Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and government forces are withdrawing from the strategic city of Homs as the rebels' surprising offensive picks up speed and President Bashar Assad's whereabouts are unknown. Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. In Damascus, residents described a city on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The U.N. envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Here's the Latest: Two officials with Iran-backed Iraqi militias in Syria say the militias are monitoring the situation and have not made a decision to enter in support of Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad. One of the officials said Iranian militias had withdrawn to Iraq from their positions in Syria. “All the militias are waiting to see what Bashar Assad will do in Damascus. If he resists and does not allow Damascus to fall, it is possible that the Iraqi factions will intervene for the purpose of support,” he said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. -- Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad Multi-country discussions on Syria have ended on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the countries will issue a statement, and there will be follow-up talks “taking into consideration the practical and real situation on the ground.” He said the talks, which lasted over two hours Saturday evening, focused on how to stop the fighting. Eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran gathered with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. When asked where Syrian President Bashar Assad is, Iraq's foreign minister replied, “I don’t know.” He declined to speculate on whether Assad would be overthrown. Opposition fighters have reached the Damascus suburbs. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six people and wounded five others. The ministry said an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed five people and wounded five, while a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one person. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report. Despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 to end the 14-month fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out war, violations of the truce have continued. The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the facility came under heavy Israeli bombardment again on Saturday and three medical staff were killed. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in a statement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry said the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electricity was cut off. He said the surgery department and neonatal unit were hit, and he pleaded for “immediate coordination for repair operations.” Kamal Adwan is one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military said it wasn’t aware of any attack Saturday. The hospital director on Friday said Israeli strikes had killed at least 29 people including four medical staff. Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that “local factions do not direct actions towards us,” adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria. Israel’s military has said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if “confusion” arises and actions are directed toward Israel by “local factions” taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong “offensive response.” The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical staff outside the country. Adam Abdelmoula in a statement Saturday called it a precautionary measure to protect U.N. teams. “Let me emphasize—this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” Abdelmoula said. The statement did not say how many U.N. staffers were leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The statement said the fighting in Syria has displaced over 370,000 people as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, “with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to escape.” Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit along with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to discuss the situation in Syria. The talks continued late Saturday and no details were immediately available. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq also were part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus. BAGHDAD — An Iraqi government spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq seeking refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria. Bassem al-Awadi said the soldiers’ equipment and weapons were registered and taken into custody by the Iraqi army. “We dealt with them according to the principle of good neighborliness and humanity,” he said Saturday. Al-Awadi also said Iraqi officials are concerned about the security of the al-Hol camp and other facilities in northeast Syria where suspected Islamic State group members and their families are detained. The facilities are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Al-Awadi said there is “high security coordination” between Iraqi officials and those forces to “prevent the prisoners from escaping.” Syria's army says it is fortifying its positions in the suburbs of Damascus and in the country’s south, as opposition fighters close in on the capital. The army statement on Saturday also asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda campaign aiming to destabilize and spread chaos. The statement also said the military is continuing with operations in areas including the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded hundreds of opposition fighters. At least two people were wounded in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Israeli army and rescue services. The army said the attack took place in the area of the Fawwar refugee camp, near the city of Hebron. It said a soldier was severely wounded, and security forces were looking for the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said another man in his 40s suffered light injuries from shrapnel. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza sparked the war there. Israel has intensified its military raids in the West Bank, targeting what it says are militants planning attacks, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. The Israeli military says it is helping United Nations forces to head off an attack on a U.N. position in Syria close to the Israeli border. The army said in a statement Saturday that an attack was carried out by “armed individuals” on a U.N. post near the Syrian town of Hader and it was “assisting U.N. forces in repelling the attack.” On Friday, Israel’s military said it would reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and opposition fighters. Hamas has released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. His mother, Einav, has become a symbol of the fight to bring back the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We want to return before we go crazy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness here is frightening,” he said, describing having little food and medicine and “undrinkable” water. President-elect Donald Trump has made his first extensive comments on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would handle the sudden advances against Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied leader. Trump condemned the overall U.S. handling of the 13-year civil war in Syria, but spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces. ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that there was “now a new reality in Syria” following the rapid advance of rebel forces. Speaking in Gaziantep, a city less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan said that “increasing attacks on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the latest events like the straw that broke the camel’s back.” It was not possible for Turkey to ignore developments in a country with which it shares a lengthy border and it would not allow any threats to its national security, he added in a televised speech. “Our wish is for our neighbor Syria to attain the peace and tranquility it has been longing for for 13 years,” he told a rally of supporters. “We want to see a Syria where different identities live side by side in peace. We hope to see such a Syria in the very near future.” Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s previous efforts to establish relations, saying Damascus “could not appreciate the value of the hand Turkey extended.” Ankara has supported anti-Assad rebel groups since the early months of the conflict and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the fighting. While Turkey lists HTS, the group leading the latest offensive, as a terrorist organization, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has worked alongside it. BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the city is very tense as troops and members of security agencies are deployed on main streets and intersections. The resident told The Associated Press that many shops are closed and those that are open have run out of main commodities such as sugar. He added that if food products are available, some shops are selling them for a price three times higher than usual. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said on condition of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” — Bassem Mroue in Beirut DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s foreign minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that all three countries were calling for an “immediate end to hostile activities” in Syria. Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s government, while Turkey backs opposition fighters trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Speaking at the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov said Russia continues to help the Syrian army confront insurgents, military via airstrikes. Asked whether Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving rebel offensive, he said, “We are not in the business of guessing what’s gong to happen.” He blamed the United States and the West for the events in Syria and said, “We are very sorry for the Syrian people who became a subject of another geopolitical experiment. “We are doing everything we can not to make terrorists prevail, even if they say they are not terrorists,” Lavrov said, referring to the de facto leader of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has cut links with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. He said Russia, Iran and Turkey want the full implementation of a U.N. resolution, which endorsed a road map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015. The measure called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Lavrov also downplayed reports that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian city of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to take part in naval exercises in the Mediterranean. DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a new opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself. Amos Hochstein told the Doha Forum that the weakness of Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of fighting along, along with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese military and government a chance to reassert itself. “Now is the moment with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon again for a much more prosperous future and stronger state institutions,” Hochstein told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference. He said Lebanon needs “to do its part” by rebuilding its economy, choosing a president after years of delays and strengthening its central government to attract investors. “And the international community has a requirement and a responsibility to support Lebanon after this devastating conflict and after years of Hezbollah control,” he said. Hochstein told the conference that the turning point in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to keep fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues. He said the change in position was the result of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the two conflicts. He said key tests for the ceasefire will be whether Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the coming two months and whether the Lebanese army is able to move into those areas. BEIRUT — Insurgents and a war monitor say opposition fighters are taking over military posts evacuated by Syrian government forces in the country’s south, bringing them closer to the capital, Damascus. An insurgent official known as Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are now in the town of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said insurgents have entered the town of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus. Opposition fighters have captured wide parts of Syria, including several provincial capitals, since they began their offensive on Nov. 27. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government has approved a plan to deploy more troops along the border with Israel, part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a rare Cabinet meeting outside of Beirut, held Saturday at a military base in the southern port city of Tyre, the government also approved a draft law to reconstruct buildings destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last week. Information Minister Ziad Makary told reporters after the meeting that the committee whose job is to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 will hold its first meeting on Monday. The committee is made up of military officials from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon as well as the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border. As part of the ceasefire deal, during the first 60 days Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river. The Lebanese army said this week it will begin recruiting more soldiers, apparently to deploy them along the border with Israel. BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida came as Syria’s military sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The rapid advances by insurgents are a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad , who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts. His chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli regular airstrikes. JERUSALEM — Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police said. The man shot firecrackers at security forces at the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police statement said. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with a symbol of the Islamic State militant group, according to an Associated Press reporter Israeli fire has killed at least 700 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began last year, Palestinian health officials said. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts since the U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration seeking an end to the conflict before it takes office. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire efforts, declined to give specifics of the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the sides are not large. Qatar, which has served as a mediator throughout the 14-month war, suspended its efforts last month in frustration over the lack of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed said his government has re-engaged in recent days after determining a new willingness by both parties to reach a deal. ’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday. He said has been in touch with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that while there are some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war. ’We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He declined to discuss details, saying he wanted to “protect the process,” but expressed hope for a deal “as soon as possible.” ’If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he said. CAIRO — At least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes also wounded 55 people including six children and the five women, according to the hospital. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza’s northernmost province , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.” An Indonesian medical team which had been assisting in Kamal Adwan for the past week was forced to evacuate on foot after the area was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the team. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the medical team’s expulsion. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, said an Israeli tank approached the hospital at around 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “people started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fire,” he said. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom’s call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there. The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital. After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct in the wars. “Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok ‘challenge’ known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students.Y-mAbs Presents SADA Platform Preclinical Data and Trial in Progress Posters at the 2024 American Society Hematology (ASH) Annual MeetingAfter upset win, Penn State out to extend Rutgers' woescoin slot game 。

Abang Johari (seated centre) speaks to the media at the press conference at Quadruplex Taman Ceria, Miri. MIRI (Nov 30): Sarawak is set to become the “Battery of Asia” by 2035 after all of its energy resource hub are completed by 2035, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He outlined the current development of Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plants in Miri and Kuching, each capable of generating 500 MW of energy, with a third one in the pipeline in Bintulu, collectively producing a total of 1,500 MW. “My target, by 2030 we will reach 10 GW (gigawatts overall). We can supply this (excess energy) to other areas including our neighbours (Asia states). For 2035, the target is 15 GW. This is only gas energy, not to mention solar. Solar energy will generate more than that. “That’s why Sarawak will be the ‘Battery of Asia’. If we don’t have it (energy), then they (Asia) will not ‘switch on’,” he said at a press conference today, adding that Sarawak will help Asian countries by supplying and exporting electricity. He added that this will provide income for Sarawak, adding that the energy mix technology is also Sarawak’s vision for the future. “Our energy is sustainable energy, meaning we will not produce carbon. It is a combination of hydrogen and steam, and with this, hydrogen energy can be increased,” he said. Currently, he said, hydrogen production from Sarawak’s energy hub stands at 30 per cent, with the potential to increase to 50–70 per cent in the future. This is possible because the technology used in these energy projects is cutting-edge, developed by Mitsubishi Japan, he added. “Thus, Sarawak is the first in the region to use the technology.” “In our region (Southeast Asia) maybe Sarawak is the first to use this combined circle energy. Indonesia does not have it yet, there is none in Peninsular Malaysia, and the countries up north, namely Laos, Thailand also does not have it yet. We are the first. “So, our electricity will have a low carbon footprint, our energy is sustainable,” he said. Also present at the press conference were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Hui Kian; Sarawak Transport Minister Dato’ Sri Lee Kim Shin and Petros Non-Executive Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo as well as state Cabinet ministers. Earlier, Abang Johari made a visit to personally inspect the implementation of Petros community gas infrastructure project in the Quadruplex Taman Ceria housing area in Permyjaya, here.

Asean and China are better togetherAndy Andrews/DigitalVision via Getty Images Real estate stocks slid down despite rising odds of a rate cut in December 2024. Nonfarm payrolls resurged in November, making up for October's storms and the Boeing strike and then some, indicating that the labor market remains solid, data released by the

Washington Governor-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown said they don't want to pick fights with the second Trump administration. They'll defend Washingtonians as necessary, they said at a recent press conference . But for the time being, they don't intend to go on the offensive this time around. That may be wise. They have plenty to do at home to strengthen democracy and public trust in government, elections and other institutions. That starts with a healthy, local press system, which both have vowed to support. It also demands open, transparent government. As they prepare their agendas, here are a few suggestions to help, and perhaps start some conversations between Washingtonians, their newly elected leaders and other representatives in state government. All of these proposals should have bipartisan support and provide ways for these Puget Sound Democrats to build bridges across the state's political and geographic divides. Conservatives are equally concerned about excessive power that tech giants have over the public square. So keep pursuing antitrust enforcement that began during the first Trump administration and level the playing field for publishers. Help rural and suburban newspapers survive, so people in all parts of the state have local news representing and strengthening their communities. And increase everyone's trust in state government by reversing Washington's recent slide toward secrecy. Ferguson and Brown will still have time to file federal lawsuits, if they decide that's also necessary.NoneCitigroup Inc. Lowers Holdings in Hexcel Co. (NYSE:HXL)

NoneQualcomm CFO Akash Palkhiwala sells $484,616 in stock

Supreme Court takes up dispute over FCC fund that subsidizes telecom services in rural areas

Des Watson didn’t make many of his shots Saturday, but the Loyola guard’s last one helped keep the Ramblers undefeated. Watson drained a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, and Loyola held on for a 74-72 victory against South Florida at Gentile Arena. At 8-0, the Ramblers are off to their best start in 62 years. Loyola’s 1962-63 team started 21-0 and went on to win the program’s first — and only — national championship. Watson, who hit the big 3 with Loyola trailing 71-69, led the Ramblers with 14 points despite shooting 3-for-15 from the floor. Kymany Houinsou added 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jalen Quinn scored 12 points and fellow reserve Sheldon Edwards Jr. 11. Jayden Reid finished with 23 points for the Bulls (5-4). Kasen Jennings added 13 points, and Jamille Reynolds had 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) Shares Bought by Citigroup Inc.What to know about nonstick cookware

Santos scores 24, Dayton defeats Lehigh 86-62

Barry Keoghan took to X on Saturday to announce that he deactivated his Instagram account following the heavy speculation surrounding his relationship with his infant son and his breakup with pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter . After Keoghan had a son with his ex-partner Alyson Sandro in August 2022, the pair broke up the following summer. Shortly after, Keoghan started dating Carpenter, a quick pivot that led to social media backlash for the 32-year-old actor. Carpenter and Keoghan have now broken up, and their split has been plagued by rumors that Keoghan cheated on her, leading to their separation. The compounded controversies seemingly led Keoghan to deactivate his Instagram. “I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually don’t respond to,” Keoghan said. “I have to respond now because it’s getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed. I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work. The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.” Keoghan added that in a few cases, the harassment went beyond social media speculation. He noted that some went as far as “knocking on my granny’s door” and “sitting outside my baby boy’s house.” “Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy,” Keoghan continued. “I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what. I need you to [remember] he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older. Please be respectful to all. Thank u x.”

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:09 p.m. EST

UN’s $300bn climate fund for Nigeria, Africa criticised over insufficiencyBy Baba Martins Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that at least 10,000 Nigerians were detained for immigration offences in African and European countries this year. He however applauded the contributions of Nigerian immigrants to the global economy, saying Nigeria accounts for the highest of all diaspora remittances in West Africa. Apart from diaspora remittances, he said Nigerian migrants have become global ambassadors who excel in technology, medicine, sports, creative arts, and other human endeavours. The Vice President spoke on Monday during the 10th Annual National Migration Dialogue with the theme, “Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants’ Legacy, Protecting Their Rights,” at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said, “Migration is not just a crossover from one geography to another. It is a critical driver of global and national development. In 2022 alone, Nigeria accounted for $21.9 billion in diaspora remittances, representing 64% of all remittances in West Africa. This is a testament to the invaluable economic contributions of Nigerian migrants. Police, army rescue 36 farmers from bandits in Kebbi APC sets up committee to probe Rivers Secretariat bombing “Beyond financial remittances, our migrants have become global ambassadors, excelling in fields such as technology, medicine, sports, and the creative arts. Nigerian startups founded by migrants attracted over $800 million in investments in 2022, underscoring the transformative potential of our people across the globe.” Shettima observed that while the Annual National Migration Dialogue coincided with the commemoration of International Migrants Day, the theme of the dialogue sparked solemn “reflection on the dual essence of migration—its remarkable contributions to society and the enduring need to safeguard the rights of those who undertake these journeys.” He noted that Nigeria is both a country of origin and a destination for migrants, with over 1.3 million international migrants living within. He however cautioned against the constant challenges of irregular migration, regretting that the nation returned about 10,000 of its citizens detained for sundry migration offences in 2024 alone. “However, we must acknowledge that irregular migration remains a persistent challenge. In 2024, we have already returned and reintegrated no fewer than 10,000 Nigerians who had been detained for immigration offenses in African and European countries. Shettima also assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to tackling the challenges of migration, a resolve he said the President reaffirmed at this year’s United Nations General Assembly. Earlier in his welcome address, the Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Ahmed, said the dialogue provided an invaluable space to reflect on the migration conversation, progress and formulating policies to address their challenges. Also, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the Nigerian diaspora represents the very best of the world hard-working, brilliant, intelligent and developing world economies. Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. Diaspora remittances highest Kashim Shettima Nigerian immigrants West AfricaAutomotive Aftermarket M&A will Continue to Attract High Investor Interest in 2025

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — After three straight losses, including back-to-back blowouts , the San Francisco 49ers needed a get-right game. The Chicago Bears helped provide just that. Brock Purdy carved up Chicago's defense to lead San Francisco to its best offensive output of the season and the defense dominated the Bears in a 38-13 win Sunday that looked a lot more like the team that went to the Super Bowl last season than the one that has struggled in 2024. “I think just the biggest thing was just getting some energy and momentum,” Purdy said. “This league is hard. It’s tough. If you don’t have momentum or energy and belief within a building, it can be really tough.” The problem for San Francisco (6-7) is it might be too late to salvage its playoff hopes. Three blown fourth-quarter leads to division rivals and the lopsided losses at Green Bay and Buffalo the previous two weeks leave the Niners two games out of the playoffs with only four games to go. They might need to win out to get back to the postseason for a fourth straight season, and even then they could need some help because their three division losses will make it tough to win any tiebreakers in the tightly packed NFC West. “If we win every single game, I think we’ve put ourselves in a very good position to either win the division or somehow sneak our way into playoff contention,” tight end George Kittle said. “I thought everyone’s focused on this one week. ... Forget the whole season whether you’ve played like crap the entire season, whether you’ve had missed opportunities, or whether you have a bunch of touchdowns. Whatever it is, flush all that and just focus on this one game.” Big plays. The Niners repeatedly gashed the Bears for big plays as the passing game looked as good as it has all season. Purdy had eight completions go for at least 20 yards — tied for the most in any game for the 49ers since at least 1991 — with Kittle catching four of them, Isaac Guerendo two and one each for Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings. Kickoffs. Jake Moody attempted two line-drive kicks as San Francisco tried to pin Chicago deep instead of allowing a touchback. But both kicks landed shy of the landing zone at the 20, giving the Bears the ball at the 40. DL Yetur Gross-Matos. The Niners have been struggling to generate a pass rush with Nick Bosa sidelined, but Gross-Matos made a big impact on Sunday. He had a career-high three sacks in the game after coming into the game with just one this season. S Ji'Ayir Brown. The second-year safety lost his starting job with the return of Talanoa Hufanga from a wrist injury. Brown played 15 defensive snaps in a spot role and was beat on a TD pass to Rome Odunze in his limited action. Guerendo has a sprained foot and will be evaluated later this week to see if he can play. ... OL Ben Bartch will likely go on IR after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday. ... LB Dre Greenlaw could return this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl. ... DL Nick Bosa (hip, oblique) and LT Trent Williams (ankle) will be evaluated this week but there is no timeline on when they will return. ... LG Aaron Banks cleared the concussion protocol and should play this week. ... LB Dee Winters (ankle), S Malik Mustapha (chest, shoulder) and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are day-to-day. 305 — The 49ers outgained the Bears by 305 yards in the first half for the ninth best advantage in a first half since at least 1991. The 319 yards for San Francisco were the most by any team in a first half this season and the 4 yards allowed were the fewest. The 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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Adcetera's creative partnership with Roborock sends the S8 MaxV Ultra into space HOUSTON , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Adcetera, a Houston -based digital marketing agency, announces the launch of a historic video campaign in partnership with Roborock , one of the world's leading robot vacuum brands. The campaign, centered around the theme "Beyond Limits," culminated in the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra being launched 120,000 feet above the Earth, making it the first robot vacuum in space. When Roborock began searching for an agency to develop a video campaign around their hashtag, #BeyondLimits, Adcetera's creatives stepped in to develop a narrative that could bring those two words to life. The resulting social media campaign features three scientists frustrated by outdated cleaning tools. Their solution? Invent the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra. After putting the vacuum through a series of "Beyond Limits" tests, the scientists take it one step further and launch it into space. The collaboration included partnering with Sent into Space, a UK-based company specializing in sending objects into the upper stratosphere. On September 17, 2024 , the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra successfully launched from Sheffield, UK , reaching 120,000 feet above Earth and enduring extreme temperatures, thus proving the product's endurance and innovation. The project involved building a unique laboratory set, sourcing talent and hundreds of props, a post-production that included multiple special effects, and coordinating an international space launch — all executed with precision to ensure the project stayed on schedule, within budget, and within scope. Stella Lin , Marketing Specialist at Roborock, praised the collaboration: "It was a pleasure collaborating with Adcetera on these projects. I believe they not only demonstrate Roborock's exceptional product quality and groundbreaking achievements, but also serve as a strong testament to Adcetera's professional expertise." To date, the video series has collectively garnered tens of millions of views across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. "We're proud of how our team turned a larger-than-life idea — an idea that felt almost impossible — into reality," said Adcetera's Chief Creative Officer Rowan Gearon . "We're pushing creative boundaries just like Roborock pushes the limits of technology." About Adcetera Adcetera is a full-service, integrated digital marketing agency with an obsession to deliver innovative solutions that drive growth for brands. Headquartered in Houston, TX , with offices in Chicago, IL and The Woodlands, TX , they are a distinctively diverse team of innovators, creators, and leaders from around the world, deeply proud of the award-winning work and the ongoing value provided to brands, businesses, and communities for over 40+ years. Adcetera is a privately held, WBENC-certified, HUB-certified, woman-owned business. For more information visit adcetera.com . Follow on LinkedIn . Adcetera – Strategic. Creative. People. About Roborock Roborock is a leading smart cleaning brand renowned for its intelligent cleaning solutions. With a steadfast dedication to becoming a global leading smart appliance player, Roborock enriches lives with its innovative line of robotic, cordless, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, and washer-dryers. Rooted in a user-centric approach, our R&D-driven solutions cater to diverse cleaning needs in over 15 million homes across 170+ countries. Headquartered in Beijing and with strategic subsidiaries in key markets, including the United States , Japan , the Netherlands , Poland , Germany , and South Korea , Roborock is dedicated to elevating its market presence worldwide. For more information, visit https://global.roborock.com/. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roborock-makes-history-with-out-of-this-world-video-campaign-302338415.html SOURCE ADCETERAINIA: Bringing Clinic-Level Skincare Home with the Red Light Therapy Mask 12-23-2024 07:20 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Kjprnews INIA, a beauty and personal care technology company, is changing the way we care for our skin by bringing professional-grade treatments right into the comfort of your home. Inspired by the Amazon River dolphin's smooth skin and graceful curves, INIA embodies radiance, confidence, and a passion for innovation. This commitment is perfectly reflected in their latest breakthrough: the GLOW Wireless Red Light Therapy Mask [ https://theinia.com/products/inia-red-light-therapy-mask-for-face ]. This cutting-edge device delivers clinic-level results without the expense or inconvenience of professional appointments. INIA's Mission: Making Advanced Skincare Accessible to All At INIA, the mission is clear: to make advanced beauty and personal care technology accessible to everyone. INIA believes that everyone deserves the transformative benefits of premium skincare. That's why they've designed at-home solutions that are easy to use and fit effortlessly into daily routines. By focusing on accessibility and simplicity, INIA empowers people to take control of their skincare journeys and achieve noticeable results. Expanding on this vision, INIA has developed a range of innovative products, including a home-use IPL Hair Removal Device [ https://theinia.com/products/inia-haute-pro ] and a facial microcurrent therapy tool [ https://theinia.com/products/inia-microcurrent-facial-device ]. Together with the GLOW mask, these tools create a complete, professional-grade skincare experience at home. Scientific Expertise and Technological Innovation With over a decade of research and development, INIA's team is dedicated to delivering products backed by rigorous scientific validation. Their expertise in photo-rejuvenation and light therapy ensures that each product is not only effective but also safe and reliable. INIA collaborates with renowned experts such as Dr. Amber, Medical Director at Biogenesis Medical and Wellness Center, and Dr. Hendricks, a specialist in nutritional biochemistry and epigenetics. These partnerships bring valuable insights into personalized skincare and treatment responses. All INIA products are also FDA-cleared, reflecting their commitment to safety and quality. INIA GLOW Wireless Red Light Therapy Mask: Your Path to Radiant Skin The GLOW Wireless Red Light Therapy Mask blends advanced technology with user-friendly design, offering a powerful yet simple way to improve your skin. Clinically proven to boost collagen, reduce fine lines, and enhance skin texture, this innovative mask delivers professional results in just 10 minutes per session. Key Features and Benefits: Clinically Proven Results: Backed by clinical research, the mask visibly improves skin tone, texture, and firmness. NIR (Near-Infrared) Technology: Penetrates deep into the skin to enhance collagen production and support natural repair. True Wireless Design: Enjoy complete freedom of movement with the industry's first truly cordless red light mask. Multiple Treatment Modes: Target various skin concerns, including brightening, acne treatment, and anti-aging. FDA-Cleared and Safe: Designed for all skin types, with no UV light or heat, ensuring a gentle and comfortable experience. Image: https://wdcdn.qpic.cn/MTY4ODg1NjU2OTU2OTY3MA_959766_3vVVfoTuPzuZ-WHO_1734331174?w=673&h=670&type=image/png How It Works The INIA GLOW mask uses advanced LED phototherapy to emit clinically proven wavelengths of red (630nm), blue (460nm), yellow (610nm), and near-infrared (850nm) light. These targeted wavelengths stimulate cellular repair, enhance collagen production, and rejuvenate skin. With regular use, the mask helps you achieve firmer, smoother, and more radiant skin. Recommended Use: For best results, INIA recommends using the mask 3-5 times per week for 2-5 weeks, followed by maintenance treatments as needed. The cordless design and snug fit make it easy to use anytime, anywhere. The INIA Difference: Features That Stand Out NIR Technology: Penetrates deeper skin layers for enhanced collagen production. This feature, rare in LED masks under $300, makes INIA GLOW an outstanding value. True Wireless Design: Enjoy the freedom to multitask while treating your skin-no cords, no limits. Dual-Battery System: Comes with two magnetic batteries, allowing for continuous use as one charges while the other powers your session. Protective Eye Shield and Comfortable Fit: A detachable eye shield ensures safety and comfort, while the soft silicone material adapts to all face shapes for a snug, flexible fit. Get Glowing Skin with INIA's GLOW Mask Experience the future of skincare with INIA's GLOW Wireless Red Light Therapy Mask. Transform your routine with professional-grade treatments that you can enjoy from the comfort of home. Thousands are already seeing the INIA difference-now it's your turn. Media Contact Company Name: Theinia Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=inia-bringing-cliniclevel-skincare-home-with-the-red-light-therapy-mask ] Country: United States Website: https://theinia.com/ This release was published on openPR.

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However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.In a new interview, the scandal-plagued Gaetz reaffirmed his commitment to being a member of Trump’s ‘America First army’. Former United States Congress member Matt Gaetz has confirmed he will not resume his seat in the House of Representatives, amid scrutiny over sex-trafficking allegations. Gaetz had been President-elect Donald Trump’s first pick for the role of attorney general in his incoming administration. But speaking on Friday to the conservative podcast The Charlie Kirk Show, Gaetz addressed his decision to withdraw his name from consideration, as controversy loomed over his nomination. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” Gaetz said in the interview. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress.” Gaetz, the son of a former Florida state senator, had served as the US representative for Florida’s 1st Congressional District since 2017. But on November 13, when Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Justice, Gaetz abruptly resigned his seat in Congress. Critics pointed out that his resignation came just days before the bipartisan House Ethics Committee was slated to release a report digging into allegations that Gaetz had sex with a minor, engaged in “illicit drug use” and “shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor”. Gaetz has denied the allegations. But his departure from the House threw the report into limbo, as prominent Republicans argued the committee was only tasked with investigating active members. Democrats, meanwhile, argued the report’s publication was necessary to ensure a transparent and fully informed confirmation process in the Senate. On Wednesday, the committee voted along party lines to withhold the report. By the following day, however, Gaetz announced he would no longer be seeking the attorney general’s position in Trump’s administration. He explained his nomination was “unfairly becoming a distraction” to the goals of the Trump presidency. In Friday’s interview, Gaetz put a positive spin on his brief but fraught nomination. “I know there are people disappointed that I won’t be the next attorney general. But you have to understand: This is the political process, and sometimes the path you’re on is one that takes you to a different place, and it can be a glorious place,” he said. He added that he “enjoyed” his meeting with Republican senators earlier this week, as they discussed the ethics report. Still, he denied that the report played a role in his decision to abandon the confirmation process. “There is a play that is run in Washington when they’re trying to smear somebody. They go and dredge up false, years-old allegations of the most salacious and clickbaity flavour possible,” Gaetz said. “If the things that the House ethics report [said] were true, I would be under indictment and probably in a prison cell. But, of course, they’re false.” He cited his leading role in the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023 as stirring up animosity against him. With all the controversy and internal party tensions he faced, Gaetz described his brief stint as the attorney general nominee as akin to “having to do two jobs at one time”. “I had a full-time job explaining to senators that maybe a tweet I said about them was rash and not reflective of how I would serve as attorney general,” Gaetz said. “And at the same time, I was having to build out the Department of Justice with the right human talent, the right policy infrastructure.” One prominent question remained, though: Would Gaetz resume his seat in the House of Representatives? After all, Gaetz had already won re-election on November 5, making him eligible to join the 119th Congress when it gets sworn in early next year. Kirk, the podcast host and prominent conservative activist, put the question to Gaetz. “I’ve been in an elected office for 14 years. I first got elected to the state House when I was 26 years old,” Gaetz responded. “I’m 42 now, and I’ve got some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue.” He nevertheless underscored his commitment to being part of Trump’s “America First army”. On Thursday, Trump quickly replaced Gaetz as his attorney general nominee with former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi , another longtime ally. On Friday, Gaetz emphasised that he and Bondi shared the same vision, and he was delighted a fellow Floridian would be his replacement. “My good friend Pam Bondi is going to be a phenomenal attorney general for Donald Trump,” he said. “She has the legal acumen. She hates criminals. She is a bright legal mind and a fellow Floridian. I think that, even though the path will take me to a different station in life and a different place in the fight for our agenda and President Trump, we’ve got a great person in place.”

Republicans have dealt a pair of stinging rejections to President-elect Donald Trump over the past week, a sign of how Trump’s immediate lame-duck status could limit his influence despite his enormous sway over the GOP’s most dedicated voters. There’s little doubt Trump, like any president, remains the leader of his party, and is certain to have a mostly unified GOP rooting for him as he pushes for tax cuts for the wealthy, conservative judicial appointments and assaults on democratic norms. And there have long been limits to how far Republicans would actually go in service of a man many of them privately find ridiculous even as they lavishly praise him in public. But the two prominent rejections in the past week ― Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis resisting Trump’s entreaties to his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, to Florida’s open Senate seat and more than three dozen House Republicans denying his request to include a debt ceiling hike in a government funding bill ― show how Trump lacks the power to simply dictate the GOP’s behavior in either politics or government, and function as warning signs for Trump allies hoping for seamless enactment of his agenda, from his plans for a complex piece of tax legislation to his vision for trillions in spending cuts engineered by Elon Musk. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told HuffPost the GOP would obviously remain by Trump’s side, but noted some of his requests ― like a debt ceiling hike ― simply aren’t feasible. “I think he’s going to continue to lobby, and I think they respect the fact that he’s the incoming president of the United States, and they all want to have a good relationship with him, but they also know that certain things are doable and some things are not doable, and in the political process, there is no way at this stage of the game to effectively address the debt ceiling,” he said. “And so it was a matter of we do the best we can, and we’re all on the same team.” “We want to make things work out, right?” Rounds said. Trump’s demand that Republicans add a debt ceiling provision to their government funding bill tanked House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initial legislation, but set up a standoff that he wound up losing. Republicans hate raising the debt ceiling, and they weren’t willing to abandon their stubborn position just because Trump wanted them to. Thirty-eight Republicans voted against the legislation that Johnson hastily assembled to placate their leader. The president-elect even threatened to back a primary opponent against Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), only to see Roy openly defy him. “My position is simple - I am not going to raise or suspend the debt ceiling (racking up more debt) without significant & real spending cuts attached to it. I’ve been negotiating to that end. No apologies,” Roy wrote on X, tagging Trump to make sure he saw. Trump’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of House lawmakers followed a stiff-arm by Senate Republicans, who refused to support scandal-plagued Matt Gaetz for attorney general, forcing the would-be nominee to withdraw from consideration. In that confrontation, Trump backed down even after threatening to try to go around the Senate and use recess appointments to fill his cabinet. DeSantis’ resistance was less explicit. Lara Trump was never firmly rejected, instead withdrawing her name from consideration on Saturday night. The Washington Post reported Trump had pushed DeSantis to name her to the seat , which will become vacant when Sen. Marco Rubio is presumably confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of State. But when asked about it at a press conference earlier this month, Trump was skeptical he would get his way. “I probably don’t, but I don’t know,” the president-elect said at Mar-a-Lago. “Ron’s doing a good job and that’s his choice. Nothing to do with me.” Trump likely lost leverage over DeSantis when it became clear he was sticking by his troubled nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who stands accused of workplace drinking and sexual assault. Trump allies had floated DeSantis as a potential replacement nominee if Hegseth faltered. Former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.), a Trump critic, said DeSantis and other Republicans were already looking past the time when Trump ruled the party. “That episode clearly reflects Trump’s lame duck status when it comes to who will be fighting for control of the party starting in December of 2026,” Jolly said. “DeSantis clearly sees Trump as a lame duck with fading currency, and the Florida Governor still has plans to demonstrate his own Republican leadership. Surely DeSantis isn’t alone.” Another prominent Florida GOP consultant noted the “ceiling” of Trump’s ask could also decline in the future. “If there is obvious cognitive decline from Jan. 20, [his problems] will accelerate,” said the consultant, who requested anonymity to speak frankly about his party’s leader. Mike Davis, a former Senate GOP staffer known for his pro-Trump bombast, insisted the president-elect was charging full steam ahead. “Trump forced Biden, a Democrat-controlled Senate, and a barely Republican-controlled House to surrender on their annual end-of-year spending frenzy,” he said. “Trump’s just getting warmed up.” Still, it’s clear there’s also something of an indirect challenger for Trump’s throne atop the GOP. While Trump did not get any of what he requested from House Republicans, his top donor, tech billionaire Elon Musk, did. And Musk’s trillions may be able to power political careers years in the future when Trump’s social media missives have disappeared from the scene. Trump, in a speech in Arizona on Sunday, aimed to downplay the idea Musk could somehow supplant him, noting ― correctly, for once in his life ― that Musk is ineligible to be president. “I’m safe. You know why? He can’t be. He wasn’t born in this country,” Trump said jokingly.

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AUSTIN, TEXAS / ACCESSWIRE / December 23, 2024 / Interactive Strength Inc. (Nasdaq:TRNR) ("TRNR" or the "Company"), maker of innovative specialty fitness equipment under the CLMBR and FORME brands, today announced it had issued a shareholder update for 2024, and look ahead for 2025, available on the Company's investor website. TRNR Investor Contact ir@interactivestrength.com TRNR Media Contact forme@jacktaylorpr.com About Interactive Strength Inc.: Interactive Strength Inc. produces innovative specialty fitness equipment and digital fitness services under two main brands: 1) CLMBR and 2) FORME. Interactive Strength Inc. is listed on NASDAQ (symbol: TRNR). CLMBR is a vertical climbing machine that offers an efficient and effective full-body strength and cardio workout. CLMBR's design is compact and easy to move - making it perfect for commercial or in-home use. With its low impact and ergonomic movement, CLMBR is safe for most ages and levels of ability and can be found at gyms and fitness studios, hotels, and physical therapy facilities, as well as available for consumers at home. www.clmbr.com . FORME is a digital fitness platform that combines premium smart gyms with live virtual personal training and coaching to deliver an immersive experience and better outcomes for both consumers and trainers. FORME delivers an immersive and dynamic fitness experience through two connected hardware products: 1) The FORME Studio Lift (fitness mirror and cable-based digital resistance) and 2) The FORME Studio (fitness mirror). In addition to the company's connected fitness hardware products, FORME offers expert personal training and health coaching in different formats and price points through Video On-Demand, Custom Training, and Live 1:1 virtual personal training. www.formelife.com . Forward Looking Statements: This press release includes certain statements that are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and reflect management's assumptions, views, plans, objectives and projections about the future. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe", "project", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "strategy", "future", "opportunity", "plan", "may", "should", "will", "would", "will be", "will continue", "will likely result" or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the possibility of accomplishing various initiatives in 2025 and the potential positive impact on the company's financials. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of the Company. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: demand for our products; competition, including technological advances made by and new products released by our competitors; our ability to accurately forecast consumer demand for our products and adequately maintain our inventory; and our reliance on a limited number of suppliers and distributors for our products. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Contact Information John McNamara IR john@tradigitalir.com 917-658-2602 SOURCE: Interactive Strength Inc. View the original on accesswire.com Copyright 2024 ACCESSWIRE. All Rights Reserved.dragon slot game 。

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Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug useEven with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. ​​​​​​​Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. ​​​​​​​Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. ​​​​​​​ Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. ​​​​​​​5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Signaling shift in internet policy, Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp and Google Play

NoneORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In losing Sunday’s battle with the Buffalo Bills, perhaps the best team in football, Jerod Mayo won the war. Best I can tell, he’s staying put. For 2025, and maybe beyond. To his angry fan base and incredulous pockets of the New England Patriots’ media corps, remember Mayo’s future doesn’t hinge on winning this season. It’s not about what you want, or what I think. It’s about the Krafts, who hand-picked Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick four and a half years before he actually did, believing in him, and finding reasons to maintain that belief. In the eyes of someone who wants to believe, Sunday supplied enough reason. The Patriots led at halftime, then lost by three as 14-point underdogs. They became the first team since mid-October to hold the Bills under 30 points. Drake Maye outplayed the next MVP of the league for most of the game and took another step toward his destiny as a franchise quarterback, People are also reading... If that sounds like a low bar, that’s because it is. Such is life in Year 1 of a rebuild, a multi-year process ownership has committed to seeing through to the end with their organizational pillars now in place: Mayo, Maye and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. As frustrating as this 3-12 campaign has been, there are always nuggets of optimism amid the rubble of a losing season; particularly if you want to find them. The Krafts do, and so does Maye, who loves his head coach, by the way; calling questions about Mayo’s job security “BS.” “We’ve got his back,” Maye said post-game. Maye’s voice matters. Certainly more than any number of fans or media members. Ever since media-fueled speculation that Mayo could get canned at the end of his first season began rising, the caveat has always been the same: if, a Gillette Stadium-sized “if,” the Patriots bomb atomically down the stretch, ownership could pull the plug on Mayo. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport became the latest to join that chorus Sunday with this pregame report: “The Krafts want to keep Jerod Mayo,” he said. “They believe he is the leader for the organization for the future, and they knew it would be a multi-year process to get this thing right. Now if things go off the rails, if they really start to struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season, we’ve seen this thing turn. “But as of now, the Patriots believe Jerod Mayo is their leader for the future.” Well, Mayo hasn’t lost the locker room. That’s a fact. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts To a man, both in public and from those I’ve spoken to in private, Patriots players believe in their head coach. Mayo might be a players’ coach, yes, in the best and worst senses. But the Patriots were a few plays away Sunday from pulling off their largest upset since Super Bowl XXXVI. “I think we’re building something good,” Maye said. The Patriots also played their best half of football this season against their toughest opponent yet. Another fact. Now, to the frustrated, I am with you. To the shocked, I understand. But to the trigger-happy, lay down your arms. Mayo, by all accounts, is returning in 2025. Alex Van Pelt, however, is another story. In the same vein that the Krafts could have viewed Sunday’s performance as a reason to save Mayo — despite his pathetic punt at midfield, down 10 with just eight and a half minutes left — they could have convinced themselves their offensive coordinator is the real problem. After all, team president Jonathan Kraft was visibly exasperated over Van Pelt’s play-calling during the Pats’ loss at Arizona a week earlier. Four days later, Van Pelt told reporters he had yet to hear from his boss. Well, that time may be coming. Trailing by three in the fourth quarter Sunday, Van Pelt called a pass that resulted in an unnecessary lateral and game-winning touchdown for Buffalo. His offense later operated like it was taking a Sunday drive with the game on the line, using up 3:16 of the final 4:19 en route to its final touchdown. Van Pelt, finally, weaponized Maye’s legs in critical situations, something that arguably should have been done weeks ago. Not to mention, Van Pelt’s top running back can’t stop fumbling, and the offensive line remains a hot mess. Call him Alex Van Fall Guy. Because Van Pelt’s offense, for the first time in a while, under-performed relative to Mayo’s defense. On merit, he deserves to stay; a case that’s harder to make for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. But it’s not about merit this season. It’s not about what you want. It’s not about what I think. It’s about the Krafts; what they see, what they want, what they believe. Even in defeat. ____ Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans didn’t need to see what Baltimore’s Derrick Henry is doing this season to be reminded of just how dangerous he can be. He ran all over the Texans for years while playing in the AFC South for the Tennessee Titans. Henry and the Ravens (10-5) visit AFC South champion Houston (9-6) on Wednesday, looking for a win to keep their AFC North title chances alive. Baltimore has clinched a playoff berth for a third straight season but needs wins in its last two games and one loss by the Steelers to capture the division. Henry, who ranks second in the NFL with 1,636 yards rushing, has had some of his greatest success against the Texans. Four of the 30-year-old’s six career 200-yard rushing games have been against Houston, including a career-high 250 in the season finale in the 2020 season to surpass 2,000 yards. “You talk about fast, explosive, physical — he’s looking probably the best he’s looked in his career,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s found that fountain of youth ... he’s a great player. It’s fun to see guys rebound and bounce back the way that he’s done this year.” Dealing with Henry along with all the challenges that quarterback Lamar Jackson presents makes the top-ranked Ravens one of Houston’s more difficult matchups. “You talk about MVP, (Jackson’s) definitely the MVP in my mind just for what he’s doing not only in the run game but also throwing the football,” Ryans said. “The accuracy, the decision-making, like, he’s playing unbelievable ball right now, so it’s going to be a really tough challenge for us this week.” Another challenge for the Texans is moving on after Tank Dell sustained a season-ending knee injury in Saturday’s loss to Kansas City. His injury is another blow to a receiving group that already was without star Stefon Diggs, who tore his ACL in Week 8. “The position we’re in, it’s not a lot of times where you can sulk in your feelings for very long,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “You’ve got to just keep rolling. I think that’s a testament to just life in general. Everybody has stuff on their plate. Everybody is going through something. And just because we’re in this position, doesn’t mean you get to feel sorry for yourself.” Houston will rely on Stroud to keep the passing game rolling despite the loss of Dell, who ranks second on the team with 667 yards receiving. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh has been impressed with Stroud’s growth in Year 2 and knows that dealing with him will be difficult for his team, which ranks 31st in the NFL by allowing 254.9 yards passing a game. “He’s just a supertalented guy... he’s surrounded with some good weapons, and he gets the ball out quick,” Harbaugh said. “He handles pressure well, he can move, he’s athletic, scrambles and makes plays.” Missing out Jackson is a big fan of Beyoncé, though he didn’t know the title of his favorite song of hers, saying it was “To the left,” which is just the first lines of her hit “Irreplaceable.” And he doesn’t think playing in Wednesday’s game should stop him from seeing her halftime show on Christmas . “I’m going to go out there and watch,” he said. “First time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it’s at our game — that’s dope. I’m going to go out and watch. Sorry Harbaugh, sorry fellas." He later clarified that he was kidding about sneaking out at halftime to get a glimpse of Queen Bey. “I was just thinking about just seeing Beyoncé for the first time,” he said. “Not saying it like that; no disrespect, because I know how people can take things. Next question.” Metchie’s moment Houston receiver John Metchie could have a chance for a big game with Dell out. Metchie is playing in his second NFL season after missing his entire rookie year while undergoing cancer treatment. He has just 182 yards receiving this season, with his best game coming against Detroit, when he had a career-high 72 yards receiving and his only NFL TD. Stroud is looking for Metchie and fellow reserve Xavier Hutchinson to help make up for Dell’s absence against the Ravens. “Those guys have another opportunity to show who they are and I know that they can do it,” Stroud said. “I see them in practice do it every week. So, I’m excited for them and it’s a good opportunity for them to step up.” Record watch Jackson is up to 6,023 yards rushing for his career. The NFL record for a quarterback is 6,109 by Michael Vick, so Jackson could break it with a big game on Wednesday. Jackson also leads the NFL in passer rating and is in the conversation for his third MVP. Although it sounds like that’s a discussion he’d rather not get involved in. “No other choice but to hear it,” Jackson said. “They (are) tagging me in it. You don’t (have) to tag me. You can talk about it all you want, but you want to tag me to get like clickbait because you know sometimes I (will) say something back like, ‘That was stupid.’ It is what it is. I don’t care, though. I really don’t care about the talk.” ___ AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Owings Mills, Maryland, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kristie Rieken, The Associated PressGabriel mimics Gyokeres in cheeky goal celebration in Arsenal win over Sporting in Champions LeagueVikings place LB Ivan Pace on injured reserve and sign LB Jamin Davis off Packers practice squad

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says human-directed AI-controlled drones are the future of war. Schmidt's startup, White Stork, is developing drones for Ukraine to use in its war with Russia. AI drones are a growing trend in military innovation, as is tech to counter them. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says AI drones are the future of warfare but that human operators will need to ensure they don't go haywire. Advertisement Schmidt was Google's CEO from 2001 to 2011. He is now the founder of an AI drone startup called White Stork, which has provided Ukraine with drones to use in its war with Russia. At a Stanford lecture in August, Schmidt said that the war in Ukraine had turned him into a "licensed arms dealer." Schmidt said at the Stanford lecture that the startup's goal is to use AI "in complicated, powerful ways." Schmidt's White Stork and Palmer Luckey's Anduril are at the forefront of developing autonomous drones for the US military. Advertisement Schmidt has said he imagines a future where humans are far from the front line of conflicts, operating from afar machines that do the actual fighting. Speaking to PBS on Friday, Schmidt said that using armed men on the battlefield is an "antiquated method of war." "The correct model, and obviously war is horrific, is to have the people well behind and have the weapons well up front, and have them networked and controlled by AI," Schmidt said. "The future of war is AI, networked drones of many different kinds." At a tech conference in Saudi Arabia in October, Schmidt called tanks "useless" and said a $5,000 drone could destroy a $5 million American tank. Advertisement Schmidt said it's more important that the United States maintains the "human in the loop" rule for AI drones, meaning that a person will have "meaningful human control" of drones on the battlefield. "What will happen is that the computer will produce the battle plan and the human will authorize it, thereby giving the legitimacy of both authorizing it as a human but also the legitimacy of control and liability if they make a mistake," Schmidt said. Having a human operator is key to preventing a "Dr. Strangelove situation," Schmidt said, where "you have an automatic weapon which makes the decision on its own." Advertisement "That would be terrible," he said. Scott Sacknoff, president of aerospace and defense investment firm Spade Index, previously told Business Insider that autonomous drones in warfare are "definitely a trend." "Every 20 years, the defense sector sort of goes through a cycle where here are the new technologies that will have a greater impact on defense and military," he said. Advertisement Sacknoff said the military defense business is always looking for a "counter" to the newest technology and that the growth of autonomous drones would likely bring more innovations to stop them.Lahore ranked second among world’s most polluted cities LAHORE:Once again, the provincial capital ranked second among the list of world’s top 10 most polluted cities on Monday as the average AQI reached 237, which was in the category of very unhealthy. Data collected from IQAir revealed that PM2.5 concentrations were currently 32.4 times the World Health Organisation annual PM2.5 guideline value. It showed that the most polluted localities of the city included Polo Ground Cantt (299), University of Management and Technology (299), Model Town Link Road (288), Askari 10 (276), Burki Road (276), Valencia Town (274), DHA Phase V (272) and Hiking & Mountaineering Club GCU (270). Environmental experts claimed that the deteriorating AQI was the result of cold wave as well as lifting of anti-smog SOPs by the government especially closing of markets at 8.00 pm. They said that the increase in traffic flow on city roads was resulting in release of vehicular emissions as well as generation of fugitive dust (PM2.5) because the government departments concerned have also stopped water sprinkling and washing of roads. They demanded the government re-implement anti-smog measures in the City; otherwise, with the increase in the cold weather the situation will deteriorate further till rainfall, which was not predicted in the near future. They also said that the deteriorating AQI was also resulting in spread of different diseases especially dry cough and other respiratory issues. Meanwhile, Met officials said continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country while a shallow westerly wave was passing over upper parts of the country. They predicted that mainly cold and dry weather was expected in most parts of the country while very cold and partly cloudy to cloudy weather in hilly areas. Shallow to moderate fog (in patches) was likely at few places in Northeast/South Punjab and Upper Sindh during morning hours. Monday’s minimum temperature was recorded at Leh where mercury dropped to -09°C while in Lahore it was 4.5°C and maximum was 21°C.President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, urged leaders in West Africa to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections as a model of democratic maturity and commitment to national unity. The President stated this in his opening remarks at the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS on Sunday in Abuja,, according to Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman. The President, who lauded President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for the resounding success of their recent presidential and parliamentary elections, noted that the election was used to set a high standard for the region. “I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire Africa continent,” he stated. Tinubu however noted that despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African countries, the region has continued to record democratic gains. Just a week ago, on December 7 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections took place in Ghana, the second-largest democracy in our region. “One of the leading candidates who happens to be the incumbent Vice President, His Excellency Mahamudu Bawumia, together with the leadership of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat and accepted the outcome of the Presidential election by congratulating the President-elect, His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama of National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his victory, even before the official announcement of the election results. “This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana.” President Tinubu also praised President Akufo-Addo for his exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to ECOWAS during his two-year term, describing him as a formidable Pan-Africanist. Tinubu also congratulated the government and people of Senegal on their successful parliamentary elections. He praised Ghana’s foreign minister, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, for painstakingly leading the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of the Reform. He wished her a successful tenure in her new role as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth. President Tinubu, who is in his second tenure as ECOWAS chairman, highlighted his achievements from his first term, including strides in regional integration, economic growth, conflict resolution, and counterterrorism efforts. He said the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and Common External Tariff (CET) have strengthened trade and economic cooperation. “Similarly, regional infrastructure projects such as the West African Gas Pipeline, the West Africa Power Pool, and modernising key border posts with advanced equipment and joint border operations utilising state-of-the-art technology have significantly enhanced connectivity and promoted greater regional integration. “Furthermore, our efforts in stabilising our region through peacekeeping missions currently in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau, as well as previous operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have demonstrated our capacity to act decisively in the face of adversity.” President Tinubu said the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism has provided a comprehensive framework to combat violent extremism and enhance regional security. President Tinubu also urged member-states to recommit to the bloc’s founding ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity, ahead of the ECOWAS 50th anniversary, coming up next year. “As a regional community, we must maintain our fundamental responsibility: to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper. “As leaders, we know that security is not a luxury but a necessity. Equally, enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation,” he said. The Presidents of Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal attended in person alongside the Vice President of Sierra Leone, the Finance Minister of the Benin Republic, the Minister of foreign affairs of Togo, and the Ambassador of Cape Verde to Nigeria. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, commended Nigeria for paying 100 per cent of its community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024, reflecting Nigeria’s leadership and commitment under President Tinubu. “For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy from 2023. I’m therefore pleased to announce that on Friday, December 13, 2024, Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100% of the 2023 levy and the 2024 levy up to July 2024. “We all agree that this payment underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government and the people of Nigeria to our community. At a more personal level, it represents confidence in the management I have been privileged to lead since 2022.” He encouraged other member states to meet their financial commitments diligently.jiliasia8 com slot game 。

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NEW YORK , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report from Liminal, a leading market and competitive intelligence technology company, global spending on third-party risk management (TPRM) is set to more than double—from $9.0 billion in 2025 to $19.9 billion by 2030. As third-party ecosystems expand, security threats multiply, and regulations tighten, this rapid growth signals a decisive market shift for companies striving to protect their data, operations, and reputations. Despite managing over 250 third-party relationships on average, Liminal's research found that fewer than half of organizations continuously monitor these vendors. Reliance on static questionnaires and annual audits has proven ineffective, with fewer than 10% of practitioners trusting their assessments. As compliance demands tighten—evidenced by GDPR fines in the billions of dollars—and threats evolve toward AI-enabled scams and cloud weaknesses, these outdated methods fail to identify emerging risks, leaving companies exposed. While most organizations recognize the urgency of new risk conditions and have increased their TPRM budgets, practitioners cite that progress is stalled by fragmented spending, siloed information, and manual workflows. The report shows that firms that invest in continuous monitoring, automation, and integrated solutions gain a clear advantage. By shifting from reactive, error-prone approaches to always-on, data-driven insights, decision-makers can detect vulnerabilities early, meet regulatory requirements more effectively, and foster stronger trust across their supply chains. "With TPRM spending nearly doubling and fewer than half of organizations conducting real-time checks, the data shows a clear mandate: it's time to evolve from basic, outdated compliance tasks to continuous, forward-looking risk intelligence," said Travis Jarae , CEO of Liminal . "Leading companies leverage automation and integrated analytics to stay ahead of emerging threats, turning risk management into a strategic advantage." Key Insights from The Market and Buyer's Guide for Third-Party Risk Management: "From healthcare providers working to safeguard patient data against potentially compromised supply chains to financial institutions navigating emerging regulations and data handling risks, the stakes have never been higher," said Joe Stuntz , Principal Advisor at Liminal . "Leaders who invest in advanced analytics, integrated solutions, and real-time monitoring not only mitigate threats—they position their organizations for sustained growth and trust in a digital-first economy." About Liminal Liminal is a technology company that empowers businesses with actionable market and competitive intelligence for go-to-market and sales enablement. Our state-of-the-art platform combines the precision of AI with human expertise to deliver unparalleled access to proprietary data, in-depth analysis, and curated insights, enabling executives to make informed decisions, enhance productivity, and drive growth. We tackle critical focus areas with targeted solutions for fraud and identity, cybersecurity, trust and safety, financial crimes compliance, and privacy and consent management. Trusted by industry leaders and innovators at top public and private companies and investment firms to navigate market complexities and thrive confidently and clearly. For more information, visit us at Liminal.co . Media Contact: Stacy Beddoes Liminal media@liminal.co 1 (602) 616-9818 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/liminal-forecasts-third-party-risk-management-solutions-market-to-hit-19-9-billion-by-2030--302332870.html SOURCE Liminal Strategy, Inc.'Honest' Blake Lively receives support from Kaitlin Olson amid lawsuitSolar Probe Survives Record-Breaking Closest Ever Encounter With SunOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The film industry is in mourning after the death of Charles Shyer, the celebrated director behind 'Father of the Bride', who has died aged 83. Sharing their sorrow with Variety, his four children released a touching statement: "It's with an indescribably heavy heart that we share the news of our beloved father, Charles Shyer's passing." They proceeded to commemorate his life and work by saying: "His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he's left behind." In reverence, they added, "We honour the extraordinary life he led and know there will never be another quite like him." Throughout his career, Shyer gave us cinematic treasures such as 'Baby Boom' and 'Irreconcilable Differences', and also penned iconic films like 'Private Benjamin' and 'The Parent Trap'. Fans took to social media to pay their respects, express their sorrow, and recall their fond memories of his work. A Twitter user expressed: "I'm so sad about the passing of Charles Shyer, responsible for some of my all-time favourite comedies (romantic or not). I spoke to him two years ago, and he was as funny and flinty and forward-thinking as you'd expect the director of BABY BOOM to be," reports the Mirror . Another fan reminisced: "Charles Shyer not only directed some of the best American comedies of the 80s and 90s - he also invented Mr. Napkin Head as seen in Nancy Meyers' The Holiday." Nancy Meyers, who shared vows with Charles from 1980 to 1999 and shares two children with him, including filmmaker Hallie Meyers-Shyer, opened up about the origins of a particularly iconic scene. Taking to Instagram a couple of months back, Nancy delved into the backstory of the Mr. Napkin Head scene, revealing: "Actually, it was originally at our kitchen table. My ex-husband used to do this for our kids. It seems he cut it from his movie, but I had no idea. Write what you know!"

United States gymnastics star Simone Biles had a big night out on Wednesday. Biles attended and presented at the Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Olympic gold medalist presented Lainey Wilson with the Female Vocalist of the Year award. Biles also made her own headlines on the evening, showing up at the CMAs with a new hairstyle. After being spotted with a ponytail at Soldier Field in Chicago Sunday, where she watched her husband Jonathan Owens and the Chicago Bears drop a heartbreaker against the Green Bay Packers, Biles sported a short bob on the red carpet and inside the arena. According to PEOPLE, Biles first showed off the short 'do on her Instagram Tuesday, meaning she got her hair cut sometime in between Sunday afternoon and then. Biles also went through multiple wardrobe changes throughout the night, per Jenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post . "The Olympian wore a stunning metallic gown — a trend on the CMA Awards red carpet — which had one off-the-shoulder sleeve and pointed stilettos," Lemoncelli wrote. Taylor Hill/Getty Images Biles also rocked a metallic pantsuit during the show before changing into a strapless red mini dress and white cowboy boots Her new haircut was not the only news Biles made this week. The seven-time gold medalist has teamed up with Snoop Dogg to be a mentor to contestants on the hit TV show The Voice . “We were able to riff off each other and give the artists the best insight going into the next round,” Biles said. “It was pretty easy, simple. We’re both very mellow. But if we need to bring that energy up, then we can. For us, it was about instilling confidence going into the next week. “These are the learning steps: Learn, process, go back in and work. They all have the vocal talent. It’s about harnessing that, knowing when to bring it out and which songs to sing and which genre you fit in. And what you want your legacy to be. This is truly a special show as well as the judging. They don’t get to see the physical appearance first. It’s all off of ears, listening and putting their craft together as well.” Related: Simone Biles Stuns In Red Dress At The 2024 CMA AwardsTrump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row

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Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picksIn addition to these missteps, The Mail's pattern of biased reporting and lack of diversity in its editorial perspectives further undermines its credibility as a reliable source of news and information. By presenting a one-sided narrative and excluding alternative viewpoints, The Mail perpetuates a polarized media landscape that stifles healthy debate and critical thinking.

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On the other hand, Shandong, a team that was considered an underdog in their recent games, delivered a stunning performance that surprised both fans and critics alike. By defeating a formidable opponent, Shandong proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the league and are capable of taking on and defeating some of the top teams. This victory not only boosted their morale but also solidified their position as a team to watch out for in future matches.Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of US economy's health WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumers stepped up their spending at retail stores last month, providing a boost to the economy in the early phases of the winter holiday shopping season. Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, a solid increase and higher than October’s 0.5% gain. The boost in spending underscores that the economy is still growing at a healthy pace even with higher interest rates, a trend that could cause the Federal Reserve to lower borrowing costs more slowly next year than they have previously signaled. Tuesday’s report arrives just a day before the Fed is set to announce its latest rate decision Wednesday. Americans end 2024 with grim economic outlook, but Republicans are optimistic for 2025: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll finds that Democrats are feeling more pessimistic about the U.S. economy after Donald Trump's victory. Republicans, meanwhile, are still dour about the current state of the economy but hopeful that growth will be stronger next year when Trump returns to the White House as president. The latest survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research suggests that some Americans are evaluating the economy more by who holds political power than on what the underlying trends suggest. This was a persistent challenge for President Joe Biden and raises the possibility that Trump might also struggle to translate his economic ideas into political wins. Biden calls for ban on congressional stock trading WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading in an interview that’s being released this week. It's the first time he's publicly backed the idea. He made the comments to Faiz Shakir, a political adviser for Sen. Bernie Sanders. Shakir interviewed the Democratic president for A More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy and journalism organization. The Associated Press reviewed a video of the interview before its release. A bipartisan proposal to ban trading by members of Congress and their families has dozens of sponsors, but it has not received a vote. Federal Reserve is likely to slow its rate cuts with inflation pressures still elevated WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans hoping for lower borrowing costs for homes, credit cards and cars may be disappointed after this week’s Federal Reserve meeting. The Fed’s policymakers are likely to signal fewer interest rate cuts next year than were previously expected. The officials are set to reduce their benchmark rate, which affects many consumer and business loans, by a quarter-point to about 4.3% when their meeting ends Wednesday. The problem is that while inflation has dropped far below its peak of 9.1% in mid-2022, it remains stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target. Why is tech giant SoftBank investing over $100 billion in the US? BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese tycoon Masayoshi Son has joined President-elect Donald Trump in announcing plans by technology and telecoms giant SoftBank Group to invest $100 billion in projects in the United States. Trump said the investments would create 100,000 jobs over four years, twice what Son promised when he pledged $50 billion in U.S. investments in 2016. Son is known for making bold choices, sometimes paying big and sometimes not. SoftBank has investments in dozens of Silicon Valley startups, big companies like semiconductor maker Arm and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. The stock market rally and craze for AI has boosted the value of its assets, but some question if its investments will create that many jobs. Business owners should not forget anti-money laundering rule currently in legal limbo Small business owners should not forget about a rule that requires them to register with an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, by Jan. 1. The registration is part of the Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2021. Registering isn’t difficult, but if a small business owner is unaware of the requirement, they could be slapped with penalties of up to $10,000. For now, the rule is in legal limbo. On Dec. 3 a federal court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the rule. Stellantis pledges invest $2.1 million in Italian production in 2025 during talks with government MILAN (AP) — The Stellantis automaker has pledged to invest 2 billion euros or $2.1 billion in Italian production next year and spend another 6 billion euros or $6.3 billion in the supply chain. The head of European operations for the world's fifth-largest carmaker made the pledge during a meeting with Italian ministers, regional officials and unions following the forced resignation of former CEO Carlos Tavares earlier this month. The Italian government was seeking reassurances of Stellantis' commitment to Italy. Billion-dollar donation from Netflix's Reed Hastings leads 2024's list of biggest gifts Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg made the largest contributions in 2024, and financial aid, especially for medical students, got most of the money. The Chronicle’s annual list of the biggest charitable donations from individuals or their foundations totaled nearly $6 billion in 2024, with half of that coming from three contributions of $1 billion or more each. Two of those three gifts went to medical schools to provide financial aid. Altogether, four of the top donations on the list, totaling $2.3 billion, went to support financial aid. Stock market today: Wall Street trims its stellar gains as Nvidia's star dims again NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are trimming some of their stellar gains for the year. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% in Tuesday afternoon trading, though it’s still near its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 242 points, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.2% from its record set the day before. Nvidia, the superstar stock that’s been a big reason for Wall Street’s run to records this year, fell toward its eighth loss in the last nine days. Treasury yields held relatively steady after sales at U.S. retailers strengthened by more than expected. Bitcoin set another record. Event promoters, hotels and lodging sites soon will have to disclose extra fees up front The Federal Trade Commission says it will soon require hotels, vacation rental platforms and live event promoters to disclose any fees up front when they list prices. The FTC said on Tuesday that consumers often see advertised prices for hotel rooms, short-term rentals, and tickets to sporting events and concerts only to be surprised later by so-called “junk fees,” including resort fees, cleaning fees, processing fees and other extra charges. The new rule requires businesses to clearly and conspicuously disclose the true cost – including all mandatory fees – when they display any pricing for lodging or events. The rule is scheduled to go into effect in 120 days.

Overall, the loan move of Naby Keita to Ferencváros represents a significant development in the player's career and an exciting opportunity for both him and the club. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Keita as he looks to make his mark in Hungarian football and contribute to Ferencváros' success on the pitch.In conclusion, Mason Greenwood's achievement of scoring two goals in a single game in just 14 matches is a remarkable feat that cements his status as one of the brightest talents in world football. His rapid rise to success and comparison to the likes of Ibrahimovic and Neymar showcase his incredible potential and talent. As Greenwood continues to shine on the field, the football world eagerly awaits to see what else the young star has in store.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. He suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will make his first start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. Georgia coach Kirby Smart stuck with Beck despite a midseason string of eight interceptions in three games. “Obviously, you look at the stats and they aren’t the same stats as the year before,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Saturday when reflecting on Beck’s career. “The goal in this league is to win the SEC championship. And he was the quarterback of that team that got us to that game and put us in that position.” Added offensive guard Tate Ratledge: “I think Carson should be remembered as a great player. He’s who got us to this point of the season.” Stockton, a sophomore, completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with one interception against Texas. He signed with Georgia as a highly recruited in-state player from Rabun County High School, where he broke Trevor Lawrence’s state high school record for most career touchdown passes and Deshaun Watson’s state record for combined rushing and passing touchdowns in a career. “Obviously when he was in high school, he was one of the best to ever do it in Georgia,” Bulldogs linebacker Chaz Chambliss said of Stockton before adding that he “just has that fire in him.” Georgia was preparing to start Stockton before announcing Beck’s season-ending injury. Stockton will attempt to join a short list of quarterbacks who have been promoted from backup jobs to win national championships. The list includes Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, who began the 2021 season as the backup to JT Daniels before taking over the starting job in October. Lawrence took over for Kelly Bryant during Clemson’s 2018 championship season. The best comparison to Stockton’s challenge during the CFP era may be Cardale Jones on the 2014 Ohio State national championship team. Jones’ first start was the Big Ten championship game following an injury to J.T. Barrett, who began the preseason as the expected backup before Braxton Miller’s injury. Stockton led Georgia to a touchdown on his first drive against Texas and has had extra practice time during the Bulldogs’ break after receiving a first-round bye in the playoff. “To see his growth since he’s been here, he’s been waiting patiently, he’s been sitting and putting his time in and he’s been working while he was waiting,” Georgia safety Malaki Starks said Friday. “And now he gets a chance to go out there and prove what he can do. And, you know, I believe in him 100%.” Starks, who is from Jefferson, Ga., often faced Stockton’s Rabun County teams in high school. “He’s always been, you know, that guy, you know, since I’ve been growing up,” Starks said. “He’s an easy guy to follow. I mean, Gunner is a great guy, you know, very respectful, great parents. I mean, he’s the guy that you want to lead. And a lot of guys have confidence in him. And I think you saw it during games in the SEC (championship game), how much the guys believed in him.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Read more NCAA football coverage at thestar.com

The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and admiration as Xiang Zuo settled into the salon chair, ready to undergo a transformation under the skilled hands of the talented hairstylists. As the scissors snipped and the hairdryer hummed, onlookers watched in awe, marveling at the seamless blend of artistry and precision that defined the hairstyling process.I’m a Celebrity’s unlikely friendship revealed – and Maura Higgins won’t be happyAlibaba Cloud Computing Data Center Experiences Sudden Fire? Response Received

The Oregon State women’s basketball team rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Gonzaga 71-67 in overtime Saturday in Spokane, Washington. The game was close throughout, but the Bulldogs used a 7-0 run at the end of the third quarter to take a 51-44 lead into the fourth. Gonzaga (6-8, 1-2 West Coast Conference) was then able to stretch that lead to 61-49 with just over 3 minutes left to play. But the Beavers (5-8, 1-1) ended regulation on a 12-0 run to force overtime. In the extra period, Kelsey Rees put the Beavers out front with a 3-point play, freshman Ally Schimel hit a corner 3-pointer and Catarina Ferreira and Kennedie Shuler knocked down free throws to give the Beavers their first win in the WCC. Here are a few highlights and key statistics from the game: It was over when : Gonzaga freshman Allie Turner missed a 3-point shot with 8 seconds left on the clock. Turner was one of the Bulldogs’ main weapons, making 5 of 10 attempts from deep and scoring 17 points. But Schimel did a good job defending Turner on the final possession and did not let her get a clean shot. Foul trouble : Gonzaga stars Yvonne Ejim and Maud Huijbens both fouled out. Ejim, the reigning WCC player of the year, finished with 22 points and eight rebounds and Huijbens had nine points and seven rebounds. For Oregon State, AJ Marotte had to sit late after getting called for her fourth foul. Big minutes : Despite her foul trouble, Marotte still played 38 minutes as Oregon State coach Scott Rueck relied heavily on his core group. Rees played 39 minutes, Catarina Ferreira and Shuler both played 38 minutes and Tiara Bolden was on the floor for 33 minutes. 3-point improvement : The Beavers made 10 of 27 from beyond the arc (37%). Marotte got the team off to a good start, making three 3-pointers in the first quarter to help Oregon State get on track after Gonzaga jumped out to a 9-0 lead. Bolden, Shuler and Schimel each hit two 3-pointers and Rees hit a big one during the fourth-quarter rally. Winning at the line : Oregon State was 17 for 22 at the free-throw line while Gonzaga was 2 for 4. Rees made 6 of 8 while Bolden went 4 for 4. Player of the game : Rees scored 21 points and had nine rebounds, five of them offensive. Up next : Oregon State will play at Portland at 6 p.m. Monday. That game will be shown on ESPN+. Les Gehrett is the sports editor and covers Oregon State football, women's basketball and gymnastics. Follow him on X at @lgehrtet. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline 2024: Clinical Trials Assessment, FDA Approvals, Therapies, and Key Companies Involved by DelveInsight | Merck KGaA, Peptinov, LG Chem, Akan Bioscience, BioTissue,Inc., Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., OliPass Corporation, Bone 11-25-2024 08:30 PM CET | Health & Medicine Press release from: DelveIinsight Business Research (Las Vegas, Nevada, United States) As per DelveInsight's assessment, globally, Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline constitutes 50+ key companies continuously working towards developing 60+ Knee Osteoarthritis treatment therapies, analysis of Clinical Trials, Therapies, Mechanism of Action, Route of Administration, and Developments analyzes DelveInsight. "Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Insight, 2024" report by DelveInsight outlines comprehensive insights into the present clinical development scenario and growth prospects across the Knee Osteoarthritis Market. The Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline report embraces in-depth commercial and clinical assessment of the pipeline products from the pre-clinical developmental phase to the marketed phase. The report also covers a detailed description of the drug, including the mechanism of action of the drug, clinical studies, NDA approvals (if any), and product development activities comprising the technology, collaborations, mergers acquisition, funding, designations, and other product-related details. Some of the key takeaways from the Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Report: https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/knee-osteoarthritis-pipeline-insight?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr •Companies across the globe are diligently working toward developing novel Knee Osteoarthritis treatment therapies with a considerable amount of success over the years. •Knee Osteoarthritis companies working in the treatment market are Merck KGaA, Peptinov, LG Chem, Akan Bioscience, BioTissue,Inc., Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., OliPass Corporation, Bone Therapeutics, Techfields Pharma, Biosplice Therapeutics, and others, are developing therapies for the Knee Osteoarthritis treatment •Emerging Knee Osteoarthritis therapies in the different phases of clinical trials are- M6495, PPV 06, LG00034053, StroMel, TTAX03, EP-104IAR, OLP 1002, JTA-004, X 0002, Lorecivivint, and others are expected to have a significant impact on the Knee Osteoarthritis market in the coming years. •In September 2024, Cytonics has announced the completion of subject enrollment for its Phase I clinical trial of CYT-108, a potential disease-modifying therapy for knee osteoarthritis (OA). CYT-108 is a recombinant variant of the alpha-2-macroglobulin blood serum protease inhibitor. The company initiated this Phase I trial in July, which is a first-in-human, multicenter, six-month, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of CYT-108 in patients with unilateral, mild-to-moderate primary OA of the knee. •In June 2024, Enlivex Therapeutics Ltd. (Nasdaq: ENLV), a clinical-stage company focused on macrophage reprogramming immunotherapy, announced a positive interim data update from a Phase I/II investigator-initiated clinical trial of AllocetraTM in patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis who were candidates for knee replacement surgery. Knee Osteoarthritis Overview Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that affects the knees. It is the most common type of osteoarthritis, a chronic joint disorder characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, the protective tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint. Get a Free Sample PDF Report to know more about Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Therapeutic Assessment- https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/knee-osteoarthritis-pipeline-insight?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr Emerging Knee Osteoarthritis Drugs Under Different Phases of Clinical Development Include: •M6495: Merck KGaA •PPV 06: Peptinov •LG00034053: LG Chem •StroMel: Akan Bioscience •TTAX03: BioTissue,Inc. •EP-104IAR: Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. •OLP 1002: OliPass Corporation •JTA-004: Bone Therapeutics •X 0002: Techfields Pharma •Lorecivivint: Biosplice Therapeutics Knee Osteoarthritis Route of Administration Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline report provides the therapeutic assessment of the pipeline drugs by the Route of Administration. Products have been categorized under various ROAs, such as •Oral •Parenteral •Intravenous •Subcutaneous •Topical Knee Osteoarthritis Molecule Type Knee Osteoarthritis Products have been categorized under various Molecule types, such as •Monoclonal Antibody •Peptides •Polymer •Small molecule •Gene therapy Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Therapeutics Assessment •Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment by Product Type •Knee Osteoarthritis By Stage and Product Type •Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment by Route of Administration •Knee Osteoarthritis By Stage and Route of Administration •Knee Osteoarthritis Assessment by Molecule Type •Knee Osteoarthritis by Stage and Molecule Type DelveInsight's Knee Osteoarthritis Report covers around 40+ products under different phases of clinical development like •Late-stage products (Phase III) •Mid-stage products (Phase II) •Early-stage product (Phase I) •Pre-clinical and Discovery stage candidates •Discontinued & Inactive candidates •Route of Administration Further Knee Osteoarthritis product details are provided in the report. Download the Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline report to learn more about the emerging Knee Osteoarthritis therapies at: https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/knee-osteoarthritis-pipeline-insight?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr Some of the key companies in the Knee Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Market include: Key companies developing therapies for Knee Osteoarthritis are - Eli Lilly and Company, Nature Cell Co. Ltd., Novo Nordisk A/S, Flexion Therapeutics, Inc., Grünenthal GmbH, Tissue Tech Inc., Kolon TissueGene, Inc., Bioventus LLC, Akan Biosciences, LLC, Genascence Corporation, Immunis, Inc., Novartis, Biosplice Therapeutics, Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Novartis, Celltex Therapeutics Corporation, MiMedx Group, Inc., Rho, Inc., Techfields Pharma Co. Ltd, Saol Therapeutics Inc, Centrexion Therapeutics, Taiwan Liposome Company, MiMedx, Ampio Pharmaceuticals, ReNu, Medipost, and others. Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Analysis: The Knee Osteoarthritis pipeline report provides insights into •The report provides detailed insights about companies that are developing therapies for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis with aggregate therapies developed by each company for the same. •It accesses the Different therapeutic candidates segmented into early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage of development for Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment. •Knee Osteoarthritis key companies are involved in targeted therapeutics development with respective active and inactive (dormant or discontinued) projects. •Knee Osteoarthritis Drugs under development based on the stage of development, route of administration, target receptor, monotherapy or combination therapy, a different mechanism of action, and molecular type. •Detailed analysis of collaborations (company-company collaborations and company-academia collaborations), licensing agreement and financing details for future advancement of the Knee Osteoarthritis market. The report is built using data and information traced from the researcher's proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations, and featured press releases from company/university websites and industry-specific third-party sources, etc. Download Sample PDF Report to know more about Knee Osteoarthritis drugs and therapies- https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/knee-osteoarthritis-pipeline-insight?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Market Drivers •Increase in prevalence of Osteoarthritis, robust Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline are some of the important factors that are fueling the Knee Osteoarthritis Market. Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Market Barriers •However, risk of adverse cardiovascular events associated with the use of NSAIDs in osteoarthritis treatment, high cost associated with the treatment and other factors are creating obstacles in the Knee Osteoarthritis Market growth. Scope of Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Drug Insight •Coverage: Global •Key Knee Osteoarthritis Companies: Merck KGaA, Peptinov, LG Chem, Akan Bioscience, BioTissue,Inc., Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc., OliPass Corporation, Bone Therapeutics, Techfields Pharma, Biosplice Therapeutics, and others •Key Knee Osteoarthritis Therapies: M6495, PPV 06, LG00034053, StroMel, TTAX03, EP-104IAR, OLP 1002, JTA-004, X 0002, Lorecivivint, and others •Knee Osteoarthritis Therapeutic Assessment: Knee Osteoarthritis current marketed and Knee Osteoarthritis emerging therapies •Knee Osteoarthritis Market Dynamics: Knee Osteoarthritis market drivers and Knee Osteoarthritis market barriers Request for Sample PDF Report for Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Assessment and clinical trials- https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/knee-osteoarthritis-pipeline-insight?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr Table of Contents 1. Knee Osteoarthritis Report Introduction 2. Knee Osteoarthritis Executive Summary 3. Knee Osteoarthritis Overview 4. Knee Osteoarthritis- Analytical Perspective In-depth Commercial Assessment 5. Knee Osteoarthritis Pipeline Therapeutics 6. Knee Osteoarthritis Late Stage Products (Phase II/III) 7. Knee Osteoarthritis Mid Stage Products (Phase II) 8. Knee Osteoarthritis Early Stage Products (Phase I) 9. Knee Osteoarthritis Preclinical Stage Products 10. Knee Osteoarthritis Therapeutics Assessment 11. Knee Osteoarthritis Inactive Products 12. Company-University Collaborations (Licensing/Partnering) Analysis 13. Knee Osteoarthritis Key Companies 14. Knee Osteoarthritis Key Products 15. Knee Osteoarthritis Unmet Needs 16 . Knee Osteoarthritis Market Drivers and Barriers 17. Knee Osteoarthritis Future Perspectives and Conclusion 18. Knee Osteoarthritis Analyst Views 19. Appendix 20. About DelveInsight Related Reports: Knee Osteoarthritis Market https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/knee-osteoarthritis-market?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=gpr DelveInsight's 'Knee Osteoarthritis Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2034' report delivers an in-depth understanding of the 7MM, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the 7MM market trends in the United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and United Kingdom). Latest Reports Offered By DelveInsight: •Neuroendoscopy Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/neuroendoscopy-market •Nosocomial Infections Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/nosocomial-infections-market •Ophthalmic Imaging Equipment Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/ophthalmic-imaging-equipment-market •Dysthymia Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/major-depressive-disorder-market •Dry Eye Disease Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/dry-eye-disease-market-insights •Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis-nash-market •Female Infertility Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/female-infertility-market •Gonorrhea Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/gonorrhea-market •Bone Densitometers Market: https://www.delveinsight.com/report-store/bone-densitometers-market Contact Us: Gaurav Bora gbora@delveinsight.com +14699457679 Healthcare Consulting https://www.delveinsight.com/consulting-services About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. It also offers Healthcare Consulting Services, which benefits in market analysis to accelerate business growth and overcome challenges with a practical approach. This release was published on openPR.

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By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS NEW YORK (AP) — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you . In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. The initial response from customers and American employees “has exceeded our expectations,” Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery, said in a statement. She added that the airline is “thrilled” to have the technology up and running ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday . American got lots of attention when it unveiled its gate-control testing last month. Analysts say that isn’t surprising. It’s no secret that line cutting in airports hits a nerve. Whether intentional or not, just about every air traveler has witnessed it, noted Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. It can add to frustrations in what can already be a tense environment, with particular anxiety around passengers wanting to sit together or rushing for some overhead bin space. Harteveldt doesn’t see American’s recent move as “shaming” customers who cut the line. “What it is intended to do is bring order out of chaos,” he said. “And I hope it will defuse any potential flare ups of anger (from) people who simply think they’re entitled to board out of turn .... It’s just not fair.” Harteveldt added that he thinks this change will enhance the experiences of both customers and gate agents. Others say more time will tell. Seth Miller, editor and founder of air travel experience analysis site PaxEx.aero, said he can see the benefits of more orderly and universal gate-control enforcement, particularly for airlines. But he said he isn’t “100% convinced this is perfect for passengers” just yet. Families, for example, might be booked on several different reservations across more than one group, he said. Airlines typically have workarounds for that, and American noted Wednesday that customers traveling with a companion in an earlier group can simply have a gate agent “override the alert” to continue boarding. Still, Miller said, “you have to go through the extra hoops.” And a difficult customer still might choose to hold up the line and argue when they’re not allowed to board, he added. Another question is whether customers who encounter a beep will walk away feeling embarrassed. But Harteveldt said he was happy to learn that American’s alert is “not a bellowing sound that can be heard throughout the terminal,” or accompanied by your name read over a loudspeaker, noting that this is important to avoid feelings of shame. Expanding this technology just a week before peak Thanksgiving travel could be “both good and bad,” Harteveldt adds. On one hand, the tech could help significantly improve the boarding process during such a busy time, he said, but airport employees might also have appreciated more time to prepare. Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn’t be surprised if other carriers soon follow American’s lead. Headaches over airport line cutting are far from new. While maybe not to the extent of American’s new tech, Miller noted he’s seen gate agents from other airlines ask people to leave a line and wait for their group. Harteveldt added that he’s been to some airports in Asia and Europe with “sliding doors” that ensure passengers are in the right group before boarding a plane. The more than 100 airports that American is now using its gate-control technology in are all spoke, or non-hub, locations — including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airline says it expects to further expand to its hubs and other airports in the coming months.Best Laptop Deal of the Day: Slash $200 Off a Gigabyte Gaming RigNone

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NoneSaquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing and moves within 100 of Dickerson's record PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, reaching the milestone with a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. That rush gave Barkley 2,005 yards with one game left and left him exactly 100 yards from Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley could potentially top the record in next week’s finale against the New York Giants. However, that game will be mostly meaningless for the Eagles, who could opt to rest Barkley to protect him from injury ahead of the playoffs. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing as Eagles beat Cowboys 41-7 to clinch NFC East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. Mayfield throws 5 TD passes and Bucs keep playoff, NFC South hopes alive with 48-14 rout of Panthers TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep their division and playoff hopes alive with a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers. The team’s fifth win in the past six weeks nudged the first-place Bucs a half-game ahead of Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South at 9-7. The Falcons played on the road later Sunday night at Washington. Atlanta holds the tiebreaker in the division race and can end Tampa Bay’s three-year reign as NFC South champions by beating the Commanders and winning again next week at home against the last-place Panthers. Lakers send D'Angelo Russell to Nets in trade for Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have traded guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. The Lakers also sent forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to Brooklyn. Russell averaged a career-low 12.4 points per game for the Lakers this season in a diminished role under new coach JJ Redick. Finney-Smith is a steady 3-and-D wing who fills an obvious need for the Lakers. Russell is being traded by the Lakers to the Nets for the second time in his career. He also made the move in 2017. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Rising Sun Devils: Arizona State looks to pull off another big surprise at the Peach Bowl ATLANTA (AP) — As they prepare for Arizona State’s biggest game in nearly three decades, the guys who made it happen aren’t the least bit surprised to be rated a nearly two-touchdown underdog in the College Football Playoff. That’s a familiar position for the Sun Devils. They've been an underdog most of the season. Of the eight teams still vying for a national championship, there’s no bigger surprise than 11-2 Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago and were picked to finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Now, they're getting ready to face Texas in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day. Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it’s usually a backhanded compliment. They say he’s a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn’t try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here’s the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that’s hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. The polarizing Allar has another chance to quiet his critics on Tuesday, when Penn State plays Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Feels like 1979: Nottingham Forest moves into 2nd place behind rampant Liverpool in Premier League The Premier League table is starting to have a 1979 kind of feel to it with Liverpool at the top of the standings and Nottingham Forest in second place as the closest challenger. Liverpool padded its lead with a 5-0 rout of West Ham on Sunday while upstart Nottingham Forest climbed into second place by beating Everton 2-0 to continue its surprising push for a Champions League place. Manchester City marked Pep Guardiola's 500th game in charge by beating Leicester 2-0 but is still 14 points behind Liverpool having played a game more.USDA sends $44M in funding to Minnesota to increase broadband in rural areas

A loyal Blue Jays fan takes one for the team and becomes a local celebrity — but might not be back

None(BPT) - Consumers are facing increasing costs on virtually every purchase these days and auto insurance is no exception. While skyrocketing costs of this auto-related expense can be attributed to everything from parts replacement to service — even health costs as a result of accidents — consumers can better manage these increases with thoughtful study and attention to detail. Some of the common causes for higher insurance rates are Inflation, car accidents, extreme weather conditions such as hail, hurricanes and wind, along with increased vehicle theft claims. Mercury Insurance has partnered with financial literacy influencer Sam Jarman to highlight specific ways consumers can address these rising costs. "Your car is the second biggest expense for most people, right behind your home, and car insurance is a big part of that," said Jarman. "Checking rates and coverage with your Mercury Insurance agent makes sense along with choosing a car with low maintenance costs." According to Consumer Price Index data released earlier this year, car insurance rates are up almost 21% year-over-year for the 12 months which ended in February. The last time car insurance rates rose that much on an annual basis was 1976. Here are some auto insurance statistics recently released from Forbes : "Our goal is to help our customers get the best rates possible because we know that every dollar counts." said Justin Yoshizawa, Director, Product Management, State. "We encourage consumers to build a close relationship with their agent and discuss what discounts they may be eligible to receive. The answer might be surprising." Mercury offers the following tips for lowering your insurance costs: Review your deductibles with your insurance agent – It is recommended that you review your coverage and deductible with your Mercury agent at least once a year. Their wisdom and experience can help you make wise decisions regarding your insurance. Explore car insurance discounts – In addition to bundling your home and auto insurance, Mercury offers discounts for multi-car, good drivers, good students and auto pay. Your agent may have additional discounts to offer. Let Your Insurer Track Your Driving – Most insurers offer discounts for customers who install telematics. This technology allows your insurance company to collect information regarding your mileage and driving habits. This can also provide valuable information regarding your driving as well as saving you money. Drive a safe car with low repair costs – According to Bankrate , some of the cheapest cars to insure are the Subaru Outback, Honda CR-V and Honda Pilot. Also, look for cars with lower repair costs such as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. Doing some research before you purchase a vehicle can save you money over the length of ownership. Install an anti-theft device on your car – Drivers may receive an additional discount on your auto insurance if you install an anti-theft device on your car. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs – You can get a fast and easy quote from your Mercury Insurance agent. To receive a quote, you can reach us at 844-514-2893. To learn more about common types of auto insurance discounts, visit https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/resources/auto/understanding-types-of-auto-insurance-discounts.html . For more information on your auto insurance, you can reference the Insurance Information Institute .Croatia'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

Donald Trump says he thinks Pete Hegseth can get confirmed in NBC News interviewRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Democratic Party sued on Friday to block the potential removal of tens of thousands of ballots tallied in an extremely close state Supreme Court race, saying state election officials would be violating federal law if they sided with protests initiated by the trailing Republican candidate. The lawsuit filed in Raleigh federal court comes as attorneys for Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin also went to state courts on Friday to attempt to force the State Board of Elections to act more quickly on accusations contained in the protests. The board tentatively planned to hold a public hearing on the protests next Wednesday, according to a board email provided with Griffin's motion. Griffin wants a final decision from the board earlier. Democratic Associate Justice Allison Riggs leads Griffin by 734 votes following a machine recount of over 5.5 million ballots cast in their Nov. 5 election. A partial hand recount began this week and is nearly complete. But Griffin, joined by three other GOP state legislative candidates, contend that well over 60,000 ballots shouldn't have counted, casting doubt on election results. Among their complaints: voter registration records of some voters casting ballots lack driver’s license or partial Social Security numbers, and overseas voters never living in North Carolina have run afoul of state residency requirements. The Democratic Party's lawsuit said that some of the protests represent “systematic challenges to voter eligibility” that counter a federal law's prohibition of what's essentially removing people from voter registration lists retroactively after an election. The lawsuit wants a judge to declare federal law and the Constitution prevents the votes from being discarded and to order the election board — a majority of its members Democrats — to comply. “No North Carolinian deserves to have their vote thrown out in a callous power grab,” state party Chair Anderson Clayton said in a written statement. According to state law, a board considering an election protest could correct a ballot tally, direct another recount or order a new election. Griffin's attorneys filed requests Friday for judges to demand that the board issue final rulings by late Tuesday afternoon. They were filed in Wake County Superior Court and at the Court of Appeals — the same court where Griffin serves. Usually three members on the 15-judge court — second only to the Supreme Court in state's jurisprudence — hear such motions. “Public trust in our electoral processes depends on both fair and efficient procedures to determine the outcome of our elections. By failing to give a timely decision, the State Board continues to undermine the public interest,” Griffin attorney Troy Shelton wrote. Attorneys for Riggs separately on Friday also responded to Griffin's actual protests before the board, saying they should all be denied. Griffin led Riggs — one of two Democrats on the seven-member court — by about 10,000 votes on election night, but that lead dwindled and flipped to Riggs as tens of thousands of qualifying provisional and absentee ballots were added to the totals through the canvass. Riggs has declared victory. The three Republican legislative candidates joining Griffin's protests all trailed Democratic rivals after the machine recounts. One is GOP Rep. Frank Sossamon, who trails Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn by about 230 votes. Should Cohn win, Republicans would fall one seat short of retaining its current veto-proof majority in both chambers. That would give more leverage to Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein in 2025. The Associated Press has not called the Supreme Court race and two of the three legislative races highlighted in the protests. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press

jili slot game download for android By Eva Levin Hackers accessed data from Boston University ’s Framingham Heart Study in early September, compromising participants’ personal and medical information, the school said. An article published in BU Today , the university’s external publication, said hackers were able to download the files and information of all 15,448 participants. Hackers accessed around two percent of patients’ Social Security numbers, the school said. Joanne Murabito, a professor of medicine at the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and FHS co–principal investigator, called the hack “really shocking” in the article. “This has never happened before. The original cohort had participated for 75 years, and their children and grandchildren enrolled in the study,” she said. “We’re in this together, and we want to provide as much information as we can.” FHS, founded in 1948, is one of the longest-running studies of its kind, according to its website . Its goal is to determine causes, common factors, or characteristics that contribute to cardiovascular disease. The incident happened on Sept. 8, the school said in the article. BU officials said IT specialists from both the university and FHS were able to quarantine the servers during the hack, preventing the scammers from accessing more information. BU’s vice president for Information Services & Technology told BU Today the study still has access to all of its data. An investigation into the hack led by Boston University, as well as federal public health and law enforcement agencies, is ongoing, the school said. Stolen information included patients’ names, addresses, dates of birth, telephone numbers, email addresses, sex, race, ethnicity, self-reported income, occupations, signatures, and medical information, according to the article. The university sent out notices to all patients, specifying what information of theirs was stolen. “We have been working very closely with Boston University, and federal public health and law enforcement agencies, to understand how this happened, to put additional safeguards in place so this does not happen again, to understand the full impact this may have on our participants,” Murabito said in the article. Eva Levin Eva Levin is a general assignment co-op for Boston.com. She covers breaking and local news in Boston and beyond. Boston.com Today Sign up to receive the latest headlines in your inbox each morning. Be civil. Be kind.AP News Summary at 4:10 p.m. EST

Russell Sage junior defender Courtney Bush (Mohonasen) earned All-Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches for the second straight season. Bush, the anchor of the defense, was voted fourth-team All-Region, as well as second-team All-Empire 8 Conference. Kutztown University freshman RJ Otten (Ballston Spa) set the school record in the men’s 400-yard individual medley on Nov. 23, in 4:11.18, while finishing fourth at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational. He also placed 14th in the 200 butterfly at the event on the next day, in 1:58.50, qualifying him for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships. On Dec. 7, he placed second in the 200 backstroke in a dual meet against Arcadia, in 2:02.94, which qualified him for the PSACCs in that event. Sign Up: The Daily Gazette's Rotterdam weekly newsletter in your inbox Two local players for the Utica University football team made the third team of the Empire 8 Conference All-Star Team. Senior offensive lineman Russell Porter (Canajoharie) started all 10 games at left tackle and protected his backfield mates very well. Junior wide receiver Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia-Glenville) was the Pioneers’ leading receiver with 28 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Two local women’s indoor track and field athletes shared Empire 8 Conference Co-Field Athlete of the Week honors on Monday: Houghton freshman Alexa Belanger (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) and SUNY Geneseo senior Zoe Connor (Scotia-Glenville). Belanger won the high jump in her first intercollegiate meet Friday at the Houghton December Classic with a height of 1.64 meters (5 feet, 4.5 inches), which is currently sixth in Division III and second all-time in school history. Connor set a program record for the shot put on Friday at Nazareth, winning with a distance of 12.89 meters (42 feet, 3.5 inches). She also won the weight throw with a 16.95 meters (55-7.5), which ranks seventh in Division III. Through Dec. 7, AIC senior power forward Rhaymi Porter (Scotia-Glenville/Wilbraham Monson Academy) had started all eight games and was averaging 4.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.75 blocks for the women’s basketball team. Through Dec. 7, Paul Smith’s junior center Colin Palmer (Shenendehowa) was second in scoring on the men’s hockey team with 31 points, on 10 goals and 21 assists. SUNY Potsdam graduate student captain Kenzie Cerny (Shenendehowa) swam to victory in the women’s 200 butterfly at the North Country Invitational on Nov. 23. Her time was 2:26.49. She also was second in the 400 IM in 5:06.89. In an earlier win over Bard, she won the 1,000 freestyle (11:56.15) and 100 backstroke (1:06.28). Through Dec. 7, SUNY Plattsburgh junior guard Jaden Wilson (Johnstown) was third on the women’s basketball team in scoring with 8.4 points per game. She also averaged 3.7 rebounds per game. Through Dec. 7, Hudson Valley Community College freshman forward Lila Christensen (Mechanicville) averaged 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the women’s basketball team. SUNY Oswego junior guard Sydney Hoefs (Amsterdam) averaged 5.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the women’s basketball team through Dec. 7. SUNY Oswego junior Nathan Ratta Vine (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) won the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.48) and 100 individual medley (56.47), and placed second in the 200 freestyle to help the Lakers edge SUNY Brockport in a men’s dual meet, 147-144. On Nov. 23, he placed third in the 200 IM (2:03.54) at the North Country Invite. Suffolk University sophomore guard Nick Verdile (Ballston Spa) went 7 for 9 on 3-pointers and scored a career-high 21 points in the Rams’ 90-42 win over Curry on Saturday.Children of the wealthy and connected get special admissions consideration at some elite U.S. universities, according to new filings in a class-action lawsuit originally brought against 17 schools. Georgetown’s then-president, for example, listed a prospective student on his “president’s list” after meeting her and her wealthy father at an Idaho conference known as “summer camp for billionaires,” according to Tuesday court filings in the price-fixing lawsuit filed in Chicago federal court in 2022. Although it’s always been assumed that such favoritism exists, the filings offer a rare peek at the often secret deliberations of university heads and admissions officials. They show how schools admit otherwise unqualified wealthy children because their parents have connections and could possibly donate large sums down the line, raising questions about fairness. Stuart Schmill, the dean of admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote in a 2018 email that the university admitted four out of six applicants recommended by then-board chairman Robert Millard, including two who “we would really not have otherwise admitted.” The two others were not admitted because they were “not in the ball park, or the push from him was not as strong.” In the email, Schmill said Millard was careful to play down his influence on admissions decisions, but he said the chair also sent notes on all six students and later met with Schmill to share insight “into who he thought was more of a priority.” The filings are the latest salvo in a lawsuit that claims that 17 of the nation’s most prestigious colleges colluded to reduce the competition for prospective students and drive down the amount of financial aid they would offer, all while giving special preference to the children of wealthy donors. “That illegal collusion resulted in the defendants providing far less aid to students than would have been provided in a free market,” said Robert Gilbert, an attorney for the plaintiffs. Since the lawsuit was filed, 10 of the schools have reached settlements to pay out a total of $284 million, including payments of up to $2,000 to current or former students whose financial aid might have been shortchanged over a period of more than two decades. They are Brown, the University of Chicago, Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt and Yale. Johns Hopkins is working on a settlement and the six schools still fighting the lawsuit are the California Institute of Technology, Cornell, Georgetown, MIT, Notre Dame and the University of Pennsylvania. MIT called the lawsuit and the claims about admissions favoritism baseless. “MIT has no history of wealth favoritism in its admissions; quite the opposite,” university spokesperson Kimberly Allen said. “After years of discovery in which millions of documents were produced that provide an overwhelming record of independence in our admissions process, plaintiffs could cite just a single instance in which the recommendation of a board member helped sway the decisions for two undergraduate applicants." In a statement, Penn also said the case is meritless that the evidence shows that it doesn't favor students whose families have donated or pledged money to the Ivy League school. “Plaintiffs’ whole case is an attempt to embarrass the University about its purported admission practices on issues totally unrelated to this case," the school said. Notre Dame officials also called the case baseless. “We are confident that every student admitted to Notre Dame is fully qualified and ready to succeed,” a university spokesperson said in a statement. The South Bend, Indiana, school, though, did apparently admit wealthy students with subpar academic backgrounds. According to the new court filings, Don Bishop, who was then associate vice president for enrollment at Notre Dame, bluntly wrote about the “special interest” admits in a 2012 email, saying that year's crop had poorer academic records than the previous year's. The 2012 group included 38 applicants who were given a “very low” academic rating, Bishop wrote. He said those students represented “massive allowances to the power of the family connections and funding history,” adding that “we allowed their high gifting or potential gifting to influence our choices more this year than last year.” The final line of his email: “Sure hope the wealthy next year raise a few more smart kids!” Some of the examples pointed to in this week's court filings showed that just being able to pay full tuition would give students an advantage. During a deposition, a former Vanderbilt admissions director said that in some cases, a student would get an edge on the waitlist if they didn’t need financial aid. The 17 schools were part of a decades-old group that got permission from Congress to come up with a shared approach to awarding financial aid. Such an arrangement might otherwise violate antitrust laws, but Congress allowed it as long as the colleges all had need-blind admissions policies, meaning they wouldn't consider a student’s financial situation when deciding who gets in. The lawsuit argues that many colleges claimed to be need-blind but routinely favored the children of alumni and donors. In doing so, the suit says, the colleges violated the Congressional exemption and tainted the entire organization. The group dissolved in recent years when the provision allowing the collaboration expired. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org . Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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By Jennifer Allen Between cooking, cleaning and hosting, the familiar hustle of the holiday season can sometimes feel more hectic than heartwarming. But what if there were a way to embrace the season while leaving the chaos behind? Holiday cruises make all of this possible, offering the perfect getaway that can be tailored to any vibe – blending festive traditions with the excitement of travel. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in the background of the Northern Lights, exploring sun-drenched islands or maybe enjoying a festive dinner on the sea. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, romance for two or peaceful solo travel, holiday cruises deliver a unique celebration unlike any other. On-deck festivities that make the spirits bright Do you want to skip the stress of the season but don’t want to miss out on the holiday cheer? Rest assured, among the most well-known cruise lines, most of them host elaborate holiday festivities that transform their ships into winter wonderlands complete with decorations, entertainment and activities fit for Santa Claus himself. Instead of buying gifts, stressing over what to cook or bake and cleaning over the holidays, Michelle Price of Honest and Truly prefers a holiday cruise for her family. “The ship takes care of everything, from making the beds in the morning to prepping our meals throughout the day. And they have various fun activities to keep us busy,” she says. From towering Christmas trees in the atrium to twinkling lights on every railing, cruises at this time of year are very creative with their festive splendor. Cruises will also complement their aesthetics to match entertainment, including tree-lighting ceremonies, live caroling and holiday movie nights under the stars. Depending on the cruise, you can expect a robust calendar of events with activities like ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia, Santa appearances and even onboard Christmas markets. The holiday wouldn’t feel complete without the food to match, and cruise lines deliver. You can enjoy lavish holiday dinners complete with everything, from the traditional turkey to international Christmas dishes. Some cruises even offer themed buffets with everything, from a turkey carving station to hot and creamy chowders , holiday cocktails, gingerbread-making workshops and seasonal dessert tastings to add fun to the feasts. Why cruises work for every type of traveler Cruises cater to various travelers and take the guesswork out of planning a holiday. Unlike a traditional vacation where you are responsible for your own itinerary, cruises do the hard work for you by planning destinations, offering a wide variety of on-board activities and providing varied experiences that appeal to all. A 2024 survey by Expedia Cruises concluded that 82% of travelers who have cruised before say they would do it again. For families: Stress-free fun for all ages Traveling with the whole family can often feel like an exercise in logistics that leaves you more stressed than you were before your holiday. Holiday cruises simplify this, offering multigenerational activities, family-friendly dining options and flexible accommodations. The Disney Cruise Line, which includes the Very Merrytime Cruises for the holiday season, is popular for offering exciting kid-centric activities like themed crafts, holiday scavenger hunts and character meet-and-greets. These endless options paired with the kids’ or teens’ clubs keep younger travelers entertained while giving their parents peace of mind. When traveling with older family members, consider reaching out to the cruise ahead of time to find out what accessible options they offer. Cruise lines can sometimes accommodate requests that might be better suited for older folks like avoiding stairs or long walks to reach their room. For couples: Romance by the sea Couples can rediscover their magic on holiday cruises that offer intimate moments and tailored experiences. The Romantic Cruises by Princess Cruises stand out because of their private balcony dining and couples’ activities like wine tastings or cooking classes to make hors d’oeuvres . However, many holiday cruises offer specialty experiences like date-night-worthy restaurants, sunset strolls on the deck and shared excursions that are sure to create lasting memories. For couples looking to rest and relax, holiday cruises can provide serene spaces, spa suites and infinity verandas that are perfect for unwinding together. For singles: Celebrate and socialize Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for singles to mingle and enjoy the holiday season with company. Social events like trivia nights, dance parties and holiday mixers encourage connection and camaraderie. Certain cruises, like the Norwegian Cruise Line and the Virgin Voyages’ Holiday Cruises, cater specifically to solo travelers. These cruises include adult-only entertainment, curated activities and a vibrant nightlife. Rest assured, these cruises provide plenty of holiday entertainment and seasonal activities that ensure you enjoy yourself while staying close to your holiday traditions. How to pick the best cruise for you With over 323 cruise ships currently in operation serving 36 million passengers this year alone, according to photoAiD , how do you choose if you’re a first-time cruiser ? Start by confirming that the cruise is appropriate for the needs of your traveling group. Often, experiences that are tailored for a specific group, whether kids or couples, will be described in the cruise line’s name – take for instance, the Disney Cruise Line. You can also check out the on-board activities available to make sure that there are plenty of options for your company. Related Articles Travel | What to consider when exchanging currency Travel | 8 last-minute Christmas vacations to book in the US Travel | California’s sunny Huntington Beach makes a great weekend getaway Travel | Top travel destinations for 2025 include a real-life Land of the Lotus Eaters Travel | New York state highlights can’t-miss holiday sites and attractions Next, consider your budget. Holiday cruises make luxury accessible without breaking the bank, with options as low as $300 for shorter voyages. Cruises will often provide all-inclusive packages that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and travel into a single cost-effective experience. The Carnival Cruise line remains a favorite for budget-conscious travelers because of its fun festivities and great dining options. However, even high-end experiences, like the MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, which includes amenities like private pools, lounges and butler services come at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury resorts. Lastly, ask yourself what holiday vibe you’re going for. Are you dreaming of a sunny tropical Christmas or perhaps frosty landscapes? Either way, with thousands of options in December alone, as cataloged by CruiseBooking.com , there’s a cruise waiting for you. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises stop at destinations like the Great Stirrup Cay, while Hurtigruten’s Arctic Expeditions sail through breathtaking fjords and snowy landscapes. Book your Christmas on a cruise Holiday cruises offer a unique way to celebrate the season that’s a guaranteed hit without breaking the bank. Consider leaving behind the stress of hosting and planning; step aboard a ship where every detail has been curated to bring enjoyment and relaxation. With the holidays calling, will you answer with a ticket to set sail? Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her writing appears in dozens of publications, and she has two cookbooks, “Keto Soup Cookbook” and “Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan.” These days, she’s busy in the kitchen, developing recipes for various publications and traveling, and you can find all her best recipes at Cook What You Love .None

Stock market slips to a rare back-to-back lossNonePublished 4:38 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2024 By Data Skrive Top-25 teams will hit the court in six games on Wednesday’s college basketball schedule. That includes the Iowa State Cyclones squaring off against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Watch women’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. Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.

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By Jennifer Allen Between cooking, cleaning and hosting, the familiar hustle of the holiday season can sometimes feel more hectic than heartwarming. But what if there were a way to embrace the season while leaving the chaos behind? Holiday cruises make all of this possible, offering the perfect getaway that can be tailored to any vibe – blending festive traditions with the excitement of travel. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in the background of the Northern Lights, exploring sun-drenched islands or maybe enjoying a festive dinner on the sea. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, romance for two or peaceful solo travel, holiday cruises deliver a unique celebration unlike any other. Do you want to skip the stress of the season but don’t want to miss out on the holiday cheer? Rest assured, among the most well-known cruise lines, most of them host elaborate holiday festivities that transform their ships into winter wonderlands complete with decorations, entertainment and activities fit for Santa Claus himself. Instead of buying gifts, stressing over what to cook or bake and cleaning over the holidays, Michelle Price of Honest and Truly prefers a holiday cruise for her family. “The ship takes care of everything, from making the beds in the morning to prepping our meals throughout the day. And they have various fun activities to keep us busy,” she says. From towering Christmas trees in the atrium to twinkling lights on every railing, cruises at this time of year are very creative with their festive splendor. Cruises will also complement their aesthetics to match entertainment, including tree-lighting ceremonies, live caroling and holiday movie nights under the stars. Depending on the cruise, you can expect a robust calendar of events with activities like ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia, Santa appearances and even onboard Christmas markets. The holiday wouldn’t feel complete without the food to match, and cruise lines deliver. You can enjoy lavish holiday dinners complete with everything, from the traditional turkey to international Christmas dishes. Some cruises even offer themed buffets with everything, from a turkey carving station to hot and creamy chowders , holiday cocktails, gingerbread-making workshops and seasonal dessert tastings to add fun to the feasts. Cruises cater to various travelers and take the guesswork out of planning a holiday. Unlike a traditional vacation where you are responsible for your own itinerary, cruises do the hard work for you by planning destinations, offering a wide variety of on-board activities and providing varied experiences that appeal to all. A 2024 survey by Expedia Cruises concluded that 82% of travelers who have cruised before say they would do it again. Traveling with the whole family can often feel like an exercise in logistics that leaves you more stressed than you were before your holiday. Holiday cruises simplify this, offering multigenerational activities, family-friendly dining options and flexible accommodations. The Disney Cruise Line, which includes the Very Merrytime Cruises for the holiday season, is popular for offering exciting kid-centric activities like themed crafts, holiday scavenger hunts and character meet-and-greets. These endless options paired with the kids’ or teens’ clubs keep younger travelers entertained while giving their parents peace of mind. When traveling with older family members, consider reaching out to the cruise ahead of time to find out what accessible options they offer. Cruise lines can sometimes accommodate requests that might be better suited for older folks like avoiding stairs or long walks to reach their room. Couples can rediscover their magic on holiday cruises that offer intimate moments and tailored experiences. The Romantic Cruises by Princess Cruises stand out because of their private balcony dining and couples’ activities like wine tastings or cooking classes to make hors d’oeuvres . However, many holiday cruises offer specialty experiences like date-night-worthy restaurants, sunset strolls on the deck and shared excursions that are sure to create lasting memories. For couples looking to rest and relax, holiday cruises can provide serene spaces, spa suites and infinity verandas that are perfect for unwinding together. Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for singles to mingle and enjoy the holiday season with company. Social events like trivia nights, dance parties and holiday mixers encourage connection and camaraderie. Certain cruises, like the Norwegian Cruise Line and the Virgin Voyages’ Holiday Cruises, cater specifically to solo travelers. These cruises include adult-only entertainment, curated activities and a vibrant nightlife. Rest assured, these cruises provide plenty of holiday entertainment and seasonal activities that ensure you enjoy yourself while staying close to your holiday traditions. With over 323 cruise ships currently in operation serving 36 million passengers this year alone, according to photoAiD , how do you choose if you’re a first-time cruiser ? Start by confirming that the cruise is appropriate for the needs of your traveling group. Often, experiences that are tailored for a specific group, whether kids or couples, will be described in the cruise line’s name – take for instance, the Disney Cruise Line. You can also check out the on-board activities available to make sure that there are plenty of options for your company. Next, consider your budget. Holiday cruises make luxury accessible without breaking the bank, with options as low as $300 for shorter voyages. Cruises will often provide all-inclusive packages that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and travel into a single cost-effective experience. The Carnival Cruise line remains a favorite for budget-conscious travelers because of its fun festivities and great dining options. However, even high-end experiences, like the MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, which includes amenities like private pools, lounges and butler services come at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury resorts. Lastly, ask yourself what holiday vibe you’re going for. Are you dreaming of a sunny tropical Christmas or perhaps frosty landscapes? Either way, with thousands of options in December alone, as cataloged by CruiseBooking.com , there’s a cruise waiting for you. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises stop at destinations like the Great Stirrup Cay, while Hurtigruten’s Arctic Expeditions sail through breathtaking fjords and snowy landscapes. Holiday cruises offer a unique way to celebrate the season that’s a guaranteed hit without breaking the bank. Consider leaving behind the stress of hosting and planning; step aboard a ship where every detail has been curated to bring enjoyment and relaxation. With the holidays calling, will you answer with a ticket to set sail? Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her writing appears in dozens of publications, and she has two cookbooks, “Keto Soup Cookbook” and “Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan.” These days, she’s busy in the kitchen, developing recipes for various publications and traveling, and you can find all her best recipes at Cook What You Love .NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 10, 2024-- UBS AG announced today the per-security amounts payable (collectively, the “Call Settlement Amounts”) for the below seven UBS-issued exchange traded notes set forth in the following table (collectively, the “ETNs”). Table-1 ETN Ticker ETN Name and Prospectus Supplement [1] Call Settlement Amount CUSIP Call Settlement Date DJCB ETRACS Bloomberg Commodity Index Total ReturnSM ETN Series B due October 31, 2039 [2] $20.8636 90269A450 12/12/2024 WUCT ETRACS Whitney US Critical Technologies ETN due March 13, 2053 $36.2753 90278V222 12/12/2024 AMNA ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Index ETN due June 21, 2050 [3] $53.5830 90269A351 12/12/2024 AMND ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy High Dividend Index ETN due July 19, 2050 [3] $53.5415 90269A252 12/12/2024 AMTR ETRACS Alerian Midstream Energy Total Return Index ETN due October 20, 2050 [3] $76.6566 90269A245 12/12/2024 ESUS ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI USA ESG Focus TR ETN due September 15, 2061 [4] $36.1178 90278V743 12/12/2024 FEDL ETRACS 2x Leveraged IFED Invest with the FED TR Index ETN due September 15, 2061 [4] $55.6842 90278V750 12/12/2024 [1] The table above provides a hyperlink to the relevant prospectus and supplements thereto for each of the ETNs, which are identified by their names. Each of the above ETNs are part of the UBS AG’s Medium Term Notes, Series B, on which UBS AG is sole obligor. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this press release shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the relevant prospectus supplement (including, as applicable, any product supplement and pricing supplement (each such supplement, a “prospectus supplement”)) for the ETNs. The Call Settlement Amount in this table refers to the Redemption Amount as defined in the securities represented by DJCB. [2] The prospectus addendum with a link to the updated base prospectus and the changes to the section entitled “Early Redemption” on page S-3 of the prospectus supplement can be accessed here . [3] The prospectus addendum with a link to the updated base prospectus can be accessed here . [4] The prospectus addendum with a link to the updated base prospectus can be accessed here. On November 20, 2024, UBS AG announced the redemption of the ETNs. 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An investment in ETRACS ETNs is subject to a number of risks, including the risk of loss of some or all of the investor’s principal, and is subject to the creditworthiness of UBS AG. Investors are not guaranteed any coupon or distribution amount under the ETRACS ETNs. Prior to making an investment in the ETRACS ETNs, investors should take into account whether or not the market price is tracking the intraday indicative value of the ETRACS ETNs. We urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks described under “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement for each ETRACS ETN. UBS AG has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and supplements thereto) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, for the offerings of securities to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, along with the applicable prospectus supplement(s) to understand fully the terms of the ETNs and other considerations that are important in making a decision about investing in the ETNs. The applicable offering document for each ETN may be obtained by clicking on the name of each ETNs identified above. You may also get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . The securities related to the offerings are not deposit liabilities and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Switzerland or any other jurisdiction. About UBS UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager and the leading universal bank in Switzerland. It also provides diversified asset management solutions and focused investment banking capabilities. 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Sports on TV for Thursday, Dec. 19Robin Marshall joined the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF) when she was 19, calling herself the "typical person that gets pulled into a cult." She had seen a poster for a meditation class while living in California and the group offered Sunday feasts with meditation and chanting. "It was all very attractive to me because it was like a family and all caring," Marshall told Newsweek . "Then, I get to Hawaii, and it was a different story." A number of former members have described the Foundation as a "cult ." The group offered the opportunity for "wwoofing" or working on a farm for a few hours each day while being hosted and accommodated by the organization. Marshall said once she arrived, she noticed an issue with the group—"I heard everybody there at some point get called worthless." Marshall and others say SIF is not a typical farming community organization. While people like Marshall were only working for about four hours a day, they say they also listened to audio lectures from "guru" Chris Butler. Marshall said she listened every morning and night as Butler ranted and shared random lessons. He often spoke with people in the room while he was recording. One prominent figure in the group that Marshall highlighted: Former Representative Tulsi Gabbard . "Tulsi was being groomed for a political position because Chris Butler had political aspirations," Marshall said. "He wanted the influence. It was very unusual because women in Science of Identity aren't really encouraged to do anything." Newsweek reached out to Gabbard, people who worked on her campaigns, her family, the SIF as well as those who have been identified as members for this story. Gabbard, a Democrat-turned-Republican, has recently been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the director of national intelligence, which oversees 18 intelligence agencies including the CIA and NSA . The military veteran and former congresswoman ran for president in the Democratic primary in 2020. She has faced scrutiny for years for alleged affiliations with foreign entities, including Russia, and a highly controversial visit with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad . Marshall said that while under the foundation's accommodations, she would often clean. She said she one time "got screamed at" for picking out supplies from a cabinet and Butler saying that the product was too pungent. "I never did (meet Chris Butler) but we were always told we should be ready for him to appear," Marshall said. "How abusive Chris Butler was, I'm glad I never met him." The SIF was founded in the 1970s after Butler had taken messages of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and the Hare Krishna movement, and broke off in his own group with followers from Hawaii, Australia and Southeast Asia. An acquaintance of the family, Michael Brannon Parker, who said he has known the Gabbards, including Tulsi, for decades told Newsweek that while he was never officially a member of the SIF, he attended "many" of the group's gatherings in the 1990s. He used to work for Tulsi Gabbard's father, Mike Gabbard, who has served as a Democrat in the Hawaii state Senate since 2007. Parker said he "got to know the family quite well over the years." "SIF is basically a Westernized version of the ancient Gaudiya Vaishnava Hindu tradition," Parker said. "While Iskcon (the Hare Krishna movement) is much more Indian in its presentation, SIF is the same tradition yet with an emphasis on being part of mainstream society. Their impact, especially here in Hawaii, has been tremendously positive." Butler has produced television specials featuring him surrounded by students. One of which included Mike Gabbard. Butler reportedly would stay at his beachfront Hawaii property, away from the commune where Marshall and others were located. Marshall referred to the house as an eyesore because it was covered in tinfoil, which an anonymous source told Newsweek was meant to "keep out germs." The guru reportedly had people feed him regularly and tend to his laundry. The anonymous source, who says they joined the group when they were 17 years old, said it was considered a "great opportunity to go to site" adding that "the hymn tunes were all about serving the servant of God." The source said they mostly worked in the kitchen, cooking for Butler and his wife throughout their 10 years of trips to Hawaii. "It was all very highly stressful," the anonymous source told Newsweek . "Food couldn't be late. Food had to be hot. He would swear at you if you got it wrong. People would get fired for getting the meal slightly off." There was also demand for scraps of his food and his used belongings, according to the anonymous source. "Anything he touches or food that was offered to him, things that came from his house and things of his bodily person were considered what's called mahaprasada, very holy," the source said. "People would definitely want to eat food remnants. If there was an article of clothing that you happen to get that he no longer uses, that was considered very important." The anonymous source said the Gabbards did not necessarily have servants like Butler but they were comfortable in their two- or three-bedroom apartment. In 1992, Gabbard's parents Mike (who became known as Krishna Katha das) and Carol (Devahuti dasi) allegedly ran the SIF after Butler moved to California, according to archived documents from the Honolulu Weekly , as provided to Newsweek by journalist Christine Gralow of Meanwhile in Hawaii. The QAnon Anonymous podcast cited the Gabbard parents as holding top positions in the group, a mark that is "not easy with a large harem of devotees vying for (Butler's) attention." From an early age, Tulsi Gabbard was immersed into the SIF ideals. She attended schools run in the Philippines by Butler's followers. She kept her childhood Bhagavad Gita with her when she was deployed in Iraq, calling it a "transcendental lifeline," and she even later gifted the Scripture to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi . "I've never heard him say anything hateful, or say anything mean about anybody," Tulsi Gabbard told The New Yorker of Butler in 2017. "I can speak to my own personal experience and, frankly, my gratitude to him, for the gift of this wonderful spiritual practice that he has given to me, and to so many people." The anonymous source called Gabbard an "advanced devotee" within the SIF, adding that the more advanced a person was, the more people served them and the more others listened to them. Butler would reportedly instruct followers to back Gabbard, making them "very instrumental in her running for those first times in politics." Butler has always said that his group would "make their own minds up" on who would be the next leader of the SIF once he dies, according to the anonymous source, who added that Gabbard has a chance as an advanced devotee. Asked whether Tulsi Gabbard still maintains a presence among the sect, Parker told Newsweek he has "no idea" of her current status or participation in such gatherings. Tulsi's ties with SIF are being highlighted against her as part of a technique conducted "by the political elite to protect their vested interests," he added. "Membership in an indigenously recognized authentically traditional religious group older than many current religious groups, Mormons, Protestant Christianity, Sikhs, Baha'i, Ahmadiyyas etc., has no genuine or legal bearing on Tulsi's qualifications for the job [of DNI]," Parker said. Marshall added that she doesn't believe Gabbard has left the group. "There's claims that she left. There's no way that she left because you would know. She would've been shunned," she said. "None of her family would talk to her anymore. You don't just leave without being shunned. It's a lifelong commitment." The anonymous source also agreed. "Unless you're directed by him, they're not going to serve you, like they're not going to work on your political campaign unless it's directed by him. Otherwise, it's a waste of time," they said. Gabbard has discussed her ties to the Foundation publicly. In a 2015 address to honor the Hare Krishna 50th anniversary, she called Butler, who she referred to in his Sanskrit name Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa, as her "beloved grandfather" and "spiritual master." At the anniversary gala event in Washington, D.C. , Gabbard said "it is impossible to fully describe the innumerable spiritual truths given to us by (Butler)." She called "real religion" something that "transcends sectarianism." In 2020, Gabbard wrote to journalist Kerry Howley saying, "My 'religion' is my loving relationship with God," and sent a chart of the Hindu lineage that included Butler, according to the QAnon Anonymous podcast. The same year, Gabbard encouraged her followers to draw strength in the tough times from the Bhagavad Gita. Beyond discussing Butler, Gabbard's ex-husband, Eduardo Tamayo, is the nephew of a person that runs Butler's schools, according to Gralow's documents. Her husband, Abraham Williams, is also a Butler disciple and many of her congressional staffers were allegedly a part of the group as well, according to the documents. As Gabbard gears up for a confirmation hearing with the U.S. Senate, the anonymous source warned Butler could "influence" the former lawmaker. "I think it's a very dangerous position," they said. "I do not see how she will not either leak classified information to Butler and...or he won't influence her in her position." The source said it's about the SIF mindset. "We're told his perspective and what he says is 100 percent accurate. So if that's skewed, then whatever you listen to from him is also going to be skewed," the anonymous source said. "If he wants to put a thing across or gives advice, she will follow it."

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 10 Tennessee to a 56-0 victory over UTEP on Saturday. The Volunteers (9-2) overcame a sluggish start to roll up the impressive win. Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter, but Tennessee found its rhythm. Grad student receiver Bru McCoy, who hadn't caught a touchdown pass this season, had two. Peyton Lewis also ran for two scores. “Once we settled in and did the ordinary things, we had a real good day,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, whose team scored touchdowns on all eight red zone visits. “We started off cold,” said Iamaleava. "We made too many errors. We picked it up as the game went on. “That first play (of the Vols' first series of the game — a long incomplete pass to Squirrel White) we missed for a touchdown. I really want that one back. All you can do is focus on the next play.” Tennessee's defensive line, which had no sacks in last week's loss to Georgia, had four against the Miners. UTEP (2-9) struggled with two missed field goals and three turnovers. It was the second time in Miners coach Scotty Wallen's seven-year coaching career that his team has been shut out. “I thought we took massive steps forward, even though the results weren't what we wanted,” said Wallen. “(Tennessee) is one of the best teams in the country, right there.” Just before halftime, UTEP lost starting quarterback Skyler Locklear with an injury. Backup JP Pickles had trouble getting anything going. “When Skyler went down, that kind of messed with us,” said Miners center Brennan Smith. Tennessee's offense came alive with 28 points in the second quarter. In the final four drives of the quarter, Iamaleava completed 11 of 12 passes for 146 yards and touchdowns to White, Ethan Davis and McCoy. “(That first touchdown) was special for me,” said McCoy. "I promised my mom I'd get into the end zone. I never worried (this season, about not scoring). You have to have faith. The timing will be right for it to happen.” UTEP was the dominant team in the first quarter. Tennessee managed just 37 offensive yards and, thanks to an interception near the end zone and a missed field goal by the Miners, both teams were scoreless after 15 minutes. POLL IMPLICATIONS Tennessee’s convincing victory, coupled with losses by Mississippi and Indiana, should put the Volunteers in a good position when the next College Football Playoff poll is released. The Vols were ranked No. 11 going into this week’s games. THE TAKEAWAY UTEP: The Miners will head into a very winnable game against New Mexico State having won two of their last five games. First-year coach Scotty Walden will try to build on that success in the offseason to help enhance his roster. Tennessee: Even a lopsided win won’t carry much weight where it means the most — in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Vols will have to rely on a convincing win against Vanderbilt next week, a team that has shown a lot of improvement this season, to help their standing for those coveted spots. UP NEXT UTEP: The Miners will finish their season at New Mexico State Saturday. Tennessee: The Vols will finish their regular season at Vanderbilt next Saturday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballslot game apk 。

This strong performance further solidifies TSMC's position as a key player in the global semiconductor industry. The company's advanced manufacturing capabilities have enabled it to meet the ever-increasing demand for cutting-edge semiconductor products across various sectors, including consumer electronics, automotive, and data centers.The prospect of a potential return to Barcelona, a club renowned for its history, tradition, and relentless pursuit of excellence, adds another layer of intrigue to the player's story. It represents a chance for him to prove himself on the biggest stage, competing against the best in the world and cementing his legacy as a true footballing talent.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson reiterated that peaceful protest was a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution, and the nation remained resolute in exercising this right despite the incumbent government’s incessant threats, intimidation, and attempts to convert the country into a war zone through massive troop deployments and containerization. PTI Spokesperson, in a reaction to Atta Tarar’s outbursts, stated that the touts and the courtiers unleashed to target and intimidate people for participating in the revolutionary PTI’s peaceful march should bear in mind that 240 million people were fed-up of their self-centred and incompetent masters, who ruined the country economically, socially and politically during the past two and a half years. He lashed out at the mandate thief government for taking away the people’s fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, trade, employment and communication, besides confining 240 million people to their homes. PTI Spokesperson strongly condemned the government’s open threats and intimidation tactics against young people, traders, teachers, students, transporters and government officials. He emphasized that the nation would not be intimidated by threats and would not give up its fundamental rights and the peaceful protest would be the prelude to restore the constitution and the law in its true sense. PTI Spokesperson made it clear that the undeterred and unfazed nation would come out in large number peacefully from across the country for achieving true freedom in total disregard of the threats hurled by the touts and added that the government would be responsible for the riots and anarchy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Clarke Reed , a Mississippi businessman who developed the Republican Party in his home state and across the South starting in the 1960s, died Sunday at his home in Greenville, Mississippi. He was 96. Reed was chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party from 1966 to 1976, beginning at a time when Democrats still dominated in the region. During the 1976 Republican National Convention, delegates were closely divided between President Gerald Ford and former California Gov. Ronald Reagan. Reed united the Mississippi delegation behind Ford — a move that created a decadeslong feud with William D. “Billy” Mounger, another wealthy businessman who was prominent in the Mississippi Republican Party. Reed recalled in a 2016 interview with The Associated Press that delegates faced considerable pressure. Movie stars visited Mississippi's 30 delegates to push for Reagan, and Betty Ford called on behalf of her husband. Reagan met twice with the Mississippi delegation — once with his proposed running mate, Pennsylvania Sen. Richard Schweiker — and once without, according Haley Barbour, who was executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party in 1976 and served as the state's governor from 2004 to 2012. “Everybody was coming to see us," Reed said. “These poor people had never seen this before, the average delegate.” Mississippi delegates were showing the stress at a meeting away from the convention floor in Kansas City, Reed said. “I looked out, and about half of them were crying," he said. Reed initially supported Reagan, but said he moved into the Ford camp because he thought Reagan made “a hell of a mistake” by choosing a more liberal northeastern running mate in a gambit to win support of the unpledged Pennsylvania delegation. “In my opinion, Reagan was the best president of my lifetime. I didn’t know that then,” Reed said in 2016. “And had he been elected with Schweiker, he might’ve gotten a bullet one inch over and Schweiker would’ve been president.” Ford won the party nomination during the convention, then lost the general election to Jimmy Carter, the Democratic former governor of Georgia. Reed was born in Alliance, Ohio, in 1928, and his family moved to Caruthersville, Missouri, when he was about six months old. He earned a business degree from the University of Missouri in 1950. He and Barthell Joseph, a friend he had met at a high school boarding school, founded an agriculture equipment business called Reed-Joseph International, which used technology to scare birds away from farms and airports. Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi said Monday that Reed was “a mentor, supporter and advisor to me for over 56 years." Wicker said he was 21 when Reed put him on the Republican Platform Committee in 1972. “There is no more significant figure in the development of the modern day Mississippi Republican Party than Clarke Reed,” Wicker wrote on social media. “Our state has lost a giant."

City at least avoided a sixth consecutive defeat but the manner in which they blew a commanding advantage will do little to settle nerves in and around the club ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool. City appeared in total control after a brace from Erling Haaland and another from Ilkay Gundogan had them three up seven minutes into the second half, but after Anis Hadj Moussa got one back in the 75th minute, City imploded. “It is what it is, difficult to swallow right now,” Guardiola said. “The game was good, we played well, we scored three and could have scored more. We do everything and then we give away, especially the first one, and after we are not stable enough to do it. “It’s not about no run or no commitment, but football you have to be [switched on] in certain moments to do it.” Santiago Gimenez got Feyenoord’s second in the 82nd minute and David Hancko got a dramatic equaliser in the 89th, making City the first team in Champions League history to have led 3-0 in the 75th minute of a match and fail to win. Some City fans, who suffered through Saturday’s 4-0 humiliation at home to Tottenham, made their frustrations known at the final whistle. “The last game against Tottenham, 0-4, the supporters were there, applause,” he said. “They are disappointed of course and we understand it. “People come here not to remember success of the past, they come here to see the team win and perform well. I am not the one when the situation is bad or good [to say] what they have to do. “These supporters, when we go away, our fans are amazing, travelling. There is nothing to do and they are right to express what they feel.” Guardiola’s own frustrations were apparent given the number of scratches visible on his head after the match. The Catalan had arrived at the ground with a cut on his nose, which he said he had caused himself with a long fingernail. City now face a trip to Anfield to face the Liverpool side of former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, whose named was chanted by the visiting fans during the match. “Everybody knows the situation, I don’t have to add absolutely anything,” Guardiola said. “We are going to train tomorrow, recovery and prepare the next game. Day off and we have two or three days to prepare that and go for it. We will learn for the future and what has been has been. “It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it for many circumstances.” Feyenoord’s late fightback brought jubilant scenes in the away end. “I think if you’re from Feyenoord it was an unbelievable evening,” head coach Brian Priske said. “A strange game which ends 3-3 which is an unbelievable result for us and also remarkable in the essence of being 3-0 down in minute 75 away from home against still, for me, the best team in the world. “Normally we don’t celebrate draws but this one is a little bit special.”To address the challenges reflected in these representative characters, Taiwanese society must prioritize values such as honesty, empathy, and cooperation. Building a culture of integrity and mutual respect, fostering dialogue and understanding across different groups, and promoting transparency and accountability in all spheres of life are essential steps towards creating a more just and equitable society.Three of the five regents at Western New Mexico University are Ph.D.s. Their lofty degrees are listed next to their names on Western's website. A fourth regent is an attorney at a firm in Santa Fe. The other decision-maker is a student. State government decreed long ago that the people paying tuition and fees should have a voice in how their universities are run. On paper, Western's five regents look good. One of them, Daniel H. Lopez, was president of powerhouse research institution New Mexico Tech for 23 years. But universities aren't run on paper. Western, in Silver City, is a poorly managed institution. Ultimately the regents are to blame. All five should resign. Instead of looking out for the public interest, the regents too often deferred to Western President Joseph Shepard. Evidence the regents were asleep at the helm was supplied this week by State Auditor Joseph Maestas. He released a lengthy "letter of concern" detailing waste and financial failings by the regents and Shepard, president of Western for 13 years. Maestas' staff found $149,000 in purchases from July 2018 through June 2023 did not comply with university regulations. This included a purchase of more than $17,000 by Shepard of furnishings for the president's official residence. The auditor's investigators said Western employees also skirted rules or policies on $214,000 in travel expenses during the same period. Publicly funded international travel was commonplace for Shepard, his wife Valerie Plame, and certain regents and university employees. Shepard and the regents authorized 47 different trips to 12 different countries in roughly the same five years reviewed by the auditor. Travelers journeyed to Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Zambia. Mary Hotvedt, chairwoman of Western's board of regents, told me the school has made changes to comply with internal and state financial regulations. Her tone was conciliatory, a change from last spring when she wouldn't take questions, instead referring me to the university's publicity department. Shepard didn't respond this week to a request for comment. In a campus speech 11 months ago, he said, "I'm very proud of every dollar we spent on international students." Expenditures on students appear to be different from publicly funded international travel for Shepard himself, his wife and regents. Western listed its enrollment this fall at more than 3,600. Approximately 70 students are from foreign countries. Nearby Mexico is the biggest source of international students. The mess at Western should inspire immediate and long-term reforms, starting with finances. One man emailed me this week to say he read and reread all of The New Mexican's coverage about Western's misspending of public money. He was struck by an omission. "I didn't see the word 'reimbursement.' Do you think I might in future writings?" he asked. Absent a criminal case, restitution won't happen. Western's regents and Shepard have always closed ranks. That's all the more reason the regents must resign. As for the bigger picture, state lawmakers can point to waste at Western and alleged sexual assaults by former male basketball players at New Mexico State University as flashpoints for change. NMSU paid $8 million to two players who said they were sexually assaulted by teammates. The regents at New Mexico State sat idly as the outgoing chancellor handed a hefty raise and a contract extension to the athletic director. New Mexico's governor nominates regents. The state Senate almost always confirms them. Rarely is any nominee asked a hard question. Campaign contributors and people in certain social tiers often are installed as regents. Many know nothing about overseeing a university. Political pals also have an inside track on becoming regents. Then-Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican, nominated conservative Carl Foster to be a regent of New Mexico Highlands University, even though Foster was suing that same school. The Senate Rules Committee for a change showed gumption by refusing to consider Foster's nomination. A year later, though, senators confirmed Foster as a regent of Western. His hearing was perfunctory. No question of substance was asked. Foster's six years as a regent ended in 2021. In sum, governors nominate anyone they like to be regents. There are no qualifications. A better system would be to elect university regents. At least then they would have to answer to the public. Rather than having a board of regents for each university, New Mexico should switch to two super panels. One nine-member board could oversee all the research universities. Nine other regents could supervise the regional universities. Shifting to elections would require an amendment to the state constitution, a difficult but worthy chore. A majority of legislators in each chamber would have to place the proposed amendment on the statewide ballot. There's nothing to lose. In the bubble of the Capitol, governors and senators decided who would oversee Western and New Mexico State University. Voters might do better. They couldn't do worse. Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at msimonich@sfnewmexican.com or 505-986-3080.

Title: Breakthrough in 3D Graphics: JHU Introduces First 3DGS Capable of Rendering HDR Scenes 1000 Times Faster with Superior Quality

As Alibaba Cloud works to address the consequences of the data center fire, industry experts and stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation to assess the implications for Alibaba's cloud computing business. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust disaster recovery and emergency response protocols in data center operations, especially for companies operating critical infrastructure services like cloud computing.NBC union projects graphics on 30 Rock accusing leadership of stalling on contract

Gone are the days of mindless banter and nonsensical ramblings from our virtual sidekicks. With the implementation of the "Oath of Silence," NPC companions have been equipped with advanced artificial intelligence that enables them to communicate more effectively and purposefully with the player. No longer will they drone on about the weather or their favorite flavor of potion; instead, they are now capable of engaging in meaningful and contextually relevant dialogue that enhances the gameplay experience.Barcelona's dominance in the early stages of the campaign had seen them open up a significant lead over their closest competitors. However, a string of inconsistent performances coupled with injuries to key players has allowed Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to gradually close the gap.

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector came "to a complete and abrupt halt." Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad's brutal rule. The rebel alliance now in control of much of the country is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and promises representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress. Syrian citizens stand on a government forces tank that was left on a street Monday as they celebrate in Damascus, Syria. "It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the command said on social media. People are also reading... Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled. Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew. Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey on Monday at the Oncupinar border gate near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey. In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past. The Kremlin said Russia granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people still celebrated. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence, though in some areas small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. Syrian citizens celebrate Monday during the second day of the takeover of the city by the insurgents in Damascus, Syria. Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared. Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016. "Don't be afraid," one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. "Bashar Assad has fallen!" In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad. "I haven't seen him for 13 years," he said. "I am going to go see whether he's alive." Jalali, the prime minister, sought to project normalcy since Assad fled. "We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation already improved from the day before. Israeli soldiers sit on top of a tank Monday along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly. "We want to give everyone their rights," Haddad said outside the courthouse. "We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods." But a U.N. official said some government services were paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home. The public sector "has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies was put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. "This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nation's capital," Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. "I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again." World reacts to overthrow of Syria's Assad regime People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Members of the Syrian community in Finland wave a Syrian flag and celebrate in Helsinki, Finland, Dec. 8, 2024. (Roni Rekomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) Syrians wave opposition flags and give out sweets during a spontaneous rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) Syrians celebrate the fall of the Assad regime in Syria at a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Jonas Ekstroemer/TT News Agency via AP) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians wave Syrian opposition flags at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government. (Christoph Reichwein/dpa/dpa via AP) People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) Syrians living in France gather on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government's fall, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Syrians living in France hug during a rally on Republique square after the Syrian government fell early today in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) People gather to react following the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government, in Trafalgar Square, in London, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) People gather to celebrate the Syrian government fall at Faith mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, at central Syntagma square, in Athens, Greece, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) A Syrian man waves a flag during a spontaneous demonstration celebrating the fall of the Assad regime, in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!TN Delta farmers worried over fertiliser shortage