Pune: Western Maharashtra witnessed major political upsets as Congress stalwarts Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat faced defeat in their strongholds, falling to candidates who strategically capitalised on local rivalries and shifting voter dynamics. In Sangamner, Congress heavyweight and eight-time MLA Thorat was unseated by Shiv Sena’s Amol Khatal, who made his electoral debut. Khatal, a former RTI activist, defeated Thorat by a margin of over 10,500 votes. The victory was backed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and his son Sujay, long-time rivals of Thorat in local politics. Khatal attributed his success to grassroots support. “This is a victory for the Mahayuti workers and the common citizens who stood up against a big leader,” he said. Sujay Vikhe Patil accused Thorat of “gundagardi” (strong-arm politics), adding, “The people saw through it and voted him out.” In Karad South, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan suffered a stunning defeat to BJP’s Atul Bhosale, ending a decades-long Congress dominance in the constituency. Chavan, seeking a third term, was unable to withstand BJP’s growing influence in the region. Bhosale, who has strong ties to local cooperatives through his control of two sugar factories, leveraged the BJP’s developmental narrative and criticised Chavan for “failing to deliver”. He also benefited from a decade of sustained support from BJP’s leadership, particularly Devendra Fadnavis, and the financial and social influence of his political family. “I thank the people of Karad South, the party workers, and Fadnavis for trusting me,” Bhosale said after his victory. Chavan, despite attempts to rally Maratha support, including his outreach to pro-quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil, could not overcome the BJP’s consolidation of voters. Lack of cooperation from Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) workers, stemming from strained ties with the party’s leadership, further weakened his campaign. In another surprising result, Babasaheb Deshmukh of the Shetkari Kamgar Party defeated Shiv Sena’s Shambhuraje Patil in Sangola. Patil, famous for his dialogue “Kay Zadi, Kay Dongar” (what beautiful trees, what beautiful hills) during Eknath Shinde’s rebellion, could not retain his seat. Deshmukh, grandson of veteran leader Ganpatrao Deshmukh, capitalised on strong rural voter base and discontent with Patil’s performance. The results underscore a significant shift in western Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the Mahayuti alliance capitalising on local issues, strategic alliances, and the erosion of Congress’s traditional strongholds.
(Bloomberg) -- New York’s controversial congestion pricing project cleared a pair of hurdles as two federal judges declined to put the traffic plan on hold just weeks before it is scheduled to begin. US District Judge Lewis Liman in Manhattan on Monday rejected a request from a handful of groups to pause the program while their lawsuits proceed, which would have stopped the tolls from going into effect next month. Hours later, US District Judge Cathy Seibel in White Plains declined to grant injunctions sought by suburban Rockland and Orange counties. The plan isn’t completely in the clear for a Jan. 5 launch. A federal judge in New Jersey may decide at any time to send the plan back for additional environmental review following a challenge from the Garden State. There is also a lawsuit by the Long Island town of Hempstead pending in state court. But the rulings in Manhattan and White Plains are a boon for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Governor Kathy Hochul. She recently reinstated a revised version of the plan, which would give the MTA revenue to modernize a transit system that is more than 100 years old and has been neglected for years. Judges’ Reasoning Liman issued his decision after hearing arguments against the plan from a variety of groups on Friday, including the Trucking Association of New York, residents of Battery Park, the United Federation of Teachers, and New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, which describes itself as a community-based organization representing area residents concerned with the costs and environmental impacts of the program. In his opinion, Liman said that granting the injunction “would negatively harm the public interest as it would delay the environmental and economic benefits” the program was designed to provide and force the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority to “bear a sizeable financial burden.” Why New York Made a U-Turn on Congestion Pricing: QuickTake “Numerous studies have established that the congestion addressed by the tolling program itself, if unchecked by that program, will also continue to impose tremendous costs on individuals and businesses throughout the New York metropolitan region,” the judge wrote. “Those costs are economic and environmental.” At a hearing in White Plains Monday, Seibel said that she recognized that the program “is going to be more costly to some groups than to others,” and that while the decision to implement congestion pricing may be “unfair or unwise,” that is “not the same as unconstitutional.” Rockland County had alleged the tolls unfairly force residents to take mass transit despite limited options for commuters. “There are pros and cons of living in Rockland and Orange counties,” she said. “This is one of the cons.” Liman said delaying the program would result in $12 million in additional costs per month for the city and state transportation agencies and lost revenue of about $40 million a month. Delaying the revenues “would additionally prevent the MTA from undertaking beneficial capital programs such as investments in the region’s subways, buses, and commuter railroad, measures to make numerous subway stations more accessible to individuals with disabilities, improving outdated signaling, improving safety and customer service, and extending public transit to underserved areas,” the judge wrote. Barrage of Challenges The first of the suits before Liman was filed in November 2023 by Families for a Better Plan for Congestion, a group of Battery Park residents who claimed the plan fails to consider the effects of an expected surge in traffic into the parts of their neighborhood exempted from the toll. They were followed by the United Federation of Teachers, which contends congestion pricing unfairly burdens city teachers who live in places without access to mass transit. The union was joined by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, who argues his constituents will face higher commuting costs, more traffic and worse air quality. Among the concerned residents in the suit by New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax are the owner of a funeral home in the East Village, a New York City teacher who serves as a caretaker for his life partner, a blind New Jersey resident confined to a wheelchair and the owner of a Chinatown ice cream parlor. The groups argued that federal and state agencies failed to take advantage of the governor’s pause to further study the plan’s potential disparate impacts, in violation of the State Administrative Procedure Act. Liman in June rejected arguments by some of the opponents that the environmental review process was flawed. Separately, Judge Leo Gordon hasn’t set a date to rule on a suit by the Garden State suit since a two-day hearing held in April, before Hochul paused congestion pricing in June just as it was set to start. She then announced the revised plan last month. Lawyers for New Jersey have urged Gordon to issue his decision as soon as possible. (Updates with White Plains judge’s ruling in second paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.HOUSTON — Houston Texans receiver Tank Dell will miss the remainder of the season after dislocating a knee and tearing an ACL in a loss to Kansas City on Saturday. Coach DeMeco Ryans revealed the details of his injury Monday before announcing that Dell would have season-ending surgery for a second straight year. He fractured his fibula in Week 13 against the Broncos as a rookie last season and had surgery on it the following day. “He dislocated the knee, he tore the ACL, other things there he’ll have to get repaired," Ryans said. “So he’ll be out for the year.” Ryans didn't have a date for Dell's surgery for this injury, but said it would be soon. Dell was injured on a 30-yard touchdown catch in Houston’s 27-19 loss Saturday. He was coming across the back of the end zone and made the spectacular catch on a pass from C.J. Stroud before colliding with Houston teammate Jared Wayne on the way to the ground. Dell immediately grabbed at his knee and Wayne signaled for team trainers, who spent several minutes working on the wide receiver while teammates waited anxiously. People are also reading... Dell was eventually placed on a stretcher and driven in a covered medical cart off the field, and then he was taken to the hospital. He stayed in the hospital overnight before flying back to Houston on Sunday. Stroud, who is so close to Dell that he considers him a brother, cried the entire time the receiver was down on the field and for a while after he was taken away. “It was just not easy for me to sit there and be emotional,” Stroud said Monday. “But it’s something that we all go through in life and it’s easy to be a fake tough guy. It’s easy to go through life acting like everything doesn’t affect you, but deep down we all know we’re going through something.” Some criticized Stroud for crying. But he believes a display of emotion such as that was important to remind people of the human aspect of this game and the toll it can take on players. “It’s good for young men and women out there, kids who are brought up — and I was taught this too as a kid, not from my parents but just from the world, don’t let anybody see you emotional,” he said. “Don’t let anybody see you down and yeah there’s some truth to that in in certain aspects, but there’s also life and I think it was good for people to see me in that light and knowing that there is still a human factor to me and I’m a normal person.” Rodgers acknowledges Jets' run may end Aaron Rodgers is still contemplating his playing future. The star quarterback knows if he returns to the field, it might be out of hands whether it's with the New York Jets. The 41-year-old Rodgers said last week that he'll take some time after this season, his 20th in the NFL, to determine what he wants to do next. On Monday, he suggested a decision on whether he'll return with the Jets could be made for him the day after the team's regular-season finale. “I think there’s a world where they just say, ‘Hey, thank you, we’re going to go in another direction’ on Jan. 6,” Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “That’s a possibility,” he added. "I think there’s also a possibility we’re going to wait and see who the new staff is.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Miami of Ohio and Colorado State will try to overcome notable transfer-portal defections during Saturday's Arizona Bowl at Tucson, Ariz. Miami (8-5) enters the game without its top two wide receivers Javon Tracy and Reggie Virgil after the duo elected to play elsewhere. Tracy, a redshirt sophomore who caught 57 passes for 818 yards with seven touchdowns, is moving on to Minnesota. Virgil, a junior who tallied 816 yards on 41 receptions with nine touchdowns, is bound for Texas Tech. "It's kind of insane, to be honest," Miami coach Chuck Martin said. "We'll lose some real good kids in the portal, but we'll also gain some good ones. It's just crazy. "In some ways, it stinks, but in some ways, it's fun, too. We're looking at a lot of some good ones." Miami has also lost two cornerbacks, including sophomore Raion Strader to Auburn. Strader had 53 tackles with two interceptions and a team-best 17 passes broken up. Will Jados, a redshirt junior offensive tackle who started 38 games for Miami, is transferring to Texas Tech. Colorado State (8-4) also lost its two top receivers in the portal. Sophomore Caleb Goodie committed to Cincinnati and sophomore Jamari Person remains undecided. Goodie caught 21 passes for 436 yards with four touchdowns, and Person had 36 receptions for 386 yards and a touchdown. Another sophomore, linebacker Buom Jock, also is in the transfer portal after he led the Rams with 100 tackles. "They lost a couple receivers in the portal, just like us, so they've adjusted, just like most teams in the bowl season have adjusted to the team that they have available," Colorado State coach Jay Norvell said. Redshirt sophomore Armani Winfield, who had 37 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns, is the top available receiver for the Rams. Miami's leading receiver entering the game is fifth-year senior Cade McDonald (49 catches for 606 yards and three touchdowns). Miami won seven straight games before losing to Ohio in the MAC championship game behind sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert, who has completed 57.6 percent of his passes (204 of 354) for 2,737 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gabbert has been prone to throw interceptions, with 11, including one against Ohio in the conference title game. He did not throw an interception in a 30-20 victory over Ohio earlier this season. Keyon Mozee is Miami's featured running back with 1,073 yards on 170 carries with four touchdowns. Matt Salopek, a sixth-year linebacker, leads Miami with 113 tackles. He is the first player in program history with four 100-tackle seasons. Colorado State won six of its last seven games -- committing only seven turnovers in that span. Senior running back Avery Morrow has 956 yards on 166 attempts with nine touchdowns. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a redshirt sophomore, has thrown for 2,475 yards while completing 207 of 335 attempts (61.8 percent) with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Chase Wilson, a fifth-year senior linebacker, has 91 tackles this season, three for loss. --Field Level Media
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Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcyChicago Atlantic REFI REFI stands out in the cannabis finance sector, receiving an “Overweight” rating from senior analyst Pablo Zuanic at Zuanic & Associates . With a near 14% dividend yield, REFI offers an attractive, less volatile way to gain exposure to the cannabis market. The company's loan portfolio boasts a yield to maturity (YTM) of over 18%, indicating the potential average annual return from its loans if held until repayment. Furthermore, with 4.6% of loans in non-accrual status—meaning borrowers have stopped making payments—REFI demonstrates robust risk management. Get Benzinga's exclusive analysis and the top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here . You can’t afford to miss out if you're serious about the business. Loan Portfolio And Yield REFI's new loans, up 32% year-over-year, highlight its strong growth potential in year-to-date funding. This growth is supported by a $559 million pipeline, with additional upside from potential cannabis legalization in states like Pennsylvania and Virginia , which could boost demand for financing. The portfolio includes loans across diverse markets, with top states such as Maryland (14%), Pennsylvania (12%) and Missouri (10%) representing a significant portion of the book. Its 1.2% expected credit loss (CECL) reserve and ongoing reversals of provisions signal the stability of its loan book. "We see REFI's dividend as secure, with 118% coverage in Q3 and a pipeline that should sustain growth," Zuanic stated. "The stock offers one of the most compelling risk-adjusted returns in the cannabis sector today." Leveraging Credit Facilities And Operational Leverage REFI has room to increase its leverage, with its gross debt-to-equity ratio at 18% as of September 2024. The company has tapped into only a portion of its $150 million revolving credit facility , leaving significant room to expand. According to Zuanic, REFI is well-positioned to capitalize on the constrained capital environment for cannabis operators. Read Also: 85% Of Cannabis Companies Report Positive Earnings, But Not All Are Winning – See Who’s Leading Loan Book Risk The loan book's risk ratings show that 71% of the portfolio is rated 1-2, indicating low to moderate risk. REFI's exposure to loans with real estate collateral coverage of less than 1x has increased to 39% as of Q3 2024, up from 19% at the end of 2022. However, Zuanic notes that 17% of the book is in markets with challenging economics. The company's focus on high-quality borrowers, including those in states like Michigan , Maryland and New York , underpins the portfolio's stability. Comparisons To Sector Peers And Market Position Among other cannabis capital providers AFCG AFCG , IIPR IIPR , New Lake Capital Partners NLCP and REFI stand out for their lower non-accruals and stronger growth outlook. While AFCG has a similar dividend yield, REFI's loan book is in better shape, with non-accruals at less than 5% compared to AFCG's higher rate. Additionally, REFI’s mortgage REIT competitors, like IIPR and NLCP , offer lower yields and trade at premiums to their book values. By contrast, REFI trades at a 6% premium to book value, with its 18% YTM making it one of the most compelling investment opportunities in the cannabis finance space. Read Also: Better Than The Bank: Weed Real Estate Investment Company’s 14% Yield Beats Traditional Savings Strong Dividend Yield And Earnings Power REFI’s dividend yield remains one of the highest in the sector, with the regular dividend of 47 cents per share well-covered by distributable earnings, which came in at 56 cents per share in Q3 2024—up 12% sequentially. Zuanic estimates that REFI will continue to pay a special dividend of 29 cents in December, bringing the total annual dividend to $2.17 per share, or 13.6% yield on the current share price of $16.01. This represents a compelling yield compared to the 10-year Treasury yield of 4.15%, positioning REFI as an attractive choice for income-focused investors. Read Next: Is MariMed A Safe Haven In The Wake Of Florida’s Cannabis Legalization Defeat? © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The Big Ten Conference released its 2025 football schedule on Wednesday afternoon, handing UCLA some new Big Ten opponents as well as some familiar competition from the Pac-12. The Bruins will close out the season on Nov. 29 with a rivalry game against USC at the Coliseum with hopes of taking back the Victory Bell. UCLA lost, 19-13, at the Rose Bowl in this season’s edition of the rivalry. The second Big Ten Conference schedule for the Bruins includes away games against Northwestern, Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State and USC. Home conference games will come against Penn State, Maryland, Nebraska and former Pac-12 foe Washington. UCLA has played Northwestern only once since 1970 and hasn’t squared up with Maryland since 1955. The Bruins will alternate home and away games on a weekly basis, as opposed to a 2024 slate that featured back-to-back road games on two different occasions. Although head coach DeShaun Foster said the team had gotten the hang of Big Ten travel, the 2025 schedule could alleviate some travel fatigue. The nonconference schedule includes a season opener at home against Pac-12-turned-Big-12 opponent Utah, followed by a game at UNLV and another home game against New Mexico before a bye week. The timing of the bye week could be another benefit for UCLA and allow the Bruins to prepare and rest ahead of its Big Ten schedule. UCLA had a bye immediately after its first game this season and resumed its schedule with five straight losses. 2025 UCLA football schedule (*indicates Big Ten game) Aug. 30 vs. Utah Sept. 6 at UNLV Sept. 13 vs. New Mexico Sept. 27 at Northwestern* Oct. 4 vs. Penn State* Oct. 11 at Michigan State* Oct. 18 vs. Maryland* Oct. 25 at Indiana* Nov. 8 vs. Nebraska* Nov. 15 at Ohio State* Nov. 22 vs. Washington* Nov. 29 at USC*Rick and Morty Season 8 Teaser Trailer Promises the Return of Jerry
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Bitcoin BTC/USD started the year with an impressive All-Time High (ATH) of greater than $77,000 in March after the approval of Bitcoin ETFs by the US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). However, BTC has a penchant for exceeding expectations. It shattered the high from earlier in the year on December 3 when it finally crossed the $100,000 mark and reached over $103,5000. Two weeks later, Bitcoin exceeded $107,000 and now sits at just over $92,000. There are many reasons for Bitcoin's growth and the burgeoning mainstream acceptance of the coin. Consistent global inflation and low interest rates have encouraged institutional and retail investors to look to BTC as a hedge against inflation. The re-election of Donald J. Trump and the announced resignation of Gary Gensler as chairman of the SEC have also helped foster optimistic sentiments among investors. Trump nominated Paul Atkins as Gensler's successor and Atkins has a reputation of supporting cryptocurrencies and creating a more open regulatory environment for digital assets stemming from his tenure as SEC Commissioner between 2002 and 2008. Read Also: Bitcoin Price Decisively Back Below $100,000: What Is Going On? In November, we spoke with investor and Bitcoin supporter, Tim Draper, who called for $120,000 BTC in 2024. Judging by MicroStrategy's $5.4 billion BTC buy , Draper later said the estimate may be too low. What do other experts in digital assets have to say about the trajectory of the world's most famous cryptocurrency in the waning days of 2024? And where do they see BTC going in 2025? We spoke with Grant Cardone of Cardone Capital, Caitlin Long of Custodia Bank, Anthony Scaramucci of Skybridge Capital, Sandeep Nailwa l of Polygon and Dean Skurka of WonderFi to get their unique perspectives on the future of BTC. Grant Cardone, Fund Manager / CEO Cardone Capital, CEO of Cardone Training Technologies, Inc. Cardone, entrepreneur, real estate mogul and motivational speaker, has taken an avid interest in crypto and recently announced the launch of Cardone Capital Space Coast Bitcoin Fund (Fund 26). In a tweet on X, Cardone said: "Commitments for ~100% of $87.5M fund. Targeting 30% annual returns & 100% return of all capital at 48 months." When asked in interview about the future of Bitcoin, Cardone said "It is still early in fact because of the amount of adoption by governments, corporations, state treasuries & private business owners; we are still very early." Cardone added the number of ways it's possible to gain exposure to Bitcoin as another cause for confidence. "You can gain exposure to Bitcoin by buying it directly, through ETF investments, stocks of companies like MicroStrategy and now in real estate vehicles like we've created at CardoneCapital that uses cash flow to dollar cost average purchase the Bitcoin and spike traditional stable real estate returns." Caitlin Long, Founder & CEO, Custodia Bank Long is a vocal advocate of Bitcoin and has been an open critic of Gensler's tenure at the head of the SEC. Custodia Bank faced resistance from federal regulators, and in 2023, the Federal Reserve Board rejected it, citing concerns over the risks in digital assets. Custodia offers segregated custody accounts for Bitcoin and Long is a true believer in the fundamentals behind BTC. In an interview, she expressed her optimism for BTC. "I don’t make price predictions, but for fundamental reasons tied to halvings, Bitcoin has pronounced 4-year cycles – 210,000 blocks at 10-minute average block intervals, to be precise. If the past is prologue, 2025 will be a bull market year. Generally, more ‘up and to the right' movements should be on tap!" Anthony Scaramucci, Founder & CEO of SkyBridge Capital Scaramucci is a strong supporter of cryptocurrencies and uses his platform to educate traditional investors on BTC's potential. SkyBridge offers crypto funds including the SkyBridge Bitcoin Fund . He recently published his latest book, "The Little Book of Bitcoin: What You Need to Know that Wall Street Has Already Figured Out." Asked where he expects BTC to land by the end of 2024, Scaramucci said, "I see us finishing the year around the $100,000 level. We need to digest this big post-election move and see more concrete plans from the Trump regime on new regulatory frameworks." Scaramucci's prognostications for 2025 were even more bullish, similar to Tim Draper's predictions. "I see Bitcoin doubling in 2025 to $200,000. Don’t underestimate Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ determination to build a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which would likely cause a cascading effect with other nation-states and corporations." Sandeep Nailwal, Co-Founder Of Polygon Nailwal is a visionary in the blockchain industry, not only for helping to found the Layer 2 blockchain network, Polygon MATIC/USD to add speed and reduce costs while using the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) , but also for his work shaping the Ethereum ETH/USD ecosystem, creating tools to make blockchain development easier as well as for his work developing ZK-rollups, sidechain technology and modular frameworks for greater scalability. Nailwal stands with most leaders in the blockchain space – a stronger BTC is a net win for all parts of Web3. “Bitcoin's success is a win for everyone in crypto. It builds trust, brings in more people, and shows the world what decentralized tech can do. As more users and institutions embrace Bitcoin, it creates a gateway for them to explore the broader blockchain space. That isn't just about Bitcoin thriving – it's about unlocking new ideas, driving innovation, and helping the entire ecosystem grow stronger together.” Dean Skurka, President And CEO WonderFi Skura's work has focused on compliance and accessibility in cryptocurrency, ultimately seeking to bring traditional finance and digital finance closer together. Skura is optimistic that the changing regulatory landscape in the US will be good news for BTC. "With the incoming administration in the US, discussions of a National Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, and continued institutional inflows into US Spot Bitcoin ETFs, we expect Bitcoin to continue to gain mainstream adoption, which will only further improve the long-term prospects for Bitcoin. The industry's prospects have never looked brighter, and we look forward to many more milestones in 2025." Now Read: $84,000 Is Bitcoin’s Worst Case, Options Trading Firm CEO Says © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday to demand an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the immediate release of all hostages. The ceasefire demand in the resolution – adopted with 158 votes in favour in the 193-member assembly – was expressed in more urgent language than one urging an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza that the body “called for” in October 2023 then “demanded” in December 2023. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry political weight, reflecting a global view on the war. The United States, Israel and seven other countries voted against the ceasefire resolution, while 13 countries abstained. The world body also threw its support behind the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, adopting a second resolution with 159 votes in favour to deplore a new Israeli law that will ban UNRWA’s operations in Israel from late January. It demanded that Israel respect UNRWA’s mandate and “enable its operations to proceed without impediment or restriction”. The US, Israel and seven other countries voted no, while 11 countries abstained. 04:01 Protests break out across Asia marking one year of Israel-Gaza conflict “The messages we send to the world through these resolutions matter. And both of these resolutions have significant problems,” Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the assembly.A keen eye for detail is quintessential when choosing between two of the biggest names in the VPN world. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are high-value providers, and they're two of our favorite VPNs for their outstanding performance on benchmarks like security, streaming, and speed. Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed Based on my hands-on experience testing both services, one may offer a slight advantage over the other, depending on what you want to achieve with a VPN. Both services offer automatic connection to optimal servers, promise a 30-day money-back guarantee, and offer no-logs policies. Here's how to decide which VPN is best for you. Spec ExpressVPN NordVPN Starting price $4.99/month $3.49/month Servers 3,000+ 6,500+ Countries 105 113 Specialty servers None Double VPN, P2P, Onion over VPN, obfuscated servers Protocols Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN IKEv2/IPSec NordLynx (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec Security AES 256-bit (with PFS), kill switch, leak protection, RAM-only AES 256-bit GCM encryption, kill switch, leak protection, antivirus, dark web monitoring, Ad & malware block Yes (Threat Manager) Yes (Threat Protection Pro) No-logs policy Yes Yes Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands (outside of 5/9/14 Eyes) Panama (outside of 5/9/14 Eyes) Free/ trial/ money-back guarantee 7-day trial, 30-day refund policy Android free trial, 30-day refund policy Simultaneous connections 8 10 Compatible devices iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, Kindle, Routers, consoles, extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave) iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Linux, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV Stick, routers, gaming consoles, Kindle Fire, Chromecast, extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) ExpressVPN is relentless with geoblocks. Whether you're trying to access streaming, gaming, shopping, or payment platforms, my experience with the services has always been smooth. ExpressVPN isn't optimized for specific streaming sites like CyberGhost , but the entire server network is obfuscated. This advanced technology disguises your VPN usage, avoiding detection. In comparison, NordVPN's obfuscation only works with the OpenVPN protocol. Also: The best VPN for streaming: Expert tested and reviewed Also, ExpressVPN's vast IP address pool is constantly refreshed, removing any residual IPs that may have already been blocked on streaming platforms for policy violations. Given its excellent performance, it can be most useful for accessing global content or international travel. ExpressVPN has a straightforward design. It's easier to use as a beginner than NordVPN, which is cluttered with several settings that can be a turn-off for inexperienced users. Also, ExpressVPN is compatible with more devices than NordVPN, offering even a native app for routers, so you don't need to perform complex manual setups. Also: ExpressVPN review: One of the fastest VPNs we've tested ExpressVPN has a 7-day free trial that can be used on any device. Previously the trial was only available to mobile users subscribing from the Google Play or App Store. NordVPN doesn't have a free trial, but Android users can try the service for free if they subscribe via Google Play Store. Both providers have a 30-day money-back guarantee for a risk-free trial. You should choose NordVPN if... NordVPN is heavily vested in digital security. Beyond encrypting connections and maintaining privacy, it beats ExpressVPN with some other extras like specialty servers (DoubleVPN, Onion Over VPN, and P2P), a malware scanner for downloaded files, and a Dark Web Monitor to alert you if your sensitive information has leaked on the web. Another feature, Meshnet, allows you to set up a private network over which you can securely share files between devices anywhere or play games with friends online with minimal latency. Also: NordVPN review: Consistent speed and performance from one of our favorite VPNs NordVPN's proprietary protocol, NordLynx, has relatively faster connections than ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol. These two are by far the best VPNs for speed , whether you want to stream or play online games without lag. NordVPN was consistent on most server locations in my speed tests, with connections dropping by 5-25% on nearby and faraway servers. On some server locations in the US, ExpressVPN performed better and even had lower latency, ideal for gaming. Also: The best VPN for gaming: Expert tested and reviewed NordVPN is the more affordable option of the two high-end services. Not only does it offer a cheaper entry price, but there are more tiered subscriptions to choose from on both short and long-term plans. The 2-year plan costs $96.93 ($3.59/month) or $121.23 ($4.49/month) with Threat Protection Pro and Password Manager, while ExpressVPN is $139.72 ($4.99/month) for 2 years. Proton VPN If you're frequently switching subscriptions and want a solid VPN with both free and paid versions, Proton VPN should be on your radar. It's secure and reliable, notably for activities like torrenting. Surfshark This is a great option for countries with heavy online censorship, thanks to its extra built-in features for bypassing network or site-specific restrictions. Private Internet Access (PIA) PIA is an affordable VPN that allows unlimited connections with one subscription. ZDNET's product of the year: Why Oura Ring 4 bested Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024 I tested Samsung's 98-inch 4K QLED TV, and watching Hollywood movies on it left me in awe I let my 8-year-old test this Android phone for kids. Here's what you should know before buying This ThinkPad checks all my boxes for a solid work laptop. Here's why it stands out
Biden commutes sentences of 37 of 40 inmates on death row
Recent incidents prompt heightened security at Illinois StatehouseDallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save PHILADELPHIA — Jerry Jones didn't just have to watch his Cowboys get roughed up by Philadelphia in yet another loss in a season that will end without a trip to the playoffs. He caught grief from exuberant Philly fans, too. Not even his suite could protect Jones from fans who turned toward the glass and snapped selfies and taunted the glum Cowboys owner and general manager each time Philadelphia scored a touchdown. Five times, actually. Eagles fans chanted "Dallas sucks!" throughout the game and generally harassed Jones as voraciously as they could from start to finish in a 41-7 victory for the home team that clinched the NFC East title on Sunday. Wearing sunglasses, Jones seemingly took the jabs in stride when he was on the field during pregame warmups. "Jerry, you're doing a great job this year, man. Keep it going," one fan shouted as others sarcastically clapped toward Jones. "Great job. Keep doing what you're doing, Jerry. We love you in Philly. " The Cowboys entered having won four of five. But they were doomed from the start when Cooper Rush had a pass intercepted by C.J. Gardner-Johnson and returned 69 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive. Rush threw for 147 yards and was picked off twice by Gardner-Johnson. The Cowboys also played without CeeDee Lamb, who was shut down with two games remaining after their 2023 All-Pro receiver spent the second half of the season dealing with a sprained right shoulder. That dropped the Cowboys to 7-9 under coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires after the season. Rico Dowdle was the lone highlight, running for 104 yards to top 1,000 yards on the season and become the team's first undrafted free agent to reach that milestone. The rest? It was mostly unwatchable for Dallas. "Those giveaways were avoidable. It's just like every positive play, every negative play. You evaluate it, because that's the only way you truly have a true evaluation," McCarthy said. "The result is what matters and that's why we're sitting here with the record that we have. But at the end of the day, you're going to have those types of plays go against you, but they can't be self-inflicted. Those giveaways are self-inflicted." Rush, who is a free agent after the season, had one of his worst games since he replaced the injured Dak Prescott. "For whatever reason this stadium, I don't know, maybe I don't subconsciously like green, I don't know, something," Rush said. "It's frustrating, especially when we've been playing well. We haven't been turning it over, giving our defense what they need. And you do that versus a good football team, it's very challenging." After three consecutive playoff appearances, the Cowboys were out of contention for a postseason berth with three games to play — the earliest they had been knocked out since 2015. All that's left is the regular-season finale at home against Washington. Prescott could only watch, a bystander following surgery for his torn hamstring. "I'm supporting the teammates, obviously seeing the game from a different view up there in the booth," Prescott said. "Getting a little bit of the coaches' information the way they talk throughout the game, just a different view of it." It's the second time in five years that the 31-year-old Prescott will miss more than half of a season because of an injury. He broke an ankle in Week 5 in 2020, when Dallas finished 6-10. "I'm starting to build up around it, I'm starting to gain some strength in it, start to use it a little bit," Prescott said on his way to the team bus. "I'm probably a few weeks, maybe a month away from really running-running, but I got on the bike and I'm definitely doing some things moving on." Prescott wasn't having a great year before he got hurt. He had 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions for an offense that was in the middle of the pack in the NFL after being among the league's best as he and McCarthy led Dallas to three straight 12-5 seasons. "Nobody plays to have a losing season, to be in this position," Prescott said. "You expect playoffs every year, you expect to win this division, you expect to be in this place or whether it's at home playing this team usually for the division."
Saudi Arabia scored a major win in its campaign to attract major sports events to the kingdom when it was formally appointed as the 2034 World Cup host on Wednesday. Still, many questions remain about the tournament as well as the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with three games in South America. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Here are some of the key issues that need to be answered over the next decade: Where will games be played? Saudi Arabia proposes 15 stadiums — eight still on paper — in five cities: Eight in the capital Riyadh, four in the Red Sea port city Jeddah, and one each in Abha, Al Khobar and Neom, the planned futuristic mega-project. Each would have at least 40,000 seats for World Cup games. The opening game and final are set for a 92,000-seat venue planned in Riyadh. Some designs are vivid. In Neom, the stadium is planned 350 meters (yards) above street level and one near Riyadh is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff with a retractable wall of LED screens. Saudi Arabia aims to host all 104 games, though there has been speculation that some games could be played in neighboring or nearby countries. When will the World Cup be played? Surely not in the traditional World Cup period of June-July, when temperatures in Saudi Arabia routinely exceed 40 Celsius (104 degrees). FIFA moved the Qatar-hosted World Cup to November-December 2022, though those dates were not loved by most European clubs and leagues whose seasons were interrupted. Also, that slot is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. January 2034 could be a possibility even though that would be just before the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The International Olympic Committee has signaled it won’t be opposed to back-to-back major events. In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Saudi World Cup bid official Hammad Albalawi said the precise dates of the tournament are up the world soccer body. “That’s a decision by FIFA. We stand ready to be part of this conversation. But ultimately it’s a FIFA decision together with the confederations,” Albalawi said. Will stadiums be segregated for men and women? Giving more rights and freedoms to women in a traditionally conservative society is fundamental to Saudi messaging around the modernization program known as Vision 2030. The kingdom decided in 2017 to let women attend sports events, initially in major cities and in family zones separate from men-only sections. By 2034, at the promised pace of social reforms, female fans should not be restricted. Saudi Arabia launched a women’s professional soccer league in 2022 with players joining from clubs in Europe. They face no restrictions playing in shorts and with hair uncovered. Will alcohol be allowed at the venues or hotels? The Saudi prohibition of alcohol is clear and understood before FIFA signs any sponsor deals for 2034. But will there be any exceptions? The alcohol issue was problematic for the World Cup in Qatar because the expectation was created that beer sales would be allowed at stadiums even before Qatar won its bid in 2010. One year later, FIFA extended a long-time deal to have Budweiser as the official World Cup beer through 2022. Qatar then backtracked on that promise three days before the first game, causing confusion and the sense of a promise broken. In Qatar, alcohol was served only at luxury suites at the stadiums. Visitors could also have a drink in some hotel bars. But Saudi Arabia has even stricter rules on alcohol — and there is no indication that will change. Albalawi noted that Saudi Arabia has successfully hosted dozens of sports events where alcohol wasn't served. “We’re creating a safe and secure family environment for fans to bring their families into our stadiums,” he said. How will workers rights be protected? Saudi promises to reform and enforce labor laws, and fully respect migrant workers, have been accepted by FIFA but face broad skepticism from rights groups and trade unions. A formal complaint is being investigated by the U.N.-backed International Labor Organization. Protecting the migrant workers needed to build stadiums and other tournament projects — a decade after it was a defining issue for Qatar — looms as a signature challenge for Saudi Arabia. Would Israel be allowed to play if it qualified for the 2034 World Cup? Saudi-Israeli relations had been improving when FIFA all but gave the 2034 World Cup to the kingdom on Oct. 4 last year. Three days later Hamas attacked Israel and diplomacy got more complicated. Any soccer federation bidding to host a FIFA tournament accepts a basic principle that whichever team qualifies is welcome. That did not stop Indonesia putting up barriers last year to Israel coming for the men’s Under-20 World Cup. Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel which had qualified through a European tournament nine months before the issue flared. FIFA moved the entire tournament to Argentina and the Israeli team reached the semifinals. Israel played at the 1970 World Cup but has never advanced through qualifying in Europe, where it has been a member of UEFA for 30 years. Europe should have 16 places in the 48-team World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Where will the final of the 2030 World Cup be played? Most of the attention at the FIFA Congress on Wednesday was on the Saudi decision, but the soccer body and its members also formally approved the hosts of the 2030 World Cup — the most spread out and longest ever. One game each in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the original host in 1930, will be played from June 8-9. The tournament resumes four days later for the other 101 games shared between Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Six countries, three continents, multiple languages and currencies. Fans traveling on planes, trains, automobiles and boats across about 14 kilometers (10 miles) of water between Spain and Morocco. The final is due on July 21, 2030 and a decision on where it will be played could cause some tension between the host countries. Morocco wants it in the world’s biggest soccer venue — the planned 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. Spain, meanwhile, has proposed to host the final in either of the remodeled home stadiums of club giants Real Madrid or Barcelona. ___ Associated Press writer Baraa Anwer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, contributed to this report.Christmas 2024 gift guide: formal and fun presents for the kids from Emporio Armani, Burberry, Ralph Lauren and more
The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” People are also reading... Berry Tramel: Will Mike Gundy now learn to get along with his bosses? Bill Haisten: There still is no resolution, but a Gundy-OSU divorce seems imminent Court 'bulldozes' tribal law in Tulsa case over jurisdiction, attorney says How did Oklahoma flip Cowboys QB commit less than 48 hours before signing day? Bill Haisten: As OSU regents meet, Mike Gundy’s contract should be a hot topic Berry Tramel: Jackson Arnold shows OU should save its high-end shopping for the portal Deep into Week 2, new names emerge in Tulsa football coaching search 10 potential candidates to replace Kasey Dunn as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State These 11 new restaurants are coming to the Tulsa area soon — and 8 that just opened Cooper Parker secures Bixby's seventh consecutive state title in OT thriller versus Owasso Meet the 2024 Tulsans of the Year: These people worked hard to make Tulsa better Stitt fires Cabinet secretary at odds with governor's stance on poultry lawsuit Final OU football bowl projections before Sooners' postseason destination is revealed Meet Oklahoma's complete 2025 class. 5-star OT commits to Oklahoma Jenks football coach Keith Riggs resigns; DC Adam Gaylor named Trojans head coach There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Israelis and Palestinians are signaling new efforts to forge a ceasefire deal, even a limited one, for the first time in a year that would pause the fighting in Gaza and return to Israel some of the hostages still held in the Palestinian enclave. Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz told his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin in a phone call on Wednesday there was now a chance for a new deal that would allow the return of all the hostages, including U.S. citizens, Katz's office said. A Western diplomat in the region, however, said a deal was taking shape, but it would likely be limited in scope, involving the release of only a handful of hostages and a short pause in hostilities. Such a truce and release would be only the second since the start of the war in October 2023. The guarded optimism emerges as U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan heads to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and then to Egypt and Qatar, co-mediators with the U.S. on a deal. Separately, President-elect Donald Trump has demanded that militants of the Palestinian Hamas group release the hostages held in Gaza before he takes over from Biden on Jan. 20. Otherwise, Trump has said, there will be “hell to pay.” Trump's designated hostage envoy Adam Boehler has said he too is involved, having spoken already to Biden and to Netanyahu. Israel says 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza. Seven are believed to be U.S. citizens. Citing Trump's threat of "hell to pay," Boehler told Israel's Channel 13 news last week: "I would appeal to those people that have taken hostages: Make your best deal now. Make it now because every day that passes, it is going to get harder and harder and more Hamas lives will be lost." Although Biden and Trump are working separately, their efforts overlap and both stand to gain from a deal. A U.S. official said Trump's public statements about the need for a swift ceasefire “have not been harmful.” The official said the priority is to get the hostages home, whether it is at the end of the Biden term or the start of the Trump term. Steve Witkoff, Trump's designated Middle East envoy, met separately in late November with Netanyahu and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, said a source briefed on the talks. The timing for a deal may never have been better politically for Netanyahu. The prime minister told reporters on Monday that Hamas' increasing isolation following the collapse of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad's rule opened the door to a possible hostage deal even if it was too early to claim success. Israel's military chief and the head of the Shin Bet internal security service were in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss post-war Gaza border crossings and administration, according to three Israeli security sources. The public optimism of Israeli leaders over the past week has matched the general tone in internal discussions behind closed doors, according to an Israeli official. For Netanyahu, concessions would be far easier now with Israel having reestablished its reputation as the most powerful Middle East force and its Iran-backed enemies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria now posing less of a threat. Netanyahu's once-fragile coalition has been strengthened by the addition of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his more centrist faction. Netanyahu, having achieved a ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, can complete the picture with the return of the hostages in a deal with Hamas. Over the past year, some of the far-right ministers in his cabinet had voiced objections, even threatening to bring down the government, should the war in Gaza end. But with Israel's enemies weakened, and his coalition strengthened, Netanyahu is far less vulnerable politically. Saar said on Monday that Israel was now more optimistic about a possible hostage deal amid reports Hamas had asked other Gaza factions to help it compile a list of Israeli and foreign hostages in their custody, whether dead or alive. A Palestinian official close to the talks and familiar with the positions of all the parties involved described what he called "a fever of negotiations" with ideas emerging on all sides, including among mediators in Egypt and Qatar. Trump's involvement had given the talks a boost, even if the sides have yet to present lists of Palestinian prisoners and hostages to be exchanged or to complete plans for a temporary or phased truce, the Palestinian official said. He said Hamas was willing to show some flexibility should there be guarantees Israel would not resume the fighting. It is unclear how the sides can bridge the largest gap that has persisted through numerous rounds of failed negotiations; Hamas demands an end to the war, while Israel says the war will not end before Hamas no longer rules Gaza. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to Jordan and Turkey on Wednesday for talks on Syria, the State Department said. Israel is not in his official itinerary but there is always a possibility he might add the stop. Sign up here. Reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Additional reporting by Steve Holland, Andrew Mills and Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Howard Goller; Editing by Daniel Wallis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters A senior correspondent with nearly 25 years’ experience covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict including several wars and the signing of the first historic peace accord between the two sides.
Earlier this year, Hollywood actor Gal Gadot welcomed her fourth daughter, Ori, into the world. However, in a heartfelt revelation, Gadot shared that the journey to Ori’s birth was fraught with significant health challenges. The actor disclosed she was diagnosed with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT), a rare but serious condition involving a blood clot in the brain. Gadot explains that approximately 3 in 100,000 pregnant women over 30 are diagnosed with CVT, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early detection. On Monday morning, Gal Gadot took to her social media to share her deeply personal experience. Alongside a touching photograph of herself holding her newborn daughter in the hospital, she wrote about the struggles and lessons she learned during this trying period. “This year has been one of profound challenges and deep reflections, and I’ve wrestled with how, or even if, to share a personal story,” Gadot began. “At the end, I decided to let my heart guide me. Perhaps this is my way of processing everything, of pulling back the curtain on the fragile reality behind the curated moments we share on social media. Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may face something similar.” How Was This Diagnosed? In February, during the eighth month of her pregnancy, Gadot began experiencing persistent and debilitating headaches. Despite weeks of suffering, she initially dismissed the symptoms until an MRI revealed the cause: a massive blood clot in her brain. This diagnosis of CVT was a stark wake-up call for the actor and her family. “In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be,” she wrote. “It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and amid a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live.” Gadot was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery to treat the condition. Despite the uncertainty and fear surrounding the situation, her daughter Ori was born during this challenging time. The name Ori, meaning “my light,” was chosen deliberately to symbolize hope and resilience. “Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back,” Gadot shared. Reflecting on her experience, Gadot emphasized the importance of listening to one’s body. She urged others to pay attention to symptoms such as persistent headaches or discomfort, as these can often signal underlying health issues. “Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry a deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life-saving,” she wrote. Gadot also underscored the need for greater awareness of CVT, especially among pregnant women. While CVT is rare, it remains a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. According to medical experts, the condition occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses, preventing proper blood drainage. This can lead to increased pressure inside the brain, resulting in symptoms like severe headaches, vision problems, or even seizures. All You Need to Know About Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of stroke that primarily affects young adults and children, with a slightly higher incidence in women due to pregnancy and hormonal factors. Symptoms of CVT: - Severe, persistent headaches - Vision disturbances - Seizures - Nausea or vomiting - Neurological deficits, such as weakness or difficulty speaking Risk Factors: - Pregnancy, especially in the third trimester or postpartum period - Use of oral contraceptives - Blood clotting disorders - Dehydration - Infections, including meningitis Diagnosis and Treatment: Timely diagnosis of CVT is crucial. Imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans with venography are typically used to identify the condition. Treatment focuses on dissolving the clot and preventing further complications. This often involves anticoagulant medications and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. With prompt treatment, most patients recover fully, although some may experience lingering neurological symptoms. Early recognition and management are key to reducing the risk of long-term complications. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.