Aries : Today’s energy is more realistic about your career goals. Although dreaming big can help to motivate people, reaching for the stars needs some realistic view. Take stock of the available assets and find out how to optimise them. It is time to revisit your values—what are the areas in which you really should be putting your money to advance your career? Have faith in your dream, but do not neglect to rationalise it! Taurus : Believe in your words; what you say can get to the right people and create opportunities for you. Whether it is in an official PowerPoint presentation, a conversation, or a daring proposition, your message will be heard by those who need to hear it. This is the moment you are about to reach the turning point in your career advancement. This is a day to have faith in yourself and your process. Be ready to receive advice. Gemini : The stars are encouraging you to engage in work activities that would initially appear to be difficult. Approach them without fear since they unlock the door to demonstrating your leadership skills. Whether it is a challenging assignment, a conflictive discussion, or a chance to introduce your proposals, stepping up will make you a person people turn to. Your problem-solving and creativity shall draw the attention of your superiors. Cancer : If you’ve been thinking of making a leap in your career – whether it’s a switch of roles, a new project, or entering into a leadership position, this is the right time to go for it. The energy is not completely stable but not completely unpredictable, which is just enough to create a sustainable foundation for success. Go with your gut and keep your mind and ears open to anything that you come across. Leo : Today, you might feel like being in the middle of a hurricane at work, struggling with a conflict that doesn’t seem solvable. Your strong opinions, though, could have exacerbated this issue. This is why know when to take a pause and get back. Just take time and try to assess the situation with a stable mind. Use your innate leadership qualities to avoid turning it into a confrontation. This will leave a good impression before your superiors. Virgo : It is now time for the fruits of your labour to show, and they are not disappointing. As an employee, you are likely to experience progress in your career. A chance to be noticed may come, so do not sit on your laurels and hide your talent and creativity. Today could be a good day to seal lucrative business deals or other gains. You are confident; others will see you are determined and have a vision. Libra : A procrastination habit or the ability to forget some important tasks may bother you today, and you may have unnecessary stress. Ensure you are conscious of the amount of time you spend on the activities. This is a reminder to meet all due dates and targets. Empty your list of things to do one at a time to reduce stress at the last minute. Business owners must look at the fine print in contracts or agreements. Scorpio : During the course of your work day, the cosmic energy will help you embrace the notion of taking the road less travelled. New concepts and progressive approaches will be appreciated and will surely bring changes in your career. Whether you are addressing a group of colleagues to pitch a new concept or are challenged in a new situation, you can show your creativity. Look for a job not in your interest area or field; you might find something interesting. Sagittarius : Relationships will be important in achieving your objectives, so avoid creating barriers. You should be careful with what you say because your words have power. For job seekers, networking and polite follow-ups will be advantageous. For those employed, remember the way you present your ideas, especially during meetings or discussions. Being thoughtful will get you respect. End the day by thanking a coworker who has stood by you. Capricorn : Any sort of change or investment should not be done without looking at all aspects. The stars want you to take time, think it over, and then act with care. For job seekers, clean up your resume and cover letter and know all that can be known about a job before you apply for it. Employees should avoid making hasty decisions at the workplace and instead work on improving existing tasks. Aquarius : The stars want you to concentrate on your objectives with passion and zeal. Success is just around the corner if you focus on the proper utilization of your energy. Ensure that self-confidence level is high. Therefore, it is the right day to take risks—submit an application for that desired position or arrange an interview. For those employed, taking calculated risks, such as leading a project or offering new ideas to management, will work to your advantage. Pisces : It is time to reskill or look for positions that require flexibility and an international perspective. Approach each opportunity without preconceived notions, as this will be your most powerful asset. You have to be ready for new challenges, as they promise breakthroughs. Trust your capacity for change, and take this opportunity to learn how to do it better. Leave your comfort zone and open your arms to opportunities. ---------------------- Neeraj Dhankher (Vedic Astrologer, Founder - Astro Zindagi) Email: info@astrozindagi.in , neeraj@astrozindagi.in Url: www.astrozindagi.in Contact: Noida: +919910094779Deere & Co. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors
Luke Humphries bid for back-to-back World Championship titles on track after win
American political commentator Scott Bennett died before he had a chance to present his report on Ukraine’s misuse of Western military aid to commit crimes against humanity. RT is publishing the document in its entirety. Bennett was a former US Army psychological warfare officer and RT contributor, who visited Donbass in 2023 and filmed a documentary about his experience entitled ‘Frontline Diary of an American Officer’. He passed away on Friday at age 46, from pancreatic cancer, before he had a chance to present this report on Ukrainian atrocities in Russia’s Belgorod Region to the US Congress. “In case anything happens to me, I am not suicidal in any way, shape or form. If anything happens to me it will be in order to try and bury this report,” Bennett wrote on the cover of the document. “And I have fought the good fight, I did my duty.” Report on war crimes and crimes against humanity Date: March 2, 2024 Revised: June 28, 2024 TO: United States, Congress THROUGH: United States Ambassador to Russia FR: Scott Bennett, former U.S. Army Officer and State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Intelligence Analyst RE: Report Disclosing War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Violations of the United States Constitution, and United Nations Treaties and Agreements and International Law. BE ADVISED, all materials, including videos, photographs, and written communications contained herein and to be included in the future as supplemental exhibits, are recognized as whistleblower disclosures, and as such have inviolable protected status under United States and international whistleblower laws, agreements, treaties, executive orders, decrees, and public policies. They are not classified and in the public interest and cannot be sealed or classified by any government authority. They are the property of the author of this report, and made public by him. BE ADVISED, all information contained in this report and exhibits is true, to the best of my knowledge, and is presented in good faith consistent with United States Whistleblower laws and other laws, treaties and agreements made by the United States. This report demands an immediate Congressional Oversight investigation. BE ADVISED, failure to respond, investigate and act on this report will be construed as treason, misprision of treason, misprision of felony, seditious conspiracy, and other violations of United States laws. BE ADVISED, you are hereby served legal notice of the following sworn affidavit by Scott Bennett regarding crimes, war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorist network support, violations of U.S. and international law relating to terrorism: BE ADVISED, pursuant to the Constitution for the United States of America, international law, and the treaties and agreements made by the United States, you are hereby served legal notice of the following violations: 8 USC section 4 (misprision of a felony); USC1382 (misprision of treason), (crimes against humanity), (war crimes), 18 USC 241, 242 (deprivation of rights under color of law; and conspiracy to commit deprivation of rights); (chemical weapons violations); and other violations of civilian and military law, both domestic and international. BE ADVISED, Scott Bennett is a former federal employee under the George H.W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2008, and a United States Army Officer who held a top secret/sensitive compartmentalized security clearance, and worked in Psychological Operations for United States Civil Affairs-Psychological Operations Command, U.S. Central Command Terrorist Financing, former general of Joint Special Operations Command and State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Del Dailey; and Booz Allen Hamilton. BE ADVISED, Petitioner, Scott Bennett, has just returned from investigating and documenting war crimes in the land areas and regions of Donbass areas of Ukraine-Russia, including the cities and areas of Donetsk, Mariupol, Soledar, Gorlovka, Belgorod, St. Petersburg, and other areas. A film has been created recording this investigation, and the link to review this material is available at: www.RT.com BE ADVISED, you are hereby served legal notice, that Scott Bennett has firsthand knowledge of these facts, and has personally witnessed and documented the illegal, unconstitutional, and immoral appropriation and application of weapons, finances, and personnel provided by the United States Government, the United Kingdom, France, Poland, and Germany in the above mentioned cities and regions and other areas of Ukraine-Russia. BE ADVISED, weapons, financing, and personnel provided by the United States government to the government of Ukraine, and specifically its Zelensky regime (which is no longer the lawful government authority of Ukraine as of June 2024), are being used in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. Consequentially the Biden Administration and the United States Congress and the U.S. military are therefore unlawfully and making the United States government and its people a legally culpable party to international war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of domestic and international law as a result of this criminal activity. This government imposed unlawful culpability places American citizens in a vulnerable legal position where they may be arrested, prosecuted, imprisoned, and executed as supporters of terrorism. BE ADVISED, this sworn affidavit/ jurat by Scott Bennett—which is an exhibit for all legal actions in this complaint, investigation, and case—establishes and declares to all parties within the United States Government and military, and the citizens of the United States and the several states, that the following has occurred and is currently occurring as a result of the criminal misuse of American resources: Non-military targets and civilian personnel (mainly mothers, children, and the elderly) are being intentionally and systematically targeted, fired upon, and destroyed by NATO, U.S., Polish, French, and Ukrainian personnel and weapon systems operating as allies and/or agents of the United States, operating under the auspices of “supporting Ukraine’s Zelensky regime and agenda” . BE ADVISED, this sworn affidavit/ jurat by Scott Bennett, establishes and declares to all parties within the United States Government and military, and the citizens of the United States and the several states, that the following has occurred and is currently occurring as a result of the criminal misuse of American resources: Non-military targets are being attacked, irreparably damaged or destroyed, and civilians are being intentionally murdered as a result. Several female victims and eyewitnesses of these criminal acts have been interviewed by Scott Bennett on camera about this, and these interviews and testimony and evidence demands an immediate Congressional hearing and investigation about this matter in order to immediately and without delay issue corrective declarations and actions by the United States Government and military, and compel its allies to immediately acknowledge and take corrective action within their own respective governments and military. The following civilian infrastructure are being intentionally targeted and destroyed by U.S. supplied weapons and personnel: Schools, kindergartens, libraries, businesses, senior citizen pension offices, civilian apartments and housing complexes, vehicles are being targeted, damaged or destroyed as a result of this heinous corruption. Personnel in the Biden Presidential Administration have intentionally engaged in the above mentioned activities. These persons include, but are not limited to: President (sic) Joe Biden; Victoria Nulland; Anthony Blinken; Jake Sullivan, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell; Senator Lindsey Graham; House Speaker Mike Johnson; and other names that are forthcoming. BE ADVISED, in addition to the above mentioned crimes and actions, pets and animals of the human beings being victimized, have also been targeted for destruction, in violation of rules relating to the “safety and ethical treatment of animals” , and other the international rules relating to the husbandry of Animals. BE ADVISED, chemical weapons are being deployed through drones and other delivery systems, and used against civilian personnel. These drones are being deployed and directed by Ukrainian personnel and their allies, using “STARLINK” internet services provided by Elon Musk (CEO of “X” , formerly known as Twitter). Testimony and evidence relating to this available on the film at: www.rt.com (Documentary films) IN CONCLUSION: BE ADVISED, Scott Bennett has undertaken this investigation at great danger to his own life and property and rights, and has received death threats and threats of violence against him by Ukrainian personnel, government and media, as well as from those operating as American, NATO, and other elements and agents claiming to advance and support and defend the interests and/or agenda of the United States, the European Union, and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty organization) including British, German, French, and other circles. BE ADVISED, you are hereby served legal notice that any attempts to initiate any hostile communications or acts, threats, coercion, intimidation, violation of rights, arrest, confinement, interrogation, questioning, confiscation of property, or other actions against Scott Bennett, either by the U.S. government or other, will be construed as both a violation of Scott Bennett’s inherent rights, protected by the United States of America, the California Constitution, and international law; and Scott Bennett reserves the right to take any legal action against any party, person, organization, or government involved in such action against him, including all members of the United States Government, military, and its allies. BE ADVISED, Scott Bennett files this report as a whistleblower, and demands to testify about this matter to Congressional authorities and international bodies immediately. BE ADVISED, any attempt to conceal or distort this matter, and any failure by any United States Government agency or agent to provide all protections to Scott Bennett and acknowledge or investigate this matter will be interpreted as a malicious and intentional act off seditious conspiracy and treason against the United States of America, and other international crimes. BE ADVISED, you have ten (10) days to provide written receipt and acknowledgement of this whistleblower report, and provide the following response: 1) The date and time of a Congressional hearing on this matter, which Scott Bennett demands to be made a “public hearing” and open to all U.S. and international citizens and media; 2) The immediate corrective actions and official government communications to cease and desist the current violations of law being committed by the United States government, its military, and its intelligence services; 3) The individual agencies and members of the United States’ Congress, military, and intelligence agencies which will be notified of this whistleblower report and official investigations that will result from this whistleblower report; 4) Guarantee (legally binding) of non-prosecution for any materials communications disclosed, also known as “non-prosecution agreements” by all US and international law-enforcement agencies. All correspondence may be sent to: Scott Bennett, 23 Railroad Ave., #23, Danville, CA 94526 Respectfully submitted, Scott Bennett (signature) Scott Bennett Without Prejudice all rights preserved none waved Originally composed : March 2, 2024 Revised: July 2, 2024
The search for a new director for the Bowlus Fine Arts Center will continue into January. A committee tasked with hiring a director plans to reach out to other applicants after the person they selected was unable to take the job for medical reasons. The committee plans to reach out to some of those who applied for the job in October, when previous director Daniel Kays resigned to take a position in Topeka, said Jennifer Taylor, USD 257 board president and leader of the search committee. At that time, the committee identified five top candidates but invited only the top two for in-person interviews. They selected Andrew Giza, who was expected to start Dec. 2 but faced sudden and unexpected health challenges that prevented him from taking the job. The committee will schedule a new round of in-person interviews in late January, Taylor said. The board officially accepted Giza’s resignation at Monday’s meeting. Meanwhile, the Bowlus continues a full slate of entertainment and activities. In addition to recent school concerts and a play, staff continue with performances during the 60th season. A Christmas show, “Who Brought the Humbug?” is at 7 p.m. Saturday. The high-energy, interactive show takes place at an ugly sweater party, where singers, tap dancers and musicians offer a slew of holiday mash-ups. Santa raps to Rudolph over horn-band funk, Frosty tap dances to a groove, and the reindeer bust out hip-hop choreography, according to a press release about the show. Two singers-turned-investigators beatbox to “The Grinch.” Guests are encouraged to wear an ugly Christmas sweater. Tickets are available online at bowluscenter.org or at the door. Four Iola Elementary School kindergarteners attended Monday’s meeting to show off their holiday project, snowmen painted on boards that are roughly their same height. Don Settlemeyer, building trades teacher at the Regional Rural Technology Center at LaHarpe, cut boards the same height as each student. Students then decorated them, painting a face and buttons, with festive holiday socks used as a stocking cap and ribbons for a scarf. Each snowman includes a poem that says: “Lean the snowman against a wall to remind you when I was this small. Fingerprints make the mouth and eyes. This snowman is just my size. So take them out each Christmas and see I’m not as little as I used to be. Merry Christmas. “ IN OTHER news, Curriculum Director Jenna Higginbotham offered an update on the Kansas Education System Accreditation (KESA) plan. The current focus is on quality instruction. Higginbotham outlined how the district uses professional collaboration to create a culture of high expectations. The school board won’t meet again until Jan. 13 because of the holidays. Superintendent Stacey Fager said he expects representatives from BNIM will give a report about their application for state tax credits. BNIM is the development firm working with the district with hopes to convert three former elementary schools into housing. The group has been unsuccessful in obtaining the tax credits considered essential for the project’s success. This will be their third yearly attempt.
Something unusual happened when a journalist in New York called a toll-free 1-800 number last week. The reason for the call wasn't to reach a particular product helpline, but because she wanted to find out about something entirely new. Sitting at her desk, perhaps somewhat anxious, she typed out the number on her phone - 1-800-242-8478. After an initial disclaimer, the phone rang. A woman promptly answered the phone. The conversation began with a cheerful 'Hi!', and what happened next, left her fascinated. The woman who answered the phone seemed to be able to talk about absolutely anything - from giving the recipe for chocolate-chip cookies to an insightful account of the American Civil War. 1-800-242-8478 was indeed 1-800-ChatGPT. WILL IT BE A GAME CHANGER? Ten days ago, OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, introduced a voice service in the United States, especially for those who do not have the App or aren't tech-savvy. The tech firm believes this could help them get the answers they need over a regular phone call - speaking with someone who sounds like a pleasant and helpful 'human being', except, she's an AI chatbot. There are a few limitation though - while the number in itself is toll-free, the service is free only for 15 minutes per number, per month, and is currently available only in the US. For the rest of the world, OpenAI said it has launched a text service directly on WhatsApp. The number is the same - 1-800-ChatGPT. OpenAI's chief product officer Kevin Weil said that these new features were a project that the team worked up only in the last few weeks. The company believes that these two new features are very important to expand the reach of AI and introduce it to even those without access to high-speed internet. Interestingly though, OpenAI isn't the first company to introduce a voice feature over a phone call. Google had done something similar 17 years ago. Google's GOOG-411 or 'voice local search' feature was launched back in 2007. It provided a speech-recognition-based business directory search. However, it was mysteriously shut down in 2010 and Google never declared why. THE CONCERNS Though solutions being just a call away makes life simpler, many have raised valid concerns. 'Will my calls be recorded?', 'Will my voice and speech be used as a sample to train AI?', 'Can my voice be replicated in case of a data leak?', 'Can such technology manipulate human emotions?', 'Can people get emotionally attached to AI?', 'Will it lead to people seeking companionship with an AI?', 'Will people get too dependent on a human-sounding chatbot?', 'What impact will it have on those who are lonely?' - Several such though-provoking questions were asked by users online. According to a CNN report, when it questioned whether users agree for OpenAI to record or store their voice while using the feature, OpenAI told them to refer to a copy of their 'privacy policy' and 'Terms of Use' manual. "Before users begin speaking to ChatGPT over the phone, they must agree to OpenAI's Terms of Use and privacy policy by clicking on a button to 'proceed' with the call" they were informed. A disclaimer is also read out to all users informing them that OpenAI may "review the data for safety purposes". FROM NON-PROFIT TO FOR-PROFIT On Friday, OpenAI officially declared plans to lay out an entirely new corporate structure - one that will likely end its control by a non-profit. OpenAI was founded as a non-profit organisation in 2015. It later switched to a "capped" for-profit enterprise, which allowed the tech firm a limited level of money making. Now it says that the ceiling limit will be removed. In a blog post, OpenAI said it plans to restructure as a 'for-profit PBC' or Public Benefit Corporation. This would "requires the company to balance shareholder interests, stakeholder interests, and a public benefit interest in its decision making." "It will enable us to raise the necessary capital with conventional terms like others in this space," OpenAI added. However, OpenAI's restructuring efforts will likely face obstacles, with Elon Musk reportedly asking a US court to stop OpenAI from converting into a for-profit enterprise.Blues supporters also sang the name of head coach Maresca during the closing stages of an emphatic success sealed by goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and substitute Jadon Sancho. Bottom club Southampton briefly levelled through Joe Aribo but were a man down from the 39th minute after captain Jack Stephens was sent off for pulling the hair of Marc Cucurella. Chelsea, who have endured an underwhelming period since Todd Boehly’s consortium bought the club in 2022, climbed above Arsenal and into second place on goal difference, seven points behind leaders Liverpool. “It was a very good feeling, especially because you can see that they are happy, that is our target,” Maresca said of the atmosphere in the away end. “We work every day to keep them happy and tonight was a very good feeling, especially the one that they can see that Chelsea’s back. This is an important thing.” Maresca rotated his squad in Hampshire, making seven changes following Sunday’s impressive 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Following a sloppy start, his side, who stretched their unbeaten run to six top-flight games, could easily have won by more as they hit the woodwork three times, in addition to squandering a host of chances. “I’m very happy with the five we scored,” said the Italian. “I’m not happy with the first 15, 20 minutes, where we struggled. The reason why we struggled is because we prepared the game to press them man to man and the first 15, 20 minutes we were not pressing them man to man. “After 15, 20 minutes we adjust that and the game was much better. For sure we could score more but five goals they are enough.” Southampton manager Russell Martin rued a costly “moment of madness” from skipper Stephens. The defender’s ridiculous red card was the headline mistake of a catalogue of errors from the beleaguered south-coast club as they slipped seven points from safety following an 11th defeat of a dismal season. “I don’t think anyone will be as disappointed as Jack,” Martin said of Stephens, who was sent off for the second time this term after tugging the curls of Cucurella as Saints prepared to take a corner. “I haven’t got to sit down and talk with him about that at all. He will be hurt more than anyone and it’s changed the game for us tonight, which is disappointing. “I think they have to describe it as violent conduct; it’s not violent really but there’s no other explanation for that really. It’s a moment of madness that’s really cost us and Jack.” Southampton repeatedly invited pressure with their risky attempts to play out from defence, with goalkeeper Joe Lumley gifting Chelsea their second goal, scored by Nkunku. While Saints were booed off at full-time, Martin, who was missing a host of key players due to injuries and suspensions, praised the effort of his depleted team. “When they see such a big scoreline and a couple of the goals we concede, I understand it (the jeers),” he said. “It’s football, it’s emotive, people feel so much about it, it’s why it’s such a special sport in this country and so big. “I understand it but I feel really proud of the players tonight, some of the football we played at 11 v 11 was amazing. “For an hour with 10 men we’ve dug in so deep, there were some big performances. I’m proud of them for that and I’m grateful for that because that’s not easy in that circumstance.”
Multiplicity is a software KVM for Windows 10 and 11 built with robust functionality and modern encryption to support enterprise workloads. PLYMOUTH, Mich. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Stardock released Multiplicity 4 1.0 today, a powerful application that allows you to control multiple PCs with a single mouse and keyboard. Known as a software KVM, Multiplicity 4's innovative new features to let you use any Windows laptop as a native secondary display, stream multiple monitors at the same time, and introduces support for ARM devices. Powered by our proprietary ControlStreamTM v4 technology, Multiplicity 4 can stream multi-monitor configurations to the primary device within a single viewing window. And with the advanced compression technology that can easily be configured, Multiplicity 4 is designed to provide a full fidelity experience but can also be optimized to preserve bandwidth with a single setting. New with Multiplicity 4 is Seamless DisplayTM, a feature that makes it simple to use a laptop or other Windows PC as a native secondary display with Windows. With this feature, you can make a laptop, tablet, or other Windows PC act as a secondary monitor that functions as a native display – this enables the ability to drag apps and windows to the secondary device as if it was plugged directly into your computer. Seamless, a powerful feature that lets you move effortlessly between multiple devices, has been enhanced to support resolution-aware monitor placement to improve movement across multiple devices and displays with improved precision. "Multiplicity is trusted by emergency call centers around the globe and is used extensively by our manufacturing partners," said Brad Sams , General Manager of Stardock Software. "With this release, Multiplicity 4 will help our partners use a single solution for all of their KVM and remote desktop needs for the modern workplace." With the 1.0 release, Multiplicity 4 is now ready for corporate deployments and takes advantage of Stardock's deployment tooling and the license key management portal. Multiplicity 4 is available today starting at $29.99 and is also included as part of Object Desktop , the award-winning suite of applications from Stardock that includes productivity and personalization applications. Screenshots: ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) Please contact press@stardock.com for all media inquiries. About Stardock: Stardock Software is the world's leading developer of desktop enhancements. For over 30 years, Stardock has developed software including Fences ® , Start11TM, WindowBlinds ® , Groupy ® , DeskScapes ® , Multiplicity ® , and more. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stardock-releases-multiplicity-4-with-seamless-display-arm-support-and-more-302330679.html SOURCE Stardock SoftwareA prudent stepHOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat's 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets' Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the court. Both players were thrown out along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami. Houston led 92-85 after Fred VanVleet's layup with 8:10 to play, but the Rockets missed their next 11 shots, allowing Miami to tie the game when Herro found Haywood Highsmith for a 3-pointer with 4:47 to play. Herro’s jumper with 1:56 to play put the Heat on top for good. Heat: Playing the second night of a back-to-back and missing Jimmy Butler for a fifth straight game, Nikola Jovic finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for the Heat. Highsmith added 15 points. Rockets: After blowing a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead against the Wolves, Houston struggled offensively in the fourth quarter, shooting just 6 for 24 from the field. Dillon Brooks scored 22 points after missing the last three games with a right ankle effusion. Jovic’s 3 with 47 seconds left put Miami up 98-94. Miami outscored Houston, the NBA’s best offensive rebounding team, 15-9 in second-chance points. The Rockets host Dallas on Wednesday and the Heat host New Orleans on Wednesday.
A planned expansion of the Batavia Downs hotel is on hold, possibly for as much as a year, officials with Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. announced Thursday. Outgoing CEO Henry Wojtaszek said the agency put the 48-room addition on pause after two estimates solicited from Buffalo-based developers came in above expectations. The pause could last six months to a year, he said. According to Wojtaszek, both The Krog Group and Ciminelli Real Estate estimated the project would cost around $16 million. Both offers were far above what the agency had hoped to spend on the project, he said. The announcement of the pause came alongside incoming CEO Byron Brown telling board members he and other leaders had designed a “conservative” budget for 2025. Next year’s spending plan, he said, is focused on keeping costs down and managing a reduction in horse-race betting, a decades-long trend. At the same time, leaders hope to send additional money to the 15 counties and two cities that own the corporation. “Our goal is to increase disbursements,” Brown said. “The plan has been prepared in a very conservative way to give us the opportunity to do that.” The hotel expansion pause follows a March vote by the board to spend $106,000 on architectural plans and a market analysis in preparation for the project. The board voted then to pay Orchard Park-based Bammel Architects $76,000 to design the expansion and $30,000 to Spectrum Gaming Group to evaluate the expansion’s pros and cons. Donated to support the investigative post Double Your Money! Donations of up to $1,000 made by Dec. 31 will be matched. For months, OTB leadership has said the hotel is regularly between 94 and 96 percent occupied, leading them to believe an expansion was necessary. Not expanding the hotel means “we’re limited in our growth,” Chautauqua County board member Vincent Horrigan said. Brown agreed. “That’s one of the reasons why the board was looking at the expansion of the hotel, because the hotel has provided opportunities for additional financial growth of the corporation,” Brown said. The hotel at Batavia Downs has been controversial for nearly a decade. In the spring of 2015, OTB, then under Republican control, voted to sell approximately an acre of land adjacent to the Batavia Downs casino to a group of investors who had joined together as ADK Hospitality, LLC. Among the investors were Kent Frey of Frey Electric Construction and David McNamara, a partner at the Phillips Lytle law firm — both significant Republican donors. Additional investors included Anthony J. Baynes, a former chair of the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority, and James and John Basil, who own car dealerships. ADK Hospitality spent $5.5 million to build the 84-room hotel, buoyed by $600,000 in tax breaks from the Genesee County Industrial Development Agency. The hotel turned a profit each year until the pandemic. In 2021, OTB bought the hotel for $7.5 million.That purchase, done through a bond, raised concerns with Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick, who has questioned the project for the past two years. Hardwick in July 2022 sent a letter to OTB management indicating he had “serious questions” about the hotel’s development and management, as well as OTB’s eventual purchase of the property. Among Hardwick’s questions: Why would OTB engage a group of investors — many of them big political donors to Republicans — who had never developed a hotel before? Who approached whom? How was the sale price for the land determined? Who initiated OTB’s purchase of the hotel? And who set the price? Wojtaszek, the OTB president and CEO, instructed his staff not to respond to the comptroller’s inquiries, writing in an email that Hardwick’s questions were “designed to harass & intimidate our organization” and the comptroller’s office “can FOIL the documents.” Hardwick’s deputy, Timothy Callan, now represents Erie County on the OTB board and controls the greatest number of votes following last year’s Democratic takeover. Callan, in the spring, voted against plans to study the hotel’s expansion. Investigative Post reporter Geoff Kelly contributed to this story.Uber Has Ranked 15 Aussie Cities From Best To Worst Riders So Let The Petty Fighting BeginIn a revealing Time magazine interview, President-elect Donald Trump shed light on his controversial plans, from tackling Ukraine's missile usage to revamping education policy. Trump criticized the use of U.S.-provided missiles by Ukraine, insisting it only escalates conflict with Russia. He expressed a willingness to reconsider childhood vaccinations if deemed unsafe and reiterated his commitment to deport migrants within legal frameworks, potentially using the military. Additionally, Trump mentioned moving education responsibilities back to the states and vowed to safeguard access to abortion pills. The interview underscores Trump's readiness to swiftly address key policy issues upon assuming office. (With inputs from agencies.)
The Tampa Bay Rays have had six of their 2025 regular-season games shifted to the early season due to weather issues from playing outside, Major League Baseball announced Monday. The Rays' usual home, domed Tropicana Field, was damaged by Hurricane Milton last month with almost all of its roof shredded and no possibility of playing there next year. As a result, the Rays moved their 2025 home games from St. Petersburg to the New York Yankees training complex at nearby Tampa, which has an 11,000-seat outdoor stadium. An April series scheduled against the Los Angeles Angels that had been set for California will instead be played April 8-10 in Florida. A series between the two which had been set for August in Florida will now be hosted by the Angels on August 4-6. A Rays series against the Minnesota Twins planned in Minneapolis from May 26-28 will instead be played on the same dates in Tampa while a series that had been set for Tampa on July 4-6 will now be played in Minnesota. Florida summers can bring extreme heat and rain. js/bspFox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on efforts to cut government spending on 'Special Report.' Every Member of Congress will have a DOGE in the fight. As in DOGE, the incipient but still unofficial "Department of Government Efficiency." Congress hasn’t voted to create such a department. There’s been no presidential executive order. But quasi- President Trump-elect advisers Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are spearheading the enterprise. "It's unclear to me what exactly the objective is related to this so-called DOGE initiative," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Incoming President Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy say the goal is to cut spending. Perhaps by as much as $2 trillion in the next two and a half years. Slates of congressional Republicans met with Musk and Ramaswamy on Capitol Hill late last week. The message? ‘Tis the season to be frugal. "Elon and Vivek talked about having a naughty list and a nice list for members of Congress and senators and how we vote and how we're spending the American people's money," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. TIDE TURNS IN FAVOR OF TRUMP DOD PICK PETE HEGSETH AFTER MATT GAETZ FAILURE Elon Musk, Co-Chair of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), left, and Vivek Ramaswamy, chairman and co-founder of Strive Asset Management, on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (Left: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Right: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Republican expectations for DOGE are stratospheric. "We need to start cutting our budget and cutting it soon," said Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. "Every single Republican wants to get about the business of cutting fraud, waste and abuse," said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. "We can't just continue to do everything for everyone," said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla. But Republican political aspirations for DOGE and spending cuts could soon slam into legislative reality. "It’s going to require not only statutory authority to do it, which means it'll have to go to the committees of jurisdiction. But then it has to go to where everything gets funded," said Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. "And how we can get enough votes to actually put it into force." Cuts don’t just happen magically in Congress . There’s no magic wand. Implementation of everything requires votes on the floor. And Republicans barely control the House. "It's clear that the incoming House Republican majority will not be able to do much without us," said Jeffries. House Republicans begin the new Congress in January with a 219-215 advantage over the Democrats. But that slips to a margin of one vote in late January after Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., leaves to become National Security Adviser. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will depart after the Senate confirms her for United Nations Ambassador. So Republicans have no votes to spare to do things on their own. Plus, many Democrats aren’t enamored with Elon Musk. "Elon Musk has largely proved himself to be an efficient liar and self-serving plutocrat. And so I don't have high hopes for him having anything other than pretty awful ideas," said Rep. Greg Casar, D-Tex., the incoming chairman of the House Progressive Caucus. Musk and Ramaswamy are political icons. But this is not the first ambitious effort to slice substantial federal spending. Some "blue ribbon" commissions lacked the star power wattage of the dynamic duo of Musk and Ramaswamy. President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a news conference at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) One of the most ballyhooed – and successful – efforts to pare the federal government came in 1993. President Clinton and Vice President Gore promised they were "reinventing government" and planned to change things in Washington. Their initiative wasn’t focused so much on debt reduction – but reducing the size and scope of federal influence. "At the end of six months, we will have real results and real proposals to offer," said Gore in March, 1993. "Write it down. Check back with us. We'll be checking back with you. We don't need another report to put on the shelf to collect dust. We do need a real plan for action." In the end, the Clinton-Gore approach sliced more than 400,000 federal jobs and shrank the size of 13 of 14 federal departments. But over time, those jobs crept back up to where they are today. The federal government currently employs about three million workers. In 2010, late Sen. and Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and late Clinton Budget Director Alice Rivlin assembled a budget plan known as "Domenici-Rivlin" in the Washington vernacular. The package was designed to help the U.S. recover from the 2008 recession and curb the debt. They tried to address exploding health care costs. Lawmakers adopted a few components of their recommendations over the years, but the impact was minimal. In 2011, the U.S. faced a debt ceiling crisis. Congress created a "supercommittee" comprised of bipartisan, bicameral lawmakers to concoct a plan to reduce spending – or force a set of Draconian, mandatory cuts known as "sequestration." It would chop about $1 trillion in federal spending each year. Well, the committee failed to forge an agreement. Thus, the panel became "the committee, formerly known as super." The automatic sequestration spending cuts then set in. President Obama signed an executive order to establish the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Former Senate Majority Whip Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., and former Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles co-chaired the commission. Its proposals were known simply as "Simpson-Bowles." The panel recommended a host of cuts, including a reduction in military spending and tax hikes – plus a levy on gasoline. Congress later adopted a few individual recommendations from Simpson-Bowles. The House even soundly defeated a budget modeled on Simpson-Bowles in 2012. But what about cutting actual spending? Expect some lawmakers to attempt to dodge the DOGE. Denting the debt could mean trimming popular programs. On Meet the Press, NBC’s Kristen Welker asked President-elect Trump about his plans for the most expensive government programs: Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. "We’re not touching Social other than we make it more efficient. But the people are going to get what they're getting," said the next president. "So the entitlement's off the table?" asked Welker. "And we're not raising ages or any of that," replied Mr. Trump. "Off the table?" followed up Welker. "I won't do it," said the President-elect. THE SPEAKER'S LOBBY: THERMONUCLEAR FRACAS Entitlements consume more than 60% of all federal spending. And despite what Trump says, multiple congressional Republicans have called for altering the retirement age for eligibility for programs. It’s believed that such an approach would stabilize entitlements, making them more solvent. "There is some waste, abuse and fraud in Medicare," said Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo. "And on the front end on Social Security, I think there's a way when people are living longer, they're retiring later that on the front end, we can move that retirement age back a little bit." said Alford. Half of all money Congress allocates annually goes to the Pentagon. Congressional Republicans want to even boost military funding next year. Rep. Chip Roy attends a press conference on the debt limit and the Freedom Caucus's plan for spending reduction at the U.S. Capitol on March 28, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Democrats say there’s not enough money available to cut from other areas to make up the difference. "You're not going to be able to extract the kind of savings that you need to actually balance the budget just from government efficiency," said Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., on Fox. Still, the GOP says it must get serious about spending cuts and not just talk about it. "You can't campaign on freedom and limited government and low taxes and low spending and cutting the deficit and then not do it," said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Tex. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP That’s why congressional budget cutters face tough challenges. Voters will watch what lawmakers keep. And what they eliminate. And there could be political consequences for cutting too much. Or not keeping promises. Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.