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The administration of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has come under heavy criticism over its handling of the flood crisis in the four southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. Comparisons have been drawn between the delayed response and insufficient support for flood victims in the South and the quicker and more effective management of flooding in the northern provinces in August. The Bangkok Post spoke with political observers about the flood relief efforts and asked if there is a double standard in the government's flood response between the North and South. They were asked to explain whether the government's handling of floods was due to politics, as the ruling Pheu Thai Party is known to have limited support in the South. Sathit Wongnongtoey, a former Democrat MP from Trang, said resentment towards the ruling party among some southern residents is deep-rooted due to the Thaksin Shinawatra administration and his infamous remarks about prioritising provinces that supported his party. Moreover, the Pheu Thai-led government's lack of attention to the southern region has been observed, and the prime minister's apparent lack of urgency in taking action has led some residents to believe the region is being neglected, he said. Asked about the premier's remark that she had assigned her deputies to oversee flood management in the South, Mr Sathit criticised the prime minister and said she should be aware of public expectations and be ready to equally serve all citizens. The former MP said the coalition government should take responsibility for the state of the country because it has not done enough to give people hope. Mr Sathit said the government's popularity will be affected as it has been unable to deliver on its economic promises. Sathit: Deliver economic promises Nipit Intarasombat, a former Democrat MP from Phatthalung, said flood relief efforts are being carried out by state agencies involved, although the prime minister has yet to make a trip to the four southernmost border provinces to inspect the floods. This has left the impression the government is not giving sufficient attention and care to the situation, he said, adding that even if the entire cabinet were to visit, they would not have the same morale-boosting effects as the prime minister's presence. Due to the geography of the region, much of the floodwater in affected areas will have already subsided by the time the prime minister makes a visit and she will not be able to witness the full severity of the flooding, he said. When asked if Ms Paetongtarn has no incentive to visit because Pheu Thai has limited support in the South, he said it is hard to believe the country's leader would neglect the South simply because it is not her party's political stronghold. "I don't want to assume that she is neglecting the South simply for that reason. But the delay has cost her significant political goodwill," he said. Mr Nipit also said he believes Ms Paetongtarn cares about the well-being of the southern people, but she and her close aides lack political experience, which may have led them to miscalculate the situation. Asked if the Pheu Thai Party still has a chance to establish a stronghold in the South, Mr Nipit said it is unlikely to gain significant ground in the three southern border provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala due to several factors, including the recent flooding and the Tak Bai case in Narathiwat. Nipit: PM cares about people During last year's general election, the Pheu Thai Party did not capture a single seat in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla. Its coalition partner, the Prachachat Party, then led by Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, won all three seats in Yala. In Pattani, where five seats were available, the Prachachat Party won three seats in Constituency 1, 3 and 5, while the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and the Democrat Party won each in Constituency 2 and Constituency 4, respectively. The five seats in Narathiwat were shared among the PPRP (Constituency 2 and 3), United Thai Nation (UTN) Party (Constituency 1), Bhumjaithai (Constituency 4) and Prachachat Party (Constituency 5). The Democrat Party won the largest share of seats, six out nine, in Songkhla (Constituency 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9) with the UTN winning in Constituency 2, the PPRP in Constituency 4 and the Bhumjaithai Party in Constituency 7. Defending the government, Pheu Thai list-MP Chanin Rungthanakiat said the mobile cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, which coincided when the South was hit by severe flooding, had been planned weeks in advance and could not be cancelled. The prime minister, he said, decided not to inspect the flooding during its worst phase to avoid adding a burden to local officials who were focusing on relief operations. Even so, several cabinet ministers were assigned to oversee the flood relief efforts, he noted. Mr Chanin stressed the Pheu Thai Party is doing its best to refute the claim the party does not prioritise the southern region. Under the Srettha Thavisin administration, several projects in the South were given support, he said. Chanin: Let local officials work Meanwhile, academics criticise the government for its lack of preparedness in terms of evacuation shelters and failure to decentralise power to enable local authorities to more effectively manage the flood crisis. As a result, the public perceives that only the prime minister's visit and intervention can solve the issue, even if the prime minister's visit to the flood-ravaged area is more of a symbolic gesture rather than a direct solution to the problem. Srisompob Jitpiromsri, a political scientist at Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus, said that given the size of financial aid and recovery efforts by the Interior Ministry, the government's response in both the North and South is not much different. The cabinet previously approved a change in the criteria for flood compensation payouts. Now, all affected households stand to receive a one-time payment of 9,000 baht. Under the old criteria, households flooded for 30 days or less would receive 5,000 baht, while those inundated for more than 30 days but less than 60 received 7,000 baht. Households flooded for more than 60 days were the only ones given 9,000 baht. Mr Srisompob said provincial authorities, the military, the private sector and various charity and rescue foundations have mobilised their resources to assist flood victims. Media coverage has shown the struggles and plight of the flood-ravaged communities. This has led to comparisons with the role of the government, particularly the prime minister whose visit would have eased tension and provided reassurance to those severely affected by the flooding, he said. "Ms Paetongtarn's comments about her husband being a native of the southern region have not been particularly helpful. "She shouldn't have said it at all under this situation. She should have talked about policies. When her comments are seen as out of place, the issue is dramatised," he said. Early this month, the prime minister defended herself against social media criticism about allegedly neglecting flood-hit southern provinces while touring the northern region, emphasising that providing aid takes priority over making public appearances. She responded that her family had connections to the South through her husband. "How could I neglect the South when my husband and his family are Southerners?" Srisompob: Comments aren't helpful Mr Srisompob said the issue of evacuation shelters has been a pain point for the southern region for a decade and despite having the resources, the government has yet to invest in permanent shelters for disaster relief. "The government needs to rethink its approach to disaster management, especially in the southern region where flooding is exacerbated by rising sea tides," he said. Nuttakorn Vititanon, a political scientist at Chiang Mai University, said the government needs to revamp its disaster warning and emergency response systems to ensure residents are fully informed about risks and adequately cared for. "The flood came at night and no one evacuated in the dark. Moreover, there were no shelters for them. Telling people to evacuate... but to where? So, they stayed home," he said. He was referring to recent flood situations in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in August. Mr Nuttakorn said the government appears to be avoiding confronting local communities and resorts that block water drainage and is instead trying to build flood barriers, which is not a sustainable solution. He said the prime minister does not need to visit any flood-hit areas to make instructions if local authorities have the full power to manage the situation. "But the governor doesn't and he can't instruct other agencies like the Department of Royal Irrigation. Remember when a floodgate was broken and the governor was blamed for not coordinating? "The problem was solved after the prime minister's visit. As a result, people have become accustomed to the idea that if they want something fixed, the prime minister must intervene," Mr Nuttakorn said. Nuttakorn: 'No shelters for them'Donald Trump left the White House nearly four years ago. Given his self-confidence, I suspect he is now thinking: “What could be so different? I’ve got this.” Well, I just traveled from a reporting trip in Tel Aviv, Israel, to a conference in the United Arab Emirates to a deep dive with Google’s DeepMind artificial intelligence team in London, and I think the president-elect would be wise to remember a famous aphorism: There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen. What I saw and heard exposed me to three giant, shifting tectonic plates that will have profound implications for the new administration. The most significant geopolitical event In just the last two months, the Israeli military has inflicted a defeat on Iran that approaches its 1967 Six-Day War defeat of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Full stop. Let’s review: Over the past few decades, Iran built a formidable threat network that seemed to put Israel into an octopuslike grip. It became widely accepted that Israel was deterred from striking at Iran’s nuclear facilities because Iran had armed the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon with enough precision rockets to destroy Israel’s ports, airports, high-tech factories, air bases and infrastructure. Not so fast. It turned out that Mossad and Israel’s cyber Unit 8200 had been forging what became one of the country’s greatest intelligence successes ever. They planted explosive devices in the pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah’s military commanders, developed human and technological tracking capabilities to find Hezbollah’s top leaders, painstakingly identified storage facilities in Lebanon and Syria for Hezbollah’s most lethal precision rockets and then systematically took many of them out by air in October. The result is that Hezbollah looks likely to accept a 60-day cease-fire with Israel in Lebanon negotiated by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein. This is a big deal. It means that, even if just for 60 days, Hezbollah and, by extension, Iran have decided to delink themselves from Hamas in the Gaza Strip and stop the firing from Lebanon for the first time since Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas invaded Israel. We will see if it lasts, but if it does, it will increase the pressure on Hamas to agree to a cease-fire and hostage release with Israel, more on Israel’s terms. There is a reason for this. Hezbollah’s mother ship has suffered a real blow. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s April strike on Iran eliminated one of four Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile defense batteries around Tehran, and Israel destroyed the remaining three batteries on Oct. 26. Israel also damaged Iran’s ballistic missile production capabilities and its ability to produce the solid fuel used in long-range ballistic missiles. In addition, according to Axios, Israel’s Oct. 26 strike on Iran, which was a response to an earlier Iranian attack on Israel, also destroyed equipment used to create the explosives that surround uranium in a nuclear device, setting back Iran’s efforts in nuclear weapons research. A senior Israeli defense official told me that the Oct. 26 attack on Iran “was lethal, precise and a surprise.” And up to now, the Iranians “don’t know technologically how we hit them. So they are at the most vulnerable point they have been in this generation: Hamas is not there for them, Hezbollah is not there for them, their air defenses are not there anymore, their ability to retaliate is sharply diminished, and they are worried about Trump.” Which means that Iran is either riper than ever for negotiations to curb its nuclear program or riper than ever for an attack by Israel or the Trump administration — or both — to destroy those nuclear facilities. Either way, Trump will face choices he did not have four years ago. It is not only a new Iran that Trump will be dealing with but also a new Israel There were legitimate reasons President Joe Biden denounced the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, which accused them of war crimes in Gaza against a Hamas enemy that deliberately embedded itself among civilians. This same court never issued an arrest warrant for President Bashar Assad of Syria, whose army killed hundreds of thousands of his own people. The ICC said Syria is not a member. But neither is Israel. It is also odd that the ICC issued a warrant only for the Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who is widely believed to be dead, and not for the very much alive Muhammad Sinwar (the younger brother of the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar), who is now reportedly running Hamas in Gaza and was a commander in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. But while the ICC warrants are questionable, they were also avoidable. The strategy that Netanyahu has imposed on his military is one of the ugliest in Israel’s history: Go into Gaza, destroy as much of Hamas as you can, don’t be too worried about civilian casualties, then leave the remnants of Hamas in charge to loot food convoys and intimidate the local population — then rinse and repeat. Go back in, smash and leave no one better in charge, creating a permanent Somalia on Israel’s border. Why is he doing this? Because Netanyahu is being directed by the far-right Jewish supremacists he needs to stay in power and possibly out of prison on charges of corruption. And the stated goal of those Jewish supremacists is to extend Israeli settlements from the West Bank right through Gaza. They oppose any scenario in which the Palestinian Authority is gradually installed in Gaza as part of an Arab peacekeeping force to replace Hamas. They fear the Palestinian Authority might then become a legitimate partner for a two-state solution. When you fight a war with this many civilian casualties for a year and offer no vision of peace with the other side, you invite the ICC. Attention, President-elect Trump: Netanyahu will tell you that Israel is defending the free world in defeating the dark forces of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. There is truth in that. But there is also truth in the fact that he is doing it to defend a Jewish supremacist apartheid vision in the West Bank and Gaza. It’s a dirty business. If you just unquestionably wrap your arms around him, you will get yourself and America dirty, too. You will also ensure that your Jewish grandchildren will one day learn what it is to be Jewish in a world where the Jewish state is a pariah. Artificial general intelligence is probably coming on Trump’s watch Polymathic artificial general intelligence, or AGI, was still largely in the realm of science fiction when Trump left office four years ago. It is fast becoming nonfiction. And ASI — artificial super intelligence — may be one day as well. AGI means machines will be endowed with intelligence as good as the smartest human in any field, but because of its capabilities to integrate learning across many fields, it will probably become better than any average doctor, lawyer or computer programmer. ASI is a computer brain that can exceed what any human can do in any field and then, with its polymathic ability, it could produce insights far beyond anything humans could do or even imagine. It might even invent its own language we don’t understand. How we adapt to AGI was not part of the 2024 presidential campaign. I predict it will be a central theme of the 2028 election. Between now and then, every leader in the world — but particularly the presidents of America and China, the two AI superpowers — will be judged by how well they enable their countries to get the best and cushion the worst from the coming AI storm. From what I heard from leading AI scientists and Nobel Prize winners at Google DeepMind’s conference on how AI is already driving breakthroughs in scientific discovery, AGI is likely to be achieved in the next three to five years. Two DeepMind scientists just won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their AI AlphaFold system, which predicts proteins’ structures and is already being used by scientists to invent drugs and materials all over the world. Now DeepMind is working on GraphCast, an AI system that can produce staggeringly precise 10-day weather forecasts in less than a minute, and on Gnome, which has identified some 2.2 million new inorganic crystals that could be useful in manufacturing everything from computer chips to batteries to solar panels. It’s the tip of an iceberg. It will change or challenge virtually every job. While I was in Tel Aviv, I visited the lab of Mentee Robotics, an Israeli startup, and was given a demonstration of a humanoid robot, roughly my height, powered by sensors and AI with humanlike hand dexterity, a voice and perception that, as its website says, “can be personalized and adjusted to different environments and tasks using natural human interaction.” President-elect Trump, if you think blue-collar workers without college degrees are facing challenges today, wait until four years from now. But that’s not Trump’s only challenge. If these AI powers fall into the wrong hands or are used by existing powers in the wrong ways, we could be dealing with possibly civilizational extinction events. Which is why we need to be discussing systems of AI control now. And it’s why two DeepMind co-founders, Shane Legg and Demis Hassabis, were signers of a 23-word open letter, issued in May 2023, along with other leaders of the AI universe, which declared, “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.” But this can’t just be left to the companies. We tried that with social networks, and it ended badly. President-elect Trump, you may think that your second term will be judged by how many tariffs you impose on China. I beg to differ. When it comes to U.S.-China relations, I think your legacy — as well as President Xi Jinping’s — will be determined by how quickly, effectively and collaboratively the United States and China come up with a shared technical and ethical framework embedded in each AI system that prevents it from becoming destructive on its own — without human direction — or being useful to bad actors who might want to deploy it for destructive purposes. History will not look kindly on you, President-elect Trump, if you choose to prioritize the price of toys for American tots over an agreement with China on the behavior of AI bots. Thomas Friedman writes a column for the New York Times. Related Articles Opinion | Marc Goldwein: Biden still has time to nudge the federal budget closer to sanity Opinion | David French: Donald Trump thinks he won’t have enough power? Opinion | Jamelle Bouie: It’s a republican form of government, not a monarchy. 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COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’"

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Intuit purchased Mint in 2009, and it held in its hands one of the best personal finance apps of its generation. The app would continue on for 15 years before Intuit decided to shutter it in March 2024. Since then, millions of people have been surfing for Mint alternatives. Since smartphones have become an integral part everyday finance from sending money to managing it , it's natural that many are looking for alternatives for their smartphones. After all, we carry these little computers all day every day, so it's one of the best ways to manage finances. Many contenders have taken up the mantle to become the next Mint. There are mainstays in the finance sector like Quicken that still offer personal finance apps along with a host of up-and-comers that can do many of the same things Mint once did. Unlike ye olde days, companies are also doing an increasingly good job of putting apps on both Android and iOS, taking the difficulty out of finding a reasonable alternative no matter which platform the user is wielding at the moment. So, if you're still searching for a Mint alternative, the list below should give you a good idea of where to start. Even if none of them are direct one-to-one replacements, it's still a good idea to have something for personal finance. After all, the act of budgeting alone can save you money since you'll be much more aware of where your money is going. Cashew is a reasonable place to start your search. The app is available on Google Play and iOS and both versions have high scores from user reviews. In terms of pure functionality, you get the kinds of things you expect from a personal finance app. That includes the ability to create a budget and stick to it with a slew of charts and graphs to show you how you're spending your money over weeks and months. It also has a good spending history where you can look at prior purchases to identify periods of heavy or light spending to see what happened. Beneath the surface, Cashew is still quite good. The UI is light, colorful, and fairly easy to read once you get used to it. In addition to its basic personal finance features, it also has a subscription tracker to help you keep track of those, a currency converter in case you need to manage your money in multiple countries, and things like a transaction history so you can see exactly where your money is going. Most of Cashew's features are free but there is a subscription service available too. It's on the less expensive side of things at $1.49 per month and $11.99 per year. We also applaud Cashew's $19.99 lifetime price, meaning you can buy this app once and never have to pay for it again. When you're on a budget, it's good to be able to knock a subscription off the list with single purchases. Empower is one of the bigger dogs in the personal finance space. It's on Google Play and iOS and both apps mirror each other in terms of functionality. This one works for personal finance, but it's more for keeping track of your entire net worth than it is for daily stuff. Thus, you get the day-to-day features like creating a budget and seeing your various expenditures over time. However, it adds in things like investment tracking so you can not only save money but also watch it grow. That's the big draw with Empower. You can do things like use the debt paydown tool to help relieve yourself of credit card debt while simultaneously keeping track of your retirement accounts to watch them grow. The idea is that Empower lets you view your entire financial life and not just one part of it. Thus, a lot of folks refer to Empower as a wealth tracker rather than a personal finance app. It does both, but it definitely skews to one side a little more than the other. Of course, the downside is that this can be overwhelming for folks who have never done that before. Additionally, younger folks may not have enough accounts to warrant such a powerhouse app and may be suited for something simpler. The app and all of its features are free so at least you don't have to worry about paying for it. EveryDollar is an up-and-comer that seems to hit the spot for both Google Play and iOS users. Unlike Empower, this one focuses almost entirely on the day-to-day aspects of maintaining your bank account and budget. The app lets you quickly create a budget based on your paycheck and various bills so that you can manage your money better. It also allows the user to set goals so that they gamify saving money and feel better about hitting those types of savings goals. While EveryDollar focuses a lot more on the everyday stuff, it does still have long-term finances in mind as well. Users can log in with their various financial accounts and view things like investments, retirement accounts, and other accounts set aside for the future. Those pair well with the budgeting features to help you prepare for long term financial success. Plus, with features like the hidden subscription finder, it can also help you save money by paying attention to your transactions and narrowing down where it's all going. Of course, all of those features come at a cost. EveryDollar has three subscription tiers which include Plus, Premium, and the Ramsay Plus. They range in price from $7.99 to $17.99 per month with the yearly costs ranging upwards of $129.99 per year with the Ramsay Plus tier. Thus, the app does price out some folks at the lower end of the financial spectrum, and that is arguably its biggest weakness. There is more than one way to skin a cat, as the saying goes. Before all of these fancy personal finance apps, a lot of people took to spreadsheets to create budgets and track their money. It's still a perfectly serviceable, low-cost option as long as you don't mind putting in the work. With a spreadsheet, you can balance your budget similarly to a checkbook, but it's all digital instead of physical. For this, Google Sheets is a good starting point. It's on Android and iOS , and it's free. There are a several benefits to using a spreadsheet. As Mint demonstrated, personal finance apps may come and go, but spreadsheets have been around since 1979. They are going nowhere so you'll never have to worry about finding an alternative. Plus, there is a wealth of information on making spreadsheets do cool things , which helps lessen the learning curve. The downside is that it's not as functional and automatic or intuitive as a personal finance app. You'll have to do a lot more manual work to balance your budget. Those looking for the more manual, lower-tech method can check out this tutorial from Experian as it's a great jumping off point for managing your finances. Google Sheets has a monthly budget template that helps make starting this method much easier. Plus, Google Drive gives you 15GB of storage for free, which translates to thousands of spreadsheets that are always backed up. Greenlight is a personal finance app directed at parents and kids. The general idea is that it's supposed to help teach kids how to deal with their finances with the helpful and watchful eye of their parents to guide them along the way. It's technically an online banking app, so you'll have to set up accounts and all of that, but it's not too difficult to use once you get the parts moving. Per the norm, it's on the App Store and Google Play . The benefit of this one is allowing parents and kids to manage a child's money together. Parents can set up direct transfers of money for things like chores or allowance, or add direct deposits for a teen's first job, all while being able to oversee things like transactions and expenditures to help guide them in spending their money wisely. Parents can also set spending limits, thus instituting a budget. They can also receive notifications when the kids spend money on their debit cards. It's a neat concept and something a little bit different in the personal finance app space. The only part that may cause strain is that it is a banking app mixed with a personal finance app, and that means switching banks for most folks. Since many of these features can be recreated at other banks, it may be worth checking to see if your bank has dedicated children or teen accounts that have similar features. Monarch ( Android , App Store ) made a big push when Mint went down, and users seem to enjoy it. It works similarly to Mint and other personal finance apps. You log in with various accounts, and from there, you can import your transaction history, balances, and other financial data. You can also create a budget, watch your investments grow, and manage your finances to save money. It's fairly straightforward all around and it does a good job of not getting in its own way. On top of the usual budget and transaction tracking, Monarch's big claim to fame is that it's an all-in-one solution. You can check your transaction history from every account, making it easier to track your purchases, subscriptions, and refunds. With that information, you can cancel old subscriptions and reduce your purchases to save money. The app has a direct interface that shows you information without a bunch of fluff. It can also keep track of things like loans, credit cards, and other debts to help you pay them down faster. Monarch does have a subscription that costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year. New users get a week to try Monarch before being asked to pay for anything, but there is no free version of this app. It's not an unreasonable amount for a subscription, but other personal finance apps do have free versions for people who don't want to add another paid subscription. NerdWallet is an excellent personal finance app on Android and iOS . It works by letting you log into your bank account and other accounts and then puts all of that information at your fingertips in a single app. NerdWallet's strongest feature is its user interface which is colorful and relatively easy to read. Once you get everything set up, it's just a matter of finding all of the information you need and using it to save you money. You can also log in with investment accounts to see your overall net worth in the form of investments, debts, and even your home value. You get the same general features such as a budget builder tool. There is also the standard access to your transactions and debt history so you can make better financial decisions. However, NerdWallet adds in more features like credit score monitoring and various tips and tricks by NerdWallet's staff on how to save additional money or spend your cash more intelligently. Thus, it works best as a resource for information. And its data displays are particularly helpful. There is a NerdWallet Plus subscription that costs $49.99 per year, which is less than most competitors. It adds some extra features like more advice and an insurance assistant tool, but most folks will be able to use the free version without issues. It also houses a lot of advertisements such as credit card offers that you'll probably want to ignore for the most part. Quicken Simplifi is arguably the most logical choice for a Mint replacement. Quicken has been around since the 1980s and has been in the personal finance software game all this time. However, Quicken Simplifi came out in 2020 on Android and iOS , so it's the latest effort from the personal finance giant. It works as you would expect. You get the usual stuff like connecting with your various accounts and tracking your money down to each individual transaction if you so choose. You can also add credit cards, investment accounts, and other things to keep track of your overall net worth. Since Quicken is a larger company, it also has integrations with other software. For example, you can use Zillow to track your home's value. Aside from that, you get the usual array of features like a budget builder, a savings goal tool, and even a retirement planner. These tools can be used in various ways, such as a vacation fund. There are a lot of tools, integrations, and information to work with allowing you to tackle your finances from a variety of angles. Of course, its biggest pro is also its biggest con. This is a large, bloated app and if you're not using all of the functions, you may be better served with something simpler. Quicken also has a subscription for Simplifi to the tune of $71.99 per year. That's not excessive but it's not the cheapest app either. Rocket Money is another big player in the personal finance space. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store , so you don't have to worry about what platform you own. Like most, you can import your financial data and get a bird's eye view of your finances and spending. You can then use that data to reduce your spending and save some money. In the grand scheme, it works like many other Mint alternatives, so it's not necessarily treading new ground. With that said, Rocket Money does do some things better than others. A few examples includes its subscription tool that automatically identifies subscriptions so you can cancel ones you don't want anymore. There is another tool that can help you negotiate better rates on your existing debts, letting you pay them off more quickly with less interest. Those kinds of features can really help, especially if you're in a lot of debt or have a lot of subscriptions. Rocket Money also lets you view your entire net worth from assets to investments and debts. Rocket Money has subscriptions that range from $6 to $12 per month depending on which tier you want. This subscription is required. All new users get a seven-day free trial to see if they like it, and then they'll have to pay to keep going. On the plus side, $6 per month is on the lower side of things but it's still an extra cost no matter how you shake it. YNAB, short for You Need A Budget, is an app that does what it says. It's available for both Android and iOS , which is good news because people seem to really like this one. This one does the basics as but manages to put all of the financial information you need in about as easy of a presentation as it gets. It shouldn't take too long to get everything set up and going. You also get the stuff you'd expect like a budget tool to help manage your finances more effectively. Perhaps the biggest benefit of YNAB is that it's built for families or households. That means you and your partner, roommate, or whatever can work out of the same account. That makes it much easier to manage multiple accounts from multiple people. You can even include your kids. Add in stuff like the loan planner tool, and it's a potent mixture of simple and effective. It does this with the aforementioned tools and omitting things like third-party credit card pitches, which is nice to see. All new accounts get a one-month free trial, which is much longer than the other subscription finance apps on the list. After that, you'll have to pay $14.99 per month or $109.00 per year to continue service. That's a little pricey but if you're in a multi-person household, YNAB quickly becomes one of the least expensive options per-person as each account only needs to be paid for once.

Adam Pemble, AP journalist whose compassionate lens brought stories to life, dies at 52

Timberwolves win third straight game, again in dramatic fashionBy William Pesek William Pesek Yoon Suk Yeol doesn’t reference Donald Trump when he spins theories about election interference to the South Korean masses. But the U.S. president-elect’s obsession with voter fraud seems written between the lines in bold font. Newly impeached Yoon is struggling to explain his baffling Dec. 3 martial law decree. So much so that he is serving up scenarios of Cold War era intrigue ripped from the pages of Tom Clancy and John le Carré novels. Yoon claims he acted out of deep concern about the integrity of Korea’s voting system. Part of the urgency, he claims, stemmed from the National Intelligence Service’s cybersecurity checkup conducted last year. The report, Yoon asserts, uncovered signs that the National Election Commission’s (NEC) platforms are vulnerable to cyberattacks and hacking attempts. This, he says, means the NEC’s “capability of managing elections is questionable.” Fair enough. Name a democracy anywhere that doesn’t live in constant fear of election meddling, be it domestic or foreign. But what’s really questionable is the reckless manner in which Yoon and his supporters are going about it. The martial law stunt was so wildly over the top that it has credit rating companies scrutinizing Korea. Troops being dispatched to election facilities is the stuff of Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey, not a proud paragon of democratic principles. You don’t restore trust in elections with a bizarre power grab that taints the credibility of an entire governmental system. And if you have proof — real evidence — that vote tabulations are suspect, show it. Trafficking in conspiracy theories and vague chatter about “anti-state” forces sympathetic to foreign governments, and North Korea perhaps, helps no one. Least of all Yoon, who’s looking more like a hapless villain in a Robert Ludlum spy novel than a truth-teller. Yoon is also looking more Trumpian than many Koreans might want to admit. Full disclosure: I write these words with a tinge of sheepishness, given the anti-democratic upheaval shocking my native U.S. The same goes for the last 20-plus years I’ve spent living in Asia, writing about illiberal turns by governments around the region. I’ve covered Indonesia’s evolution from military-led basket case to thriving investment destination and innovative upstart. I’ve chronicled Thailand’s coups , Malaysia’s struggles to dismantle a kleptomaniac system stymying competitiveness and India’s ricocheting back and forth from socialism and capitalism. And the Philippines’ ordeal with family dynasties squandering its future. It never occurred to me that the U.S. could find itself faced with all these threats at once — and others for which we Americans lack the imagination — even before Trump’s second term begins on Jan. 20. The conspiracy-packed Trump 1.0 era from 2017 to 2021 left American voters deeply distrustful of governing institutions, even before COVID-19 and his Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection on Capitol Hill. A Trumpian haze of misinformation and disinformation began right after Trump first took office. Though Trump staged a technical Electoral College win, he lost the popular vote in 2016 by nearly 3 million . Embarrassed, Trump cried fraud and set up a commission to prove he won more votes than Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Even though the effort failed, Trump stuck to his “stolen election” talking points, setting the stage for the violence to come in 2021. Believing Trump’s election fantasies, millions of Americans were ready to believe Joe Biden had rigged the November 2020 election. That primed thousands to attack the Capitol building in Washington two months later. Trump’s superpower is creating his own reality apart from facts. For four years, Trump failed to offer evidence that paper ballots had been manipulated in 2020. Or that voting machines had been tampered with in ways that might have altered the national vote. Or that the “deep state” at home or state actors abroad conspired to defeat him. Nor did Trump need it. The absence of proof was overwhelmed by Trump’s megaphone, amplified by right-wing media platforms, social media algorithms and sycophantic Republican lawmakers placing tribalism over the good of the nation. Unfortunately, Trump’s gambit went global. In January 2023, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro tried to repeat Trump’s rigged election playbook — only to face federal and state charges. The other way it’s gone international is by trashing America’s reputation as a stable, rule-of-law-based economy protected by robust checks and balances against political corruption. Many worry even the oldest democracy might fail as Trump 2.0 does its worst to distort the lines between fact and fiction. Korea must learn from these mistakes. The cost of Yoon’s election fraud theories could be the loss of Koreans’ confidence in their government and global investors’ belief the economy deserves an upgrade to developed nation status. What Yoon did on Dec. 3 was put Korea in league with other modern-day martial law declarers like Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand. To be sure, few in Seoul are colored in glory here. The NEC has done itself no favors by appearing to silence valid questions about cracks in its cybersecurity capabilities. If there’s nothing to hide, top NEC officials should be bending over backward not just to answer questions but to reassure a perplexed nation. The U.S., for all its problems, had Robert Mueller’s investigation into the Trump campaign's alleged ties to Russia. As U.S. special counsel, Mueller, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation director, looked into foreign influence in the 2016 election. A similar probe, endowed with expansive investigative powers, is needed in Korea. This would make it harder for the NEC and National Assembly to avoid scrutiny. It would be difficult to deflect questions about everything from fraud to cyber readiness. At the same time, it’s a useful way to dispense with conspiracy theories. Korea can devise its own mechanism to shine daylight on Yoon’s talk of shadowy plots and vague schemes to undermine his People Power Party. It should do so urgently, transparently and credibly to ensure Korea emerges from this political nightmare with its national reputation somewhat intact. So far, Yoon has failed to put country over base politics. No one likes losing an election, whether it’s a presidential or National Assembly contest. But unless there’s clear evidence something is amiss, accept your comeuppance from voters and try harder next time. With his approval ratings under 20 percent even before Dec. 3, it’s quite possible that Yoon just isn’t very good at this president thing. Since then, Yoon, with his election interference talk and selfish actions, continues to prove it, a bit more each day. William Pesek is a longtime Asia opinion writer, based in Tokyo. He is a former columnist for Bloomberg and Barron’s and author of "Japanization: What the World Can Learn from Japan’s Lost Decades."

Asia stocks mostly down after Wall St losses

‘Solo Leveling – ReAwakening’ Review: Critics Mighty Impressed by Shunsuke Nakashige’s Animated Film, Call It a ‘Visual Treat’

Pep Guardiola admits he is questioning himself after Man City lose to Juventuskaufmo digital circus 。

There's nothing wrong with keeping things simple. Consider, for example, how a recipe can be ruined by straying too far from its original list of ingredients -- nobody wants a milkshake made with a heaping helping of brussels sprouts , right? Similarly, investing doesn't have to be complicated. Indeed, by allocating large portions of a portfolio to funds that track major indexes, investors can feel secure knowing that their portfolio will largely capture the stock market's growth. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Breakfast News delivers it all in a quick, Foolish, and free daily newsletter. Sign Up For Free » Let's have a closer look at one excellent index-linked exchange-traded fund (ETF) and see if it could be a millionaire-maker. What is the Invesco QQQ Trust Series I ETF? In the simplest terms, the Invesco QQQ Trust Series I ETF (NASDAQ: QQQ ) is an index-linked ETF that tracks the Nasdaq 100 index . That index, in turn, is made up of the 100 largest non-financial stocks that are listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Many of the stocks in the index are the mega-cap tech stocks you might expect to find: Nvidia , Microsoft , Apple , and Amazon . However, there are also much smaller, less well-known names like Ansys , MongoDB , and The Trade Desk . Finally, there are also companies from outside the tech sector, such as Starbucks , Kraft Heinz , and AstraZeneca . All in all, this fund offers investors the opportunity to own a broad array of stocks representing many sectors (except for financials). Granted , the index is heavily skewed toward the tech industry, with roughly 59% of holdings falling within that sector. Yet, given tech's outperformance over the last few decades, investors should ask themselves: Is it a bad thing to be relatively overweight in the tech sector over the long term? I would suggest -- particularly for younger investors -- that it is not. In fact, staying slightly overweight in the tech sector could prove to be a millionaire-making move. Here's why. Large investments in the tech sector have paid off Let's compare the relative performance across four index-linked ETFs: The Invesco QQQ Trust Series I, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust , the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF , and the iShares Russell 2000 ETF . As you can see, over the last five years, the Invesco fund has significantly outperformed the other funds with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5%. What's more, the difference is even more pronounced if we examine the last 15 years -- starting with the end of the Great Recession bear market, which occurred in March 2009. Indeed, $50,000 invested in the Invesco fund in March 2009 would have grown to over $1 million today. In comparison, the same amount, invested on the same day, would have grown to only $560,000 in the S&P 500 fund, $454,000 in the Dow fund, and less than $386,000 in the Russell fund. The lesson? Even with near-perfect timing and very similar index-linked ETF funds, there is an enormous amount of difference in performance among these funds -- and the tech-heavy Invesco fund has proven to be the best. All that said, there is no guarantee that the Invesco fund will continue its outperformance. After all, there were periods, such as the dot-com bubble of 2001-2003, where tech stocks severely underperformed the broader market. However, even with that turbulent period included, the Invesco fund has ever-so-slightly exceeded the performance of its major index rivals since the start of this century. No investment is a sure thing, but index-linked ETFs are about as close as you can find . They offer investors a broad range of stocks and have a proven track record of delivering real returns over decades. Moreover, the tech-heavy nature of the Invesco fund offers investors a realistic chance to outperform the market, given the high growth and solid profitability of many of its major components. Investors looking for a smart and simple way to grow their portfolio to over $1 million should consider the Invesco fund. Should you invest $1,000 in Invesco QQQ Trust right now? Before you buy stock in Invesco QQQ Trust, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now... and Invesco QQQ Trust wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $898,809 !* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 18, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Jake Lerch has positions in Amazon, Invesco QQQ Trust, The Trade Desk, and iShares Trust-iShares Russell 2000 ETF and has the following options: long December 2024 $615 calls on SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, short December 2024 $220 calls on iShares Trust-iShares Russell 2000 ETF, and short December 2024 $605 calls on SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, MongoDB, Starbucks, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool recommends Ansys, AstraZeneca Plc, and Kraft Heinz and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . Is This Outstanding Index ETF a Millionaire-Maker? was originally published by The Motley FoolGourmia Redefines Air Frying with a Top-to-Bottom Viewing Window, Innovative Fan Technology, and Vibrant, Trending Colors in a Sleek New Design BROOKLYN, N.Y. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gourmia®, a leader in innovative countertop kitchen appliances, proudly introduces the PanoramaTM Digital Air Fryer. This appliance elevates home cooking with its unique top-to-bottom viewing window, internal hologram display , and advanced functionality. The Panorama 7-Quart Digital Air Fryer combines groundbreaking technology with everyday practicality, making it a must-have for every kitchen. It is available exclusively in-store at Walmart and Walmart.com , with special holiday pricing of $69.00 . "The Panorama Digital Air Fryer is a culinary game-changer, blending performance, style, and convenience," said Heshy Biegeleisen , Founder of Gourmia. "Our team engineered the Panorama Digital Air Fryer to make a home chef's favorite dishes healthier and easier to prepare. From fries and wings to seafood and roasted vegetables, this versatile appliance transforms everyday meals into gourmet creations—all with less fat and hassle." The Panorama Digital Air Fryer combines style with function and is available in vibrant colors – black, white, peach, and green – to match any kitchen décor . It ensures efficient cooking, while its innovative design provides unparalleled convenience. Key Features of the Gourmia Panorama Digital Air Fryer: Discover the Gourmia Panorama Digital Air Fryer and experience a healthier, easier way to cook for family and friends. This air fryer comes with recipes expertly crafted by Gourmia's culinary team, empowering home chefs and foodies to create delicious meals quickly and confidently. Pricing and Availability Available now in-store at Walmart and Walmart.com , the Panorama Digital Air Fryer is available at a special holiday price of $69.00 ( $89.00 every day). About Gourmia Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, Gourmia is passionate about all things cooking, as they believe it is one of the key pillars of a healthy lifestyle. With decades of small appliance expertise, Gourmia's founders know that cooks are looking for dependable, easy-to-use tools to make their lives easier. Gourmia was named America's #1 Air Fryer brand and the fastest-growing kitchen electrics brand in 2022, according to NPD*. From air fryers to multi-purpose cookers, coffee and tea makers, juicers, and more, the team at Gourmia has taken input from chefs and consumers to make their products the best in their category. All of the company's products are designed to deliver a higher standard of innovation, performance, and value. For additional information, please visit http://www.gourmia.com . *Gourmia was the #1 Brand in Unit Sales for Air Fryers in the US, Gourmia had the Largest Dollar Share Increase in Total Kitchen Electrics in the US., and Gourmia had the Largest Dollar Share Increase in Cook and Heat Products in the U.S. according to The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, for the 12 months ending December 2022. PR Contact: Rita Lee Copernio (714) 891-3660 387570@email4pr.com All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies. © 2024 Gourmia. All rights reserved. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gourmias-new-panorama-next-gen-digital-air-fryer-with-internal-hologram-at-walmart-302329405.html SOURCE Gourmia

49ers' visit gives Packers a chance to damage the playoff hopes of their postseason nemesis

No. 1 South Carolina Women Stunned by Fifth-Ranked UCLA 77-62, Ending Gamecocks' 43-Game Win Streak

​Chinese state hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, have breached telecommunications companies in dozens of countries, President Biden's deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger said today. During a Wednesday press briefing, the White House official told reporters that these breaches include a total of eight telecom firms in the United States, with only four previously known. While these attacks have been underway for "likely one to two years, "at this time, we don't believe any classified communications have been compromised," Neuberger added , as the Journal first reported . "The Chinese compromised private companies exploiting vulnerabilities in their systems as part of a global Chinese campaign that's affected dozens of countries around the world." "We cannot say with certainty that the adversary has been evicted, because we still don't know the scope of what they're doing. We're still trying to understand that, along with those partners," a senior CISA official said in a Tuesday press call . On Tuesday, CISA and FBI officials advised Americans to switch to encrypted messaging apps to minimize Chinese hackers' chances of intercepting their communications. "Our suggestion, what we have told folks internally, is not new here: Encryption is your friend, whether it’s on text messaging or if you have the capacity to use encrypted voice communication," they said . "Even if the adversary is able to intercept the data, if it is encrypted, it will make it impossible." However, T-Mobile's Chief Security Officer, who said last week that the company's systems were breached from a connected wireline provider's network, claims T-Mobile no longer sees any attacker activity within its network. Also tracked as FamousSparrow, Earth Estries, Ghost Emperor, and UNC2286, this state-backed hacking group has been breaching government entities and telecom companies across Southeast Asia since at least 2019. The Salt Typhoon telecom hacks CISA and the FBI confirmed the hacks in late October, following reports that Salt Typhoon had breached the networks of multiple telcos, including T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies. The federal agencies later revealed the threat actors compromised the "private communications" of a "limited number" of U.S. government officials, accessed the U.S. government's wiretapping platform , and stole law enforcement request data and customer call records. While the timing of the telecom network breaches is unclear, a Wall Street Journal report says that Chinese hackers had access for "months or longer." This reportedly allowed them to steal substantial internet traffic from internet service providers serving American businesses and millions of customers. On Tuesday, ​CISA released guidance to help system administrators and engineers managing communications infrastructure to harden their systems against Salt Typhoon attacks. Released with the FBI, the NSA, and international partners, this joint advisory includes tips on hardening network security to shrink the attack surface targeted by the Chinese state hackers, including unpatched devices, vulnerable services exposed to online access, and generally less-secured environments.After half a decade of testing and an investment of nearly $300 million, the federal government is still years away from fully implementing its next-generation pay and human resource cloud platform to replace the problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system. Moving more than 360,000 federal workers onto a cloud-based system will require hiring more contractors and re-opening union agreements to streamline pay categories. The government is also considering building a new data hub to clean and standardize employment information from departments before it's transferred to the new Dayforce platform. Alex Benay, the associate deputy minister at Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) acknowledged to CTV News that the government may have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on building its NextGen-PayHR platform before it even starts operating. PSPC says it will outline its implementation strategy and provide a final cost estimate by 2026. The Government of Canada’s commitment to increasing accessibility in the public service and its selection of a third-place vendor may also be contributing to prolonged timelines and escalating costs. Alex Benay, associate deputy minister of Public Service and Procurement Canada. Benay stands in front of the inspiration wall with words written by his pay transformation team. Why did Canada choose a third-place bid? Dayforce’s software needs to be redesigned and re-tooled to meet the complex requirements of the federal government. The Toronto-based company, formally known as Ceridian, has dedicated 250 employees to the NextGen project. They work in collaboration with a team of 126 federal public servants. The number of people on the project is expected to grow over the next two-and-a-half years. CTV News has learned that Dayforce had placed last out of three competing vendors when it was awarded the NextGen-PayHR contract in 2021. The top bid was SAP, followed by Workday, then Dayforce. Benay says the contract was awarded before he took over responsibility for NextGen PayHR, but says it’s his understanding that government selected Dayforce because it was “the most flexible.” “After the RFP, what happened is we started throwing more things at all three of the companies (like) accessibility legislation, official languages legislation - and (Dayforce) was most willing to play,” said Benay in an interview with CTV National News. Just over six per cent of federal public servants have disabilities, which is lower than the national average of 9.1 per cent. The government’s accessibility strategy aims to increase the number of employees with disabilities to 5,000 people by 2025. “Accessibility is a core principle of our country. It's based in law and so is official languages. We think it’s extremely serious that suppliers that come and bid on projects for the Government of Canada can meet our basic national values. So, for us, that’s not a negotiation point,” said Benay. Accessibility criteria SAP was the frontrunner to win the bid because it had previously been awarded the 2019 NextGen pilot project. According to four separate government and private sector sources, SAP withdrew in the summer of 2021 after being selected for the massive project. Sources say federal officials made additional accessibility and language demands that were not specified in the government’s original request for proposal (RFP). In an email to CTV News, SAP said it met all the requirements of the RFP and resulting contract, and that its software and web-applications are tested against the European Union EN301 549 standard as well as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level 2.2. Those are the same requirements that were outlined in the government’s RFP. Documents seen by CTV News indicate that the federal government then offered the contract to Workday, requesting that the company confirm its willingness to honour its technical and financial bid without “any changes to the terms and conditions stipulated.” Workday responded that it agreed to honour the terms of the original RFP and requested a meeting to discuss new caveats. Federal negotiators responded that Canada was “not in a position to negotiate any terms and conditions.” No meeting was scheduled, and less than a week later, the contract was awarded to Dayforce. Workday is currently providing NextGen HR services to a handful of smaller and highly secure departments such as CSIS, CSE and FINTRAC. In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson said that this work includes “Workday agreeing to and meeting a set of accessibility and Official Language requirements which we are proud to support in line with our commitment to providing an inclusive single user experience and accessibility in design.” Neither SAP nor Workday filed complaints about the procurement process. Viable but not ready Dayforce’s founder David Ossip is Canadian and its vice president of public sector revenue enablement and strategy, Gianluca Cairo, previously worked for a minister in Justin Trudeau’s government. Cairo was the chief of staff to former innovation minister Navdeep Bains before he was hired by Dayforce in 2019. Of the $289 million dollars the government has invested in the NextGen initiative, the bulk $171 million has been used to pay Dayforce to build a customized platform for the federal government. According to the NextGen HR and Pay Final Findings Report released in February, after two years of analysis, the government of Canada will need to develop “critical” tools and infrastructure and “significant resource investment” before 130 departments can start using Dayforce. According to the report, Dayforce was deemed “viable” but not ready to be rolled out. Its software solution met 85 per cent of the government's 582 requirements. But there were 90 gaps. These technological holes were related to complex scheduling and pay brackets across roles ranging from ships’ officers to nurses to correctional officers. Factors such as 24-hour scheduling and temporary acting roles posed problems for Dayforce. According to the report, 18 of these shortcomings were gaps that Dayforce “cannot meet now... and that planned future product development will not address.” “These gaps exist mainly because of a lack of alignment between unique GC rules and industry best practices for some HR processes, which are critical to producing accurate and timely pay,” the report found. Patching these critical holes will require re-opening nearly 150 labour agreements with 18 unions to simplify pay processes so they can be imputed into Dayforce. Bargaining required Benay says PSPC plans to meet with union representatives next week to explain what’s needed. Some fixes could be as simple as getting every department to agree to start new employees on the same day of the week, but others may involve renegotiating contracts to change terms to align with Dayforce. Jennifer Carr, the president of the Professional Institute of Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), says PIPSC wants the government to pay its workforce on time, but it won’t agree to simplifications which will result in “rollbacks” for its 70,000 scientists, IT workers and professionals. “We’re not interested in losing any of our rights. We have collectively bargained these rights and it is our entitlement,” says Carr. She’s also concerned about escalating costs and stretched timelines. “We could have helped them build something in house and the government chose to go with a contracted-out solution which in our mind is just more costly for taxpayers,” said Carr. Benay says they’re currently at the “design and build stage” and that the Dayforce solution will not go “LIVE” until all the gaps are addressed. The government has put out a request for information from contractors for cost estimates to build a data hub to bridge the transition to the Dayforce solution. The federal government is aiming to roll out Dayforce NextGen in 2027, one department at a time. But before that, it must test every cloud extension and run a parallel pay system to Phoenix for at least six months to ensure there are no glitches. The Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE), which represents 25,000 public servants, appreciates PSPC’s cautious approach. “This is about restoring trust with Canadian taxpayers that you’re not going to create another boondoggle,” said Nathan Prier, CAPE’s president. Prier says CAPE’s members are still facing financial pressures stemming from the Phoenix debacle which has cost taxpayers $3.5 billion. “We’re glad they’re taking their time to do pilots and implement things slowly here. We need to be at the table discussing every step of the way...We’re still dealing with the Phoenix disaster. Our members are still facing significant financial pressures stemming from being underpaid, overpaid and not paid at all.” MORE POLITICS NEWS Canada's new public-sector payment system is still years away from being implemented 'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement Canada needs to take Trump's tariff threats seriously: experts Trudeau says Poilievre 'not able' to unite to defend Canada against Trump threats Federal minister Harjit Sajjan to attend Taylor Swift concert with taxpayer-funded ticket Trump making 'joke' about Canada becoming 51st state is 'reassuring': Ambassador Hillman Justice Minister Arif Virani says controversial online harms bill to be split in two opinion | Tom Mulcair: The one place in Canada where Poilievre can't break through is Quebec IN DEPTH Jagmeet Singh pulls NDP out of deal with Trudeau Liberals, takes aim at Poilievre Conservatives NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has pulled his party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement that had been helping keep Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberals in power. 'Not the result we wanted': Trudeau responds after surprise Conservative byelection win in Liberal stronghold Conservative candidate Don Stewart winning the closely-watched Toronto-St. Paul's federal byelection, and delivering a stunning upset to Justin Trudeau's candidate Leslie Church in the long-time Liberal riding, has sent political shockwaves through both parties. 'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it. Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports. 'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday. Opinion opinion | Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election? opinion | Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus. opinion | Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place. opinion | Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point. opinion | Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing. CTVNews.ca Top Stories LIVE @ 4:30 P.M. PT | Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities. DEVELOPING | As police search for suspect, disturbing video surfaces after U.S. health-care CEO gunned down in New York UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed Wednesday morning in what investigators suspect was a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference. 'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.' Transport Minister to summon airline CEOs as Air Canada set to charge carry-on fees for some passengers Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will be calling Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December after Air Canada says it will charge some passengers for carry-on bags in the new year. Canada's new public-sector payment system is still years away from being implemented After half a decade of testing and an investment of nearly $300 million, the federal government is still years away from fully implementing its next-generation pay and human resource cloud platform to replace the problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system. WATCH: Suspects armed with hammers hit Markham jewelry store Six suspects are in custody in connection with a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in a Markham mall that was captured on video. Why are some Canada Post outlets still open during CUPW strike? As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open. French government toppled in historic no-confidence vote French opposition lawmakers brought the government down on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a political crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and rein in a massive budget deficit. Woman who stowed away on plane to Paris is back on U.S. soil A Russian woman who stowed away on a Delta Air Line flight from New York to Paris last week has returned stateside Wednesday. Canada WATCH: Suspects armed with hammers hit Markham jewelry store Six suspects are in custody in connection with a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in a Markham mall that was captured on video. 'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse. VPD issue public warning after random sucker punch at bus stop Vancouver police have released security video as they seek witnesses to an unprovoked assault in the downtown core. LIVE @ 4:30 P.M. PT | Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities. 2 Quebec men top list of Canada's most wanted Two men believed to be central figures in Quebec’s violent and ongoing drug conflict topped the Bolo Program's latest Top 25 list of Canada's Most Wanted fugitives. Smith noncommittal on overriding Charter as court challenge looms over trans bills Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t believe she’ll need to invoke the Charter's notwithstanding clause to shield her government's transgender bills from legal challenges. World French government toppled in historic no-confidence vote French opposition lawmakers brought the government down on Wednesday, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a political crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and rein in a massive budget deficit. Two children wounded and gunman dead after shooting at Northern California school Two students were wounded in a shooting Wednesday at a small religious school in Northern California and the shooter died from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot, sheriff's officials said. Woman who stowed away on plane to Paris is back on U.S. soil A Russian woman who stowed away on a Delta Air Line flight from New York to Paris last week has returned stateside Wednesday. U.K. dismantles massive money laundering operations tied to Russian oligarchs and cybercriminals British authorities have dismantled two massive money laundering operations linked to Russia that were used by oligarchs, organized crime groups, cybercriminals and drug dealers, the National Crime Agency said Wednesday. Georgian opposition politician beaten unconscious by police, party says, as government crackdown intensifies A leader of one of Georgia’s opposition parties has been detained by police after he was beaten unconscious by officers in the capital Tbilisi, his party said Wednesday, in the wake of fierce protests in the former Soviet republic. Who was United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson? Even though Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S., he was largely unknown to the millions of people affected by his decision-making. Politics Canada's new public-sector payment system is still years away from being implemented After half a decade of testing and an investment of nearly $300 million, the federal government is still years away from fully implementing its next-generation pay and human resource cloud platform to replace the problem-plagued Phoenix payroll system. 'Utterly absurd': Freeland rebuffs Poilievre's offer of two hours to present fall economic statement Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has rebuffed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's offer to give up two hours of scheduled opposition time next Monday to present the awaited fall economic statement as 'utterly absurd.' Canada needs to take Trump's tariff threats seriously: experts Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January. Health Dark chocolate linked to lower risk of type 2 diabetes, study says Eating at least five tiny servings of dark chocolate each week may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 21 per cent, according to a new observational study. In fact, as dark chocolate consumption increased from none to five servings, so did the benefits, the study found. Saskatchewan maintains dismal status as leader in spread of HIV, with no provincial strategy in place Advocates for Saskatchewan’s HIV-positive residents are calling for a provincial strategy to support those living with the virus, and to help stop its spread. Cucumbers recalled for salmonella risks The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced a recall on whole cucumbers over risks of salmonella contamination, a Tuesday release from the agency reads. Sci-Tech Facial recognition to board a plane: How does it work, and what are the privacy concerns? Air Canada has launched facial recognition technology at the gate for people flying out of Vancouver International Airport - with the promise of a faster boarding process with fewer hassles. Meta says generative AI had muted impact on global elections this year Despite widespread concern that generative AI could interfere with major elections around the globe this year, the technology had limited impact across Meta Platforms' META.O apps, the tech company said on Tuesday. The most popular Wikipedia pages of 2024 Searching for something? From queries about U.S. politics to cricket in India, Wikipedia has become a source of information for millions of people across the globe. Entertainment Early-rising Taylor Swift fans wait for hours in Vancouver for concert gear Taylor Swift fans were up before the sun in Vancouver to snag some coveted shirts, bags and sweaters to mark her record-breaking Eras Tour. 'Wicked' named best film, Daniel Craig best actor by National Board of Review The National Board of Review put its full support behind John M. Chu's “Wicked,” naming the lavish musical the best film of the year when it announced its winners on Wednesday. Meet some of Taylor Swift's biggest fans, counting down to Vancouver shows They're united by a devotion to all things Taylor Swift. Meet the superfans heading for Vancouver for the final three shows of the singer's Eras Tour. Business Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Why are some Canada Post outlets still open during CUPW strike? As many postal workers continue to strike across the country, some Canadians have been puzzled by the fact some Canada Post offices and retail outlets remain open. Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034 A new Dollarama distribution centre and a lot more of the chain's stores are headed for Canada over the next decade. Lifestyle 2 winning tickets sold for $80-million Lotto Max jackpot There are two winners of the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot, Ontario Lottery and Gaming has announced. The prize will be split between the holders of two tickets sold in Quebec and Alberta. Japan's famous sake joins UNESCO's cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiasts At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including sake. Alberta photographer braves frigid storms to capture the beauty of Canadian winters Most people want to stay indoors when temperatures drop to -30, but that’s the picture-perfect condition, literally, for Angela Boehm. Sports Sumo wrestlers bring 1,500 years of tradition to London as the sport has an international moment London's Royal Albert Hall, the gilded concert venue known for an annual 'Rule Britannia' singalong, is preparing to host a different kind of spectacle: Sumo wrestling. Flames re-establish winning ways at home in an emotional Gaudreau tribute game An emotional and symbolic game now behind them on the NHL calendar, the Calgary Flames want to continue the kind of play at the Saddledome that once had them flirting with the division lead. B.C. Lions name former quarterback Buck Pierce as head coach The B.C. Lions have named Buck Pierce as their new head coach. Autos Jaguar reveals first concept car after controversial rebrand British luxury automaker Jaguar has revealed its Type 00 concept car, the first glimpse of a new electric vehicle following a controversial rebrand that has divided opinion. Auto sales in November up 8.8 per cent: DesRosiers DesRosiers Automotive Consultants says November auto sales were the best for the month since record-breaking sales in 2017. The best tips to prepare your car for the winter Slippery or snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and bitter cold are all conditions that can make driving difficult and even dangerous during cold weather months. CAA spoke with CTV Morning Live this week on some of the best ways you can winterize your car. Local Spotlight Alberta photographer braves frigid storms to capture the beauty of Canadian winters Most people want to stay indoors when temperatures drop to -30, but that’s the picture-perfect condition, literally, for Angela Boehm. N.S. teacher, students help families in need at Christmas for more than 25 years For more than a quarter-century, Lisa Roach's middle school students have been playing the role of Santa Claus to strangers during the holidays. N.S. girl battling rare disease surprised with Taylor Swift-themed salon day A Nova Scotia girl battling a rare disease recently had her 'Wildest Dreams' fulfilled when she was pampered with a Swiftie salon day. Winnipeg city councillor a seven-time provincial arm wrestling champ A Winnipeg city councillor doesn’t just have a strong grip on municipal politics. Watch: Noisy throng of sea lions frolic near Jericho Beach A large swarm of California sea lions have converged in the waters near Vancouver’s Jericho and Locarno beaches. Auburn Bay residents brave the cold to hold Parade of Lights It was pretty cold Saturday night, but the hearts of those in a southeast Calgary neighbourhood warmed right up during a big annual celebration. Three million grams of cereal collected to feed students in annual Cereal Box Challenge The food collected will help support 33 breakfast and snack programs in the Greater Essex County District School Board. Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening Less than a year after an LED volume wall was introduced to the film world in Saskatchewan, the equipment is making its exit from the province. Temperature records broken, tied following latest snowfall in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan received yet more snow as winter continues to ramp up on the prairies. With the increased precipitation, communities have recorded dipping temperatures – with a handful breaking or tying longstanding records. Vancouver LIVE @ 4:30 P.M. PT | Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities. Suspect arrested after stabbing sends man to hospital in Surrey, B.C. Police say one man is in custody and another is in hospital after a stabbing Wednesday morning in Surrey, B.C. Early-rising Taylor Swift fans wait for hours in Vancouver for concert gear Taylor Swift fans were up before the sun in Vancouver to snag some coveted shirts, bags and sweaters to mark her record-breaking Eras Tour. Toronto WATCH: Suspects armed with hammers hit Markham jewelry store Six suspects are in custody in connection with a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in a Markham mall that was captured on video. 5 individuals wanted for GTA murders added to Canada’s most-wanted fugitives list Five individuals being sought by police in the GTA have been added to a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives. LIVE UPDATES | Toronto under winter weather travel advisory Toronto is getting its first taste of winter weather Wednesday as a low-pressure system brings snow to the city. Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory on Tuesday night, warning of potentially hazardous driving conditions throughout the day. Calgary Former Calgary police officer wanted on Canada-wide warrant Calgary police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a former officer they say used police resources to contact women he met while on duty. Alberta cattle producers express optimism in wake of Trump's tariff threat Cattle producers in Alberta don't appear to be overly concerned by the threat of tariffs by United States president-elect Donald Trump. Calgary could consider banning retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits A Calgary committee will consider asking city officials to ban all sales of dogs, cats and rabbits in retail stores. Ottawa Protester disrupts City of Ottawa information session about Sprung structure A man wearing a t-shirt that said "No tent in Ottawa" disrupted a City of Ottawa info session about the proposed Sprung structure that is set to be built along Woodroffe Avenue near the Nepean Sportsplex. WINTER WEATHER TRAVEL ADVISORY | 10 cm of snow in the forecast, OPP urging drivers to drive safely in Ottawa and eastern Ontario Cold temperatures and snow amounting to 10 centimetres are in the forecast for Ottawa this Wednesday. A winter weather travel advisory is in effect and police are asking people to drive safely. Ottawa's chief medical officer Dr. Vera Etches to become head of CHEO Ottawa’s medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches has been appointed as the president and CEO of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Montreal Former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre owes nearly $400K to tax agencies The Canada Revenue Agency is seeking more than $260,000 from former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre in a mortgage recovery filing. Drivers zig-zagging and posting videos in white-lining trend: Quebec prosecutors A Montreal man is facing a criminal charge of dangerous driving after he allegedly posted a video of himself zig-zagging through cars. It's a trend called 'white lining.' Ex-Sutton Quebec president sentenced to 5 years in prison for ordering arson attacks on competitors The co-founder and former president of real estate company Sutton Quebec was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday to ordering a series of arson attacks on his competitors over several years. Edmonton Lucy the elephant in good health, but should remain in Edmonton: experts Lucy the elephant is in good health and able to travel – though experts recommend she stays put. Collectors believe stamp hobby will endure despite unclear future of strike-embroiled Canada Post Even with the future of Canada Post in question, given the Crown corporation's mounting financial losses and loss of business due to a strike by postal workers, stamp collectors say they feel their hobby will ride out the uncertainty. Man convicted in 2021 extremism case found guilty of possessing child sex abuse materials A Parkland County man currently in prison has been found guilty of possessing child pornography, which police found on his devices during an unrelated investigation. Atlantic Body found in burned vehicle in Pictou County identified as missing N.S. woman Nova Scotia RCMP has identified the bodies found in a burned vehicle in Pictou County last month as a missing Truro woman and a man from Alberta. A province-by-province look at what to expect from Thursday's storm An early December storm moving across northern New Brunswick Thursday will bring the Maritime provinces a mix of snow, rain, and high wind. Traffic tensions: Halifax Transit patrons and drivers frustrated by delays Halifax Transit patrons and drivers are expressing frustration about long waits and delays. Winnipeg Proposed site for Winnipeg supervised consumption site in the city's core The province’s first supervised consumption site could soon be located along the Disraeli Freeway in Winnipeg. Canadian appears in U.S. court in decades-old cold case Robert Creter made his first court appearance since his extradition to the United States from Winnipeg. He's the prime suspect in the murder of 23-year-old Tami Tignor – a cold case dating back to 1997. 'We want you to enjoy shopping': Winnipeg police stepping up presence at busy retail locations for the holidays When you are doing your holiday shopping this month, you may notice more police officers out and about at some of the biggest shopping areas in Winnipeg. Regina 'It's all about tradition': Bushwakker marking 30 years of blackberry mead The ancient art of meadmaking has become a holiday tradition for Regina's Bushwakker Brewpub, marking 30 years of its signature blackberry mead on Saturday. Sask. auditor releases findings on social services’ hotel spending An audit stemming from concerns over government practices of securing hotel rooms for those on social assistance has been released. Residents in Regina, Moose Jaw may notice changes in taste and colour of water Residents in Regina and Moose Jaw may notice some changes in their water as construction continues at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. Kitchener Waterloo Regional Police recover 52 vehicles from chop shop in North Dumfries, Ont. A chop shop in North Dumfries, Ont. has been dismantled after police found 52 stolen vehicles. Rescue of three boys from Cambridge pond prompts safety plea from officials Three 13-year-old boys fell through the ice at a Cambridge pond on Tuesday. We spoke to the Lifesaving Society of Ontario about how to stay safe on and in the water this winter. Transport Minister to summon airline CEOs as Air Canada set to charge carry-on fees for some passengers Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will be calling Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December after Air Canada says it will charge some passengers for carry-on bags in the new year. Saskatoon Saskatoon boy, 16, faces first-degree murder charge in death of woman found outside the Copper Mug A 16-year-old boy faces a first-degree murder charge in the case of a woman found dead in an 8th Street parking lot last month. Saskatchewan maintains dismal status as leader in spread of HIV, with no provincial strategy in place Advocates for Saskatchewan’s HIV-positive residents are calling for a provincial strategy to support those living with the virus, and to help stop its spread. 'Acts of aggression' increase on Saskatoon Transit, violence against drivers drop Mike Moellenbeck, director of Saskatoon Transit, said "acts of aggression" can be classified as an intent to do harm, but physical violence hasn't happened. Northern Ontario Family reeling as victim of Sudbury stabbing left paralyzed A GoFundMe has been set up to help support Josee Rouleau, the victim of a stabbing that happened in Chelmsford in Greater Sudbury on Nov. 22. Warm, wet winter expected in much of Canada, say forecasters Federal forecasters expect a warmer-than-normal start to winter in most of Canada, with more precipitation than usual in parts of the country. Transport Minister to summon airline CEOs as Air Canada set to charge carry-on fees for some passengers Transport Minister Anita Anand says she will be calling Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December after Air Canada says it will charge some passengers for carry-on bags in the new year. London Another blast of snow is expected to roll through on Thursday Environment Canada has issued a blowing snow advisory for the London region Wednesday, which is expected to be followed with more snow in the forecast on Thursday. Pedestrian struck in northeast London London police say that one person has been transported to hospital with serious injuries as the result of a collision this afternoon. Interest rate cut fuels increase in home sales: London-St. Thomas Association of Realtors “Little bit of pent-up demand. People were waiting to see the sign that the rates were going to stay stable and probably continue to go down a little bit,” said association CEO Bill Madder. Barrie Winter travel advisory issued as Muskoka braces for more snow Muskoka is in for more snow after a major dumping over the weekend that caused power outages, downed trees and road closures. 17-year-olds arrested with loaded gun, drugs in Barrie, police say Police in Barrie say two teens were arrested for having a loaded gun and drugs in their possession. Midland man accused of violent sexual assaults denied bail after 2nd arrest A Midland man accused of violent sexual assaults who was granted bail last month has been arrested again, but this time, he will remain behind bars. Windsor Rising profits or closing brick and mortar stores: the impact of the ongoing Canada Post strike Most local businesses have found alternative ways to ship their products to customers during the Canada Post Strike. Mourning the loss of dramatic arts program, UWindsor students turn grief into performing arts piece Following budget cuts resulting in no theatre company like the University Players to rely on anymore, dramatic arts students were devastated. 'Hollywood Holidays' celebrates Christmas flicks at the Chrysler Theatre St. Clair College student-performers are spreading Christmas cheer as they prep for opening night of their upcoming Hollywood Holidays production. Vancouver Island LIVE @ 4:30 P.M. PT | Downtown Vancouver stabbing suspect dead after being shot by police A suspect is dead after being shot by police in a Vancouver convenience store after two people were injured in a stabbing Wednesday morning, according to authorities. Federal minister Harjit Sajjan to attend Taylor Swift concert with taxpayer-funded ticket Harjit Sajjan, the federal minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, will be going to the Eras Tour on taxpayer dollars. Environment Canada warns fog causing near-zero visibility in southwest B.C. Environment Canada is warning travellers that dense fog is creating near-zero visibility in parts of southwestern British Columbia on Wednesday. Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Lethbridge Southern Alberta man sentenced in 2021 killing A southern Alberta man has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years, less time served, in connection with a fatal attack on Linden Grier more than three years ago. Lethbridge charities worry Canada Post strike is impacting donations The Canada Post strike has come at a difficult time of year for most Canadians, but for Lethbridge charities it's the worst-case scenario. Residents debate Grassy Mountain coal mining project applications at public hearing Residents in favour and against coal mining in the Eastern Slopes had the chance to have their voices heard as a public hearing for three applications by Northback got underway in Pincher Creek Tuesday. Sault Ste. Marie New addition to the CTV Northern Ontario family The CTV Northern Ontario family got a little bigger Tuesday when longtime anchor Marina Moore and her husband welcomed their second baby into the world. Some Ontario food banks are making cuts, Timmins is not A new report from Feed Ontario indicates food banks in the province have reduced the amount of food they provide, but the situation is not as bleak in Timmins. Northern Ont. MPP calls for increased winter training for truckers A Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) from northern Ontario presented a bill at Queen’s Park calling for increased winter driving training for truckers. N.L. 'They're sitting ducks:' More women with disabilities unhoused due to abuse, violence New data show women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse. GivingTuesday: Food banks need help, but charity won't end hunger, advocates say It's GivingTuesday, and some directors of food banks and anti-poverty groups say the day underlines a conundrum for their organizations. N.L. man not guilty of sex charges, judge cites inadequate police investigation A Newfoundland and Labrador judge has acquitted a man of six crimes, including sexual assault and sexual interference, citing inadequacies in the investigation by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. Stay ConnectedIs this London’s best restaurant? Sneaky locals want tourists to think soUS President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter for gun and tax evasion convictions, which raised questions about America’s standing in the world. A father with the power to keep his son out of jail – who wouldn’t use it? So it’s no shock that United States President Joe Biden did just that. On Dec 2, he pardoned his son , Hunter, for gun and tax evasion convictions. He was fully aware of the political firestorm it would ignite – and went ahead anyway. Already a subscriber? 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HOUSTON , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Essency, a leading provider of innovative hot water solutions, has announced the continuing rollout of its revolutionary EXR water heater, which is now available in 18 states as well as the District of Columbia . The Essency EXR, the world's first high-capacity electric water heater, brings homeowners a new level of durability and simplicity. Its cutting-edge technology employs intelligent temperature management and quick recovery to deliver an 80-gallon First Hour Rating in a standard-size residential tank footprint. And, the innovative design of the EXR makes it the perfect choice for households of all sizes. Unlike traditional storage tank water heaters, which typically last only an average of eight years, the Essency EXR is built to serve fresh, clean, hot water for over 30 years, providing unmatched durability and performance. Following its success in Arizona , Colorado , Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , Tennessee , and Texas , the product's distribution has expanded to Alabama , Delaware , Kentucky , Louisiana , Maryland , Mississippi , Nevada , New Mexico , Virginia , West Virginia , and the District of Columbia . "With the positive reception from contractors who tell us that installing an EXR is practically 'plug and play,' we are excited to continue expanding our distribution of this product," says Scott Isaksen , National Sales Director for Essency. "Plumbers praise the ease of installation and customer satisfaction, thanks to the product's reliable performance and 20-year transferrable warranty. We're excited for more U.S. homeowners to experience the benefits of the EXR." Whether as a direct replacement for a standard tank water heater, for new-build installations or wherever a new residential water heater is required, the EXR seamlessly integrates into any setting. Its elegant cabinet-type shape sets it apart, making it the most functional and most beautiful home water heater on the market today. Plumbers also appreciate its light weight and built-in handles, which make it much easier to maneuver than a standard tank heater. New owners of the Essency EXR have noted how happy they were about the simplicity of installation without a lot of home reconstruction. They're finally able to have all the hot water their family needs throughout their home whenever they need it while also saving real dollars with features like "Water Saver" and "Vacation Mode." About Essency Founded in 2010, Essency is committed to reimagining the hot water industry. The Essency EXR is the winner of the prestigious 2023 Edison Award in the category of Consumer Solutions- Sustainable Design. For more information about Essency and the EXR, visit www.essencyhome.com . Essency water heaters are available for installation by professional, factory-trained plumbing contractors in 18 U.S. States and the District of Columbia . Ferguson is the exclusive U.S. distributor to the plumbing wholesale trade for Essency water heaters. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-worlds-first-high-capacity-electric-water-heater-the-essency-exr-now-available-in-eighteen-us-states-302329402.html SOURCE EssencyUnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York

The Duckhorn Portfolio Announces Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Financial ResultsMOORPARK, Calif. , Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennel Connection, a leading family-owned software provider for pet care professionals, and its parent company, 100GROUP, are proud to celebrate Giving Tuesday by donating $5,000 to RedRover, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing animals in crisis and strengthening the human-animal bond. This year, RedRover offered a Giving Tuesday matching opportunity, doubling Kennel Connection's donation to $10,000 . This gift will directly aid RedRover's mission to bring thousands of animals from crisis to care each year, providing aid during veterinary emergencies, natural disasters, cases of cruelty or neglect, and domestic violence situations. At its core, Kennel Connection has always focused on fostering connections—not only between businesses and their clients but also between people and their pets. Since its founding more than 30 years ago, Kennel Connection has been committed to creating cutting-edge software solutions that empower pet care professionals to run their businesses more efficiently. With standout features like Text-to-Pay, a redesigned dashboard and custom menus feature, and advanced online booking, Kennel Connection continues to set the standard for innovation in pet care management. RedRover has also been making an impact for over 30 years, providing critical services such as disaster relief, emergency sheltering, and financial assistance for pet owners during crises. A single $25 donation can cover one night of boarding for a pet in need, while $100 can provide emergency veterinary care for an injured animal. Thanks to the $10,000 impact of Kennel Connection's contribution, RedRover can fund countless nights of safe shelter and deliver much-needed relief for pets and their families during their most vulnerable moments. "At Kennel Connection, our passion for pets extends beyond the software solutions we offer," said Jeff Brodsly , CEO and owner of Kennel Connection and 100GROUP. "By supporting organizations like RedRover, we're able to contribute directly to the well-being of animals in need and the people who love them. Giving Tuesday is a reminder of the power of community, and we're honored to join this global movement for good." Philanthropy is deeply ingrained in the culture at 100GROUP and Kennel Connection, continuing a legacy of giving that has been a cornerstone of every company Jeff Brodsly has owned throughout his career. From supporting industry advocacy organizations like the North Carolina Pet Boarders Association and the California Professional Pet Groomers Association to providing meals for families in need and sponsoring local youth programs, both companies consistently demonstrate their dedication to supporting professionals in the pet care industry and contributing to meaningful causes. This commitment has earned them repeated recognition, most recently with 100GROUP and CEO Jeff Brodsly being named Mid-Sized Business of the Year and Man of the Year, respectively, by the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce—further underscoring their role as a force for positive change. "As a company, we aim to make a tangible difference," Brodsly added. "Whether through empowering businesses, advocating for professionals, or supporting causes like animal welfare, we're focused on actions that have a lasting impact. Contributing to RedRover's vital mission is another way we're putting our values into practice." About Kennel Connection Kennel Connection is a leading provider of innovative software solutions for pet care businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of management tools designed to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. With a focus on empowering pet care professionals, Kennel Connection's feature-rich platform encompasses reservation management, client communication, billing, and reporting, alongside innovative features such as Text-To-Pay, digital contracts, advanced online booking, and integrated credit card processing—all aimed at driving efficiency and organization in day-to-day operations. Kennel Connection leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver tailored solutions that cater to the unique needs of pet care providers nationwide. For more information, please visit https://kennelconnection.com About RedRover For over 30 years, RedRover has been a champion for animals, offering lifesaving services that include disaster relief, emergency sheltering, and education programs that strengthen the human-animal bond. Their innovative approach helps animals escape crisis situations and empowers pet owners with resources to overcome challenges. For more information, please visit https://redrover.org/ SOURCE 100GROUP

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim hailed Arsenal as one of the best set-piece teams he has ever faced following the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal. The Gunners took two points out of Liverpool’s lead at the summit of the Premier League after Jurrien Timber and William Saliba struck in the second half – both from corners – to condemn Amorim to his first defeat as United boss. The hosts’ second-half strikes took their goals-from-corners tally to 22 since the start of last season – a statistic that is unmatched by any other team in the division. Asked if Arsenal are one of the best teams he has come up against on corners, Amorim replied: “If you follow the Premier League for a long time you can see that. “They are also big players and you see every occasion when (Gabriel) Martinelli and (Bukayo) Saka have one-on-ones, a lot of times they go outside and they cross, and they know that if the cross goes well, they can score, and if it is a corner they can score, too, so we have to be better on that. “You have seen in all Arsenal games that every team have had problems with that (corners). And the difference today was the set-pieces. “You see a goal and then the momentum changed, and it is really hard for us to take the full control of the game after that.” Timber leaned into Rasmus Hojlund at the front post before diverting Declan Rice’s set-piece into the back of Andre Onana’s net after 54 minutes to send Arsenal into the lead. Thomas Partey’s header from Saka’s corner then deflected in off Saliba’s shoulder with 17 minutes left. Arteta and the club’s set-piece guru Nicolas Jover embraced on the touchline as Amorim was left with his head in his hands. The Arsenal supporters cheered raucously every time they won a corner – landing 13 in all without reply. However, Arteta moved to play down the significance of Arsenal’s set-piece threat. “We need that, but we want to be very dangerous and very effective from every angle and every phase of play,” said Arteta. “Today we could have scored from open play like we did against West Ham and Sporting. Last year we scored the most goals in the history of this football club. Arsenal have won four consecutive Premier League matches against Man Utd for the first time ever! 💫 pic.twitter.com/biv1kvsJEP — Premier League (@premierleague) December 4, 2024 “Not because of only set-pieces, but because of a lot of things that we have. We want to create individual and magic moments, too.” Arsenal’s win against United – the first time they have recorded four victories in a row against the Red Devils in the league – was their fourth in succession since the international break. They will head to Fulham on Sunday bidding to keep the momentum going. Arteta continued: “The will to win is there. We try our best to do that. We won four in a row, but it doesn’t matter. We have to go to Fulham now, try to be better than them and try win the game. “It’s every three days that we play. It’s a crazy schedule. We’re going to need everybody and to mentally be very strong.” We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.James, Quigley and Hayes combine for 59 points as No. 20 NC State women beat Coastal Carolina 89-68Caprock Group LLC Purchases 8,891 Shares of Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (NYSEARCA:DFEM)

NoneSUNLU Formnext 2024 Event Highlights: From Functional Filaments to FilaDryer E2Prospera Financial Services Inc lessened its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF ( NYSEARCA:HEZU – Free Report ) by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,724 shares of the company’s stock after selling 34,827 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc owned approximately 0.14% of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF worth $615,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Evolution Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF during the second quarter valued at $7,258,000. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF in the second quarter worth about $697,000. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF by 163.9% in the second quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 18,212 shares of the company’s stock worth $661,000 after acquiring an additional 11,312 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC acquired a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF in the second quarter worth about $6,567,000. Finally, Barings LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF by 24.1% in the second quarter. Barings LLC now owns 272,761 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,896,000 after purchasing an additional 53,056 shares during the last quarter. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF Stock Up 0.7 % Shares of NYSEARCA:HEZU opened at $35.53 on Friday. iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF has a 52-week low of $31.98 and a 52-week high of $37.81. The stock has a market cap of $421.03 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.44 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $36.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $36.12. About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Eurozone ETF (HEZU) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a cap-weighted index of large- and mid-cap securities from the eurozone, while hedging out its exposure to the euro currency relative to the US dollar. HEZU was launched on Jul 10, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EMU ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that former Sen. David Perdue , R-Ga., had agreed to be nominated to be the next U.S. ambassador to China . “As a Fortune 500 CEO, who had a 40-year International business career, and served in the U.S. Senate, David brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform , noting that Perdue has lived in Singapore and Hong Kong and spent much of his career working in China and elsewhere in Asia. “He will be instrumental in implementing my strategy to maintain Peace in the region, and a productive working relationship with China’s leaders,” Trump said. Perdue's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. The bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China, the world’s two largest economies, is often described as the most important in the world. Ties reached their lowest point in decades in recent years, but both President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been taking steps to improve them despite continuing disputes over trade, technology, human rights and the status of Beijing-claimed Taiwan. Trump, who takes office in January, started a trade war with China during his first term as president and has vowed to impose tariffs of 60% or more on all Chinese goods imported in his next one. Last week, he said he would impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods unless Beijing does more to stop the international flow of precursor chemicals for fentanyl. Perdue, who visited China as part of a congressional delegation in 2018, said in a Fox News commentary written with other senators after the trip that the U.S. needs to “wake up and do a better job competing with China.” “America’s outdated view of China could result in lost opportunities, or even worse, dangerous miscalculations or complacency,” the senators wrote. “We must have a long-term plan to compete and deal with China’s rising economic and geopolitical influence.” Perdue, 74, a former management consultant, was a Republican senator from Georgia from 2015 to 2021. He served on the Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees. He lost to Democrat Jon Ossoff in a runoff after the 2020 general election. In 2022, he ran for governor after Trump recruited him to challenge Republican Gov. Brian Kemp , who refused to help Trump overturn Georgia’s election results in 2020, when the state voted for Biden. Perdue lost to Kemp in the Republican primary by more than 50 percentage points. “David has been a loyal supporter and friend, and I look forward to working with him in his new role!” Trump said Thursday. Before he entered the Senate, Perdue had a long corporate career, including as president and CEO of Reebok and CEO of Dollar General and the North Carolina textile company PillowTex. The current U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns , told NBC News in October that U.S.-China competition would continue “into the next decade.” “It’s a very challenging relationship,” he said. “But it’s without any question the most consequential relationship that we Americans have with any other country.” Xi told Biden last month that he would work with the Trump administration and that “China’s goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged.” This article first appeared on NBCNews.com . Read more from NBC News here:

las vegas circus circus The first reactions to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are in, and it sounds like the third entry in the series ups the ante for the blue blur in a major way. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is directed by Jeff Fowler and stars Ben Schwartz as the titular hedgehog. The cast also features Colleen O'Shaughnessey as Tails, Idris Elba as Knuckles, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow. Actors appearing in live action roles include James Marsden as Tom Wachowski, Tika Sumpter as Maddie Wachowski, and Jim Carrey in a dual role as both Dr. Robotnik and his grandfather Gerald. "sonic 3 rules. it’s the closest Hollywood has made to a dragon ball movie. there was plenty for a longtime fan to clap and cheer for, which i did in a mostly empty theater, and outside of a few expected cringe jokes, this was a hilarious story," Washington Post's Gene Park writes on Twitter. "#SonicMovie3 begs the question: What if Ben Schwartz made me cry as a blue guy who has to go fast? Just as action-packed and as fun as the first two films, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 really ups the anti and reminds us why we love these movies. Go TEAM SONIC!" says Rachel Leishman of The Mary Sue. "It’s not often that each movie gets better in a trilogy, but #SonicMovie3 is the best of the bunch. There’s action-packed goofiness a plenty thanks to Jim Carrey pulling double duty, but what I didn’t expect was a surprisingly moving performance from Keanu Reeves and a third act that might make Sonic fans a little weepy-eyed. Also - there are two big post credits scenes so AVOID SPOILERS. It’s clear [Fowler] and crew have a great affinity for the Blue Blur and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon," according to Chris Killian of ComicBook.com. "I’ve seen Sonic 3 and I was surprised that my favorite emotional arc was actually with Dr. Robotnik (!!) The cast is as wonderful and goofy as ever and I teared up when I heard [SPOILER]. Also, you are NOT prepared for the mid-credits scene," Jeffrey Vega of IGN says. "Surprising no one... #SonicMovie3 is the best Sonic yet! It's also the best video game adaptation to date. With electrifying action, truly touching moments, and Jim Carrey doing what he does best, Sonic 3 marks a wonderfully chaotic end to the year. What an utter blast!" says James Lister of Get Your Comic On. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 hits theaters on December 20 in the US and December 21 in the UK. For now, check out our guides to all the movie release dates and upcoming video game movies you need to know about.GameStop Q3 Earnings: Revenue Miss, $4B+ Cash, No More Offerings Planned In Fiscal YearNone

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the service launch of Iridium Certus® GMDSS, a generational advancement in maritime satellite communication safety services. Iridium Certus GMDSS, the only truly global GMDSS service available, features distress alert, safety voice, and Maritime Safety Information (MSI); includes additional regulated services like Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) and Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), and provides the fastest weather-resilient broadband service available for conducting ships’ business when other systems are blocked or unavailable. This combination of capabilities creates a cost-efficient and performance advantage unmatched in the industry, making Iridium Certus GMDSS the ideal critical connectivity service needed for any ship’s hybrid network system. By adding Iridium GMDSS to the already powerful capabilities of Iridium Certus, mariners can now take advantage of the most robust communication and safety maritime solution on the market. Iridium Certus terminals now deliver GMDSS, LRIT, and SSAS capabilities through a single, versatile, and reliable antenna, giving fleets the ability to cut data costs and streamline their installed bridge unit equipment. Currently, the Lars Thrane LT-4200S has received its Marine Equipment Directive (MED) wheelmark, a critical certification milestone, and is available to the market, while other industry-leading equipment manufacturers such as Cobham Satcom, Intellian, and Thales are expected to introduce a combination of Iridium Certus 700 and 200 GMDSS solutions over the forthcoming months. As the only satellite GMDSS safety solution made available to every part of the world’s oceans, Iridium Certus GMDSS also provides both broadband and midband voice and data services, allowing mariners to tailor their communication needs to their specific situation. “We’re incredibly excited to provide mariners a ready-to-implement service that not only meets industry standards of required safety equipment, but streamlines their overall communications onboard,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “As the maritime industry constantly experiences new challenges and desires new advancements in technology, Iridium will continue to develop dependable and robust solutions for the seafarer. With over 25 years of providing life-saving services, we’re proud to have a solution such as Iridium Certus GMDSS be on the forefront of that continuous innovation.” SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) class vessels are required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to install GMDSS equipment on board. If a vessel experiences a distress situation, by simply pushing the red DISTRESS button on an Iridium GMDSS terminal, a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) is automatically alerted of the vessel’s position, information and emergency. Within 30 seconds of receiving the distress call, the terminal automatically calls the RCC using Iridium Safety Voice, allowing crew to give swift and precise information to the RCC on their situation. The combination of GMDSS, LRIT and SSAS with companion services for Ku and Ka-band broadband systems into a single terminal delivers unprecedented safety and cost savings for a vessel’s hybrid communications system. Source: Iridium Communications Inc.

The inquest jury has made a series of recommendations for the improved supervision and care of vulnerable young people after recording a verdict of suicide in Shane O’Connor’s death. Sinead O'Connor with her son Shane. The son of Sinéad O’Connor found his imminent 18th birthday a “very daunting experience” as he would no longer have access to specialist health and welfare services for young people, an inquest into his death at age 17 heard. The inquest jury has made a series of recommendations for the improved supervision and care of vulnerable young people after recording a verdict of suicide in Shane O’Connor’s death. His body was found in a secluded area at the back of a housing estate outside Bray, Co Wicklow on January 7, 2022 less than 24 hours after he was reported missing from Tallaght University Hospital at a time when he was supposed to be under supervised 24/7 one-to-one care. A sitting of Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard the teenager had been brought to TUH’s emergency department by his mother on December 29, 2021 after a drug overdose in what was believed to be an attempted suicide. The inquest heard staff were not available to provide the 24/7 supervision prescribed by the hospital’s doctors. Evidence at the time was that he had absconded from TUH on the morning of January 6, 2022. A senior social worker with Tusla, Joyce Connolly, told the second day of the inquest on Tuesday that Shane and his mother had a “complex and turbulent” relationship but were also very close and “in some way dependent on each other throughout their lives.” Ms Connolly said the singer hoped to resume full-time care of her son and there were ongoing discussions to see if that might be possible. Ms O’Connor, who formally identified her son’s body to gardaí, died suddenly herself from natural causes just 18 months later in London. The inquest heard Shane had been under the care of Tusla since 2015 and had been fostered by his half-brother, Jake Reynolds – the late singer’s eldest child – and his partner, Lia Petcu, between July 2016 and May 2018 before being placed in residential care facilities. Asked about rules on what Shane could do when he had chosen not to engage in education, Ms Connolly said a “delicate balance” had to be struck but they had power to stop him leaving to do what he wished. Ms Connolly said a committee sat on January 4, 2022 to consider applying for a special care order for Shane – which would have given Tusla power to deprive the teenager of his liberty – but deferred a decision as it did not have a report from the HSE’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). However, Ms Connolly said she believed Shane’s needs were more “of a mental health nature.” She said the teenager would have been actively encouraged to attend addiction treatment services but it was “an unfortunate factor” that he did not want to stop consuming cannabis. Ms Connolly noted that he had indicated that his life was better when he was using the drug. However, she said childcare authorities also had no powers to prevent him accessing such substances. Asked about possible improvements that could be made, she recommended “greater work on relationship-building” between the various State agencies involved in the care of young people. Aoife Scanlon, a manager of the New Beginnings residential care centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare where Shane had lived since March 2019, said he had settled in well to the facility for the first year. However, the inquest heard the teenager seemed to deteriorate from July 2021, although Ms Scanlon said she could identify no particular trigger for it. New Beginnings later informed Tusla that it no longer felt it could provide safe accommodation for Shane because of his complex mental health needs. Ms Scanlon said they had continued to support him by providing staff to assist TUH and Shane’s father, Donal Lunny – a leading folk musician – with 24/7 supervision of Shane after his admission to the hospital. The inquest heard New Beginnings stopped assisting with such supervision under Covid-19 guidelines after Shane was deemed a close contact when Mr Lunny tested positive for the virus on January 4, 2022. Ms Scanlon fought back tears as she recalled Shane as “a lovely, lovely lad.” “He struggled with being in care for a good while but he knew he needed a level of support,” she added. Ms Scanlon also remarked: “He was so intelligent, so smart. He knew he could make it in life and would have spoken to that.” The inquest heard that Shane spent his days in Dublin city centre and Bray and would get lifts from Newbridge. Ms Scanlon said the reality of the situation was that New Beginnings operated “an open unit” and the teenager could not be physically stopped from going out. She believed that he spent a lot of time with his then girlfriend in Bray. However, Ms Petcu expressed concern over how Shane could be allowed “out all day” at the age of 15 to do whatever he wanted. “What adult would let a child do that,” she remarked. There was an emotional exchange during the proceedings between several members of Shane’s family including Ms O’Connor’s father, Seán, and her daughter, Róisín Waters, which arose after a juror had raised a question about the teenager’s access to cannabis. The coroner, Cróna Gallagher, observed that it was a “very difficult situation.” Ms Waters left the hearing a short time later appearing visibly upset and did not return. At another stage, Mr O’Connor described how his daughter and Shane were “very close.” “They loved each other madly,” he observed. Mr O’Connor outlined how the singer was also suffering mental health issues around the same time of her son’s death. “She was not in a position to do more than she did, which was a lot,” he added. A psychiatrist who had treated Shane at the Linn Dara in-patient psychiatric unit at Cherry Orchard Hospital in Ballyfermot, Dublin, Tara Rudd, said the teenager’s substance misuse had caused his mental health problems. Although his condition always improved following detoxification, Dr Rudd said Shane never contemplated giving up his use of cannabis. She said Shane had not engaged with therapeutic services at Linn Dara because he was unable to. Dr Rudd spoke fondly of how they had argued a lot but he would always come back to apologise and joke that he would not invite her to his housewarming. “Spending time with his family and getting his own place was all he wanted,” Dr Rudd recalled. She added: “I’m saddened for his family and this young man that he didn’t live the life he deserved to live,” she added. The inquest heard that CAMHS had requested that Shane be kept at Linn Dara for the final three months before reaching his 18th birthday. However, Dr Rudd said it was not warranted as he had no active mental health illness at the time and it would have been “unfair.” She told the coroner that she believed the development of a specialist young adult mental health service to assist those aged 16-25 years to transition from CAMHS to adult mental services would be useful. A jury of six men and two women made a series of recommendations including that all HSE hospitals should have clear protocols for the close supervision of vulnerable patients, particularly children. They also called for a review of protocols for reporting missing people to ensure that gardaí would accept such reports from family members, Tusla and medical staff. Evidence was heard that gardaí in Tallaght would not accept a report that Shane was missing from TUH staff and stated it had to be made by Tusla. Closing the inquest, Dr Gallagher said the hearing had involved “very complex evidence” which was also “very arduous and harrowing” but expressed hope it had been of some value to his family. The coroner acknowledged that Shane had suffered in his short life but that he had hoped as he matured that he could “move through this time of crisis.” She said she could only imagine the shock of his death to his family, noting that he would have celebrated his 21st birthday next March. If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, contact the Samaritans on 116 123; Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or text HELLO to 50808, a free 24/7 text support service for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis.Satisfying Shine Debuts Commercial Litter and Debris Pickup Services in Lebanon, OH 12-10-2024 10:52 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire Lebanon OH - Satisfying Shine, [ https://www.satisfyingshine.com/ ] a locally owned and operated exterior cleaning business, is introducing a new commercial litter and debris pickup service [ https://www.satisfyingshine.com/commercial-litter-and-debris-pickup/ ] to assist the needs of property owners in Lebanon, OH and other nearby locations. It can prove to be frustrating when garbage collects on a property; with this new service, clients can reach out to Satisfying Shine for the prompt removal of all waste items. This allows property owners to focus on their other responsibilities instead of spending time focusing on garbage disposal. The company provides more information below. Construction Debris Pickup For Builders and Renovators A construction, renovation, or remodeling project can result in many different byproducts. Drywall has to be cut to size, resulting in drywall scraps. Wooden beams are in a similar position. Other forms of construction debris that can accumulate on a job site include bricks, cinder blocks, zip ties, insulation, glass shards, packaging waste, and sawdust. Collecting all this scattered trash can add a considerable amount of time to construction projects, which is why commercial litter and debris pickup can be convenient. Scheduling service with Satisfying Shine allows local contractors to focus on their tasks without having to stop to deal with garbage collection and disposal. Bulk Trash Collection For Business Owners Anyone who owns a business understands the concept of a "truck day". When a shipment arrives, employees go through the process of unpacking all the delivered products. Then, all the boxes, bins, and other examples of packaging waste have to be disposed of. Satisfying Shine alleviates the frustration of a "truck day" with bulk trash collection services. The company is delighted to collect any waste and take it to an appropriate disposal facility. Satisfying Shine is also happy to help with other forms of bulk trash at businesses. For example, the company can remove and dispose of broken appliances, pieces of furniture, expired merchandise, and bagged garbage. General Litter Collection at Commercial Properties An unfortunate part of maintaining a commercial property is the chance of litter being scattered across the area. The more popular the property is with the general public, the more likely these messes are to happen. Perhaps the best examples are the parking lots of supermarkets and shopping centers. Anyone can recall a time when they visited these places only to see abandoned drink containers, plastic bags, and other trash strewn about. The team at Satisfying Shine can pick up and dispose of this waste. This helps improve the property's appearance and makes the space more inviting to customers. About Satisfying Shine Satisfying Shine proudly offers commercial litter and debris cleanup in the Lebanon, OH [ https://maps.app.goo.gl/Me3Qq5k4h26f1tya9 ] area. In addition to this, the company provides a wide range of pressure washing services. Satisfying Shine's end goal is to visually transform residential and commercial properties so that they can be more appealing to their owners as well as anyone who happens to pass by. For more information about Satisfying Shine, visit their website [ https://www.satisfyingshine.com/ ] or call (618) 806-2207. Media Contact Company Name: Satisfying Shine Contact Person: Sam Summerlin Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=satisfying-shine-debuts-commercial-litter-and-debris-pickup-services-in-lebanon-oh ] Phone: (618) 806-2207 City: Lebanon State: Ohio Country: United States Website: https://www.satisfyingshine.com/ This release was published on openPR.

WASHINGTON — FBI Director Christopher Wray told the bureau workforce Wednesday he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would step down “after weeks of careful thought,” three years short of the completion of a 10-year term marked by high-profile and politically charged investigations, including that those led to two separate indictments of Trump last year. Wray’s intended resignation is not unexpected considering that Trump settled on Patel to be director and repeatedly aired his ire at Wray. By stepping down rather than waiting to be fired, Wray is trying to avert a collision with the new Trump administration that he said would have further entangled the FBI “deeper into the fray.” Wray was put in the job by Trump and began the 10-year term — a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations — in 2017, after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Hyderabad: Members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC) on Sunday, December 29, alleged that they received threat calls for attacking actor Allu Arjun’s house in Hyderabad over the stampede during Pushpa 2: The Rise premier at the Sandhya Theater. Following the threat calls, members of the JAC approached the Hyderabad police and filed a complaint. A JAC member in a video statement said, “Since being released on bail, we’ve received several calls asking how dare we attacked Allu Arjun’s House. We have filed a complaint against all those who threatened us.” Defending the attack on Allu Arjun’s house the OU JAC said that the actor needs to realise that he is not above law, adding that the attack was carried out in response to “injustice” done to a boy who fell unconscious due to the stampede during the premier of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theater at RTC X roads on December 4. “When 15 people came and ransacked your house, you were rattled. Imagine when 30 lakh students from universities across Telangana come to your house,” said the man, threatening the actor of protests. The man further said that the OU JAC is not backed by any political party. “We on behalf of students urge you to stay humble and ask your fans not to threaten us,” he concluded. Earlier, the Jubilee Hills police had arrested six persons when they staged a protest and damaged flower pots at the house of the actor on Sunday, December 22. All of them were later released on bail by the court. A group of miscreants attacked Allu Arjun’s residence on December 22. The group reportedly associated with the OU JAC created chaos while raising slogans demanding justice for Revathi’s family. They also intercepted Allu Arjun’s staff while continuing to throw tomatoes at the residence. Unverified reports suggest that stones were also thrown during the attack, damaging flower pots. Man accused of attacking Allu Arjun's house over #Puspa2TheRule stampede threatens to repeat the offence , this time with a larger group. #Hyderabad @TheSiasatDaily #AlluAjun @alluarjun pic.twitter.com/YJiArIb76W

Amber Heard has claimed social media spreads lies more quickly than it does the truth, in the wake of Blake Lively’s complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. US actress Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, hostile work environment and embarking on a “multi-tiered plan” to damage her reputation with claims of a targeted social media campaign. The legal complaint states that Baldoni, 40, hired crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, the same publicist who actor Johnny Depp is said to have hired during his high-profile defamation trial against Heard in 2022. In a statement given to NBC News, Aquaman star Heard said: “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying, a lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on. “I saw this first-hand and up close. “It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.” Depp successfully sued ex-wife Heard over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser. At the time, Heard said the jury’s verdict “sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated”. Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Baldoni and the other named defendants, said Lively’s claims were “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious”, adding that the studio “made the decision to proactively hire a crisis manager prior to the marketing campaign of the film”. It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, is about a woman’s pursuit of a loving and healthy relationship, with Lively playing lead character Lily Bloom and Baldoni as her love interest Ryle Kincaid amid a backdrop of domestic violence. After the legal action was filed, Hoover appeared to voice support for 37-year-old Lively, writing on her Instagram stories: “@blakelively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. “Never change. Never wilt.” Hoover posted a link to a New York Times article titled We Can Bury Anyone: Inside A Hollywood Smear Machine. Lively’s former cast members from the 2005 film The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, also released a joint social media statement to defend their long-time friend. “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the statement said. “Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.” They added: “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment,” the statement continues. “We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”Elisabeth Borne, only the second woman to serve as French prime minister, is making a surprise return to frontline politics as education minister less than a year after losing a job that she never wished to relinquish. An experienced technocrat known for her resilience who pushed through a controversial pensions overhaul while in office, Borne served as premier from May 2022 to January 2024. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Vernon drug trafficker linked to heroin shipment hidden in lamps out on day paroleAP Trending SummaryBrief at 11:43 p.m. ESTLouisiana Tech 65, Richmond 62Who is Tony Buzbee, the lawyer taking on Diddy and Jay-Z?

DOJ secretly seized phone records of Trump’s FBI pick Kash Patel: ReportThe Sultanate of Oman, represented by Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and the State of Palestine, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Sunday to strengthen cooperation in the fields of telecommunications and information technology. The agreement also aims to facilitate exchange of experiences and expertise in the digital economy. The MoU was signed by H E Saeed Hamood al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of Oman, and Dr Abdul Razzaq al Natsheh, Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of Palestine. H E Mawali informed that the agreement focuses on advancing the digital economy, with particular emphasis on areas such as digital government, cybersecurity, workforce training, and support for startups. He added that the MoU will facilitate business development and improve services in both countries. Some of the objectives outlined in the MoU are set to be implemented by the first quarter of 2025, including hosting Palestinian startups in Oman. Additionally, rapid progress is expected in the exchange of cybersecurity expertise with tangible results anticipated by 2025.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Garnet Hathaway went out for morning skate on Tuesday and looked skyward to the rafters of Nationwide Arena. The Philadelphia Flyers forward found the white banner with the blue trim and the name Johnny Gaudreau in the heavens of the building. It is a permanent tribute to the South Jersey native who should have been squaring up against his former Calgary Flames teammate on the ice below when the Flyers played the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. But on Aug. 29, on the eve of what was scheduled to be his younger sister’s wedding, while on an evening bike ride in Oldmans Township in Salem County, Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver. Johnny left behind two young children; his wife Meredith, and Matthew’s wife Madeline, are each pregnant. “Yeah, there’s a lot of emotions. And I think even more so for his family, for guys that I know that knew him really well, really personally, were really close with him, and my heart just goes out to them,” Hathaway said. “You watch the tributes in Calgary and here, and the banner night, and John and Matthew’s family being there, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wrap my head around it, especially what they’re going through and have been through. So you can just try and continue to support them, and those that were really close with him.” Hathaway and Gaudreau first played together for the Flames in September 2014 at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia. Each had made their pro debuts the previous spring — Gaudreau played one NHL game and Hathaway played a handful with Abbotsford of the American Hockey League — after they turned pro. Hathaway had wrapped up a four-year career at Brown University and Gaudreau suited up for three season at Boston College. Gaudreau, a native of Salem County who starred for the Little Flyers as a youth, wore No. 13 at Boston College and the banner above the ice he should be skating on today features the number too. Walking around the arena he called home for two seasons, his college jersey, and the one worn by his brother Matthew — the two were teammates at BC — are part of a memorial on the arena’s main concourse. Gaudreau wore No. 13 in Calgary too, when in his second full season the Flames called up Hathaway for his NHL debut in February of 2016. Sean Monahan, who signed with Columbus in the offseason to play with his friend Gaudreau, was in his third season in Alberta at the time. “I played with Sean for a few years as well and I know how close those two were together, and their families too,” Hathaway said. “I think that being more removed from it and seeing the relationships that they had, I think it just highlights how important those relationships can be in your life and in hockey, but even more so outside of the rink.” But it is on the rink where he became a star. Gaudreau, a seven-time All-Star who racked up 743 points in 763 NHL games, first plied his trade at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell and later played for Gloucester Catholic High School. He was taught how to skate and play the game he’d later dominate — in spite of his diminutive. 5-foot-9, 163-pound frame — by his father Guy. The ice is where, in late September, Guy Gaudreau found some solace. Guy, sporting a Flyers tracksuit, a maroon Frozen Four shirt — the color of Boston College, — and the same blue and red Warrior gloves with the name “Gaudreau” stitched on the cuff that Johnny wore with the Blue Jackets, helped coach the Flyers on the invitation of coach John Tortorella. Guy, who has an open invite from Tortorella, has appeared at multiple practices in Voorhees this season. “It was amazing to have him out on the ice with us and it’s a testament to Torts, our coaching staff, our organization to reach out,” said Hathway who knew Guy from the Flames’ Fathers Trips. “Being in this area, now coming back and playing around Philly you begin to more realize how big of an involvement the Gaudreau family has in that area. It’s all of New Jersey, that whole Philly area, it’s really special. Hockey’s a special sport but those relationships, those bonds, that community outreach, I think, is really just amazing.” It was in the community that Joel Farabee first got to know Gaudreau. He went to dinner with the Flames star and Kevin Hayes, when Hayes was with the Flyers, and met him playing at the hockey tournament, Checking for Charity, in South Jersey. The corporation has hosted hockey tournaments across multiple skill levels including pro since 2009 and has raised over $400,000 for charity since its inception. Farabee then skated with Gaudreau for USA Hockey this past May at the World Championships in Czechia. “I didn’t see the banner, but I saw the picture when we walked into the rink,” Farabee said. “I think Columbus and Calgary have done a great job of just keeping his name around and the things they’ve done for his family and things like that are awesome.” Later Tuesday, fans will walk into Nationwide Arena under a large mural showcasing captain Boone Jenner, Damon Severson, Zach Werenski, and Gaudreau, who is memorialized with his name and the years 1993-2024 under it. In August and September, the entrance was filled with countless sticks, jerseys, bags of Skittles, and bottles of purple Gatorade as fans mourned Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Gaudreau’s name is still on his stall between Monahan and Sean Kuraly in the Blue Jackets locker room. As you look around the brightly lit room, each stall has a picture above it with the player. Gaudreau’s is after he scored a goal, surrounded by four teammates and Jenner patting him on the head. There is still a spot for his sticks among his teammates. “Just being able to be his teammate for a month during the summer was something I’ll remember forever,” Farabee said. “His family’s great people, and we miss him every day, for sure. But I think the legacy he’s left is a really good one. And I hope that the NHL, and all the teams involved will continue to keep his name and his legacy around.” ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.McDonald’s Australia and Netflix have brought the Dalgona Candy Challenge to life with the Squid Game Meal, only in Australia in anticipation of Squid Game 2 . Developed by OMD and Akcelo, the Dalgona Candy Challenge and ‘Dare to Play’ campaign taps into the global popularity of Squid Game, giving fans the chance to engage in an interactive version of one of the show’s most iconic and viral challenges, with exciting prizes to be won. “Squid Game is Netflix’s most-watched show, and we’re thrilled to bring this cultural phenomenon to life at Macca’s,” Amanda Nakad , marketing director for McDonald’s Australia, said. “This collaboration gives our customers and fans the unique opportunity to step into the game and experience it like never before.” The exclusive Squid Game Meal includes a QR code that grants access to the game, where players race against time to complete the Dalgona Candy Challenge. In a unique Australian twist, McDonald’s has replaced the umbrella candy shape with a more challenging Golden Arches ‘M’. Those who succeed will have the chance to win exclusive co-branded merchandise, with a grand prize of $100,000 for one lucky challenger. The mobile game also features an immersive film that reimagines key moments from the iconic scene, including the original voice of Jeon Young-Soo (전영수) as the Game Instructor. Emily Bosler , OMD managing partner for McDonald’s, said: “This golden partnership allows us to deliver an interactive branded experience that captures the excitement of Squid Game while celebrating the fun and playfulness of Macca’s. We can’t wait for fans to join the challenge!” ‘Dare To Play’ demonstrates McDonald’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of customer engagement through immersive, cross-platform experiences. The campaign will drive engagement through a range of activations, including restaurant experiences, OOH, social media, fandom pages, and a Dalgona Candy Challenge event at World Square Sydney, where the public can participate in a Squid Game-themed playzone under the watchful eye of the Pink Guards. Aden Hepburn , CEO of Akcelo, said: “As superfans of both Netflix’s Squid Game and Macca’s, we have loved every moment of bringing this unforgettable campaign to life at scale with McDonald’s and OMD. The result is simply unlike any other Macca’s campaign that’s come before and we can’t wait to see how Australia – and the world – will react.” This unique partnership extends beyond the meal itself. McDonald’s will serve as the single-title sponsor for Squid Game 2 in Australia on Netflix’s ad-supported platform, coinciding with the series’ global release on Boxing Day, 26 December. CREDITS McDonald’s Australia Chief Customer Officer – Chris Brown Marketing Director – Amanda Nakad Head of Brand & Menu – Nichole Tsiros Brand Manager – Samantha Lau Digital Experience Manager – Luke Elzerman Netflix (in partnership with Gemba) Head of Partnerships – Harvey Brant Partner Marketing Creative – Eunbee Kyung OMD Emily Bosler – Managing Partner, McDonald’s Zoe May – Head of Strategy – Macca’s Hattie Dinger – Partnerships Director Taylor Hilditch – Account Director Soraya Ghaidan – Account Manager Paige Ye – Diverse Senior Account Manager Akcelo Group Executive Creative Director – Louise McQuat Creative Partner – Oskar Westerdal Creative Team – Ilya Aronovich & Misha McDonald Account Management – Max Bennett, Gabriel Montalban, April Tunstall & Brody Blinkhorn Production – Stephanie Ceccaldi, Dan Burns & Dave Bourke Design – Paul Critchley, Dan Martin, Cath Roberts, Justin Bellchambers & Richard Spencer Head of Craft – Jon Foye Motion – Benny O’Shea, Mike Ashburner, Jamie Muscat & Denys Michele Digital Experience – Mark Berry, Helen Turner, Jason Woods, Alwyna George, Kim Tang & Minho Baek Event Production – Lea Nguyen & Ben Turner Chief Strategy Officer – Dave Di Veroli Chief Executive Officer – Aden Hepburn Production Director – Alex Roberts, FINCH Producer – Bryce Lintern, FINCH DOP – Ross Giardina Post Production – Heckler Sound Design – Squeak E. Clean Photography – Mat Baker, Louis&Co Social – Reel Focus Films PR – Mango Communications Ashleigh Vallance – Senior Account Director Ian Lizardo – Senior Account Manager Gunjan Kaur – Account Manager CRM – Digitas Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.

Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate

New 2024 Christmas Movies on Netflix, Hulu and More You Can Unwrap NowFrench President Emmanuel Macron named a new government Monday evening, putting together a team under Francois Bayrou, his fourth prime minister of the year, to drag the second-largest EU economy out of political crisis. Macron named former prime minister Elisabeth Borne, 63, education minister in a new cabinet under centrist Bayrou, announced Elysee secretary-general Alexis Kohler. Another former premier, Manuel Valls, 62, returned as overseas territories minister, while former interior minister Gerald Darmanin became justice minister. Both Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot kept their jobs, the presidency said. Lecornu, a 38-year-old loyalist with a keen political nose, has served in every government since Macron's first election as president in 2017. Conservative Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, and right-wing Culture Minister Rachida Dati, also stayed in their posts. The difficult job of delivering a budget plan for next year falls to Eric Lombard, head of public-sector lender Caisse des Depots (CDC), who was named economy minister. "I'm very proud of the team we're presenting this evening," Bayrou said on X, adding his "experienced" cabinet would aim to "rebuild trust". The inclusion of two former prime ministers indicates Macron's desire for a heavyweight government that will enjoy stability and not share the fate of Bayrou's predecessor, Michel Barnier, ousted in a no-confidence vote. Bayrou had hoped to bring in figures from the left, right and centre to protect his government from possible censure, but his 35-member team does not include any members of the left-wing coalition New Popular Front. Macron will assemble Bayrou's team on January 3 for a first Council of Ministers meeting, the presidency said. Barnier was brought down over his failure to win support for an austerity budget to shore up France's shaky finances with spending cuts and tax rises. The priority for 73-year-old Bayrou is to make sure his government can survive a no-confidence vote and that it passes a cost-cutting budget for 2025. The unexpected comeback of Valls, premier from 2014 to 2016, as the head of the overseas territories ministry indicates the importance of the post after authorities were strongly criticised for their response to the deadly cyclone on the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which killed at least 35 people. Darmanin had long been known to covet the post of foreign minister, but after days of intense discussions will have to content himself with the justice ministry. Just before the official announcement, heavyweight right-wing politician Xavier Bertrand, who had been tipped for the health ministry, announced he would not be part of the government. He alleged that it had been formed with the implicit "backing" of far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who will play a key role in ensuring its survival. "The prime minister informed me this morning, contrary to what he had proposed yesterday, that he was no longer in a position to entrust me with responsibility for the justice ministry due to opposition from (Le Pen's) National Rally," Bertrand said in a statement. "Despite his new proposals, I refuse to take part in a government of France formed with the backing of Marine Le Pen." Bertrand is a major irritant for the far right, which he has long opposed. Le Pen on March 31, 2025 faces the verdict in an embezzlement trial on charges she denies. If convicted, she could lose the chance of standing in the 2027 elections and with it her best chance yet of winning the presidency. The announcement came as France observed a day of mourning for victims in cyclone-hit Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory. Bayrou, the head of the centrist MoDem group, which is allied to Macron's party, was appointed on December 13. He is the sixth prime minister of Macron's mandate. Many already predict Bayrou will struggle to survive. France has been mired in deadlock since Macron gambled on snap elections this summer in the hopes of bolstering his authority. The move backfired, with voters electing a parliament fractured between three rival blocs. Le Pen suggested Macron has been weakened by months of political crisis and would eventually have to resign. "I am preparing for an early presidential election," she told French newspaper Le Parisien last week. bur-as/jhbiPhone 16 Pro price falls down by Rs 16,000 during New Year sale, here’s how the deal works

Nebraska will be trying to preserve its perfect in-state record when it hosts South Dakota on Wednesday night in a nonconference game in Lincoln, Neb. The Cornhuskers (4-1) are 3-0 at home and also won Friday at then-No. 14 Creighton, beating their in-state rivals on the road for the second straight time. But the last time they did that, in 2022, they followed that win with a 16-point loss at Indiana to open Big Ten Conference play. "Believe me, we've addressed a lot of things," Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. "A lot of people are saying some really positive things. You've got to find a way to put that behind you. I've liked how our team has responded and come back to work after that great win at Creighton." Brice Williams leads the Cornhuskers with 18.2 points per game and was one of five players in double figures against Creighton. Juwan Gary topped the list with 16. South Dakota (6-2) comes to town off a 112-50 home win Monday night over Randall, the third non-Division I school it has beat. The Coyotes' last game against a D1 opponent was Friday at Southern Indiana, resulting in a 92-83 loss. This will be South Dakota's second nonconference game against a Big Ten opponent, after a 96-77 loss at Iowa on Nov. 12. In December, the Coyotes also visit Santa Clara, hovering near the top 100 in KenPom adjusted efficiency, before jumping into Big Sky play. "The schedule is very good and that should help us," third-year South Dakota coach Eric Peterson said before the season. "We have some good nonconference games that should help prepare us for the end of the season." Nebraska has held four of its opponents to 67 or fewer points, with Saint Mary's the only one to top that number in the Cornhuskers' lone loss. Opponents are shooting 38.1 percent this season. South Dakota shot below 40 percent in its two previous games before shooting 62 percent against Randall. Isaac Bruns, who scored 20 to lead South Dakota in the Randall game, paces the Coyotes with 12.9 points per game. --Field Level MediaOnline Display Advertising Market is Booming Worldwide | Big Giants Google, Meta, Smart AdServerFBI director says he intends to resign at end of Joe Biden’s term

Cyclones look to next season

Netflix getting set to air NFL on Christmas Day

In many action-adventure games, the player-character is often faced with various enemies that must be defeated to progress through the storyline. However, in "Uncharted: The Lost Circle," players have voiced their frustration over the fact that they are not able to harm or eliminate the stray dogs that they encounter in the game. This has sparked a debate about whether it is ethical to be forced to show compassion even towards virtual animals that are portrayed as aggressive and threatening.As the Henan provincial government seeks public opinions on the proposal to exempt ordinary residential properties from the land value tax, it is important for all stakeholders to carefully consider the implications of such a policy change. Public feedback and input will play a crucial role in shaping the final decision on whether to implement the proposed exemption.As the match day approaches, excitement is building among fans and players alike. The atmosphere is electric, with anticipation running high for what promises to be a thrilling and intense encounter. Mr. Johnson has urged his team to embrace the moment, enjoy the experience, and give their all on the field. "This is a chance for us to show our passion for the game, our dedication to our fans, and our commitment to excellence," he declared. "Let's make the most of this opportunity and leave everything on the pitch."circus characters 。

"I have the utmost respect for Ma Long as a player, and I understand his desire for a fair and competitive match," Wang Chuqin stated. "I am fully committed to ensuring that our upcoming match is conducted in a spirit of sportsmanship and fairness. I believe that a level playing field is essential for the integrity of the sport, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that the match is fair and competitive for both players."

In light of this incident, Shanxi University has announced that it will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine the facts of the case and take appropriate disciplinary action if necessary. The university has also stated that it will provide support and counseling services to the female student, as well as to any other students who may have been affected by the incident. Additionally, the university plans to review and strengthen its policies and procedures related to student conduct and campus safety to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.In a recent team meeting, Mbappe made his intentions clear, delivering a stern and impassioned speech calling for solidarity and accountability. "We are a team, a family, and we must protect each other at all costs," he declared. "It pains me to see this division among us, but we must root out the source of our troubles and stand together to overcome them."The uncertainty surrounding Olmo's transfer has added another layer of drama to an already turbulent summer for Barcelona. The club has been trying to offload high-earning players and reduce their wage bill in a bid to comply with financial regulations, but the Olmo situation has complicated matters further.

Title: Bar Owner Injured in Stabbing Incident Misses Retained Knife Blade During Emergency Medical TreatmentDespite the challenges that lie ahead, Dragonze Huang expressed confidence in his team's ability to secure their position in the league. He emphasized the importance of teamwork, dedication, and continuous improvement in maintaining a competitive edge and achieving success. Huang stated, "While relegation is always a concern for any team, I believe that with our collective effort, determination, and commitment to excellence, we can overcome any obstacle and secure our place in the league. Our resilience and perseverance will ultimately lead us to breakthrough and triumph."

Title: Chris Evans' Return as Captain America in "Avengers 5"One of the major crises that Russia is currently facing in the Middle East is the ongoing conflict in Syria. Russia's military intervention in support of the Assad regime has drawn criticism from the international community, with accusations of human rights violations and indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas. Despite its efforts to maintain its foothold in Syria, Russia's reputation has been tarnished by its involvement in the conflict, leading to a decline in its influence in the region.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.As we come to terms with the grim reality of this tragic event, may we also find the strength to stand united against the forces of darkness that seek to harm and destroy. Let us be vigilant in protecting ourselves and each other, standing firm in our resolve to create a safer and more compassionate world for all. The memory of the victim will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, a shining light that will never be extinguished.

Ultimately, Ferdinand's call for Manchester United to be more ruthless towards underperforming players stems from a desire to see the club return to its former glory and compete for top honors on the domestic and international stage. He believes that by maintaining high standards and holding players accountable for their performances, the club can build a culture of excellence that will set it apart from its rivals.PVH lowers top-end of full-year EPS guidance range after Q3 results top estimates

The first major change in the A-share market is the increasing influence of technology companies. With the rise of innovative tech firms like Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei, traditional industries are facing stiff competition and disruption. This shift has not only propelled the growth of the technology sector but has also led to a reevaluation of sectoral dynamics and market valuations. Investors need to reassess their portfolios to capitalize on the opportunities presented by tech companies while mitigating risks associated with rapid changes in this sector.

The photo was a reminder that beauty is not limited to one particular standard or definition, but rather a diverse and multifaceted concept that can be expressed in a multitude of ways. Zhang Ziyi and Yang Zi's different yet complementary styles highlighted the richness and diversity of beauty, showing that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to being beautiful.In conclusion, the left-wing deficiencies at Arsenal have become a major concern for the team, with the lack of impact in this area severely hindering their attacking capabilities. In order to turn things around and provide more support for Bukayo Saka, Arsenal must address these issues promptly and effectively. Only then can they unlock their full attacking potential and get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

NoneIn a significant move to boost the development of the Chinese economy, the completion of the arrangement of 1 trillion yuan ultra-long-term special national bonds has been announced. This financial initiative aims to support the "Two Heavy" and "Two New" construction projects, marking a strategic step towards sustainable economic growth and innovation in China.

Previous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades have been much colder than tomorrow’s event is shaping up to be, but watching all the city-goers with their winter coats and hats on might still send a sympathetic chill down your spine — or, at the very least, make you add some hand warmers to your shopping list STAT. Fortunately, Amazon has a major 50% off deal on orastone portable hand warmers that’s sure to come in handy as the temperatures continue to drop. For a limited time, you can shop five different colors of the diamond-shaped heating dongle, starting from $15 and up to $18 for the more “premium” Knit and Watercolor options. If you’re a Prime member, you may even be eligible for free same-day shipping — which can’t be beaten, especially if you’ll be heading to a Turkey Trot fun run early in the morning or starting to put your holiday decorations up outside and haven’t broken out your winter wardrobe yet. These sleek and compact double-sided rechargeable hand warmers heat up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit — a toasty temperature that’s neither too hot nor too cold — in under two minutes, and feature comfortable rubber coatings that the company and customers say makes them easy to hold and carry. Plus, with built-in LED torches, you don’t have to go rooting around in your bag to find things (poopy bags, for instance, if you’re out walking your dog or keys if you’re hurrying to your car in a parking garage or parking lot). You can even use the light for reading at night. Grab some for holiday gifts, stocking stuffers or “just in case” provisions for outdoor adventures — starting from $15 at Amazon . Keep these other fall and winter warmup deals in mind while they’re hot, too. The Best Black Friday Deals in 2024 Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .In a significant development for the infrastructure of Jiangxi Province, a new high-speed highway project is set to move forward after receiving crucial advancements. The approval for the construction of this highway marks a significant milestone for the region and is poised to bring about a host of benefits for both locals and visitors.

The Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Charlotte Hornets is one of nine strong options on today’s NBA schedule. There is live coverage available for all the action in the NBA today, and we have provided the information on how to watch below. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Watch ESPN originals, The Last Dance and more NBA content on ESPN+. Use our link to sign up for ESPN+ or the Disney bundle. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Over a dozen conservative groups urged President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on Wednesday to address the “wrong direction” of certain policies enacted under the Biden-Harris administration. The letter, obtained exclusively by the Daily Caller News Foundation, criticized certain policies currently in place at some government agencies as diminishing the United States’ “global competitiveness,” and urged the incoming administration to enact a “course correction.” The letter was signed by leaders of 19 conservative groups, including the Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and Conservatives for Property Rights. “The beginning of a new administration is the perfect time for a course correction,” the letter states. “The past four years on the wrong track have significantly diminished the United States’ global competitiveness. At present, our country is taking several wrong policy paths.” The letter claimed that some of the U.S. government’s current policies are undermining “fundamental pillars of America’s historical strength,” such as economic freedom and property rights. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Daniel Penny Should Sue ‘Absolute Catastrophe’ Alvin Bragg, Ted Cruz Says) “These current policies dismantle U.S. research and development (R&D) leadership and thereby impede our competitiveness,” according to the letter. “Our government today undermines fundamental pillars of America’s historical strength and success that are instrumental to our reversing course. Those pillars include property rights, economic freedom, the rule of law, and national sovereignty.”  The letter goes on to criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to government price controls as well as its adopting “overly restrictive” trade rules. “Our own government presently intrudes on private rights to own and control property of many forms,” the letter states. “Uncle Sam not only regulates business enterprises the old-fashioned way of red tape, but also through rendering property rights tentative, pursuing aggressive antitrust, adopting overly restrictive trade rules, and discouraging innovation through government price controls.” President Joe Biden’s trade policies have faced scrutiny , including from Republican Missouri Rep. Jason Smith, who criticized Biden’s trade agenda in March 2023, claiming it benefitted China instead of American workers, and from Trump, who critiqued Biden’s trade agenda as being “pro-China” in a video posted to social media in February 2023. The Biden-Harris administration also led a crackdown on a number of top companies for anticompetitive practices, leading to a string of antitrust lawsuits being pursued by the federal government. Vice President Kamala Harris’ also garnered widespread backlash after she proposed price control plans during her failed presidential campaign . Jason Furman, former deputy director of the National Economic Council under former President Barack Obama, criticized Harris’ proposed plan to fine companies that practice “ price gouging ” on food and groceries and warned of possible negative economic effects. The letter praised Trump’s nomination of Howard Lutnick to be the next secretary of the Department of Commerce. Trump announced Lutnick’s nomination on Nov. 19 in a post to Truth Social. Lutnick is the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald , a global financial services firm, and the co-chair of the Trump transition. “The incoming Trump administration already seems to understand this, as seen in President-elect Trump’s nomination of Howard Lutnick, an inventor and patent owner, as secretary of the Department of Commerce, under which PTO is housed,” the letter states. “We commend this nomination and trust that it is a positive indication that PTO, its sister Commerce agency the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and other vital innovation policy-related posts will be held by individuals devoted to strong patent and IP rights.” All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org .circus fest 。

Caprock Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF ( NYSEARCA:AVEM – Free Report ) by 47.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 11,175 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,593 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF were worth $722,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AVEM. EnRich Financial Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. EnRich Financial Partners LLC now owns 69,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,475,000 after acquiring an additional 1,770 shares during the last quarter. CAP Partners LLC raised its position in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. CAP Partners LLC now owns 34,319 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,217,000 after purchasing an additional 1,736 shares during the period. Tidemark LLC raised its position in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF by 53.5% in the 3rd quarter. Tidemark LLC now owns 77,372 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,998,000 after purchasing an additional 26,983 shares during the period. MB Generational Wealth LLC lifted its stake in Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF by 19.8% in the third quarter. MB Generational Wealth LLC now owns 9,995 shares of the company’s stock worth $646,000 after purchasing an additional 1,650 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans purchased a new position in shares of Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF during the third quarter valued at approximately $884,000. Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA AVEM opened at $60.98 on Friday. Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF has a fifty-two week low of $52.72 and a fifty-two week high of $66.31. The company has a market cap of $5.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.91 and a beta of 0.88. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $63.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.75. About Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF The Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund is an actively managed fund that holds emerging-market stocks of all market capitalizations considered favorable on multiple factors. The fund seeks to provide capital appreciation. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF ( NYSEARCA:AVEM – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .WASHINGTON — The House passed a $895 billion measure Wednesday that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. The bill passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. The Pentagon and the surrounding area is seen Jan. 26, 2020, from the air in Washington. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators wanted to increase defense spending about $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions in the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many nondefense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, proved effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responds to reporters Dec. 6 during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights. To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24% , and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024. “There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace. “If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the Pentagon Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores. But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses. In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor. When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock The debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others. Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital. According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information. Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others. The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal. Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group. These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock Although widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members. The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military. The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period. The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members. Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock In 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA. Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond , is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members. In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to. Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / Shutterstock On May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional. That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election. If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate. In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Photo Credit: Lux Blue / Shutterstock Seasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates. The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments. Debt Complaints by Service Members The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021 . To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here . For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org . Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military. "This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis." At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero. Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows. Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment. These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan. Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life. Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker. "It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said. Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit. Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches . This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability. Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. High rents make it difficult to save up, even when applying for a VA loan—a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that typically has more favorable terms. While the VA does not require a downpayment, some lenders, who ultimately provide the loan, do. They're not entirely risk-free either, and veterans can still lose their homes if they are unable to keep up with their mortgages. In November 2023, the VA put a six-month pause on foreclosures when an NPR investigation found thousands of veterans were in danger of losing their homes after a COVID forbearance program ended. Biden officials pointed to high rents and the end of COVID-era housing restrictions like eviction moratoriums to explain the spike in Americans experiencing homelessness. In the last year, homelessness rose 12%—to more than 650,000 people—the highest level since data began being collected in 2007. Overall, more than half of people experiencing homelessness in 2023 live in states with high living costs. Most were in California, followed by New York and Florida. Western states, including Montana and Utah, experienced massive population growth during the pandemic, becoming hubs for remote workers who drove home prices and rents even further. For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers. "It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness , according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems. Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma , either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness . Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation. Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps. That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need. In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services. Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'" Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.ZURICH — Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed Wednesday by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, giving the oil-rich kingdom its biggest prize yet for massive spending on global sports driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations. They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich by the soccer body's president Gianni Infantino. "The vote of the congress is loud and clear," said Infantino, who had asked officials on a bank of screens to clap their hands at head level to show their support. The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games. The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930. The decisions complete a mostly opaque 15-month bid process which Infantino helped steer toward Saudi Arabia without a rival candidate, without taking questions, and which human rights groups warn will put the lives of migrant workers at risk. "We look forward to hosting an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the FIFA World Cup by harnessing our strengths and capabilities to bring joy to football fans around the world," Prince Mohammed said in a statement. FIFA and Saudi officials have said hosting the 2034 tournament can accelerate change, including more freedoms and rights for women, with Infantino on Wednesday calling the World Cup a "unique catalyst for positive social change and unity." "I fully trust our hosts to address all open points in this process, and deliver a World Cup that meets the world's expectations," the FIFA president said. An international collective of rights groups said FIFA made a "reckless decision" to approve Saudi Arabia without getting public assurances, and the Football Supporters Europe group said it was "the day football truly lost its mind." A fast-track path to victory was cleared last year by FIFA accepting the three-continent hosting plan for the 2030 World Cup. It meant only soccer federations in Asia and Oceania were eligible for the 2034 contest, and FIFA gave countries less than four weeks to declare a bid. Only Saudi Arabia did. The win will kick off a decade of scrutiny on Saudi labor laws and treatment of workers mostly from South Asia needed to help build and upgrade 15 stadiums, plus hotels and transport networks ahead of the 104-game tournament. Amnesty International said awarding the tournament to Saudi Arabia represents "a moment of great danger" for human rights. "FIFA's reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk," said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labor Rights and Sport." One of the stadiums is planned to be 350 meters (yards) above the ground in Neom — a futuristic city that does not yet exist — and another named for the crown prince is designed to be atop a 200-meter cliff near Riyadh. During the bid campaign, FIFA has accepted limited scrutiny of Saudi Arabia's human rights record that was widely criticized this year at the United Nations. Saudi and international rights groups and activists warned FIFA it has not learned the lessons of Qatar's much-criticized preparations to host the 2022 World Cup. "At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham," Cockburn said. The kingdom plans to spend tens of billion of dollars on projects related to the World Cup as part of the crown prince's sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and economy. At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund, which he oversees. "It's amazing. The infrastructure, the stadiums, the conditions for the fans and everything. After what I see, I'm more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," Cristiano Ronaldo said in a recorded package posted on X. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been part of Saudi Arabia's lavish spending on soccer — stunning the sport when agreeing to sign for Al Nassr in 2022 for a record-breaking salary reportedly worth up to $200 million a year. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of "sportswashing" the kingdom's reputation. The prince, known as MBS, has built close working ties to Infantino since 2017 — aligning with the organizer of sport's most-watched event rather than directly confronting the established system as it did with the disruptive LIV Golf project. The result for Saudi Arabia and FIFA has been smooth progress toward the win Wednesday with limited pushback from soccer officials, though some from women international players. The steady flow of Saudi cash into international soccer is set to increase. FIFA created a new and higher World Cup sponsor category for state oil firm Aramco, and Saudi funding is set to underwrite the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States that is a pet project for Infantino. North American soccer body CONCACAF signed a multi-year deal with PIF, Saudi stadiums host Super Cup games for Italy and Spain, and nearly 50 FIFA member federations have signed working agreements with Saudi counterparts. Lavish spending by PIF-owned Saudi clubs in the past two years buying and paying players – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mané – put hundreds of millions of dollars into European soccer. That influence could be key in talks to agree which months to play the 2034 World Cup. The November-December slot taken by Qatar in 2022 to avoid extreme midsummer heat is complicated in 2034 by the holy month of Ramadan through mid-December and Riyadh hosting the multi-sport Asian Games. Still, January 2034 could be an option — and likely better for European clubs and leagues —after the International Olympic Committee said it saw few issues in clashing with the Salt Lake Winter Games opening Feb. 10, 2034. The IOC also has a major commercial deal with Saudi Arabia, to host the new Esports Olympics.

The thrilling Thursday night showdown between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers stole some luster from Week 14’s Sunday slate. Who knew that the Eagles and Panthers could deliver just as much drama? Here is what to know. For a fraction of a second, rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette held the shock of the NFL season in his hands. He had sprinted behind Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Bryce Young’s pass floated about 50 yards into his grasp. If he held on, the Carolina Panthers would have completed a 97-yard drive and led the Philadelphia Eagles, a two-touchdown favorite, with less 90 seconds left. The ball slipped through Legette’s fingers, and a horrific upset became a collective exhale in Philadelphia. The Eagles survived Young’s final, desperate push and won, 22-16, to avoid a humiliating end to their winning streak and maintain contact with the Detroit Lions in the race for the NFC’s top seed. The Eagles’ ninth consecutive victory was surprisingly difficult, but it revealed only minor cracks in their 11-2 record. It’s not shocking to see a team on a dominant stretch look flat against an also-ran. The primary takeaway may be further evidence that Bryce Young’s revitalization is for real. The close call, though, did surface some mild concerns. The Eagles’ inability to produce explosive plays stood out — Jalen Hurts threw for 108 yards, and Philadelphia managed only two gains of at least 20 yards. Slay and Gardner-Johnson are key veterans for Philadelphia’s culture, but they are also the clear weak points of Philadelphia’s dominant defense. (In Slay’s defense, he also batted away a pass from Adam Thielen on the game-sealing incompletion.) The most pressing issue may be veteran kicker Jake Elliott, who has become the JV version of Justin Tucker : a struggling mainstay too ingrained to easily move on from. Elliott missed a 52-yarder, which made him 0 for 5 this season on kicks from at least 50 yards. He also hooked an extra point wide before an offsides call on Carolina gave him reprieve. For a team whose realistic Super Bowl hopes could come down to a kick, that’s troubling. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rewarded Baker Mayfield with a three-year, $100 million contract extension last offseason after he led them to an NFC South title and a playoff victory over the Eagles. Mayfield has proved his career resurgence is a not a one-year fluke. Tampa Bay’s 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders pushed them to 7-6 and, combined with the Falcons’ loss in Minnesota, into the NFC South lead. Mayfield threw for 295 and three touchdown passes. For the season, Mayfield ranks fourth in passing yards and is tied for third in touchdown passes. Mayfield’s gunslinging approach and rugged scrambling has given the Buccaneers an identity since they signed him off the scrap heap before last season. He’s only been better this year under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. His competitiveness permeates the franchise. The Bucs are the only team to beat the Lions all year and one of two to beat the Eagles. They also took the Chiefs to overtime. If the Bucs make the playoffs, they can compete with anybody. Given that their final four opponents include the Panthers, Cowboys and Saints, it looks like they’ll get there. Sam Darnold built the best day of his NFL career Sunday by leaning on the best tandem of wide receivers in the league. In the Minnesota Vikings’ 42-21 destruction of the reeling Atlanta Falcons, Justin Jefferson (seven catches, 132 yards, two touchdowns) and Jordan Addison (eight catches, 133 yards, three touchdowns) combined for 15 catches, 265 yards and five touchdowns. Atlanta’s defense could not accomplish the reasonable task of slowing at least one of them down. But together, they are nearly unstoppable against any opponent. Jefferson, of course, might be the best wideout in the league. He scored his first touchdown in nearly two months Sunday and moved just ahead of Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase, who plays Monday night, for the NFL lead in receiving yards with 1,170. Addison, a 2023 first-round pick who won the Biletnikoff Award in college, has punished defenses when they shift coverage toward Jefferson. His pedigree and production suggest that he could be a No. 1 wideout on most teams. Across from Jefferson, his quickness, great hands and knack for big plays is a nightmare. As the Vikings improved to 11-2, Darnold passed for 347 yards. Their defense leads the NFC in turnovers and picked off Kirk Cousins twice on Sunday. The Vikings will have to go on the road in the postseason if they can’t catch the Lions, but they will be tough to beat in January. The longer the season goes, the clearer it becomes that the Steelers belong on any short list of potential Super Bowl winners. They dominated the Browns, who under Jameis Winston are much better than their 3-10 record, in a 27-14 victory that pushed them to 10-3 and two games ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North. Pittsburgh has been expertly designed by Mike Tomlin, who should be the favorite for coach of the year , to win games. Only the Bills have a better point differential in the AFC than Pittsburgh’s plus-85. The Steelers lead the NFL in forced turnovers. While that can be a volatile statistic, it’s not an accident given the Steelers’ personnel and emphasis. “It’s not a lightning strike,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said this week. The Steelers instruct pass rushers to swat at the ball as quarterbacks throw. They set aside practice time for turnover-focused drills, including scooping rolling footballs off the turf. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterback Russell Wilson have been perfect for each other. Smith’s system uses the running game as the foundation and relies on a quarterback utilizing play-action, moving out of the pocket and throwing deep, all of which are among Wilson’s strengths. Even without wideout George Pickens to create big plays and open space for others on Sunday, Wilson played efficient, mistake-free quarterback against a fierce defensive line. The Jets and Giants deserve credit for their creativity. In wretched seasons for both New York franchises, they continue to find new ways to reach new depths. The Jets blew an eight-point fourth quarter lead, moved back ahead of the Miami Dolphins with a last-minute field goal and still went to overtime after yielding a big kickoff return and an ensuing field goal drive. Their defense laid down on the first possession of overtime and gave up a touchdown that finalized a 32-26 loss that kept alive Miami’s faint playoff hopes. The Giants somehow overcame Drew Lock’s attempt to commit offensive football and drove to set up a 35-yard field goal attempt on what was essentially the game’s final play. Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee hopped over the line and blocked Graham Gano’s kick, sealing a 14-11 victory for the Saints that kept them within shouting distance in the NFC South. Field-Level View of the Bryan Bresee blocked FG 👀 📺: Next Sunday vs Commanders (Noon CT - FOX) pic.twitter.com/vpOPlbNUHO Another week, another two losses for the smoldering wreck that is New York football. The Jets and Giants are 5-21 combined, and neither team has won a game since Nov. 1. The Kansas City Royals have won more recently than the Giants. The Jets have fired their coach and general manager , and Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen — who hold those jobs for the Giants — may want to consult a realtor. The Giants at least have a silver lining. They strengthened their chances for the first overall pick. Not only did their loss drop them to 2-11, but the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans, 10-6, for their third victory of the season. Only the Raiders also have two victories, and the Giants are ahead of them on tiebreakers in the race to the bottom. As for the Jets’ future outlook? They, uh, have an Aaron Rodgers Netflix documentary to watch. There was an easy to play to miss during the Vikings’ victory that provided a window into how the league office is reacting to the surge in blocked field goals. As Vikings kicker Will Reichard booted a 39-yard field goal attempt, referees threw a flag on Kentavius Street, who had lined up across from the snapper, for defensive holding. Some special teams coordinators had questioned if block units had been either exploiting a rules loophole or violating a rule without being caught. Eighteen field goals have been blocked this year — including the kick Bresee deflected at the gun to clinch New Orleans’s 14-11 victory over the Giants — which is one more than all of last season. The flag shows the league could be cracking down on techniques that have led to blocked field goals through pressure up the middle. In the Minnesota example, the flag proved costly for Atlanta. Three plays after Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell took three points off the board, Darnold hit Jefferson for a touchdown that gave Minnesota a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

John Schindler is a well known American historian and writer. He was a professor at Naval War College and the author of several books, including the best-selling “Sowing the Dragon's Teeth: How American Greed and Righteousness Created the Next .” He also has written a series of books on espionage and national security as well as the behavior of modern warfare. He is a former officer and academic who now uses those lenses to inform his examinations of the intersection of history, politics and security. His best-known works often illuminate the implications of intelligence operations, as well as the strategic decisions that shape global events. John R. Schindler has made a name for himself as a prominent political commentator. Schindler's profuse writing provides a sympathetic view of current events that has gotten attention from a wide audience. He weaves wonky analysis with user-friendly prose, enabling a wide range of people to engage serious political topics. Through writing for platforms including the Examiner and Observer, he dedicates his efforts to shedding light on affairs at the national and international level. Schindler often covers foreign policy, and he sharpens his scissors when he cuts beyond the headlines to explain the complexities of foreign relations and how foreign governments affect American interests. His sharp instincts help make sense of the tactics employed by various countries and their leaders. Over this time he has highlighted the subtle issues that stem from changing global relationships — most notably the implications for American foreign policy. National security is another important theme in Schindler's writings. His former experience in the intelligence community shapes his views and gives his opinions depth and authenticity. It is good that Schindler is looking in the right direction, because figuring out and intelligence practices, not to mention military strategy is crucial to navigating the complexities of modern threats to security. He believes defying national security doctrine — adapting it to old and new threats, transitional ones and drastic — is required. John R. Schindler has examined several noteworthy events in international politics and given us something to think about concerning their consequences. In some instances, his criticisms of geopolitical postures taken by countries, including and , shed light on the game being played on the international geopolitical board. Schindler unpacks these events, allowing the audience to understand the larger implications of regional conflicts, alliances and power shifts. Schindler's commentary on U.S. intelligence practices feels particularly timely in our current political climate. He writes regularly about the and efficacy of intelligence operations, adding to the public debate about government transparency and accountability. His insights call into question the delicate balance between national security interests and civil liberties, an issue that has remained a point of contention in public discourse. Another major theme in Schindler's work is the changing face of global leadership. He specializes in assessing the behaviors and policies of major political leaders, and how their styles of governance impact foreign affairs. His analyses outline that effective leadership must contemplate the quickly shifting terrain of global politics, a lesson that seems especially relevant in modern discussions. John Schindler writes with the depth of someone who's been working in this world. He also has firsthand experience with the inner workings of national security, with a background in intelligence. His years in the intelligence community enable him to break down complicated international circumstances analytically. This background lends credibility to his observations as a commentator, giving readers access to a rare insider's perspective. Schindler is an academic as well as a practitioner. His educational background for his analytical work. He combines practical experience with academic knowledge, providing him with a distinctive and informed perspective on the issues of the day, earning his place as a trusted source of political commentary. John Schindler is one of the leading voices in establishing the narrative on security and political events. His written words ignite critical conversations about important topics, allowing readers to have thoughtful dialogues about the world around them. His active presence on social media, including John Schindler , only broadens his scope, allowing him to reach and educate a wider audience than print or television alone. The Schindler Perspectives are interactive activities that allow you to engage with an aspect of Schindler's perspectives. I cannot overstate the impact of John Schindler's work on public opinion. His knack for distilling complex events into digestible narratives helps keep the public informed and educated. His readers interact with his critiques and refine their own opinions of pressing matters, strengthening the quality of the electorate. Web based social networking stages work as an augmentation of Apfelstetler. However, on sites like John Schindler Twitter, he directly interacts with herdsmen and dialogues between expert material and public discourse. Such dialogue enables live feedback and enhances the discussion towards political matters over time. Written by John Schindler, Edited by Orion Rummler Schindler's regular stream of commentary helps to contextualize these changes for the public as evolve. His views, which are often circulated in the media, reflect and contribute to a synthesis of world events in which informed public discourse has a vital role. John Schindler is a deep well of knowledge: here, too, are dozens of his arch and insightful essays on national security, foreign policy and political commentary. His work not only educates policymakers and analysts alike, but helps empower the general public to be able to participate in meaningful discussions about national and global matters.

Supporters of organisations tied to BNP in a standoff with cops outside the Indian high commission in Dhaka on Sunday DHAKA: Three organisations tied to former PM Khaleda Zia 's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) staged Sunday a protest march in Dhaka, condemning a recent attack on the country's diplomatic mission in Agartala, the desecration of their national flag in Kolkata, and what they described as attempts to incite communal unrest in Bangladesh. The groups - Jubo Dal , Swechchhasebak Dal , and Chhatra Dal - submitted a memorandum to the Indian high commission in Dhaka. While a large procession initially headed towards the high commission, police intervened and allowed only a small delegation to submit the memorandum. Senior BNP member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a stern warning during the demonstration. "We are not helpless, we also know how to use the highest technology. To protect the country, we are ready to resist Delhi's aggression with the power we have in every place - sky, land, water," he said. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh home ministry has issued a circular instructing foreign nationals residing and working without proper documentation to legalise their status. "Foreigners will not be allowed to stay and work illegally in Bangladesh," home affairs adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said Sunday. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .J&K: Omar govt facing quota, power, unemployment challenges

GRUPO FINANCIERO BANORTE WILL DRIVE THE GROWTH OF ONE MILLION TREES BY 2030: CARLOS HANK-GONZÁLEZ

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But a rule from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting the plan in place won't be approved before the end of Biden's term in January and likely will be left to whoever runs the agency under Republican Donald Trump. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has named to co-lead a “Department of Government Efficiency” to cut costs and regulations, has floated the idea of him helping to develop safety standards for self-driving vehicles — even though the standards would affect Tesla's automated driving systems. At present there are no federal regulations that specifically govern autonomous vehicles, and any regulation is left to states. However, self-driving vehicles must meet broad federal safety standards that cover all passenger vehicles. Under the agency's proposal, released on Friday, automakers and autonomous vehicle companies could enroll in a program that would require safety plans and some data reporting for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. To apply companies would have to have independent assessments of their automated vehicle safety processes, and there would be requirements to report crashes and other problems with the vehicles. Companies would have to give NHTSA information and data on the safety of the design, development and operations of the vehicles. The agency would decide whether to accept companies into the program. But auto safety advocates say the plan falls short of needed regulation for self-driving vehicles. For instance, it doesn't set specific performance standards set for the vehicles such as numbers and types of of sensors or whether the vehicles can see objects in low-visibility conditions, they said. “This is a big bunch of nothing,” said Missy Cummings, director of the autonomy and robotics center at George Mason University and a former safety adviser to NHTSA. “It’ll be more of a completely useless paperwork drill where the companies swear they’re doing the right thing.” Michael Brooks, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, said one of the few good things about the plan is that companies will have to report data on crashes and other problems. There have been reports that the Trump administration may want to scrap a NHTSA order that now requires autonomous vehicle companies to report crashes to the agency so it can collect data. A message was left Friday seeking comment from the Trump transition team on crash reporting requirements. Brooks said the incoming administration probably will want to put out its own version of the guidelines. NHTSA will seek public comment on the plan for about 60 days, then the plan would have to wind its way through the federal regulatory process, which can take months or even years. “It is important that ADS (Automated Driving System) technology be deployed in a manner that protects the public from unreasonable safety risk while at the same time allowing for responsible development of this technology, which has the potential to advance safety,” the proposed rule says. The agency concedes that in the future, there may be a need for NHTSA to set minimum standards for self driving vehicle performance that are similar to mandatory safety standards that govern human-driven cars. But the agency says it now doesn't have data and metrics to support those standards. The voluntary plan would help gather those, the proposal said.Share Tweet Share Share Email Managing a fleet of vehicles can be a daunting task for businesses of any size. From acquiring vehicles to maintaining them in peak condition, fleet management often involves significant time, effort, and resources. Fortunately, lease and maintenance subscription plans provide an efficient solution to these challenges. These plans streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of fleet management. Let’s dive into how these plans work, their benefits, and why they are becoming a popular choice for fleet operators. What Are Lease and Maintenance Subscription Plans? Lease and maintenance subscription plans are comprehensive packages offered by leasing companies. These plans include vehicle leasing combined with maintenance services for a set monthly fee. Businesses no longer need to worry about unexpected repair costs, scheduling maintenance, or purchasing vehicles outright. These plans are designed to cover: Vehicle acquisition. Routine maintenance and servicing. Repairs and replacements for wear-and-tear items. Insurance and registration assistance in some cases. By bundling these services, businesses gain predictability in costs and ease of management. Benefits of Lease and Maintenance Subscription Plans Cost Predictability One of the most significant advantages is cost predictability. Fleet operators can avoid unexpected repair bills or fluctuating maintenance costs. With a fixed monthly fee, budgeting becomes straightforward, allowing businesses to allocate resources more effectively. Reduced Administrative Burden Managing a fleet often involves juggling multiple vendors, service providers, and invoices. Lease and maintenance subscription plans consolidate these tasks under a single provider. This reduces the administrative burden and simplifies operations, freeing up time for other strategic tasks. Enhanced Vehicle Performance Regular maintenance ensures vehicles operate efficiently. Subscription plans often include scheduled servicing, inspections, and repairs, minimizing downtime and improving the performance and lifespan of the fleet. Scalability As businesses grow, their fleet requirements often change. Subscription plans offer flexibility to scale up or down, allowing operators to add or remove vehicles as needed. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for seasonal businesses or those experiencing rapid growth. Compliance and Safety Maintaining compliance with regulatory standards is crucial for fleet operators. Subscription plans typically ensure vehicles meet all safety and environmental regulations. This reduces the risk of fines or legal issues while ensuring driver and passenger safety. Environmental Benefits Many leasing companies offer access to eco-friendly or hybrid vehicles. These options help businesses reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying lower fuel costs. Subscription plans can also include services to monitor and optimize fuel efficiency. Key Features to Look For in Subscription Plans When selecting a lease and maintenance subscription plan, businesses should evaluate the following features: Comprehensive Coverage Ensure the plan covers all essential aspects of fleet management, including maintenance, repairs, and roadside assistance. The more inclusive the package, the fewer out-of-pocket expenses you’ll incur. Customization Options Every business has unique needs. Look for providers that offer customizable plans tailored to your specific fleet size, type, and operational requirements. Transparent Pricing Hidden fees can undermine the cost-saving benefits of subscription plans. Choose a provider that offers transparent pricing with no hidden charges. Reliable Support Timely support is crucial in fleet management. Opt for a provider with a proven track record of excellent customer service and quick response times. Technological Integration Modern fleet management often involves leveraging technology. Many subscription plans include telematics solutions, GPS tracking, and maintenance scheduling software. These tools enhance operational efficiency and provide valuable data insights. How Lease and Maintenance Plans Simplify Operations Streamlining Maintenance Scheduling Coordinating maintenance schedules for multiple vehicles can be challenging. Subscription plans often include automated scheduling, reminders, and pre-arranged servicing. This ensures vehicles receive timely care without disrupting operations. Minimizing Downtime Unexpected breakdowns can derail operations and lead to revenue losses. With a subscription plan, vehicles receive regular inspections and preventive maintenance, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and ensuring minimal downtime. Single-Point Contact Instead of dealing with multiple vendors for leasing, repairs, and servicing, businesses have a single point of contact. This simplifies communication and accelerates issue resolution. Access to Newer Models Leasing plans often provide access to the latest vehicle models with improved safety and efficiency features. This keeps fleets updated and competitive in the market. Budget-Friendly Operations Fixed monthly payments help businesses maintain financial stability. Predictable costs make it easier to plan and allocate budgets without worrying about sudden expenses. Why Businesses Are Adopting These Plans The popularity of lease and maintenance subscription plans has grown significantly in recent years. Here are the key reasons driving this trend: Rising Maintenance Costs With the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, maintenance costs have soared. Subscription plans mitigate these expenses by including them in the monthly fee. Focus on Core Activities By outsourcing fleet management tasks, businesses can focus on their core activities. This improves productivity and allows operators to prioritize growth strategies. Sustainability Goals Many companies are adopting sustainable practices. Access to electric or hybrid vehicles through subscription plans aligns with these goals while offering operational savings. Competitive Advantage Efficient fleet management provides a competitive edge. Reliable vehicles, reduced downtime, and cost savings enable businesses to deliver better services to their customers. Improved Driver Satisfaction Subscription plans often include features that improve the driver’s experience. Vehicles are well-maintained, reducing breakdowns and enhancing reliability. Drivers also benefit from access to newer models with better safety features and comfort . Challenges and How to Overcome Them While lease and maintenance subscription plans offer numerous benefits, they may come with challenges. Common issues include: Limited Flexibility Some plans may have rigid terms, making it difficult to adapt to changing business needs. To address this, businesses should negotiate terms and choose providers offering flexible options. Higher Upfront Costs Certain providers may require an initial deposit or setup fee. Comparing different providers and negotiating terms can help minimize these costs. Dependence on Providers Relying heavily on a single provider may pose risks. Businesses should evaluate the provider’s reputation and service quality before committing. Addressing Technological Gaps Some providers may not offer advanced telematics or fleet management tools. Businesses should ensure the chosen plan includes modern solutions that meet their operational needs. Conclusion Lease and maintenance subscription plans are transforming fleet management . By offering a comprehensive solution to vehicle acquisition, maintenance, and compliance, these plans simplify operations and reduce costs. Businesses can enjoy predictable expenses, improved vehicle performance, and scalability to meet evolving needs. As the demand for efficient and sustainable fleet management grows, adopting these subscription plans is a strategic move that ensures operational success. With the right plan and provider, businesses can focus on their core objectives, leaving fleet management complexities behind. Related Items: Enhanced Vehicle Performance , Lease and Maintenance , Simplifying Operations Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments

Most Adani shares rebound as six of 10 group companies post gains

America's wealthiest billionaires have witnessed an extraordinary year in 2024, with their fortunes far outpacing the 3% growth of the U.S. economy. What Happened: Surging markets, fueled by advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, have propelled their wealth to unprecedented levels. According to the report by The Daily Beast, these top 10 billionaires amassed gains nearly equivalent to the U.S. government's annual defense budget of $850 billion. 10. Michael Dell : $14 Billion The founder of Dell Technologies DELL saw a 55% surge in his company's stock this year, thanks to its transformation into an infrastructure powerhouse for the AI age. Dell owns approximately half of the company, contributing significantly to his fortune. 9. Larry Page and Sergey Brin : $19–20 Billion The Alphabet GOOGL founders benefited from the company's $650 billion valuation increase in 2024. Despite stepping back from operations, they retain control through super-voting shares, owning just over 3% each of the tech giant. 8. Steve Ballmer : $20 Billion The former Microsoft MSFT CEO continues to profit from the company's revival under Satya Nadella. Ballmer owns 4.5% of Microsoft, which has funded ventures such as a new stadium for the LA Clippers, the NBA team he owns. 7. Warren Buffett : $29 Billion Through Berkshire Hathaway BRK , Buffett continues to outperform the market. The company's value rose 28% this year, helping Buffett build his cash reserves to an impressive $325 million, or 30% of Berkshire's valuation. 6. Jeff Bezos : $63 Billion Bezos, the founder of Amazon AMZN , saw his wealth soar by over $1 billion weekly as Amazon stock rebounded. Bezos retains nearly 9% of the company, funding projects like Blue Origin through periodic stock sales. Also Read: From Steve Ballmer To Jamie Dimon, Meet The Billionaires Who Amassed Their Wealth Without Founding A Company 5. Jensen Huang : $72 Billion The founder of Nvidia NVDA reaped immense gains as the company became the darling of the AI revolution. Nvidia's value more than doubled in 2024, with Huang's 3.8% stake driving his fortune. 4. Larry Ellison : $73 Billion The Oracle founder's fortune grew alongside the company's role as a key player in cloud computing. Ellison owns 43% of Oracle, benefiting significantly from the AI-driven surge in enterprise demand. 3. Mark Zuckerberg : $82 Billion Zuckerberg's Meta META saw its value rise more than sixfold since late 2022, thanks to strong margins and AI developments like the Llama open-source model. His 13.5% stake in Meta underpins his staggering gains. 2. The Waltons : $148 Billion America's richest family, heirs to Walmart WMT , collectively control the fortune built by Sam Walton. Their wealth solidifies Walmart's status as one of the largest employers in the country. 1. Elon Musk : $252 Billion The Tesla TSLA and SpaceX founder tops the list with his fortune growing by nearly $5 billion weekly. Musk's ventures, including Neuralink, the Boring Company, and his federal government initiatives, further cement his status as the most influential figure in business. Read Next Billionaires’ Paradise: New York Tops The List Of 16 Cities Housing The World’s Richest This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Image: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

COLLEGE PARK — Off to its best start in six years, the Maryland women’s basketball team took the court Sunday against No. 19 Michigan State looking to prove its unbeaten record was more than the result of a relatively soft early-season schedule. In their first major test in more than a month, the No. 8 Terps built a large early lead, took the Spartans’ best counterpunch and pulled it out in the end, getting key plays down the stretch — including a layup by Christina Dalce with 36 seconds left — to help secure a hard-earned 72-66 win before an announced 9,200 at Xfinity Center. “Every league game is going to be like this. It’s going to be every possession matters,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “I thought we were really resilient when you talk about staying the course for 40 minutes.” “Confidence can’t be shaken when you have so much trust and love for each other, and I think we proved that tonight,” guard Shyanne Sellers said. “I think we put our best foot forward today. It’s huge ... It’s a great win for us, but we’re not done yet.” With the win, the Terps (2-0 in the Big Ten) are off to a 12-0 start for the first time since 2018, despite a roster that includes 10 newcomers and seven transfers. To match the school-record 18-0 start of 2006, however, they still have plenty of work ahead of them, with tough matchups against No. 4 Southern California and No. 5 Texas on tap over the next three weeks. “It’s one of the most competitive groups I’ve ever coached,” Frese said. “It’s not really about being undefeated. Of course, we love it. ... I think it shows the work that they’re putting in. But for us, as long as we just continue to keep our head down and work hard through this process, I think that’s where you’re seeing the results pay off. This group hates to lose, and that’s where you want to be as a coaching staff.” Maryland forward Christina Dalce celebrates with Saylor Poffenbarger against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle drives against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Bri McDaniel puts up a shot against Michigan State on Sunday. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers drives against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle celebrates a basket against Michigan State on Sunday at Xfinity Center in College Park. Smikle scored a team-high 19 points. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland coach Brenda Frese waves during a game against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Maryland forward Christina Dalce celebrates with Saylor Poffenbarger against Michigan State on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at Xfinity Center in College Park. (Courtesy of Maryland Athletics) Kaylene Smikle scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures for the Terps, who built a 37-20 lead after a pair of free throws by Bri McDaniel (12 pounds) midway through the second quarter. But Michigan State (11-2, 1-1) clawed back into it with intense half-court defense, forcing 15 second-half turnovers and scoring nine straight points to open the fourth quarter. When Spartans guard Theryn Hallock (20 points) drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 6:06 to play, Michigan State had tied it at 57. In desperate need of a score, the Terps turned to guard Saylor Poffenbarger, who answered with a 3-pointer of her own to break a 4:54 scoreless streak to start the fourth quarter and give her team the lead for good. “Ironically, we had a whole lesson about momentum yesterday,” Poffenbarger said. “They obviously were going on a run, and I think just getting the momentum back on our side was really important for us. I think that shot did that for us.” Almost. The Spartans still one more run in them, getting the lead to two when Jadden Simmons sank a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left. The Terps, however, were then able to close it out, with Dalce first scoring a key layup, then stealing the ball from Hallock in the paint at the other end. Teammates Sarah Te-Biasu and Sellers each hit one of two free throws to seal the win, as the Terps closed out the game with 15 of the final 24 points. All told, Michigan State shot 32% from the field, including 6 of 24 from 3-point range. “It was probably one of our better defensive efforts,” Frese said. “You could tell the will to really get stops at the defensive end.” The schedule only becomes more difficult from here, with six more opponents currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. There are now six other Big Ten teams in the poll. “It will be the hardest conference slate we’ve ever faced, [and] I love to be facing it with this team,” Frese said. “With 18 conference games [and] only one team is a double, every gamer matters. Now you have head-to-head if it comes down to a tiebreaker with Michigan State. ... Our players love to be in these games, in these big moments. Fortunately for us, there’s a lot more to go.” Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com , 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon . UP NEXT Rutgers at No. 8 Maryland Thursday, 7 p.m. Stream: Big Ten Plus

The Utah Jazz will be back in action on Friday night in Salt Lake City when they host the Phoenix Suns, but good luck guessing what will happen on the Delta Center court. If NBA games were capable of causing whiplash, a lot of Jazz fans would be in neck braces after watching what their team did on the road last week. Utah followed a 27-point loss at Oklahoma City last Tuesday with a jaw-dropping 141-99 blowout victory at Portland on Friday. But the pendulum then swung dramatically back the other direction on Sunday in Sacramento, when the Jazz allowed the Kings to score 141 points while they only put up 97. "Yeah," Jazz coach Will Hardy said after the setback in Sacramento, "we got our butts kicked." Utah makes a quick, one-game pitstop at home against the Suns having lost six of seven and 10 of 12. The Jazz then head out for a five-game holiday trek that has them traveling from Los Angeles to face the Clippers to Detroit, Brooklyn, Cleveland and back to Portland from Dec. 16-26. The Jazz will have to do much better on both ends than they did against the Kings to be competitive in this rough stretch. Sacramento shot 22 of 44 from 3-point range, while Utah made only 38.8 percent of its shots overall. The result wasn't pretty. "That's the way the NBA can feel now," Hardy said. "Games can feel crazy when teams get hot shooting the ball from kind of everywhere." Though neither made significant contributions in the blowout loss, Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Filipowski did return for the Jazz, so their presence could make a difference during this upcoming trek. Keyonte George had a strong game against the Kings, scoring 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting with six assists and four steals. Johnny Juzang scored a season-high 22 in the win at Portland. "We are in this space of guys being in and out, and it's tough for young players to find continuity," Hardy said. "I think for any team to find a level and sustain we do need to have continuity." The Suns wrap up a cross-country, four-game road trip with their second visit to Utah this season. They won 120-112 on Nov. 12. Phoenix has struggled on its trip, falling at New Orleans, Miami and Orlando, and finds itself closer to the bottom of the Western Conference standings than the top. Getting Kevin Durant back from a left ankle injury, which could happen as soon as Friday, would provide a big lift. They are 8-2 this season when Durant teams up with fellow stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but 1-9 when Durant is sidelined. Durant, who has missed the last three games and 12 overall this season, is Phoenix's leading scorer (25.8 points per game), followed by Booker (24.9) and Beal (17.8). "You try to put importance on every segment of the season," Suns center Mason Plumlee said. "Just being fully healthy, having everybody, it'd be nice to get rolling and string some wins together. Those stretches can be meaningful. It does bring out a sense of identity if you're able to put some wins together." This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

No. 8 Maryland women’s basketball beats No. 19 Michigan State, 72-66

NEW YORK , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYTX) pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's initial public offering conducted on February 8, 2024 (the "IPO"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 7, 2025 . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Social media star Nick DiGiovanni teamed up with Dunkin' to break the Guinness World Record for the largest iced latte. DiGiovanni, a chef and social media influencer with multiple Guinness World Records titles, filled an 11-foot tall Dunkin' cup with ice, milk and espresso to take on the record.

WASHINGTON — The FBI should have done more to gather intelligence before the Capitol riot, according to a watchdog report Thursday that also said no undercover FBI employees were on the scene on Jan. 6, 2021, and that none of the bureau's informants was authorized to participate. The report from the Justice Department inspector general's office knocks down a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events that day, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the building in a violent clash with police. The review, released nearly four years after a dark chapter in history that shook the bedrock of American democracy, was narrow in scope, but aimed to shed light on gnawing questions that have dominated public discourse, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. Rioters loyal to Donald Trump gather Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The report offers a mixed assessment of the FBI's performance in the run-up to the riot, crediting the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known "domestic terrorism subjects" who planned to come to Washington that day. But it said the FBI, in an action the now-deputy director described as a "basic step that was missed," failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence. That was a step, the report concluded, "that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6." The report found 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who were tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the day's events. While four informants entered the Capitol, none were authorized to do so by the bureau or to break the law, the report said. Rioters storm the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Many of the 26 informants provided the FBI with information before the riot, but it "was no more specific than, and was consistent with, other sources of information" that the FBI acquired. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general's recommendation "regarding potential process improvements for future events." The lengthy review was launched days after the riot as the FBI faced questions over whether it had missed warning signs or adequately disseminated intelligence it received, including a Jan. 5, 2021, bulletin prepared by the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia, field office that warned of the potential for "war" at the Capitol. The inspector general found the information in that bulletin was broadly shared. FBI Director Chris Wray, who announced this week his plans to resign at the end of Biden's term in January, defended his agency's handing of the intelligence report. He told lawmakers in 2021 that the report was disseminated though the joint terrorism task force, discussed at a command post in Washington and posted on an internet portal available to other law enforcement agencies. "We did communicate that information in a timely fashion to the Capitol Police and (Metropolitan Police Department) in not one, not two, but three different ways," Wray said at the time. FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks March 11 during a hearing of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Separately, the report said the FBI's New Orleans field office was told by a source between November 2020 and early January 2021 that protesters were planning to station a "quick reaction force" in northern Virginia "to be armed and prepared to respond to violence that day in DC, if necessary." That information was shared with the FBI's Washington Field Office, members of intelligence agencies and some federal law enforcement agencies the day before the riot, the inspector general found. But there was no indication the FBI told northern Virginia police about the information, the report said. An FBI official told the inspector general there was "nothing actionable or immediately concerning about it." A cache of weapons at a Virginia hotel as part of a "quick reaction force" was a central piece of the Justice Department's seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the far-right extremist group. Trump supporters, including Douglas Jensen, center, confront U.S. Capitol Police on Jan. 6, 2021, in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. The conspiracy theory that federal law enforcement officers entrapped members of the mob has been spread in conservative circles, including by some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., recently suggested on a podcast that agents pretending to be Trump supporters were responsible for instigating the violence. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who withdrew as Trump's pick as attorney general amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, sent a letter to Wray in 2021 asking how many undercover agents or informants were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and if they were "merely passive informants or active instigators." Wray said the "notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous." Rioters scale a wall at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Supporters loyal to then-President Donald Trump attend a rally on the Ellipse near the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Trump supporters participate in a rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Trump supporters participate in a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Then-President Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a rally in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) People listen as then-President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Supporters of then-President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) A supporter of then-President Donald Trump is injured during clashes with police at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. A rioter pours water on herself at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) A Trump supporter holds a Bible as he gathers with others outside the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A demonstrator supporting then-President Donald Trump, is sprayed by police, Jan. 6, 2021, during a day of rioting at the Capitol.(AP Photo/John Minchillo) Rioters try to enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) U.S. Capitol Police try to hold back rioters outside the east doors to the House side of the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Rioters gather outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, with other insurrectionists who supported then-President Donald Trump, are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber in the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Chansley, was among the first group of insurrectionists who entered the hallway outside the Senate chamber. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point near the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Lawmakers evacuate the floor as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Police with guns drawn watch as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Congressmen shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Members of Congress wear emergency gas masks as they are evacuated from the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The House gallery is empty after it was evacuated as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Members of the DC National Guard surround the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., read the final certification of Electoral College votes cast in November's presidential election during a joint session of Congress after working through the night, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool) A flag hangs between broken windows after then-President Donald Trump supporters tried to break through police barriers outside the U.S. Capitol, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) A flag that reads "Treason" is visible on the ground in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) An ATF police officer cleans up debris and personal belongings strewn across the floor of the Rotunda in the early morning hours of Jan. 7, 2021, after rioters stormed the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) 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.Warren Buffett Says "The Stock Market is Designed to Transfer Money from the Active to the Patient" and the Numbers Prove He is RightTimberwolves didn’t turn to small ball to close last game, and those lineups don’t seem to be on the horizon

“You need to start dressing your age; you look like a skater,” a co-worker jocularly told me as I let out a whiny chortle to disguise my unease. I felt momentarily disarmed by the comment because the only skater I knew of was pioneering board rider Tony Hawk – and he dressed like a Mormon. Radical, dude: Brendan Foster was left puzzled after some unprompted fashion advice. Credit: WAtoday I wasn’t deeply wounded by the parting barb, but it got me marinating on what toggery was befitting for someone tumbling into their late 50s. Granted, there was something transparently pretentious about the outfit I was wearing that warranted a bit of ribbing: a $100 pair of Converse boots, designer shorts, and a check western shirt from the funky, clothing outlet Get Lucky in Fremantle. There’s a good chance I would punch someone in the ear if they called me an ageing hapless hipster, but if the shoe fits. But is there a cut-off point for men of my vintage when it comes to frocking up like a more sophisticated Dude (minus the bathrobe) from the brilliant Coen Brothers movie The Big Lebowski ? There was probably more symbolic value to my outfit than I was willing to admit, and most psychiatrists would have a field day with my wardrobe. But should I just ungracefully step into a pair of elasticated trousers as my body starts to betray itself? Whatever threads I cobbled together, there was a premeditated plan and that was to feel good. At the risk of sounding reactionary, it’s a pretty harmless way to elevate your style and wellbeing, regardless of your age. I doubt the people who created the labels I sport had my demography in mind when they were coming up with a new summer range. And I haven’t stumbled across any mannequins dressed in homeless chic. (Before I go any further, I just want to sincerely acknowledge the brutal, constant ugliness women have endured from online trolls for donning certain attire. I am nothing more than a non-playing character in the game of fashion cruelties). So, what the hell should I be wearing as I reluctantly wobble into my autumn years? Remarkably, given the endless disappointing dross you can find online, there is bugger-all advice when it comes to age-appropriate apparel for chaps like me. Maybe the lack of meaningful information is because there is just an expectation, hat we decrepit dudes will morph into Alf Stewart from Home and Away . I mean, when you turn 65, does your WA Seniors Card rock up the mail with a free pair of brown sandals, grey supermarket slacks, white singlets, and handkerchiefs? The pants come with clear instructions on how to hitch them above your navel and an ankle bracelet that sets off an alarm if you attempt to enter any designer stores. There is a secret sect of khaki-dressed, police that re-educates Bohemian Boomers who dare rock a bucket hat, knee-length shorts, and old-school Puma runners. Or maybe men don’t grasp what sociologist Julia Twigg calls “the changing room moment” when it comes to us blokes realising we are too old for certain items. Professor Twigg interviewed men aged between 58 and 85 who were surprisingly comfortable in the kit they’d worn most of their lives. “It is clear men have a different relationship to dress from women, and the research shows that this continues into later life,” she said. “There is less in the way of age anxiety in their choices.” It’s not uncommon for the male species to adopt a certain look in their early 20s and be buried in the first suit they bought 60 years ago. If you disregard the nexus to money, which has allowed me to buy clothing that isn’t from charity shops, my style hasn’t changed since the early 90s. I still have an unhealthy amount of corduroy pants and jackets in my wardrobe and retro shirts and sneakers. There is something comforting and reassuring about finding your own style and a certain empowerment for not caring (and caring) about what you wear. We can delude ourselves that the rags we pluck from the cupboard are not calculated pieces of composition because the pair of tracky-dacks and favourite band T-shirt you just reached for, still make you feel content. The right duds give us confidence. No matter what our age. Hey, if you’re unconvinced, here are some scientific facts. In a paper published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology , Adam Galinsky and his co-author Hajo Adam coined the term “enclothed cognition”, which describes the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer’s psychological processes. The pair believed our garbs had the power to not only impact our mood but also influence the way we feel and interact with the world. “With enclothed cognition, the key idea is not just the wearing of clothes, but the symbolic meaning of the clothes one is wearing,” Galinsky says. I’m not sure the method worked on existentialist thinker John-Paul Sartre, who spent most of his life dressed as a Parisian bus driver. Adam and Galinsky’s theory could also be applied to the workplace, where our cognitive functions or moods shift when we see a person in certain professional attire. I, for one, would feel more assured about getting a rectal exam from a person wearing a stethoscope and lab coat than someone in high-vis. Despite our persistent denial, our clothes send out signals. They play a critical role in shaping our perceptions of who we are. Whether or not my clobber signified to my colleague that I may have missed the “changing room moment”, it didn’t matter. Whatever our generation, the get-up we choose to wear can make us feel attractive, stylish and jolly. As the Shakespeare saying goes, “apparel oft proclaims the man”. Even if that person chooses not to dress their age. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter .

circus images New Jersey DUI Attorney Rachel Kugel Releases Article on the Impact of DUIs on CDL Holders 12-02-2024 11:26 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire New Jersey DUI attorney Rachel Kugel ( https://thekugellawfirm.com/what-happens-if-you-get-a-dui-with-a-cdl-in-a-personal-vehicle/ ) of The Kugel Law Firm brings attention to the critical challenges faced by Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Whether the incident occurs in a personal vehicle or a commercial one, the consequences can disrupt careers, finances, and personal lives. Rachel Kugel, a prominent New Jersey DUI attorney, explains that CDL holders are held to stricter standards than other drivers. "Even a DUI conviction in a personal vehicle carries severe penalties for CDL holders, including a mandatory one-year suspension of their commercial license. These measures highlight the higher expectations placed on professional drivers to maintain public safety," Kugel states. A DUI conviction for a CDL holder can have immediate and long-term ramifications. As a New Jersey DUI attorney who has worked closely with affected drivers, Rachel Kugel underscores the far-reaching impacts, which include job loss, limited future employment opportunities, and the stigma of a criminal record. The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for CDL holders driving commercial vehicles is just 0.04%, significantly lower than the 0.08% limit for non-commercial drivers. Rachel Kugel highlights that this threshold reflects the increased responsibility of CDL drivers and the potential dangers of impaired driving. For CDL holders, the stakes are high regardless of the type of vehicle involved. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations help ensure that DUI convictions, whether incurred in a personal or commercial vehicle, lead to immediate license suspension. As Rachel Kugel notes, "These consistent penalties further ensure accountability and reinforce the critical importance of safe driving at all times." A first DUI offense results in a one-year CDL suspension, extending to three years if hazardous materials are involved. Subsequent offenses can result in a lifetime ban, with reinstatement possible only under stringent conditions after ten years. The professional repercussions of a DUI conviction for CDL holders often go beyond the courtroom. Rachel Kugel explains, "Employers in the transportation industry frequently enforce zero-tolerance policies for DUI convictions. Many drivers find themselves terminated after an arrest, regardless of the legal outcome." Reemployment is another significant challenge. CDL holders with a DUI on their record may struggle to secure new positions in the industry, even after serving a suspension and fulfilling all legal obligations. For many, this can mean starting over in a new field, often at a lower income. Beyond career challenges, CDL holders also face increased insurance premiums, which can spike by as much as 80%, adding significant financial strain. Combined with fines, legal fees, and mandatory DUI programs, the economic toll of a conviction is often overwhelming. Rachel Kugel advises CDL holders charged with DUI to take immediate action to protect their livelihoods. Early intervention by a skilled legal advocate can often mitigate the severity of penalties and, in some cases, challenge the basis of the charges. Effective defense strategies for CDL holders include questioning the legality of the traffic stop, scrutinizing the accuracy of sobriety tests, and addressing any factors-such as medical conditions-that may have influenced BAC readings. Kugel emphasizes, "A strong legal defense can be the difference between career-ending consequences and a manageable outcome." For New Jersey CDL holders, the consequences of a DUI are both immediate and lasting. Rachel Kugel urges drivers to seek knowledgeable legal counsel as soon as possible to address the challenges of their cases. "Don't wait to take action," Kugel says. "A single mistake doesn't have to define your future, and there are legal paths to protect your career and your rights." About The Kugel Law Firm: The Kugel Law Firm is a New Jersey-based practice devoted to defending individuals charged with DUIs, including CDL holders. Led by attorney Rachel Kugel, the firm is committed to providing strategic and compassionate representation to safeguard its clients' rights and livelihoods. Embeds: Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfVASbAgtNI GMB: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=3822170752710866861 Email and website Email: admin@thekugellawfirm.com Website: https://thekugellawfirm.com/ Media Contact Company Name: The Kugel Law Firm Contact Person: Rachel Kugel Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=new-jersey-dui-attorney-rachel-kugel-releases-article-on-the-impact-of-duis-on-cdl-holders ] Phone: (973) 854-0098 Address:1 Gateway Center 2600 City: Newark State: New Jersey 07102 Country: United States Website: https://thekugellawfirm.com/ This release was published on openPR.

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FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund ( NYSEARCA:HYGV – Get Free Report ) shares dropped 0.2% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $40.62 and last traded at $40.64. Approximately 133,800 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 27% from the average daily volume of 183,198 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.72. FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund Trading Down 0.2 % The stock has a fifty day moving average of $41.12 and a 200 day moving average of $41.00. Institutional Trading of FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Essex Savings Bank bought a new position in FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund during the third quarter valued at $207,000. Clear Point Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund by 15.8% during the 2nd quarter. Clear Point Advisors Inc. now owns 15,326 shares of the company’s stock valued at $619,000 after buying an additional 2,086 shares during the last quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP grew its stake in shares of FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. Mount Lucas Management LP now owns 43,329 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,805,000 after acquiring an additional 1,930 shares during the period. First United Bank & Trust increased its holdings in FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund by 9.0% in the 3rd quarter. First United Bank & Trust now owns 62,630 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,609,000 after acquiring an additional 5,157 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN increased its holdings in FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund by 51.3% in the 3rd quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN now owns 113,271 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,719,000 after acquiring an additional 38,387 shares during the last quarter. FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund Company Profile The FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund (HYGV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in high yield fixed income. The fund tracks a proprietary fundamental-weighted index of USD-denominated high-yield corporate bonds selected based on value, credit, and liquidity. HYGV was launched on Jul 17, 2018 and is managed by FlexShares. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FlexShares High Yield Value-Scored Bond Index Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Several times following New England’s 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said he wanted to review the game film before making a final assessment of his team’s performance. He did, and on Monday he said the overarching feeling he was left with was one of pride. Going toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the NFL is commendable. Mayo also remains confident this group has even more room for growth over its final two games this season. “To be frank, I don’t believe in good losses,” Mayo said. “I think there’s a lot to learn from the game. Look, we’re headed in the right direction, but it’s all about consistency, and we have to do that on a down-after-down, a game-after-game basis to be successful in this league.” What is also clear is that despite their 3-12 record, Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye wants people to know that he and his teammates believe in their coach. No matter what conversations might be going on outside the Patriots locker room regarding shortcomings by the coaching staff, or Mayo’s job status. “We’ve got his back, and he’s coached us hard. He wants to win. We all want to win. We’re all frustrated,” Maye said. “We’re just plays away, and it’s basically me turning the ball over. I think it’s just a testament to these guys that keep fighting. We keep fighting. Shoot, we’re not going to make the playoffs; we’re out of the race, and these guys are coming in, frustrated when we don’t score. ... So, I think we’re building something good, building something that feels right here, and I’m proud to be a Patriot.” What’s working The Patriots entered the week scoring only 7.5 points per game in the first half this season, which ranked 29th in the NFL. The offense woke up with 14 points in the first half on Sunday, notching multiple offensive touchdowns in the first half for the first time in 2024. What needs help Stopping the run has been an issue for New England’s defense for most of the season and it was on display against the Bills. With Buffalo trailing 14-0 in the second quarter, running back James Cook sliced through the interior of the Patriots defense and broke free for a 46-yard TD run. It was a big chunk of Buffalo’s 172 yards on the ground for the game. Stock up CB Jonathan Jones. He was tasked with being the primary defender on Buffalo’s top receiver Khalil Shakir for most of the game. The veteran held his own, helping limit the Bills’ leader in catches and receiving yards to only two catches for 22 yards on six targets. Jones also forced a fumble by Shakir in the fourth quarter, though Shakir was able to recover it. Stock down Marte Mapu. The linebacker started at safety with Jabrill Peppers sidelined with a hamstring injury. Mapu was strong for most of the game and had a chance to set up the Patriots offense in the second quarter when he snagged his second career interception, picking off Josh Allen’s pass in the end zone. But Mapu decided to run the ball out of the end zone and was tackled on the New England 1-yard line. The poor starting field position eventually led to a punt and the Patriots couldn’t add to their 14-7 lead. Injuries The Patriots didn’t announce any injuries during the game. But along with Peppers, cornerback Marcus Jones also sat out with a hip injury. Key number 2-6 — The Patriots’ record in one-score games this season. Four of those have been by three or fewer points. Next steps The Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kyle Hightower, The Associated PressEagles QB Tanner McKee gets 1st career TD football back with a little help from fans in the standsNone

LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants. Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — A trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found 76-year-old Dayle Haddon, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man who was also in the home was hospitalized in critical condition. As a model, Haddon appeared on dozens of magazine coverage in the 1970s and 1980s. She then reentered the industry in the 1990s after landing contracts with cosmetic companies to promote their anti-aging products. 2 Oregon men die from exposure in a forest after they went out to look for Sasquatch STEVENSON, Wash. (AP) — Officials say two Oregon men have died in a Washington state forest after they failed to return from a trip to look for Sasquatch. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says the 59-year-old and 37-year-old appear to have died from exposure. The sheriff's office says it based that conclusion on the weather and their lack of preparedness. Both men were from Portland. They were found in a heavily wooded area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest northeast of that city. Family reported them missing after they failed to return from a Christmas Eve outing. Sasquatch is a folkloric beast thought by some to roam the forests, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.Have you seen Royden? Mid North Coast police appeal to find missing man