Bills' letdowns on defense, special teams and clock management in loss to Rams are all too familiarIn a significant diplomatic development, Russia has reiterated its support for India’s bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during a series of high-level meetings held in Moscow on December 19-20. During the 13th Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism, India and Russia reinforced their commitment to combatting global terrorism and extremism. Both nations shared their experiences in tackling cross-border terrorism, radicalisation, and terror financing. The discussions also focused on the emerging challenges posed by new technologies in the hands of terrorists. “The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation on addressing issues of radicalisation, terror financing, and the use of technology for terrorist purposes,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a press release. The JWG underscored the importance of collaboration in both bilateral and multilateral platforms to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts. In parallel, India and Russia held the sixth round of consultations on UN-related issues, where regional and global developments were discussed. Russia once again voiced its firm support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC. This endorsement marks a significant step towards India’s aspirations in global diplomacy. Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) at the MEA, led the Indian delegation at both the counter-terrorism meeting and the UNSC discussions. Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Russia, headed the Russian team. The talks also covered ongoing international issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, with Lal meeting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin to discuss the current situation. The continued collaboration between India and Russia marks a critical step in fostering stronger bilateral relations and addressing global security challenges. ALSO READ : 2 Killed 68 Injured Suspected Attack At Magdeburg Christmas Market : Germany
Datuk Frankie Liew leads SCCC members and the Zhengzhou delegation in a visit and discussion at POIC. KOTA KINABALU (Dec 21): The Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) continues to serve as a vital economic bridge linking Sabah and China. It has introduced a delegation of entrepreneurs from Zhengzhou, China to POIC and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to explore a series of investment and collaboration plans, aiming to unlock market potential. Yang Tina, Vice President of the Zhengzhou Overseas Council, recently led a delegation of Zhengzhou entrepreneurs to Sabah, where they were warmly received by Datuk Frankie Liew, President of SCCC, and his team. The two parties first held a discussion and networking session at the SCCC office, where they exchanged information about their respective businesses and explored potential investment and collaboration opportunities between Sabah and Zhengzhou. The Zhengzhou delegation included prominent representatives such as Zheng Xinming, Executive Deputy General Manager of Henan First Construction Engineering Group; Du Yanhong, Overseas General Manager of Zhengzhou Zhongxi Energy Co. Ltd; Wang Zhi, Chairman of Kaifeng Xinya Industrial Co. Ltd; and Wang Yongming, General Manager of Henan Cexin Culture Media Co Ltd. The SCCC representatives included Vice Presidents Datuk Jonathan Koh JP and Ir. Ts. KJ Tan JP (who also serves as Secretary General), Vice President cum Young Entrepreneurs Chairman Chiew Heng Hock, Assistant Secretary Chea Hoong Tak, Director of Public Relations Datuk Simon Teoh and council members Rei Hiew, Edward Tee and Ling Hang Tze. Arranged by Liew, the Zhengzhou delegation visited the POIC office to learn about the park’s development progress, investment projects, and incentives for investors. They also visited UMS, where they engaged with the Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Associate Professor Madya, as well as Razali, the International Mobility Coordinator and lecturer, to explore bilateral collaboration in international education. The discussions included encouraging students from Henan to study at UMS to enhance educational exchanges between the two regions. Liew expressed his delight at the growing interest from Chinese enterprises and groups in investing in Sabah. He hopes that Sabah’s various advantages will position it as a key hub for Chinese companies to enter the ASEAN market, further driving economic and technological development in Sabah. “The scope and diversity of businesses exploring investments in Sabah are continuously expanding, which bodes well for the long-term economic growth of Sabah,” said Liew.(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, December 26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN — Toledo vs. Pittsburgh at Ford Field (Detroit, MI) 5:30 p.m. ESPN — Kansas State vs. Rutgers at Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ) 9 p.m. ESPN — Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State at Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, AL) ICE HOCKEY 12 p.m. NHLN — Sweden U20 at Slovakia U20 2:30 p.m. NHLN — Germany U20 at USA U20 5 p.m. NHLN — Switzerland U20 at Czech Republic U20 7:30 p.m. NHLN — Canada U20 at Finland U20 NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBA TV — Oklahoma City at Indiana 10 p.m. NBA TV — Utah at Portland SOCCER (MEN’S) 7:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Everton vs. Manchester City 10 a.m. CBSSN — League One: Blackpool vs. Wrexham USA — Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United 12:30 p.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers 12:45 p.m. CBSSN — Scottish Premiership: Rangers F.C. vs. St. Mirren 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: Leicester City vs. Liverpool TENNIS 9 p.m. TENNIS — Mixed Coverage: Center Court Live The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV . (All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Thursday, December 26 COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2 p.m. ESPN — Toledo vs. Pittsburgh at Ford Field (Detroit, MI) 5:30 p.m. ESPN — Kansas State vs. Rutgers at Chase Field (Phoenix, AZ) 9 p.m. ESPN — Bowling Green vs. Arkansas State at Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, AL) ICE HOCKEY 12 p.m. NHLN — Sweden U20 at Slovakia U20 2:30 p.m. NHLN — Germany U20 at USA U20 5 p.m. NHLN — Switzerland U20 at Czech Republic U20 7:30 p.m. NHLN — Canada U20 at Finland U20 NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBA TV — Oklahoma City at Indiana 10 p.m. NBA TV — Utah at Portland SOCCER (MEN’S) 7:30 a.m. USA — Premier League: Everton vs. Manchester City 10 a.m. USA — Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United 12:30 p.m. USA — Premier League: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers 12:45 p.m. CBSSN — Scottish Premiership: Rangers F.C. vs. St. Mirren 3 p.m. USA — Premier League: Leicester City vs. Liverpool TENNIS 9 p.m.With 2025 on the horizon, Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule looks back on the successes achieved through the year and what is soon to come for the town. “I think we are pretty happy – there has been a (large) increase in development permits. We have had 186 residential permits issued, we have got some major development projects that are close to being ready, or else they have started construction,” said Fule. “We have the Shasta seniors care community complex development on Park Lane Way, we have got construction started at the old seed cleaning plant ... it is a multiplex of apartment buildings, and we have had some really good construction and infrastructure starts.” He explained the town is looking forward to issuing development and construction permits for more residential-type applications in 2025 and expanding Strathmore’s capacity to house members of the community. Between the 37 industrial, commercial, and institutional permits issued, $27 million in building value was added to Strathmore. Prior to releasing council until the start of the new year, the Town of Strathmore passed their new IDP framework bylaw which had been developed in partnership with Wheatland County, and was mandated by the province to be completed before the end of 2024. “Another exciting thing for 2024, we were able to host for the second year in a row, Premier Danielle Smith during our Strathmore Stampede, and that kind of thing creates a buzz around the parade and the Strathmore Stampede,” said Fule. “I think we are starting to be recognized as a destination for great events and for community things going on.” In May, the Town of Strathmore approved the Physician Sponsorship Grant pilot program, which aims to attract more physicians into town, making access to medical services easier and more reliable. The program was initiated after hearing from local residents that doctor availability is tough in Strathmore. By offering grants to support local medical offices in town, Fule said the town hopes to help relieve some of the pressure on the local medical systems, as well as make community life a little bit easier. Additionally, Frontier Diagnostics has expressed interest in and has put forward a proposal to bring a CT scanner into the Strathmore hospital. “Not only will the CT scanner at the Strathmore hospital help with residents in our region who need medical scanning treatment in a quick and efficient manner, but we think that having this kind of a scanner in our town may, as another benefit, attract young doctors who want to be able to have access to this type of scanning technology that is cutting edge,” said Fule. “They can also be working in the emergency department – it gives them a well-rounded bevvy of things that they can do in their professional practice rather than just being the old-style family doctor. They can actually be really accessing and having readouts on scans from the top-level professionals to help them in treating their patients.” Fule said he hopes going into the new year, the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County will be able to better collaborate on regional partnerships such as what was able to take place with the development of the IDP framework. As the town approaches a population of 15,000 people, Fule is bracing for the inevitable funding model shift that will take place regarding the local RCMP once that threshold is breached. For towns below 15,000 people, the federal government pays 70 per cent of RCMP costs and the Town is responsible for the remaining 30 per cent. Beyond 15,000 people, the funding formula changes to 10 per cent being covered by the federal government, and 90 per cent being covered by the town. The tax increase which will be experienced in Strathmore in 2025 is among the lowest in Alberta, having been restricted to approximately 3.6 per cent. “It is very problematic for a town to have a zero per cent tax increase. When you do that, the town does not keep up with inflation and you are basically kicking problems down the road,” said Fule. “The town has to pay for inflationary raises in things like gas, diesel fuel, automotive and mechanical parts, deliveries – everything goes up with inflation. It is really difficult and problematic for a town to go for a zero per cent.” With approximately eight months remaining of this council’s term and the next election waiting in the wings, Fule commended council’s efforts and achievements throughout their time serving together. “This council has done some really good things. We have worked hard, we have worked well together,” he said. “When we focus on the big-ticket items and when we focus on our strategic plan that we lay out ... we have done some really good things and we have managed to control and keep a good tax increase for next year. “We have got some big projects done; we are looking to the future; we are going to be working hard to manage the growth in the early part of 2025. I am still excited by the job – I still feel a great deal of satisfaction when we accomplish good things as a group.” Fule specifically noted that on behalf of the town, administration and staff, he wished the local community a Merry Christmas, as well as a safe and happy New Year. “I am looking forward to 2025,” he said. “I am ready, I am energized, and I am ready to go.”
Startup Wrap – MENA startup ecosystem flourishes as year comes to an endThe suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. - Standout student - A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw40,546 Shares in Allient Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNT) Acquired by Empowered Funds LLC
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Marin transportation planners prepare for Trump administrationPHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 21, 2024-- University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies has released a new white paper, “Overcoming Talent Stagnation: Enhancing Skills for Marketability,” by TaMika Fuller, DBA, an affiliate of the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research (CEITR) and College alumna, and Victoria Lender, DBA. The authors draw upon data from the University of Phoenix Career Institute ® 2024 Career Optimism Index study to explore the problem and causes of talent stagnation, how employees can enhance their own skills, and what solutions are available for employers in an age of rapidly evolving technology. “Technology plays an enormous role in the way we learn and work,” shares Fuller. “Understanding technology and its potential for strategic innovation and continuous workforce improvement can inform how we tackle talent development and move beyond this moment of talent stagnation.” The white paper explores what the Index revealed about the causes of talent stagnation, contributing factors, how employees overcome the phenomenon, and provides an overview of potential solutions, including upskilling and reskilling, through a combination of technological advancements and education. The white paper also proposes that employers can embrace internal mobility programs. “These programs foster a sustainable workforce and encourage employers to have the employee-first mindset,” shares Lender. Fuller is an economics professor at a community college in Texas and has been teaching economics and business-related courses for more than 17 years. She earned her doctorate in business administration from University of Phoenix. Lender works in supply chain and logistics and teaches supply chain management, leadership, operations strategy and business courses at several universities. She earned her doctorate in business administration at University of Phoenix. The full whitepaper is available at the University of Phoenix Career Institute ® webpage or as a direct link here . About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life ® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu . About the College of Doctoral Studies University of Phoenix’s College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today’s challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College’s research program puts students in the center of an effective ecosystem of experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220431384/en/ CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Sharla Hooper University of Phoenix sharla.hooper@phoenix.edu KEYWORD: ARIZONA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EDUCATION HUMAN RESOURCES CONTINUING TRAINING UNIVERSITY SOURCE: University of Phoenix Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/21/2024 08:00 AM/DISC: 12/21/2024 08:00 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241220431384/en