After a long and winding journey, three-star quarterback Bekkem Kritza finally signed with Penn State. Kritza, the No. 37 quarterback in the country, committed to Penn State on Nov. 11, 2023, as one of the longest-tenured commitments in this 2025 class. As the only quarterback in Penn State’s class as of now, he visited campus 12 times over the years. The QB was Penn State’s 13th signee on signing day Wednesday. At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, Kritza hailed from Colorado when he made the commitment to Penn State, but he moved back home to Florida for his senior season and started the year at Miami Central. He lost the starting quarterback job at Miami Central and wound up transferring to Chaminade-Madonna Prep midseason, where he led an upset win over St. Thomas Aquinas in his early October debut. Despite the adversity-filled path to becoming a Lion, things have worked out for Kritza. He’ll be leading Chaminade-Madonna in the state semifinals this weekend against Trinity Christian Academy. He’s a talented thrower of the football who has struggled with accuracy at times, but coach James Franklin was excited to get Kritza officially on this recruiting class. “Once you get on campus, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way,” Franklin said Wednesday. “It’s not always going to be easy. It’ll be challenging. But you’re built for that, and it’s going to be awesome to watch you grow and thrive here under the Penn State umbrella.” All-time Penn State passing leader Sean Clifford, currently with the Green Bay Packers, welcomed Kritza to Happy Valley. “Welcome to the Penn State family,” Clifford said. “Can’t wait to see you become the next great Penn State quarterback.” Penn State signed 26 players Wednesday, including five from WPIAL schools — Imani Christian defensive lineman Dayshaun Burnett, Aliquippa running back Tikey Hayes, North Catholic offensive lineman Brady O’Hara, Latrobe linebacker Alex Tatsch and Central Catholic defensive back Xxavier Thomas. Burnett, a four-star and the No. 11 player in Pennsylvania, is expected to become an edge rusher. Franklin called Hayes, a three-star prospect and the No. 12 player in Pennsylvania, one of the more underappreciated running backs in the country. He is also the nephew of cornerbacks coach/associate head coach Terry Smith, who leads Penn State ’s recruiting efforts in the Pittsburgh area. Originally recruited as a tight end, O’Hara will enroll as an offensive lineman. He’s a three-star and the No. 15 player in Pennsylvania. Tatsch, a four-star recruit and No. 7 player in Pennsylvania, had an injury that limited him to five games this year but is expected to be a big part of the future linebacking corps. Thomas visited Penn State 17 times and never went anywhere else in the process, according to On3. He’s ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 14 player in Pennsylvania. Another notable signing was LaVar Arrington II, the son of “Linebacker U” legend LaVar Arrington. He is a four-star linebacker from Charter Oak High School (Calif.). Arrington is ranked as high as the No. 9 linebacker and the No. 127 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to 247 Sports. The elder Arrington was a two-time first-team All-American who racked up 173 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in his Penn State career. Arrington was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022. Penn State signed 23 recruits who were rated four stars or higher by 247Sports, On3, ESPN or Rivals. The class has players from 10 different states. There are 13 offensive players and 13 defensive players.After a far-right pro-Russia candidate secured a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election Monday, the eastern European NATO member is bracing for a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Sunday, amid fears it could bring about a strategic shift in the country. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia.IISD recommends localisation of key battery parts to leverage India’s advantages
Republican Says Trump Is Warning GOP: Don't Get on 'Naughty List'Players Era Festival organizers betting big NIL is future of college tourneysRumors circulated on social media of students coming home sick after finding bugs in their spaghetti. However, District 149 Superintendent Maureen White said Thursday she received no reports of children falling ill and the single mealworm found on the table did not come from the kitchen. “There was absolutely no mealworm in the food or in the food supply, and not even where the food is prepared,” White said. “It was a hoax.” White said students told her the mealworm was brought to the table as part of a social media challenge. However, she said the district took “precautionary measures” to sanitize the cabinets where food trays are stored and clean tables more frequently. “We’re just doing an extra clean to assure that there are no bugs of any kind getting on the table,” White said.
NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide reported having issues with services like Outlook and Teams on Monday. In social media posts and comments on platforms like outage tracker Downdetector, some impacted said that they were having trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint. Microsoft acknowledged “an issue impacting users attempting to access Exchange Online or functionality within Microsoft Teams calendar” earlier in the day. In updates posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the company’s status page said it identified a “recent change” that it believed to be behind the problem — and was working to revert it. Microsoft shared that it was deploying a fix — which, as of shortly before noon E.T., it said had reached about 98% of “affected environments.” Still, the company’s status page later added , targeted restarts were “progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users.” As of midday Monday, Downdetector showed thousands of outage reports from users of Microsoft 365 , particularly Outlook .LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin needs hip surgery and will be out four to six months, jeopardizing the season for the 32-year-old now dealing with the second major hip injury of his career. Seguin will have a procedure to repair an impingement and the labrum in his left hip, the team said Wednesday. The surgery is planned for Thursday. “Tyler’s been dealing with this, been managing, I guess is the best way to say it, for a while,” general manager Jim Nill said. “And it just got to a point where it’s really this time to have surgery, and it’s a wear-and-tear injury.” The six-time All-Star missed all but three games of the 2020-21 season following a similar surgery on his right hip. Seguin also underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during that absence. Seguin tried to play through hip pain during the playoff bubble in Canada in 2020, when the Stars reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Tampa Bay. He played 19 of the first 23 games this season and is third on the team with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists). The Stars put Seguin on injured reserve after a 3-1 victory over Winnipeg on Sunday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Colorado is gearing up for the rugged Big 12 schedule, but first the Buffaloes wrap up their nonconference slate with two more games, starting Friday night when they host South Dakota State in Boulder, Colo. Colorado (7-2) has won two straight after competing in the Maui Invitational, most recently a 72-55 win over in-state rival Colorado State. Now the focus turns to South Dakota State and shoring up issues before conference play. "Defensively, we're understanding what our jobs are. Now, we're not where we need to be for sure," coach Tad Boyle said. "But we're making strides in that area. And I think the guys are getting used to playing with each other, understanding each other." The Buffaloes lost a lot of talent from last year's NCAA Tournament team but boast some quality players. Andrej Jakimovski (13.0 points per game), Julian Hammond III (12.3 ppg) and Elijah Moore (12.0 ppg) lead the team in scoring. Sophomore big man Bangot Dak has shown he can be a force after scoring a career-high 16 points in the win over Colorado State. The Jackrabbits (8-4) are coming off a 77-63 loss at Nevada on Wednesday night and complete a two-game trip in Boulder. South Dakota State is led by senior center Oscar Cluff, who tops the team in scoring (17.3 points) and rebounding (11.0) but had a subpar night against Nevada when he scored a season-low six points while battling an ankle injury. "I wish he was feeling a little better," coach Eric Henderson said of Cluff. "He's going to be fine, but he's still nursing that ankle a little bit." Freshman Joe Sayler is second on the team in scoring at 12.8 ppg and has reached double figures in each of the last three games. Sophomore Kalen Garry is third on the Jackrabbits in scoring at 9.6 per contest, an average that has been hurt by his last three games when he has averaged just 5.3 points. --Field Level Media
It's the holiday shopping season, which likely means more use of your credit card. And with each swipe, a transaction fee follows. The fee is often paid by the retailer and may be passed onto the customer. A group of lawmakers are taking aim at lowering the rate of those transaction fees. Retailers currently pay around 2-3% on every transaction, totaling $224 billion in 2023, according to industry analysts CMSPI . Visa and Mastercard, two payment networks that dominate the market, argue the fees pay for a valued service for quick and secure transactions. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, says it's a problem that permeates every business accepting cards. "Visa and Mastercard don't bargain their charge on every single bill. They dictate how much they're going to charge," Durbin said. Durbin, who is pushing the Credit Card Competition Act, is advocating for more competition in the credit card market to help businesses play a hand in negotiating fees. "When you reduce the cost for retailers, whether they're restaurants or shops, they end up passing it along, and reduce prices for customers," Durbin said. But payment groups argue that there are already many payment options available that drive competition. "There's cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, credit card, debit card, the list goes on and on," Richard Hunt of the Electronic Payment Coalition said. "Millions of Americans use their credit card many times throughout the day. It is safe and it is secure and is very valuable to make ends meet." Hunt says the costs pay for services, protecting businesses and customers alike from fraud and stolen information. He says taking away the service could jeopardize not only private information but also take away benefits that customers rely on, like reward points or cash back. "[Customers] use that money to pay for groceries and gasoline prices and to buy gifts during the holidays. This move by Congress would jeopardize those reward points," Hunt said. But Sen. Durbin believes that increased competition will not harm rewards programs, which he says are a key factor in attracting customers to apply for credit cards in the first place. Earlier this year, Visa and Mastercard settled a lawsuit over the fees, resulting in lower costs over the next few years and allowing smaller merchants to collectively bargain for better rates. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week, both Republicans and Democrats questioned Visa and Mastercard's profit margins, which hover around 50 percent and are fueled in part by fees. Lawmakers argued that such high profit margins should not exist amid record-high credit card debt. Representatives for Visa and Mastercard defended the fees, stating they provide security from fraud, drive innovative payment technologies, and offer lifelines for customers, especially those who are low-income, relying on points and benefits. Sen. Durbin admits the bill is unlikely to pass in the current lame-duck session of Congress but notes there has been bipartisan interest in the proposal.
NoneFormer Trump attorney lashes out at 'lawfare' after court appearance in Wisconsin fake electors case
After a far-right pro-Russia candidate secured a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election Monday, the eastern European NATO member is bracing for a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Sunday, amid fears it could bring about a strategic shift in the country. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia. His victory ahead of centre-right mayor Elena Lasconi -- who scored 19.18 percent -- ended the hopes of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to compete for the presidency in the December runoff. After coming third at 19.15, Ciolacu said his Social Democratic Party (PSD) won't challenge the narrow result, and announced his resignation as party leader. Experts say the far right's surprise success could affect the parliamentary elections later this week, and even influence the chances of forming a future government. In the runoff ballot on December 8, Lasconi will face Georgescu, a NATO critic who in the past expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgescu's popularity surged ahead of the vote with a viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, which shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Romania. In a first reaction on his YouTube channel, the 62-year-old independent candidate insisted "there is no East or West", stressing that neutrality was "absolutely necessary". "I am not an extremist, I am not a fascist -- I am a Romanian who loves his country," he said in reference to media reports that "tried to portray" him in a wrongful way. For his rival Lasconi, the upcoming runoff represents "an existential battle", "a historic confrontation" between those who wish to "preserve Romania's young democracy" and those who want to "return to the Russian sphere of influence". "We must not allow anger to throw us back into the past," she said to thunderous applause from her supporters, vowing to stand up for Europe and NATO. The political earthquake comes amid soaring inflation and mounting fears of Romania being potentially dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, as the country has emerged as a key player on the alliance's eastern flank. In Sunday's vote, another far-right contender, AUR party leader George Simion, secured nearly 14 percent. Already pounding the campaign trail for this week's parliamentary elections, Simion said Romania now has "the chance to have a sovereign government and a sovereign president". Overall, the far right won more than a third of all votes in Sunday's presidential ballot. "The far right is by far the big winner of this election," political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP, predicting a possible "contagion effect" in the parliamentary vote. Extremist forces and Lasconi's centre-right party now have "wind in their sails", sociologist Gelu Duminica said, though "it remains to be seen if they know how to capitalise" on it. The PSD, which has shaped the country's politics for more than three decades, has never before been eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. The National Liberal Party (PNL) party, with whom the PSD currently governs, also suffered a defeat. While many expressed their disbelief over the poll in the streets of the capital Bucharest, others were enthused. Maria Chis, 70, said she was surprised by Georgescu's lead in the first round but had been impressed after watching his TikTok videos. "He seems a man of integrity, serious and patriotic. He inspires seriousness. I think only someone like him can bring change," said the pensioner, who was planning to vote for him in the second round. Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy. "There is sorrow, disappointment, that after so many years in Euro-Atlantic structures we voted for a pro-Russian by over 20 percent," the 42-year-old said. "There is clearly a strong fragmentation both in society and in the political class, and I think we saw that yesterday," he said. ani-anb-kym/sbk
Foreign ministers meet in Italy for the last G7 of the Biden administrationNorth Carolina Republican lawmakers voted to override a gubernatorial veto of a bill that strips the state's incoming Democratic officials of key powers. The GOP-led state House of Representatives on Wednesday voted along party lines to override outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of legislation that is ostensibly geared towards hurricane relief, but also weakens the authority of statewide offices Democrats won in last month's election, including governor and attorney general. The Republican-controlled state Senate voted to override Cooper's veto last week, meaning the bill will now go into effect, though legal challenges are expected. Democrats have slammed it as a power grab as the GOP is on track to lose its legislative supermajority following the 2024 elections. The measure notably shifts the authority to appoint members to North Carolina's election board from the governor's office, which will be held by Democrat Josh Stein next year, to the auditor's office, which will be held by Republican Dave Boliek after he defeated incumbent Democrat Jessica Holmes. Republicans in North Carolina's legislature have sought for years to gain control of the board, which oversees elections in the battleground state, but have had their efforts thwarted by the courts. Democrats currently hold a 3-2 advantage on the board. Three state House Republicans from western North Carolina who voted against the bill originally supported the veto override on Wednesday, giving the party the three-fifths support in the chamber necessary to overrule Cooper. One of those Republicans, state Rep. Mark Pless, said in an interview before Wednesday's vote that he was disappointed the bill didn’t contain enough funding to help his constituents rebuild their communities after Hurricane Helene. "I want my people taken care of in the mountains," he told NBC News ahead of the vote. Of the bill, he said, "I just don't think it does what we were told it would do." The 131-page bill moves $227 million into a hurricane relief fund while advancing a spate of other Republican priorities, including shortening the amount of time for voters to fix ballot errors and requiring counties to count ballots more rapidly. The legislation will also prohibit the state attorney general from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Legislature. That will prevent incoming Democratic Attorney General Jeff from refusing to defend laws the Legislature has passed, as Stein did with the state’s abortion law last year while holding the position. The measure was written behind closed doors, introduced as a committee substitute that barred edits in committee, and passed through both Republican-controlled legislative chambers over just two days in November. "The bill, to be clear, is a power grab, not disaster relief," Stein said at a Democratic Governors Association meeting last weekend in California. "It’s petty and wrong headed." In a statement, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison called the move "wrong, disgusting, and emblematic of the Republican Party — desperate attempts to consolidate power at all costs instead of trying to better North Carolinians’ lives."
Celebrated 2012 Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel believes that Texas must find innovative ways to incorporate Arch Manning into their offense to have success. The former SEC Freshman of the Year's comments come after the Longhorns 22-19 overtime loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has consistently backed junior starter Quinn Ewers , stressing his approach of supporting Ewers as the program's starter as long as he stays healthy. Ewers had a strong statistical last season, ranking 15th nationally in QBR [78.7], second in the Big 12 in passing yards [3,479], and fourth in conference touchdowns. This season, Ewers has been criticized for his inconsistent performances. Combined with Manning's potential , Sarkisian has faced mounting pressure from fans, media, and even former players to explore new offensive options. Texas told to play Arch Manning over Quinn Ewers or forget about national championship Steve Sarkisian questioned over Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning call in Longhorns' SEC loss Manziel shared his view on the BBOC Podcast. "I think they're gonna have to continue to find ways to work [Manning] into the offense a little bit. I don't know if they’re gonna regret it, but they definitely have a good quarterback on their bench, and they’re definitely being loyal to Quinn Ewers," said Manziel. Ewers struggled in the SEC Championship , completing 27 of 46 passes for 358 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Manning shined earlier in the season when Ewers was sidelined by an ankle injury, leading Texas to dominant wins over UL Monroe and Mississippi State. Manning threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns in a 51-3 blowout of the Warhawks and followed up with a 325-yard, three-touchdown performance , including 66 rushing yards and a TD with his feet in a 35-13 victory over the Bulldogs. As questions emerged on if the program would ride the hot hand, Ewers returned in a rusty showing against Oklahoma, where he threw for 199 yards, his second-lowest total of the season. Ewers followed it up with his performance against Georgia, which marked the Longhorns' first loss of the season. With Ewers at the helm, the Longhorns lost both games to the Bulldogs this season. His production on the field fueled the online conversation about fans' frustrations and advocacy for change. One fan wrote: "Sark needs to make the change. Texas's defense is elite. The offense is only as good as Quinn's play. His play is too erratic. He is a good quarterback, but he's not elite. He isn't fast enough, and he lacks arm strength. I think Sark and Texas need to go in a different direction at this point." Others shared the opinion and a fear of losing Manning: “I thought Sarkisian may start Manning after halftime but he just stayed with Ewers right to the bottom of the lake... pitiful. Texas was my pick for national champ several weeks ago, but Sarkisian obviously does NOT want a national championship." "Ewers will likely stay another year now since his draft stock has dropped drastically due to his subpar play, and Manning will transfer OUT. If this happens, I sincerely HOPE Manning beats Ewers NEXT YEAR." Texas now prepares to face No. 12 Clemson in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 21. The Tigers are fresh off a hard-fought 34-31 win over No. 8 SMU as both teams look to move one step closer to a National title. Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.Is Outlook down? Thousands of Microsoft 365 users report outage issuesNAHANT — This year, the Police Department will be going the extra mile to ensure there’s a toy under the tree for those in need, even if that means using a massive Humvee to make their yearly collections. In order to accommodate the increasing popularity of the event, the Police Department will be utilizing the Emergency Management Department’s heavy-duty transportation vehicle. This new decision was prompted by the overwhelming communal response to the toy drive in previous years. For example, in 2022, one of the cruisers was stuffed so full of toys that it had to be emptied out multiple times before it could make more collections. The following year, two additional cruisers had to be used. Gifts for children will be collected in the Humvee, which will be parked in front of the police station until Dec. 15. The Police Department requested that the gifts be new, unwrapped, and appropriate for ages 5 to 13. A few suggestions for gifts are Lego sets, board games, sketchbooks and sporting goods. Donations collected during the event will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Lynn, which serves more than 1,500 youth ages 5 to 18 within the surrounding communities, the press release added. “Nahant is a small town with a big heart, but we have been blown away by the incredible outpouring of support these last two years,” Chief Timothy Furlong said. “We feel that a great number of children in the area will have gifts to open during the holiday. We thank our residents for their generosity.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.
BELLVILLE — DJ Sanders doesn’t like attention. But as the Bellville senior stood in front of a packed gym on Wednesday morning to sign to play college football during the early signing period, all eyes were on the 6-foot-3, 315-pound defensive lineman. Interview after interview, phone call and texts after another, Sanders maintained himself. He’s been that way through the entire recruiting process, Bellville head coach Grady Rowe told the crowd. “If you know DJ Sanders, you know what I mean,” Rowe said to a student body of 741 in a town with a population of 4,200. Ultimately, Sanders signed with Texas A&M on Wednesday. The four-star prospect has been committed to the Aggies since August. He’s A&M’s highest-rated defensive lineman in the Aggies’ 24-member 2025 class, which is ranked eighth nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings. A late push to flip his pledge came from rival Texas, though. The Longhorns stayed on him all the way up until Wednesday morning when he got a call from a staff member in Austin. Sanders told the Texas coach he was going to stick with A&M because he’s a man of his word. Sanders admits it was hard to keep, but he stayed strong. A&M announced he had signed at 8:30 a.m. “My family, they always say be true to your word,” Sanders said, “so I had to stand by that.” A&M head coach Mike Elko said Wednesday that Sanders was a player who was heavily sought after during the recruiting process as Sanders held more than 20 offers. Elko and his staff were excited when Sanders put pen to paper on Wednesday. “We had a lot of kids in this class who committed to us early that we set out to get early, DJ certainly is one of them, that a lot of schools never stopped [recruiting],” Elko said. “I think as the process goes on, it becomes a money grab. You see people throwing more and more and more to try to get kids to try and change their mind. We want kids that are about value. We want kids that are about a little bit more than that. “I think it validates when all of those kids sign with us that we picked the right character kids, the right character families. You have a group of kids that are committed to coming here to play at Texas A&M to win championships, to go to the NFL. I think finding kids that that is the main focus in this day-and-age with all of this is really critical and I think we were able to do that.” The biggest kid in the room Sanders has always been a big kid. After all, he was born 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Howard Bryan, Sanders’ maternal grandfather, coached DJ and his younger brother, DD Murray, who signed to play running back at Arkansas State on Wednesday, for youth football and basketball. “If it’s a dream, we don’t want to wake up,” Bryant said. “It’s been wonderful. It means a lot, something we talked about with the boys when they were like 8 years old.” Rowe first noticed Sanders had special talent when he watched him dribble a basketball in elementary school. Sanders hit a growth spurt in middle school. His mother, Connie Sanders-Franklin, said she was surprised how big and tall Sanders got. When Sanders reached high school, Rowe spoke with his family and had a simple message: Get ready. It’s going to get crazy. Soon after in a scrimmage, Bellville was missing a defensive end. Rowe called up Sanders. When Sanders beat a Navasota offensive tackle like there was nobody there, Rowe turned to his coaches and told them, “Boys, we got one.” Bellville’s field is nicknamed “The Pasture of Pain.” Sanders made it painful place for his opponents to play. As a four-year letter winner, he had over 300 tackles, 42.5 tackles for loss and 36.5 sacks. Bellville won four straight district titles and made a Class 4A Division II state championship game appearance in 2023. It was during Sanders’ sophomore year of high school that Bryant realized his grandson was becoming a special talent. He noticed the way Sanders loved the game. “He loved being around it and that’s what he wanted to do," Bryant said. A hectic process Although Rowe anticipated Sanders’ recruitment would get crazy, he said nobody in Sanders’ circle was aware how crazy it would actually get, right down to the wire. Rowe recalled how from the beginning though, Sanders was clear on one thing: When he committed, that was the school he was going to attend. When A&M hired Elko last November, the Aggies’ new head coach showed up to Bellville during his first week on the job and made it clear that Sanders was a priority target. Over the coming months, Sanders built relationships with A&M’s defensive line coaches — Tony Jerod-Eddie and Sean Spencer — that were different from other coaches. Sanders-Franklin said A&M was the school her son visited the most throughout the process. Bryant was there for every one of them. Sanders took an official visit to A&M in June. Mom shared advice along the way. “Don’t go where the money takes you,” Sanders-Franklin said. “Go where you’re happy, where you’ll have fun and enjoy college years. That’s what I really instilled in him." When Sanders announced his commitment on Aug. 7, he texted Sanders-Franklin early in the day that he had made a decision. She immediately went home and asked him if he was sure he wanted to do this. He did. A simple announcement came via social media at around 10 p.m. that night. “A guy that didn’t want to be live-streamed when he committed and just didn’t want all the attention on him is rare,” Rowe said. “It’s special. He had college coaches not knowing what was going on, and then you throw in the media that goes along with it, at times it was kind of fun because they couldn’t figure anything out and I would tell them, ‘Hey, there’s nothing to figure out. This is DJ.’” The battle was far from over, though. Schools sought Sanders for the next four months up until Wednesday. “They didn’t back off until the very end,” Sanders-Franklin. “They kept it going. They didn’t give up.” But Sanders never wavered. “Up until the last minute,” Rowe said, “he stuck to his guns when there were reasons possibly not to.” A hard-working family man During A&M’s in-house signing day show, Jerod-Eddie said Sanders is built like a brahma bull, but is light on his feet like a ballerina. He added that Sanders moves with grace and has versatility. “This guy’s got tremendous upside,” Spencer added. “Humble kid, great family. Mrs. Connie, Mr. Howard, it’s just a great family and really built for the Aggies.” Sanders projects to play defensive tackle at A&M. He said he likes the way Elko and the Aggie defensive coaches move players around the line. “He’s going to be a guy that’s going to line up, next play, go, then go to the next play and he’s going to give them all he has, but you’re not going to see a whole bunch of me, me, me stuff,” Rowe said. Nothing comes before family to Sanders’ kin. Sanders-Franklin was born and raised in Bellville. Her family lives all over the place, but she stayed in Bellville because of her boys. They wanted to grow up and play football there. More than a dozen of them gathered inside the Bellville High School gym on Wednesday to not only celebrate Sanders, but Murray as well. After dozens of pictures were taken with family, friends, coaches and classmates, Sanders shared he was excited to be done with the process. Sanders-Franklin said she thought her son made the right decision for himself. Sanders described himself as a leader and faithful. He stayed faithful to the Aggies on Wednesday. Not doing so would have brought attention upon himself. And that’s not DJ Sanders. “Let his word be his word,” Bryant said. “That’s what he promised and that’s what he did.”Pep Guardiola admits the buck stops with him as Manchester City bid to arrest their dramatic slump in form. The champions crashed to a fifth straight defeat in all competitions – something not experienced by the club in more than 18 years – as they were thrashed 4-0 by Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The loss, which was also a third in succession in the Premier League and shattered a 52-game unbeaten home run, damaged the club’s hopes of winning an unprecedented fifth title in a row. It is the worst run of Guardiola’s glittering managerial career and the City boss, who extended his contract until 2027 last week, is determined to turn the situation around. The Catalan said: “When we start to lose I say to the people I have to find a way, I have to. It’s my duty, my responsibility, to find a way to be more consistent, that our game will be better and win games. “This is what we have to do.” City have been hampered by injuries to key players in recent weeks, particularly by the absence of Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the season. Problems have emerged at both ends of the field with a lack of clean sheets – just five in 19 outings this term – and a shortage of goals being scored on occasions, like Saturday, when the prolific Erling Haaland has an off-day. Guardiola said: “We don’t expect to lose important players but it’s happened and you have to find a way. We have to find other abilities. “I don’t think we didn’t create enough chances. We created a lot of chances, clear ones at 0-0, 0-1, 0-2. “Of course we want a lot of players to score but it’s happened now. “I know at the Etihad when we are there and we score goals our momentum is there, but now we are not solid enough. That is the truth. “In both sides normally we are solid but we concede the goals. Now in both sides we are not good enough. “In these situations, what do you have do to? Keep going my friends, keep going. “We have done it in the past – not in terms of results being as bad as now – but we have done it and we face the situation and move forward.”For “Hysteria!” actresses Anna Camp and Julie Bowen, horror is harder than comedy. “Horror is really hard actually because there is a fine line you have to walk; you have to make it feel grounded and you’re put in these extreme circumstances: You’re being possessed or pulled through the air, there’s nothing you can do to relate to that,” explained Camp of “Pitch Perfect” fame. “With comedy, you can have a relatable situation and go, ‘I’ve been in situations like that.’ There’s nothing you can compare (horror) to, so you have to use your imagination. I find it harder. Your imagination goes home with you at the end of the day. You’re still thinking crazy thoughts.” Bowen, best known for playing Claire Dunphy on “Modern Family,” agreed. “Comedy’s pretty binary because it’s like either you can make people laugh or you don’t. I can’t watch horror. I’m terrified, terrified! I am the easiest scare in the world, so as far as doing (horror), I want to make it as real as possible. It was hard because I had to be really, really crazy. There were times when I’d get back to my hotel room at 3 a.m., I didn’t want to be alone in my head,” said Bowen, laughing. Camp, Bowen, Royal Oak native Bruce Campbell (“Evil Dead”), showrunner David A. Goodman (“Futurama”), and Ypsilanti native/creator Matthew Scott Kane (“American Horror Story”) were promoting “Hysteria!” at the New York Comic Con in October. The horror series is streaming on Peacock. Set in the fictional Michigan town of Happy Hollow, the first episode of “Hysteria” begins with a popular quarterback’s disappearance and a pentagram is discovered on a garage door. As a result, rumors of the occult and satanic influence run rampant through the town. A trio of outcasts in a heavy metal band called Dethkrunch exploit this by rebranding themselves as a satanic metal band, which leads to them becoming the targets of the town’s witch hunt. “Something on my mind a lot in 2019 was we’re living in this post-factual age with social media. It seemed like decades and decades ago, you could trust the news. Now everything is in question. When lies end up getting disseminated as truth, that starts to warp people’s version of reality. Suddenly, they’re living in a world other people are not. That was going on in the world I was living in and I very quickly connected it to the 1980s satanic panic. It’s not really that different because people were saying Ozzy Osbourne, Jason Voorhees (of ‘Friday the 13th’), and the Smurfs were going to turn your kids into satanists and kill you in your sleep. That didn’t happen. It wasn’t true, but so many people got worked up into such a fervor over it, bad things happened. ... It was smoke without fire,” Kane said. “Disinformation is not new,” Campbell said. “Disinformation will tear a town apart.” Campbell portrays Happy Hollow Police Chief Ben Dandridge. “This guy’s a reasonable cop; he’s a rational person who doesn’t treat the teenagers like they’re idiots. It’s all very refreshing,” he said. “I want to play that guy again. I want cops to be that guy. I’m playing the cop (that) cops need to be. That’s my whole motivation for playing this guy: How would you like cops to be, especially the guy in charge, the chief of police? They’re lucky to have Chief Dandridge.” “It was truly an exciting moment when Bruce signed on,” Goodman said. By the end of the first episode, a supernatural phenomenon happens to Linda Campbell, played by Bowen. “Linda seems like one thing, then you realize she’s bananas. She’s either bananas or she’s possessed. Either way, it’s a complicated thing to play,” Bowen said. “With Julie, you can have your cake and eat it too,” Kane said. “She’s this fun, quirky mom. ... As the episode goes on, she’s pulled deeper into this thing and crazy stuff starts happening. That final act of the first episode was my favorite moment with her because this announced that this is not Claire Dunphy. We’re not doing that again; we’re pushing her as a performer. “Julie was so excited about doing stunts. She told us on many occasions she’s very sturdy and can take it. The same goes for Bruce and for Anna. We didn’t ask anyone to give us a flavor of the thing they did before. We cast people we loved so much (in their famous projects) that we wanted to give them the opportunity to do the exact opposite.” Added Bowen: “I got this script and was like, ‘Oh great. She’s a mom. How fun.’ I love moms. I’m a mom, but I felt this was not worth flying out of town to Georgia and being away from my kids. Then I got to the end of the pilot and was like, ‘She’s crazy!’ Is she possessed? There’s a lot more questions. It’s fun to just stretch again and do things I haven’t done in a while, which I found really exciting.” Kane said he felt lucky Bowen signed on at the beginning. “She was the first adult actor to sign on. That gave us such credibility to have a two-time Emmy-winning actor leading this show. Suddenly, it goes from this script from a relatively unknown writer into the new Julie Bowen show,” he said. It was the quality of the writing that attracted Camp, Bowen and Campbell to “Hysteria!” “I loved the script; it was incredibly well-written. It was immersed in the time period. It was such a good coming-of-age story, too — the feeling of being in high school again, being in the 1980s,” Camp said. “I talked to Matt who said my character (Tracy) was incredibly pivotal to the series and we’ll learn about why she is the way she is. So I was like, ‘I’d love to do this!’” For Campbell, the writing is everything. “A lot of times, I’ll get a script that could make the words interchangeable with every other character because the writing is very bland and just doesn’t have the detail you need. This was different. Every character was pretty distinct and pretty well-drawn,” he said. “It’s quality. It’s not a (expletive) show. It’s a real show that’s playing around with interesting themes. A lot of it is still relevant to this day.” “Hysteria!” has other Michigan connections, including University of Michigan alumnus Jonathan Goldstein (“Spider-Man: Homecoming”) and Dondero High School alumnus Jordan Vogt-Roberts (“Kong: Skull Island”), who both serve as executive producers. Kane explained why he set “Hysteria!” in Michigan. “You write what you know. I grew up in Ypsilanti, so that had a lot to do with it. More importantly, when you’re in a small town in the Midwest — somewhere like Michigan — these things don’t ever happen and word spreads fast and paranoia spreads quickly and (everything’s) blown out of proportion and takes up a lot of people’s minds,” he said. “Whether or not something is real doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if there are people willing to believe it does and willing it into the world. What does it matter if it’s objectively real or living rent-free in someone’s head?”
Arclin unveils striking new brand that stands out in the material science industry with exacting precision and a bold new lookThe judge on Tuesday ordered WordPress owner Automattic to reverse its actions against WP Engine. The battle between WordPress owner Automattic and WP Engine seemingly struck US federal Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin as rather one-sided, as she ruled against Automattic on Tuesday and granted WP Engine the preliminary injunction it sought. “Judge Martinez-Olguin’s ruling clearly explains why [Automattic founder] Matt Mullenweg’s campaign against WP Engine has been so misguided,” said IDC research manager Michele Rosen. “By going to war with one vendor that is engaging in a common business practice, Mullenweg caused irreparable damage to the WordPress ecosystem.” The ruling Martinez-Olguin ordered Automattic to reverse many of its actions against WP Engine, and gave Automattic 72 hours to: Remove a list of exiting WP Engine customers that Automattic was publicizing to show how many of WP Engine’s customers were leaving. “Restore WP Engine’s and Related Entities’ access to wordpress.org as it existed as of September 20, 2024, including: reactivating and restoring all WP Engine employee login credentials to wordpress.org resources (including login credentials to login.wordpress.org) as they existed as of September 20, 2024.” Disable “any technological blocking of WP Engine’s and Related Entities’ access to wordpress.org that occurred on or around September 25, 2024, including IP address blocking or other blocking mechanisms” “Restore WP Engine’s and Related Entities’ access to wordpress.org in the manner that such access existed as of September 20, 2024, including: functionality and development resources; data resources (WordPress Plugin, Theme, and Block Directories, repositories, listings, and other password-protected resources within wordpress.org); security resources (login.wordpress.org); support resources (trac.wordpress.org and slack.wordpress.org); removing the checkbox at login.wordpress.org that Defendants added on or about October 8, 2024 asking users to confirm that they are ‘not affiliated with WP Engine in any way, financially or otherwise.’” Return and restore “WP Engine’s “access to and control of its Advanced Custom Fields (“ACF”) plugin directory.” The judge further ordered Automattic to: Stop “blocking, disabling, or interfering with WP Engine’s and/or its employees’, users’, customers’, or partners’ access to wordpress.org.” Stop “interfering with WP Engine’s control over, or access to, plugins or extensions hosted on wordpress.org that were developed, published, or maintained by WP Engine, including those that had been published, developed, or maintained by WP Engine as of September 20, 2024.” No longer interfere with “WP Engine’s and Related Entities’ WordPress installations (i.e., websites built with WordPress software) by using auto-migrate or auto-update commands to delete, overwrite, disable, or modify any WP Engine plugin without the express request by or consent of WP Engine and/or its users, customers, or partners.” However, she added, “The above does not preclude wordpress.org’s ability to ensure the security and operability of its site consistent with procedures and policies in place as of September 20, 2024.” In her detailed decision, Martinez-Olguin reviewed every claim that WP Engine made against Automattic, and found for WP Engine in just about every instance, arguing that WP Engine “is likely to succeed on the merits.” For example, Automattic had argued that there were no contracts between WP Engine and key customers. Although Automattic representatives “press WP Engine to identify specific contracts, there is no credible argument that contracts do not exist between WP Engine and its customers,” Martinez-Olguin wrote. “At a minimum, by seeking to entice WP Engine customers to move away from the company ... defendants at least acknowledge that WP Engine has existing contracts with the customers Defendants are targeting.” Additionally, she said, Automattic’s argument “that the interference WP Engine alleges consists of acts they had a right to take fares no better. They insist that Mullenweg was under no obligation to provide WP Engine access to some or all of the sources on the Website and that he had a right, under the Website’s developer guidelines, to fork the ACF plugin as he did, including to address outstanding issues. “Mullenweg’s statement that he had the right to disable WP Engine’s account access and to make changes to the ACF plugin for the sake of public safety is belied by the declarations of WP Engine’s executives stating that the claimed vulnerability was minor, patched well before the fix-it window set by industry standard, and showing that Defendants tried to pass off the rating and reviews for the ACF plugin as those for their new purportedly forked SCF plugin.” WP Engine ‘wins a battle but everyone continues to lose the war’ Automattic responded with a statement saying that the ruling “is a preliminary order designed to maintain the status quo. It was made without the benefit of discovery, our motion to dismiss, or the counterclaims we will be filing against WP Engine shortly. We look forward to prevailing at trial as we continue to protect the open source ecosystem during full-fact discovery and a full review of the merits.” WP Engine also shared a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “We are grateful that the court has granted our motion for a preliminary injunction that restores access to and functionality of wordpressdotorg for WP Engine, its customers, and its users. This ruling provides much-needed stability for the WordPress ecosystem. We deeply appreciate our customers for their continued trust and support. We remain committed to serving them and their sites with the performance, availability, and integrity they deserve, while collaborating to ensure a vigorous, thriving and stable WordPress community.” The case has concerned many in the open source community, as the acrimonious war of actions and words between Automattic and WP Engine scared various open source companies, along with enterprise CIOs , who worry that these companies might become too toxic and they might need to keep their distance. One open source executive read the judge’s decision and said he was concerned that the ruling might have come too late to halt the damage done to the open source community. “WP Engine wins a battle, but everyone continues to lose the war. WP Engine has had (about a) 15% increase in cancellations in the last few months, and 159 WordPress employees have quit. No doubt these distractions will negatively impact the innovation and evolution of the WordPress solution for months, if not years to come. It’s not hyperbole to say 40% of the internet is and will be losing in some way,” said Michael Sonier, general manager at ButterCMS. “As a 20-year-old technology, WP remained ubiquitous because of its ecosystem, but now it’s turned on its own. Hard not to see this accelerating the adoption of technologies that are 20 years younger,” he noted. “More broadly, it sets back the open source movement, which was always about community, collaboration, and contribution. Now it’s going to be associated with potential legal battles, finger pointing, and volatility.”After a far-right pro-Russia candidate secured a surprise lead in Romania's presidential election Monday, the eastern European NATO member is bracing for a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Sunday, amid fears it could bring about a strategic shift in the country. Calin Georgescu was in pole position with almost 23 percent after the first round of voting, a political earthquake in the country of 19 million people that has so far resisted nationalist appeals that have gained traction in Hungary and Slovakia. His victory ahead of centre-right mayor Elena Lasconi -- who scored 19.18 percent -- ended the hopes of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to compete for the presidency in the December runoff. After coming third at 19.15, Ciolacu said his Social Democratic Party (PSD) won't challenge the narrow result, and announced his resignation as party leader. Experts say the far right's surprise success could affect the parliamentary elections later this week, and even influence the chances of forming a future government. In the runoff ballot on December 8, Lasconi will face Georgescu, a NATO critic who in the past expressed his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Georgescu's popularity surged ahead of the vote with a viral TikTok campaign calling for an end to aid for Ukraine, which shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Romania. In a first reaction on his YouTube channel, the 62-year-old independent candidate insisted "there is no East or West", stressing that neutrality was "absolutely necessary". "I am not an extremist, I am not a fascist -- I am a Romanian who loves his country," he said in reference to media reports that "tried to portray" him in a wrongful way. For his rival Lasconi, the upcoming runoff represents "an existential battle", "a historic confrontation" between those who wish to "preserve Romania's young democracy" and those who want to "return to the Russian sphere of influence". "We must not allow anger to throw us back into the past," she said to thunderous applause from her supporters, vowing to stand up for Europe and NATO. The political earthquake comes amid soaring inflation and mounting fears of Romania being potentially dragged into Russia's war in neighbouring Ukraine, as the country has emerged as a key player on the alliance's eastern flank. In Sunday's vote, another far-right contender, AUR party leader George Simion, secured nearly 14 percent. Already pounding the campaign trail for this week's parliamentary elections, Simion said Romania now has "the chance to have a sovereign government and a sovereign president". Overall, the far right won more than a third of all votes in Sunday's presidential ballot. "The far right is by far the big winner of this election," political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP, predicting a possible "contagion effect" in the parliamentary vote. Extremist forces and Lasconi's centre-right party now have "wind in their sails", sociologist Gelu Duminica said, though "it remains to be seen if they know how to capitalise" on it. The PSD, which has shaped the country's politics for more than three decades, has never before been eliminated in the first round of a presidential election. The National Liberal Party (PNL) party, with whom the PSD currently governs, also suffered a defeat. While many expressed their disbelief over the poll in the streets of the capital Bucharest, others were enthused. Maria Chis, 70, said she was surprised by Georgescu's lead in the first round but had been impressed after watching his TikTok videos. "He seems a man of integrity, serious and patriotic. He inspires seriousness. I think only someone like him can bring change," said the pensioner, who was planning to vote for him in the second round. Alex Tudose, the owner of a construction company, was gloomy. "There is sorrow, disappointment, that after so many years in Euro-Atlantic structures we voted for a pro-Russian by over 20 percent," the 42-year-old said. "There is clearly a strong fragmentation both in society and in the political class, and I think we saw that yesterday," he said. ani-anb-kym/sbk Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.
Mace, activist dispute handshake that resulted in arrestRumors circulated on social media of students coming home sick after finding bugs in their spaghetti. However, District 149 Superintendent Maureen White said Thursday she received no reports of children falling ill and the single mealworm found on the table did not come from the kitchen. “There was absolutely no mealworm in the food or in the food supply, and not even where the food is prepared,” White said. “It was a hoax.” White said students told her the mealworm was brought to the table as part of a social media challenge. However, she said the district took “precautionary measures” to sanitize the cabinets where food trays are stored and clean tables more frequently. “We’re just doing an extra clean to assure that there are no bugs of any kind getting on the table,” White said.North America's top professional sports leagues have issued warnings to their players about a growing threat from high-tech, organized burglary rings, whose tools of choice are passports, cutting-edge technology and a 90-day calendar. The NBA memo, citing FBI intelligence, specifically linked the crimes to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that target "professional athletes and other high-net-worth individuals." These groups are known for using "advanced techniques" such as pre-surveillance, drones, signal-jamming devices and other cutting-edge technology. The NFL highlighted the risks posed by what it called "organized and skilled groups" of burglars targeting wealthy athletes. While the warnings did not name victims, they were issued after the homes of athletes including Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis were recently burglarized. The tactics described in the memos bear a striking resemblance to a wave of break-ins targeting affluent residents in Southern California. Federal and local officials from Los Angeles and Orange County have reported a spike in break-ins by what they call "burglary tourists" — criminals from Central and South America who legally enter the U.S. on 90-day tourist visas under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). But instead of packing swimsuits... Andrew Blankstein and David K. Li | NBC News( MENAFN - PR Newswire) SYDNEY, Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OKX Australia, a leading Cryptocurrency exchange and onchain technology company, today launched 'Summer of Crypto' - a nationwide campaign offering new customers $20 in bitcoin when they trade $20 within their first 14 days of successfully registering for an OKX account. In the coming weeks, the campaign will expand to include exclusive experiences, merchandise and interactive opportunities for new and existing customers. OKX today also introduced SOL/AUD and XRP/AUD spot trading pairs for Australian customers, with more additions planned in the coming months. This initiative comes as Australia shows growing cryptocurrency adoption, ranking fourth regionally for crypto value received according to Chainalysis' 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index . The campaign, running until February 28, 2025, aims to make cryptocurrency trading more accessible to Australian traders and reward OKX's rapidly expanding community. Since launching its crypto exchange services in May 2024, OKX has emerged as a key player in the local market, tripling its customer base. OKX has also established itself as a leading exchange in Australia for AUD-crypto trading pairs, while expanding its local team by more than 150% within a span of six months. OKX was also recently recognised as "Cryptocurrency Exchange of the Year" at the WeMoney Cryptocurrency Awards . The campaign launch follows OKX's Gold Sponsorship of the Australia Crypto Convention 2024, which welcomed over 10,000 attendees in Sydney last month. Physical activations across Australian cities are planned throughout summer to further engage the local crypto community. * Offer available to new users who make an eligible trade within 14 days of sign-up. Cryptocurrency trading is high risk. Consider the relevant T&Cs at OKX . Information provided is general and not advice. Seek independent advice about risks before trading. OKX Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 22 636 269 040). For further information, please contact: [email protected] OKX is a technology company with a mission to organize the world's blockchains and make them more accessible and useful. We want to create a future that makes our world more efficient, transparent and connected. OKX began as a crypto exchange giving millions of people access to trading and over time became among the largest platforms in the world. In recent years, we have developed one of the most connected onchain wallets used by millions to access decentralized applications (dApps). OKX is trusted by hundreds of large institutions seeking access to crypto markets on a reliable platform that seamlessly connects with global banking and payments . Our most well-known products include: OKX Exchange, OKX Wallet, OKX Explorer, OKX OS, OKX Ventures and OKX Institutional. To learn more about OKX, download our app or visit: okx Disclaimer Information about: digital currency exchange services is prepared by OKX Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 22 636 269 040); derivatives and margin by OKX Australia Financial Pty Ltd (ABN 14 145 724 509, AFSL 379035) and is only intended for wholesale clients (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)); and other products and services by the relevant OKX entities which offer them (see Terms of Service - Australia). Information is general in nature and should not be taken as investment advice, personal recommendation or an offer of (or solicitation to) buy any crypto or related products. You should do your own research and obtain professional advice, including to ensure you understand the risks associated with these products, before you make a decision about them. Past performance is not indicative of future performance - never risk more than you are prepared to lose. Read OKX's Terms of Service - Australia for more information. SOURCE OKX MENAFN12122024003732001241ID1108988673 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictionsHONG KONG , Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Black Friday is here, and it's your chance to grab the best deals of the year! Whether you're looking to upgrade your home, simplify daily chores, or spoil your furry friends, we've got you covered with massive discounts on top-rated products. Check out these must-have items at unbeatable prices, available for a limited time only. AiRROBO T20+ Robot Vacuum : Revolutionize Your Cleaning Original Price: $499.99 Black Friday Price: $199 The AiRROBO T20+ isn't just a cleaning device—it's your new best friend. Featuring cutting-edge USLAM Air 5.0 & LiDAR Navigation , this robot vacuum efficiently maps your home for flawless cleaning. With its 3-in-1 sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping function, the T20+ handles everything from crumbs to tough stains. Add the hassle-free self-emptying station , a powerful HEPA filter , and an impressive 180-minute runtime , and you have a device that takes care of your floors without breaking a sweat. Control it effortlessly via app, voice, or remote, and enjoy spotless floors every day. AiRROBO P20 Robot Vacuum : Clean Smart, Live Better Original Price: $129.99 Black Friday Price: $64.99 Discount Code: 9TNGZLDR The AiRROBO P20 is perfect for budget-conscious shoppers who want smart cleaning. It delivers powerful suction to remove dirt, pet hair, and debris from hard floors and carpets. Compact yet efficient, the P20 is ideal for apartments or smaller homes. Don't miss the chance to grab this deal and simplify your life for a fraction of the price! AiRROBO PG50 Pet Grooming Vacuum : Pamper Your Pets Original Price: $99.99 Black Friday Price: $49.69 Discount Code: 4YUDMHIJ Say goodbye to the mess of grooming your pets at home. The AiRROBO PG50 combines grooming and vacuuming in one handy device, capturing pet hair and dander as you groom. This is the perfect gift for pet lovers who want to keep their homes fur-free while pampering their furry friends. Why Shop This Black Friday? Black Friday is the ultimate shopping event of the year, offering discounts you won't find anywhere else. These exclusive deals are available only from November 21 to December 2 , so act fast before they're gone. How to Grab These Deals? This Black Friday, elevate your home and lifestyle without breaking the bank. Don't let these deals slip away—shop now and enjoy cutting-edge products at unbeatable prices. Your future self will thank you! For more information For any giveaway campaigns or new feeds, please join AiRROBO on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , YouTube and Gleam.io . About AiRROBO AiRROBO is a smart home appliance brand with a focus on AI-enabled technologies. Supported by world-leading AI and humanoid robotic company, UBTECH Robotics, AIRROBO is aiming to bring the most cutting-edge technology to more and more households around the globe, making smart home a new norm of life. Find out more at us.air-robo.com . CONTACT: Kristy Luo , sihui.luo@ubtrobot.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dont-miss-these-incredible-airrobo-black-friday-deals--unbeatable-prices-await-302314818.html SOURCE AiRROBOStock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record