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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C Executive Council, has urged members to comply with the two-week strike following an industrial disagreement with the Federal Government. The union’s Zonal Coordinator, Mr Adekunle Masopa made this known during a media conference at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos on Friday. Recall that the resolution of the Union’s 111th NEC was the issuance of a 15-day ultimatum to the government. It urged the government to address issues threatening the progress of the sector or face a withdrawal of services by members nationwide. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union plans to begin the industrial action on Monday to press their demands. Masopa reiterated the resolution of NEC to all chapters and members across the zone, charging them to down tools, while the chapter executive were mandated to ensure compliance. READ ALSO : Labour begins nationwide strike, cites empty promises by governors The zonal coordinator said members would call off the two weeks strike and resume lectures on Dec. 16. Masopa listed the reasons for the strike to include minimum wage, CONTISS 15 migration and delay in promotion exercises. “Our demands also include non-payment of promotion benefits, inadequate staffing and appointment of Principal officers in Acting capacity beyond the provisions of the Edicts for the institutions. “There is also undue delay by the regulatory body for the Polytechnic sector, NBTE, on review of the suspended contentious document titled Schemes of Service for Polytechnics,” he said. Masopa said the non-conclusion of the ASUP/FG 2010 agreement renegotiation process and the non-release of promotion arrears in federal institutions were among their grievances. The zonal coordinator said there was violation of the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act (as amended 2019) in the appointment of a new rector in Federal Polytechnic Nekede. He said there were clear cases of irregularities in application of the Federal Polytechnic Act, Edicts and other instruments of governance.

IT’S a woman’s world for Sacha Baron Cohen in his latest film. The comedian , 53, plays a male chauvinist in a parallel world which is dominated by women. His character gets catcalled by female builders on the London set of Ladies First. There was also a “women at work” road sign. Saltburn’s Rosamund Pike , 45, then filmed the same scene but with male builders leering at her. She stole the show in a short skit, grey tweed overcoat and curled blonde hair with an earth-tone handbag on set in the City of London. READ MORE FILM NEWS Pike and Baron Cohen have chemistry as they face off in a complicated new world which proves tough to adapt to. The fiery romantic comedy, directed by The Beautiful Game creator Thea Sharrock, will also star Richard E Grant. The Netflix movie is a remake of the 2018 French romantic comedy, I Am Not An Easy Man. Rosamund began dating Robie Uniacke in 2009. Most read in News TV The two reportedly met at a soiree, but they have kept other details private. Rosamund said about Robie: "I have a very clever partner who's got a very astute mind and is very, very well read and articulate and ruthless about how something I do might play out on screen. "My tendency is to identify with a character and imagine there is more on the page than there is. He's quite good at putting a check on that."Duke's Cooper Flagg thrives in first true road environment, quieting Arizona crowd with 24 points TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Duke freshman phenom Cooper Flagg got his first taste of a true college road atmosphere on Friday night, playing in front of a raucous announced crowd of 14,634 at Arizona’s McKale Center. For a few early moments, he looked a little nervous. It was fleeting. Flagg scored 16 points in the second half, finishing with a game-high 24 as No. 12 Duke pulled away for a 69-55 win over No. 17 Arizona. The preseason All-American shot 10 of 22 from the field, grabbed six rebounds and had three assists, two blocks and a steal. 76ers center Joel Embiid sidelined due to swelling in his left knee and will miss two games PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers say center Joel Embiid is managing swelling in his left knee and will miss a second consecutive game Sunday. The Sixers issued a statement on the condition of the 2023 NBA MVP at halftime of Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets, saying the decision to sideline Embiid was made along with the team’s medical staff. Embiid was ruled out prior to Friday’s game against the Nets due to what the team described as left knee injury maintenance. The Sixers host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Austin Hays, Kyle Finnegan, Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Romano among 62 new free agents NEW YORK (AP) — Outfielder Austin Hays, right-hander Kyle Finnegan and second baseman Brendan Rodgers were among 62 players who became free agents when their teams failed to offer 2025 contracts. Right-hander Jordan Romano, left-hander Patrick Sandoval and outfielders Michael Tauchman and Ramón Laureano also were among the players cut loose, many of whom would have been eligible for salary arbitration. Washington cut right-hander Tanner Rainey, its last remaining player from the 2019 World Series champions. Finnegan and Hays are former All-Stars. US ski star Shiffrin leads World Cup slalom after 1st run and closes in on career win No. 99 GURGL, Austria (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin closed in on what would be the American ski star’s career win No. 99 by setting the pace in the opening run of a women’s World Cup slalom. Shiffrin wasn’t clean going into the steep of the Kirchenkar course but gained time on all competitors with a near-flawless finish section. Wendy Holdener was fastest at the first two splits and the Swiss racer trailed Shiffrin by 0.13 seconds at the finish. Shiffrin says she was feeling "a little bit funky on some spots.” A victory would give Shiffrin five chances to compete for win No. 100 during a North American sweep of the World Cup starting next week. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Russell puts Mercedes on pole at Las Vegas and Verstappen nips Norris in championship battle LAS VEGAS (AP) — George Russell put Mercedes on the pole for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in an upset over teammate Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was fastest in the first two practice sessions with Russell fastest in Friday night’s third and final session. But come qualifying, Hamilton made two mistakes in the final group and wound up a distant 10th. Carlos Sainz Jr. and Charles Leclerc seemed to sweep the front row until Russell’s late lap pushed Sainz to second. Pierre Gasly slid into third, and Leclerc wound up fourth. Championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull qualified fifth for Saturday night's race. Verstappen needs only to score three points more than challenger Lando Norris to win his fourth straight world championship. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. Chase Elliott named NASCAR's most popular driver for 7th straight season CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Chase Elliott has been named NASCAR's most popular driver for the seventh straight year. He was announced Friday at NASCAR's annual season-ending awards ceremony. It's the only major NASCAR award determined solely by the vote of race fans. Elliott beat out Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson and Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, per results released by the National Motorsports Press Association. Bill Elliott, Chase's father who is nicknamed “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville,” was named NASCAR’s most popular driver a record 16 times before removing his name from the ballot. Either an Elliott or Earnhardt has won NASCAR’s most popular driver award for 34 consecutive years. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.”

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Have a pretty little Christmasby Susantha Hewa Surely, racism has caused enough damage to us to warrant its erasure from our midst with the condemnation it deserves, without leaving it more room to further flourish in deceptively benign ways. As showcased by the November 14 election results, many Tamils and Muslims, not forgetting Catholics and Hindus, have voted to power the NPP, led by the JVP, which they might have previously labelled, and avoided, as a ‘Sinhalese’ party. This turning of tables has obviously been triggered by the country’s worsening political and economic conditions, but the story should not end there because people’s unprecedented shift of faith strongly indicates the relaxing of the rigid social and cultural postures which may prove to be more important in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. This is because, if used wisely and sensitively, it has the potential to be directed towards the evolution of a society where there wouldn’t be much room for further social fragmentation, hitherto sustained by the biases felt at the deepest levels of our sense of ‘self and other’. Dr. Jehan Perera in his article titled “Reading demands for change” ( The Island, November 19, 2024) says, “Unlike in the case of economic recovery for which there are no short-term panaceas, the solution to the ethnic conflict is one that can be resolved soon as it has been discussed, negotiated and publicised on several occasions, but not implemented due to the failure of leadership”. The government may seize the opportunity to “make hay while the sun shines”. The mercurial nature of ‘identity’ and ‘self’ is well-known. They are a topic of discussion in neuroscience, psychology, humanities, social sciences, religions and, notably, in Buddhism. In humanities and social sciences, ‘identity’ is used to refer to one’s social ‘face’. According to psychology, ‘self’ is a multi-dimensional concept that “includes cognitive and affective judgments about ourselves”. Simply put, it is a social construct and “is shaped by interactions with others, and how a person views themselves in relation to their culture, history, gender, class, and more”. In other words, ‘self’ and ‘identity’ are social constructs; they may not be sufficiently understood as entities independent of the dynamic links between the individual and society. Given the above insights, it is not hard to understand that our collective gut feeling of ‘identity’ has much room for updating and improvement for us to move ahead as a united nation. It’s not difficult to understand that unity is more conducive to social wellbeing than prudish affirmation of our different identities. In particular, Buddhists shouldn’t find it much difficult to understand ‘identity’ as an illusion, because in Buddhism, “The ‘I’ or sense of self is considered an illusion, and is viewed as fluid and ever-changing”. However, many of us Buddhists don’t seem to have taken this illusory nature of self all that seriously. Of course, one may argue, that it is too deep a concept to be grasped by ‘ prthagjana’ (not sufficiently enlightened) people. Perhaps the argument is more expedient than sincere, for it can readily be used to silence those who wantonly accuse us of being wicked. Humour apart, surely, we all have among our acquaintances, those who seem to have understood this concept to the extent that they can view ‘identities’ with more detachment thus contributing to enhance a sense of togetherness, at least in their small circles. And, among them are people of all ethnicities and faiths – Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and even those who refuse to follow any established religion; the late Dr. E.W. Adikaram comes to mind easily. Our tendency to cling to the rigid cast of ‘self and other’ comes from the habit of finding security in our accustomed ‘comfort zones’. That is, we thrive in the feeling of togetherness in small communes. In other words, being immersed in the feeling of belonging to this or that ethnicity, religion, caste, gender, etc., is too appealing and reassuring to be got rid of with the weapons of knowledge, judgement and reason you acquire as you grow up. Such cast-iron ‘identity’ jackets we are proud to wear would do little to help forge a more cohesive society. In all these years, we have had little help from our society, its various institutions, cultures, customs and religions to think in terms of an integrated society, despite all the rhetoric and popularized cosmetic programmes that were made to be soothing to the ear and the eye. The uselessness of all these haphazard and dispersed projects often surfaces when our ‘naturalized’ social instincts begin to assert themselves against wiser counsels. Up to the present, all our political potentates have never lost an opportunity to wax inspirational about ‘unity in diversity’. Their sincerity is in public display today, courtesy their spirited scuffles to enter Parliament through National Lists. Despite their usual bombast on peace building, our past is scattered with loud assertions of our ‘purity of stock’ where political collusion was too apparent to escape notice. We have not forgotten those horror stories about ‘ wanda kottu’, ‘wanda sethkam’ , etc. – all supposedly ‘neutering missions’ that stirred communal disharmony. Had the years of political sermonizing, pontification, programmes, launched with much sound and fury to purportedly promote ethnic cohesion, been able to make us any less susceptible to our ancestral instincts? By the way, how about gender-based discrimination, which most of us are unconcerned about? We have enough academic interest in such fields but not much of it goes to help to subdue the persistent feelings of women who feel being oppressed and discriminated. Of course, it goes without saying that not many religions have addressed the social and cultural oppression of women in a ‘language’ which has made any sufficient dent in our deep-rooted gender biases. As we have seen above, it is the same with other forms of oppression that we have perpetuated and unwittingly fostered at our own peril. Let’s think for a moment about the rumblings felt in some segments of society about their ‘underrepresentation’ in the new government’s power hierarchy. There is no doubt that these are genuine feelings of disaffection coming from their dormant feelings of being subject to discrimination; for example, with regard to Muslim representation and female representation. There is no doubt that it is better for all of us to assuage these deeply felt hurts as they arise in society to create uproar. However, at what level do we have to address them? Surely, not at the highest levels of their visibility and urgency, which has resulted from prolonged neglect. They should be addressed at their most rudimentary levels for us to get rid of these ‘anomalies’. Instead of thinking of quick fixes, as has been the practice in the past, it is time we grasped the nettle. The solution to women’s problems is not to find a few more slots for them in Parliament and other powerful positions, although it would instantly satisfy the disgruntled parties. The underrepresentation of women in privileged positions is just a sign of the basic problem of their culturally imposed subservience in the family. It’s not different from the subjugation of social groups on the basis of hoary divisions shielded to perpetuate power structures in different parts of the world. For examples, women’s subservient state in the family is extolled by platitudes about their unrestricted maternal love, sacrifice, self-denial, abstinence, etc., which indirectly help their subjugation effected by overtly discriminatory means. In trying to expose the wrappings of India’s age-old caste system, Arundhati Roy says, “ it [casteism] has come to be so fused with ... so much that is seen to be kind and good—mysticism, spiritualism, non-violence, tolerance, vegetarianism, Gandhi, yoga, backpackers, the Beatles—that, at least to outsiders, it seems impossible to pry it loose and try to understand it.” As for oppressive systems, casteism is not alone in its capacity for working in complicity with most prevalent forms of human engagement. Can’t we see a similar congruence of seemingly uplifting cultural interventions with regard to deifying ‘motherhood’, which obscures the cultural oppression of women in society. With regard to the current misgivings about underrepresentation in politics attributed to the lack of concern about ethnicity/religion and gender, perhaps easy solutions will be effective in the short term but they are likely to help perpetuate the basic problems crying for a lasting solution. The unsatisfactory visibility of women in higher ranks, in politics or elsewhere, has to be addressed at the roots by taking awareness to the people of the sociocultural character of the issue. Same applies to any unfairness, whether it is perceived by any community – be it concerning the majority or a minority. The political and social context we find ourselves in today is a good opportunity which shouldn’t be left unexploited, if we don’t wish to postpone any further the possibility of ushering in a more friendly society with less unwarranted enmities.CIBC Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in Virtu Financial, Inc. ( NASDAQ:VIRT – Free Report ) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 7,935 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $242,000. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in Virtu Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Virtu Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Virtu Financial by 55.3% in the 1st quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,193 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 781 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Virtu Financial during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Virtu Financial by 21.0% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 2,143 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 372 shares during the last quarter. 45.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Virtu Financial from $32.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Bank of America cut their target price on Virtu Financial from $37.00 to $35.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Virtu Financial from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $35.00 price objective on shares of Virtu Financial in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Virtu Financial from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, September 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $29.50. Virtu Financial Trading Down 3.0 % NASDAQ:VIRT opened at $36.69 on Friday. Virtu Financial, Inc. has a 1 year low of $16.02 and a 1 year high of $38.09. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $32.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The company has a market cap of $5.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 0.38. Virtu Financial ( NASDAQ:VIRT – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.03. Virtu Financial had a net margin of 7.29% and a return on equity of 23.22%. The firm had revenue of $388.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $379.18 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.40 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 30.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Virtu Financial, Inc. will post 2.71 EPS for the current year. Virtu Financial Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, December 15th. Investors of record on Sunday, December 1st will be paid a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.62%. Virtu Financial’s dividend payout ratio is presently 48.24%. Virtu Financial Profile ( Free Report ) Virtu Financial, Inc operates as a financial services company in the United States, Asia Pacific, Canada, EMEA, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Market Making and Execution Services. Its product includes offerings in execution, liquidity sourcing, analytics and broker-neutral, capital markets, and multi-dealer platforms in workflow technology. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VIRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Virtu Financial, Inc. ( NASDAQ:VIRT – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Virtu Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Virtu Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Furthermore, the rise of geopolitical tensions and competition in key strategic areas such as technology, trade, and influence in developing countries poses a challenge to the EU-China relationship. The former Spanish Foreign Minister stressed the need for both sides to approach these challenges with a pragmatic and realistic mindset, focusing on areas of mutual interest while managing areas of disagreement.

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A video showing an Ola customer smashing his scooter with a hammer right in front of the showroom is going viral on social media. The development came after the service center staff issued a repair bill of Rs 90,000. In the viral footage, a man wearing a white T-shirt can be seen thrashing a scooter laid down in front of a showroom. Later, another man appears and takes turns with the hammer, and begins smashing it. The video was posted on X with the caption, " The showroom made a bill of Rs 90000, the customer got upset and broke the scooter in front of the showroom." शोरूम ने 90000 का बनाया बिल ग्राहक ने परेशान होकर शोरूम के सामने ही तोड़ दी स्कूटी - सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हुआ वीडियो. #ola #OlaScooter #viralvideo #ViralVideos #socialmedia #Nedricknews @OlaElectric pic.twitter.com/7JPPtRSf9E — Nedrick News (@nedricknews) November 22, 2024 Previously, the comedian Kunal Kamra criticised Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal for poor customer service. Kamra shared an image of scooters parked at an Ola service centre, questioning the quality of after-sales support on social media. Posting on X, Kamra questioned, “Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two-wheelers are many daily wage workers' lifeline.” Reacting the Kamra's post, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said, “Since you care so much, Kunal Kamra, come and help us out! I’ll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career. Or else sit quiet and let us focus on fixing the issues for the real customers. We’re expanding the service network fast, and backlogs will be cleared soon.” Social Media Users React To Viral Video After the video went viral on social media, netizens gave mixed responses in the comment section of the video. One of the netizens said, "All the electric scooter owners are frauds, they need goats so that they don't slaughter their customers. Everyone's service is absolutely poor." The next said, "Whenever I think of buying an Ola Electric scooter. Some video like this surfaces and I delay my decision. I really wish there could be an electric company, which would make quality electric scooters." Another responded, "Why not file a case of cheating against OLA instead of doing this nonsense. Ask them for full refund, compensation for time and mental peace. Why give such companies easy way out." ALSO READ | Anupam Mittal Opens Hiring For A ‘Chief Of What’ Role In Response To Zomato CEO’s No Salary Job Offer. See Viral Post

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Larry is joined by writer and historian Timothy Shenk to discuss his newest book, Left Adrift: What Happened to Liberal Politics . They begin their conversation by talking about why they think the Democrats failed with their messaging in the 2024 election and what the rise of Trumpism means about American culture today. Next, Shenk shares the historic and societal reasons he was inspired to write his book, which tells the story of modern Democratic ideology through the lens of highly influential political thinkers like Stan Greenburg (19:23). They then look at historical figures like George Wallace and Eugene McCarthy to see how their vision of populism led to the rise of politicians like Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and Barack Obama (24:50). After the break, Larry and Tim debate what the Democrats can do to reconnect to the working and lower classes and examine which major political party is best positioned for success going forward (52:05). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Timothy Shenk Producer: Chris Sutton Subscribe: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Stitcher / RSS

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OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC Sells 275 Shares of Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (NYSE:KNSL)At Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, more than a year of war has taken its toll. Global airlines have canceled flights, gates are empty and pictures of hostages still held in the Gaza Strip guide the few arriving passengers to baggage claim. But one check-in desk remains flush with travelers: the one serving flights to the United Arab Emirates, which have kept up a bridge for Israelis to the outside world throughout the war. The Emirati flights, in addition to bolstering airlines' bottom lines, have shined a light on the countries' burgeoning ties — which have survived the wars raging across the Middle East and could be further strengthened as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to office. "It's a political and economic statement," said Joshua Teitelbaum, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Israel's BarIlan University. "They are the main foreign airlines that continue to fly." Since the wars began with Hamas' initial Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, many international airlines have halted, restarted and halted again their flights into Israel's main gateway to the rest of the world. The concern is real for the carriers, who remember the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine 10 years ago and Iran shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 after takeoff from Tehran in 2020. But FlyDubai, the sister airline to the long-haul carrier Emirates, has kept up multiple flights daily and kept Israel connected to the wider world even as its other low-cost competitors have stopped flights. Abu Dhabi's Etihad has continued its flights as well. While maintaining the flight schedule remains politically important for the UAE after its 2020 diplomatic recognition of Israel, it also provided a further shot in the arm for revenues — particularly for FlyDubai. Since the Israeli's wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon started, international carriers such as Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, Germany's Lufthansa and other major airlines halted their flights. Some resumed, only to stop again after Iran's Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel and Israel's Oct. 26 retaliatory strike on the Islamic Republic. Tehran has threatened to strike Israel again. That's brought major business to Israel's national carrier El Al, which had struggled in the coronavirus pandemic and prior years. The airline posted its bestever half-year results this year, recording a $227 million profit as compared to $58 million profit in the same period last year. El Al stock has risen by as much 200% over the past year, as compared to a 29% rise in the wider Tel Aviv 125 stock market index. El Al, however, lacks the routes and connections of major international carriers. Low-cost carriers as well have stopped flying into Israel during periods of the war, sending the price of El Al tickets ever higher. Passenger numbers through Ben Gurion halved compared to the same period the year before, El Al said in its second-quarter financial results. However, FlyDubai has kept flying. The carrier has operated more than 1,800 flights to Israel since October 2023, cancelling only 77 flights overall, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. In September alone, it flew more than 200 flights. As a line snaked toward the FlyDubai check-in counters at Ben Gurion Airport, UAE-bound Motti Eis said the flights were "a symbol that the Emirates countries decided to keep the peace." FlyDubai declined to answer questions from The Associated Press about the flights. Etihad, the flag carrier for Abu Dhabi, has kept flying into Tel Aviv, but the number of its flights has been dwarfed by FlyDubai. FlyDubai had 3.6% market share at Ben Gurion, compared to El Al's 43.2% in the second half of 2024. However, at least two of the foreign low-cost airlines with greater market, Wizz Air and Blue Bird, stopped flying for extended periods this year. Etihad said it maintains a close watch on the situation in the region, but continues its daily flights to and from Tel Aviv. "Ben Gurion International Airport remains open, employing best practices in safety and security practices, enabling Etihad and other airlines to provide essential air connectivity as long as it is secure to do so," the airline said in a statement. Beyond the financial impact, the decision also takes root in the UAE's decision to recognize Israel in 2020 under agreements brokered by President Donald Trump known as the Abraham Accords. While Abu Dhabi has repeatedly expressed concern and outrage at Israel's conduct during the wars, Israel's consulate in Dubai and embassy remain open in the country. And while Dubai, broadly speaking, remains focused on business in the country, Abu Dhabi's focus long has been on its geopolitical aims — which since the 2011 Arab Spring have been squarely focused on challenging Islamist movements and those who back them in the wider region. The UAE, a hereditary autocracy, long has viewed those groups as serious challenges to its power. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Alice Walton, the daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, has risen to the title of the world's richest woman, overtaking Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the L’Oréal heiress. This achievement is largely attributed to a sharp 44% rise in Walmart's stock value this year, which propelled Walton’s net worth to over $95 billion. Her wealth grew by an astounding $25 billion in just one year, placing her on the verge of joining the exclusive group of centi-billionaires—those with fortunes exceeding $100 billion—including names like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett. Meanwhile, Bettencourt Meyers experienced a decline in her fortune, dropping by $10 billion due to a 13% dip in L’Oréal's stock, leaving her with $90 billion. Currently, Walton ranks 18th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, one spot ahead of Bettencourt Meyers at 19th. Walton’s brothers, Jim and Rob, also feature prominently, holding the 16th and 17th spots with net worths of $98 billion and $96 billion, respectively. Together, the Walton siblings control over 11% of Walmart's shares, inherited from their father, and have reaped over $15 billion in dividends and stock sales over the years. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, who owns 35% of L’Oréal, inherited her stake from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, continuing a legacy spanning generations. Her company oversees globally renowned brands such as Garnier and Maybelline, solidifying its position as the leading cosmetics giant. Born on October 7, 1949, in Newport, Arkansas, Alice Walton graduated with a degree in Economics from Trinity University, Texas. She began her career as an equity analyst and financial expert before founding Llama Company in 1988, where she served as president and CEO. Although she inherited a substantial fortune after her father’s passing in 1992, Walton gradually stepped away from the retail world. Instead, she channeled her energy into the arts, establishing the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2011. This museum reflects her lifelong passion for curating and preserving American art, making her a prominent figure in both wealth and culture.

Senate prospects appeared dim Monday for a controversial bill that recently passed the House that many civil liberties groups and nonprofits said could be used to retaliate against them for their activities. In an email to HuffPost on Monday, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said that Schumer “is opposed to the provisions to strip accused nonprofits of their tax-exempt status.” Combined with the dwindling time lawmakers have to pass a bill to keep the government open past Dec. 20 and Schumer’s intent to spend precious Senate floor time on confirming federal judges , the outlook for the bill was already cloudy before the disclosure of Schumer’s position. As majority leader, Schumer decides what bills get consideration by the full Senate. The bill passed the House Thursday on a 219-184 vote , with 30 representatives not voting. Only one Republican, libertarian-leaning Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), voted against it, while only 15 Democrats voted in support. The bill would allow the treasury secretary to more quickly take away the tax-exempt status of groups that have provided support for groups listed by the government as terrorist organizations. The nonprofit groups would have to be notified of their designation as terrorist-supporting organizations at least 90 days beforehand and would have that time to make changes to prevent being stripped of their exempt status. They could also challenge the exemption with the IRS and in federal court. Despite those safeguards, many groups spanning the ideological spectrum, from the American Civil Liberties Union to the libertarian Cato Institute, worried they would not be enough to prevent the new authority from being abused. Critics also found a receptive audience among House Democrats. Fifty-two supported the bill in an initial vote on Nov. 12, many more than the 15 who supported it in the final vote. The prospect of a Donald Trump administration having that new power, after Trump has said publicly he was entitled to take revenge on his political enemies, concerned many Democrats. “The GOP wants to give the new president Orwellian powers to impose a Kafkaesque nightmare on America’s nonprofits,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said in a social media post , adding, ” What could go wrong with the new administration having the power to designate groups as ‘terrorist-supporting’ with no judicial determination and no due process?” Republicans said the fears of abuse were unfounded and an overreaction to Trump’s election. They also touted the other part of the bill, language that would ease tax penalties assessed on people unable to file their taxes because they are being held hostage abroad. “Congress must act to stop this abuse of our tax code that is funding terrorism around the world. We must act to end the unfair tax treatment of Americans who have already suffered enough — and whose families have suffered enough — from being held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad,” said Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement Thursday . If the bill fails to be passed by both the House and Senate by the time the new Congress is seated in early January, advocates will have to start all over again with a new bill. However, the bill, or only portions of it, could still be tucked into other legislation that is expected to pass before Congress adjourns, such as a temporary spending bill or a huge defense policy bill. Chuck Schumer Cuts Deal With GOP To Confirm Some Of Biden’s Final Judges, Drop Others Schumer Explains How McConnell Can ‘Salvage’ Some Of His Reputation Chuck Schumer Demands 'Good F**king Reason' For Trump Inaction In Jan. 6 Footage

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Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100The whiplash-inducing, “Hun­ger Games”-style race to become Donald Trump’s Treasury secretary made it easy for the media to ignore what has been going on with Janet Yellen — and the absolute mess she’s leaving for her successor. Yellen — who, it was revealed Friday, will be replaced as Treasury secretary in January by hedge fund mogul Scott Bessent — was Joe Biden’s pick to run the office that is essentially the country’s CFO. Indeed, it could be the most important cabinet position in the White House given the importance of the US economy. Americans put Trump in office largely over his handling of the economy during his first term — job growth and wages that kept place with a low inflation rate. Despite her gold-plated résumé, Ivy League degrees, and time served as Fed chair, Yellen gave the country just the opposite. Her boss paid the price politically as the American people paid the price economically. And according to my sources, the American people aren’t done paying the price for Yellen’s mismanagement even if most of the financial media is overlooking the fiscal time bomb she devised — one that could blow up once Trump takes office. Specifically, my sources who follow the bond market say Yellen has been setting a trap for the incoming Trump administration through the way she financed the massive $1.8 trillion federal budget deficit that exploded during the Biden years with the accumulation of $36 trillion in debt. Yellen has been moving away from long-term debt to finance the shortfalls to shorter-dated securities, essentially rolling over deficits with more and more Treasury bills instead of the normal way of debt issuance through 10- and 30-year debt. That’s according to an analysis by Robbert van Batenburg of the influential Bear Traps Report, who estimates that around 30% of all debt is the short-term variety — aka 2-year and shorter notes — compared to 15% in 2023. Didn’t lock in low rates In an era of low interest rates, Yellen & Co. could have locked in relatively cheap interest payments for years by issuing more 10- and 30-year debt. So why go there? Politics, according to Yellen’s Wall Street critics. Because the Biden administration has taken spending to new and some say unsustainable levels, Yellen needed to engage in a bit of financial chicanery to keep interest rates low and not spook the stock market during an election year, her critics say. If she had financed deficits with 10- and 30-year bonds, that would have caused a rise in interest rates that impact consumers, i.e. mortgages and credit cards. Yields on the 10-year bond have remained under 5%, a key level that has coincided with a run-up in stocks. If rates move to 5% and above, it would also probably cause a decline in the stock market because stocks would be competing with higher-yielding super-safe treasuries for investors’ money. She was playing with additional fire because rates on short-dated debt, while low, began to spike in recent years when the Fed raised its base rate to fight inflation. As van Batenburg puts it: “The Treasury now faces a substantial volume of short-term debt maturing annually, which must be refinanced at significantly higher interest rates. Current market rates for short-term debt, while slightly lower than recent peaks, remain elevated compared to historical levels. This mismatch between low-cost historical debt and high-cost replacement debt is driving a substantial increase in the government’s interest expense.” Scary stuff. Average Americans got screwed by inflation and then higher rates that made homeownership less affordable. Rich people luxuriated in gains from higher financial-asset prices. But yields on the 10-year have been inching up to that danger zone of 5%. It could set the stage for a stock market collapse or even worse if the bond market starts to factor in not just higher deficits given Biden’s spending spree, but also the need to issue more long-dated debt because short-term borrowing is more expensive. Thanks, Janet. Gensler’s SEC land mines Speaking of cleaning up messes, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced last week he doesn’t plan to stick around until his term ends in 2026. His replacement is still in question as this column goes to press, though sources say long-time securities lawyer and ex-SEC commissioner Paul Atkins has the inside track. While Wall Street’s top cop won’t face the same existential worries being faced by the new Treasury secretary, it won’t be a cakewalk, either. “Cleaning up after Gensler is like avoiding land mines left behind by the retreating Japanese soldiers,” an SEC insider told me. Gensler, during his three-plus years as Biden’s SEC chair, basically defied the agency’s congressional mandate. He turned what’s essentially an investor-protection agency into a climate-activist arm of the Biden administration by trying to impose costly and absurd disclosures on public companies about their carbon footprint, nearly impossible to accurately gauge. His enforcement arm became a de facto regulator of the $3.5 trillion crypto business; instead of setting clear rules for the industry, he brought cases, stifling innovation of all-important blockchain technology in the US and pushing it overseas. Staff morale is at an all-time low due to Gensler’s brusque management style. I can go on, but I don’t want to scare whoever’s taking Gary’s place. Originally published as US economy: Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen departs from office - as she leaves a trail of mess for her successor

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President and Champion of Musicians, Dies at 100

Chelsea’s surprise defeat at home to Fulham earlier in the day had been an unexpected gift for Arne Slot’s side and they drove home their advantage by outclassing the struggling Foxes. Having overcome the early setback of conceding to Jordan Ayew, with even the travelling fans expressing their surprise they were winning away after taking just five points on the road this season, the home team had too much quality. That was personified by the excellent Cody Gakpo, whose eighth goal in his last 14 appearances produced the equaliser in first-half added time with the Netherlands international unlucky to have a second ruled out for offside by VAR. Further goals from Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah, with his 19th of the season, stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 22 matches. For Leicester, who had slipped into the bottom three after Wolves’ win over Manchester United, it is now one win from the last 10 in the league and Ruud van Nistelrooy has plenty of work to do, although he was not helped here by the absence of leading scorer Jamie Vardy through injury. It looked liked Liverpool meant business from the off with Salah’s volley from Gakpo’s far-post cross just being kept out by Jakub Stolarczyk, making his league debut after former Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward was omitted from the squad having struggled in the defeat to Wolves. But if the hosts thought that had set the tone they were badly mistaken after being opened up with such simplicity in only the sixth minute. Stephy Mavididi broke down the left and his low cross picked out Ayew, who turned Andy Robertson far too easily, with his shot deflecting off Virgil van Dijk to take it just out of Alisson Becker’s reach. With a surprise lead to cling to Leicester knew they had to quell the storm heading their way and they began by trying to take as much time out of the game as they could, much to Anfield’s frustration. It took a further 18 minutes for Liverpool to threaten with Gakpo cutting in from the left to fire over, a precursor for what was to follow just before half-time. That was the prompt for the attacks to rain down on the Foxes goal, with Salah’s shot looping up off Victor Kristiansen and landing on the roof of the net and Robertson heading against a post. Gakpo’s inclination to come in off the left was proving a problem for the visitors, doing their utmost to resist the pressure, but when Salah curled a shot onto the crossbar on the stroke of half-time it appeared they had survived. However, Gakpo once again drifted in off the flank to collect an Alexis Mac Allister pass before curling what is fast becoming his trademark effort over Stolarczyk and inside the far post. Early the second half Darwin Nunez fired over Ryan Gravenberch’s cross before Jones side-footed home Mac Allister’s cross after an intricate passing move inside the penalty area involving Nunez, Salah and the Argentina international. Leicester’s ambition remained limited but Patson Daka should have done better from a two-on-one counter attack with Mavididi but completely missed his kick with the goal looming. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/IqmAsKylLR — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2024 Nunez forced a save out of the goalkeeper before Gakpo blasted home what he thought was his second only for VAR to rule Nunez was offside in the build-up. But Liverpool’s third was eventually delivered by the left foot of Salah, who curled the ball outside Kristiansen, inside Jannick Vestergaard and past Stolarczyk inside the far post.Australian PGA winner Elvis Smylie has the “right team” around him and the game to handle the swift ascension to the big time that other previous young winners of the tournament haven’t, according to his superstar peers. Smylie earnt a full-time playing card on the DP World Tour as well as $340,000 courtesy of his two-shot win over Cameron Smith at Royal Queensland and jumped 483 places on the world rankings to a career-high 253. That leap makes him the ninth-highest ranked Australian in the world going into this week’s Australian Open in Melbourne where the spotlight will be on the 22-year-old left-hander to continue a bold campaign that also netted him the WA Open and three other top-10 finishes in his past six events. Smylie’s success has come after a coaching shift, joining the stable of Peth-based Richie Smith, who remains central to the careers of Min Woo Lee, who won the Australian PGA in 2023 and played a full year on the US PGA Tour in 2024, as well as major champions Minjee Lee and Hannah Green. Making that move could, according to Jason Day, be crucial in giving Smylie the “structure” he needs to continue to accelerate his career, something that has been hard for other young winners of the Australian “major”. In 2021, Queenslander Jed Morgan became the youngest winner of the Australian PGA, aged just 22. But he missed cuts in nine of his next 16 events, joined the LIV Golf tour in 2023 but was dumped from the all-Australian Ripper GC team at the end of the season and is now ranked 985th, battling to keep his Asian tour card. Nathan Holman was another surprise winner of the Australian PGA in 2015 but struggled in Europe after earning his tour card via his win and stopped playing professionally three years later. But Smylie is more geared to follow the path of Min Woo Lee, according to former world No.1 Day who liked what he saw in the left-hander. “He was struggling there for a little bit and then he transferred to Richie (Smith) and he has done a great job with Minners (Lee) but also Hannah and Minjee,” Day said after finishing in a tie for eighth at Royal Queensland, his first event in Australia since 2017. “I think he is going to help Elvis, because Elvis is a young guy, to give him a bit more structure. What a lot of kids miss, especially Australians, is they miss the structure of being a professional and being on tour. “If you can handle that and make that more routine, you are able to just improve dramatically. I think his team, the guys he’s working with, they have done it before which gives you confidence knowing ‘I have a good team behind me’.” Cameron Smith said it was a “bittersweet” moment watching Smylie, a former holder of the Cameron Smith scholarship, relegate him to second and wasn’t sure a win like that would “happen so quickly” when the British Open champ started to help the next generation. But Smith, who said he wanted to be someone “for them to talk to” having felt he missed out on that coming through the ranks, said all the signs, even before Smylie’s win, pointed to long-term success. “It’s a long way to come from being a junior golfer to a professional golfer and he keeps making the right steps,” Smith aid. “You could tell, even that week he was there, that he’s a hard worker, which is a really good trait to have. He should enjoy this win but keep working hard, he’s got a really long way to go. “For me the biggest thing was having someone for them to talk to. I feel like I had a couple of years there where I could have used that. “I saw it (the scholarship) as an opportunity, you help really young kids, particularly ones travelling all over the world, as they have to really. Then a few tricks and lessons here and there, but more than anything else, just someone to have a chat to.” Originally published as Elvis Smylie predicted for bigger things after Australian PGA win brings rankings bump

One story I never tire of telling is how Channel 6 assured Philadelphia would have a Thanksgiving Day Parade, even as retailers who originally sponsored it faded from the local scene. I mention Channel 6’s place in Philadelphia Thanksgiving history annually because it marks one of the all-time greatest rescues of a local tradition by a local media giant. Thursday, that tradition continues as “The 6 ABC Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade,” begins its 105th annual march — 39th under Channel 6’s aegis — at 8:30 p.m. featuring its usual assortment of balloons, marching bands, celebrity performances and floats. Dunkin’, as in Dunkin’ Donuts, has been Channel 6’s primary partner for 14 years. Channel 6 news folk Rick Williams, Cecily Tynan, Adam Joseph, Karen Rogers and Alicia Vitarelli will serves as hosts of event: Williams and Tynan from the main Benjamin Franklin Parkway broadcasting booth, the others from the parade route which starts about 16th and the Parkway and leads to the Art Museum. Headlined guests include “Abbott Elementary’s “ Lisa Ann Walter, “Wheel of Fortune’s” Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White, “Live!’s” Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, ubiquitous TV host and panelist Carson Kressley, and “Good Morning America” weather anchor Sam Champion. Pop music acts appearing at the parade include my lifelong favorite Darlene Love, Matteo Boccelli, The Sugarhill Gang, Kathy Sledge, The Sharpe Family Singers, CeCe Peniston, The Funky Bunch, Wé Ani, and the former Ladies of Chic. Performers from Ensemble Arts Philly touring shows are featured as well as the Walnut Street Theatre’s current production of “Elf,” the Philadelphia Orchestra, just back from a tour of China, Eddie Bruce and the “No Name Pops,” and the Philadelphia Ballet, now doing their annual rendition of “The Nutcracker.” Of course, some creatures known as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Santa Claus make dramatic appearances. Until Al Blackstone was asked to choreograph a production of “Anastasia,” a full-fledged musical based on 1997 animated version, he didn’t realize how much dancing the show required. “I thought it needed a ballet scene and some period dances,” he said. “Once I began working on it, I realized everything in ‘Anastasia’ is a dance,” said Blackstone, who, at the time we spoke was heading to the final rehearsal of “Anastasia” at New Hope’s Bucks County Playhouse, where it will run through Sunday, Jan. 5. “There is so much music to work, and it’s by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, so you know it’s fabulous, but more than that, (director) Eric Rosen’s concept is the music of a memory, so dance serves to illustrate the moment and where the characters are. “It gives us liberty to invent as the show moves from Imperial Russia to Paris, to which the Russian nobility flees following the Revolution.” Russian sequences can range from folk dances to formal ballet. The Paris the refugees inhabit is one of class. Blackstone says his personal experience helped in conceiving the movement for both settings. He had worked on a production of “An American in Paris,” which though set in a later period, provided a sense of the sophisticated Parisian milieu. His grandfather had emigrated to New York from St. Petersburg, Russia, at the time of the Revolution. “I was aware of the different stations and scenarios in the characters’ lives,” Blackstone says. “There’s a lot of range because some of the emigrants are members of the aristocracy while others are from the working class. “There turns out to be so much to explore in this show, I’d like to do it a third time.” Asked whether it is more difficult to work with a vehicle that was originally an animated cartoon, Blackstone said it presents some challenges. “We ask ourselves how we deal with such a situation, dealing with what it is before us but finding an effective way to make to bring out the dramatic reality of a situation, the human reality of it.” Blackstone came to prominence as one of the choreographers on “So You Think You Can Dance,” for which he received two Emmy nominations and earned one 2020 Emmy. “So You Think You Can Dance” was all about dance. It wasn’t concerned with celebrity or the process that led to the performed dance. “The language of dance was the priority, so the show became a great place to exercise creativity,” Blackstone said. “An atmosphere was created in which anything seemed possible.” Blackstone knows a lot about performing. His parents owned a dance school near Point Pleasant, N.J. “They just closed it after 45 years. Besides all of the training, my mother would take us out of school on Wednesday afternoons, so we could go to Broadway and see all of the musicals. That, as much as anything, made me want to be involved with the theater. “I remember the first show I saw was “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat.’ It excited me so much, I wrote a letter to everyone in the cast. In time, I saw how dance is an integral part of storytelling.” Now in his 40s, Blackstone says dance and music remain a huge part of his life. “I don’t know how to do everything. I don’t want to do everything. I know who I am and what I’m programmed to do. And, of course, I’m still learning. “The music that interests me the most is the Great American Songbook, the wonderful songs by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and their contemporaries. Musicals are often composed with that style of music, which is why I enjoy working on them so much.” Being so used to whole series streaming at once, it is difficult to deal with waiting a full week for a new episode of a show. Peacock’s “The Day of the Jackal” is worth it. Eddie Redmayne plays a highly paid, highly talented professional assassin. Watching him set up the first kill of the series is engrossing as both actor and the situation are fraught with tension. The Jackal is the bad guy, but Redmayne’s charm and talent, and his character’s skill and poise make you root for him despite the international political mayhem he causes with each precise kill. The series is smart enough to let us see various aspects of The Jackal — as a family man, as a lover of nature — that enhance our like for him. Also, his main adversary, an MI 6 agent played by Lashana Lynch, is heavy-handed in her tactics and never becomes as likable as Redmayne, let alone becoming someone to root for. New episodes appear on Peacock every Thursday. You can binge-watch those that have aired already. Throughout the Eagles season, the post-game commentator I look most forward to hearing is former Eagle wide receiver Jason Avant, whether he’s conversing with Rob Ellis on WIP (94.1 FM) or Don Bell on Channel 3. Avant is candid and knowledgeable in a way that illuminates the game he’s s discussing, the plays he’s dissecting, and the players he’s praising or questioning. He brings a polished expert’s perspective to whatever he’s saying while being a sharp, observant, and fair critic of the game he, Ellis, or Bell is taking apart. That Rob Ellis and Don Bell, in their individual ways, rank among the best sportscasters in the market, is a head start to their success working with Avant. Ellis is always rational and, while stating opinions firmly, he listens to callers, explains his views calmly, and introduces ideas you haven’t heard all day on earlier programs. Bell is playful, the guy who applies a good-natured point of view to his reporting and is the life of the broadcasting party while remaining prepared and able to get down to business. Bell also has a worthy pre-game partner in Channel 3’s Pat Gallen, who seems nonchalant in approach but knows his topic thoroughly. Another who’s impressed recently is Channel 29 sportscaster Breland Moore. I enjoyed her take on the Eagles-Commanders game of Nov. 14. I also noticed that see chose as her “player to watch” in terms of being significant to the game at hand was a defender, Eagles safety Reed Blankenship, who came through with a timely interception of a Jayden Daniels pass.

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Few would argue that New York City is mired in a housing crisis — as defined by high prices and low vacancies. There’s good evidence for that conclusion. The most recent federal New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey reported a vacancy rate of just 1.4%, “a stark contrast to the 4.54 rate in 2021”. Over the same period, median monthly rent rose from $1,500 to $,1641 — and that includes everything from luxury high-rises to public housing. These sorts of figures drive an ongoing search for solutions to the problem — including, most recently, Mayor Adams’ Dec. 12 announcement of a new city Charter Revision Commission to consider, as he put it, how to “deliver as much affordable housing to working-class New Yorkers and their families.” A thorough examination of New York’s housing policy — both at the city and state level — could include a growing body of economic research regarding rent regulation, which affects the 960,000 “rent-stabilized” apartments whose price is set not by the market but by mayoral appointees. Rent stabilization may provide a good deal for those lucky to benefit from it. But as economists from across the political spectrum increasingly concur, it ultimately harms the city’s housing market for many. Research into the impact of rent control has a long history. Back in 1997, the Harvard economists Edward Glaeser and Erzo Luttner described the “misallocation of housing” that rent controls creates. That was their term for a mismatch between what renters might need and what they choose because the price is cheap — such as folks who might only need a small apartment, but live in a big one because they can afford it. More recently, in 2018, the liberal Brookings Institution cited the same problem: “Once a tenant has secured a rent-controlled apartment, he may not choose to move in the future and give up his rent control, even if his housing needs change.” This “misallocation,” Brookings continued, is not without major consequence, most notably “empty-nest households living in family-sized apartments and young families crammed into small studios.” Last year’s Census analysis of New York housing data suggests that’s exactly what is happening here — as young people crammed into subdivided studios with multiple roommates know well. The difference between rent-regulated and market-rate housing in the Big Apple is stark: Only 94,000 (24%) rent-stabilized tenants had moved (either in or out) in the past year, compared to 221,000 (57%) of market-rate tenants. Rent-stabilized tenants are more likely to stay put — forming a kind of housing blockade for newcomers or households with kids who need more bedrooms. As per the Census, the long-term rent-stabilized tenants were not necessarily low-income: 30% reported incomes above $100,000 a year—in keeping with notorious stories of the actress Mia Farrow and Congressman Charles Rangel enjoying rent-stabilized units. (Farrow inherited hers through her family, as the law permits.) Rent controls, notes the Journal of Housing Economics , lead to a redistribution of income — which can include tenants who become better off at the expense of landlords. As Kenny Burgos, the former Bronx Assemblyman who now heads the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) — which represents the owners of some 400,000 regulated units — notes, the current system “inhibits the natural flow and movement of a normal housing market.” There can be ill-effects on housing quality too, economists are finding, in ways that harm rent-stabilized tenants themselves. In February, 2024, ceonomists at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank looked at the physical effects of rent controls. They concluded that “while rent-control policies do restrict rents at more affordable rates, they can also lead to a reduction of rental stock and maintenance, thereby exacerbating affordable housing shortages.” Similarly, new research in the Journal of Housing Economics from March 2024 concluded that “even tenants in the controlled dwellings can suffer from rent control, as maintenance of such dwellings can be reduced, leading to a decreased housing quality.” Once again, the most recent findings from New York reveal these very same market conditions. Its review of “reported housing problems” found that there are more tenant complaints about rodents, leaks, cracks and heating in rent-stabilized units than in the non-regulated. The numbers are striking: 376,000 reports of rodents in regulated units (39% of all), compared to 240,000 in market-rate units (22% of all). The repair needs of older, rent-regulated buildings can even lead to owners simply abandoning them, as Maggie Brunn, president of Brooklyn’s A&E Real Estate, has said . “When an apartment has been lived in for 20 or 30 years, those limits [on rent increases] don’t even come close to the actual costs of rewiring, plumbing and the basic improvements you’d need to rent an apartment that a family would be proud to call home. That means more and more of those desperately needed low-rent apartments are sitting vacant.” That problem has been exacerbated by 2019 New York state legislation which sharply limits rent increases even for rising costs such major capital repairs. Burgos of the NYAA estimates at least 10,000 of such “ghost apartments” lie vacant — because their owners “aren’t allowed to recoup their costs. Inflation, property taxes, insurance.” As a result, he says, “banks won’t lend to them.” That’s exactly what Brookings has found. “Rent control can also lead to decay of the rental housing stock; landlords may not invest in maintenance because they can’t recoup these investment by raising rents.” “The system,” says Burgos, “is not working either for owners or tenants.” But how could this deeply established system — existing, in one form or other, for more than 50 years — actually be adjusted? The experience of another major world city, Buenos Aires, Argentina, suggests doing so might not bring on the chaos and price-gouging tenant advocates would suggest. Late last year, libertarian-leaning Argentine President Javier Milei simply “scrapped” rent controls, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. The effect, it reported, is that “the Argentine capital is undergoing a rental-market boom. Landlords are rushing to put their properties back on the market, with Buenos Aires rental supplies increasing by over 170%. While rents are still up in nominal terms, many renters are securing better (or at least fairer) deals, with a 40% decline in the real price of rental properties when adjusted for inflation.” Simply scrapping rent control like in Buenos Aires would be far more difficult in regulation-laden New York, of course. But, as Burgos notes, even permitting the de-regulation of vacant units could lead to significant improvement — without affecting current tenants. What he calls “vacancy control” stands in the way of the rent increases owners need to invest simply to comply with building codes and lead abatement laws — rather than leaving units vacant. The city’s Charter Commission could help by reducing property taxes or water rates for regulated units. But even a rapid deregulation might not be that consequential in much of the city. Census survey reports that the typical market-rate rent ($2,000) is not fantastically higher than the typical regulated rent ($1,500). In The Bronx, the typical rent for all units — including non-rent stabilized — is just $1,200. Market rents, in other words, can be close to regulated rents in lower-cost neighborhoods. Combined with a wave of vacant units coming back on the market and new investments, New York might follow (or at least tiptoe) in the footsteps of Buenos Aires. Such a move would not only benefit renters, it would save the city the expenses associated with an agency most metropolises don’t possess, the Rent Stabilization Guidelines Board, whose staff sets rent increase recommendations and monitors compliance. What’s more, property owners — including mom-and-pop landlords who own just a few buildings — would no longer have to incur the red tape headaches of registering their buildings every year — and either mailing or hand-delivering the required forms and fees, to be paid, for each unit, both to the state ($13) and the city ($20). Failing to do so means a $500 fine — per apartment. There have been attempts, led by the owners’ lobby, the Rent Stabilization Association (now part of the New York Housing Association), to upend the price control regime through the courts — without success. Most recently, the US Supreme Court declined a challenge based , in part, on the argument that rent regulation was effectively a legal “taking of an owner’s property, without compensation.” The fact that property owners sought to overturn rent regulation through the courts makes clear how difficult it is to change the system legislatively. But city and state officials should take notice of the changing leadership in Washington. In the first Trump Administration, a White House Executive Council singled out rent control for criticism, writing that it can lead to “restricted supply [which] ends up hurting some of the lower-income renters they are intended to help.” New York City’s budget relies on Washington for $100 billion in revenue, including from the Department of Housing and Urban Development — which could attach strings to that aid, including revisions to rent regulation or calling for it to end. Once back in office, Donald Trump — as he often does — could prove a wild card and deregulate New York City’s housing market. Howard Husock is a senior fellow in domestic policy at the American Enterprise Institute.( MENAFN - ACN NewsWire) Hua medicine Announces Successful U.S. Phase I Results on Its 2nd Generation GKA Candidate SHANGHAI, Nov 30, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Hua Medicine (the“Company”, HKEx stock code: 2552) announced today that the Company has successfully completed a Phase I clinical trial on its 2nd generation GKA candidate in U.S. at the 9th China BioMed Innovation and investment conference (CBIIC). The Phase Ia clinical trial of the second-generation GKA (HM-002-1005) was conducted in the United States in 40 subjects with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). This trial was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, focusing on safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. The second-generation GKA is a novel molecular entity with optimized physicochemical properties, holding new patents, and serving as the prodrug of dorzagliatin (HMS5552). This study designed for once-daily oral administration. Its aim is to extend the drug's action duration in the body through sustained-release technology, enhance patient compliance, and prolong the stimulation of GLP-1 secretion in the intestines. The Single Ascending Dose (SAD) study demonstrates that HM-002-1005 tablets can be rapidly converted to HMS5552 in the human body, with minimal exposure level of prodrug in both blood and urine. The t1/2 (biological half-life) after a single dose of HM-002-1005 tablets was prolonged compared to dorzagliatin tablets. The Cmax of HMS5552 in plasma after a 184.5mg single dose is comparable to the plasma concentration of HMS5552 after a 75mg single dose of dorzagliatin tablet; likewise, the daily AUC of HMS5552 in plasma after a single dose of HM-002-1005 tablets is comparable to the exposure level of HMS5552 after a 75mg BID dose of dorzagliatin tablets. The research indicates that HM-002-1005 tablets are near-completely converted to HMS5552 in human, and its pharmacokinetic characteristics support for once-daily oral administration. The development of HM-002-1005 tablets not only contributes to enhancing patient medication adherence and effectively control blood glucose levels within 24 hours; meanwhile, it also offers the opportunity to explore the Maximum Tolerated Dose above 150mg daily to achieve better efficacy. The 75 mg BID dose regiment was developed under the concept of Minimum Therapeutic Effective Dose in Chinese T2D patients who suffered from an impairment of insulin secretion and significant reduction of early phase insulin. The different disease characters of T2D with obesity in western patient population would benefit dorzagliatin from its effects on GLP-1 secretion and improvement of insulin sensitivity. With the confirmation that the exposure level of HM-002-1005 tablets at 184.5mg is comparable to dorzagliatin tablets at 75mg (BID), we will further optimize the dosage form followed by a Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) clinical development of the 2nd generation GKA in China and the United States. Dr. Li CHEN, founder and CEO of Hua Medicine, stated,“Hua Medicine has always been committed to treating Type 2 diabetes at its root cause by restoring patients' ability to autonomously regulate blood glucose levels. Over the course of a decade, the Company has selected dosing and clinical research protocols that are safe and effective for the majority of Chinese diabetes patients, leading to the successful development of GKA and the clinical application of dorzagliatin. Building on this foundation, the Company will undergo a strategic upgrade by further exploring the therapeutic potential of GKA, enriching its product pipeline and seeking partners both domestically and internationally, in order to benefit a broader range of patients, expand into global markets, and effectively establish the brand identity of GKA medications while maximizing the commercial potential of our global first-in-class drugs.” About Hua Medicine Hua Medicine (The“Company”) is an innovative drug development and commercialization company based in Shanghai, China, with companies in the United States and Hong Kong. Hua Medicine focuses on developing novel therapies for patients with unmet medical needs worldwide. Based on global resources, Hua Medicine teams up with global high-calibre people to develop breakthrough technologies and products, which contribute to innovation in diabetes care. Hua Medicine's cornerstone product HuaTangNing (Dorzagliatin tablets), targets the glucose sensor glucokinase, restores glucose sensitivity in T2D patients, and stabilizes imbalances in blood glucose levels in patients. HuaTangNing was approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China on September 30th, 2022. It can be used alone or in combination with metformin for adult T2D patients. For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), no dose adjustment is required. It is an oral hypoglycemic drug that can be used for patients with Type 2 diabetes with renal function impairment. For more information Hua Medicine Website: Investors E-mail: ... Media E-mail: ... MENAFN30112024002725003249ID1108941842 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Mike Sielski: The Eagles are great with Jalen Hurts. They showed against the Cowboys they might be good enough without him

Police report reveals assault allegations against Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretary

Russian missiles targeted the Ukrainian capital Kyiv at sunrise on Friday, killing at least one person and cutting heating to hundreds of residential buildings in cold temperatures. Moscow said it attacked Ukraine as retaliation for a strike using Western missiles on a chemical plant in Russia earlier in the week. The strikes came as Russia's invasion nears its three-year mark. The air force said it downed all five Iskander missiles Russia launched at the capital, but that debris caused damage in five districts. The strikes killed a 53-year-old man and wounded 11 people, most suffering from shrapnel wounds, the police said. It also cut heating to 630 residential buildings, as well as a dozen of medical clinics and schools. Air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said Ukraine Patriot air defence systems to shoot down the missiles. Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Design Microsoft Designer Guide: The Ultimate AI Design Tool By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Design Canva Magic Write: Ideas to Stunning Slides in No Time By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Finance Financial Literacy for Non-Finance Executives By - CA Raja, Chartered Accountant | Financial Management Educator | Former AVP - Credit, SBI View Program Entrepreneurship Crafting a Powerful Startup Value Proposition By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Soft Skills Cross-Cultural Communication Mastery: Connect with Confidence By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Entrepreneurship From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program The Ukrainian think tank Defence Express said "all the missiles were successfully intercepted, but in one case, the warhead failed to be destroyed and it exploded near a business centre in the city centre." Six diplomatic missions to Kyiv were damaged on Friday in the Russian missile attack, Ukraine's foreign ministry said. The ministry said that the Albanian, Argentine, North Macedonian, Palestinian, Portuguese and Montenegrin missions were damaged. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen Friday condemned the strike which caused damage to embassies. "Another heinous Russian attack against Kyiv," the European Commission chief posted on X in response. "Putin's disregard for international law reaches new heights." Moscow claimed responsibility for the overnight attack on Ukraine, which came a day after Russian leader Vladimir Putin had threatened to strike Kyiv. "You know that such strikes on Russian territory have been carried out, and you know that the president has said that every time there will be a response," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The Russian defence ministry said it had targeted an office of the SBU security service and a defence industry site and that "all the targets have been struck". Putin at a press conference on Thursday had suggested a "hi-tech duel" over Kyiv to test his claims that Russia's new hypersonic ballistic missile, dubbed Oreshnik, is impervious to air defences. "Let them set some target to be hit, let's say in Kyiv," he said. "They will concentrate there all their air defences. And we will launch an Oreshnik strike there and see what happens." Zelenskyy hit back by saying: "People are dying and he thinks it's 'interesting'.. Dumbass." Putin's statement was the latest in a series of threats aimed at increasing pressure on the war-torn country, which has faced nearly daily aerial attacks for almost three years. Russian attacks also killed two people in Ukraine's southern city of Kherson Friday. "Today Kherson woke up from numerous strikes of the Russian army. The occupants have created hell in the city," governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. Prokudin also said shelling in Kherson left 60,000 homes without electricity in the Kherson region. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )China has unveiled its next-generation high-speed train, the CR450 prototype, which has set a new global benchmark by reaching test speeds of 450 km/h. The train surpasses the current CR400 Fuxing trains, which operate at 350 km/h, making it the fastest train in the world, according to state media reports. About the High-speed train The CR450 was developed following extensive research and development that began in 2021, focusing on safety, energy efficiency, and passenger comfort. It features significant advancements, including a streamlined design that reduces energy consumption by over 20% and an optimized braking system to ensure stability and safety at high speeds. Two prototype models, the CR450AF and CR450BF, have been revealed, each featuring an eight-car formation with advanced technologies such as water-cooled permanent magnet traction systems and high-stability bogies. These innovations improve the train’s energy efficiency and performance. According to the China State Railway Group, the CR450 is expected to shorten travel times significantly. For example, the Beijing-Shanghai journey, which currently takes 4.5 hours, could be reduced to just over three hours. Further testing and refinement are underway to ensure the train’s readiness for commercial service, with a launch anticipated as early as next year. In addition to speed and efficiency, the CR450 prioritizes passenger experience with features such as increased cabin space, noise reduction technologies, and adjustable storage for bicycles and wheelchairs. Advanced materials like carbon fiber contribute to its reduced weight and superior energy efficiency, aligning with China’s sustainability goals. The unveiling of the CR450 reinforces China’s position as a global leader in high-speed rail technology. The country currently boasts the world’s largest high-speed rail network, with 47,000 kilometers of operational tracks connecting major cities. While not all routes are profitable, the network has significantly boosted economic and social development. China’s high-speed rail expertise has also been exported globally, with projects in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Serbia. ALSO READ: Mysterious Water Flow In Jaisalmer Forces Evacuations As Tubewell Digging In Taragarh VillageBilawal endorses ‘use of force’ against opposition to bring political stability in country

North America Hand Sanitizer Market Size: Strong Growth Ahead (2024-2032)Shatel: Is Omaha big enough for two professional volleyball teams?

By Sheila Dang and Krystal Hu (Reuters) - U.S. billionaire businessman Frank McCourt is crafting a fundamental overhaul of TikTok's business model as part of a plan to bid for the Chinese-owned short-form video app, he told Reuters. McCourt, who formerly owned the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, said he has received verbal funding commitments totaling $20 billion from a consortium of investors to rescue the app from legal purgatory as it awaits a Supreme Court decision to determine if it will be forced to sell its U.S. operations. His vision for TikTok includes revamping the company's advertising model so that users will have control over the ads and type of content they want to see. Over time, TikTok could earn revenue through ecommerce and licensing data for artificial intelligence training models - with users' consent - which will diminish the business' reliance on ads. "When you give permission for your data to be used and you receive compensation, it's flipping this 180 degrees and giving the user the power," McCourt said this week. The plan faces several hurdles, including TikTok's repeated assertions that it cannot be divested from its owner, Chinese tech firm ByteDance. McCourt said the bid for TikTok would exclude the algorithm that determines the content that users see, in order to reduce complications for ByteDance. The Chinese government in 2020 added content recommendation algorithms to its export-control list, requiring a divestiture or sale of TikTok's algorithm to go through its administrative licensing procedures. TikTok's appeal to the Supreme Court is a last-ditch effort to overturn a law signed by U.S. President Joe Biden that seeks to force a sale over national security concerns, or else the app will be banned on Jan. 19. McCourt said he believes the Supreme Court will uphold the law, after which ByteDance could be open to negotiations. Until then, he is focused on smoothing the path to an acquisition. McCourt said he and his team have had "preliminary conversations" with members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration. Trump tried to ban TikTok in 2020 but has since reversed his view, saying on Dec. 16 that he has "a warm spot in my heart for TikTok." A spokesperson for Trump did not respond to a request for comment. The team is also speaking with potential CEO candidates for the new TikTok, McCourt said. One source familiar with the matter said the team approached V. Pappas, TikTok's former chief operating officer. Pappas did not respond to a request for comment. McCourt declined to name who he is speaking with for the CEO role. The plan for TikTok will also include migrating its technology onto an open-source protocol developed by Project Liberty, an organization founded by McCourt. The protocol would allow users to control their data and easily move it elsewhere on the internet. The plan is influencing the search for a CEO. "This is both a big project to scale the technology that we've built, but it is also a vision for a better internet. We're talking to people who share that vision and have the capacity and skills to do both," McCourt said. (Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin and Krystal Hu in Toronto, additional reporting by Katie Paul in New York; editing by Kenneth Li and Richard Chang)Kanye West, Bianca Censori make rare appearance amid legal drama Kanye West steps out in Tokyo with Bianca Censori while staying mum on case Kanye West and Bianca Censori made a joint appearance in Tokyo for a night out as the rapper faces harassment accusations. The 47-year-old rapper and his wife appeared in the Japanese capital sporting a white hoodie and pants, paired with black shoes. The Yeezy founder pulled his hood over the head, as he was spotted riding the escalators up towards the Toho Cinemas. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old architecture was seen wearing another one of her signature unitards. Censori donned a sheer white body suit for the outing, paired with white pumps. She pulled her hair back into a sleek bun and completed her look with dark shades. This comes after the Runaway hitmaker has been facing legal accusations by a former employee. Social media personality Lauren Pisciotta sued West for allegedly raping, sexually harassing, and stalking her while she worked for him in 2021-22. Supported by her attorney, she filed the suit in June, right after West left the US. A recent legal document accused him of evading the court proceedings after he has not responded to notices. 'Nutcrackers:' Ben Stiller's shocking experience on set Liam Payne shocking move revealed one month prior to death Prince Andrew makes public return after close call Dwayne Johnson 'cant wait' to reunite with daughters on ChristmasFormer Army soldier Alexander Vindman, a crucial witness in Donald Trump's initial impeachment, may file a lawsuit against Elon Musk after the tech magnate accused him of treason. Eugene Vindman, Alex's twin brother, raised the prospect of a defamation suit after Musk's social media comments. The newly elected congressman from Virginia, Eugene Vindman, denounced Musk's remarks. “If anybody’s on the cusp of having to pay, it’s maybe Elon Musk,” Eugene Vindman said. He said the charges had no factual foundation and were "false and defamatory." Musk’s Accusations and Vindman’s Response Musk said that Alexander Vindman had committed treason and was "on the payroll of Ukrainian oligarchs." Alexander Vindman criticized Musk's behavior, prompting the comments on X, previously Twitter. Vindman had charged Musk of supporting Russian goals by using his business connections and powerful platform. Vindman quickly refuted the claims. He addressed his involvement with a charity group supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia and said he did not accept any money from oligarchs. Musk's claims were deemed unfounded and suggestive of conspiracy theories by him. Vindman’s Role in Trump Impeachment During the Trump-Ukraine crisis in 2019, Alexander Vindman, who was born in Ukraine and subsequently immigrated to the United States, became well-known nationwide. In his testimony against Trump during the impeachment process, he claimed wrongdoing in a phone conversation with the president of Ukraine while serving as the Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council. After supporting his brother during the proceedings, Eugene Vindman, a former military member, entered politics and became the Democrat who won Virginia's 7th Congressional District seat. Concerns Over National Security and Russian Influence Vindman has been outspoken about his worries about Musk's purported impact on American politics and national security. He charged that Musk had been exploited by Russian President Vladimir Putin to foment division in the United States. “Elon Musk has access to state secrets,” Alexander Vindman said in a recent interview. “It’s possible that sensitive information is seeping through.” He described Musk as a potential tool in Russia’s efforts to destabilize American democracy. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.The Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024, is based on the Model Prisons Bill, 2023, sent by the Centre to the states, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the House. Nagpur: The Maharashtra legislative assembly here on Friday passed a bill seeking to reform the prison system in the state. The Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024, is based on the Model Prisons Bill, 2023, sent by the Centre to the states, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the House. A high-security prison and detention centre will be set up in Mumbai, while a new prison being built in Pune will be a two-storey facility, he added. A plot of land has been finalised for the new prison in Mumbai, the CM said. As many as 1,600 accused who have got bail continue to stay in prison in the state for the lack of money to pay for bail bond, he informed. The bill provides for categories of prisons such as special prison, open prison for women, temporary prison and open colony. Open prisons and open colonies will help with rehabilitation and reintegration of former jail inmates after their release, Fadnavis said. The bill also provides for the constitution of a `prison and correctional prison force’. A welfare fund for prison staff and another fund for the welfare of prisoners is also an important feature of the legislation, the CM said. It also provides for better segregation of various categories of prisoners and their special needs as women, transgenders, under-trial prisoners, convicts, high-risk prisoners and habitual offenders. The bill also makes provisions for a grievance-redressal mechanism for prisoners, after-care rehabilitation service, and a separate women’s ward in prison hospitals. An undertrial review committee will be set up in every district for periodical review of all undertrial prisoners and to take measures for speedy disposal of cases and make appropriate recommendations to trial courts. Technology including biometrics, closed-circuit television (CCTV), scanning and detection services, Radio Frequency Identification and video conference facilities will be used for effective management and supritendence of prisons and to ensure the safety of inmates, the CM said. The entire prison administration will be computerized, the chief minister said. Congress MLA Nana Patole and Sanjay Kute (BJP) said prison reforms should not lead to a situation where criminals would like to remain in jail. There should be no lavishness, they said. Fadnavis assured that there would be no “five-star facility”, adding that the reforms aim to protect human rights of jail inmates. Kute said social health will be affected if criminals get lavish treatment in jail. Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT) said artificial intelligence should be used to create digital footprint of prisoners so that care can be taken after a prisoner walks out of the jail. Fadnavis said the use of AI for this purpose will take time. Sana Malik (NCP) said the right to health is part of the right to life. Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail has the capacity to accommodate 804 inmates but some 3,000 prisoners are lodged there, she claimed. Fadnavis conceded that the number of doctors available is small in view of the number of prison inmates. “We will focus on reducing the number of undertrials,” the chief minister said. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9.

PEP GUARDIOLA is losing sleep trying to handle his first crisis at Manchester City. And the Etihad boss says rivals are “taking the p” out of his faltering Prem champions. 2 Man City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed he is struggling to sleep with his team's form Credit: Getty 2 Guardiola believes City's rivals are taking the p*** out of them City visit runaway leaders Liverpool today on the back of a six-game winless run. Defeat would leave them 11 POINTS adrift of Arne Slot’s side. Guardiola confessed: “I don’t like it. I don’t enjoy it at all. “I don’t sleep as good as when I won every game. Read more football news Fan brawl Moment huge brawl breaks out in West Ham vs Arsenal with punches thrown “Maybe it’s more unusual to win four Premier League titles in a row. In that moment I was stable enough, I was happy because I eat better and sleep better.” Guardiola, 53, confessed scratches on his head and a cut nose were self- inflicted after he watched City blow a 3-0 lead in 14 minutes in Tuesday’s Champions League draw at home to Feyenoord. That followed five defeats in all competitions — the Catalan’s worst run of his managerial career. And he accepts his rivals are LOVING seeing City struggle. Most read in Football MONEY TALKS Ex-Rangers star yielding 'several concrete enquiries' from Premier League clubs IN THE HAT Full list of teams in Scottish Cup fourth round draw as Prem big guns enter SOLD FIRM Scott Brown's stunning new £2m mansion used to belong to Rangers supremo FAB FINISH Rangers loan flop scores stunner as he and unsung Scotland star take down Barca Five Man City disasters that led to Pep Guardiola scratching his OWN face before 'self-harm' apology Guardiola said: “As is normal in sport, they take the p and they laugh at your defeats. “At least there’s respect. There’s no violence and this kind of stuff. It is part of how nice football is that people can laugh at you when it’s not going well. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS “But this shall pass — I don’t know when but nothing is eternal, not even our lives. “When I face this situation with my heart this is normal but maybe not in these six games.” Guardiola says he is making his players “suffer” to pull City out of their dive — and revealed he wants to build another great squad. One of the reasons he signed a new two-year deal last month was to put that plan into action. Guardiola added: “At the right moment, the club — myself first — will take the decisions we have to take to maintain the club for many years to come. “I want to be here. I asked to be here to try it.”CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA's two stuck astronauts just got their space mission extended again. That means they won't be back on Earth until spring — 10 months after rocketing into orbit on Boeing's Starliner capsule. NASA announced the latest delay in Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams' homecoming Tuesday. The two test pilots planned to be away just a week or so when they blasted off June 5 on Boeing's first astronaut flight to the International Space Station. Their mission grew from eight days to eight months after NASA decided to send the company's problem-plagued Starliner capsule back empty in September. FILE - This image made from a NASA live stream shows NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore during a press conference from the International Space Station on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (NASA via AP, File) Now the pair won't return until the end of March or even April because of a delay in launching their replacements, according to NASA. A fresh crew needs to launch before Wilmore and Williams can return and the next mission was bumped more than a month, according to the space agency. NASA's next crew of four was supposed to launch in February, followed by Wilmore and Williams' return home by the end of that month alongside two other astronauts. But SpaceX needs more time to prepare the new capsule for liftoff. That launch is now scheduled for no earlier than late March. NASA said it considered using a different SpaceX capsule to fly up the replacement crew in order to keep the flights on schedule. However, it decided the best option was to wait for the new capsule to transport the next crew. NASA prefers to have overlapping crews at the space station for a smoother transition, according to officials. Most space station missions last six months, with a few reaching a full year. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, left, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, gives a thumbs up as they leave the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Complex 40 for a mission to the International Space Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla., (AP Photo/John Raoux) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov leave the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) NASA astronaut Nick Hague, right, talks to his family members as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov looks on after leaving the Operations and Checkout building for a trip to the launch pad 40 Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Two astronauts are beginning a mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) In this image from video provided by NASA, Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, left, and astronaut Nick Hague travel inside a SpaceX capsule en route to the International Space Station after launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (NASA via AP) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with a crew of two astronauts, lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Falcon 9's first stage booster returns to Landing Zone 1 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of two lifts off from launch pad 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 at Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

When Inter Miami were dumped out of Major League Soccer's playoffs in the first round, their former Spain international full-back Jordi Alba questioned the fairness of the post-season format. Miami had topped the Eastern Conference and the overall regular season standings with a record points tally a performance which earned them the 'Supporters' Shield'. But there would be no title battle against the best in the West for Lionel Messi and Company after they contrived to lose two matches in their best-of-three series against an Atlanta United team which finished ninth in the East and 20th in the overall standings. "I think this format is a bit unfair. It has been done for many years but I think it should be the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible," Alba said. Alba's comments prompted much debate among MLS fans and plenty of accusations of sour grapes but they did serve to highlight that this year's playoffs, if not MLS's playoffs in general, would certainly not be a battle of the best versus best. Defending champions Columbus Crew, who finished second in the Supporters' Shield race, were also eliminated in the first round, adding to the sense that the knockout phase of the season is very much a competition of its own. So on Saturday, after the international break disrupted the flow of the post-season, the Conference semi-finals, will see a "Hudson River Derby" between two New York teams who couldn't finish in the top 10 in the regular season. New York City, Manchester City's sister club, have home-field advantage after finishing in 13th spot while the New York Red Bulls travel from New Jersey, having ended up in 16th place. The 'home field' isn't actually NYCFC's usual home of Yankee Stadium, which is being used for a college football game, but Citi Field, home of New York's other baseball club, the Mets. Later on Saturday, in the Western Conference, 2022 MLS Cup winners and last year's beaten finalists, Los Angeles FC, are at home to the Seattle Sounders. That fixture feels much more like the kind of playoff game that was expected -- LAFC finished top of the West while Seattle were fourth. LAFC faces the Sounders for the fourth time in an elimination match over the last 13 months, having defeated Seattle in the 2023 Western Conference semifinals, the 2024 Leagues Cup quarterfinal and the 2024 US Open Cup semifinal. Each of those matches was hosted by Seattle. LAFC, with former France stars in goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Olivier Giroud, enter the encounter unbeaten in their last 10 meetings with the Sounders, with their last loss to Seattle coming in a 2-0 defeat in 2021. On Sunday, surprise package Atlanta, with their 40-year-old goalkeeper Brad Guzan having impressed so many with his heroics against Miami, will return to Florida to take on Orlando City, who finished fourth in the East. Atlanta won at Orlando on the last day of the regular campaign, a victory that allowed them to sneak into the wildcard round but which also completed a home and away double for the Georgia side. "Obviously, in Major League Soccer, anything can happen," said Orlando coach Oscar Pareja. "Our responsibility is to play one game at a time. This one, we're going to be ready for sure," he added. The weekend rounds off with Los Angeles Galaxy hosting Minnesota United who, under former Manchester United assistant coach Eric Ramsay, came through a best-of-three series against higher-ranked Real Salt Lake. The Galaxy start as favourites but, as this season has shown in abundance, that counts for little. "We know they are a top team at this level with top individual players who are very difficult to beat at home but...I feel that if we are a good version of what we have been over the last 10-12 games... I certainly won't be painting it as a one sided game," said Ramsay. sev/jsiOS 18.2: Everything You Can Do With ChatGPT Integration"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.

Executives from Fleet, Jumpcloud, Kandji and Jamf and shared their views about the year ahead. Apple has had a busy year in enterprise tech. Apple Intelligence, spatial computing, the war to protect the user experience against excessive regulation, security, privacy and continued improvements to Apple Silicon and valuable OS improvements for enterprise deployment have occupied much of its time. With this in mind, it’s a good time to speak with Apple device management and security leaders from Jamf, Kandji, Jumpcloud, and Fleet to find out what mattered most in 2024, and what they expect in 2025. Fleet: Crowdstrike was important — to Apple I spoke with Fleet CEO Mike McNeil. Fleet is an open-source MDM provider that now supports iPhones, iPads, Macs, Windows, and Linux devices. In 2024, what were the three most important Apple-related moments for enterprise users? “One of the most significant Apple-related events occurred despite not directly affecting Apple itself. This was the CrowdStrike out(r)age.” “Apple’s ongoing innovation with VisionOS not only challenges businesses to think creatively and find innovative ways to work but also enhances accessibility in the workforce. “Apple’s first release of AI capabilities, allowing users to access them without privacy violations or security issues, is a pretty significant milestone. It’s like the promise of Siri is finally coming true.” Looking ahead to 2025, what do you expect will be the biggest concern(s)/challenge(s) for Apple in the enterprise? “As more organizations enroll more personal devices and BYOD programs, the attack surface for adversaries expands significantly — meaning, if you manage to pop one employee’s phone, you can now access whatever they could on their phone,” McNeil said. “Consequently, people who manage devices need to invest more in preventing both traditional malware-based attacks and sophisticated social engineering tactics.” What do you think enterprise users most need from Apple that it does not yet provide? “A comprehensive and robust declarative management framework that enables devices to maintain a known good state irrespective of their network connectivity or environmental conditions. “Apple would be very well served by investing more in getting people to adopt existing features rather than adding more product managers and names for slight variations of the same things.” How do you see the future of Apple in business across the next 12 months? “Apple is such an amazing company. We are only going to see more and more Macs in the enterprise this year, as user choice programs and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs evolve and become the standard practice rather than an exception. With Managed Apple IDs catching on, we’ll see more secondary computing devices like Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro in enterprise environments. Jumpcloud: Identity, security, and AI I got the following thoughts from Joel Rennich, senior vice president for product management at Jumpcloud . The company earlier this year published survey data that shows a big switch in favor of using Apple devices in the enterprise . They expect this to continue. In 2024, what were the three most important Apple-related moments for enterprise users? “The introduction of Apple Intelligence — not so much in the sense that it will change the world, although it might, but more so in how it’s challenging Enterprise IT departments on how to respond to a new way of doing AI. With Apple’s use of on-device and Private Cloud Compute processing, a new dimension has been added to thinking about how to engage with AI with sensitive data. “Changes to how Managed Apple Accounts, formerly known as Managed Apple IDs, are created and used. Beyond a name change, MAAs have become a lot more functional to the point where most enterprises should be able to start using them. With the introduction of OpenID Connect Federation (OIDC) and System for Cross-Domain Identity Management (SCIM) flows to Apple Business Manager — and giving organizations a lot more control over how MAAs are created in the first place — I expect adoption of Apple accounts to go up significantly. There’s still more work to be done, and organizations will still get annoyed by some of Apple’s insistence on being Apple, but most IT departments will be able to make good use of the changes today. “While this one isn’t entirely of Apple’s making, they are certainly championing the use of passkeys across the board. The speed at which passkeys have taken over OTP and push as MFA or as full on authentication has been astonishing. If you’ve never used a passkey on your iPhone to sign in to a website on your PC, you should run, not walk, to experience that. It’s a simple thing, using a QR code with some Bluetooth help, but the security underlying all of this and the general ease of use of the process is astounding.” Looking ahead to 2025, what do you expect will be the biggest concern(s)/challenge(s) for Apple in the enterprise? “While there are a number of global threats and other issues that impact Apple as much as other vendors, the biggest challenge for Apple in the enterprise is Apple itself. This is the same as it has been since Apple started making inroads into enterprise with the original iPhone. The aspects that make Apple great in the consumer space are many times inherently at odds with what enterprises are looking for, and in most cases Apple refuses to compromise on aspects like user privacy and experience. “I don’t expect Apple to change much here. As it continues to expand its enterprise offering, customers will consistently ask for...even more controls and abilities to take away from the experience end users expect from Apple products.” What do you think enterprise users most need from Apple that it does not yet provide? “Apple has made real strides with their Platform SSO functionality. However, it still doesn’t do the most basic function that enterprises are asking for, which is the automatic creation of the first new user on the system. Instead, customers still have to cobble together a combination of a number solutions to achieve this. It’s clear that Apple was intending PSSO for a different set of problems — the establishment of a SSO session from a user login — but customers still need this functionality.” “[Users also need] a consistent method to enforce system updates. Apple keeps almost getting this right, but then missing something important. While Declarative Device Management can help, there’s still a lot of consistency in the process that’s lacking. This is a serious miss for Apple as they control the entire chain here.” How do you see the future of Apple in business across the next 12 months? “Apple will do fine. With the recent refresh of almost their entire hardware lineup to the M4 and consistent improvements to the software, Apple will continue to grow incrementally in the enterprise space. Mobile will still be the biggest reason that enterprises need to ensure they understand what Apple is doing, but solving for mobile pretty much ensures a good experience for any Mac users. “Apple devices will continue to be at the upper end of the hardware quality spectrum and the MacBook Air will become even more attractive with the M4 chip and the price points staying low. The Apple Vision Pro won’t break out into the mainstream in 2025, but Apple will continue to refine, and some developers will continue to work with it as they look for a compelling reason to make VR/AR more commonplace.” Kandji: Device management, spatial computing, and AI Weldon Dodd, senior vice president of global partnerships at Kandji made four substantial predictions for the coming year, supplementing his expectations around enterprise deployment of Apple-supporting AI from earlier in 2024. Hybrid work will drive innovation in device management : “The hybrid work model will hit a tipping point, as employers push for more in-office presence while employees increasingly demand flexibility. This growing divide will catalyze innovation in device management. Many companies have already invested in streamlining onboarding and remote support, but now the challenge will be adapting those systems to also serve in-office environments. The key will be prioritizing automation and efficiency, which reduces the need for manual fixes and enhances the user experience across all work settings. As businesses navigate this tension, the future of device management will focus on creating seamless and flexible solutions that balance both employee autonomy and the need for in-person collaboration.” Spatial computing becomes (more) mainstream : “Apple Vision Pro will continue to evolve in 2025, becoming the more accessible productivity-focused tool that Apple has always wanted. Apple is expected to make the device more affordable, widening its appeal to consumers, while also maintaining its strength in workspaces — especially with the recent software updates that allow for ultra-wide displays and seamless Mac integration. “This shift could change how consumers interact with their devices, bringing spatial computing closer to the mainstream. In addition, rumors of a new Siri-powered ‘kitchen device’ suggest Apple aspires to make daily life even more convenient with smart, hands-free solutions that leverage the growing capabilities of Apple Intelligence. Together, these innovations will drive deeper integration of Apple’s ecosystem across both personal and professional spaces.” Businesses will use proprietary LLMs and RAG to unlock their own data : “We are going to see a big shift as businesses start using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and LLMs with their corporate data. Rather than relying solely on third-party models like OpenAI, companies will begin asking these models more specific questions about their business, such as, ‘Is there anomalous behavior happening on this device we manage,’ or ‘What does this data tell me about our device management security?’ “By connecting LLMs with internal data, businesses will be able to get answers that aren’t just based on general world knowledge, but are much more tailored to their needs. As companies make this move, they’ll also need to pay close attention to data governance and privacy, especially as regulations like GDPR implement stricter guidelines regarding the handling of customer data. If done right, this approach could unlock valuable insights, but businesses must balance the power of AI with well-established data practices to keep afloat.” Apple’s M4 Chip will enable on-device AI : “Apple’s M4 chip will make on-device AI the new standard, enabling more AI processing to happen directly on devices rather than relying on the cloud. For consumers, this shift means faster, more personalized experiences with greater privacy. This is because less data will need to be shared or stored remotely. For businesses, the impact could be substantial, particularly related to Apple-managed accounts, making it easier to deliver tailored services. “And for the business user that requires top level speed and performance — think video editing, software deployment or AI development using LLMs — the M4 is going to be untouchable by the competition.” What Jamf sees coming... A veteran of the Apple device management space, Jamf also focused on AI and the part it will play in the coming year. The company recently introduced a host of new tools for Apple device management and deployment. “With generative AI quickly becoming a pervasive fixture in the technology landscape, businesses are reacting with catch-all policies to restrict usage and control how sensitive information and intellectual property flows outside the organization’s data protection boundary,” said Michael Covington, vice president of portfolio strategy. “For many, this means blanket policies forbidding the use of AI until reviewed by an oversight board. “While oversight is good, it can significantly delay the adoption of useful tools if the process is not streamlined to allow for timely decision-making. The recent release of Apple Intelligence serves as a good case study on how ‘AI’ keywords can trigger restrictive business policies, despite an implementation that keeps private data on-device and includes controls to govern the use of third-party AI models. “In order to enable business leaders to more effectively cope with the onslaught of ‘AI-enabled’ tools — and to minimize an oversight bottleneck — the industry will need to develop a set of foundational rubrics to guide in more timely assessments of AI technologies. As a result, I predict we will see a renewed focus on data classification labels, a better understanding of AI processing locations, and a demand for confidentiality assertions from vendors as private data traverses their infrastructure. “As the industry transitions to an application-driven phase of AI, it is imperative that organizations be equipped to make thoughtful and timely decisions about how the technology can be used responsibly to drive business objectives.” “As genAI becomes demystified, the true effectiveness and value of solutions for enterprises will become clearer,” said Jamf CIO Linh Lam. “(Many) companies quickly entered the genAI market over the past year or two. It’s a crowded space that can easily overwhelm even leaders of technology companies who are looking to select the right genAI solution for their businesses. In 2025, while the hype cycle will continue to evolve, we’ll see the more effective solutions surface and more customers focusing on solutions that bring the most real value to their businesses. “As with any ‘hot new tech’ on the block, the buzz around this latest emerging technology will start to calm, and we’ll start to see genAI mature. We’ll start to see what value these tools can provide for businesses, and which perform better than the others. It’s going to be a year of cutting through the noise, and those who can break through that will be the companies that stick around for years to come.” You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky , LinkedIn , Mastodon , and MeWe .BARCELONA, Spain -- Tens of thousands of Spaniards marched in downtown Barcelona on Saturday to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living" and “The people without homes uphold their rights.” The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States . Organizers said that over 170,000 had turned out, while Barcelona’s police said they estimated some 22,000 marched. Either way, the throngs of people clogging the streets recalled the massive separatist rallies at the height of the previous decade’s Catalan independence movement. Now, social concerns led by housing have displaced political crusades. That is because the average rent for Spain has doubled in last 10 years. The price per square meter has risen from 7.2 euros ($7.5) in 2014 to 13 euros this year, according to the popular online real estate website Idealista. The growth is even more acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid. Incomes meanwhile have failed to keep up, especially for younger people in a country with chronically high unemployment. Protester Samuel Saintot said he is “frustrated and scared” after being told by the owners of the apartment he has rented for the past 15 years in Barcelona’s city center that he must vacate the premises. He suspects that the owners want him out so they can renovate it and boost the price. “Even looking in a 20- or 30-kilometer radius outside town, I can’t even find anything within the price range I can afford,” he told The Associated Press. “And I consider myself a very fortunate person, because I earn a decent salary. And even in my case, I may be forced to leave town.” A report by the Bank of Spain indicates that nearly 40% of Spaniards who rent dedicate an average of 40% of their income to paying rents and utilities, compared to the European Union average of 27% of renters who do so. “We are talking about a housing emergency. It means people having many difficulties both in accessing and staying in their homes,” said Ignasi Martí, professor for Esade business school and head of its Dignified Housing Observatory. The rise in rents is causing significant pain in Spain, where traditionally people seek to own their homes. Rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Many migrants to Spain are also disproportionately hit by the high rents because they often do not have enough savings. Spain is near the bottom end of OECD countries with under 2% of all housing available being public housing for rent. The OECD average is 7%. Spain is far behind France, with 14%, Britain with 16%, and the Netherlands with 34%. “I think it’s impossible to make prices fall to what they were a few years back. It makes me cry,” said protester Laia Pizjuán. “It's so upsetting. I know so many people who are in a bad situation. I have relatives living together in crowded apartments because they can’t afford to live on their own.” Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for Barcelona’s Tenants Union which helped organize the protest, said that renters should consider a “rent strike” and cease paying their monthly rents in a mass protest movement. “I think we the tenants have understood that this depends on us. That we can’t keep asking and making demands to the authorities and waiting for an answer. We must take the reins of the situation,” Arcarazo told the AP. “So, if they (the owners) won’t lower the rent, then we will force them to do it." The Barcelona protest came a month after tens of thousands rallied against high rents in Madrid. The rising discontent over housing is putting pressure on Spain’s governing Socialist party, which leads a coalition on the national level and is in charge of Catalonia’s regional government and Barcelona’s city hall. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez presided over what the government termed a “housing summit” including government officials and real estate developers last month. But the Barcelona’s Tenants Union boycotted the event, saying it was like calling a summit for curing cancer and inviting tobacco companies to participate. The leading government measure has been a rent cap mechanism that the central government has offered to regional authorities based on a price index established by the housing ministry. Rent controls can be applied to areas deemed to be “highly stressed” by high rental prices. Catalonia was the first region to apply those caps, which are in place in downtown Barcelona. Many locals blame the million of tourists who visit Barcelona, and the rest of Spain, each year for the high prices. Barcelona’s town hall has pledged to completely eliminate the city’s 10,000 so called “tourist apartments,” or dwellings with permits for short-term rents, by 2028."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities. Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner. Traders will search for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges heavily from its normal worth. High amounts of trading activity could push option prices to exaggerated or underestimated levels. Here's the list of options activity happening in today's session: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume NVDA CALL SWEEP BULLISH 12/20/24 $135.00 $39.0K 126.0K 193.7K AAPL CALL SWEEP BULLISH 12/20/24 $252.50 $26.8K 51.3K 64.2K PLTR CALL TRADE NEUTRAL 12/20/24 $75.00 $276.2K 26.3K 35.1K AMD CALL SWEEP BULLISH 01/17/25 $130.00 $27.9K 25.3K 5.6K MSFT PUT TRADE BULLISH 08/15/25 $430.00 $65.7K 377 5.1K AVGO CALL SWEEP BEARISH 02/21/25 $290.00 $43.4K 2.0K 2.5K MU PUT SWEEP BEARISH 01/17/25 $65.00 $25.4K 14.0K 2.0K MSTR CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/17/25 $365.00 $332.5K 563 836 ANET CALL SWEEP BULLISH 03/21/25 $150.00 $34.9K 212 616 DELL PUT TRADE NEUTRAL 01/16/26 $105.00 $807.0K 1.5K 601 Explanation These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. • For NVDA NVDA , we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish , is expiring today. Parties traded 674 contract(s) at a $135.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 9 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $39.0K , with a price of $58.0 per contract. There were 126041 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 193782 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For AAPL AAPL , we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish , is expiring today. Parties traded 200 contract(s) at a $252.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 3 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $26.8K , with a price of $134.0 per contract. There were 51345 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 64253 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For PLTR PLTR , we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral , is expiring today. Parties traded 850 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $276.2K , with a price of $325.0 per contract. There were 26362 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 35154 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For AMD AMD , we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish , expiring in 28 day(s) on January 17, 2025 . This event was a transfer of 99 contract(s) at a $130.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.9K , with a price of $282.0 per contract. There were 25310 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5644 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For MSFT MSFT , we notice a put option trade that happens to be bullish , expiring in 238 day(s) on August 15, 2025 . This event was a transfer of 27 contract(s) at a $430.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $65.7K , with a price of $2435.0 per contract. There were 377 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 5131 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For AVGO AVGO , we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish , expiring in 63 day(s) on February 21, 2025 . This event was a transfer of 180 contract(s) at a $290.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $43.4K , with a price of $241.0 per contract. There were 2010 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2567 contract(s) were bought and sold. • Regarding MU MU , we observe a put option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 28 day(s) on January 17, 2025 . Parties traded 1958 contract(s) at a $65.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 38 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $25.4K , with a price of $13.0 per contract. There were 14009 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2066 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For MSTR MSTR , we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish , expiring in 28 day(s) on January 17, 2025 . This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $365.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $332.5K , with a price of $3325.0 per contract. There were 563 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 836 contract(s) were bought and sold. • For ANET ANET , we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish , expiring in 91 day(s) on March 21, 2025 . This event was a transfer of 200 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 16 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.9K , with a price of $175.0 per contract. There were 212 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 616 contract(s) were bought and sold. • Regarding DELL DELL , we observe a put option trade with neutral sentiment. It expires in 392 day(s) on January 16, 2026 . Parties traded 600 contract(s) at a $105.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $807.0K , with a price of $1345.0 per contract. There were 1579 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 601 contract(s) were bought and sold. Options Alert Terminology - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. For more information, visit our Guide to Understanding Options Alerts or read more news on unusual options activity . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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tt slot Morgan Rogers’ fourth goal of the season, an Ollie Watkins penalty and Matty Cash’s finish put Villa 3-0 up after 34 minutes. Mikkel Damsgaard pulled one back for Brentford in the second half but the damage had been done as Villa ended their eight-match winless run in all competitions. Emery was relieved to end the unwanted streak but quickly turned his attention to the next fixture against Southampton on Saturday. “We broke a spell of bad results we were having,” the Villa boss said. “We started the first five or 10 minutes not in control of the game but then progressively we controlled. “Today we achieved those three points and it has given us confidence again but even like that it’s not enough. We have to keep going and think about the next match against Southampton on Saturday. “The message was try to focus on each match, try to forget the table. How we can recover confidence and feel comfortable at home. Today was a fantastic match.” Tyrone Mings returned to the starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since August 2023. Emery admitted it has been a long road back for the 31-year-old and is pleased to have him back. He added: “Mings played in the Champions league but it’s the first time in the league for a year and three months. “I think he played fantastic – he might be tired tomorrow but will be ready for Saturday again. “It was very, very long, the injury he had. His comeback is fantastic for him and everybody, for the doctor and physio and now he’s training everyday.” Brentford fell to a sixth away defeat from seven games and have picked up only a solitary point on the road this season. They have the best home record in the league, with 19 points from seven matches, but they have the joint worst away record. Bees boss Thomas Frank is confident form will improve on the road. He said: “On numbers we can’t argue we are better at home than away, but on numbers it’s a coincidence. I think two of the seven away games have been bad. “The other games we performed well in big spells. I’m confident at the end of the season we will have some wins away from home.” Frank felt Villa should not have been given a penalty when Ethan Pinnock brought Watkins down. He added: “I want to argue the penalty. I don’t think it is (one). I think Ollie kicked back and hit Ethan, yes there is an arm on the shoulder but threshold and all that – but that’s not the reason we lost.”The best snowboard bindings to raise your game on the slopes

Mikaela Shiffrin , the most successful alpine skier of all time, said she is feeling better after crashing out of the women’s giant slalom during last weekend’s Stifel Killington Cup in Vermont. “I’m starting to feel a little bit more human, which is great,” she said in a social media video post. “This is another fairly ambiguous injury and really hard to put a timeline of when I’ll be either back on snow or back to racing.” Shiffrin struggled to get onto her couch in the video. Shiffrin suffered from a “puncture wound into the right side of her abdomen and severe muscle trauma,” US Ski and Snowboard said Sunday. The 29-year-old confirmed Wednesday that she will not compete at the World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colorado, on December 14-15 as she was seeking her 100th race victory. “This is a really big bummer, not to be able to race Birds of Prey. But on the other hand, I was really lucky and I’m really looking forward to cheering my teammates on recent Beaver Creek.” Shiffrin gave an update on her latest hospital visit. “There was a little bit of original concern about my colon,” she said. “There were some air bubbles where that puncture came pretty close to the colon and last night’s check confirmed that my colon is indeed intact.” However, Shiffrin said the puncture did tear a “cavern” into her oblique muscles, which caused “bleeding and inflammation and just pain in general.” Shiffrin had taken the lead after her first run before slipping and crashing into the security fence by the side of the slope during her second attempt. Ben Church contributed to this report.Maple Leafs' Ryan Reaves says he will continue to inflict pain 'legally'

NoneUS sanctions founder of Georgia’s ruling political partyTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Alyssa Naeher ended her national team career with one last win. The stalwart goalkeeper made two critical saves in her final match for the United States, and the Americans beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Tuesday. “I definitely wasn’t thinking about it during the game, just wanted to win the game and do what I could to come away with the ‘W’ for us to close out the year,” Naeher said. Lynn Williams scored the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute for the U.S., which won its fifth Olympic gold medal in France this summer and wrapped up the year on a 20-game unbeaten streak. The Americans were coming off a scoreless draw with England on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Naeher announced two weeks ago that the European exhibitions would be her final matches. The 36-year-old goalkeeper played in 115 games for the U.S., with 111 starts, 89 wins and 69 shutouts. Naeher is the only U.S. keeper with shutouts in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. She was in goal when the United States defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the 2019 Women's World Cup final . “I feel like in my heart I would love to keep going. In my head, in my body and mind, I feel like it’s the right time. And I think it’s the right time with this team as well as it builds towards the future and towards 2027,” Naeher said. “This environment, this team, is an incredible team to be a part of, but it’s also really hard and really challenging in a lot of ways as well. “I feel like I’ve given everything I have to give for this team and that’s why I feel at peace with that.” The Netherlands took the lead on center back Veerle Buurman's header off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Naeher prevented a second goal when she punched away Dominique Janssen's shot in the 38th. The United States drew even at the end of the first half on an own goal that deflected off Buurman and past Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. Naeher slid to stop Danielle van de Donk's shot in the 69th minute before Williams, a second-half substitute, scored her fourth goal of the year and 21st of her career. “I wouldn’t say that this was our prettiest game of soccer ever. And sometimes that’s how games go. You can talk about tactics, you can talk about formations, you talk about everything, but the biggest thing was matching their intensity. Getting to the second ball, getting to the first ball. That was the shift that needed to happen,” Williams said about the team's second-half mindset. Naeher finished with six saves. She is not quite finished with soccer yet: She will continue playing next season for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League. “She’s been consistent again and again. Even when she’s been questioned at times in her career, she’s always found the answer,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Not only has she been a great player in this program, but let me tell you, she’s so loved by everyone, players and staff alike. She is the best teammate you could ask for and that just speaks volumes to the person that she is.” Lily Yohannes came in as a substitute in the second half. Yohannes, who has dual citizenship, opted to play for the United States over the Netherlands last month. She plays professionally for the Dutch club Ajax. The U.S. finished the year without the trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, who were left off the roster for the final two matches to rest and heal nagging injuries. The U.S. is unbeaten in 15 matches under Hayes, who took over in May. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Extended Detection and Response Market Future Trends, Scope, Business Growth, Size, Share, Segmentation, Dynamics and Forecast to 2028United Rugby Championship: Connacht v Ulster Venue: The Sportsground, Galway Date: Saturday, 28 December Kick-off: 19:35 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds & Radio Ulster; live text updates, reaction and highlights on BBC Sport website & app Ulster back row Nick Timoney says he will never take his place in the squad for granted after years of watching players come and go at Kingspan Stadium. Having won 155 caps since his debut in 2017, Timoney is one of the most experienced players in an increasingly youthful Ulster squad. However, when he was breaking through, the Dubliner admitted to being struck by how the departure of seasoned campaigners alters the team dynamic. "My first couple of years at Ulster, I remember there were loads of lads who left, the Tommys [Bowe], the Trimbys [Andrew Trimble], Roger Wilsons and Ruan Pienaars all left," recalled Timoney when asked about his close friend Greg Jones leaving the club earlier this year. "I remember thinking it's quite a striking element because the whole team dynamic seems to change. "I swore to myself that I'd never take it for granted, that people always come and go. You obviously get very close with people and you don't want to forget that. But when it's you that's been around longer and it's some of your friends that are going, it feels a little bit different. "It's the nature of it but it's tough, it's sad. Every year, there's reasoning and logic behind it, the progression, that's just the way it is and it'll be me one day as well, I'm sure." While several players have committed their long-term future to Ulster in recent months, Timoney - who is out of contract in the summer - is yet to pen a fresh deal. "I'd say there's a good chance, I don't know," he said when asked if he will be at Ulster next season. "I think everyone just wants to get things going in the right direction and see. I'm loving my time at Ulster. As much as there are disappointments and we're struggling at the moment, I have full faith we can get it going in the right direction again." Timoney has made three appearances for Ulster since returning from a frustrating autumn campaign with Ireland. While fellow Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu was handed his debut by head coach Andy Farrell, Timoney was denied a first cap in two years. "Pretty difficult, to be fair," Timoney said when asked about his conversation with Farrell. "I go into a campaign with Ireland thinking this is going to be the one that everything changes and I'll get another chance and get myself into that team properly. "I've done that in the last few [camps] but unfortunately it hasn't quite been coming for the last while. I haven't played in a couple of years. He told me to keep the faith and keep doing what I'm doing and keep pushing to get better." Rather than sulking, Timoney says he will use his recent lack of game-time with Ireland as fuel in his quest to become a regular fixture at Test level. "I certainly know I'm not the perfect player or finished product so you have to be real with yourself and your ego there," he admitted. "You're obviously upset but nobody owes the chance to play for Ireland. "It's not anyone else's problem, it's my problem. I have to get better and go harder every week and get to the point where they can't ignore me. That's probably on me if they feel they're not obligated to pick me. It's on me to play better and I've certainly been trying."

A report surfaced over the weekend that the New York Jets were debating shutting Aaron Rodgers down for the rest of the season. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich shut down those rumors by confirming that the 40-year-old is still the team’s quarterback and that he feels healthy. “All I can say — and you’d have to ask Aaron if he’s fully healthy — but he’s better off today than he’s been as of late,” Ulbrich told reporters on Monday. “So he’s definitely feeling healthier than he has for probably the last month, and a healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. So, excited about what that looks like.” Rodgers was dealing with hamstring, knee and ankle injuries that have hindered his mobility this year. The hamstring injury was said to be a “significant” one. While Rodgers has played in all 11 games for the Jets this season, he’s popped up on the injury report a few times. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the quarterback even “resisted” scans so he could remain on the field and not know the extent of the injuries. “That’s news to me,” Ulbrich said. Rodgers’ time with the Jets hasn’t gone to plan. He missed his entire first season in 2023 when he tore his Achilles in Week 1, and New York is 3-8 with him under center. With the Jets on bye this week, they had the opportunity for added rest, which could benefit Rodgers through the final six games. Whether Rodgers remains with the Jets beyond 2024 is unclear, but he revealed he wanted to play for Ulbrich “ until the end. ” More Patriots ContentIran says in consultation with Syria on reopening embassiesslotvip88 。

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.No. 22 St. John's bounces back from double OT loss with 80-55 rout of Virginia

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed his admiration for the just concluded general election in Ghana. Naija News reported earlier that Ghana’s former President, John Mahama, won the poll held on Saturday, December 7, 2024. The ruling party candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, has since reached out to Mahama, the candidate from the National Democratic Congress, to extend his congratulations. He stated, “The people of Ghana have spoken and they have voted for change at this time. We respect this with all humility.” However, Ghana’s electoral commission is expected to announce the official results by Tuesday. Commenting on the electoral process on Sunday, Yakubu, who observed the election, emphasised the significance of its innovations and political stability in facilitating the smooth execution of the 2024 presidential election. The chairman of Nigeria’s electoral commission noted the political stability that characterizes Ghana’s democracy, highlighting the reliability of its political party structures and the loyalty of its voters. He also acknowledged the determination of the main opposition candidate, a former vice president, and the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who had participated in several elections before ultimately achieving victory. “Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. So, that is important. “It provides stability. It also provides their supporters (with) stability. So, there are people who have supported political parties for many years. So, whether the party is in power or opposition, they stick to the political party,” Yakubu said in a statement on Sunday. The head of INEC remarked that Ghana’s method of handling results at the constituency level, which Nigeria influences, has enhanced the effectiveness of the electoral process. In the past, all parliamentary and presidential results were forwarded to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra for public announcement. Now, Ghana has implemented a decentralized system that enables constituency-level officials to announce parliamentary results locally, while presidential results are still directed to Accra. “The second thing for me is the lesson that Ghana also learnt from Nigeria in the area of managing constituency election results. Until the last election in Ghana, all results came from the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra, which is parliamentary and presidential. “Although Ghana is not a federal system, they learnt from Nigeria, where there are returning officers who announce results for parliamentary elections in the various constituencies around the country. Only the presidential election results come to Accra. “In Nigeria, this is what we have done, and they borrowed a leave from us. This is the second time they are implementing that. That is why, as you can see, the result of the presidential election declaration was a lot faster than it used to be in the past,” he explained. Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the process: “We are grateful that the election has gone very well. The process and its outcome so far have been commendable, and we continue to support our colleagues in Ghana’s Electoral Commission.” The defeat in Saturday’s election ends two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party under Akufo-Addo, marked by Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, involving high inflation and a debt default.

I couldn't stop myself from giggling. A sudsy giggle. I was brushing my teeth, but this was no ordinary toothbrush I was using. It was the Feno Smartbrush — and with its 18,000 bristles, it was navigating all of my teeth, top and bottom, at the same time. The vibration was startlingly different. The entire lower part of my face was shaking, from my gumline to the base of my jaw. It felt like a massage for my teeth, cheeks and the craniofacial muscles surrounding my mouth. Foamy residue escaped onto my chin and chest. The Feno Smartbrush is a mouthful. It was a mouthful. In a good way. For an anxious, teeth-grinding adult like me, the silly visual in the mirror of my mouth vibrating for 20 seconds was worth the feeling that came along with it. Plus, it removed all those tricky goji berry remnants that always seem to evade my regular electric toothbrush. The Smartbrush is a U-shaped device, with top and bottom sections like the mouthguards that athletes use, attached to a fist-sized handle that holds the power source and a camera. It's the flagship product of Feno, a 3-year-old company driven by the belief that "transformative oral health technology" is on the cusp of a breakthrough moment. It was created by Dr. Kenny Brown, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who's also Feno's CEO and a co-founder. He designed it to address problems he saw firsthand with his patients. "We believe oral health is your overall health," Brown tells me when we meet at BioscienceLA , which for Feno doubles as a nonprofit organization for health tech companies and its brick-and-mortar. "When it comes to oral hygiene, patients tend to fail in two aspects: time and technique." How many of us really put in the 2-plus minutes of brushing that dentists recommend? And are we really putting brush to tooth as effectively as we should? Feno cuts the time to just 20 seconds, and its Smartbrush does the work for you. It's a radically different approach from the normal options available for oral care at home, and retails at a breathtaking $299 for a three-month starter kit. There are other high-end, high-tech devices, including Curaprox's U-shaped Samba robotic toothbrush and the Philips Sonicare Prestige 9900 , which packs some AI into a more standard-looking electric toothbrush. But neither of those devices has Feno's customization features, like six variations of its U-shaped, top-and-bottom mouthpiece. Feno also stands apart in tracking and analyzing your brushing habits and your mouth as a whole, with reports through a $10 monthly Feno Plus membership intended to support long-term preventive care. Brown's training and experience is another differentiating factor. What you get with the Feno Smartbrush I did my trial with the $299 Founder's Edition bundle , which contains the Smartbrush (comprising the Feno Smarthandle and SnapCharger), a TrueFit Mouthpiece, three tubes of mint-flavored XyFoam toothpaste, a tongue scraper and three months of Feno Plus for access to personalized health insights and virtual oral health coaching. First, I sent in selfies of my mouth through Feno's FitKit , an app that allows the Feno team to map, size and pair it with one of six mouthpieces, and waited for my images to be analyzed and approved. The kit arrived in the mail a week later, in a large, well-designed box. After the unboxing, I downloaded the Feno app and connected it to my newly charged Smartbrush. (The Apple MagSafe-like charger attaches to the back of Feno's Smarthandle, looking rather like a stethoscope.) Here, I was able to customize my Feno experience. I could change the speed and time of the brush while the AI tracked my brushing cadence. The vibration of the brush allowed me to maneuver it around the sides of my mouth, which provided a pleasant jaw massage in the process. You use the Smarthandle to take a scan of your mouth. Over the next two weeks, I used the Smartbrush twice a day for 20 seconds at a time. Once connected to Feno's Wi-Fi network (this will not affect your home's internet connection), I could also connect my Smartbrush to Feno's app, which monitored my brushing and scanning cadence. After brushing, I positioned the Smartbrush 10 inches from my face and pressed a button to capture and send data concerning my oral health to Feno's team for feedback. With regular use, the reports come back every two weeks with insights about the condition of your teeth, gums, tongue and soft tissue, plus a digital health score, summary analysis of your mouth and feedback to improve or adjust your mouth scans. With consistency, the embedded scanner will learn your mouth and note any changes that occur. "[Over time] you're going to have the biggest longitudinal data set on the mouth, actionable data made as effortless as possible, so that it can be done as easily as once a day," Brown said. "You can then get insight into what's happening in your mouth." Feno will send you regular reports on the state of your oral health. Feno's evolution After my trial run with the Smartbrush, I visited Feno's facilities, where the product is tested, packaged and shipped out, to speak with Brown about the device, its AI integration and the state of oral health care. Feno's prototyping space, fulfillment center and company office all sit within the health tech hub's long, single-story brick exterior; blue and green letters read "BioscienceLA" across its windows. Inside, shiny white plaster walls and squeaky-clean floors make up the building's sleek, modern interior. Dr. Kenny Brown is the creator of the Feno Smartbrush. This is where members of the equally passionate core team — eight people, including three dentists — can be found. (It's also where Brown can be found chatting on the phone with customers about postpurchase feedback.) Our conversation took place in Feno's prototyping office, the largest of the three spaces I toured. Nearby, 3D printers for prototyping emit a soothing hum and ambient orange glow. Physical evolutions of Feno's TrueFit Mouthpiece lie to my right. As an oral surgeon and entrepreneur, Brown is an anomaly, a Black oral surgeon in an industry where just under 4% of dentists, dental specialists and oral surgeons are Black. With his creation of the AI-powered Smartbrush, he's also a pioneer. He radiates a passion for oral care — and humanity. (We'll take a moment here to acknowledge another pioneer, Dr. Bobbi Peterson , the Shark Tank-famous orthodontist who invented the Big Mouth electric toothbrush.) Brown estimates that nearly 50% of American adults have some form of gum disease and chronic inflammation. Feno, he says, could address this challenge with "full mouth," U-shaped products. "The idea is better, faster, easier — but it also levels a playing field," Brown said. "Doing this on a technology front shows, 'Look, these solutions are for everyone.' At the end of the day, it's to serve others." The TrueFit Mouthpiece design The TrueFit Mouthpiece began with over 20,000 patient digital impressions to inform a mouth-sizing algorithm, which translated into over 100,000 designs of various shapes, widths, heights and bristle configurations. "It can be extremely risky and expensive to make thousands of prototypes. We used a combination of clinical knowledge, digital impressions, generative AI technology and 3D printing to help us create [ours]," Brown said. "Efficacy is the number one thing. If it doesn't work, it doesn't matter." The design of Feno's mouthpiece went through many iterations. Brown and his team used generative AI — custom algorithms written with design software Rhino 3D and Grasshopper — to test and optimize for the most effective mouthpiece, including features like "bristle contact with tooth surfaces and your gum line." Those iterations became several hundred 3D-printed prototypes, tested again on patients to ensure clinical standards. Today, Feno has six TrueFit Mouthpiece variations that differentiate in dental arch, jawline and oral cavity dimensions, depending on customers' needs. Whether that's arch width or depth, a crooked tooth or gum recession, the goal is that all 18,000 bristles on your Feno TrueFit Mouthpiece touch all of your teeth — 250 strokes per tooth — so you can brush your teeth within 20 seconds. The Smarthandle will pause and alert you to soften your brushing pressure if need be. The TrueFit Mouthpiece connects to Feno's Smarthandle, which uses camera vision, artificial intelligence that can analyze visual data. Each time you scan your mouth with the Smarthandle's embedded scanner, it tracks signs of poor oral health or abnormalities that need attention and compiles it into a data report. While these insights are not considered diagnostic, Feno has a dentist quality-checking information for precision and accuracy. "We really try to be intentional about what we're giving customers," Brown said. "Seeing people and meeting them where they're at is the best form of care, something you cannot capture with any tech. That's humanity." My experience with the Feno Smartbrush For me, in that two-week trial run, the Smartbrush worked. My gums were initially sore (Feno notes this might happen) but my teeth felt... purified, as if all 18,000 bristles, vibrating in various directions, had extracted all the plaque in my mouth. As new to the market as Feno is, there's a lot yet to unfold about how well the Smartbrush performs and what the oral analytics reveal over time. At $299 upfront plus $10 a month, this system is asking you to make a significant investment. Still, I'm intrigued by this innovative approach. After my trial, I decided to keep my Smartbrush. For the last three years, I've been told by two different dentists that I will need veneers before I'm 40. (An alarming statement for a 29-year-old who's had braces twice.) Every six months, I leave my checkup increasingly anxious about what's happening inside my mouth — or, to Brown's point, my body — with no solution or long-term plan. Maybe this is the start of one. As always, as a savvy consumer, you should do your research, talk to your dentist and consider your comfort level with spending on a pricey cutting-edge device. Alongside brushing your teeth, twice a day.Apple Cash: How to use it to send and receive money

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel's $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President Joe Biden announced the agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones, the people familiar with the grant told The Associated Press. In August, the chipmaker announced that it would cut 15% of its workforce — about 15,000 jobs — in an attempt to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some of its rivals, Intel manufactures chips in addition to designing them. Two years ago, President Biden hailed Intel as a job creator with its plans to open a new plant near Columbus, Ohio. The president praised the company for plans to “build a workforce of the future” for the $20 billion project, which he said would generate 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 full-time jobs set to pay an average of $135,000 a year. The California-based tech giant's funding is tied to a sweeping 2022 law that President Biden has celebrated and which is designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Known as the CHIPS and Science Act , the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when a shortage of chips stalled factory assembly lines and fueled inflation . The Biden administration helped shepherd the legislation following pandemic-era concerns that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession. When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production. In August, the administration pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant could expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time. The Commerce Department said the funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. meant the company could expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub. The administration has promised tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. Boak reported from Washington.

AP News Summary at 5:39 p.m. EST

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Two more Miami Hurricanes entered the transfer portal on Sunday: twin brothers Bobby and Robby Washington. The pair of Miami natives, who spent two seasons with the Hurricanes, are the fourth and fifth UM players known to enter the portal this offseason, according to On3. “Business decision,” Robby wrote on social media. “Love Miami for everything.” The Washington twins both played at Miami Palmetto High, with Bobby starring as a linebacker and Robby standing out as a do-it-all running back, wide receiver and defensive back. Both brothers were four-star prospects. Bobby played the most for UM, getting 37 defensive snaps in 14 games over the past two seasons. He had seven tackles and half a sack. Bobby also played 112 special-teams snaps. Robby moved from wide receiver to cornerback during this offseason, playing 22 defensive snaps this season. He also had 57 special-teams snaps. The Hurricanes have young players at linebacker, returning Raul Aguirre, Bobby Pruitt and Adarius Hayes. Veterans Jaylin Alderman and Wesley Bissainthe could also return if they choose to stay for their senior seasons. Miami signed two high-school linebackers: Ezekiel Marcelin and Kellen Wiley. UM has Damari Brown, OJ Frederique Jr., Ryan Mack and Robert Stafford at cornerback. D’Yoni Hill and Jadais Richard are juniors who could enter the draft or return. The Hurricanes signed three high school cornerbacks: Jaboree Antoine, Chris Ewald Jr. and Amari Wallace.A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to compete in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship opening this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans woman volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not commented publicly on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Crews’ ruling referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player and noted that no defendant disputed that the San Jose State roster includes a transgender woman player. Related Story: San Jose State Stands With Student San Jose State will “continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all forms,” the university said in a statement, confirming that all its student-athletes are eligible to participate under NCAA and conference rules. “We are gratified that the Court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West volleyball tournament this week.” The conference did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The players filed a notice for emergency appeal with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Crews said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a loss in league standings. He also refused a request to re-seed the tournament without the forfeited losses. The judge said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 -– making that the status quo. Related Story: The Student Has Played Before Without Drawing Attention The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her reported identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a major election year. Crews’ ruling also said injunctions are meant to prevent harm, but in this case, he argued, the harm has already occurred. The games have been forfeited, the tournament has been seeded, the teams have made travel plans and the participants have confirmed they’re playing. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. Colorado State is seeded first and San Jose State, second. The teams split their regular-season matches and both get byes into Friday’s semifinals. The conference tournament winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. San Jose State coach Todd Kress, whose team has not competed in the national tournament since 2001, has said his team has been getting “messages of hate” and that has taken a toll on his players. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official conference standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without elaborating. Nevada did not qualify for the conference tournament. The nine current players and others now suing the Mountain West Conference, the California State University Board of Trustees and others include San Jose State senior setter and co-captain Brooke Slusser. The teammate Slusser says is transgender hits the volleyball with more force than others on the team, raising fear during practices of suffering concussions from a head hit, the complaint says. Other Lawsuits Pending Against NCAA The Independent Council on Women’s Sports is funding a separate lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports. Both lawsuits claim the landmark 1972 federal antidiscrimination law known as Title IX prohibits transgender women in women’s sports. Title IX prohibits sexual discrimination in federally funded education; Slusser is a plaintiff in both lawsuits. Several circuit courts have used a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to conclude that discriminating against someone based on their transgender status or sexual orientation is sex-based discrimination, Crews wrote. That means case law does not prove the “likelihood of success” needed to grant an injunction. An NCAA policy that subjects transgender participation to the rules of sports governing bodies took effect this academic year. USA Volleyball says a trans woman must suppress testosterone for 12 months before competing. The NCAA has not flagged any issues with San Jose State. The Republican governors of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have made public statements in support of the team cancellations, citing fairness in women’s sports. President-elect Donald Trump likewise has spoken out against allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports. Crews was a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him as a federal judge in January.

Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) has rejected concerns of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) over the lack of governance and transparency as well as operational inefficiencies at the clearing and settlement company. Instead, the CCBL alleged that its activities are being delayed due to the activities of other parties like the DSE, the company said in a detailed statement regarding these concerns last week. Farhad Ahmed, managing director and CEO of CCBL, confirmed that they issued the statement through letters to the concerned authorities, including the DSE and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The DSE had written to the BSEC earlier this month, calling for an immediate halt to the procurement activities of CCBL on grounds of its poor governance. In response, CCBL said the DSE raised concerns that several of its procurement decisions were taken against the country's best interests, exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability. "But a little more detailed explanation would help us better understand the issue. All major stakeholders, including the DSE, CSE and CDBL, are using similar infrastructure, and CCBL is no exception," it added. A "CCP Formation Committee" was created at the initial stage with the DSE chairman acting as its committee chairman while the bourse's managing director and CEO was its member secretary. Additionally, several members were officials of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) and various banks. "None of these members have raised the issue of not ensuring the best interest of the country by exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability," CCBL said. Regarding the nearly three-year delay in starting operations, CCBL said a total of 535 days elapsed for the appointment of independent directors, which was a delay from the BSEC side. And after the constitution of the first CCBL board, another 302 days were lost for reasons associated with the DSE. For instance, the bourse delayed the replacement of its nominated directors for the CCBL. Additionally, it took the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) 112 days to provide an opinion on the Request for Proposals from DSE nominated directors. Regarding the DSE's observation that it has no interaction between CCBL and its stakeholders, CCBL said it holds sufficient discussions and takes written feedback from major stakeholders like the DSE, CSE and Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL). CCBL informed that till date, it has held a total of 63 board meetings and innumerable committee meetings with the participation of DSE nominated directors. "No meeting of CCBL was ever held without their participation," it said. The DSE also gave an observation that there were irregularities in sharing quarterly and annual financial statements of CCBL with the bourse. CCBL firmly rejected this stance, saying all the reports were sent. DSE Chairman Mominul Islam said the bourse is not blaming CCBL for anything, but rather is simply urging it to review all these issues. The DSE is not only the largest shareholder, but also the largest stakeholder of CCBL, which is a nationally critical infrastructure of the country, he added. Islam informed that due to its importance, the DSE Brokers Association has urged the bourse to monitor whether CCBL is taking good decisions. Furthermore, Islam said CCBL informed that it maintains the international standard in operations. "Whether it is possible to make better decisions or buy infrastructure for less, we want to go ahead with the discussion [with CCBL]. So, hopefully we will be together soon," he added. Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) has rejected concerns of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) over the lack of governance and transparency as well as operational inefficiencies at the clearing and settlement company. Instead, the CCBL alleged that its activities are being delayed due to the activities of other parties like the DSE, the company said in a detailed statement regarding these concerns last week. Farhad Ahmed, managing director and CEO of CCBL, confirmed that they issued the statement through letters to the concerned authorities, including the DSE and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The DSE had written to the BSEC earlier this month, calling for an immediate halt to the procurement activities of CCBL on grounds of its poor governance. In response, CCBL said the DSE raised concerns that several of its procurement decisions were taken against the country's best interests, exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability. "But a little more detailed explanation would help us better understand the issue. All major stakeholders, including the DSE, CSE and CDBL, are using similar infrastructure, and CCBL is no exception," it added. A "CCP Formation Committee" was created at the initial stage with the DSE chairman acting as its committee chairman while the bourse's managing director and CEO was its member secretary. Additionally, several members were officials of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) and various banks. "None of these members have raised the issue of not ensuring the best interest of the country by exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability," CCBL said. Regarding the nearly three-year delay in starting operations, CCBL said a total of 535 days elapsed for the appointment of independent directors, which was a delay from the BSEC side. And after the constitution of the first CCBL board, another 302 days were lost for reasons associated with the DSE. For instance, the bourse delayed the replacement of its nominated directors for the CCBL. Additionally, it took the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) 112 days to provide an opinion on the Request for Proposals from DSE nominated directors. Regarding the DSE's observation that it has no interaction between CCBL and its stakeholders, CCBL said it holds sufficient discussions and takes written feedback from major stakeholders like the DSE, CSE and Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL). CCBL informed that till date, it has held a total of 63 board meetings and innumerable committee meetings with the participation of DSE nominated directors. "No meeting of CCBL was ever held without their participation," it said. The DSE also gave an observation that there were irregularities in sharing quarterly and annual financial statements of CCBL with the bourse. CCBL firmly rejected this stance, saying all the reports were sent. DSE Chairman Mominul Islam said the bourse is not blaming CCBL for anything, but rather is simply urging it to review all these issues. The DSE is not only the largest shareholder, but also the largest stakeholder of CCBL, which is a nationally critical infrastructure of the country, he added. Islam informed that due to its importance, the DSE Brokers Association has urged the bourse to monitor whether CCBL is taking good decisions. Furthermore, Islam said CCBL informed that it maintains the international standard in operations. "Whether it is possible to make better decisions or buy infrastructure for less, we want to go ahead with the discussion [with CCBL]. So, hopefully we will be together soon," he added.The New York Knicks haven’t received consistent production from the bench, but a particular signing could help the organization fix their second unit woes. In a wise present and future-driven move , the Knicks could bring back a veteran long-range sniper to help give them a spark off the bench. “Looking ahead, sharpshooter Landry Shamet is expected to be re-signed by the Knicks when he’s healthy, with the hope that stretch forward Matt Ryan will then clear waivers and re-sign on a two-way contract,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote Monday. Shamet, a 2018 first-round pick, suited up for the Washington Wizards during the 2023-24 season. The Wichita State product averaged 7.1 points on 33.8% shooting from beyond the arc in 46 contests, which didn’t earn him another contract with the organization. Shamet found a new NBA home in October, signing a non-guaranteed training camp deal with the Knicks. The 38.4% career three-point shooter struggled to find his touch from deep during the preseason, but he netted 43 total points in four contests. Unfortunately, Shamet dislocated his shoulder during the Knicks’ final preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets, which compelled the franchise to waive him before New York’s season opener. If Shamet wishes to rejoin the Knicks this season, he must improve his health and return to his scorching ways from three-point land. With New York looking to exit laughingstock territory regarding their bench scoring, they may give Shamet another opportunity to prove he belongs in the big leagues. More NBA: Lakers could hit jackpot by acquiring $242 million trio in multi-team trade

Pep Guardiola demanded his Manchester City players “accept the challenge” as the defending Premier League champions look to “survive the season.” City fell behind twice in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park, where Rico Lewis scored a second-half equaliser before he was sent off, ruling him out of next Sunday’s Manchester derby. Guardiola was missing seven potential starters through injury or illness for the trip to south London and he said: “It’s football, and we know that this season will be like this. FULL-TIME | The points are shared in London ? ? 2-2 ? #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/SfMEXS6Aim — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 7, 2024 “What I said to the players (was) ‘Don’t feel sorry. Please accept the challenge’. “It will be more difficult, but that’s what it is and maybe at the end we will have more satisfaction, in the way that we are going to (respond) to these problems, than maybe in the other seasons that we won the title. “All teams want their players always fit and ready and unfortunately since the beginning that could not happen, and it’s going to be, I think, for longer. “But one way or the other, we are going to try.” City, with 27 points, are eight behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand after their Merseyside derby was postponed by Storm Darragh. Lewis salvaged a vital point for City before he was sent off with a second yellow (Adam Davy/PA) Erling Haaland’s 13th goal of the season cancelled out Daniel Munoz’s fourth-minute opener. Summer signing Maxence Lacroix opened his Palace account to fire the hosts back in front after the break, but Lewis salvaged a draw in the 68th minute before he was controversially booked for a second time following a challenge with Trevoh Chalobah. With Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias all having recently returned from injury, Guardiola is thin on fully-fit personnel. Juventus ??? pic.twitter.com/CPPXIZkzPD — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 8, 2024 “The season starts difficult, it will be difficult all season,” added the City boss, whose side next travel to Juventus for Wednesday’s Champions League encounter. “We have to survive the season, every game, try to take points, to try to win games and go forward. “Unfortunately (Lewis) is an important player for us for the next game against United at home, but in general what they have done in the circumstances is really, really good.” “From the beginning, everything was wrong and unlucky in many things and we have to continue with that, with the players that we have at our disposal. “We go to the Champions League now in Turin and try to perform well, and we take the results.” Back in #UCL mode ? pic.twitter.com/3yNzwihM6R — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 8, 2024 Crystal Palace’s season has been the mirror image of their opponents’. While City have slumped since late October, it was at the same point that the Eagles snapped an eight-game winless streak with victory over Tottenham. Palace have now picked up 10 points from their last seven top-flight games but remain 17th, four points clear of Ipswich in the relegation zone. Glasner, who said he deliberately dialled up Palace’s “intensity” in Saturday’s stalemate, said: “We don’t feel unlucky. It was a good performance, but I think we can do better. Lacroix scored his first Palace goal in the 2-2 draw (Adam Davy/PA) “You need the training, you need the games, you need the minutes. We need all the players fit, we need them sharp, being ready to play how we want to play. “I think then we still have a lot of potential to improve.”

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Caribbean Princess Arrives in Port Canaveral for First-Ever Season of CruisesLane Kiffin torches ACC, CFP selection committee in epic rankings rant“Wanted” posters with the names and faces of health care executives have been popping up on the streets of New York. Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid. The apparent targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the menacing threats that followed have sent a shudder through corporate America and the health care industry in particular, leading to increased security for executives and some workers. In the week since the brazen shooting , health insurers have removed information about their top executives from company websites, canceled in-person meetings with shareholders and advised all employees to work from home temporarily. An internal New York Police Department bulletin warned this week that the online vitriol that followed the shooting could signal an immediate “elevated threat.” Police fear that the Dec. 4 shooting could "inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence," according to the bulletin, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “Wanted” posters pasted to parking meters and construction site fences in Manhattan included photos of health care executives and the words “Deny, defend, depose” — similar to a phrase scrawled on bullets found near Thompson’s body and echoing those used by insurance industry critics . Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News last week that he told her some people had been threatening him and suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Investigators believe the shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione , may have been motivated by hostility toward health insurers. They are studying his writings about a previous back injury, and his disdain for corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Mangione’s lawyer has cautioned against prejudging the case. Mangione, 26, has remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday . Manhattan prosecutors are working to bring him to New York to face a murder charge. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said this week it was working with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and to reinforce security guidelines and building access policies, a spokesperson said. The company has taken down photos, names and biographies for its top executives from its websites, a spokesperson said. Other organizations, including CVS, the parent company for insurance giant Aetna, have taken similar actions. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. has announced that its investor day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said last week it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. Heightened security measures likely will make health care companies and their leaders more inaccessible to their policyholders, said former Cigna executive Wendell Potter. “And understandably so, with this act of violence. There’s no assurance that this won’t happen again,” said Potter, who’s now an advocate for health care reform. Private security firms and consultants have been in high demand, fielding calls almost immediately after the shooting from companies across a range of industries, including manufacturing and finance. Companies have long faced security risks and grappled with how far to take precautions for high-profile executives. But these recent threats sparked by Thompson's killing should not be ignored, said Dave Komendat, a former security chief for Boeing who now heads his own risk-management company. “The tone and tenor is different. The social reaction to this tragedy is different. And so I think that people need to take this seriously,” Komendat said. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and top executives. Of those, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to just under $100,000. Hours after the shooting, Komendat was on a call with dozens of chief security officers from big corporations, and there have been many similar meetings since, hosted by security groups or law enforcement agencies assessing the threats, he said. “It just takes one person who is motivated by a poster — who may have experienced something in their life through one of these companies that was harmful," Komendat said. Associated Press reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco, contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Trailblazing model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning

The New Yorker Argues Hoover's FBI Was 'Nonpartisan', Trips Over Community Note With THEIR OWN Reporting

In the East End Recreation Center, both children and adults can now find help to receive basic necessities year-round for free. The recreation center began collecting items like shampoo, deodorant and more in its Care Closet a couple years ago, after youth using the center were frequently asking staff if they had the items, according to Ali Mayer, Winona Park and Recreation Department's recreation coordinator — community engagement. Since then, the free resource open to anyone in the community has grown to provide personal hygiene items, food, school supplies and more to about 3 to 5 people each week. Ali Mayer works to organize the Care Closet's food section in early December. “There's a lot of resources in Winona for individuals who are looking for personal items, personal hygiene or care items and school supplies and food items,” Mayer said. “But I just think the more resources we have available, the better it is.” People are also reading... She said extra options like the Care Closet help relieve stress from other organizations that provide necessities to area residents, who are often grateful to receive the help. The Care Closet is available for people to use from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. To collect an item from the Care Closet, people should stop at the front desk and let someone there know. Then, they will receive a list that they can mark off what they would like from the closet. There are no limits on what people can take, but staff tries to limit people from taking their whole stock of a single item. If that amount is requested, staff will give them a portion of the items available and then ask them to come back in a few days to see if there are more. “We want to make sure that the needs get met, but we also want to make sure that we have supplies in the closet for others as well,” Mayer said. Ali Mayer works to organize the East End Recreation Center's Care Closet. Jessie Reed, who is the Friendship Center’s Chore Corps Coordinator who works in the East End Recreation Center, said she likes that people do not have to register for the Care Closet and that it is in a semi-private, but welcoming and organized space in the building. She believes the East End Recreation Center is a good location for it, as it is an established space that people frequently visit. She also thinks it enables children to ask questions to staff about the products in the closet, like feminine hygiene products, if they have not been able to ask parents about them yet. The care closet is in need of donations, especially now that the weather is colder and the popularity of the resource becomes higher. Needed items include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair brushes, deodorant, shaving cream and razors, blankets, paper towels, dish and hand soaps, canned fruit and vegetables and microwavable food items like rice and pasta sides. People can drop off donations at the East End Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday after the start of 2025. Donations can also be left at the city's Park and Recreation office in city hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. News Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, your gifting opportunities these days are vast and deep. There are authentic ingredients and creative concoctions in brick-and-mortar shops and online. The global pantry beckons. Plus, in many cases, the packaging is gorgeous! Many of these affordable luxuries can be tucked into a stocking, but they also make great presents for a co-worker, mail carrier, nephew or teacher. As a slightly compulsive and obsessive gift giver, matching the right edible treat to the recipient is my jam (another great gifting option!). All of these items cost under $50, but make a big splash. Let’s go! Two Chinese American friends took the flavors of their favorite childhood treats and transformed them into sweet spreads, ready to be slathered on toast, apples or just eaten with a spoon. Rooted Fare sells spreads like Crunchy Black Sesame Butter (inspired by tang yuan, a Lunar New Year dessert ), Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter, and Chinese Almond Cookie Butter. $15 per jar. Il Colle del Gusto makes some sweet and unusual nut-based spreads with an Italian twist: Coarse Hazelnut and Cocoa, Crunchy Peanut, and Sicilian Pistachio, all blended with olive oil. Swirl them into ice cream, slather them onto toast. Each jar under $10. Related: Sesame lovers will be delighted with either an assortment of tahini products such as Chocolate Sesame Sauce, or a tub of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio from Seed + Mill . Some great gift sets available for under $50. Chile crunch condiments have taken the cooking world by storm, and there are some highly giftable options. Fly By Jing makes a large assortment of Asian-inspired chile crunches, and they have some attractively packaged gift sets for the holidays . The mini sampler set is around $20. The aptly named Chile Crunch sells several varieties of their crunchy condiment, including hot, chipotle, mild and original, all for about $13 per jar. Somos' Salsa Macha Mexican Chili Crisps explode with texture thanks to a whole lot of nuts and seeds. Scoop these spicy-crunchy sauces over everything from avocado toast to tacos — and try the sweeter one on ice cream! The gift set of two comes with a cute spoon for $35. Chef Patricia Quintana has created a line of salsas, sauces, dressings and condiments that preserves the heritage of traditional Mexican cooking. Treat someone to a jar of Achiote sauce or Pineapple Habanero Salsa (and hope you get invited over for the ensuing meal). $15 to $20 per jar. Ever heard of Secret Aardvark sauces ? You might be tempted to spread the word. This Caribbean/Tex-Mex line of condiments has a big following for what they call their “flavor that kicks you in the mouth.” There are many choices, including Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade, and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce. $10 each, with combo packs starting at $20. Tinned fish is also having a blockbuster culinary moment (and in many cases the packaging is super fun). Fishwife cans ethically sourced fish, like salmon, anchovies and trout, from around the world, with some attractive gift boxes under $50. La Narval focuses on combinations of fish and sauce, such as their mussels in Spanish sauce. Each tin is about $10. The Drinks Bakery creates savory snacks with flavor profiles meant to match up perfectly with your favorite libations. Munch on a Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion biscuit with a hoppy IPA or a sauvignon blanc. Serve the Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nut and Basil biscuits with a whiskey highball or champagne. Choose from small or larger boxes. I can’t think of a food gift I’m happier to see than a high-quality bottle of oil or vinegar, two of the most-used ingredients in my kitchen. Bona Furtuna's selection of Sicilian olive oils is fresh and fragrant, and their aged balsamic vinegars are thick, sweet and rich. The Invecchiato 7-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, for instance, sells for $44.95; Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil from $10.95 to $39.95. Metafora olive oil comes in a beautiful bottle and is a nice introduction to Portuguese olive oil. $40. Alvear makes lovely Andalusian sherry vinegars. For the salad makers and Spanish chefs in your life, think about gifting one each of the bottles, a sweet and a dry , about $20 apop. Tartuflanghe makes all sorts of luxury ingredients infused with white and black truffles. Elevate your cooking game with truffle-infused butters with flavors like porcini or anchovy (about $10 each). Pick up a box of decadent, truffle-flavored Tartufissima 19 for $32. Or how about a little jar of black truffle pearls, which look like caviar, and are the most elegant way to finish off a risotto or a deviled egg ($40)? ’Tis the season for sweet things, but there's no need to settle for the same old bonbons. Sanders is known for decadent, chocolate-covered caramels, and this holiday season they have some limited-edition flavors. Do you know someone who might like a bag of bourbon, maple or peppermint dark-chocolate sea-salt caramels? I do! $10. Perhaps you’ve seen the elegant Lady M layered crepe cakes? Well this holiday, try their more portable and giftable Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection . Eight wedge-shaped boxes contain a delicate crepe biscuit with fillings such as vanilla, chocolate hazelnut and green tea. $28. André’s Confiserie Suisse makes handmade chocolate with deep rich flavor, a result of generations of Swiss chocolate-making expertise. Some unusual classics include the Nussbergerli Sticks, a mix of caramel, candied orange peel and nuts, covered in either dark or milk chocolate, as well as a lovely assortment of chocolate-covered almonds. Also check out the festive, almond-stuffed chocolate pinecones, a cute edible ornament. Offerings start at $7. There are chocolate bars and then there are chocolate bars. At Chocopologie , it's hard to decide among the creative confections. Burnt Caramel Hawaiian Sea Salt? A S'Mores Bar that includes organic graham crackers and vegan marshmallows? At $10 each, you might need to buy a few. The bakers you know will love playing around with the Salted Caramel Crumbles from Kitty Keller. These toffee-like crumbles are made from the butter and salted caramel of Brittany, France, and can be used to finish all kinds of sweet treats with a crunchy little panache. $12. I could go on (quite clearly), but suffice it to say that a little special treat can have a big impact. Those stockings aren’t going to stuff themselves! For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays . This story was first published on Nov. 20, 2024. It was updated on Dec. 12, 2024 to correct the spelling of Bona Furtuna.

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Joe Burrow is no longer talking about the playoffs after another loss by the high-scoring BengalsRipple’s XRP, a favored cryptocurrency for fast and low-cost international transactions, is witnessing a shift as traders move to Lightchain AI, a promising new blockchain platform. Emphasizing a fusion of artificial intelligence and decentralized technology, Lightchain AI is attracting investors seeking projects with greater utility and long-term growth prospects. XRP’s strength lies in enabling rapid and cost-effective cross-border payments, making it a reliable choice for banks and financial services. However, its ongoing legal proceedings with the SEC and its confinement primarily to payment services pose challenges to its potential expansion. These limitations prompt traders to seek alternatives with broader applicability and innovation. Lightchain AI presents itself as such an alternative, offering a comprehensive ecosystem that combines blockchain technology with artificial intelligence. Its features include a meme coin Launchpad for secure monetization and innovation, a staking mechanism for community engagement, and deflationary tokenomics to ensure value retention over time. The platform’s roadmap promises advancements like cross-chain compatibility and global adoption, addressing real-world challenges with unique solutions. Traders are drawn to Lightchain AI’s potential for diversification across industries and its reduced regulatory risks compared to XRP. Additionally, the platform’s ability to provide passive income through token staking offers a dynamic edge over XRP’s transactional capabilities. As XRP continues to navigate regulatory scrutiny, Lightchain AI emerges as a stable and innovative option for those looking to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the evolving blockchain landscape. For traders and investors eager for sustainable growth, Lightchain AI is positioned as a revolutionary contender in the crypto market.

The NFC North takes center stage on " Thursday Night Football " to kick off Week 14, showcasing two teams from what has undoubtedly been the most competitive division in the league in 2024. The Packers (9-3) will head southeast to visit the Lions (11-1) in a matchup that could determine the division champion and owner of a first-round playoff bye, though the 10-2 Vikings remain in the hunt as well. It's hard to argue against the NFC North as the best division in football right now. With a combined 34-14 record through 13 weeks, even considering the Bears' 4-8 mark, the NFC North is only rivaled by the AFC West. Home to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, that foursome is a combined 29-20 so far. STREAM: Watch Packers vs. Lions live with Amazon Prime Video NFC East teams Philadelphia (10-2) and Washington (8-5) remain the only serious threats to Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota for the top NFC postseason seed. The Vikings face their former starting QB Kirk Cousins and the Falcons Sunday, while the Eagles host the lowly Panthers and the Commanders take their bye. That leaves the Packers and Lions as arguably the most exciting matchup of Week 14. Jordan Love & Co. look to gain one back on Detroit, which bested Green Bay on the road in Week 9. Dan Campbell and Jared Goff, on the other hand, are in the hunt to clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Sporting News has you covered with everything you need to know about Packers vs. Lions on NFL "Thursday Night Football." NFL POWER RANKINGS: Eagles jump Chiefs, Bills; Cowboys rise and Ravens drop for Week 14 Packers vs. Lions score 1 2 3 4 F Packers Lions SN's NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule Packers vs. Lions live updates, results, highlights from Thursday Night Football (All times ET) Updates will begin prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff for Packers vs. Lions. Packers vs. Lions start time Date: Thursday, Dec. 5 Time: 8:15 p.m. ET Thursday's game between the Packers and Lions is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. What channel is Packers vs. Lions on today? TV channel: N/A Live stream: Amazon Prime Video (U.S.) | DAZN NFL (Canada) Thursday Night Football will not air on national television. Instead, viewers can stream the game exclusively on Amazon Prime Video . Viewers in Canada can stream the game on DAZN . Packers vs. Lions radio station Radio channel: SiriusXM Listen live to Packers vs. Lions on "Thursday Night Football" on SiriusXM channel 88, NFL Radio. Get 3 months of SiriusXM for just $1 . Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >Jorgen Vik: Financial fortune-telling is all the same — useless