"We are ready for this challenge," Lukman declared. "We know that Real Madrid is a great team with exceptional players, but we believe in ourselves and our abilities. We have been working tirelessly to prepare for this moment, and we are determined to make the most of this opportunity to show the world what Atlanta is capable of."jili golden empire 。

In conclusion, the clash between Inter Milan and Lazio promises to be a thrilling encounter with high stakes for both teams. The pressure is on for Inter to overcome their recent struggles and secure a crucial victory, while Lazio is determined to capitalize on their opponent's vulnerability and continue their pursuit of the Serie A title. As the two teams prepare to face off, the stage is set for a tense and dramatic battle on the field.Trader Joe’s shoppers call stores ‘a hellish experience’ and reveals two reasons why chain is ‘going downhill’

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient city road dating back over 3,000 years at Yinxu, or the Yin Ruins, in central China’s Henan Province. – Xinhua photo BEIJING (Dec 28): Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient city road dating back over 3,000 years at Yinxu, or the Yin Ruins, in central China’s Henan Province. The archaeologists have carried out excavations and confirmed the presence of a north-south main road, featuring a 1.6-kilometre-long ditch and dense wheel ruts on its surface. This discovery marks the longest urban thoroughfare ever found at the site, which had been the capital of the late Shang (Yin) Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC). The new discovery was revealed at a briefing held by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday, highlighting the latest progress in a project exploring archaeology in China. Fine sand mixed with fragments of pottery and small stones was found on the road surface. Cultural relics such as bronze horse bits and stone axes have also been unearthed from the surrounding soil, according to Niu Shishan, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who is in charge of the excavation work. “Over 3,000 years ago, this road was likely bustling with carriages and horses, teeming with the constant flow of traffic,” Niu said. This new discovery, along with previously uncovered remains of multiple roads and ditches, reveals an urban road network pattern of the Shang Dynasty capital, featuring a grid of three main east-west roads and three main north-south roads. The newly discovered network of roads and ditches, confirmed this year, fills a gap in the large-scale linear remains on the north bank of the Huanhe River at the Yin ruins, Niu said, adding that these findings have provided archaeologists with a preliminary understanding of the urban framework in this area, marking a significant breakthrough in the study of the urban planning and layout of the capital city of Shang Dynasty. The study of the scale, layout and functional zoning of the Yin Ruins has long been a key focus for archaeologists in the field. After years of excavation on the north bank of the river, archaeologists in 2024 discovered multiple roads and associated ditches in the area. Some of these roads are more than 15 metres wide, with the widest point stretching nearly 30 metres, indicating that they were major thoroughfares in the capital at the time. The main roads discovered in this area are spaced 320 to 550 metres apart, while some intermediate-level roads are located about 100 metres apart. These roads are interconnected, showing clear evidence of intentional human planning, according to Niu. Based on previous findings of archaeological excavations, it has been confirmed that the roads in the Shang capital city can be generally classified into three levels according to their width, or referred to as main roads, streets and alleys, Niu said. Situated in Henan’s Anyang City, the 3,300-year-old Yin Ruins is the first documented late Shang Dynasty capital site in China, as confirmed by archaeological excavations and oracle bone inscriptions. – XinhuaAs news of the shop owner's act of kindness spread, it quickly captured the hearts of many in the community. People were inspired by his willingness to go above and beyond to help a stranger in need, without expecting anything in return. The shop owner's actions reminded us that it is often the smallest gestures that have the greatest impact on others.

Looking ahead, SPD Bank will continue to focus on innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development to meet the evolving needs of its customers and drive long-term value for its shareholders. With a solid capital base and strong market position, SPD Bank is well positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the dynamic banking industry.Looking ahead, the year-end push in automotive finance sets the stage for a positive start to the new year, with banks and consumers alike entering 2022 with optimism and confidence. The availability of 100% loan approval rates underscores a renewed focus on customer-centric strategies and innovative financial solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the modern consumer.Chelsea's attacking prowess has been on full display this season, with their dynamic forwards tearing through opposition defenses with ease. Led by stars like Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount, and Hakim Ziyech, the Blues have been relentless in their pursuit of goals. Their seamless combination play, quick transitions, and clinical finishing have made them a force to be reckoned with in every match.

Title: $1 Sells 3 Subsidiaries! The Company Continuously Sheds Assets and Divests Loss-Making Businesses Throughout the YearThe most recent subsidiary to be sold for $1 was XYZ Solutions, a consulting business that had been experiencing declining profits due to changing market dynamics and increased competition. By parting ways with XYZ Solutions, Company XYZ aims to reposition itself in the consulting industry and explore new avenues for growth and profitability.

Homeland Security agent pleads not guilty to drug distribution conspiracy chargeThe victim, a popular social media personality with a large following, was reported missing last week after failing to update her social media channels for several days. Concerned fans and friends raised the alarm, leading to a widespread search effort by authorities and volunteers. Tragically, their worst fears were confirmed when her body was discovered washed up on a remote beach, bearing signs of violence and foul play.

The latest escalation in tensions between Syria and Israel began with a series of air strikes carried out by the Israeli military on Syrian soil. These strikes, according to Syria, have resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. The Syrian government has condemned these actions as a blatant violation of international law and an infringement on its territorial integrity.

Maharashtra Assembly Election Result: Will Aditi Tatkare overcome NCP(SP) challenge in Shrivardhan?Black Friday in December: These 12 Amazon Black Friday sales are back for the holiday seasongolden empire jili 。

Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83Pbf energy sees $7.8 million stock purchase by control empresarial

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain retained a six-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 after a labored 3-0 home win over Toulouse on Friday. The defending champion dominated the first half but it took until the 35th minute to open the scoring. Young Portuguese midfielder João Neves spun to meet a cross from the right and struck a superb half volley from just outside the box. Lucas Beraldo got a second with six minutes remaining when he pounced on loose ball and fired home. Vitinha made it 3-0 in stoppage time when he showed fine footwork inside the box to finish off a quick counterattack. The scoreline was harsh on Toulouse, which came into the game in a more even second half. Only Vitinha’s last-gasp tackle stopped Zakaria Aboukhlal from equalizing after 69 minutes and then Shavy Babicka blazed over from close range a minute later when he should have hit the target. The win was a confidence boost for Luis Enrique’s side ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League encounter at Bayern Munich. PSG lies in 25th place in the 36-team Champions League table with one win in four matches and outside the playoff spots. Monaco beats Brest The win came immediately after second-placed Monaco beaten Brest 3-2 to briefly close the gap at the top to three points. Brest, which faces Barcelona next week in the Champions League, turned in another inconsistent French league performance and not the sparkling form it has shown in Europe. Brest has struggled in Ligue 1, where it remains 12th, but shone with three wins from four in its first ever Champions League campaign. It was behind after just five minutes on Friday when Maghnes Akliouche scored with a superb airborne volley, and 2-0 down after 24 minutes thanks to Aleksandr Golovin. The Russian striker seized on a poor pass just outside the Brest penalty area and his low shot was perfectly placed to sneak in off the post and give him his first goal in nine league appearances. On-loan Brighton striker Abdallah Sima used his 1.88-meter frame to outjump the Monaco defense four minutes into the second half and cut the deficit but Akliouche restored Monaco’s two-goal cushion when he brilliantly finished a quick counterattack in stoppage time. Ludovic Ajorque got a second for Brest in the sixth minute of added time but it was not enough in a second half most notable for the red card shown to Brest coach Éric Roy. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Making the grade: Canada unveils world junior roster featuring plenty of youth

After more than 7 years of treatment for Parkinson's syndrome, trembling and stiffness are significantly reduced after robotic surgery

Scouted: Turn Your Home Into a Smoking Sanctuary With These Chic Cannabis Essentials

MONTREAL — A childhood friend of the Quebec man killed in a Florida boat explosion Monday said one of the victim's sisters was among the other six passengers injured in the blast. Thi Cam Nhung Lê said 41-year-old Sebastien Gauthier was celebrating the holidays with his family when the explosion occurred in Fort Lauderdale. Lê said Gauthier’s older sister was also on the boat when it erupted into flames, and she was taken to a hospital. “It’s unimaginable, incomprehensible,” Lê said Saturday, adding that Gauthier’s family and mutual friends informed her about his death. Lê, 40, said she first met Gauthier in her early adolescence and they grew up together in Quebec City. She remembers him as a globetrotter who always had a smile on his face. “He’s still my best friend. It’s always him I call if I need something, but he’s no longer with us,” she said. The last time the two friends saw each other face-to-face was about two years ago, Lê said, but she last messaged Gauthier on social media in the days before Monday's explosion. And on Jan. 1, her birthday, she would have expected a call from him, just like every year. “I’m shocked, surprised, and feeling a little bit of regret," she said. "You regret not having seen him more. I spent yesterday crying. You can’t believe your friend disappears from one day to the next." Earlier this week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that Gauthier died of his injuries in Broward County. The FWC said its preliminary investigation in Fort Lauderdale showed a 37-foot vessel exploded after its engines were started, injuring all seven passengers on board. Video posted on social media Monday showed the vessel engulfed in flames, with a thick column of black smoke billowing into the sky. However, Florida authorities have not provided The Canadian Press with more information about the investigation. Searching for an explanation has also left Lê angry. As she mourns the loss of her longtime friend, she said she’s still waiting for answers about what led to his unexpected death. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 28, 2024. Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian PressGoogle analysts sent scrambling by startling break-up news

Fans are calling Emma Roberts’ son her “mini me.” The actor’s son, Rhodes, celebrated his fourth birthday on Friday, Dec. 27. To mark the occasion, Roberts shared several photos of him on Instagram , starting with a sweet snap of her son smiling wide for the camera. In another pic, Rhodes lays down in his mom's lap while she took a selfie of the duo. In the last photo of the post, Rhodes stood on top of an arcade game with his mom by his side. A post shared by Emma Roberts (@emmaroberts) “Happy Birthday angel boy,” Roberts wrote in the caption. “4!!” Some fans shared celebratory messages for Rhodes’ birthday while others made a point to call out the uncanny resemblance between the mother and son. “Tell me you’re Emma Roberts’ son without saying anything!” one commenter wrote. “He’s your double!” Another comment read, “I didn’t realize we were cloning people now lol. What a sweetie pie.” “He’s adorable and your mini me for sure!" one commenter pointed out. “I can see the Robert’s blood it runs strong!” an Instagram user added. “Mini you!” another comment read. “Happy birthday.” Rhodes also received a sweet birthday message from his great aunt, Julia Roberts, who wrote in the comments, “happy birthday Rhodeo.” Roberts shares Rhodes with her ex, Garrett Hedlund. The couple split in 2022, and the “American Horror Story” actor got engaged to Cody John in July 2024. Hedlund also shared a sweet Instagram post on Saturday that included several snaps of Rhodes to celebrate his birthday. “Happy 4th Birthday to my dearest Rhodes!” Hedlund wrote in the caption. “My ‘where the roses grow.’ My heart. Here’s to our new year of endless journeys!!!” A post shared by Garrett Hedlund (@garretthedlund) In the past, Roberts has shied away from sharing her son’s face on social media, until a blunder with her mom, Kelly Cunningham. In February 2023, Cunningham posted a photo of Rhodes’ face without her daughter’s permission. Roberts opened up about how she is trying to raise her son to be a gentleman and practice good manners during an April appearance on TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. “I’m trying to reinforce the ‘thank you,’ but take away the ‘no,’” she shared. “To things that are simple, like dinnertime: (He says) ‘No, thank you,’ and I’m like, ‘Actually, you’re welcome.’ “I feel like the way to get kids to do stuff, you have to present it in a very grand way, so I’m like, ‘Your bath is ready, sir. Look at all these toys,’” she added. This story first appeared on TODAY.com . More from TODAY :

Plum High School student Eli Pollak has a financial strategy. “The earlier you start, like at our age, investing, the more money you will make,” said Pollak, who attended the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Stock Market Challenge presented by Citizens on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. It was an event held to empower students with real-world financial literacy skills. Stage AE was set up like a stock market with a board showing the stock prices similar to the New York Stock Exchange, the biggest stock market on earth, where matches are made between buyers and sellers trading shares of public companies. In this live trading simulation, students formed teams to compete in maximizing their investments, strategizing in response to the ups and downs of a simulated market. There was buying, selling, trading and some tense moments. A bell was rung just like is done to open the daily stock market on Wall Street. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were on the line. Fortunately, this wasn’t real money. The morning included an interactive competition, bringing the trading floor to life. This was the first time for such an event in Pittsburgh. “This is what Junior Achievement does across the country,” said Patrice Matamoros, president of the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania. “We help with real-life skills. What we do here is an extension of what they are learning in the classroom.” That includes managing money through stocks, which was the lesson of the day. There were 108 teams and 385 students from Allegheny, Beaver, Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Westmoreland counties and Brooke and Hancock counties in West Virginia. Each team began with $500,000. They came prepared with a portfolio of fake company stocks. They were presented with various scenarios. Their portfolio might include companies such as Donut House, a global donut and coffee chain, and Nichols Sporting Goods, an American manufacturer of sports equipment. Al DiFranco, president and CEO at Junior Achievement of Greater Cleveland, would announce information such as the price of coffee beans on the rise. If the students owned Donut House stock, they might want to make a decision what to do with the stock. And they didn’t have a lot of time because, for this competition, one minute was equal to one day. “This JA Stock Market Challenge is about the stock market, but also about financial literacy and wellness and investing wisely,” DiFranco said. “When you work on Wall Street, you have to constantly be paying attention because the stock market can change in a minute.” Gretchen Weber, a marketing, business, accounting, law and finance teacher at Plum, said it was a great opportunity for students to learn about stocks and how to handle money. She brought five teams and 16 students. Sophomore Caydence Morgan said there was so much happening all at once. “This is so important to learn about investing in our future,” Morgan said. Classmate Sophia Tedesco said the morning was pretty stressful and everything was happening so quickly. Learning good money management is important, Tedesco said. Morgan and Plum junior Gianna Sciulli won an award for sharing their experience on social media. Winners of the stock market challenge were Peters Township High School students Laci and Lexi Vance, both first-year students, and their older brother Wyatt Vance, a junior. The prizes were $500 for the first-place team, $300 for the second, and $25 gift cards for each player on the third-place team. Peters Township finished with $662,000 total. Wyatt has been studying the stock market since he was 9 years old. He has read a lot of books about stocks and said, in real life, in the blink of an eye you can go from the top to the floor so you have to always be aware of what is going on in the world. Pollak agreed. “The stock market really gets your adrenaline pumping,” Pollak said. “You have to pay attention to what’s happening around you every second.”OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'

Max George ‘staying positive’ amid hospital stay due to heart issues

AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:51 p.m. ESTDeFi altcoins ruled the market in Q4’s bull run, making analysts anticipate bigger gains in 2025. Memecoins like BONK and WIF are already losing investors to explosive altcoins like Rollblock. Here’s why analysts are betting on bigger gains for RBLK in 2025. Rollblock’s (RBLK) Real-World Utility Token Knocks Solana’s Meme Coins Out of Business Rollblock is kicking Solana’s meme coins out of the market with its tangible utility and sustainable growth. Within a few months of its presale launch, Rollblock has managed to raise more than $7.75 million which reflects strong investor confidence. Unlike BONK and WIF, Rollblock offers practical applications by disrupting the $500 billion global gambling market. Rollblock is integrating the latest blockchain technology with centralized gaming, launching the world’s first crypto-native iGambling platform. Rollblock’s early investors have exclusive access to 7,000+ AI-powered games on the ecosystem, ranging from casino classics to new Web3 titles. Players can also try their luck with Rollblock’s new sports betting feature which is compatible with all the top sports leagues around the world. Winning games and bets on Rollblock means earning more RBLK as in-game rewards, allowing users to expand their holdings over time. Rollblock’s GameFi ecosystem is completely decentralized, giving players a completely tamper-proof gameplay. Every transaction made on Rollblock is processed through a smart contract that is audited by SolidProof, and all bets are encrypted on Ethereum’s immutable blockchain. These security protocols are the reason why Rollblock has already gained the trust of 35,000+ daily users, with analysts projecting another RBLK buying spree in early 2025. Many of these investors are flocking to Rollblock’s presale for the attractive staking rewards that offer a weekly passive income to long-term holders. Rollblock pays these rewards by using up to 30% of its weekly revenue for open market buybacks of RBLK, 40% of which are distributed to current holders. VIP-tier presale investors also receive exclusive benefits, including an additional bonus based on their RBLK holdings. Bonk (BONK) Continues Downward Rally After Burning 1.69 Trillion Tokens Bonk participated in the dog-themed memecoin community’s holiday token-burning event by removing more than 1.8% of its entire supply from circulation. BONK tokens worth over $51 million were burned on December 26, bringing Bonk’s circulating supply down to 91 trillion tokens. The idea behind this token burn was to increase community engagement and visibility as the project aimed to burn 1,000 BONK for every X post with the hashtag #LetsBONK. Despite this attempt to trigger a scarcity-driven rally, Bonk’s price dropped by more than 7% after the token burn event. This drop in price can be attributed to a market-wide sell-off of digital assets, fueled by Bitcoin’s underwhelming performance on Christmas Day. Bonk is currently trading for $0.00003358, with analysts projecting a steeper decline towards the S1 support. Dogwifhat (WIF) Recovers After Last Week’s Downturn Dogwifhat has witnessed a significant downturn, losing up to 37% of its gains during the past month. Dogwifhat’s price experienced another nosedive during the previous week but it has found a stable support at the $1.85 level. Dogwifhat’s on-chain metrics are also reflecting investor optimism after the recent price crash, with Dogwifhat’s Open Interest surging to $391.05 million over the past day. Dogwifhat is currently trading for $1.91 after an intraday increase of 3.43%. Stabilizing above $1.88 could help Dogwifhat surge toward the nearest resistance at $2.89 soon. Reaching this level would help Dogwifhat test the $4.83 price target, but these speculations require Dogwifhat’s buying activity to witness a massive increase in the next few weeks. Rollblock Poised to Deliver Bigger Gains than BONK and WIF in 2025 Rollblock’s GameFi ecosystem brings crypto into the real world instead of offering speculative trading options like BONK and WIF. RBLK tokens are currently priced at only $0.044 each, giving meme coin investors the perfect opportunity to jump ship to this explosive altcoin before the price skyrockets in early 2025. Website: https://presale.rollblock.io/ Socials: https://linktr.ee/rollblockcasino Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.

golden empire jili png 。

Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the season due to a broken collarbone, head coach Antonio Pierce confirmed on Monday, leaving the Raiders with a short week to determine their starter. Minshew suffered the injury when he was sacked and landed on his left shoulder late in the fourth quarter of Las Vegas' 29-19 home loss to the Denver Broncos. Former starter Aidan O'Connell, who was sidelined by a thumb injury in Week 7, could return off injured reserve in time for the Raiders (2-9) to face the two-time reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) on Friday in Kansas City. "We'll see if Aidan is good to go," Pierce said. "He's been ramping up." O'Connell entered the 21-day practice window on Monday as the Raiders determine when to activate him. "Seeing him able to grip the ball comfortable, hopefully, no pain there, and just being able to be efficient," Pierce said. "To put a player out there that's hurting or injured still, that's not to the benefit of the player or our team." O'Connell, 26, has played in four games this season, starting two (both losses). He is 52 of 82 (63.4 percent) for 455 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. As a rookie last season, O'Connell started 10 of 11 games, going 5-5, and completed 213 of 343 passes (62.1 percent) for 2,218 yards, 12 TDs and seven interceptions. The Raiders selected O'Connell in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. "Obviously at the quarterback position, you've got to be smart," Pierce said. "I think with Aidan, his future's much brighter looking ahead. ... I'll have to really rely on our doctors and medical staff." Desmond Ridder replaced Minshew and went 5 of 10 for 64 yards. Ridder, 25, has appeared in three games this season for Las Vegas and is 16 of 26 (61.5 percent) for 138 yards and one TD. Ridder played the previous two seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, who selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft. For his career, he is 338 of 529 (63.9 percent) for 3,682 yards, 15 TDs and 12 interceptions in 22 games (17 starts, 8-9 record). Minshew, 28, completed 25 of 42 passes for 230 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Broncos. He finished his first season with the Raiders with 2,013 yards, nine TDs and 10 picks on 66.3 percent passing. He joined the Raiders in free agency after stints in Jacksonville (2019-20), Philadelphia (2021-22) and Indianapolis (2023) and won the starting job in camp. But he was benched multiple times for O'Connell as the Raiders struggled as a team. --Field Level MediaElon Musk Reclaims World’s Richest Person Title With $447bn Net Worthpinstock/E+ via Getty Images PRFZ strategy Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1500 Small-Mid ETF ( NASDAQ: PRFZ ) was launched on 09/20/2006 and tracks the FTSE RAFI US 1500 Small-Mid Index. It has 1451 holdings, a 30-day SEC yield of 1.05% and a net Quantitative Risk & Value (QRV) provides you with risk indicators and data-driven, time-tested strategies. Get started with a two-week free trial now. Fred Piard, PhD. is a quantitative analyst and IT professional with over 30 years of experience working in technology. He is the author of three books and has been investing in data-driven systematic strategies since 2010. Quantitative Risk & Value Learn more 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.

Connor Gaydos, a man connected to an apparent parody project to relaunch the energy company Enron and become its new CEO , was hit in the face with a pie this week as he was entering a building in New York City. The incident was caught on video and went viral on social media Thursday. The clip shows Gaydos exiting an SUV shortly before an older man slams the pie into his face as two bodyguards intervene. The bizarre incident mirrored one from more than two decades earlier, when a California woman tossed a pie into the face of Enron’s then-CEO Jeffrey Schilling . Earlier this month, a group announced the scandal-plagued Texas company was returning exactly 23 years after filing for bankruptcy amid massive fraud. “With a bold new vision, Enron will leverage cutting-edge technology, human ingenuity, and the spirit of adaptation to address the critical challenges of energy, sustainability, accessibility and affordability,” the company said in a press release that raised questions about its legitimacy. The announcement was reportedly joined by billboards in the Houston area, a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle and a video promoting the company’s comeback. An investigation conducted by Houston station KHOU turned up a disclaimer on the company’s website that read, “The information on the website is First Amendment-protected parody , represents performance art and is for entertainment purposes only.” Many have speculated the company’s reemergence is merely a publicity stunt promoting cryptocurrency .

Supreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications. Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy week Stock indexes closed mixed on Wall Street at the end of a rare bumpy week. The S&P 500 ended little changed Friday. The benchmark index reached its latest in a string of records a week ago. It lost ground for the week following three weeks of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite edged up 0.1%. Broadcom surged after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street’s profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, surged after raising its revenue forecast. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. Next Week: Retail sales, Fed policy update, existing home sales The Commerce Department releases its monthly snapshot of U.S. retail sales Tuesday. Federal Reserve officials wrap up a two-day meeting and issue an interest rate policy update Wednesday. The National Association of Realtors issues its latest update on U.S. home sales Thursday.

Henry Schein Inc. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitorsA new year means new laws for Texans, and several will go into effect starting Jan. 1. Some of these laws will affect drivers and internet users, while others will affect court operations and school funding. Changes to the laws were passed during the 88th Texas Legislature and were signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. Here’s an outline of those new state laws and how they will affect Texans in 2025. Vehicle safety inspections Safety inspections will no longer be required for Texans to register a vehicle, with the exception of commercial ones, according to The Texas Department of Public Safety. All non-commercial vehicles will, however, be required to pay a $7.50 inspection program replacement charge when registering with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Cars that have not been registered in Texas or another state will have to pay a $16.75 initial inspection program replacement charge to cover two years. A safety examination is still necessary for commercial vehicles. There won’t be any replacement costs for such cars. The cost of registration will not change, and a non-commercial vehicle must still undergo an emissions test if it is registered in a county where it is mandated. The following counties require emissions tests: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson. Emissions tests will be required in Bexar County starting in 2026. Choice in data sharing Texans will be able to decide if a company is allowed to collect and process their personal data in 2025, under the updated Texas Data Privacy and Security Act. House Bill 4 already let Texans authorize someone else or technology to opt out of having a company process their personal information. This new safeguard starting on Jan. 1 enables Texans to use browser settings, extensions and device functionalities to opt out of data sales, targeted advertising and profiling based on personal data. Opting out must be the user’s choice rather than a default setting, according to the law, and that must be made clear by companies. Texas judicial district courts Three new courts will be established in Texas counties, as outlined in House Bill 3474. Denton County will be home to the 477th judicial district court, and cases in Edwards, Gillespie and Kimball counties will be heard by the new 499th judicial court. Kendall County will be home to the 498th judicial district court. School funding Under Senate Bill 2, more money will be available to school districts if they run out of their budgets after regular state funding and local taxes are calculated in 2025. Districts will be able to apply for extra funds in an effort to make up for the loss of tax revenues due to limitations on tax increases for elderly and disabled homeowners. The Texas Education Agency must also publish the highest compressed rate for every school district starting in January. Clarity on Texas law The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure will undergo revisions that will provide clarity for the public and legal experts. The modifications will make legal statutes easier to understand without affecting their structure or readability. These changes aim to bring the state’s legal system up to date.In the immediate aftermath of Glasgow Warriors’ stunning triumph over the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship final in South Africa, Franco Smith was quick to stress it was the beginning rather than the end of his squad’s achievements. “This team shouldn’t be done after tonight,” said the head coach. “We’ve got the building blocks to go further still.” Smith has proved adept at smashing the glass ceiling which has limited Scottish rugby ambitions and the next target is success in Europe. Glasgow open their Investec Champions Cup campaign against Sale Sharks on Scotstoun on Saturday night, the first step on a mission to achieve what no previous Scottish rugby club has, namely lifting a European trophy. Smith himself took Glasgow to the Challenge Cup final in 2023, his first season in charge, but they were second best against Toulon in Dublin. This year they are back in the top tier and will meet the French side again next week in their second group game but it’s Sale first and Alex Sanderson’s side travel north off the back of an impressive home win over Leicester Tigers. Racing 92 and Harlequins also await in Pool 3 and Smith is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against the best of England and France - but he was reluctant to make bold predictions. When it was put to him that Glasgow are considered to be dark horses in this year’s competition, the coach gave a considered answer. “Well, I don’t want the expectation to influence what we try to do here,” he said. “So, yes, the squad needs to kick on in every game that we play. The quality of the players and the way they've developed and the way that they work at their game and the influence that the internationals have is important and we need to continue evolving and continue growing and continue adding value to the squad in various ways. “And the Champions Cup obviously is a massive, good competition to play in as well as the URC, but there's something special about playing the French and the Premiership sides.” Glasgow came unstuck in the round of 16 last season, losing a thriller to Harlequins at the Stoop. Interestingly, Smith cites that match as the spur that drove them on to URC glory. “We fell last year against the Harlequins in the 78th minute,” he said. “We were still leading and there was a little bit more in us to get across the line. So, yes, I think that hurt inspired us actually in the URC to complete that season properly. “So, definitely one of the objectives is to perform as best as we can in this competition.” Glasgow’s stunning success in Pretoria was rightly recognised this week. It was voted ‘Sporting Moment of the Year’ at the Scottish Sports Awards, beating the impressive Bob McIntyre’s Scottish Open win to the prize. Smith was also rewarded, winning ‘Coach of the Year’ at the Glasgow’s Sport Awards. It was hot and humid as the Warriors fought back to beat the Bulls at altitude, in stark contrast to the conditions Sale can expect at Scotstoun. Nevertheless, Smith believes Glasgow can take inspiration from the way they handled adversity both in the final and in the semi, against Munster in Limerick. “Without that we would have been weaker, I'll put it that way,” he said. “So it is an important ingredient and it is important that we can refer back to games like that. “But Sale will pose a different challenge. It's at home, it's eight o'clock on a Saturday night, the temperature is definitely different. We're in a different part of the season. So, no, we'll take a lot of experience from those league games that we've played and I am sure that we will be a better team again after this one.” Glasgow shook off the rust of the international break with a patchy win over the Scarlets last week. Smith has brought the big guns back to face Sale which means a return for Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu in the centre as Tom Jordan moves to stand-off. Up front, there are six personnel changes, with Jamie Bhatti, Gregor Hiddleston, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson and Rory Darge all selected. Jare Oguntibeju retains his place in the second row after impressing on his debut against the Scarlets and Smith wants the former Scotland Under-20 forward to back it up. Oguntibeju, 22, only took up rugby seriously at 17 after playing football at school in Edinburgh. He has had to overcome adversity in the shape of serious injuries but the South African-born lock has worked hard with Glasgow’s strength and conditioning team to get into the sort of shape required to play at the elite level. “The S&C has done a great job on him,” said Smith. “And I'm happy to see that, from a rugby perspective, he's also growing. He's a later arrival to the game, but he's learned, he's intelligent and he's trying to step up every day.” Smith has a track record of bringing through young players and the hope is that Oguntibeju can follow in the footsteps of Max Williamson, Alex Samuel , Euan Ferrie and Gregor Brown. It also helps plug the gap in the second row caused by Richie Gray’s mid-season departure to Japan. Smith had hoped to sign an experienced replacement for Gray but was thwarted in his bid to land his top target, believed to be the Scarlets’ Alex Craig. Williamson, Brown, Ferrie and JP du Preez are all out injured but they should return in the next month or so. Smith also reported good news on the fitness of Ollie Smith and Kyle Steyn who are close to a return. “Ollie is looking good,” said the coach. “He's been training with us the last three weeks.” Steyn, the club captain, is also progressing well and should be back before Christmas. The news on Adam Hastings was less good. The stand-off has had an operation after fracturing his jaw against Scarlets and will be out for eight to 12 weeks, according to Smith. The coach also confirmed he would like to hang on to full-back Josh McKay who is out of contract at the end of the season. The teams Glasgow Warriors: 15. Josh McKay; 14. Seb Cancelliere, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11. Kyle Rowe; 10. Tom Jordan, 9. George Horne; 1. Jamie Bhatti, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Olujare Oguntibeju, 5. Scott Cummings, 6. Matt Fagerson, 7. Rory Darge, 8. Henco Venter. Replacements: 16. Johnny Matthews, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Alex Samuel, 20. Ally Miller, 21. Jack Mann, 22. Jamie Dobie, 23. Duncan Weir. Sale Sharks: 15. Joe Carpenter; 14. Will Addison, 13. Luke James, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed; 10. Robert du Preez (c), 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Tadgh McElroy, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Jean-Luc du Preez, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Dan du Preez. Replacements: 16. Harry Thompson, 17. Si McIntyre, 18. James Harper, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Jonny Hill, 21. Raffi Quirke, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Sam Dugdale. Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy).

Dec. 7, 1941: America remembersdevastating attack on Pearl Harbor

Daily Post Nigeria Chelsea, kar ku dauko Salah – William Gallas Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Hausa Chelsea, kar ku dauko Salah – William Gallas Published on December 13, 2024 By Kabeer Bello Tsohon ɗan wasan Faransa, William Gallas, ya gargadi Chelsea da kada su ɗauki tauraron Liverpool, Mohamed Salah, koda kuwa zai kasance kyauta batare da kwantiragi ba. Salah da ya shiga watanni 12 na ƙarshen kwantiraginsa a Anfield, kuma a baya-bayan nan ya tabbatar da cewa ba ayi masa tayin tsawaita zamansa a ƙungiyar ba. Saboda haka akwai yiwuwar ya bar ƙungiyar maimakon ya ci gaba da zama. Sai dai Liverpool na sa ran yin wani yunkuri don ganin Salah ya sake sa hannu kan sabon kwantiragi, kuma akwai yiwuwar Salah mai shekara 32 ya karɓi tayin kuɗi mai tsoka daga ƙasar Saudiyya nan gaba a bazarar badi. A wata tattaunawa da Prime Casino, Gallas ya bayyana cewa zuwan Salah zai iya kawo cikas ga ƙungiyar ta Stamford Bridge. “Ina ganin Chelsea bai kamata ta karɓi Mohamed Salah a matsayin dan wasan da kwantaraginsa ta kare ba,’ inji Gallas ga Prime Casino. “Yan wasan ƙungiyar Chelsea a yanzu suna koyon wasa tare ne, kuma suna girma tare, kuma hakan yana aiki sosai ƙarƙashin Enzo Maresca. “Ina ganin kawo ɗan wasa kamar Salah ba zai yi wa ƙungiyar kyau ba, duk da irin bajintar da yake nunawa a gasar Premier.” Related Topics: Mo Salah Don't Miss Lakurawan: Rundunar soji ta aika dakaru na musamman zuwa jihohi 3 You may like EPL: Mark Lawrenson suggests winger Liverpool should sign as Mo Salah’s replacement EPL: Liverpool winger, Mo Salah now earning £1m per week EPL: Why Liverpool beat Manchester United 4-0 – Mo Salah Victor Osimhen equals Samuel Eto’o, Mo Salah, George Weah’s record Transfer news: What Messi told Barcelona about signing Mo Salah Champions League: Football fans around the world report Sergio Ramos to FIFA over Mo Salah’s injury Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdRaiders confirm QB Gardner Minshew out for season, look to Aidan O'ConnellNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott 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!Ottawa police say advances in DNA technology helped them find, arrest and charge a suspect in a 1996 stabbing death on the Portage Bridge. At a news conference Monday, Deputy Chief Trish Ferguson said 73-year-old Lawrence Diehl, who was living in Vancouver, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder last week for the death of Christopher Smith. The victim was crossing the Portage Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau, Que., early on April 12, 1996, with a cousin when he got into an altercation and was stabbed, police said. Smith was later pronounced dead at a Gatineau hospital. Ferguson said advances in genetic genealogy , or building potential family trees using DNA, helped lead investigators to the breakthrough. She declined to share more details. While this is the first time Ottawa police say they have found relatives using the technology, it's also been used to help identify Jewell Parchman Langford as the "Nation River Lady ." Genetic genealogy is cracking cases once thought unsolvable. Not all police forces can afford to use it Ottawa police thanked police in Toronto and Vancouver and the RCMP. They're also asking the public for any additional information about what Diehl was doing in Ottawa around that time, saying only that he was there for work. Ottawa police said they're regularly reviewing more than 60 unsolved homicides. In 2012 , they put up a $50,000 reward for information related to his death. Ottawa police, then known as the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Police Service, investigate a stabbing on the Portage Bridge in 1996. (Ottawa Police Service)

CNPC: China Reaches Refined Oil Demand PeakB.C. minister wants new safety plan for Victoria schools, threatens board removal VICTORIA — British Columbia Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed a special adviser to help the Victoria school board "revise and improve" its safety plan after it barred police from schools except in emergencies. Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press Dec 6, 2024 12:33 PM Dec 6, 2024 12:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message B.C. Education Minister Lisa Beare speaks at an event in Maple Ridge, B.C., Oct. 7, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VICTORIA — British Columbia Education Minister Lisa Beare has appointed a special adviser to help the Victoria school board "revise and improve" its safety plan after it barred police from schools except in emergencies. Beare says former Abbotsford, B.C., school superintendent Kevin Godden will help with the changes, and if a plan isn't reached by Jan. 6, she will consider using the School Act to replace the current school board. Police haven't been allowed at district schools except in special circumstances since last year, and the board says it based that decision on reports that some students and teachers — particularly those who are Indigenous or people of colour — don't feel safe with officers in schools. Victoria police Chief Del Manak has repeatedly criticized the board's decision, citing concerns that include increased gang activity in schools. Ongoing public objections by youth counsellors and area First Nations to the removal of police from schools prompted the Education Ministry to order the board to come up with a new safety plan in August. However, the ministry says in a statement that the plan submitted by the school board was not approved after an independent review involving discussions with First Nations, local police chiefs, the parent advisory council and the board's trustees. Theresa Campbell, CEO of the group Safer Schools Together, says in the statement that the district's plan did support some high-risk vulnerable youth and staff training, but didn't address the key aspects of a comprehensive safety plan. "Proactive safety plans must include strong relationships and collaboration with law enforcement, First Nations and other community partners. There is also a need for more specificity regarding safety strategies, protocols and processes," she says in the statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Indigenous News Trudeau, ministers and opposition leaders address AFN gathering in Ottawa Dec 6, 2024 6:11 AM Canada's Arctic policy draws on international collaboration to face emerging threats Dec 6, 2024 6:00 AM Chief 'disappointed' to see clean water used as a political tactic by Conservatives Dec 5, 2024 5:42 PM

golden empire jili slot game

Cuts to community services are feared as a new poll shows one in three charities unsure of their survival. A poll of 56 leaders and chief executives of key charity and not-for-profit organisations found 37 per cent were more uncertain about their body's future than three years ago. Only 55 per cent of respondents to the survey, conducted by Piazza Research in September, were somewhat or highly confident their organisation's future was in hand. The findings signalled a need for stronger government support, said the Community Council of Australia which commissioned the report. "When more than a third of charities are talking about having an uncertain future, you're highlighting a high level of unmet need," chair Tim Costello said. "That can only mean frustration for charities and the communities they serve." Some 93 per cent of respondents expect the cost of their operations to worsen over the next year. Among the biggest challenges identified are competition for resources such as funding, skilled staff, and volunteers (73 per cent), economic downturns (71 per cent), environmental factors including climate change and natural disasters (56 per cent) and social and demographics trends (52 per cent). There was some hope of technological advancements (27 per cent) and positive attitude shifts from funders (16 per cent) but they were outweighed by broader concerns. The sector employs more than 1.4 million Australians, mobilises 3.5 million volunteers and turns over more than $200 billion each year. Some charities might have to consider withdrawing some of their services to survive, the council's chief executive David Crosbie said. "For years charities have been saying the real costs of providing services to our communities is much higher than the funding being provided," he said. "This new research reinforces previous findings that the biggest issue confronting charities is the lack of support to meet rising costs and increasing demand." The Salvation Army is one charity in particular that is feeling the heat of surging demand amid the festive season. A separate poll of 2004 people by Pureprofile on behalf of the Salvos suggests 6.3 million Australians (29.9 per cent) will struggle to pay their rent or mortgage this Christmas. More than one in three (35.8 per cent) of those surveyed said they will have less people over on Christmas Day due to the cost-of-living crisis and 9.3 per cent are reaching out to charity for help this Christmas, including 54 per cent for the first time. Major Bruce Harmer said the charity had never seen such volume and widespread need across the country in its 140-year history. "It is truly heartbreaking to see the despair and devastating decisions Australians are having to make in order to provide for their families this Christmas," he said. "As we see the devastating results of this research, we are reminded that every number and statistic represents real people, and we see that every day of the year amongst those who reach out to the Salvos for support."

None

Expert Outlook: ICF International Through The Eyes Of 4 AnalystsBuccaneers looking to beat NFC South-rival Panthers and bolster hopes for a playoff berth TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — This isn’t a week when coach Todd Bowles feels he needs to find the right words to ensure his Tampa Bay Buccaneers are motivated to face the last-place Carolina Panthers. Fred Goodall, The Associated Press Dec 26, 2024 3:47 PM Dec 26, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) prepares to throw a pass in the second half of an NFL football game agianst the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — This isn’t a week when coach Todd Bowles feels he needs to find the right words to ensure his Tampa Bay Buccaneers are motivated to face the last-place Carolina Panthers. The Bucs (8-7) have won eight of the last nine meetings between the NFC South rivals, including the past three with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. It hasn’t exactly been smoothly sailing against the Panthers (4-11), though, for the three-time defending division champions. And, with at least a share of first place on the line Sunday, Bowles and his players say they are focused solely on rebounding from last week’s disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys. “We know it’s going to be a tough ballgame. It went overtime last time. They’re coached very well; they play very hard,” Bowles said, referencing Tampa Bay’s 26-23 win at Carolina on Dec. 1. “We know what’s at stake for us. It doesn’t need to be talked about. Everybody understands that,” Bowles added. “We’ve got to clean up our own mistakes, and we’ve got to play an error-free football game.” The Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South, however the Falcons (8-7) hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams. To claim a fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay needs to win remaining home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints while Atlanta loses at least once in the last two weeks of the regular season. If the Falcons hold on to win the South, the Bucs can earn a wild-card playoff berth if they win out and the Washington Commanders lose twice. Mayfield, who has resurrected his career since being released by Carolina two years ago, summed up the attitude in a resilient locker room. The Bucs have won four of five games following a four-game losing streak threatened their playoff hopes. “I keep saying it, this team has the mental makeup of a great team. We just have to continue to fight and find ways to win,” the quarterback said. “If we don’t take of business, we won’t be in the playoffs.” Chuba’s revenge Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard cost his team the game four weeks ago against Tampa Bay when he fumbled on the second possession of overtime just after Carolina had reached field goal range. Mayfield responded by leading the Bucs back down the field for the winning field goal. The loss was devastating for Hubbard at the time, but he promised himself when the opportunity arose again he’d make the most of it. He did that this past Sunday, when he carried twice for 49 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown run in which he broke two tackles, in overtime to lift the Panthers to a 36-30 win over Arizona, knocking the Cardinals out of the playoff hunt. “I’d let it go, but it’s definitely been in the back of my head a little bit,” Hubbard said. “Like I said, when the next opportunity came, I told myself I’m going to get it back for them. To be able to have them trust me in that opportunity again, and to have it in that way is a blessing from God.” Young’s development Bryce Young has shown solid progress in his decision making, particularly when the pocket begins to break down. Last week, the second-year QB ran for a career-best 68 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown. Young was benched after two games this season, but since returning to the lineup has played better, restoring some faith that perhaps the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 can be the team’s quarterback of the future. “Just time in the system and time as a team for us to come together,” Young said of why he has improved. “For me, being able to get reps, and get time with everyone. It’s just all of us being able to feed off of each other, and it’s been able to allow us to turn in the right direction.” Awful vs. the run The Panthers have been abysmal against the run, allowing nearly 200 yards per game on the ground over the last seven games. In the last meeting with Tampa Bay, Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 152 yards and a touchdown, so Carolina’s defense has a good idea of what's coming Sunday. Close calls Mayfield has beaten Carolina three times since joining the Bucs in 2023. All of the meetings have been close, though, with the Panthers losing twice by three points and Tampa Bay settling for three field goals in a 9-0 regular season-ending victory that clinched its third straight NFC South championship last January. “We know them well. They know us well,” Mayfield said. ___ AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report. ___ NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Fred Goodall, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) The hapless Giants will have one last chance to win at home when the Colts visit Sunday Dec 26, 2024 4:25 PM Titans WR Calvin Ridley wants to 'chirp' in his return to Jacksonville to face his former team Dec 26, 2024 4:24 PM Dolphins are on the outside of AFC playoffs and need help and a win over Browns to have any chance Dec 26, 2024 4:14 PM

CLEVELAND (AP) — Shortly after doing a face-down snow angel, firing a few celebratory snowballs and singing “Jingle Bells” on his way to the media room, Jameis Winston ended his postgame news conference with a simple question. “Am I a Brown yet?” he asked. He is now. And who knows? Maybe for a lot longer than expected. Winston entered Cleveland football folklore on Thursday night by leading the Browns to a 24-19 win over the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who had their five-game winning streak stopped. Winston’s performance at Huntington Bank Field, which transformed into the world’s largest snow globe, not only made him an instantaneous hero in the eyes of Browns fans but added another wrinkle to the team’s ever-changing, never-ending quarterback conundrum. In his fourth start since Deshaun Watson’s season-ending Achilles tendon injury, Winston made enough big plays to help the Browns (3-8) get a victory that should quiet conjecture about coach Kevin Stefanski’s job. Some wins mean more than others. In Cleveland, beating the Steelers is as big as it gets. But beyond any instant gratification, Winston has given the Browns more to consider as they move forward. RELATED COVERAGE The Ravens looked better defensively last week, but now Roquan Smith’s injury is a concern Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury Jefferson keeps seeing double as Vikings aim to stay focused on overall offensive production Watson’s future with Cleveland is highly uncertain since it will still be months before the team has a grip on whether he’s even an option in 2025, his fourth year since signing a $230 million, fully guaranteed contract that has proven calamitous. It’s also possible the Browns will cut ties with Watson. They signed Winston to a one-year contract to be Watson’s backup. But the unexpected events of 2024 have changed plans and led to the possibility that the 30-year-old Winston could become Cleveland’s full-time QB or a bridge to their next young one. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . So much is unclear. What’s not is that Winston, who leaped into the end zone on fourth-and-2 for a TD to put the Browns ahead 18-6 in the fourth quarter, is a difference maker. With his larger-than-life personality and the joy he shows whether practicing or throwing three touchdown passes, he has lifted the Browns. A man of faith, he’s made his teammates believe. Winston has done what Watson couldn’t: made the Browns better. “A very, very authentic person,” Stefanski said Friday on a Zoom call. “He’s the same guy every single day. He’s the same guy at 5 a.m. as he at 5 p.m. He brings great energy to everything he does, and I think his teammates appreciate that about him.” Winston, who is 2-2 as a starter with wins over the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has a knack for inspiring through fiery, preacher-like pregame speeches. But what has impressed the Browns is his ability to stay calm in the storm. “He doesn’t get rattled,” said Myles Garrett, who had three sacks against the Steelers . “He’s just tuned in and focused as anyone I’ve seen at that position. Turn the page. There was a turnover, came back to the sideline, ‘Love you. I’m sorry. We’re going to get it back.’ He was already on to the next one, ‘How can we complete the mission?’ “I have a lot of respect for him. First was from afar and now seeing it on the field in front of me, it’s a blessing to have someone who plays a game with such a passion and want-to. You can’t ask for a better teammate when they take those things to heart and they want to play for you like we’re actually brothers and that’s what we have to attain. That brotherhood.” What’s working Winston has done something else Watson couldn’t: move the offense. The Browns scored more than 20 points for just the second time this season, and like Joe Flacco a year ago, Winston has shown that Stefanski’s system works with a quarterback patient enough to let plays develop and unafraid to take shots downfield. What needs help The conditions certainly were a factor, but the Browns were a miserable 1 of 10 on third down, a season-long trend. However, Cleveland converted all four fourth-down tries, including a fourth-and-3 pass from Winston to Jerry Jeudy with 2:36 left that helped set up Nick Chubb’s go-ahead TD run. Stock up RT Jack Conklin. Garrett outplayed Steelers star T.J. Watt in their rivalry within the rivalry partly because Conklin did a nice job containing Pittsburgh’s edge rusher, who was held without a sack and had one tackle for loss. Conklin has made a remarkable comeback since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery last year. Stock down Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. Their desire to build a dome is well intended, but an indoor game could never come close to matching the surreal setting of Thursday night, when snow swirled throughout the stadium and covered nearly all the yard lines and hash marks. “It was beautiful,” Winston said. Injuries WR Cedric Tillman is in the concussion protocol. He had two catches before taking a big hit on the final play of the third quarter. Key numbers 9 — Consecutive home wins for the Browns in Thursday night games. Three of those have come against Pittsburgh. What’s next An extended break before visiting the Denver Broncos on Dec. 2. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLNew Delhi, Dec 29, 2024 E-commerce company Snapdeal has managed to cut down its loss to Rs 160.38 crore in FY24 from Rs 282.20 crore in FY23. Apart from this, the company’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) loss declined by 88 per cent to Rs 16 crore in FY24. It was Rs 144 crore in FY23. The reason for the reduction in the company’s loss is the decline in expenses. The company’s total expenditure in FY24 was Rs 540.76 crore. It was Rs 687.93 crore in FY23. The employee benefits expenditure of the company in FY24 declined by 48.5 per cent on YoY (year-on-year) basis to Rs 158.4 crore. It was Rs 307.53 crore in FY23. During this period, the company’s advertising expenditure was reduced by 23.5 per cent on YoY basis to Rs 70.37 crore. Snapdeal’s operating income increased by 2.1 per cent to Rs 379.76 crore in FY24 from Rs 371.96 crore in FY23. Market services have the biggest contribution of Rs 252.55 crore to the company’s revenue. However, it decreased by 9.6 percent on YoY basis as compared to FY23. The company’s enablement income increased by 14.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 103.36 crore in FY24. The company’s income from other items has increased 8 times to Rs 23.85 crore in the last financial year. According to the stock exchange filing, Snapdeal has reduced its stake in Unicommerce. The company had raised Rs 33 crore from the secondary sale of 3.4 per cent stake during May-June 2024 ahead of the IPO and Rs 81 crore from the sale of 9.2 per cent stake under the offer for sale in the IPO that came in August 2024. Snapdeal is one of India’s leading e-commerce platforms. Founded in 2010, Snapdeal focuses on the value commerce market in India and has served more than 10 Crore online shoppers over the past 14+ years.(Agency)golden empire jili slot 。

At least 65 million tune in for Netflix NFL Christmas Day games. NBA holiday ratings also skyrocket

As the Biden administration winds down, the US Food and Drug Administration has submitted a proposed rule that could significantly lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products and potentially prompt more people to quit smoking. The FDA has been signaling its intentions to limit nicotine levels at least since 2018 , during the first Trump administration. In 2022, President Joe Biden’s FDA commissioner, Dr. Robert Califf, took it a step further and announced that the agency was developing a rule that would require tobacco companies to significantly reduce the amount of nicotine in traditional cigarettes. The next regulatory step, which the FDA took Tuesday by submitting the proposal to the Office of Management and Budget , would not mean overnight change. But if the government did set a limit on nicotine levels, experts say, it could significantly improve public health. “A proposed product standard to establish a maximum nicotine level to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes and certain combusted tobacco products, when finalized, would be among the most impactful population-level actions in the history of US tobacco product regulation,” the FDA said in a statement Wednesday. The number of people who smoke has been declining for more than a decade, but smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death, disease and disability in the country, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 16 million Americans are living with a smoking-related disease. As of 2021, about 28.3 million US adults were considered current smokers, the CDC says. Surveys show that most want to quit, but nicotine is highly addictive, changing the brain in ways that make people want to smoke more. Half of smokers say they’ve tried to quit in the past year, but fewer than 1 in 10 were successful. Studies show that when the nicotine content of cigarettes is reduced, people smoke less and make more attempts to quit. Cigarettes with lower nicotine levels seem to be effective in alleviating withdrawal, research shows. When the FDA announced its initial plans to reduce nicotine in 2022, it estimated that reducing nicotine levels could keep more than 33 million people from becoming regular smokers, that about 5 million additional smokers would quit within a year, and that 134 million years of life would be gained. In the draft proposal from 2018, which the FDA has since refined, it cited a 2013 survey that found that reducing the total nicotine content of cigarettes to 0.5 milligrams per rod would minimize addictiveness, but it also said that questions remain with respect to the precise level of nicotine in cigarettes. The agency’s proposal was met with high praise Wednesday. “Once finalized, this rule could be a game-changer in our nation’s efforts to eliminate tobacco use,” said Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Making tobacco products non-addictive would dramatically reduce the number of young people who become hooked when they are experimenting. To fully address the toll of tobacco on our nation’s health and across all communities, it is critical to reduce nicotine levels to non-addictive levels in all commercial tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.” Not all smokers would quit if nicotine levels were limited, experts say, nor would all smoking-related diseases disappear, since tobacco products contain other chemicals that can be harmful for health. “Certainly, there would be individuals who would benefit from substantially lower nicotine levels and find it easier to quit,” said Dr. Rose Marie Robertson, a cardiologist and chief science officer at the American Heart Association. “It’s really hard to quit. I’ve seen patients over many years who have gotten the wake-up call with a heart attack or a stroke and really want to improve their health and reduce their risk, but it’s just very, very hard to do.” There won’t be any immediate changes to tobacco products. The Office of Management and Budget’s approval process can take months. There will also be a public comment period, and the tobacco industry often sues the government to stop new regulations. It’s also unclear what the FDA will do with such a proposal under President-elect Donald Trump. During his first term, the agency signaled that it wanted to limit nicotine, but the tobacco industry donated heavily to Republicans ahead of this year’s elections, and Trump’s pick for chief of staff worked as a tobacco lobbyist . Robertson says her association wants this last-minute FDA effort to work. “We’re hopeful, but we’ll be there if it doesn’t move forward, and we’ll continue to be there,” she said. CNN’s Deidre McPhillips contributed to this report.

CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:COMM) Shares Sold by MetLife Investment Management LLC

golden empire jili tricks MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves delayed their game against the San Antonio Spurs by one hour on Sunday night due to an issue with the court at Target Center. The Timberwolves announced the decision about three hours before the originally scheduled tipoff time. The Spurs discovered the problem during their morning shootaround, Timberwolves spokesman Patrick Rees said. The team decided to delay the game so arena staff had enough time to install the replacement court that had to be delivered from elsewhere. The Timberwolves have played at Target Center since 1990. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBANovember 30 - While Cleveland heads into Sunday's home matchup with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics sporting the league's best record, the Cavaliers also come in trying to avoid a three-game losing streak. Cleveland had its 15-game winning streak to open the season interrupted in its last meeting with Boston, a 120-117 win for the host Celtics on Nov. 19. The Cavaliers recovered with a pair of wins over Toronto and New Orleans, but fell in meetings with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and Friday. A 20-point, 22-assist game from Trae Young on Wednesday powered Atlanta to 135 points, the most Cleveland has allowed this season. The Hawks followed the 11-point win in Cleveland with a 16-point rout of the Cavaliers on Friday in Atlanta. The consecutive losses dropped Cleveland to 17-3, tied with Boston for the NBA's best mark in the loss column. The Cavaliers maintain the league's best winning percentage at .850 but are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak since last April. "Our defensive engagement was good," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said, contrasting Friday's loss with Wednesday's. "(But) our offense kind of tanked. It's hard to be mad at our guys. They've been phenomenal offensively." The Cavaliers ranked No. 20 in points per game a season ago with 112.6. In their first season under Atkinson as coach, they lead the NBA in scoring at 122.4. Friday's contest was Cleveland's lowest-scoring output of the season despite 29 points from Darius Garland and 24 from Evan Mobley. Donovan Mitchell managed less than half of his season average (24.1) with 12, while 14.5-point per game scorer Jarrett Allen managed just six. The Cavaliers look to get back on track against a Celtics team riding a seven-game winning streak. The Celtics, averaging the NBA's second-highest point-per-game output at 121.2, have bookended their streak with 139 points in a rout at Brooklyn on Nov. 13 and 138 points in a win Friday at Chicago. Jayson Tatum scored 35 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Boston's nine-point defeat of the Bulls. He is averaging 28.7 points, which includes his 33-point performance in the win over the Cavaliers. In Friday's NBA Cup win, Boston also got a huge performance off the bench from Payton Pritchard. His 29 points (19 in the fourth quarter) came on the heels of a 20-point outing in the Celtics' 126-94 home blowout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. "The key to him is he finds different ways to impact games. He's grown as a player over the course of his career," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Pritchard. "He's a complete player. I know it sounds weird, but he's one of the best three-level scorers I've seen for his size, and he's just a high-level competitor." At 15.6 points per game, Pritchard is one of five Celtics averaging more than 12 points along with Tatum, Jaylen Brown (24.7), Derrick White (18.3) and Jrue Holiday (12.1). --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

December 30 - Ilya Samsonov turned aside 31 shots for his 14th career shutout and Tanner Pearson had a goal and an assist as the Vegas Golden Knights extended their season-best winning streak to six games with a 3-0 victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday night in Las Vegas. It was Samsonov's first shutout with the Golden Knights and marked his sixth win in his past seven starts. Brett Howden and Victor Olofsson also scored goals and Shea Theodore added two assists for Pacific Division-leading Vegas, which improved to an NHL-best 15-3-0 at home. The Golden Knights also moved into a tie with the Winnipeg Jets for the NHL lead in points with 53. Dan Vladar stopped 34 of 36 shots for Calgary, which had a five-game point streak (3-0-2) come to an end. The Flames were playing the second game of a back-to-back that began 22 hours earlier with a 3-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks. Vegas, which scored two short-handed goals in a 23-second span in the third period of a 6-3 comeback win over San Jose on Friday, came up big again on special teams on Sunday during a scoreless first period, killing off a five-on-three power play by the Flames. Meanwhile, Vladar, who yielded five goals on 38 shots in a 5-0 loss to the Golden Knights on Oct. 28, turned aside the first 23 shots he faced, including a handful of close, grade-A chances. Howden finally ended the scoreless duel with 4:01 left in the second period when he redirected Alex Pietrangelo's shot from the high slot over Vladar's right shoulder for his 15th goal of the season, moving him into a tie with the injured Ivan Barbashev for the team lead. Olofsson made it 2-0 at the 14:41 mark of the third period with a power-play goal, one-timing a Theodore pass from the middle of the right circle into the top far corner of the net for his eighth goal of the campaign. The Flames pulled Vladar for an extra attacker with about 2 1/2 minutes remaining, and Pearson sealed the win with an empty-netter with 6.7 seconds to go. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabClouds, rain, fog patches in the forecast for Ottawa this Sunday

Published 18:26 IST, November 30th 2024 The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹1207.5 crore contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Short Refit and Dry Docking (SRDD) of INS Vikramaditya. Kochi, India - The Ministry of Defence on November 30, 2024, inked a significant contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the Short Refit and Dry Docking (SRDD) of the Indian Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. The ₹1207.5 crore project is set to bolster India’s naval capabilities, enhance the carrier’s combat readiness, and provide a substantial boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in November 2013, INS Vikramaditya is a crucial component of India’s maritime strength. The aircraft carrier will undergo essential maintenance and upgrades at Cochin Shipyard Limited, with the refit expected to significantly enhance its operational capabilities. Once completed, the carrier will rejoin the active fleet of the Indian Navy, better equipped to perform its strategic and tactical roles. Key Features and Historical Background of INS Vikramaditya Originally built as Baku in 1987 for the Soviet Navy, the vessel was later renamed Admiral Gorshkov and served the Russian Navy until its decommissioning in 1996. After extensive negotiations, India acquired the ship in 2004 and retrofitted it into a modern aircraft carrier, commissioning it as INS Vikramaditya in 2013. The carrier spans 284 meters in length, with a draught of 10 meters. It boasts the capacity to carry and operate MiG-29K fighter jets and various helicopters and is armed with advanced weapons systems, including anti-ship missiles, guided bombs, rockets, and air-to-air missiles. This refit project underscores Cochin Shipyard Limited’s emerging role as a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) hub, a critical component in developing India’s defence industrial ecosystem. The project will engage around 50 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), generating employment for over 3,500 skilled personnel. It positions CSL as a leader in supporting naval modernization and self-reliance in defence technology. Boost to Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat The SRDD project aligns with the Government of India’s vision to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities in defence. By involving Indian industries and MSMEs, it reinforces the principles of self-reliance and innovation, key tenets of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. As the flagship of the Indian Navy, INS Vikramaditya symbolizes India’s maritime prowess. This refit not only upgrades its combat potential but also marks a milestone in India's journey toward defence self-sufficiency. With Cochin Shipyard Limited at the helm, the project is expected to elevate the nation’s capability to maintain and modernize its fleet while creating significant economic and strategic opportunities. Updated 18:26 IST, November 30th 2024

2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company's jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday's incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines who is now a consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. In January this year, a door plug blew off a 737 Max while it was in flight, raising more questions about the plane. The Boeing 737-800 that crash-landed in Korea, Price noted, is “a very proven airplane. "It’s different from the Max ...It’s a very safe airplane.’’ For decades, Boeing has maintained a role as one of the giants of American manufacturing. But the the past year's repeated troubles have been damaging. The company's stock price is down more than 30% in 2024. The company's reputation for safety was especially tarnished by the 737 Max crashes, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019 and left a combined 346 people dead. In the five years since then, Boeing has lost more than $23 billion. And it has fallen behind its European rival, Airbus, in selling and delivering new planes. Last fall, 33,000 Boeing machinists went on strike, crippling the production of the 737 Max, the company's bestseller, the 777 airliner and 767 cargo plane. The walkout lasted seven weeks, until members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers agreed to an offer that included 38% pay raises over four years. In January, a door plug blew off a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. Federal regulators responded by imposing limits on Boeing aircraft production that they said would remain in place until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration regulators who approved the 737 Max. Acting on Boeing’s incomplete disclosures, the FAA approved minimal, computer-based training instead of more intensive training in flight simulators. Simulator training would have increased the cost for airlines to operate the Max and might have pushed some to buy planes from Airbus instead. (Prosecutors said they lacked evidence to argue that Boeing’s deception had played a role in the crashes.) But the plea deal was rejected this month by a federal judge in Texas, Reed O’Connor , who decided that diversity, inclusion and equity or DEI policies in the government and at Boeing could result in race being a factor in choosing an official to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the agreement. Boeing has sought to change its culture. Under intense pressure over safety issues, David Calhoun departed as CEO in August. Since January, 70,000 Boeing employees have participated in meetings to discuss ways to improve safety.Mark Wahlberg's Luxury Vegas Gym To Open in 2026: The 32,000-Square-Foot Space Is The Latest Addition To His Business Empire

Bhopal, Nov 30 (IANS): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav returned to India after completing his six-day UK and Germany tour on Saturday. A group of BJP leaders received him at IGI Airport in New Delhi. "Today, on returning from a foreign trip, I was given a warm welcome by party workers and colleagues at the Madhya Pradesh Bhawan in Delhi," CM Yadav said in a post on X. After reaching Bhopal, he will address the press and share his experience about his first foreign visit as Chief Minister. Upon returning to New Delhi on Friday, Yadav said his government is committed to taking Madhya Pradesh to new heights by utilising maximum support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Our aim is to work effectively and empower women, farmers, poor and youth in all these areas by giving priority to them so that the state can develop holistically. With this resolution, our foreign trip concluded with positivity," he added. Addressing the press on the last day of his industrial sponsorship-related trip in Munich, Germany on Friday, MP CM stated that his visits to the UK (United Kingdom) and Germany were not only fruitful but also offered him opportunities to understand and learn. "The aim of the visit was to create employment opportunities for the state's youth, promote industrialisation, and establish Madhya Pradesh as a strong economic power both within the country and globally," he had stated. He also informed that Germany has presented many proposals that offer Madhya Pradesh the opportunity to move forward with the belief that the state can use its traditional strengths along with the latest technologies. "It is significant for us that we have received positive feedback from Germany in sectors like agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare, education, new technology, and heavy industries," he added. He stated that his government will leave no stone unturned in taking steps to implement the technological advancements and innovations occurring in industries in the UK and Germany. "We made the best use of our time. After the visit to Germany and the UK, I can say that this trip is opening new doors of opportunity for our tech-savvy, energetic, and talented youth," Yadav added.Quick Links Testing the US Navy's Super Hornets The Rhino's latest Block What are the new features? GE's engine enhancements Fear the Rhino's weaponry Block II vs Block III The future of the Boeing Super Hornets Boeing announced that the F/A-18 Super Hornet upgrades include a large area display and advanced Tactical Targeting Network Technology for more powerful computing, with a Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked DTP-N that reduces pilot workload by allowing evidence-based information on the new display. This open mission systems processor has the power to compute algorithms to manage any complex air combat. “These first deliveries of Block III SLM jets are a major milestone in our continued efforts to ensure capability, reliability, availability and maintainability of the Super Hornet aircraft,” said Capt. Michael Burks, program manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office . The aerospace giant has received the F/A-18 Block II for Service Life Modernization SLM , which will be upgraded to the new Block III configuration, adding an extra 4,000 flight hours. Boeing successfully delivered the first two upgraded fighters from its two facilities in St. Louis and San Antonio to the US Navy on June 27, 2024. On March 2024, The US Navy awarded Boeing a $1.3 billion contract for 17 F/A-18 Super Hornets and a technical data package. The contract was awarded to help address the strike fighter shortfall, with final delivery expected in spring 2027. The Navy also plans to convert 550 other Super Hornets to the Block III standard. Boosting US air capabilities in the region. Testing the US Navy's Super Hornets Boeing delivered its first two Block III Super Hornets to the US Navy for flight testing in June 2020 . It marked a shift from purchasing new jets from Boeing to focusing on developing the fourth-generation fighter jet. The Block III model is more "networked and survivable" than the Block II design, with five major design features: An advanced cockpit system that combines original displays into a glass touchscreen. Conformal fuel tanks for fuel-carrying and tanking capacity. A prominent flight service life. Radar cross-section improvements. An advanced networking infrastructure to aid the pilot in decision-making. The Navy announced that the funds for a multiyear purchase of Super Hornets from 2022 will be redirected to developing Air Dominance and other aviation wholeness investments. The decision to truncate the Super Hornet production line is about freeing up the Boeing production line and workforce to focus on the program, which would maintain the right balance of Super Hornets versus F-35 Fighters in the carrier air wing and deliver greater capability and service life on converted jets. “The Super Hornet remains a predominant aircraft in the carrier air wing and will continue to provide significant combat capability into the 2040s,” said Rear Adm. John Lemmon, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs. The Rhino's latest Block The Super Hornet, available in two models - the single-seat E and two-seat F - performs various tactical missions, including air superiority, precision-guided strikes, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control, and tanker missions. Its new strengthened airframe will extend the service life to more than 10,000 flight hours. What are the new features? The advanced Rhino offers operational advantages against technologically advanced systems and adversaries. Its advanced processing, networking, survivability, and range/payload capabilities provide an operational advantage. The Block III aircraft features an improved cockpit with a 10 in × 19 in (25 cm × 48 cm) large touchscreen display, updated integration, and targeting networks. It provides pilots with extraordinary payload flexibility. Its advanced data link and threat detection enable better data processing and transmission, operating in lightning and thunderstorm weather and cold temperatures. It also features an advanced cockpit system and long-wave Infrared Search & Track for long-range threat detection. Over 800 Super Hornets produced with over 10 million flight hours, tested and proven for regular upgrades, offer low procurement and total life cycle costs of approximately $19K USD per flight hour. GE's engine enhancements The modern General Electric afterburning turbofan features an enhanced performance engine (EPE) that boosts the power output of the F414-GE-400 by 20%. The F414 Enhanced Engine offers enhanced performance, survivability, and payload for the twin-engined F-18 Block III. The F414 can be retrofitted for improved component capability and reduced ownership costs. The US Navy has relied on the F414 engine for over 30 years, providing over 5 million engine flight hours and unrestricted operability. The F414 is also a potential powerplant for emerging platforms like the Korean KF-X KAI KF-21 Boramae, Indian Medium Combat Aircraft HAL Tejas Mk2, and Swedish Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen. Fear the Rhino's weaponry The aircraft features a next-generation cockpit, an internal infrared search and track system, and conformal fuel tanks. It also has an enclosed weapons pod (EWP) and a new missile warning system. It offers a day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, featuring 11 hardpoints distributed at the wingtips, under the wing, and under the fuselage. The new weapons pod can carry missiles and bombs with reduced radar lock risks. It can use shorter-range Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AMRAAM, Joint Standoff Weapon, Small Diameter Bomb, and Mk-84 general-purpose bombs. Like Block II, it has a 20mm M61 rotary cannon and can carry the AGM-65 Maverick missile, AGM-84 Harpoon ship-killing missile, and AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missile. Air-to-air missiles Air-to-surface missiles AIM-7 Sparrow AGM-158 JASSM AIM-9 Sidewinder AGM-158C LRASM AIM-120 AMRAAM AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER AIM-260 JATM AGM-154 JSOW AIM-174B AGM-88 HARM AGM-84 Harpoon AGM-65E/F Maverick The jet can also carry the ADM-141A/B TALD decoy missile and the Raytheon AN/ALE-50 towed decoy system, an electronic countermeasure tool designed to protect US military aircraft from radar-guided missiles to confuse and saturate enemy air defenses, allowing attacking aircraft and weapons a higher probability of penetrating the target. This heavy lifting, which exceeds 17,000 lb (7711 kg), is useful for fleet defense missions, early warning missions, electronic surveillance, and tankers. Block II vs Block III The fourth-generation fighter, a 20% larger and 7,000 lbs heavier aircraft than the prior Hornets, offers increased capability and functionality. Its additional hardpoints and powerful engines enable it to carry more ordnance and expand its range. With most internal improvements, one visible change is incorporating conformal fuel tanks, which attach directly to the fuselage, reducing drag. Another advantage of the Block IIIs is increased lifespan, improving flight time between training and deployments. Feature Block II Block III Data Link Multi-Functional Information Distribution System MIDS Tactical Targeting Network Technology TTNT Conformal Fuel Tanks N/A Available, increasing range Mission Computer Advanced Mission Computer AMC Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked DTP-N, 17 times more powerful Service Life 6,000 Flying hours 10,000 Flying hours The future of the Boeing Super Hornets Boeing and Northrop Grumman financed the Advanced Super Hornet program, which features a 50% reduction in frontal radar cross-section, conformal fuel tanks CFT, and an enclosed weapons pod. The new block could be integrated into the EA-18 Growler to reduce underwing space and lower drag margin for the Next Generation Jammer . The F/A-18E/F mission allows combatant commanders to conduct offensive and defensive air combat missions, attack ground targets using the US inventory of precision and non-precision weapon stores, provide in-flight refueling for other tactical aircraft, and offer organic tactical reconnaissance capabilities. Australia and Kuwait have acquired earlier Super Hornets, but Australia is transitioning to F-35A fighter jets, and Kuwait has ordered Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Canada has halted the Boeing F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet from its Future Fighter Capability Project FFCP competition. The decision was made after rigorous evaluations of proposals based on capability, cost, and economic benefits. The US Navy's Hornet has an exceptional legacy of performance that has made it the jet of choice for the flat-top fleet in the modern era.

Bayhorse Silver Underground Drilling Progress At The Bayhorse Silver MineAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Junior Kyla Oldacre matched her career best with 21 points on near perfect shooting, and No. 5 Texas routed Texas Rio Grande Valley 94-35 on Sunday. Oldacre, a 6-foot-6 backup center, converted all six of her field goal attempts and 9 of 10 free throws. She also had seven rebounds and three of the Longhorns' 21 steals. Madison Booker had 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals for Texas (13-1). Starting center Taylor Jones had 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Kade Hackerott led Texas Rio Grande Valley (6-7) with seven points. The Vaqueros shot 27% from the field and committed 37 turnovers. Texas converted the turnovers into 47 points. Texas Rio Grande Valley: The Vaqueros average 16 turnovers a game but matched that by midway through the second quarter. They committed 13 while falling behind 24-5 after the first quarter. Texas: Aaliyah Moore's physical health is something to watch. Moore, a starting power forward, missed her first game this season on Sunday while resting because of tendinitis in her right knee. Moore played with that condition last season but it has been a struggle for her. Texas has only two centers and two power forwards on its roster. After Texas Rio Grande Valley sliced a 19-point deficit to 10 with less than four minutes remaining in the second quarter, Texas finished the half with a 13-1 push, eight from Oldacre, during the final 2:36. The Longhorns outscored the Vaqueros 54-12 in the paint and it could have been worse. The Longhorns missed 12 layups. Texas Rio Grande Valley is at Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, and Texas is at No. 9 Oklahoma on Thursday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. Jet crash disaster in South Korea marks another setback for Boeing WASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company’s jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday’s incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, an airline consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. South Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached President Yoon in martial law probe SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean law enforcement officials have requested a court warrant to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate whether his short-lived martial law decree this month amounted to rebellion. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and military authorities into the power grab that lasted only a few hours, confirmed it requested the warrant on Monday. Investigators plan to question Yoon on charges of abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Azerbaijan's president says crashed jetliner was shot down by Russia unintentionally Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev says the Azerbaijani airliner that crashed last week was shot down by Russia, albeit unintentionally. Aliyev told Azerbaijani state television on Sunday that the aircraft was hit by fire from the ground over Russia and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. He accused Russia of trying to “hush up” the issue for several days. The crash on Wednesday killed 38 of 67 people on board. Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev on Saturday for what he called a “tragic incident” but stopped short of acknowledging Moscow’s responsibility. Croatia's incumbent president gains most votes for re-election, but not enough to avoid a runoff ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has swept most votes in the first round of a presidential election, but will have to face a runoff against a ruling party candidate to secure another five-year term. With 99% percent of the vote counted Sunday, Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011.Why European companies turn to specialized IT training to close skill gaps

Significant milestones in life and career of Jimmy CarterCroatia's President Zoran Milanovic will face conservative rival Dragan Primorac in an election run-off in two weeks' time after the incumbent narrowly missed out an outright victory on Sunday, official results showed. The results came after an exit poll, released immediately after the polling stations closed, showed that Milanovic, backed by the opposition left-wing Social Democrats, had scooped more than 50 percent of the first round vote and would thus avoid the January 12 run-off. Milanovic won 49.1 percent of the first round vote and Primorac, backed by the ruling conservative HDZ party, took 19.35 percent, according to results released by the state electoral commission from nearly all of the polling stations. On Sunday evening, Milanovic pledged to his supporters who gathered in Zagreb to "fight for Croatia with a clear stance, one that takes care of its interests". Such a strong lead for Milanovic, whom surveys labelled a favourite ahead of the vote, raises serious concerns for Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's HDZ. Late on Sunday, Primorac labelled the big difference between him and Milanovic a "challenge". "In the first round there were... a lot of candidates, it was not easy to present the programme fully. Now it's a great opportunity that Milanovic and I be one on one... to see who represents what," Primorac told his supporters in Zagreb. The election came as the European Union and NATO member country of 3.8 million people struggles with biting inflation, widespread corruption and a labour shortage. Among the eight contenders, centre-right MP Marija Selak Raspudic and green-left MP Ivana Kekin followed the two main rivals, the exit poll showed. The two women each won around nine percent of the vote. The president commands the Balkan country's armed forces and has a say in foreign policy. But despite limited powers, many believe the office is key for the political balance of power in a country mainly governed by the HDZ since independence in 1991. "All the eggs should not be in one basket," Nenad Horvat, a salesman in his 40s, told AFP. He sees Milanovic, a former leftist prime minister, as the "last barrier to all levers of power falling into the hands of HDZ", echoing the view of many that was reflected in Sunday's vote results. The 58-year-old Milanovic has been one of Croatia's leading and most colourful political figures for nearly two decades. Sharp and eloquent, he won the presidency for the Social Democrats (SDP) in 2020 with pledges to advocate tolerance and liberalism. But he used the office to attack political opponents and EU officials, often with offensive and populist rhetoric. Milanovic, who condemned Russia's aggression against Ukraine, has nonetheless criticised the West's military aid to Kyiv. That prompted the prime minister to label him a pro-Russian who is "destroying Croatia's credibility in NATO and the EU". Milanovic countered that he wanted to protect Croatia from being "dragged into war". Milanovic regularly pans Plenkovic and his HDZ party over systemic corruption, calling the premier a "serious threat to Croatia's democracy". Speaking on Sunday, Milanovic said that in the current global situation, all political stakeholders in the country should be "on the same side as much as possible, at least when it comes to fundamental issues such as the national security or borders". For many, the election is a continuation of the longstanding feud between two powerful politicians. "This is still about the conflict between the prime minister and president," political analyst Zarko Puhovski told AFP. "All the rest are just incidental topics." Primorac, a 59-year-old physician and scientist returning to politics after 15 years, campaigned as a "unifier" promoting family values and patriotism. ljv/bc

South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced plans to increase the priority housing allocation for families with newborns under its special housing supply program for newlyweds. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced plans to increase the priority housing allocation for families with newborns under its special housing supply program for newlyweds. Under new rules, the allocation for such families will rise from 20% to 35%, reflecting a significant shift aimed at addressing the nation’s declining birthrate. The proposed amendment to the Housing Supply Regulations, which is open for public consultation until February 4, 2025, will also adjust income-based qualifications for these benefits. For households with children under two years old and earning below the average urban worker’s household income, the priority allocation will increase from 15% to 25%. Similarly, households earning up to 120% of the average income will see their allocation rise by 5 percentage points, reaching 10%. However, this expanded support for families with newborns comes with trade-offs. The priority allocation for childless newlyweds meeting income criteria will decrease. Households earning below 100% of the average income will see their share drop from 35% to 25%, while those earning up to 120% will see a reduction from 10% to 5%. Despite these changes, the overall priority allocation for newlyweds under the special housing supply program remains unchanged at 70%. The remaining 30% will continue to be distributed via a lottery system, ensuring opportunities for those meeting asset qualifications. This adjustment follows the government’s broader initiative, launched in June 2024, to counteract South Korea’s declining birthrate. As part of this effort, the special supply for newlyweds in private housing developments was increased from 18% to 23%. With annual private housing supply projected at 200,000 units, around 46,000 units are reserved for newlyweds, of which approximately 16,100 units (35%) will be prioritized for families with newborns. Earlier this year, the government also introduced a Newborn Special Supply category in public housing programs, allocating up to 35% of public housing units under the “New Home” initiative to families with newborns. Officials emphasized that these measures aim to strengthen housing support for families with young children and encourage higher birthrates, as South Korea’s aging population and low fertility rates continue to pose long-term economic and social challenges. M. H. Lee ( mhlee@koreabizwire.com )

Greenland is a “linchpin for U.S. national security and the future of the free world,” according to leading expert Dr. Walter Berbrick, the founding director of the Arctic Studies Group at the U.S. Naval War College, who noted the pivotal country’s geostrategic and economic significance as well as its critical role in defense and the global order, which is “essential to counter authoritarian influence” and safeguard U.S. and allied interests, as he urged strengthened partnerships. In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News, Dr. Berbrick, the former senior adviser to the 77th Secretary of the Navy and the Special Representative for the Arctic Region at the State Department, highlighted the island’s unparalleled value to U.S. national security, economic resilience, and global stability, noting that Greenland’s significance as a hub for defense and economic activity will only grow. “Greenland is a linchpin for U.S. national security and the future of the free world,” he stated. “Its geographic position provides unparalleled strategic access to the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans — enabling the United States to monitor and deter threats against North America and NATO allies.” Arctic Defense and Resources Beyond its strategic location, Dr. Berbrick noted, Greenland offers vast reserves of rare earth elements, critical to advanced technology and military systems. “Economically, Greenland holds vast reserves of rare earth minerals essential for U.S. technological leadership and military readiness,” he explained. He also warned about the risks of allowing authoritarian powers like China and Russia to dominate Greenland’s resources and influence. “If China gains undue influence in Greenland, it risks compromising the stability of the Arctic, endangering U.S. interests, and weakening the rules-based international order,” he warned. Highlighting Greenland’s “irreplaceable” role in missile warning systems, Arctic operations, and securing freedom of navigation as new sea routes emerge, Dr. Berbrick called strengthening partnerships with Greenland and Denmark “essential to counter authoritarian influence and protect the economic and security interests of the United States and its allies for generations to come.” Strengthening Partnerships He recommended that the incoming Trump administration deepen ties with Greenland and Denmark through a defense and security compact modeled on agreements with Pacific Island nations. Such a compact, he explained, would deliver tangible benefits. For Greenland, he explained, it would offer investments in modern infrastructure, access to education, and sustainable development while safeguarding cultural and environmental integrity. For the United States, he clarified, it would provide critical Arctic access, bolstered defense infrastructure, and strengthened collaboration with allies “in a region that is rapidly becoming a focal point of global competition.” “A defense and security compact between the United States, Greenland, and Denmark... would protect Greenland from economic and political exploitation while ensuring the people of Greenland have control over their own future,” he emphasized. Policy Recommendations To enhance its Arctic presence, Dr. Berbrick suggested several actionable steps for U.S. policymakers: Trilateral Arctic Framework : Establish a formal cooperative agreement with Greenland and Denmark to address shared defense and economic priorities. Infrastructure Investments : Develop modernized ports, airports, and renewable energy projects in Greenland to foster sustainable growth and integration with global markets. Responsible Resource Partnerships : Support “environmentally sound” extraction of Greenland’s rare earth elements to benefit local communities and secure U.S. supply chains. Educational and Cultural Exchanges : Strengthen long-term ties between U.S. and Greenlandic communities through exchange programs and scientific collaboration. The matter comes as Greenland’s strategic importance has shifted into sharp focus amid evolving Arctic dynamics and growing international interest. On Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump wrote that, “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” An autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland occupies a unique and strategic position in the Arctic. The U.S. has long recognized Greenland’s strategic importance, a focus heightened in recent years by increasing global competition in the Arctic from China and Russia. Dr. Berbrick’s insights underscore the need for forward-thinking partnerships that align Greenland’s aspirations with U.S. and allied interests, ensuring Arctic stability and security for generations to come. Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jklein@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKlein .ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan on Thursday denounced new U.S. sanctions on the country’s ballistic missile program as “discriminatory” that put the region’s peace and security at risk. Pakistan’s foreign ministry warned in a statement that the sanctions “have dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond.” It also cast doubt on U.S. allegations that targeted businesses were involved in weapons proliferation because previous sanctions “were based on mere doubts and suspicion without any evidence whatsoever.” It also accused the U.S. of “double standards” for waiving licensing requirements for advanced military technology to other countries. The sanctions freeze any U.S. property belonging to the targeted businesses and bar Americans from doing business with them. The U.S. State Department said one such sanctioned entity, the Islamabad-based National Development Complex, worked to acquire items for developing Pakistan’s long range ballistic missile program that includes the SHAHEEN series of ballistic missiles. The other sanctioned entities are Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprise. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wednesday on X that the U.S. had “been clear and consistent about our concerns” over such weapons proliferation and that it would “continue to engage constructively with Pakistan on these issues.” The sanctions were also opposed by the party of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Zulfiqar Bukhari, a Khan’s spokesman, took to the social platform X to criticize the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, saying “we strongly oppose U.S. sanctions on the National Development Complex and three commercial entities.” The latest U.S. sanctions came months after similar measures were slapped on other foreign entities, including a Chinese research institute, after the U.S. State Department accused them of working for the National Development Complex, which it says was involved in the development and production of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missiles. Analysts say Pakistan’s nuclear and missile program is primarily aimed at countering threats from neighboring India. Security expert Syed Muhammad Ali called the sanctions “short sighted, destabilizing and divorced from South Asian regional strategic realities.” Pakistan became a declared nuclear power in 1998, when it conducted underground nuclear tests in response to those carried out by its rival and neighbor India. The two sides regularly test-fired their short, medium and long-range missiles. The two South Asian rivals have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The disputed Himalayan region is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety. Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press

iShares Global Infrastructure ETF ( NASDAQ:IGF – Get Free Report ) saw a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,240,000 shares, a drop of 19.0% from the November 30th total of 1,530,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 698,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.8 days. Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares Global Infrastructure ETF Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in iShares Global Infrastructure ETF by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,097 shares of the company’s stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Global Infrastructure ETF by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 14,418 shares of the company’s stock worth $691,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Global Infrastructure ETF by 60.7% in the third quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 638 shares of the company’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Global Infrastructure ETF by 5.5% in the third quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 4,818 shares of the company’s stock valued at $262,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Greenleaf Trust lifted its position in shares of iShares Global Infrastructure ETF by 2.9% during the third quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 9,744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $530,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. iShares Global Infrastructure ETF Trading Down 0.2 % NASDAQ IGF opened at $52.33 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $4.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.20 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $53.92 and a 200 day simple moving average of $52.18. iShares Global Infrastructure ETF has a 12-month low of $43.84 and a 12-month high of $55.79. iShares Global Infrastructure ETF Dividend Announcement iShares Global Infrastructure ETF Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) The iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P Global Infrastructure index, a market-cap-weighted index of global infrastructure companies. IGF was launched on Dec 10, 2007 and is managed by BlackRock. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .It’s been the biggest year for elections in human history: 2024 is a “ super-cycle ” year in which 3.7 billion eligible voters in 72 countries had the chance to go the polls. These are also the first AI elections , where many feared that deepfakes and artificial intelligence-generated misinformation would overwhelm the democratic processes. As 2024 draws to a close, it’s instructive to take stock of how democracy did. In a Pew survey of Americans from earlier this fall, nearly eight times as many respondents expected AI to be used for mostly bad purposes in the 2024 election as those who thought it would be used mostly for good. There are real concerns and risks in using AI in electoral politics, but it definitely has not been all bad. The dreaded “ death of truth ” has not materialized — at least, not due to AI. And candidates are eagerly adopting AI in many places where it can be constructive, if used responsibly. But because this all happens inside a campaign, and largely in secret, the public often doesn’t see all the details. Connecting with voters One of the most impressive and beneficial uses of AI is language translation, and campaigns have started using it widely . Local governments in Japan and California and prominent politicians, including India Prime Minister Narenda Modi and New York City Mayor Eric Adams , used AI to translate meetings and speeches to their diverse constituents. Even when politicians themselves aren’t speaking through AI, their constituents might be using it to listen to them. Google rolled out free translation services for an additional 110 languages this summer, available to billions of people in real time through their smartphones. Other candidates used AI’s conversational capabilities to connect with voters. US politicians Asa Hutchinson , Dean Phillips and Francis Suarez deployed chatbots of themselves in their presidential primary campaigns. The fringe candidate Jason Palmer beat Joe Biden in the American Samoan primary, at least partly thanks to using AI-generated emails, texts, audio and video. Pakistan’s former prime minister, Imran Khan , used an AI clone of his voice to deliver speeches from prison. Perhaps the most effective use of this technology was in Japan, where an obscure and independent Tokyo gubernatorial candidate, Takahiro Anno , used an AI avatar to respond to 8,600 questions from voters and managed to come in fifth among a highly competitive field of 56 candidates. Play Video Nuts and bolts AIs have been used in political fundraising as well. Companies like Quiller and Tech for Campaigns market AIs to help draft fundraising emails. Other AI systems help candidates target particular donors with personalized messages . It’s notoriously difficult to measure the impact of these kinds of tools, and political consultants are cagey about what really works, but there’s clearly interest in continuing to use these technologies in campaign fundraising. Polling has been highly mathematical for decades, and pollsters are constantly incorporating new technologies into their processes. Techniques range from using AI to distill voter sentiment from social networking platforms — something known as “ social listening ” — to creating synthetic voters that can answer tens of thousands of questions. Whether these AI applications will result in more accurate polls and strategic insights for campaigns remains to be seen, but there is promising research motivated by the ever-increasing challenge of reaching real humans with surveys. On the political organizing side, AI assistants are being used for such diverse purposes as helping craft political messages and strategy , generating ads , drafting speeches and helping coordinate canvassing and get-out-the-vote efforts. In Argentina in 2023, both major presidential candidates used AI to develop campaign posters, videos and other materials. In 2024, similar capabilities were almost certainly used in a variety of elections around the world. In the US, for example, a Georgia politician used AI to produce blog posts, campaign images and podcasts. Even standard productivity software suites like those from Adobe, Microsoft and Google now integrate AI features that are unavoidable — and perhaps very useful to campaigns. Other AI systems help advise candidates looking to run for higher office. Must Read Philippines faces rising AI-driven disinformation Fakes and counterfakes And there was AI-created misinformation and propaganda, even though it was not as catastrophic as feared. Days before a Slovakian election in 2023, fake audio discussing election manipulation went viral. This kind of thing happened many times in 2024, but it’s unclear if any of it had any real effect. In the US presidential election, there was a lot of press after a robocall of a fake Joe Biden voice told New Hampshire voters not to vote in the Democratic primary, but that didn’t appear to make much of a difference in that vote. Similarly, AI-generated images from hurricane disaster areas didn’t seem to have much effect, and neither did a stream of AI-faked celebrity endorsements or viral deepfake images and videos misrepresenting candidates’ actions and seemingly designed to prey on their political weaknesses. Play Video AI also played a role in protecting the information ecosystem. OpenAI used its own AI models to disrupt an Iranian foreign influence operation aimed at sowing division before the US presidential election. While anyone can use AI tools today to generate convincing fake audio, images and text, and that capability is here to stay, tech platforms also use AI to automatically moderate content like hate speech and extremism. This is a positive use case, making content moderation more efficient and sparing humans from having to review the worst offenses, but there’s room for it to become more effective, more transparent and more equitable. There is potential for AI models to be much more scalable and adaptable to more languages and countries than organizations of human moderators. But the implementations to date on platforms like Meta demonstrate that a lot more work needs to be done to make these systems fair and effective. One thing that didn’t matter much in 2024 was corporate AI developers’ prohibitions on using their tools for politics. Despite market leader OpenAI’s emphasis on banning political uses and its use of AI to automatically reject a quarter-million requests to generate images of political candidates, the company’s enforcement has been ineffective and actual use is widespread. The genie is loose All of these trends — both good and bad — are likely to continue. As AI gets more powerful and capable, it is likely to infiltrate every aspect of politics. This will happen whether the AI’s performance is superhuman or suboptimal, whether it makes mistakes or not, and whether the balance of its use is positive or negative. All it takes is for one party, one campaign, one outside group, or even an individual to see an advantage in automation. – Rappler.com This article originally appeared in The Conversation. Bruce Schneier , Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School Nathan Sanders , Affiliate, Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University

MILWAUKEE , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Mutual today announced the appointment of Dave Gordon to executive vice president and chief digital and information officer. In his role, Gordon will be accountable for technology and digital strategy, with oversight of the company's AI capabilities, software engineering, data engineering, enterprise architecture, technology infrastructure, and information risk and cybersecurity. He also has responsibilities for the company's digital products and foundational tech capabilities. Gordon will report to Northwestern Mutual President and incoming CEO Tim Gerend and join the company's senior leadership team. "Dave's deep technology experience, collaborative style and track record of success make him well-positioned to lead Northwestern Mutual's overarching tech and digital strategy," said Tim Gerend , president, Northwestern Mutual. "His leadership across a strong team of technology disciplines will ensure that we continue to enhance the relevance and improve the experience of working with Northwestern Mutual." Gordon previously served as vice president and chief technology officer with responsibilities for the software development of the company's customer experience, digitally enabled products and corporate solutions, since joining Northwestern Mutual in 2023. Prior to Northwestern Mutual, Gordon served as chief technology and data officer with USAA Federal Savings Bank, U.S. chief technology and operations officer with BMO Harris Bank, and credit card divisional CIO and head of IT operations with Capital One. He holds an MBA from the University of Richmond and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Indiana University . Gordon succeeds Christian Mitchell , who recently stepped down from his role as executive vice president and chief digital and information officer to pursue new opportunities. "I'm thankful for Christian's leadership that spanned nearly two decades at Northwestern Mutual," said Gerend. "He's had a meaningful impact on our employees, financial advisors and clients throughout his tenure and has set us up successfully for the future." About Northwestern Mutual Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. With over $627 billion of total assets 1 being managed across the company's institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE ® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2024. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company ® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with "Advisor" in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services. 1 Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/northwestern-mutual-appoints-dave-gordon-to-chief-digital-and-information-officer-302336464.html SOURCE Northwestern Mutual © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.( MENAFN - IANS) Imphal, Dec 20 (IANS) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between Uttar Pradesh and Manipur governments for the implementation of the 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' programme, officials said. Officials said in Imphal that this MoU, which contains various activities, including Cultural Exchange Programmes, would come into force from the date of signing and would be valid for three years which may be renewed for another three years by mutual written consent of both the states. Manipur government's Commissioner (Art and Culture), M. Joy Singh, highlighted the state's traditional culture and their performance on various occasions and festivals. The artists from Manipur performed two cultural items -- Thougal Jagoi and Thang Ta. The MoU was signed at Gomti Nagar in Lucknow and it was arranged by Uttar Pradesh's Department of Tourism and Culture in a formal function attended by the State Culture and Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh. Yogendra Upadhyay, Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister, and senior officials of the two states were present at the MoU signing ceremony. "Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat" programme aims to enhance interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different states and Union Territories (UT) through the concept of state/UT pairing. The states carry out activities to promote a sustained and structured cultural connection in the areas of language learning, culture, traditions and music, tourism and cuisine, sports and sharing of best practices. According to officials, the spirit of mutual understanding amid a shared history has enabled a special unity in diversity, which stands out as a tall flame of nationhood that needs to be nourished and cherished into the future. Time and technology have narrowed down distances in terms of connection and communication. In an era that facilitates mobility and outreach, it is important to establish cultural exchanges between people of different regions, as a means to further human bonding and a common approach to nation-building, the officials said. MENAFN19122024000231011071ID1109014446 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Washington, Dec 13 (AP) The White House has announced what it called the first-ever national strategy to counter Islamophobia, detailing more than 100 steps federal officials can take to curb hate, violence, bias and discrimination against Muslims and Arab Americans. The proposal follows a similar national plan to battle antisemitism that President Joe Biden unveiled in May 2023, as fears about increasing hatred and discrimination were rising among US Jews. Also Read | 'Maverick Diplomacy': Donald Trump Invites China's President Xi Jinping to Inauguration for 'Open Dialogue' Despite Tariff Threats. Officials worked on the anti-Islamophobia plan for months, and its release came on Thursday, five weeks before Biden leaves office — meaning implementation will mostly fall to President-elect Donald Trump, if his administration chooses to do so. In a statement announcing the strategy, the Biden administration wrote that “Over the past year, this initiative has become even more important as threats against American Muslim and Arab communities have spiked.” It said that included the October 2023 slaying of six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi, an American Muslim boy of Palestinian descent, who was stabbed to death in Illinois. Also Read | Donald Trump Named Time Magazine’s Person of Year, Rings New York Stock Exchange’s Opening Bell. The plan details actions the Executive Branch can take, along with more than 100 other calls to action across all sectors of society. The strategy has four basic priorities: increasing awareness of hatred against Muslims and Arabs while more widely recognizing these communities' heritages; broadly improving their safety and security; appropriately accommodating Muslim and Arab religious practices by working to curb discrimination against them; and encouraging cross-community solidarity to further counter hate. Many of those state goals are similar to the ones the Biden administration laid out in its plan to reduce antisemitism — especially the emphasis on improving safety and security and building cross-community solidarity. “While individuals have sometimes been targeted because they are thought to be Muslim, it is also crucial to recognize that Arabs are routinely targeted simply for being who they are,” the announcement of the strategy states, noting that Muslims and Arab Americans have helped build out the nation since its founding. It says that new data collection and education efforts are “increasing awareness of these forms of hate as well of the proud heritages of Muslim and Arab Americans.” The plan calls for more widely disseminating successful practices of engaging Muslim and Arab Americans in the reporting of hate crimes, and that federal agencies are now more clearly spelling out that “discrimination against Muslim and Arab Americans in federally funded activities is illegal.” The White House's plan also urges “state, local, and international counterparts, as well as the nongovernmental sector, to pursue similar initiatives that seek to build greater unity by recognizing our common humanity, affirming our shared values and history, and embracing equal justice, liberty, and security for all." Pro-Palestinian groups decrying his administration's full-throated support of Israel in its war with Gaza, frequently disrupted Biden campaign events, as well as those of Vice President Kamala Harris after Biden abandoned his reelection bid in July. Trump, who implemented a travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority countries during his first term, won the largest majority-Muslim US city in last months elections. Yet some Arab Americans who backed Trump have begun expressing concerns about his some of his choices to fill out his Cabinet and other picks for his incoming administration. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Offsetting NHS funding from existing services to pay for expensive new drugs could be harming the health of the nation, a study suggests. The cost of innovative new medicines “do not always justify the benefits they offer”, researchers warned. They suggest England’s pharmaceutical pricing policy should be reformed “to better serve the health needs” of all NHS patients. However, NHS spending watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said its role is “vital”, with it helping to prevent a “postcode lottery” in patient access and potentially higher costs. The study, led by academics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), looked at how many additional years of full health were generated by drugs approved by Nice between 2000 and 2020. However, it suggests that redirecting that funding to existing services could have generated five million years of full health. Researchers said that while new drugs “could have benefited patients who received them” access “came at a considerable cost for others who might have missed out on potential health gains due to necessary disinvestment or underinvestment in other forms of care to fund these newly recommended drugs”. Lead author Huseyin Naci, associate professor of health policy at the LSE, added: “New drugs can be a lifeline for patients who have significant unmet clinical needs. “However, innovative drugs are expensive, and their costs do not always justify the benefits they offer.” Academics said the findings relate to Nice’s cost-effectiveness threshold and suggest it should be lowered. Prof Naci added: “After more than a decade of underinvestment in the NHS, it may no longer be justifiable to have a Nice threshold that doesn’t reflect the amount the NHS needs to spend to generate health. “Lowering the threshold would allow the NHS to negotiate better prices for new medicines, taking into account not only the benefits to patients receiving these drugs but also the impact on other NHS users who may lose out due to resource reallocation.” Irene Papanicolas, professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown University, said the findings, published in The Lancet, “are reflective of the tight budget of the NHS”. “In this environment, offsetting funding from existing services to pay high prices for new drugs can more adversely affect population health than in health systems where there is greater budgetary flexibility,” she added. Beth Woods, senior research fellow at Centre for Health Economics at University of York, said: “This work shows that there is a need to reform pharmaceutical pricing policy in England to better serve the health needs of all patients served by the NHS.” “Spending money on new medicines does create an opportunity cost, displacing services elsewhere in the health system,” they said. “That’s why Nice’s role is vital: we carefully evaluate new treatments and recommend only those that offer value-for-money for the taxpayer. “This is especially important during times of significant challenge to the NHS. Every pound of the NHS budget can only be spent once. “If Nice had not recommended these innovative new medicines, they almost certainly would have been used within the NHS anyway. “Without Nice’s input, funding decisions would be taken locally, leading to inequitable patient access – the ‘postcode lottery’ – and potentially higher costs, because multiple local negotiations with pharmaceutical companies may not drive best value for the NHS.”golden empire jili download 。

Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smileArteris VP Paul Alpern sells $6,165 in stockTokyo Electron Limited (OTCMKTS:TOELY) Short Interest Update

New York City public schools with fewer students than anticipated this fall will not have their budgets slashed , officials announced Wednesday — reverting to a controversial pandemic-era policy. About half of the system’s 1,600 schools would have seen cuts totaling $157 million had the mid-year budget adjustments proceeded as planned, the city Department of Education said. The other half, which saw an increase in students, will get an $146 million total influx. “Our top priority is to ensure that every school leader has the resources and support to carry out their school’s mission and put our children on a path to lifelong success,” Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in a statement. Individual school funding is allocated during the summer based on the city’s projections of how many students are expected to fill seats. The city spends about $30,000 per student. During the COVID-era pandemic, City Hall implemented a policy, known as “hold harmless,” that used federal stimulus dollars to stabilize budgets, meaning schools wouldn’t lose money even if they had fewer students enrolled. Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to go back to the policy was slammed by critics as “rewarding failure” — with some noting the move seemed purely political. “The school system is structured to reward failure and penalize success and this ‘hold harmless’ provision is a prime example. It rewards failure instead of penalizing it,” Eric Nadelstern, who was deputy chancellor for instruction at the DOE under Mayor Michael Bloomberg and then-Chancellor Joel Klein, told The Post. “It’s a nod to the UFT, so fewer teachers are laid off mid-year,” Nadelstern referring to the powerful United Federation of Teachers union representing most New York City public school educators. Ken Girardin, research director of the non-profit government watchdog group Empire Center for Public Policy, said “hold harmless” protects the status quo, not students or taxpayers. “At some point there has to be some right sizing between parents moving out of the city, declining birth rates and the popularity of charter schools. New York City is overdue for a reckoning,” he said. “It benefits everyone in the current school system — the school administrators, the teachers’ union. The losers are the kids and the taxpayers. You’re preventing the more efficient use of resources,” Girardin added. “This is a political decision, not a scientific one,” he told The Post. “We have to stop funding a monopoly school system and let the public money follow the children.” Campaign strategist Hank Sheinkopf said Adams can’t afford to upset the apple cart — as he fights the historic federal criminal indictment against him, and faces low approval ratings and a slew of rivals in the June mayoral Democratic party. “When you’re in trouble, you can’t afford to make enemies,” Sheinkopf told The Post, adding that it seemed like Adams was attempting to make nice with the educational establishment and unions. “He’s absolutely bending to the educational establishment, which includes all the unions. It’s smart politically. He can say, ‘We’re not punishing your school,’” Sheinkopf added. The city went back to making mid-year budget adjustments based on actual enrollment last year for the first time since the pandemic. But schools introducing new programs, additional staffing, as well as a significant focus on adhering to the state’s class size laws has put pressure on Hizzoner to go back to “hold harmless.” The mayor’s office didn’t return a request for comment.Manchester United teammates Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo exchanged words after the final whistle of a 2-1 victory on Thursday. And manager Ruben Amorin has no problem with it. “For me, it’s a very, very good sign,” Amorin said after his team beat Viktoria Plzen to stay unbeaten in the Europa League. Hojlund scored two goals and hoped for a centering pass from Diallo to go for a hat trick in the final minutes. The Denmark striker didn't get the pass, though. Viktoria had been pushing forward looking for an equalizer, which created space for United counters. On another break shortly afterward, Hojlund opted to keep the ball. The pair then had a heated post-game exchange. “We need to feel something,” Amorin said. “If we need to fight each other, it's like a family. When you don't care, you don't do nothing. When you care — you fight with your brother, with your mother, your father.” AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerPeering Into DuPont de Nemours's Recent Short Interest

CHICAGO — A Cook County judge who made a controversial decision to release a man on electronic monitoring weeks before he killed his estranged wife is not hearing domestic violence cases due to threats he has received, according to a statement from the chief judge’s office. Judge Thomas Nowinski on Oct. 9 denied a Cook County prosecutor’s petition to detain Constantin Beldie, 57, on accusations that he threw her to the ground and held her in his car, finding that the state didn’t meet its burden under the law for Beldie to be held in jail. Six weeks later, Beldie killed Lacramioara Beldie, 54, before he was found dead, according to police, setting off an outcry from advocates against domestic violence who called for Nowinski to be reassigned. In a lengthy statement released by Chief Judge Tim Evans Tuesday evening, Evans said the death revealed “gaps in policies and procedures” the office is seeking to address to better protect victims of domestic violence. He also said he is reaching out to incoming State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke to “strengthen collaboration” between the two offices. “My office is currently investigating to determine whether any employee failed to follow policies and procedures in this case,” the statement said. “We pledge to provide additional training to all judges who hear domestic violence cases and petitions for orders of protection, including the Pretrial Division judges who hear these cases on weekends.” Evans, though, in the statement, indirectly pointed to the prosecutors on the case, and said that a “preliminary examination of this case indicate the court was provided incomplete information.” A court transcript of the Oct. 9 proceeding showed that Nowinski criticized the case work, calling it “a little sloppy.” He wrote that judges make “difficult decisions with the best information they have.” “While the higher courts have authority to review those decisions, interdivisional judicial transfers and assignments are never a result of a judge’s independent decision-making,” the statement said. But because of anonymous threats, Evans said, Nowinski is not hearing cases involving domestic violence or orders of protection. Nowinski also faced sharp criticism because he denied an emergency protective order for the mother of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins against Crosetti Brand, who is accused of stabbing Jayden to death in an attack on his mother. Evans said his office is working to strengthen electronic monitoring protocols, including for technology that allows victims who have sought an order of protection to install software on their phone. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Gal Gadot reveals she had blood clot in her brain, emergency surgery

Ducks forward Trevor Zegras has surgery on torn knee meniscus, will be out for 6 weeksBritain's economy contracted unexpectedly in October, according to data from the U.K.'s Office for National Statistics. GDP fell by 0.1%, the latest print showed, marking the second consecutive monthly downturn. The British pound was trading lower against the dollar Friday morning. The U.K. economy contracted unexpectedly in October, according to data from Britain's Office for National Statistics (ONS). > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are Gross Domestic Product fell by an estimated 0.1% on a monthly basis, the ONS said Friday, with officials attributing the downturn to a decline in production output. Economists polled by news agency Reuters had projected a 0.1% rise in GDP in October. It marked the country's second consecutive economic downturn, following a 0.1% GDP decline in September . Real GDP is estimated to have grown 0.1% in the three months to October, the ONS said, compared to the previous three months ending in July. Sterling declined on the back of the disappointing print, trading 0.3% lower against the U.S. dollar at $1.2627 by 7:45 a.m. London time. In a statement on Friday, U.K. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves conceded that the October figures were "disappointing," but defended the government's divisive economic strategies . Money Report CNBC Daily Open: Inflation's still high — but so is the stock market China signals readiness to mend ties with U.S. ahead of Trump inauguration This is a breaking news story. Please refresh for updates. Also on CNBC Wholesale prices rose 0.4% in November, more than expected If Trump wants to kill inflation, this is the first thing he needs to do Budget deficit swells in November, pushing fiscal 2025 shortfall 64% higher

UTSA 78, HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 71Jimmy Carter, 39th US president, Nobel winner, dies at 100GEORGETOWN 100, ALBANY 68

After missing play on Tuesday due to a calf injury, Golden State Warriors big man Draymond Green won't be missing too much time after all. The Warriors Thursday that Green had an MRI on Wednesday, which came back clear. Green missed Tuesday's NBA Cup game — a group stage loss to the Denver Nuggets — with left calf soreness. Despite the negative test, the 34-year-old forward will still miss Thursday night's game against the Houston Rockets. Green's status going forward, including for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, is still up in the air, per the Warriors. Draymond Green injury update: — Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) With Green on the bench again on Thursday, third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga is expected to step in. In his 11th year as Golden State's starting power forward, Green is averaging 28:32 minutes per game, earning an average of 8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. The Warriors, who are 12-8, begin a three-game homestead on Thursday, including back-to-back games against the Timberwolves on Friday and Sunday.The reason your favorite holiday catalogs are smaller this yearA dangerous driver who killed an off-duty paramedic has fled interstate days before he was due to be sentenced over the death. or signup to continue reading Mingen He, who is on bail, was expected to be sentenced in Melbourne on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing death over a May 2022 crash. He killed Pauline Smith, a paramedic and former police officer who was on her way home from night shift, after he veered into the wrong lane on the Western Highway at Great Western, in regional Victoria. Mingen faced a pre-sentence hearing on November 1, when his sentence date was set down for Thursday morning. Ms Smith's devastated family and friends, who attended the County Court for the sentence, were instead told He was on the run. "It's just devastating," Judge Kellie Blair told the court. "I'm sorry that you've travelled and sorry that you've been put out." He's wife reported him missing on Monday and he has not been seen or heard from since Saturday, the court was told. Prosecutor Emma Failla said police were investigating and it was believed He left Victoria and fled interstate. "His whereabouts are unknown at present," she said. She said He had surrendered his passport and was supposed to report to police three times a week, but had not done so this week. Lawyer Amit Malik has not had contact with his client since his last plea hearing, and did not oppose a warrant being issued for his arrest. "My instructors made efforts via phone call, WeChat, various other mechanisms to try and get hold of Mr He," he said. "There's simply just been no contact since the last occasion we were before Your Honour." Judge Blair issued a warrant for He's arrest and a $10,000 surety for bail will be forfeited due to his disappearance. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. 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 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. 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! Advertisement Advertisement

Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a strategic move to stabilize its finances while keeping operations running smoothly. Known for its ultra-low-cost business model, the airline has faced mounting challenges, including over $1 billion in deferred debt, a $158 million quarterly loss this year and failed merger efforts with JetBlue and Frontier Airlines. Don't Miss: This rooftop wind turbine is taking on a market projected to reach over $900 billion by 2032 — With already over 40,000 users signing up to purchase, here's a chance to be an early investor today! Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share! According to a company statement, Spirit's restructuring plan involves $300 million in new financing and $350 million in equity investments from bondholders, which will slash nearly $795 million in debt. The airline expects to emerge from bankruptcy by early 2025. CEO Ted Christie assured passengers that the restructuring would not affect flights and bookings in an open letter to customers. "You can continue to book and fly confidently now and in the future," Christie said. Spirit has pledged to maintain ticket sales, flights and loyalty programs without disruption throughout the process. Spirit's financial woes didn't develop overnight. According to CNBC, the airline hasn't turned a profit since 2019, when it lost $335 million. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected travel demand, hitting Spirit's operations hard. See Also: ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest TODAY for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum. The recall of Pratt & Whitney engines in 2023 further strained the airline by disrupting fleet availability, while rising fuel costs and stiff competition from larger carriers put additional pressure on margins. Regulatory hurdles compounded these challenges. In January, U.S. courts blocked Spirit's $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue, citing concerns about reduced competition in the budget travel market. Analysts warn, however, that more drastic measures, such as cutting routes or reducing flight frequencies, could still be necessary. Statista reported that Spirit's total flight capacity declined by 33% to 27.7 billion available seat miles between 2019 and 2020. TD Cowen's senior research analyst, Helane Becker, told CNBC, “Spirit Airlines' goal should be to preserve value as much as they can." Trending: The global games market is projected to generate $272B by the end of the year — for $0.55/share, this VC-backed startup with a 7M+ userbase gives investors easy access to this asset market. In response to its financial struggles, Spirit has begun implementing cost-saving measures. The Associated Press reported that the airline plans to sell 23 older planes for $519 million and cut jobs, saving an estimated $80 million annually. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have resumed talks about a potential merger, causing their stock prices to climb. However, investor confidence has faltered amid these setbacks. According to CNBC, Spirit's stock price dropped from $3.22 to $1.15 after The Wall Street Journal reported that the company was set to file for bankruptcy. Tom Fitzgerald, an analyst at TD Cowen, recently highlighted Spirit Airlines’ precarious situation on UPI. He stated that balancing cost-cutting measures with maintaining passenger confidence is critical for the airline’s survival. He noted that customers might begin avoiding the airline if its financial struggles intensify. Read Next: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Last Chance to get 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.26/share! © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.golden empire jili slot png 。

Tuesday’s contest between the No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats (7-0) and Clemson Tigers (7-1) squaring off at Littlejohn Coliseum has a projected final score of 79-75 (based on our computer prediction) in favor of Kentucky, who is listed as a slight favorite by our model. The game will start at 9:30 PM ET on December 3. According to our computer prediction, Kentucky is projected to cover the spread (1.5) against Clemson. The two sides are expected to go under the 155.5 over/under. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Place your bets on any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Kentucky’s record against the spread so far this season is 4-3-0, while Clemson’s is 4-4-0. In terms of hitting the over, games involving the Wildcats are 5-2-0 and the Tigers are 4-4-0. The teams score an average of 176.1 points per game, 20.6 more points than this matchup’s total. Bet on this or any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Rep your favorite players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .In response to the verdict, protests have erupted in the streets, with demonstrators demanding justice for Johnson and condemning what they perceive as a miscarriage of justice. Calls for a review of the trial process and an investigation into potential biases within the jury have grown louder, as activists and community leaders seek to hold those responsible accountable for their role in perpetuating injustice.

SOUTH BEND — Marcus Freeman didn’t jump around it Monday. The significance of the loss of fifth-year graduate defensive tackle Rylie Mills was not minimized. “You can’t replace Rylie Mills,” Freeman said. “I mean, yes, the production, but the leadership, a captain, very similar to the things I said about Benjamin Morrison when he was out. You feel awful for him as a person, a guy that decided to come back, improve his draft stock, be a captain. “The value he provided this team is tremendous, and he’s done an excellent job as a football player and a leader, but you have to replace the production. You got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways, and so we have capable guys that will step up, that have stepped up all year, that we’re very confident in, and those guys will have a bigger role this week.” Mills, who went down after a sack in the third quarter of Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff first-round game against Indiana a week ago, is now lost for the season. The captain and emotional leader was 32nd in the country in sacks (7.5). No defensive lineman on the Fighting Irish roster has registered more snaps this season. When asked Friday, defensive coordinator Al Golden gave a sharp “never” when asked if he has ever led a defense this plagued by the injury bug. Having lost several pieces this season already, Golden's unit continues to be dominant. Life without Mills will still be a big change. “We just don’t flinch,” Golden said. “At the end of the day, we feel badly for whoever has been injured, in this case, Rylie. Rylie’s meant a lot to this program and obviously the Coach Freeman era, not just necessarily our defense, but just the era itself, just being a leader. “You feel badly for him, but at the same time, we just don’t flinch. We move forward, and it’s time for somebody else to have an opportunity, and I know they’ll be ready.” Heading into Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal matchup between No. 7-seed Notre Dame (12-1) and No. 2 Georgia (11-2) at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, the Fighting Irish possess the third-best scoring defense (13.8 points allowed per game) and fourth-best pass defense (162.3 pass yards allowed per game). Where the Fighting Irish are less successful, though, is when covering the ground game. Allowing 133 yards rushing per game, it’s the unit Mills made such an impact on that will have to adjust, again. “I think we’re an elite defense, but any good defense we need to be good on both,” defensive lineman Howard Cross III said. “So this is a great challenge, an exciting challenge for all of us. Everyone on defense is extremely excited for this opportunity to play.” Cross made his first appearance since November last week against the Hoosiers. He finished with one assisted tackle. Addressing the injury to his linemate Mills, Cross also mentioned part of being excited for the challenge of facing the Bulldogs comes from the test it brings. “I’m just so excited to have this opportunity,” Cross said. “I know they’re one of, if not the best, interior offensive lines in the nation (and it) makes me more excited. Just being able to go out there and test my skills and just have fun. And I’m emphasizing the fun part for me.” The injury to Mills is the latest for an Irish bunch that has been one of the collective best units in the nation. Golden, a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award which is given to the top assistant coach in college football, has had to work around major losses to Morrison (Week 7) and defensive linemen Jordan Botelho (Week 3), Boubacar Traore (Week 5) and now Mills. As Georgia prepares to start sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton as SEC Championship game starter Carson Beck remains sidelined the rest of the season, Golden isn’t going to focus too long on what could have been. Instead, Cross, Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish will be next in line to carry the load. “First of all, Gabe has a ruggedness and a high motor,” Golden said. “The screen play that he made the other day on the perimeter, that forced a third-and-3, I think that’s emblematic of who he is as a player, right?” “I think we’ll look at this as Game 1 to Game 2 for Howard,” Golden said when running through what he saw from Cross’ first game back since November. “We expect a big jump for him in conditioning and really just about every aspect. He looks so much better right now. He’s more comfortable. I can’t speak for him, but it looks like he’s not in pain anymore, so we appreciate him gutting that out the other night, and he’s markedly better now. We just can’t wait to let him go.”ITTA BENA, Miss. (AP) — Cornelious Brown IV threw five touchdown passes, Donovan Eaglin ran for 105 yards and two scores, and Alabama A&M defeated Mississippi Valley State 49-35 on Saturday. The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the third quarter to break free from a 28-all tie at halftime. All three touchdowns came on passes by Brown. He hit DJ Nelson for 35 yards, Donovan Payne for 9 yards, and Keenan Hambrick for 13 yards. Alabama A&M led 49-28 heading to the final quarter. Donivan Wright caught Brown’s two other TD passes. He was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver with 79 yards among their team total of 296. Brown completed 19 of 28 passes for 252 yards for the Bulldogs (6-5, 4-3 SWAC). Ty’Jarian Williams was 12 for 28 passing for 275 yards for the Delta Devils (1-11, 1-7). He threw two TD passes and was intercepted twice. Nathan Rembert had 107 yards receiving and a touchdown on five receptions. There were five touchdowns in the second quarter and the score was tied three times before the Bulldogs blew it open in the third quarter. __ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. AP college football: and

TORONTO – Jakob Poeltl, Kelly Olynyk and Davion Mitchell will all return to the Toronto Raptors lineup tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Poeltl missed Toronto’s 129-92 loss to the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday due to illness. Mitchell was listed as questionable with right hip stiffness after that loss, but Raptors head coach Dakro Rajakovic says he’s available against Dallas. It will be Olynyk’s first time playing in the 2024-25 season after missing the entire pre-season and first 23 games of the campaign with back spasms. Olynyk, who was born in Toronto but grew up in Kamloops, B.C., will add significant depth to the Raptors’ rotation. He averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 28 games for Toronto last season after he was traded to the Raptors by the Utah Jazz on Feb. 8. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2024. Follow @jchidleyhill.bsky.social on BlueskyFOX Phoenix's Richard Saenz stepped into The Sports Office to give some insight into the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Saenz talks with FOX 7 producer Julian Martinez about everything Longhorn fans need to know about the Arizona State Sun Devils. AUSTIN, Texas - FOX Phoenix's Richard Saenz stepped into The Sports Office to give some insight into the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Saenz talks with FOX 7 producer Julian Martinez about everything Longhorn fans need to know about the Arizona State Sun Devils. Is Cam Skattebo the game-changing running back that can solve the Horns' vaunted defense? What about Freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, can he replicate the performance of Clemson QB Cade Klubnik? Saenz details how head coach Kenny Dillingham took a team picked to finish last in the Big-12 and made them a Conference Champion.

Zelensky insists on a 'just peace' at Trump Paris meetingCayden Primeau: a team could make him their Samuel MontembeaultIn response to the escalating situation, local authorities have been called in to investigate the house and determine whether there is any validity to the claims of it being a 'haunted house'. While the results of the investigation are still pending, the dispute has already brought attention to the age-old debate surrounding superstitions and the supernatural.

NoneDec 2 (Reuters) - The United States will provide Ukraine with a $725 million weapons package, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, as President Joe Biden's outgoing administration seeks to bolster the government in Kyiv in its war with Russian invaders before leaving office in January. The assistance will include Stinger missiles, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), drones and land mines, among other items, Blinken said in a statement. Reuters had reported last week that the Biden administration planned to provide the equipment, much of it anti-tank weapons to ward off Russia's attacking troops. "The United States and more than 50 nations stand united to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression," Blinken's statement said. The announcement marks a steep uptick in size from Biden's recent use of so-called Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which allows the U.S. to draw from current weapons stocks to help allies in an emergency. Recent PDA announcements have typically ranged from $125 million to $250 million. Biden has an estimated $4 billion to $5 billion in PDA already authorized by Congress that he is expected to use for Ukraine before Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. The tranche of weapons represents the first time in decades that the United States has exported land mines, the use of which is controversial because of the potential harm to civilians. Although more than 160 countries have signed a treaty banning their use, Kyiv has been asking for them since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in early 2022, and Russian forces have used them on the front lines. The land mines that would be sent to Ukraine are "non-persistent," with a power system that lasts for just a short time, leaving the devices non-lethal. This means that - unlike older landmines - they would not remain in the ground, threatening civilians indefinitely. Sign up here. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Rami Ayyub; editing by Jonathan Oatis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Patricia Zengerle has reported from more than 20 countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China. An award-winning Washington-based national security and foreign policy reporter who also has worked as an editor, Patricia has appeared on NPR, C-Span and other programs, spoken at the National Press Club and attended the Hoover Institution Media Roundtable. She is a recipient of the Edwin M. Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence.

Ramaphosa must be pushed to act on Thembi SimelaneSemester 2 registration is open at Saskatchewan’s Distance Learning Centre. Sask DLC is a fully accredited online school that offers Kindergarten to Grade 12 education to Saskatchewan students of all ages and backgrounds. The straightforward school supply list includes a computer with internet access and, as part of the computer or as an add-on, a mouse, microphone, and webcam. Students also need headphones/earbuds, a scanner/cell phone camera for submitting work, a printer and paper, along with standard supplies such as pens/pencils, an eraser, ruler, scissors, markers, geometry set, binders, and paper or notebooks. New courses in practical and applied arts and elective courses will give students greater opportunities to explore their interests or try something new and see if it sparks their curiosity. Tourism 10 and 20 courses will introduce students to food and beverage, accommodation, recreation and entertainment, transportation and travel services. Tourism 10 provides the theoretical component necessary for Tourism 20. Tourism 20, newly available in Semester 2, provides more theory and is coupled with a work placement. Other new courses available in Semester 2 include Energy and Mines – Oil & Gas 20 and Football Skills 10. Students enrolling in Energy and Mines 20 will learn about energy exploration, production and environmental stewardship practices, as well as industry trends, safety, economic impacts and technological advancements. This course, available in Semester 2 only, provides 50 hours of online theory and a 50-hour work placement. Football Skills 10, one of the courses offered as part of a grouping of unique electives, will introduce students to the basic concepts of football. They will explore the elements and rules of tackle, touch and flag football while developing fitness levels, mental training and leadership skills. Students will examine the importance of basic training, conditioning, nutrition and mental wellness in developing an athlete. They will learn about game strategy and tactics, individual and team goal setting, leadership, communication and team building, sportsmanship and fair play and have the opportunity to explore pathways in football beyond high school. Football 20 and 30 are expected to be available in the 2025-26 school year. Also, Baseball 10, 20, and 30 are part of the unique electives grouping. Whether new to baseball or having some experience, students will find that these courses cater to all skill levels. Starting with the basics and rules, students progress to intermediate topics like statistics and metrics for athlete development and can explore non-playing careers such as coaching, umpiring, recruiting, and broadcasting. Baseball 30 will be available in Semester 2. Sask Polytech provided high school students taking online automotive courses, with the opportunity to get practical, hands-on learning in the automotive mechanical field, through a one-day learning camp at the Sask Polytech Saskatoon Campus. Sask DLC and Sask Polytech learning camps provide students from across the province with opportunities to learn about potential career paths and make informed choices for their future beyond high school. The camps allow students to either confirm their current career aspirations or discover new ones. Students got a preview of the Automotive Service Technician certificate program and apprenticeship training options available at Sask Polytech. “Sask Polytech is excited to support students interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry,” Sask Polytech President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said in a News Release. “High school students can gain numerous benefits from exploring the trades and participating in the camp. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the automotive industry and to learn about the Automotive Service Technician program.” Interest among students in Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive courses continues to increase. More than 300 students registered for Mechanical and Automotive courses, including 168 with work placements so far this school year. Last year, 124 students registered in Mechanical and Automotive 10, 20 or 30-level courses, completing more than 4,500 work placement hours. An additional 98 students took the introductory theory-only course. Sask DLC offers five Mechanical and Automotive courses for students across the province, including a 10-level introductory course where students can choose to do full-online theory or participate in 75 hours of online theory with a 25-hour work placement. At the 20-and-30- level each course is a combination of 50 hours of online theory and 50 hours of an in-person work placement at a local business. Students participating in the optional learning camp at Sask Polytech will earn six credit hours toward their work placement requirement. Student work placements are possible due to a partnership between Sask DLC and the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers Association (SADA). Through this partnership, students are provided with opportunities to complete their work placement at a SADA member dealership. This partnership provides students with work placement opportunities near their home community and supports the automotive sector’s recruitment of future qualified employees to serve the industry. These courses complement several other 35 Sask DLC trades courses with work placements or hands-on learning opportunities available to students including Agriculture Equipment Technician, Autobody, Construction and Carpentry, Electrical, Energy and Mines - Oil and Gas, Parts Technician, Power Engineering, Precision Agriculture, Tourism, and Welding. Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive, and other courses are open for semester 2 registration. Courses are available to full-time Sask DLC students and high school students attending local schools throughout the province to supplement their in-person learning. High school students can contact their local school administrator or guidance counsellor for help registering. Learn more about all online courses with work placements available through Sask DLC at .Dark comedy 'A Different Man' surprisingly triumphs at Gotham Awards

Unlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Ilke Wyludda: German discus thrower passes away at 55

An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalitionSHE is tipped for a starring role on the This Morning sofa having wowed viewers with forthright opinions on misogyny and sex. And former reality star Ashley James has shown how much fans can relate to her — by sharing intimate personal battles to help others. Advertisement 6 Ashley James has been a hit with This Morning viewers for her forthright views Credit: Splash 6 Ashley reveals reveals her first experience of childbirth caused a number of 'mortifying' health issues Credit: Rex Ashley always makes it clear that no subject is off-limits. Now the presenter has bravely revealed she went through eight months of anguish following the birth of her son, Alfie , now three — because she could not make love with her partner, advertising executive Tom Andrews. Ashley, 37, who is also mum to Ada, one, said: “I had this kind of caveman expectation of Tommy. “You know, ‘Man needs sex.’ And six months went by, seven months, eight months, and sometimes I would try, and then he’d be like, ‘Oh my God, are you crying?’. Advertisement READ MORE ON ASHLEY JAMES SHOW SHAKE-UP Ex Made In Chelsea star Ashley James screen testing as host on This Morning ASH'S DASH This Morning's Ashley James reveals 'scary' dash after son suffers seizure “I would say, ‘It just really hurts’. “He was like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t want to hurt you’. “It was the first time it dawned on me that men aren’t just these dudes demanding sex.” With typical frankness, she reveals her first experience of childbirth caused a number of “mortifying” health issues including incontinence and pain. On the Made By Mammas podcast, Ashley explains how her pain was caused by a condition called vaginismus, which affects many women. It was caused by the trauma of childbirth, and she went to see a private pelvic health physio. Advertisement Most read in News TV HUGE SCOOP Scots dad wins £27k on Deal or No Deal as 'mystic' son stops him getting 10p IT'S BACK! Hugely popular Amazon Prime thriller's second series date confirmed DUTY CALLS Line of Duty's Martin Compston stars in new role worlds away from BBC cop drama BOILING POINT Lorraine Kelly fumes 'shut up' during rant about Gregg Wallace live on air She said: “Basically, all your muscles stiffen up and you can’t control it, but it’s so simple to fix. "All she did was a couple of massages and it was like healed.” This Morning star Ashley James’ huge new London home as she asks fans for help after spotting issue ‘I blamed myself’ Ashley’s career is now going from strength to strength, just like her relationship with Tom. Last week we revealed she is screen- testing to be a host on This Morning and has already filmed with several male presenters as producers attempt to turn around a ratings slump. Advertisement The influencer is already a regular commentator on the ITV show. She recently impressed when she took OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue to task for bragging about sleeping with “barely legal, 18-year-olds”. Ashley’s condemnation of the sex worker, 25, for targeting teens and encouraging misogynistic views was applauded by viewers , with one commenting: “I’m so glad Ashley is pulling this woman up.” It also got the programme back into the headlines for the right reasons following the departure of scandal-hit co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Advertisement However, Ashley’s spikey exchange with Blue was clearly not only driven by her desire to win a permanent place on the This Morning sofa. For she revealed on the podcast she had been assaulted by a friend at university — and later wrongly blamed herself. 6 Ashley met partnerTom Andrews on a dating app - but is not planning on getting married Credit: Instagram 6 Ashley is already screen-testing to become a presenter on This Morning Credit: Eroteme Advertisement She said: “I was hypersexualised as a 14-year-old girl, but made to feel like that was my problem. “What that did is, when I was at university, something happened without my consent, which I have never really talked about yet. “I blamed myself because I was like, ‘That was my fault because of my outfit, because I was drunk, because I put myself in that situation’ — and I didn’t tell anyone. “I blamed myself and the worst thing is, because I was such a people pleaser, I even wanted that person to still like me and be my friend. Advertisement "What we now know is, the more you tell young girls, ‘Don’t dress like that, your skirt’s too short’, what we’re doing is saying, ‘It’s up to you that men are going to sexualize your body, so you have to dress accordingly’. “Ultimately, we know that men will murder women, whether they are dressed appropriately or not, whether they take the right journey home or not, whether they get a taxi, whether they walk through the park. There is no difference between a man and a woman’s sexual appetite, apart from the fact that, socially, men are allowed to be sexual beings and women aren’t Ashley James “It doesn’t matter how we dress or what we do or whether we are drunk or not. It doesn’t and shouldn’t matter because actually we should be saying to boys, ‘You shouldn’t sexually objectify women, you shouldn’t be ogling at women’.” Ashley argues that women have the same sexual appetite as men — but historically they just weren’t allowed to express it. Advertisement On the female libido , she said: “Back in the day, there was this idea that because men had testosterone, they were more sexually active than women — and that men can’t help it if they have casual sex or cheat on their wives. “But now we know, because research is more advanced, actually there is no difference between a man and a woman’s sexual appetite, apart from the fact that, socially, men are allowed to be sexual beings and women aren’t. “So what was really interesting is they did all these different studies where they would, in some cases, ask men and women questions about their sex lives and whether they masturbate and all of those things, knowing that other people would find out. Then they did it again, asking people but saying this is completely confidential. “Women were the same, they were as sexual as men are. Advertisement “If you’re constantly telling women, ‘Don’t be a s**t, men don’t like women who do this, be wifey material’, and all of those narratives we are told from a young age, it makes us feel like we are men’s property and we should be pure.” 6 In recent years she Ashley has been best known as a 'mum influencer', although she dislikes the term Credit: instagram/ashleylouisejames ‘Trolling really upset me’ Ashley’s forthright views are proving a breath of fresh air on This Morning and she has a background many viewers can relate to. Despite coming to public attention on the fourth series of Made In Chelsea in 2012 — the E4 show about privileged young Londoners — Ashley was living off her overdraft and putting on a posh accent. Advertisement She was raised in a “small town in the North East” by parents she describes as “very Geordie” and got her first taste of the showbiz industry when she did some work experience at Radio Cumbria aged 16. Ashley appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 before becoming a DJ with gigs at top clubs such as London’s Ministry of Sound. In recent years she has been best known as a “mum influencer”, although Ashley considers the term “derogatory” and says it has led to online abuse . The trolling got so out of control last year that malicious followers reported her to social services for allegedly neglecting her children. Advertisement The false accusation, which was unfounded and promptly dismissed, was that she had drunk too much at a party. Speaking on the Gentle Start podcast, Ashley said: “I was reported to social services for neglect, and it all came back to this online anonymous gossip website. “It really upset me. Like I said to the social worker, I know how loved my children are and I know that I’m such a good mum. “That’s one thing that I have never doubted.” Advertisement Incredibly, just a few years ago Ashley had no interest in settling down or having children. She had been single for six years and was living her best “Carrie Bradshaw life”, when she reconnected with Tom on a dating app in 2019 having first met him at work a decade earlier. The couple now share a house in London with their two children. Read more on the Scottish Sun FERRY WINDY Ferry stranded amid Storm Darragh as passengers stuck on ship for 12 hours HORROR BLAZE Huge fire erupts at Scots industrial estate as emergency crews race to scene But Ashley is in no hurry to get hitched, explaining: “Long story short, I don’t like marriage. Advertisement “If I choose you every day, I am with you because you make me happy.” 6 Ashley earned fans after she took OnlyFans model Bonnie Blue to task on This Morning Credit: Rex

What Snoop wants: Arizona Bowl gives NIL opportunities to players for Colorado State, Miami (Ohio)NoneJoker: Folie à Deux OTT release: How to watch Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga movie - check dates and other detailsThe Education Bureau has launched an investigation into the matter to determine the root causes of the issue and to identify potential solutions. The investigation will involve conducting interviews with school administrators, teachers, and students to gather information on the extent of the problem and to assess the impact of the cutting of school uniforms on the environment.