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A projected dip in state tax collections appears not to have dimmed Republican leaders’ eagerness to again cut Kentucky’s income tax. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers on Saturday said continuing to reduce the individual income tax rate — this time from 4% to 3.5% — remains the Republican supermajority’s No. 1 priority in the upcoming legislative session, reports WHAS11 News in Louisville, where Stivers spoke to the Kentucky Farm Bureau’ s annual meeting. Recently revised forecasts predict that Kentucky’s general fund revenue will decline by $213 million or 1.4% in fiscal year 2025. The projections were released Nov. 21 by the state budget director’s office in its quarterly report to state officials. This would be only the fourth time in 50 years that general fund revenue has declined year over year, said Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. The other times were in 2001 and twice during the post-2008 Great Recession. The turnaround follows several years of booming state revenues across the country fueled by the federal government’s pandemic aid. Kentucky is among many states that have cut taxes or are experiencing declines in revenue as the stimulus spending ends. The surge in state revenues began to reverse a couple of years ago, according to a Pew research brief. “Annual inflation-adjusted state tax revenue fell in fiscal year 2023 from the prior year — the only time in at least 40 years that real revenue has declined outside of a recession. More than three dozen states saw their revenue shrink, including a steep decline in California that drove the breaking of the (revenue) wave, and in fiscal 2024, at least five states reported shortfalls .” Policymakers prepared for the coming revenue declines by “prioritizing non-recurring expenditures and one-time tax cuts over long-term commitments,” says the issues brief from The Pew Charitable Trusts. In Kentucky, however, lawmakers enacted permanent cuts in the individual income tax, first in 2022 and again in 2023. The state budget director’s report attributes the largest reduction in the revenue forecast to tax credits due in 2025 that are part of a new pass-through tax that was paid in 2024. “This asynchronized timing inflated FY24 collections in the individual income tax and will reduce expected FY25 receipts,” the report says. Kentucky in fiscal year 2024 collected $15.571 billion in general fund revenue and is projected to collect $15.358 billion in the current fiscal year. Revenue now expected in 2025 is also below the estimates on which the state budget is built. “General Fund revenue collections grew 1.3 percent in first quarter,” says the Kentucky budget director’s report. “Of the $49.3 million increase in revenues, the majority came from the corporation income tax, which rose by $266.6 million. A nearly equal decline in individual income tax revenue erased almost all of those gains. In the case of the individual income tax, all four of the major components of the tax receipts: withholding, net returns, estimated payments and the pass-through entity tax (PTET); declined by a combined $266.4 million.” The corporate income tax is volatile, and the gains in revenue from it are not projected to continue at the first-quarter rate. Meanwhile, revenue from the state sales tax grew 1.3% to $1.5 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The legislature in 2022 expanded the sales tax to cover more services in order to partially offset the income tax cut. Kentucky Senate budget committee Chair Chris McDaniel R-Ryland Heights, last week said he’s keeping an eye on the projected revenue decline and called it manageable. He said the legislature remains “fully committed” to enabling “Kentuckians to retain more of their hard-earned income” by approving a bill early in the 2025 session lowering the individual income tax rate to 3.5%. “We will closely monitor the latest revenue projections, but the figure is manageable within our current budget, even with the planned income tax reduction factored in,” McDaniel said in a statement. “We crafted a conservative budget to prepare for scenarios like this. The enacted budget includes a significant buffer for the reduction, which would take effect in January 2026, ensuring it does not impact FY 2025 or the first half of FY 2026.” McDaniel also said, “Guided by 2022’s House Bill 8, we are dedicated to a cautious, responsible income tax reduction and disciplined long-term budgeting.” Stivers in an interview with WHAS11 News also cited the “guardrails” in the 2022 law that established two fiscal benchmarks that the state must meet before the legislature can enact another half percent cut in the income tax. In the current state budget, Bailey says, the legislature got around the guardrails by changing the rules to exclude billions of dollars in one-time spending from the calculation of whether the state had met the fiscal benchmarks. Bailey’s nonprofit organization has opposed cutting Kentucky’s income tax, a change it describes as skewed to benefit the affluent while reducing money to pay for education, health care, public worker salaries and benefits among other services. “When you reduce the largest most productive revenue source, you’re going to have less money,” Bailey said of the expected decline in general fund revenue. “No one has explained how they’re going to make up for the decline in revenue,” Bailey said. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and some Republicans have said the goal should be to gradually eliminate the state individual income tax but earlier this year Republican House Speaker David Osborne said doing away with the income tax altogether is not a realistic goal. Osborne told the Lexington Herald-Leader that reducing the individual income tax rate below 3% would require dramatic increases in the state sales tax. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the bill cutting the income tax in 2022. In 2023, campaigning for reelection, Beshear signed the measure although he said the legislature could have helped more Kentuckians by instead lowering the sales tax. This story originally appeared at kentuckylantern.com.
Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talk
Debt Ceiling Drama: Trump's Take on Political MisstepsEAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson might be weary of all the safeties shadowing his every route, determined not to let the Minnesota Vikings go deep, but he's hardly angry. The double and triple coverage he continually faces, after all, is a sign of immense respect for his game-breaking ability. The strategy also simply makes sense. “I would do the same," Jefferson said. "It’s either let everybody else go off or let Justin go off. I’m going to let everybody else go off. That would be my game plan.” When the Vikings visit Chicago on Sunday, they're expecting the usual heavy dose of split-safety coverage designed to put a lid on the passing attack and force them to operate primarily underneath. “We see that every week: Teams just have different tendencies on film, and then when we go out on the field they play us totally different,” Jefferson said, later adding: “I don’t really feel like anyone else is getting played how I’m getting played.” Jefferson nonetheless is second in the NFL in receiving yards (912) behind Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase, his former college teammate at LSU. Last week, Jefferson set yet another all-time record by passing Torry Holt for the most receiving yards over the first five seasons of a career. Holt logged 80 regular-season games and accumulated 6,784 yards for St. Louis. Jefferson has 6,811 yards — in just 70 games. “I want to go up against those single coverages. I want to go have my opportunities to catch a deep pass downfield, just one-on-one coverage, like a lot of these other receivers get," Jefferson said. "It’s definitely difficult going up against an extra person or an extra two people, but it is what it is and the concepts that we’re drawing up and the ways that we’re trying to get me open, it definitely helps.” With fellow tight end Josh Oliver ruled out of the game on Sunday because of a sprained ankle, T.J. Hockenson is certain to have his heaviest workload since returning from knee surgery four weeks ago. He's also certain that Jefferson will continue to see persistent double-teams. “It puts it on us to make some plays and do some things to get them out of that,” Hockenson said. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has been forced to dig deeper into the vault of play designs and game plans to help keep quarterback Sam Darnold and the offense on track. O'Connell said after Minnesota's 12-7 win at Jacksonville, when Darnold threw three interceptions to precipitate a safer strategy down the stretch, that he superseded his play-calling role with the wisdom of a head coach to help win that game. "Not just the egomaniac of wanting to score points and constantly show everybody how smart we are. There was a mode that I think you have to go into sometimes to ensure a victory,” O'Connell said on his weekly show on KFAN radio. Taking what the defense gives is usually the shrewdest strategy. “You’ve got to really implement some new things and some things that maybe you didn’t come across during your early coaching years whether as a coordinator or position coach or even when you’re responsible for a small area of the game plan as a younger coach," O'Connell said. "You really have to kind of look outside the lens of always what you see on tape.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLLand rights hearing: Marginalised vent ire before Medha Patkar-headed panel in Chennai
is seemingly knocking on the door of a Test debut as coach Andrew McDonald has raised concerns over . Australia is reeling after one of the nation's worst ever home defeats to India in the first Test in Perth. Calls for Marnus Labuschagne to be dropped are growing with the No.3 averaging just 13.66 across his last five Tests. And to make matters worse for the Aussies, Marsh has pulled up sore after Perth. The allrounder has not been a regular bowler for Australia since his return to the starting XI in the Ashes. However, due to the absence of Cameron Green, Marsh was called upon to bowl 17 overs in the first Test. And Cummins admitted the workload had taken a toll on the allrounder. On Tuesday evening, Aussie coach Andrew McDonald also claimed Marsh would be monitored leading into the second and third Test. “We knew that Mitch was slightly underdone coming in but I thought the performance in the first innings was satisfactory,” McDonald said when leaving Perth. However, calls are growing for Tasmanian allrounder Webster to come straight into the team. Webster was one of the few standouts in the Australia A game against India having scored 33 and 61 not out in the first win. He then backed it up with figures of 3-49 in the second hit-out having also scored 46 not out in the second innings. And in the Sheffield Shield clash this week, Webster has starred for Tasmania against New South Wales. Webster finished the first innings with 61 runs off 81 balls. He then took 3-81 having dismissed three of the top four in the order. Webster will start the day's play on Wednesday 33 not out as Tasmania look to build on their lead of 252 runs. The 30-year-old is doing everything to make sure he is knocking down the door for a baggy green if Marsh can't back-up. The Tasmanian was the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield last summer and is averaging more than 60 in the current campaign. A number of Aussies are under pressure in the starting XI with , and all underperforming across the last 12 months. also fell short in his debut as an opener having fallen cheaply in both innings. Another 50 for beau Webster in the shield, last 3 first class matches 46 and 61* both times in a chase against india A. how long will this man be ignored???? Or does he need to change his last name to marsh. — Coach lukas (@lukeR15sky) Not Matt Short on 59* after a half century in the first innings. Not Marcus Harris getting yet another 50. Not Beau Webster getting 60 and averaging that this summer. Not Jimmy Peirson getting 61 and averaging 47 this summer.... But no, there is no one who can come in at all 1/2 — Jimmy Fazz (@west_ham_fazz) Beau webster should be picked if Marsh is injured and if not it shows the shield system is not working — Postman Pats Mail (@mail_pats) Bring in Beau Webster or Michael Neser! Neser with the Pink Ball under lights 😍😍😍 — BlaikeCamo (@AndersonBlaike) While it appears very unlikely there will be changes in the starting XI for the Adelaide Test, the player under the most pressure in the Aussie squad is Labuschagne. The No.3 batter is averaging just 30.28 in Test cricket since February last year. In his last 10 innings, Labushcagne has scored 10, 1 not out, 3, 5, 1, 2, 90, 6, 2 and 3 for an average of just 13.66. However, coach Andrew McDonald has appeared to back the Queenslander to find his form in Adelaide. “We look at the way he plays, and when he’s at his best,” McDonald said. “And when we’ve seen him at his best he’s shown great intent at the crease. “That’s an ongoing discussion and that ebbs and flows in players’ careers, so at the moment he’s in one of those patches and no doubt he’ll be getting critiqued externally. But internally we’re really confident that, at his best, he’s the player that we need.”
NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global AI in games market size is estimated to grow by USD 4.5 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 24.65% during the forecast period. Growing adoption of ar and vr games is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing emergence of cloud gaming. However, network latency in between games poses a challenge. Key market players include Alphabet Inc., Capcom Co. Ltd., Charisma Entertainment Ltd., COGNOSPHERE PTE. LTD., Electronic Arts Inc., Konami Group Corp., Latitude, Microsoft Corp., NetEase Inc., Nintendo Co. Ltd., NVIDIA Corp., PrometheanAI Inc., Side Effects Software Inc., Sony Group Corp., Take Two Interactive Software Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., Theai Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment SA, Unity Software Inc., and Vivendi SE. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver Cloud gaming's adoption is growing due to its accessibility and cost-effective structure. Grid computing enables streaming of high-quality games to devices via wired or wireless connections. Cloud gaming eliminates the need for expensive hardware and offers click-to-play simplicity. AI plays a crucial role in optimizing cloud costs and enhancing gaming experiences. The global AI in games market will benefit from this trend, with AI-driven techniques like auto-scaling and cost visualization helping businesses control expenses. The AI market in the games industry is experiencing significant growth. With the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), games have become more interactive and engaging. Real-time analytics and machine learning technologies are used to enhance the player experience. Two prominent AI applications are NPCs (Non-Player Characters) and predictive analytics. NPCs provide realistic and dynamic gameplay, while predictive analytics help players improve their performance. Companies are investing in AI to create and personalized gaming experiences. The use of cloud computing and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) enables the processing of large amounts of data in real-time. The future of AI in games is bright, with advancements in natural language processing and computer vision set to revolutionize the industry. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! • The AI in Games market experiences a major hurdle in the form of network latency. This delay between a player's action and the game server's response can negatively impact gameplay, particularly in multiplayer scenarios. Factors contributing to latency include internet connection quality, geographical distance, network infrastructure, player numbers, and server load. Despite its impact on market growth during the forecast period, efforts are ongoing to mitigate latency and enhance user experience. • In the rapidly growing AI in games market, developers face several challenges. They need to ensure that AI-powered gameforms are engaging and realistic, requiring complex programming and large datasets. Data collection and management is a significant challenge, as is ensuring that AI systems can adapt and learn in real-time. Additionally, integrating AI into existing game engines and ensuring compatibility with various platforms can be difficult. Furthermore, privacy concerns and ethical considerations must be addressed when implementing AI in games. Overall, the integration of AI in games presents numerous opportunities, but also requires careful planning and execution to overcome these challenges. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This ai in games market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 AI enabled platforms 1.2 AI enabled games 2.1 Machine learning 2.2 Natural language processing 2.3 Computer vision 2.4 Robotics 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 AI enabled platforms- AI platforms in the gaming industry facilitate the development, deployment, and maintenance of deep learning and machine learning models. These tools enable faster and more accurate data analysis, prediction, and action-taking, enhancing game production. Companies like Microsoft and Alphabet AI lead this change, offering advanced graphics, real-time interactions, and player behavior insights. AI's impact on game immersion and realism, through ray tracing and AI-powered virtual characters, is driving market growth during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The AI in Games market is experiencing significant growth, with advancements in AI algorithms, machine learning, and deep learning driving innovation. Virtual and augmented reality technologies, such as Microsoft HoloLens 2, are integrating AI to provide experiences. AI-generated content, including 3D representations and image upscaling, is enhancing the gaming experience. Euphoria, a middleware system, is utilizing AI to create realistic character behaviors. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Battlefield V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and others are leveraging AI technologies, including neural networks and ray tracing, to deliver more engaging and predictive gameplay. Network latency is being addressed through AI-enabled platforms, while GPUs and CPUs continue to play crucial roles in powering 3D games. Data analysis and prediction are key applications of AI in gaming, providing personalized experiences for players. The AI in Games market refers to the integration of artificial intelligence technology in the development and creation of video games. This includes the use of machine learning algorithms for character behavior, non-player character interactions, and game design. AI in games can enhance the player experience by creating more realistic and dynamic game environments. It can also be used for game development tools, such as procedural content generation and game balancing. The use of AI in games is becoming increasingly popular, with many developers exploring its potential to create and engaging gaming experiences. The applications of AI in games span across various genres, from strategy and role-playing games to first-person shooters and sports simulations. The future of AI in games holds great promise, with advancements in technology expected to lead to even more sophisticated and interactive gaming experiences. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type AI Enabled Platforms AI Enabled Games Technology Machine Learning Natural Language Processing Computer Vision Robotics Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioWhat Juan Soto’s contract says about the MetsKevin O'Leary: Trump Must Inflict 'Massive Economic Pain' on China with Tariffs
Paris Saint-Germain have it all to do to avoid elimination from the Champions League after losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich . The Ligue 1 leaders started the night 25th in the new league phase table - a position which would see them exit Europe altogether if things don't improve - and could drop a couple of places if results go against them on Wednesday. To make matters worse for PSG , they won’t have Ousmane Dembele available for their next Champions League clash against RB Salzburg next month after he was sent off - somewhat harshly - for two bookable offences and therefore must serve a one-game suspension. The only goal of the game from Bayern came shortly before half-time as Matvei Safonov - starting instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal for PSG - was unable to claim Joshua Kimmich's in-swinging corner and his mistake left Kim Min-jae with a straightforward header from close range. Bayern did have a couple of chances to increase their tally but Jamal Musiala was denied by a stunning save from Safonov while Kingsley Coman as well as substitutes Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller all wasted decent chances. As a result, the Bundesliga giants have boosted their chances of a top-eight finish which would see them qualify for the last 16 automatically and they face Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava in their final three fixtures of the league phase. Meanwhile, with fixtures against Salzburg, Manchester City and Stuttgart to come, PSG know they have little margin for error left if they are to continue in Europe after January.
Liberty Ready To Support New Australian Businesses Entering the Market
Lawyers for Sean "Diddy" Combs say a "Jane Doe" naming Jay-Z in a sexual assault lawsuit is an example of the "shameless publicity stunts" surrounding the "Bad Boy For Life" rapper's legal woes. In court documents filed Monday, lawyers for Jay-Z , whose legal name is Shawn Carter, asked the judge to require that the woman claiming Jay-Z raped her at a 2000 VMAs afterparty when she was 13 identify herself in the complaint or dismiss the case. The accuser originally filed the suit against Combs in October but refiled it on Sunday to name Jay-Z as the celebrity who allegedly raped her and Combs as "Celebrity B" watched. In a statement to Newsweek on Monday, Combs' legal said, "This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. [Tony] Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs. "As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor," Combs' defense concluded. Jay-Z argued in his motion to dismiss that he was the target of an "extortionate campaign" designed to pressure him into paying millions, regardless of the truth. Newsweek has contacted a lawyer for Jay-Z by email for comment. Jay-Z's Motion to Expedite Due to "intense media scrutiny," Jay-Z wants to clear his name as fast as possible. Alex Spiro, a lawyer for Jay-Z, also filed a motion Monday to expedite this case. "For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Carter is entirely innocent. This is a shakedown," Spiro wrote. "He is not mentioned, referenced, or implicated in any way in the criminal investigation of Mr. Combs. He is neither a target nor a person of interest in that investigation. "We are available at the Court's earliest convince to provide additional briefing or to appear for a hearing on this matter." Jay-Z Denies Rape Allegation Jay-Z has viciously denied the rape allegation, issuing a first-person statement Sunday shortly after news of the lawsuit broke. In a statement released through his Roc Nation social media account and representative Jana Fleishman, Carter called the lawsuit a "blackmail attempt" and criticized Buzbee directly. "My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle," Carter stated. "I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over," Carter wrote. "My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit." In response to the statement, Buzbee told Newsweek , "Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He even filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation." Buzbee added, "Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I'm very proud of her resolve. As far as the allegations in the complaint filed today, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media." Doe alleges that the assault occurred after being driven to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. According to the lawsuit, she was taken to a white house with a U-shaped driveway where she was required to sign what she believed was a non-disclosure agreement. "These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case," Carter wrote in his Sunday statement. "My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence." Jay-Z shares three children with his wife Beyoncé : Blue Ivy, 12, and 7-year-old twins Sir and Rumi. Meanwhile, Combs is the subject of at least 20 civil lawsuits with allegations of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity. Jay-Z is the first fellow celebrity to be accused of wrongdoing in the complaints against Combs. Combs also denied any wrongdoing. He is currently behind bars at the notoriously rough Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits his May 2025 sex trafficking trial. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.comSouth Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol was banned Monday from travelling abroad, the justice ministry said, less than a week after he plunged the country into chaos by briefly imposing martial law. Yoon sent special forces and helicopters to parliament on the night of December 3 before lawmakers forced him to rescind the order by rejecting his decree. The unpopular leader narrowly survived an impeachment motion in parliament Saturday even as huge crowds braved freezing temperatures to call for his ouster. Despite remaining in office, a clutch of investigations has been closing in on Yoon and his close allies, including a probe for alleged insurrection. The ministry of justice confirmed on Monday that Yoon had become the first sitting South Korean president to be banned from leaving the country. A lawmaker was asked at a Monday parliamentary hearing whether Yoon had been banned from international travel. "Yes, that's right," replied Bae Sang-up, an immigration services commissioner at the ministry. Also under travel bans for their roles in last week's events are former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun -- currently in detention -- and ex-interior minister Lee Sang-min. General Park An-su, the officer in charge of the martial law operation, and defence counterintelligence commander Yeo In-hyung are also barred from leaving South Korea. Investigators hauled Park in for further questioning Monday, and Yonhap news agency reported that prosecutors had asked for a warrant for Kim's formal arrest. The impeachment push failed to pass after members of Yoon's own People Power Party (PPP) walked out of parliament, depriving it of the necessary two-thirds majority. The PPP says that in exchange, the 63-year-old Yoon has agreed to hand power to the prime minister and party chief, prompting howls of protest from the opposition. "This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup," Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae said. Under South Korea's constitution, the president remains head of government and commander in chief of the army unless he or she is incapacitated, resigns or steps down. In such a case, power would then be handed to the prime minister on an interim basis until elections could be held. Claiming Yoon can remain in office but has delegated his powers to the prime minister and leader of his ruling PPP -- who is not an elected official -- is "a blatant constitutional violation with no legal basis", Park said. "Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol," he said. South Korea's ally the United States indicated it would still deal with Yoon but said it "will keep lines of communication open with all relevant parties". "President Yoon is the president of Korea, and the political process in Korea will play out, as it should, under Korea's laws and Korea's constitution," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. The defence ministry confirmed Monday that the embattled Yoon still oversees the country's security apparatus, despite the apparent power vacuum in a country that remains technically at war with nuclear-armed North Korea. "Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief," defence ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou said. Yoon has apologised for "anxiety and inconvenience" caused by his declaration of martial law but has not stepped down, saying instead he would entrust decisions about his fate to his party. He also said he would accept all political and legal responsibility for the martial law fiasco. There is no constitutional basis supporting the ruling party's claim that Yoon can stay in office but hand over his power to unelected party officials, said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University Law School. "It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup," he told AFP. "If there are issues with the president, there are ways laid out in the constitution such as suspending the president from his duties, and then move on to proceedings set out in the constitution, such as impeachment," he said. The opposition has already said they would try again to impeach Yoon, with leader Lee Jae-myung saying another vote would be held Saturday. burs-stu/ceb/bgs-sct/mlm
Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Corp. ( OTCMKTS:RSVAU – Get Free Report ) dropped 5.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $24.18 and last traded at $24.22. Approximately 17,000 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 75% from the average daily volume of 67,461 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.58. Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Trading Down 5.3 % The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $24.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $24.22. Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Corp. intends to enter into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Woodside, California. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rodgers Silicon Valley Acquisition and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Excise dept proposes new liquor licenses to cap fiscal deficitZelenskiy Boosts Drone Funding Amid Ongoing Conflict
Rejoining Hockey Canada not a discussion point at BCHL board meetingOne of my top shows of 2024 actually premiered in 2021. That’s because it took a couple of years for the Australian series “The Newsreader” to make its way Stateside. Alas, it was only legal to stream in the U.S. for a handful of weeks in September and then — pffft! — it was gone before most people had even heard of it. Well, I have great news. The show will be available once again, this time via Sundance Now (accessible through the AMC+ streaming platform), which has licensed the first season. Premiering Dec. 19, it stars Anna Torv (“Fringe”) and Sam Reid (“Interview with the Vampire”) as TV reporters in Melbourne, circa 1986. At the outset, Reid’s character exudes big loser energy, which is such an amusing contrast to his work as Lestat. The show is unexpectedly funny and terrifically Machiavellian in its portrayal of small-time office politics, and I’m thrilled audiences in the U.S. will get another shot at watching it. Overall, 2024 offered a modestly better lineup than usual, but I’m not sure it felt that way. Too often the good stuff got drowned out by Hollywood’s pointless and endless pursuit of rebooting intellectual property (no thank you, Apple’s “Presumed Innocent” ) and tendency to stretch a perfectly fine two-hour movie premise into a saggy multi-part series (“Presumed Innocent” again!). There were plenty of shows I liked that didn’t make this year’s list, including ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” and CBS’ “Ghosts” (it’s heartening to see the network sitcom format still thriving in the streaming era), as well as Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside” (Ted Danson’s charisma selling an unlikely premise) and Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown” (a high-concept parody of racial stereotypes and cop show tropes, even if it couldn’t sustain the idea over 10 episodes). Maybe it just felt like we were having more fun this year, with Netflix’s “The Perfect Couple” (Nicole Kidman leading a traditional manor house mystery reinterpreted with an American sensibility) and Hulu’s “Rivals” (the horniest show of 2024, delivered with a wink in the English countryside). I liked what I saw of Showtime’s espionage thriller “The Agency” (although the bulk of episodes were unavailable as of this writing). The deluge of remakes tends to make me cringe, but this year also saw a redo of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” on Netflix that was far classier than most of what’s available on the streamer. Starring Andrew Scott, I found it cool to the touch, but the imagery stayed with me. Shot in black and white, it has an indelible visual language courtesy of director of photography Robert Elswit, whether capturing a crisp white business card against the worn grain wood of a bar top, or winding stairways that alternately suggest a yawning void or a trap. As always, if you missed any of these shows when they originally premiered — the aforementioned titles or the Top 10 listed below — they are all available to stream. Top 10 streaming and TV shows of 2024, in alphabetical order: The least cynical reality show on television remains as absorbing as ever in Season 4, thanks to the probing questions and insights from the show’s resident therapist, Dr. Orna Guralnik. Everything is so charged. And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable. There’s something so optimistic in that outlook. Whether or not you relate to the people featured on “Couples Therapy” — or even like them as individuals — doesn’t matter as much as Guralnik’s reassuring presence. Created by and starring Diarra Kilpatrick, the eight-episode series defies categorization in all the right ways. Part missing-person mystery, part comedy about a school teacher coming to grips with her impending divorce, and part drama about long-buried secrets, it has tremendous style right from the start — sardonic, knowing and self-deprecating. The answers to the central mystery may not pack a satisfying punch by the end, but the road there is as entertaining and absorbing as they come. We need more shows like this. A comedy created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez (of the antic YouTube series “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo”), the show has a sensibility all its own, despite a handful of misinformed people on social media calling it a ripoff of “Abbott Elementary.” There’s room enough in the TV landscape for more than one sitcom with a school setting and “English Teacher” has a wonderfully gimlet-eyed point of view of modern high school life. I’m amused that so much of its musical score is Gen-X coded, because that neither applies to Alvarez (a millennial) nor the fictional students he teaches. So why does the show feature everything from Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” to Exposé’s “Point of No Return”? The ’80s were awash in teen stories and maybe the show is using music from that era to invoke all those tropes in order to better subvert them. It’s a compelling idea! It’s streaming on Hulu and worth checking out if you haven’t already. A one-time tennis phenom accuses her former coach of coercing her into a sexual relationship in this British thriller. The intimacy between a coach and athlete often goes unexplored, in real-life or fictional contexts and that’s what the show interrogates: When does it go over the line? It’s smart, endlessly watchable and the kind of series that would likely find a larger audience were it available on a more popular streamer. There’s real tenderness in this show. Real cruelty, too. It’s a potent combination and the show’s third and strongest season won it an Emmy for best comedy. Jean Smart’s aging comic still looking for industry validation and Hannah Einbinder’s needy Gen-Z writer are trapped in an endless cycle of building trust that inevitably gives way to betrayal. Hollywood in a nutshell! “Hacks” is doing variations on this theme every season, but doing it in interesting ways. Nobody self-sabotages their way to success like these two. I was skeptical about the show when it premiered in 2022 . Vampire stories don’t interest me. And the 1994 movie adaptation starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt wasn’t a persuasive argument to the contrary. But great television is great television and nothing at the moment is better than this show. It was ignored by Emmy voters in its initial outing but let’s hope Season 2 gets the recognition it deserves. Under showrunner Rolin Jones, the adaptation of Anne Rice’s novels is richly written, thrillingly inhabited by its cast and so effortlessly funny with a framing device — the interview of the title — that is thick with intrigue and sly comedy. I wouldn’t categorize the series as horror. It’s not scary. But it is tonally self-assured and richly made, rarely focused on the hunt for dinner but on something far more interesting: The melodrama of vampire existence, with its combination of boredom and lust and tragedy and zingers. Already renewed for Season 3, it has an incredible cast (a thrilling late-career boost for Eric Bogosian) and is well worth catching up with if you haven’t already. It’s been too long since the pleasures of banter fueled a romantic comedy in the spirit of “When Harry Met Sally.” But it’s all over the place in “Nobody Wants This,” one of the best shows on Netflix in recent memory. Renewed for a second season, it stars Kristen Bell as a humorously caustic podcaster and Adam Brody as the cute and emotionally intelligent rabbi she falls for. On the downside, the show has some terrible notions about Jewish women that play into controlling and emasculating stereotypes. You hate to see it in such an otherwise sparkling comedy, because overall Bell and Brody have an easy touch that gives the comedy real buoyancy. I suspect few people saw this three-part series on PBS Masterpiece, but it features a terrific performance by Helena Bonham Carter playing the real-life, longtime British soap star Noele “Nolly” Gordon, who was unceremoniously sacked in 1981. She’s the kind of larger-than-life showbiz figure who is a bit ridiculous, a bit imperious, but also so much fun. The final stretch of her career is brought to life by Carter and this homage — to both the soap she starred in and the way she carried it on her back — is from Russell T. Davies (best known for the “Doctor Who” revival). For U.S. viewers unfamiliar with the show or Gordon, Carter’s performance has the benefit of not competing with a memory as it reanimates a slice of British pop culture history from the analog era. The year is 1600 and a stubborn British seaman piloting a Dutch ship washes ashore in Japan. That’s our entry point to this gorgeously shot story of power games and political maneuvering among feudal enemies. Adapted from James Clavell’s 1975 novel by the married team of Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, it is filled with Emmy-winning performances (for Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada; the series itself also won best drama) and unlike something like HBO’s far clunkier “House of the Dragon,” which tackles similar themes, this feels like the rare show created by, and for, adults. The misfits and losers of Britain’s MI5 counterintelligence agency — collectively known as the slow horses, a sneering nickname that speaks to their perceived uselessness — remain as restless as ever in this adaptation of Mick Herron’s Slough House spy novels. As a series, “Slow Horses” doesn’t offer tightly plotted clockwork spy stories; think too deeply about any of the details and the whole thing threatens to fall apart. But on a scene-by-scene basis, the writing is a winning combination of wry and tension-filled, and the cumulative effect is wonderfully entertaining. Spies have to deal with petty office politics like everyone else! It’s also one of the few shows that has avoided the dreaded one- or two-year delay between seasons, which has become standard on streaming. Instead, it provides the kind of reliability — of its characters but also its storytelling intent — that has become increasingly rare. Nina Metz is a Tribune critic. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window)Relationship with Qatar is robust: NATO official
"The Council of Autism Service Providers" And "ABA Centers" Partner to Ring Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange
Former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100 on Sunday, a little over a year after his beloved wife Rosalynn Carter passed away. Newsweek reached out to The Carter Center via email for comment on Sunday evening. Why It Matters Jimmy and Rosalynn were not only the 39th president and first lady but also leading human rights advocates through their Atlanta nonprofit, The Carter Center, created after the two left the White House. Also remarkable is the length of their love story. The two were married for 77 years before Rosalynn died in November 2023, the longest marriage in presidential history. The former first lady reportedly was Jimmy's closest adviser during his presidency and thereafter. What To Know Jimmy and Rosalynn, both from Plains, Georgia, wed on July 7, 1946, a year after their first date. In the summer of 1945, Jimmy, then-20 years old, asked Rosalynn, then-17 years old, out to the movies on a whim, People magazine reported. Jimmy originally popped the question in the winter of 1945, but Rosalynn was concerned about the speed at which their relationship was progressing and wanted to finish her education first, so she said no, according to Biography.com. But in the spring of that year, she agreed to marry him and Jimmy gave her a compact engraved with the letters "ILYTG," which stood for, "I love you the goodest," Biography.com reported. "The best thing I ever did was marrying Rosalynn," Jimmy said during an interview at The Carter Center in 2015. "That's the pinnacle of my life." The pair went on to have four children —Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy— as well as 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Jimmy and Rosalynn in the White House Jimmy, a Democrat, was elected to the White House in November 1976, thanks to the help of who people called his "secret weapon," Rosalynn, according to People magazine. Rosalynn told People in 1976, "I've made as many as 12 speeches a day in one community. I enjoy it. But sometimes I want to stop and wash my hair." Jimmy served one term as president from 1977 to 1981. Jimmy was credited with encouraging a peace agreement in the Middle East that ultimately resulted in the Camp David Accords, which the Office of the Historian at the U.S. Department of State described as "historic." The White House archives lists the Panama Canal treaties and an agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union restricting nuclear weapon production as some of Carter's biggest victories overseas. In the U.S., Carter pursued deregulation in a handful of industries, including energy and transportation, and pushed for new environmental protections. The U.S. Department of Education also launched during his time in office. Rosalynn was also busy in the White House, representing the administration during visits with Central and South American leaders, fundraising for displaced Cambodians, and sponsoring poetry and jazz festivals at the White House. She was also a vocal advocate for mental health, women's rights, and human rights. Post-Presidency Humanitarian Work In 1982, Jimmy and Rosalynn created The Carter Center in partnership with Emory University. The former first lady was Carter's "full partner" in their efforts at the nonprofit and she also created and chaired its Mental Health Task Force. The Carter Center was created "on a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering" and describes its continuing mission as seeking "to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health." Rosalynn was also president of the board of directors for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, which supports those who care for loved ones with chronic illness and disabilities. Until 2020, Jimmy and Rosalynn volunteered one week a year for the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, which helps renovate and build homes for those in need. Jimmy was recognized "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development" with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Rosalynn and Jimmy's Deaths Rosalynn died at the age of 96 on November 19, 2023, while in hospice care at her Plains, Georgia, home, months after The Carter Center announced that she suffered from dementia . Jimmy, who had been in hospice care since February 2023 , died Sunday. What People Are Saying Jimmy said in a statement released by The Carter Center when Rosalynn died, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished." He added: "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me." Chip Carter, Jimmy and Rosalynn's second eldest son who is now 72 years old , said in a statement released by The Carter Center Sunday, "My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love." He continued: "My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs." What Happens Next There will be public funeral observances for the former president in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., as long as a private interment in Plains, Georgia. Final arrangements for his state funeral are still pending.
VERONA — New York Farm Bureau attracted a record-breaking 400-plus attendees and nearly 70 sponsors to its state Annual Convention in Verona, held Dec. 3-5. This was the 68th annual meeting of the organization. The theme for this year’s convention, “Farming Forward: Diversification, Innovation, Leadership,” brought together members, agribusinesses and thought leaders to share new technology, learn ways to farm smarter, promote the agricultural industry and more. The event included nine educational workshops that focused on zoning, permits and assessments; changes in predictive weather science; advocating for agriculture; thriving through diversification; harnessing digital technologies; adaptive leadership in agriculture; adapting a systems approach to farm performance; diversifying the market with Farm to School; and ensuring fire safety. “The theme of this year’s convention, ‘Farming Forward,’ is critical to everything we do. We must embrace change to remain successful,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “That means fostering relationships with our agricultural partners, with the business community, with state legislators and with federal lawmakers. In this way, we bring everyone together to formulate policy, which is the cornerstone of our organization.” Larry Weaver, a comedian, author and motivational speaker, was the keynote speaker. Weaver underscored the importance of hope in the world of farming, peppering his address with personal anecdotes and positive messaging. In addition, Kathleen Chiavetta, chief operating officer of Chiavetta Catering and Chicken BBQ in Angola, delivered a passionate member story. A cornhole tournament and “Family Feud”-style game called Field-to-Fork provided lively entertainment. At the awards banquet Wednesday night, two members received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, New York Farm Bureau’s highest honor, and two members received the James Quinn Memorial Award. Robert Somers and Judi Whittaker were the winners of the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Awards. Somers, who had worked for the Department of Agriculture and Markets for almost 30 years before his retirement, resides in Washington County, where he manages his family’s large woodlot. Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball presented the award. Whittaker, a third-generation owner of Whittaker Farms in Broome County, has been instrumental in advocating for safety measures for farmers, including the passage of legislation allowing New York air ambulances to carry lifesaving blood products. New York Farm Bureau Vice President Eric Ooms presented the award. The James Quinn Award was named after the first Farm Bureau president in the country, who hailed from Broome County. Awards were presented to Barb Hanselman of Delaware County, a staunch advocate for farmers who has successfully challenged restrictive regulations, and Star Bashaw of Franklin County, who focuses on safety training for farmers. Two New York Farm Bureau members, Eric Ooms and Tony LaPierre, were honored for their years of dedicated service as they step down from the board of directors. Ooms has served as vice president since 2008, while LaPierre has served as a board member since 2017. The banquet wrapped up with the announcement of the winners of two prizes, awarded to the top points earners in an interactive app. Lawana Morse was the winner of a Champion Power Equipment portable inverter generator, and Daniel Brenner was the winner of a Klein Tools flashlight and a gift basket of Farm Bureau merch. Both prizes were provided by Grainger. The convention concluded with the state Annual Meeting, a full day of elections and policy review. David Fisher was reelected president, while Kim Skellie was elected vice president upon the retirement of Eric Ooms. On the state board of directors, two new members were elected: Ryan Akin of Canandaigua, Ontario County (District 3) and Michael Murphy of Franklin County (District 7). Bill Zalakar was reelected as chair of the Promotion & Education Committee, and Rich De Meyer was reelected as chair of Young Famers & Ranchers Committee. Delegates from 52 county Farm Bureaus engaged in robust discussions of a variety of new policies, including issues related to maple, dairy, equine, labor and renewable energy. Delegates voted on policy positions that New York Farm Bureau will advocate for at the state and federal levels. The organization’s state legislative priorities will be released in January.JACK Woolley will be trading his taekwondo training for dance classes as he gears up to compete in the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars. The Dublin native, who represented Ireland in the Olympics from 2020 to 2024, is ready to show off a whole new set of skills on the dance floor . Here's everything you need to know about the Irish Olympian. Woolley was born to his parents Annette and Harry on September 23, 1998. The professional athlete hails from Tallaght in Dublin . Jack's path to the Olympics started when as a five-year-old he watched his brother, who was a victim of bullying , begin to train in taekwondo at a local club. The 26-year-old told the42.ie: "He’s five years older than me, so I was sat down in the back watching him, thinking: ‘I can do that, I can do this.’ “You weren’t allowed to start until you’re six, so as soon as my sixth birthday came around, I jumped right in and they were like: ‘Well you’re pretty good at this." However, Jack's gymnastic ability marked him out from other children his age and he began to take the sport more seriously by the age of 12. Living in an area that was well-known for anti-social behaviour, Woolley has highlighted how the sport saved him from getting into trouble as a youth. Woolley first came into the public eye when he was featured in the RTE Road To Rio documentary at 17-years-old. But, Jack was left devastated when he narrowly missed out on qualification for the Rio 2016 Games. After losing out on the Rio Games, he said: "Missing out on Rio, I was devastated but I wanted to be the first in history from Ireland to do it, so there's absolutely no pressure there." In 2018, in the lead up to Tokyo 2020, Woolley’s beloved grandmother died while he was competing in Poland . Weeks later, his father contracted meningitis leaving him in hospital for a number of months. Woolley turned to a psychologist from the Sport Institute of Ireland, who helped him through the difficult period after a dip in performance caused by the stress of the situation. Finally, in 2019, after a number of impressive performances that included silver at the European Championships , Woolley achieved his dream of becoming an Olympian. Later, in 2020, Jack lived up to his promise and became the first ever athlete to represented Ireland in taekwondo at the Olympic Games. He made his debut with Team Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics . Woolley entered the Tokyo 2020 Games with high aspirations. He wasn’t there to just make up the numbers. But in the first round, the young Olympian suffered a devastating defeat to Argentina’s Lucas Guzmán. Still, when he returned home to Ireland he was given a hero's welcome. People from his town came out onto the streets to show their pride at what he had achieved. However, just weeks later Woolley suffered an unprovoked attack in Dublin that left him needing reconstructive facial surgery . While walking with a friend after an evening in a bar, a group of men began randomly attacking strangers on the street. One of them punched Woolley in the face, leaving him bloodied on the ground. After posting pictures of himself with blood all over his clothes, online fans expressed their support for him. Woolley was hailed as an "inspiration and role model" after he opened up to Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show about the assault. Woolley is bisexual and has been in a relationship with his partner Dave Stig since 202 1. Woolley has credited his partner Dave as the person who made him mature and find perspective. In a recent interview, Jack said: " "He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. That sounds really cringey!" Jack is gearing up to hit the dance floor on the hit show which begins on January 5, 2025. The Irish sports star is teamed with new pro dancer Alex Vladimirov and the pair are set to give it their all on the dance floor. On his DWTS jump, Jack said: "This is something completely new for me. "I think taekwondo is going to help because I'm flexible and I know my body, but remembering the steps is completely different."