MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé admitted he is going through a difficult moment as he missed another penalty kick and Real Madrid lost ground to Barcelona in the Spanish league after a 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday. Mbappé had his penalty saved by Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala in the 68th minute, and later Federico Valverde gifted a late goal by losing possession on defense to allow an easy winner by Gorka Guruzeta in the 80th. “Bad result,” Mbappé posted on Instagram. “A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it's the best time to change this situation and show who I am.” Mbappé sent the penalty shot to his right and Agirrezabala dived that way to make the stop. “We knew that he is a good penalty taker,” Agirrezabala said. “He missed the last one and I believed that he was going to choose the same side and luckily that’s what happened.” Mbappé, who had a goal disallowed for offside in the 13th, had also missed a penalty in Madrid’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League last week. He didn’t take the one for the club in a Spanish league match on Sunday, but he scored in the 2-0 win over Getafe to ease some of the pressure on him and the club. But it was another lackluster outing for the France star, who continues to struggle in his first season since finally joining the Spanish powerhouse. “I won’t evaluate the performance of a player because of a missed penalty. Obviously he is sad and disappointed, but you have to move on,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said about Mbappé. “He is not at his best level, but you have to give him time to adapt. You have to give him time to be able to do better.” Ancelotti also downplayed the bad play by Valverde, saying that mistakes can happen to anyone. Valverde had control of the ball but gave it away while trying to get past a couple of Athletic players instead of passing it to a teammate, leaving Guruzeta with an easy run into the area for his goal. Álex Berenguer had put the hosts ahead in the 53td and Jude Bellingham equalized for Madrid in the 78th. The defeat left Madrid four points behind Barcelona, which on Tuesday ended a three-match winless streak in the league with a 5-1 rout at Mallorca. Madrid, which has a game in hand, had won three consecutive league games since a 4-0 loss at home in the “clasico” against Barcelona. Madrid has lost five of its last 11 matches in all competitions. Athletic moved to fourth place with the victory, its fourth consecutive across all competitions. Both matches on Tuesday and Wednesday were moved forward in the schedule because the clubs will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January. In the Copa del Rey, first-division clubs Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Real Betis all advanced over lower-division teams in the second round, but Villarreal lost 1-0 to fourth-division club Pontevedra and Girona fell on penalties to fourth-tier team Logrones. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
casino royale poker game
。
Once the final presents are unwrapped and the last holiday cookie crumbs vacuumed up, our attention shifts toward the new year and the infinite possibilities it represents. Maybe 2025 will be the year you finally take that dream vacation (seems unlikely) or get that raise you’ve been gunning for at work (not a chance). But before our eyes widen with ambition at the prospect of the new year’s fresh start, this quiet period before the calendar flips offers a time for deep personal reflection; a taking stock of life’s seasons and how we engage with the world and the people we love. Since that sounds kind of scary, I’ve instead devoted what limited mental bandwidth I have left to reflect on the past year in local music. Some cool stuff happened. We lost some really good people. And there are reasons to believe that the future is looking bright. By virtue (at least in part) of a few pop stars slipping into some Wranglers, 2024 was deemed a banner year for country music and Washington wasn’t left out in the rain, starting this spring when the Seattle area went from having just one country radio station to three literally overnight . When most people think of music from America’s upper left, country is not atop their minds. Yet, several country wave-makers emerged out of Washington this year, including Sunnyside’s Zach Top and the Kalama kid Tucker Wetmore . Now based in Nashville, the two breakout stars hail from different ends of the country spectrum. A reformed bluegrasser, Top’s '90s flavor strikes a throwback chord (which there’s clearly an appetite for), while Wetmore’s more of a pop-smart shape-shifter working with a contemporary palette. While each made their mark nationally, back in the 360, Snohomish rapper-turned-country-singer Antwane Tyler scored a legitimate regional hit — a woefully rare feat these days outside of KEXP’s rotation — with “Homesick,” an infectious modern country bop with electronic drums. At the start of 2024, who’d have predicted that the Washington song of the year would be a newfangled country ditty? Seattle clubs may not have experienced a country takeover to the degree that the Billboard charts did in 2024. But it was arguably the year of the underplay, with a number of big-time music stars taking the stage in comparably small Seattle venues given their stature. There was LCD Soundsystem’s four-night run at the Paramount Theatre, where an intimately folky Shawn Mendes held court on an acoustic tour of areas where he recorded his latest album. (The Canadian pop star cut some of the new stuff at Bear Creek in Woodinville.) In October, some zealous music writer , high off the smoke emanating from Jack White’s guitar, proclaimed the White Stripes co-founder’s incendiary Showbox date the show of the year, only for the Soundgarden guys to reunite on that hallowed stage for a charity gig two months later. Joined by vocal dynamo Shaina Shepherd — who delivered the performance of her career — and (for a couple songs) Duff McKagan, the Seattle rock heroes threw down in old-school, ultraheavy fashion to help support local families dealing with unfathomable medical expenses for their kids. While we’re on the hometown tip, let’s not forget when Robin Pecknold packed the pews at “dream venue” Town Hall, playing the coziest solo set with a bunch of Fleet Foxes rarities and charmed folk covers. Of course, the granddaddy of Seattle homecomings came when Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter Tour touched down in the band’s backyard this May. Armed with a sterling new album that netted the band its first Grammy nominations in 14 years , Eddie and the boys made their long-awaited Climate Pledge Arena debut , outfitted with some new-look visuals by Washington artist Rob Sheridan. During the two inspiring shows, the palatial arena had literally never sounded better. It’s always an event when the PJ machine is reactivated and “Dark Matter” — its in-the-moment recording sessions shepherded by young, hotshot producer Andrew Watt — is one of the best-received albums of the band’s later years. In many respects, running a music venue focused on presenting local artists has arguably never been more financially challenging. Between post-pandemic habits, reduced alcohol consumption and the rising costs of everything, the economic formula could use some adjustment. All that considered, it’s a welcome sign that Seattle saw more venue openings than closings this year. We’ll pour one out for all-ages favorite Cafe Racer, which packed up its Capitol Hill space for good in June, while having an NYE toast to Pioneer Square newcomers Baba Yaga and nonprofit jazz spot Seattle Jazz Fellowship . Meanwhile, Hillman City’s highly anticipated Black & Tan Hall — a cooperatively owned community performance space and restaurant — has steadily ramped up activity throughout the year, recently adding regular bar and restaurant hours. Across town, employees of singer-songwriter haven Conor Byrne staved off a closing threat , reopening the cozy pub as a co-op. The resiliency and push for alternative models offers proof that Seattle’s artistic spirit won’t be stamped out by the unforgiving forces of capitalism. Amid a remarkably crowded field of newcomer pop stars, Washington’s Benson Boone made one of the biggest songs of the year with “Beautiful Things,” a rafter-reaching pop rocker that was truly inescapable. With equally impressive vocal range and abdominal strength, the former Monroe High School diving team standout has made quite the splash since dropping out of “American Idol” to chase a music career outside of reality TV, eventually signing with Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds’ imprint. It has clearly paid off for the 22-year-old singer-songwriter, who’s up for best new artist at next year’s Grammys, making Boone the first local nominated for the prestigious award since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in 2014. Still, the fact that it was Boone’s only nomination was kind of a snub for one of pop’s biggest breakouts this year. Nary a year passes without us losing essential figures who have made great contributions to the community. 2024 was no different with the passing of Quincy Jones — a true giant among giants in the entertainment industry — and renowned journalists Charles R. Cross and former Seattle Times critic Patrick MacDonald . While the individual losses are profound, collectively it’s a testament to the depth and richness of the Seattle music heritage, and a reminder that ultimately, it’s about the people who cherish it, drive it and continue its legacy. Though I’d long admired his work, I didn’t know Cross well. We exchanged occasional emails and had an overdue hangout when he accompanied me to one of Eddie Vedder’s Benaroya Hall concerts last year. But since his death, whenever I’ve found myself in the middle of a crowded venue for an event that’s coursing with that Seattle spirit, I can’t help but think to myself, “Charley would have loved this.” I look forward to having more of those moments in 2025.
Duckworth: Capitol transgender bathroom rule is ‘disgusting and wrong’
Market Trading Guide: LTIMindtree, Tata Motors are among 5 stock recommendations for Monday
Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes rose to more records Wednesday after tech companies talked up how much of a boost they’re getting from the artificial-intelligence boom. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to add to what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium. It’s the 56th time the index has hit an all-time high this year after climbing in 11 of the last 12 days . The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 308 points, or 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite added 1.3% to its own record. Salesforce helped pull the market higher after delivering stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell just short. CEO Mark Benioff highlighted the company’s artificial-intelligence offering for customers, saying “the rise of autonomous AI agents is revolutionizing global labor, reshaping how industries operate and scale.” The stock price of the company, which helps businesses manage their customers, jumped 11%. Marvell Technology leaped even more after delivering better results than expected, up 23.2%. CEO Matt Murphy said the semiconductor supplier is seeing strong demand from AI and gave a forecast for profit in the upcoming quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. All the optimistic talk helped Nvidia , the company whose chips are powering much of the move into AI, rally 3.5%. It was the strongest force pushing upward on the S&P 500 by far. They helped offset an 8.9% drop for Foot Locker, which reported profit and revenue that fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Mary Dillon said the company is taking a more cautious view, and it cut its forecasts for sales and profit this year. Dillon pointed to how keen customers are for discounts and how soft demand has been outside of Thanksgiving week and other key selling periods. Retailers overall have offered mixed signals about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Their spending has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A narrower report released Wednesday morning suggested employers in the private sector increased their payrolls by less last month than economists expected. Hiring in manufacturing was the weakest since the spring, according to Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The report strengthened traders’ expectations that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. The central bank had appeared set to continue cutting rates into next year, but the election of Donald Trump has scrambled Wall Street’s expectations somewhat. Trump’s preference for higher tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , which could alter the Fed’s plans . Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the central bank can afford to cut rates cautiously because inflation has slowed from its peak two years ago and the economy remains sturdy. A separate report on Wednesday said health care, finance and other businesses in the U.S. services sector are continuing to grow, but not by as much as before and not by as much as economists expected. One respondent from the construction industry told the survey from the Institute for Supply Management that the Fed’s rate cuts haven't pulled down mortgage rates as much as hoped. Plus, “the unknown effect of tariffs clouds the future.” In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.23% late Tuesday. On Wall Street, Campbell’s sank 6.2% for one of the S&P 500’s sharper losses despite increasing its dividend and reporting a stronger profit than analysts expected. Its revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, and the National Football League’s Washington Commanders hired Campbell’s CEO Mark Clouse as its team president. Gains for airline stocks helped offset that drop after JetBlue Airways said it saw stronger bookings for travel in November and December following the presidential election. It also said it’s benefiting from lower fuel prices, as well as lower costs due to improved on-time performance. JetBlue jumped 8.3%, while Southwest Airlines climbed 3.5%. All told, the S&P 500 rose 36.61 points to 6,086.49. The Dow climbed 308.51 to 45,014.04, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 254.21 to 19,735.12. In stock markets abroad, South Korea’s Kospi sank 1.4% following a night full of drama in Seoul. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night, prompting troops to surround the parliament. He revoked the martial law declaration six hours later. In the crypto market , bitcoin climbed near $99,000 after Trump said he would nominate Paul Atkins , a cryptocurrency advocate, to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.
Monrovia, Liberia – With just hours until the much-anticipated 2024 Liberia Marathon, excitement is reaching a fever pitch as over 2,000 runners from more than 20 countries gear up to hit the streets of Monrovia on Sunday, November 24. This year’s event promises to be a milestone in Liberian sports and community spirit, cementing the Liberia Marathon as one of the nation’s most prestigious and international events. This year’s race is more inclusive and vibrant than ever. With women making up an impressive 30% of participants — a significant increase from 23% in 2022 and just 15% in 2021 — the 2024 marathon is a testament to the growing involvement of women in sports across Liberia. The event will feature a half marathon, a 10k foot race, and inspiring competitions for athletes in the 10k wheelchair and crutches categories. For the first time, hearing and vision-impaired athletes will also join the race, supported by guide runners from the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), demonstrating the event’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. As the largest road race in the subregion, the Liberia Marathon is more than just a race; it’s a day of collective triumph, where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together in pursuit of personal goals and shared dreams. Whether it’s a first-time runner crossing the finish line, a wheelchair athlete defying odds, or a guide runner helping a vision-impaired competitor navigate the course, every moment reflects the indomitable spirit of human perseverance. This extraordinary event would not be possible without the collaboration of key institutional partners. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and the AFL have joined forces to ensure the marathon runs smoothly and safely. Their inter-agency partnership exemplifies the power of collective effort in making such a large-scale event a reality, contributing to Liberia’s growing reputation as a hub for international sporting excellence. Such an ambitious and inclusive event wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of key institutional partners. The Liberia Marathon Organizing Committee has worked tirelessly alongside the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC), the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC), the Liberia National Police (LNP), and the AFL to bring this extraordinary event to life. Each of these agencies plays a critical role, from ensuring the safety and smooth flow of the race to providing logistical and moral support. Their collective effort exemplifies the strength of inter-agency partnerships in delivering impactful initiatives that benefit the nation as a whole. The Liberia Marathon’s history is as inspiring as the runners it attracts. Launched in 2011, the inaugural race set the foundation for what has become one of the most anticipated events in Liberia’s calendar. After a hiatus, the marathon made a triumphant return in 2022, with nearly 1,500 participants, a record number of women, and unforgettable moments from wheelchair and crutches-assisted athletes. The 2024 edition builds on that legacy, promising an even greater celebration of endurance, inclusivity, and international camaraderie. As the streets of Monrovia prepare to welcome runners, spectators, and supporters, the significance of the marathon extends far beyond the race itself. It is a showcase of Liberia’s resilience, vibrancy, and openness to the world. With over 20 nationalities represented, the event highlights the country’s growing stature as a hub for international sporting events, drawing attention to Liberia’s potential as a destination for global engagement. With its growing global appeal, commitment to inclusivity, and unparalleled community spirit, the 2024 Liberia Marathon is set to be a day for the history books. Whether you’re running, cheering from the sidelines, or watching from afar, this year’s race is bound to inspire pride in Liberia’s ability to bring people together through the universal language of sport. Here are the various race schedules: 7:00 AM - Half Marathon , commencing from Freeport (City Builders) to SKD Sports Complex 7:35 AM - 10k Wheelchair Race , commencing from JFK to SKD 7:40 AM 10k Crutches Race , commencing from JFK to SKD 8:00 AM 10K Footrace , commencing from JFK to SKDWelp. This season is officially off the rails. Ohio State thoroughly handled Indiana. Oklahoma trounced Alabama. Florida dashed Mississippi's playoff hopes. Auburn upset Texas A&M. Arizona State and Kansas sent the Big 12 into chaos with their wins over BYU and Colorado. Notre Dame resoundingly ended Army's magical run. And that was all in one week! There are more than 60 voters on the AP Top 25 panel. There’s at least one voter from each state that has an FBS team and a handful of national folks. For the state of Nebraska, there’s one voter. Each week I will break down my ballot compared with the actual Top 25 and write on some pressing topics. Without further ado, here is my ballot ahead of Week 14: And here is the actual AP Top 25 for Week 14: Nothing makes sense. I think Ohio State is the best team in the nation right now. However, the Buckeyes remain No. 2 behind undefeated Oregon. Penn State, even at 10-1, doesn't feel inspiring. Barely beating Minnesota? Not cause to be optimistic. I think Indiana still deserves more credit than it gets. The whole "who have they played" narrative is tired. Of their 10 wins, three teams are bowl-eligible in Nebraska, Washington and Michigan. And Michigan State is at five wins ahead of a Week 14 game against Rutgers. I don't know what to make of the SEC or the Big 12. The SEC might be lucky to get three teams into the College Football Playoff. Two feels reasonable, but three feels like a stretch — especially depending on the final week of the regular season. Every game is winnable for the ranked SEC teams. But every game is losable, too. Auburn could beat Alabama. Texas A&M could beat Texas. Vanderbilt could beat Tennessee. And, man, how about Florida? The Gators, after everything, could finish the season 7-5. Heck, even winless Mississippi State could pull off an Egg Bowl miracle over Mississippi. But regardless of what happens, thanks to tiebreakers, Georgia has clinched the SEC championship game. There's a possibility that the Big 12 gets left out of the CFP. If Boise State runs the table in the Mountain West and Tulane runs the table in the American, there's a possibility that both of them, in two weeks, are ranked ahead of whichever Big 12 team decides it wants to win the conference. Kansas, after being left for dead at 2-6, has rattled off three straight wins over ranked teams and could be bowl-eligible with a win over Baylor. Who's going to even make the Big 12 title game? Four teams are tied at 6-2 heading into the final week of the regular season, and there's plenty of potential chaos on the horizon. And Army... congrats on a great start to the season. Apologies that it had to end the way it did against Notre Dame. Now, was Army's schedule — in retrospect — pretty cupcakey? You betcha. Florida Atlantic, Rice, Temple, Tulsa and East Carolina have all already fired their coaches. And UAB probably should, too. Did I still have them ranked this week? I did. Mostly out of the notion that winning games, above all else, is the most important piece of the puzzle here. And because, honestly, the bottom of the poll is an absolute dumpster fire that's impossible to ascertain. Also, with one week left in the regular season, 77 teams have clinched bowl eligibility out of the possible 82 spots. Two more teams are guaranteed to reach their sixth win this week as there are two games both featuring 5-win teams. There are also 12 other teams that could win and reach a sixth win. It's been a while since there were too many bowl-eligible teams — another sign of the chaos that's unfolded this year. Three teams rose five or more spots this week and one team made a return to the Top 25. Arizona State: The biggest riser of the week? The Sun Devils. They jumped up seven spots to No. 14 after their chaotic victory over BYU. That's three straight wins for Arizona State, two of which came over teams that were ranked at the time. Clemson : The Tigers jumped five spots this week to No. 12 after their convincing victory over The Citadel paired with other teams dropping spots with losses. Iowa State : The Cyclones also rose five spots after narrowly beating an injury-riddled Utah squad. That's two straight wins for the Cyclones, putting them at 9-2 and in a must-win spot this week in Farmaggedon. Missouri: Tigers fans must have whiplash. Missouri is back in the Top 25 this week after a brief stint on the outside looking in. The Tigers vaulted back in at No. 24 after beating Mississippi State, 39-20, to move to 8-3 on the season. Seven teams dropped five or more spots this week, and one team dropped out. Army: Losing like that to Notre Dame? That'll send you tumbling. Army fell seven spots this week, narrowly holding onto the No. 25 spot. Colorado: Colorado also dropped seven spots after losing to Kansas, 37-21, falling to No. 23. The Buffaloes are still in the hunt, but they're in a must-win situation against Oklahoma State this week. Alabama : The Crimson Tide is on red alert this week after they not only lost to Oklahoma, which is bad enough, but only scored three points in the game. For that, Alabama fell six spots to No. 13. Indiana : Well, the fun story of an undefeated Indiana is over. The Hoosiers lost to Ohio State and dropped five spots to No. 10. The Hoosiers could still eclipse their 11th win of the season this week when they host the struggling Purdue Boilermakers to close out the regular season. Mississippi: Mississippi said goodbye to its playoff hopes with a loss to Florida, tumbling six spots down the rankings to No. 15. BYU : The Cougars have now lost two in a row — one to Kansas and now to Arizona State. The Cougars, once the Big 12's best story of the season, fell five spots this week to No. 19. Texas A&M: Texas A&M, after losing a close game to Auburn, 43-41, dropped five spots to No. 20. Oddly enough, though, Texas A&M is still in position to make the SEC title game. Just have to get through ~checks notes~ Texas this week to get there. Washington State: The Cougars lost the de facto Pac-2 Championship Game, so they fell out this week. I didn't want any three-loss teams on my ballot at all last week, but after the chaos of this week, it was impossible to do that again. So, I kept all the three-loss teams below No. 15. And that makes my ballot a little funky compared to the consensus poll. The biggest "miss" I had was Tennessee. I had the Volunteers at No. 11, while they came in at No. 7. Their most recent win came over a struggling UTEP that's 2-9 on the season. Before that, they lost to Georgia. Before that, they beat the only winless team in SEC play in Mississippi State. Now, I'm of the mindset that you have to win the games on your schedule, but they're pretty tough to figure out. Also, I had Memphis ranked instead of Missouri. Here are the games I have circled for this week: No. 16 South Carolina (8-3, 5-3) at No. 12 Clemson (9-2, 7-1) : It's been a long time since the Palmetto Bowl featured two ranked teams — 11 years, in fact. Going to be a fun one in Clemson. 11 a.m. kick Saturday on ESPN. No. 3 Texas (10-1, 6-1) at No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2): The Lone Star Showdown is back after a 12-year hiatus, and the stakes are incredibly high as the winner will advance to the SEC title game to face Georgia. 6:30 p.m. kick on Saturday on ABC. Kansas State (8-3, 5-3) at No. 17 Iowa State (9-2, 6-2) : The Big 12 is a mess, and this game will directly influence who makes the Big 12 title game. 6:30 p.m. kick on FOX. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The biggest change to Social Security for 2025 – The promise will probably not be kept in the endRenowned Trader Who Predicted Bitcoin's Drop Now Sees Dogen Skyrocketing to $50!
Powell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates free of political interference is necessary for it to make decisions to serve “all Americans” rather than a political party or political outcome. Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit, Powell addressed a question about President-elect Donald Trump’s numerous public criticisms of the Fed and of Powell himself. During the election campaign, Trump had insisted that as president, he should have a “say” in the Fed’s interest rate policies. Despite Trump’s comments, the Fed chair said he was confident of widespread support in Congress for maintaining the central bank’s independence. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had worked at the company for 20 years and had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner. Trump calls Atkins a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. The SEC oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. If confirmed next year by the new Republican-led Senate, Atkins would replace Gary Gensler, who's been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative SEC member during his tenure and known to have a strong free-market bent. Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history. Experts say it could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success — keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law was approved by its Parliament last week. It's an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. Pete Hegseth's mother says The New York Times made 'threats' by asking her to comment on a story A basic tenet of journalism — calling someone for comment on a story — was seen as a threat by defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's mother. Penelope Hegseth appeared on Fox News Channel to talk about her son, whose nomination by President-elect Trump to lead the Pentagon is threatened by a series of stories about his past behavior. One came this past weekend, when The New York Times wrote about a private email Penelope Hegseth sent to her son about his treatment of women. She said on Fox News that she felt threatened when the Times called her about the email, which she had quickly regretted sending. The Times said they were engaging in routine journalism. District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black ZIP codes The District of Columbia is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city. The district says the online retailer still charged residents of two ZIP codes millions of dollars for a service that provides speedy deliveries. The complaint filed on Wednesday in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership service. The lawsuit alleges Amazon in mid-2022 imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on the two low-income ZIP codes. An Amazon spokesperson says the company made the change based on concerns about driver safety. The spokesperson says claims that Amazon's business practices are discriminatory are “categorically false.” Biden says 'Africa is the future' as he pledges millions more on the last day of Angola visit LOBITO, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged another $600 million for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. He told African leaders Wednesday that the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily to refurbish train lines in Zambia, Congo and Angola in a region rich in critical minerals to counter China's influence. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags A U.S. Senate subcommittee is taking aim at airlines and their growing use of fees for things like early boarding and better seats. Members of the Senate Permanent on Investigations say airlines have raised billions of dollars by imposing fees that are getting hard to understand and even harder to avoid paying. The senators and the Biden administration call them “junk fees,” and they say the extra charges are making travel less affordable. Some senators expressed frustration during a hearing on Wednesday hearing when airline executives couldn't explain how they set various fees. Airlines say fees let consumers pay for things they want, like more legroom, and avoid paying for things they don't want.
NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYTX) pursuant and/or traceable to the Kyverna’s initial public offering conducted on February 8, 2024 (the “IPO”), of the important February 7, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Kyverna common stock you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Kyverna class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32239 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 7, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the registration statement and prospectus used to effectuate Kyverna’s IPO misstated and/or omitted facts concerning the results of Kyverna’s ongoing evaluation of KYV-101, Kyverna’s lead product candidate, in clinical trials. Specifically, Kyverna touted patient “improvement” in certain indicators while failing to disclose adverse data regarding one of Kyverna’s trials, which adverse data was known to Kyverna at the time of the IPO. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Kyverna class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=32239 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com
Having authored some of the finest and sleaziest riffs in rock history, Joe Perry knows a thing or two about what it takes to make those riffs stick. Be it "Walk This Way," "Combination," "Fever" or his solo riffs, like "Mercy" or "Let the Music Do the Talking," which Aerosmith later re-recorded, Perry has his riff-writing process dialed in, with step one centering around letting go. "You have to cut your thinking," Perry tells . "You have to let the thinking part of your brain loose and let your subconscious take over. It's an exercise in getting a connection to your heart and soul, and sometimes, these riffs just come out." Perry has written the riffs you know and love at soundchecks in Hawaii and while sitting on a 4x12 amp as it was about to be loaded into a truck. It all goes to prove that you have to be ready when inspiration strikes. "You don't really know where they come from," Perry admits. "Sometimes, you sit down to write a song, and you don't feel like playing. You're not particularly inspir, but you never know what's going to inspire you. You're fired up some days, and sometimes, you're not feeling it. That's the creative process. "It's a puzzle," he continues. "You're always trying to figure out what makes one song sound like magic and another one not so much. But you've just gotta do it. You can't sit around and wait for inspiration. You've got to make your own luck." Judging by Perry's body of work, it really doesn't matter where the riff for, say, "Same Old Song and Dance" came from, just that it did. It's the same with all of his iconic work, and so it shall be until he writes his last riff. "With riffs," Perry says. "They're little bits of magic. There was nothing, and then there was something. Those little bits of magic... I don't know where they come from, man. Since the beginning of time, people have been trying to figure that out." Steven and I were really starting to learn how to write together. A lot of the songs from the first album were songs he had with his other bands. He had a notebook full of stuff, and some of the songs didn't have music to them but had some chord charges, like "S.O.S. (Too Bad)." That song already had lyrics, and Steven had the changes. But a lot of the music from those first couple of records, like "Same Old Song and Dance" — like how we wrote in those days was Steven would be playing drums, his main instrument, and he'd have the microphone sitting there. We would jam along, and I tended to write riffs that were kind of melodic, and "Same Old Song and Dance" was like that. We were jamming along, I played a riff, and Steven said, "Play that again." We hit "record" on the tape player for a second, played it a few more times, and it became the melody for the song. That's one of a bunch of songs that came about that way. Basically, it was the foundation for how we were going to work together as songwriters. That song really jumps out at me. It's not a complicated riff by any means, but it's got a kind of hooky thing. That's what it's all about. In the '70s, we were either on the road or in the studio — and we were on the road. Once in a while, we'd take a week or two off, but most of the time, we were working. We were in Hawaii and knew we were going into the studio and gathering songs. We were well into the part of our career where we wrote songs and some stuff in the studio. After the first two records, which had songs that we basically played in clubs, we used up all of them. So, I was thinking of some of the funk that I really liked and thought, "Let's see if we can get something that's got that kind of groove." We were in soundcheck in Hawaii, and I asked Joey [Kramer] to just play straight, funky twos and fours while I started working on a riff. The first part was basically the verse, and then, you need a place to go, and I changed from down to the E chord from a C. Every chord change needed a little signature to it, like a little bit of a riff. By the time I finished the soundcheck, I pretty much had all the parts. Then, Steven [Tyler] heard what I was playing as he came in and asked Joey if he could sit down and play the drums. I don't really remember who came up with the [opening drum] riff; that's between them, but I got what I needed, and that's all I was looking for. When we recorded it, Steven was still looking for the hook. We were upstairs at the Record Plant and needed a break. It was in the evening; the guys went to see . I didn't feel like going, but when they came back, they were laughing and joking about the old Groucho Marx line, "Walk this way," like an old vaudeville thing, and Steven said, "Okay... walk this way. I think that's what I needed." They took it and left for about two hours, and when he came back, he had pretty much all the lyrics. And then, we pretty much laid the song own. I remember using a Strat, and I would bet it was a 50-watt Marshall 4x 12, just straight in. We were getting ready to go to New York to record at The Record Plant, and we had a good bunch of songs and enough to go in. We finished rehearsing up in Boston, and the guys were pulling some gear out, you know, Marshalls and stuff. We were sitting around, talking, and they were breaking the gear down, and [producer] Jack Douglas said, "We need one more rocker. We need a barnburner." So, I said on one of the 4x12s, and just started jamming a little bit. And after a couple of minutes, I had that beginning riff from "Toys in the Attic." I said, "I kind of like that," and again, you need a place to go, and that's when I came up with the riff for the vocal, so I had those two parts. The next time the band got together, we worked it out. Everybody threw down, and it became "Toys in the Attic." I might have been playing a [Gibson Les Paul] Junior at that point. I don't think it was a Les Paul. It might have been a Junior with a P90. That's the one I was playing a lot when the riff came about. But a lot of these riffs, on a lot of these guitars, you know, anybody that writes music will tell you that stuff just comes out, and you don't know where it came from. I've had that feeling a lot. I've mentioned a thousand times that one of the biggest influences on me has been Peter Green with Fleetwood Mac. We used to cover some of those songs; I must have seen him eight or nine times when they played in Boston. I'd seen them every time they'd come through; I'd see him every chance I got. One of the things I know that Peter would do during their jams — and they did a fair amount of jamming — is he would give his roadie his Les Paul, and he would pick up a six-string bass. I'd never seen a six-string bass before, and at that point, I didn't know that Jack Bruce used one in Cream sometimes. I'd never seen or heard one. But Peter Green used to jam with one, and it was a cool sound. So, when I started making a little money, I went out and bought one and started fooling around with it. I said, "I gotta play this, man. I need an excuse to play this." [laughs] I started fooling around with these riffs that sounded cool on the six-string bass, and you could get some nice vibrato out of it. So, I worked up this riff and was lying on my back in my rehearsal room, just jamming on it. And once you get a riff, you need a place to go, so I recorded it with a cassette player, brought it to the band, and we jammed on it. That's "Back in the Saddle." I believe that almost every guitar you pick has a song in there, even if it's one I've never used. I've used that six-string bass a lot, but that's the only song I've ever written around it. And I'd like to think it was the inspiration for that song in when they had three guys playing bass. I think the song is called "Big Bottom, and they had a bass player, a middle bass, and a lead bass, or whatever. I saw the movie and it was like, "Well, yeah, I can relate to that." [laughs] I have to include this one because I like to talk about the open tuning, you know, the classic Robert Johnson G or A tuning. I wrote a lot of songs using that tuning, but I didn't want to sound like Keith Richards, so I had to work around that, though it's pretty easy to hit some chords... I mean, so many Stones songs are written around that tuning; it's genius. Anyway, I really like that tuning. I heard here that Keith liked to take the low E string off, so he had just five strings, which made it easier to play bar chords up and down the neck and not have to worry about the E string getting in the way. But I was thinking, "Well, that's kind of a waste of a good tuning peg," so I took a bass string, put it on the guitar, and tuned it in unison, only an octave lower on the A string, so I'd still be able to play with all six strings. It really sounds pretty amazing; I sat down and wrote some riffs and a lot of songs around that, like "Let the Music Do the Talking," I had that riff for Aerosmith, but by the time I'd left [in 1979], it had never gotten on the list. When I left, we were working on , and I left before it was done, but we had most of the music recorded. So, "Let the Music Do the Talking" was one of the riffs I had lying around, and it was one of the first ones I worked on for my first solo album. I used that open tuning, and the name of the song says a lot about how I feel about letting the business overtake us and why I left the band. There was too much politics, and I just wanted to get away from it and take a break. But when I got back to Aerosmith [in 1984], and we were talking about doing a new record [ ], Steven liked the riff enough, and the rest of the guys were like, "Let's go with that one." Steven rewrote the lyrics, and when we played it... it was a little funkier on my solo record. I had a different grind and groove, but it's the same riff. I love playing that one. I probably used my clear-body [Ampeg] Damn Armstrong with that bass string added to it. And I would bet that I was using a Marshall Plexi, but it's hard to say because I had two Hi-Watts, some Fender combos, and a blackface Twin going at that same time. When we first cut the song "Nine Lives" down in Florida, we worked with Glenn Ballard, who had just done that Alanis Morissette record [ ], which was climbing the charts. The way we recorded was really different than usual, and when the record company heard it, they felt that it didn't sound like us, you know? The point is that the songs weren't working. It just didn't sound right. So, we switched producers and worked with Kevin Shirley. His nickname is ‘The Caveman.’ He's Australian, tough, and old-school analog. Everything was played live, and we had the songs down really solid. We weren't too excited to recut everything, but we understood because the record didn't sound like it should have. We had all the amps in a row and set up to play live. We had enough separation so we could play live, but we still overdubbed. It was a 180-degree difference in how we were recording, and the song "Nine Live" didn't really have a beginning worked out; it was just kind of a count-off at that point. So, one of my favorite rock songs ever, which still gives me goosebumps when I hear it, is "Stroll On" by The Yardbirds. It's one of the few recordings that has Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck on it, and at the beginning, Jimmy and Jeff are both getting feedback... I could listen to that 10 times in a row, and it still sounds like the first time I heard it. I was thinking about that, so rather than count "Nine Lives" off, I didn't say anything; I just hit that first note while standing in front of the amp and let it feedback. Brad [Whitford] did the same thing, and that's the beginning of that song. Maybe it's not what you call a "riff," but for me, it's one of the best ways to start a song, and it's one of my favorite guitar things that I've done. It was right off the top, the tape was rolling, and we didn't rehearse it. That's what Aerosmith is about, you know? All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
BRUSSELS, Nov. 27, 2024 /CNW/ -- A new online Master Class course to train scientists in testing cosmetics and chemicals without using animals is being hailed as a game-changer for cruelty-free testing worldwide. Featuring real-world case studies to walk scientists through animal-free testing step by step, the curriculum launched by the Animal-Free Safety Assessment Collaboration (AFSA) has attracted over 1,200 participants from nearly 70 countries since its debut in 2023, highlighting a global interest in innovative, ethical testing methods. Its final module is now open for registration, completing the ten-module course. Created with input from industry, method developers, regulatory and animal protection experts, the course guides users through every stage of "next-generation risk assessment" culminating in advanced techniques like data integration to ensure robust consumer safety conclusions. These cutting-edge methodologies not only eliminate the need for painful animal-based testing but also provide more valid and reliable results concerning the safety of chemicals and products. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.THE Executive Branch’s social service programs, which have become an object of dispute between administration officials and leaders of Congress, are seen to become the sticking point once the Senate approves the 2025 budget bill and a the legislative bicameral conference committee is convened to reconcile conflicting provisions between the two chambers. Senate Deputy Minority Leader Anna Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros acknowledged this stark possibility of a clash between senators and congressmen, who insist on retaining the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap), which the Senate deleted in its version of the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act. House Speaker Martin Romualdez has vowed to fight for AKAP’s retention, despite serious concerns by several senators that it partakes of a soft pork barrel that allows politicians to dispense of billions of funds on the eve of elections, and that it skews the authentic, sustained social service programs of government. Former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, reputedly the most zealous in scrutinizing budget bills when he chaired the Senate Committee on Accounts, weighed in on the issue at the weekend. Review social programs Lacson is seeking at least a review of the Executive Department’s various social service programs, to make sure they are investments and not mere doleouts. Lacson said the agencies tasked with implementing such programs should have at least a reliable database of recipients as well as clear goals that will improve the lives of Filipinos. In a radio interview, he also cited persistent information that the aid from such programs do not reach their recipients. “At the very least, we must review these programs. If they have reliable databases and clear goals, that’s okay. And what direction will these programs have? They should not be for mere doleouts, because this will hurt the economy,” he said in the same interview. Lacson said agencies including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Health must have such databases to make sure the help goes to those who need it. In addition, Lacson said the programs must have clear goals for the beneficiaries—like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) introduced during the incumbency of former President Gloria Arroyo, which seeks to let children from poor families graduate so they can become productive taxpayers while helping improve their families’ lot. “If the programs are mere doleouts, that is sad. Social service programs must improve the lives of Filipinos so they can give back in terms of revenues and taxes. But it seems many such programs cannot because they are not well-planned,” he said. Romualdez: We want Akap back CITING four million Filipino beneficiaries, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the House will fight for the continuation of the program after the Senate removed the P39.8-billion allocation for the AKAP, which was inserted by the House. Romualdez also challenged senators to engage directly with communities to understand the importance of Akap. “Some of our colleagues in the Senate fail to grasp the significance of this program because they rarely go to the grassroots level. That’s why I ask my friends in the Senate: visit communities, talk to the people, and ask them what they need. Everywhere we go, the people express their strong support for this program,” Romualdez said. With this, Romualdez called on the Senate to reconsider proposals to defund Akap, echoing Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s appeal to protect the program in the 2025 budget. “We stand with Secretary Gatchalian in urging our colleagues in the Senate to uphold the AKAP budget. This is about ensuring that no Filipino family falls back into poverty because of insufficient support. The House of Representatives is ready to champion this cause in the bicameral discussions if necessary,” Romualdez stated. He insisted that “Akap is not just a safety net; it is a lifeline for millions of Filipino families teetering on the edge of poverty.” The initiative, he claimed, has proven its value by providing immediate relief to struggling households, empowering them to weather economic challenges, and ensuring their resilience against inflation and other shocks.” The program, conceptualized under Romualdez’s leadership, has been instrumental in supporting working families with insufficient income. It provides a one-time cash assistance of P3,000 to P5,000 to qualified beneficiaries whose incomes fall below the poverty threshold and who are not covered by other government aid programs. Romualdez noted that Akap’s impact is evident in its extensive reach, with P20.7 billion of the P26.7 billion allocation already utilized, benefiting millions across all regions, including over 589,000 families in the National Capital Region (NCR) alone. Regions like Central Luzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas have also achieved significant fund utilization rates exceeding 70 percent. With earlier report by Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz Butch Fernandez is BusinessMirror’s senior political reporter based at the Senate. He has covered Malacañang (3 presidencies), the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, local governments and defense since 1984.I thought I’d be beautiful pregnant but was humbled -people are put off having kids after seeing my transformation
card game 500
IHSA football championships shouldn't lump private and public high schools together
card game 9
card game queens
learn poker game