At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.UK areas most at risk of cybercrime
phlboss review
。
Warning: This post discusses weight loss. In recent years, celebrities have turned to Ozempic and similar drugs for weight loss. While the FDA has approved Wegovy and Zepbound for weight management, Ozempic and Mounjaro officially remain medications for type 2 diabetics. According to NPR , shortages due in part to Hollywood's fondness for the drugs have left many diabetics unable to access the medications they need. NPR pointed out that the drugmakers themselves have advertised heavily, with some commercials including the number of pounds patients lost even when that particular medication was meant for type 2 diabetics. This, in combination with social media, has also increased demand for using those drugs for weight loss. Because these drugs are so popular, many social media users accuse famous people of using Ozempic whenever a celebrity loses weight. Here are 19 celebrities who have either admitted to or denied using Ozempic and similar drugs: 1. Admitted it: Kelly Osbourne This year, the reality TV star raved about Ozempic while chatting with E! News . "I think it's amazing. There are a million ways to lose weight. Why not do it through something [that] isn't as boring as working out?" "People hate on it because they want to do it," she continued. "And the people who hate on it the most are the people who are secretly doing it or pissed off that they can't afford it. Unfortunately, right now it's something that is very expensive, but it eventually won't be because it actually works." 2. Denied it: Khloé Kardashian In 2023, the reality TV star posted photos of herself on Instagram, which sparked Ozempic accusations in the comments. “Let’s not discredit my years of working out," Khloé replied . "I get up 5 days a week at 6am to train. Please stop with your assumptions. I guess new year still means mean people." This year, she shared more of her thoughts on an episode of The Kardashians . "When I was bigger, if they had Ozempic, I probably would have tried it, 'cause I tried any other thing. I tried any fad weight loss trend except for the real thing that actually works, and that’s a lifestyle change." She encouraged viewers to focus on "healthiness" and not just "the number on a scale." 3. Admitted it: Amy Schumer On a 2023 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen , the actor called out other celebs for lying about their weight loss. "Everyone has been lying saying, 'Oh, smaller portions.' Like, shut the fuck up," she said. "You are on Ozempic or one of those things, or you got work done. Just stop. Be real with the people. When I got lipo, I said I got lipo." The actor also said she used Ozempic in the past but experienced negative side effects. "Like a year ago, I tried it. I was one of those people that felt so sick and couldn't play with my son. I was so skinny and he's throwing a ball at me and [I couldn't]. And you're like, 'OK, this isn't livable for me.' But I immediately invested because I knew everyone was going to try it." 4. Denied it: Lizzo In September, the singer shared an Instagram video of herself at the gym. In the comments, someone accused her of either using Ozempic or cocaine to achieve weight loss. Lizzo responded a few days later with another video, this one captioned, "When you finally get ozempic allegations after 5 months of weight training and calorie deficit." She spoke along to the sound of the video, saying, "It's like a reward." 5. Admitted it: Elon Musk On X (formerly known as Twitter), a user complimented Elon's looks and asked for his secret. The X owner replied , "Fasting." In a second tweet, he said , "And Wegovy." According to WebMD , "Ozempic and Wegovy are different brand names for the same injectable drug, semaglutide." Wegovy is "approved to manage weight in adults and kids 12 and up who have obesity" while Ozempic is "approved to lower blood sugar when you have type 2 diabetes." 6. Denied it: Kylie Jenner Ozempic rumors have plagued the reality TV star since Travis Scott (Kylie's ex and the father of her two children) released a song with the lyrics: "She doin' Ozempic, tryna be different, tryna be a newer woman." In August, she spoke to British Vogue about her body's journey throughout motherhood, explaining that as soon as she felt "in shape" again after the birth of her first child, she became pregnant with her second. "I feel like people didn’t give me, or give women in general, enough empathy... I see pictures [online] and people are accusing me of being on drugs or something,” she added, referring to Ozempic and similar drugs. "I’m back at my weight I was before I had my daughter and son, and people are putting side-by-sides of me three months postpartum. I’m like: 'Does everyone forget that I had two children, and I gained 60 pounds both pregnancies?'" 7. Admitted it: Oprah Winfrey Last year, the media mogul told People that she uses a weight loss drug, though she didn't specify the name of it. "It was public sport to make fun of me for 25 years," she said. "I have been blamed and shamed, and I blamed and shamed myself." Oprah explained that she uses it "as a tool to manage not yo-yoing. The fact that there's a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself." 8. Denied it: Jessica Simpson Last year, the singer addressed Ozempic rumors during an interview with Bustle . "Oh, Lord. I mean, it is not. It’s willpower. I’m like, do people want me to be drinking again? Because that’s when I was heavier. Or they want me to be having another baby? My body can’t do it." 9. Admitted it: James Corden In September, the comedian discussed his Ozempic usage on his SiriusXM podcast This Life of Mine. "It won’t be surprising to you when you look at me now that it didn’t really work. All it does is make you feel not hungry. But I am very rarely eating [because of hunger]. You are looking at someone who’s eaten a king size — and when I say king size Dairy Milk, one you give someone for Christmas — in a carwash. None of that was like: 'Oh, I’m so hungry.' It is not that, it’s something else." 10. Denied it: Ice Spice In August, the rapper hosted an X Spaces (formerly known as Twitter Spaces) where she denied the Ozempic rumors that abounded after her recent weight loss. "I wish y'all never learned the word Ozempic," she said. "That's one thing I wish. Oh my God, like, what even is Ozempic? What the fuck is that? Genuinely, what is that?" "Like, you lazy ass bitches never heard of a gym?" she continued. "It's called the gym. It's called eating healthy. It's called being on tour. Like, what the hell? Maybe if I was sitting home all day, it would be easier to stay big." 11. Admitted it: Rebel Wilson In March, the actor told The Sunday Times that she embarked on a journey to lose weight when a doctor told her it would be beneficial for IVF. While she no longer takes Ozempic, she previously combined it with exercise, a high-protein, low-sugar diet, and examining her relationship with food with a doctor. "Basically no one apart from my mom wanted me to lose weight," she said. "People thought I'd lose my pigeonhole in my career, playing the fat funny character, and they wanted me to continue in that." Rebel added, "I feel strongly that young women shouldn't try to obsess over looking like Victoria's Secret models — they should just look like themselves. I know that my relationship with food is complicated." 12. Denied it: Ashley Benson Four months after giving birth to her daughter, the actor posted a mirror selfie on social media, where commenters accused her of using Ozempic. She responded in an Instagram story, writing, "I know a lot of people take ozempic and that's totally fine. To each their own. But don't discredit people who also work very hard to get their body back like I've done with mine." "Getting back to work forced me to focus on my health and working out and I wanted to feel confident and good about myself. And again couldn't do this without my @melissawoodtepperberg app." 13. Admitted it: Whoopi Goldberg In March, the actor discussed her weight loss on an episode of The View . "I will tell you, I weighed almost 300 lbs. when I made Till ," she said. "I had taken all those steroids, I was on all this stuff. And one of the things that’s helped me dropped the weight was the Mounjaro. That’s what I used." According to WebMD , Mounjaro and Zepbound are brand names for the same drug (tirzepatide), but "Mounjaro is approved for type 2 diabetes" while "Zepbound is approved for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or more" or overweight adults with health conditions. 14. Denied it: Julia Fox During a 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight , the actor addressed the swirling rumors that she was using Ozempic. "All these people are coming for me saying that I take the weight loss things... people are saying that I'm taking Ozempic or whatever it's called. I'm not, and I've never have... I would never do that. There are diabetics that need it." 15. Admitted it: Chelsea Handler On a 2023 episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, the comedian said she took it without realizing it. "So, my anti-aging doctor just hands it out to anybody. I didn't even know I was on it. She said, 'If you ever want to drop five pounds, this is good.'" After a vacation, Chelsea injected herself with it, and she met a friend for lunch a few days later who complained of nausea from Ozempic. When Chelsea said she was also nauseous and "on semaglutide," her friend replied, "That's Ozempic." Chelsea said she's no longer taking it. "That's too irresponsible. I'm an irresponsible drug user, but I'm not gonna take a diabetic drug. I tried it, and I'm not gonna do that. That's not for me. That's not right for me." 16. Denied it: Jesse Plemons When questions swirled around his weight loss this year, the actor told the Los Angeles Times , "It’s really unfortunate that I decided to get healthy when everyone decided to take Ozempic. It doesn’t matter, everyone’s going to think I took Ozempic anyways." He credited intermittent fasting for his weight loss. "Several people talked to me about intermittent fasting, and I just gave it a shot and [was] surprised at how quickly it was effective. So I lost a little bit before I did that part and then felt like I was in the rhythm, I was feeling better, and something shifted in my head. I just sort of got a handle on it." 17. Admitted it: Sunny Hostin In March, the talk show host shared her experience on an episode of The View . "During COVID, I gained 40. lbs. All I did was eat ... I love to cook, and I found out, I love to eat. And I was horrified about the fact that I would have to come out on air. So I also took Mounjaro." She added, "I found that my cholesterol went up to 200 when I gained the extra weight. And I use Mounjaro, and my cholesterol is 140 now. I feel better, I think I look better, and that’s what this is about for people." 18. Denied it: Julianne Hough In October, the actor posted an Instagram video of herself wearing a bikini and having fun as she enjoyed her friend's routine: sauna, cold plunge, and jumping on a trampoline. The comments were particularly negative, with many social media users discussing her body and some accusing her of using Ozempic. Julianne addressed the backlash and seemingly denied Ozempic use. "My body has never been healthier - I was full of inflammation in my 20’s and had a marker for an auto immune that I addressed and committed to over a year and a half ago. I’ve frozen my eggs over the last few years which also shifts the body fluctuation. I’ve never been healthier or happier from the inside out. Grief, loss. Sadness and fear also get stored in the body and we hold on to that in different ways. I made it a huge priority to accept, express, process and release a lot of emotions over the years." 19. And finally, admitted it: Sharon Osbourne On a 2023 episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored , the reality TV star warned viewers about the Ozempic side effects she experienced. “I didn’t want to go this thin. It just happened... You can’t stay on it forever. I lost 42 pounds now and it’s just enough." She added, "You don’t throw up physically, but you have got that feeling. I was about two, three weeks where I felt nauseous the whole time. You get very thirsty, and you don’t eat. That’s why I say you have to keep this stuff away from younger people. They will go berserk on it, and it’s not right." What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.
Wong backs court's independence over Israeli PM warrantLebanese civilians return home to shattered lives and cities after ceasefire
At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.Hurley scores 23, Vermont downs Northeastern 68-64
Varanasi, Dec 24: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the Annual Day Function of JS Group of Institutions at Varanasi. He congratulated and extended his best wishes to the management, teachers, students and everyone associated with the JS Group of Institutions. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the critical role of Science and Technology for a brighter future of India. He emphasised that modern education must touch every person of society for progress and prosperity of all. “Education is the process of self-discovery. It is the art of sculpting individuality. Education not only trains the individual in a specific skill and knowledge, but also develops the latent intellectual, artistic and humanitarian abilities,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor called upon the teaching fraternity to provide mentorship and guidance to the students and nurture their inherent potential so that they can contribute to nation building and development of the society. The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on the revolutionary changes taking place, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in various sectors including education, industry and technology. Today’s classroom will give a new shape to tomorrow’s factory. It is the responsibility of our educational institutions to collaborate with Industries and prepare smart technical professionals for the smart factories, he said. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor commended the contribution of JS Group of Institutions in education sector. He also inaugurated the Administrative Block of JS Public School, Sadhoganj, Varanasi.With 2025 just around the corner, several new laws and regulations in Ontario will be taking effect soon that will impact business owners, tenants, and those requiring childcare across the province. The Ontario government and the City of Toronto will both be introducing new rules in 2025, and here are some of the ones that you should keep on your radar. Drawing inspiration from a Hamilton bylaw enacted in 2024, Toronto formally adopted a in November to curb bad-faith evictions and protect tenants from “renovictions.” The bylaw officially comes into effect on July 31, 2025. Renovictions describe situations in which tenants are evicted under the false pretense of necessary renovations so that landlords can significantly increase rents or refuse tenants from returning to their homes. The City says the practice has become increasingly common in Toronto’s tight rental housing market and disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized communities. Starting July 31, 2025, tenants who have been issued an N-13 notice should contact the City to verify that their landlord is in compliance with the new bylaw. Under the new regulations, landlords issuing an N-13 notice to end tenancy will require a Rental Renovation Licence. To apply for a licence, landlords will need to provide approved building permits, provide a copy of the N-13 notice, submit a $700 application fee, notify tenants of a licence application, post a tenant information notice in the building, and provide a report prepared by a qualified person noting that the renovation requires vacant possession. Landlords will also need to complete a tenant accommodation/compensation plan and provide tenants with prescribed severance compensation where the tenant chooses not to return to the unit. Starting January 1, 2025, the City of Toronto will be implementing updated licensing and zoning bylaws for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues that seek to . Key changes include clarified criteria and new names for business licence categories, retired and merged business licence categories with existing re-named categories, increasing permitted maximum areas that bars and restaurants can use for entertainment, and permitting entertainment establishments and nightclubs city-wide in most commercial zones. As a result, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues currently holding business licences might need to transition to a new licence type, depending on the activities and services they provide. The zoning bylaw changes for nightclubs are aimed at reducing the clustering of nightclubs in the downtown core. Still, entertainment establishments must be located in a non-residential building, the only nightclub in the building, and located on the first storey or in the basement. Starting January 1, 2025, Ontario’s Highway 407 ETR will be rolling out a new rate schedule that will affect how much you’ll have to pay depending on the vehicle you drive. The new vehicle classifications aim to better reflect each vehicle’s impact, including motorcycles (charged 0.8x of light vehicle rate) and medium-sized vehicles (charged 1.5x of light vehicle rate). The roll rate for light vehicles will range from three to 14 cents per kilometre, depending on the time of day and zone you travel on the highway. Instead of the highway’s current four zones, there will be 12 zones starting next year, which will allow the highway operator to set different toll rates for each section. The annual transponder lease in January 2025 will also cost $29.50 plus tax. Toronto residents will have to such as water and garbage collection in 2025. The 3.75% increase — which will take effect on January 1, 2025 — is intended to support the continued delivery of services such as waste management and water treatment while also funding ongoing projects. Next year, factoring in the increase, the yearly solid waste fee for a single-family household will be $306.36 for a small bin (an increase of $11.07), $371.91 for a medium bin (an increase of $13.44), $505.12 for a large bin (an increase of $18.26) and $585.89 for an extra-large bin (an increase of $21.18). For an average Toronto household that uses 230 cubic metres of water per year, the 3.75% increase equates to an increase of $39 yearly, for a total annual cost of $1,078 in 2025. The comes into effect on January 1, 2025, with a three-month grace period that lasts until March 31, 2025 for certain designs that are already underway. The new Building Code seeks to reduce regulatory burdens for the construction industry, increase the safety and quality of buildings, and make it easier to build housing. The latest addition streamlines processes for the sector and increases harmonization with the National Construction Codes by eliminating at least 1,730 technical variations between the provincial and national requirements. The provincial government says the new code was developed in consultations with partners in the sector, including building officials, fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, and the construction industry. In 2025, the Ontario government says it is taking the next step in as part of the national Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system with a new fee cap to reduce costs for families as well as a cost-based funding approach to provide more stability for operators. Starting in January 2025, parent fees will be capped at $22 per day for children under the age of six in CWELCC programs, which is estimated to result in additional savings of nearly $300 million in 2025 for families. Ontario’s cost-based funding approach for childcare operators — which also comes into effect on January 1 — replaces the “revenue replacement approach” the government used between 2022 and 2024, where operators were eligible for the amounts required to buy down the parent fees (plus cost escalation). “The new funding approach prioritizes a simple and easy-to-administer system that is consistent across the province and is representative of the true costs of operating child care,” the province says. Starting July 1, 2025, will take effect, which introduces a suite of new protections for workers in digital platform-based services like Uber and DoorDash. The new regulations apply to workers and operators of digital platforms, regardless of their employment status under the Employment Standards Act (ESA). Under the Act, operators must pay at least the ESA-prescribed minimum wage for each work assignment, provide details about how worker pay is calculated, and establish recurring pay. Operators are also barred from withholding tips, and workers cannot be removed from digital platform access without written notice (except in cases that involve public safety, legal restrictions, etc.). Ontario will be appointing compliance officers to investigate violations and issue penalties. Back in November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a on groceries for Canadians ahead of the pricey holiday season. The temporary tax break — which went into effect on December 15 — applies to several categories of products, including those related to childcare, alcoholic beverages like beer and wine, groceries, decorative items for the holidays, and books. The cuts also applied to restaurant meals and takeout. The federal government estimates that a family spending $2,000 on qualifying foods would see GST savings of over $100 over the two-month period. Along with this, the province also announced that it would be removing the HST from qualifying goods, meaning the same $2,000 basket of purchases would realize savings of $260 over the two months. However, this temporary tax break is set to expire on February 15, 2025. In October, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced , which seeks to pause population growth in the short term. For the first time, the levels plan includes controlled targets for temporary residents (specifically international students and foreign workers), as well as for permanent residents. “In response to the evolving needs of our country, this transitional levels plan alleviates pressures on housing, infrastructure and social services so that over the long term, we can grow our economic and social prosperity through immigration,” the federal government said in a press release. “This unprecedented plan offers a comprehensive approach to welcoming newcomers— one that preserves the integrity of our immigration programs and sets newcomers up for success.” The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a population decline of 0.2% in 2025 and 2026, before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027. Compared to 2024’s plan, the federal government will be reduced from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 in 2025. Along with the temporary resident reduction measures announced in September, the Canadian government expects to see the country’s temporary population decline by 445,901 in 2025.None
Intuit purchased Mint in 2009, and it held in its hands one of the best personal finance apps of its generation. The app would continue on for 15 years before Intuit decided to shutter it in March 2024. Since then, millions of people have been surfing for Mint alternatives. Since smartphones have become an integral part everyday finance from sending money to managing it , it's natural that many are looking for alternatives for their smartphones. After all, we carry these little computers all day every day, so it's one of the best ways to manage finances. Many contenders have taken up the mantle to become the next Mint. There are mainstays in the finance sector like Quicken that still offer personal finance apps along with a host of up-and-comers that can do many of the same things Mint once did. Unlike ye olde days, companies are also doing an increasingly good job of putting apps on both Android and iOS, taking the difficulty out of finding a reasonable alternative no matter which platform the user is wielding at the moment. So, if you're still searching for a Mint alternative, the list below should give you a good idea of where to start. Even if none of them are direct one-to-one replacements, it's still a good idea to have something for personal finance. After all, the act of budgeting alone can save you money since you'll be much more aware of where your money is going. Cashew is a reasonable place to start your search. The app is available on Google Play and iOS and both versions have high scores from user reviews. In terms of pure functionality, you get the kinds of things you expect from a personal finance app. That includes the ability to create a budget and stick to it with a slew of charts and graphs to show you how you're spending your money over weeks and months. It also has a good spending history where you can look at prior purchases to identify periods of heavy or light spending to see what happened. Beneath the surface, Cashew is still quite good. The UI is light, colorful, and fairly easy to read once you get used to it. In addition to its basic personal finance features, it also has a subscription tracker to help you keep track of those, a currency converter in case you need to manage your money in multiple countries, and things like a transaction history so you can see exactly where your money is going. Most of Cashew's features are free but there is a subscription service available too. It's on the less expensive side of things at $1.49 per month and $11.99 per year. We also applaud Cashew's $19.99 lifetime price, meaning you can buy this app once and never have to pay for it again. When you're on a budget, it's good to be able to knock a subscription off the list with single purchases. Empower is one of the bigger dogs in the personal finance space. It's on Google Play and iOS and both apps mirror each other in terms of functionality. This one works for personal finance, but it's more for keeping track of your entire net worth than it is for daily stuff. Thus, you get the day-to-day features like creating a budget and seeing your various expenditures over time. However, it adds in things like investment tracking so you can not only save money but also watch it grow. That's the big draw with Empower. You can do things like use the debt paydown tool to help relieve yourself of credit card debt while simultaneously keeping track of your retirement accounts to watch them grow. The idea is that Empower lets you view your entire financial life and not just one part of it. Thus, a lot of folks refer to Empower as a wealth tracker rather than a personal finance app. It does both, but it definitely skews to one side a little more than the other. Of course, the downside is that this can be overwhelming for folks who have never done that before. Additionally, younger folks may not have enough accounts to warrant such a powerhouse app and may be suited for something simpler. The app and all of its features are free so at least you don't have to worry about paying for it. EveryDollar is an up-and-comer that seems to hit the spot for both Google Play and iOS users. Unlike Empower, this one focuses almost entirely on the day-to-day aspects of maintaining your bank account and budget. The app lets you quickly create a budget based on your paycheck and various bills so that you can manage your money better. It also allows the user to set goals so that they gamify saving money and feel better about hitting those types of savings goals. While EveryDollar focuses a lot more on the everyday stuff, it does still have long-term finances in mind as well. Users can log in with their various financial accounts and view things like investments, retirement accounts, and other accounts set aside for the future. Those pair well with the budgeting features to help you prepare for long term financial success. Plus, with features like the hidden subscription finder, it can also help you save money by paying attention to your transactions and narrowing down where it's all going. Of course, all of those features come at a cost. EveryDollar has three subscription tiers which include Plus, Premium, and the Ramsay Plus. They range in price from $7.99 to $17.99 per month with the yearly costs ranging upwards of $129.99 per year with the Ramsay Plus tier. Thus, the app does price out some folks at the lower end of the financial spectrum, and that is arguably its biggest weakness. There is more than one way to skin a cat, as the saying goes. Before all of these fancy personal finance apps, a lot of people took to spreadsheets to create budgets and track their money. It's still a perfectly serviceable, low-cost option as long as you don't mind putting in the work. With a spreadsheet, you can balance your budget similarly to a checkbook, but it's all digital instead of physical. For this, Google Sheets is a good starting point. It's on Android and iOS , and it's free. There are a several benefits to using a spreadsheet. As Mint demonstrated, personal finance apps may come and go, but spreadsheets have been around since 1979. They are going nowhere so you'll never have to worry about finding an alternative. Plus, there is a wealth of information on making spreadsheets do cool things , which helps lessen the learning curve. The downside is that it's not as functional and automatic or intuitive as a personal finance app. You'll have to do a lot more manual work to balance your budget. Those looking for the more manual, lower-tech method can check out this tutorial from Experian as it's a great jumping off point for managing your finances. Google Sheets has a monthly budget template that helps make starting this method much easier. Plus, Google Drive gives you 15GB of storage for free, which translates to thousands of spreadsheets that are always backed up. Greenlight is a personal finance app directed at parents and kids. The general idea is that it's supposed to help teach kids how to deal with their finances with the helpful and watchful eye of their parents to guide them along the way. It's technically an online banking app, so you'll have to set up accounts and all of that, but it's not too difficult to use once you get the parts moving. Per the norm, it's on the App Store and Google Play . The benefit of this one is allowing parents and kids to manage a child's money together. Parents can set up direct transfers of money for things like chores or allowance, or add direct deposits for a teen's first job, all while being able to oversee things like transactions and expenditures to help guide them in spending their money wisely. Parents can also set spending limits, thus instituting a budget. They can also receive notifications when the kids spend money on their debit cards. It's a neat concept and something a little bit different in the personal finance app space. The only part that may cause strain is that it is a banking app mixed with a personal finance app, and that means switching banks for most folks. Since many of these features can be recreated at other banks, it may be worth checking to see if your bank has dedicated children or teen accounts that have similar features. Monarch ( Android , App Store ) made a big push when Mint went down, and users seem to enjoy it. It works similarly to Mint and other personal finance apps. You log in with various accounts, and from there, you can import your transaction history, balances, and other financial data. You can also create a budget, watch your investments grow, and manage your finances to save money. It's fairly straightforward all around and it does a good job of not getting in its own way. On top of the usual budget and transaction tracking, Monarch's big claim to fame is that it's an all-in-one solution. You can check your transaction history from every account, making it easier to track your purchases, subscriptions, and refunds. With that information, you can cancel old subscriptions and reduce your purchases to save money. The app has a direct interface that shows you information without a bunch of fluff. It can also keep track of things like loans, credit cards, and other debts to help you pay them down faster. Monarch does have a subscription that costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per year. New users get a week to try Monarch before being asked to pay for anything, but there is no free version of this app. It's not an unreasonable amount for a subscription, but other personal finance apps do have free versions for people who don't want to add another paid subscription. NerdWallet is an excellent personal finance app on Android and iOS . It works by letting you log into your bank account and other accounts and then puts all of that information at your fingertips in a single app. NerdWallet's strongest feature is its user interface which is colorful and relatively easy to read. Once you get everything set up, it's just a matter of finding all of the information you need and using it to save you money. You can also log in with investment accounts to see your overall net worth in the form of investments, debts, and even your home value. You get the same general features such as a budget builder tool. There is also the standard access to your transactions and debt history so you can make better financial decisions. However, NerdWallet adds in more features like credit score monitoring and various tips and tricks by NerdWallet's staff on how to save additional money or spend your cash more intelligently. Thus, it works best as a resource for information. And its data displays are particularly helpful. There is a NerdWallet Plus subscription that costs $49.99 per year, which is less than most competitors. It adds some extra features like more advice and an insurance assistant tool, but most folks will be able to use the free version without issues. It also houses a lot of advertisements such as credit card offers that you'll probably want to ignore for the most part. Quicken Simplifi is arguably the most logical choice for a Mint replacement. Quicken has been around since the 1980s and has been in the personal finance software game all this time. However, Quicken Simplifi came out in 2020 on Android and iOS , so it's the latest effort from the personal finance giant. It works as you would expect. You get the usual stuff like connecting with your various accounts and tracking your money down to each individual transaction if you so choose. You can also add credit cards, investment accounts, and other things to keep track of your overall net worth. Since Quicken is a larger company, it also has integrations with other software. For example, you can use Zillow to track your home's value. Aside from that, you get the usual array of features like a budget builder, a savings goal tool, and even a retirement planner. These tools can be used in various ways, such as a vacation fund. There are a lot of tools, integrations, and information to work with allowing you to tackle your finances from a variety of angles. Of course, its biggest pro is also its biggest con. This is a large, bloated app and if you're not using all of the functions, you may be better served with something simpler. Quicken also has a subscription for Simplifi to the tune of $71.99 per year. That's not excessive but it's not the cheapest app either. Rocket Money is another big player in the personal finance space. The app is available on Google Play and the App Store , so you don't have to worry about what platform you own. Like most, you can import your financial data and get a bird's eye view of your finances and spending. You can then use that data to reduce your spending and save some money. In the grand scheme, it works like many other Mint alternatives, so it's not necessarily treading new ground. With that said, Rocket Money does do some things better than others. A few examples includes its subscription tool that automatically identifies subscriptions so you can cancel ones you don't want anymore. There is another tool that can help you negotiate better rates on your existing debts, letting you pay them off more quickly with less interest. Those kinds of features can really help, especially if you're in a lot of debt or have a lot of subscriptions. Rocket Money also lets you view your entire net worth from assets to investments and debts. Rocket Money has subscriptions that range from $6 to $12 per month depending on which tier you want. This subscription is required. All new users get a seven-day free trial to see if they like it, and then they'll have to pay to keep going. On the plus side, $6 per month is on the lower side of things but it's still an extra cost no matter how you shake it. YNAB, short for You Need A Budget, is an app that does what it says. It's available for both Android and iOS , which is good news because people seem to really like this one. This one does the basics as but manages to put all of the financial information you need in about as easy of a presentation as it gets. It shouldn't take too long to get everything set up and going. You also get the stuff you'd expect like a budget tool to help manage your finances more effectively. Perhaps the biggest benefit of YNAB is that it's built for families or households. That means you and your partner, roommate, or whatever can work out of the same account. That makes it much easier to manage multiple accounts from multiple people. You can even include your kids. Add in stuff like the loan planner tool, and it's a potent mixture of simple and effective. It does this with the aforementioned tools and omitting things like third-party credit card pitches, which is nice to see. All new accounts get a one-month free trial, which is much longer than the other subscription finance apps on the list. After that, you'll have to pay $14.99 per month or $109.00 per year to continue service. That's a little pricey but if you're in a multi-person household, YNAB quickly becomes one of the least expensive options per-person as each account only needs to be paid for once.At least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank around the city of Tulkarem on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, including three people it said were killed by Israeli airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a second somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of the war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Israel's bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza , although only two thirds are believed to still be alive. Here’s the latest: NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank — The Palestinian Health Ministry said at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the northern West Bank on Tuesday. The ministry reported three of the dead were killed by airstrikes. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of some uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid. An Associated Press photojournalist captured images of Israeli forces detonating an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. Israel has carried out several large-scale raids in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. While airstrikes were once rare in the West Bank, they have grown more common since the outbreak of war as Israeli forces clamp down, saying they aim to prevent attacks on their citizens. Israeli fire has killed at least 800 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, Palestinian health officials say. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. SAYDNAYA, Syria — A large crowd of Syrians gathered near a historic monastery in Saydnaya on Christmas Eve to witness the lighting of a towering tree adorned with glowing green lights. Tuesday's celebration offered a rare moment of joy in a city scarred by over a decade of war and an infamous prison , where tens of thousands were held. Families and friends stood beneath the illuminated tree — some wearing Santa hats, others watching from rooftops — while a band played festive music and fireworks lit up the sky “This year is different, there’s happiness, victory and a new birth for Syria and a new birth for Christ,” said Houssam Saadeh, one attendee. Another, Joseph Khabbaz, expressed hope for unity across all sects and religions in Syria, dismissing recent Christmas tree vandalism as “isolated incidents.” Earlier in the afternoon, pilgrims visited the historic Our Lady of Saydnaya Monastery, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, believed to be built in the sixth century. In Homs, a similarly grand Christmas tree was illuminated as security officers patrolled the area to ensure a safe and peaceful gathering, according to Syria’s state media. UNITED NATIONS -- Recent attacks on hospitals in North Gaza, where Israel is carrying out an offensive, are having a devastating impact on Palestinian civilians still in the area, the U.N. humanitarian office says. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs expressed deep concern at reports that the Israeli military entered the Indonesian Hospital on Tuesday, forcing its evacuation. The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, also expressed deep concern at attacks reported in recent days in and around the two other hospitals in North Gaza that are minimally functioning – Al Awda and Kamal Adwan. OCHA said the Israeli siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and parts of Jaballiya in North Gaza continued for a 79th day on Tuesday, and while the U.N. and its partners have made 52 attempts to coordinate humanitarian access to besieged areas in December 48 were rejected by Israel. While four missions were approved, OCHA said the U.N. and its partners faced impediments as a result of Israeli military operations and “none of the U.N.-coordinated attempts to access the area have been fully facilitated.” Throughout the Gaza Strip, OCHA said that Israeli authorities facilitated just 40% of requests for humanitarian movements requiring their approval in December. WASHINGTON — A leading global food crisis monitor says deaths from starvation will likely pass famine levels in north Gaza as soon as next month. The U.S.-created Famine Early Warning System Network says that’s because of a near-total Israeli blockade of food and other aid in that part of Gaza. The finding, however, appears to have exposed a rift within the Biden administration over the extent of starvation in northern Gaza. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob Lew, disputes part of the data used in reaching the conclusion and calls the intensified famine warning “irresponsible.” Northern Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its 14-month war with Hamas militants. UNITED NATIONS — Israel’s foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, and to condemn the group's Iranian allies for allegedly providing the group with weapons. Gideon Saar said in a letter Tuesday to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States, which holds the council presidency this month, that the Houthis are violating international law and council resolutions. “This Iranian-backed terrorist group continues to endanger Israel’s and other nations’ security, as well as the freedom of maritime navigation, in flagrant violation of international law,” Saar said. “All of this malign activity is done as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.” The U.S. Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to an email asking when the council meeting will be held. The Houthis have said they launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – and on Israel -- with the aim of ending Israel’s devastating air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli war in Gaza followed Hamas’ deadly October 2023 attacks in southern Israel. TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military investigation has concluded that the presence of troops inadvertently contributed to the deaths of six hostages killed by their Hamas captors in Gaza. The hostages' bodies were discovered in a tunnel in late August, an event that shook Israel and sparked some of the largest anti-war protests since the war began. The investigation found that the six hostages were killed by multiple gunshots from their captors after surviving for nearly 330 days. The Israeli military’s “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the report found. According to the investigation, the Israeli military began operating in the area where the hostages were being held in southern Gaza about two weeks before their discovery, under the assumption that the chances of hostages in the area was medium to low. On August 27, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi was found alone in a tunnel , causing the Israeli military to halt operations for 24 hours to determine if there could be other hostages in the area. The military discovered the opening leading to the tunnel where the bodies of the six hostages were located on August 30. A pathological report estimated the six hostages were killed on August 29. The six hostages killed were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin , whose American-Israeli parents became some of the most recognized spokespeople pleading for the hostages’ release, including addressing the Democratic National Convention days before their son’s killing. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages Families Forum said in response to the investigation. “Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger.” JERUSALEM — The Israeli negotiating team working on a ceasefire returned from Qatar to Israel on Tuesday, the prime minister’s office said, after what it called “a significant week” of talks. After months of deadlock, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to reach a deal. According to Egyptian and Hamas officials, the proposed agreement would take place in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of captive Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas is holding 100 hostages, over one-third of whom are believed to be dead. On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was “some progress” in efforts to reach a deal, but added he did not know how long it would take. CAIRO — Israeli soldiers took control of a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Tuesday. Some of the patients had to walk to another hospital while others were driven by paramedics, according to Health Ministry spokesperson Zaher al-Wahidi. He did not specify how many patients had evacuated. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. The army later said its soldiers had left the hospital. The military said it had assisted with evacuating the patients and had not ordered the hospital closed. However, al-Wahidi said only one doctor and maintenance person were left behind. The Indonesian Hospital is one of three hospitals left largely inaccessible in the northernmost part of Gaza because Israel has imposed a tight siege there since launching an offensive in early October. The Israeli army said Tuesday’s operation at the Indonesian Hospital came after militants carried out attacks from the hospital for the past month, including launching anti-tank missiles and planting explosive devices in the surrounding area. The Health Ministry accused Israel of “besieging and directly targeting” the three hospitals in northern Gaza. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, said Israeli drones detonated explosives near the hospital and that 20 people were wounded, including five medical staff. The Israeli military declined to comment on the operation around the hospital. DAMASCUS — Scores of Syrian Christians protested in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, demanding greater protections for their religious minority after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the city of Hama a day earlier. Many of the insurgents who now rule Syria are jihadis, although Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and spent years depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. It remains unclear who set the Christmas tree on fire Monday, which was condemned by a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who visited the town and addressed the community. “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations," the HTS representative said in a video widely shared on social media. "The Christmas tree will be fully restored by this evening.” On Tuesday, protesters marched through the streets of Bab Touma in Damascus, shouting slogans against foreign fighters and carrying large wooden crosses. “We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria. Since HTS led a swift offensive that overthrew President Bashar Assad earlier this month, Syria’s minority communities have been on edge, uncertain of how they will be treated under the emerging rebel-led government. “We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.” DOHA — Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Gaza were ongoing in Doha in cooperation with Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. “We will not leave any door unopened in pursuit of reaching an agreement,” said Majid al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday. Al Ansari added that rumors the ceasefire would be reached before Christmas are “speculation.” The ceasefire negotiations come at a time when winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. Families of the approximately 100 hostages who have been held for 445 days in Gaza are also worried their loved ones will not survive another winter. In a press conference, al-Ansari also called on the international community to lift sanctions on Syria as quickly as possible on Tuesday. “The reason was the crimes of the previous regime, and that regime, with all of its authority, is no longer in place, therefor the causes for these sanctions no longer exist today,” he said. DAMASCUS, Syria — American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group. Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead. Zakka told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. He added that U.S. President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive. Zakka said he believes Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating. Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip. Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, although he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status. TEL AVIV, Israel — Hannah Katzir, an Israeli woman who was taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, and freed in a brief ceasefire last year, has died. She was 78. The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of people taken captive, confirmed the death Tuesday but did not disclose the cause. Her daughter, Carmit Palty Katzir, said in a statement that her mother’s “heart could not withstand the terrible suffering since Oct. 7.” Katzir’s husband, Rami, was killed during the attack by militants who raided their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Her son Elad was also kidnapped and his body was recovered in April by the Israeli military, who said he had been killed in captivity. She spent 49 days in captivity and was freed in late November 2023. Shortly after Katzir was freed, her daughter told Israeli media that she had been hospitalized with heart issues attributed to “difficult conditions and starvation” while she was held captive. TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel's military said the projectile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, but it set off air raid sirens overnight in the country's populous central area, sending residents looking for cover. Israel’s rescue service Magen David Adom said a 60-year-old woman was seriously wounded after being hurt on her way to a protected space. There was no immediate comment from Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile slammed into a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16, after Israel’s air defense system failed to intercept it. Earlier last week, Israeli jets struck Yemen’s rebel-held capital and a port city, killing nine. Israel said the strikes were in response to previous Houthi attacks.
Clemson added a quarterback to its 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday with Chris Denson announcing his decision to flip from Coastal Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder from Plant City High School in Florida had been committed to the Chanticleers since April and has yet to visit Clemson's campus. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been putting a push on to flip Denson in recent weeks following the decommitment of Blake Hebert last month. "I just feel like my development will be through the roof," Denson told On3.com about his decision to switch. "Playing under one of the best coaches in the country and knowing that I haven't reached my potential yet, I know that they will take me to that level." A three-star recruit, Denson is ranked as the No. 50 quarterback in the nation by the 247 Composite. He is the 14th player to commit to the Tigers, who have also seen six players decommit this cycle, according to The Greenville News. "What makes Clemson special is just the level of ball that they are playing at," Denson said. "And the way they compete. I'm a huge competitor, so that's the type of place and people I want to surround myself around." --Field Level Media
Tweet Facebook Mail The NSW Environment Protection Authority has launched a suite of prosecutions after investigating asbestos-tainted mulch across Sydney . The investigation, which the EPA said was the largest in its history, was launched after bonded asbestos was discovered in mulch at Rozelle Parklands earlier this year. Of 300 sites inspected, 79 were identified as having used tainted mulch. READ MORE: Why Belinda and many others were forced to shutter their business The NSW EPA has issued charges over asbestos-tainted mulch in Sydney. (Nick Moir) All 79 sites have now been cleaned up. The EPA said it had levelled 102 charges in total as a result of the investigation. VE Resource Recovery Pty Ltd has been accused of breaching its environment protection licence by failing to carry out resource recovery activities competently. The company's director Arnold Vitocco has been charged with executive liability in relation to the alleged breach. READ MORE: Attack lines sharpening, campaigns stirring as federal election looms The blood-soaked Western Front falls silent View Gallery Two entities trading as Greenlife Resource Recovery Facility, namely Freescale Trading Pty Ltd and Runkorp Pty Ltd, have been charged with 50 offences each. The charges against the Greenlife companies include breaching a resource recover order, re-using asbestos waste, and carrying out activities such as composting, resource recovery, and waste storage, without an EPA-issed licence. The alleged offences overall relate to 26 sites, including Rozelle Parklands. The first directions hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .INDIANAPOLIS — It was just a 10-yard completion, easy to overlook in the wake of a record-setting rushing day and easy to dismiss as one of just 11 pass attempts throughout the Indianapolis Colts’ 38-30 victory Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. But Anthony Richardson’s third-and-8 pass to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. just after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter was pivotal to holding off the visitors’ late rally. If the Colts were forced to punt in that situation, a defense that had allowed touchdowns on three consecutive drives — of 70, 55 and 71 yards — would be back on the field with tremendous pressure to prevent the game going to overtime. Richardson was cold and out of rhythm. He’d been sacked on his most recent pass attempt — on third-and-9 with 6:51 remaining — and he hadn’t gotten a pass off since throwing an incompletion intended for wide receiver Josh Downs at the 11:20 mark. With the dual-threat quarterback and running back Jonathan Taylor combining for 270 of Indianapolis’ single-game franchise-record 335 rushing yards, Richardson had not completed a pass since the 8:33 mark of the third quarter, and he was just 1-for-2 in the second half. Still, he was calm and composed on the crucial third down — hitting Pittman on a simple out pattern to move the chains and keep the clock moving. When the Colts finally did punt the ball back to Tennessee, there were only three seconds remaining for the Titans to work with, It was a forgettable play in the grand scheme of the game, but it was also the most recent evidence of the 22-year-old quarterback’s ability to raise his level of play in the clutch. He’s 3-2 as a starter since taking the role back from veteran Joe Flacco, and the other two victories featured game-winning touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. “I think that’s a special trait — obviously as a young player — that he doesn’t flinch in those times, to lead those comebacks,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, the (New York) Jets, the New England (Patriots) game, I mean, those are big-time drives to go win games. “You want that out of young players, especially (when) you see the veteran guys do it around the league all the time, but to do it as a young player speaks volumes of the person that he is.” Despite Richardson’s up-and-down season, Indianapolis has maintained steadfast belief in his potential. Even when he was benched for Flacco, the organization repeatedly stated it was not giving up on the quarterback as its future leader. There’s still plenty of work to be done. Richardon has completed just 47.7% of his passes, and he’s thrown 12 interceptions in 11 starts. His rushing ability again was evident Sunday, and he’s set franchise single-season records for a quarterback with 499 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. And he has proven his big-play ability with a league-leading 14.4 yards per completion. The Colts still believe improved consistency will come with increased reps, and they hold out hope the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft can still become the long-term answer at the game’s most important position. For now, Richardson’s late-game heroics offer the most compelling argument in his favor. “I think it’s just me just playing all the way until the clock hits zero,” Richardson said of his mindset. “I never think about fourth quarter moments or anything like that. I just try to play until the game’s over. And it just happens sometimes that most of it happens in the fourth quarter. So I just try to play through the whistle and just play through the whole game.” After rushing for 218 yards and three touchdowns against the Titans – both the second-highest single-game totals of his career – Taylor has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. It was a major bounce-back performance after Taylor’s unforced fumble just short of the goal line cost the Colts dearly in a pivotal loss against the Denver Broncos a week prior. “It’s always exciting to see that dude just do what he does,” Richardson said. “It’s fascinating, honestly, just to see him hit a gap and just take it to the house. It’s just amazing, especially thinking about what happened in the Denver game. It honestly like wiped my mind. I wasn’t even thinking about it until people were talking about him coming back and having the game he did. “It’s like ‘OK, that’s the type of player he is, the type of person he is.’ He always wants to do better for the team and for himself. And just to see him do that and get what he did on Sunday is just a blessing.” The Colts officially signed right guard Mark Glowinski to the 53-man roster Tuesday after he’d been called up for game day in each of the past three weeks. Guard Antonio Mafi was re-signed to the practice squad after being released from the 53-man roster Monday.
The closer a Prince Rupert woman looked at the deer in her yard, the stranger things became for her. “It was the first time I’ve seen anything like that; it was pretty bizarre,” said Joan Dudoward. Dudoward is a senior residing on 11th Avenue East in Prince Rupert. A flash of movement caught her eye as she scrubbed her breakfast plates on a typical Wednesday morning. Peeking out the window above her sink, she gasped— a majestic buck with massive antlers stood gracefully in her yard. “As soon as I noticed the huge buck, I ran and grabbed my camera to photograph it. I’ve been taking photos since I was a teenager...I photograph everything,” she said. She says he cozied up to lie on the grass and stayed for about half an hour. “He was wiggling his ears so I zoomed in and noticed a tag clipped on him,” she said. “I thought, why is this dear clipped? I got very concerned.” Dudoward, driven by her curiosity, noted that one side of the clip was labelled “BC WILDLIFE 06-529,” while the other read “CALL RAP: 877-952-7227.” It was suspicious because the number displayed is very similar but different from the official number of B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service, which is 1-877-952-7277. Also, the legitimate acronym for their hotline, Report All Poachers and Polluters, is “RAPP,” not “RAP,” as indicated on the tag. She called the number on the neon green tag to inquire about the buck, but reached a woman who spoke to her very hurriedly, she said. The woman, who identified herself as Jessica, wanted to send Dudoward a “free medical alert device” that she could wear around her neck. “We’re very excited to tell you about a special promotion for select callers,” Dudoward recalls the woman saying. She was then asked questions such as her age to check eligibility. Jessica then explained that as a senior, the device would help her in emergencies, such as falls, by alerting her immediate contacts. To proceed with delivery, she said she needed some personal information from Dudoward, such as her address. Then, Dudoward was abruptly transferred to another agent who continued the call. But when she tried to ask her about the buck and why the agency had clipped its number on his ear, they wouldn’t respond but instead continued to promote their products “That’s just cruelty to animals. They are targeting seniors for sure, and hurting the deer in the process,” said Dudoward. She wondered how they must have handled the wild animal to dart him. She questioned, “Did they sedate him? What exactly happened there?” She was absolutely shocked. Dudoward couldn’t comprehend why B.C. Wildlife, a legitimate organization, would have put this company’s number on the buck's ear. The incident reminded her of this continued pattern of companies attempting to target elderly and vulnerable individuals. “I also have my mother’s old number, and it gets scam calls all the time,” she said. “How can they do that? Especially to seniors. They are trying to decide if they should pay the rent or get medication,” said Dudoward in frustration. She proceeded to contact the legitimate conservation officer’s number, who, like the local RCMP, didn’t pay much heed to her situation, she said. The next day, Dudoward called the agency’s number on the tag again, and the conversation took a completely different turn. Now, the agent asked if she was 18 and was promoting products aimed at youth. They informed her that she needed to pay $3 through a call paywall to proceed to the next step, during which she would be directed to the free products for which she was eligible. “The message keeps changing; this is so strange,” said Dudoward. The Northern View investigated the call and found that it was an intricately designed AI automated voice call. The system guides the caller through different phases by detecting both their spoken responses and the number keys they press. Contrary to Dudoward’s initial belief, it wasn’t a live human speaking to her, but a pre-recorded one. In fact, similar cases of fraud involving medical alert devices have happened in the U.S. before, prompting the New York State Department of State and the Minnesota Attorney General to issue cautionary alerts for consumers regarding these “robocalls.” The authorities advised seniors to immediately hang up, not press any keys when prompted, and avoid sharing personal information. “Fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians. Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others,” states the Canadian Government on its website. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) says that there have been 40,623 reports of fraud this year up to Oct. 31, resulting in a loss of $503 million. Vishing is a social engineering technique that uses voice communication technology. It involves fraudulent phone calls to trick the victim into revealing personal data. The CAFC advises caution during phone calls. They urge people not to hesitate to say no if something feels off and not to feel pressured by urgency or time limits. They also encourage taking enough time to research before sharing personal information. The Northern View contacted the B.C. Wildlife Federation for a comment regarding the tag on the buck. “The Conservation Officer Service darted this deer Nov. 5 to remove wires wrapped around its antlers. The tag is legitimate, but unfortunately has the wrong number on it for RAPP. The new versions of the tag have the correct number and COS will stop using these older tags,” said Jesse Zeman, executive director at B.C. Wildlife Federation. Although the exact cause of this mistake is unclear, anyone who suspects fraud should contact CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or their local police.
From wealth and success to murder suspectWith Black Friday behind us, we have Cyber Monday to look forward to, and Best Buy is really keeping the Cyber Weekend interesting. We're still seeing some eye-catching electronics and appliances from top brands at their lowest here, and even tech like the Apple iPad 9th gen and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones have remained low at Best Buy. Browse the collection we've gathered, and you'll be sure to find something within your budget. Our CNET shopping experts are working round the clock to sort through all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, so you don't have to. The deals chosen include trusted brands and products we've reviewed so you can buy with confidence. We'll continue updating this selection from Best Buy as the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales keep rolling in. Check back so you don't miss great deals. Feeling thrifty? You might want to check out our roundup of the best deals under $100 . We've even got a roundup of some stellar savings under $50 . Our favorite Best Buy Black Friday deals live now Best Buy has tons of excellent deals you can shop ahead of Black Friday, but these are our top picks for the overall best bargains available right now. The TCL QM8 earned the top spot overall on our list of the best TVs of 2024 , which makes it a serious bargain when you can find it on sale. It's packed with advanced features and hardware, including a QD-Mini LED screen, AI optimization, Dolby Vision IQ support, four HDMI ports and much more. Air fryers are perfect for quick and easy weeknight meals. This digital Bella model has a large 8-quart capacity so you can cook for the whole family, features eight preset cooking functions and has a dishwasher-safe basket and tray for easy cleanup. This ninth-gen Apple iPad from 2021 is marked down by $130 at both Amazon and Best Buy. It has a 10.2-inch screen with an A13 Bionic chip running the show, 64GB of storage, Wi-Fi (not cellular) as well as a 12-megapixel front camera and 8-megapixel back camera. CNET's Scott Stein reassessed the 2021 iPad last year and gave it an Editors' Choice as an affordable, basic tablet that's perfect for kids. The current 10th-gen iPad starts at $349 and is only a year newer. Make your holiday cleanup a bit easier with almost half off a robot vacuum. This Roborock vacuum comes with a self-emptying dock, giving you a true hands-free experience. It's also a two-in-one vacuum and mop. This discounted model is a slight step down from the S8 Pro Ultra that earned a spot on our list of the overall best vacuums of 2024 . This rugged and portable Bluetooth speaker is one of our favorites on the market right now. It's waterproof and dustproof, boasts a 12-hour battery life and features dual passive radiators for rich, full sound. All six color variants are on sale at Best Buy, and you'll get four free months of SiriusXM with the deal if you are a new subscriber. Best Black Friday TV deals at Best Buy Enjoy a crisp 75-inch QLED display in an elegant minimalist package with Samsung's The Frame Series . This 4K TV is an anti-reflective artistic wall mount that blends seamlessly into your living space. Grab it while it's still in stock. Best Black Friday iPad deals at Best Buy This ninth-gen Apple iPad from 2021 is marked down by $130 at both Amazon and Best Buy. It has a 10.2-inch screen with an A13 Bionic chip running the show, 64GB of storage, Wi-Fi (not cellular) as well as a 12-megapixel front camera and 8-megapixel back camera. CNET's Scott Stein reassessed the 2021 iPad last year and gave it an Editors' Choice as an affordable, basic tablet that's perfect for kids. The current 10th-gen iPad starts at $349 and is only a year newer. Best Black Friday laptop deals at Best Buy Apple rarely has sales but Best Buy has the 14-inch MacBook Pro on sale for $200 off. This model has the M3 chip, 8GB of RAM, 10-core GPU, 1TB SSD and Apple Intelligence. This third-gen Chromebook tablet comes with both the keyboard and a newly improved magnetic kickstand perfect for landscape typing or vertical reading, and the Mediatek processor is slightly more powerful and efficient than its Snapdragon-powered predecessors. This is the first deal yet for the Duet 11, which launched just last month. You will not find a better touchscreen Chromebook deal under $200. This half-off clamshell will receive system and security updates through June 2033, and the touchscreen will improve the Android app experience on this lightweight laptop perfect for homework and casual computing. Best Black Friday headphones and speakers deals at Best Buy The AirPods Pro 2 , winners of this year's Editors' Choice Award, stand out as the best AirPods with the Apple H2 chip, delivering exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation and transparency mode. This updated version features USB-C charging and enhanced dust resistance for added durability. The Wonderboom usually wins Black Friday, but the new Miniroll has stolen our hearts with its ultra-portable form factor and easy-to-mount backstrap. It can party all day (or night) with its 12-hour battery life, and UE finally used USB-C to charge the Miniroll, so no more digging out a micro-USB cable. Best Buy seems sold out of Calming Pink, but Amazon and Ultimate Ears still have it. Best Black Friday home appliance deals at Best Buy Dyson regularly makes our list of best vacuums , and for good reason. The Dyson V15 is perfect for quick cleanups and deep cleans. It's also super portable. Best Black Friday gaming deals at Best Buy Now's the best time of the year to finally get a PS5 for yourself or a loved one. This is simply a slimmer version of the regular PS5 we know and love, but this one comes with 1TB of extra storage and the added benefit of a smaller profile. If you're buying for a Fortnite fan, the Cobalt Star PS5 Slim Bundle is down to the same $425 price tag. Best Black Friday smart home deals at Best Buy The Echo Show 8 (2023) is currently $70 off at Best Buy. It features an 8-inch adaptive display, a 13-megapixel camera with a physical shutter for privacy, and improved spatial audio for better sound quality. With its touchscreen, voice control and integration with Alexa and smart devices like Ring cameras, it's a great pick for managing your smart home. Best Black Friday action camera deals at Best Buy The latest from GoPro is available for $100 less, which makes upgrading from anything older than Hero 12 worth it. Grab the GoPro Hero 13 Black for as low as $340 without the bundle. Best Black Friday health and fitness deals at Best Buy It may be a year old, but it's still one of the best smartwatches on the market, and it's a steal at half off. Plus, it's already gotten the update that gives it all the software goodies of the Galaxy Watch 7. The cream colorway has already sold out, and the Graphite may follow soon, so act fast. Track your adventures and stay connected with the Garmin Instinct 2 smartwatch, now at a Black Friday price that's tough to beat. With rugged durability, GPS capabilities, and up to 28 days of battery life, this deal is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness fanatics alike. Best Black Friday toys and games deals at Best Buy Rev up the fun this Black Friday with the Razor Dirt Rocket MX350, perfect for young riders (8 years old and up) who love adventure. With a maximum speed of 14 mph and a 7-mile range, this electric dirt bike is built for good fun on a reasonable budget. When is Best Buy's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale? Best Buy's official Black Friday sale kicked off Thursday, Nov. 21, with a second wave of deals following on Nov. 22 and another on Black Friday itself (Nov. 29). The sale is technically set to end at 11:59 p.m. CT on Nov. 30, but you're likely to see many of the same discounts continuing through Cyber Monday, Dec. 2, along with a handful of new offers. There is no guarantee that deals live on Black Friday will still be available during Cyber Monday or beyond. So if you see something you like, don't wait. What kind of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will be available at Best Buy? Many items throughout the store are still on sale at Best Buy for Black Friday, and we expect a lot of those deals to stick around for Cyber Monday. From past experience, we know the retailer will continue to offer savings on tech gadgets, appliances, home goods, fitness equipment, toys and much more. Do I need a membership to shop Best Buy's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale? No, a Best Buy membership is not required to shop Best Buy's Black Friday sale. However, some deals and discounts will be exclusively available to members. This can include members-only offers or additional savings on already-discounted products. CNET is always covering a wide array of deals on tech products and much more. Start with the hottest sales and discounts on the CNET Deals page , and sign up for the CNET Deals Text to get daily deals sent straight to your phone. Add the free CNET Shopping extension to your browser for real-time price comparisons and cash-back offers. And peruse our gift guide , which includes a full range of ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and more.
Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for Bucks after missing 1 game with knee swelling