Corey puts up 27 and South Alabama knocks off East Texas A&M 81-72psx x 。

As science continues its evolution, discoveries and technologies can act like a master key that open doors leading to novel advancements. Artificial intelligence is one such key, making innovations possible by solving complex problems, automating tasks and enabling research that would have been impossible, or very time-consuming, without it. Mohammad Hosseini But do we want to do research on all topics, and shall we try the AI master key on every door? To explore this question, let’s consider the use of AI by genomics experts as an example. In recent years, genomics experts have added unbelievable depth to what we know about the world and ourselves. For example, genetics researchers have revealed facts about when certain animals and plants were domesticated. In another example, researchers used DNA from 30,000-year-old permafrost to create fertile samples of a plant called narrow-leafed campion. Importantly, genetic engineering has facilitated extraordinary advances in the treatment of complicated conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia. Thanks to AI, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the pace and scalability of genomic exploration. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts But given the risks and possible consequences of AI use in science, should we rush headlong into using AI in all kinds of projects? One relevant example is research on Neanderthals, our closest relatives, who lived about 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals have been studied for several years now through genetic investigation of their fossils and their DNA. Genetic engineering can potentially use ancient DNA and genome editing methods to re-create a Neanderthal or aspects of a Neanderthal’s genetics and physiology. To do this, scientists could start by figuring out the DNA sequence of a Neanderthal by comparing it with the DNA of modern humans, because they are closely related. Then, scientists could use the gene-editing tool known as CRISPR to swap out parts of human DNA with Neanderthal DNA. This process would require a lot of trial and error and might not succeed soon. But based on what we know about genetics, if something is possible, AI can help make it happen faster, cheaper and with less effort. Scientists are excited about these developments because they could facilitate new discoveries and open up many research opportunities in genetic research. With or without AI, research on Neanderthals will proceed. But the extraordinary power of AI could give the final push to these discoveries and facilitate this kind of resurrection. At that point, the scientific community must develop norms and guidelines about how to treat these resurrected beings with dispositions very similar to humans. We would need to carefully consider their rights and well-being almost in the same way as when humans are involved and not as research subjects or artifacts of scientific curiosity. These ethical issues are discussed in more detail in a new paper published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. A more holistic question to consider is: Should we prioritize the use of resource-intensive AI, researchers’ time and public funds to resurrect extinct beings? Or should we invest these resources into conserving species that are critically endangered today to prevent biodiversity from more degradation?BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Botafogo overcame playing with 10 men to win its first Copa Libertadores title after beating fellow Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro 3-1 in the final at Monumental de Nunez Stadium on Saturday. After just 30 seconds, midfielder Gregore, one of Botafogo's best players, hit the head of Fausto Vera with his foot and was given a straight red card. Brazil was assured of a sixth consecutive Copa Libertadores title and the 24th in history, just one less than Argentina. It was also the third straight title for Rio de Janeiro clubs, after Fluminense in 2023 and Flamengo in 2022. Winger Luiz Henrique scored the first in the 35th minute from close range, and was fouled for the penalty shot converted by Alex Telles in the 44th. Eduardo Vargas headed Mineiro's only goal in the 46th while Junior Santos, the top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 10 goals, capped Botafogo's historic night with the third in injury time. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Debora Rey And Mauricio Savarese, The Associated PressGreen Thumb Initiative: Holidays and the challenges on mental health

NFL Week 17 takeaways: Should Cowboys keep Mike McCarthy?

What's New CNN legal commentator Elie Honig said Luigi Mangione's murder case in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's death carries the "highest risk" of jury nullification due to the popularity surrounding the man charged in the killing. Why It Matters Mangione has risen to fame as the charged defendant in the high-profile killing. Despite being charged with alleged crimes, Mangione has amassed a large fan base with some even hailing him as a hero for seemingly taking action against the American health insurance industry. What To Know Jury nullification occurs when a jury reaches a verdict of "not guilty" despite believing the defendant is guilty of the charges. This happens when jurors disregard the law, either because they think it is unjust, its application in the specific case is unfair, or they think the punishment would be disproportionate. Jurors cannot be punished for passing an "incorrect" verdict. Mangione, 26, is accused of fatally shooting Thompson outside a New York City hotel on December 4. He faces multiple federal charges, including one that could result in the death penalty, as well as six state charges in New York with penalties ranging from one year to life in prison. In Pennsylvania, he also faces charges for possessing a fraudulent ID, a gun, and a silencer. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges. On Tuesday, Honig told CNN host Rahel Solomon that while he "wouldn't necessarily lose sleep" over Mangione's level of fame impacting his chance at a fair jury, he would be "nervous" about the possibility of jury nullification. "And, for sure, this is the highest risk of nullification that I have seen in a long time, given the fame and fandom that this guy has somehow gained over social media. But it's important to keep in mind, there are checks in place, first of all, the jury selection process," Honig said. "People who are overtly biased in his favor, people who have posted on social media, that kind of thing, they will be weeded out. They will never even make it onto a jury. The other thing is, the whole trial process has the effect of sort of forcing people to get serious." Honig continued, "It's really hard to sit through weeks worth of overwhelming evidence that this person shot his victim in the back and then just say, ah, heck with it, I kind of like this guy or I saw some social media meme. So it's always in play, but I think it's important to understand we do have processes that sort of filter that kind of thing out." What People Are Saying Mangione's attorney Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to reporters after Mangione arrived in New York, which Agnifilo called "the biggest perp walk I've ever seen": "He is being treated like political fodder. The mayor should know about due process, given his own problems. I think he was there to try to take away from those issues. He wanted to show symbolism. But my client is not a symbol." Mercedes Colwin, a criminal defense attorney, was asked about Donald Trump's death penalty comments surrounding the case by CNN on Tuesday: "Certainly, that's going to be a question raised by the defense, that there were reportings of the president-elect making comments about the death penalty being imposed.... That has to be vetted to that jury. The jury has to make an acknowledgment that, one, they did hear the comments and it doesn't impact their thinking at all and they can still sit and be a fair and impartial juror in that trial.... So comments from the president-elect may impact their thinking. That's something that absolutely has to be vetted." What Happens Next Mangione continues to assert his innocence in the case despite prosecutors saying they have a significant amount of evidence. It is unclear if he will pursue an insanity plea . His next court appearance is scheduled for February 21, 2025. Do you have a story Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.comAs science continues its evolution, discoveries and technologies can act like a master key that open doors leading to novel advancements. Artificial intelligence is one such key, making innovations possible by solving complex problems, automating tasks and enabling research that would have been impossible, or very time-consuming, without it. Mohammad Hosseini But do we want to do research on all topics, and shall we try the AI master key on every door? To explore this question, let’s consider the use of AI by genomics experts as an example. In recent years, genomics experts have added unbelievable depth to what we know about the world and ourselves. For example, genetics researchers have revealed facts about when certain animals and plants were domesticated. In another example, researchers used DNA from 30,000-year-old permafrost to create fertile samples of a plant called narrow-leafed campion. People are also reading... Importantly, genetic engineering has facilitated extraordinary advances in the treatment of complicated conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia. Thanks to AI, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the pace and scalability of genomic exploration. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts But given the risks and possible consequences of AI use in science, should we rush headlong into using AI in all kinds of projects? One relevant example is research on Neanderthals, our closest relatives, who lived about 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals have been studied for several years now through genetic investigation of their fossils and their DNA. Genetic engineering can potentially use ancient DNA and genome editing methods to re-create a Neanderthal or aspects of a Neanderthal’s genetics and physiology. To do this, scientists could start by figuring out the DNA sequence of a Neanderthal by comparing it with the DNA of modern humans, because they are closely related. Then, scientists could use the gene-editing tool known as CRISPR to swap out parts of human DNA with Neanderthal DNA. This process would require a lot of trial and error and might not succeed soon. But based on what we know about genetics, if something is possible, AI can help make it happen faster, cheaper and with less effort. Scientists are excited about these developments because they could facilitate new discoveries and open up many research opportunities in genetic research. With or without AI, research on Neanderthals will proceed. But the extraordinary power of AI could give the final push to these discoveries and facilitate this kind of resurrection. At that point, the scientific community must develop norms and guidelines about how to treat these resurrected beings with dispositions very similar to humans. We would need to carefully consider their rights and well-being almost in the same way as when humans are involved and not as research subjects or artifacts of scientific curiosity. These ethical issues are discussed in more detail in a new paper published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. A more holistic question to consider is: Should we prioritize the use of resource-intensive AI, researchers’ time and public funds to resurrect extinct beings? Or should we invest these resources into conserving species that are critically endangered today to prevent biodiversity from more degradation? Catch the latest in Opinion

The Sudanese army said Saturday it had retaken a key state capital south of Khartoum from rival paramilitaries who had held it for the past five months. The Sennar state capital of Sinja is a strategic prize in the 19-month-old war between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces as it lies on a key road linking army-controlled areas of eastern and central Sudan. The army said that Sinja had been "liberated... from the terrorist militia". It posted footage on social media that it said had been filmed inside the main base in the city. "Sinja has returned to the embrace of the nation," the information minister of the army-backed government, Khaled al-Aiser, said in a statement. Aiser's office said armed forces chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan had travelled to the city of Sennar, 60 kilometres (40 miles) to the north, on Saturday to "inspect the operation and celebrate the liberation of Sinja". The RSF had taken the two cities in a lightning offensive in June that saw nearly 726,000 civilians flee, according to UN figures. Human rights groups have said that those who were unwilling or unable to leave have faced months of arbitrary violence by RSF fighters. Sinja teacher Abdullah al-Hassan spoke of his "indescribable joy" at seeing the army enter the city after "months of terror". "At any moment, you were waiting for militia fighters to barge in and beat you or loot you," the 53-year-old told AFP by telephone. Both sides in the Sudanese conflict have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminately shelling homes, markets and hospitals. The RSF has also been accused of summary executions, systematic sexual violence and rampant looting. The paramilitaries control nearly all of the vast western region of Darfur as well as large swathes of Kordofan in the south. They also hold much of the capital Khartoum and the key farming state of Al-Jazira to its south. Since April 2023, the war has killed tens of thousands of people and uprooted more than 11 million -- creating what the UN says is the world's largest displacement crisis. From the eastern state of Gedaref -- where more than 1.1 million displaced people have sought refuge -- Asia Khedr, 46, said she hoped her family's ordeal might soon be at an end. "We'll finally go home and say goodbye to this life of displacement and suffering," she told AFP. Published - November 23, 2024 10:53 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit SudanPresident-elect Donald Trump’s pick to oversee the entire U.S. military, former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, was confronted Thursday by a reporter who asked point-blank whether he raped a woman in 2017, as described in . “As far as the media is concerned, it’s very simple,” said Hegseth, who was on Capitol Hill to meet with senators tasked with weighing whether to approve him as the next U.S. defense secretary. “The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m going to leave it,” he said. The police report does not state that Hegseth was cleared; rather, it recommended that the case be forwarded to local prosecutors for review, The Associated Press reported. Prosecutors may choose not to pursue a case for an assortment of reasons, including the limited availability of witnesses, whether a jury might deem those witnesses credible and whether alleged victims want to participate in the process. REPORTER: Did you sexually assault a woman in Monterey, California? PETE HEGSETH: I have -- ah -- as far as the media is concerned, it's very simple. The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared, and that's where I'm gonna leave it. — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) The incident allegedly occurred at a Republican women’s conference hosted at a hotel in Monterey, California, where Hegseth had been invited to give a speech in October 2017. A woman, whose name has not been made public, sought a sexual assault exam at a medical facility a few days after she said she woke up with a hazy memory of being assaulted by the Fox host. She had reportedly confronted him earlier, in a social setting, because she felt he was behaving inappropriately with other women. The woman texted a friend that Hegseth had a “creeper” vibe about him, the AP noted. She said “things got fuzzy” in the evening. Hegseth allegedly brought her to a room in the hotel, took her phone and blocked her from leaving. She said she had a memory of a shirtless Hegseth bending over her, with his dog tags dangling above her. The nurse who treated her contacted police about the allegation, the AP said. Hegseth, a Trump loyalist, has faced other pushback to his bid to lead the world’s largest military. He never achieved a rank higher than major while serving in the Army and has a dearth of leadership experience. Related...Philadelphia Eagles clinch NFC East by crushing weak Cowboys

Residential Shredding Service Market Overview and Leading Players: PROSHRED, Shred-it, GFL Environmental Inc, Time Shred Services, Chesapeake Paper Systems, All Points Mobile Shredding, Simply Shredding Tonbridge, ShredQuickOTTAWA — The Atlantic Liberal caucus is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to resign as party leader in a letter. The letter dated Dec. 23 was shared publicly today by New Brunswick MP Wayne Long, who has been saying since the fall that Trudeau should step down. Atlantic caucus chair and Nova Scotia MP Kody Blois penned the letter, saying the events following Chrystia Freeland's cabinet resignation, signals from the opposition parties to declare non-confidence at the first opportunity, and U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats make it no longer "tenable" for Trudeau to continue to lead the party. Conservative MP John Williamson said Friday he plans to introduce a non-confidence motion at the next public accounts committee meeting on Jan. 7. If that motion is successful at committee, it would be forwarded to the House of Commons and could be voted on as soon as Jan. 30, triggering an election if it passes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian PressHarris puts up 24, Southern Miss defeats Milwaukee 66-65

As science continues its evolution, discoveries and technologies can act like a master key that open doors leading to novel advancements. Artificial intelligence is one such key, making innovations possible by solving complex problems, automating tasks and enabling research that would have been impossible, or very time-consuming, without it. Mohammad Hosseini But do we want to do research on all topics, and shall we try the AI master key on every door? To explore this question, let’s consider the use of AI by genomics experts as an example. In recent years, genomics experts have added unbelievable depth to what we know about the world and ourselves. For example, genetics researchers have revealed facts about when certain animals and plants were domesticated. In another example, researchers used DNA from 30,000-year-old permafrost to create fertile samples of a plant called narrow-leafed campion. People are also reading... Importantly, genetic engineering has facilitated extraordinary advances in the treatment of complicated conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia. Thanks to AI, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the pace and scalability of genomic exploration. But given the risks and possible consequences of AI use in science, should we rush headlong into using AI in all kinds of projects? One relevant example is research on Neanderthals, our closest relatives, who lived about 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals have been studied for several years now through genetic investigation of their fossils and their DNA. Genetic engineering can potentially use ancient DNA and genome editing methods to re-create a Neanderthal or aspects of a Neanderthal’s genetics and physiology. To do this, scientists could start by figuring out the DNA sequence of a Neanderthal by comparing it with the DNA of modern humans, because they are closely related. Then, scientists could use the gene-editing tool known as CRISPR to swap out parts of human DNA with Neanderthal DNA. This process would require a lot of trial and error and might not succeed soon. But based on what we know about genetics, if something is possible, AI can help make it happen faster, cheaper and with less effort. Scientists are excited about these developments because they could facilitate new discoveries and open up many research opportunities in genetic research. With or without AI, research on Neanderthals will proceed. But the extraordinary power of AI could give the final push to these discoveries and facilitate this kind of resurrection. At that point, the scientific community must develop norms and guidelines about how to treat these resurrected beings with dispositions very similar to humans. We would need to carefully consider their rights and well-being almost in the same way as when humans are involved and not as research subjects or artifacts of scientific curiosity. These ethical issues are discussed in more detail in a new paper published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. A more holistic question to consider is: Should we prioritize the use of resource-intensive AI, researchers’ time and public funds to resurrect extinct beings? Or should we invest these resources into conserving species that are critically endangered today to prevent biodiversity from more degradation? Hosseini is an assistant professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He wrote this for The Chicago Tribune . Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent successful surgery Sunday to have his prostate removed, hospital officials said, a procedure that came as he manages multiple crises including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption . Netanyahu, who has had a series of health issues in recent years, has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader. During his trial this month, he boasted about working 18-hour days, accompanied by a cigar. But as Israel's longest-serving leader, such a grueling workload over a total of 17 years in power could take a toll on his well-being. Netanyahu, 75, is among older world leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, 82 , President-elect Donald Trump, 78 , Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva , 79, and Pope Francis , 88, who have come under scrutiny for their age and health issues. Netanyahu's latest condition is common in older men, but the procedure has had some fallout. The judges overseeing his trial accepted a request from his lawyer on Sunday to call off three days of testimony scheduled this week. The lawyer, Amit Hadad, had argued that Netanyahu would be fully sedated for the procedure and hospitalized for “a number of days.” Dr. Ofer Gofrit, head of the urology department at Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center, said in a video statement late Sunday that the procedure had gone well and “there was no fear” of cancer or malignancy. “We only hope for the best,” he said. In a statement, Netanyahu thanked his doctors. His office said he was "fully alert" and was taken to an underground recovery unit fortified against potential missile attacks. Netanyahu was expected to remain in the hospital for several days of observation. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, served as acting prime minister during the operation. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. As Israel’s leader, Netanyahu is at the center of major global events that are shifting the Middle East . With the dizzying pace of the past 14 months, being incapacitated for even a few hours can be risky. Netanyahu will be in the hospital at a time when international mediators are pushing Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and as fighting between Israel and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensifies . Prostate issues are common and in many cases easily treatable. Still, the procedure puts a dent in Netanyahu’s image of vigor at a time when he would want to project strength more than ever, both to an Israeli audience navigating constant threats as well as to Israel’s enemies looking to expose its weaknesses. Netanyahu insists he is in excellent health. His office releases footage of him touring war zones in full protective gear flanked by military officers, or meeting with defense officials on windswept hilltops in youthful dark shades and puffer jackets. But that image was shattered last year when Netanyahu’s doctors revealed that he had a heart condition , a problem that he had apparently long known about but concealed from the public. A week after a fainting spell, Netanyahu was fitted with a pacemaker to control his heartbeat. Only then did staff at the Sheba Medical Center reveal that Netanyahu has for years experienced a condition that can cause irregular heartbeats. The revelation came as Netanyahu was dealing with massive anti-government protests. The news about a chronic heart problem stoked further anger and distrust during extreme political polarization in Israel. Last year, Netanyahu was rushed to the hospital for what doctors said likely was dehydration . He stayed overnight, prompting his weekly Cabinet meeting to be delayed. Earlier this year, Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery , during which he was under full anesthesia and unconscious. Levin served as acting prime minister during the operation. According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection on Wednesday stemming from a benign enlargement of his prostate. The infection was treated successfully with antibiotics, but doctors said the surgery was needed in any case. Complications from prostate enlargement are common in men in their 70s and 80s, Dr. Shay Golan, head of the oncology urology service at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, told Israeli Army Radio. Golan spoke in general terms and was not involved in Netanyahu’s care or treatment. He said an enlarged prostate can block proper emptying of the bladder, leading to a build-up of urine that can lead to an infection or other complications. After medicinal treatment, doctors can recommend a procedure to remove the prostate to prevent future blockages, Golan said. In Netanyahu’s case, because the prostate is not cancerous, Golan said doctors were likely performing an endoscopic surgery, carried out by inserting small instruments into a body cavity, rather than making surgical cuts in the abdomen to reach the prostate. The procedure lasts about an hour, Golan said, and recovery is quick. He said that aside from catheter use for one to three days after the procedure, patients can return to normal activity without significant limitations. AP correspondent Isaac Scharf contributed reporting.Property Damage Evaluation Market Innovations and Key Players: Rapid Damage Assessment, Sedgwick, Axias Inc., C3 Group, HLZAE, Rimkus, Young & Associates, MKA International 12-15-2024 09:02 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: STATS N DATA Property Damage Evaluation Market The Property Damage Evaluation Market is a pivotal sector that plays a critical role in assessing and quantifying property damage across various domains, including residential, commercial, and automotive environments. As property ownership and asset management become more prevalent, the need for effective evaluation processes has surged, placing this market at the forefront of property management strategies. The market encompasses diverse applications, from insurance claims processing to legal consultations, ensuring that property owners receive fair evaluations for damages sustained. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=95568 Recent developments in the Property Damage Evaluation Market reflect an increased reliance on technological advancements. The integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sophisticated assessment tools has transformed traditional evaluation methods. These technologies streamline processes and enhance accuracy, thereby driving market growth. Strategic collaborations between technology providers and evaluation firms have further fueled innovation, resulting in improved service delivery and customer satisfaction. Actionable insights derived from current trends indicate that companies must adapt to evolving market dynamics to maintain their competitive edge and offer relevant solutions to consumers. Key Growth Drivers and Trends Several critical factors are influencing the demand for property damage evaluation services. Sustainability remains a foremost concern among consumers and businesses alike, prompting a shift toward eco-friendly practices in the evaluation process. As organizations strive to minimize their environmental impact, they are increasingly seeking sustainable evaluation methods that align with their corporate social responsibility goals. Digitization is another powerful driver in this market. The growing use of digital tools for assessment, documentation, and reporting has revolutionized traditional approaches. Consumers are more informed than ever, leading to heightened awareness regarding property evaluations and claims processes. They are demanding transparency and efficiency, urging companies to adopt innovative solutions that meet these expectations. Additionally, trends such as AI integration and product customization are shaping the future of the Property Damage Evaluation Market. AI technologies enable faster and more accurate evaluations, while customization allows firms to tailor their services to meet specific client needs. Emerging technologies, including drone assessments and IoT-driven monitoring systems, are also making significant inroads, providing new avenues for property evaluations and enhancing overall service delivery. Market Segmentation The Property Damage Evaluation Market can be segmented into various categories to better understand its dynamics: - Segment by Type • Vehicle Damage Assessment • Home Damage Assessment • Others - Segment by Application • Law Firm • Insurance Company • Others The vehicle damage assessment segment is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increase in road traffic accidents and the rising number of vehicles on the road. In contrast, the home damage assessment sector is bolstered by an uptick in natural disasters and severe weather events. The insurance company application segment dominates the market, as insurers require accurate evaluations for claim settlements, while law firms increasingly rely on expert evaluations to support their legal cases. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=95568 Competitive Landscape The competitive landscape of the Property Damage Evaluation Market is marked by several key players that are instrumental in driving innovation and shaping market trends. Leading companies include: - Rapid Damage Assessment: Known for its cutting-edge assessment tools and rapid response capabilities, the company has streamlined the evaluation process, reducing turnaround times significantly. - Sedgwick: A leader in the insurance industry, Sedgwick offers comprehensive property damage evaluation services and has embraced technology to enhance its service offerings. - Axias Inc.: This company specializes in providing tailored evaluation solutions, leveraging advanced analytics to deliver precise assessments. - C3 Group: With expertise in various property damage evaluations, C3 Group is known for its innovative methodologies and commitment to customer satisfaction. - HLZAE: Focused on leveraging technology, HLZAE has developed proprietary tools that enhance the accuracy of damage assessments. - Rimkus: A well-established player, Rimkus combines engineering expertise with property damage evaluations to deliver high-quality services. - Young & Associates: Known for its extensive experience in the field, Young & Associates provides detailed evaluations and expert consulting services. - MKA International: This firm offers global property evaluation services, utilizing cutting-edge technology to streamline its processes. - Wallace Pierce Law: A law firm that integrates damage evaluations within its legal services, offering a unique perspective on property claims. - CEERISK: Specializing in risk assessment, CEERISK focuses on providing innovative evaluation solutions to mitigate potential losses. - Cedar Valley Exteriors: This company emphasizes transparency and customer service in its property damage evaluations, enhancing consumer trust. - Hunter Claims Public Adjuster: Hunter Claims is known for advocating for property owners, ensuring fair evaluations and settlements. Each of these companies is contributing to the evolution of the Property Damage Evaluation Market through product innovations, market expansions, and strategic partnerships. Opportunities and Challenges The Property Damage Evaluation Market presents numerous opportunities for growth, particularly in untapped regions and among emerging consumer preferences. As awareness of property damage evaluations increases, companies can expand their reach by targeting underserved markets and demographics. Moreover, the growing importance of sustainability opens avenues for businesses to innovate and offer eco-friendly evaluation solutions. However, challenges also persist in this market. Regulatory constraints can hinder the speed and adaptability of service providers, while operational inefficiencies may delay evaluation processes. Additionally, the industry faces talent shortages, making it essential for companies to invest in training and development to cultivate skilled professionals. Addressing these challenges will require a strategic approach, focusing on process optimization and enhancing the recruitment pipeline. Technological Advancements Cutting-edge technologies are significantly impacting the Property Damage Evaluation Market. Artificial intelligence is at the forefront, enabling faster data analysis and improving the accuracy of evaluations. AI-driven tools can assess damages through image recognition and predictive analytics, allowing for real-time insights and more efficient claim processing. Virtual tools are also transforming the landscape. Virtual reality and augmented reality applications allow evaluators to conduct assessments remotely, reducing the need for physical site visits. This not only saves time but also enhances safety, particularly in hazardous environments. Furthermore, IoT-driven systems provide continuous monitoring of properties, allowing for early detection of potential damage and proactive assessments. This technological integration not only streamlines the evaluation process but also empowers property owners with valuable data regarding their assets. Research Methodology and Insights STATS N DATA employs a rigorous research approach to deliver accurate insights into the Property Damage Evaluation Market. Utilizing both top-down and bottom-up methodologies, our research team conducts extensive primary and secondary research to gather comprehensive data. Our triangulation process ensures the reliability and validity of insights, allowing us to present a clear picture of market dynamics. Through meticulous analysis and a commitment to uncovering actionable insights, STATS N DATA positions itself as a trusted authority in the Property Damage Evaluation Market, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge needed to navigate this evolving landscape effectively. In conclusion, the Property Damage Evaluation Market is poised for significant growth, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and an increasing focus on sustainability. Stakeholders must remain vigilant and adaptable to seize emerging opportunities and address the challenges that lie ahead. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=95568 Full Property Damage Evaluation Market Report Link: https://www.statsndata.org/report/Global-Property-Damage-Evaluation-Market-95568 Related Reports: Medical Tourism Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/medical-tourism-market-28991 Automotive Defect Detection System Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/automotive-defect-detection-system-market-95049 Cable Glands Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/cable-glands-market-4353 Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Headsets Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/virtual-reality-vr-and-augmented-reality-ar-headsets-market-48163 3 Dimensional NAND Flash Memory Market https://www.statsndata.org/report/3-dimensional-nand-flash-memory-market-10374 John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. We specialize in helping organizations navigate complex markets with advanced analytics, detailed market segmentation, and strategic guidance. Our expertise spans industries including technology, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, food & beverages, and more. Committed to accuracy and innovation, we provide tailored reports that empower clients to make informed decisions, identify emerging opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Our team of skilled analysts leverages cutting-edge methodologies to ensure every report addresses the unique challenges of our clients. At STATS N DATA, we transform data into knowledge and insights into success. Partner with us to gain a competitive edge in today's fast-paced business environment. For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.

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BBC Death in Paradise fans say the same thing about new spin-off with first female leadThese Black Friday TV deals are still going strong

NEW YORK (AP) — Right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga is guaranteed $5 million in his one-year contract from the New York Yankees as he returns from Tommy John surgery and could earn up to $10.5 million over two seasons. Loáisiga gets a $500,000 signing bonus and a $4.5 million salary next season as part of the agreement announced Saturday. New York has a $5 million team option for 2026 with no buyout. Loáisiga could earn $500,000 in performance bonuses in 2026: $100,000 apiece for 50 innings and each additional five through 70. Pitching coach Matt Blake said last week the 30-year-old right-hander could return in late April or May from Tommy John surgery last May 1. “I imagine him being one of the high-leverage guys,” Blake said. “Obviously, we got to take some time to get him right, make sure we don’t rush him into competition.” Loáisiga had a $2.5 million salary this year in his final season of arbitration eligibility and became a free agent. He made three relief appearances during the first seven days of the season, then went on the injured list because of a strained right flexor muscle, then had Tommy John surgery with team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. Loáisiga was limited to 17 games in 2023 by right elbow inflammation that sidelined him from the Yankees between April 5 and Aug. 8. He is 19-11 with a 3.44 ERA in 11 starts and 152 relief appearances over seven seasons, striking out 207 and walking 72 in 219 2/3 innings. Loáisiga averaged 97.8 mph with his sinker in 2023. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

National Thank You Note Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by showing your friends how much they mean to you? This year, go beyond the traditional thank-you note and surprise your besties with thoughtful gifts that are sure to make them smile. From indulgent treats to practical essentials, there's a perfect present waiting for each of your pals. In the spirit of gratitude and giving, this guide is a curated list of ideas that are bound to warm their hearts. Get ready to spread joy, laughter and love this holiday! Say goodbye to frown lines and hello to renewed confidence with the Botox Houston can receive at Skin Pharm. Botox has become a popular choice for individuals looking to maintain their natural beauty and achieve a youthful appearance. Allow your friend to indulge in a rejuvenating Botox session that leaves them feeling refreshed and revitalized. Botox treatments in Houston offer an unparalleled experience, smoothing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines with precision and care. Whether they’re a cosmetic enthusiast or a newbie to the world of injectables, this idea can serve as a pleasant surprise. With Skin Pharm’s expertise in beauty and wellness, you can rest assured that your loved one is in good hands. In the digital age, staying connected with loved ones has never been more important. Bark Technologies’ kids phones with built-in safety features, the Bark Phone, provide a fun and safe way for children to explore technology while keeping in touch with the people they care about. Give your bestie a break from the worries of parenthood with a well-equipped and protected phone for their family. The Bark Phone is a state-of-the-art Samsung phone that’s designed to provide a secure and engaging communication experience for children. They offer parental controls and built-in safety features like robust screen time controls, app and contact approval and GPS-powered location tracking to make sure your little ones stay safe as they explore the online world. By gifting one of their devices, you can help support your companion with one of the biggest responsibilities of their day-to-day life — making sure their kids stay safe. Indulge in the relaxing world of Mood Delta 9 gummies as you discover the sweet side of gifting — with a twist. Delta 9 gummies have been making waves in the wellness scene, offering a convenient and delectable way to experience the benefits of THC. Delta 9 gummies are tasty treats that can sustain your friend's relaxation and temperament. With Mood’s premium selection, you can provide them with a delightful experience that combines flavor and zen in one tasty package. Protective eyewear doesn't have to compromise style for safety — it can be practical and fashionable! Prescription safety glasses from Stoggles are an essential accessory for anyone who values eye protection without sacrificing their personal flair. Surprise your safety-conscious confidante with a sleek and functional pair today. These glasses offer clear vision and reliable eye protection in various work and leisure environments. With stylish frames and high-quality lenses, the selection from Stoggles is a thoughtful and chic method to show your thanks. Show your friend a spa-worthy experience with rejuvenating and nourishing beauty products. Luxury skincare from Furtuna Skin is a gesture of self-love and indulgence that can make your second self feel like royalty. Elevate your gifting game with their top-notch products. Their line is formulated with premium ingredients to deliver exceptional results. From serums and creams to balms and oils, a world of pampering possibilities awaits. Show how much you appreciate them by providing the tools for a personalized beauty routine. With their range of offerings, you can bring the essence of relaxation and radiance into your life. Let this luxury skincare speak volumes of your admiration and care during Thank You Note Day. Supporting their parenting journey can be incredibly meaningful, especially when it involves helping their child build emotional resilience. Hero Journey Club’s resources for anger management for kids offer parents practical activities and strategies to guide their children in handling big emotions. Hero Journey Club’s primary offering is its series of interactive online subclinical gaming support sessions designed to help children manage their emotions. Within their favorite games, they can learn how to process anger in constructive ways, with scenarios that teach them patience, empathy and self-regulation. This unique approach to anger management combines the excitement of gaming with valuable life skills, creating an experience kids look forward to and can practice over time. By providing Hero Journey Club for a friend, you’re offering their child a chance to develop while having fun — while also giving their parents a much-needed tool to support their growth. Denim is a timeless fabric that never goes out of style. From skinny to baggy cuts, distressed styles to classic washes, denim comes in many designs and fits every fashion preference. Surprise your fashion-forward friend with recommendations for different types of jeans from Editorialist. Exploring different types of jeans allows them to discover the perfect pair that complements their individual style and personality. Editorialist’s recommendations can form a diverse collection of denim options, cultivating a versatile wardrobe that exudes confidence and flair. From iconic straight-legged pants to statement-making flares, jeans provide endless possibilities for expressing style and creativity. Inspire a total denim makeover and watch as they strut their stuff in a fashionable, flattering pair of jeans. For the homie who’s always there when you need them, a confidence boost is the perfect way to say “thank you” this holiday. More specifically, if they’ve been wanting a full, defined beard but struggle with patchiness or lack of growth, the beard transplant Los Angeles services of Jae Pak MD is a meaningful, lasting solution. Jae Pak MD transplants hair from the back of the scalp, neck or chin to the beard area for natural results. Their precise methods ensure that the transplanted hair grows permanently, allowing your bestie to style, trim and maintain their new beard as they would their natural hair. More than just an aesthetic upgrade, a Jae Pak MD beard transplant is a confidence boost that reflects how much you value your friend’s happiness and well-being. They’ll receive a custom approach tailored to their facial structure and hair growth pattern, making it a truly thoughtful present. One tried-and-true way to show just how much you care is by giving them wellness support they can rely on. C15 fatty acid supplements from Fatty15 offer just that support, maintaining cellular health to help support everything from your metabolic system to your heart and liver. It’s the helping hand they deserve from the person they love. Fatty15 could make a difference at the cellular level. By encouraging your cells to replace and repair themselves, you can sustain your health well into the future. That means potential assistance for your friend’s essential organs, immune system, sleep quality and more. When the time comes for a present that counts, look no further than C15 supplements from Fatty15. They can help your friend achieve a natural sleep and feel energized throughout the day. They can even support your hair and nails! Give a gift that will make them feel their best — give Fattty15. Just as humans prioritize their joint health and well-being, your furry pals can also benefit from quality supplements that support their overall mobility and comfort. Show your appreciation for your canine friend — and their pet parents — by gifting Antinol Plus , a premium joint supplement designed to keep them active and agile. Antinol Plus is specially formulated and combines potent ingredients to help maintain joint function in dogs by maintaining a healthy inflammatory response. Incorporating Antinol Plus into your dog's daily routine could provide them with the essential support they need to sustain their mobility, regardless of age or breed. Provide your four-legged bestie with the joy of movement and vitality with help from Antinol Plus. Thanks to their commitment to quality products for pets, you can rest assured that you're doing what you can to sustain a healthy and happy life filled with playfulness. Transform your living space into an oasis of coziness with washable rugs from Tumble that blend practicality with plushness. Tumble’s products offer the perfect combination of convenience and versatility, making them an ideal choice for buddies who appreciate aesthetics and functionality. Tumble provides a soft and inviting surface for lounging and relaxing, adding a touch of warmth to any room. Their easy-to-clean nature ensures that maintaining a fresh and hygienic living area is a breeze. That also makes them a practical and stylish addition to any and all kinds of home decor. Elevate the art of gift-giving to a new level of sophistication and sentimentality with customizable furniture pieces from Coley Home . Custom-made furniture brings a hint of uniqueness to any living area and serves as a lasting token of thoughtfulness. Surprise your second self with a bespoke furniture creation that will make a statement and commemorate your special bond. Coley Home allows you to tailor a one-of-a-kind piece that resonates with their design preferences and lifestyle. From customized seating options to unique storage solutions, the possibilities are truly endless. With Coley Home’s exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, you can feel confident that your bestie will receive a piece of furniture that is as exceptional as they are. It’s difficult to watch loved ones go through uncomfortable experiences, especially menopause, which can come with symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. MENO menopause supplements from O Positiv can help manage these symptoms and give your pal the relief they deserve. Menopause is a period of significant hormonal changes, and those changes can make it hard to sleep at night or stay comfortable throughout the day. They also contribute to mood swings and other kinds of discomfort, which can leave your bestie feeling less than, well, their best. O Positiv’s products will show your friend just how much you care and how much you understand what they’re going through. Share relief, comfort and support this National Thank You Note Day, and begin planning your next great adventure with your companion. Maintaining a dog’s oral health is just as important as caring for the rest of their physical well-being, and chews are a tasty and effective way to promote hygiene and keep their teeth clean and strong. Give your canine the gift of gratitude by opting for the best dental chews for dogs from Yummy Combs. Dental chews are a fun and rewarding way to care for a pet's teeth and gums while providing them with a delicious treat that’ll make them wag their tails. Yummy Combs focuses on managing plaque and tartar buildup, freshening breath and promoting overall oral health, making them a valuable addition to your dog's daily routine. By choosing the best dental chews for dogs, you can ensure your pup enjoys a happy and healthy smile that radiates with vitality. Celebrate their companionship and loyalty — and support their pet parents — by investing in dental health, and watch as their playful spirit shines as bright as ever. Experience the joy of gardening indoors with a hydroponic garden from Gardyn. This garden brings nature's beauty and freshness to your fingertips. It offers a convenient way to cultivate herbs, fruiting plants, greens and flowers right in your home, making it a perfect present for someone with a green thumb. Indoor hydroponic gardens provide a self-contained and efficient growing system that requires minimal space and maintenance while maximizing growth and productivity. With Gardyn’s stylish and functional indoor hydroponic garden, you can gift a miniature botanical paradise that adds a touch of greenery to any living space. The possibilities for planting and harvesting in a hydroponic garden are endless, and Gardyn’s options come with everything you need to get started, including a free 30-plant starter set and plant food. This allows your buddy to enjoy the rewards of gardening without the need for a backyard or garden plot. Encourage their love for nature and gardening with Gardyn today! Unwind in style with satin pajamas from Lunya that promise a dreamy night's sleep and a hint of elegance in your bedtime routine. These pajamas are the epitome of coziness and sophistication, offering a silky soft feel and a sumptuous texture that exudes charm with every wear. Treat your confidante to sweet slumber with a satin PJ set from Lunya, enveloping them in maximum comfort as they drift off into dreamland. Satin pajama sets are a practical sleepwear option and a chic and glamorous addition to any loungewear collection. Their luxurious fabric and stylish designs make them ideal for relaxing evenings at home, special occasions or simply pampering yourself once in a while — or all the time! With Lunya’s range of colors and styles, you can assemble a sleepwear ensemble that caters to their individual preferences and enhances their bedtime rituals. As National Thank You Note Day approaches, let your heart be filled with appreciation for the loved ones who bring laughter and warmth into your life. From options that celebrate their passions to gestures of love that speak volumes of your admiration, this holiday is an opportunity to cherish and honor the special bonds that light up your world. May this day remind you of the meaning of connection, the power of friendship, and the warmth of heartfelt presents that make each day brighter and more fulfilling. As you express your gratitude, remember that the greatest gift of all is the love and laughter shared with those who make your life truly precious. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Tesla Stock Shakes the Gaming World. What Does the Future Hold?

Effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians’ socioeconomic well-being

76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left kneerap psx 。

76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee

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The BJP on Saturday hit out at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of trying to politicise the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The reaction of the saffron party came after Rahul Gandhi accused the Union government of “insulting” Dr Singh by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated memorial site for national leaders. Advertisement Hitting out at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra while addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar said if someone has “damaged the dignity” of the former Finance Minister it’s Congress party. Advertisement “This is a new low in politics of India, thanks to the Congress party. Due to the Congress party – we are here to have a press conference on the day when the last rites of the former prime minister were done... BJP believes that there has to be dignity in death,” Patra said. He added that after the passing of the former Prime Minister, the Cabinet had sent a letter to the Congress and Manmohan Singh’s family, expressing the government’s intent to build a memorial in his honour. “The kind of politics Congress is doing, especially Rahul Gandhi who has tweeted accusing BJP of disrespecting former PM Manmohan Singh by conducting his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat. You all should know the truth behind it. We – in a cabinet meeting after the demise of the former PM Manmohan Singh – decided that since he was the PM and had a big stature – the cabinet wrote a letter to Congress and Dr Singh’s family – where the cabinet said that we should build a memorial in his name so that the country and the world remember him for his positive works,” Patra said. The BJP leader said that on a day of mourning the Congress should have refrained from this kind of politics. “There is a procedure to build a memorial but cremation is a process that can’t wait... It was a direct communication that our party had extended. But, after that, the kind of politics Congress did, it shouldn’t have been done on the day of grief. I want to tell the Congress and its supporters who are saying absurd things – while being in office if someone has damaged the dignity of former PM Dr Manmohan Singh – it’s Congress party,” Patra added. Earlier in the day, in a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “The great son of Mother India and the first Sikh Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji, has been insulted by the present government by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat. During his decade-long tenure, India emerged as an economic superpower, and his policies continue to support the poor and marginalised sections of society.” The Congress leader added, “Traditionally, all former Prime Ministers of India have been accorded the dignity of having their last rites performed at designated memorial sites. These sites not only honour their immense contributions but also provide citizens the opportunity to pay their last respects without inconvenience. Dr Manmohan Singh, a visionary leader and an icon of his community, deserved the highest respect and a memorial. The government should have upheld this tradition and paid due homage to this great son of India.” AdvertisementDAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad , but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. “You will see there are skills" among the rebels, al-Sharaa said in a video shared on a rebel messaging channel. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad , a decision made by President Vladimir Putin . Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons , security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. “Don’t be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!” In southern Turkey , Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. “I haven’t seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he’s alive.” Jalali, the prime minister, has sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a U.N. official said some government services had been paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” Britain and the U.S. are both considering whether to remove the main anti-Assad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began as an offshoot of al-Qaida but cut ties with the group years ago and has worked to present a more moderate image. The group's leader, al-Sharaa, “is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights,” British Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said, adding that a change would be considered “quite quickly.” But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking later during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said it was "far too early” to make that decision. In Washington, a Biden administration official noted that HTS will be an “important component” in Syria's future and that the U.S. needs to “engage with them appropriately.” Another administration official said the U.S. remains in a “wait and see” mode on whether to remove the designation. Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that such designations are constantly under review. Even while it is in place, the designation does not bar U.S. officials from speaking with members or leaders of the group, he said. The U.S. also announced it was sending its special envoy for hostage affairs to Beirut to seek information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice, a journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago and who President Joe Biden has said is believed to be alive. Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group, while expressing concern over what comes next. Israel says its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos. “The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters Monday. Saar did not provide details about the targets, but the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they included weapons warehouses, research centers, air defense systems and aircraft squadrons. Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting what it says are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah . Israeli officials rarely comment on individual strikes. Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013, after the government was accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people . But it is widely believed to have kept some of the weapons and was accused of using them again in subsequent years. Officials in Turkey, which is the main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, say its allies have taken full control of the northern Syrian city of Manbij from a U.S.-supported and Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The SDF said a Turkish drone struck in the village of al-Mistriha in eastern Syria, killing 12 civilians, including six children. Turkey views the SDF, which is primarily composed of a Syrian Kurdish militia, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The SDF has also been a key ally of the United States in the war against the Islamic State group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday warned against allowing Islamic State or Kurdish fighters to take advantage of the situation, saying Turkey will prevent Syria from turning into a “haven for terrorism.” Mroue reported from Beirut and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Mehmet Guzel at the Oncupinar border crossing in Turkey, Jamey Keaten in Geneva, and Aamer Madhani and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Follow the AP's Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria

The Congress on Saturday accused the Narendra Modi government of insulting Manmohan Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by carrying out his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could later become his memorial. The opposition party had written to the Centre for identifying a designated place for Singh's last rites, where a memorial could be set up for him. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the great son of Mother India and the first prime minister from the Sikh community has been "totally insulted" by the BJP-led Centre by performing his last rites at the Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. He said Singh was the prime minister for 10 years, the country became an economic superpower during his tenure and his policies are still the support system for the poor and backward classes. "Till date, respecting the dignity of all former prime ministers, their last rites were performed at authorised burial sites so that every person could have a last darshan and pay homage without any inconvenience. "Dr Manmohan Singh deserves our highest respect and a memorial. The government should have shown respect to this great son of the country and his proud community," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said by not providing an appropriate place for the former prime minister's cremation, the Centre has not done justice to the dignity of the post, his personality, legacy and the self-respecting Sikh community. She said earlier, all former prime ministers were given the highest honour and respect. "Dr Manmohan Singhji deserves this honour and a Samadhi Sthal. Today, the whole world is remembering his contributions. The government should have thought beyond politics and narrow-mindedness in this matter," she said in a post in Hindi on X. "This morning, I felt this when I saw Dr Manmohan Singhji's family members struggling for a place at the funeral site, trying to find a place in the crowd, and the general public getting troubled due to the lack of space and paying tributes from the road outside," Priyanka Gandhi added. Former Indian Youth Congress chief B V Srinivas said when former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away on 16 August 2018, his funeral took place at the National Memorial, the designated place for the cremation of former presidents, vice-presidents and prime ministers. He referred to Vajpayee's memorial, "Sadbhav Atal", which is spread over seven acres and "where memories related to Atalji are present", and shared pictures of the memorial on X. "But during the tenure of the same prime minister, Narendra Modi, the last rites of former prime minister Manmohan Singh were performed at the public Nigambodh Ghat instead of the National Memorial. Because he was a Congress leader, not a BJP leader?" he asked in a post in Hindi on X. As politics over the matter erupted, the Centre said a decision to set up a memorial has already been taken and a trust would be formed to identify the place soon. The central government said that a decision to build one was already conveyed to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge by Union Home Minister Amit Shah after cabinet meeting on 27 December. Also Read: Govt to allocate space for Manmohan Singh’s memorial: MHA A government statement also said the funeral could be held as the process of setting up a trust and allotting land for the memorial could take a while. Kharge had written to Modi on Friday seeking a memorial for Singh. Several sections of the society have also urged the government to confer Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of the country, on the late economist-prime minister. Follow us on: Facebook , Twitter , Google News , Instagram Join our official telegram channel ( @nationalherald ) and stay updated with the latest headlines49ers coach Kyle Shanahan expresses confidence in struggling kicker Jake Moody

Opinion: Congress' Troll Politics Leads To MVA's Downfall In Maharashtra

Hey, we got frustrated. We were planning our last Weekender of the year, and everything was feeling more than a little too cliched. Staffer resolutions for the new year? Boring. Resolutions for the payments sector and connected economy ? Even more boring. Then it hit us. 2024 was the year of artificial intelligence . All day, every day. So why not ask various AI models what they would recommend for resolutions for consumers as they navigate their everyday financial lives? What would some New Year’s resolutions look like that relate to payments and payments habits? Here are 20 of the best of what we got back. 1. I will not buy coffee with my credit card just to get points . 2. I will stop pretending to understand the stock market . 3. I resolve to stop using “password” as my password . 4. I will finally read the terms and conditions of my credit card . 5. I will not panic every time I see a bitcoin price alert. 6. I will try to remember my online banking password without resetting it every time. 7. I will not use my pet’s name as my PIN. 8. I will finally understand what blockchain is ... or at least pretend to. 9. I will not ask my bank teller for stock tips . 10. I will stop blaming the ATM for my low balance. 11. I promise to stop referring to my credit card as “free money.” 12. I will resist the urge to invest in companies just because I like their logo. 13. I will not use “show me the money” as my banking app’s voice command. 14. I resolve to stop treating my piggy bank as a legitimate savings account. 15. I will not impulse-buy cryptocurrency after watching a YouTube tutorial. 16. I promise to stop calling my financial advisor just to chat about the weather. 17. I will resist the temptation to start my own cryptocurrency named after my cat. 18. I will not use “cha-ching” as my text alert for incoming transfers. 19. I resolve to stop referring to my wallet as “where money goes to die.” 20. I will finally admit that I have no idea what APR stands for.Next Rangers chairman 'leading candidate' revealed as member of House of Lords

Quest Partners LLC raised its stake in Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HALO – Free Report ) by 1,386.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 9,793 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock after purchasing an additional 9,134 shares during the quarter. Quest Partners LLC’s holdings in Halozyme Therapeutics were worth $561,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Halozyme Therapeutics by 96.6% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 517 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 254 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Halozyme Therapeutics during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB publ acquired a new position in shares of Halozyme Therapeutics during the second quarter worth $49,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp purchased a new position in shares of Halozyme Therapeutics in the third quarter valued at $57,000. Finally, FSC Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Halozyme Therapeutics during the 3rd quarter valued at $65,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.79% of the company’s stock. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Helen Torley sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.09, for a total value of $590,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 676,744 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $39,988,802.96. This represents a 1.46 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In the last quarter, insiders sold 60,000 shares of company stock worth $3,425,000. 2.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Check Out Our Latest Research Report on HALO Halozyme Therapeutics Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ HALO opened at $49.00 on Friday. Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. has a 12-month low of $33.15 and a 12-month high of $65.53. The company has a current ratio of 10.36, a quick ratio of 9.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32. The company has a market cap of $6.23 billion, a PE ratio of 16.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.42. Halozyme Therapeutics Profile ( Free Report ) Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc, a biopharma technology platform company, researches, develops, and commercializes proprietary enzymes and devices in the United States, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, and internationally. The company's products are based on the patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) that enables delivery of injectable biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic molecules, as well as small molecules and fluids. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HALO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HALO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Halozyme Therapeutics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halozyme Therapeutics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .None

ennis legend Serena Williams got nostalgic in the rain proving that her bond with the sport is eternal, even years after her retirement. The mother of two daughters never loses focus and is there for both her family, without forgetting about her. She enjoys every moment whether as an entrepreneur in her successful ventures, discovering new sports or reminiscing about her tennis court strokes that took her to the top, even in the rain, which makes the moment even more extraordinary. In a recent social media post, the WTA legend wowed her followers by sharing a video of her playing tennis in the rain. With an attitude that reflects her unwavering passion, Williams accompanied the video with a message that resonated deeply. "When you love something come rain or shine you find a way to enjoy and keep doing it". Serena is an example of discipline and success without losing the freshness to enjoy every moment, whether individually focused on her challenges or in the company of her family. Serena Williams surprises fans with exciting debut in a new sport Serena revealed that it was her first time playing, a trendy and fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis and squash at a slower pace and in a smaller space. Paddle tennis came to Serena. Williams admitted to winning three sets but losing one, and that the last set left her exhausted and angry. "I was very tired and very angry," Serena confessed, laughing as she recounted how she smashed a ball into the fence. "Some things never change." Her debut demonstrated the competitive spirit that has defined her legendary career. Even on a new stage, Serena's hunger for excellence and fiery passion remain unwavering, proving she is as fierce as ever. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams remains a force in the sports world, even after retiring from professional tennis. Her incredible career includes the legendary "Serena Slam" in 2002-2003 and 14 Grand Slam doubles titles alongside her sister, Venus. Beyond the court, Serena has embraced entrepreneurship and family life, with a net worth bolstered by more than $94 million in on-court earnings, the highest in women's tennis history. This recent glimpse into her life reminds us why there will never be another Serena Williams. Her dedication to the things she loves, her resilience in the face of any challenge and her ability to reinvent herself are qualities that make her unique. And as she continues to explore new paths, her fans can be sure of one thing: Serena's greatness never ceases to amaze.Iowa QB Cade McNamara slams 'ridiculous' rumors

10-man Barcelona concedes two late goals in draw at Celta Vigo

Jay-Z allegations could threaten Beyonce's 2025 tour plans and NFL Christmas performance

v88w Trump covers autism, border and drones in first post-election news conference

British spies are to share its “most discreet and sensitive work” with Norway to counter a worrying threat from Russia , it is reported. A deal is understood to have been agreed between the UK’s National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping and the Norwegian National Security Authority, with Sir Keir Starmer “seized by the threat” posed by Vladimir Putin ’s security services. The two agencies will reportedly share methods of countering covert listening devices planted by hostile states like Russia, with greater cooperation due to the threat from spying. It comes with the Prime Minister also speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force conference in Estonia with other Baltic states and he is set to visit British troops serving on Russia’s border. The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine , the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security. And before that summit he attended a meeting to discuss intelligence and security at Haakonsvern Naval Base, Norway’s Navy HQ, reported The Sun . It was there that Sir Keir was informed of the “sophisticated subsea threats to energy, critical national infrastructure, and domestic security”. And a source close to the PM said he was “seized by the threat posed by Russia and is focused on protecting the UK and our allies from Putin’s reckless actions”. The new reported deal between the British and Norwegian intelligence agencies will include the sharing of some of the UK’s “most discreet and sensitive work” said a source. Due to its proximity to Russia, British defence activity has tripled in Norway over the past few years with more than 5,000 troops training and exercising in the country. While, in Estonia, Sir Keir, was also asked what else could be done to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, and he said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.” He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that NATO is put in the strongest position as well. “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology . It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas. “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made. “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London. Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Mirror has contacted the MoD for comment.LOS ANGELES — Chris Woodward has been named first base coach by the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking his second stint on manager Dave Roberts' staff. The Dodgers made the announcement Friday night. Woodward was the Dodgers first base coach from 2016-18 before leaving to take over as manager of the Texas Rangers. Woodward fills the opening created after former first base coach Clayton McCullough became manager of the Miami Marlins. Woodward had a 211-287 record in nearly four seasons with the Rangers. He has been a senior advisor on the Dodgers' Major League and Player Development staff for the past two seasons. Dodgers executive vice president and general manager Brandon Gomes said Woodward will take over base running and infield responsibilities with third base coach Dino Ebel shifting to outfield duties.John Elway: remorse over bypassing Josh Allen in draft mitigated by watching Broncos rookie Bo NixTrump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’

Players Era Festival organizers betting big NIL is future of college tourneysNearly a month after a devastating election loss that exposed cracks in the very foundation of their party, Democrats remain deeply divided over the extent of their political problem — or even if they have one. Related video above: On The Record analysts debate Biden's blame for Trump's win A number of Democratic leaders are downplaying the strength of Donald Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris as the inevitable result of an inflation-fueled anti-incumbent backlash that shaped elections worldwide. But others are convinced that the Democratic Party is facing an acute crisis that requires an urgent overhaul of its brand, message and economic policies. Trump swept every battleground state on Nov. 5, becoming the first Republican candidate to win the national popular vote since George W. Bush in 2004. Yet nearly half the country voted against him. With the final votes still being counted in some places, Trump won the popular vote by just 1.6 percentage points. He carried the seven top swing states by about 760,000 votes combined out of more than 151 million cast nationwide. "The glass is half full. It was close. If we get another 2% or 3% of American voters, it would have successfully led to victories from the presidency on down," says Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who is leading a group called Governors Safeguarding Democracy. But for Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Labor-Farmer Party and a candidate to lead the Democratic National Committee next year, the election represented "a damning indictment" for the Democratic Party. "People do not believe that the Democratic Party is fighting for them or for their families or gives a damn about their lives," Martin told The Associated Press. "We lost ground with almost every group except wealthy households and college-educated voters." The internal debate over the health of the party comes at a critical moment. Trump will return to the White House on Jan. 20, claiming a mandate to enact a dramatic "Make America Great Again" agenda led by the mass deportation of millions of immigrants in the country illegally; an overhaul of the federal departments of health, education and justice, and major import tariffs that threaten to strain the U.S. economy and international alliances alike. Democrats, even diminished and divided, stand as the only organized resistance to Trump and his emboldened MAGA allies. But for now, at least, the Democratic Party has no leader and no agreement on the political problems that need to be fixed or how to fix them. Many Democratic groups and leaders are working through post-election analyses to better understand what went wrong on Nov. 5, but few are working together. And already, some fear that the disparate post mortems will produce competing recommendations likely to be lost in a rush to leave the pain of 2024 behind. Priorities USA, one of the Democratic Party's leading super PACs, is set to unveil its post-election findings this week. The group will recommend, among other things, that Democrats do a better job listening to voters instead of pollsters, while offering a more forward-looking positive alternative to Trump's MAGA movement. If they do not make significant changes, according to a preview of that briefing, Priorities believes there is no guarantee that key elements of the Democratic base — especially young people and voters of color — will return to the party in future elections. Some of the loudest voices calling for dramatic changes represent the party's far-left wing, which is often ignored by establishment Democrats who control the party's messaging, strategy and policy platform. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders irked some party leaders the day after the election with a scathing critique: "It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them." "While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change," Sanders continued. "And they're right." In the weeks since, California Rep. Ro Khanna, a Sanders ally and a potential future presidential contender, has been urging his party to overhaul its economic message. Specifically, he's advocating for a "New Economic Deal" focused on creating high-paying jobs for the middle class. Khanna's chief of staff, Marie Baldassarre, said that some Democrats may be coming around to Khanna's message and his willingness to share it on podcasts and right-leaning outlets such as Fox News. "I don't know how you look at this election and don't take a beat. This is the time to change," Baldassarre said. "Why wouldn't we do some work right now? We didn't resonate." Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid, a former spokesperson for Justice Democrats and the "Uncommitted" group that was critical of Joe Biden's primary nomination said Harris' loss revealed that the party "has a major problem with bleeding working-class, low-information, non-college voters." He notes that some Democratic leaders have responded with a collective shrug. "Many of the people at the highest levels of the party feel pretty lost," Shahid said. "I'm skeptical that they'll be able to create the kind of coalition they need for transformative change over our lifetimes." The national committee's upcoming election to select a new leader serves as a litmus test for the party's direction. The DNC is expected to elect a new chair in February after a series of four candidate forums in January, according to an internal memo released last week. It remains unclear if delegates will embrace a high-profile outsider or an insider more familiar with the intricate workings of the party's political apparatus. Few are calling for wholesale changes. Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, who announced his candidacy for DNC chair on Sunday, said Democrats must embrace a new communication strategy to connect with voters who don't pay close attention to politics. He complimented Trump's command of the media landscape and suggested that his own party pay more attention to non-political and right-leaning podcasts and news networks. Related video below: Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wikler launches bid for Democratic National Committee chair Wikler was skeptical, however, that the 2024 election results signal a political crisis for his party. "What we saw was a narrow shift to the right driven the most by the people most affected by inflation, who were paying the least attention to the news," he said. "That does not suggest a permanent shift towards Trump. I think that there's a very real opportunity for Democrats to win background." He added: "I also think that Trump is very likely to more than repeat history and be a disaster."

NoneRole of education in eradicating illiteracy stressed

A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from the upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon. Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her, court records show. They're due back in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul on Dec. 16. According to the criminal complaints, a Lululemon investigator had been tracking the pair even before police first confronted them on Nov. 14 at a store in suburban Roseville. The investigator told police the couple were responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses across the country, the complaints said. They would steal items and make fraudulent returns, it said. Police found suitcases containing more than $50,000 worth of Lululemon clothing when they searched the couple's hotel room in Bloomington, the complaint said. RELATED STORY | Florida social media influencer arrested for stealing from Target According to the investigator, they were also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut, the complaint said. Within Minnesota, they were also accused of thefts at stores in Minneapolis and the suburbs of Woodbury, Edina and Minnetonka. The investigator said the two were part of a group that would usually travel to a city and hit Lululemon stores there for two days, return to the East Coast to exchange the items without receipts for new items, take back the new items with the return receipts for credit card refunds, then head back out to commit more thefts, the complaint said. In at least some of the thefts, it said, Richards would enter the store first and buy one or two cheap items. He'd then return to the sales floor where, with help from Lawes-Richards, they would remove a security sensor from another item and put it on one of the items he had just purchased. Lawes-Richards and another woman would then conceal leggings under their clothing. They would then leave together. When the security sensors at the door went off, he would offer staff the bag with the items he had bought, while the women would keep walking out, fooling the staff into thinking it was his sensor that had set off the alarm, the complaint said. Richards' attorney declined to comment. Lawes-Richards' public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday. "This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable," Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industrywide issue." The two are being prosecuted under a state law enacted last year that seeks to crack down on organized retail theft. One of its chief authors, Sen. Ron Latz, of St. Louis Park, said 34 states already had organized retail crime laws on their books. "I am glad to see it is working as intended to bring down criminal operations," Latz said in a statement. "This type of theft harms retailers in myriad ways, including lost economic activity, job loss, and threats to worker safety when crime goes unaddressed. It also harms consumers through rising costs and compromised products being resold online." Two Minnesota women were also charged under the new law in August. They were accused of targeting a Lululemon store in Minneapolis.vd88 。

If you’re new to snowboarding, you may not realize the importance of a solid pair of snowboard bindings. In reality, this piece of gear does more than just secure your boots to the snowboard. Bindings are responsible for transferring the power from your legs to the board, allowing improved control and comfort. A quality pair of bindings could last for years, so the decision to buy is a big one. For snowboard bindings that are durable, lightweight and comfortable, check out the BURTON Malavita Snowboard Bindings . Some snowboard bindings are better suited for certain riding styles. Consider how you plan to use your snowboard before settling on a specific pair of bindings. If you’re not sure, try renting some gear for a day and see how the bindings feel on the slopes. Many snowboard manufacturers include a 1 to 10 flexibility rating with their bindings. A high number indicates stiff bindings, while a low number is assigned to bindings that are particularly soft and flexible. Most snowboard bindings have straps that secure the ankle and toe sections of your boots to the board. The ankle straps keep you in a flexible yet fixed position when you lean forward onto your toes, while the toe straps keep your feet in place when you lean back. Padding is used on snowboard bindings to absorb some of the shock caused by bumpy runs. Think about your riding style when deciding how much padding you need. Mounts secure the bindings to the board. You can use mounting screws to attach the bindings and adjust the foot positioning to your preference. Just like a snowboard, snowboard bindings come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns. If you want a cohesive look, pick out bindings that match the rest of your gear. When shopping for snowboard gear online, try to purchase from well-known brands like Burton, Salomon or Rossignol. Cheap snowboard bindings from an obscure manufacturer might be tempting, but you could find yourself with an inferior product once you hit the slopes. The cost of snowboard bindings can vary depending on the brand name and the quality of the parts. Beginner and intermediate snowboarders can expect to pay around $100-$250 for a quality pair of bindings, while advanced snowboard bindings regularly exceed $300. A. Most snowboard bindings are sold in two to five size options. Look at the model’s sizing chart and compare it with your boot size to find bindings that fit you. A. Yes. Although there are women’s snowboard bindings that advertise particular design features, snowboard bindings are universal. This means you can choose any pair you want, as long as they’re the right size. BURTON Malavita Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: Despite being advertised as men’s snowboard bindings, these bindings use advanced technology to deliver quality support and performance for any rider. What you’ll love: Backed by Burton’s legendary reputation, these snowboard bindings offer an advanced level of performance, control and comfort in a stylish package. The padding has a gel to absorb extra shock, and the bindings come in five color options. What you should consider: These bindings might be too expensive for beginner and intermediate riders. Salomon Pact Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: These versatile bindings are durable and affordable enough for almost any rider. What you’ll love: A solid choice for beginners, these snowboard bindings have a rear-entry design with high-quality straps for fine adjustments. Many users note their durability and comfort during long days of riding. What you should consider: These bindings have a limited number of size options, and the mounting discs may not attach to every board type. BURTON Grom Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: Designed for kids and small snowboarders, these popular bindings have a solid construction and reasonable price tag. What you’ll love: Perfect for young riders hitting the slopes for the first time, these beginner bindings are compatible with most snowboard mounting systems and feature a single-component baseplate for consistent control and responsiveness. They’re also available in two sleek color options, black and white. What you should consider: Some users questioned the quality and longevity of the bindings’ highback. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." Ross D. Franklin, AP File By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." Matt York, AP File “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Adrian Kraus Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Eric Thayer Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Andy Wong LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Themba Hadebe Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Godofredo A. Vásquez Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Andreea Alexandru Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Bruna Prado Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Lindsey Wasson New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Andy Wong Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Pat Hoelscher Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Ed Zurga Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Natacha Pisarenko England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Ng Han Guan Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. BukatyThe Italian authorities announced that the bidder for the acquisition of the historic Piaggio Aviation is Turkish Baykar Turkey is proceeding apace in expanding its war industry and even investing very significant capital not only within the country but now in Europe. A short while ago the Italian authorities announced that after the bidding process the historic Italian Piaggio Aviation industry is passing into the hands of Ankara. The Turkish Baykar’s bid was in fact, according to initial reports, the best of a number of bids and the relevant signatures will be signed soon. Baykar is currently one of the largest manufacturer of drones in the world and is making its first acquisition of a European company and one with more than 140 years of history. According to Italian media, Baykar does not intend to stop production of the company’s Italian products but with the acquisition will continue to promote under its own umbrella the P.180 Avanti which have been nicknamed the “ Ferrari of the skies “. With this acquisition, Turkey gains access to advanced aircraft engines further strengthening its own position in production. It is worth noting that in 2023, Baykar was among the 10 most important companies in Turkey in terms of exports with an export volume reaching $1.8 billion. Baykar’s size is not only important for the wider European region but also for the other side of the Atlantic as today the Turkish company has market shares three times larger even than its American counterparts. Explore related questions

WASHINGTON — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger, according to a new poll. In the representative survey of 1,001 adults by NORC at the University of Chicago , about 8 in 10 said the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some have cast Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspect charged with Thompson’s murder, as a heroic figure. His arrest was followed by an outpouring of grievances about insurance companies. Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition investigators found at the scene, echoing a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. UnitedHealthcare has said Mangione was not a client. About 7 in 10 adults say that denials for healthcare coverage by insurance companies, or the profits made by health insurance companies, also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Younger Americans are particularly likely to see the murder as the result of a confluence of forces rather than just one person’s action. Americans see a wide range of factors contributing to UHC CEO’s killing The poll found that the story of the slaying is being followed widely. About 7 in 10 said they had heard or read “a lot” or “some” about Thompson’s death. Multiple factors were seen as responsible. About half in the poll believe that at least “a moderate amount” of blame is rooted in wealth or income inequality, although they did not think other factors like political divisions in the U.S. held the same level of responsibility. Patients and doctors often complain about coverage denials and other complications interfering with care, especially for serious illnesses such as cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Insurance industry critics frequently point to company profits in questioning whether the interests of patients are their top focus. UnitedHealthcare made more than $16 billion in profit last year, before interest and taxes, on $281 billion in revenue. Insurers frequently note that most of the revenue they bring in goes back out the door to pay for care. UnitedHealthcare said this month that it pays about 90% of medical claims when they are submitted. The insurer has not provided details about how many claims that involves. For young people, blame is spread equally between insurers and the killer Americans under 30 are especially likely to think a mix of factors is to blame for Thompson’s death. They say that insurance company denials and profits are about as responsible as Thompson’s killer for his death. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults between 18 and 29 say “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility falls on profits made by health insurance companies, denials for healthcare coverage by health insurance companies or the person who committed the killing. Young people are also the least likely age group to say “a great deal” of responsibility falls on the person who committed the killing. Only about 4 in 10 say that, compared with about 6 in 10 between 30 and 59. Roughly 8 in 10 adults over 60 say that person deserves “a great deal” of responsibility. About two-thirds of young people place at least a moderate level of blame on wealth or income inequality, in general. People under 30 are more likely to place blame on the media, with 54% saying that compared with about one-third of older adults. About 3 in 10 struggled with coverage from health insurance in the last year Frustrations with health insurers, coverage and the complicated U.S. healthcare system have been simmering for years among patients. About 3 in 10 Americans say they have had a problem getting coverage from their health insurer in the last year, whether those involved problems finding a suitable provider in-network, a claim getting denied or issues getting prior authorization or insurer approval before care happens. These struggles are more prevalent among Americans under 60. UnitedHealthcare says prior authorizations help eliminate waste in the system and let people know whether care will be covered before it is delivered. It says less than 2% of the insurer’s customers experience a denial of care from prior authorizations annually. Roughly 3 in 10 in the poll say immediate family or close friends have experienced problems getting coverage from their health insurer in the last year. Americans under 30 are among the most likely to say they don’t have health insurance. Most Americans get health coverage through their job or by purchasing individual policies. Separate, government-funded programs provide coverage for people with low incomes or those who are age 65 and over or have severe illnesses or disabilities. Sanders, Murphy and Thomson-Deveaux write for the Associated Press. Associated Press writer Tom Murphy reported from Indianapolis.How to Break Up Better

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS — Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel came to Indianapolis in July with a purpose. He wanted a sense of what Lucas Oil Stadium was like before making what he hoped would be a return trip in December. On Saturday night, he’ll be back on the same turf. Plenty has changed for Gabriel and the Ducks since they came to town all those months ago for their inaugural Big Ten media day appearance. No. 1 Oregon sits atop the playoff seedings, remains the last unbeaten team in major college football and Gabriel has a new title – Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. It’s been a dream season in every way for the soon-to-be 24-year-old Gabriel, right down to leading the Ducks into the conference championship game he’s been expecting. “If we didn’t think we’d be there, I wouldn’t have attended,” Gabriel said. “But I just felt really good about it. I was glad we were able to go see it (Lucas Oil), feel it, smell it. It was a good experience. Now that we’re going back with the whole squad, everyone’s excited.” Winning a conference title in his final season – and Oregon’s first season in its new league – would be the cherry on top for Gabriel now that both teams are virtual locks to make the first 12-team College Football Playoff. The winner likely earns a first-round bye, while the loser probably hosts a first-round game. There is big money at stake: The Big Ten stands to get $4 million for each school that makes the CFP and the payouts escalate beginning with the semifinals to $6 million per school; a conference whose school makes a run from the first round to the title game gets $20 million. The CFP also provides millions to cover expenses. While Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) was a preseason favorite to be back in town this weekend, No. 3 Penn State wasn’t supposed to make it after losing to then-No. 4 Ohio State. But the Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1, No. 3 CFP) rebounded by winning their last four and got help last weekend when Michigan upset the Buckeyes. It’s the first time Penn State has reached a Big Ten championship title game since beating Wisconsin in 2016 – and they don’t intend to go home empty-handed this time, either. “Being from Pennsylvania, seeing that game from 2016, like I always imagined being in these shoes, being in that moment, trying to win a Big Ten championship,” running back Nick Singleton said. “Being in that moment right now feels good, but we’ve got to go out there and win it.” Gabirel concurred. “When you walk in that building everyone is excited to do stuff and ready to go,” he said. “So it’s about execution, playing clean and being who we are.” Under pressure? Though Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and Gabriel are ranked seventh and eighth in FBS passing efficiency this season, both could be under serious pressure Saturday. Defensive ends Matayo Uiagalelei of Oregon and Abdul Carter of Penn State are two of the nation’s premier pass rushers. Uiagalelei is tied for ninth nationally with 101⁄2 sacks while Carter is tied for 12th with 10. The Ducks also have another fearsome pass rusher in defensive end Jordan Burch (81⁄2). It will be a major challenge for both offensive lines, especially if Oregon right guard Marcus Harper II is out (knee). Penn State certainly isn’t complaining about playing for a trophy, but it scrambled the schedule. It began with Coach James Franklin calling an audible during last Saturday’s postgame speech, announcing that Sunday’s scheduled off-day had been scrapped so they could start cramming for Oregon. That was just the start. “It was going to be a week for rest and recovery, some strategic practices,” he said Sunday. “But we always have to be prepared for these different scenarios. So right after the game I told them, ‘We’re going to practice Sunday.’ Now it’s back to a normal week.” Franklin will be chasing his 100th win in his 11 seasons with the program. And he could be doing it with some familiar faces around him. Oregon special teams coordinator and nickel back coach Joe Lorig first worked with Franklin at Idaho State and then Franklin hired Lorig in 2019. After three seasons, though, Lorig headed to the West Coast where he opted to work for another old friend, Oregon coach Dan Lanning. Franklin doesn’t believe Lorig’s inside information will make much difference in this game. “The coordinators have all changed,” Franklin said. “So I think we both probably have a similar amount of information on each other.” The game also will be a homecoming of sorts for Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen and injured Oregon offensive lineman Matthew Bedford. Allen is an Indiana native who spent the previous seven seasons as the Indiana head coach. Bedford also was a five-year starter for Allen’s Hoosiers. And the Duzansky family is doubling up Saturday: Penn State long snapper Tyler Duzansky and Oregon long snapper Nick Duzansky are brothers. What: Big Ten championship game When: Saturday, 5 p.m. Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV/radio: CBS (Ch. 2), 570 AMThe Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday invited the opposition to work and “join hands with the winning party” to govern the state. Aiyedatiwa said this when he and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, presented their certificates of return to President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. On November 17, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress the winner of the state governorship election held the previous day. Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, and the Returning Officer of the exercise announced Aiyedatiwa as the winner, having polled 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 117,845 votes. Zenith Labour Party’s Abbas Mimiko, younger brother of the former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, came a distant third with 2,692 votes. The President congratulated Aiyedatiwa and other candidates of the 17 political parties for the maturity and sense of purpose demonstrated during the campaigns and the election, attributing the success of the polls to the civility in the state. Addressing State House correspondents in Abuja, the governor said, “My advice to the opposition, since he (Agboola) desired to also govern the state—meaning he had an offering, but the people preferred us—so he should join hands with the winning party in the government. “Whatever offering he has, he can still pass them through us so that we can pass it on to the people so that they (the people) will be the overall winner at the end of the day.” The governor said he was at the Aso Rock Villa to present his certificate of return to the President. He said, “I came here today to meet with Mr. President, to express my gratitude to him as the leader of the country and of our party for providing an enabling environment for everyone, a level playing ground, and also as leader of our party, to present my certificate of return to Him. “Having gone through the election and with the outcome, I and the deputy have returned to see him. Related News Aiyedatiwa urges investors to tap into Ondo’s economic potential Aiyedatiwa, Ajayi clash over alleged N20bn election spending Aiyedatiwa gets certificate, court to decide PDP suit against deputy “The results were an unprecedented figure that no governor in the Ondo State election has ever gotten, and they won across the 18 local governments of the state.” Aiyedatiwa said he would ensure good governance for the people of Ondo state. “For them to have the dividend of democracy touching every sector of the society. And that is precisely what we’re doing. “Don’t forget that I’m not just coming in as a fresher; I’m a sitting governor who has been at the Service of the state for the past 10 months, and the people have seen what we have been able to do within 10 months. “This is one of the reasons they came out en mass to vote for our party,” he said. Ondo state is one of eight states with off-cycle elections. The 48-year-old state joined the off-cycle states after a court ruling upturned the election of former Governor Olusegun Agagu of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2007 polls. Although Agagu was declared the winner, his main opponent, Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party, contested the results, alleging widespread electoral fraud. The Court of Appeal upheld Mimiko’s claims, nullifying Agagu’s victory and declaring Mimiko the rightful winner. Mimiko was sworn in on February 24, 2009, effectively resetting the state’s electoral calendar and establishing the current off-cycle election schedule. The most recent governorship election was held on November 16, 2024. Incumbent Governor Aiyedatiwa sought a full term after assuming office following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in December 2023. He secured a decisive victory, winning all 18 local government areas and amassing over 366,000 votes.

Reacting to new unsympathetic comments from Donald Trump's pick to be his " border czar " about the fate of children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants, conservative political advisor Brendan Buck suggested the president-elect rein his nominee in. During a recent NBC News interview, Tom Homan was asked about a move in San Diego by the Board of Supervisors to restrict local law enforcement from helping round up immigrants which led the Trump nominee to reply, "I'm shocked that San Diego did it and, bottom line, we're going to come to San Diego and do our job. It is more difficult, but we're still doing it ." Pressed about the American-born children, Homan bluntly stated, "Our plan, we have to plan to separate children from parents. The parents will have to make a decision. That is parenting 101. If you choose to have a child here in the United States while you know you're here illegally and on a court order to deport, that is on you." ALSO READ: Trump is already walking back on his promises Asked about the border czar's candid response, conservative Buck first told MSNBC host Christina Ruffini, "The how is really important, not just the what here. Immigration enforcement as a concept is very popular and there is a lot of things that Donald Trump could be doing in a few weeks here, in a few months, that I think would be really beneficial to him." "When it comes to the interior enforcement, though, I think Donald Trump appreciates that," he elaborated. "When he gets asked about this in any more specificity, he always pivots to, 'We're going to start by going after the criminals and the dangerous people who are here.' Now that is a much easier said than done. If people knew that there were dangerous criminals here, we would be deporting them already. So, I think he understands after the experience of his first term that there are ways that you could do this become really unpopular." "If we know anything about Donald Trump, he wants to be popular," he continued. "I think Tom Homan here is a political liability. Tom Homan clearly has so much zeal for this issue and such disregard for the views of other people on this, that if he's let loose to run wild on this, he could do stuff damaging to Donald Trump politically, not to mention the real world effects to the people here in this country." "So I think this is something that Donald Trump needs to keep a close eye on, not just let Tom Homan do whatever he wishes," he advised. Watch below or at the link. - YouTube youtu.beNone

Santino Proctor triumphed in the 200m and shot put competitions at the National Indoor Athletics Centre (NIAC), competing against athletes from south Wales, east Wales, west Wales, and south west England. The Cardiff Athletics Club athlete now holds the title of South Wales champion. From an athletic family, his grandmother Michele Smith represented Wales in the Commonwealth Games, and his mother Tazmin Proctor was also a Welsh track and field champion.Jurors end 1st day of deliberations without a verdict in the YSL gang and racketeering trial

As the global economy shows signs of recovery and financial markets remain optimistic, the first quarter of 2025 presents opportunities for investors to capitalize on a potential bull run. Several sectors, including technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and financial services, are expected to lead the charge. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 stocks to watch in Q1 2025, based on current market trends and growth potential. Tesla continues to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) market, and its expansion into battery technology and energy storage solutions positions it for sustained growth. The company reported record deliveries of over 2 million EVs in 2024, driven by strong demand in North America and Europe. Analysts forecast a 15% revenue increase in Q1 2025, bolstered by new product launches and factory expansions. Apple remains a key player in the technology sector, with strong sales of the iPhone 15 and growing interest in the upcoming foldable iPhone slated for 2026. In addition, the company’s services segment, including Apple Music and iCloud, continues to contribute significantly to its revenue. With a projected 10% growth in Q1 2025 earnings, Apple is a must-watch stock. Microsoft’s dominance in cloud computing and artificial intelligence keeps it at the forefront of the tech industry. Azure, its cloud platform, saw a 28% revenue increase in 2024, and the momentum is expected to continue. With strong partnerships in AI development and new product launches in the pipeline, Microsoft is poised for another robust quarter. As a leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) and AI technology , Nvidia continues to benefit from the growing demand for AI-powered applications. The company’s revenue from data centers and gaming surged in 2024, and analysts predict double-digit growth in Q1 2025. Nvidia’s expansion into automotive AI solutions further cements its position as a tech powerhouse. Reliance Industries is a key player in India’s energy, retail, and telecom sectors. Its push toward renewable energy, including green hydrogen and solar projects, has attracted significant investor attention. With its retail arm showing robust growth and Jio platforms expanding 5G services, Reliance is well-positioned for Q1 2025. Meta Platforms continues to innovate in the metaverse and virtual reality (VR) space. The company’s advertising revenue rebounded strongly in 2024, and its focus on integrating AI into its platforms is expected to drive further growth. With new VR headsets launching early in 2025, Meta is poised for a strong start to the year. Pfizer remains a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, with its vaccine and therapeutic solutions in high demand. The company’s pipeline of new drugs and focus on addressing global health challenges make it a resilient stock. Analysts anticipate a 12% revenue increase in Q1 2025, driven by strong sales in emerging markets. Adani Green Energy is at the forefront of India’s renewable energy sector. With aggressive plans to expand solar and wind power capacities, the company is well-positioned to benefit from the global shift toward clean energy. Adani Green reported a 25% growth in revenues in 2024, and the trend is expected to continue in Q1 2025. Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is a tech giant benefiting from its strong presence in digital advertising and cloud computing. The company’s investments in AI research and development have further strengthened its competitive edge. Analysts project a 9% revenue growth in Q1 2025, driven by robust demand for its Google Cloud services. India’s largest IT services company, TCS, continues to lead in digital transformation and software development services. Its focus on AI and cloud solutions has attracted major global clients, resulting in steady revenue growth. With expanding operations in North America and Europe, TCS is expected to report strong earnings in Q1 2025. Technology: The tech sector remains a top performer, driven by advancements in AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor manufacturing. Companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Alphabet are leading the charge. Renewable Energy: The global push toward sustainability has boosted the renewable energy sector. Stocks like Adani Green Energy and Reliance Industries are expected to benefit significantly. Healthcare: The pharmaceutical industry, led by companies like Pfizer, is poised for steady growth as the demand for vaccines, treatments, and global health initiatives remains high. Consumer Electronics: With a focus on innovation, companies like Apple and Tesla continue to attract investor attention in the consumer electronics and EV segments. AI and Automation: The adoption of AI-driven solutions is accelerating across industries, creating growth opportunities for tech companies. Renewable Energy Investments: Governments and corporations are investing heavily in green energy projects, driving demand for clean energy stocks. Global Economic Recovery: As the global economy stabilizes, consumer demand and corporate spending are expected to rise, benefiting multiple sectors. To make the most of the anticipated bull run in Q1 2025, investors should consider: Diversifying portfolios across high-growth sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and healthcare. Monitoring macroeconomic indicators and regulatory developments that may impact market dynamics. Staying updated on earnings reports and market trends to identify undervalued stocks with strong growth potential. Q1 2025 offers a promising landscape for investors, with multiple sectors showing robust growth potential. From tech giants like Microsoft and Nvidia to renewable energy leaders like Adani Green Energy, the top stocks highlighted here represent some of the best opportunities in the market. By focusing on innovation-driven companies and monitoring market trends, investors can capitalize on the bull run and position themselves for long-term success.

Published 00:06 IST, December 28th 2024 Baby John and Jab We Met actress Wamiqa Gabbi is currently making waves on the internet with many calling her the ‘new national crush.’ The Varun Dhawan starrer Baby John hit the big screens on December 25, coinciding with the Christmas holiday. Despite releasing on a non-working day, the actioner was unable to impress the audience on the big screen. Tough, movie’s one of the lead actresses’ Wamiqa Gabbi is currently making waves on the internet with many calling her the ‘new national crush.’ Who is Wamiqa Gabbi? Wamiqa Gabbi was born into a Punjabi family in Chandigarh and is the daughter of renowned author Govardhan Gabbi. While her family prefers to stay out of the media spotlight, her father’s works have earned him significant attention. Govardhan is well-known in literary circles for books such as Tin Tiye Satt, Ateet De Sirnavein, Puran Katha, and Taana Baana. Wamiqa made her acting debut in 2007 with Imtiaz Ali’s romantic comedy Jab We Met, when she was just 13 years old and played Kareena Kapoor’s cousin. Following several supporting roles in films like Love Aaj Kal, Mausam, and Bitto Boss, Wamiqa secured her first lead role in the film Sixteen. However, it was her performance in the critically acclaimed web series Grahan in 2021 that earned her widespread recognition. Since then, she has worked in several other web series, including Mai: A Mother's Rage, Modern Love: Mumbai, Jubilee, and Modern Love Chennai. Why Wamiqa Gabbi is compared to Aishwarya Rai? Baby John actress Wamiqa Gabbi is admired not only for her acting but also for her beauty. She is often compared to the iconic Aishwarya Rai on social media due to her eyes. Recently, when Wamiqa appeared on The Great Indian Kapil Show, comedian Kapil Sharma also complimented her, saying, “Aapki aankhein itni khubsurat hai, aapse paise lete hai doctor ki aapko dete hai, ‘ki do minute dekhti raho mujhe’?” Since the clip went out, Netizens started highlighting her resemblance to Aishwarya Rai, sharing side-by-side photos and sparking comparisons across social media. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Updated 00:06 IST, December 28th 2024

Yagi Studio Palladyne AI Corp. ( NASDAQ: PDYN ) develops adaptive robots for dynamic environments leveraging its Palladyne IQ AI Software platform. This platform relies on hardware-agnostic systems, real-time processing, closed-loop autonomy, and edge AI to create versatile robotic systems. PDYN’s solutions could be used in Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

If you’re new to snowboarding, you may not realize the importance of a solid pair of snowboard bindings. In reality, this piece of gear does more than just secure your boots to the snowboard. Bindings are responsible for transferring the power from your legs to the board, allowing improved control and comfort. A quality pair of bindings could last for years, so the decision to buy is a big one. For snowboard bindings that are durable, lightweight and comfortable, check out the BURTON Malavita Snowboard Bindings . Some snowboard bindings are better suited for certain riding styles. Consider how you plan to use your snowboard before settling on a specific pair of bindings. If you’re not sure, try renting some gear for a day and see how the bindings feel on the slopes. Many snowboard manufacturers include a 1 to 10 flexibility rating with their bindings. A high number indicates stiff bindings, while a low number is assigned to bindings that are particularly soft and flexible. Most snowboard bindings have straps that secure the ankle and toe sections of your boots to the board. The ankle straps keep you in a flexible yet fixed position when you lean forward onto your toes, while the toe straps keep your feet in place when you lean back. Padding is used on snowboard bindings to absorb some of the shock caused by bumpy runs. Think about your riding style when deciding how much padding you need. Mounts secure the bindings to the board. You can use mounting screws to attach the bindings and adjust the foot positioning to your preference. Just like a snowboard, snowboard bindings come in a wide variety of different colors and patterns. If you want a cohesive look, pick out bindings that match the rest of your gear. When shopping for snowboard gear online, try to purchase from well-known brands like Burton, Salomon or Rossignol. Cheap snowboard bindings from an obscure manufacturer might be tempting, but you could find yourself with an inferior product once you hit the slopes. The cost of snowboard bindings can vary depending on the brand name and the quality of the parts. Beginner and intermediate snowboarders can expect to pay around $100-$250 for a quality pair of bindings, while advanced snowboard bindings regularly exceed $300. A. Most snowboard bindings are sold in two to five size options. Look at the model’s sizing chart and compare it with your boot size to find bindings that fit you. A. Yes. Although there are women’s snowboard bindings that advertise particular design features, snowboard bindings are universal. This means you can choose any pair you want, as long as they’re the right size. BURTON Malavita Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: Despite being advertised as men’s snowboard bindings, these bindings use advanced technology to deliver quality support and performance for any rider. What you’ll love: Backed by Burton’s legendary reputation, these snowboard bindings offer an advanced level of performance, control and comfort in a stylish package. The padding has a gel to absorb extra shock, and the bindings come in five color options. What you should consider: These bindings might be too expensive for beginner and intermediate riders. Salomon Pact Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: These versatile bindings are durable and affordable enough for almost any rider. What you’ll love: A solid choice for beginners, these snowboard bindings have a rear-entry design with high-quality straps for fine adjustments. Many users note their durability and comfort during long days of riding. What you should consider: These bindings have a limited number of size options, and the mounting discs may not attach to every board type. BURTON Grom Snowboard Bindings What you need to know: Designed for kids and small snowboarders, these popular bindings have a solid construction and reasonable price tag. What you’ll love: Perfect for young riders hitting the slopes for the first time, these beginner bindings are compatible with most snowboard mounting systems and feature a single-component baseplate for consistent control and responsiveness. They’re also available in two sleek color options, black and white. What you should consider: Some users questioned the quality and longevity of the bindings’ highback. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

NoneHE the Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah has inaugurated the first sustainable basketball court in Al Gassar Resort in Doha, a statement said. Through recycling used tyres in Qatar, the project was executed by Alfardan Group, in cooperation with Continental ME, the leading German company for tyres and automotive technology. The inauguration was attended by Omar Hussain Alfardan, the president and CEO of Alfardan Group, and José Luis de la Fuente, managing director of Continental Middle East, as well as Dr Ma’n al-Hamawi, chairman of the Sustainability Committee and CEO of Alfardan Automotive, and Ahmad Nassar, vice chairman and CFO of Alfardan Group. The court’s surface was constructed using 500 recycled tyres to produce 'Green Rub' tiles, a durable and eco-friendly material, which significantly reduced the carbon footprint compared to using new rubber. In addition, the safety standards of the courts ensure a comfortable playing experience for players of all ages. Typically producing new rubber for an area of 175-200sq m would result in approximately 800kg of CO2 emissions. By recycling rubber, emissions were reduced to an estimated 350-400kg of CO2, meaning a decrease of over 50% in carbon emissions. The innovative project, which aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, demonstrates the private sector's commitment to recycling and waste management, a statement said. The minister emphasised the significance of such initiatives in supporting the Ministry of Municipality's strategic goals. These goals include the safe disposal and reduction of all types of waste which can be achieved through several methods, including recycling and reusing materials, converting waste into energy at the waste management facility in Mesaieed, and producing organic fertiliser. Al-Attiyah said: “The Ministry of Municipality is keen to collaborate with the private sector to improve waste management and treatment. Through consolidating such efforts, the Ministry aims to achieve Qatar's strategic goals through improving the quality of life and sustainability of resources and their preservation. “In pursuit of this objective, the state has established Al Afja Industrial Zone for recycling in Mesaieed, where 51 plots of land have been allocated to recycling facilities, including four factories specialised in tyre recycling, aiming to consistently dispose of tyres in the state. Alfardan said: “Since the group’s foundation, Alfardan’s name has been synonymous with excellence and luxury. Today, we reaffirm that the true essence of luxury lies in a profound sense of responsibility toward the environment. Therefore, sustainability initiatives have remained a top priority for the Group, which led us to launch a comprehensive sustainability strategy, 'Athar,' across all Alfardan companies. “This project is the result of a fruitful collaboration between Alfardan Properties and Alfardan Commercial, in partnership with Continental Middle East, to promote an active lifestyle and encourage innovation in sustainable sports.” De la Fuente said, “At Continental, sustainability is at the heart of our mission. The renovation of this basketball court in Doha, using recycled tyres, represents our commitment to innovative solutions that benefit both the environment and our communities. “This project would not have been possible without the invaluable partnership and support of Alfardan Group and Omar Hussain Alfardan. Together, we are transforming waste into opportunities and inspiring others to join us in building a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.” Through partnerships and community-focused innovation, Alfardan Group continues to lead the way towards sustainable development in Qatar. As a member of the UN Global Compact since 2021, Alfardan Group is committed to promoting responsible and innovative practices, a commitment that aligns with the nation's vision for sustainability, the statement added. Related Story Zulal Wellness Resort garners acclaim Zulal Wellness Resort wins Qatar Tourism Awards

Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Operating ResultsTORONTO, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Base Carbon Inc. (Cboe CA: BCBN) (OTCQX: BCBNF) with operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Base Carbon Capital Partners Corp. (together, with affiliates, “Base Carbon”, or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the Company will host an investor update call on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (EST). The management team will provide a business update and respond to investor questions via Zoom Webinar. Registration instructions are published below. The Company invites current and prospective shareholders to attend this business update call and Q&A session. DATE: Monday, December 16, 2024 TIME: 11:00 a.m. EST LOCATION: Zoom Webinar. To receive the meeting link and passcode, please register here . QUESTIONS: Please submit questions ahead of time to: investorrelations@basecarbon.com . About Base Carbon Base Carbon is a financier of projects involved primarily in the global voluntary carbon markets. We endeavor to be the preferred carbon project partner in providing capital and management resources to carbon removal and abatement projects globally and, where appropriate, will utilize technologies within the evolving environmental industries to enhance efficiencies, commercial credibility, and trading transparency. For more information, please visit www.basecarbon.com . Media and Investor Inquiries Base Carbon Inc. Investor Relations Tel: +1 647 952 3979 E-mail: investorrelations@basecarbon.com Media Inquiries E-mail: media@basecarbon.comvivitar ps88 。

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi grieved the loss of "a mentor and guide" late Thursday after confirmation of the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , 92. In an emotional message on X, Mr Gandhi, in Karnataka's Belagavi to attend a meeting of the Congress Working Committee, said, "Manmohan Singhji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation." "I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," Mr Gandhi said, "My heartfelt condolences to Mrs Kaur and the family." Manmohan Singh Ji led India with immense wisdom and integrity. His humility and deep understanding of economics inspired the nation. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Kaur and the family. I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the... pic.twitter.com/bYT5o1ZN2R — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 26, 2024 Manmohan Singh, a two-time former Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister credited with leading the Indian economy through the globalisation and liberalisation process, was rushed to AIIMS after "a sudden loss of consciousness at home". He was declared dead at 9.51 pm. Mr Gandhi's sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also posted a heartfelt message. READ | "Few Inspired Respect...": PGV Leads Tributes To Manmohan Singh "Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect Sardar Manmohan Singhji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us, and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country... as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents," the Wayanad MP said. Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation... pic.twitter.com/BXA6zHG2Fq — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 26, 2024 Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes from the government and senior members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Mr Modi said, "India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singhji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years." Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the worldThe Best AI Stock to Invest $500 in Right Now

DICKINSON — When Jason Fridrich raised his hand on June 28, 2022, to take his Oath of Office, he didn’t anticipate it would become the center of a contentious recall battle. Nearly a decade into his tenure as a Dickinson City Commissioner, he now faces an unprecedented challenge in defending his seat in the city’s first-ever special recall election. “This has been one of the toughest periods of my public service,” Fridrich said during an exclusive interview with The Dickinson Press. “But despite the burden, I’m still determined to continue serving Dickinson.” ADVERTISEMENT The stakes are high — not just for Fridrich, but for the city itself. The election, projected to cost taxpayers between $18,000 and $22,000, has sparked debates about governance, accountability and the real-world costs of political division. The recall effort against Commissioner Jason Fridrich, initiated by Dickinson resident Seth Helgeson, has become a focal point of public discourse, highlighting tensions between the city’s governance and its citizens. Initially targeting three city officials — Mayor Scott Decker, Commissioner John Odermann and Commissioner Fridrich — the recall has evolved into a singular challenge against Fridrich after petitions for Decker and Odermann fell short of the state-mandated signature thresholds. At the heart of the recall are claims that Fridrich and the other officials failed to properly file their Oaths of Office, violating provisions of the North Dakota Century Code. Helgeson, a vocal critic, argued that this procedural lapse invalidated their authority and decisions. While the city maintained that Fridrich’s oath was appropriately documented following his most recent election, Helgeson continued to press his case through public comments, open-records requests, and social media posts. The controversy also exposed a deeper legal debate over the city’s home rule charter, which permits a lower signature threshold for recall petitions —15% of recent voters —compared to the 25% required by state law. City Attorney Christina Wenko sought guidance from the North Dakota Attorney General’s office, which ultimately concluded that state law supersedes local ordinances in matters of recall. This decision invalidated the petitions for Decker and Odermann, which did not meet the higher threshold, but confirmed Fridrich’s petition as valid under the stricter criteria. Fridrich described the recall as “time-consuming and honestly, a personal burden,” expressing frustration over what he views as baseless accusations. “I’ve reviewed the constitution and the century code, and there’s no mention of the requirements Seth is alleging. I took my oath in good faith, and it was attached to the meeting minutes when I assumed office. That should be enough.” The recall effort has divided public opinion. Some residents support Helgeson’s campaign as an act of accountability, while others see it as a politically motivated distraction. The recall also stems from broader grievances, including public outrage over the city’s removal of personal items from gravesites at the city cemetery—an incident that amplified dissatisfaction with city leadership. ADVERTISEMENT While Fridrich prepares for a special election in March 2025, Helgeson has continued to use public forums to challenge city officials, often prompting heated exchanges during city commission meetings. Mayor Decker recently defended Fridrich, calling him “a punching bag for this community” and urging Helgeson to pursue formal complaints through proper legal channels. For Fridrich, the stakes of the upcoming election go beyond his position. “This isn’t just about me,” he reflected. “It’s about what kind of leadership we want for Dickinson—and how we move forward together.” Despite the recall, Fridrich points to several accomplishments during his tenure. Among them is his work on major city projects like Legacy Square and the commission’s efforts to reduce Dickinson’s debt without raising property taxes or issuing revenue bonds. “We’ve brought down the city’s debt significantly while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” Fridrich said. “That’s a sharp contrast to other cities of our size, like Williston.” Fridrich also highlighted ongoing initiatives, including the Baler Building renovation, fire department upgrades and improvements to the airport terminal — all projects he said keep him motivated to continue serving as commissioner. With over 25 years of experience in business, he brings to government finance and budgeting an expertise he said is critical to seeing these projects through at a price point that is responsible. “Institutional knowledge matters,” Fridrich said. “After nine years on the commission, I’ve been hands-on with a lot of important decisions, and with newer commissioners we have to ensure continuity in leadership. They're great leaders already, but there is a lot to learn. I was thrown into budgeting on my second day in office years ago. It's hard and that takes time.” If re-elected, Fridrich plans to focus on maintaining a competitive edge in attracting and retaining city staff. He emphasized the importance of offering competitive pay, particularly in a job market influenced by the energy sector. ADVERTISEMENT “Our city staff are the backbone of Dickinson,” he said. “To keep experienced employees, we need to ensure our compensation is competitive.” Fridrich’s leadership style, he said, emphasizes accessibility. “I have an open-door policy. My phone number and email are public because I want to hear from everyone,” he said. “I take their concerns seriously.” The upcoming special election presents voters with a stark choice. According to Fridrich voters have a choice between experience and steady governance or a new direction under another challenger, likely Helgeson himself. “With a vote for me, people will get rational governance, fiscal responsibility and a steady hand,” Fridrich said. “I commend Seth for being passionate about government. I wish more people were involved in city politics, but that involvement needs to be rooted in reality.” As Dickinson prepares for its first special election, Fridrich said he remains focused on his commitment to the city he has long served. The recall election is officially set for March 11, 2025, and will be held at the Biesiot Activity Center (BAC) in Dickinson from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. According to the city’s announcement, the first day that candidates can begin circulating petitions for signatures started Dec. 6, with a filing deadline for additional candidates set for January 6 by 4 p.m. ADVERTISEMENT For further information about the recall election process, residents can visit the City of Dickinson’s website or contact the Dickinson City Administrator’s office directly. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Dickinson Press has extended an invitation to Seth Helgeson for an exclusive interview, similar to the recent sit-down with Commissioner Jason Fridrich, to ensure a fair and balanced representation of viewpoints in our coverage of Dickinson’s historic recall election.

WASHINGTON − The White House is urging the Federal Communications Commission to crack down on U.S. telecom providers after at least nine were breached in a massive Chinese hacking and spying campaign that targeted senior government officials. Voluntary compliance with cybersecurity practices are inadequate to protect against hacking from foreign actors, the White House's deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, Anne Neuberger, said on a Friday call. The Biden administration official urged the FCC to impose regulations that would make it harder, riskier and costlier for hackers to access Americans' data in response to the Salt Typhoon hack that affected an unknown number of Americans. More: Apple, Android users on notice from FBI, CISA about texts amid 'massive espionage campaign' "We know that voluntary cybersecurity practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure," Neuberger said. The commission is expected to hold a vote on the proposal by Jan. 15, a week before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump . The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. More: Trump taps Brendan Carr, who opposed Kamala Harris' SNL cameo, to lead the FCC Federal authorities first acknowledged the hack in October. After an investigating they revealed weeks later that "a broad and significant cyber espionage campaign" by the Chinese government had taken place. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, pushed telecommunications companies to beef up their security and directed Americans to use encrypted communications in response as they worked to determine the scope of the beach. More: Cyberattacks on critical US infrastructure keep happening. How worried should we be? Previously, the White House said that at least eight companies were impacted. A ninth company, which the White House did not name, has been identified. Verizon, AT&T and Lumen are among the companies previously named. The U.S. government does not know how many people were impacted, Neuberger said. But it is their understanding that "a large number" of individuals in the Washington, D.C. area and Virginia were geolocated, with the aim of identifying who the phones belonged to for "follow on espionage and intelligence collection of communications, of texts and phone calls." 'We will never know' scope and scale of Salt Typhoon phone hack Fewer than 100 individuals are estimated to have been targeted with further spying, she said. Chinese hackers were careful about their techniques, she added. "They erased logs. In many cases, companies were not keeping adequate logs," she said. "So there are details that likely ... we will never know regarding the scope and scale of this." Australia and the UK already have stricter requirements in place, Neuberger said, that may have led to the hacks discovery and containment faster. The U.S. says it believes the Chinese had the capability to geolocate millions of individuals and record phone calls at will because of the broad access they had into networks. The Chinese government has previously denied it was involved in the hack.

For decades, parents braved the awkwardness of "the birds and the bees" talk, helping their children navigate the complexities of relationships and love. Now, many adult children find themselves needing to return the favour. But this time with a modern spin: "the scammers and the spammers" talk. Login or signup to continue reading Online dating is the new frontier for finding love. But for older singles, especially divorced or widowed parents using dating apps for the first time, the landscape can be perilous. Scammers prey on the lonely and inexperienced, spinning elaborate tales to extract money or personal information. It's a growing problem. Recent studies show romance scams are among the costliest forms of fraud, with victims, many of them older adults, losing billions of dollars each year. If your parents are venturing into online dating, it's time to sit them down and have "the talk" to help them avoid the pitfalls. As an adult child, you might feel awkward initiating this conversation. But your guidance can save your parent from financial and emotional devastation. Approach the topic with care and empathy: The world of online dating can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be dangerous. With the right tools and awareness, your parents can navigate this digital landscape safely. By giving them "the scammers and the spammers" talk, you're not only protecting them from harm but supporting their happiness. Take the initiative. Sit them down. Have 'the talk'. Just as they prepared you for the birds and the bees, it's now your turn to protect them from scammers. As a rule of thumb: trust actions over words, and never send money to someone you've never met. Empower your parents to trust their instincts. Genuine connections won't pressure for financial help, demand quick decisions, or request sensitive information. Encourage them to verify details, take their time, and consult someone they trust. A second opinion can often be the safeguard needed to avoid scams. By offering guidance, you help your parents engage confidently in the modern dating world while staying safe. With the right support, they might just find the connection they've been seeking. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

FG must scrutinise romance with France – Atiku’s aide

NEW YORK: Time Magazine on Thursday named US President-elect Donald Trump its “Person of the Year,” marking the second time he has won the accolade, in acknowledgement of the mogul’s stunning political comeback. Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election, adorns the magazine’s title cover sporting his distinctive red tie and striking a commanding pose. “For marshaling a comeback of historic proportions, for driving a once-in-a-generation political realignment, for reshaping the American presidency and altering America’s role in the world, Donald Trump is Time’s 2024 - Person of the Year,” the magazine said. This year saw Trump convicted on charges of business fraud and nearly assassinated twice — and will end with him preparing to return to the White House with Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress. “We are witnessing a resurgence of populism, a widening mistrust in the institutions that defined the last century, and an eroding faith that liberal values will lead to better lives for most people. Trump is both agent and beneficiary of it all,” the magazine added. Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to applause from traders on Thursday, flanked by his wife Melania Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance, with his Time Magazine cover displayed prominently behind him. In remarks before the markets opened, Trump sounded a note of caution about the promises he made on the campaign trail to bring down stubbornly high US grocery prices. “It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up,” Trump says. “You know, it’s very hard.” The magazine’s award, given out annually, is an acknowledgement of the year’s most influential figure. Past winners include Taylor Swift and Volodymyr Zelensky — and Trump himself, in 2016, after his shock defeat of Hillary Clinton. Mock versions of Time Magazine covers featuring Trump were displayed prominently in several of the president-elect’s members clubs ahead of his first “Person of the Year” title in 2016. Having dominated the news events of 2024, Trump’s influence is set to continue when he assumes the presidency in January. This time around, Trump is promising mass expulsions of undocumented immigrants and major tariffs that threaten to shake up not just the US economy, but those of key trade partners. He’s cast doubt on continued support for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, and has already become something of a shadow president, feting foreign leaders at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. His comeback was unthinkable a few years ago. After his supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn his 2020 election loss, it seemed like Republicans might be ready to wash their hands of the brash outsider who had taken over the party. Criminal cases were launched over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and he was found liable in civil court for sexual abuse. He remains a polarizing figure in US and world politics. Yet none of that prevented him from rising back up to the top of the Republican ticket, and then going on to win in the general election against Harris. Harris was among those shortlisted for the award, alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian economist Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. – AFP

The A.M.E. Zion Church Adopts New Common Measurement for the Health of its Churches and Congregations

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Percentages: FG .529, FT .750. 3-Point Goals: 11-27, .407 (LeGree 3-5, Alocen 2-3, Wagner 2-5, Teel 2-6, Harding 1-2, Doughty 1-4, Summers 0-2). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 2 (Daughtry, Summers). Turnovers: 17 (Teel 5, Daughtry 4, Doughty 3, LeGree 3, Alocen, Harding). Steals: 6 (Daughtry 3, Alocen, LeGree, Teel). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .469, FT .579. 3-Point Goals: 9-23, .391 (Reaves 6-9, Bundy 1-2, Menard 1-4, Njie 1-6, Jungers 0-1, Wallace 0-1). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: 3. Blocked Shots: 3 (Barr 2, Bundy). Turnovers: 11 (Moundi 3, Barr, Bundy, Emuobor, Hogarth, Jungers, Menard, Njie, Reaves). Steals: 10 (Reaves 3, Hogarth 2, Njie 2, Bundy, Jungers, Moundi). Technical Fouls: None. A_325 (4,000).In this week’s TouchArcade Show we’re all over the map, as usual. We kick things off with my experience going on the Polar Express train ride thing, as well as my experience rewatching the Polar Express movie for the first time in 20 years. We then dip into some Apple Vision Pro discussion, and Eli tips me off on a very cool pair of AR glasses called the Even G1. This leads into some Apple Intelligence talk, as I have only just now upgraded my Mac and signed up to enable the Apple Intelligence stuff on my Apple devices. I’m living on the cutting edge over here! We then jump into a couple of reader emails before talking about an actual video game for once; in this case it’s on the Switch. All that and more! Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to . We read ’em all, and decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below... And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated! As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent episodes of the TouchArcade show by . Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a .

GOLDEN, Colo. — Golden Minerals Company (“Golden Minerals,” “Golden” or the “Company”) (NYSE-A: AUMN and TSX: AUMN) today announced that it has received notification from the NYSE American LLC (the “NYSE American” or the “Exchange”) that the Exchange determined to commence proceedings to suspend and delist the Company’s common stock as a result of its determination that the Company is no longer suitable for listing due to its non-compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i), 1003(a)(ii) and 1003(a)(iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide, which require the Company to report stockholders’ equity of $6.0 million or more if the Company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent fiscal years, as previously reported. The Company anticipates that the Common Stock will begin trading on the OTC Pink Market under the symbol “AUMN” at the open of business on December 16, 2024. Shareholders do not need to take any action in connection with this transition. The Company’s stock will continue to be traded first on the NYSE American and immediately thereafter on the OTC Pink Market, and investors should be able to trade shares through their existing brokerage accounts. The Company is in the process of applying for quotation of its common stock on the OTCQB® Venture Market. The transition of the Company’s common stock to the OTC Markets will have no effect on the Company’s business or operations or its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, where it trades under ticker symbol “AUMN.” The Company expects to continue to maintain compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, as Amended, including the filing of periodic reports with the SEC under applicable federal securities laws that are available on the SEC’s website at . This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable Canadian securities legislation, such as statements regarding (i) timing of the NYSE American’s delisting and appeal procedures; (ii) the timing of the Company’s transition to the OTC Pink Markets; (iii) results of the Company’s application for quotation on the OTCQB; and (iv) the Company’s continual compliance with applicable SEC reporting requirements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including whether the Company will meet the eligibility requirements for quotation on the OTCQB; the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient capital to meet its obligations; increases in costs and declines in general economic conditions; changes in political conditions, in tax, royalty, environmental and other laws in the United States, Mexico or Argentina and other market conditions; and fluctuations in silver and gold prices. Golden Minerals assumes no obligation to update this information. Additional risks relating to Golden Minerals may be found in the periodic and current reports filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission by Golden Minerals, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Follow us at and . For additional information, please visit . Golden Minerals Company (303) 839-5060A scandal involving Clayton Bartolo, Clint Camilleri and Bartolo’s wife Amanda Muscat should be the subject of a police investigation, the Green Party has argued. ADPD secretary general Ralph Cassar said the trio should be charged with criminal association and fraud, and challenged the police commission to “do his duty” instead of standing by those who “defraud the people.” “This is another case in which the Commissioner appears to be spineless with those in power and a bully to those who steal a tin of tuna because they are hungry,” Cassar said. The scandal concerns manoeuvres by Bartolo and Camilleri to secure a fake ministry consultancy job for Muscat, who was dating Bartolo at the time. Muscat was first made a consultant within Bartolo’s ministry and then moved to Camilleri’s. But she never did any work as a consultant, had no qualifications to justify that role and continued to work as Bartolo’s secretary throughout. A parliamentary committee this week resolved to admonish Bartolo and Camilleri and order Muscat to refund the balance between what she was meant to be earning and what she actually made. Bartolo was also instructed to apologise to parliament. The prime minister, Robert Abela, has made it clear that he sees no reason for Camilleri to be sacked as minister. Bartolo was sacked and kicked out of Labour’s parliamentary group after Abela learnt that Times of Malta was to reveal that Bartolo and Muscat are the subject of a money laundering probe concerning an unrelated affair. In a new conference on Saturday ADPD said the parliamentary committee’s decisions were “scandalous” and that Speaker Anġlu Farrugia had effectively “granted guilty parties an easy pass” through his casting vote. ADPD public relations officer Brian Decelis said the prime minister appeared to be favouring loyalty to those around him over rectitude and ethical politics The steps taken by the Standards Committee are the minimum, Decelis said. “The abuse of power cannot be treated superficially and taken simply as a misunderstanding. It must be treated as a crime.” The ADPD speakers said the affair was proving them right – the country need constitutional change to allow more than two parties into parliament, to scrutinise a system that the country’s two large parties have allowed to deteriorate “for decades”. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.Raising tuition fees to £9,535 a year passes the cost of national insurance hikes to students and 'won’t touch the sides' of a £100m shortfall, the Senedd heard. Opposition politicians quizzed Wales’ higher education minister after she announced fees for undergraduates will rise by £285 or three per cent to the same level as in England from August 2025. Vikki Howells, who was appointed in September, confirmed tuition fee loans will also rise to up to £9,535, with student support increasing by 1.6 per cent in the 2025/26 academic year. Ms Howells announced an extra £20m for Medr, a public body which was established this year to oversee all post-16 education and research in Wales. During education questions in the Senedd on December 4, Conservative Tom Giffard asked how much the UK Government’s national insurance increase will cost Welsh universities. Estimating the cost at about £20m, Ms Howells said: “The announcement I’ve made today to raise the tuition fee cap in Wales to £9,535 is estimated to cover those costs to universities.” Mr Giffard replied: “What you’ve done minister is offset the cost of a Labour UK policy by increasing tuition fees for students to pay for it.... “Before that announcement about employers’ national insurance, universities estimated that they run a deficit, cumulatively, of about £100m and yet nothing that has happened so far will address that blackhole.” The shadow education secretary said: “Taking those two policies in combination, it’s a zero-sum game ... the thing that students and universities have in common is that they were promised greater support ... and only received greater bills.” He pressed the minister about emergency funding, raising concerns about three years of cuts leaving Welsh universities worse off than counterparts in the UK. He said: “This crisis is real, the university funding crisis is very, very real and it’s immediate – so what are you going to do about it?” Ms Howells said an analysis of higher education fees and funding across the UK found Wales offers the most generous student maintenance support.

In a postgame press conference with the media this week after a home loss to the Atlanta Hawks , Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard set the record straight on his reputation as a negative defender. According to Lillard, he doesn't get his due credit on that end of the floor since he doesn't often get torched like others in his position. “In the last couple years of my career, it’s been something that I’ve taken pride in," said Lillard . "I think early in my career, like most young players, especially scoring young players, it’s a learning curve defensively. Not just physically, but when you don’t know the terminology, you don’t know personnel that well, it’s a challenge to be a good defender in the NBA. And as I’ve become more experienced, I think it’s carried on as more of a narrative than actual truth. Guys not just coming out here breaking me off and putting me out there and scoring on me over and over." At 6'2" and 195 pounds, Lillard doesn't have the frame of a defensive stopper but with attention to detail, experience, and consistent effort Lillard has managed to make great improvements from his early days in the league. “And I also never been a guy that’s going to shy away from it. You seek me out, I'm going to come to it and we are going to do it however we gotta do it," Lillard said. "But like I said, I think it’s more of a narrative than anything else. I get my hands on the ball. I’m physical. I’m in the action. So I think that being a stat, just shows you I’m not just out there. Sometimes it’s on the ball. Sometimes I’m coming over to help. Just trying to make something happen.” Lillard has hovered around the same defensive numbers for years. He started his career with a rating of 112.5 and that number has fluctuated over the years with various lineups. This season, Lillard's defensive rating is 116.2, the lowest it has been since the 2018-19 season. Individually, Lillard certainly tries on defense and he always puts up some resistance against the NBA's best point guards. Unfortunately for Lillard, his teams have always struggled on the defensive end and it seems his efforts are never quite good enough to make a positive influence on that end of the floor. Compared to Jrue Holiday, he's a massive downgrade for the Bucks on the defensive side of the ball. Of course, this season as a whole has been difficult for Lillard and his team. After starting the season 3-8, Milwaukee hit rock bottom early before a recent win streak put them back in play for a top-six seed. For his part, Lillard is trying his best to stop the bleeding with averages of 25.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game on 45.1% shooting. At 11-10, the Bucks have risen to 5th in the East and they rank 12th on defense with a 113.2 defensive rating. Tonight, they will fight to stay above .500 against the Boston Celtics at 7:30 PM EST at TD Garden. On December 8th, Lillard and the Bucks will head to Barclays Center for a showdown against the Brooklyn Nets at 3:30 PM EST. It's their final game before the East Quarterfinal of the NBA Emirates Cup against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 PM EST. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

The provincial government has outlined the details surrounding the upcoming restrictions on long-bladed weapons, set to take effect Dec. 31. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * The provincial government has outlined the details surrounding the upcoming restrictions on long-bladed weapons, set to take effect Dec. 31. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? The provincial government has outlined the details surrounding the upcoming restrictions on long-bladed weapons, set to take effect Dec. 31. The rules prohibit sale of any long-bladed weapons to youth under 18. Legal-age purchasers must provide photo identification. The legislation requires retailers to lock away the items from shoppers and keep the information pertaining to any sale for a minimum of two years. Blades subject to the new law can be made of multiple materials, including ceramics, carbon fibre, nylon and fibreglass-reinforced plastic. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) It also lists tools that are exempt from the rules, including hedge trimmers, saws and pruning shears, and entirely exempts retailers where “a majority of products sold are a range of kitchenware products.” The province moved quickly on the legislation and focused the guidelines around the sale and purchase of machetes, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Friday. “We also know that there are some retailers that are selling these weapons irresponsibly, I would suggest, and so machetes were our first focus, and it was why we moved quickly, specifically targeting those those weapons,” he said. “But going forward, knife crime and other bladed weapons — we’re certainly going to be looking at other options to limit the violence... perpetrated by those weapons, as well.” The rules will be enforced by the province’s public safety investigation unit that also oversees the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which investigates safety complaints from the public. “We expect that there’ll be probably some public input as to which retailers should be investigated, and we’re going to take action,” Wiebe said. Inner-city activist Sel Burrows said he and other community organizers will work with local businesses and hold them to account. “I and other activists look forward to working with stores to ensure they understand the rules and regulations and working as a community to report any bad actors as we fight to end machete violence,” he said in a news release from the province. Manitoba Justice has written to major online retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Canadian Tire and Cabela’s, asking they comply with the legislation. Wiebe said the province has yet to hear back from any, but was “looking at all options to ensure that there’s compliance.” “Our expectation is that they do have the technology to be able to do age verification and other, of course, record-keeping, which we expect them to do,” he said. “We would hope that if they’re selling products into Manitoba that they’re doing everything that they can to play a part in keeping our streets safe.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The scope of the legislation came after “consultation with law enforcement, retailers and Indigenous leadership.” Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said he hoped the changes would “go a long way in addressing the violence that comes with the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol.” “While this is a positive step, we must not lose sight that there is still much work to be done. We look forward to continuing the work to collectively create positive change to support public safety in our First Nations,” he said in Friday’s press release. malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Malak Abas is a city reporter at the . Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, she led the campus paper at the University of Manitoba before joining the in 2020. . Every piece of reporting Malak produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Malak Abas is a city reporter at the . Born and raised in Winnipeg’s North End, she led the campus paper at the University of Manitoba before joining the in 2020. . Every piece of reporting Malak produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement

Tuition fee rise ‘passes cost of NI hike to students’

Elon Musk calls Trudeau 'insufferable tool' in new social media post

“ Gladiator II ” picks up 16 years after the first film ends. When director Ridley Scott was conceiving the original, the approach was, “Build the sets, fight real tigers, shoot real arrows,” says cinematographer John Mathieson . This time around, things had moved forward and the Colosseum was at its height. But also there had been huge improvements in technology, and processes were now faster, easier and 3D printing technology had since evolved. Scott went bigger on his second “Gladiator” outing with rhino showdowns, baboon fights and shark attacks during a mock naval battle. Mathieson says that Scott really embraces CGI: “He loves it. He feels much more comfortable. He’s good at it. He composed these amazing scenes with his supervisors. Look at ‘Napoleon.’ That was a big difference for us.” The shark battle might be one of the most entertaining sequences in the film. After Lucius’ ( Paul Mescal ) town comes under attack by Roman soldiers, he is captured as a prisoner. Eventually, he’s sold as a gladiator and becomes a leader. He battles with both the baboons and rhinos and conquers them both. “He’s getting a bit too powerful,” Mathieson explains. The emperors want to kill him off, so they devise a naval battle in the Colosseum. The scene itself is colorful, with the boats all different colors and the senators in their togas watching from the royal box. Mathieson says, “It’s like a Vegas boxing match in the 1970s when the men are like peacocks and the girls were not quite as well-dressed as the men. It’s totally over the top.” The sequence takes off as Lucius helms one of the boats and rams it onto another. It turns into a battle with gladiators and the Emperors’ guards falling into shark-infested water. To set it up, Mathieson explains the sequence was actually shot twice. “We shot it dry on SPMTs (self-propelled modular transporters) which are multi-wheeled, multi-steering bases. It’s like putting a thing on a massive skateboard with lots of wheels on it and the guy walks along next to it and he’s got a joystick and he drives it.” Explaining the process, Mathieson says when the dry sequence was shot, stuntmen had padding for the actors to fall onto. Once that was done, the production shot the sequence in Malta in a water tank. “It’s probably the largest tank in Europe, 300×400 feet, and it can be up to two meters deep,” Mathieson says. The water was an emerald, green-blue color that created sinister shadows lurking underneath. “The dry part where most of the shooting was fairly quick. And story-wise, there were only a few shots in the water, but they took maybe twice as long, just to give you some idea how difficult water is to work in,” Mathieson says. As for his camera set-up, Mathieson’s approach was to “stay back with the camera.” Since there was so much action going on he didn’t want to be tight. Rather, he wanted his framing to “feel like you’re in the action.” Mathieson also knew Scott’s vision which was to shoot it as much as he could, all at once, and film from every angle. “They get all the extras, you put lots of cameras in and you position them around the arena because the boats are moving. Not all the cameras will be on all the time, but the boats will come to you, and the action will come to you.” The advantage of shooting it all at once was the continuity. Says Mathieson, “The boat’s burning, the walls are being broken and guys are falling off. If you cut to another shot and the guy’s fallen off in the wide shot, and you cut to a close-up pull and he’s still there and he falls off, you can’t use that shot. Since everything’s running at the same time, when he falls off in the wide, he falls off in the close-up as well, so there’s a logic to it.” His camera of choice was the Alexa Mini LF with a zoom lens. “With a zoom lens, you just go zoom. I’m afraid, much as I admire cinematographers who choose the right lens, that’s not what we’re doing here. You’ve got a lot of people who’ve been up since 2:30 in the morning. They don’t want to be seeing you say, ‘Oh, there’s a 35mm or maybe a 40mm,’ No. You’ve got to be ready. You’ve got to be quick. You’ve got to be on it. When that energy happens, or if something happens or breaks in mid-shot, you’ve got to have something to change to.” Another factor in shooting the film almost 25 years later was utilizing how camera cranes had changed. “We didn’t have that. [Now], they’re telescopic, and they can reach 75 feet or more, but we used the short ones, so we’re mobile.” Watch the video above.

How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Thursday's NBA game

House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsOne I'm A Celebrity campmate didn't hold back their thoughts upon leaving the jungle. Social media star GK Barry was evicted from the Australian jungle on Friday night along with Coronation Street's Alan Halsall . They followed former boxer Barry McGuigan and Love Island's Maura Higgins out of the camp after the duo were sent packing during Thursday night's episode in a dramatic twist. GK - real name Grace Keeling - spoke to hosts Ant and Dec following her exit as she joked she was "scared of everything" in the jungle. As she finished in fifth place she screeched "I'm free" as she said she felt "really good" at being out of camp. However, she also made a surprise confession about her time on the show, as she branded it "hell". Host Ant said: "You said you were worried you were not going to bring much to camp life. Quite the opposite I have to say. Was your experience what you expected?" GK replied: "It was worse. So much worse. It was so difficult." She explained: "I thought it would just be tanning, having a good time, a couple trials. The was hell. I wouldn't put my worse enemy through that. "I am starving, I am tired, I have lost any sort of anything that I did have on my body but the people in there were amazing so it made it great." GK also opened up about her surprise connection with Reverend Richard Coles as she admitted: "I love him. I'm a potty mouth, vile person... he's more dirty than me. I was shocked we got on so well." She then said he has to win, joking it's a fix if he doesn't. Earlier in the series, GK opened up about fame to her campmates and admitted she reads comments from social media users. GK confessed to reading the good and the bad about herself posted online. She even revealed the first thing she will do upon leaving the camp will be to look through X to read the public opinion on her. GK's best friend and former Gogglebox star Joe Baggs insisted he won't let that happen. In an exclusive chat with the Mirror , he said: "I hope she doesn't!" Joe added: "It is a hard one because I have seen so much support. It is tough going on a show like that because you are just open for the public to say what they want to say. I will tell her when she comes out not to do that [look at the comments]. I will tell her, due diligence on yourself and don't do it." He continued: "She has had so much support. Me and her always talk about how he read the comments of our podcast and if it is a bad comment it does hit you. Overall, I think by the time she comes out, the support overwhelms any form of negative. I think she'd be alright. " Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .Aussie's whinge about new rules for Victorian landlords spectacularly backfires: 'Wow'

Firan Technology Group Corporation Completes Acquisition of FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd.As Bitcoin hovers around $100,000, the entire crypto market is rejoicing with greens, which has sent the total crypto market cap past $3.5 trillion. While BTC, much like always, continues to lead bull cycles, memecoins have emerged as the leading narrative, surpassing utility coins. This time, there are no whitepapers or litepapers to take a deep dive into the project's value and understand the fundamentals. Crypto's run-up these past two years has been dominated by memecoin. A primary reason for this traction has been regular crypto users being fed up with backroom dealings where projects raise money from venture capitalists (VCs) by selling their coins at a really low price. These VCs then dump their coins on the retail after the project goes live, and the token gets an exchange listing. But with memecoins, there's no such shenanigans involved. With platforms like Pump.fun making it extremely easy for anyone to launch memecoins, everyone has to buy tokens in the open market and race to dump on each other. There are no rules either; memecoins are simply an attempt to be lighthearted and attract a user base by promising a fun community while offering a really low entry point. They have no utility beyond this and tend to be highly volatile, even more so than the typical crypto. Memecoins are simply cryptocurrencies representing animals, artwork, characters, or individuals. As a matter of fact, absolutely anything can be used for a memecoin. Actually, the coins that have been utility coins throughout your crypto journey have been switching into memecoins, too. This is exactly what digital silver and Bitcoin's digital gold, Litecoin (LTC), have done. On Nov. 14, this over-a-decade-old coin got renewed interest when the person behind Litecoin's X (previously Twitter) account put this on social media: The post came amidst the memecoin market cap reaching a new high, signaling a slow return of retail interest into the market. This was on the back of the listings of two popular memecoins, Pepe and Dogwifhat (WIF), and on major U.S. exchange Coinbase. Pepe, the frog coin that started the memecoin mania last year, was also listed on Robinhood, a leading brokerage platform popular among retail in the US. So, with its humorous attempt to get the same attention that memecoins have been getting, Litecoin also jumped in on the trend. As can be seen from the response the post generated, Litecoin suddenly got a lot of attention, which helped its price gain traction. The price of LTC surged more than 42% since that post as it moved past $106, a level last seen in early April this year. Crypto exchange Gate.io even listed it under the memecoin section. At the time of writing, the 26th largest cryptocurrency, with a market cap of $7.34 billion, has been trading at $97.57 while managing $1.174 billion in 24-hour volume. Still, LTC price is only up a mere 35.21% this year compared to other older coins like Bitcoin, which is up 133.35%, XRP's 144.5% gains, ADA's 79%, Tron's 96.69%, and XLM's 317% upside during the same period. But then, there's Ethereum, whose 52.66% year-to-date (YTD) performance has also been a disappointing one despite the second-largest cryptocurrency getting a Spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) approved. While ETH is only 29% off of its peak, LTC is a whopping 76.3% away from its all-time high (ATH) of $410.26 hit in May 2021. The same trend can be seen in Litecoin's open interest (OI), which surged to $472 million on Nov. 24, though nowhere near its last bull cycle peak of a billion dollars, as per Coinglass . A Memecoin or a Utility Coin: Understanding Litecoin Litecoin (LTC) was launched in 2011, only a few years after Bitcoin, by Charlie Lee, an MIT graduate and former Google engineer. It utilized Bitcoin's source code but made changes to make it faster and cheaper. Referred to as “the silver to Bitcoin's gold,” the idea with Litecoin wasn't to create a replacement for Bitcoin but to provide yet another blockchain to the developing crypto ecosystem, which is decentralized but has faster block generation. So, as a digital gold, Bitcoin acts as a store of value, while Litecoin, as a digital silver, is to be used to facilitate transactions. Much like Bitcoin, Litecoin also experiences halving every four years. So far, it has had three, with the last one occurring in August 2023, which reduced the block reward from 12.5 LTC to 6.25 BTC. The next halving is expected to occur in mid-2027, which will bring its rewards further down to 3.125 LTC, which is Bitcoins' current block reward following its most recent halving in April of this year. But while Litecoin also has a proof-of-work (PoW) blockchain , it uses the Scrypt algorithm to Bitcoin's SHA-256, making it less energy-intensive than the world's largest cryptocurrency. Despite having many benefits compared to Bitcoin, which has been garnering the attention from institutions and even nations as it gears up to be a reserve asset, Litecoin has been pretty much lost to irrelevance as the crypto sector continues to grow with more innovative projects and new narratives. This was until Litecoin changed its tactics and jumped on the new trend. As the project stated in an X post , it was a lighthearted jab at the market's state and a self-deprecating acknowledgment that despite being the “oldest and most reliable cryptocurrencies in the world,” their accomplishments have been largely unnoticed all these years. So, while the LTC price has been rather limited, the Litecoin blockchain has been working just fine. In fact, the Litecoin network has achieved the milestone of processing 84 million transactions so far this year. “$LTC is more active than ever!” – posted Litecoin Foundation on X while sharing this achievement Yet another development has been its hashrate, which has been experiencing a constant increase throughout this year. Currently, sitting around 1.4112 PH/s, the hash rate is near its ATH of 1.49 PH/s hit on Nov. 18, as per Bitinfocharts . The growing hashrate shows that more and more computational power is being contributed to the network in order to get a chance to successfully mine a block and earn rewards . Then there are the short-term LTC holders, which are on the increase too. The number of such holders spiked over 30% in the past month as the token gained market attention, and traders and investors jumped to take advantage of the opportunity. In an interview with CCN, David Schwartz, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Litecoin Foundation, talked about Litecoin's speed, affordability, and utility as its unique selling point that makes it a practical tool for everyday transactions. Developers have also been working on offering Litecoin users optional privacy through MimbleWimble Extension Blocks (MWEB). This privacy feature enables confidential transactions without compromising the blockchain's integrity, which, according to Schwartz, makes it appealing to those individuals and businesses that value financial privacy. The average daily transaction activity for MWEB has tripled since July. But if this feature is incorporated by larger wallets, Schwartz sees it making “a significant difference in adoption. “ Besides adopting the memecoin trend, Litecoin has been keeping up with the market by integrating with DeFi. For this, the project introduced Wrapped Litecoin (wLTC), which enables the usage of LTC in the booming DeFi ecosystem. And now, Litecoin is seeing the potential to get its very own ETF, much like Bitcoin and Ether, which can supercharge its network metrics and market demand. The Most Bullish Upcoming Event: Will it Materialize? Spot ETFs have been the primary driver of Bitcoin's run-up this cycle. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) giving Bitcoin Spot ETFs a green light sent BTC's price up by 525% since Nov. 2021 low under $16K. Since getting the approval, all the Bitcoin ETFs have recorded a total of $30.84 billion in inflows, achieving $107.5 billion in net assets, according to SoSo Value . BlackRock's IBIT leads this Bitcoin ETF race with $31.33 bln in net inflows, followed by Fidelity's FBTC, which captured $11.54 bln. Then, in late July, Ethereum ETF got approved, which has so far only managed to gain $106.80 million in cumulative inflows. This is because Grayscale's ETHE still leads in net assets at $4.95 bln. With these approvals, the market is now trying to have institutions gain exposure to other crypto assets. In October, Canary Capital Group filed for a Litecoin ETF in addition to submitting documents for an XRP fund. However, the firm has yet to disclose the ticker or management fee for the funds. The filing was just an S-1 document, which is the first step to getting a new security issued and listed on a public stock exchange. It needs to be followed by the 19b-4 filing for the S-1 filing to have any meaning. And once that happens, the SEC has to make a decision, under a strict timeline, to approve or deny the application. Despite the move being primarily, LTC price spiked 5% on the news of the filing. Given that Litecoin had no token sale or pre-mining, its fair launch makes it a viable candidate for an ETF. The Spot Litecoin ETF, according to Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, “should theoretically have the same pathway” as Bitcoin ETF. Already, there are several investment vehicles that give institutions a way to buy LTC. This includes CoinShares' LITE and ETC Group's ELTC, but both are in Europe. In the US, Grayscale remains the dominant force, which has several closed-end funds offering investment in various crypto assets such as Aave, Avalanche, Bitcoin Cash, Bittensor, Ethereum Classic, Filecoin, Horizon, Near, Solana, Stellar, XRP, Zcash, Stacks, and more. Grayscale Litecoin Trust ( LTCN ) meanwhile has $180.74 in assets under management (AUM). The asset manager charges a hefty management fee of 2.50% on this fund, but it still accounts for the majority of the funds invested in Litecoin-related ETPs globally. LTCN was launched in 2018 and began trading on the OTC market over two years later. While Grayscale has converted its both Bitcoin (GBTC) and Ethereum (ETHE) funds into an ETF, it hasn't filed for an ETF for LTCN. However, last month, Grayscale filed to have its multi-token fund converted into an ETF. The Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC:OTCQX) covers BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and AVAX. Despite all this, Litecoin creator Charlie Lee believes that Spot Litecoin ETF will get a green light from the regulator. “I'm excited to see the Litecoin ETF filing by Canary Capital. We are definitely seeing a lot of institutional demand for Litecoin. This is clear from the daily growth of the Grayscale Litecoin Trust, which has a price that is over twice the NAV. Given that Litecoin is a commodity that is very similar to Bitcoin, I hope to see the Litecoin ETF approved very soon.” – The Litecoin founder told Fox Business A Litecoin ETF is expected to see LTC as a seriously investable option for traditional market players, who can use LTC as a way to diversify their crypto portfolio without needing to buy the asset itself. The digital assets-linked ETF applications, as per Lee, can help more people adopt crypto. Much like Lee, Litecoin Foundation's Schwartz also believes it to be a matter of when and not if Litecoin will get an ETF due to LTC's value as a transactional currency. The approval, according to him, “could catalyze a broader recognition of Litecoin's utility.” Click here to learn if Litecoin can stand alongside Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Here's How to Buy Litecoin (LTC) in Four Easy Steps Now, if all these factors that paint a bullish picture for Litecoin make you want to have an LTC bag, then here's how you can get that. The entire process of buying LTC is a simple one that'll take as little as ten minutes. To get started, first get your phone or computer. It's up to you which device you are most comfortable with. Next, choose a cryptocurrency exchange. There are a lot of options out there, each offering a different feature and tool. While you'll find that a vast majority of exchanges have listed LTC, we'd recommend using Kraken, Coinbase, Binance, KuCoin, Uphold, or Gate.io. Once you have chosen the trading platform that you want to use, create an account by verifying your email address. You'll also be required to verify your identity (KYC) by providing documents to prove your identity, address, and other details. In the next step, make a deposit. To fund your account with fiat currency, you can make use of a debit card, credit card, and bank transfer. You can also deposit BTC and USDT, which are popularly available as trading pairs against LTC. Then, simply use your funds to buy BTC by finding the coin on the platform, choosing your investment size based on how much you want to buy, and then clicking ‘buy. ‘ You'll find the purchased LTC in your exchange wallet. Once you are ready to sell, depending on your financial goal, you can sell your LTC on the same platform using the ‘sell ‘ button. Click here to learn all about buying Litecoin (LTC). The Road Ahead for Litecoin As we saw, Litecoin has a lot of things working out for it. For starters, Litecoin has been in the market for over thirteen years now, which makes it one of the oldest coins. This longevity factor is further supported by the growing miner activity, transaction volume, and user addresses. Built to be complementary to Bitcoin, Litecoin's accessibility and reliability can help it get the market's attention and gain adoption. So, as BTC hits six figures and retail feels priced out, they may even turn to LTC as a cheaper option. Notably, Litecoin has a fixed supply of 84 million. So, a continued increase in its demand can help its prices elevate substantially. The potential of an ETF presents yet another big tailwind for Litecoin. Depending on the institutional interest and capital flow it sees, LTC price can see an upside. Then there's the mainstream attention that old coins like XRP, ADA, and XLM are getting, which forecasts good things for Litecoin, too. Add the memecoin trend LTC has onboarded and the mind share it has been getting, thanks to the voice behind its X account, and LTC can enjoy good momentum. Retail interest in meme coins also has a long way to go. “A strong indicator of retail interest, “ memecoin activity is still low compared to that seen during the previous peaks of most memecoins, noted IntoTheBlock, adding that this divergence from the total memecoin market cap hitting new highs “suggests retail enthusiasm hasn't fully re-entered the crypto space yet.” The broad crypto market has certainly started the party, though, with BTC ready to blast through $100K, driven by both strong spot demand and institutional inflows. With President-elect Donald Trump's win, the most crypto-friendly administration ever, prices are expected to climb much higher. So, against this backdrop, Litecoin can potentially rise to new heights, which, unlike the last cycle , can actually be much higher than the 2017 peak if the coin is able to capture the memecoin and ETF trend well in this bull market! Click here to learn all about investing in Litecoin.what are the 5 ps of service 。

Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to Vikings

Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to Vikings

UPDATE - Robinson Helicopter’s Symmetrical Horizontal Stabilizer Now Approved for Select Models ...

KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

This week, the Federal Reserve made its third consecutive interest rate cut of 2024, lowering the federal funds rate by 25 basis points and leaving the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%. This decision builds on the prior Fed rate cuts conducted earlier in the year, one of which was a 50-basis-point reduction in September and the other a 25-basis-point cut in November. Collectively, these moves have reduced the benchmark rate by a full percentage point, underscoring the Fed's responsive approach to evolving economic conditions. By lowering its benchmark rate, the Fed hopes to stimulate spending while maintaining vigilance over inflationary pressures, which have cooled overall but have been ticking back up over the last few months . But while the Fed's rate decision could provide some relief to borrowers by helping to lower consumer interest rates, making it more affordable to buy a home , take out a personal loan or borrow money in other capacities, the lending landscape isn't the only area that may be impacted by this move. These types of Fed rate shifts can also create a complex environment for investors, particularly those focused on traditional safe-haven assets like gold . So what exactly does the Fed's rate cut this week mean for gold investing? That's what we'll examine below. Find out how to add gold to your investment portfolio today . What the Fed's new rate cut means for gold investing The relationship between interest rates and gold prices has historically been inverse, with lower rates typically supporting higher gold valuations . That's because the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold decreases when rates decline, theoretically making the precious metal more attractive with the uptick in demand helping to drive up prices. That said, it's important to understand that while interest rate decisions influence gold prices , the precious metals market operates within a complex web of interconnected factors that extend far beyond monetary policy. Understanding this broader context is crucial for investors considering gold positions in their portfolios. Aside from the Fed's decisions, one of the key factors that influence the gold markets is central bank gold purchases , particularly from emerging economies seeking to diversify their reserves. These purchases reached historic levels recently and continue to provide substantial support for gold prices. Global trade tensions, supply chain disruptions and evolving industrial demand — especially from the technology and renewable energy sectors — also create additional layers of complexity in the gold market. The strength of the U.S. dollar also plays a crucial role in gold pricing. However, factors such as relative economic growth rates, trade balances and international capital flows can override this effect. For example, the dollar might strengthen if other major economies face more significant challenges or if investors seek safe-haven currencies during periods of market stress — even in a rate-cutting environment. Inflation expectations also exert a powerful influence over the gold market. While moderate inflation typically supports gold as a store of value, runaway inflation can shift investment patterns, potentially reducing demand if other assets offer higher returns. Shifts in consumer demand, particularly from major gold-buying nations, can further affect prices, and seasonal trends, such as increased gold purchasing during festivals or weddings in these countries, may contribute to price fluctuations as well. Learn more about the benefits of gold investing now . Is this the right time to invest in gold? Deciding whether to invest in gold depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance and market conditions. However, the Fed's recent rate cut presents a compelling case for adding gold to your investment portfolio right now, especially if you're seeking a hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations. However, you should also consider the potential risks of investing in gold . As noted above, gold prices are influenced by a range factors, and a sudden shift in these variables could dampen gold's short-term prospects. For example, if inflation rises faster than expected, the Fed may reconsider its dovish stance, which could strengthen the dollar and pressure gold prices. Another consideration is your portfolio diversification . While gold is an excellent hedge, it should not dominate an investment portfolio — and experts say it should be limited to a maximum of 10% of your portfolio value . Balancing gold with other assets like equities and bonds ensures that you have a well-rounded strategy in place that mitigates risk and maximizes returns. The bottom line The Fed's recent rate cuts have created a potentially favorable environment for gold investment, but success in this arena will likely depend on careful timing and proper portfolio integration. While lower interest rates traditionally support gold prices, you should avoid making investment decisions based solely on monetary policy changes. A prudent approach is to consider gold as part of a broader investment strategy, taking into account factors such as portfolio diversification, risk tolerance and investment timeline. If you decide that investing in gold is right for you, your asset options range from physical bullion to gold ETFs and mining stocks . Each approach to gold investing offers different advantages and considerations in terms of liquidity , storage and market exposure, though, so it's important to conduct thorough research to determine the most appropriate method of gold investment for your unique circumstances. Angelica Leicht is senior editor for Managing Your Money, where she writes and edits articles on a range of personal finance topics. Angelica previously held editing roles at The Simple Dollar, Interest, HousingWire and other financial publications.

Senate Bill No. 2879: Fanning another firestormNoneAmerica’s News Influencers

Is the NORAD Santa tracker safe from a government shutdown?

Appalachian State hires South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains as head coachUNITED NATIONS — Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $200 million in humanitarian aid for conflict-torn Sudan during what was likely his final trip to the United Nations while in office. With the U.N. Security Council more divided than ever, Blinken led two meetings of the U.N.’s most powerful body on Thursday, capping his engagements with the world body after a tumultuous four years that saw war return to Europe and multiple crises in the Middle East. But neither focused on Russia’s war with Ukraine or the Mideast, where the U.S. has been frequently at odds with permanent members China and Russia and almost always in the minority when it comes to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Instead, in an apparent bid to produce a modicum of consensus, Blinken led Security Council sessions on artificial intelligence and Sudan , where conflict has sparked a dire humanitarian crisis that aid agencies say has not received enough attention. The money announced by Blinken will go toward food, shelter and health care for the people of Sudan. He also said the State Department will work with Congress to provide an additional $30 million to elevate civilian voices to help with the transition back to democratic governance. Why did Blinken preside over Security Council meetings? Blinken has been appearing in person and virtually before the Security Council since March 2021, just after assuming his position as the Biden administration’s top diplomat. In addition to several one-off council meetings, including one in February 2022 shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine, Blinken has gone to New York for a week every September for the annual General Assembly gathering of world leaders. The presidency of the Security Council rotates alphabetically every month among its 15 members. This month, it’s the U.S. turn. The country holding the presidency almost always organizes several signature events on topics its government chooses. Presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers often preside at these meetings, which ministers from other council nations are invited to attend. Russia and China have blocked all council action condemning the invasion of Ukraine. This has led U.S. officials to believe that a session on the topic, especially as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office with a stated goal of ending the war immediately, would likely be a waste of time. On the Middle East, the U.S. has frequently vetoed council action condemning Israel for its tactics against Hamas in Gaza, leaving it virtually alone at the United Nations in supporting Israel. War broke out in Sudan last year between rival generals heading the military and paramilitary forces. The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, forced millions from their homes and pushed a large swath of Sudan’s population to starvation — creating an often forgotten global crisis the U.S. is seeking to spotlight. The roughly $230 million in assistance announced Thursday brings total U.S. support to over $2.3 billion since the fighting erupted. Blinken said the fighting unleashed the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, and every day “brings new atrocities, attacks on hospitals, on markets, displaced persons, camps, summary executions, women and girls subjected to unspeakable sexual violence.” “We continue to see war crimes and crimes against humanity committed across vast parts of Sudan,” he said. The U.S. leads the world in developing AI technology, according to a recently released Stanford University index, and it has been in the forefront of U.N. action on AI. In March, the first U.N. resolution on artificial intelligence was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly. Sponsored by the U.S., it gives global support to an international effort to ensure the powerful technology benefits all nations, respects human rights and is “safe, secure and trustworthy.” Blinken said AI has the potential to do “tremendous good” but can also pose “tremendous threats to the international peace and security that this council is charged with upholding.” He noted that “repressive regimes are using AI-enabled surveillance to target journalists and political dissidents” and that “if algorithms are built into weapon systems, and if they malfunction, they could spark a conflict.” “By setting rules of the road for AI we can minimize these risks, we can harness the exceptional promise of this technology,” he said. Blinken has represented the U.S. at the Security Council about half a dozen times at meetings ranging from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the war in Gaza. Russia, like the U.S. and China, is a permanent veto-holding member of the 15-nation council, and both have seats at its horseshoe-shaped table. But apart from pointed disagreements during debates, there have been no confrontations or one-on-one meetings between Blinken and Russian diplomats at previous U.N. meetings — and there was none on Thursday. Blinken thanked Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia after his remarks — as is custom — even though Nebenzia accused the U.S. of imposing rules on others but not abiding by them. But the Russian envoy agreed that “we cannot allow AI to dominate human beings and human values.” It is not unusual for Blinken or other senior U.S. officials to attend international meetings and conferences where Russian officials are present, but interactions are rare. Lee reported from Washington.None

December 19, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread by Tom Dinki, University at Buffalo There's a good chance you owe your existence to the Haber-Bosch process. This industrial chemical reaction between hydrogen and nitrogen produces ammonia , the key ingredient in synthetic fertilizers that supply much of the world's food supply and enabled the population explosion of the last century. It may also threaten the existence of future generations. The process consumes about 2% of the world's total energy supply, and the hydrogen required for the reaction mostly comes from fossil fuels. Taking inspiration from how nature—including lightning—produces ammonia, a team led by the University at Buffalo has developed a reactor that produces the chemical commodity from nitrogen in the air and water, without any carbon footprint . This plasma-electrochemical reactor, described in a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , can sustain a high ammonia production rate of approximately 1 gram per day for over 1,000 hours at room temperature, and does so directly from air. The researchers say this is a significant advance toward green ammonia synthesis at an industrially competitive production rate and reaction stability. "Ammonia is often considered the chemical that feeds the world, but we also have to face the realization that the Haber-Bosch process has not been modernized since its invention 100 years ago. It still uses high-temperature, high-pressure processing, and generates a large carbon footprint, making it unsustainable for the long term," says the study's corresponding author, Chris Li, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry in the UB College of Arts and Sciences. "Our process only requires air and water, and can be powered by renewable electricity." Mimicking nature's nitrogen cycle Nature has its own way of producing fertilizer. In nitrogen fixation , the electrical energy of a lightning strike breaks up nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere to form different nitrogen oxide species. After falling down as rainwater, nitrogen oxides are converted into ammonia by bacteria in the soil, supplying plants with nutrients. In the UB-led team's two-step reactor, the role of lightning is replaced with plasma and the role of bacteria replaced by a catalyst of copper-palladium. "Our plasma reactor converts humidified air into nitrogen oxide fragments, which are then placed in an electrochemical reactor that uses the copper-palladium catalyst to convert them into ammonia," Li says. Crucially, the catalyst is able to adsorb and stabilize the numerous nitrogen dioxide intermediates created by the plasma reactor. The team's graph theory algorithm identified that most nitrogen oxide compounds have to cycle through nitric oxide or amine as an intermediate step before becoming ammonia. This allowed the team to intelligently design a catalyst that binds favorably with those two compounds. "When plasma energy or a lightning strike activates nitrogen, you generate a soup of nitrogen oxide compounds. To simultaneously convert, in our case, up to eight different chemical compounds into ammonia is incredibly difficult," says Xiaoli Ge, the study's first author and a postdoctoral researcher in Li's lab. "Graph theory essentially allows us to map out all the different reaction paths and then identify a bottleneck chemical. We then optimize our electrochemical reactor to stabilize the bottleneck chemical, so that all the different intermediates will be selectively transferred into ammonia." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . Scaling up Li's team is currently in the process of scaling up their reactor and are exploring both a startup and partnerships with industry to help commercialize it. UB's Technology Transfer Office has filed a patent application on the reactor and methods for its use. Over half the world's ammonia is produced by four countries—China, the United States, Russia and India—while many developing countries are unable to produce their own. While the Haber-Bosch process must be conducted on a large scale in a centralized power plant, Li says their system can be done at a much smaller scale. "You can imagine our reactors in something like a medium-sized shipping container with solar panels on the roof. This can then be placed anywhere in the world and generate ammonia on demand for that region," he says. "That's a very exciting advantage of our system, and it will allow us to produce ammonia for underdeveloped regions with limited access to the Haber-Bosch process." More information: Xiaoli Ge et al, Controlling the Reaction Pathways of Mixed NOxHy Reactants in Plasma-Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c12858 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society Provided by University at BuffaloNuclear Power Market Share Expected to Reach $44.71 billion by 2029

Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to VikingsSenator demands answers from Gov. Phil Murphy about drone sightings in New JerseyMan Pleads Guilty in Case of Secret Chinese Police Station in NYC

Traders expect Bitcoin bull run in 2025FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. The thing is, the Cowboys (4-7) could be favored in two of those games, and already are by four points as an annual Thanksgiving Day host against the New York Giants (2-9) on Thursday, according to BetMGM. Not to mention the losing record at the moment for each of the next four opponents for the defending NFC East champions, playoff qualifiers each of the past three seasons. The Cowboys have a chance to make something of the improbable and chaotic 34-26 win at Washington that ended a five-game losing streak. “Behind the eight ball,” Micah Parsons said, the star pass rusher acknowledging the reality that Dallas hadn't done much yet. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we got a long way to go.” It was a start, though, powered in part by the best 55 minutes from the Dallas defense since the opener, when the Cowboys dismantled Cleveland and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. The last five minutes for the Dallas defense against the Commanders looked a lot like most of the nine games after that 33-17 victory over the Browns. Which is to say not very good. Jayden Daniels easily drove Washington 69 yards to a touchdown before throwing an 86-yard scoring pass in the final seconds to Terry McLaurin, who weaved through five defenders when a tackle might have ended the game. The Cowboys kept a 27-26 lead thanks to Austin Seibert's second missed extra point, and withstood another blunder when Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick recovery for a TD rather than slide and leave one kneel-down from Rush to end the game. Dallas will have to remember it did hold a dynamic rookie quarterback's offense to 251 yards before the madness of the ending in the Cowboys' biggest upset victory since 2010 at the New York Giants. That one was too late to save the season. This one might not be. “We needed it,” embattled coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been frustrating, no doubt. We’ve acknowledged that. We’ve got another one right around the corner here, so we have to get some wins and get some momentum.” Rush ended a personal three-game losing streak with his best showing since the previous time he won as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. The 117.6 passer rating was Rush's best as a starter, and the NFL's second-worst rushing attack played a solid complementary role with Rico Dowdle gaining 86 yards on 19 carries. KaVontae Turpin's electrifying 99-yard kickoff return did more than lift the Cowboys when it appeared an 11-point lead might get away in the final five minutes. It eased the worst day of special teams for Dallas since John Fassel took over that phase four years ago. Suddenly struggling kicker Brandon Aubrey had one field-goal attempt blocked and missed another. Bryan Anger had a punt blocked. For the second time in five games, Aubrey's attempt to bounce a kickoff in front of the return man backfired. The ball bounced outside the landing zone, putting the Commanders at the 40-yard line to start the second half and setting up the drive to the game's first touchdown. CB Josh Butler, whose NFL debut earlier this season came five years after the end of his college career, had 12 tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. The pass breakups were the most by an undrafted Dallas player since 1994. Rookie LT Tyler Guyton, who has had an up-and-down season with injuries and performance issues, was benched immediately after getting called for a false start in the fourth quarter. His replacement, Asim Richards, could be sidelined with a high ankle sprain that executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones revealed on his radio show Monday. Veteran Chuma Edoga, who was the projected starter at Guyton's position before a preseason toe injury, was active but didn't play against the Commanders. He's awaiting his season debut. The status of perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) will be a question on the short week after both sat against Washington. Stephen Jones indicated Smith could be available and said the same of WR Brandin Cooks, who hasn't played since Week 4 because of a knee issue. TE Jake Ferguson may miss at least a second week with a concussion. The short week might make it tough for CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) to return. 75% — Rush's completion rate, his best with at least 10 passes. He was 24 of 32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His other game with multiple TDs and no picks was a 25-10 victory over Washington two years ago, when he went 4-1 with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb. There's some extra rest after the short week, with Cincinnati making a “Monday Night Football” visit on Dec. 9. The next road game is at Carolina on Dec. 15. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl