online game vault 999

online game hosting In response to the incident, Shanxi University issued a formal statement denouncing the inappropriate behavior and expressing their commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. The university emphasized that such behavior is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated on campus. They also assured that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken to address the matter and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.The upcoming Club World Cup could prove to be a lucrative venture for both Manchester City and Chelsea, with the English clubs expected to earn a hefty revenue of £60 million from their participation in the prestigious tournament, as reported by The Daily Mail.

UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC job6 stocks that Fools have been buying!

One of the key points highlighted in the interview was the need for the EU to adopt a unified approach towards China. As a powerful economic and political entity, the EU has the leverage to influence China's behavior and policies. By presenting a united front and advocating for shared values and interests, the EU can effectively manage its relationship with China and promote a more balanced partnership.Population Health Management Market is Expected to Exhibit a CAGR Of 12.8% During the Forecast Period (2024-2031) | Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., Cerner Corporation, Conifer Health Solutions, Epic Systems Corporation

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines' flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren't going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn't like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines' postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides," he said. "Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballDespite the disappointment of Radu's imminent departure, Inter Milan will be hoping to continue their strong showing in Serie A this season. The team currently sits at the top of the league table and will be looking to maintain their position as they push for the title. The loss of Radu may be a setback, but it is a challenge that the club will have to overcome.The Tragic Passing of Influencer "Liu Dameili" After Liposuction Operation Sparks Concern

HEALWELL AI Announces Upsize in Bought Deal Offering to $55 Million

Drivers eagerly awaiting the reopening of the reversible center lanes on the Kennedy Expressway will have to wait a little bit longer. Reopening the express lanes, and the conclusion of the second of three years of construction on the highway, has been pushed back to January. Though lane closures began weeks earlier than usual this spring and work was initially slated to wrap up in the fall, integrating the technical components of the access system to the reversible lanes proved to be more complicated and time consuming than expected and pushed back the reopening date, officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation said. “The remaining work, which includes the configuring and connecting of the individual components to the overall system, is currently being completed behind the scenes,” said Jonathan Schumacher, IDOT’s bureau chief of construction. “Which is why it seems like there’s nobody out there working when you drive through the work zone.” IDOT now expects to reopen the lanes the week of Jan. 13. The agency plans to begin testing the reversible lane access system Jan. 2. The reopening of the lanes will mark the completion of the second year of the $150 million, traffic-snarling rehab of the Kennedy. The project, paid through the state’s capital program, is rehabbing 7.5 miles of the 10-lane highway from the I-94 split south to downtown. All told, it will include work on 36 bridges and the express lanes, replacing overhead signs, upgrading lighting, paving and painting. It has also included painting and installing new lighting at the Hubbard underpass between Ohio and Lake streets downtown. The first phase of the work took place in 2023 in the inbound, or southbound, lanes , leaving two closed at a time between March and December and the express lanes open only heading toward downtown. This year work moved to the express lanes and Hubbard’s Cave downtown beginning in March, and in spring work is set to begin on the outbound, or northbound, lanes. Once construction restarts, two outbound lanes will be closed at a time, and the express lanes will be open only heading north from downtown. This year’s work on the express lanes included both bridge repair and pavement work, and work on the system that controls access to the lanes, which was last upgraded in 1996. Many of the gates controlling access to the lanes will look similar to previous versions, Schumacher said, but the work is intended to make the system more reliable. The access system’s technology is being updated and will now be able to be controlled remotely from IDOT’s communications center. The bridge, pavement and sign work was finished in the fall, Schumacher said. Crews replaced 90,000 feet of power cable and installed some 150,000 feet of fiber optic cables, 120 gates and 54 cameras, he said. Since then, the focus has been on the express lane access system, including electrical and software work. That includes connecting individual pieces to the larger system, and getting the various components to work together and integrating closed circuit TV cameras into the system has taken longer than expected, Schumacher said. All the pieces of the system have now been installed, he said. “We are fully aware of the inconvenience this has been to the motorists,” he said. “However, this last step is crucial to the safety of those driving using the system. We need to ensure the system works properly and safely before we can open it to traffic.” While the lanes remained closed to the public, drivers might have seen the express lanes in use during the Democratic National Convention this summer. The Secret Service requested access to the lanes , but the gate system that controls access to the lanes was not yet working so the lanes could not be opened more broadly, spokeswoman Maria Castaneda said. The project has remained close to budget, Schumacher said. Contractors working on the road and the reversible lane access system have been working well and in contact with IDOT. “It’s just a lot of work to get done in a pretty quick timeframe,” Schumacher said. “This was always going to be the most challenging of the three years.”

The Green Party is set to suffer significant losses in the Irish General Election, with its leader expecting just a handful of parliamentarians to be returned. Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the party could not buck the trend in Ireland of junior coalition partners in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments losing support in subsequent elections. He said they expected to retain two to three seats out of the 12 they had won in the 2020 election on the back of a worldwide “Green wave”. “Undoubtedly it’s a disappointing result for our party today,” Mr O’Gorman told reporters in Ongar, Dublin. “It’s hard for a smaller party in government, that’s long been the tradition, the history in Ireland. We hoped going into the election to buck that but we haven’t been able to buck that today.” Mr O’Gorman, a candidate in Dublin West, is among the outgoing Green Party TDs in a battle to retain their seats. Culture Minister Catherine Martin, who is fighting to remain a Green Party TD for Dublin Rathdown, said it was a “very tight” race in her four-seat constituency. “We go in (to government) not afraid of that because the issue of the climate and biodiversity crisis is (greater) than our survival,” she said on RTE Radio. “I stand over and am proud of our track record of delivery.” Green candidate in Waterford Marc O Cathasaigh said he would not be “in the shake-up” to retain his seat in that constituency, while junior minister Ossian Smyth looks at risk of losing his seat in Dun Laoghaire. Junior minister Joe O’Brien is expected to lose his seat in Dublin Fingal, Neasa Hourigan is at risk in Dublin Central, while Wicklow’s Steven Matthews garnered just 4% of first preferences. Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who announced his retirement from frontline politics in June, said his party had not had a good day. Arriving at the count centre at the RDS in Dublin, the outgoing environment minister told reporters: “If you don’t get elected you accept that, but you come back stronger and you learn lessons, and we’ve done that in the past and we will do that again.” He added: “No matter what the results today there will be a strong Green Party in Ireland, we have deep roots in the community and it’s a very distinct political philosophy and I think there is still space for that in Irish politics, for sure.” Mr Ryan said he did not believe his decision to retire, and the timing of his announcement, had affected the party’s showing. “Unfortunately – and this is just one of those days – we didn’t get the number of votes,” he said. He added: “We’ll look back and see what are the lessons, and what can we learn and what can we do differently. “It’s just one of those days when we didn’t have a good day.All the winners from Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Geneve, the Oscars of watchmaking

articulate online game

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys opened without incident and will stay that way for a Monday night meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. It was to be the first game with the roof open at AT&T Stadium since Oct. 30, 2022, a 49-29 Dallas victory over Chicago. The roof was supposed to be open three weeks ago for Houston's 34-10 victory on another Monday night, but a large piece of metal and other debris fell roughly 300 feet to the field as the retractable roof was opening about three hours before kickoff. The Cowboys decided to close the roof after the incident, and it remained that way for the game. There were no injuries, and the start of the game wasn't delayed. The club said at the time it would investigate the cause with a plan to reopen the roof when it was deemed safe. Wind was cited as a cause for the falling debris. There were gusts of at least 30 mph in the afternoon before the meeting with the Texans. It was sunny with a high in the 70s Monday in the Dallas area, and winds were in the 10 mph range. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLSMDV Has High Exposure In Banks And Lags CompetitorsSeaspan Corporation Signs Agreement with KVH to Equip Fleet with OneWeb Low Earth Orbit SolutionHARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) — Bryce Lindsay had 18 points in James Madison's 78-61 win against Utah Valley on Saturday night. Lindsay added five rebounds for the Dukes (6-4). Xavier Brown scored 12 points and added seven assists. AJ Smith went 4 of 6 from the field (2 for 3 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points, while adding seven rebounds and three steals. The Wolverines (4-5) were led in scoring by Osiris Grady, who finished with 12 points. Tanner Toolson added 10 points and two steals. Hayden Welling had nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .online game in laptop 。

Antitrust enforcement may lighten under TrumpCCT chairman: The missteps of lawmakers and lawyersSyria rebels celebrate in captured Homs, set sights on Damascus

The announcement by the Sultanate Council on the conferment of the prestigious traditional title of “Gwarzon Daular Usmaniya” (Knight of the Caliphate) on Comrade Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State was apparently predicted by some interest groups that strongly believed that the Governor is evidently committed to good governance for the much-needed socio-economic transformation of the state. The Sokoto Caliphate as it were, covers most of the northern states, including Kebbi, Gwandu in particular, where Sheikh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio, the younger brother to the founder of the Caliphate, Sheikh Usman Danfodio had his base. As the reigning leader of the Caliphate, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has the prerogative to confer traditional titles to persons within the Caliphate, identified to have possessed some unique leadership qualities similar to the Fodios, just like the title of Majidadin Daular Usmaniya recently conferred on the former Minister of Communications, Professor Isah Ali Pantami from Gombe State. It is equally worthy of note that Comrade Governor Nasir Idris is the holder of the Abdullahi Fodio title of Kauran Gwandu. It all started prior to the 2024 edition of the Sheikh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio annual public lecture, when the representative of the Sultan the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera presented the letter of appointment to Comrade Nasir Idris at a brief ceremony at the Government House. As scheduled, the lecture was chaired by Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and attended by prominent traditional rulers from all parts of the country, Islamic Scholars, academicians, captains of industries and different categories of political office holders. Expectedly, the Sultan used the occasion in his opening remarks to disclosed that the conferment of the title of Gwarzon Daular Usmaniya on Comrade Idris was purely based on recognition of merit, selfless service to humanity and clear demonstration of ability to considerably embraced unity of purpose, fairness, equity and transparency in governance as preached by Sheikh Abdullahi Fodio. The Sultan said: “His ability to unite with all his predecessors for the common interest of the state, involvement of religious and traditional leaders in governance through consultations and operating an all-inclusive government, are uncommon attributes in leadership “. As if there was a consensus, each of the three guest speakers, professor Bello Bada, professor Jafar Kaura and Sheikh Isah Talata Mafara corroborated the position of Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar. They not only identified composure, humility, selflessness, and commitment to the important needs of the people as some of the virtues of leadership imbibed by Comrade Nasir Idris. In the same vein, prominent traditional rulers, which include the Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar from Niger State, His Highness Igwe Samuel Ogadagidi from Enugu State, His Majesty Oba Adekunle Adeagbo from Ekiti State and His Royal Highness Manu Ishaku, Aku-Uka of Wukari from Taraba State, were unanimous in their assessment of Comrade Idris’s administration which they noted “appears focused with visible determination based on the new look of the state capital and hospitality and warm reception of the people.” Much earlier than now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, in his 64th Independence anniversary broadcast, proudly appreciated Governor Idris for being one of the hardworking People’s Governors in the country “. The Governor’s swift reaction in dislodging the Lakurawa bandits that invaded a part of the state with the support of the top leadership of the Armed forces was worth noting. A year after the inception of the administration, many indigenes of the state who are genuinely interested in the development of the state, have expressed their conviction that if the Comrade Governor continues at the rate of gradual execution of infrastructure in all sectors, the state will not only witness an unprecedented development but also be recognised in the country as fast-growing state that will undoubtedly match its contemporaries if not supersede, in his first tenure.BY D.B.T. Kappagoda Dr. Ananda Kentish Coomaaswamy was not an Indian by birth but in his writings he showed more than any scholar of his time that he had a wider understanding of the cultural heritage of India than most. He was the only child of Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy and English mother Elizabeth Clay Beeby, and he was born at Rhineland Place in Kollupitiya, on August 22, 1871. His father Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy was the first non-Christian to be called to the English Bar and the first Asian Knighted by Queen Victoria, was a popular figure among the socialites in London and he also enjoyed the company of Lord Palmerston, Lord Tennyson and Benjamin Disraeli who portrayed him as Kusinara in one of his novels. In Sri Lanka he was a leading member of the Legislative Council and he was responsible for the establishment of the Colombo Museum in 1871. He was well versed in Western classics as well as Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhala and Tamil. He translated Dhatavamsa (History of the Sacred Tooth relic of the Buddha) from Pali into English. When his son Ananda was almost two years old, Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy died. And his son was brought up by his mother in England and sent to school, Wycliff College Stonehouse in Gloucestershire and later he entered University of London and graduated in Natural Sciences, Botany and Geology. In 1903 he was appointed as the Director of Mineralogical Survey in Sri Lanka and served till 1907. His contribution to geology in Sri Lanka won him the Degree of Science of the London University, and later he was elected a Fellow. During his official duties, he travelled widely across the country in search of minerals and in 1903 he discovered two minerals Serendibite and Thorianite at Gangapitiya in Gampola. The first discovery Serendibite was a new borosilicate which he described, “It was a beautiful blue colour discovered in narrow contact zones between acid moonstone bearing granulite and limestone which occur in alternating bonds at Gangapitiya.” Thoriamite, the second mineral he discovered is a cubic mineral of high specific gravity which analysis proved to be a side of Thoriam and Uranium. The cubes were small (2/3 inch) and the colour is dark brown. The importance of this mineral is derived from its radio active properties. During his travels around Kandy in search of minerals, he had the opportunity of visiting villages known for traditional arts and crafts. The age old arts and crafts practiced by the artisans threw new light on different aspects of Sinhalese culture. The information he gathered went into his monumental book Medieval Sinhalese Art which he published in England in 1908. He compiled the manuscript with the help of his German wife Ethel Mary and published it at his expense under his supervision at the Essex House Press, Broad Campden Chapel in Gloucestershire. The first impression of this compendium with 425 copies hand bound began its printing in September and was completed in 1908.The publication of his magnum opus has been hailed by scholars as a landmark for the revival of arts and culture of the Sinhalese. The success of his maiden effort was due to his ability as a scholar to delve into the source to gather information objectively. Explaining the reason for him to write his book said, “It is a memorial of a period which the Sinhalese people were not willing to understand their cultural heritage.” And, he added, “It is only to realize the ideals of the past, the possibility of a time recognition and revitalizing the national heritage of the Sinhalese.” According to his assessment the art of the Sinhalese medieval period was religious art and essentially the art of the people whose kings were one with religion and people. He opined that the Sinhalese art is Indian in Character, hence there is a close affinity between Sri Lankan and Indian art. The studies he made revealed that Sri Lanka as “a perfect window through which to gaze on India’s past than any can find in India itself.” Ananda Coomaraswamy, two years prior to his writing the Medieval Sinhalese Art said that he had a special interest in Sinhalese art and culture and he found in them a survival of the Aryan past and early Persian artistic traditions. Therefore for the preservation of art lost elsewhere, we owe our artisans much, for otherwise the world would be vastly poor in interest and ideals. The first essay he wrote ‘Dance of Shiva’ displayed his artistic sensibility and sense of sublime, whereas Rabindranath Tagore pioneered the cultural experiment of Manipuri dancing at Shantiniketan. His creative writings include: History of Indian and Indonesian Painting and Rajput Painting are important for those who study art. His earlier book, Indian Dancing Mirror of Gestures, he wrote with the assistance of D. Gopala Krishnamacharia and his other notable book was Myths of Hindus and Buddhists he wrote in collaboration with Sister Nandita. Dr. Ananda Kentish Coomaaswamy In 1943 he published ‘Why exhibit Works of Art’ showing his profound scholarship interpreting the Indian thought on art. Writing on Indian leaders he said, “Our leaders are already degenerated as Macauly could have been, wished them to be a class of persons Indian in blood and colour, morals and intellect because they have yet to discover India....” The discriminate imposition of western civilization disturbed him and he wrote. “A single generation of English education succeeded in breaking the thread of tradition and caused nondescript and superficial beings depraved of roots....” The close affinity of Indian and Sri Lankan cultures he found, “the curved boundary of leaf or stem or scroll has always a peculiar character of life and crispness not often sinking into more roundness or softness.” He also added, “Every stem and leaf of the liya vela ornaments of Ceylon and in details of South Indian architectural decoration is never realistic but based on observations or ideal forms.” These curved forms of ornamentation were used by the Sinhalese craftsmen to depict energy and growth. According to Ananda Coomaraswamy, Sinhalese art is essentially Indian in outlook and Hindu in character. He found Kandyan art as a branch of Indian and the Kandyan architecture is similar to that of Kerala. The folk art of the Sinhalese especially practiced by women is related to the motif and ritual of the embroidered Kantha of Bengal and this affinity helped to assess the Indian culture in true perspective. He urged the Indian students studying overseas not to lose their culture, tradition and also identity and wrote on the political thought on spiritual power in theory of government. He also actively associated with a number of learned bodies in the East and West. He knew English, French, German, Latin, Greek Sanskrit, Pali, Sinhalese and Tamil. He then abandoned his scientific research and devoted himself to the study of the arts and cultures of India and Sri Lanka, and published two monographs: The aims of Indian art, and Bronzes from Ceylon. In 1905, he formed the Ceylon Reform Society to stress the great social and national traditions of the Sinhalese people and gave lectures and also wrote articles in the Ceylon National Review, of which he was its first Editor. He was the first to urge the use of National languages Sinhala and Tamil in education, and the preservation of indigenous arts and culture for posterity and modes of living. He actively supported the agitation of his cousin Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan for the establishment of a Ceylon University. He finally resigned from the post of Director of Mineralogical Survey in 1907 and settled down in England but time and again visited India and Sri Lanka and had a close relationship with Rabindranath Tagore. In 1910, he founded the Indian Society in London to provide a better appreciation of Greater India in the West. He wanted to have a museum built in Varanasi and donate his collection of artifacts to the government and people. Since there was no such prospects from the Indian government, he left for the USA in 1915 where he was appointed as Research Fellow at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and later he became its curator of the Indian and Eastern section of the museum. Under his guidance and supervision the Boston Museum acquired some of the finest collection of exhibits and he held this post until his retirement three months prior to his demise on September 9, 1947. He lived to witness the dawn of Indian independence in 1947. During the last 15 years of the illustrious life he led from 1931 to 1947, he worked unceasingly devoting his time to writings. His publications were voluminous – more than 500 monographs including translations, critical evaluations on art and culture of India. The other writing of his cover a wide range of aspects of historical, sociological, philosophical and in the field of metaphysics. In spite of his fame and recognition among the literati he remained modest about writing about himself saying “anything personal must not intrude in my work. It would be Aswargya to allow such things.....not I the I that I am but he is the part in me that should interest you.” After his demise his wife Dona Luisa who edited some of his books he had almost finished, visited India in 1964, like a true Ardhanagi (partner) with his ashes to fulfill his last wish. (DBT Kappagoda, No.221/3, Pallegunnepana, Polgolla)

By CHRISTINE FERNANDO CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Trump’s cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century. In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn’t plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying “things change.” “Things do change, but I don’t think it’s going to change at all,” he said. The early lineup of his new administration , including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed — but generally positive — reactions from anti-abortion groups. Abortion law experts said Trump’s decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump’s administration. “It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions,” said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund , said while many of the nominees have “extensive records against reproductive health care,” some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump’s initial cabinet selections. Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They’re concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding. After Trump’s ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, “there’s still a lot we don’t know about what policy is going to look like,” said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced. Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign. In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability , which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said “every abortion is a tragedy” and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back. The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Biden’s administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an “unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.” His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy. “There’s no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary,” she said. Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air. Russell Vought , a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025 , a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUD’s. Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025. Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying “Many of those things I happen to agree with.” “These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted,” said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All. Dr. Mehmet Oz , Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022. Oz has described himself as “strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade , claimed “life starts at conception” and referred to abortion as “murder.” But he also has echoed Trump’s states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions. “I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” he said during a Senate debate two years ago. An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations. Related Articles National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump taps his attorney Alina Habba to serve as counselor to the president National Politics | With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight National Politics | Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection As Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now she’s Trump’s choice for attorney general . Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act , an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion. An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country. Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with,” said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life.Elon Musk’s Tesla Hits All-Time High With Shares Up 69%—Is Trump’s Election Victory Cause?

Syrian rebel commander: Assad lieutenants will be hunted downOrganizational change is notoriously challenging, with up to 70% of change initiatives failing. Why? Often, clunky interfaces, confusing processes, and poor communication transform potentially positive changes into productivity nightmares. Indeed, these obstacles are key contributors to the high failure rate of change initiatives. But what if there were a way to make these transitions smoother, more intuitive, and even exciting for employees? Change management—the art of navigating organizational shifts—has traditionally been a two-front battle. The first challenge lies in implementing complex new systems, such as cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. The second, equally critical challenge is securing employee buy-in for the change itself. Underwhelming user experiences are a major reason why ERP implementations often fail. This is where AI comes in. While AI is frequently associated with automation and efficiency, its true power in change management lies in addressing the human side of transformation. It's not just about deploying new technology; it’s about understanding employee needs, personalizing their experiences, and clearly communicating the "why" behind the change. Using AI to Communicate Effectively – Addressing the Why AI's impact goes beyond just the technology itself. It's revolutionizing how change managers drive user adoption. Traditionally, change managers spend a significant amount of time explaining the intricacies of a new system – the "what" and "how" – often resorting to technical jargons that leaves employees disengaged. This approach fails to address the core human question: "What's in it for me?" Sinek, a motivational speaker and author of the bestseller Start With Why , emphasizes the importance of leading with purpose. He recounts an anecdote about Apple's product launches. While most companies focus on the "what" – a new phone with a faster processor – Apple leads with the "why." They talk about the revolutionary user experience, the ability to connect with loved ones in a more meaningful way. This emotional connection is what truly resonates with customers and drives adoption. AI-powered tools can help change managers emulate this approach by tailoring their communication strategies to address the specific "why" for each employee. Let's look at a practical example: There are change management suites that leverage AI to personalize and streamline HR processes. When rolling out this suite, AI can be leveraged to understand employee sentiment through natural language processing. This allows change managers to tailor their communication to address these sentiments and better communicate the “why” behind changes, ultimately leading to, greater employee buy-in. Beyond User Experience: Business AI for Smoother Transitions AI isn't just about user interfaces. It can also play a crucial role in the planning and execution phases of change management. It can empower change managers with data-driven insights and automation capabilities. Here are just a few ways business AI is transforming change management: The Future of Change Management: A Human-AI Partnership By embracing AI, change management can evolve from simply managing change to actively leading and influencing it. With AI as their partner, change managers can ensure a smoother adoption process, empower employees, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. Ultimately, AI isn’t a replacement for human expertise in change management. Instead, it's a powerful tool that allows change managers to focus on the human aspects of change – building trust, addressing concerns, and fostering a sense of shared purpose. This human-AI partnership holds the key to unlocking the true potential of organizational change across industries.

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.Ending 'Trickle-Down' Vaccine EconomicsTang Contemporary Art in Hong Kong welcomes the new year with Oracle , a solo exhibition by Japanese artist and fashion designer Ryunosuke Okazaki . With a focus on prayer, peace and spirituality, Okazaki presents a profound meditation on humanity’s relationship with the sacred through his signature of intricate forms, winding lines and infinite spirals. Drawing from ancient texts like the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki , the exhibition reimagines oracles as living entities imbued with spiritual significance. In this space, they are less an absolute truth and more an unresolved mystery, reflecting humanity’s ongoing dialogue with the divine. This influence is echoed in Okazaki’s artistic exploration which emphasizes materiality as an active participant in creating meaning. Blending the simplicity of Jomon pottery with technological precision, his works evoke a symbiosis between humanity, nature and technology. Hailing from Hiroshima, the artist weaves historical memory and advanced technologies into an alluring exploration of spirituality in the modern age. Through recurring themes of prayer, Zen meditation and the principle of “non-action,” his works muddy the lines between material and spiritual realms, reconnecting art to the ineffable essence of existence. Oracle will open at Tang Contemporary Art Hong Kong on January 11 and will be on view through February 19, 2025. Tang Contemporary Hong Kong 20/F, Landmark South, 39 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong

If you're not already a Denton Record-Chronicle subscriber, you can subscribe now for just $1 a month over the next six months and read all of our stories throughout the various high school sports seasons. Two years ago, Argyle came painfully close to a chance at playing for its third state championship in program history. The Eagles went undefeated through their first 14 games of the 2022 season in their first year at the 5A Division II level before a semifinal round matchup with defending state champion Dallas South Oak Cliff. Argyle had its chances in the contest but ultimately took a tough 14-6 defeat to the Golden Bears, which went on to win their second straight title. The No. 4-ranked Eagles (13-1) have earned a shot at turning the tables this fall behind another strong season that has led to a state semifinal rematch with No. 1 South Oak Cliff (12-2). The teams will square off at 7 p.m. Friday at SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium for a spot in the 5A DII championship game. Although many of Argyle's players from that 2022 squad have graduated, senior wide receiver Will Krzysiak is one who played in the last game against South Oak Cliff and remains fueled by what could have been. "It's something that I think about all the time," Krzysiak said. "That what if. What if we won? We could've gone to state. So, this is a really big game for us and it's kind of like a revenge tour." Krzysiak has been one of Argyle's key senior leaders during its state semifinal return. The Harvard commit leads the team in receiving this year with 60 catches for 1,014 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also the Eagles' top receiver last season at more than 1,000 yards after finishing as its second-leading receiver back in 2022 as a sophomore. Argyle's Will Krzysiak leads the team in receiving yards and is one of the only remaining players from the 2022 squad that fell to South Oak Cliff in the state semifinals. He's helped lead the way for an Argyle offense that's averaging 41.4 points per game this season and has put up at least 41 points in three of its first four playoff contests. Krzysiak feels the unit's growing chemistry has helped fuel its success. "As the season progresses, your chemistry becomes tighter and stronger," Krzysiak said. "That's really helped us move the ball around and get some points on the board. That's something really special about our team. "Being confident in our guys and what we do, that really allows us to put points on the board." Finding a way to score points against the Golden Bears is certainly no small task. They have allowed 14 or fewer points in each of their first four playoff games, including a dominant 56-14 win last week over defending state champion Port Neches-Groves in a rematch of the 2023 title game. South Oak Cliff's defense gave the Eagles plenty of trouble in the teams' meeting two years ago as well, holding them to six points on two field goals. Needless to say, Argyle hopes to find more success this time around. "I think we can definitely pressure them on both sides of the ball," senior defensive back Xavier Sanchez said. "We had some things we needed to fix from 2022. I think we're getting those fixed." Argyle's Xavier Sanchez, middle, has played a key part defensively this fall in helping the Eagles earn a rematch of their 2022 state semifinal loss to South Oak Cliff. Sanchez is one of the Eagles' top tacklers this season at 86 total stops (59 solo) alongside five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He's a key part of a secondary that aims to slow down South Oak Cliff's stalwart offense. The Golden Bears have averaged 45.4 points over their last 12 games since taking losses against 6A state powers Galena Park North Shore and Duncanville in the first two contests of the season. Their offense hasn't been required to score in bunches in the postseason due to the defense's dominant efforts, though the unit has still put up 35 or more points in all four playoff bouts. Argyle coach Todd Rodgers is plenty familiar with what awaits his team, but he feels a few years of 5A competition have helped better prepare his group for the challenge. Argyle coach Todd Rodgers signals to decline a penalty against Frisco Lone Star earlier this season. "We were very new to 5A and I think we're a little bit further down the road to understanding what 5A football requires," Rodgers said. "So, I think we're coming at it from a little bit different lens. I'm pleased with our football team. We're healthy, for the most part, and we just have to do the things we've been coached to do." As Argyle gets a rematch against South Oak Cliff in the Eagles' third state semifinal trip over the last five years, the team is not taking its special season for granted, or the opportunity at even more. "This is something that's very important to our team," Krzysiak said. "This is one of our goals. Our three goals are winning our district, playing in December and going to the state championship. So, it's something we value highly and it's great to be playing in December." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the scoop on all the thrilling victories, nail-biting games and standout performances — straight from the sidelines of Denton-area high schools. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.Snap-on CEO Nicholas Pinchuk sells $7.7 million in stock

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The roof at the home of the Dallas Cowboys opened without incident and will stay that way for a Monday night meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. It was to be the first game with the roof open at AT&T Stadium since Oct. 30, 2022, a 49-29 Dallas victory over Chicago. The roof was supposed to be open three weeks ago for Houston's 34-10 victory on another Monday night, but a large piece of metal and other debris fell roughly 300 feet to the field as the retractable roof was opening about three hours before kickoff. The Cowboys decided to close the roof after the incident, and it remained that way for the game. There were no injuries, and the start of the game wasn't delayed. The club said at the time it would investigate the cause with a plan to reopen the roof when it was deemed safe. Wind was cited as a cause for the falling debris. There were gusts of at least 30 mph in the afternoon before the meeting with the Texans. It was sunny with a high in the 70s Monday in the Dallas area, and winds were in the 10 mph range. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Water fluoride branded the solution to Scotland's 'worst in Europe' dental decayThe standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____

voice online game

online game in philippines

Stock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 402 points, or 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite is down 2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market. The major indexes are still on track to close the week with gains, and the S&P 500 remains headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen has targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said Thursday's bombardment took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the Sanaa airport strike. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Climate-friendly electricity sees big battery projects soar again for 2024 2024 was another banner year for a source of electricity that is better for people’s lungs, better for climate change and may be reaching your home now when you turn on the lights or turn up the thermostat — large banks of batteries. Storing extra power in batteries effectively extends the hours of solar and wind power in a day. Storage is also important as global electricity demand rises. Last, it is important for increasingly frequent extreme weather events, worsened by climate change. Texas and California are embracing the benefits of batteries, but some other regions are dragging their feet.In today's digital era, facial recognition technology, traditionally linked with high-end devices, is undergoing a revolutionary shift. Avtar Singh, an expert in resource-constrained computing and mobile vision, has developed an innovative framework that bridges the technological divide. This groundbreaking solution brings facial recognition capabilities to low-end devices, ensuring accessibility for broader audiences while maintaining high standards of accuracy and performance. Revolutionizing Algorithm Efficiency Traditional facial recognition systems often demand computational resources beyond the reach of budget-friendly devices. A novel approach addresses this challenge by leveraging algorithmic simplification inspired by efficient object detection frameworks. By optimizing feature extraction and detection processes, memory usage is reduced from 250MB to approximately 110MB. Advanced techniques such as model pruning and architecture scaling achieve a 70% reduction in computational demands while maintaining over 93% accuracy. This innovation enables the integration of facial recognition technology into devices previously deemed unsuitable. Smart Frame Processing for Real-Time Performance Real-time facial recognition on low-end hardware is challenging. A novel grid-based prediction system optimizes resources by selectively processing every third frame at full resolution, with intermediate frames interpolated. This approach reduces response times to an average of 156ms, significantly outperforming traditional methods. The multi-scale strategy focuses on high-confidence detection regions, achieving a balance between accuracy and speed, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments. Harnessing the Power of Hybrid Cloud-Edge Computing The framework seamlessly integrates local device processing with cloud computing to optimize workload distribution. Facial detection is handled locally to minimize initial computational demands, while complex feature extraction tasks are offloaded to cloud servers. By transmitting compressed feature maps instead of raw images, the system reduces bandwidth usage by 80%, enhancing efficiency. This hybrid approach ensures consistent performance even under varying network conditions and maintains low latency, with processing delays kept under 250ms, providing a robust solution for real-time applications. Energy-Efficient Innovations Energy consumption is a critical concern for low-end devices, as continuous facial recognition operations can quickly drain battery life. This challenge is addressed through dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) combined with optimized cache utilization, reducing energy consumption per inference to just 12mJ and significantly extending device operational lifespan. Furthermore, intelligent workload scheduling prevents thermal throttling, ensuring consistent performance over prolonged usage periods while maintaining energy efficiency and device reliability. Real-World Applications and Testing The proposed framework has undergone extensive testing on resource-constrained devices, including processors clocked at 1.1 GHz to 2.0 GHz and RAM capacities between 1GB and 3GB. Demonstrating consistent accuracy rates exceeding 90% and inference times between 155ms and 180ms, the results underscore its efficiency and reliability. These advancements pave the way for deploying sophisticated AI solutions in emerging markets, where low-end devices are prevalent, bridging technological disparities and enabling access to cutting-edge technology in underserved regions. A Blueprint for Responsible AI As facial recognition technology becomes more accessible, ethical considerations like data privacy and algorithmic accountability become increasingly important. A three-tier privacy framework ensures robust protection for user data, emphasizing a responsible approach to technology. This model not only democratizes access to advanced capabilities but also establishes a standard for balancing innovation with societal responsibilities, fostering trust and accountability in its implementation. In conclusion, Avtar Singh 's groundbreaking research revolutionizes facial recognition technology by enhancing accessibility and global impact. Through optimized algorithms, hybrid cloud-edge computing, and energy-efficient designs, this innovative framework overcomes barriers like cost and resource constraints. By addressing these challenges, it fosters inclusivity and bridges the digital divide, ensuring advanced AI technologies benefit diverse communities worldwide. This approach not only promotes equitable technological progress but also creates transformative impacts, improving lives and enabling meaningful advancements across various global contexts. .Canadian foreign, finance ministers meet Trump's team on tariffs

Senior members of Canada's cabinet held talks Friday with US President-elect Donald Trump's nominees to lead the departments of commerce and the interior, as Ottawa works to hold off the threat of punishing tariffs. Canada's newly-appointed Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary nominee, who will also lead the country's tariff and trade agenda. Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum was also at the meeting held at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Leblanc's spokesman Jean-Sebastien Comeau, who confirmed the participants, described the talks as "positive and productive." Trump has vowed to impose crippling 25-percent tariffs on all Canadian imports when he takes office next month. He has said they will remain in place until Canada addresses the flow of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised retaliatory measures should Trump follow through on his pledge, raising fears of a trade war. Leblanc and Joly "outlined the measures in Canada's Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives," Comeau said in a statement. Canada's Border Plan -- estimated to cost CAN$1 billion ($694 million) -- was crafted as part of Ottawa's response to Trump's concerns. Lutnick and Burgum "agreed to relay information to President Trump," the statement said. Trudeau is facing his worst political crisis since sweeping into office in 2015. Leblanc was named finance minister earlier this month after the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritizing handouts to voters instead of preparing Canada's finances for a possible trade war. More than 75 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and nearly two million Canadian jobs depend on trade. bs/aha

CNBC Daily Open: Small- and mid-caps outperformed last weekCOLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims' families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions shared a range of emotions on Monday, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences . Biden converted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in the slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row: Dylann Roof , convicted of the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; the 2013 Boston Marathon Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they'd long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump , a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency just weeks before the president-elect takes office. Donnie Oliverio, a retired Ohio police officer whose partner was killed by an inmate whose death sentence was commuted, said the execution of “the person who killed my police partner and best friend would have brought me no peace.” “The president has done what is right here,” Oliverio said in a statement also issued by the White House, “and what is consistent with the faith he and I share.” Heather Turner, whose mother, Donna Major, was killed in a bank robbery in South Carolina in 2017, called Biden's commutation of the killer's sentence a “clear gross abuse of power” in a Facebook post, adding that the weeks she spent in court with the hope of justice were now “just a waste of time.” “At no point did the president consider the victims,” Turner wrote. “He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” There has always been a broad range of opinions on what punishment Roof should face from the families of the nine people killed and the survivors of the massacre at the Mother Emanuel AME Church. Many forgave him, but some say they can’t forget and their forgiveness doesn’t mean they don’t want to see him put to death for what he did. Felicia Sanders survived the shooting shielding her granddaughter while watching Roof kill her son, Tywanza, and her aunt, Susie Jackson. Sanders brought her bullet-torn bloodstained Bible to his sentencing and said then she can’t even close her eyes to pray because Roof started firing during the closing prayer of Bible study that night. In a text message to her lawyer, Andy Savage, Sanders called Biden’s decision to not spare Roof’s life a wonderful Christmas gift. Michael Graham, whose sister, Cynthia Hurd, was killed, told The Associated Press that Roof’s lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the country means he is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people," Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” But the Rev. Sharon Richer, who was Tywanza Sanders’ cousin and whose mother, Ethel Lance, was killed, criticized Biden for not sparing Roof and clearing out all of death row. She said every time Roof’s case comes up through numerous appeals it is like reliving the massacre all over again. “I need the President to understand that when you put a killer on death row, you also put their victims' families in limbo with the false promise that we must wait until there is an execution before we can begin to heal,” Richer said in a statement. Richer, a board member of Death Penalty Action, which seeks to abolish capital punishment, was driven to tears by conflicting emotions during a Zoom news conference Monday. “The families are left to be hostages for the years and years of appeals that are to come,” Richer said. “I’ve got to stay away from the news today. I’ve got to turn the TV off — because whose face am I going to see?” Biden is giving more attention to the three inmates he chose not to spare, something they all wanted as a part of what drove them to kill, said Abraham Bonowitz, Death Penalty Action’s executive director. “These three racists and terrorists who have been left on death row came to their crimes from political motivations. When Donald Trump gets to execute them what will really be happening is they will be given a global platform for their agenda of hatred,” Bonowitz said. Biden had faced pressure from advocacy organizations to commute federal death sentences, and several praised him for taking action in his final month in office. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that Biden “has shown our country — and the rest of the world — that the brutal and inhumane policies of our past do not belong in our future.” Republicans, including Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, on the other hand, criticized the move — and argued its moral ground was shaky given the three exceptions. “Once again, Democrats side with depraved criminals over their victims, public order, and common decency,” Cotton wrote on X. “Democrats can’t even defend Biden’s outrageous decision as some kind of principled, across-the-board opposition to the death penalty since he didn’t commute the three most politically toxic cases.” Liz Murrill, Louisiana's Republican attorney general, criticized the commuted sentence of Len Davis, a former New Orleans policeman convicted of orchestrating the killing of a woman who had filed a complaint against him. “We can’t trust the Feds to get justice for victims of heinous crimes, so it’s long past time for the state to get it done,” the tough-on-crime Republican said in a written statement to the AP. Two men whose sentences were commuted were Norris Holder and Billie Jerome Allen, on death row for opening fire with assault rifles during a 1997 bank robbery in St. Louis, killing a guard, 46-year-old Richard Heflin. Holder’s attorney, Madeline Cohen, said in an email that Holder, who is Black, was sentenced to death by an all-white jury. She said his case “reflects many of the system’s flaws,” and thanked Biden for commuting his sentence. “Norris’ case exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. “Norris has always been deeply remorseful for the pain his actions caused, and we hope this decision brings some measure of closure to Richard Heflin’s family.” Swenson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, and Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, contributed to this report.

Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro indicted for alleged 2022 coup attempt

NoneThe United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required tallies taken across the country in January found more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they don't have a place of their own. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of COVID-19 pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. A man walks past a homeless encampment Oct. 25, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles. "No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve," HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said in a statement, adding that the focus should remain on "evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness." Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness — one of the areas that was most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities. Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Almost 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. Disasters also played a part in the rise in the count, especially last year's catastrophic Maui wildfire, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. More than 5,200 people were in emergency shelters in Hawaii on the night of the count. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents assist state police as they order people living in a homeless encampment to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. "Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing," Renee Willis, incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement. "As advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience have warned, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs." Robert Marbut Jr., the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness from 2019 to 2021, called the nearly 33% increase in homelessness over the past four years "disgraceful" and said the federal government needs to abandon efforts to prioritize permanent housing. "We need to focus on treatment of substance use and mental illness, and bring back program requirements, like job training," Marbut said in an email. The numbers also come as increasing numbers of communities are taking a hard line against homelessness. People living in a homeless encampment pick up belongings Oct. 23 after Louisiana State Police ordered them to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. Angered by often dangerous and dirty tent camps, communities — especially in Western states — have enforced bans on camping. That follows a 6-3 ruling this summer by the Supreme Court that found outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates argued that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness. There was some positive news in the count, as homelessness among veterans continued to trend downward. Homelessness among veterans dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. It was an even larger decrease for unsheltered veterans, declining 11% to 13,851 in 2024. "The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale," Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a statement. "With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide. Federal investments are critical in tackling the country's housing affordability crisis and ensuring that every American has access to safe, stable housing." Several large cities had success bringing down their homeless numbers. Dallas, which worked to overhaul its homeless system, saw a 16% drop in its numbers between 2022 to 2024. Los Angeles, which increased housing for the homeless, saw a drop of 5% in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. A rat sniffs the hand of a sleeping man experiencing homelessness Dec. 18 in downtown Los Angeles. California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. The sharp increase in the homeless population over the past two years contrasts with success the U.S. had for more than a decade. Going back to the first 2007 survey, the U.S. made steady progress for about a decade in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017. The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments and a temporary eviction moratorium. Homelessness is intertwined with the cost of living, and the high cost of living is hitting older adults fairly hard. A Westat survey for the Department of Health and Human Services found that older adults are the fastest-growing cohort of the homeless population. Emergency housing for seniors can keep that number from climbing higher. Caring.com details how to access it. The number of homeless seniors isn't based solely on people remaining homeless as they age; it also includes those whose first experience with homelessness came after they turned 50. In 2023, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that 1 in 5 homeless people were over the age of 55. For seniors and other older adults, fixed incomes make it hard to battle the ever-increasing cost of expenses. Endhomelessness.org cites that 2.35 million older adults are paying over half of their limited income to rent. Based on Caring.com's July 2024 survey of seniors in the workforce , that's exactly why 1 in 15 retired seniors worry about losing their homes. Shelter use in homeless people older than 51 has gone up over 10% from 2007 to 2017, according to the HUD. But luckily, so has the number of shelters. Between 2022 and 2023, the HUD reports that emergency shelters added 28,760 more beds in emergency shelters, though this is a reduction in the amount of beds available during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency homeless assistance, or emergency housing, is a temporary solution. It's designed to provide shelter while those facing housing instability figure out their next step. Emergency housing for homeless seniors gives someone the immediate ability to remain housed and safely sheltered. Local nonprofits are often involved in placing people experiencing homelessness or housing instability into emergency shelters. Low-income seniors, seniors who are low on funds and might not make rent, or seniors who need to leave their homes for other reasons can use emergency housing. Many cities have their own emergency housing programs. There are also nationwide programs that provide emergency housing for seniors. The internet is the fastest tool for locating local emergency housing. Libraries have free internet access, for those who might not have a computer or Wi-Fi to begin their search. The list below leads to websites that include phone numbers for emergency homeless assistance. Seniors in need of immediate assistance and resources should call 2-1-1 or contact the United Way online . The 2-1-1 crisis hotline partners with United Way, which is committed to helping homeless seniors find local shelters or access transitional housing. The service can also connect seniors with other resources, including food, mental health support, or funding for health care expenses. Calling 2-1-1 is often required as a prerequisite before trying to get into a shelter or obtaining other assistance. Because 2-1-1 is for people in crisis, there are no eligibility requirements. However, some programs seniors may access through 2-1-1 do have eligibility requirements. Seniors can simply dial 2-1-1 from nearly anywhere in the U.S. to be put in touch with the programs and resources they need. Designed specifically for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal program offering low-income housing options and rent assistance. These vouchers are available through your local public housing agency (PHA). This program enables and encourages participants to choose their own housing. Housing options don't need to be a part of subsidized housing projects, but there are limits on unit size. Typically, participants must pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent, and the voucher program pays the remainder. Applicant income and family size help the PHA determine eligibility. Citizenship and eligible immigration status also play a factor. The family's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where they're applying to live. Of the vouchers, 75% must go to people whose income is at or less than 30% of their area's median income. Contact your local public housing agency . The Section 202 program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for seniors. This program gives low-income seniors options that allow them to live independently, with support for cooking, cleaning, transportation, etc. This program is open to any very low-income household that has at least one person 62 years old or older. Applicants must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on Grants.gov . The HUD-VASH program was created as emergency homeless assistance for veterans. Its goal is to give homeless veterans access to permanent housing through public housing authorities. Veterans receive rental assistance through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program and additional case management services through the VA. By December 2023, the HUD had allocated nearly 112,000 vouchers to help house veterans nationwide. To help veterans achieve stability and remain housed, VA case managers may connect veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling. If you or your loved one is a low-income senior with eligible military service, you may apply. Your local VA can tell you if your service qualifies you for HUD-VASH. Senior veterans may apply online or call (877) 424-3838. Click here to learn more about the emergency housing options for seniors available in your state. Low-income seniors who aren't in assisted living or independent living communities might find themselves facing housing instability. Emergency housing for seniors can help you or your loved one seek shelter. Crisis hotlines and public housing agencies can offer support. Finding emergency housing for seniors depends heavily on your area. The first step is to call the Crisis Hotline at 2-1-1. Finding a shelter takes less time than applying and getting approved for low-income housing voucher programs. The 2-1-1 hotline can direct you to local resources and locators. Yes and no. The duration depends on the type of housing. Shelters have limits that vary. Some shelters allow people to stay for up to six months, though that can vary based on demand. Seniors can remain in Section 202 supportive housing as long as they meet age and income requirements. Yes. Many counties have financial emergency programs that help seniors handle home repairs or short-term financial crises like utility shutoff. These programs allow the senior to focus their funds on their rent or mortgage. This story was produced by Caring.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

4rabet online game play

Social Security tackles overpayment ‘injustices,’ but problems remainThe crackdown on account sharing by Tencent Video and LoveTy Teng highlights the growing challenges that streaming services face in maintaining a fair and sustainable business model. While account sharing may seem innocuous to some users, it has real consequences for the platforms and content creators who rely on subscription revenue to produce and distribute high-quality content. By implementing stricter policies and enforcement mechanisms, these platforms are signaling their commitment to upholding the integrity of their services and protecting the interests of all stakeholders involved.The debate surrounding VAR and its effectiveness in the game has once again been reignited by this incident. Critics argue that the technology is not being used consistently and that decisions are still subject to interpretation and human error. Proponents, on the other hand, maintain that VAR is necessary to ensure fairness and accuracy in officiating.online game laptop 。

The King and the Prime Minister have paid tribute to Jimmy Carter following the former US president’s death on Sunday aged 100. In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public serviceJoe Biden led US presidents and other world leaders in paying tribute Sunday to Jimmy Carter who died aged 100. "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian," President Biden said in a statement released by the White House. "He saved, lifted and changed the lives of people all across the globe." To President-elect Donald Trump, Americans owe Carter "a debt of gratitude." "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans," he said on social media. Former president Bill Clinton, a Southern Democrat like Carter, said his predecessor had "worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world." He added, in a joint statement with his wife and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, that Carter "lived to serve others -- until the very end." To former president George W. Bush, Carter "dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn't end with the presidency." And for former president Barack Obama, Carter "taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service." Among other US politicians sharing their condolences, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Carter "taught us that the strength of a leader lies not in rhetoric but in action, not in personal gain but in service to others." Carter "was early to recognize that protecting our shared planet and promoting global public health were vital to national security interests," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. In one of the first reactions from abroad, French President Emmanuel Macron said Carter had "been a steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace. "France sends its heartfelt thoughts to his family and to the American people," he said. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted Carter's post-presidency work with the nonprofit Carter Center "saved countless lives and helped bring many neglected tropical diseases close to elimination." Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hailed Carter as "a lover of democracy and defender of peace," noting his pressuring of Brazil's dictatorship to release political prisoners. "He criticized unilateral military action by superpowers and the use of killer drones," Lula said. "He worked with Brazil to mediate conflicts in Venezuela and to help Haiti." "He will be remembered forever as a name that defends the idea that peace is the most important condition for development."The Carter administration era opened the floodgates to Miami. President Jimmy Carter’s name is indelibly tied to one of the largest sea exoduses in history, one that shaped Miami for years to come and arguably played a part in his reelection defeat: the Mariel boatlift. Between April and October of 1980, about 125,000 Cubans came to South Florida in boats from Havana’s Port of Mariel, provoking political backlash for Carter, who, in a speech that May, said America would “continue to provide an open heart and open arms to refugees seeking freedom.” His foreign policy left a profound impression in a city where thousands of Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan refugees fled from countries that his administration struggled to steer toward democracy — with little success. Carter died on Sunday. He was 100 years old. His years in office were marked by mass migration to the shores of South Florida , the rise of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and human rights and constitutional crises elsewhere. Almost half a century later, the failure of the Carter administration to advance democracies in the hemisphere remains a challenge for U.S. policy. “Carter’s record in Latin America was mixed,” said Eric Farnsworth, a former State Department and White House official who leads the Washington office of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society. “He had some real successes. He was the first to meaningfully put human rights at the center of policy in Latin America. The main challenge is that he seemed to misunderstand the true nature of violent dictatorships. He thought that by engagement and diplomacy, somebody like Fidel Castro might be convinced to change the path of the Cuban dictatorship.” At the beginning of his presidency, in June 1977, Carter, the one-time peanut farmer from Georgia who campaigned on reorienting U.S. foreign policy following the end of the Vietnam War, vowed to put human rights and non-intervention principles at the center while working toward detente with the Soviet Union. But the approach was immediately put to the test by the realities of Latin America and the Caribbean, as the region turned into a Cold War playground, with Cuba playing a central role, and other nations in the hemisphere found themselves rocked by political instability, armed conflicts and repressive dictatorships. Carter would go on to have significant accomplishments in the hemisphere, like the treaty to transfer control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panamanian authorities. Because he put human rights at the center of his diplomacy, experts also credit him for launching countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil, all under right-wing dictatorships, on a path toward democratization. But without a regional policy framework, his administration was left to react to a series of crises whose ramifications are still being felt today in South Florida. And “by trying to put human rights at the center of policy in the Western Hemisphere, somehow, the United States ended up being soft on some of the worst human rights abusers in the hemisphere,” Farnsworth said. “Maybe the lesson to be taken there is that human rights can be abused by the left as well as the right,” he added. Engagement with Cuba Despite tensions with Cuba, Carter wanted to lift the U.S. embargo on the island and improve human rights conditions there. He was unable to achieve either, despite his best intentions. Instead, Carter was forced to deal with a mass exodus from Cuba skillfully exploited by Fidel Castro, which many observers believe contributed to his 1980 loss of the presidency against Ronald Reagan, whose landslide victory marked the first time since 1932 that an incumbent president was denied reelection. Early in his presidency, Carter had engaged in direct talks with Castro. In 1978, he was interested in normalizing relations and opening a U.S. Interest Office that could work as a diplomatic mission in Havana. His administration also worked with a group of Cuban Americans who established a dialogue with Castro that resulted in the release of more than 3,000 political prisoners and the reestablishment of family travel. But talks on normalization eventually failed when Castro refused to withdraw his forces fighting in Angola during the African nation’s civil war. The release of Castro’s political prisoners marked an important achievement for Carter’s foreign policies, but it was shortly overshadowed by one of the largest sea migration events in modern U.S. history — the Mariel boatlift. After years of isolation, economic scarcity and lack of political freedoms, discontent spread in Cuba. When a group of Cubans entered the Peruvian embassy in Havana seeking asylum, Castro saw an opportunity to get rid of critics while creating another problem for Carter, whose administration would now face immigration challenges at home. Castro forced exiles in South Florida who had rented boats to pick up their relatives on the island to take other passengers, mostly men, who were criminals or mental health patients. While less than 3,000 migrants were deemed inadmissible by U.S. immigration authorities, the narrative about Mariel and criminal refugees became entangled with national politics and anti-immigrant sentiments. Eventually, the handling of the Mariel boatlift, along with a worsening economy, an energy crisis and the Iranian hostage crisis, became one of the factors that led to Carter’s defeat at the polls. On top of the 125,000 Cubans that came to South Florida, about 25,000 Haitians also arrived in boats in South Florida fleeing the Duvalier dictatorship at home. Declassified State Department documents show that if he had been reelected, Carter intended to lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba. Over the years, he remained an advocate of lifting sanctions but also pushed for human rights and democracy in Cuba. In 2002, he traveled to the island, called for free elections and brought attention to the Varela Project, a plebiscite initiative led by the opposition leader Oswaldo Payá. The visit played out in ways Carter could not foresee. Granted by Castro the unprecedented opportunity to give a speech, televised live nationwide from the University of Havana, Carter spoke of democracy, civil liberties, political prisoners and the Varela Project. He even mentioned the claims disputes over confiscations of U.S. properties after Castro took power in 1959. Many Cubans, especially the younger generation, had never heard of many of the issues before, even less on state television, nor had they seen a foreign leader openly calling Castro to allow for a democratic transition. Viewers were stunned. But while Carter’s words resonated among many, they made Castro even more determined to prevent the plebiscite proposal from posing a risk to his rule. Less than a year later, Castro imprisoned 75 dissidents, many directly involved in the Varela Project. Rise of the Sandinistas Similarly, Carter’s efforts to push the Anastasio Somoza regime to improve its human-rights record and prevent a socialist revolution in Nicaragua failed. When Carter came to office, Nicaragua was already mired in conflict. Somoza’s rule was being challenged by a Marxist guerrilla group supported by Cuba, the Sandinista National Liberation Front. After one of its attacks, Somoza ordered a fierce crackdown, and Carter cut off aid to Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan ruler lifted the state of siege to restart the flow of U.S.. aid, but the Sandinistas took the opportunity to launch new attacks. Various attempts by Carter to seek a mediated solution to the conflict collapsed. When Somoza refused such plan in January 1979, Carter ended military assistance to the Nicaragua National Guard. The Sandinistas took power just a few months later under the leadership of Ortega and quickly declared a state of emergency, abolished the constitution and began confiscating private property. Tens of thousands of Nicaraguans fled to South Florida. Many years later, in 2006, Carter was in Nicaragua to monitor elections in which Ortega was set to win the presidential elections. At the time, Carter told Reuters that he thought Ortega had changed. “His demeanor, his approach and his public statements are radically different from what I knew in the ‘80s,” Carter told Reuters. Ortega is still in power as the head of one of the most repressive regimes in the hemisphere. Haiti and human rights In Haiti, Carter faced a dilemma he had wrestled with several times: He wanted to support friendly governments but found their resistance to peace and democracy challenging his push on human rights. When Carter came into office, he inherited a U.S. ally in Haiti, President-for-Life Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, the son of the country’s former dictator, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. The Carter administration continued to provide assistance and Haiti was receiving about $41 million despite its sordid human rights record. That support led to increased criticism of U.S. policy as critics of the Duvalier regime accused it of exploiting the aid to tighten its hold on the country. They also pointed out that Haitians were increasingly fleeing on boats only to be turned away by the U.S. and denied legal status if they made it onto land. Eventually, Haitian refugees found reprieve under the Carter administration. They were treated the same as Cubans and considered refugees with the establishment of the Cuban-Haitian Entrant Program in June 1980. The program granted temporary status and access to asylum processing and assistance to fleeing Cubans and Haitians. A different world? Despite the setbacks during Carter’s presidency, Andrew Young, the administration’s ambassador to the United Nations, believes that had Carter won a second term, the world would be a far different place. A few months into the job, Young arrived in Haiti with a list of political prisoners given to him by Haitians and others and asked for a private meeting with the young Haitian dictator, who was then 26 years old. “I went back to his office, took this list out of my pocket, and said, ‘I don’t know who’s on here, but friends of mine say that these people have been unjustly convicted,” Young said. “I said there are many other places in the world that are far worse than Haiti. But they don’t get the publicity you get because they’re not as close to the United States,” Young added. “I said it would really do Haiti good, and it would help me and the people in jail if you could find a way to do whatever you think is right.” On Sept. 21, 1977, months after the visit, 106 Haitian political prisoners were released, including Robert “Boby” Duval, a well-known soccer player who told the Miami Herald in 2008 that Carter saved him from death after he had spent eight months imprisoned on the grounds of the presidential palace where prisoners were being hogtied, beaten and tortured. While his record in Latin America and the Caribbean has detractors, few question Carter’s values and intentions. His time in office coincided with a difficult time in history, in some ways bearing similarity with current international affairs. Scrutiny over his legacy might help to get some answers for today’s world. “Carter, I believe his heart was truly in the right place,” Farnsworth said. “He truly wanted to make peace. ... He wanted to reevaluate the traditional U.S. posture in the region, trying to reduce the tensions of the Cold War. Those are laudatory goals. But the question is, did that desire, at some point, overwhelm the ugly reality of what was possible in the region at the time? I think that’s the question that historians will have to answer.” ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — Jalen Rucker's 27 points helped Army defeat UTSA 78-75 on Sunday night. Rucker added six rebounds for the Black Knights (6-6). Ryan Curry scored 15 points while shooting 4 for 9 (3 for 8 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line and added five assists. AJ Allenspach shot 4 of 4 from the field and 4 for 5 from the foul line to finish with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds. The Roadrunners (6-6) were led by Amir "Primo" Spears, who recorded 22 points and nine rebounds. Tai'Reon Joseph added 16 points and two steals for UTSA. Raekwon Horton finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Army went into halftime ahead of UTSA 39-35. Rucker scored 11 points in the half. Rucker scored 16 points down the stretch in the second half to help lead Army to a three-point victory. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Mikaela Shiffrin's bid for her record-setting 100th World Cup win came to an unexpected stop in Vermont. The prominent skier crashed during a giant slalom event, despite securing the fastest first-run time. In a dramatic twist, Shiffrin lost control near the finish line, impacting the safety netting after catching an edge. She was promptly attended to and later taken to a medical facility for assessment. A resilient Shiffrin announced minor injuries and expressed gratitude for the support. However, she confirmed she would sit out the next slalom event. Meanwhile, Sara Hector clinched victory following Shiffrin's crash. (With inputs from agencies.)

However, Lin also acknowledged that even the most skilled athletes cannot succeed alone. In Hawkeye Challenge, teamwork plays a vital role in achieving victory. "No matter how skilled you are, there will always be moments when you need the support of your teammates," Lin noted. "In critical moments, their assistance can make all the difference between success and failure."

Michigan's Josaiah Stewart Says He Had Beer Thrown at Him, Was Maced

( MENAFN - Mid-East Info) The transportation industry is undergoing a significant transformation, primarily driven by advancements in GPS technology. As fleet management solutions become more sophisticated, the integration of GPS trackers is leading to enhanced efficiency, security, and operational insights for fleet operators. This article explores how GPS tracking is reshaping fleet management. GPS Role in fleet management MENAFN20122024005446012082ID1109018358 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.GLOBALISATION AND IDENTITY: Australian scholar advocates unified, inclusive path forward Islamabad : In a globalised world, where societies are increasingly multicultural, adopting a relational and decolonised approach to identity can bridge divides, foster inclusivity, and reshape cultural connections, emphasised Australian critical race scholar Prof Debbie Bargallie. "This perspective not only promotes a more equitable and interconnected future, but also resists the exploitation of values, focusing instead on the shared humanity that unites us all," Prof Bargallie told a seminar on “Reshaping Cultural Connections in a Globalised World” at the Institute of Policy Studies here. The event, chaired by member of the Supreme Court's Shariat Appellate Bench Dr Khalid Masud and attended by IPS chairman Khalid Rahman, served as a precursor to an international seminar to be organised by the IPS on Dec 5 on "The Role of Religions in Fostering Peace, Harmony and Justice.” Prof Bargallie, an associate professor and principal research fellow at the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research and the Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Australia, said highlighted the interconnectedness of cultural histories and identities, emphasising how relationality and positionality shape knowledge and social research. Drawing from cultural theorist Stuart Hall’s concept that all narratives are “in context” and positioned, she called for revisiting sidelined histories to foster a more inclusive understanding of cultural connections and identities. Prof Bargallie shared insight from her research and personal experiences, exploring the historical links between Australia, Islam, and cultural relations. She noted that trade and cultural exchanges between Muslims and Aboriginal Australians were established long before European colonisation, as evidenced by ancient maps by Al-Khwarizmi drawn in 820AD and Kilwa Sultanate coins found in Australia, which reveal a period of mutual engagement that predates European settlement. The scholar also said 19th-century Muslim immigrants, including Afghans, Indians, Algerians, and Malays, shaped Australia’s industries as cameleers, farmers, and hawkers, whose contributions underscored the early foundations of Australia’s multicultural fabric. She, however, she noted the challenges faced by these communities under the racially exclusionary White Australia policy, which marginalised non-European migrants. Sharing a personal connection, Prof Bargallie recounted how her great-grandfather, a Muslim from Punjab who migrated in the 1890s, was unable to leave Australia due to discriminatory policies like the English dictation test. "Despite such challenges, the resilience and growth of Australia’s Muslim community have significantly enriched the nation’s multicultural identity. Pakistani migrants, now the 17th largest migrant group in Australia, exemplify this vibrancy. Moreover, Islam, as the fastest-growing religion in the country, now accounts for 3.2 per cent of the population, highlighting the increasing acceptance of cultural diversity," she said. The scholar called for a decolonised approach to cultural studies that values indigenous epistemologies, marginalised voices, and non-Eurocentric frameworks, and narratives that emphasise shared histories, fluid identities, and relationality to address systemic challenges like displacement, marginalisation, and loss of cultural heritage. She added that national frameworks rooted in inclusivity could serve as powerful tools for promoting harmony and coexistence under a shared identity. Dr Khalid Masud noted that unlike political identity, which imposed boundaries, cultural identity offered a more inclusive and expansive sense of belonging. He said in the digital era, where identities were increasingly shaped and politicised, there was a need to resist the exploitation of values and instead focus on the shared humanity that connected all the people.Paul Wall Isn’t Going Anywhere: ‘I 100 Percent Intend on Doing This Until I’m 80’

1xbet online game free

Liverpool leads as the class of the Champions League this season, dumping title holder Real Madrid into an almost unbelievable 24th place in the 36-team standings. No one felt the embarrassment of Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Anfield more than Kylian Mbappé, the superstar added in the offseason by the storied club that also was European champion against Liverpool in the finals of 2022 and 2018. Mbappé had a penalty saved in the second half and was earlier dumped on his behind by Conor Bradley’s perfect tackle in an instant viral moment. Monaco missed a chance to go second in the table, giving up a lead playing with 10 men from the 58th minute in a 3-2 loss at home to Benfica. Swiss forward Zeki Amdouni scored the winning goal in the 88th. Borussia Dortmund, the beaten finalist against Madrid in May, is up to fourth place after beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0. Champions League standout Jamie Gittens now has four goals in five games, curling a rising shot in the 41st to open the scoring. The best comeback was at PSV Eindhoven, where the home team trailed Shakhtar Donetsk by two goals in the 87th minute before a 3-2 win was sealed by United States forward Ricardo Pepi’s goal deep in stoppage time. US defender Cameron Carter-Vickers scored an embarrassing own goal for Celtic — playing a no-look pass far beyond goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel — in a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge. Liverpool’s stand-in right back Bradley was a standout Wednesday, playing a key pass that set up Alexis Mac Allister to score the opening goal in the 52nd. After Mbappé’s penalty was pushed away by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher in the 61st, Liverpool star Mo Salah missed with his spot-kick in the 70th, before substitute Cody Gakpo sealed the win with a header in the 77th. Madrid now has lost three of five games after defeats at Lille and at home to AC Milan. The record 15-time European champion has another tough trip next, at fifth-place Atalanta on Dec. 10. Congo teammates Ngal’Ayel Mukau and Silas impressed in wins for Lille and Red Star Belgrade. Mukau scored twice in 12th-place Lille’s 2-1 win at Bologna and Silas leveled for Red Star in a 5-1 rout of Stuttgart, though he barely celebrated his goal. Silas is on loan with the Serbian champion from Stuttgart. Aston Villa drew 0-0 with Juventus. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/socceronline game legit 。

Marcus Rashford takes up new sport to keep in top condition for Man Utd

Election results on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean have set the background for the final stretch of campaigning for Irish parties ahead of polling day on Friday. Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in the US has brought heightened concern that his administration’s proposals around corporation tax and tariffs would significantly impact Ireland’s economic model. Mr Harris, leader of Fine Gael, has argued Ireland and other EU countries need to prepare for the possibility of trade shocks as he criticised the scale of Sinn Fein’s spending pledges as well as their saving plans. He said: “I think that is irresponsible, I think it is dangerous and I think it is reckless.” He accused Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald of not being able to say what her party was prepared to do in the event of an economic crash, adding that Fine Gael would borrow and stop putting money towards a rainy-day fund. Asked if the party was engaging in “project fear” to dissuade voters against Sinn Fein, Mr Harris said: “I call it ‘project truth’. It’s telling people what’s being discussed right across European capitals.” Ms McDonald told an RTE interview on Wednesday morning that a Sinn Fein government would also be prepared to start borrowing in the event of an economic downturn. Both Mr Harris and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who were partners in the last coalition government in Ireland, have made clear they will not countenance Sinn Fein as a potential partner in the next administration in Dublin. One day after the only three-way debate featuring the leaders of the main parties, Mr Martin accused Sinn Fein of being “dishonest” about how they will fund their manifesto plans. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, he said he is anxious to get clarity on the issue. “I think Sinn Fein have been very dishonest, frankly, in terms of the funds, because if you go through their figures, and this is a matter of fact, not opinion, they’re predicting a surplus of a billion in 2026, a billion in 2027. “Even in 2025, they’re talking about a mini budget, which would mean reducing the surplus that we’re anticipating in 2025. “There’s a legislative obligation now on any new government to put 0.8% of GDP to one side, and into the funds. There’s no way you can do that with a surplus of a billion in 2026 or 2027, and we would argue they would not have enough funds next year either to put into the funds.” He added: “It means they have no room to manoeuvre if things go wrong, if there’s headwinds come externally, or there are shocks internationally, Sinn Fein is not allowing any headroom at all in terms of room to respond or to move it.” Ms McDonald accused the other two parties of conspiring to keep Sinn Fein out of government and prevent change in Ireland. She said the two men were now “indistinguishable” from each other as she claimed they were suffering “acute amnesia” in regard to their records in government. On a visit to Naas fire station in Co Kildare, she said: “To listen to them, you’d imagine they had just arrived on the scene and that they were going to come up with all of these solutions. “They have had ample chances, ample opportunity, to make things better, and they have failed, and in between the two of them I make the case that now we ask for our chance, with our plans, with our team, to demonstrate how change can happen, how your community, your family, yourself, can be supported when the government is actually on your side.” Mr Martin’s and Mr Harris’ coalition partner Roderic O’Gorman, the leader of the Greens, issued a warning to the public over a future government without his party. On Wednesday, he said it is looking likely that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will be returned to government – but cautioned they may not want the Greens to continue “fighting hard” on policies. He told reporters: “My sense is certainly the mood music from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael is that they’d like an easier life in the next government – and my concern is they use these small populist parties and right-wing independents.” Mr O’Gorman argued that the Greens could continue to provide stability to government at a time when economic shocks may be around the corner. As the Green leader suggested that relying on independents would be unstable, Mr Martin has also argued that “too much fragmentation would lead to incoherence in government”. Reflecting on Tuesday night’s debate, the Fianna Fail leader said the race remained “too close to call” while Mr Harris said it is “all to play for”. The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties clashed on housing, healthcare and financial management in the last televised debate before Friday’s General Election. The tetchy debate, which was marked by several interruptions, saw the parties set out their stalls in a broadcast that commentators said did little to move the dial before polling day. The latest opinion poll on Wednesday put the parties in a tight grouping, with Fianna Fail slightly ahead of Sinn Fein and Fine Gael in joint second. After the 2020 general election delivered an inconclusive result, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s, agreed to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power – with the Greens as a junior partner. From 2016 to 2020, Fianna Fail had supported Fine Gael in power through a confidence-and-supply arrangement from the Opposition benches in the Dail parliament. Sinn Fein won the popular vote in 2020 but a failure to run enough candidates meant it did not secure sufficient seats in the Dail to give it a realistic chance of forming a government.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Sunday that the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but it was “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast. Speaking at the White House, Biden said the U.S. was not sure of Assad's whereabouts, but was monitoring reports he was seeking refuge in Moscow. Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria's backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He said “for the first time” that they could no longer defend Assad's grip on power. “Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON (AP) — The sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is forcing the Biden administration and the incoming Trump team to confront intensifying questions about the possibility of greater conflicts across the Middle East. President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades , because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, “was not interested in protecting him any longer.” Those comments on Trump's social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the U.S. intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT." The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to President Joe Biden's national security adviser. Biden was meeting with his national security team at the White House on Sunday. He was expected to make public comments later in the day. The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Assad's fall adds to an already tense situation throughout much of region on many fronts, including Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and its fragile cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump, who takes office Jan. 20, 2025, made a connection between the upheaval in Syria and Russia's war in Ukraine , noting that Assad's allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, “are in a weakened state right now.” The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham . The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida. Vice President-elect JD Vance , a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on own social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents. “Many of ‘the rebels’ are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they’ve moderated. Time will tell,” he said, using another acronym for the group. Trump has suggested that Assad's ouster can advance the prospects for an end to fighting in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022. Trump wrote that Putin's government “lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine” and the Republican called for an immediate cease-fire, a day after meeting in Paris with the French and Ukrainian leaders . Daniel B. Shapiro, a deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, said the American military presence will continue in eastern Syria but was “solely to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS and has nothing to do with other aspects of this conflict.” “We call on all parties in Syria to protect civilians, particularly those from Syria’s minority communities to respect international military norms and to work to achieve a resolution to include the political settlement,” Shapiro said. “Multiple actors in this conflict have a terrible track record to include Assad’s horrific crimes, Russia’s indiscriminate aerial bomb bombardment, Iranian-back militia involvement and the atrocities of ISIS," he added. Shapiro, however, was careful not to directly say Assad had been deposed by the insurgents. “If confirmed, no one should shed any tears over the Assad regime,” he said. As they pushed toward the Syrian capital of Damascus, the opposition freed political detainees from government prisons. The family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him. “To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we’re waiting for Austin,” Tice’s mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. "We know that when he comes out, he’s going to be fairly dazed & he’s going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!” Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus, amid intensification of what became a civil war stretching more than a decade. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Manama, Bahrain, contributed to this report. Will Weissert, The Associated Press

Quarterbacks in spotlight when No. 6 Miami visits SyracuseClinical and regulatory success in 2024 expected to drive value in 2025 CRANFORD, N.J. , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius Pharma" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: CTXR), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products today reported business and financial results for the fiscal full year ended September 30, 2024 . Fiscal Full Year 2024 Business Highlights and Subsequent Developments Financial Highlights "In fiscal year 2024 we drove tremendous progress in our pipeline. It was a transformative year, marked by our first FDA approval and significant clinical milestones. The approval of LYMPHIRTM and the positive Phase 3 results for Mino-Lok® underscore our commitment to developing innovative therapies. Our team successfully responded to FDA comments related to the biologics license application for LYMPHIR and ultimately gained FDA approval. Productive engagement with the FDA regarding the positive results of our Phase 3 Mino-Lok® trial and Phase 2 Halo-Lido trial clarified our next steps for both programs. We anticipate continued engagement with the agency in the coming year and look forward to their guidance. Additionally, we are exploring strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities to maximize the potential of our portfolio and bring these important therapies to market efficiently," stated Leonard Mazur , Chairman and CEO of Citius Pharma. "Looking ahead, our priorities for fiscal year 2025 include launching LYMPHIRTM through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology, driving the clinical and regulatory strategies for Mino-Lok® and Halo-Lido, fortifying our financial position, and applying a disciplined approach to resource allocation. We expect to launch LYMPHIR in the first half of 2025 and distribute CTOR shares to Citius Pharma shareholders by the end of the year, pending favorable market conditions. Our goal remains to deliver value for patients, healthcare providers, and shareholders. With a clear vision and a strong team, we are well-positioned to execute on our mission of bringing innovative therapies to market," added Mazur. FULL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS: Liquidity As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had $3.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2024 , the Company had 7,247,243 common shares outstanding, as adjusted for the 1-for-25 reverse stock split of the Company's common stock, effected on November 25, 2024 . During the year ended September 30, 2024 , the Company received net proceeds of $13.8 million from the issuance of equity. The Company expects to raise additional capital to support operations. Research and Development (R&D) Expenses R&D expenses were $11.9 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $14.8 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The decrease in R&D expenses primarily reflects the completion of the Halo-Lido trial and completion of activities related to the regulatory resubmission for LYMPHIR, offset by shutdown costs associated with the end of the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. We expect research and development expenses to decrease in fiscal year 2025 as we continue to focus on the commercialization of LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subsidiary, Citius Oncology and because we have completed the Phase 3 trial for Mino-Lok. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses G&A expenses were $18.2 million for the full year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $15.3 million for the full year ended September 30, 2023 . The increase was primarily due to costs associated with pre-launch and market research activities associated with LYMPHIR. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation costs, professional fees for legal, regulatory, accounting and corporate development services, and investor relations expenses. Stock-based Compensation Expense For the full year ended September 30, 2024 , stock-based compensation expense was $11.8 million as compared to $6.6 million for the prior year. The increase of $5.2 million is largely due to the grant of options under the Citius Oncology stock plan. Stock-based compensation expense under the Citius Oncology stock plan was $7.5 million during the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to $2.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as the plan was initiated in July 2023 . For the years ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, stock-based compensation expense also includes $47,547 and $130,382 , respectively, for the NoveCite stock option plan. In fiscal years 2023 and 2024, we granted options to our new employees and additional options to other employees, our directors, and consultants. Net loss Net loss was $39.4 million , or ($5.97) per share for the year ended September 30, 2024 , compared to a net loss of $32.5 million , or ($5.57) per share for the year ended September 30, 2023 , as adjusted for the reverse stock split. The increase in net loss reflects an increase in operating expense of $5.3 million offset by a decrease of $1.6 million in other income. Operating expense increased due to increases in stock-based compensation and general and administrative expenses, which were offset by decreased research and development expense. About Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Citius Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class critical care products. In August 2024 , the FDA approved LYMPHIRTM, a targeted immunotherapy for an initial indication in the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Citius Pharma's late-stage pipeline also includes Mino-Lok®, an antibiotic lock solution to salvage catheters in patients with catheter-related bloodstream infections, and CITI-002 (Halo-Lido), a topical formulation for the relief of hemorrhoids. A Pivotal Phase 3 Trial for Mino-Lok and a Phase 2b trial for Halo-Lido were completed in 2023. Mino-Lok met primary and secondary endpoints of its Phase 3 Trial. Citius Pharma is actively engaged with the FDA to outline next steps for both programs. For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting Citius Pharma. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "should," and "may" and other words and terms of similar meaning or use of future dates. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated, and, unless noted otherwise, that apply to Citius Pharma are: our ability to raise additional money to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months as a going concern; our ability to commercialize LYMPHIR through our majority-owned subisity and any of our other product candidates that may be approved by the FDA; the estimated markets for our product candidates and the acceptance thereof by any market; the ability of our product candidates to impact the quality of life of our target patient populations; risks related to research using our assets but conducted by third parties; risks relating to the results of research and development activities, including those from our existing and any new pipeline assets; our ability to maintain compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing standards; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to procure cGMP commercial-scale supply; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; the early stage of products under development; market and other conditions; risks related to our growth strategy; patent and intellectual property matters; our ability to identify, acquire, close and integrate product candidates and companies successfully and on a timely basis; government regulation; competition; as well as other risks described in our Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These risks have been and may be further impacted by any future public health risks. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks regarding our business are described in detail in our SEC filings which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov , including in Citius Pharma's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 , filed with the SEC on December 27, 2024 , as updated by our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Investor Contact: Ilanit Allen ir@citiuspharma.com 908-967-6677 x113 Media Contact: STiR-communications Greg Salsburg Greg@STiR-communications.com -- Financial Tables Follow – CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,251,880 $ 26,480,928 Inventory 8,268,766 — Prepaid expenses 2,700,000 7,889,506 Total Current Assets 14,220,646 34,370,434 Property and equipment, net — 1,432 Operating lease right-of-use asset, net 246,247 454,426 Other Assets: Deposits 38,062 38,062 In-process research and development 92,800,000 59,400,000 Goodwill 9,346,796 9,346,796 Total Other Assets 102,184,858 68,784,858 Total Assets $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 4,927,211 $ 2,927,334 License payable 28,400,000 — Accrued expenses 17,027 476,300 Accrued compensation 2,229,018 2,156,983 Operating lease liability 241,547 218,380 Total Current Liabilities 35,814,803 5,778,997 Deferred tax liability 6,713,800 6,137,800 Operating lease liability – non current 21,318 262,865 Total Liabilities 42,549,921 12,179,662 Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - $0.001 par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized; 7,247,243 and 6,354,371 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively 7,247 6,354 Additional paid-in capital 271,440,421 253,056,133 Accumulated deficit (201,370,218) (162,231,379) Total Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Stockholders' Equity 70,077,450 90,831,108 Non-controlling interest 4,024,380 600,380 Total Equity 74,101,830 91,431,488 Total Liabilities and Equity $ 116,651,751 $ 103,611,150 Reflects a 1-for-25 reverse stock split effective November 25, 2024. CITIUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 AND 2023 2024 2023 Revenues $ — $ — Operating Expenses: Research and development 11,906,601 14,819,729 General and administrative 18,249,402 15,295,584 Stock-based compensation – general and administrative 11,839,678 6,616,705 Total Operating Expenses 41,995,681 36,732,018 Operating Loss (41,995,681) (36,732,018) Other Income: Interest income, net 758,000 1,179,417 Gain on sale of New Jersey net operating losses 2,387,842 3,585,689 Total Other Income Net 3,145,842 4,765,106 Loss before Income Taxes (38,849,839) (31,966,912) Income tax expense 576,000 576,000 Net Loss (39,425,839) (32,542,912) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest 287,000 - Deemed dividend on warrant extension (1,047,312) (1,151,208) Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders $ (40,186,151) (33,694,120) Net Loss Per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders - Basic and Diluted $ (5.97) (5.57) Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding(The Center Square) – Legislators in Washington, D.C., have taken a number of steps over the past few days to push for insurance and pharmaceutical reforms to be passed before the end of the year. On Wednesday, a bicameral group of Republican and Democrat lawmakers held a press conference discussing the need for pharmacy benefit manager reform to protect small pharmacies across the country and “save lives.” “Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, or an independent, we all want the same thing. We want accessible, affordable, quality health care,” said Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga. “We’re not here today to just discuss one bill or to discuss just one patient’s story. We're here because there's broad, bipartisan pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM, reform that is needed to save lives.” Pharmacy benefit managers are the middlemen responsible for managing the drug prices covered by health insurance plans. According to the Harvard Political Review , the problem with pharmacy benefit managers is that they “have vertically integrated with pharmacy chains and health insurers through massive conglomerates.” That then allows them to abuse their power to cut out small pharmacies and increase prices. Carter also signed a letter that was released last week calling on the Department of Justice to dig into the role pharmacy benefit managers played in the opioid epidemic. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., Deborah Ross, D-N.C., and Cliff Benz, R-Ore., all joined him in signing that letter. “The opioid crisis has devastated communities in North Carolina and across the country, and PBMs may have fueled it by prioritizing profits over people,” Ross said on social media . “That’s why I joined a letter calling on the DOJ to investigate their role and hold these bad actors accountable.” The letter looked at recent reports on the largest pharmacy benefit managers, CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx which state that they “colluded and conspired to steer patients towards OxyContin in exchange for $400 million.” OxyContin is a trade name for the narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride, a painkiller available by prescription only. This and the general “lack of transparency” is just one of the many complaints that legislators aired on Wednesday. “My colleagues who are joining me today, Democrats and Republicans ... all recognize that PBMs are decreasing the accessibility, the affordability, and therefore the quality of health care in America,” Carter said. “We have an opportunity, right now, to advance bipartisan legislation that increases reporting requirements, which would heighten transparency and shine a light on the opaque practices of these PBMs.” Carter was also joined by Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who is leading the effort to get legislation passed in the U.S. Senate. “This year, we're losing about one pharmacy a day in America,” Lankford said. “We want leadership to be able to take this up and to bring it up in the end-of-year package ... Stop holding up legislation that is bipartisan, bicameral, and solving a problem that Americans need solved.”

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shortly after doing a face-down snow angel, firing a few celebratory snowballs and singing “Jingle Bells” on his way to the media room, Jameis Winston ended his postgame news conference with a simple question. “Am I a Brown yet?” he asked. He is now. And who knows? Maybe for a lot longer than expected. Winston entered Cleveland football folklore on Thursday night by leading the Browns to a 24-19 win over the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who had their five-game winning streak stopped. Winston's performance at Huntington Bank Field, which transformed into the world's largest snow globe, not only made him an instantaneous hero in the eyes of Browns fans but added another wrinkle to the team's ever-changing, never-ending quarterback conundrum. In his fourth start since Deshaun Watson's season-ending Achilles tendon injury, Winston made enough big plays to help the Browns (3-8) get a victory that should quiet conjecture about coach Kevin Stefanski's job. Some wins mean more than others. In Cleveland, beating the Steelers is as big as it gets. But beyond any instant gratification, Winston has given the Browns more to consider as they move forward. Watson's future with Cleveland is highly uncertain since it will still be months before the team has a grip on whether he's even an option in 2025, his fourth year since signing a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract that has proven calamitous. It's also possible the Browns will cut ties with Watson. They signed Winston to a one-year contract to be Watson's backup. But the unexpected events of 2024 have changed plans and led to the possibility that the 30-year-old Winston could become Cleveland's full-time QB or a bridge to their next young one. So much is unclear. What's not is that Winston, who leaped into the end zone on fourth-and-2 for a TD to put the Browns ahead 18-6 in the fourth quarter, is a difference maker. With his larger-than-life personality and the joy he shows whether practicing or throwing three touchdown passes, he has lifted the Browns. A man of faith, he's made his teammates believe. Winston has done what Watson couldn't: made the Browns better. “A very, very authentic person,” Stefanski said Friday on a Zoom call. “He’s the same guy every single day. He's the same guy at 5 a.m. as he at 5 p.m. He brings great energy to everything he does, and I think his teammates appreciate that about him.” Winston, who is 2-2 as a starter with wins over the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has a knack for inspiring through fiery, preacher-like pregame speeches. But what has impressed the Browns is his ability to stay calm in the storm. “He doesn’t get rattled,” said Myles Garrett, who had three sacks against the Steelers . “He’s just tuned in and focused as anyone I’ve seen at that position. Turn the page. There was a turnover, came back to the sideline, ‘Love you. I’m sorry. We’re going to get it back.’ He was already on to the next one, ‘How can we complete the mission?’ “I have a lot of respect for him. First was from afar and now seeing it on the field in front of me, it’s a blessing to have someone who plays a game with such a passion and want-to. You can’t ask for a better teammate when they take those things to heart and they want to play for you like we’re actually brothers and that’s what we have to attain. That brotherhood.” Winston has done something else Watson couldn't: move the offense. The Browns scored more than 20 points for just the second time this season, and like Joe Flacco a year ago, Winston has shown that Stefanski's system works with a quarterback patient enough to let plays develop and unafraid to take shots downfield. The conditions certainly were a factor, but the Browns were a miserable 1 of 10 on third down, a season-long trend. However, Cleveland converted all four fourth-down tries, including a fourth-and-3 pass from Winston to Jerry Jeudy with 2:36 left that helped set up Nick Chubb's go-ahead TD run. RT Jack Conklin. Garrett outplayed Steelers star T.J. Watt in their rivalry within the rivalry partly because Conklin did a nice job containing Pittsburgh's edge rusher, who was held without a sack and had one tackle for loss. Conklin has made a remarkable comeback since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last year. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. Their desire to build a dome is well intended, but an indoor game could never come close to matching the surreal setting of Thursday night, when snow swirled throughout the stadium and covered nearly all the yard lines and hash marks. “It was beautiful,” Winston said. WR Cedric Tillman is in the concussion protocol. He had two catches before taking a big hit on the final play of the third quarter. 9 — Consecutive home wins for the Browns in Thursday night games. Three of those have come against Pittsburgh. An extended break before visiting the Denver Broncos on Dec. 2. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Monday, December 9, 2024 In recent years, the surge in global travel has been nothing short of remarkable. Airports are busier than ever, social media feeds are flooded with breathtaking destinations, and it seems like everyone knows someone who’s perpetually jet-setting. This raises two intriguing questions: Why is everyone traveling so often, and how do they afford it? The answers reveal a fascinating blend of societal shifts, technological advancements, and economic strategies. A major reason for increased travel is a shift in societal priorities. Younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, value experiences over material possessions. For them, traveling is more than a luxury—it’s a way to learn, grow, and share their stories. Social media has amplified this desire, making travel both aspirational and achievable. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok showcase idyllic destinations and fuel FOMO (fear of missing out), encouraging people to explore the world and create shareable memories. Additionally, the pandemic has redefined people’s perspectives on time and opportunity. Having been confined for months, many now see travel as an essential part of life rather than a once-in-a-while indulgence. “Revenge travel” became a buzzword as borders reopened, with individuals eager to make up for lost time. While travel has traditionally been seen as expensive, innovations in the travel industry have made it more accessible. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) like Ryanair, AirAsia, and FlyArystan have revolutionized air travel, offering budget-friendly flights to a wide range of destinations. Dynamic pricing, flash sales, and rewards programs further lower costs for savvy travelers who plan strategically. In addition, the rise of shared economy platforms like Airbnb and Couchsurfing has transformed accommodation options. Travelers can find a place to stay at a fraction of the cost of traditional hotels, with the added benefit of local, authentic experiences. Group tours and travel packages have also gained traction, providing cost-effective solutions for exploring multiple destinations. Companies like Contiki and G Adventures offer curated itineraries that include transportation, lodging, and guided tours, simplifying travel planning while keeping expenses in check. Airline Region Primary Operating Areas Note s Frontier Airlines Americas United States, Mexico, Central America Offers low base fares with additional fees for seat selection, baggage, and other services. Allegiant Air Americas United States Focuses on leisure travelers, connecting smaller cities to vacation destinations. Ryanair Europe Europe, North Africa, Middle East Europe’s largest ULCC, operating over 1,800 routes. Wizz Air Europe Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East Rapidly expanding with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. VietJet Air Asia Southeast Asia, East Asia Recognized for affordable fares and extensive regional network. AirAsia Asia Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia One of Asia’s largest ULCCs, offering both short and long-haul flights. FlySafair Africa South Africa, regional destinations Known for punctuality and affordable domestic flights. For many frequent travelers, financing their adventures is a matter of prioritization and smart planning. Budgeting apps and financial tools help individuals save specifically for travel goals. People are more willing to forgo certain luxuries at home, such as eating out or upgrading gadgets, to allocate funds for their trips. Credit card rewards and travel points have become indispensable. Cards offering travel benefits, such as free flights, hotel stays, and airport lounge access, enable budget-conscious travelers to explore the world with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. By strategically using credit cards for daily purchases, travelers accumulate points and miles, essentially letting their spending pay for future trips. Some individuals also find creative ways to offset costs while traveling. Remote work, freelance gigs, and content creation allow people to earn income on the road. Digital nomadism has emerged as a popular lifestyle, especially post-pandemic, with many combining work and travel seamlessly. Travel planning has never been easier, thanks to technology. Price comparison websites like Skyscanner and Kayak ensure travelers find the best deals on flights, while apps like Hopper predict price trends for optimal booking times. Online forums, blogs, and social media groups offer insights on destinations, hidden gems, and money-saving tips. Virtual booking platforms have streamlined processes, eliminating the need for travel agents and their fees. Travelers can book flights, accommodations, and experiences within minutes, often scoring discounts in the process. Travel is no longer seen as an unattainable dream but as a necessity for personal growth and fulfillment. Employers are also recognizing the importance of work-life balance, offering remote work options and flexible vacation policies. This cultural shift encourages individuals to explore the world without fear of professional repercussions. Moreover, group travel and multi-generational trips have made exploring the world a shared experience. Splitting costs among family members or friends makes travel more affordable while strengthening bonds. The proliferation of affordable travel options, technological advancements, and a cultural emphasis on experiences have collectively contributed to the rise in frequent travel. People are not only dreaming of seeing the world—they’re making it happen through innovative financial strategies and prioritizing wanderlust over traditional expenses. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the question is no longer why people travel so often, but rather, how soon the next adventure begins. The democratization of travel has transformed it into a possibility for millions, proving that exploring the globe is no longer a privilege for the wealthy but a shared human aspiration. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.Ahmedabad: Educational institutions are now required to submit online applications for bicycle allocation to Class 9 girl students under the Saraswati Sadhana Scheme for the ongoing academic session. The submission process must be completed through a designated online portal. Schools that did not submit applications for the previous year's bicycle assistance have received official notifications. With the current year's application process now initiated, bicycle distribution is anticipated to conclude by the academic year's end. The Saraswati Sadhana Scheme, administered by the department of social justice and empowerment, provides free bicycles to Class 9 girls from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and economically weaker sections attending govt and grant-in-aid secondary schools. This programme aims to reduce their dropout rates. Applications for bicycle distribution to eligible students for the academic year 2024-25 are being accepted on the Digital Gujarat Portal within specified deadlines. The submission requires uploading caste documentation and parental income certificates. Following approval, school heads are tasked with ensuring proper distribution of bicycles to eligible ninth-grade female students at their respective institutions. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .

Federated Hermes, Inc. (NYSE:FHI) Shares Bought by Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank

Capri Holdings Limited (NYSE:CPRI) Shares Bought by UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC

Oregon already secured its spot in the Big Ten championship game, but the top-ranked Ducks have plenty to play for in their regular-season finale. Revenge may be on Oregon's mind when the Ducks host longtime rival Washington on Saturday in Eugene, Ore. Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) would perhaps be closing in on its second straight College Football Playoff appearance had the Huskies (6-5, 4-4) not dealt the Ducks their only two losses last season. Washington edged Oregon 36-33 in Seattle last October, then slipped past the Ducks 34-31 in the Pac-12 title game to secure a playoff spot for the second time in school history. Both teams joined the Big Ten in August. Third-year Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is 33-5 leading the Ducks. But he remains winless against the Huskies (0-3). Oregon plots to sprint out of its late-season bye after using time to heal injuries, but Lanning doesn't believe the break should stall the flow of an undefeated season. "It's always about what we're able to do on the field. Motivation is overrated," Lanning said. "Our guys have to want to go out there and execute at a really high level. Since the beginning of the season we've talked about playing our best football at the end of November. We're there. This is our opportunity to go play our best football against a good team." The Ducks could have star wide receiver Tez Johnson back from a shoulder injury this week. Johnson has missed the past two games. That would be good news for quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who would regain the team's leader in receptions (64), receiving yards (649) and receiving touchdowns (eight). Washington, under first-year head coach Jedd Fisch, is 63-48-5 all-time against Oregon but is just 1-12-1 when facing the No. 1-ranked team in the country. The Huskies are led on offense by running back Jonah Coleman, who has racked up 1,008 yards and nine scores on the ground this season. Coleman averages 5.8 yards per carry and has 36 runs of at least 10 yards. In the passing game, wide receiver Denzel Boston is tied for the Big Ten lead with nine in touchdown catches and ranks sixth in the conference with 764 receiving yards. Whom Boston will be catching passes from is not yet known, however. Washington has not revealed whether Will Rogers or Demond Williams Jr. will start at quarterback. Rogers has started every game for the Huskies but was benched in favor of Williams two weeks ago after throwing a pair of interceptions in a 31-19 win over UCLA. Fisch said he has a "good idea" of how he will use his quarterbacks on Saturday, and while he wouldn't go as far as to name a starter, he did say Rogers responded well in practices last week. "On the same token, Demond's energy and Demond's confidence showed up. His ability to jump right in and feel really good about leading the group whenever it was his turn... he did a really nice job there as well," Fisch told Seattle Sports. "I think both guys responded well to the week of practice, and now, really, it's important for us that the guy we believe will start the game gets a significant amount of reps in practice week. But as you know, we're not afraid to play two quarterbacks." --Field Level MediaFormer presidential candidate John Kerry claims that the U.S. was on the brink of declaring a climate emergency. Kerry made the shocking announcement during a forum hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics last week. “I think, personally, we're on the brink of needing to declare a climate emergency, which is what we really have,” Kerry said to a captivated audience after recapping the most recent U.N. climate gathering. “And we need to get people to behave as if this really is a major transitional challenge to the whole planet, to everybody.” Exclusive: Delaware man has dire warning for parents after pregnant wife's rare symptom led to 'vegetative' state Georgia cult mom who thought she breastfed 'evil' into baby stabbed 13-month-old daughter to death During his chat, the former Secretary of State emphasized the global importance of the conferences which are reportedly held all over the world and which were recently held in in Baku, Azerbaijan. “Nobody lives as an island in this process, on this planet,” he said. “And no one country has enough money to deal with the climate crisis.” According to Kerry, he hopes that, despite all the political shifts happening all over the globe, ultimately, science will prevail. “Everything I've ever done and advocated for in this is based on science. No politics. There's no liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican electrons or molecules," he said. When asked by Setti Warren, director of the Institute of Politics, and adjunct lecturer in public policy, the room — which was filled with future policymakers — what could be done to make climate the top issue. “Needs people feel translate into votes on election day,” Kerry said. “We have the challenge of getting people to understand that the economics of climate work favors people who are feeling the pinch of inflation.” DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter. According to Kerry, he encouraged voters to remember that climate efforts are important. “In Donald Trump’s first term when he pulled out of the Paris Agreement, a thousand mayors in the United States stood up and said, we're not pulling out,” added Kerry. "Thirty-seven governors in our country, Republican and Democrat alike, enforced the law with respect to the deployment of energy because they operate under what's called renewable portfolio laws.” Kerry stated that at the end of Trump's first term, 75% of the new electricity in the United States of America was reportedly renewable even after Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement. “The marketplace has made its decision,” he said. “I assure you that when Donald Trump takes the oath of office on January 20th, no CEO, in this country, of an automobile company, after spending billions of dollars retooling their plants, is going to suddenly go back to internal combustion engine cars.” In a brief ray of hope, the man noted that the President-elect was in favor of being the first in the delivery of energy. "I would assume, because the extraction principles of geothermal are very similar to the extraction of oil and gas, that the oil and gas companies—and I know this from talking to them—want to move into geothermal, " he said. "And that’s great. 80% of the workers today in geothermal have come from the oil and gas industry. So that's the future, the conversion.”Taylor Morrison director William Lyon sells $1.8m in stock

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its stake in shares of PotlatchDeltic Co. ( NASDAQ:PCH – Free Report ) by 29.2% during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 308,946 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after acquiring an additional 69,887 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC’s holdings in PotlatchDeltic were worth $13,918,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new position in PotlatchDeltic during the second quarter worth $51,000. Quarry LP bought a new position in PotlatchDeltic in the 2nd quarter valued at about $82,000. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new position in PotlatchDeltic during the 2nd quarter valued at about $85,000. FMR LLC increased its holdings in PotlatchDeltic by 20.4% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,329 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $195,000 after purchasing an additional 733 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of PotlatchDeltic in the first quarter worth approximately $203,000. 86.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. PotlatchDeltic Stock Performance NASDAQ PCH opened at $44.27 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 210.81 and a beta of 1.14. PotlatchDeltic Co. has a 1 year low of $37.06 and a 1 year high of $50.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $43.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $42.33. PotlatchDeltic Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.07%. PotlatchDeltic’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 857.14%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently issued reports on PCH. Bank of America raised PotlatchDeltic from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $51.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of PotlatchDeltic from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of PotlatchDeltic from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $51.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of PotlatchDeltic from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of PotlatchDeltic in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $49.25. Read Our Latest Stock Report on PCH About PotlatchDeltic ( Free Report ) PotlatchDeltic Corporation (Nasdaq: PCH) is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that owns nearly 2.2 million acres of timberlands in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Through its taxable REIT subsidiary, the company also operates six sawmills, an industrial-grade plywood mill, a residential and commercial real estate development business and a rural timberland sales program. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PCH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for PotlatchDeltic Co. ( NASDAQ:PCH – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for PotlatchDeltic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PotlatchDeltic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Stock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the marketGary O’Neil accepts criticism from Wolves fans after heavy defeat at Everton

Public Sector Pension Investment Board Sells 400 Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)A Manitoba man drowned while using a skid-steer loader to clear snow from a pond on his property on Tuesday. The 58-year-old was inside the machine on Christmas Eve when it broke through the ice and sank in Ste. Anne, a rural community southeast of Winnipeg. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m., and firefighters as well as emergency divers from the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team ( ) spent three hours trying to recover the man. A diver from the non-profit dedicated to recovering drowning victims found the skid-steer upright at the bottom of the pond, with the door opened inward and no one inside. The man was found roughly 10 metres from the machine later that afternoon. Approximately 18 emergency-response personnel took , reported. In light of the man's death, dive team coordinator and HEART vice-president Paul Maendel if they're driving vehicles on ice. "What you need to be aware of is the ice condition and it can be different under the layer of snow," Meandel told . "It can change from one day to another, especially with the milder weather." When it comes to being on frozen bodies of water, there's , according to the Canadian Red Cross. However, there are you can take to ensure you don't put yourself in a dangerous situation — whether you're working or playing. Falling through the ice can lead to injuries from the fall, hypothermia or drowning. Certain factors like colour, location and weather are important to understand when you're heading outside to be on ice-covered water, as well as sudden changes in conditions. Moreover, you need to know the potential dangers of being on or around ice-covered water, as well as what you should do in an emergency. The best way to measure safety on ice is to , and this should be done each time you plan to head out. However, it's important to remember ice thickness won't be uniform across most bodies of water. It's best to — always bring a buddy. To measure the thickness of ice, you can create a small hole with an axe, hatchet, ice auger or spud bar. Continue to check the thickness around the body of water. The required thickness of ice will increase depending on the weight of the load. While a single person on foot can walk or skate on ice that's slightly thinner, a larger and heavier machine will need ice that's thick enough to support the total weight, measured in gross vehicle weight (GVW). In general, ice should be at least 15 cm (six inches) thick for a single person to safely walk or skate on. That increases to 20 cm (eight inches) for a group of skaters, and 25 cm (10 inches) for snowmobiles, . You'll need more than 30 cm in thickness when it comes to most light vehicles, according to the . When planning to head out onto the ice to work, you shouldn't step out unless you know your numbers, according to . These numbers include things like temperature, your GVW and other necessary information if you're working with other people or vehicles: The day's temperature and wind chill Total weight of the vehicle, cargo, fuel and people, also called gross vehicle weight or GVW The minimum ice thickness for this GVW The maximum load allowed on an ice cover The maximum drive speed allowed The minimum distance needed between vehicles The maximum parking or stationary time allowed on the ice cover Emergency contact numbers According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), of it. Overloading can lead to the ice cracking, which can then lead to a collapse. Employment and Social Development Canada noted some of the best ways to prevent accidents is to avoid working alone. You should also dress properly — with personal protective equipment and warm clothing — as well as identify potential hazards. It's important to also conduct a visual assessment when you plan to head out onto ice. On top of looking for any cracks, water flow or soft ice, it's a good idea to understand : : This colour means water is present and that it won't support much weight. It's more common in the spring and in fast-moving water during the winter. : This type of ice can cover up danger, potentially if it has formed on top of ice that hasn't been completely frozen. : This ice forms below negative eight degrees Celsius and deepens in colour since water is naturally turquoise blue. If you're planning to spend time out on the ice, it's a good idea to also plan for the worst-case scenario and have an emergency plan. That includes prepping for spending time outside in cold weather by wearing warm clothing and taking breaks to keep warm. How to self-rescue in freezing water In the event that you fall through the ice, the first things you need to do are relax, catch your breath and call for help. Don't worry, you will have around , according to Work Safe Alberta's guide. But after that time frame, your muscles won't have strength and you will lose consciousness. To start a self-rescue, you want to avoid trying to climb back out of where you fell in. That's because the ice in this area will be too weak. Instead, keep your hands and arms on the ice while kicking your feet to get into a horizontal position parallel to the surface of the ice. Once you're horizontal, you should continue kicking your feet while pulling with your hands to draw yourself up onto the ice. Once you're out of the water, you don't want to stand up. Instead, crawl on your stomach or roll away from the area with your limbs spread out to evenly distribute your body weight. How to save someone from freezing water Rescuing another person after they've fallen through ice can be dangerous, and you want to avoid putting yourself or other people in trouble. For starters, you should call for help, whether that's immediate assistance from first responders or support from bystanders. Then, see if you can reach the person with a long pole or branch. Ensure when you're extending the item to the person that you're also lying down parallel with the ground. If you need to go onto the ice, make sure you wear a PFD or lifejacket. Moreover, bring a long pole or branch to test the ice in front of where you're moving, as well as something like a pole or weighted rope to throw to the person. When you're near the broken ice, lie down to evenly distribute your weight and slowly crawl toward the hole. Then, throw the object (pole, weighted rope or other item) to the person and have them kick while you pull them to safety.

The AP Top 25 college football 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 . OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Alabama faces a tougher roadblock than it might appear in its quest to maintain positioning for the College Football Playoff. Sure, Oklahoma has struggled in its first Southeastern Conference season. The Sooners (5-5, 1-5 SEC) have lost four straight conference games. The Sooners have fired their offensive coordinator and they have the worst offense in the league. But they have a tough defense, too. Linebacker Danny Stutsman, a midseason AP All-American, anchors a nasty unit that has kept the Sooners competitive in losses at Ole Miss and Missouri. He ranks second in the SEC with 96 tackles. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. has scored four defensive touchdowns since the start of the 2023 season, tied for the most nationally. Defensive end R Mason Thomas has seven sacks, with six coming in the fourth quarter of close games. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is paying attention. “It’s going to take a great week of preparation,” DeBoer said. “A physical football team all around. Their defense is, I think, an extremely tough defense in all ways — just what they do with their scheme and then with their personnel, the way they fly around.” RELATED COVERAGE Coach Spencer Danielson says 12th-ranked Boise State must seize moment and respect 2-win Wyoming No. 12 Boise State heads to Wyoming hoping to maintain No. 4 seed in College Football Playoff No. 4 Penn State tries to keep playoff picture out of focus in prep for tough trip to Minnesota Plus, Oklahoma is motivated. It’s Senior Day for a program that would become bowl eligible with a win. Beating the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide could cure a lot of ills for the Sooners. “I think they know they could be a great example for what fight and what belief and what finishing and what improving and what proving people wrong looks like,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “And I think this is a group of guys that are committed to doing that.” Alabama (8-2, 4-2) has more answers than most. Jalen Milroe has passed for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 17. Freshman receiver Ryan Williams has 40 catches for 767 yards and eight touchdowns. “Yeah, incredibly explosive, and they have great playmakers everywhere,” Venables said. “Certainly, it starts — everything goes through the quarterback.” There has been much talk about what a third loss would do to Alabama’s playoff hopes. DeBoer said his team isn’t focused on that. “I think we’re really honed in and the guys really believe on and have understood the significance of really focusing on where we’re at right now,” he said. “We talk about the next play is the most important play, the next game is the most important game. We haven’t thought about anything beyond Oklahoma.” Heisman hype Milroe is only the fourth SEC quarterback since 2007 to have at least 15 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns in a single season. The others won the Heisman Trophy during their seasons — Florida’s Tim Tebow in 2007, Auburn’s Cam Newton in 2010 and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel in 2012. “I think it just starts with doing what’s best for the team, and that’s what Jalen is all about,” DeBoer said. Arnold’s improvement Since returning to the lineup early against South Carolina four games ago, Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold has completed 70 of 112 passes for 705 yards with five touchdowns with no interceptions. Still, his fumble that was returned for a touchdown in the final minute against Missouri was the difference in a 30-23 loss. Arnold has dealt with significant criticism all season. “That goes along with that position at a place like the University of Oklahoma,” Venables said. “That’s a position that’s a little bit ... it’s a bit like the head coach position. There’s a different type of microscope and there’s a different type of focus and that’s okay he’s got broad shoulders to handle that.” Questionable Barnes Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns against Maine two weeks ago, then he sat out last week’s loss to Missouri. He’s listed as questionable on this week’s injury report. He leads the Sooners with 577 yards rushing this season. Stepping in Venables is impressed with what DeBoer has done in his first year at Alabama since taking over for Nick Saban. “One of Kalen’s strengths as a football coach — a very successful coach — is he takes a group of players that he has, and their staff figures out what they can do,” Venables said. “They major in that, put them in position to be successful based on the players’ strengths. They’ve done a nice job of doing that throughout the course of the season.” Big games Oklahoma beat heavily favored Alabama 45-31 in the Sugar Bowl to cap the 2013 season, a game that helped pump energy into the Sooner program under Bob Stoops. Alabama got revenge in 2018, beating the Sooners 45-34 in the College Football Playoff. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

online game 8 players

online game meaning Shopping: Why catalogs are smaller this holiday season

Friday was a busy day in the NL West. Or, really, Friday night and early Saturday morning. First, the Los Angeles Dodgers re-upped slugger Teoscar Hernández to a three-year deal worth $66 million . That was one of those obvious moves that was a great fit for the team and a great fit for the player. It took a little longer to get done than I expected, but it got done, and that's all that matters. Then, in the wee hours of the morning Saturday, the Arizona Diamondbacks landed the offseason's top free agent pitcher, agreeing to a six-year contract worth $210 million with Corbin Burnes . The deal includes an opt out after 2026. Burnes makes his home in Arizona and his wife gave birth to twins in July . A new contract close to home is a pretty excellent outcome for the right-hander. This past season the D-backs missed the postseason because they came out on the wrong end of a three-team tie with the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets . They don't want that to happen again, hence the Burnes signing. The Dodgers are, of course, the defending World Series champs. The NL West is shaping up to be one of the game's most grueling divisions in 2025. With that in mind, let's take stock of the NL West and where each of the five teams sits roughly halfway through the offseason. We'll go through the five teams in order of FanGraphs' 2025 projections . Sounds good? Good. Let's get to it. Los Angeles Dodgers Key additions: Michael Conforto , Blake Snell , Teoscar Hernández (re-signed), Blake Treinen (re-signed) Key losses: Walker Buehler , Jack Flaherty , Enrique Hernández , Joe Kelly , Daniel Hudson (retired) Have they gotten better? Yes because Snell is an upgrade over what the Dodgers got out of Buehler (5.38 ERA in 75 1/3 innings) and Flaherty (3.58 ERA in 55 1/3 innings) in 2024. Buehler pitched very well in the postseason, while Flaherty was more hit and miss in October, but Snell is one of the game's best bat-missers and capable of dominating the best lineups when he's on. The Dodgers' approach to rotation-building is to accumulate as many high-end arms as possible and hope three are healthy enough to pitch in the postseason. Snell joins Tyler Glasnow , Yoshinobu Yamamoto , and Shohei Ohtani in the starting staff with Tony Gonsolin , Dustin May , Bobby Miller , and Landon Knack further down the depth chart. The offense should again be one of the best in baseball, though I don't fully understand the eagerness to move Mookie Betts back to shortstop. Adding Conforto and re-signing Hernández confirms Mookie's an infielder moving forward, not a corner outfielder. What do they still need to do? Sign Roki Sasaki. That's a big one. The Dodgers have long been favored to sign the Japanese right-hander, though that does not mean it's a done deal. Sasaki has reportedly met with several clubs in recent weeks and is at least listening to what everyone has to say. Sasaki will be able to sign once the international signing period opens on Jan. 15 -- given his age (23), he is subject to the international bonus pools, so he will get a minor-league deal worth a few million rather than a Yamamoto contract -- and his 45-day posting window closes on Jan. 23. Beyond Sasaki, the Dodgers still need to re-sign Clayton Kershaw , who's already said he's pitching in 2025 , and possibly re-sign the other Hernández (Enrique). Los Angeles could use another high-leverage arm in the bullpen, too. I won't rule them out on Tanner Scott until he signs elsewhere. San Diego Padres Key additions: None Key losses: Kyle Higashioka , Ha-Seong Kim , David Peralta , Martín Pérez , Jurickson Profar , Tanner Scott, Donovan Solano Have they gotten better? No. The only player the Padres have added to their 40-man roster from outside the organization this offseason is Rule 5 Draft pick Juan Nuñez , who has yet to pitch above Single-A. San Diego has not signed a major league free agent or traded for a 40-man roster player. To be fair, the Padres added Jason Adam and Luis Arraez in in-season trades during the summer and they remain under team control in 2025, but so far, it's been a very quiet offseason for a San Diego team that won 93 games in 2024 and was a win away from the NLCS. For what it's worth, Cot's Baseball Contracts estimates their 2025 competitive balance tax payroll at $247.5 million , above the $241 million threshold and well above their $227.8 million CBT payroll in 2024. What do they still need to do? The Padres need a left fielder, a catcher, a starter given Joe Musgrove 's Tommy John surgery, and then another bat. Arraez, Xander Bogaerts , and Jake Cronenworth give San Diego the flexibility to put that bat at first base, second base, shortstop, or DH, but they need another bat. The Padres are expected to be in on Roki Sasaki and landing him would change the tenor of their offseason completely. I assume Profar will make his way back to the Padres at some point. He was great for them this past season and he's had the most successful years of his career in San Diego. It's one of those player/team marriages that just works. The Padres still have a long offseason to-do list, and I'd add an extension for free agent-to-be Michael King to it. Arizona Diamondbacks Key additions: Corbin Burnes, Josh Naylor Key losses: Josh Bell , Randal Grichuk , Joc Pederson , Christian Walker Have they gotten better? Yes, though losing Walker's all-around play hurts, and the Grichuk/Pederson platoon was sneaky great in 2024. Thanks to those two, the D-backs got a .279/.383/.508 line and 35 home runs from the DH spot this past season. That will be close to impossible to replace. I would not at all be surprised if 27-year-old Naylor out-hits 34-year-old Walker in 2024. Arizona will miss Walker's golden glove at first base, though. The offense has taken a hit this offseason but Burnes is a significant upgrade to the rotation. He's a balance of power guy, someone who can swing a wild-card race or a postseason series by himself, and there are very few players who can do that. What do they still need to do? I assume trading Jordan Montgomery is now the top priority. He was a trade candidate coming into the offseason given his 2024 performance (6.23 ERA in 117 innings) and owner Ken Kendrick's scathing comments , and now the Burnes signing has bumped Montgomery down to No. 7 on the rotation depth chart behind Burnes, Zac Gallen , Merrill Kelly , Eduardo Rodriguez , Brandon Pfaadt , and Ryne Nelson . The D-backs will presumably have to eat some of the $22.5 million they owe Montgomery to facilitate a trade, but they should be able to move him. The demand for pitching always outweighs the supply and his track record prior to 2024 is pretty good. Moving Montgomery and as much of his money as possible is the top priority. Beyond that, Arizona could use another veteran reliever and perhaps another bench bat (Grichuk reunion?). San Francisco Giants Key additions: Willy Adames Key losses: Mark Canha , Michael Conforto, Blake Snell Have they gotten better? Maybe? Possibly? It depends on your opinion of Adames and Snell. The Giants were said to be in the mix for Corbin Burnes, and not only were they unable to pull that off, they watched him go to the division rival. Extending Matt Chapman in-season took care of an important piece of offseason business, and full seasons of healthy Jung Hoo Lee and Robbie Ray will give San Francisco a boost. Otherwise, it feels like the Giants have done some brand name deck chair rearranging this offseason, and will be the same 77-81 win team they've been every year since 2019 except 2021 (they played at a 78-win pace in 2020). What do they still need to do? You can squint your eyes and see the makings of a good offense as long as Lee stays healthy and Heliot Ramos and Tyler Fitzgerald build on their successful 2024 seasons. The Giants really could use another starter, though. A frontline guy to pair with Logan Webb would have been ideal, though that's not going to happen now that Burnes is a D-back. Still, the Giants need someone to stabilize the back of the rotation and cut back on the number of openers and bullpen games. Ironically, Jordan Montgomery would be a nice fit for the Giants and Oracle Park, though trading for Arizona's cast-off after they signed Burnes would pour a little salt in the wound. Colorado Rockies Key additions: Thairo Estrada , Kyle Farmer , Jacob Stallings (re-signed) Key losses: Cal Quantrill , Brendan Rodgers , Charlie Blackmon (retired) Have they gotten better? Probably not, not that it will matter. The Rockies lost 103 games in 2023 and 101 games in 2024 -- those are the first two 100-loss seasons in franchise history, if you can believe that -- and there's no reason to think Colorado will contend in 2025. There are some interesting players here ( Brenton Doyle , Ryan Feltner , Nolan Jones , Ezequiel Tovar , etc.), but not nearly enough to make the Rockies relevant in 2025, even in the three wild-card era. Sorry, Rockies fans. What do they still need to do? Bring in a few more arms to help get through 162 games worth of innings. The Rockies can have a hard time signing pitchers because no one wants to pitch in Coors Field, but short-term contract guys like Jakob Junis , Colin Rea , Dillon Tate , Lou Trivino , and Spencer Turnbull would be worth a roll of the dice. Maybe one gives you 50-80 good innings before you flip him for a prospect at the deadline. The Rockies are probably a year away from being a year away, if that.

Global Times: Chinese wind power projects illuminate Uzbek homes, contribute to diversifying energy structure

Hail Flutie: BC celebrates 40th anniversary of Miracle in Miami

Rimini Street Announces New Management Console for Rimini ConnectTM Suite of Interoperability SolutionsStockTune Expands Free Stock Music Collections with New Tunes for DownloadMoPH, partners urge community to be on guard against viral respiratory infections during winter

When researchers attempted to reintroduce vulnerable parma wallabies to bushland in NSW's Illawarra region, it didn't end well for the adorable little marsupials. or signup to continue reading Three months after their release, all 48 wallabies were dead - the majority killed by foxes - highlighting the need for urgent action to ensure the species' survival, says . Professor Wilson urged the government to create more fox-free safe havens in a research paper published in Australian Zoologist on Saturday. "We know that parma wallabies are thriving in a predator-free enclosure at Mount Wilson," he said. "We need to create more private sector safe havens and captive breeding programs like that one to secure these animals' long-term survival." Parma wallabies were believed to have gone extinct until a thriving population was found on New Zealand's Kawau Island in 1965. Fortunately, Sir George Grey - a governor of South Australia and then New Zealand - had populated the island with exotic animals, including parma wallabies, in the 1860s. There, in the absence of foxes, the wallabies thrived, growing so numerous their bulging population needed to be culled. But despite various reintroduction efforts, their status in Australia remains perilous - especially after populations were decimated in the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires. The NSW government is building another predator-free enclosure at Ngambaa Nature Reserve which it hopes will house parma wallabies relocated from Mount Wilson. But Prof Wilson argues more facilities are needed and the highly specified predator-proof fencing is too costly for the government to sustain on its own. "Government agencies should be working with private landholders to build them in a cost-effective manner and encourage greater collaboration between zoos, nature reserves and commercial investors," he said. NSW's was more aspirational than realistic given current government resources, said report co-author Samaa Kalsia, a species-management expert at Australian Wildlife Services. "Historically, there hasn't been much research conducted that focuses on parma wallabies, and this is further contributing to the species' elevated risk of extinction," she said. Governments needed to provide incentives for private landowners to facilitate rather than inhibit the creation of more sanctuaries like the one at Mount Wilson, Ms Kalsia said. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has revealed the significant economic losses caused by opposition-led protests, ARY News reported. Muhammad Aurangzaib held a press conference as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is advancing towards Islamabad for its protest. He spoke about the serious economic damage caused by such demonstrations. Addressing the media, he stated that the daily financial damage from opposition-led lockdowns and protests exceeds Rs190 billion. He explained that disruptions caused by protests hinder tax collection, obstruct businesses, and negatively impact exports. Additional expenses are also incurred for maintaining law and order during such protests. The minister highlighted that the IT and telecommunications sectors face separate economic losses, with their closure affecting social dynamics and the digital economy. According to a detailed report by the Ministry of Finance, protests result in a daily GDP loss of Rs 144 billion. Export reductions cost Rs 26 billion daily, while direct foreign investment declines lead to an additional Rs 3 billion loss. Aurangzeb added that provinces bear additional losses, including Rs 26 billion daily in the agricultural sector and over Rs 20 billion in the industrial sector. Read More: Musadik Malik accuses PTI leadership of ‘blocking’ founder’s release The presser from FinMin came as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) advances towards Islamabad. Earlier, Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leadership, claiming they are seemingly disinterested in securing the release of their founder, Imran Khan. Speaking at a news conference, Musadik Malik emphasised that solving public issues is the government’s priority, highlighting that government measures have led to a reduction in inflation, and the stock market is at its highest level in history. He added that the nation must unite against extremism, mentioning that people from Parachinar are sitting on the roads with the bodies of their loved ones, yet there has been no sign of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur going to help them. Musadik Malik also criticised Ali Amin Gandapur for trying to attack Punjab and Islamabad, adding, “What happened to his Do-or-Die rally today? There are voices everywhere saying ‘Arrest me, take me in.’ Where are all the senior PTI leaders? No rallies are visible in Punjab, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala.”

Smith scores 18 in Bellarmine's 80-68 win against Bowling GreenI was asked to come up with my top 5 Aussie films of 2024. It was a difficult task5 Smart Home Devices You Should Avoid Having In Your House

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Ekeler was concussed in the final minute of the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Coach Dan Quinn said he and general manager Adam Peters got to visit with Ekeler before he went to the hospital. A team spokesperson said the decision to transport Ekeler was made out of an abundance of caution. Ekeler, 29, was injured when he was tackled by Damone Clark and Nick Vigil on a kickoff return with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Ekeler remained down on the field for some time being attended to by medical personnel, and players from each team knelt around him with their helmets off. Lineman Andrew Wylie was also concussed and fellow running back Brian Robinson Jr. sprained an ankle in Washington’s third consecutive defeat. Ekeler is in his first season with the Commanders after spending his first nine years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

NoneWASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Brooke Rollins, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the time, speaks during a May 18, 2020, meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. George Walker IV, Associated Press Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Derik Hamilton Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Matt Rourke, Associated Press The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Matt Kelley, Associated Press Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Andy Cross, The Denver Post via AP President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Evan Vucci Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. John Bazemore, Associated Press Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Matt Rourke, Associated Press Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Jonathan Newton - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Paul Sancya, Associated Press Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Oded Balilty, Associated Press Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. John Bazemore, Associated Press Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Evan Vucci, Associated Press photos Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. William McGinley, White House counsel McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press

Some Coalition MPs have cold feet on the social media ban. Dutton will stare them down - Sydney Morning HeraldH&M REOPENS ICONIC TIMES SQUARE FLAGSHIP IN NEW YORK CITY AS NEW BRAND SHOWCASE

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 . HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Drayton Jones had 23 points in South Carolina State’s 72-62 victory over IU Indianapolis on Saturday. Jones also contributed seven rebounds for the Bulldogs (4-3). Colin McKenzie finished 3 of 4 from 3-point range to add 11 points. Michael Teal shot 3 of 4 from the field and 3 for 6 from the line to finish with 10 points. The Jaguars (2-5) were led in scoring by Jarvis Walker, who finished with 21 points, four assists and two steals. Alec Millender added 13 points and two steals for IU Indianapolis. Paul Zilinskas also had 10 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries

online game 6x

online game of the generals NewAmsterdam Pharma Announces Commencement of $300 Million Public Offering of Ordinary Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants

President Moon Jae-in, who has been in office since 2017, is facing growing calls for his resignation over his handling of the Yoon Seok-yeol scandal. Critics claim that Moon has failed to effectively address the corruption within the prosecution system and has allowed political interference to undermine the rule of law. The public outcry has put immense pressure on Moon to take decisive action.

NorthView Acquisition Corporation Announces Receipt of Notice from Nasdaq Regarding Failure to ...With the arrest of President Yoon Seok-yul imminent, the country now braces itself for a period of uncertainty and upheaval. The launch of an internal turmoil investigation is expected to shine a spotlight on the depths of corruption within the highest echelons of power and hold accountable those responsible for subverting the rule of law.The energy storage industry, being a relatively new and rapidly evolving sector, is not immune to the risks of internal overwork. As companies and professionals strive to innovate, meet deadlines, and stay ahead of the competition, the temptation to work excessively long hours can become overwhelming. This not only leads to physical and mental health issues but also fosters a toxic work environment that ultimately hinders long-term success.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new social media ban for young people may appeal to worried parents, but it doesn’t address the real problems with social media platforms. Labor, with the support of the Coalition, passed the on November 27 banning social media platforms for under 16-year-olds. It will take effect in the next 12 months. Albanese claimed he wanted kids “off their devices and onto the footy fields, swimming pools and tennis courts”. He repeated that the ban meant “parents can have a different discussion with their young ones” — reinforcing the illusion that the new law will keep young people safe. Although social media bans have been imposed in countries such as and , Australia has set the highest minimum age of 16-years-old, a world first. France’s ban prevents under 15-year-olds from accessing social media, while Norway has an age limit of 13. Despite this, more than half of 9-year-olds, 58% of 10-year olds and 72% of 11-year-olds are on social media according to the . French education minister Anne Genetet is pushing for the European Union (EU) to “follow the example of Australia” and implement EU-wide bans. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and TikTok all fall under the ban. YouTube is supposedly exempt, although it released a statement to creators saying it was unclear how the ban would impact the video streaming site. Albanese is tapping into popular concerns about social media. A found that 77% backed the ban, an increase from August when 61% were in favour. The proposal received major support from parent groups and the Australian Primary Principals Association but was opposed by mental health organisations including (SPA). The Australian Greens voted against the proposal, as did eight independents. Liberal MP Bridget Archer voted against the bill in the lower house and two Coalition Senators voted against the bill in the Senate. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications, the bill “might make oldies feel like they’ve done something, but in reality it only delivers a false sense of security”. “Young people will be pushed to darker spaces on the web and regional, marginalised and vulnerable kids will be further isolated.” The usual consultation and scrutiny was skipped as Labor pushed to pass the bill before the last sitting day of parliament. This quick turnaround meant that concerns about how privacy and personal information will be handled have been left unanswered. SPA executive director Christopher Stone said the government is “running blindfolded into a brick wall by rushing this legislation”. “[Labor] has bypassed the rigorous consultation and scrutiny needed for such a far-reaching decision. Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste.” Albanese ruled out implementing a “Digital ID” for social media. He told a November 28 press conference that social media platforms would now have a “social responsibility” to ensure the safety of children online. However little has been done to pressure big tech companies to remove dangerous content from these platforms. Instead of tackling the predatory algorithms, data harvesting and graphic content circulated by social media giants, the bill simply restricts young people’s access to information and communication. The drive to boost engagement has led to more graphic and controversial content being promoted by algorithms. These algorithms also aim to keep people scrolling, spending more time on the platform and providing valuable data that can be sold to marketing companies and others. While big corporations pretend they are “unable” to prevent dangerous content from appearing on young people’s feeds, there is a lot they could do. Hanson-Young said Labor should have addressed “the dangerous and predatory business models of the tech giants”. “Parents are rightly concerned and we all agree something needs to be done to make tech platforms safer, but this was not the way to do it.” Labor claims the ban is aimed at reducing anxiety and depression in young people. Negative body image, jealousy and cyberbullying were all raised as factors contributing to declining mental health. However, “this legislation fails to consider the positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health and sense of connection”, Stone said. The statistics show that much of young people’s declining mental health is caused by such as the cost-of-living crisis, housing insecurity and fears about the climate emergency, much of which can be sheeted home to government policies. According to Mental Health Australia, more than 50% of people say that the cost-of-living is having a big impact on their mental health and young people are feeling the effects too. Banning social media means destroying the online communities and connections that young people have been able to develop. A found that more than 60% of teenagers use social media to access news. Leonardo Pugilisi, a 17-year-old journalist with the youth-run the ban would prevent young people from accessing information but would not stop them accessing harmful content. While it is still unclear how the ban will be enforced, it is likely that tech-savvy young people will find ways around the ban. [Luka Koerber is a high school student.]Short Take: Wipro F&O contract adjustments

As the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues, it is essential for both Russia and Ukraine to accurately report casualties and work towards a peaceful resolution. Only through open and honest communication can progress be made towards ending the bloodshed and finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

Wary Europe eyes Syria with hope -- and fearA meeting of the Eurasian Economic Union, a group led by Russia and comprising several former Soviet nations, took an unexpected turn when two leaders clashed during a live broadcast. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other state leaders attended the event, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. The session was held at a resort near St. Petersburg. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan participated via video link after cancelling his trip due to a positive COVID-19 test. Pashinyan has been working to reduce Armenia's ties with Moscow while seeking closer relations with Western countries. His decision to join remotely was part of this broader strategy. Dispute Over Meeting Attendance The meeting's agenda was disrupted when Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, whose country was assuming the rotating chairmanship from Armenia, invited Pashinyan to attend the next meeting in Belarus. Pashinyan replied that he intended to join via video call, prompting Lukashenko to press for an explanation and offer to send a plane for the Armenian delegation. Pashinyan cited his earlier decision to halt high-level visits to Belarus due to Lukashenko's support for Azerbaijan, Armenia's rival. "I don't think this is the right format for discussing these issues," Pashinyan remarked. Despite this, Lukashenko continued the argument, leading to a tense exchange between the two leaders. Silence from Other Leaders During the altercation, Putin and other leaders remained silent observers. The Eurasian Economic Union was established ten years ago to strengthen business ties and facilitate trade among its members. However, it has faced challenges due to economic and other disputes between member states. The incident highlights ongoing tensions within the union, particularly regarding differing political alliances and priorities among its members. These internal conflicts have occasionally overshadowed the group's economic objectives. The meeting concluded without further incidents, but the exchange underscored the complexities of maintaining unity within such a diverse alliance. The leaders will need to address these underlying issues to ensure the union's continued effectiveness.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new social media ban for young people may appeal to worried parents, but it doesn’t address the real problems with social media platforms. Labor, with the support of the Coalition, passed the on November 27 banning social media platforms for under 16-year-olds. It will take effect in the next 12 months. Albanese claimed he wanted kids “off their devices and onto the footy fields, swimming pools and tennis courts”. He repeated that the ban meant “parents can have a different discussion with their young ones” — reinforcing the illusion that the new law will keep young people safe. Although social media bans have been imposed in countries such as and , Australia has set the highest minimum age of 16-years-old, a world first. France’s ban prevents under 15-year-olds from accessing social media, while Norway has an age limit of 13. Despite this, more than half of 9-year-olds, 58% of 10-year olds and 72% of 11-year-olds are on social media according to the . French education minister Anne Genetet is pushing for the European Union (EU) to “follow the example of Australia” and implement EU-wide bans. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and TikTok all fall under the ban. YouTube is supposedly exempt, although it released a statement to creators saying it was unclear how the ban would impact the video streaming site. Albanese is tapping into popular concerns about social media. A found that 77% backed the ban, an increase from August when 61% were in favour. The proposal received major support from parent groups and the Australian Primary Principals Association but was opposed by mental health organisations including (SPA). The Australian Greens voted against the proposal, as did eight independents. Liberal MP Bridget Archer voted against the bill in the lower house and two Coalition Senators voted against the bill in the Senate. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications, the bill “might make oldies feel like they’ve done something, but in reality it only delivers a false sense of security”. “Young people will be pushed to darker spaces on the web and regional, marginalised and vulnerable kids will be further isolated.” The usual consultation and scrutiny was skipped as Labor pushed to pass the bill before the last sitting day of parliament. This quick turnaround meant that concerns about how privacy and personal information will be handled have been left unanswered. SPA executive director Christopher Stone said the government is “running blindfolded into a brick wall by rushing this legislation”. “[Labor] has bypassed the rigorous consultation and scrutiny needed for such a far-reaching decision. Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste.” Albanese ruled out implementing a “Digital ID” for social media. He told a November 28 press conference that social media platforms would now have a “social responsibility” to ensure the safety of children online. However little has been done to pressure big tech companies to remove dangerous content from these platforms. Instead of tackling the predatory algorithms, data harvesting and graphic content circulated by social media giants, the bill simply restricts young people’s access to information and communication. The drive to boost engagement has led to more graphic and controversial content being promoted by algorithms. These algorithms also aim to keep people scrolling, spending more time on the platform and providing valuable data that can be sold to marketing companies and others. While big corporations pretend they are “unable” to prevent dangerous content from appearing on young people’s feeds, there is a lot they could do. Hanson-Young said Labor should have addressed “the dangerous and predatory business models of the tech giants”. “Parents are rightly concerned and we all agree something needs to be done to make tech platforms safer, but this was not the way to do it.” Labor claims the ban is aimed at reducing anxiety and depression in young people. Negative body image, jealousy and cyberbullying were all raised as factors contributing to declining mental health. However, “this legislation fails to consider the positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health and sense of connection”, Stone said. The statistics show that much of young people’s declining mental health is caused by such as the cost-of-living crisis, housing insecurity and fears about the climate emergency, much of which can be sheeted home to government policies. According to Mental Health Australia, more than 50% of people say that the cost-of-living is having a big impact on their mental health and young people are feeling the effects too. Banning social media means destroying the online communities and connections that young people have been able to develop. A found that more than 60% of teenagers use social media to access news. Leonardo Pugilisi, a 17-year-old journalist with the youth-run the ban would prevent young people from accessing information but would not stop them accessing harmful content. While it is still unclear how the ban will be enforced, it is likely that tech-savvy young people will find ways around the ban. [Luka Koerber is a high school student.]

Washington football vs. No. 1 Oregon: Live updates, score, how to watchRecently, there was a fire incident reported at an Alibaba Cloud data center, causing concern and speculation among the public. However, the company quickly responded to the situation, assuring that the fire has been extinguished without any casualties or property damage.

Minnesota looks to stop skid vs. Bethune-CookmanSouth Korea's Political Turmoil Escalates as President Yoon Suk-yeol is ArrestedCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines' flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren't going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn't like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines' postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides," he said. "Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

The decision to launch an AI data center reflects the growing demand for scalable and efficient data processing solutions in today's digital age. As the volume of data generated continues to increase exponentially, there is a pressing need for innovative technologies that can analyze, store, and manage data effectively. The collaboration between Sharp and KDDI represents a significant step towards meeting these demands and advancing the field of AI research and development.

The newly approved draft Cyber Protection Ordinance retains many of the clauses of its predecessors that drew flak from across the world for stifling freedom of expression. The ordinance, approved by the interim government's advisory council on December 24, replaces the Cyber Security Act (CSA), and its more draconian precursor, the Digital Security Act (DSA). The DSA had gained notoriety for having been used as a tool by the Awami League government to muzzle dissent and journalists by arresting and incarcerating them. The DSA's watered-down version, the CSA, kept clauses that criminalised free speech and just removed stringent and non-bailable jail terms. Much like its antecedents, the newly drafted ordinance limits free speech online and disregards the right to freedom of expression as a universal right. The draft penalises "hurting religious sentiment" with a jail term of two years and a fine of Tk 10 lakh. Both CSA and DSA had this provision. The Daily Star obtained data from Centre for Governance Studies' DSA Tracker and found that 44 percent of the cases filed under the DSA for "hurting religious sentiment" were against the religious minorities, particularly the Hindus. Last year, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Irene Khan wrote to the then Awami League government, criticising this clause. "International human rights law protects individuals from intolerance, violence and discriminations based on their religion or belief, but it does not allow restriction of criticism of religious belief or sentiment," she wrote. A clause criminalising defamation, which was heavily used for incarcerating journalists and politicians, has been removed in the draft and replaced with a "cyber-bullying" clause. The section states that it is a criminal offence to use any website or any electronic medium to insult, harass, blackmail or humiliate a person. The offence carries jail terms of up to two years and a fine of Tk 10 lakh. Use of slurs and offensive words is deemed a violation under this section. It states that the content that defames someone or causes mental trauma would be under the purview of this law. The data from Centre for Governance Studies shows that of the over 5,000 accused under the DSA, nearly half were prosecuted for social media posts deemed critical of the government, officeholders, or elected representatives. One in three accused under the DSA and one in four sued under the CSA were journalists, the data shows. Saimum Reza Talukder, a prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal who specialises in digital rights and cyber laws, said, "The vague wording of 'cyberbullying' and the broad scope of the definition might also be abused in future, because the notion of defamation is also there. Therefore, this needs to be elaborated. "... Journalistic freedom might be hampered or affected in this draft." He added, "I understand the importance of curbing hate speech or harmful speech against religion. Hate speech must be well-defined in the law so that it does not get combined with any other issues, and it does not get abused." The draft also enables a supervisory body, National Security Agency, to block any content that poses a threat to national solidarity, the nation's economic activities, national security, defence, religious values, public order, or incites racial hatred or animosity. Law enforcers can also request the agency to block such information. Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer at Robi Axiata Ltd, said, "It is unfortunate to observe that several recommendations from the industry stakeholders have not been accommodated in the draft. Expanding the capacity of content blocking through organisations under the ICT division will create the scope for misuse of power." Under the proposed law, a National Cyber Security Council led by the chief of the government is to be formed. The council will include relevant ministers and law enforcement agency heads as its members. The council can directly issue instructions to the agency to take action. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the policy adviser of the Information Communication Technology Division, and one of the authors of the ordinance, said, "The risk of such clauses being misused or abused remains. "It is very important for the political settlement to be such that the implementation of the law happens based on civility and human rights." Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, executive director of Tech Global Institute, said, "... These provisions legitimise surveillance and transnational repression, both of which were disproportionately abused by the Awami League government for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. "The ordinance fails to address any structural issues around censorship, surveillance, consolidation of state powers, and discretionary powers given to law enforcement and intelligence agencies." Taiyeb argues that the draft includes checks and balances to ensure that overreaches are challenged. "The ordinance allows search and arrests without warrants, but they [accused] have to be produced before a court within 24 hours. This is to protect against enforced disappearance." As per the draft, the accused can go to court and declare their lack of trust or confidence in an investigating officer. In addition, the draft mandates that it is up to a magistrate to decide if a case has the merit for a judicial process. This is a departure from the previous two laws under which cases could be filed against individuals and arrests made without the involvement of a magistrate, and all cases would end up at court. The draft recognises that women and children are particularly vulnerable in cyberspace and proposes harsh penalties for those perpetrating crimes against them. Sexual harassment in cyberspace now carries a jail term of three years and a fine of Tk 20 lakh. Taiyeb said, "We have also included a provision allowing aggrieved persons to seek compensation from the person who has harmed them. There is no upper ceiling on the compensation that can be sought, and the cyber tribunal can decide on the amount depending on the severity of the harm caused." The draft includes a section that penalises e-commerce websites for extorting money from customers and defrauding them. This offence is non-bailable. Bail would be denied in cases filed in connection with hacking, data theft, or destroying critical infrastructure. The draft ordinance defines "cyber-terrorism" as illegal access to any system that threatens the country's diplomatic relations with another state, acts intended for espionage or for serving the interests of any particular group or individual. This offence is non-bailable. Cryptocurrencies remain outlawed. Critics pointed out that no real stakeholder engagement happened before this draft was approved. Sabhanaz said that allowing only three days to comment on the draft, not holding any meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, and not ensuring transparency on decision-making reflect poorly on the government the mandate of which is to make critical reforms. The newly approved draft Cyber Protection Ordinance retains many of the clauses of its predecessors that drew flak from across the world for stifling freedom of expression. The ordinance, approved by the interim government's advisory council on December 24, replaces the Cyber Security Act (CSA), and its more draconian precursor, the Digital Security Act (DSA). The DSA had gained notoriety for having been used as a tool by the Awami League government to muzzle dissent and journalists by arresting and incarcerating them. The DSA's watered-down version, the CSA, kept clauses that criminalised free speech and just removed stringent and non-bailable jail terms. Much like its antecedents, the newly drafted ordinance limits free speech online and disregards the right to freedom of expression as a universal right. The draft penalises "hurting religious sentiment" with a jail term of two years and a fine of Tk 10 lakh. Both CSA and DSA had this provision. The Daily Star obtained data from Centre for Governance Studies' DSA Tracker and found that 44 percent of the cases filed under the DSA for "hurting religious sentiment" were against the religious minorities, particularly the Hindus. Last year, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression Irene Khan wrote to the then Awami League government, criticising this clause. "International human rights law protects individuals from intolerance, violence and discriminations based on their religion or belief, but it does not allow restriction of criticism of religious belief or sentiment," she wrote. A clause criminalising defamation, which was heavily used for incarcerating journalists and politicians, has been removed in the draft and replaced with a "cyber-bullying" clause. The section states that it is a criminal offence to use any website or any electronic medium to insult, harass, blackmail or humiliate a person. The offence carries jail terms of up to two years and a fine of Tk 10 lakh. Use of slurs and offensive words is deemed a violation under this section. It states that the content that defames someone or causes mental trauma would be under the purview of this law. The data from Centre for Governance Studies shows that of the over 5,000 accused under the DSA, nearly half were prosecuted for social media posts deemed critical of the government, officeholders, or elected representatives. One in three accused under the DSA and one in four sued under the CSA were journalists, the data shows. Saimum Reza Talukder, a prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal who specialises in digital rights and cyber laws, said, "The vague wording of 'cyberbullying' and the broad scope of the definition might also be abused in future, because the notion of defamation is also there. Therefore, this needs to be elaborated. "... Journalistic freedom might be hampered or affected in this draft." He added, "I understand the importance of curbing hate speech or harmful speech against religion. Hate speech must be well-defined in the law so that it does not get combined with any other issues, and it does not get abused." The draft also enables a supervisory body, National Security Agency, to block any content that poses a threat to national solidarity, the nation's economic activities, national security, defence, religious values, public order, or incites racial hatred or animosity. Law enforcers can also request the agency to block such information. Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer at Robi Axiata Ltd, said, "It is unfortunate to observe that several recommendations from the industry stakeholders have not been accommodated in the draft. Expanding the capacity of content blocking through organisations under the ICT division will create the scope for misuse of power." Under the proposed law, a National Cyber Security Council led by the chief of the government is to be formed. The council will include relevant ministers and law enforcement agency heads as its members. The council can directly issue instructions to the agency to take action. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the policy adviser of the Information Communication Technology Division, and one of the authors of the ordinance, said, "The risk of such clauses being misused or abused remains. "It is very important for the political settlement to be such that the implementation of the law happens based on civility and human rights." Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, executive director of Tech Global Institute, said, "... These provisions legitimise surveillance and transnational repression, both of which were disproportionately abused by the Awami League government for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. "The ordinance fails to address any structural issues around censorship, surveillance, consolidation of state powers, and discretionary powers given to law enforcement and intelligence agencies." Taiyeb argues that the draft includes checks and balances to ensure that overreaches are challenged. "The ordinance allows search and arrests without warrants, but they [accused] have to be produced before a court within 24 hours. This is to protect against enforced disappearance." As per the draft, the accused can go to court and declare their lack of trust or confidence in an investigating officer. In addition, the draft mandates that it is up to a magistrate to decide if a case has the merit for a judicial process. This is a departure from the previous two laws under which cases could be filed against individuals and arrests made without the involvement of a magistrate, and all cases would end up at court. The draft recognises that women and children are particularly vulnerable in cyberspace and proposes harsh penalties for those perpetrating crimes against them. Sexual harassment in cyberspace now carries a jail term of three years and a fine of Tk 20 lakh. Taiyeb said, "We have also included a provision allowing aggrieved persons to seek compensation from the person who has harmed them. There is no upper ceiling on the compensation that can be sought, and the cyber tribunal can decide on the amount depending on the severity of the harm caused." The draft includes a section that penalises e-commerce websites for extorting money from customers and defrauding them. This offence is non-bailable. Bail would be denied in cases filed in connection with hacking, data theft, or destroying critical infrastructure. The draft ordinance defines "cyber-terrorism" as illegal access to any system that threatens the country's diplomatic relations with another state, acts intended for espionage or for serving the interests of any particular group or individual. This offence is non-bailable. Cryptocurrencies remain outlawed. Critics pointed out that no real stakeholder engagement happened before this draft was approved. Sabhanaz said that allowing only three days to comment on the draft, not holding any meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, and not ensuring transparency on decision-making reflect poorly on the government the mandate of which is to make critical reforms.The clash between Lions 1 and Lions 2 is set to be an epic battle of wits, strength, and willpower. With both sides determined to emerge victorious, the stakes have never been higher. Fans are divided, with some pledging their allegiance to Lions 1, while others are firmly in the camp of Lions 2. Social media has been abuzz with heated debates, fan theories, and predictions about the outcome of the clash.Pune, Nov 30 (IANS) : Veteran social crusader, Dr Babasaheb Pandurang Adhav (96), alias Baba Adhav broke his 3-day long hunger strike to oppose EVMs after a galaxy of political leaders including Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray plus others met him here on Saturday evening. The weary-looking Dr Baba Adhav, a medico-cum-labour leader, received Nationalist Congress (SP) President Sharad Pawar, his state President Jayant R. Patil, Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, party MP Sanjay Raut, and later Nationalist Congress Party President Ajit A. Pawar also dropped in at the agitation venue. Around 5 p.m., Dr Baba Adhav bowed to appeals from his supporters and accepted a glass of water offered by Thackeray, symbolising the end of his hunger agitation amidst claps and cheers. “There have been huge discrepancies in the voter turnout figures declared by the ECI, kept changing, the vote-counting processes were allegedly manipulated to give undue advantage to the outgoing MahaYuti, and related aspects. The verdict is an assault on democracy,” said Dr Baba Adhav earlier, speaking to the media. Asserting that the people have a right to know where their votes have actually gone, the frail, but firm, nonagenarian pointed out how the MahaYuti regime doled out cash to women (‘Ladki Bahin’) scheme just before the elections and undermined the state’s delicate financial condition, as Sharad Pawar, 83, nodded in agreement. “The government wants a democracy that gives it a monopoly without any Opposition (party). Therefore it is the duty and responsibility of all citizens to thwart this, and take a firm stance,” urged Dr Baba Adhav. Speaking on the occasion, Thackeray said that “not only the losers like us (Maha Vikas Aghadi), but even the winners (MahaYuti) leaders are coming here”. “Nobody, neither the winners nor the losers believe in the outcome of the state Assembly elections. We are stunned over how we lost, they are shocked at how they won. The reason is clear. ‘Satyameve Jayate’ was killed, but now you (Dr Baba Adha) have revived it and we are fully with you,” said Thackeray. The Shiv Sena (UBT) President said this agitation was like a spark but it would ignite into a huge blaze, and lauded Dr Baba Adhav for carrying out the agitation at his advanced age and “inspiring all of us” to continue the fight. “We have also seen and heard how money power was brutally used in the polls... All have watched the videos of (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Vinod Tawde (in Palghar, on November 19). We have seen the shower of schemes. But what the MahaYuti did was to give anaesthesia to all its projects to complete its ‘power operation’ quickly,” said Thackeray without mincing words. He also called upon the top leaders of the MVA parties NCP (SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Congress to follow in Dr Baba Adhav’s footsteps, and carry forward the fight against EVMs, even as the Election Commission of India (ECI) invited a Congress delegation to discuss its grievances (December 3) on the state poll outcome. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief rued how the information on elections is not available under RTI, how people’s rights are being flouted, while the EVM-VVPAT receipt is visible, counting of the same is not allowed, thus preventing the people and candidates from knowing whether their vote got registered properly or not, leading to many doubts. Taking potshots at the MahaYuti for the huge delay in government formation, Thackeray said that after getting a brute majority, “instead of going to Raj Bhavan (for the oath), the caretaker CM has gone to his farmland,” and wondered what had gone wrong. “When the MVA government was due to be formed (in November 2019), the President’s rule was imposed... Now, (2024), the term of the legislature has expired, so why is the same not being done now? No one will answer these questions...There is complete uncertainty on the new regime, who could be the CM, ministers, portfolios, etc,” said Thackeray.

online game real money philippines

Despite his impressive performances, Radu has struggled to secure a regular starting spot in the team in recent months. With the emergence of other talented goalkeepers and the club's desire to bring in new signings, Radu's future at Inter Milan has become increasingly uncertain.online game philippines 。

In conclusion, the 2024 E-commerce Intellectual Property Protection Exchange and Research Seminar was a resounding success, providing a valuable platform for industry professionals to exchange knowledge, ideas, and best practices in intellectual property protection. The event underscored the critical role of intellectual property rights in fostering a vibrant and sustainable e-commerce ecosystem and highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration and innovation in safeguarding the future of digital commerce.

The controversy began when reports surfaced of a clandestine agreement between Google and Meta that allowed the two companies to exchange valuable advertising data in a manner that bypassed traditional market regulations. This raised red flags among EU regulators, who have long been vigilant in monitoring the behavior of tech companies to prevent monopolistic practices and ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace.Ambient Scientific unveils first ever AI module powered by a coin cell batteryIn the world of football, certain milestones are revered for their significance and impact. And when a player breaks new ground, especially one from a non-traditional footballing nation, it is a cause for celebration and recognition. The recent news of a second Chinese player set to start against Atletico Madrid, following in the footsteps of Wu Lei, has ignited excitement and anticipation in the football community.

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new stake in shares of Arlo Technologies, Inc. ( NYSE:ARLO – Free Report ) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 98,521 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,193,000. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Quest Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Arlo Technologies by 283.0% during the 3rd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 2,547 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,882 shares during the last quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Arlo Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Arlo Technologies by 34.9% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 840 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Arlo Technologies by 90.5% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,742 shares of the company’s stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 1,778 shares during the period. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Arlo Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $62,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.18% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Craig Hallum reduced their target price on shares of Arlo Technologies from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 8th. BWS Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $24.00 price objective on shares of Arlo Technologies in a report on Friday, November 8th. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Kurtis Joseph Binder sold 7,098 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.94, for a total transaction of $84,750.12. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 892,595 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,657,584.30. This represents a 0.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . 3.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Arlo Technologies Price Performance Shares of ARLO stock opened at $12.03 on Friday. Arlo Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $8.33 and a 1-year high of $17.64. The firm has a market cap of $1.21 billion, a PE ratio of -48.08 and a beta of 1.78. The company has a 50-day moving average of $11.42 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.66. About Arlo Technologies ( Free Report ) Arlo Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a cloud-based platform in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company offers Arlo Essential Cameras and Doorbells (2nd Generation) delivers smart home protection, including automated privacy shield, 180-degree field of view, and 2K video resolution; Arlo Home Security System, an all-in-one multi-sensor that provides access to security experts for monitoring and responding to emergency situations; Arlo Pro 5S, a wireless 2K video resolution security camera; Arlo Go 2, a camera for monitoring remote areas, large properties, construction sites, vacation homes, boat or RV slips, and hard-to-access areas; Arlo Ultra 2 provides 4K video with HDR, an ultra-wide, 180-degree field of view, auto zoom and tracking on moving objects, and color night vision; and Arlo Floodlight Camera, a wire-free floodlight camera. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arlo Technologies, Inc. ( NYSE:ARLO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Arlo Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arlo Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .OTTAWA, ON , Dec. 13, 2024 /CNW/ - The development of secure, sustainable North American supply chains requires close collaboration among like-minded partners. That is why Canada and the United States are strategically co-investing in important critical minerals projects in Canada and working to strengthen our supply chains. We are accelerating projects that will develop the critical minerals essential for continental and economic security, as well as for our clean energy future. Critical minerals are essential components in products used for defence, advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, electrical transmission lines and batteries. Canada's mining sector provides many of the building blocks needed for these strategic sectors, including tungsten, gallium, germanium and zinc. Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a co-investment with the United States in the Canadian mining company Fireweed Metals Corp. (Fireweed). Fireweed will receive up to CA$12.9 million (approximately US$9.2 million ) from Natural Resources Canada for its North Canol Infrastructure Improvement Project, pending final due diligence, for pre-development activities by the company such as design, studies and collection of baseline data, as well as engagement and consultations with First Nations. These pre-development activities will focus on improvements of approximately 250 kilometres of road, upgrades to an existing transmission line between Faro and Ross River , and the construction of a new transmission line from Ross River to the Macmillan Pass site. This infrastructure will be key to the development of Fireweed's Critical minerals projects in eastern Yukon . These funds will be joined by a US$15.8-million (approximately CA$22.1 million) co-investment from the United States to advance test work, feasibility studies and other preconstruction activities at the Mactung mine project, which is expected to benefit from the Canadian-supported infrastructure improvements. Canada is providing this conditional funding to Fireweed through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund's (CMIF) pre-construction stream. The CMIF is a key program under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to address infrastructure gaps, enable critical minerals production and connect resources to markets through various clean energy, electrification and transportation infrastructure projects. The co-investment from the United States is provided by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Defense Production Act Purchases Office. This announcement is a concrete example of the close bilateral collaboration under the Canada-U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration and the Canada-U.S. Energy Transformation Task Force. Co-investment in Canadian projects of strategic importance, like Fireweed's, supports the United States and Canada's shared vision of strong, sustainable North American critical mineral supply chains. Quotes " Canada is positioning itself as a global supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals, which are increasingly in demand for the clean and digital economy as well as for defence applications. Our investment in the Fireweed project will develop the necessary energy infrastructure to power multiple critical minerals mines and communities with clean energy. These investments by Canada and the United States build on our long history of friendship and collaboration, complement the region's deep expertise in mining, create good jobs in the Yukon and advance economic growth, now and into the future." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources " Canada's investment is key to building the transportation infrastructure needed for the Yukon's critical minerals sector. By supporting foundational work to upgrade access roads to critical mineral mining sites, we're strengthening our supply chains for clean energy technologies, creating good jobs and economic growth." The Honourable Anita Anand President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport of Canada "Tungsten is essential to the national security of both the United States and Canada . This project highlights the interconnected nature of our countries' defense industrial bases, especially when it comes to critical minerals. We look forward to more opportunities to partner with Canada to support projects that strengthen our mutual security." Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, United States Department of Defense "These U.S. and Canadian co-investments will support unlocking a new critical minerals district in Canada . In the coming months and years, our team will work to ensure our project and the enabling infrastructure move forward in a way that respects rights-holders, provides benefits to communities in the region and demonstrates how critical minerals can be developed responsibly." Peter Hemstead , Director, President and CEO, Fireweed Metals Corp. Quick Facts The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy , supported by an investment of $3.8 billion , aims to advance the development of critical minerals and related value chains to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and support advanced technology and manufacturing. The Strategy addresses five core objectives: supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job creation; promoting climate action and strong environmental management; enhancing global security and partnerships with allies; advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; and fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and communities. Over the last few years, Canada has made landmark investments across a range of critical mineral and zero-emission-vehicle supply chain projects in Canada . Canada is actively providing support across the industry under the Strategy to address barriers through funding and collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous groups, mining companies and other Canadian and international partners. The CMIF is a key program under the Strategy to support enabling clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to increase Canada's supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals. The CMIF supports strategic priorities, such as decarbonizing industrial mining operations; strengthening supply chains through transportation infrastructure; and advancing economic reconciliation by supporting the participation of Indigenous Peoples in infrastructure and critical minerals projects. Announced in January 2020 , the Canada-U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals advances both countries' common interest in strengthening North American critical mineral production needed for defence, aerospace, clean energy, communications and other key industries. Related Products Canada and the United States extend bilateral energy transformation task force for an additional year, announce new mineral sector investments Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden Joint Statement Associated Links Fireweed Metals Corp. Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund Programs and funding for critical minerals projects Follow us on LinkedIn SOURCE Natural Resources Canada View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2024/13/c6846.html © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

In addition to benefiting manufacturers and consumers, the "Spring Dawn Project" also has a positive impact on the environment. By streamlining the distribution process and reducing unnecessary packaging, transportation, and storage costs, "Factory Direct Sales" contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly supply chain. This approach aligns with the growing consumer demand for ethically sourced and environmentally conscious products.FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup

A week after a demoralizing loss to the Tennessee Titans, the AFC South-leading Houston Texans might have a perfect opportunity to reboot when they face the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Then again, maybe not. It depends, Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said, if the Texans (7-5) are "locked in" and able to make a December push. "I just look at it as being intensely focused on your job and being where you're supposed to be, executing the minor details of your job," Ryans said. "It all comes down to minor, minute details that you get exploited if you don't do them the correct way and teams find those and they make you pay. "And a lot of the things, as I talked to our guys about, are things that we can control." Jacksonville (2-9), sitting at the bottom of the AFC South, is coming off a humiliating 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. It marked the fourth straight setback for the Jaguars, who had dropped their previous three games by a combined 13 points. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson noted that changes are coming, although he opted not to show his cards. "I'm not going to get into the whole details of things, but there are things in the run game that we have to get back to," Pederson said. "Even in the passing game, tweaking some things there. There are things that can, hopefully, help our production over the last six weeks." One of those things could be the return of starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has not played since Nov. 3 due to a left shoulder injury. Lawrence was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday, with Pederson telling reporters Monday that the signal-caller's status for Sunday would be determined as the week progresses. Pederson has also had his eye on Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has run into some struggles during his sophomore season. Stroud has thrown nine interceptions in 12 games (all starts) after throwing only five as a rookie. He was picked off twice in the 32-27 setback against Tennessee, also throwing for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 20-for-33 passing. Pederson still believes the 23-year-old can hurt the Jaguars, though. "Playing the quarterback position is hard," Pederson said. "I don't know everything that goes on down there. I'm sure there's been injury, guys have missed (time). He's missed his playmakers from time to time. And then there's the film. There's the film out there." The Texans have lost three of their past four games and four of their past six as defenses continue to solve Stroud. Defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and Denico Autry (knee) were among those who didn't practice for Houston on Wednesday, and safety Jalen Pitre is expected to miss several weeks because of a shoulder injury. Linebacker Yasir Abdullah (hamstring) was the only Jaguar to miss practice on Wednesday. Cornerback Tyson Campbell (shoulder) joined Lawrence as limited. Sunday marks the second meeting of the season between the teams. The Texans topped Jacksonville 24-20 back on Sept. 29. --Field Level Media

For Real Madrid, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate. With pressure mounting on Coach Ancelotti and the players, the team is in dire need of a turnaround. The back-to-back defeats in the Champions League have raised questions about the team's ability to compete at the highest level. Real Madrid's once formidable defense has been leaking goals, while their attack has failed to fire on all cylinders.In a bizarre turn of events, a man who paid $20,000 to participate in a self-discipline challenge has failed to meet the requirements three times in a row. As a result, the court has taken legal action against him, sparking a debate on the limits of personal responsibility and the consequences of failing to adhere to self-imposed commitments.

Title: 30-Year-Old MIT Doctorate Graduate Reunites with Family After Being Kidnapped 3 Times: A Story of Resilience and Hope

In response to these findings, retired footballers are seeking compensation and support from the Football Association (FA) in England. Many players have come forward to share their experiences of struggling with neurological symptoms and cognitive impairments, attributing them to their years of heading the ball during practice and matches.Ambient Scientific unveils first ever AI module powered by a coin cell batteryAmidst the sorrow and confusion, the community rallied together in solidarity, offering support to the boy's grieving family and seeking solace in each other's company. Vigils were held in remembrance of the young victim, with candles lit and prayers offered for his soul to rest in peace.

Amid the persistent challenges of violence and insecurity in Nigeria, Lucky Isaac Chima, a seasoned legal expert and peacebuilding advocate, is shedding light on effective strategies to address insurgency and militancy. With over six years of experience in legal, administrative, and management roles, Chima combines professional acumen with academic rigor to tackle some of Nigeria’s most pressing conflicts. His recent research paper, “Peace Through Amnesty: A Case Study of Niger Delta Militants and Boko Haram Fighters,” explores the successes and shortcomings of Nigeria’s peace initiatives. Nigeria, often dubbed the “Giant of Africa,” is rich in natural resources and boasts a significant population. However, decades of ethnic, religious, and political unrest have hindered its growth. Chima’s work delves into government programs such as the Amnesty Program in the Niger Delta and the Operation Safe Corridor (OSC) in the North, both of which aim to rehabilitate insurgents and militants. He emphasizes the need for sustainable peacebuilding approaches that address the root causes of these conflicts. Chima’s research highlights how violence has ravaged both rural and urban communities, displacing millions and driving poverty. The Amnesty Program, initiated in 2009, provided Niger Delta militants with vocational training and financial support to reintegrate into society. Similarly, OSC focuses on rehabilitating Boko Haram fighters, offering them skills and psychological counseling. While these programs have been praised for their immediate impact, Chima raises critical questions about their long-term effectiveness. In his analysis, Chima underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues such as corruption, inequality, and marginalization that fuel conflicts in Nigeria. He argues that without structural reforms, peace efforts may remain temporary. His findings have been lauded for their balanced critique of government policies and their focus on community-based solutions. Beyond his research, Chima’s professional experience reflects his dedication to peacebuilding. As a Corporate Relations Specialist with Rogerson Communities in Boston, he is spearheading affordable housing initiatives, forging partnerships, and implementing corporate-funded projects to uplift underserved communities. His work in the United States complements his passion for driving social and economic development globally. Prior to his current role, Chima served as a Legal Officer at Structure HQ, Nigeria, where he honed his skills in financial transactions, legal compliance, and corporate strategy. His contributions to standardizing loan documentation and developing debt recovery strategies significantly improved his employers’ operations. These experiences have equipped him with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, finance, and development. Chima’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his role as Co-Partner and Founder of FlintHills Legal Practice, where he provides consultancy services on emerging technologies, private equity, and regulatory compliance. His firm’s focus on protecting clients from legal liabilities and promoting transparency reflects his commitment to ethical practice. As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Reastat Development Initiative, Chima led grassroots peacebuilding programs in conflict-affected communities in Nigeria. His efforts to create gender-inclusive peace processes have been particularly impactful, increasing women’s participation in local governance and conflict resolution. This work aligns closely with the themes of his research paper, which emphasizes the role of marginalized groups in fostering sustainable peace. Chima’s legal and administrative expertise is matched by his dedication to humanitarian causes. He has prepared project proposals for fundraising events, supported small businesses recovering from communal conflicts, and developed strategies to enhance nonprofit operations. His ability to navigate complex social and legal landscapes has earned him recognition as a versatile and compassionate leader. In his work, Chima advocates for an integrated approach to peacebuilding that combines amnesty programs with education, economic empowerment, and political reforms. He calls for greater investment in youth development and job creation, arguing that these measures are essential to breaking the cycle of violence. His insights are informed by his hands-on experience working with affected communities and his deep understanding of legal frameworks. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Chima continues to contribute to global conversations on conflict resolution and development. He is an active networker, using platforms like LinkedIn to share his ideas and collaborate with professionals worldwide. His profile reflects a rich blend of academic inquiry and practical engagement, making him a thought leader in his field. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing insecurity, voices like Chima’s are critical in shaping effective policies. His research serves as a blueprint for addressing the root causes of violence and building a more inclusive and prosperous society. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Stock market today: Nasdaq hits a record as Wall Street drifts ahead of Federal Reserve's meeting***End of Article***

The internet today is an indispensable tool for education, communication, business, and innovation. From metropolitan cities to remote villages, people rely on high-speed internet and modern communication tools to connect with global markets, enhance their skills, and improve their lives. For developing nations like Pakistan, where economic challenges are severe and unemployment is rampant, the internet offers a crucial lifeline, especially for the youth. However, current government actions to impose internet restrictions have disrupted lives, stifled freedoms, and jeopardised the country's promising IT sector. The internet's role in Pakistan's economy Pakistan's economy heavily depends on its fledgling information technology (IT) sector, which is brimming with talent and potential. The country currently boasts over 300,000 English-proficient IT professionals and 13 software technology parks, while it produces more than 20,000 IT graduates annually. Freelancers, small businesses, and startups have leveraged global platforms such as PayPal, Etsy, Amazon, and global e-commerce websites to connect with international markets and sustain their ventures. With unemployment at an all-time high, the internet enables thousands of young professionals to work as independent contractors for overseas companies. This arrangement not only provides livelihoods but also boosts Pakistan's economy through foreign remittances. Unfortunately, government-imposed restrictions on internet access - either slow down or interrupted for several hours every day - and communication tools like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Facebook, have put these opportunities at risk, robbing many of the jobs they so desperately need to sustain themselves. Impacts of internet bans In the past two weeks alone, internet speeds across Pakistan have dropped by 40%, and access to virtual private networks (VPNs) has been restricted. These measures have disrupted businesses, delayed IT projects, and severed connections with international clients. The impact is particularly devastating for freelancers who rely on uninterrupted access to global platforms for their income. A Peaceful Multipolar World: Challenges And Opportunities For Trump E-commerce platforms, essential for small-scale manufacturers and entrepreneurs, in arguably their most important month of the year with massive sales have also been grossly affected. The inability to access these platforms has resulted in a loss of revenue, compounding the financial woes of businesses already struggling due to the country's unstable economic climate. The internet is not just an economic enabler — it is a fundamental right per the United Nations. Blocking access to information and communication tools undermines freedom of expression, curtails self-expression, and isolates communities. Pakistani expatriates, who rely on these platforms to stay connected with their families, have expressed frustration and concern over the situation. Contradictory justifications Government officials, including the Prime Minister and military chief, have attempted to justify these restrictions by declaring certain platforms "haram" (prohibited) under Islamic law. This claim is not only unfounded but also contradicts Islamic teachings. Islam encourages the pursuit of knowledge and the use of tools that benefit humanity. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated, "Seek knowledge even if it be in China, for the seeking of knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim." Pakistan has the workforce and talent to become a leading player in the global tech industry. However, this potential can only be realised if the government prioritises restoring internet access, lifting unnecessary restrictions, and fostering a supportive environment for businesses and professionals Such actions by Pakistan's corrupt and incompetent ruling mafia reflect a pattern of using religion to justify authoritarian measures rather than addressing the real issues plaguing the country. This misuse of religion has further alienated the population, particularly the youth, who see technology as a pathway to progress. Brain drain and global migration Pakistan's growing political instability and economic hardships have triggered a mass exodus of skilled professionals. According to official statistics, over 765,000 Pakistanis, including highly educated individuals such as doctors, engineers, and IT specialists, left the country in 2022. This represents a 300% increase compared to the previous year, signalling a severe brain drain. The trend has continued unabated, with thousands more leaving in subsequent years. COP29 And The Opportunities Ahead This loss of talent is a significant setback for a nation with immense potential to become a global leader in technology and innovation. Instead of creating opportunities for its citizens, Pakistan's government has pursued policies that drive its brightest minds away. Political turmoil and the role of the diaspora The internet bans are symptomatic of a broader political crisis in Pakistan. The government's treatment of the largest opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and its leader, Imran Khan, has drawn widespread criticism. Imran Khan, a popular figure, has been imprisoned since August 2023 under what many believe are fabricated charges. Protests by PTI supporters have been met with violent crackdowns, with peaceful demonstrators arrested and charged under false pretences. This political unrest has galvanised Pakistan's diaspora, who continue to advocate for democracy and justice. Overseas Pakistanis, despite adopting new nationalities, remain deeply invested in their homeland's future. They have organised protests in democratic nations like the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia, urging world leaders to pressure Pakistan's government into respecting human rights and releasing political prisoners. Many are looking toward influential figures, such as US President-elect Donald Trump, to intervene on behalf of the Pakistani people. The path forward The potential of Pakistan's IT sector remains immense. As the fifth-most populous country globally and Asia's fourth-most populous nation, Pakistan has the workforce and talent to become a leading player in the global tech industry. However, this potential can only be realised if the government prioritises restoring internet access, lifting unnecessary restrictions, and fostering a supportive environment for businesses and professionals. Global rights organisations like Amnesty International have called on the Pakistani government to uphold human rights and refrain from deploying surveillance technologies that infringe on citizens' privacy. Democratic nations, such as Australia, the UK and the US, must also hold Pakistan accountable for its anti-democratic actions and support its citizens in their struggle for freedom and justice. Religious Minority Voices Demand Enhanced Representation In Elections The internet is more than just a tool; it is a gateway to opportunity, a platform for self-expression, and a cornerstone of modern life. For Pakistan to thrive, its leaders must recognise the transformative power of connectivity and embrace it as a force for good. The ongoing internet and communication tools ban in Pakistan will have far-reaching consequences, from stifling economic opportunities to eroding fundamental rights. The youth, the country's most valuable asset, are bearing the brunt of these actions, losing jobs and prospects in a digital world that continues to progress without them. Pakistan's leaders must take urgent steps to restore internet access, uphold democratic values, and provide the nation's youth with the tools they need to build a brighter future.

Originally published Dec. 13 on IdahoCapitalSun.com . Officials are still not close to reaching their goal of returning at least 5 million salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River Basin. However, new data shows a positive trend in total abundance of fish in the basin. That’s according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council , which on Tuesday met over Zoom to discuss the latest data of salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin. Before 1850, salmon and steelhead runs to the Columbia River Basin were estimated to have been between 10 to 16 million annually. Dams significantly fractured those runs, and in the 1990s, runs declined to about 1 million a year. However, the most recent 10-year rolling average from 2014-2023 stands at 2.3 million salmon and steelhead returning to the basin, similar to the average of 2.4 million fish between 2004-2013, and an improvement from the average in the 1990s which fell to 1.3 million fish, according to data from the council. “Increased salmon and steelhead abundance in the Columbia River Basin — especially above Bonneville Dam — over the past 40 years marks important progress,” Councilmember Louie Pitt, who represents Oregon and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, said in a press release. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council was established in 1980 by the Northwest Power Act , which authorized Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington to develop a program to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by hydropower systems in the Columbia River Basin. The council’s fish and wildlife program is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, and it directs more than $280 million annually to cover 300 projects throughout the basin. In 1987, the council set a goal to have 5 million salmon and steelhead return to the basin past Bonneville Dam by 2025. And through the 1990s, 12 salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin were listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act as run sizes continued to decline. Since then, the closest the council has been to reaching its 5 million goal was in 2014, when 4.6 million salmon and steelhead returned to the basin. While dams are a primary hindrance to salmon and steelhead population recovery, these fish also face severe stresses from climate change, pressures from human population growth in the basin, and other environmental impacts, Pitt said. “We cannot ease up in our collective efforts to help these fish populations grow stronger and larger everywhere we can — including in blocked areas of our basin such as above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams,” Pitt said. Ed Schriever, a council member who represents Idaho and is a former director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said the progress is a result of the coordination between state, federal and tribal agencies and other partners across the Columbia River Basin. “Over the past four decades the region’s fish and wildlife managers have significantly increased their capacity to perform mitigation, stewardship, and enhancement,” Schriever said in the press release. “The managers have also refined their methods and processes as our scientific understanding has evolved and grown more sophisticated. The work being done today is more directed and purposeful than it has ever been.” Another key finding from Tuesday’s presentation is an improvement in salmon and steelhead production above Bonneville Dam since the establishment of the council Endangered Species Act listings. Early initiatives of the 20th century to recover salmon and steelhead populations, such as hatcheries, focused mostly in the lower sections of the Columbia River to benefit commercial fisheries and ocean harvest, said Peter Jensen, council spokesperson. This ignored fisheries upstream, particularly those for tribes, which experienced the heaviest losses of salmon and steelhead abundance. Since then, new hatcheries upstream of Bonneville Dam, many managed or co-managed by tribes, have helped offset some of those losses. The data presented on Tuesday gives a more complete picture of salmon and steelhead returns in the basin, showing current and historical estimates of proportions of ocean harvest, returns to the mouth of the river, and adult fish tracked passing Bonneville Dam as they migrate upriver to spawn. Previous efforts only focused on fish migrating past Bonneville Dam.