x park taiwan NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won’t include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn’t sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump” who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.WASHINGTON — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people, setting up potential passage in the final days of the lame-duck Congress. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday he would begin the process for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act, which would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. Schumer said the bill would “ensure Americans are not erroneously denied their well-earned Social Security benefits simply because they chose at some point to work in their careers in public service.” The legislation passed the House on a bipartisan vote, and a Senate version of the bill introduced last year gained 62 cosponsors. But the bill still needs support from at least 60 senators to pass Congress. It would then head to President Biden. At least one GOP senator who signed onto similar legislation last year, Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana, said he was still “weighing” whether to vote for the bill next week. “Nothing ever gets paid for, so if it’s further indebtedness, I don’t know,” he said. Decades in the making, the bill would repeal two federal policies — the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset — that broadly reduce payments to two groups of Social Security recipients: people who also receive a pension from a job that is not covered by Social Security and surviving spouses of Social Security recipients who receive a government pension of their own. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which were already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. It would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget also estimates that if passed, the policy would hasten the Social Security program’s insolvency date by about half a year as well as reduce lifetime Social Security benefits by an additional $25,000 for a typical dual-income couple retiring in 2033. Sen. John Thune, the no. 2 Republican in leadership, acknowledged that the policy has strong bipartisan support, but said some Republicans also want to see it “fixed in the context of a broader Social Security reform effort.” Conservatives have opposed the bill, decrying its cost. “Even for something that people consider to be a good cause, it shows a lack of concern for the future of the country, so I think it would be a big mistake,” said Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky. Still, other Republicans have pushed Schumer to bring it up for a vote. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said last month that the current federal limitations “penalize families across the country who worked a public service job for part of their career with a separate pension. We’re talking about police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other public employees who are punished for serving their communities.” He predicted the bill would pass.

Tory government would axe 'unsustainable' triple lock on pensions, shadow chancellor says

There is a lot of empty space at the Port Kembla Energy Terminal - but it's there for a reason. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading Built by Squadron Energy, construction on the terminal is complete and about to be handed over to the operations team. Liquefied natural gas will be delivered by ship and sent into a newly built pipeline that runs 12 kilometres underground to Kembla Grange, where it will join the Eastern Pipeline. "The terminal, once it's operational, will have a capacity of 500 terrajoules a day, which is enough to nearly supply the whole of NSW's gas demand on a peak day," Squadron Energy's Executive General Manager of Operations Stuart Davis said. All that space includes large areas around giant winches 300 metres apart at either end of the dock, which will hold the 300-metre long tankers in place. Those winches can't have anything built near them as a safety precaution should the massive cables holding the tanker snap. Also, the control room for the whole operation is at least a hundred-metre walk away from the dockside terminal operations across open ground. That's because if something were to go wrong on the waterside, you want the control room a very safe distance away. With the completion of construction, the onshore receiving facility is now undergoing testing to ensure all the equipment is functioning properly. The aim is to be accepting gas deliveries in mid-2026. The next major stage will be the delivery of what is known as the floating storage regasificaiton unit (FSRU), which will be berthed at the terminal. The LNG tankers will pull up alongside that vessel and then pump the gas into it, which will then go into the pipeline. That might seem like an extra step, rather than having the tanker deliver directly into the pipeline. "The reason for the FSRU is that the LNG on board the tankers is at minus 162 degrees Celsius and they don't have the ability to warm that up into natural gas temperatures, which is roughly 10 degrees," Mr Davis said. "So the FSRU is needed to warm up the LNG to make it natural gas." One of the more unusual parts of the terminal operations are two small yellow sheds, which are crucial in injecting odour into the gas. "LNG and natural gas doesn't naturally have any odour," Mr Davis said. "So we add odour at the site to ensure that if there are any leaks, either here through a pipeline or at your home, you're able to detect them." I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. More from Latest News Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!Editor’s Note: CNN’s 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. 👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! A lot of people are reining in their holiday spending this year, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip all of the fun. There are ways to celebrate even if money is tight. Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day: 5 things 1️⃣ Sick time: Respiratory illness season is ramping up. Experts predict that this year could be similar — or even better — than the last, but low vaccination rates threaten that trend, and the rapid rise of some illnesses is putting children at increased risk. 2️⃣ Downward spiral: Chrysler used to be one of the giants in the US auto industry. After three purchases by foreign-based automakers, a bankruptcy and a second federal bailout, the iconic brand’s days could be numbered. 3️⃣ Luggage woes: Traveling can be frustrating even when things go according to plan, but if your bags get delayed, lost, stolen or damaged, that amps up the stress. These tips can help you avoid problems and minimize the impact. 4️⃣ ‘Beige moms’: Women who prefer muted colors and decorations instead of bright and cheery ones have come under fire this holiday season. Here’s what child development experts think about the trend. 5️⃣ (es-PRESS-oh) not (EX-press-oh): Messed-up pronunciations can be annoying — or amusing. The language-learning platform Babbel compiled the most mispronounced names and words, and the Italian coffee shot, a presidential candidate and an Irish actor all made the list . Watch this 👶 Foggy memory: Marisa Christie survived a rare post-birth complication known as amniotic fluid embolism, which caused the Texas mother to forget the birth of her triplets . Today, her family is celebrating how far she’s come amid the “organized chaos.” Top headlines • Tsunami warning lifted after 7.0-magnitude earthquake off Northern California coast • NYPD releases unmasked photo of person wanted for questioning in CEO shooting • Judge rejects Boeing plea deal related to Max crashes 25 👮 That’s how many people were arrested in a mob bust in northern Italy — including a Catholic nun with the Sisters of Charity Institute in Milan. Check this out 📸 Life in exile: Pictures taken by Ernest Cole, the anti-apartheid photographer who turned his lens on Black America, were thought to be lost when he died in 1990. Decades later, thousands of his images are finally emerging. Quotable Political prisoners: Teenagers in Russia are being locked up for expressing dissent. Parents are fearful of the toll these experiences could take on their children. Quiz time 🤼‍♂️ Which European city is set to host only the second professional sumo wrestling tournament ever held outside Japan? A. Rome B. Dublin C. Berlin D. London ⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. Good vibes 🌱 Hands-on learning: A school in Hawaii hopes to inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders with a practical approach to education. Watch as the students learn to use crab traps and identify invasive snails. Thanks for reading 🧠 Quiz answer: D. London’s Royal Albert Hall will be transformed into a temple of sumo for the event. Test your knowledge with CNN’s news quiz in tomorrow morning’s 5 Things newsletter. 📧 Check out all of CNN’s newsletters . 5 Things PM is produced by CNN’s Chris Good, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.

LONDON (AP) — A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew has been barred from the U.K. because of concerns he poses a threat to national security. A British immigration tribunal upheld the decision on Thursday in a ruling that revealed the Chinese national had developed such a close relationship with Andrew that he was invited to the prince’s birthday party. Government officials were concerned the man could have misused his influence because the prince was under “considerable pressure” at the time, according to the ruling. British authorities believe the Chinese national, whose name wasn’t released, was working on behalf of the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party that is used to influence foreign entities. The government determined that the businessman “was in a position to generate relationships between senior Chinese officials and prominent U.K. figures which could be leveraged for political interference purposes by the Chinese State,” according to the tribunal's decision. In a statement from his office, Andrew, also known as the Duke of York, said he accepted government advice and ceased all contact with the Chinese national as soon as concerns were raised. “The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed,′′ his office said. “He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.” Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has been repeatedly criticized for his links to wealthy foreigners, raising concerns that those individuals are trying to buy access to the royal family. Andrew’s finances have been squeezed in recent years after he was forced to step away from royal duties and give up public funding amid concerns about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein , the American financier and convicted pedophile who committed suicide in prison in 2019. British intelligence chiefs have become increasingly concerned about China’s efforts to influence U.K. government policy. In 2022, Britain’s domestic intelligence service, known as MI5, warned politicians that a British-Chinese lawyer had been seeking to improperly influence members of Parliament for years. A parliamentary researcher was arrested in 2023 on suspicion of providing sensitive information to China. The 50-year-old Chinese national covered by this week’s ruling was described as a man who worked as a junior civil servant in China before he came to the U.K. as a student in 2002. He earned a master’s degree in public administration and public policy at the University of York before starting a business that advises U.K.-based companies on their operations in China. He was granted the right to live and work in the U.K. for an indefinite period in 2013. Although he didn’t make Britain his permanent home, the man told authorities that he spent one to two weeks a month in the country and considered it his “second home.” He was stopped while entering the U.K. on Nov. 6, 2021, and ordered to surrender his mobile phone and other digital devices on which authorities found a letter from a senior adviser to Andrew confirming that he was authorized to act on behalf of the prince in relation to potential partners and investors in China. The letter and other documents highlighted the strength of the relationship between Andrew, his adviser and the Chinese national. “I also hope that it is clear to you where you sit with my principal and indeed his family,” the adviser wrote. “You should never underestimate the strength of that relationship. Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on.” The letter went on to describe how they had found a way to work around former private secretaries to the prince and other people who weren’t completely trusted. “Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor,” the adviser wrote. Andrew lives at the Royal Lodge, a historic country estate near Windsor Castle, west of London. Danica Kirka, The Associated PressSeasalt Cornwall drop two for £50 Black Friday deal on 'slimming' T-shirtsDrone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions

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Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictionsSyria's Jolani: from jihadist to pragmatist

Bucks County's Ryan Abramson and Oakridge Leaders Promotes Positive Brand Identity

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Joe Biden ends his presidency with voters by a 30-point margin saying they have been hurt rather than helped by his economic policies. In addition, a new Fox News national survey finds that most voters not only have negative views of the economy (77% negative) and their personal financial situation (62% negative) — they also feel things are getting worse (64%). Three-quarters say inflation has caused them financial hardship over the last six months, including about one-third who call it a "serious" hardship, and those numbers have held steady for more than two years. Views on the economy are in negative territory by 54 points (23% positive, 77% negative). That is worse than at the beginning of Biden’s term by 14 points, and that increase in pessimism comes a touch more from Democrats (16 points) than Republicans (13) and independents (11). While few Democrats say Biden’s economic policies have hurt them (17%), only one-third say they helped (33%), with half saying his policies didn’t make a difference either way (50%). Overall, nearly three times as many say the president’s economic policies have hurt (47%) rather than helped them (17%), while one-third say no difference (35%). FOX NEWS VOTER ANALYSIS: HOW TRUMP REGAINED THE WHITE HOUSE Big picture, 68% are unhappy with the direction of the country (up 3 points since August). That small increase comes mainly from a 20-point jump in dissatisfaction among Democrats, which is mostly offset by fewer Republicans being dissatisfied by 15-points — presumably both shifts can be attributed to Trump’s re-election. On the whole, only 1 in 4 think history will consider Biden an above-average president. One in 3 says he will be remembered as one of the country’s worst presidents, which is a touch better than the 4 in 10 who said the same about Trump at the end of his first term. Yet, in 2020, three times as many said Trump (22%) would be remembered as "one of the country’s greatest presidents" as feel that way about Biden today (7%). Looking ahead, 39% think the economy will get better in 2025. That’s up from 22% who felt that way a year ago. There is a significant partisan gap in views on the economy’s future, as Republicans (63%) are more than three times as likely as Democrats (17%) to say it will be better next year. "The election post-mortems have emphasized the role of the economy in shaping the outcome, and it’s obvious that bad economic vibes hurt the incumbent party," says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who helps run the Fox News Poll along with Democrat Chris Anderson. "What we’re seeing is a predictable shift toward optimism among Republicans and independents. We’ll see if Trump can sustain and perhaps even expand on that momentum with policies that lower prices and decrease taxes." Biden leaves office with a 41% job approval rating, just one point above his record low. Fifty-eight percent disapprove, including about 1 in 5 Democrats and most independents (76%). Disapproval is at all-time highs among voters under age 45, Hispanics and urban voters. Biden’s 41% approval is lower than Trump’s 47% approval at the end of his first term, former President Barack Obama’s 57% when he left office and former President Bill Clinton’s 62% approval in 2000, but higher than former President George W. Bush’s 34% approval at the end of his presidency. Overall, the president received his record high of 56% approval in June 2021 — one of only five times more voters than not rated him positively. His approval rating hit a record low of 40% in July 2022, November 2023 and October 2024. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS FEEL HOPEFUL POST-ELECTION, WANT TRUMP TO FOCUS ON INFLATION Biden ends his term with lopsided negative ratings on some key issues, as only about one-third approve of the job he’s doing on border security (31% approve-67% disapprove) and inflation (34%-64%). His marks on foreign policy are a bit better (37%-60%), but that is a record low, and he is still underwater by 23 points. Poll-pourri After repeatedly promising not to, Biden granted a presidential pardon to his son, Hunter, on Dec. 1 for multiple felony convictions. Sixty-three percent of voters disapprove of the pardon — about double the share who approve (32%). Six in 10 Democrats approve, while 7 in 10 independents and 9 in 10 Republicans disapprove. Overall, views are the same when voters are asked about Trump’s commitment to pardon people convicted for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol: 62% disapprove, 34% approve. The partisan dynamic here flips, as 9 in 10 Democrats and 7 in 10 Independents disapprove, while 6 in 10 Republicans approve. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Conducted Dec. 6-9 under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,015 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (125) and cellphones (699) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (191). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error associated with results among subgroup is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data. CLICK HERE FOR TOPLINES AND CROSSTABS Fox News’ Victoria Balara contributed to this report. As head of the polling unit, Dana Blanton runs the Fox News Poll and oversees the Fox News Voter Analysis election survey.

Lument Finance Trust, Inc. Declares Quarterly Cash Dividends for its Common and Preferred Stock and Announces Special Cash Dividend Distribution

Jets' Scheifele still 'on the bubble' for Team Canada: ArnielI Was Wondering Why Succession's Brian Cox Was Cast As Santa Claus In That Christmas, Until Richard Curtis Gave Me The Perfect ReasonA 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.

Global Bid Management Software Market Set For 10.0% Growth, Reaching $1.50 Billion By 2028Sunday's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket reveal officially set the stage for the most anticipated postseason the sport has ever seen. Eight more spots in the playoff field have created two extra rounds to determine a national champion, which could come from the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference or even the Mountain West! Now that the initial matchups are set, it's time to examine the FanDuel odds for the first-round games and, of course, the latest national championship odds. CFP Bracket: Odds for First-Round Games Oregon's win over Penn State in the Big Ten championship locked the Ducks into the No. 1 seed, while Georgia's overtime triumph over Texas for the SEC crown moved the Bulldogs up to No. 2. Boise State slotted in at No. 9 in the final CFP rankings but is the No. 3 seed thanks to its win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship. With SMU losing to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, No. 12-ranked Arizona State is the four seed after it throttled Iowa State to win the Big 12. The top four teams get a bye, with the 5-12 seeds meeting in the first round. 12-seed Clemson (+330) vs. 5-seed Texas (-11.5) Texas was favored to win the SEC and lock down a top-four seed, but Clemson was not expected to beat SMU for the ACC title. The Longhorns will therefore hunt redemption, while Dabo Swinney's team is essentially playing with house money. The winner will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. 9-seed Tennessee (+215) vs. 8-seed Ohio State (-7.5) The third-highest-ranked team from the SEC (No. 7 Tennessee) will face off with the third-highest-ranked squad from the Big Ten (No. 6 Ohio State). This game brings the Buckeyes a chance at redemption for their embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to play Oregon. 11-seed SMU (+240) vs. 6-seed Penn State (-7.5) Concerns over strength of schedule dog both teams. Both have 11-2 records and were runners-up in their respective conferences. Penn State's only win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 19 Illinois in Week 4, while SMU has knocked off then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pittsburgh. The winner will meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 10-seed Indiana (+230) vs. 7-seed Notre Dame (-7.5) The Hoosiers may be the biggest surprise in college football this season, although their inclusion came with a few concerns over the strength of their schedule. After falling flat in a potential statement game against then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, Indiana can prove its might against a Fighting Irish squad that won its last 10 games. The winner will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. National Championship Odds and Picks Oregon was the betting favorite (odds via FanDuel) prior to the final rankings reveal at +230. Post-reveal, Texas and Georgia are co-favorites at +360, followed by Oregon at +380, Ohio State at +500 and Penn State at +600. Boise State is the biggest long shot at +7500 despite having a first-round bye. Like Boise State, Arizona State saw its odds go from +3500 to +6000 even though it doesn't play until the quarterfinals. The Picks are In... First-Round Best Bet: Indiana-Notre Dame UNDER 51.5-both teams have solid offenses but will find it difficult to move the ball against the other's defense. Upset Special: Clemson (+340) over Texas-Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against the Texas secondary, but the Clemson defense could be up for the challenge against Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense. National Championship Winner: Favorite-Oregon +380; Dark Horse-Notre Dame +1200; Long Shot-Arizona State +6000 --Field Level MediaJoel Embiid returned from a seven-game absence to provide 31 points and 12 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers held off the host Chicago Bulls for a 108-100 win on Sunday afternoon. Embiid carried Philadelphia to its fourth win in five games after sitting out to manage a left knee injury. Tyrese Maxey backed the big man with his first career triple-double, collecting 25 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists. Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 12 points apiece for the 76ers, who outshot Chicago 46.7 percent to 40.7 percent from the field. Zach LaVine racked up 30 points and the Bulls sank 19 threes, but they still couldn't avoid their second straight loss. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White each finished with 13 points, with Vucevic also snatching eight boards. After facing a 19-point deficit just over four minutes into the second half, the Bulls came to life at the end of the third. They closed the frame on an 8-0 run, with Jalen Smith canning a 3-pointer at the buzzer to get Chicago within 88-79 heading into the fourth. The Bulls trailed by only four after LaVine connected on a trey with 5:24 left in the game to make it 96-92, but that was the closest the hosts would get. LaVine put up 10 points to lift Chicago to a 33-23 lead after 12 minutes of action. Embiid completely took over in the second quarter, though, erupting for 19 points in the frame. Fifteen of those came during Philadelphia's 24-6 run to start the period, and the 76ers led by as many as 14 before taking a 62-50 advantage into the break. The Bulls made little headway following intermission, getting their deficit down to 11 at 65-54, thanks to a floater and a pair of free throws from Vucevic in the first 1:34 of the third. Embiid converted a three-point play to spark a 14-6 outburst that put Philadelphia up 79-60 with 7:44 remaining in the third. —Field Level Media/Reuters

Bucks County's Ryan Abramson and Oakridge Leaders Promotes Positive Brand Identity 12-13-2024 10:38 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Brand Push Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/1a4d8bf233bf36201ea6635ddfe57d4c.jpg Oakridge Leaders [ https://www.oakridgeleaders.com/ ] was founded in Bucks County, PA by Ryan Abramson [ https://www.oakridgeleaders.com/ryanabramsonlanghorne ] with a singular mission: to provide professionals, business leaders, and students with the skills and ideas necessary to find their authentic voice. By fostering confident, clear, and positive expression, Oakridge Leaders promotes the idea that individuals must articulate their views, brand, and ideas through blogs, essays, and public speaking. Why Positive and Authentic Communication Matters Before delving into the strategies encouraged by Oakridge Leaders, it's important to define two core values that shape their approach: - Ryan Abramson, Authenticity: The quality of being genuine, real, and true to one's character or beliefs. Authentic communication resonates because it aligns with an individual's or organization's values, creating trust and emotional connection. - Ryan Abramson, Positivity: The practice of emphasizing constructive, uplifting, and solution-oriented communication. Positivity inspires action, fosters goodwill, and leaves lasting impressions. When combined, authenticity and positivity create a powerful dynamic. They humanize communication, making it not only relatable but also memorable. This is the core of the Ryan Abramson [ https://www.ryanabramson.net/ ] approach to marketing and communication. Ryan Abramson: The Evolution of Communication Styles Over Time Effective communication has undergone significant shifts throughout history. From face-to-face dialogues in ancient marketplaces to digital interactions in the age of social media, the medium and style of communication have continually evolved: - Face-to-Face Era: As a speaker, Bucks County, PA Expert Ryan Abramson believes that personal communication dominated before the advent of mass media, with authenticity conveyed through tone, gestures, and presence. - Broadcast Era: The rise of newspapers, radio, and television introduced one-way communication, where brands controlled the narrative but struggled with authenticity due to the lack of interaction. - Digital Era: The internet revolutionized communication, with social media enabling real-time, two-way interactions. Today, 86% of consumers value authenticity in deciding which brands to support, according to a study by Stackla. Statistics on Authenticity and Positivity in Marketing The emphasis on authenticity and positivity is more than a trend; it's a necessity for modern communication: - Authenticity Drives Engagement: According to a Harvard Business Review study, 63% of consumers prefer brands that communicate authentically, and 57% are willing to pay more for a product or service from a brand they trust. - Positivity Builds Brand Loyalty: Research from Gallup shows that positivity in branding increases customer engagement by 23%, resulting in higher retention and advocacy rates. - Consistency Matters: HubSpot reports that consistent branding across platforms increases revenue by 23%. Authentic and positive messaging plays a critical role in maintaining this consistency. The Role of Blogs in Sharing Ideas and Building Brands One of the most effective tools for maintaining focus and sharing views is the blog. Oakridge Leaders, emphasizes the importance of blogging as a foundational element of communication strategy. As the Ryan Abramson Blog [ https://www.ryanabramson.net/news-about-ryan-abramson ] demonstrates, authenticity and positivity are not just buzzwords-they're cornerstones of effective communication. Here's why: - Knowledge Sharing: Blogs are a platform to share insights, experiences, and expertise. A blog post can educate and inspire others while establishing the writer as a thought leader. - Enhanced Visibility: Companies that blog receive 55% more website visitors, according to HubSpot. Blogs also improve search engine rankings, making it easier for audiences to discover content. - Sustained Focus: Writing a blog helps refine and clarify ideas, ensuring that the message remains consistent and impactful. - Community Building: Blogs foster engagement and interaction. Readers often comment, share, and discuss blog posts, extending the reach of ideas. The Importance of Consistent, Positive Branding A brand is more than a logo or tagline; it's the sum of every interaction and impression. Oakridge Leaders, believe that consistent, positive branding is essential for long-term success. When based on data, this approach works. Why? Because: 1. It Builds Trust: Consistency in tone, visuals, and messaging reassures audiences, helping them feel connected and secure. 2. It Reinforces Identity: Positive communication strengthens a brand's identity, ensuring it remains memorable and relevant. 3. It Drives Growth: Brands with strong, consistent messaging are 3.5 times more likely to achieve higher brand visibility and recognition. Oakridge Leaders: Helping Individuals Find Their Voice Oakridge Leaders in Bucks County was born from a desire to help others harness the power of positive communication. Whether it's through writing blogs, crafting essays, or speaking confidently, the goal is to help individuals and organizations: - Define Their Unique Voice: By aligning communication with values and vision, Oakridge Leaders ensure that messages resonate authentically. - Connect with Audiences: Positive and authentic communication fosters meaningful relationships, whether in business, education, or personal development. - Make a Lasting Impact: Their strategies empower clients to influence, inspire, and lead through effective storytelling. For more insights, follow the Ryan Abramson Blog [ https://www.oakridgeleaders.com/ryanabramson ] and explore how Oakridge Leaders promotes positive, authentic communications to accurately tell a story. Media Contact Contact Person: Ryan Abramson Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=bucks-countys-ryan-abramson-and-oakridge-leaders-promotes-positive-brand-identity ] Country: United States Website: https://www.oakridgeleaders.com This release was published on openPR.The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $2,000 Right Now

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