top 5 online casino real money Emerging details of Chinese hack leave U.S. officials alarmedHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (AP) — Josh Dilling's 22 points helped Northern Kentucky defeat Norfolk State 71-62 on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (AP) — Josh Dilling's 22 points helped Northern Kentucky defeat Norfolk State 71-62 on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (AP) — Josh Dilling’s 22 points helped Northern Kentucky defeat Norfolk State 71-62 on Sunday. Dilling also had five rebounds for the Norse (5-6, 1-0 Horizon League). Sam Vinson added 21 points while going 4 of 5 and 13 of 15 from the free-throw line while they also had five assists and three steals. LJ Wells finished 5 of 7 from the field to finish with 10 points. Brian Moore Jr. led the Spartans (6-6) in scoring, finishing with 12 points and two steals. Terrance Jones added 12 points for Norfolk State. Kuluel Mading also had 12 points. Northern Kentucky plays Wednesday against Detroit Mercy at home, and Norfolk State takes on Alabama State on Thursday. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

Saudi Arabia's network of spending and influence detailed before getting 2034 World Cup from FIFATai'Reon Joseph scores 28 off the bench to help UTSA defeat North Dakota 95-85The freight forwarding sector is a backbone for global trade, ensuring the seamless movement of goods across borders. In Bangladesh, this sector is critical in facilitating the export of garments, seafood, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, leather, perishable items, and more. Despite its importance, freight forwarders in the country face persistent challenges that hinder their ability to operate efficiently and contribute optimally to trade facilitation. Lack of recognition of freight forwarders’ role: Stakeholders such as manufacturers, exporters, and importers often undervalue the role of freight forwarders, perceiving them merely as service providers rather than strategic partners. This perception limits collaboration and trust, preventing forwarders from innovating and offering value-added services. Additionally, policy formulation in Bangladesh rarely involves consultations with freight forwarders or other key stakeholders. This results in policies that fail to address operational needs and create complications. Freight forwarders frequently encounter difficulties with the National Board of Revenue (NBR), customs authorities, government agencies, port authorities, and banks. Regulators and facilitators have yet to fully recognize the strategic importance of freight forwarders in trade facilitation. Licensing and regulatory issues: The licensing regulations set by the NBR are outdated and require urgent revision. Freight forwarders must obtain separate licenses for each port, an inefficient process that increases operational complexity. A unified licensing system across Bangladesh would significantly streamline operations. Online application submissions and simplified procedures are also critical to modernizing this process. Inefficiencies in customs operations: Freight forwarders often face undue delays due to inefficient customs operations. Lengthy queues and slow processing of day-to-day formalities hinder smooth operations. Arbitrary decisions and complicated procedures surrounding the Import General Manifest (IGM) and Export General Manifest (EGM) further reduce efficiency and competitiveness. Customs decisions frequently result in delays, fines, and unnecessary complications. Moreover, freight forwarders often struggle to reach the relevant customs officials for clarifications or dispute resolution. The lack of timely communication exacerbates delays and increases uncertainty. Ambiguities in existing regulations create opportunities for inconsistent enforcement, leading to malpractice and inefficiencies. Freight forwarders are often subject to subjective judgments by officials instead of standardized rules, causing delays in cargo clearance and increasing costs. Burdensome taxes and banking policies: Freight forwarders in Bangladesh face high taxes on international transactions, such as payments to shipping lines and overseas agents. These include Value Added Tax (VAT) and Advance Income Tax (AIT), which significantly inflate operational costs. Foreign exchange transactions through formal banking channels are also taxed heavily, adding to the financial burden. Policies from the central bank further complicate operations. For instance, handling Bills of Lading (B/L) — essential documents in international shipping — remains inefficient due to outdated and manual verification processes mandated by Bangladesh Bank. These delays disrupt supply chains and increase operational costs. Another challenge is remitting payments to foreign service providers. Freight forwarders encounter lengthy approval processes and excessive documentation requirements, which strain relationships with international partners. Delays in payment transfers also result in penalties and lost opportunities for preferential rates. Unregulated practices by shipping lines: Shipping lines in Bangladesh frequently impose arbitrary charges without prior notice or justification. Detention charges for delayed container returns—often due to port congestion or customs inefficiencies—are a prime example of unfair costs borne by freight forwarders. Additional charges, such as non-schedule fees and unforeseen delay penalties, further burden the industry. The absence of effective regulation has allowed monopolistic behaviours among shipping lines, where dominant players dictate terms to freight forwarders and their clients. These practices increase costs, create an unethical trading environment, and threaten the competitiveness of the country’s trade sector. Challenges in bonded warehousing and cargo villages: Bonded warehouses are vital for trade facilitation, but inefficiencies and outdated regulations hinder their effective use. Freight forwarders have called for reforms, including merging bonded warehouse licenses with freight forwarding licenses to streamline operations and reduce redundancy. The cargo village at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is another area of concern. Freight forwarders face arbitrary charges, inadequate facilities, and subpar adherence to Key Performance Indicator (KPI) standards. The single Explosive Detection System (EDS) at HSIA creates bottlenecks, leading to delays in cargo screening. Additionally, space constraints result in congestion and mishandling of goods, while inadequate security measures raise concerns about theft. Chittagong Port IS a critical bottleneck: Chittagong Port, the primary gateway for Bangladesh’s imports and exports, faces severe operational and infrastructural challenges. Congestion due to insufficient berths, cranes, and container storage facilities causes significant delays, particularly for time-sensitive exports. The issue of non-delivered containers further compounds these challenges. Freight forwarders report backlogs of unclaimed shipments, leading to heavy fines and blacklisting by shipping lines. This disrupts local operations and international supply chains. The crisis is attributed to customs authorities’ failure to enforce Section 82 of the Customs Act of 1969, which mandates the timely auctioning of unclaimed goods. The resulting congestion increases costs and hampers efficiency. Solutions and recommendations: Addressing these systemic challenges requires immediate action and comprehensive reforms. Key recommendations include: Streamlining Licensing. Implementing a unified licensing system across Bangladesh and digitising the application process. Reforming Customs Procedures. Simplifying and digitising customs operations to reduce delays and improve efficiency. Enhancing Regulation. Establishing oversight mechanisms to prevent monopolistic practices by shipping lines. Modernising Infrastructure. Expanding bonded warehouse and port facilities, addressing space constraints, and investing in advanced screening technologies. Improving Banking Policies. Updating central bank regulations to facilitate smoother handling of Bills of Lading and foreign currency transactions. Stakeholder Engagement. Involving freight forwarders and other stakeholders in policy formulation to ensure practical and inclusive solutions. Conclusion: The freight forwarding sector in Bangladesh is indispensable for its trade-driven economy but faces numerous systemic challenges. Inefficiencies in customs, monopolistic practices by shipping lines, outdated regulations, and inadequate infrastructure are holding back the sector’s potential. Urgent reforms, including modernising policies, enhancing regulatory oversight, and investing in infrastructure, are essential to improve the logistics and trade environment. Collaboration between the government, regulators, and private stakeholders is critical for addressing these challenges. By implementing these changes, Bangladesh can unlock the full potential of its freight forwarding sector, boost export growth, and enhance its competitiveness as a global trade partner. A reform committee should be established immediately to drive these initiatives and ensure sustainable economic growth. Source: The Financial Express

Breaking Barriers: The Impact Of Women Artists In American ArtBefore you dive into holiday shopping, learn how to spot common scams and protect yourself. Fraudsters commonly send phishing emails and text messages impersonating delivery services or popular retailers like Amazon. These messages, which typically claim there’s an issue with processing or delivering the order, may request payment information or include malicious links. A message might say something like, “Part of your address is missing. Please click on this link to complete the address,” says Raj Dasgupta, senior director of global advisory at BioCatch, a fraud-prevention firm. If you get a similar message when you’re not expecting a package, that should raise doubts, Dasgupta says. But even if you have ordered something, don’t overlook warning signs. It’s unusual for delivery services to hold up packages or seek payment, because shipping costs are almost always charged to the shipper, not the receiver, says Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the nonprofit National Cybersecurity Alliance. Avoid clicking on links in texts or emails, and don’t share personal or payment details. To verify whether an order update is genuine, “go back to your original order on the site,” Steinhauer says. You can log in and check the order status and reach out to customer service directly if there’s a problem, he says. When shopping online, carefully scrutinize sellers and products to avoid winding up with counterfeit items — or nothing at all. Sponsored ads on social media sites and search engines aren’t always vetted enough, Steinhauer says, which means you may come across scams. Fraudsters buy Google ads for desirable products, such as exercise equipment, Dasgupta says. When people click on these ads, they might land on a “sophisticated-looking fake website” that mimics a well-known site, such as Macy’s, or on a made-up company’s page, he says. Shoppers never receive the product they’re attempting to purchase, or they get an inferior product. Ignore “sponsored” links, and read URLs closely. There will usually be “something off,” Steinhauer says, such as a slight misspelling or dashes in the website name that aren’t normally there. “The best thing is to go to the legitimate website or app that you know is the right one, and just shop there,” he says. Watch for third-party seller scams on legitimate websites, too. Some companies, such as Walmart and Target, allow outside vendors to sell merchandise through their platforms — and the reliability can vary. Reading seller reviews before you buy can help you avoid bad actors. Be wary of sellers who ask for gift cards or peer-to-peer payments. If a service like Venmo or Cash App is the only payment method accepted, that’s an immediate red flag, Dasgupta says. And if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. “Quishing” is when scammers create QR codes that link to fraudulent websites or install malware on devices. These codes may show up on parking meters, in mysterious packages delivered to your physical address or in your email inbox. For example, a scammer posing as your bank might email you a code and instruct you to update your login credentials. Email services often filter out known malicious links or domains and send them to your spam folder, Steinhauer says, but a QR code can get past these filters because it’s an image. Don’t scan codes you receive unexpectedly, and closely inspect QR codes in public places for signs of tampering.

Sarnia police are seeking the public’s help in finding any new leads for a cold case from over 20 years ago. On Dec. 28, 2001, police say a physical fight broke out behind a local bar on Christina Street. Robert (“B.J.”) Raymond was stabbed in the chest, which ultimately led to his death. The person responsible for Raymond’s death has not been identified. All unsolved cases remain open until an arrest is made and charges are laid, according to police. At the time of a murder, witnesses are often reluctant to speak to police because they fear retaliation from others. These fears can fade as time passes. Investigators continue to appeal to the public for help and any information that can assist in identifying the person or persons responsible and can help solve this violent crime. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day London Top Stories Fatal crash in Middlesex County New Year’s Eve in London’s Victoria Park Can you help solve this cold case in Sarnia? 'Let's not panic': Canada picks up the pieces after ugly Latvia loss at world juniors St. Thomas police investigating retail theft 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal Rainfall warning in effect across midwestern Ontario CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Recognize the name Jolt Cola? The 1980s soda aims to make a comeback — this time with even more caffeine Jolt Cola, the soda brand that gained attention in the 1980s for offering “all the sugar and twice the caffeine,” is heading back to stores in 2025. This time, it’s promising more than twice the original caffeine content. Looking to get rid of your Christmas tree? This farm will feed it to its goats Now that the holidays are almost over, many people may be looking to dispose of their Christmas tree. One farm in Massachusetts is letting people do just that, in a furry and eco-friendly way. 'Let's not panic': Canada picks up the pieces after ugly Latvia loss at world juniors Canada was embarrassed on home soil 3-2 by Latvia — a country it had thumped by a combined 41-4 score across four previous meetings — in a shocking shootout Friday. 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. TSB investigating airplane landing incident at Halifax airport The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says they are investigating an aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport that caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. Kitchener Cambridge industrial plant dealing with major damages after fire A fire Saturday morning has a Cambridge industrial plant dealing with major damage. Emergency crews respond to Mapleton, Ont. barn fire Mapleton, Ont. emergency crews are battling a barn fire that broke out Sunday morning. Plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Barrie Deluxe taxi goes up in flames in Barrie parking lot Some locals were quick to pull out their cellphones and capture a minivan as it went up in hot flames in a Barrie parking lot. Region under rainfall warning, fog advisory Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka, upper York Region and Grey County are under rainfall warnings and fog advisories as of Sunday morning. $47K in drugs seized, man arrested in alleged domestic assault Police in Owen Sound made one arrest and seized a ‘large’ quantity of multiple drugs after responding to an alleged domestic assault on Saturday. Windsor Crews battle two apartment fires in under two hours Windsor Fire and Rescue responded to two calls at Ouellette Avenue apartment buildings Sunday morning. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Woman with outstanding warrant arrested in Chatham One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent police officers conducted a traffic stop Saturday in Chatham. Northern Ontario Mississauga tow truck driver charged for impersonating a cop in northern Ont. A southern Ontario resident has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer during a towing incident in northwestern Ontario. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Montreal motorist dead after 5-vehicle collision in Kirkland Lake: OPP Ontario Provincial Police in Kirkland Lake, Ont., are investigating a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 that killed one person. Sault Ste. Marie Provincial police investigate fatal commercial vehicle crash in northwestern Ont. Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a fatal crash on Highway 17 between Sistonen's Corner to Upsala in northwestern Ontario. Mississauga tow truck driver charged for impersonating a cop in northern Ont. A southern Ontario resident has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer during a towing incident in northwestern Ontario. Man shot by officer after firing at police car near Thunder Bay: SIU Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is probing a shooting near Thunder Bay in which a man was shot and wounded by a police officer on Boxing Day. Ottawa 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Sundays during the NFL season With CTV broadcasting NFL football games on Sundays this season, CTV News at Six will be broadcasting live on our website and the CTV News App. Eastern Ontario farm wants your Christmas trees to feed its animals: ’They do like the fresh needles’ An animal farm in eastern Ontario wants your Christmas trees for its goats, sheep, alpacas and cattle to feed on. Toronto ‘Significant rainfall,’ and fog expected in the GTA, much of southern Ontario Sunday It’s expected to be a wet and foggy day across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Sunday, with as much as 30 mm of rain expected in some locations. Suspect charged after woman found dead at Niagara Falls home A suspect has been charged after a woman was found dead inside her Niagara Falls home. SIU investigating after Toronto cops discharge sock round, less-lethal firearm at man that resulted in serious injuries The province’s police watchdog is investigating after Toronto officers discharged sock round and less-lethal firearm at a man who had allegedly stabbed another person in the city’s Rockcliffe-Smythe area on Saturday morning. Montreal Over a dozen community groups refuse to leave Montreal centre despite eviction order More than a dozen groups have refused to vacate a community centre in Montreal's Ahuntsic neighbourhood despite an eviction order from their landlord, Quebec's largest school service centre. Earthquake near Maniwaki felt in Gatineau, Ottawa, and Montreal A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning, according to Earthquake Canada. Authorities change plan to free stranded vessel near Vercheres The Canadian Coast Guard announced on Sunday morning that a change of strategy was underway to salvage the vessel that ran aground on Christmas Eve in the St. Lawrence River, in the Verchères sector of the Montérégie region. Atlantic TSB investigating airplane landing incident at Halifax airport The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says they are investigating an aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport that caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. N.B. entrepreneur honours memory of mother with 'thank you' note legacy N.B. entrepreneur Emily Somers honours her mother with 'thank you' notes. N.S. man hospitalized after collision in Bridgewater: police A 75-year-old Lunenburg County man is in hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Bridgewater, N.S., Friday morning. Winnipeg 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Experts, province urge caution over ice conditions after man dies in Hanover The province, along with outdoor enthusiasts, are urging people to use caution near frozen bodies of water after a man died when his skid steer loader fell through the ice. Cross-country ski race returns to Windsor Park The Prairie Holiday Loppet made its long-awaited return to Winnipeg’s Windsor Park Saturday, with dozens of racers hitting the trails. Calgary 1 man hospitalized after being shot in leg near Calgary’s Drop-In Centre One man was taken to hospital after a shooting downtown Saturday night. 1 arrested after 3 stabbed in Airdrie, including 2 youth Airdrie RCMP have arrested a male in connection with multiple aggravated assaults that left three people injured. Jonathan Huberdeau scores twice as Calgary Flames beat San Jose Sharks 3-1 Jonathan Huberdeau scored twice and the Calgary Flames beat San Jose 3-1 on Saturday night, handing the Sharks their seventh straight loss. Edmonton Edmonton street photographer captures moments and people one frame at a time A local photographer who is passionate about capturing moments in one-hundredth of a second embraced many styles of his trade before landing on one which truly represents his mantra: street photography. 2 vehicles fall through ice at Sylvan Lake, promoting police warning RCMP issued a warning Saturday after two vehicles fell through the ice on Sylvan Lake. Olympic Games in 2026 on the horizon for world champion ski jumper Alex Loutitt The words "why not me" are tattooed on the back of Alexandria Loutitt's hand between her thumb and wrist. Regina Regina police charge 2 youths in city's 6th homicide of 2024 Two Regina teens are facing murder charges in connection to the death of a Regina man on Boxing Day. Regina man showcases local bead supply business Jeramy Hannah recently began selling beading supplies, after he realized the beaders in his life were struggling with a lack of local vendors, prompting him to create a business called Bead Bro. 'A great holiday memory': Echo Valley Provincial Park gets plenty of visitors at Skate the Park launch Families and groups of friends made use of the good weather as the new season of Skate the Park got underway at Echo Valley Provincial Park. Saskatoon U18 provincials curling tournament underway in PA Teams from across Saskatchewan are in Prince Albert for the U18 curling provincials. Police made two arrests following a shooting in Saskatoon A swift response from Saskatoon police led to the arrest of a man and woman following a reported shooting Friday afternoon. Saskatoon fire crews battle house fire Saskatoon firefighters responded to a house fire on the 100 block of Klassen Crescent Friday afternoon. Vancouver 2 shot during fight outside Surrey pub Two people were injured in a shooting outside of a Surrey pub in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to authorities. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. How to recycle your Christmas tree in Metro Vancouver During the first weeks of January, cities in Metro Vancouver offer several options for recycling Christmas trees, from putting them in the green bin, to curbside pick-up, to chipping fundraisers that benefit local charities. Vancouver Island Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Stay Connected

The Patriots (3-10) were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss Sunday, meaning that this week’s bye in many ways will begin the process of the coaching staff and front office evaluating the roster for 2025. The good news is that this group has shown plenty of grit this season, playing seven games that were decided by one score. The bad news is that the Patriots are just 2-5 in those games. Though New England’s bye comes late in the season, coach Jerod Mayo said the timing is perfect for a team that is feeling the effects of its shortcomings . “A much-needed bye week, not only physically for the players but also mentally, just being able to hit the reset button and come back, put some good games together and continue to build for the future,” Mayo said. “That has to be our goal.” Tight end Austin Hooper said the seed that needs to be planted over the final four games is finding a way to limit the mistakes — namely penalties and trouble finishing drives — that have hampered the offense throughout the season. “We’ve got to execute at a higher level. We can’t beat a team before you stop hurting yourself,” Hooper said. “It’s not for lack of effort, just things that happen out there that get you scars in this league.” This was the most balanced performance by the offense this season, with 222 passing yards and a season-high 200 yards rushing. It shows progress under new coordinator Alex Van Pelt, which is something to build on over the final four games. Red zone efficiency. It continues to be the most glaring deficiency for the Patriots’ offense. They were 2 of 6 on Sunday and rank 30th in the NFL, scoring a touchdown only 44.7% (17 of 38) of the time inside the 20-yard line. TE Hunter Henry. He finished with seven catches for 75 yards, which is his seventh game this season with five or more receptions. He leads the team this season with 58 catches for 610 yards and continues to be a dependable option for quarterback Drake May as he navigates his rookie season. K Joey Slye. He made 3 of his 5 field-goal attempts, including a 54-yarder in the second quarter. Most of the conversation following the game was about his NFL record-long 68-yard attempt that came up short as time expired. But because of the 1-point loss, he was lamenting the 25-yard attempt he missed wide left just before halftime. “I take full responsibility for this,” Slye said. “Every point for this team matters with how we play complementary football with offense, defense and special teams. So, whenever I am out there, I have got to score points.” Henry left the game in the first quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit. He was able to return in the second quarter and finished the game. 7 — Number of penalties called on the Patriots, costing them 88 yards. Five penalties (four accepted) were called on the offensive line. That included one for holding on Mike Onwenu that nullified a touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson in the first quarter and forced New England to settle for a field goal. The Patriots have a bye this week. They visit the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 15. AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBUFFALO — The year started with a bang. In January, Gov. Kathy Hochul named UB the home of Empire AI, a new $400 million supercomputing center that will provide UB and partners with breathtakingly powerful resources to harness artificial intelligence for the betterment of society. An avalanche of advancements – all pointing towards UB’s leadership in AI, in New York State and nationwide – followed the governor’s announcement. With interest in AI surging globally, these advancements showcase and build upon UB’s impressive half-century of expertise in AI research and education. They also hint at a brighter future, where AI’s uncanny abilities merge with human ingenuity to tackle society’s greatest challenges. “Traditionally, colleges and universities are at the epicenter of life-changing research and ideas,” said Venu Govindaraju, vice president for research and economic development. “The University at Buffalo is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and data science in fields that are critical to the state’s and nation’s future.” As 2024 comes to a close, here’s a look back at what has been a year of AI at UB. January UB researchers have been laying the groundwork for today’s boom in artificial intelligence for decades. This includes pioneering work creating the world’s first autonomous handwriting recognition system, which the U.S. Postal Service and Royal Mail adopted to save billions of dollars. Those innovations explain, in part, why Gov. Kathy Hochul chose UB to be the home of Empire AI, a consortium of public and private universities, and foundations, that will harness AI for the public good while driving economic development. “We want to make sure New York State is the capital of AI development ... but I need a home for this supercomputer that’ll power the innovation all over our state. And I’m proud to announce that the home will be right here at [UB],” Hochul said Jan. 26 at the Center for the Arts. Earlier in the month, during her State of the State address in Albany, the governor spotlighted UB student Holliday Sims for her work using AI to improve the child welfare system. February UB was chosen to join the federal government’s first-ever consortium dedicated to ensuring that AI systems are safe and trustworthy. Announced Feb. 8, the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) includes government agencies and top research universities, as well as Microsoft, Apple, Google, OpenAI and other tech companies. AISIC will create standards for AI usage that protect Americans’ privacy; advance equity and civil rights; and promote innovation and competition. Weeks later, UB was among 28 new members to join AI Alliance, an international coalition led by IBM and Meta that is dedicated to promoting open, safe and responsible AI. March On a beautiful spring day, engineering professor Chase Murray and students took to the skies at UB’s Structure for Outdoor Autonomy Research, one of the largest outdoor drone-testing labs among the nation’s colleges and universities. Murray uses AI and other technologies to optimize how autonomous vehicles work together – research that has implications in logistics, search-and-rescue, surveillance and more. Elsewhere, researchers in UB’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science kept tabs on their AI system that aims to improve indoor farming and address food insecurity. And another research group began using AI to make algae fuel production more cost-effective. The projects illustrate UB’s commitment to sustainability and social justice. April April brought Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation, to campus. The occasion? “Today, we’re here to celebrate something truly amazing: the opening of the new, $20 million, federally funded National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, and it’s going to be housed right here at UB,” said Schumer. Funded by the NSF and Department of Education, the institute will create AI systems that ensure children with speech and language disorders receive timely, effective assistance. The work, which addresses the nationwide shortage of speech-language pathologists, will help ensure that millions of children do not fall behind in their academic and socio-emotional development. May On May 31, UB hosted thought leaders from IBM, M&T Bank, Moog and other institutions for its ongoing chat series on AI and society. “Don’t be an AI user, be an AI value creator,” Dario Gil, IBM senior vice president and director of research, told attendees at the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. The event included presentations from UB researchers using AI to make advancements in medicine, medical devices, climate change, materials science, pharmaceutical science and other fields. June An electricity grid that uses AI to identify and fix problems before they cause widespread power outages? It could become reality sooner than you think due to research published June 4 and co-led by Souma Chowdhury, who studies how to apply AI to complex systems. He is among more than 200 researchers at UB using AI to address societal challenges. Also in June, more than 300 scholars from the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, one of the world’s most recognized scientific organizations dedicated to advancing AI research, gathered at UB for a multiday conference. The scholars represented more than a dozen fields – including machine learning, psychology, political science, the humanities and more. July On July 17, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and state lawmakers visited UB for a roundtable discussion on AI. The attendees learned about UB researchers using AI to identify “forever chemicals,” as well as spinoff companies working on technology to improve treatment for strokes and aneurysms. “We are pioneering AI discoveries that will drive progress in research and economic development, demonstrating UB’s commitment to leveraging technology for societal benefit,” Govindaraju said. August The start of the new semester brought record enrollment to UB’s Master of Science program focusing on AI. Launched in 2020 with five students, the number swelled to 73 students this fall, with an additional 50 expected next semester. The program’s growth “shows that we’re providing students with in-demand skills that they can use for the betterment of society,” said Kemper E. Lewis, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Graduates have taken jobs at Amazon Web Services, NVIDIA, Visa and other companies. September UB was awarded $10 million from the U.S. Department of Education to establish the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI. The center will create AI tools to ensure culturally and linguistically diverse learners in grades K-2, including those in Western New York, receive transformative early literacy instruction. “We believe that, with the right support, all students — regardless of their backgrounds — can succeed in literacy,” says project leader X. Christine Wang, a professor of learning and instruction in the Graduate School of Education. Later in the month, Rep. Tim Kennedy announced UB would receive $475,000 to equip its wind tunnel with equipment that allows it to leverage the power of AI, among other technologies. UB uses the facility to study and improve the nation’s response to hurricanes, wildfires and other extreme weather. October On Oct. 11, roughly nine months after it was announced, Empire AI went live. Gov. Kathy Hochul flipped the switch on a stack of powerful new computer servers at Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. The servers represent a fraction of the eventual power of Empire AI, which will be located at a new building on North Campus. On the same day, UB President Satish K. Tripathi delivered his annual State of the University address. “While today, only the private sector has the computing power needed to seriously advance AI research, Empire AI will put New York State at the epicenter of artificial intelligence innovation. This game-changing initiative will enable us to tap the full power of AI to solve complex issues facing our state, nation and world.” November From fake celebrity endorsements to manipulated videos of politicians, the 2024 election was rife with misleading information. Debunking much of this content was the DeepFake-o-Meter, a publicly available tool used by journalists, law enforcement and others. The tool was created by UB computer scientist Siwei Lyu and students. With AI being added to medical devices, the Food and Drug Administration wants to ensure these products meet public health standards. The agency called upon experts, including UB’s Peter Elkin, for insight at a public meeting. Elkin, professor and chair of the Department of Bioinformatics, said the FDA should allow these devices to learn and therefore improve. “AI-enabled devices are no longer just tools; now they are partners in care,” he said. Back on campus, UB hosted the latest in a series of “AI at UB” forums on Nov. 21. Organizers updated faculty and staff on how UB is implementing AI in its classrooms and labs. Presenters also discussed how AI can be a tool to foster collaboration and enhance learning outcomes. December In early December, UB officials detailed plans to create a new academic department focused on AI and its impact on society. The department aligns with the mission of UB and SUNY, both of which are committed to responsibly harnessing the power of AI for social good. Around the same time, UB computer scientist Nalini Ratha published a series of research papers focused on machine learning and encrypted data. One of the papers suggests a new technique for safeguarding personal medical data as it travels from third-party cloud service providers back to patients and their doctors. The work points to a future where medical diagnostics are quicker and more accurate, and patient medical records remain confidential.SaferWatch Elevates Executive Protection with 24/7/365 Monitoring, Live Communication, and Direct Law Enforcement Connectivity

The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Sasa Ciani and Filip Skobalj scored 15 points apiece and Tyem Freeman added five of his nine points in overtime to lead UIC over Little Rock 77-69 on Sunday. Ciani added 10 rebounds for the Flames (7-4). Skobalj made 5 of 11 from 3-point range. Javon Jackson scored 13. Jackson sank three free throws with less than a second left to force OT tied at 64. The Trojans (6-5) were led by Johnathan Lawson, who posted 25 points and eight rebounds. Isaiah Lewis added 11 points and two steals. Tuongthach Gatkek had 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Skobalj scored nine points in the first half for UIC, which trailed 32-30 at halftime. Skobalj hit a 3-pointer with 2:45 left in OT to put the Flames up 68-65 and they stayed in front from there. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Hillenbrand Declares First Quarter Dividend of $0.225 Per ShareArt Cashin, UBS' director of floor operations at the New York Stock Exchange who spent more than 60 years on Wall Street, has died aged 83. "It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Arthur Cashin, Jr., a true giant in our industry, highly regarded market pundit," Bill Carroll, head of sales and development at UBS Wealth Management USA, said in a memo to employees which was seen by Reuters on Monday. Cashin, dubbed 'Wall Street's version of Walter Cronkite' by The Washington Post, was a regular on CNBC, delivering stock market commentary and analysis to the business news channel's viewers for more than 25 years. He began his business career at Thomson McKinnon in 1959. In 1964, at age 23, he became a member of the NYSE and a partner of P.R. Herzig & Co. In 1980, Cashin joined investment bank PaineWebber and managed their floor operation. PaineWebber was acquired by UBS in 2000. At that time, the NYSE floor was the hub for the vast majority of all trading activity in the United States. Cashin was one of three senior executive floor governors and also served as a member of the Bond Club of New York. He was also part of the high-IQ society Mensa. In addition to his role at UBS, he is renowned for his daily newsletter, Cashin's Comments, which has been published for over 25 years and reaches more than 100,000 readers daily. He has also been a regular on CNBC's Art Cashin on the Markets, a segment airing several times a week, for more than two decades. "It's fair to say that over this time, Art Cashin became a household name for investors across the country, who benefited from his savvy insight on the markets, good humor and wit, while being one of UBS's strongest brand ambassadors," the memo said. Cashin was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1941, according to CNBC, which first reported on his death. CNBC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Cashin's family could not be reached for comment. REUTERS

Moore's 33 lead Norfolk State past High Point 77-74By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vance is taking on an atypical role as Senate guide for Trump nominees The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Mar-a-Lago scene is a far cry from Vance’s hardscrabble upbringing Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” Vance is making his voice heard as Trump stocks his Cabinet While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance will draw on his Senate background going forward Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Season of scams

Cable Conduit Systems Market: $7.31B in 2022, Expected to Reach $14.62B by 2031Bello also contributed eight assists for the Mastodons (8-4). Jalen Jackson scored 17 points while going 7 of 12 from the floor, including 2 for 5 from 3-point range, and 1 for 3 from the line. Corey Hadnot II had 17 points and shot 6 for 8, including 5 for 6 from beyond the arc. Jalen Terry led the Eagles (5-5) in scoring, finishing with 28 points. Jalin Billingsley added 16 points and nine rebounds for Eastern Michigan. Da'Sean Nelson had 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Purdue Fort Wayne took the lead with 18:46 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 48-34 at halftime, with Jackson racking up 14 points. Purdue Fort Wayne extended its lead to 56-34 during the second half, fueled by an 8-0 scoring run. Maximus Nelson scored a team-high 12 points in the second half as his team closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Chattanooga wins 85-63 against Alabama A&MEVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Stephen Olowoniyi scored 18 points as Southern Indiana beat Shawnee State 91-56 on Sunday. Olowoniyi also contributed five rebounds for the Screaming Eagles (5-5). Damoni Harrison scored 17 points and added five rebounds. Braxton Jones shot 4 for 11 (1 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. Donovan Lovelace led the way for the Bears with 12 points and seven rebounds. AJ Belton and Cory Gardner added nine points apiece. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .