 162,390 civilians were killed, and the Syrian government and its allies are held responsible for 139,609 of those deaths. The U.N. Refugee Agency says the ongoing crisis has resulted in more than 5 million refugees who have fled – most of whom have been taken in by neighboring countries in the region – and 7.2 million more people internally displaced within Syria. After Assad’s hold over Syria almost collapsed twice in 2013 and 2015, outside forces helped him claw back control. Iran directed Hezbollah fighters and military advisers from its Revolutionary Guard Corps to help bolster him, while Russia, Syria’s historic patron, provided financial support and diplomatic cover. Moscow also operates military bases within Syria that are crucial to its ability to project power globally. The creation of the Islamic State group’s caliphate that claimed one-third of Syria’s territory prompted support from the U.S. in the form of fighters. And in 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent weaponry and air defense systems to help Assad beat back rebel factions. But the rebel groups maintained a stronghold in the northwest portion of the country and the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham emerged from the Syrian branch of al-Qaida. The U.S. and the United Nations designated it a terrorist organization, but it has since moved to adopt a less extreme ideology. With Russia preoccupied by its war on Ukraine and Iran reeling from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, launched a lightning offensive that saw them take the cities of Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus in rapid succession after the conflict had been largely frozen for a decade. On Sunday, Assad and his family fled to Russia where they were granted asylum, ending his 24 years in power.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan said Wednesday that wide receiver Treylon Burks , who's been on injured reserve since mid-October with an injured knee, recently had surgery to fix a partially torn ACL. “It was a loose ACL that wasn’t fully torn, and so they had to go see a specialist, so some weeks went by after he went on IR and he eventually had to have ACL surgery,” Callahan said. “The surgery was a couple of weeks back, and the time from when he went to IR until he had the surgery was also a couple of weeks.” Burks was hurt in practice the week after the Titans lost to Indianapolis on Oct. 13 and placed on injured reserve on Oct. 19. The 2022 first-round pick is no stranger to injuries. He suffered concussions in both 2022 against Philadelphia and last year against Pittsburgh. Burks missed six games in each of his first two seasons with the Titans and played in just five games this season before being placed on injured reserve. He finished 2024 with four receptions for 34 yards. For his three NFL seasons, Burks has 53 receptions for 699 yards and one touchdown catch. The Titans (3-9) host Jacksonville (2-10) on Sunday. The Titans opened the three-week practice window for offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan to return from injured reserve. Duncan has started two games, the second against Buffalo on Oct. 20 at right tackle and lasted four snaps before hurting his hamstring. He was placed on injured reserve Oct. 26. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflLawyer for Abdelrazik accuses former minister of exiling him through passport denialFort Lauderdale, Dec 25 (AP) President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden's decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won't believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can't believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department's operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. Is it a plan in motion or more rhetoric? On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University's law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump's statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden's commutation. “I'm inclined to think it's still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, don't worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,'” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Death row inmates are mostly sentenced by states Before Biden's commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Could rape now be punishable by death? Berman said Trump's statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It's not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump's rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. What were the cases highlighted by Trump? One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl's mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden's decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. (AP) AS AS (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

Ole Miss ' playoff hopes have likely ended, but it's rivalry week, and facing Mississippi State is -- and always will be -- the biggest game of the season in the Magnolia State. A promising season has soured for the Rebels (8-3, 4-3 SEC) following a 24-17 loss at Florida . Now outside the 12-team playoff hunt, the Rebels can still claim a 10-win season for the third time in four years. Meanwhile, Mississippi State (2-9, 0-7) is limping to the end of a terrible debut season under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs are in danger of losing a 10th game for the first time since 2003 (Jackie Sherrill's final season) and going winless in the SEC for the first time since 2002. Saturday is also a reunion for the coaches. Lebby served as Lane Kiffn's offensive coordinator at Ole Miss in 2020 and 2021, and helped lead the program to the Sugar Bowl three years ago. The two respect each other, though Kiffin hasn't been afraid to poke fun at the Mississippi State head coach on social media. Ole Miss has won three of the last four in the Egg Bowl, but only one win was by double digits. Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss: Need to know It's a bad matchup for MSU's offensive line : Mississippi State figures to be in a load of trouble in the trenches against Ole Miss. The Rebels lead the nation with 4.5 sacks per game, including 25 in the last four games. Princely Umanmielen and Suntarine Perkins co-lead the team with 10.5 sacks. The Bulldogs' offensive line has been porous allowing 3.2 sacks per game, ranking 122nd nationally in the 134-team FBS. "I don't think there is a question about it: it's the most talented roster we've played all season long," Lebby said of Ole Miss. "It's on the tape; you know what it is from a personnel standpoint." Ole Miss' losses are kinda weird : How does Ole Miss have three losses on the schedule despite owning the nation's No. 2 offense and a top-5 scoring defense? It bucks the metric and makes this season all the more frustrating for the Rebels, who were built to win a championship and are likely set to fall short of a 12-team playoff. It's been a weird season, and weird things tend to happen in the Egg Bowl. How does Jaxson Dart respond? Jaxson Dart threw two costly interceptions near the end of the game -- including the game-sealing pick -- to hand Florida the win last week. He apologized to his teammates, coaches, and fans after the game in a scene reminiscent of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's "promise" speech after losing to Ole Miss in 2008. Dart spent time at Kiffin's house Saturday night in Oxford, discussing the game and how to move forward. "He took it really hard," Kiffin said. Dart has been exceptional most of the season -- Kiffin said receivers dropped passes that would have resulted in 100 more yards against Florida -- and is the winningest quarterback in Ole Miss history. He can become the school's all-time leading passer Saturday with 49 yards, surpassing Eli Manning's record of 10,119. Bulldogs don't do anything particularly well : Jeff Lebby promised the Bulldogs would score loads of points with his cutting-edge offense, but that hasn't happened. He wasn't expecting his hand-picked quarterback from the transfer portal ( Blake Shapen ) to be lost for the season due to injury, but averaging only 26.9 points per game (78th) is a non-starter for an offense designed to put defenses in terrible spots. Just last week, Missouri held the ball for more than 40 minutes. The defense is a disaster, too, ranking 127th in total defense (461.8 ypg) and 121st in points allowed (34.8). Unsurprisingly, MSU is 130th in time of possession. How to watch Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss live Date : Friday, Nov. 29 | Time : 3:30 p.m. ET Location : Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, Mississippi TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free) Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss prediction, picks One could argue that Ole Miss will come out on fire, motivated by its loss to Florida and looking to take out its frustrations with rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. I understand the sentiment, but weird stuff happens in this rivalry, and I suspect the Rebels' disappointment in missing the playoff will lead to a flatter-than-expected performance. That's not to say the Bulldogs will win or make it close, but Mississippi State's performances in previous road games at Texas , Georgia and Tennessee (all covers) provide enough evidence to believe Jeff Lebby will keep this within the betting line. Pick: Mississippi State +26 All sports betting odds via DraftKings Sportsbook . Check out the latest DraftKings promo code to get in the game. SportsLine's proven computer model is calling for five outright upsets in Week 14 of college football . Visit SportsLine now to see them all , plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times.Gov. Aliyu: An opposition’s perspective

He is arguably as much remembered for the crunching tackle that he put in on Rangers forward Kenny Miller in an Old Firm clash as he is for being part of Brendan Rodgers ’ ‘Invicibles’ team, and when he caught up with the Scottish press this week, Jozo Simunovic predicted further pain would soon be inflicted upon the Ibrox side. The former Celtic defender, now a youth coach with Dinamo Zagreb, was impressed by his old team as he watched them on Champions League duty on Tuesday night, and he was relieved that the match ended in a stalemate, given his split loyalties. There are no such dilemmas about where his allegiances lie ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final though, and he is sure that the current Celtic team will emerge victorious once more, because they remind him of the flawless outfit he himself was a part of. “I think they will win,” Simunovic said. “If they will play the way they did in Zagreb and in the last couple of months. Read more: Celtic centurion on Euro progress amid ridiculous cash gulf Brendan Rodgers in frank 'lacked quality' Celtic Champions League admission “Look, Celtic sets the standard, so they just need to keep going. “It reminds of the Celtic when I used to be there and we used to play, especially that season when we were unbeaten, so I am looking forward to it. “Of course, against Rangers is always a tough game, but I really do trust these guys and this group.” Whether this Celtic team can emulate the class of 2016/17 and go the entire season unbeaten domestically remains to be seen, and is harder for Simunovic to predict. “It is hard [to compare teams],” he said. “It is many years gone already, so some things have changed as well. The structure of the play has also changed, so it hard to compare. (Image: SNS Group - Craig Williamson) “I think they are in very good shape and stable. I would say very stable. They are doing good in the league as well. “Of course, it is always hard to play away games, it is not the same [as Celtic Park] in terms of atmosphere with the fans and everything. “But, at the end of the day, a point each [in Zagreb] was well deserved.” Simunovic is confident that he will also be celebrating Champions League progression for Celtic in the weeks ahead. "With this new format, it works really well," he said. "So many teams and so many games. Hopefully, that’s definitely what Celtic likes. “But also, we can say format and blah, blah, but the team is also in good shape, it is looking good, playing good, so that’s the most important part of all."Collectorate gets advanced system to track sand mining

3 Americans held for years in China have been released, the White House says

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far cry 6 cockfighting MAHOMET — Minutes before she and two family members were fatally shot Wednesday night, a Mahomet woman described the man thought to be the killer in a social-media post. On a Twitter account where she shared occasional selfies, life updates and memes, Sara Mason, 26, posted about a man in a motorcycle helmet being outside her home the night of Wednesday, Dec. 18, less than 20 minutes before police were called to the scene. "Trying not to be scared suburban white woman about the dude waiting outside of my house for a .... While now? Wanting to speak to my brother while wearing a motorcycle helmet (drive in a car)," she posted at 9:22 p.m. Within a minute, she added, "He like left but will probably be back. Anyway." Mahomet police were called at 9:41 p.m. to the residence on Riverside Court, where they discovered Mason, who was pronounced dead at the scene; and her mother, 61-year-old Janis Mason, and brother, 23-year-old Caleb Mason, who both died a little later after being taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. It does not appear that Sara Mason recognized John R. Lyons, 24, the man police suspect in the triple homicide. Lyons fled to suburban Chicago, where he was killed in a confrontation with police in Berwyn. Champaign County court records indicate that in June, Lyons filed a lawsuit alleging Caleb Mason had harmed him in some way and requesting compensation in an amount between $15,000 and $50,000. Mahomet police Chief Mike Metzler said Lyons knew one of the victims. Police reports thus far have not included details about whether Lyons was wearing a motorcycle helmet. However, on Thursday, Dec. 19, far-right political pundit and streamer Nicholas Fuentes posted that an armed individual who arrived at his house late Wednesday night wearing a motorcycle helmet had "committed a triple homicide in southern Illinois." "Last night an armed killer made an attempt on my life at my home, which was recently doxed on this platform," Fuentes wrote. He said the killer broke into his neighbor's home in Berwyn, where police said Lyons broke in and killed two dogs while attempting to evade arrest. Fuentes posted multiple clips of footage from Ring security cameras that show a man in brown pants, a blue coat and a white motorcycle helmet who is carrying a firearm and crossbow. In the footage, the man gets out of a car while wearing a motorcycle helmet and appears to ring the doorbell and knock on the front door, then attempt to gain access through multiple entry points. The only audio in any of the clips is while the man is at the front door and apparently says "Yo, Nick." Timestamps on footage Fuentes posted indicate the events around his home in Berwyn beginning at 11:29 p.m., about one hour and 50 minutes after police were called to the home in Mahomet. About 10 minutes later, at 11:38 p.m., Berwyn police responded to a report of a man with a gun. "It is to the freedom of the people of Illinois that we are addressing this law," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said May 10, referring to the state's semiautomatic weapons ban, "their freedom to be at the Highland Park parade without getting shot and killed." Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq rise as Wall Street heads for strong weekly gainsHERE’S Lewis Hamilton’s new company car. Ferrari 12Cilindri . Dang. When Lewis clocked in at Ferrari on Monday morning, I’d like to think he was straight on the blower for one of these. Naked V12. Wrapped in a polarising designer suit. Right up his street. Now the Italians pronounce 12Cilindri as Dodici Cilindri. Doe-dee-chee. Or don’t-ditch-it. Thankfully, I didn’t. But I did give it a damned good thrashing at Goodyear’s private test track. READ MORE ROAD TESTS The bonnet bulges like Santa’s sack because it houses a blockbuster 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 that thumps out 830 horses and revs to 9,500rpm. Eighty per cent of torque is available from 2,500rpm. You can imagine the noise. You can imagine the speed. You can imagine the smell of everything getting hot. Most read in Motors Ten out of ten. No notes. Actually, scratch that, dodici out of 10. No notes. The late great Enzo Ferrari once said: “When you buy a Ferrari, you pay for the engine and I will give the rest of the car free.” He’d like 12Cilindri. It’s the only car in the world that looks as good with its bonnet open as it does closed. Brakes are like anchors Take a moment to drink in its beauty. As you would expect from Ferrari, there’s all sorts of trick aero and F1 wizardry going on here to keep things shiny side up. Yet the silhouette of this two-seat berlinetta is simple and sophisticated. Basically, 12Cilindri succeeds the 812 Superfast. But it’s better. The aluminium spaceframe chassis is stiffer. The wheelbase is a smidge shorter. Gear shifts are quicker. The brakes are like anchors. It needs them. You could pay extra for a Burmester sound system. But that would be silly. That howling V12 is the only music you need. It has four-wheel steering and something very Ferrari called Slide Slip Control 8.0 which measures grip levels, even on snotty roads in normal use — and not just on the limit. Now you’re probably thinking race-bred driving thrills equals chiropractor on speed dial. Actually, no. The cockpit is surprisingly comfy with massaging and ventilated seats to soothe your bones. The big glass roof adds to the feeling of space. Three digital screens carry loads of technology including a letterbox-shaped co-driver’s display. But there’s more fun to be had behind the tiller. We like the chunky gearshift paddles. We like the glow-up rev lights on the steering wheel. We like the red F1-style switch to adjust the suspension and attack mode settings. You could pay extra for a Burmester sound system. But that would be silly. That howling V12 is the only music you need. To conclude, then. The £336k Ferrari 12Cilindri is Ferrari at its brilliant best. When you want to play, it is totally up for it. When you stop for a rest, it is Instagram gold. READ MORE SUN STORIES Lewis will love it. Price: £336,500 Engine: 6.5-litre V12 petrol Power: 830hp, 678Nm 0-62mph: 2.9 secs 0-124mph: 7.9 secs Top speed: 221mph Economy: 19mpg CO2: 340g/km Out: January

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Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who was at the center of a Southern California missing persons investigation before authorities said she voluntarily crossed into Mexico, has been found safe, her family said Wednesday. In their brief statement, her mother and sister did not say when or where Kobayashi, 30, was found. They thanked supporters and said they were grateful she had been located. “This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through,” the statement said. Kobayashi’s family said last week that they were investigating whether she may have been part of a green card marriage scam . A report in Los Angeles Magazine said she may have been involved in a possible immigration scam, but a lawyer for the family has said they had not been able to verify information about a possible "secret marriage" and asked the public to avoid jumping to conclusions. Kobayashi’s father died by suicide Nov. 24 after the family went to Los Angeles last month to search for her. Kobayashi, an aspiring artist, landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8 with plans to catch a connecting flight to New York City, where she planned to visit the Museum of Modern Art, her family said. She missed her connecting flight and was reported missing five days later, after she sent a message to her family that described being scared and suggested that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity, according to her aunt. Los Angeles police found video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico via a San Diego land port on Nov. 12. Police officials said that Kobayashi intentionally missed her flight and that there was no evidence of human trafficking or foul play. A review of her social media accounts led investigators to believe "there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would have the desire to disconnect from their phone," said one of the officials, Lt. Douglas Oldfield of police department's Missing Persons Unit. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org . You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Season 5 of Tyler Perry’s “Assisted Living” continues with a new episode on BET starting at 9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Those without cable can watch the new episodes for free through either Philo , FuboTV or DirecTV Stream , each of which offer a free trial to new users. “After losing his job, Jeremy decides to move to the backwoods of Georgia to help his grandfather, who has purchased a rundown home for the elderly,” a FuboTV description for the series stated. The new episode is titled “The Spark” and in a description FuboTV said “Sandra utilizes her social media skills to help Anastasia launch a PR campaign to rehab her image, but they find out Anastasia’s longtime actress rival is fueling a smear campaign against her.” How can I watch Tyler Perry’s “Assisted Living” for free without cable? Those without cable can watch the new episodes for free through either Philo , FuboTV or DirecTV Stream , each of which offer a free trial to new users. What is Philo ? Philo is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service that offers 60+ entertainment and lifestyle channels, like AMC, BET, MTV, Comedy Central and more, for the budget-friendly price of $25/month. What is FuboTV ? RECOMMENDED • masslive .com 2024 Field Hockey Championship: How to watch Northwestern vs. Saint Joseph’s for free Nov. 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m. How to buy tickets to Post Malone’s ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour’ stop at Gillette Stadium Nov. 20, 2024, 3:59 p.m. FuboTV is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service that offers more than 100 channels, like sports, news, entertainment and local channels. It offers DVR storage space, and is designed for people who want to cut the cord, but don’t want to miss out on their favorite live TV and sports. What is DirecTV Stream ? The streaming platform offers a plethora of content including streaming the best of live and On Demand, starting with more than 75 live TV channels.

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AP News Summary at 1:48 p.m. EST

Despite Beijing's formidable lineup and relentless efforts to stage a comeback, Shanxi's resilience and composure proved to be the deciding factors in the end. The Shanxi Loongs' ability to maintain their focus and execute their game plan effectively allowed them to clinch the crucial win, marking a significant milestone in their season.Continue Adventuring After The Great Circle With These Tabletop Games

Nearly five years ago, most office workers in Canada went home to work. Office life as we knew it vanished in a pandemic instant. Remarkably, most of these workers didn’t skip a beat. Most people liked the flexibility and the work got done – comfortably from home. Now many employers want people to come back to the office. Some make it a requirement on set days, others let employees make their own schedules, but most have settled on some kind of hybrid in-person and remote work model. But many employees don’t want to go back, citing long commutes, traffic, crowded or inconvenient public transit, expensive parking and the impact on the environment. Plus, remote workers who moved far away just don’t see the point of coming in at all. However, recent studies, such as one led by Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, report that fully remote work reduces productivity by 10 to 20 per cent , while hybrid work benefits companies and employees . Without an in-person requirement, employers are concerned about losing out on productivity, communication, creativity and a strong company culture. So, what works and how can employers make people feel good about commuting and coming into the office again? Linda Duxbury, the Chancellor’s professor of management at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University in Ottawa, says the key is to intentionally design the in-office experience, rather than just requiring people to show up without a clear purpose or plan. “One of the reasons people like coming into the office is to socialize with their colleagues – they enjoy the informality, team activities and discussions,” says Prof. Duxbury. “If employers want happier employees, then they have to manage the in-person days better than many do.” “Right now, it’s a dog’s breakfast. It can’t be just random, with people coming in and then spending all their time on video calls with co-workers who are at home. What works is requiring whole teams to come in on certain days to do activities that can’t be done remotely, maximizing collaboration, team building, coaching, mentoring, training and development.” At Universities Canada, a non-profit organization representing Canadian universities, all 108 full-time employees are required to work in-person for two days a week. Shortly after Gabriel Miller, president and chief executive officer, joined last June, the organization moved into new headquarters in downtown Ottawa, designed after surveying employees about what they wanted in their work environment. “The office has been thoughtfully designed with people in mind,” says Mr. Miller. “When you enter, there’s an open gathering space that connects to a big kitchen, where people can stop by for coffee or to eat lunch with everybody from the most senior employees to university interns.” “The office is full of green plants, which really humanizes the space and helps people feel at home. There’s a variety of work settings so people can choose what best suits their needs and a mix of meeting rooms equipped with seamless technology so it’s easy for people to access information, but also connect to people who aren’t present. What this office says to our people is that in every possible way, we want to support you being together as a team.” To minimize commuting woes, the new office is centrally located and well served by transit and includes lockers for employees who cycle to work. “We need to provide as many sustainable options as we can,” he says. “Being located in a place that our employees can get to with minimal inconvenience, whether by car, bike, bus or on foot is key. So far we’ve only allowed people to work remotely on a temporary basis, but overwhelmingly, we’ve held the line on [a minimum of two in-person days a week]. If you start chipping away at it, one person or project at a time, people would soon begin to doubt our commitment.” When people are together in the office, he stresses it’s important to have opportunities for them to connect and collaborate in ways that wouldn’t be possible to do from home. “I really believe you need to balance remote and in-person work to maintain productivity and relationships,” he says. “If you think back on your career, a lot of what we learned was the result of encounters and relationships that we built organically with the people around us. Especially for young people, in-person interactions are critical for mentorship and career development.” Toronto-based Accenture Canada takes a “one-size-doesn’t-fit-most” approach for its 6,500 employees, according to its chief human resources officer, Suehlan Yu. A 20-year veteran of the firm, she says remote/hybrid work isn’t new to the organization, as Accenture Canada has been doing it globally for decades, collaborating with clients, teams and people working remotely. “Our focus is on levelling the playing field, so that irrespective of where people are, they’re able to participate fully and bring their best to work,” says Ms. Yu. “We really started by listening to our people, and we do that through a robust listening framework that includes surveys, fireside chats and town halls. What the majority of our people say is that flexibility – when, where and how they work – is the top enabler for the successful future of work.” Ms. Yu says there’s no policy that requires everyone to be in the office on set days. Instead, leaders and teams work together to determine the unique mix of virtual and in-person work that’s best for them, guided by client needs, individual roles and responsibilities. “In-person connection is part of everyone’s role, but we don’t believe in being on-site for the sake of being on-site,” says Ms. Yu. “We like to make that purposeful for our people.” Offices at Accenture are designed with a focus on “we spaces” – collaborative areas with technology allowing remote employees to fully participate in meetings and team activities. There’s also a focus on friendly and accommodating workspaces to suit individual and diverse needs, as well as meditation rooms, mothers’ lactation rooms and wellness rooms equipped with yoga balls and table tennis. To encourage in-person socialization, the firm hosts a quarterly event that they call “stacked events” – a full-day at the office packed with engagement activities, panel discussions and learning sessions, ending with a social event. “People get to meet leaders, network with peers and maybe find their next staffing opportunity,” says Ms. Yu. “We also have Gen AI and industry and function learning days, lunch and learns, and employee resource group events constantly happening and encouraging people to come into the office. Everything’s available virtually as well, so people can be involved wherever they are at that time.” One caveat remote workers might consider is that many jobs that can be done at home may also be easily done by AI. That might inspire some to put in more office time. “There’s a recent article in Harvard Business Review that says AI is coming for remote tasks first,” says Prof. Duxbury. “That’s because much of the type of work that can be done at home is the kind of thing that has sequential structure, doesn’t require a lot of creativity, discussion with other people, negotiation or to be front-facing. So perfect for AI too.”Gund opens doors of Masjids, homes for tourists stranded along Srinagar-Leh highway

pointing method in cockfighting With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight2 premiers asking Ottawa to cover provincial cost of proposed tax holiday

By Noam N. Levey, KFF Health News Worried that President-elect Donald Trump will curtail federal efforts to take on the nation’s medical debt problem, patient and consumer advocates are looking to states to help people who can’t afford their medical bills or pay down their debts. “The election simply shifts our focus,” said Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy at Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that has worked closely with the Biden administration and state leaders on medical debt. “States are going to be the epicenter of policy change to mitigate the harms of medical debt.” New state initiatives may not be enough to protect Americans from medical debt if the incoming Trump administration and congressional Republicans move forward with plans to scale back federal aid that has helped millions gain health insurance or reduce the cost of their plans in recent years. Comprehensive health coverage that limits patients’ out-of-pocket costs remains the best defense against medical debt. But in the face of federal retrenchment, advocates are eyeing new initiatives in state legislatures to keep medical bills off people’s credit reports, a consumer protection that can boost credit scores and make it easier to buy a car, rent an apartment, or even get a job. Several states are looking to strengthen oversight of medical credit cards and other financial products that can leave patients paying high interest rates on top of their medical debt. Some states are also exploring new ways to compel hospitals to bolster financial aid programs to help their patients avoid sinking into debt. “There’s an enormous amount that states can do,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, who leads health care initiatives at the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York. “Look at what’s happened here.” New York state has enacted several laws in recent years to rein in hospital debt collections and to expand financial aid for patients, often with support from both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature. “It doesn’t matter the party. No one likes medical debt,” Benjamin said. Other states that have enacted protections in recent years include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Many measures picked up bipartisan support. President Joe Biden’s administration has proved to be an ally in state efforts to control health care debt. Such debt burdens 100 million people in the United States, a KFF Health News investigation found . Led by Biden appointee Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made medical debt a priority , going after aggressive collectors and exposing problematic practices across the medical debt industry. Earlier this year, the agency proposed landmark regulations to remove medical bills from consumer credit scores. The White House also championed legislation to boost access to government-subsidized health insurance and to cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, both key bulwarks against medical debt. Trump hasn’t indicated whether his administration will move ahead with the CFPB credit reporting rule, which was slated to be finalized early next year. Congressional Republicans, who will control the House and Senate next year, have blasted the proposal as regulatory overreach that will compromise the value of credit reports. And Elon Musk, the billionaire whom Trump has tapped to lead his initiative to shrink government, last week called for the elimination of the watchdog agency . “Delete CFPB,” Musk posted on X. If the CFPB withdraws the proposed regulation, states could enact their own rules, following the lead of Colorado, New York, and other states that have passed credit reporting bans since 2023. Advocates in Massachusetts are pushing the legislature there to take up a ban when it reconvenes in January. “There are a lot of different levers that states have to take on medical debt,” said April Kuehnhoff, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, which has helped lead national efforts to expand debt protections for patients. Kuehnhoff said she expects more states to crack down on medical credit card providers and other companies that lend money to patients to pay off medical bills, sometimes at double-digit interest rates. Under the Biden administration, the CFPB has been investigating patient financing companies amid warnings that many people may not understand that signing up for a medical credit card such as CareCredit or enrolling in a payment plan through a financial services company can pile on more debt. If the CFPB efforts stall under Trump, states could follow the lead of California, New York, and Illinois, which have all tightened rules governing patient lending in recent years. Consumer advocates say states are also likely to continue expanding efforts to get hospitals to provide more financial assistance to reduce or eliminate bills for low- and middle-income patients, a key protection that can keep people from slipping into debt. Hospitals historically have not made this aid readily available, prompting states such as California, Colorado, and Washington to set stronger standards to ensure more patients get help with bills they can’t afford. This year, North Carolina also won approval from the Biden administration to withhold federal funding from hospitals in the state unless they agreed to expand financial assistance. In Georgia, where state government is entirely in Republican control, officials have been discussing new measures to get hospitals to provide more assistance to patients. “When we talk about hospitals putting profits over patients, we get lots of nodding in the legislature from Democrats and Republicans,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. Many advocates caution, however, that state efforts to bolster patient protections will be critically undermined if the Trump administration cuts federal funding for health insurance programs such as Medicaid and the insurance marketplaces established through the Affordable Care Act. Trump and congressional Republicans have signaled their intent to roll back federal subsidies passed under Biden that make health plans purchased on ACA marketplaces more affordable. That could hike annual premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for many enrollees, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank. And during Trump’s first term, he backed efforts in Republican-led states to restrict enrollment in their Medicaid safety net programs through rules that would require people to work in order to receive benefits. GOP state leaders in Idaho, Louisiana, and other states have expressed a desire to renew such efforts. “That’s all a recipe for more medical debt,” said Stahl, of Undue Medical Debt. Jessica Altman, who heads the Covered California insurance marketplace, warned that federal cuts will imperil initiatives in her state that have limited copays and deductibles and curtailed debt for many state residents. “States like California that have invested in critical affordable programs for our residents will face tough decisions,” she said. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Miguel Tomley scores 28 to lead Weber State over Pepperdine 68-53 at Arizona Tip-OffFor those constantly on the move, takeaway coffees can be a perfect pick me up, but the cost can soon add up. Investing in a travel mug helps cut the cost as well as being more environmentally friendly and with Ninja's latest foodie gadget capturing the attention of coffee aficionados everywhere it's a great stocking filler option for people who like coffee on the go. Ninja's new Sip Perfect Travel Mug locks shut, making it completely leak-proof and has the ability to swiftly cool your hot drink to an ideal temperature in minutes, although while everything inside remains piping hot inside, the outside remains cool eliminating any chance of hand burns. It's available in a choice of three trendy colours: black, white or green. Priced at £29.99 since its launch in the UK earlier this month, eagle-eyed shoppers have found a way to bag the mug for less than half of its usual cost thanks to a money saving site . Bargain hunters who sign up as new members of TopCashback can get the gadget for just £12.99, thanks to the deals site's free £15 sign up bonus , reports Wales Online . READ MORE: Next shoppers snap up 'comfy and cute' dressing gown that 'helps with keeping warm' READ MORE: Seasalt Cornwall's 'gorgeous' Christmas jumper that 'works all year round' is on sale TopCashback has received a bump in new members across Black Friday season as savvy shoppers look for ways to maximise their discounts and make their money go further. Signing up is quick and simple and, if the initial reviews of the Ninja Sip Perfect are anything to go by, absolutely worth the effort to snag the snazzy new mug. One happy customer said: "You can tell that this is a high quality travel cup. It is very well made and is very sturdy. Even with a hot drink inside, the outside is still cool to the touch. It has a textured coating so it should not slip out of your hands." "It is heavier than some, but I wouldn't let that put you off, as it is not overly so. You don't need to leave the cap open to cool down to drink if it is scalding hot (it was at a good temperature to drink immediately). The open/close click top kept the coffee hot each time you take a sip and it kept hot throughout. The sip spout does not drip and the drink flowed easily. I have tested this cup after three hours and it was still hot and it did not leak. I am looking forward to using this when I go on my walks with family and taking the cup to work and knowing that it will not leak is a big plus." Another customer agreed, saying: "This is a great little cup , for me anyway as I make a cuppa in the morning and then check my emails and socials, and get lost in them for a while, so my coffee tends to go cold but not with this wee beauty. It has kept my coffee hot for two and a half hours so far. I say so far as I have drank it all now. I will be using this every morning from now on." A third customer appreciated the mug but warned that some people could find it heavy and difficult to open, stating: "If you are looking for an insulated mug, then this does the job. It keeps contents hot for a long time and you can sip them whenever you want. Decent size for a mug. Unfortunately, I find it a bit heavy so not for me. Otherwise it would get five stars." If you're looking to use it in a car, one customer offered a word of warning, saying: "Initial thoughts were it's an attractive and stylish travel mug . Drinking from the mug is easy and I liked the locking lid mechanism which felt secure and safe. Size is good for taking on short journeys. I put piping hot coffee into the mug and within five minutes, the liquid had cooled to a drinkable temperature. "Unfortunately as a travel mug for me, it has a problem - it is too big for the cup holders in my Audi. I'm sure not all cup holders are equal, but this is a drawback." For coffee fans the perfect travel mug is somewhat of a Holy Grail and there are plenty of other options vying for consumers' attention this festive season. The Stanley Quencher may be the celeb-drink bottle of choice, but their iconic Aerolight not only comes in at a slightly cheaper price point - it's available in 11 colours from £33 on the Stanley website but on Amazon if you're less fussed about shade you can choose one from £29.99 . Elsewhere, Dualit has a stunning brushed stainless steel option currently £19.99 on Amazon . Amazon also has the Thermos Stainless Travel Mug starting at £24.89 , in various shades such as black, copper, red, and raspberry. How to get a Ninja Perfect Sip for £12.99

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LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. Japanese breweries also expressed hope the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. Peerspace put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's Vinography : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps increase the rate of alcohol elimination . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Peerspace and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Scott Gottlieb, who served as Food and Drug Administration commissioner during Donald Trump ’s first term, is seriously alarmed at the president-elect’s intention to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is a vocal skeptic of vaccines and other mainstream public health measures . His stated intentions include removing all fluoride from public drinking water, undermining vaccination efforts and gutting the FDA , an agency under the HHS umbrella. “If RFK follows through on his intentions — and I believe he will, and I believe he can — it will cost lives in this country,” Gottlieb said Friday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “You’re going to see measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates go down,” he said, citing research that suggests just a 5% drop in measles vaccinations would likely have an outsized impact and lead to “large measles outbreaks.” “For every 1,000 cases of measles that occur in children, there will be one death,” Gottlieb said. “And we are not good in this country at diagnosing and treating measles. If you look at the outbreak in Ohio, 30% of the kids were hospitalized, you look at the outbreak in Minnesota, 20% were hospitalized.” Trump’s former FDA commissioner on RFK Jr and vaccines today. “If he follows through on his intentions ... it will cost lives,” said @ScottGottliebMD . Gottlieb laid out several scenarios linked to the effect of falling vaccination rates, such as a rise in child measles deaths. pic.twitter.com/kUKH49Vuth (Ohio had a measles outbreak in 2022; Minnesota has had one this year.) “We’ve lost the ability to diagnose it because doctors aren’t accustomed to seeing it,” Gottlieb said of measles. “I’m not sure how people really understand how Kennedy’s intentions are going to translate into policy, and how serious he is,” he added on CNBC. Gottlieb said that he has personally had conversations with Republican senators who will be in charge of confirming Kennedy to the top HHS post. “There’s skepticism in the Republican caucus more than, I think, the press is reporting right now,” he said, before giving some examples. “There’s going to be [agriculture] state senators that are concerned about his impact on food prices. There’s going to be pro-lifers who are concerned about his positions on abortion. There’s going to be a number of pro-public-health-minded senators who have deep concerns about his positions on vaccines.” Gottlieb also gave examples of potentially devastating actions Kennedy could take with ease, including replacing seasoned officials with handpicked candidates and frustrating the ability of states to use federal funding meant for childhood vaccinations. Trump’s pick to run the FDA, Martin Makary, aligns with Kennedy on several topics , such as his concern about the influence of pharmaceutical companies on government policy. “There’s a lot of things [Trump officials] could do Day 1, very easily, administratively, and I don’t think there’s a thing Congress can do,” Gottlieb said. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Gottlieb is on the board of Pfizer, the drugmaker behind one of the most widely-used COVID-19 vaccines. Asked if that influences his stance on shots for kids — an area of particular concern for Kennedy — Gottlieb said Pfizer did not make pediatric vaccines. “Pfizer’s not in that market,” he said. Related From Our PartnerNone

More than eight years on from the UK voting to leave the EU and Brexit is still dominating the political discourse in . In a week when MLAs are preparing to vote for the first time on the post-Brexit trading arrangements, the leadership flew to Brussels to launch their proposals to deal with Northern Ireland’s relationship with the EU and the TUV’s Jim Allister’s Bill which aims to scrap the customs checks between Great Britain and Northern Ireland had it’s second reading in the House of Commons which was ultimately filibustered and thrown out. ’s bill sought to replace the much-debated Northern Ireland Protocol and Windsor Framework with a new, softer border arrangement. Allister argued for an “invisible” customs border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, utilising mutual enforcement which is a system where both the UK and EU conduct compliance checks away from the border. Mr Allister pointed to similar systems, such as those between Norway and the EU or the US and Canada, as evidence that it could work without causing disruption. On paper, this proposal is appealing. It promised to eliminate the Irish Sea border while respecting the ’s need to protect its single market. But the devil is in the detail. Mutual enforcement relies heavily on trust and shared data, something that has been sorely lacking in UK-EU relations post-Brexit. While Jim Allister’s bill reflected unionist concerns and attempts to uphold ’s place within the UK, it risked creating false hope. The EU was unlikely to sacrifice its regulatory control for a system that hinges on UK compliance, especially after years of mistrust. The s proposals take a fundamentally different approach. Rather than seeking to erase the Protocol, the party views it as a platform for opportunity and advocates for its refinement. The SDLP’s “Our European Future” paper reflects an inclusive vision of Northern Ireland’s dual market access as a bridge between the UK and EU. Among its proposals, the call for Observer MEPs in the stands out. While lacking voting rights, these representatives could offer Northern Ireland a voice in EU policymaking that directly impacts the region. Such a move would demonstrate goodwill from the EU and signal that Northern Ireland’s unique position is being taken seriously, however there has been no detail on how these Observer MEPs would be selected or elected. The SDLP also suggests reopening the EU Commission office in and reintegrating Northern Ireland into youth mobility schemes like Erasmus. These ideas don’t just address the technicalities of trade but also aim to rebuild the cultural and economic connections severed by Brexit. Crucially, the SDLP proposals focus on the practical benefits of dual market access, like attracting investment and supporting frontier workers, rather than trying to undo the Protocol entirely. The ’s proposals are realistic and looking towards the future, but they lack the emotional appeal for those who feel the Protocol undermines Northern Ireland’s status within the UK. For many, the EU office and Observer MEPs will be seen as symbolic concessions rather than concrete solutions to identity-based concerns. The key question is whether these plans resolve the trade and political tensions strangling Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit economy. s plan might have appealed to hardline unionists by promising an end to the Irish Sea border, but its reliance on hypothetical systems and strained UK-EU relations made it more like wishful thinking than a viable solution. It risked exacerbating tensions with the Republic of Ireland and the EU while providing no guarantees for stability. On the other hand, the ’s proposals may lack dramatic headlines, but they’re grounded in practicality. By building on the Protocol rather than scrapping it, the SDLP recognises that Northern Ireland’s dual market access isn’t a liability, it’s an asset. In comparing these two visions, it’s clear that the SDLP’s plan offers the most promise for resolving Northern Ireland’s trade and economic issues while embracing its unique position. ’s bill addressed unionist concerns but failed to present a realistic pathway to a functional border arrangement. The SDLP’s proposals, while less emotionally charged, offer tangible benefits and a forward-looking vision that could stabilise Northern Ireland’s economy and society. To remove this article -

DUBLIN, Calif. (AP) — DUBLIN, Calif. (AP) — Ross Stores Inc. (ROST) on Thursday reported fiscal third-quarter profit of $488.8 million. The Dublin, California-based company said it had profit of $1.48 per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of nine analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.39 per share. The discount retailer posted revenue of $5.07 billion in the period, missing Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $5.15 billion. Ross Stores expects full-year earnings to be $6.10 to $6.17 per share. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on ROST at https://www.zacks.com/ap/ROST

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook is a great choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop this Black Friday. Priced at just $149, this Chromebook offers a significant savings of 41% off its typical price of $254 . With Amazon’s guarantee of the best price during the Black Friday period, there’s no need to wait for a potential price drop; if it happens, Amazon will refund the difference. Additionally, Amazon extends its return policy until January 31, 2025, allowing ample time for holiday gift returns. See at Amazon Running on Chrome OS This Chromebook features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels which is perfect for streaming videos, browsing the web and working on documents. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4500 processor and equipped with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, the IdeaPad 3i is designed to handle everyday tasks with ease . While it may not match the performance of high-end laptops like those equipped with Apple’s M1/2/3/4 chips, it is more than capable of managing basic functions such as web browsing, word processing, and social media engagement. This Chromebook is running on Chrome OS and provides a user-friendly experience that emphasizes speed and simplicity. Users can access a wide array of web-based applications and Android apps from the Google Play Store. This is ideal for students or anyone who primarily uses their laptop for internet-related tasks. The operating system is lightweight so that even with multiple tabs open in your browser, the device remains responsive. The device is also equipped with a 720p webcam that enhances video calls and online meetings. Its stereo speakers deliver clear audio, though they may lack depth compared to higher-end models. The keyboard is spacious and comfortable for typing long documents or emails, while the large trackpad allows for smooth navigation. The IdeaPad 3i Chromebook includes two USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port that supports charging and video output. There’s also an HDMI port for connecting to external displays and a microSD card reader for additional storage options. Battery life is another strong point for this Chromebook: it can last up to ten hours on a single charge under typical usage conditions. This Chromebook is not designed for intensive tasks such as gaming or heavy video editing but it serves as an great tool for users who engage in lighter activities. Those who primarily use their laptops for browsing the internet, streaming videos, or working on documents will find the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i to be a practical solution. See at AmazonDaily Post Nigeria EPL: ‘They’re stronger’ — Guardiola on why City lost to Crystal Palace Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sport EPL: ‘They’re stronger’ — Guardiola on why City lost to Crystal Palace Published on December 7, 2024 By Don Silas Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has explained why his team failed to beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. Guardiola watched as Man City played a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Daniel Munoz put the hosts in front before Erling Haaland equalised for the visitors before the break. Maxence Lacroix then restored Palace’s lead despite City’s dominance. Rico Lewis eventually levelled the game again before he was shown a second yellow. Speaking after the game, Guardiola admitted that City made mistakes, adding that Palace were stronger than his team on set pieces. “Football is a game of mistakes,” Guardiola said in his post-match interview. “We made a fantastic two goals and of course in the set pieces right now they are stronger than us, every single team, so we try to concede few and that is what we are doing. To come back in this stadium is not easy; we tried, and I’m really pleased with many things I saw.” Related Topics: Crystal Palace EPL guardiola Don't Miss EPL: Man City title defence takes another blow after 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace You may like EPL: Man City title defence takes another blow after 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace EPL: Michail Antonio airlifted to hospital after car crash EPL: Liverpool warned Salah could cost them title this season EPL: Chelsea ready to allow midfielder leave Maresca’s side EPL: No doubt – Maresca puts Chelsea star on same level with Rodri, Rice EPL: 3 matches we could see shock results this weekend Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

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LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. Japanese breweries also expressed hope the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. Peerspace put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's Vinography : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps increase the rate of alcohol elimination . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Peerspace and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

vietnam cockfighting DALLAS – Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract that was finalized Wednesday. The Mets also agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team’s expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. Major League Baseball teams usually provide security for player families in seating areas at ballparks. Recommended Videos New York also agreed to assist Soto's family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed Soto will have uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses. Soto's suite will be valued at the Mets' prevailing prices, presumably for tax purposes, and after 2025 he can by each Jan. 15 modify or give up his suite selection for the upcoming season. He can request the premium tickets, to be used by family members, no later than 72 hours before the scheduled game time. The Yankees had refused to offer Soto a free suite. “Some high-end players that make a lot of money for us, if they want suites they buy them ... whether it's CC (Sabathia), whether it’s (Aaron) Judge, whether it’s (Gerrit) Cole, whether it’s any of these guys," general manager Brian Cashman said. "We've gone through a process on previous negotiations where asks might have happened and this is what we did and we’re going to honor those, so no regrets there." Cashman said the Yankees have a shared suite for player families and a family room with babysitting. Soto gets a $75 million signing bonus, payable within 60 days of the agreement’s approval by the commissioner’s office. The deal for the 26-year-old, which tops Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers, was reached Sunday pending a physical that took place Tuesday. Soto receives salaries of $46,875,000 each in 2025 and 2026, $42.5 million in 2027, $46,875,000 apiece in 2028 and 2029 and $46 million in each of the final 10 seasons. Soto has a contingent right to opt out of the agreement within three days of the end of the 2029 World Series to become a free agent again, but the Mets have the an option to negate the opt-out provision by increasing the yearly salaries for 2030-39 by $4 million annually to $50 million and raising the total value to $805 million. If the club exercises its option to negate the opt-out provision, Soto can make his opt-out decision by the fifth day after the World Series. He has a full no-trade provision and gets a hotel suite on road trips. Soto would receive a $500,000 bonus for winning his first Most Valuable Player award and $1 million for each MVP award. He would get $350,000 for finishing second in the voting and $150,000 for finishing third through fifth. Soto was third in the AL voting this year. He would earn $100,000 for each All-Star selection and Gold Glove, $350,000 for World Series MVP and $150,000 for League Championship Series MVP. Soto would get $100,000 for selection to the All-MLB first or second team, $150,000 for Silver Slugger and $100,000 for the Hank Aaron Award. Award bonuses are to be paid by the Jan. 31 after the season in which the bonus is earned. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Advancements in hearing health: how OTC hearing aids, AI, tinnitus management are transforming audiologyBOCA RATON, Fla. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boca Woods Country Club is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newly redesigned Woods golf course. This momentous occasion took place on Sunday, December 8th at 12:00 PM , with a celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony marking the culmination of a remarkable $9M transformation that has captivated the attention of golf enthusiasts far and wide. More than 450 Members and distinguished guests from industry and government joined the Club for the ribbon cutting ceremony, cocktails and hors d' oeuvres. Attendees included PGA Junior Club Members standing aside past Club Presidents, sharing a commitment to excellence demonstrated by the investment to fully renovate the Woods Course. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a lifetime Boca Woods Country Club Membership accepted by Rees Jones . The outcome of this extensive renovation: a formidable championship golf course, meticulously designed by the renowned Rees Jones and delivered through the craftsmanship of LaBar Golf. Stretching to a maximum yardage of 7,043 yards, the course boasts key risk/reward decisions for the experienced golfer while offering better playable options for those less experienced. Some key highlights of the renovation include: " The Woods course is now a true championship layout, playing to a maximum yardage of 7,043 yards." Said Jeff Gullett , Director of Golf. He continued, " Rees Jones has incorporated a combination of green complexes and bunkering that will test every golfer's ability. We are confident that our Members will be delighted with the results." The Woods golf course offers an inspired blend of challenging greens and strategically placed bunkers, promising to test the mettle of even the most seasoned golfers. The harmonious fusion of design elements guarantees a truly exceptional and unforgettable round of golf. What truly distinguishes the Woods course is its serene and secluded setting. Nestled away from the luxury homes that dot the community, the course immerses players in the tranquility of South Florida's nature, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. " Bryce Swanson and I are pleased that the Woods Course at Boca Woods is reopening on time and on budget. The redesign of the golf course enhances the course's playability, strategy, and variety. The remodeled golf course will provide an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience for the Members and their guests on a continuing basis. It has been a pleasure to work with all involved in this project," said Rees Jones . This renovation is particularly significant due to Boca Woods' unique position in the golfing world. With 36 holes of championship golf and a limited Membership of only 590 golfers, Boca Woods provides an unparalleled level of exclusivity and access. The newly renovated Woods course further solidifies the club's reputation as a golfer's paradise, offering a rare combination of world-class amenities and a close-knit community of passionate enthusiasts. " It is amazing to witness the evolution taking place at this Club." Says David Sweet, General Manager/ COO. He continues, "In the last four years, Members have supported the development of modern amenities: a new Clubhouse with state-of-the-art virtual meeting spaces, a sports and wellness complex that offers 10,000 sq ft of fitness, modern racquet sports facilities including lights for night play, and now this championship course developed in partnership with the best names in the business. Rees has left his mark on Boca Woods, and the Club's future is bright!" Central to the course's allure is the masterful touch of Rees Jones , whose design philosophy seamlessly integrates the natural beauty of the surroundings with the strategic demands of the game. The result is a golfing experience that is both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating. "The Rees Jones' update to our Woods Course is inspirational. Coupled with renovations designed by Kipp Schulties on the Lakes Course, we offer a small community of players a wide range of golfing opportunities. As President of Boca Woods, I am proud of what we accomplished and the time frame we worked within. We listened to our players: men and women, scratch players and weekenders... the result is 36 holes of magnificent golf course architecture that challenges the best and offers playable options for every level. Our demographics say it all (reference the generations photo), and there are tee boxes for every player at every age to enjoy. Boca Woods is setting the standard" said Howard Mittleman , Board President for Boca Woods Country Club. The renovation of the Woods golf course represents a substantial investment in elevating the club's amenities, ensuring Members have exceptional golf experiences. The comprehensive project followed a $14.5M building and facilities renovation. For more information on the new Woods golf course or to inquire about membership opportunities, please visit bocawoodscc.com . The Club foresees many future investments, including the installation of TopTracer (technology owned and used by Top Golf Entertainment Group) on the driving range, sharing information about every shot for Members through fully integrated technology inclusive of ballistics scopes delivering multiple data points for every shot. About Boca Woods Country Club Boca Woods Country Club is an established residential country club community located in Boca Raton, Florida . Membership at Boca Woods offers extraordinary value in a golf community that features two championship golf courses and all the amenities that private country club living has to offer. Boca Woods Country Club is dedicated to providing a residential country club lifestyle featuring a community and club culture characterized by friendliness, civility and respect for its members and staff in an overall setting of refinement and casual elegance. Media Contact: membership@bocawoodscc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grand-opening-of-the-rees-jones-woods-golf-course-announced-at-boca-woods-country-club-302334242.html SOURCE Boca Woods Country Club

In a landmark event, India's first Constitution Museum was inaugurated at OP Jindal Global University, Haryana, by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal. The occasion was graced by Naveen Jindal, JGU Founding Chancellor, and a Member of Parliament, along with other distinguished guests. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Birla emphasized the museum's role in enlightening future generations about India's Constitution. He praised the document as a beacon of equality and justice, while Mr. Meghwal highlighted its foundational principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity, underscoring Chancellor Naveen Jindal's contributions to the national ethos. The Constitution Museum is designed to showcase the painstaking efforts in drafting the world's longest Constitution. Visitors can engage with its provisions through cutting-edge technology and explore the influences behind its creation, including the significant contributions of the women in the Constituent Assembly, with immersive exhibits and innovative storytelling. (With inputs from agencies.)NoneNone

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Ryan Stubblefield threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to lead South Carolina State to a 53-21 win over Norfolk State on Saturday. The Bulldogs (9-2, 5-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), who have their most wins since getting nine in 2013, wrapped up the conference title and a Celebration Bowl berth a week earlier. They play the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion in Atlanta on Dec. 14. The Spartans (4-8, 2-3) led 14-10 after one quarter but the Bulldogs scored the next 29 points. Stubblefield scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 3-yard keeper late in the second quarter, capping a seven-play, 76-yard drive. Then he found Einaj Carter for 10-yard touchdown in the third as the Spartans pulled away. KZ Adams, who had 128 yards on 18 carries, then ran for a pair of touchdowns, making it 39-14 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Jalen Daniels threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score for the Spartans. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Imran Khan’s wife slammed for making ‘disgraceful statement’ about Saudi Arabia

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Haid has 24 as Cent. Conn. St. beats Quinnipiac 84-80St. Bonaventure beats Niagara 71-52Canadian freestyle ski star Mikael Kingsbury seeks to extend record

School property tax debates past, present and yet to come will once again haunt the state’s elected officials in the new 109th Legislature. One of western Nebraska’s five state senators will push for millions of dollars in extra tax relief after the Unicameral’s summer special session “frontloaded” a 30% K-12 school income tax credit onto December’s 2024-25 property tax bills. Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering cites a State Capitol argument whether doing so deprived property owners of their 2023-24 income tax credit. Gov. Jim Pillen, who failed to win enough support for sweeping tax changes in the extra session, meanwhile renewed his efforts with a “2024 School Property Tax Report” released Nov. 8. It included data on 2024-25 K-12 districts’ aid and property tax requests. Lowering the former typically boosts the latter, it said. Senators need to seek “predictability of aid given to school districts,” it added, to “allow Nebraska to have sustained property tax reductions for the first time in its history.” Star-Herald analyses found mixed pictures on both questions for western Nebraska property owners, at least regarding the 2024-25 tax bills they’ll get in the mail next month. A formula provided by state budget officials shows the K-12 income tax credits — which thousands of Nebraskans never claimed — will refund 30% of all property owners’ eligible 2023-24 school taxes as a second direct discount on 2024-25 property tax bills. But it won’t equal a 30% break on their latest school taxes for the three Scotts Bluff County agricultural operations and two of the three Scottsbluff-Gering area homes the paper tracks each “budget season.” Why? It’s mostly because LB 34’s K-12 school tax credit will continue to run one year behind, as the income tax credit did from its debut in 2020. It also excludes the schools’ portions of the older but smaller 2023-24 Property Tax Credit Fund break — also taken off December tax bills — and the homestead exemptions some homeowners receive, said Lee Will, director of the state Department of Administrative Services. Those factors yield effective 2024-25 school tax discounts from 24.8% to 27.8% for a ranch southeast of Lyman and farms with mixed soil types northwest of Mitchell and southwest and southeast of Melbeta. They’ll be worth 27.9% for the Star-Herald’s Home 1, located in Scottsbluff’s Westmoor neighborhood, and 28.2% for Home 2 in Gering’s Legion Park neighborhood. The picture is more complicated for Home 3 in east Terrytown, which has received a full homestead exemption since 2019. The Nebraska Taxes Online website won’t report parcels’ 2024 homestead exemption status until final tax bills are sent out. If the Terrytown home’s full exemption was renewed for 2024, that most likely will again cancel out the home’s tax bill. But if not, it won’t get the new K-12 tax credit this year — because its owners didn’t have to pay taxes in 2023. A trio of term-limited lawmakers, including Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, contend that property owners are being shortchanged by the school income tax credit’s transition to a direct discount. LB 34 dealt them a “missing year” of tax relief, the lawmakers argued, if they paid their 2023 school taxes during 2024. Hardin said he’ll introduce a bill to make up the perceived shortfall. “We took the 2023 monies and flipped them end for end and said we’ll get them in 2024,” he said. But LB 34 didn’t deprive any property owner of a 2023 school tax break, countered North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson. Instead of claiming it when they do 2024 income taxes after New Year’s, he said, they’ll get it before Christmas off the top of their 2024 property taxes. In fact, Jacobson added, Nebraskans who paid their 2023 property taxes last December can get both the 2023 K-12 income tax credit — if they claim it — and the direct 2023 discount next month. “We told people it’s not that anybody lost out,” said Jacobson, who hopes to join the Revenue Committee in 2025. “It’s that some people double-dipped.” Even if there were a “missing year,” he said, it’s highly unlikely the Legislature can find $560.7 million — the amount allocated for K-12 income tax credits for 2023 — on top of the $750 million for the new direct discount. The Legislature’s Tax Rate Review Committee told senators Wednesday that the state’s budget balance by 2026-27 could be more than $432 million below its legal minimum reserve if lawmakers make no changes. “If anybody thinks a bill’s going to pass the Legislature that will cost $500 million to ‘make people whole,’ that’s not going to happen,” Jacobson said. The same cloud hangs over Pillen’s renewed call for even higher property tax relief, acknowledged as Nebraska’s largest single budget item in the governor’s Nov. 8 report. It lauded the 244 school districts for holding statewide growth in their 2024-25 property tax requests to 2.8% — the slowest pace this century. Senators slapped a basic 3% lid last year on how much K-12 districts can charge. But four fast-growing metro-area districts — Lincoln, Millard, Papillion-La Vista and Gretna — accounted for 82% of the $76.1 million in school property tax growth over 2023-24, the report said. Those four also lost a combined $56.3 million in state aid. The aid formula founded in 1990 “has become a large reason as to why some local school districts continue to need to increase local taxes,” the report said. The correlation between school-aid cuts and higher tax requests didn’t hold up universally, according to the Star-Herald’s analysis of Pillen’s report. Four of the Panhandle’s 20 districts — Gering, Morrill, Bayard and South Platte — both absorbed state-aid cuts and raised their tax requests by more than the 2.8% statewide average. Bayard’s situation was specifically referenced in Pillen’s report. But six others, including Scottsbluff, Mitchell and Minatare, held their tax-request growth below the average despite losing ground in state aid. Scottsbluff Public Schools’ 2024 school aid fell by 0.6%, but the district slashed its 2024-25 property tax request by 15.5%. The school board voted in June to pay off its Bluffs Middle School renovation bonds five years early. Pillen’s report acknowledged that state-aid levels don’t explain all K-12 tax increases. They “could be due to a loss in state aid ... increasing needs in the community or simply from overspending,” it said. Stuart Simpson, who will retire in June as North Platte’s executive director of finance, said the aid formula is meant to adjust for each district’s unique circumstances. It steers “equalization aid” to districts with educational “needs” that cost more than their “resources,” mainly property taxes. But Simpson said it’s how the school-aid formula measures “needs” — largely student populations, family incomes and families for whom English isn’t their first language — that so often frustrates taxpayers and lawmakers. “You can’t compare North Platte to Scottsbluff or Lexington or Alliance or McCook,” he said. The formula “is trying to address the needs of school districts compared with the economic development in the community.” If the Legislature “pushes down the property taxes” with more dollars, “they’ll push more into equalization aid to support a school district,” said Simpson, who became Alliance’s school finance director the year the current aid formula was founded. “But how can you do it when you have a shortfall?” The Star-Herald's final "tax tracker" story for Scotts Bluff County's 2024-25 "budget season" shows unofficial gross and net tax bills for three sample Scottsbluff-Gering homes and county agricultural operations apiece. The Star-Herald's second "tax tracker" story of the 2024-25 local "budget season" accounts for final taxable values and the Legislature's making a K-12 income tax credit an automatic tax-bill discount. A summer 2024 Unicameral special session changed a potential 30% income tax break on Nebraska property owners' 2023 school taxes into a direct discount on December's 2024 property tax bills. Schools' share of other 2023 property tax credits, including homestead exemptions, are excluded from the new direct credit. Here's the estimated 2024 school tax breaks from "frontloading" the former income tax credit for the Star-Herald’s sample Scottsbluff-Gering homes and Scotts Bluff County agricultural properties: • Home 1 (Scottsbluff): 27.9% • Home 2 (Gering): 28.2% • Home 3 (Terrytown): zero* • Ag 1 (ranch, southeast of Lyman): 27.8% • Ag 2 (farm, northwest of Mitchell): 24.8% • Ag 3 (farm, southwest and southeast of Melbeta): 27.6% *Received a full homestead exemption in 2023, canceling out potential school property tax credit. Home 3 likely will pay zero in 2024 property taxes if its full homestead exemption is renewed. Sources: State of Nebraska, Scotts Bluff County; Star-Herald analysis We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Anticipation is building as the 30th Palmolive Sindh Women’s Swimming Championship approaches, set to showcase one of the most significant female sporting events in Pakistan. Karachi Women’s Swimming Association (KWSA) has been organizing this annual swimming championship in partnership with Colgate Palmolive Pakistan since 1991, a period of 30+ years. This swimming championship serves as a premier platform for discovering emerging talent in Sindh, the best of which go on to the national level. For Karachi Women’s Swimming Association, this 30th edition is a testament to decades of dedication and hard work in promoting women’s swimming across Pakistan. It reflects their ongoing commitment to nurturing young swimmers, providing them with the tools and opportunities to excel both locally and internationally. This event serves as an exciting milestone for the young female athletes who are taking part in the championship. It symbolizes not just a competition, but an opportunity to make history, set records, and inspire future generations of swimmers. This unique platform offers them a chance to showcase their talents, build their confidence, and aim for the highest levels of achievement in national and international swimming events, empowering them on the world stage. Many of the event’s past standout performers have gone on to win medals at prestigious tournaments, including the South Asian Games, South Asian Swimming Championships, and the Islamic Women’s Games. These athletes have also represented Pakistan at the World Swimming Championships, consistently raising the national flag and making the country proud. By empowering female athletes with the same competitive opportunities as their male counterparts, Palmolive continues to affirm its role as a socially responsible brand. Open to female swimmers from across Sindh, the 30th Palmolive Sindh Women’s Swimming Championship 2024 will be held on November 23-24, 2024, at the Karachi Club. Over 300 participants are expected from various schools, clubs, and individual entries, including Karachi Grammar School, Beaconhouse School System, Karachi Club, Karachi Gymkhana, Karachi American School, The City School, Links, Bayview Academy, DHA Sports Club Moin Khan, The CAS School, The Intellect School, The Ivy School, and Haque Academy, among others. The competition will feature all official FINA events. The Opening Ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024, with the medal presentation scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 4.30 p.m. The Closing Ceremony will be open to the public.

A man in Greater Noida of Uttar Pradesh was caught on camera thrashing his pet dog and throwing him on the ground, police on Thursday said. Inspector-in-charge of Ecotech-3 Police Station Anil Kumar Pandey said a video appeared on social media Wednesday in which a person, who looked like a woman, was seen beating a dog. The incident took place in Mahagun Mantra Society and the person was identified as 40-year-old Harishankar Gupta, he said. "In the blurry video circulated on social media, the accused of beating the dog appeared to be a woman, but investigation revealed that he is a man who wears women's clothes and has long hair," he said. Several users on social media, including Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon, expressed their outrage at the video. Responding to the post, Tandon demanded "strict action" against the accused. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Featured Video Of The Day Who Will Win Maharashtra Crown? Axis My India's Exit Poll Prediction greater noida dog beaten Animal Cruelty noida pet beaten Top Court To Hear Plea Over Fireball Use Against Elephants In West Bengal Arunachal Musician Kills Chicken, Drinks Its Blood On Stage, Case Filed Delhi Couple's Pet Boarding Nightmare: Dog Dragged Behind Bike, Found Dead Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think PM Modi: Culture, Cuisine, Cricket Strengthen India-Guyana Ties Elon Musk Slams Australia's Plan To Ban Social Media For Kids Under 16 Assam Chief Minister Unveils These Facilities At Legislative Complex Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world . MORE Trending News BCCI's Huge Step Towards Resolving CT Crisis. Report Says Jay Shah Will... Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest Sehwag's Son Takes Internet By Storm, Slams 200 In This Big Tournament Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think Maharashtra Chief Minister Pick Contentious For Both Ruling, Opposition Camps 2 More Exit Polls Predict Landslide For NDA In Maharashtra Meet 69-Year-Old St Stephen's Alumnus Who Posed As Ex IPS To Con Officials Video: Gurugram Man Pulls Gun On Boy, 12, For Fighting With Son In Park PCB's Fresh Blow To BCCI On Champions Trophy. New Media Release Says... India To Hand 2 Debuts, Major Change At No. 3 vs Aus - Report Makes Big Claim Indian Professor Shot Dead In US, Family In UP Blames Business Rivalry Watch: Amid Big Feud, Nayanthara And Dhanush Avoid Each Other At Party Russia Puts US Base In Poland On Priority List For "Potential Elimination" Aishwarya Shares Pics From Aaradhya's Birthday Bash, Abhishek Gives It A Miss Big B On "Speculated Untruths" Amid Abhishek-Aishwarya's Divorce Rumours "Baseless And Denied": Adani Group On A US Government Department Report Late Change In India XI For 1st Aus Test? Star Shrugs Off Big Injury Concern Trump Pick Matt Gaetz Withdraws As Nominee For US Attorney General AAP "Fishing In Congress' Waters" As Arvind Kejriwal Plots Re-Election BidTrump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations

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