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1 2 Varanasi: A deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery procedure, lasting almost 8 hours, was performed by a team of doctors at the Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University, recently, marking a new era in advanced neurological care at the institution. This was the first such procedure in the Purvanchal region, said a statement issued by the institute on Sunday. It is a surgical operation in which neurosurgeon implants a medical device called neurostimulator to send electrical signals to specific areas of the brain. This technology has proven highly effective in treating a range of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia. IMS director Prof Shankhwar said DBS was an established US FDA-approved safe neurosurgical procedure for patients with advanced disease in whom medical treatment had failed to provide adequate symptom control and good quality of life, or in whom medical therapy induced severe side effects such as dyskinesias. "We are delighted to announce that the procedure was done under Ayushman Bharat Yojana and all expenditure was taken care of," said Shankhwar, adding that BHU remained committed to providing cutting-edge neurological care and improving quality of life of patients with neurological disorders. "This successful DBS surgery is a testament to the institution's dedication to innovation and patient care," he said. The surgery was performed by the doctors of the departments of neurology and neurosurgery under the guidance of IMS director Shankhwar and medical superintendent Prof K K Gupta. Prof Deepika Joshi and Dr Anand Kumar from department of neurology, Dr Nityanand Pandey from department of neurosurgery, Dr Naren Naik, consultant neurosurgeon from Global Hospitals Mumbai, and Prof R K Dubey from anaesthesia, along with the Medtronics India team, were involved in the procedure. Other faculty from neurology department who were part of the team included Prof V N Mishra, Prof R N Chaurasia, Prof Abhishek Pathak (HoD), Dr Varun Kumar Singh and senior residents Dr Janki Makani and Dr Arpan Mitra.

Patreon is one of the most popular public content creator funding platforms in the market. The company helped pioneer the content creator subscription services industry and remains a dominant force in the market. Today, Patreon has +8M active users, +279K content creators, and a growing number of strategic partnerships. All of these factors continue to drive demand for Patreon stocks. However, the company is privately held, meaning that pre-IPO shares are the best option for those seeking an ownership stake in the firm. Patreon's success, market positioning, and strong backing are all additional reasons why you should learn how to buy Patreon pre-IPO shares. Here's what you need to know. What is Patreon? Patreon is a public content creator funding application that enables creators to enhance their monetization efforts via subscription services and more. The company entered the market in 2013. It was founded by a developer named Sam Yam, and a musician named Jack Conte to provide creatives with additional revenue streams. Patreon’s launch was celebrated, and within the first 18 months, the platform secured 125,000 content creators. The platform had many unique characteristics that helped it create such a following. For one, it was free to start, meaning that content creators could focus their efforts on their art and offerings. Several features make Patreon a smart maneuver for creators. They can access a variety of tools designed specifically to help them build organic communities. For example, they can offer access to exclusive content and create and distribute digital assets, tickets, collaborations, contests, and even personalized messages. Creators can sell both digital and real-world merchandise while building up a subscription-based income from their community. For their effort, Patreon charges an 8-12% commission on their income and various payment processing fees. This simplistic and straightforward business model continues to bring success as the creator economy is now intertwined with Patreon on a new level. Today, Patreon remains a go-to option for content creators seeking to offset the demonetization or other methods used by big tech to reduce their revenue or censor their messages. This positioning adds to the overall perceived value that Patreon brings to the market and ensures that it will continue to see demand in the coming years. Historical Funding Rounds Summary of Patreon Funding: Funding Rounds Breakdown: Key Investors: Patreon has support from many prominent investors including Tiger Global Management, Woodline Partners, Wellington, Lone Pine Capital, New Enterprise Associates, DFJ Growth, New Enterprise Associates, Wellington, Glade Brook Capital, Thrive Capital, DFJ Growth, Index Ventures, Lone Pine Capital Glade Brook Capital, Index Ventures, Freestyle, Serj Tankian, Hannibal Burress, Initialized Capital, CRV, and more. Funding Data Sourced from Tracxn Why Invest in Patreon? There are multiple reasons why you might want to consider investing in Patreon Pre-IPO shares. For one, the company has a straightforward business model that continues to show profitability and potential. According to company documentation, Patreon’s economy is on the rise. Specifically, monthly payouts are up by 2.2% in 2024, pushing the total made by creators to +$8B. Patreon content creators now average around 60% more revenue compared to 2019. Another factor to consider is that Patreon remains In touch with the content creator community. For example, the management dropped adult-themed content support in 2017, broadening the appeal of the platform. At the time it reduced revenue but the losses were quickly recovered due to new clientele. There are several acquisitions that Patreon has made which enhanced its capabilities, and customer confidence. In 2015, the firm acquired the subscription platform Subbable and a year later, Memberful was acquired. These acquisitions provided the platform with additional features and technology. As a market leader and first mover, Patreon provides investors with a unique opportunity. The company hasn't posted any plans to host an IPO yet. However, if the company does signal intentions to go public, demand for its stock would increase significantly. How to Buy Patreon Pre-IPO Shares Patreon remains a privately held company, meaning that you will need to utilize a specialized approach to get access to shares. There are many analysts that believe the company may never hold public funding rounds and may instead decide to only host private funding. If so, here's what you need to consider. 1. Pre-IPO Secondary Marketplace Secondary markets are purpose-built exchanges that connect pre-IPO shareholders with potential investors. These marketplaces can offer these assets because they work closely with employees, early-stage investors, and venture capitalists, which are crucial to the company's pre-IPO growth. Investing in pre-IPO shares for Patreon could open the door for additional ROIs if the company's valuation is less than when its IPO launches. It's common for company valuations to increase following an IPO. As such, it makes sense to add pre-IPO shares to your portfolio before the firm announces plans to go public. Secondary marketplaces have many requirements. Here are some concerns you should be made aware of: Eligibility: Notably, this approach requires you to be an accredited investor, meaning you will have to show at least $1M in liquid assets to qualify. Liquidity : Pre-IPO shares can't be traded like regular shares. They often include some lockup restrictions that prevent you from trading them before the IPO. Some firms have permanent “no sell” clauses that prevent any transfer of the shares following your investment. Linqto is a reputable investment platform that connects accredited investors with pre-IPO shareholders in a secure manner. The network streamlines pre-IPO investing via an easy-to-navigate interface that provides access to all relevant data at a glance. Accredited investors seeking pre-IPO shares in Patreon should consider Linqto. Visit Linqto → 2. Private Equity Firms Private equity firms gain access to pre-IPO shares during investment rounds. They then offer these shares to high-net-worth accredited investors with a commission. Notably, private equity firms are known to have extra stipulations, including blocking the sale of shares for years in some cases. 3. Employee Equity Sales Many consider employee equity sales as the best way to acquire pre-IPO shares in Patreon. This method of acquiring pre-IPO shares requires you to connect with former employees. It's common for companies to issue shares as part of an incentive package. Notably, this profit-sharing method has become more popular, leading to more pre-IPO share opportunities for investors. Private Transactions : there are a lot of hoops you will need to jump through to complete a private pre-IPO transaction, including creating specific legal agreements, conducting valuations, and setting in place any limitations on the transfer of the asset. Brokerage : Brokers will take a lot of the confusion out of the pre-IPO process. These professionals can guide you through each step, ensuring full compliance and avoiding common errors untrained professionals make. There are several risks that you should consider before jumping into the pre-IPO shares investment arena. Here are the top concerns: Liquidity Risk If you are looking for an asset that you can sell right away, pre-IPO shares are not the best option. These investments can include sales and transfer clauses that prevent the transfer of the asset until certain criteria, such as the IPO's completion. It's even common for pre-IPO shares to require you to wait years before gaining the ability to sell your assets. Regulatory Risk The blockchain market has seen considerable scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. While the technology is far better understood than in its early days, there are still many lawmakers who see it as a threat to the traditional financial system. As such, you need to always consider how new regulations could affect the value of your pre-IPO shares. Market Risk Purchasing pre-IPO shares in Patreon means that you stand behind the project and its team. The company has secured a reputation for excellence and has previously expressed a desire to go public. However, no concrete data has been provided yet. As such, it's vital to understand that the blockchain market is an active space that experiences strong fluctuations that could result in a different share value between now and any future IPO launch. Valuation of Patreon and Future IPO Patreon's valuation is $4B as of Apr 07, 2021. The company has achieved Unicorn status due to its pioneering efforts in the content creator markets. Patreon is seen by many as an essential tool to deal with increased censorship and demonetization from the tech giants including Meta, Youtube, Google, and more. Patreon continues to expand its community and features. The company has shown a willingness to adapt to the fast-changing market, enabling its users to take advantage of the latest and greatest options, including NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and more. All of these factors demonstrate why so many competitors have failed in their efforts to remove Patreaon from among the top options. It's likely that Patreon could decide to go public in the coming years. It already has strong backing from the investor community and the public. This decision could result in one of the largest and most anticipated IPOs to date. For now, the only option is pre-IPO shares. Conclusion Holding Patreon Pre-IPO shares opens the door for lots of upside potential. The company has proven to be reliable, secure, transparent, and capable of working with regulators when needed. All of these factors have cemented Patreon in the content creator community as a valuable resource to be protected. There are still several risks involved when investing in pre-IPO shares that you need to consider. There’s no guarantee that the value of your pre-IPO shares will increase or that the company will decide to go public. As such, you need to conduct in-depth research into Patreon's financials and business model prior to making any final decisions. You should consult a financial expert to ensure that Patreon Pre-IPO shares fall within your risk appetite. For those who complete their research and find the asset to be a smart maneuver, there’s lots of upside potential. Learn about Other Pre-IPO Opportunities Now Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Pre-IPO shares are typically available only to accredited investors and carry significant risk. Always perform thorough due diligence and consult a financial advisor or legal expert before making investment decisions.

B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new position in Brown & Brown, Inc. ( NYSE:BRO – Free Report ) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 6,234 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $646,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its holdings in Brown & Brown by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 20,339 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,819,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Trust Point Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Brown & Brown by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 2,519 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $261,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning raised its stake in shares of Brown & Brown by 0.4% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 29,892 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,097,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Brown & Brown by 0.5% during the third quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 22,929 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,375,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Brown & Brown by 4.0% during the second quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 3,286 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $294,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. 71.01% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have weighed in on BRO shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Brown & Brown from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Brown & Brown from $98.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Argus started coverage on shares of Brown & Brown in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $120.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Brown & Brown from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 2nd. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on Brown & Brown from $108.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Brown & Brown has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $107.42. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Chairman Hyatt J. Brown sold 134,640 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.51, for a total value of $14,071,226.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . 17.02% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Brown & Brown Price Performance Shares of NYSE:BRO opened at $112.05 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $32.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.82. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a 1-year low of $69.13 and a 1-year high of $114.08. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $106.16 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $98.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.73. Brown & Brown ( NYSE:BRO – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.16 billion. Brown & Brown had a net margin of 22.65% and a return on equity of 17.12%. Brown & Brown’s quarterly revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.71 EPS. Research analysts expect that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 3.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Brown & Brown Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 13th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 6th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 6th. This is a boost from Brown & Brown’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. Brown & Brown’s payout ratio is currently 16.35%. About Brown & Brown ( Free Report ) Brown & Brown, Inc markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services. The Retail segment provides property and casualty, employee benefits insurance products, personal insurance products, specialties insurance products, risk management strategies, loss control survey and analysis, consultancy, and claims processing services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BRO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brown & Brown, Inc. ( NYSE:BRO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Brown & Brown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brown & Brown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .NoneWhile many people like to use riding mowers, if you don't own a huge piece of property, a push mower is likely a more practical way to keep your lawn maintained. Push mowers come in all shapes and sizes these days, and choosing which one is right for you can be a daunting task with all the different options made by different brands that are available. You might be wondering if electric lawn mowers are better than gas-powered mowers , or — if you do decide to go electric — whether or not you should go with a corded option or a battery-powered cordless mower, which are becoming increasingly more common as the technology advances. You might also be considering the size of the mower's deck — an important variable if you've got a larger yard — or how versatile a mower's cutting height and grass disposal may be. It's likely you are also concerned with the performance of any new lawn mower and which is the most powerful electric mower made by every major brand . Cost is another major factor when deciding on a new piece of outdoor equipment, especially because more affordable options can greatly vary in quality. To help you with your choice, here are six of the highest-rated push mowers under $500. More information on where these customer ratings come from and how these mowers were evaluated can be found at the end of this list. Owned by the same corporation as trusted tool brand Skil , Ego has been making a name for itself as a go-to brand for battery-powered equipment. In fact, Ego claims to be the top-rated cordless outdoor brand in the industry and that its Ego 21-inch Power+ push mower is the first lithium-ion mower to outperform gas-powered equivalents. Based on over 1,400 Amazon user ratings, the product has a 4.5 out of five overall customer score, as well as a formidable 4.6 out of five on EGO's own website based on over 7,800 customer ratings. It can run up to 45 minutes on a single charge with an Ego 56V 5 Ah ARC battery and has a quick and straightforward push-button start. Its wide 21-inch deck will cover plenty of ground in a single pass, and you can select one of three cutting functions: mulching, side discharge, and bagging — with its two-bushel grass bag easy to access. Other features include six height positions that can be adjusted one-handed, bright LED headlights, a weather-resistant body, and a folding mechanism for easy storage. The 21-inch Power+ is just one of several different battery-powered mowers sold by Ego, and which Ego electric mower is best for you may depend on your specific needs. However, they all have one drawback when compared to gas-powered mowers, in that you're entirely reliant on the battery. If you forget to charge it or don't have spares — or if your lawn is simply too big to cover with one fully-charged battery — you'll be out of luck. If the pros of going electric outweigh the cons for you, though, the Ego 21-inch Power+ is a solid choice. The Ego 21-inch Power+ mower , which has product code LM2112, is available from Amazon for $429. Several of the highest-rated push mowers available are 40V cordless options from Ryobi, including the Ryobi 40V 18-inch 2-in-1 Push Mower. Based on at least 1,130 Home Depot customer reviews, the product has a 4.2 out of five overall rating, with nearly three-quarters of customers recommending it. One of several great Ryobi tools that make yard work easier , the 18-inch 2-in-1 Push Mower is a compact, lightweight machine that's a breeze to push around and maneuver. Since it's battery-powered, start-up is literally as easy as a push of a button, with no messy gas engine to prime or maintain. With a Ryobi 40V 6 Ah battery , the mower can run up to a half hour, which is enough to cover a quarter-acre. One particularly useful feature is the ability to easily switch between either a mulching mode or a side-discharge option. You can also adjust the position of the blades between seven different heights ranging between 1.5 inches and 4 inches, allowing you to choose exactly how you'd like your lawn to look. Plus, the handles collapse to make the mower easier to store. The 40-volt batteries used to power the Ryobi mower can also be used with other Ryobi 40V cordless equipment. However, this can also be a huge downside if you don't own other Ryobi products — especially since its line of 40V tools is smaller and generally more expensive than its similar 18V and 12V systems. If you do invest in Ryobi's battery-powered mower, you may want to also consider buying some other Ryobi 40V electric yard tools , just to make the expensive batteries more worth your while. Home Depot sells the Ryobi 40V 18-inch 2-in-1 Push Mower for $219. If you're looking for a beefier gas-powered mower under $500, you can't go wrong with the Troy-Bilt TB230B XP, which is powered by a 163cc Briggs and Stratton engine that has a no prime, no choke start. Troy-Bilt is one of the most reliable push lawn mower brands on the market, and it's easy to see why with its TB230B XP — the steel 21-inch deck is durably built, and its 11-inch rear wheels will offer enough traction to handle uneven terrain. The mower's variable-speed front-wheel drive will also make turns faster and give you plenty of maneuverability. The TB230B XP has a dual-lever, six-position height adjustment and comes equipped with a TriAction cutting system that uses a rake bumper, specialized blade, and symmetrical deck, while an included mulch kit can help keep your lawn healthy, among other benefits. If you'd rather get rid of your clippings, the mower also has a 1.9-bushel rear bag for easy collection and disposal, while a deck wash adaptor can be connected to your garden hose to make cleaning grass from under your mower a cinch. The side discharge chute also has an integrated clip that attaches to the handle when you don't need it. The Troy-Bilt TB230B XP has a 4.1 out of five overall user score, based on nearly 650 Home Depot reviews, with over two-thirds of customers recommending the product. However, some customers have mentioned that the self-propelled mechanism that typically makes the mower easier to push can struggle with thicker grass, which is something to keep in mind. The Troy-Bilt TB230B XP is available from Home Depot for $439. The mower even comes fully assembled, so you can get straight to work. Greenworks is a popular brand for electric mowers — it even makes one of the best automated robot lawn mowers on the market. If you prefer to trim your grass yourself and leave indoor vacuuming to the robots , the Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Lawn Mower is a great option. It has a positive 4.2 out of 5 overall customer score, based on over 10,500 Amazon reviews. Powered by the same proprietary 40V battery that can be used for over 75 other comparable Greenworks tools, the electric mower can run up to 40 minutes on a single charge and cover up to 1⁄3 of an acre. You can fully recharge the battery in two hours to cover any additional ground you need to. Like most modern electric mowers, it has a simple push button start. The mower has five different height positions ranging from 1.25 inches to 3-3⁄8 inches, giving you some versatility when it comes to grass height. Plus, it can either be used with a bag or mulch the grass instead. It should be noted that a 16-inch deck is on the smaller side for a push mower, which means you may have to go up and down your lawn in more rows than you otherwise would need to with something like a 20-inch mower. If you've got a smaller lawn or don't mind adding a few extra steps to your FitBit though, the Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Lawn Mower is one of the highest-rated push mowers you can find for under $500. The Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Lawn Mower retails for $299 on Amazon, though it's currently discounted for $249.99. Even better, that price includes a 4.0 Ah 40V battery and charger. Yardmax makes a powerful gas-powered leaf blower , as well as other robust landscaping equipment, including a range of gas-powered push mowers. Based on over 711 reviews, the Yardmax 21-inch 170 cc 2-in-1 Mower has a 4.1 out of five overall user rating on Home Depot's website, with over three-fourths of customers recommending it. It's a lightweight and compact push mower that's great to use in tighter spaces, but has enough oomph to it for serious cutting. It can easily be adjusted between seven different cutting heights between 1.25 and 3.75 inches using a single lever, and can both mulch or discharge trimmings to the side. Its wide, 21-inch deck incorporates a volute spiral design for increased airflow and mulching capabilities. This 16-gauge steel deck is also built in one piece to reduce vibration, making it easier to control along with its 7-inch front and 11-inch rear ball-bearing wheels and adjustable, three-position handle. Plus, the mower can easily be folded for storage and minimal assembly is required when you unbox it for the first time. With a 170cc gas engine, you'll also get one of the strongest push mowers in its class. Though — if you prioritize power over everything else — this model might not be the best choice, as Yardmax also offers 201cc push mowers that come in both rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive . However, the 170cc model is cheaper than these options, and has just as high — if not better — customer ratings, which should also be taken into consideration. The Yardmax 21-inch 170 cc 2-in-1 Mower has product code YG1550 and is available from Home Depot for $260. If you really want to save money on a push mower, you can always opt for a manual reel mower, like the ones your great-grandparents may have used before gas-powered mowers became popular. Manual reel mowers are still around though, and they can be especially useful for small yards or parts of your lawn that have very steep inclines, where a heavier push mower might be too cumbersome to maneuver. Plus, manual reel mowers are a lot quieter and a lot cheaper than gas or electric push mowers, and that's not even including the money you'll save on energy costs. Maintenance for manual mowers can be a lot easier, too, especially when compared to gas-powered alternatives. The American Lawn Mower 14-inch Manual Reel Mower is one of the highest-rated push mowers on Amazon, with over 14,000 customers giving it an average score of 4.3 out of five. It weighs just 19 pounds and uses a tempered alloy steel three-spider, single-blade reel that's easy-rolling and has a cutting height between 1⁄2 and 1-1/2 inches. American Lawn Mower says its deluxe hand-reel mower is ideal for "most turf grasses — especially for cool-season grasses such as bluegrass, fescue and rye," providing a precise, scissor-like cut with rear grass deflection. Despite its great reviews and quality construction, this isn't the best choice if you're looking to minimize manual labor when it comes to yard work — especially if you've got a really big lawn. However, you'll never have to worry about running out of gas, battery life, or straying too far from a power outlet with a good, old-fashioned manual push mower. Amazon sells the American Lawn Mower 14-inch Manual Reel Mower (product code 1204-14) for $89.99, though it's currently available for $79.50. Customer ratings are a great way to determine if a product is reliable and works as advertised before you decide whether or not to purchase it. The push mowers under $500 included on this list have high user ratings on either Amazon or Home Depot, which both have large amounts of customers weighing in on each product. The bigger the base of customers reviewing a product, the more reliable the user rating is, as any fake reviews or outlier scores made in bad faith (whether positively or negatively) won't have much of an impact. Some of the recommended push mowers on this list all have customer ratings of at least 4.1 on Home Depot's website — with at least 450 ratings weighing in on each product and at least two-thirds of customers recommending each — while others have at least a 4.2 out of five-star average customer score on Amazon, with at least 1,400 user ratings — if not many thousands more — factored into that score. Additionally, an effort was made to include various brands and power types of push mowers for this list for a broader range of options to choose from. So, while several of the highest-rated push mowers available from Home Depot are battery-powered and made by Ryobi, not all were included to leave room for other high-rated mowers from other brands as well as those that use other power sources, such as gasoline. Because this list is focusing on more affordable mowers under $500, some high-rated options were completely left off this list. For example, Home Depot sells some top-rated mowers that are made by Makita, but this brand is absent from this list because the mowers they make priced under $500 generally have poorer overall reviews.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Audi Crooks scored the winning shot as time expired and a season-high 33 points as No. 8 Iowa State survived with an 80-78 win over Drake on Sunday afternoon. Addy Brown added 13 points and eight rebounds, Emily Ryan scored 11 points with 12 assists and Kenzie Hare had 10 points as the Cyclones (5-1) avoided a second consecutive loss. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by guard Katie Dinnebier, who scored 39 points on 13-of-16 shooting and went 8 of 10 from 3-point range. Dinnebier went 5 of 6 from the charity stripe. Anna Miller added 18 points in Drake's attempt to dethrone Iowa State, and Abbie Aalsma scored 11 off the bench. Drake: The Bulldogs, who were picked to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference in the preseason, tied a season high with 19 turnovers. Iowa State scored 24 points from those turnovers. Iowa State: The Cyclones found a way to bounce back after losing to Northern Iowa on Wednesday night. A 10-0 run in the first quarter was the difference in a close Cyclone win. The Cyclones were outrebounded 42-31 by the Bulldogs, marking the first time Iowa State was outrebounded this season. Iowa State heads to Florida to play No. 1 South Carolina on Thursday in the Women's Fort Myers Tip-Off, the same day Drake plays Wyoming in the San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP women’s college basketball: and

Ink & Passion: Modern Women Writers Who Changed Japan

WASHINGTON — 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. 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. 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. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as his former domestic policy chief. She is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins, 52, previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Rollins’ 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. 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. Brooke Rollins speaks at an Oct. 27 campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York. 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. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Trump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries

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Team News: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Roma injury, suspension list, predicted XIsLANDOVER, 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. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

 

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jolibet. com Unwise, unfair to prejudge split-second life-and-death decisions police faceMONTREAL — A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion earlier this week says one of the victim’s sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast. Thi Cam Nhung Lê says she grew up with Sebastien Gauthier in Quebec City and considered him her best friend. Lê says Gauthier’s older sister was also on the boat in Florida’s Broward County when it exploded and she was taken to a hospital. She says Gauthier’s family was in Florida to celebrate the holidays and that his sudden death feels “unimaginable.” Video posted on social media Monday shows the vessel engulfed in flames following the explosion, with a thick column of black smoke billowing into the sky. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed that Gauthier died of his injuries, saying a preliminary investigation shows the 37-foot vessel exploded after its engines were started. Lê remembers Gauthier as someone who was always smiling and says she is waiting for answers about what led to her friend’s death. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2024. Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press

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Steve Bannon Mocks Elon Musk In H-1B Visa War: 'Toddler'New Delhi, Nov 23 (PTI) India and the European Union (EU) have finalised an extensive roadmap for the green hydrogen sector that includes development of infrastructure, technology cooperation and boosting supply chains. The two sides deliberated on ways to enhance cooperation in the sector at the 10th meeting of the India-EU Energy Panel held on Thursday in Brussels. At the meeting, a "work plan" was adopted for the third phase of the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership 2025-28, which will focus on deeper cooperation in five priority areas, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The priority areas are green hydrogen, offshore wind energy, regional connectivity, electricity market integration and smart grids, energy efficiency, and energy and climate diplomacy. "The two sides have set out an extensive agenda for green hydrogen cooperation, which includes assessing infrastructure development feasibility, regulatory and technology cooperation, and strengthening of supply chains," the MEA said on Saturday. It said the energy panel focused on the energy transition priorities of the two sides and took stock of the achievements of the second phase of the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership 2021-2024. The two sides undertook and completed joint initiatives involving technical cooperation in 51 activities divided into nine sectors, it added. "The two sides have also charted out the framework for green hydrogen cooperation, which includes cooperation on green hydrogen policies of India and the EU," the MEA said. The EU and EU member states participated in the international conference on green hydrogen this year in India. On its part, India joined as an exclusive country partner of European Hydrogen Week 2024. "India and the EU also entered into long-term research commitments to jointly support research in clean energy projects as part of the India-EU trade and technology council working group on clean and green technologies, which was established in January 2023," the MEA said. (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

NoneFew people get to leave their mark on the travel world like Arthur Frommer. The founder of the Frommer’s guidebook empire – and the founder of the very idea of budget travel – died recently at the age of 95, and leaves behind an enviable legacy. Frommer pioneered budget travel in the 1950s with the release of his book Europe on 5 Dollars a Day , a tome that opened Americans’ eyes to a whole different way of seeing the world outside the five-star, grand-tour experience that was the norm then, available to only the lucky, wealthy few. Arthur Frommer in Australia in 1991. Credit: Kylie Anee Pickett Frommer’s book helped democratise travel, while also encouraging a more immersive style, one that eschewed the hermetically-sealed luxury experience in favour of a more immersive, thoughtful approach. He was a little like our own Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet , though he didn’t just spread word of a movement, he started the whole thing. Perhaps unfortunately, or perhaps impressively, Frommer also lived long enough to see that movement boom, and then begin to disappear. Because budget travel, Frommer’s budget travel, isn’t the same as it used to be. How many people rough it when they travel these days? How many people really put up with discomfort in the name of saving a few bucks? You might be thinking that you do. You fly Jetstar all the time, right? And in that sense, yes, budget travel has never been more popular. There have never been so many options for people who would like to travel long distances and not spend much money. Budget travellers demand higher standards from their trips these days. Credit: iStock But I’m talking about the real, challenging budget travel. The super-cheap digs in Bangkok with mattresses on the floor; those grand, overland bus adventures from London to Kathmandu; the down-and-dirty camping tours around Europe. Those things don’t exist anymore. Or at least, they don’t form part of the mainstream, even for young, budget-conscious travellers, whose tastes have shifted, particularly in the past 20 years or so. There’s a desire now (and a demand) for better. Comfort is important to travellers of all ages, approaches and budgets. Quality of experience is important. Online reviews mean even the cheapest places have to have their facilities up to scratch now, with modern amenities and comforts, or no one will go there. Social media means travellers need to have something beautiful or exciting to capture on their journey, an experience to provoke envy, rather than make all your friends at home – and your followers around the world – feel sorry for you. Loading Bad news about budget travel also moves fast these days. The absolutely devastating deaths of Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones last week , the result of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, will have many people reconsidering their destination and their style of travel. There’s something else that has changed, too, since Arthur Frommer first stuffed a few changes of clothes in a backpack and set off to explore the world. And that is that success in the travel world, for those of us who work in it, looks different now. Frommer was an influencer of his day, even if he never would have used such a word. He was highly successful too, and the result of that success was being able to disseminate his message, being able to publish books and create an empire, to make a very good living selling his original idea of travel. Loading It tends not to work like that these days. Success in travel means you garner attention on social media (a few old-school writers are even lucky enough to be published in a newspaper), and you begin to make money through sponsored campaigns, creating content for yourself or for various organisations. People don’t buy guidebooks anymore, they consume content, so you have to figure out how to make money from that content. That means that even if you began your career as a budget traveller, you’re probably not going to keep going that way. The jobs you’re offered and the products sold by those with enough money to pay you do not conform to that “budget” ethic. I could put myself forward as a case in point here. I began my career writing about travel as “ The Backpacker ”, describing the no-frills style of travel that I loved. But then a form of success comes and you start getting offered things like nice hotel rooms and the occasional business-class upgrade – and who’s going to knock back an upgrade ? Maybe Arthur Frommer did. Certainly, he stuck to his ideological guns through an entire lifetime. “The moment you put yourself in a first-class hotel, you become walled off from life, in a world devoted to creature comforts,” Frommer told the Associated Press in 2007. “When you go to sleep, you no longer know whether you’re in a one-star or a five-star hotel. Big rooms and amenities are all sheer nonsense.” And Frommer persuaded so many people across the world, across generations, to see travel in the same way. Few can claim an achievement like that. How we travel Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Tips & advice Opinion For subscribers Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years’ experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine – writing about it, as well as consuming it – and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwater Connect via email . Most viewed on Traveller Loading

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th annual Best of Central Valley Business Awards dinner. Some of the Valley’s biggest names in business were in attendance at Pardini’s Catering to celebrate their achievements and be featured as one of the Valley’s top honorees, voted on by readers of The Business Journal. Today, The Business Journal highlights the nine first-time Best of Central Valley Business Award recipients. Congratulations to all winners. Granville Homes was voted Best Homebuilder for the 12the time this year, as well as the Best Business Supporting Local Charities. Founded in 1977, Granville has built more than 7,500 homes in the Central Valley. Granville Homes is very active in philanthropy, supporting organizations including Hinds Hospice, Poverello House and the Marjaree Mason Center. Each year, Granville supports dozens of nonprofit and community organizations. The Granville Home of Hope is the company’s biggest annual fundraiser. It raffles off a brand new home awarded to the winner as a grand prize. Granville CEO Darius Assemi said he is proud and grateful for the opportunity to support nine local nonprofits through Granville Home of Hope. He is also grateful for people who took the time to vote for The Business Journal’s “Best of” awards. “I’m grateful to our community that trusts Granville Homes and have supported our nominations for the ‘Best Homebuilder’ and ‘Best Business Supporting Local Charities.’” According to Granville Homes’ website, more than $9 million has been raised through the Granville Home of Hope program alone. The 2024 nonprofit beneficiaries are Angels of Grace, Breaking the Chains, CASA of Fresno & Madera Counties, Central California Food Bank, Foundation for Sanger Schools, Fresno Police & Fire Chaplaincy, Fresno Mission, Mell’s Mutts and Parents & Addicts in Need (PAIN). 1st Finalist: Fortune Associates 2nd Finalist: Russell G. Smith Inc. For the fourth time, Colliers International has been voted as the best commercial real estate company in the Central Valley. All four wins have been in the last six years. Colliers won three straight “Best Of” awards from 2019-21. Colliers was founded in 1968 as Charles Tingley Associates in Fresno. Since then, the Central California branch of Colliers International has become a leading commercial real estate firm, serving the San Joaquin Valley, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties. In addition to marketing properties from office, industrial, retail, land, investment to multifamily, Colliers is also a key source of data and information about the Central Valley commercial real estate market. Colliers is heavily involved in local charities. They helped provide 525,000 meals as part of the Central Valley Community Food Bank’s Hunger Heroes campaign. They’ve also partnered with Catholic Charities for their Turkey Drive. 1st Finalist: Commonwealth Lang Title Insurance 2nd Finalist: Fidelity National Title Co. This year marks the sixth time that Business Journal readers voted Chicago Title Co. as Best Title Company. The last time it won the award was in 2021. The company gained national recognition after the Great Chicago Fire of 1891 and has established its presence in the Central Valley for nearly 100 years, marking a deep history in the region. Jennifer Shepherd, vice president and sales manager at Chicago Title Co. Fresno/Madera, said it’s nice to be consistently recognized for its work in the community and meeting the standards they set for themselves of providing excellent service. Work was steady this year, Shepherd said, but there was some disruption on the home resale side with concerns about real estate agent commissions. On the refinance side, Shepherd said the team is poised for a rate cut to unlock potential clients. Shepherd said the team is excited for the growth seen in several of their offices, including the Clovis office that opened in 2023, which really blossomed. There are 10 Chicago Title Co. locations throughout the Central Valley between Fresno, and the Tulare/Kings County areas. In all locations in the Central Valley, Chicago Title Co. has more than 100 employees. “It was good that business has been steady, that we’ve been able to maintain and even grow some of their operations and we are looking forward to 2025 being a good year as well,” Shepherd said. Winning the Best Of award again is considered a benchmark by the Chicago Title Co. team, she said. 1st Finalist: Granville Realty 2nd Finalist: Dana Butcher and Associates For the ninth time in 11 years, Manco Abbott was voted as the best real estate property company. This is Manco Abbott’s third straight win in this category. In 2022, Manco Abbott celebrated 50 years of business. Greg Bethke, executive vice president at Manco Abbott, described the nomination for this award as validating. “It kind of validates our core values, that what we are setting out to do with the core values of our company are working,” Bethke said. “This means that our clients, our tenants and our residents on the multi-family side appreciate what we’re doing, and we’re delivering a good product to them.” Bethke, who has been at Manco Abbott for 23 years, said his favorite part of working there are the people. “Everybody here is passionate about what we do, and they all do a really good job of working towards our ultimate goals of creating value for our clients and creating a good environment for our commercial tenants and multi-family residents,” Bethke said. While 2024 is ending with an award, Bethke is excited for what’s next in 2025. “We’re always looking to improve on what we do,” Bethke said. “So we’re looking at technology, we’re looking at additional training for our people, and, you know, looking at anything and everything we can do to make our service stand out for our clients and our tenants.” 1st Finalist: PAul Halajian Architects 2nd Finalist: Teter Business Journal readers have voted for Darden Architects as the Best Architectural Firm for the ninth time. Founded By Edwin S. Darden in 1959, the firm’s early works supported the growing communities of the California San Joaquin Valley with their high-quality design and a strong commitment to customer service. The firm specializes in projects in education, health care, interior design and the civic sector. Some of Darden’s notable projects include Madera Community College, the emergency helipad at the Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia and the Visalia Emergency Communications Center. Darden is currently in its fourth generation of firm leadership with Robert L. Petithomme serving as managing principal. Today, the company utilizes new design technology to create 3-D visualizations and create more complete, concise, well-coordinated documents. Darden also gives back to the community, offering a $1,000 architecture scholarship to a San Joaquin Valley student since 2007 in hopes they will graduate and return to the area and strengthen the architectural profession. 1st Finalist: Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group 2nd Finalist: Blair, Church & Flynn Business Journal readers voted Precision Civil Engineering the best engineering firm in the Central Valley in 2024. This is the company’s second time winning the category within the last three years. The nomination “Solidifies the recognition of our collective skill-sets and commitment to the success of the Valley,” Makenna Bass, director of business development said in an email. Founder and President Ed Dunkel, Jr. is a fifth-generation Fresnan from a family with nearly 60 years of experience in engineering services. After getting its start in 2002, Precision Civil Engineering has grown and diversified from its roots in residential land development to now include planning, land surveying, construction management and more. As of 2024, the team at Precision has partnered with at least 1,453 clients and worked on more than 3,600 projects. According to Bass, Precision sets itself apart from its competitors in its “genuine affection for the communities we serve.” As the year ends and the company looks to the future, the goals are growing its footprint into the South Valley and eventual expansion outside of California. 1st Finalist: Cal Valley Insurance Services 2nd Finalist: Der Manouel Insurance Group Being nominated for the 11th consecutive year as the Best Property & Casualty Insurance Brokerage in the Best of Central Valley Business Awards is an incredible honor for everyone at DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Brokers (D&D). “As a family-owned business rooted in the heart of the Central Valley for 64 years, this recognition means so much to us because it reflects the trust and confidence our clients and community have in the work we do every day,” said Principal Mike DeFendis For over six decades, D&D has been committed to serving clients with integrity, dedication, and personalized care in the insurance industry. D&D takes pride in giving back through various initiatives and partnerships that uplift the Central Valley. Supporting local businesses, organizations, and families isn’t just part of their mission — it’s part of who they are. “Looking ahead to 2025, we’re filled with excitement and optimism. We’re thrilled to welcome new producers and team members, all throughout California, who share our passion for building meaningful relationships and delivering exceptional service. At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the clients who have been with us over the years, helping them protect what matters most,” said Principal Matt DeFendis. D&D is also third-generation family business that began with Anthony DiBuduo and Leonard DeFendis, Matt and Mike’s father. The award for D&D recognizes their roots, celebrates their achievements and embraces the promise of the future. It reflects their family’s legacy and enduring values. “We hope to make our father proud, it fuels our drive to continuously innovate, grow, and deepen our impact within the community. Thank you for this nomination,” said Matt DeFendis. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th Workers at seven Amazon facilities went on strike Thursday, an Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in November to On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th

NoneSAN FRANCISCO — Character.AI, once one of Silicon Valley’s most promising AI startups, announced on Thursday new safety measures to protect teenage users as it faces lawsuits alleging its chatbots contributed to youth suicide and self-harm. The California-based company, founded by former Google engineers, is among several firms offering AI companions — chatbots designed to provide conversation, entertainment and emotional support through human-like interactions. In a Florida lawsuit filed in October, a mother claimed the platform bears responsibility for her 14-year-old son’s suicide. The teen, Sewell Setzer III, had formed an intimate relationship with a chatbot based on the “Game of Thrones” character Daenerys Targaryen and mentioned a desire for suicide. According to the complaint, the bot encouraged his final act, responding “please do, my sweet king” when he said he was “coming home” before taking his life with his stepfather’s weapon. Character.AI “went to great lengths to engineer 14-year-old Sewell’s harmful dependency on their products, sexually and emotionally abused him, and ultimately failed to offer help or notify his parents when he expressed suicidal ideation”, the suit said. A separate Texas lawsuit filed on Monday involves two families who allege the platform exposed their children to sexual content and encouraged self-harm. One case involved a 17-year-old autistic teen who allegedly suffered a mental health crisis after using the platform. In another example, the lawsuit alleged that a Character.AI encouraged a teen to kill his parents for limiting his screen time. The platform, which hosts millions of user-created personas ranging from historical figures to abstract concepts, has grown popular among young users seeking emotional support. Critics say this has led to dangerous dependencies among vulnerable teens. In response, Character.AI announced it has developed a separate AI model for users under 18, with stricter content filters and more conservative responses. The platform will now automatically flag suicide-related content and direct users to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “Our goal is to provide a space that is both engaging and safe for our community,” a company spokesperson said. The company plans to introduce parental controls in early 2025, allowing oversight of children’s platform usage. For bots that include descriptions like therapist or doctor, a special note will warn that they do not replace professional advice. New features also include mandatory break notifications and prominent disclaimers about the artificial nature of the interactions. Both lawsuits name Character.AI’s founders and Google, an investor in the company. The founders, Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas Adiwarsana, returned to Google in August as part of a technology licensing agreement with Character.AI. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement that Google and Character.AI are completely separate, unrelated companies. “User safety is a top concern for us, which is why we’ve taken a cautious and responsible approach to developing and rolling out our AI products, with rigorous testing and safety processes,” he added.

Jim Hiller has never been shy about experimenting with his line combinations, but today’s alignment is a little off-the-wall, even for him. This is how the Los Angeles Kings lined up this morning at their team skate: Foegele - Kopitar - Kempe Moore - Byfield - Jeannot FIala - Helenius - Laferriere Turcotte - Danault - Lewis In case you’re keeping score at home, those are virtually four completely new lines. The only trio that has had at least one minute of ice time together at 5-on-5 is the top line with Warren Foegele on the left side of Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. The other three combinations have only registered ice time together due to line change delays. There was another notable change at morning skate, albeit a more under-the-radar one. Alex Turcotte has been inserted onto the second power play unit, replacing Jordan Spence. After his worst outing of the season, Dave Rittich is the confirmed starter for tonight, the .

 

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2025-01-10
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jollibet ph Butterball, a famed turkey distribution company , is facing backlash and a boycott days before Thanksgiving after a video of several workers allegedly sexually abusing and torturing live turkeys has reportedly resurfaced. The company was plunged into the drama on Tuesday when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) activists posted a decades-old video showing several workers abusing live turkeys at a plant in Ozark, Arkansas . According to the animal rights group, the footage — which has gone viral — was obtained in 2006 when one of the activists went undercover as part of a probe into the plant. In the video, workers were filmed bashing the birds against steel cages and stomping on their heads. “One worker took a live bird and stomped on her head, crushing her skull until her head exploded. He then laughed and wiped the blood from his leg," the agent said."He also threw birds against the concrete and punched others." Costco forced to recall 80,000 pounds of butter after the label failed to mention this ingredient 160,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to restaurants recalled after positive E. coli test In the clip, the undercover PETA agent claimed that they had caught one worker inserting his finger into a turkey’s vagina for “fun” while another employee apparently “humped” a bird while it was shackled. "We are aware of a video from nearly 20 years ago, which is being re-shared across social media. This video is not current and was taken prior to Butterball becoming a private company and prior to our engagement and certification through American Humane," a Butterball spokesperson told The Mirror US. "Animal care and well-being is central to who we are as a company, and we are committed to the ethical and responsible care of our flocks." "Eleven years ago, Butterball was the first, and remains the only, turkey company to be American Humane certified," the statement continued. "That means we have yearly audits conducted by a third party to ensure compliance with our 200+ science-based standards of best practice for care of turkeys, well exceeding industry best practices. We are proud of this designation that no other turkey company can claim and have a zero-tolerance policy for animal mistreatment." Despite the company changing its standards, many social media users have expressed their anger at the company. “YOU ARE DISGUSTING!!! I will never eat another product from your company... You should be ashamed of yourselves. I can’t express my disdain for your company right now,” one user said. “Boycott Butterball,” one user raged on X. "I just bought a butterball turkey yesterday. Dinner is f***ing canceled,” another wrote. "I just saw a video about men sexually assaulting turkeys dead and alive ones and they’re advising anyone who bought the brand 'butterball' to return It," a third person stated. Several other social media user expressed their shock at the news while others stated that the whole video made them want to eat the bird altogether. It is currently unclear if Butterball's profits took a massive hit as the video was released when many already have their turkeys. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity?

What ails the Democratic Party? Since Kamala Harris’ defeat, several Democrats and center-left commentators have pointed the finger at one culprit: “the groups.” Specifically, they claim, progressive interest and activist groups have both moved too far left and grown far too influential in the Democratic coalition, pushing the party to adopt stances out of step with the median voter on a range of different issues. This, they say, has backfired electorally and will ultimately hurt the people the groups claim to want to help. Yet this critique has been met with an impassioned backlash from progressives and leftists. Some argue the blame is misplaced and the supposed power of these progressive groups has been exaggerated. Others argue that inflation — a global phenomenon — was the main reason for Harris' defeat, so a groups-focused diagnosis misses the point. And yet others argue that progressive groups represent morally righteous causes that Democrats should not abandon — for instance, that moderation would amount to throwing marginalized groups “under the bus.” This debate is now in full swing. In some ways, it’s a continuation of the debate over social justice politics and “wokeness” that has been raging for years. But it extends well beyond that — on climate change, economic policy, immigration, voting reforms, reproductive rights, child care, and many others, the influence of such nonprofit groups on Democrats’ strategic decision-making has been immense in recent years. And yet there’s more to the story than just the groups. The bigger picture is that Democrats are reckoning with the apparent end of a years-long trend in which liberal college graduates’ opinions kept moving further left, a trend that influenced all actors in the party. The debate now is over whether and how Democrats should respond to electoral defeat — by moving to the center and trying to moderate their positions, sticking to their guns, or moving even further left. What does seem clear is that, for the time being at least, the leftward shift has stopped since Biden took office. A backlash to progressive activists’ preferred policies on several issues, including criminal justice and immigration, is in full swing. And, of course, Harris lost. How much blame, if any, “the groups” should get for that has become a matter of intense debate. Progressive group defenders point out that Harris tried to pivot to the center and that the Biden administration’s record on inflation and immigration were her two biggest vulnerabilities. The groups’ critics say Harris' group-influenced positions from the 2020 primary weighed her down, and Democrats ran into political trouble on inflation and immigration in part because of the groups’ bad advice. How the Democratic world — its groups, donors, activists, media outlets, staffers, and politicians — responds to all this is yet to be seen. There are past models. In the 1980s, after the landslide defeats of three successive Democratic presidential nominees, various reform factions tried to moderate the party, arguing that they’d gotten out of touch with the median voter and were too beholden to “special interests.” Bill Clinton became affiliated with these reformers, and won the presidency in 1992. In contrast, the model of Democrats between 2004 (when John Kerry lost) to 2008 (when Obama won big) may suggest a sweeping overhaul of the party’s positions isn’t necessary. After all, Harris came pretty close to winning. Perhaps Trump will govern poorly and Democrats will return to power having changed little. And perhaps the apparent end of the leftward opinion shift among liberal college graduates will be enough to effectively weaken the power of the groups. Another model, oddly enough, is Trump. Before his rise, the Republican Party was tethered to an unpopular “free market” economic agenda involving Medicare cuts and free trade pushed by donor-financed advocacy groups. In 2016, Trump distanced himself from that agenda, and in doing so revealed those groups had little actual power. Then, in 2024, it was the anti-abortion groups that looked to be a political millstone for Trump — so he distanced himself from them. For Democrats now, there are some nascent attempts to challenge the group-dominated status quo. Yet others are skeptical of how much Democrats will — and should – change. “Democrats declaring independence from liberal and progressive interest groups can’t and likely won’t happen,” the commentator Michael A. Cohen (not Trump’s former lawyer) wrote on Substack. “For better or worse, these groups are the modern Democratic Party. If Democrats hope to retake political power in Washington, they must ensure that these groups are enthusiastic, mobilized, and remain firmly ensconced in the Democrats’ corner.” Indeed, the politics of the war in Gaza may be a cautionary tale in this regard. Biden and Harris ignored progressive groups by remaining supportive of Israel — but as a result, Harris faced regular criticism from activists and negative coverage throughout the campaign. The groups might not be so effective at winning Democrats votes — but they still might be able to drive some away. Andrew Prokop is a senior politics correspondent at Vox. His columns are syndicated by Tribune Content Agency. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Spain Is It Still a Safe Destination to Visit? U.S. State Department Issues Heightened Travel Warnings Amid Growing Safety Concerns and Civil Unrest

A lawsuit filed by a conservative legal group against California voting officials takes aim at the state’s “make-it-easy” approach to voting. In May, Judicial Watch , on behalf of the Libertarian Party of California , sued California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and the state itself — and listed 27 registrars, including Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties — claiming that officials violated federal law between 2020 and 2022 by not adequately purging voting rolls of so-called irregular voters. Specifically, Judicial Watch argues that officials haven’t lived up to rules established by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, the “motor voter” law aimed at making voter registration easier and voter rolls more accurate and up-to-date. Though the lawsuit doesn’t cite any evidence showing significant numbers of votes being illegally cast or counted — and no evidence exists to support widespread voter fraud — Judicial Watch argues that officials upped the odds for voter fraud by not expunging the names of irregular voters in the manner required under federal law. Purging ineligible voters from state voter rolls was a hot topic during the just concluded election season, sparking debates about ballot security and voter access. Conservative groups have fueled doubts of the legitimacy of recent elections, particularly after President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in 2020. And this year, prior to the November election in which Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump claimed without evidence that his opponents were engaged in cheating . One of the related efforts, taken up by conservative groups including the Republican National Committee , has been the challenge of voter roll maintenance. Robert Popper, an attorney for Judicial Watch, said the group has never alleged fraud in its lawsuits but that outdated voter rolls create opportunities for it. “The point isn’t fraud, but these removals do affect the potential for fraud in several ways,” he said. Popper argued that outdated registrations, such as those for people who have moved or died, open the door to potential voter fraud, including voter impersonation or double voting — both of which are felonies in California . “All of the opportunities for these kinds of fraud diminish when you conduct voter list maintenance and get rid of outdated registration,” Popper said. The problem Popper’s group hopes to stamp out is almost non-existent. In California, a state with about 22.6 million registered voters, there were 64 known cases of voter impersonation or double voting over the past two decades, according to research by the Heritage Foundation. Legal experts say the claim that counties are endangering election integrity by having more registered voters than voting-age citizens — a key to the Judicial Watch lawsuit — is based on flawed methodology. “It compares apples to oranges,” said Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor. “It’s a little like complaining that your odometer doesn’t align with your speedometer — they exist to measure two different things.” Levitt also noted that leaving inactive voters on the rolls serves as a safeguard to make sure eligible voters aren’t removed by mistake. The specific complaints in the lawsuit regarding voter rolls for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in the lawsuit are as follows: Judicial Watch alleged Orange County is among 19 California counties that did not report any data about the number of voter registrations canceled from November 2020 to November 2022. According to a letter from the state Department of Justice, Orange County did report removing 77,691 voter registrations during that time. However, because the county couldn’t identify the exact number of voters removed who didn’t respond to notices asking them to confirm their address or those who hadn’t voted in two consecutive federal elections — a rule known as Section 8(d)(1)(B) of the NVRA — the registrar reported that the data was unavailable. That answer is consistent with the federal Election Administration and Voting Survey, which is conducted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission as a way to gather data from election jurisdictions across the country. The federal voting survey allows counties to report certain data as “unavailable” if necessary and to provide an explanation why that is the case. That option explains why Orange County marked the data on the Section 8(d)(1)(B) removals as “unavailable.” Bob Page, the county registrar, said he cannot speak to the merits of the claims made by Judicial Watch since the county is not a direct party to the lawsuit. But he pointed to an explainer on the registrar’s website that details how the the office maintains its voter registration file. Page and Keith Bogardus, the chief assistant district attorney, also said in a briefing to reporters before Election Day that since Page took control of the office in 2022 there have been no cases of individuals prosecuted for trying to vote multiple times or impersonate other voters. It was the same situation in Riverside County , where the registrar was unable to determine the total number of removals under Section 8(d)(1)(B) using the county’s existing data system and reported that the data was unavailable. According to the justice department, the county estimated that during the two-year window listed in the lawsuit 750 voters were removed under Section 8(d)(1)(B). When reached for comment, Riverside County spokesperson Elizabeth Florer referred inquiries to the secretary of state’s office, which said it doesn’t comment on ongoing litigation to “protect the integrity” of the process. According to the justice department, San Bernardino County follows a “general program” of notifying inactive registrants under Section 8(d)(1)(B) and removes records when people move or sit out two consecutive elections or don’t contact the registrar to correct their address. In the 2020-2022 reporting period, however, the county was unable to remove registration records because it determined that its notices did not use the specific language required under the federal motor voter law. San Bernardino County, which has 1.2 million registered voters, issued more than 200,000 new notices in 2023, according to the justice department. When reached for comment, registrar spokesperson Melissa Eickman said the county cannot comment on the specific allegations contained in the lawsuit, but that the registrar is “in compliance with the law.” While the secretary of state’s office declined to comment for the story, it said in a letter sent Sept. 27 to all county clerks and registrars that mass challenges of voter eligibility recently submitted to election offices are “not authorized.” “First, we are well into the 90-day quiet period where such activities are prohibited,” the letter said, alluding to a blackout period mandated by federal law that limits when election officials can change their voter rolls unless a registrant requests asks to be removed. Another issue raised in the letter is that information submitted by any third party, including Judicial Watch, can’t be the sole reason to expunge a registered voter. Information submitted by a third party does not constitute a “removal at the request of the registrant,” the secretary of state’s office wrote. Levitt said private parties don’t have the ability to legally contest voter registration data that has been reported to the Election Assistance Commission. “Even if there’s been a violation of a mandate, that’s not the sort of thing that private parties can enforce,” he said. Popper said there should be no debate about his group’s claims in the lawsuit, which he said are “uncontroversial.” “We look at voter rolls every year .. and they should just be following the law,” he said. The state recently asked U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi to dismiss the case, a move that is typical in civil lawsuits. If that request is denied, Popper said his group will seek a settlement similar to deals it has struck in previous lawsuits. In 2019, Judicial Watch sued Los Angeles County over similar questions raised in the current legal tussle, and that litigation resulted in the state and county agreeing to purge more than 1 million inactive voter registrations. Related ArticlesATLANTA — Car thefts have skyrocketed at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport over past year. Law enforcement officials say they’re taking extra steps to secure the tens of thousands of parking spots at the travel hub over the holidays, but are warning residents to take extra precautions if they plan to leave their cars there. More than 310 cars have been stolen from airport parking decks so far this year, which is more than triple the number of car jackings at Hartsfield-Jackson in 2023, according to Atlanta Police Department data. Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Monday that it’s an alarming trend that’s being seen across the nation. “There’s over 40,000 parking spaces at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport,” he told council members on the public safety committee. “Some citizens may travel and it may be days or even weeks before they know they’ve been a victim of the theft.” “When we look from California to Connecticut, we see an increase in almost every major American airport of thefts,” he added. The airport’s four main parking decks are being targeted the most while car thefts at curbs as travelers are dropped off and picked up have decreased. The police department recommends travelers parking in the decks use a steering wheel lock for extra safety. Car thieves are able to use programs to simulate key fobs to open car doors, Schierbaum said, leaving no trace of broken glass from a smashed window to alert security patrolling the parking decks that there’s been a break in. The problem is so extensive, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is involved tracking down the individuals responsible. “It’s also very apparent that these thefts tend to be highly-organized and even done on a national scale,” the police chief said. “We’re working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation here at the Atlanta field office on a number of high-level investigations.” Additional officers are being deployed to the airport in an effort to curb thefts — that includes undercover units. The police department is also working with airport leadership to install new “anti-tailgating” technology to make it harder for car jackers to follow stolen cars out of garages. The number of travelers flying in and out of Atlanta’s airport over the Thanksgiving holiday is expected to break records. The Transportation Security Administration is preparing for its busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record. That means nearly 1 million travelers are expected to go through security screening at Hartsfield-Jackson over that period. Nationally, traffic through TSA checkpoints is expected to be up about 6% from last year’s Thanksgiving period. ------- ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Ademola Lookman was on target for Atalanta in their 3-1 win away to Parma in the Serie A on Saturday. It was Lookman’s seventh goal in 10 games in the Italian topflight this season. With 15 minutes left Lookman scored to put Atalanta 3-1 ahead to seal the win. He was then replaced with eight minutes left to play in the game. The win against Parma means Atalanta have now won six consecutive games. Also, Atalanta temporarily go top on 28 points in the league table after 13 games played so far.

Caprock Group LLC Has $605,000 Stock Position in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM)

Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in a 2022 coup plot, an unsealed police report allegesThe Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level MediaNot for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 13, 2024 / Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:EMUSF) announces that, further to its news release dated October 31, 2024 , it has closed the first tranche of the Company's non brokered private placement (the "Offering") issuing an aggregate of 5,837,000 common shares ("the "Shares") at $0.10 per share for gross proceeds of C$583,700. The Company also announces that it has obtained an additional 30-day extension from the TSX Venture the "TSXV") Exchange to close a second tranche of the Offering. The final closing and filing acceptance of all documentation required by the TSXV in respect of the Offering has been extended from December 13, 2024, to January 13, 2025. The Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance of such securities for Canadian subscribers and six months from the date of issuance for U.S. subscribers. Under the Offering, directors of the Corporation have subscribed for a total of 3,737,000 Shares for a total consideration of C$373,700, which constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Regulation 61-101 respecting Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("Regulation 61-101") and TSXV Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. However, the directors of the Corporation who voted in favor of the Offering have determined that the exemptions from formal valuation and minority approval requirements provided for respectively under subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of Regulation 61-101 can be relied on as neither the fair market value of the Shares issued to this insider, nor the fair market value of the consideration paid exceeded 25% of the Corporation's market capitalization. None of the Corporation's directors have expressed any contrary views or disagreements with respect to the foregoing. A material change report in respect of this related party transaction will be filed by the Corporation but could not be filed earlier than 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering, due to the fact that the terms of the participation of each of the non-related parties and the related parties of the Offering were not confirmed. The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there by any sale of the securities referenced in this press release, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Electric Metals (USA) Limited Electric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:EMUSF) is a US-based mineral development company with manganese and silver projects geared to supporting the transition to clean energy. The Company's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, the highest-grade manganese deposit in North America, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies, including National Instrument 43-101 Technical Reports - Resource Estimates. The Company's mission in Minnesota is to become a domestic US producer of high-value, high-purity manganese metal and chemical products to supply the North American electric vehicle battery, technology and industrial markets. With manganese playing a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, the State of Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders. For further information, please contact: Electric Metals (USA) Limited Brian Savage CEO & Director (303) 656-9197 or Valerie Kimball Director Investor Relations 720-933-1150 info@electricmetals.com Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Such statements in this news release include, without limitation: the ability of the Company to complete the Offering; the size, terms and timing of the Offering; participation in the Offering by insiders of the Company; the timing and receipt of TSXV and other approvals required in connection with the Offering; the intended use of proceeds of the Offering; the Company's mission to become a domestic US producer of high-value, high-purity manganese metal and chemical products to supply the North American electric vehicle battery, technology and industrial markets; that manganese will continue to play a critical and prominent role in lithium-ion battery formulations; that with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the Emily Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders; and planned or potential developments in ongoing work by Electric Metals. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the failure to obtain all necessary stock exchange and regulatory approvals; investor interest in participating in the Offering; and risks related to the exploration and other plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, updated conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Electric Metals (USA) Limited View the original on accesswire.comBoston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson subject of federal investigation

MUNICH (AP) — Manuel Neuer was sent off for the first time and Bayern Munich crashed out of the German Cup in the third round with a 1-0 loss at home to defending champion Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Neuer was never before sent off over a long career including 124 games for Germany, but the Bayern captain was shown a straight red card in the 17th minute for taking out Jeremie Frimpong with a body check when the Dutch winger was almost through on goal after a long pass from Johnathan Tah. Bayern’s players protested but there had been no attempt from Neuer to play the ball. Leverkusen needed patience to take advantage against a riled-up Bayern team that created better chances in the first half. The home team was without Harry Kane, injured over the weekend against Borussia Dortmund. Bayern confirmed a right hamstring injury and said the England captain will be out “for the time being.” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso sent on Patrik Schick for the second half, but the in-form Czech forward limped off with what looked like a left calf injury after less than 15 minutes. Nathan Tella replaced Schick in the 61st, then scored eight minutes later with a header to Álex Grimaldo’s perfectly positioned cross. “The first title of the season is gone, and that hurts,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. Alonso, a former Bayern midfielder, has never lost in five games against his former club while Leverkusen coach. Bayern was knocked out in the second round last season. Also, Werder Bremen defeated second-division side Darmstadt 1-0. Earlier, 2022 finalist Freiburg was knocked out in a 3-1 loss at third-division team Arminia Bielefeld, and Stuttgart won 3-0 at Jahn Regensburg. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Maharashtra polls: Bruised in LS, how NDA got its groove backFormer Department of Human Services secretary Kathryn Campbell (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch) It is something of a miracle that we are even here now... because none of the sclerotic checks and balances built into the system of governance in Australia worked to stop this rapacious scheme. Not the public servants who received the original legal advice before it even became a policy proposal, advice that flatly declared the approach unlawful; not the Commonwealth Ombudsman, whose credulity was exploited by wilfully deceptive bureaucrats. Freedom of information laws, once a serviceable transparency mechanism but now devolved into a clerical blockade, were rendered tautological. Critical information was imprisoned with the stroke of a pen, forever, and not even an eventual class action lawsuit in the Federal Court could obtain the damning documents needed to expose what had actually happened. Two Senate inquiries could not pry robodebt from the grip of secrecy, the information commissioner failed and even the appeals tribunal decisions — with only a few notable exceptions — were either limp or flat-out wrong. The lawyers got around to fighting robodebt, but only once they’d found their perfect victims. It’s hardly their fault that test case law requires the unblemished “good” victim to prove how monstrous a regime is, but the suffering continued while the search was on. The national audit office overturned rocks and found nothing of substance. What tiny criticisms of process were made were swatted away with a grim and well-practised administrative athleticism. NACC shouldn’t exist if it’s going to dog its remit by ignoring robodebt Read More Nothing stuck. Not even the initial media storm that blew in around Christmas 2016 and lasted a few months was enough to end robodebt. It is an appalling fact of this story that the largest number of people fed into the robodebt machine and the biggest dollar value of debt raised by this illegal program happened in the 2018-19 financial year, long after the fatigue of fighting it set in. But who am I to judge. I missed it, too. A tiny and dedicated band of reporters led by Christopher Knaus at the Guardian Australia and Ben Eltham at New Matilda , and building on a grassroots online campaign sparked by the seemingly omnipresent digital rights activist Asher Wolf, caught this sick thing for what it was. I was too naive, too credulous, to understand that Centrelink could really be that horrific. Wasn’t it just more of the same bastardry I’d seen them try on for decades? As a boy raised by a single mum, I’d been forced to watch her on the phone to Centrelink, begging and bartering for our financial security. What struck me, even as an eight-year-old, was that the support system was itself abusive. It left people like my mum exhausted and afraid. That kind of brutality leaves a mark. But it also rendered me immune to just how much worse things could get. This is what institutional power looks like. No agency or authority managed to lay so much as a glove on robodebt for years. We can deploy all of the usual excuses: resourcing, cowardice, incompetence. These defects are far from unique, but in robodebt they met, quite uniquely, the “dogmatic and authoritarian” secretary Kathryn Campbell who, on this particular policy, had more than most to lose. When she briefed Scott Morrison on December 30, 2014, some people in her department knew there was already legal advice in the sister policy department of Social Services categorically rejecting the lawful basis for any such proposal. Whether or not she knew about this advice at the briefing with Morrison in Sydney remains unsettled. But there is no doubt she later learned of the seismic policy and legislative consequences such a policy proposal, if it were ever taken to cabinet, would represent. How could she go back and tell this powerful new minister that he couldn’t have the idea about which he was “most excited”, and that she’d been premature in even mentioning it? Did she tell him? This is the woman who, according to her peers, “gets satisfaction from proving people wrong”. It would have been an unbearable realisation. “Not only was it so much money it would balance the [department’s] books but it punished welfare seekers, it was just a perfect, golden idea,” a source with knowledge of briefing arrangements between departments and ministers says. “And then when she found out that it would require amendment to the legislation, otherwise it’d be unlawful, she so did not want to have to tell him that. If she had never mentioned it to him, and if he hadn’t already said ‘Yes, I want that,’ it wouldn’t have been a problem. But she had. And that golden light that was falling on her for being the person who came up with it would all have been ruined.” These dynamics are not the result of vivid imaginations. Secretaries lived and died by the patronage of their minister. That they could be fired by these ministers (since changes to the public service in the 1990s) was well known, but the Coalition governments from late 2013 onwards had mutated the expectations of public servitude so greatly as to usher in a new era of weakness. Top servants were not praised for being frank and fearless so much as they were encouraged to be dishonest, one-dimensional vessels of an unchecked political desire. Whether this worked for the politicians depended very much on the senior executive at the top of their agency. Some told the ministers what they wanted to hear and then worked against them. Others were frozen out for being insufficiently “responsive”. We’ve ensured another robodebt will happen Read More In fact, it could get even worse. During the Coalition term, there was one secretary who fell so out of favour with their minister that they were literally ignored. The head of an entire department was no longer welcome to brief the minister. They had to find out what the minister wanted from their deputy secretaries. It was a situation that was untenable. Their career, at least under that government and quite possibly forever, was doomed. While Campbell was in the Middle East on her Joint Task Force 633 deputy command deployment, she gave an interview to The Australian newspaper about the competing dualism of her twin roles. “I’ve found it very useful in my public service career to have that leadership and command training that the military provides, to always see people as a key determinant of achieving objectives,” she said. “My military experience gave me at a very young age a focus on leadership and working with people and decision-making that I may not have got from my public service career.” The insignia of the Joint Task Force is a scorpion crawling through the stars of the Southern Cross, its tail aloft. This army-first mode of operating infected every element of her life in the public service. An executive officer in Kathryn Campbell’s secretarial office at DHS, Ben Keily, responded to simple requests from his boss with the quasi-military term “wilco”, short for “will comply”. In March 2017, after the public furore over robodebt finally revealed the nature of the degrading program to a mainstream consciousness, Campbell appeared before Senate estimates to defend the public release of private Centrelink data belonging to people who had complained about debts in the media. One of these people had already been named and minister Alan Tudge had shopped their personal details to journalists to discredit their complaints. It was an eye-popping exercise in government loathing and, as the royal commission would eventually find, it was an “abuse” of the enormous power that rested with the minister. When Ben Eltham wrote up Campbell’s calm defence of the whole episode before the Parliament, he drew her military career into the copy. Campbell, who monitored the daily media alerts and often chided teams when they were late, saw the article almost immediately and rushed to alert her colleagues at the Department of Defence. “Sir,” she emailed a senior figure in the military establishment. “Please find attached an article which unfortunately drags the Army into the Centrelink Privacy Data issue. I saw CA [chief of army] at a breakfast this morning and he is aware of the Centrelink Privacy Data issue.” She sent this just 16 minutes after getting the media alert. This was the issue that had her full attention. Campbell sent an update the next morning — a Saturday — at 7.42am, having scanned the newspapers and morning bulletins for anything that might drag the military into further disrepute. Never mind the thousands harmed by the robodebt disaster; never mind that presumably one of the chief attributes of the Australian Defence Force is an ability to defend itself (here against the most milquetoast of public criticism that was not really about them but about Kathryn Campbell’s conduct); and never mind that precisely nobody cared, not even at the ADF. Campbell was concerned with her own status with respect to the institution she most admired: the Army. Didn’t they realise there was a war going on? “Sir ... mainstream media does not appeared [sic] to have picked this up so no risk to Army,” she wrote. This is an extract from Rick Morton’s Mean Streak (HarperCollins). Have something to say about this article? Write to us at letters@crikey.com.au . Please include your full name to be considered for publication in Crikey’s Your Say . We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.None

The Amrabad tiger reserve, home to at least 30 tigers, including cubs, appears to have turned a corner in terms of wildlife sightings during safaris, with visitors not only seeing a variety of wildlife but also tigers, and with increasing frequency. It’s thanks to just one tigress – F6, the matriarch of Amrabad —that more sightings of the big cat are becoming possible. F6, nicknamed Farah female as its territory falls in the Farhabad range had given birth to two cubs, a male and a female, in 2018. On Saturday, the female – F18 – a second-time mother herself, was spotted during the morning safari, sending a buzz of excitement among the visitors, and the reserve officials who posted a video of the sighting on their X social media platform account. “After we started wildlife tourism, all human activities, be it the occasional felling of trees, setting of fires and the like have come to a naught. Consequently, animals feel more safe and secure and the sightings have definitely improved. We just have to work harder, and ensure even better protection to the forest,” Nagarkurnool district forest officer Rohit Gopidi said, when asked about the increasing wildlife encounters visitors are experiencing during the safari drives. It was in 2021 that wildlife tourism activities were launched in Amrabad out of Mannanur village where facilities were created for visitors to stay. It was also the year when F18, Farah Female’s first born, gave birth to four cubs – three females and a male, F (female) 36, 37 and 38, and M (male) 39. Officials believe that Farah Female, had another litter after her first which may not have succeeded. She is now believed to have given birth to two more cubs. Incidentally, F18 which was sighted on Saturday, too is believed to have two young cubs to look after, her second litter. Farah Female, and her offspring, are moving freely in the area and while the younger ones may strike out in search of their own territories later, a large male tiger has also been putting up an occasional appearance for tourists, as was the case on December 18. His territory overlaps that of F6 and F18.

STOCK MARKET SNAPSHOT FOR 14/12/2024PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lowered its stake in Darden Restaurants, Inc. ( NYSE:DRI – Free Report ) by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 59,742 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock after selling 1,755 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. owned about 0.05% of Darden Restaurants worth $9,805,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in DRI. Mizuho Securities USA LLC raised its position in shares of Darden Restaurants by 96,162.9% during the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 8,861,000 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $1,454,356,000 after purchasing an additional 8,851,795 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Darden Restaurants by 16,996.9% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 377,500 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $61,959,000 after acquiring an additional 375,292 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Darden Restaurants by 71.3% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 696,176 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $105,345,000 after acquiring an additional 289,876 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its position in shares of Darden Restaurants by 139.9% during the second quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 352,344 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $53,317,000 after purchasing an additional 205,450 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its stake in Darden Restaurants by 81.2% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 457,114 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $69,125,000 after purchasing an additional 204,832 shares during the period. 93.64% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Darden Restaurants Trading Up 1.9 % Shares of DRI opened at $167.70 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.34, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a 50-day moving average of $163.80 and a 200 day moving average of $154.13. Darden Restaurants, Inc. has a 1-year low of $135.87 and a 1-year high of $176.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.35 and a quick ratio of 0.22. Darden Restaurants Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 10th were issued a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 10th. This is an increase from Darden Restaurants’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.29. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.34%. Darden Restaurants’s payout ratio is currently 64.59%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on DRI shares. Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $160.00 price objective on shares of Darden Restaurants in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. KeyCorp raised their target price on shares of Darden Restaurants from $170.00 to $194.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Darden Restaurants from $188.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Darden Restaurants from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, September 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Darden Restaurants from $175.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, September 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Darden Restaurants currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $180.13. View Our Latest Report on Darden Restaurants Insider Buying and Selling at Darden Restaurants In other news, SVP Susan M. Connelly sold 3,320 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $163.43, for a total transaction of $542,587.60. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 6,155 shares in the company, valued at $1,005,911.65. This represents a 35.04 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Ricardo Cardenas sold 42,403 shares of Darden Restaurants stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.68, for a total transaction of $7,279,747.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 58,685 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,075,040.80. This trade represents a 41.95 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 59,265 shares of company stock valued at $10,116,030. 0.58% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Darden Restaurants Profile ( Free Report ) Darden Restaurants, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates full-service restaurants in the United States and Canada. It operates under Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, and Capital Burger brand names. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Darden Restaurants Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Darden Restaurants and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Meet WNBA star Cameron Brink: the Los Angeles Sparks forward – and godsister to Stephen Curry – had her rookie season cut short, but she’s busy showing off her fashion cred and recently got engagedIf you’re sitting on a pile of travel or credit card rewards with no immediate travel plans, donating them to a charity is an easy way to have a positive impact. And it's a popular way to give: In 2021, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members donated around 94 million miles to charities at an approximate cash value of $2.6 million, according to the airline. Beyond the social benefits, miles donations also qualify as activity on your loyalty account and can prevent the rest of your rewards from expiring . But if you’re in the habit of maximizing points and miles, you might also want to stretch the value of your charitable donations as far as possible. And by that measure, some methods of donating points and miles fall short. Here’s what to consider before donating your miles and points . Many loyalty programs make it easy to redeem your points and miles for a donation directly through their rewards portals. But some portals — especially those from airline and hotel programs — don’t publish the cash value a charity will receive for your miles or points. That means the charity may receive less value for your donation than you’d think, while also making it hard to compare the value of a donation with the value of other options for redeeming your points. Best Western Rewards is one of the few loyalty programs that publishes a cash value for charitable points donations. The charity will receive $2 for every 500 points you donate, for a point a value of 0.4 cent each. NerdWallet values Best Western points at 0.6 cent apiece, so you would receive 33% less value for your donation relative to using them for a hotel stay. Generally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) doesn’t count points and miles as a source of income, so if you donate them, you can't deduct the cash value of your gift. This lack of favorable tax treatment for the consumer combined with the uncertain value you’ll often receive for miles and points donations should have you at least consider other avenues for your philanthropic endeavors. Keep in mind that this drawback only matters for taxpayers who itemize deductions on their income tax returns. If you're like most people and take the standard deduction instead of itemizing, you wouldn't be able to get a charitable tax deduction from any donation. Some rewards programs have a minimum donation amount for select charities. For example, you’d have to donate at least 2,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points for a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. That minimum amount makes it tougher to donate points that may be collecting dust in your loyalty account. To maximize the value of your donation, consider a charity that books travel directly with your miles or points rather than donating directly through your loyalty program's portal. For example, Miles4Migrants uses donated airline miles and credit card points to directly book award travel for refugees and asylum seekers. “Instead of maximizing points and miles to book a dream trip, we do it to help refugees reach safe new beginnings,” said Patrick Stouffer, partnerships manager at Miles4Migrants, in an email. Miles4Migrants has redeemed over 775 million donated miles in pursuit of their mission, with a cash value of over $17 million. That expertise allows them to get more value out of every donation. “Our team has the specialized knowledge necessary to stretch the value of every point or mile, ensuring donations go as far as possible,” Stouffer said. “Even if you aren’t able to reap any tax advantages of donating your points, at least you’ll know they made the largest possible impact.” Direct cash donations help avoid the downsides of donating miles and points. If you have a credit card that earns cash back , or if you earn cash rewards through a shopping portal like TopCashBack or Rakuten , consider cashing out and donating those rewards instead of your miles and points. With a cash donation, you’ll know the exact value a charity will receive from your donation and likely qualify for a potential itemized deduction on your taxes. Some rewards programs make this process simple and transparent. Travel rewards programs sometimes incentivize charitable giving by offering bonus points for your cash donations. For example, American Airlines offers 10 AAdvantage miles for every dollar members contribute to the charity Stand Up To Cancer. That extra incentive can be an individual boon for your charitable donation. Just be aware that any points or miles you receive from such promotions will reduce the tax deductibility of your contribution. American Airlines values those bonus miles you receive through donations at 3 cents each. So if you donate $100 and receive 1,000 AAdvantage miles, American values those miles at $30. You’ll receive a tax form declaring those rewards as $30 in income, giving you a qualifying tax deduction of $70. When you donate cash and receive bonus points, the charity still receives your full donation and you get a slug of points. While you'll have to pay taxes on those points, it can still be a big win for your future travel plans. The article Should You Donate Your Points and Miles to Charity? originally appeared on NerdWallet.

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Savion Williams rushed for two touchdowns and Josh Hoover threw for 252 yards as TCU pulled away from Arizona in the second half, winning 49-28 on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas. The Horned Frogs (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions, starting late in the first half after the Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) pulled within 14-13. Williams carried nine times for 80 yards, scoring on runs of 1 and 20 yards in the first half. Hoover completed 19 of 26 passes, with one touchdown and one interception, before being pulled midway through the fourth quarter when the Frogs were up by 21. TCU took control after leading 21-13 at halftime, going up 35-13 on a 38-yard reception to JP Richardson midway through the third. Arizona kept its hopes alive, ending a 15-play, 75-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hunter on fourth down on the first play of the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion made it 35-21. But the Horned Frogs responded with another TD drive, capped by a 6-yard run by Cam Cook for a 42-21 advantage. Arizona added a 70-yard fumble return touchdown with one minute to go for the game's final score. Tetairoa McMillan caught nine passes for 115 yards to become the Arizona career leader in receiving yardage with 3,355. He surpassed his receivers coach, Bobby Wade (3,351), at the top spot. The Wildcats' Noah Fifita completed 29 of 44 passes for 284 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, which happened on the game's first snap. TCU promptly scored on a 4-yard run by Trent Battle, and Williams added a 1-yard TD run late in the first quarter for a 14-0 lead. But the Wildcats fought back, getting a 17-yard touchdown reception by Hunter and field goals of 53 and 43 yards from Tyler Loop to climb within 14-13 with 1:55 go before halftime. That's almost how the half ended, but the Horned Frogs converted third-and-18 on the ensuing drive and then gained 24 yards on third-and-25 to the Arizona 20. That set up a 20-yard run by Williams on fourth-and-1 with 13 seconds left for a 21-13 lead. --Field Level MediaPHILADELPHIA and PERTH, Australia , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadium Lithium plc (NYSE: ALTM, ASX: LTM, "Arcadium Lithium"), a leading global lithium chemicals producer, today announced that it has obtained all requisite shareholder approvals in connection with the proposed acquisition by Rio Tinto previously announced on October 9 , 2024. "Today's vote of support by our shareholders confirms our shared belief that with Rio Tinto, we will be a stronger global leader in lithium chemicals production. Together, we enhance our capabilities to successfully develop and operate our assets while supporting the clean energy transition. We are confident that this transaction will provide future benefit to our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate, and I am excited by the path ahead," said Paul Graves , president and chief executive officer of Arcadium Lithium. The final voting results of Arcadium Lithium's special meetings will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a Form 8-K and will also be available at https://ir.arcadiumlithium.com . Regulatory Update As of this release, merger control clearance has been satisfied or waived in Australia , Canada , China , the United Kingdom and the United States (Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976). Additionally, investment screening approval has been satisfied in the United Kingdom . The proposed transaction is still expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of remaining regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Arcadium Lithium Contacts Investors: Daniel Rosen +1 215 299 6208 daniel.rosen@arcadiumlithium.com Phoebe Lee +61 413 557 780 phoebe.lee@arcadiumlithium.com Media: Karen Vizental +54 9 114 414 4702 karen.vizental@arcadiumlithium.com About Arcadium Lithium Arcadium Lithium is a leading global lithium chemicals producer committed to safely and responsibly harnessing the power of lithium to improve people's lives and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. We collaborate with our customers to drive innovation and power a more sustainable world in which lithium enables exciting possibilities for renewable energy, electric transportation and modern life. Arcadium Lithium is vertically integrated, with industry-leading capabilities across lithium extraction processes, including hard-rock mining, conventional brine extraction and direct lithium extraction (DLE), and in lithium chemicals manufacturing for high performance applications. We have operations around the world, with facilities and projects in Argentina , Australia , Canada , China , Japan , the United Kingdom and the United States . For more information, please visit us at www.ArcadiumLithium.com . Important Information and Legal Disclaimer: Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for Arcadium Lithium based on currently available information. There are important factors that could cause Arcadium Lithium's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the completion of the transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the transaction; potential litigation relating to the transaction that could be instituted by or against Arcadium Lithium or its affiliates, directors or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the risk that disruptions from the transaction will harm Arcadium Lithium's business, including current plans and operations; the ability of Arcadium Lithium to retain and hire key personnel; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or governmental relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact Arcadium Lithium's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; significant transaction costs associated with the transaction; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the transaction, including in circumstances requiring Arcadium Lithium to pay a termination fee or other expenses; competitive responses to the transaction; the supply and demand in the market for our products as well as pricing for lithium and high-performance lithium compounds; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the integration of the businesses of Livent and Allkem or of any future acquisitions; our ability to acquire or develop additional reserves that are economically viable; the existence, availability and profitability of mineral resources and mineral and ore reserves; the success of our production expansion efforts, research and development efforts and the development of our facilities; our ability to retain existing customers; the competition that we face in our business; the development and adoption of new battery technologies; additional funding or capital that may be required for our operations and expansion plans; political, financial and operational risks that our lithium extraction and production operations, particularly in Argentina , expose us to; physical and other risks that our operations and suppliers are subject to; our ability to satisfy customer qualification processes or customer or government quality standards; global economic conditions, including inflation, fluctuations in the price of energy and certain raw materials; the ability of our joint ventures, affiliated entities and contract manufacturers to operate according to their business plans and to fulfill their obligations; severe weather events and the effects of climate change; extensive and dynamic environmental and other laws and regulations; our ability to obtain and comply with required licenses, permits and other approvals; and other factors described under the caption entitled "Risk Factors" in Arcadium Lithium's 2023 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 , as well as Arcadium Lithium's other SEC filings and public communications. Although Arcadium Lithium believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Arcadium Lithium cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Arcadium Lithium nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Arcadium Lithium is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcadium-lithium-announces-shareholder-approval-of-proposed-rio-tinto-transaction-and-provides-regulatory-update-302338409.html SOURCE Arcadium Lithium PLC

Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the magic of Botticelli's artistry and the legacy of the Medici family. Reserve your tickets now for a cinematic experience like no other. Be prepared to be inspired, enlightened, and amazed by the timeless beauty of "Botticelli, Florence, and the Medici Family."

The AI Smartphones That Never Arrived: 2024’s Unfulfilled Promises

4. Using Generators Indoors: During power outages, it may be tempting to use a generator indoors to keep warm and power essential appliances. However, generators should always be used outside, away from windows, doors, and vents, to prevent CO from entering the home.

Throughout the year, in our Women, Money, and Mindset columns , we have tackled some of life’s most pressing financial challenges. Every month, we have delved into a financial issue that touches the lives of our readers, offering, each week, a distinct insight from the differing viewpoints of a Certified Financial Planner, an attorney, a CPA, and an executive business coach. From navigating the financial markets and business strategies to estate planning and tools to cut taxes, our goal has always been to provide clear, practical, actionable advice to take to your trusted professionals so you take the next steps to grow your wealth and increase your financial security. In this final installment of the year, the issue is giving, and the topic this week is Charitable Gift Annuities. It is a strategy that can address multiple financial and tax planning issues while supporting the causes that matter most to you. Unlike giving away cash or assets and not receiving anything in return, with a CGA, if you donate to a 501(c)(3) qualified charity, in return, you receive two powerful benefits. First, you can qualify for an immediate tax deduction for part of the contribution. Second, you receive a dependable, fixed income from the charity for the rest of your life. The minimum contribution is usually only $5,000, so it is an accessible planning tool for most people. Before diving into more specifics, let’s see how a CGA can help with some specific financial and tax planning concerns you might have: —You want to give more to your house of worship or favorite charity but are concerned about not having enough income in the future. With a CGA, you can receive guaranteed income for life. —You need a last-minute tax deduction and have maxed out on your IRA or 401k plan contribution for the year. A CGA can act as an alternate retirement plan if you itemize deductions on your return. —You are interested in giving away more to charity but do not want the complications of setting up a charitable trust or naming a trustee. A CGA can be set up in days directly with the charity at no cost to you. —You intend to leave some or all of your estate to charity and would like to have all of your estate planning finalized now. CGAs are especially helpful if you would like to leave your estate to several charities because you can set up annuities with each charity. —You have adequate income now or are not yet retired, but you are concerned about costs later in life, like long-term care. You can receive a larger monthly payment later if you choose a deferred annuity and start the payments at a later date. —If you are concerned about paying capital gains taxes on assets you want to sell, you can avoid or defer taxes if you contribute the asset to the CGA. —If you would prefer your church or favorite charity to have access to some of your contribution now, a CGA is preferable to a charitable remainder trust or bequest that funds after you have died. —If you want to secure the financial future of your spouse, child, or another loved one, CGAs can be set up for the lives of two individuals. This could be especially helpful if you have a child in their 50s or older, and you are concerned about them not having enough guaranteed retirement income. —If you keep most of your funds in the bank but would like to earn a higher return, the charity invests your CGA funds (and generally considered safe) with usually a fixed rate of return that is higher than you would receive on a CD. —You would like to avoid paying taxes on a required minimum distribution, so you are planning on doing a Qualified Charitable Rollover (QCR). New rules will allow you to fund your CGA with a one-time $53,000 QCR. The QCR amount to your CGA will not be included as income on your return, but you can still receive the monthly income benefit from the CGA, and you can defer income further if you choose a deferred CGA. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity checks many financial and tax planning boxes, and it is easy and cost-effective to set up. Now to the specifics. First, you set up the CGA and donate the asset to the charity. The gift is set aside and invested by the charity. You (and also your spouse or other person if you choose a two-person annuity) will receive fixed monthly or quarterly payments for the rest of your lives. The charity can utilize the remaining funds after your death. How much is the tax deduction? The income tax deduction is equal to the amount of the contribution minus the present value of the payments that will be made to the donors during their lives. The charity will handle these calculations for you. How much income will you receive? Current suggested annuity rates range from 4.6-10.1% for those 50 and older, dependent primarily on your age. (In other words, you would receive $4,600 to $10,100 a year on a $100,000 contribution.) For recommended rates and how they are calculated, go to acga-web.org/current-gift-annuity-rates . The amount you would receive is generally fixed and will never fluctuate or adjust for inflation. But it’s also secured by the charity’s entire assets and will continue regardless of how the investments of the annuity perform. Here is an example. Dennis, 75, and Mary, 73, fund a $50,000 charitable gift annuity with appreciated stock that they originally bought for $20,000. They are eligible for an income tax charitable deduction of $17,584. They will then receive a payment rate of 6%, or $3,000 each year for the remainder of their lives. If you contact your church or charity, they will provide you with information regarding the minimum age, contribution requirements, and rates for their annuities. As you can see, a charitable gift annuity is more than just a financial tool-it’s a way to make a lasting difference while providing for yourself and your loved ones. As you plan for the year ahead, I hope this inspires you to take the next step. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with peace and purpose! Michelle C. Herting is a CPA, accredited in business valuations, and an accredited estate planner specializing in succession planning and estate, gift, and trust taxes. She is also the past president of the Charitable Gift Planners of Inland Southern California.

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4. Mo Salah (Liverpool): The Egyptian winger has been a key player for Liverpool in recent years, but with his contract set to expire, will the Reds be able to tie down one of their most valuable assets?Ajaz Khan, a former Bigg Boss contestant, is running in the Maharashtra assembly election where he secured just 131 votes, and way behind the frontrunner who bagged 46,619 votes so far, local media reported. Despite having over 5.6 million Instagram followers, Ajaz Khan, the Azad Samaj Party candidate, has only received 103 votes thus far, according to the Election Commission website. Ajaz Khan’s popularity on social media did not transfer into votes, even though he had more than 5.6 million Instagram followers. Haroon Khan, the Shiv Sena UBT candidate, is in the lead in the Versova seat with 46,619 votes. In the Versova seat, the Shiv Sena UBT candidate bagged 58,047 votes, whereas the NOTA (None of the Above) option has 1,022 votes, which is over six times more than Ajaz Khan’s total. The voter turnout in the constituency was 42.2 percent. He contested Big Boss’ season 8 and was asked to leave the house after attempting to strangle Ali Quli Mirza. The results so far attracted many reactions from netizens. A user posted, “When you realise 16 year olds cannot vote in State Elections unlike Bigg Boss evictions’’. Another posted “NOTA got more votes than Bigg Bossiya Ajaz Khan”.

In a recent interview, a once-popular internet personality known as Refund Brother candidly shared his experiences since losing his job and how he continues to find meaning and gratitude in the face of adversity. Refund Brother rose to fame for his humorous and relatable videos about seeking refunds for unsatisfactory products, but as online trends shifted and competition grew, his viewership dwindled, leading to his departure from the platform. However, rather than wallowing in self-pity, Refund Brother has shown remarkable resilience and a humble outlook on his circumstances.

Jonathan Davies, commonly known as Jonny, has been a standout performer for his current club, Every United, over the past few seasons. His combination of technical ability, vision, and versatility on the pitch has caught the attention of several top clubs across Europe, with Barcelona emerging as frontrunners in the race for his signature.What’s my age again? (And how should I dress to suit it?)Dry January is the calendar month where traditionally Brits put the bottle down and commit to a period of abstaining from alcohol. This is typically because we all overdo it in December and let the jovial festivities take over us. Slaves to the 'Christmas bev', we let ourselves say yes to the pub when we otherwise wouldn't, meaning dry January is practically welcomed. "Gone are the days when I would waste entire weekends hungover and anxious." After a bump on the head after a bottomless brunch, Cara decided to revaluate her relationship with alcohol and take on the Dry January® challenge. Cara found her social life flourished after she... pic.twitter.com/Lhb33tQ33W But sadly, a lot of us find this difficult. January is a notoriously grim month, which means to escape the seasonal depression, we find ourselves turning back to alcohol. Not all of course, but it is a tough task for some. Feel that's you? Don't worry, it can be relatively easy. As Bethan Higson, founder of non-alcoholic Mother Root Beverages , puts it: “Every January, people vow to become better versions of themselves – whether it be getting fit or eschewing alcohol, in an effort to live a more healthy, alcohol-free life.” Now, Charlotte Faure Green, nutritional advisor for Mother Root, along with other experts, share their advice for staying on track during Dry January. Was gonna do dry jan but then realised I support Leicester 1. Try to cope with what life throws at you without a tipple “One of the main reasons people struggle to make it to the end of January without alcohol, is a lack of emotional coping skills required to manage what sobriety may bring up for them,” explains Faure Green. She continued: “It can feel incredibly uncomfortable when we’re used to abating feelings of, say, anxiety, with alcohol. "[Try to] find other methods for calming the nervous system: breathing techniques, kitchen dance parties, talking therapies, getting out in nature for a walk, yoga and meditation. Clichéd perhaps, but they are clinically proven to be very effective.” 2. Think about the money you’re saving “Those undertaking Dry January often set sights on a big boozy blow-out on February 1, and this only feeds into our ‘feast or famine’, mentality,” says Faure Green. “Instead, consider how much you’re saving over the month by not drinking and make a list of wonderful things that you can do with that spare cash. "Choose what will drive you the most. For some, it helps to put a picture of that goal on the fridge to reinforce it with a regular reminder, and drive success.” (function (d, s, n) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; js = d.createElement(s); js.className = n; js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/6d5392ec-619d-4da0-8373-e78c5d1e997c"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); js.setAttribute('programmatic', 'true'); js.onload = function () { const playerApi228769 = ExCoPlayer.connect('6d5392ec-619d-4da0-8373-e78c5d1e997c'); playerApi228769.init({ "autoPlay": false, "mute": true, "showAds": true, "playbackMode": "play-in-view", "content": { "playFirst": [ { "title": "Winter Skincare: How to Combat Dry Skin", "src": "https://large-cdn.ex.co/transformations/production/070e2886-1d9d-42e9-b703-2c5d17444674/720p.mp4" } ], "playlistId": "649b233a79e0a90012ae8fba" }, "sticky": { "mode": "persistent", "closeButton": true, "pauseOnClose": true, "desktop": { "enabled": false, "position": "bottom-right" }, "mobile": { "enabled": false, "position": "upper-small" } }}); }; }(document, 'script', 'exco-player')); 3. Increase your GABA “One of the mechanisms that makes alcohol so calming after a stressful day is that it seeks out our GABA receptors and gives them a great big hug. GABA is our calming neurotransmitter, and when we’re producing it in abundance, we can feel relaxed,” explains Faure Green. She went on to say: “So, rather than artificially stimulating those receptors with booze, eat foods that increase circulating GABA... spinach, broccoli, garlic, fish, potatoes and bananas are good sources of B6, a vitamin that’s a vital co-factor in its production. “Green tea also contains an amino acid called L-theanine which is thought to stimulate GABA creation – the ultimate calming cup of tea.” 4. Don’t do it alone “Do Dry January with a friend for moral support and stock your cupboards with great non-alcoholic alternatives, and you’ll still be able to enjoy that end-of-the-day cocktail or aperitif,” suggests Craig Hutchison, co-founder of Maria & Craig’s non-alcoholic-distilled-botanical-spirit. 5. Keep a diary of how much better you’re feeling “Are you sleeping better? Have you lost weight? The average alcoholic cocktail has between 300-400 calories, so keep track and ensure you’re aware of the benefits – it can do wonders for your will power,” says Hutchison. 6. Go public with your challenge “The more people who are aware you’re taking January off alcohol, the more encouragement from your peers,” says Hutchison. The expert continued: “Follow some of your favourite non-alcoholic brands on Instagram. They will, for sure, keep you motivated throughout the month.” Recommended reading: How much does drinking booze cost you? Find out with this calculator NHS urges Brits to look for dementia symptoms this Christmas 10 foods that can help give a boost to your immune system this winter 7. Don’t worry if you weaken “If you slip once or twice, don’t beat yourself up and don’t just give up. You can start again the next day – it’s all about balance,” says Simone Caporale, award-winning international bartender and ambassador for ZEO non-alcoholic spirit. Simone added: “And you never know, the way you’ll feel while you’re taking a break from drinking, might actually push you to keep going.”

Overall, Japan's recent GDP growth and the possibility of an interest rate hike signal a positive development for the economy. However, policymakers must tread cautiously to ensure that any policy adjustments support sustainable growth and financial stability. By striking the right balance between monetary policy normalization and structural reforms, Japan can position itself for a resilient and prosperous future.As a role model for aspiring athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike, Sun Yingsha embodies the perfect blend of strength, grace, and style. Her journey from the table tennis court to the cover of leading fashion magazines serves as an inspiration to individuals striving to break barriers and pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

 

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60 jili Mumbai, December 30: The Shillong Polo Stadium in Meghalaya buzzes with excitement as skilled archers prepare to compete in the highly anticipated Shillong Teer games. The Shillong Teer Results of popular rounds like Shillong Morning Teer, Khanapara Teer, and Jowai Ladrymbai will be revealed following Round 1 and Round 2 on December 30. Enthusiasts can check the Shillong Teer Result Chart on platforms like meghalayateer.com, shillongteerground.com, and shillongteerresult.co.com. Shillong Teer, a cherished tradition of the Khasi tribe, is a one-of-a-kind archery lottery attracting participants from Shillong and nearby areas. Held Monday through Saturday, this cultural event includes eight Teer games such as Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer, Juwai Morning Teer, Juwai Night Teer, and Jowai Ladrymbai. The Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association (KHASA) declares the winning numbers at the conclusion of each round. Shillong Teer Results Today, December 28 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. Combining the thrill of archery with the excitement of a lottery, Shillong Teer invites participants to wager on numbers between 0 and 99. Archer's fire arrows in two rounds and the winning numbers are decided by the last two digits of the total arrows that hit the target. This distinctive game is a testament to Meghalaya's rich cultural heritage, honouring both precision and tradition. What Is Satta Matka? What Are Different Types of Matka Games? Are Betting and Gambling Legal in India? Here's All You Need To Know. Shillong Teer Result on December 30, 2024: Where To Check Result Chart, Winning Numbers Players eager to view the Shillong Teer Result of December 30, 2024, can visit platforms such as meghalayateer.com, shillongteerresult.co.com, teerresults.com, or jowainightteer.in. Simply navigate to the "Shillong Teer Result Chart" section on any of these websites to access the winning numbers. Additionally, the results are provided below for convenience. First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - First Round - Second Round - What Is Shillong Teer? Shillong Teer, a renowned lottery game steeped in Meghalaya's cultural heritage, is organized by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association (KHASA). Players place bets on numbers ranging from 0 to 99, while archers aim their shots at a target. The winning numbers are determined by the last two digits of the total arrows hitting the target. Held Monday through Saturday at Shillong's Polo Ground, the game includes two rounds daily, beginning at 10:30 AM, with results announced shortly afterward. Regulated and legalized by the state government, Shillong Teer continues to captivate locals as a distinctive and exhilarating form of entertainment. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2024 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Hannah went missing and her dad died searching. Now, her family says she’s been found safe



Software Testing Services Market in Australia to Grow by USD 1.42 Billion (2024-2028), Driven by Cost Reduction and Faster Time-to-Market, with AI Redefining Market Landscape - TechnavioCardinals are average through 12 games and the frustration is it feels as if they could be better The Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. David Brandt, The Associated Press Dec 2, 2024 3:10 PM Dec 2, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) reaches for an incomplete pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) The Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. But after two straight frustrating losses, it's not providing much consolation for a franchise that feels as though it should be much better. The latest setback came on Sunday, when the Minnesota Vikings rallied to beat the Cardinals 23-22 . Arizona never trailed until Sam Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 remaining that proved to be the winning score. It was a mistake-filled performance for the Cardinals, who racked up 10 penalties for 96 yards. That's a big reason they had to settle for five field goals and scored just one touchdown. The Cardinals were leading 19-16 in the fourth quarter and had first-and-goal at the Vikings 5, but Tip Reiman was called for a false start and then quarterback Kyler Murray was called for intentional grounding . The Cardinals kicked a field goal for a 22-16 lead, giving the Vikings the chance they needed to drive for the winning score. Murray threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. “I thought we moved the ball well,” Murray said. “Again, it just comes down to not scoring touchdowns. Get down there and kick field goals and penalties bite us. It’s bad — it’s bad football.” The loss knocked the Cardinals out of first place in the NFC West, though they're still in decent playoff position. A pivotal game against the division-rival Seahawks looms on Sunday. Second-year coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the frustration of Sunday's loss, but said they've got to rebound quickly. “They’re disappointed and down, but it’s the NFL,” Gannon said. “They’ve got to put all their energy and focus into tomorrow.” What’s working Arizona's defense blamed itself for not coming up with a stop on the Vikings' winning drive, but the unit played exceptionally well for most of the afternoon. Mack Wilson and L.J. Collier both had two sacks and the Cardinals held Minnesota to just 273 total yards. For a group that looked as if it might be the team's weakness this season, it was another rock solid performance. What needs help The Cardinals aren't a good enough football team to overcome 10 penalties and get a win — particularly on the road. Reiman had a rough day, getting called for three false starts. His false start on the next-to-last offensive drive — coupled with Murray's intentional grounding penalty — proved to be extremely costly. “That was brutal,” Gannon said. “Just got to figure out ways to punch the ball in for touchdowns there, not field goals.” Stock up Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. had five catches for 60 yards, including an impressive touchdown catch that put the Cardinals up 19-6. It was Harrison's seventh TD reception of the season. The No. 4 overall pick has been a little inconsistent in his first year, but there's little doubt he's a difference-maker for the offense. He's still got a chance to reach 1,000 yards receiving this season if he averages about 80 yards receiving over the final five games. Considering his talent, that's certainly possible. Stock down Gannon was second-guessed for his decision to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter instead of trying for a touchdown at the Vikings 4 with 3:29 left. Chad Ryland made the 23-yard chip shot for a 22-16 lead, but the Vikings drove the field on the ensuing possession for the winning score. “I trust JG,” Murray said. “I see both sides. Go up six and make them score; trust the defense to go get a stop. Go for it, you don’t get it, they’ve still got to go down and score. If you do get it, you probably put the game away.” Said Gannon: "Yeah, I mean there’s thought about it. Just wanted to go up more than a field goal there. Definitely a decision point that we talked about. So be it.” Injuries The Cardinals came out of the game fairly healthy. Rookie DL Darius Robinson — the No. 27 overall pick — made his NFL debut against the Vikings after missing the first 11 games due to a calf injury. Key number 1,074 — Running back James Conner's total yards from the line of scrimmage this season, including 773 on the ground and 301 in the passing game. Next steps The Cardinals return home for a game against the Seahawks on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl David Brandt, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) NFL Inactive Report Dec 2, 2024 3:52 PM Rams finally ran the ball well in New Orleans, and it kept them in the playoff race Dec 2, 2024 3:37 PM Justin Tucker's erratic season isn't getting any better, and it's hurting Baltimore's outlook Dec 2, 2024 3:32 PM

While Anant Ambani and Salman Khan roamed around a mall in Jamnagar, Gujarat, Shah Rukh Khan landed in the city along with his wife and youngest son. Are they all planning to celebrate New Year together? Read further to know more. New Delhi: Leaving fans beaming with happiness, Salman Khan turned 59 years old on Friday (December 27, 2024). The renowned actor celebrated the joyous occasion with his family and close ones in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Now, an exciting video of the Bhaijaan of Bollywood visiting a mall in the city is going viral on social media. In the short clip, Anant Ambani can be seen accompanying the Dabangg hunk. As Salman greeted a sea of fans by waving his hand in his signature style, Anant walked alongside. Salman looked dapper in a black T-shirt paired with a checked shirt and pants, while Anant opted for a printed shirt with trousers. Have a look: Shah Rukh Khan lands in Jamnagar The New Year celebration plans of Shah Rukh and his family are still under wraps. Now, it will be interesting to see how they enter 2025. Click for more latest Celebrity news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Raghav Jaitly is a seasoned digital journalist with over 10 years of experience. Over the course of his career, he has worked with some of the largest news outlets in India, including Times Internet, Zee News, News18, The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Bhaskar Digital, and Jagran Group. With an extensive portfolio, Raghav covers a variety of beats, from Entertainment and Politics to Tech and Sports. In the digital journalism landscape, Raghav Jaitly has established himself as a driving force with a track record of successful storytelling.Jets aren't ready to send Aaron Rodgers to the sideline as a lost season reaches the home stretch

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Players from Swiss team Young Boys held up teammate Meschack Elia's shirt as a tribute during their Champions League game at Stuttgart after his son died this week. Lukasz Lakomy gave Young Boys the lead with a powerful long-range shot in the sixth minute Wednesday and ran toward the sideline, where he held up Elia's shirt as his teammates gathered around him. Young Boys said in a statement earlier Wednesday that one of Elia's sons had “died completely unexpectedly following a short illness” in Elia's home country of Congo. The 27-year-old Elia had been informed Tuesday evening and was on his way to Congo to be with his family, the club added. Both teams wore black armbands during the game, and there was a moment of silence before kickoff. Stuttgart won the game 5-1 to leave the Swiss champion with its sixth loss from six games. Young Boys captain Loris Benito said the game and the result meant little to his team in the circumstances. “I honestly have to tell you that this evening is not about sport at all for us, but about the tragedy that we experienced yesterday,” Benito told broadcaster DAZN. “It is so unimaginable and everything else is irrelevant when you experience this.” ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press

 

not jollibee

2025-01-10
Data infrastructure blueprint unveiledEagles receivers Smith and Brown complain about vanishing pass offense during winning streak#jolibetph



LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Demarcus Robinson will not be suspended by the Los Angeles Rams this week after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Demarcus Robinson will not be suspended by the Los Angeles Rams this week after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Demarcus Robinson will not be suspended by the Los Angeles Rams this week after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. Robinson will be available to play when the Rams (5-6) visit the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Rams coach Sean McVay said Wednesday. “I think he does understand the severity of this, and how lucky we were that nobody was injured,” McVay said. “I do believe that he’s remorseful. We are going to let the legal process take place. The league has a process as well.” Robinson was arrested early Monday morning after California Highway Patrol officers observed a white Dodge sedan driving over 100 mph on the 101 freeway in the western San Fernando Valley, a few miles from the Rams’ training complex in Woodland Hills. The driver, who identified himself as Robinson, had “objective signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment,” the CHP said in a statement released to The Associated Press. Robinson spoke to the team and expressed remorse about his arrest, McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “I think it was a bad decision he made,” McVay said. “I don’t think that makes him a bad person, and I do believe this is something that, with the words that he said, our guys will learn from it, and hopefully nobody is ever going to repeat something like this. Let it be a learning opportunity, and a fortunate outcome that nobody was injured.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Robinson has 26 receptions for 384 yards and a team-leading six touchdown catches while starting all 11 games in his second season with the Rams. He caught a TD pass in the Rams’ 37-20 loss to Philadelphia several hours before his arrest. The nine-year NFL veteran has served as a capable No. 3 option for Stafford behind star receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Robinson spent his first six NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl ring in February 2020, and spent one year with Baltimore before joining the Rams last year. “Let this be a lesson to all of us,” Stafford said. “We’re lucky with the result that came of it, to be honest with you, that nobody was hurt or injured. I know that D-Rob is a great person. I love being around him. Love him as a teammate. ... I’m just trying to support him, help him out any way I can.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Advertisement Advertisement

NoneSix things to know about Kigali urban transport improvement project

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico has been taking a bashing lately for allegedly serving as a conduit for Chinese parts and products into North America, and officials here are afraid a re-elected Donald Trump or politically struggling Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could try to leave their country out of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. Mexico’s ruling Morena party is so afraid of losing the trade deal that President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday the government has gone on a campaign to get companies to replace Chinese parts with locally made ones.I was talking by phone last week with California’s new senator-elect, Adam Schiff, as he plowed through papers in a temporary basement office of the Capitol in his transition from House member to Congress’s upper chamber — famously, or formerly, “the greatest deliberative body in the world.” More on his feelings about that in a bit. First, as we began our conversation — this was a day before his clownish former House colleague Matt Gaetz dropped out from consideration as attorney general — we had a laugh about the often-ludicrous qualities of so many of the names put forward by the president-elect for his cabinet. “When he was president before” — and before Schiff led an impeachment prosecution against him in the Senate trial — “I had a meeting with him in the Oval Office. And I said, ‘You know, we should work together on infrastructure,’ and I also brought up the high cost of prescription drugs ... He was affable, and personable, and I think the first thing he said to me was, ‘You know, you do a really good job.’ And I think he meant, on TV. Because it echoed something that Jared Kushner told me during his deposition” for the impeachment. “During one of the recesses he came up to me and said, ‘You do a really good job on TV.’ Trump had just attacked me for the very first time, on Twitter. ‘Sleazy Adam Schiff spends too much time on TV,’ and blah blah blah. And I said, ‘Well, apparently your father-in-law doesn’t think so.’ And his response was, ‘Oh, yes he does, and that’s why.’ ... He’s obviously picked a lot of his cabinet by watching them on Fox. And he also watches his adversaries on Fox.” I asked Schiff if he would be able to work with Trump during his second term. “Well, I think he sees political value in attacking me. It’s why I was such a constant feature in his rallies. Even up to the very end, his closing argument was about me — ‘He’s the enemy from within.’ All I can do is do my job. Try to get stuff done in defending our democracy, our rights and freedoms. He can call me whatever he wants. I’m not going to lose focus on core responsibilities.” Back to the difference between being a congressman and a senator. Schiff and the 11 other new incoming senators — six Democrats, six Republicans — just spent the last week in official orientations about how the upper house works. After 20 years in the House, he was at least a bit familiar. But some things are different. “It’s been a combination of briefings from Senate officers and the sergeant at arms — including with our spouses; they wanted us all to get to know each other — about your Washington office, and your district office, and personal security. We would take a meal break and have lunch together. Social interaction is very important. We had other sessions with veteran senators of both parties about things to do, and things not. A main thing seems to be: Don’t just work together and not socialize. Invite people out to dinner. Don’t judge a book by its cover — guys who you know from TV” may be different in real life. I asked about the “greatest deliberative body” idea: “It really seems like a different culture in the Senate,” Schiff said. “There’s a recognition that you can’t get anything done unless you can find a partner on the other side of the aisle. It’s a small place and you can get to know each other well. There is a group of folks in the Senate who don’t want to get anything done. But apart from that group, there’s lots of opportunities to collaborate and deliver and so I’m very excited about it. It’s very entrepreneurial.” “I was worried,” he continued. “I’d been hearing that the character of the Senate was changing — that a number of the bomb throwers in the House had come over — but the climate is very different. There’s a real willingness to say, ‘Hey, we may disagree on this and that, but I know you’re interested in housing, or rural hospitals, so let’s work together.’” Although I didn’t want to get too deep into the weeds on the inevitable question of what’s next for Democrats after they lost the White House, still don’t have the House and lost the Senate, I was still curious about how California’s new senator could work with a guy who rails against him: “This president, given his track record, is going to abuse his office. But my first priority is to get things done. Playing defense is secondary.” Larry Wilson is on the Southern California News Group editorial board. lwilson@scng.com.Young Republican and Democratic Lawmakers and Activists Receive Political Bridge-Building Award

NoneFuller 9-15 6-9 27, Lasu 2-3 1-2 5, M.Davis 4-19 3-4 12, Lander 0-5 0-0 0, Strickland 7-11 2-4 17, Sheppard 1-3 2-4 4, Lee 2-3 0-0 5, Steele 0-3 0-0 0, Li 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-62 14-23 70. Benson 7-9 14-17 28, Walsh 3-7 1-4 7, Chenery 7-12 1-2 18, Lemond 0-0 0-0 0, Walker 2-6 3-5 8, Peterson 3-4 4-6 10, Ashe 0-5 2-4 2, Callahan-Gold 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 23-46 25-38 75. Halftime_LIU 32-24. 3-Point Goals_LIU 6-27 (Fuller 3-6, Lee 1-2, Strickland 1-4, M.Davis 1-10, Sheppard 0-1, Steele 0-1, Lander 0-3), Binghamton 4-16 (Chenery 3-5, Walker 1-4, Ashe 0-1, Benson 0-1, Peterson 0-1, Callahan-Gold 0-2, Walsh 0-2). Fouled Out_Lasu, Strickland. Rebounds_LIU 35 (Fuller 10), Binghamton 28 (Walsh 11). Assists_LIU 13 (Strickland 8), Binghamton 13 (Ashe 4). Total Fouls_LIU 28, Binghamton 21. A_237 (3,500).

Kadant Inc. (NYSE:KAI) Shares Sold by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Jackson leads but Barkley closes gap in NFL Pro Bowl votingBinghamton 75, LIU 70, OT

Rockstar Games has sparked reactions among GTA 6 fans with a recent announcement that many believe is a misstep. Following months of speculation and leaks, the highly anticipated GTA 6 trailer debuted on December 4, 2023, attracting over 220 million views on YouTube. Fans eagerly await more details about the game's progress, but the latest teaser from Rockstar has left many underwhelmed. GTA Online's Reward Event Leaves Fans Disappointed On the first anniversary of the original trailer's release, Rockstar revealed plans for a big announcement on December 4, 2024. However, this “major reveal” turned out to be a new event for GTA Online, offering players free cosmetic DLC. While some players appreciate the gesture, the timing has led to frustration among the GTA 6 community, who had hoped for a more substantial update regarding the upcoming game. Also read: GTA 6 secures ‘Most Wanted Game' title at Golden Joystick Awards; Rockstar promises exciting updates ahead Hope for a Trailer Announcement on November 22 Rockstar's announcement encouraged players to participate in GTA Online's "Heist Challenge," with the promise of exclusive rewards if certain in-game goals are met by December 4. Yet, many fans are expressing their disappointment, feeling that this was just another distraction from the long-awaited details about GTA 6. Also read: GTA 6 rumoured to receive major PS5 Pro enhancements with new PSSR 2.0 technology update- All details Some are holding out hope for an announcement on November 22, 2024, speculating that it could mark a new trailer or significant update. A Reddit user humorously shared a meme of someone opening a fridge only to find nothing inside, perfectly capturing the mood of the community. Despite this, a few fans recall that Rockstar has previously dropped major updates on Thursdays, leaving the door open for the possibility of a surprise. Also read: You don't need a PS5 to play games on PS Portal anymore because.. GTA 6 Release Date and Expectations As the wait continues, GTA 6 is expected to release in late 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, though a PC release date remains unconfirmed. Fans will have to keep their expectations in check and stay tuned for any future announcements.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama A&M University football player Medrick Burnett Jr. is still on life support following an injury during a game against Alabama State in October, according to Alabama A&M University Sports Information Director Brian Howard. This updates an earlier announcement from the university that Burnett had died a month after the injury. Howard said the university got news last night from Burnett's father, who is on the West Coast where the family is from, that his son had died. Burnett's mother, who is with him, said that he is still alive. The announcement from the university Wednesday that originally stated he had died has since been removed from their website . The redshirt freshman from Lakewood, California, joined Alabama A&M's team over the summer after starting his college career at Grambling State. He appeared in seven games for Alabama A&M this season, recording three tackles during a game at Austin Peay.SEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have unveiled a reliable companion for industrial work, the wearable robot ‘X-ble Shoulder.’ This device, just by being worn, can increase workers’ efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries. Two videos released on Hyundai Motor Group’s YouTube channel show the X-ble Shoulder in action, including product features and the development story . Hyundai Motor and Kia unveiled the X-ble Shoulder at Wearable Robot Tech Day held at the Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang near Seoul . The X-ble brand — a combination of ‘X,’ symbolizing infinite potential, and ‘able,’ indicating that anything can be realized — heralds a new era in wearable technology. The X-ble Shoulder, the first product in the X-ble line, is an industrial wearable robot developed by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB. When used in ‘overhead work’ where the arm is raised, it can assist the user’s upper arm muscle strength and reduce the burden on the upper extremity musculoskeletal system. The X-ble Shoulder will find use in various industries, including construction, shipbuilding, aviation and agriculture, not just automobiles. Following its domestic launch, the companies plan to gradually expand sales to overseas markets. In addition to the X-ble Shoulder, Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to develop an industrial wearable robot ‘X-ble Waist’ to assist the waist when lifting heavy loads, and a medical wearable robot ‘X-ble MEX’ for the rehabilitation of the walking impaired. “The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robot that leverages the technical capabilities of the Robotics LAB and implements feedback from actual users,” said Dong Jin Hyun , Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia. “Going forward, we aim to expand the availability of wearable robots, creating products that work naturally with users to enhance their daily lives. By pushing technological boundaries, we will make these beneficial products accessible to more people.” SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company; Kia CorporationLUKE LITTLER stormed into the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals with a 10-3 win over Danny Noppert. The Nuke, 17, breezed into the third round earlier in the day with a 6-23 victory over Ritchie Edhouse - having already beaten Rob Cross 6-0 in his opening match . Edhouse was left applauding Littler after he hit double bullseye to complete a 120 checkout. And it was more exhibition stuff from the teenager in the evening session as he booked a last-eight clash with Mike De Decker. Littler won the opening two legs before Noppert pegged him back to level at 2-2. That sparked the world championship runner-up into life as he proceeded to claim six legs on the spin to effectively put the match to bed. Noppert pulled one back to add some respectability to the scoreline, before Littler finished it off. Littler averaged a breathtaking 104.70 to Noppert's 88.92. But the supreme talent batted away talk of breaking 16-time world champion Phil Taylor's records when asked in his post-match interview. He said: "It’s crazy to think about trying to beat Phil Taylor’s records of 16 world titles. But I guess I’ll just have to keep going for years and years!" CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS On the potential of a nine-dart finish, he added: "Every time I start any leg with a 180 they expect me to follow up. "Tomorrow if I do get a shot it’s going to be treble 17 for double 15, so I’ll switch it up." Littler also took the time to speak about his next opponent, De Decker. He said: "I’m sure it will be another great game. Obviously at the Grand Slam it was incredible to be a part of that game against Mike. "I’ll go back now and chill out on my phone and play a bit of my Nintendo Switch. Go to bed and up early." Reacting to the performance, one darts fan said: "Different class to anyone right now." While another added: "Didn’t get out of second gear, such maturity from Littler 🎯🎯🎯." And a third said: "No contest, different class again." Littler has won both of his previous meetings against De Decker. The latest of those came last week at the Grand Slam of Darts where the pair battled it out in an epic. Littler trailed 8-4 but came roaring back to claim a 10-9 win in the last-16 clash. He then went on to win the tournament - his first ranking title.

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. It’s no secret that Taylor Swift ’s Eras Tour has become an international phenomenon impacting many facets of pop culture, and fashion is no exception. Instead of simply emulating the pop star’s personal style or wearing the latest trends to the shows, fans have opted to wear outfits that are mostly DIY, or have handmade elements. These looks often took months of planning and had specific references to their favourite album, lyric, or past look of Taylor’s. Here were some of the outfits that caught our eye at the first night of the Vancouver shows. Mother and daughter Erin and Catori M. created a duet outfit, inspired by a very brief but memorable scene in the “Karma” music video. “I’m Olivia, Taylor’s cat,” Catori proudly exclaims. Mom Erin elaborates that “in the video, Taylor is laying on a giant Olivia, so I tried to create that exact cat... we loved that she can sit on my lap and she loves me, just like the lyrics.” While Catori’s fuzzy coat came from Goodwill, Erin bought her inexpensive dress purely for the colour, which was hard to replicate. “I couldn’t find any fabric that looked like her dress, so I stenciled and painted on the floral print myself.” The original dress that Taylor wore was from Erdem’s Spring 2023 collection. Cat mittens: Amazon ($24) Pearl necklace: Simons ($25) Like many other fans, Abby Vargas and Melinda Stewart were patiently waiting for Taylor to announce her re-recording of the Reputation album during the Vancouver leg of the tour, which inspired their outfits. “We bought the bodysuit on Amazon, and then we found the snake jewels on Etsy... we cut everything up and applied them ourselves,” Abby explains. “We also found all this snake jewelry, mostly from Amazon.” The bodysuits are directly inspired from the one-legged bodysuit Taylor wears while singing her songs from this e ra, which has a prevalent snake motif. “We took this trip together because we are going to be sisters-in-law in 2 months. We’ve been Taylor Swift fans since her first album. I was in middle school, and now we’re almost 30... we’ve grown up with her.” Boots: Amazon ($113) Bodysuit: Amazon ($42) Snake accessories: Amazon ($10) It was hard to miss Jessica and Megan Knell’s bright cardigans while walking through BC Place. Throughout the landslide of social media posts shared throughout the entire Eras Tour, we had never seen anything like them – and it turns out, it’s because these are completely bespoke. “I saw a graphic of Taylor online , and from there I created the crochet pattern,” Jessica shared. “It took me about 120 hours for each sweater, not including the beads on the pockets”, she said as she jingled the beaded friendship bracelets sewn onto the front. “We are diehard fans, so we wanted to wear something that nobody else would have.” Mission accomplished. Sisters Kayla and Felicity evoked the e vermore e ra for their matching looks. Even though they bought their entire outfits on Amazon as an homage to the cottagecore aesthetic of Taylor’s two 2020 albums, Swifties will notice another key detail: their lipstick. Taylor has worn a signature red lip for many years, and these fans made sure theirs was a perfect match. “Our lipstick is a dupe for Taylor’s signature red lipstick, Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in ‘Elson’ ($53), which was sold out. Ours is Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink in ‘Exhilirator’ ($9).” Aubree’s outfit is an unmistakable recreation of Taylor’s cheerleading look in the “Shake it Off” music video from her 1989 album. Despite the look’s nearly identical match, everything was from Amazon and Etsy. “I could never pick what song I’m most excited for... I have been a diehard fan since 1989.” No detail was too small for Aubree to overlook, as she was sure to include blue eye makeup like Taylor’s in the video. She wore Maybelline Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner in ‘Galactic Cobalt’ ($12). Varsity Letters: Amazon ($22) | Etsy ($2 each) Skirt: Amazon ($26) No matter which era fans were referencing, there was a common denominator for all in attendance: friendship bracelets. This tradition is a reference to the song “You’re On Your Own, Kid” from Taylor’s Midnights album. The lyric “make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it” had a profound impact on fans, who now exchange bracelets as a symbol of connection, community, and a shared love of Swift’s music. Many fans had been beading for months, creating hundreds of bracelets they were proudly handing out and trading at the show. The fashion choices at the finale of Taylor Swift’s finale in Vancouver were a testament to the creativity, dedication, and deep personal connection fans feel towards the artist and her music. The sheer effort fans put into their looks highlighted the way Swift’s music transcends the stage, becoming a shared culture experience that has united people around the world. From sparkling snake bodysuits to meticulously hand-crocheted cardigans, Swifties proved that when it comes to celebrating their love for Taylor, they truly never go out of style. Shopping Essentials is a category written by research-obsessed shopping experts. Explore product reviews, recommendations and launches — plus behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and hidden gems — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter .Austin, Dec. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SNS Insider report indicates that, “ The Water Treatment Polymers M arket is projected to achieve a valuation of USD 76.09 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.55% from 2024 to 2032. ” This growth is underpinned by the rising adoption of water treatment polymers across municipal and industrial sectors, aimed at addressing challenges such as water scarcity and stringent environmental regulations. Key Trends Fueling the Water Treatment Polymers Market Escalating Water Scarcity and Recycling Initiatives With global freshwater resources under increasing strain, the demand for water recycling and reuse technologies has surged. Advanced polymer-based solutions, such as flocculants and coagulants, are being widely adopted to treat and recycle wastewater efficiently. These polymers enhance particle aggregation, sedimentation, and filtration processes, facilitating the safe reuse of treated water for industrial and municipal applications. Governments worldwide, including initiatives like the U.S. EPA’s Water Reuse Action Plan, are promoting water recycling, creating substantial demand for high-performance water treatment polymers. Stringent Environmental Regulations on Discharge Limits Environmental agencies such as the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are imposing strict limits on wastewater discharge. These regulations are driving the adoption of eco-friendly and biodegradable water treatment polymers that minimize environmental impact while maintaining treatment efficiency. For instance, wastewater discharge from heavy industries, including textiles, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals, often contains hazardous pollutants. Polymers are crucial in ensuring compliance with these regulations, reducing penalties, and supporting sustainability goals. Rapid industrial expansion in regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America has significantly increased the demand for effective water treatment solutions. Water treatment polymers are indispensable in industrial wastewater management, offering cost-effective and efficient treatment processes. Industries such as power generation, food and beverage, and mining are key contributors to market growth, relying heavily on polymer solutions to maintain operational efficiency and adhere to environmental standards. Download PDF Sample of Water Treatment Polymers Market @ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/1924 Key Players: Ashland (Aqualon Water-Soluble Polymers, VersaFlex Polymeric Coatings) Arkema (Rilsan PA11, Pebax Polymers) BASF SE (Polymers for Water Treatment, Sokalan Polymers) CP Kelco US Inc. (Kelzan XCD, Keltrol XR) DuPont (Corian Water Treatment Solutions, Hytrel Thermoplastic Elastomers) Gantrade Corporation (Galoryl Polymers, Luvitec) SNF Group (Superfloc Polymers, Zetag) Kemira (Kemira Water Treatment Polymers, Kemira Flocculants) Kuraray Co. Ltd (Kuraray Polymers, Clearol Polyacrylamide) Merck KGaA (Millipore Water Purification, Millipore Filters) Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Mitsubishi Polymer Flocculants, Sumikagel) Nouryon (Dissolvine Chelating Agents, Peridur Flocculants) Polysciences Inc. (Polyacrylamide-based Polymers, Flocculant and Coagulant Polymers) Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company (Seprod Series, Seakem Flocculants) Suez Water Technologies (Polymers for Water Treatment, Thermax Ion Exchange Resins) Solvay (Aflammit Polymers, Aquafloc Water Treatment Products) Lanxess (Baypure Polymers, Lewatit Ion Exchange Resins) Solenis (Baker Hughes Polymers, Trident Flocculants) Clariant (Hostafloc Polymers, Flocculants for Water Treatment) Dow Chemical Company (Nalco Water Solutions, Acumer Specialty Polymers) Water Treatment Polymers Market Report Scope: If You Need Any Customization on Water Treatment Polymers Market Report, I nquire Now @ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/1924 Which Product Type Segment Led the Market in 2023? In 2023, the polyacrylamides segment held the largest market share, accounting for approximately 38.14%. These polymers are extensively utilized as flocculants and coagulants in water treatment processes, owing to their exceptional efficiency in particle aggregation and sludge dewatering. The growing adoption of polyacrylamides in industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, and municipal water treatment has been pivotal. Additionally, advancements in eco-friendly polyacrylamide formulations have further boosted their demand, aligning with the global focus on sustainable water treatment solutions. Which Application Segment Held the Highest Market Share in 2023? In 2023, sludge treatment held the largest market share around 38% of the water treatment polymer market. This is specifically aimed at byproducts of the wastewater treatment process namely the solids that get separated from the water. As urbanization and industrialization have increased, the volume and type of wastewater, which consequently produces a huge quantity of sludge, has increased dramatically and thus the world needs efficient and cost-effective sludge treatment technologies. These are namely thickener, dewatered, stabilizer, slurry, and sludge disposal respectively for sustainable waste management to meet required environmental standards to minimize waste degradation of environmental safety. Regional Insights In 2023, the North America region held the largest market share, accounting for approximately 48% of the global water treatment polymers market. This is due to comparatively longer operational decades of the industrial and municipal water treatment infrastructure in the region coupled with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Government authorities such as the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment Canada impose stringent standards regarding wastewater discharge and pollutants control, forcing industries and municipalities to implement advanced water treatment technologies. The substantial emphasis on sustainability and water reuse in the region has also propelled the need for high-performance, as well as sustainable polymers. Moreover, North America has a strong industrial base, including oil and gas, power generation, manufacturing, etc., which creates significant amounts of wastewater that must be treated. The market growth has also been positively influenced by research and development investments, along with innovations in polymer technologies by essential companies. The growing adoption of tertiary treatment processes and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems across the region is expected to amplify the importance of water treatment polymers in combating water scarcity and environmental issues. Speak with O ur E xpert A nalyst T oday to G ain D eeper I nsights @ https://www.snsinsider.com/request-analyst/1924 Recent Developments in the Market In 2023 , Kemira Oyj introduced a new line of sustainable water treatment polymers designed for industrial and municipal applications. These polymers boast improved biodegradability and reduced sludge production, addressing critical sustainability challenges. In 2023 , SNF Group, a leading manufacturer of polyacrylamides, announced the establishment of a new production facility in Brazil. This expansion aims to cater to the growing demand for water treatment polymers across South America. In 2023 , Solvay SA partnered with a municipal water authority in Europe to pilot-test innovative polymer solutions that enhance phosphate removal in wastewater treatment processes. Conclusion The Water Treatment Polymers Market is poised for significant growth, fueled by advancements in polymer technology and the increasing focus on water conservation and sustainability. Polyacrylamides and other high-performance polymers are playing a pivotal role in transforming wastewater management, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations and supporting global sustainability goals. As industries and municipalities strive to address water scarcity and pollution, the demand for efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly water treatment polymers will continue to rise. This market’s alignment with pressing environmental concerns and its role in enabling sustainable water management position it as a critical enabler of global water security. Table of Contents – Major Key Points 1. Introduction 1.1 Market Definition 1.2 Scope (Inclusion and Exclusions) 1.3 Research Assumptions 2. Executive Summary 2.1 Market Overview 2.2 Regional Synopsis 2.3 Competitive Summary 3. Research Methodology 4. Market Dynamics Impact Analysis 5. Statistical Insights and Trends Reporting 5.1 Production Capacity and Utilization, by Country, by Type, 2023 5.2 Feedstock Prices, by Country, by Type, 2023 5.3 Regulatory Impact, by Country, by Type, 2023. 5.4 Environmental Metrics: Emissions Data, Waste Management Practices, and Sustainability Initiatives, by Region 5.5 Innovation and R&D, by Type, 2023 6. Competitive Landscape 6.1 List of Major Companies, By Region 6.2 Market Share Analysis, By Region 6.3 Product Benchmarking 6.3.1 Product specifications and features 6.3.2 Pricing 6.4 Strategic Initiatives 6.4.1 Marketing and promotional activities 6.4.2 Distribution and supply chain strategies 6.4.3 Expansion plans and new product launches 6.4.4 Strategic partnerships and collaborations 6.5 Technological Advancements 6.6 Market Positioning and Branding 7. Water Treatment Polymers Market Segmentation, by Product Type 7.1 Chapter Overview 7.2 Polyacrylates 7.3 Quaternary Ammonium Polymers 7.4 Polyacrylamides 7.4 Polyamines 8. Water Treatment Polymers Market Segmentation, by Application 8.1 Chapter Overview 8.2 Water Treatment 8.3 Preliminary Treatment 8.4 Sludge Treatment 9. Water Treatment Polymers Market Segmentation, by End-User 9.1 Chapter Overview 9.2 Industrial 9.3 Commercial Buildings 9.4 Residential Buildings 9.5 Municipality 10. Regional Analysis 11. Company Profiles 12. 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Loop Switch 2 review: Easily adjustable earplugs that are great for concertsFor the past two years, Uddhav Thackeray has been saying that Eknath Shinde walked away with 13 members of parliament and 40 legislators but ordinary Shiv Sainiks are with him. On Saturday that claim was put to rest with Eknath Shinde scoring spectacular success in the Maharashtra State assembly elections. “Voters of Maharashtra have decided which is the real Shiv Sena,” Eknath Shinde declared as he thanked the electorate. Of the 85 seats it contested across the State, Shiv Sena won 15 seats and was leading in 40 more as on Saturday afternoon. Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged winner in seven and was leading in 14 others of a total 95 seats. In the 2019 assembly elections the undivided Shiv Sena had contested 126 seats and emerged victorious in 56 of them. In Mumbai, which is the birthplace of the party, Shiv Sena (UBT) contested in 22 seats this time while Shiv Sena fielded representatives in 16. The two parties faced off in 11 of those seats. In four of those (Byculla, Mahim, Vikhroli and Worli) Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged winner while Shiv Sena emerged on top in Andheri East. Among its star winners was Aaditya Thackeray who defeated Milind Deora of Shiv Sena by 8,801 votes. As counting was underway, Shiv Sena led in four seats (Bhandup, Chembur, Kurla, and Magathane) while Shiv Sena (UBT) was in front in Dindoshi and Jogeshwari (East). With Marathi-speaking population their key support base both parties adopted different campaign strategies. Shinde’s campaign blended infrastructure development with ideology. Shinde’s campaign tagline of ‘ Kelay Kaam Bhaari, Aata Pudhchi Tayari ’ (I have done my best and now readying for the next) and his claim of being the rightful leader of the party that would never join hands with Congress resonated with the voters. “People of Maharashtra reposed faith in us because they saw us as doers. People have embraced the politics of development and welfare and shunned the politics of revenge and hate,” Shinde remarked. In contrast, Sena (UBT) made the campaign a Maharashtra versus Gujarat issue. Claiming to champion the cause of locals, it accused the Shinde government for the shift of industries to Gujarat, sell out of Mumbai to Adani group etc. Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena which failed to win a single seat got labelled as Gujarat Navnirman Sena in Sena (UBT)‘s campaigns. “Voters chose progress without speed limits over speed breaker politics. The real gaddari was in 2019, not in 2022. Hope always triumphs over fear,” Deora said in a X post summarising the party’s success. However, Uddhav is in no mood to give up his claim as the real Sena. “We will need to find exact reasons of the results. I want to tell people of the State to not get disappointed. Some people say this is EVM’s victory, it may be the case, but if State’s citizens agree with the results, then no one should argue. We will continue fighting for Maharashtra’s rights. I promise the people of Maharashtra, we are with you.” Comments

A Stop the War march took place in Glasgow with crowds gathered to protest the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The demonstration was to call for the stopping of arm sales to Israel, to end attacks on Gaza and Lebanon and to ensure there is no war with Iran. The route was moved due to the weather while it’s understood Jeremy Corbyn was due to speak at the event but had to cancel because of travel problems. The former Labour leader was expected to give a speech in support of those marching but issues with the trains due to Storm Bert meant he was unable to make it to Glasgow. READ MORE International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu Activists shut down Edinburgh weapons manufacturer in new Gaza protest Aid boss: 'You can't overstate the consequences' of the attacks on Gaza's schools Political activist and lawyer Aamer Anwar was able to give his speech to the crowd who had taken part despite the wintry conditions. Scotland’s largest teacher union EIS also took part in the march with a spokesperson telling the rally: "A new word – scholasticide – has ominously entered our lexicon. Teachers, lecturers, educators, pupils and students are being killed in Gaza by Israeli Defence Forces." The rally comes after The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stands accused of crimes against humanity. The Likud leader and former minister of defence Yoav Gallant have both been accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The court requested arrest warrants for the pair in May of this year, as well as three Hamas leaders: Yehya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. Mr Haniyeh and Mr Sinwar have both since died. Mr Deif is also believed to be dead, but without confirmation a warrant has been issued for his arrest. A statement read: "The chamber issued warrants of arrest for two individuals, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Yoav Gallant, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024, the day the Prosecution filed the applications for warrants of arrest.

 

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711 jili casino ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.European markets set for higher open but France's political upheaval is in focusSaquon Barkley on Eagles Winning NFC East: Didn't Know Shirt & Hat Games Were a Thing

Artificial intelligence has changed how people work and live in 2024, as companies create tools that can write code, generate images, and solve complex problems. The technology is seemingly everywhere, and while the advances have brought excitement, they have also kindled concern about AI’s growing influence. Reflecting on another big year for AI, Creatie.ai curated five of the biggest AI stories in 2024. Issues of copyright and intellectual property, creative control, and how AI is being leveraged in business topped the list. “There’s still a pretty wide delta that exists between a power user who’s using it [AI] in their workflows, every different way, who has multiscreens, multitools... and those who are still resistant, saying they don’t want to get involved with it,” Brandon Z. Hoff told Stacker. Hoff, the founder of RUDI AI, a consultancy that helps organizations implement AI technology responsibly, found this “shocking” given that AI is “really one of the most revolutionary technologies of our time.” As more people integrate AI tools into their personal and professional lives, questions emerge about privacy and fairness. Some businesses praise AI’s ability to speed up productivity, while civil liberties groups and data privacy organizations worry about data protection and job security. Government officials have also stepped in to figure out how best to implement guardrails on this fast-moving technology while also allowing room for it to evolve. Some of 2024’s biggest AI headlines came from policymakers working to establish safe practices. In the U.S., the Colorado AI Act was the first state legislation of its kind intended to set requirements for high-risk AI systems used in education, financial services, and other critical industries. It also sought consumer protections and accountability measures. It was modeled after the EU Artificial Intelligence Act , which set guidelines for high-risk AI system providers and worked to safeguard transparent and safe development of AI applications. The year’s biggest developments in AI illustrate the technology’s rapid shift from a future possibility into a present reality. Read on to see where AI made the most significant impact. OpenAI debuted AI models in 2024 called o1-preview and o1-mini that can tackle harder problems by working through solutions. The company offered o1-preview for general users, while o1-mini provided a faster, cheaper option for writing code, according to the company’s official system card . These tools mark an important shift in AI’s capacity for reasoning , Northwestern University researchers explain. Instead of just giving quick answers like earlier AI, these new models work through problems step-by-step, more like how humans solve complex tasks. OpenAI reported that tests showed significant improvements in the system’s abilities. The model could solve 83% of complex math competition problems, while older versions only solved 13%, illustrating how this slower, more careful approach dramatically improved results. In analyzing chemistry, physics, and biology problems, the new model outperformed PhD-level scientists in problem-solving proficiency. However, these advances worry experts in the field. In an interview with Newsweek, computer science professor and AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio called the improvement in AI’s reasoning and potential for deception “particularly dangerous” and called for better regulation. Two Nobel Prizes recognized AI’s growing impact on science in 2024, marking the first time artificial intelligence received such prestigious recognition. John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton received the Nobel Prize in physics for laying the groundwork for modern machine learning, while Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis and researcher John Jumper shared half the chemistry prize for using AI to solve a 50-year-old protein structure problem, according to the Nobel Committee. The awards highlighted AI’s potential and risks should the technology fall into the wrong hands. Hinton, dubbed the “godfather of AI,” uses his Nobel platform to warn about the technology’s potential for “getting out of control,” The New York Times reported. He had previously told MIT Technology Review that he was deeply concerned that AI will surpass a human’s ability to learn, creating a superintelligence that could too easily cause widespread harm, manipulation, or warfare in the hands of bad actors. Hassabis compared AI’s risks to climate change, telling The Guardian that “we can’t afford the same delay with AI.” “This is more a Nobel moment for AI risk , rather than for AI itself,” Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at Tufts University, wrote in Foreign Policy. He noted the prizes served as recognition of AI’s transformative growth and a warning about its unchecked development. Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and Google began building AI directly into everyday devices, bringing it to broader audiences in 2024. Features like enhanced photos, text-to-speech tools, personalized recommendations, and myriad other AI optimizations helped integrate AI into everyday tasks. Adoption varied widely, however. In CNBC’s bi-annual survey of executives on its Technology Executive Council in October, 79% said their company was using Microsoft Copilot AI —though many questioned its $30 monthly per-user cost. Google’s Gemini chatbot attracted 42 million active users and 1.5 million developers since its May launch, according to the Business of Apps. Apple followed with its own AI Intelligence that works across devices, though it’s initially limited to its newest phones and computers with specific chips, the company announced in October. Samsung introduced Galaxy AI, which lets users translate conversations in real time and edit photos with simple taps, according to the company. The focus shifted from standalone AI tools to integrated features, but questions about data security were raised. While Apple emphasized the importance of privacy through on-device processing, sending personal data to company servers could expose it to government agencies, employees, or bad actors, according to security experts The New York Times interviewed in June. “We should be really looking at the cost benefit in terms of what we give up and what we get in exchange,” said Hoff, who shares insights on AI and digital intelligence with his 14,000 TikTok followers. “Tools like Google’s suite are free because they’re tracking our information to sell to advertisers. Now, large language models are aggregating all our data at once, putting everything into an algorithmic black box that nobody really knows how works.” Despite significant concerns, businesses increasingly embraced AI tools in 2024. “Business executives were, I think, resistant,” Hoff said. “And now there’s definitely an opening and receptiveness and a fear of missing out that exists on the private side.” When it launched in June 2024, Claude 3.5 Sonnet changed how coders work, quickly becoming a Silicon Valley favorite. The AI model solved 64% of coding problems in internal testing, according to Anthropic, the AI safety and research company behind Claude. The system could write new code and update old programs with fewer errors than previous versions, making it one of the most proficient—and popular—models powering AI-based software development tools such as Cursor. In October, Anthropic announced new features that let Claude use computers similarly to humans. The model could move a mouse, click buttons, and read screens to complete tasks. Tests by GitLab, a major software development platform, showed a 10% improvement in development tasks with these updates, spurring debates about AI’s growing role in software development and its impact on programming jobs. Many current top-scoring AI software development agents are already based on Claude. Letting the model control computers directly could unlock even further productivity gains for businesses. In addition to coding, the model has been praised for its uncanny analytical ability and capacity to understand what users want. Many users have reported success using Claude as a sounding board to help them think through complex problems and make decisions in their personal lives. Skateboarding cats, dazzlingly beautiful crystals, and politicians in compromising situations are just some of the ways Flux, a new AI image generation system from Black Forest Labs, churned up viral buzz around its hyper-realistic images. The system launched in August with $31 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz. The model uses 12 billion parameters to create images, making it more powerful than previous systems, according to the company. Advancements in parameters like fractal dimension and relative smoothness all contribute to Flux’s ability to render extraordinary detail in human features, deft animations, and high-quality images. The model quickly drew the attention of the tech world. X (formerly Twitter) chose it to power image generation in its Grok-2 AI system, making the technology available to millions of users. However, this wide availability raised concerns about potential misuse, particularly around creating misleading images of political figures and spreading false content. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Ania Antecka. This story originally appeared on creatie.ai and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Founded in 2017, Stacker combines data analysis with rich editorial context, drawing on authoritative sources and subject matter experts to drive storytelling.Claudia Sheinbaum has now completed two full months as Mexico’s first female president. And with the swearing in of Rocío Nahle as governor of Veracruz on Sunday, 13 of Mexico’s 32 federal entities are now led by women, more than ever before. At her morning press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum heaped praise on Nahle, who served as energy minister for almost five years during the administration of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador. She also commented on a New York Times report and noted that United States President-elect Donald Trump asked her how the U.S. could help Mexico with security issues. One journalist noted that The New York Times reported on Sunday that the Sinaloa Cartel has recruited chemistry students to make fentanyl. “Do you have information about that?” inquired the reporter. The president said that she asked members of her cabinet about the Times’ reporting before declaring that “there is no information about this.” “... There is a [television] show ... that takes place in ... New Mexico, ... a very well-known show that got a lot of awards about a chemistry teacher,” Sheinbaum added, referring to the Emmy-award winning series “Breaking Bad.” “I saw some episodes, I didn’t see all of it ... but maybe that’s where they got [the report] from, right?” Sheinbaum said. “Because we don’t have information [about chemistry students making drugs for cartels]. And, in any case, chemistry students shouldn’t get involved in that, right?” she added. Sheinbaum said that she and Donald Trump spoke about security issues during their telephone call last Wednesday . “He asked me, ‘How can we help you?'” she said. “... I explained to him that we have a very competent security cabinet, coordinated by [Security Minister] Omar García Harfuch. I even told him about Omar’s history, the attack he suffered and how he has a history of a lot of professionalism in the Mexico City Security Ministry and now at the federal level,” Sheinbaum said. The president said she told Trump that it is very important for Mexico and the United States to share information with each other, but emphasized that they must respect each other’s sovereignty when collaborating on security issues. “And he agreed, he said he thought ... [my proposal] was very good,” Sheinbaum said. ” ... Of course we don’t agree with a [U.S.] invasion [of Mexico],” she said five days after Rolling Stone magazine reported that members of Trump’s transition team were considering sending the U.S. military into Mexico to combat Mexican drug cartels . Sheinbaum said that she Trump agreed during their call last week that they would meet in person “soon.” “But we haven’t set a date,” she added. “... But I am sure that we’re going to maintain a very good relationship,” Sheinbaum said. Last Wednesday, the president rejected Trump’s claim that she had agreed to “stop migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our southern border.” Sheinbaum noted that she attended the inauguration of Rocío Nahle as governor of Veracruz in state capital Xalapa on Sunday. She said she went to the swearing-in ceremony “simply because it’s time for women. “ Nahle, a representative of Mexico’s ruling Morena party, is “a woman of action,” Sheinbaum said. “We already saw her building the Olmec Refinery,” she said, referring to the new Pemex facility on the Gulf coast of Tabasco . “... And I know she will do a great job at the head of the government of Veracruz.” By Mexico News Daily chief staff writer Peter Davies ( [email protected] )

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UCLA student sues California doctors, says she was 'fast-tracked' into transgender surgeryDoorDash will require its drivers to verify their identities more often as part of a larger effort to crack down on unauthorized account sharing. DoorDash has been under pressure to ensure its drivers are operating legally. Over the summer, for example, it pledged to do a better job dangerous drivers after a flood of complaints of dangerous driving from cities. Officials in Boston, New York and other cities have said that in many cases, people with multiple traffic violations continue to make deliveries using accounts registered to others. The said Thursday it was requiring some drivers to complete real-time identity checks immediately after they complete a delivery. Previously, drivers were occasionally asked to re-verify their identities before or after a shift. DoorDash has introduced the new system in Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle and other cities, and said it planned a wider rollout next year. DoorDash said it also has developed an advanced machine learning system that can flag potential unauthorized account access, including login anomalies and suspicious activity. If the company detects a problem, it will require drivers to re-verify their identity before they can . U.S. drivers must verify their identities with a driver’s license or other government-issued identification, and upload a selfie that matches their identification photo before they can do work for DoorDash. They also must submit to background checks, which require a Social Security number. The company said it found that some drivers were getting around the requirements by sharing accounts with authorized users. In some cases, drivers who were not authorized to drive for DoorDash paid authorized users for access to their accounts. Some federal lawmakers have demanded that DoorDash and other delivery apps do a better job of keeping people who are in the U.S. illegally off the platforms. Republican U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Braun of Indiana and Ted Budd of North Carolina sent letters to delivery companies in April asking them to crack down on account sharing. “These illegal immigrants are delivering food directly to consumers’ doors without ever having undergone a background check and often without even using their real names,” the letter said. It added that working illegally can also be dangerous for migrants, creating the potential for exploitation and abuse. The Associated Press left messages seeking comment Thursday with Gig Workers Rising and Justice for App Workers, which both represent delivery drivers. DoorDash won’t estimate how many drivers are using shared accounts, but said its safeguards are effective. Last year, it began asking drivers to re-verify their identities monthly by submitting a selfie. The company said it is now asking more than 150,000 drivers to complete selfie checks each week, and it’s removing them from the platform if they don’t comply.

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90 jilibet DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much that they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC, a consulting firm. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out of the activity” of buying a new vehicle, Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. Stellantis and VW import about 40% of the vehicles they sell from Canada and Mexico, while it’s 30% for GM and 25% for Ford. GM and Stellantis import more than half of their high-profit pickup trucks from the two countries, according to Bernstein. If Trump does impose the tariffs in January, the auto industry would have little time to adjust, putting operating profits at risk for the automakers, Roeska said in an email. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit the stocks of some companies that could be particularly hurt, such as auto manufacturers and Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States. But the overall market held relatively steady near records as investors saw Trump’s proposal as more of an opening position for negotiations rather than as a definitive policy. It’s not clear how long the tariffs would last if they are implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. But Morningstar analyst David Whiston said in the short term automakers probably won’t make any moves because they can’t quickly change where they build vehicles. To move to the U.S., they would have to buy equipment and revamp their parts supply chain, which can take years. “I think everyone is going to be in a wait-and-see mode,” Whiston said. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, the council said. “At the end of the day, tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry just as these businesses continue their long recovery from the pandemic,” the council said in a statement. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs on to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices, as did Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about how the countries can work together on the challenges they face. “This is something that we can do, laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump’s transition team wouldn’t comment on the call. Also Monday, Trump turned his ire to China, saying he has “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington cautioned on Monday that there will be losers on all sides if there is a trade war. Trump’s threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . The most recent U.S. numbers for October show arrests remain near four-year lows. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico. Border seizures of the drug rose sharply under President Joe Biden. The tariffs would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA and is up for review in 2026. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what authority he would use, what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and Economy Department also had no immediate reaction to Trump’s statements. ___ Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D’Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.With an important regular-season finale ending a short week, Mississippi has watched its dreams shift from national success to perhaps something it certainly did not want on Thanksgiving weekend: An Egg Bowl that holds only regional significance and statewide bragging rights. After their third and disappointing defeat, the No. 14 Rebels will play Friday afternoon in their annual Egg Bowl matchup against rival Mississippi State in the intrastate series in Oxford, Miss. It will not be easy putting aside the catastrophic 24-17 loss at Florida last Saturday, a soul-crushing setback that all but ended any College Football Playoff aspirations for the most talented Rebels team assembled in a long time. Coach Lane Kiffin's team slid five spots to 14th in the latest CFP rankings. The offseason outlook was rosy when Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3 SEC) shelled out big NIL money and added the top portal class to fill a roster that won 11 games in 2023. But the Rebels repeatedly shot themselves in the foot Saturday against the Gators. Ole Miss' high-powered offense turned the ball over three times, went 3 of 14 on third down, failed on two fourth-down attempts, dropped five passes and missed a field goal. Before the game, ABC's broadcast noted that the Rebels had an 84 percent chance to make the CFP. Following the loss, that number dwindled to four percent. The only way the Oxford school gets in is if there is the repeated chaos of Week 13, one that talk show host Paul Finebaum called "the most SEC carnage" he had ever seen. The Egg Bowl has been played on Thanksgiving Day 23 times, including 2017 to last season, but Kiffin feels the afternoon start on Friday is an advantage. "It helps them to know that playoffs are still alive and they get kind of the first shot to show everybody on a national stage," Kiffin said Monday, "as opposed to a Saturday game where these people that make the decisions don't necessarily see all the games because so many are going on." For the second time this month, Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby will lead his last-place Bulldogs (2-9, 0-7) against a former boss. The 40-year-old head coach faced Tennessee and coach Josh Heupel, who had Lebby on his staff at UCF in 2018 and 2019, in a 33-14 loss on Nov. 9. Now he will face Kiffin, whom he was paired with in 2020 and 2021 in their first two seasons at Ole Miss when the school led the SEC in total offense. A frequent social media user who enjoys trolling others, Kiffin took a jab at Lebby and Mississippi State when the first-year coach was hired. "We've traded texts throughout the season and had communication," Lebby said Monday. "But no, not this week. He'll continue to find ways to have fun on social. That's who he's always been and who he'll always be." Ole Miss owns a 65-46-6 series advantage and has claimed five of the past seven matches, including a 35-3 "Egg Brawl" victory by the Bulldogs in 2018 that was later vacated. Another loss to the Rebels would give MSU its first winless SEC season since 2002. --Field Level Media

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump's proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

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