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According to new financial disclosures, in a late-cycle push, Elon Musk edged out Timothy Mellon as the largest individual donor to politicians seeking federal office in 2024. On Dec. 5, federal committees registered with the Federal Election Commission issued their so-called post-general reports covering their financial activities from Oct. 17 through Nov. 25. The filings showed Musk, who has gained a position of high influence in President-elect Donald Trump’s circle, donated more than $238.5 million to a super political action committee backing Trump’s candidacy for the White House in 2024. That total put Musk ahead of Mellon, an heir to the Mellon family fortune, who was a major donor to the Make America Great Again Inc. super PAC. MAGA Inc. was a prominent ally of Trump in his run for office. Mellon also sponsored a group supporting Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent candidacy, American Values 2024, in 2023 and 2024. Mellon contributed about $197 million in the 2023–2024 election cycle, according to the Money in Politics watchdog organization OpenSecrets. Musk founded the super PAC America PAC, according to its website. The organization’s main goals are strong borders, safe cities, free speech, sensible spending, a fair justice system, and self-protection. According to its most recent FEC filing, America PAC spent more than $249.9 million in 2024. Independent expenditure reports attached to the Dec. 5 filing said America PAC spent its money on printing, postage, phone calls, text messages, digital media, canvassing, and field operations largely to boost Trump and oppose the Democratic Party’s candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. Smaller expenditures were directed toward helping Republicans in races for the House and Senate. Musk and the PAC attracted considerable media attention by giving away $1 million per day to registered voters who signed a petition supporting free speech and the right to bear arms in the run-up to the election. The $1 million check promotion also drew attention from both the U.S. Department of Justice and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who attempted to block the gifts by accusing the PAC of running an illegal lottery. That effort was ultimately blocked on Nov. 4 by a judge from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. In November, Musk vowed to continue the PAC’s political activities in the coming midterm elections and direct its resources toward smaller local races. Musk is believed to be among the wealthiest men in the world. Forbes estimates his worth at more than $347 billion. He is the founder and CEO of Tesla Inc. and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Since the Nov. 5 federal election, Musk has spent much time in Trump’s transitional government organization and is reportedly speaking with foreign leaders and weighing in on cabinet picks. Musk, along with fellow Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy, is leading a nongovernmental advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency, which aims to slash federal spending. In addition to his support of America PAC, Musk donated to three other groups in 2024—the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), the Calvert Victory Fund, and the Early Vote Action PAC, according to FEC records. The NRCC is a group dedicated to electing Republicans to the House. The Calvert Victory Fund was a group devoted to reelecting Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.). The Early Vote Action PAC, according to its most recent FEC filing, paid various individuals for “field strategy consulting.” Additionally, a group registered to a PO Box in Austin, Texas, called the “Elon Musk Revocable Trust,” sent $20.5 million to the super PAC RBG PAC on Oct. 24, according to federal records. According to its independent expenditure reports, the group supported Trump.PRATTVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered an Alabama city to allow an LGBTQ+ pride group to participate in the city's Christmas parade on Friday, after the mayor initially blocked the group from the annual event citing unspecified “safety concerns.” U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker Jr. ruled that the City of Prattville violated Prattville Pride's First Amendment right to free speech and 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law when it banned the group from running a float in the annual Christmas parade one day before the event was set to take place. “The City removed Prattville Pride from the parade based on its belief that certain members of the public who oppose Prattville Pride, and what is stands for, would react in a disruptive way. But discrimination based on a message’s content 'cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment,' ” Huffaker wrote in his opinion. The ruling required the city to provide at least two police officers to escort the float throughout the parade. On Thursday, Prattville Pride requested additional security measures from law enforcement. In response, Mayor Bill Gillespie Jr released a statement banning the group from the parade altogether, citing “serious safety concerns.” Huffaker's ruling said that, leading up to the event, some community members “voiced vehement opposition” to the group's inclusion in the parade, but that “the City has presented no evidence of legitimate, true threats of physical violence.” Gillespie's office referred to a statement posted on the city's social media in response to a request for comment. “The City respects the ruling of the Court and will comply with its order. The safety of everyone involved with the parade is a priority,” city officials said in a statement on social media. Prattville Pride celebrated the ruling on social media. “The Christmas parade is a cherished holiday tradition, and we are excited to celebrate alongside our neighbors and friends in the spirit of love, joy, and unity," the group wrote. Prattville is a small city of about 40,000 people, just north of the capital of Montgomery.
One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Tetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level Media
Is Steve Smith finished? No, you won’t get an answer on that – not when a lucky bounce, a dropped catch or a fluke deflection will take all the science out of it. It’s not the most interesting question anyway. The question is how long Smith intends to stay in Test cricket, and it becomes more pressing the longer his dry run continues. There is also the matter of how long such a towering senior player’s performance is allowed to affect their teammates. It is 13 matches since Smith passed three figures, at Lord’s in 2023. In that time, he averages 29.55. His past seven Test innings (picked selectively, since his unbeaten 91 as an opener against the West Indies in Brisbane) have been 31, 0, 11, 9, 0, 17 and 2. Including that innings in Brisbane, his 2024 tally is 232 runs at 23.20. No amount of slicing and dicing can prettify it. Smith’s intention becomes the sole factor because the current selection panel has a proven record of not being able to drop Australian Test players. In three years on the panel, George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and Andrew McDonald have not dropped one single player on a performance basis. The nearest they have come was omitting Marcus Harris at the fag-end of the 2021-22 Ashes series, but that was a reshuffle caused by Travis Head returning following a positive COVID test. Harris was subsequently selected for ongoing Cricket Australia contracts. You have to go back to 2019, before any of the current selectors were on the panel, when Cameron Bancroft was the last Australian player to be dropped. It’s quite a record. It also shows why the chatter around Marnus Labuschagne’s place after Perth was idle speculation. I just wish these selectors were corporate executives given a list of redundancy numbers to fill. Smith’s future, like David Warner’s before him, is in his own hands. His record of 9704 runs at 56.09 gives him that grace, and the selectors’ forbearance means it is a grace that will last as long as Smith wants it. Illustration: Simon Letch Credit: Few have ever been able to guess what goes on inside Steve Smith’s idiosyncratic mind, and it would be folly to start. A couple of observations from the outside. First is that his singular technique never looked like it would age well. Moving so far across the crease, front-on, required two outstanding qualities of the eye. One was to be able to hit every single ball on his pads, because otherwise he was lbw. The other was to have the clarity of mind to judge balls that might be coming in from his off side. This required a quickness and instinct that cannot be taught or imitated. They were Smith’s own. But they were always abilities requiring a young, supple mind. There’s a reason batting isn’t taught that way. Orthodoxy is coached because it survives better. It compensates for other weaknesses. But even masters of orthodoxy such as Greg Chappell , Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting declined after 35. News bulletin (send it to Washington and Moscow, please): ageing is a thing. Smith’s motivations are opaque. It wasn’t a good sign when he selected himself as an opener this year because, in his words, he wanted a new challenge. It didn’t start well and it ended with 51 runs in four innings in New Zealand. Then came the reversion to No.4. The whole escapade was a minor humiliation for one of the greats of the game that wouldn’t have been allowed if the selectors had any authority. Steve Smith hasn’t scored a Test century in 2024. Credit: AP On the field, Smith doesn’t give away clues, and only his closest circle would have much of an idea how he is thinking and feeling. You would expect he is aiming at the 296 runs he still needs to pass the magic 10,000, or a last Ashes campaign next year, but these are only guesses. Making the battle harder still is that the Border-Gavaskar series is a bowlers’ one. Dr Grace said the crowd had come to watch him bat, not someone else bowl, but Australia and India have bedazzling attacks. All the Australian pacemen have been outstanding, but the results in Perth and Adelaide have been determined pretty much by Jasprit Bumrah’s first spell on the first day. In Perth he was sublime. In Adelaide, affected by injury or not, his first spell was poor. The Australian top order, again trying to leave everything, was there for the taking, but Bumrah could not find his accuracy. Nor could his back-ups, and India did not have Australia’s bowling depth. In Adelaide, Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney survived that day-one session, setting the match up for Travis Head on day two. Not Smith, whose technique again showed signs of age and the bad luck that comes with it. Simon Katich has made the astute observation that although Smith might have a big innings in him – something to answer the critics, to reassure himself, to reprise his glory days – but his era of dominating bowlers with consistent plunder is over. He is far from alone. In recent times, only Brian Lara (nine), Kumar Sangakkara (eight) and Usman Khawaja (seven) have continued to score Test centuries consistently after turning 35. All three played with orthodox methods. The hunger remains sharp, at times, but every other part loses that fraction of a per cent that makes the difference at the highest level. A last hurrah is nobody’s entitlement, but cricket is a sentimentalist’s game that doesn’t want to see its highest achievers fade away ingloriously. I don’t think any genuine cricket fan would not wish Smith well. Same for Khawaja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But no matter how they go in the middle, they share one certainty. They won’t get the chop. Today’s players can retire on their own timetable. Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter .
MIAMI — Lionel Messi, fresh off accepting his MLS MVP trophy, kicked off the holiday season by traveling 6,870 miles to Azerbaijan this week and brought along teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba for a private charity event in the capital city of Baku. Azerbaijan is a landlocked country in Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, Iran, Russia, Georgia, and Turkey. Messi and his friends attended a gathering on Wednesday at the Crystal Hall, a famous music and sports venue. The event included a concert featuring French singer Willy William and Romanian group Morandi. The Argentine legend received a personalized rug with an image of himself lifting the World Cup trophy. “I have discovered the culture and the people of Azerbaijan,” Messi said. “Thank you for the warm greeting. Thank you very much for the support.” Messi, Suárez, Busquets and Alba also paid a visit and laid flowers at the tomb of former Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev, on the eve of the 21st anniversary of his death Dec. 12, 2003. That part of the visit drew some criticism on social media from opponents of Aliyev’s regime. Inter Miami vs. Club America in Las Vegas? Speaking of travel, Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said last week that the club is not planning another four-country, seven-game globetrotting preseason tour, as it did last year. The team played in El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan in early 2024 and wound up dealing with injuries to a few players and a controversy when Messi sustained an injury and was unable to play in Hong Kong. Mas said the team does plan a trip abroad in early 2025, but it will be a more compact itinerary, and that a high-profile game was being planned in the United States. Deporte Total USA reported that Inter Miami will play Mexican power Club America in Las Vegas and that the game is tentatively set for Jan. 18. An MLS source confirmed that Inter Miami and Club America are in talks about a game, but details had not been finalized. Also, the club announced it will play a friendly match against Orlando City in Tampa on Feb. 14. CJ Dos Santos traded to San Diego FC Inter Miami traded backup goalkeeper CJ dos Santos to expansion club San Diego FC in exchange for $100,000 in 2025 general allocation money (GAM). Dos Santos, 24, signed for Inter Miami ahead of the 2022 MLS season. He made three appearances for the first team — two in MLS and one in the Leagues Cup, in which he kept a clean sheet against Mexican side Club Puebla in 2024 — and 28 matches for Inter Miami II in MLS NEXT Pro. New ‘Fortitude’ jersey unveiled Inter Miami on Thursday released its new “Fortitude” away jersey for the 2025 season. It has black and granite-gray blocks with the trademark pink trim. The club explained in a press release that the name came from the Latin word “Fortis,” which means strength, and the Spanish word “Fortaleza,” which stands for resilience and determination. This shirt also serves as a tribute to Fort Lauderdale, “a city that has become a fortress for Inter Miami CF and the stage for some of the Club’s most significant milestones”. This coming season will be the team’s final season in Fort Lauderdale before moving to Miami Freedom Park in 2026. The new kits are on sale at the team store at Chase Stadium beginning Thursday (Dec. 12), while supplies last. It is also available online at MLSstore.com and adidas.com . Royal Caribbean, the club’s official jersey partner, will soon have the jersey available for purchase on its ships. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Qatar tribune QNA Barcelona Qatar Social Work Foundation (QSWF), which is affiliated with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, and its centres -- Shafallah Centre, Aman Centre, and Al Noor Centre -- participated in the fourth edition of the Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination, held in Barcelona, Spain, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, and UNESCO. This annual forum serves as an important platform that brings together representatives from governments, municipalities, civil society organisations, and academic circles to discuss prominent issues and exchange the best solutions to strengthen the global movement against racism and discrimination. The fourth edition of the forum focused on key issues, including combating racism, empowering women, and empowering people with disabilities, while enhancing the exchange of experiences between civil society organisations, which contributes to the development of effective policies to combat discrimination at both the local and global levels. The participation of the Qatar Social Work Foundation is part of its commitment to combating discrimination and promoting equality in society, making it a fundamental pillar in supporting the social sector in Qatar. The Foundation also seeks to strengthen institutional partnerships with relevant international organisations as part of achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build an interconnected society that ensures the well-being of all its members and enhances social solidarity values, with a focus on sustainable human and social development in all areas. Copy 13/12/2024 10
What a large study-of-studies found out about the possible tie between microplastics and cancerA proposed deal that would see three tobacco giants pay out billions to provinces and territories, as well as smokers across Canada, has been approved by the companies' creditors, a lawyer representing some of the creditors said Thursday, calling it an important milestone in a lengthy legal saga. The proposed $32.5-billion global settlement between the companies — JTI-Macdonald Corp., Rothmans, Benson & Hedges and Imperial Tobacco Canada Ltd. — and their creditors was announced in October after more than five years of negotiations. Representatives for the creditors, which include provincial governments seeking to recover smoking-related health-care costs as well as plaintiffs in two Quebec class-action lawsuits, voted on the plan in a virtual meeting Thursday afternoon. André Lespérance, who represents plaintiffs in one of the Quebec lawsuits, said creditors overwhelmingly supported the proposal. "We're not surprised, but we're glad the creditors are united right now to see this plan approved," he said in French. Before the plan can be implemented, it must obtain the approval of the court. A hearing has been scheduled for the end of January, and Lespérance said he's optimistic the proposed deal will clear that hurdle as well. "I think we're really close to the end," he said. Dominique Claveau, executive director of the Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health, which is part of the lawsuit, said they look forward to having the court "bring this long-fought battle for justice and truth to its conclusion." At least one of the companies has said it opposes the plan in its current form. The proposed deal includes $24 billion for provinces and territories, $4 billion for tens of thousands of Quebec smokers and their heirs, and more than $2.5 billion for smokers in other provinces and territories. It also includes more than $1 billion for a foundation to help those affected by tobacco-related diseases. The Canadian Cancer Society, which is a social stakeholder in the case, said Thursday it hopes the proposal will be amended before it's approved by the court. Rob Cunningham, the organization's lawyer, said the plan should include smoking-reduction measures and the release of confidential industry documents, similar to what was achieved in the United States decades ago. "There's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better control the tobacco industry and to reduce tobacco use. We're never going to get this chance again," he said. The foundation funded through the proposed deal should also have its mandate expanded to include prevention of tobacco-related disease and public awareness efforts to help people quit smoking, said Manuel Arango, vice-president of policy and advocacy for Heart & Stroke. "We already have a lot of studies and a lot of knowledge about the treatment of tobacco-related disease," he said. "So it's really about looking forward and helping prevent tobacco-related disease in the future." The proposal is the culmination of a corporate restructuring process set off by a decades-long legal battle over the health effects of smoking. In 2015, a Quebec court ordered the three companies to pay about $15 billion in two class-action lawsuits involving smokers in the province who took up the habit between 1950 and 1998 and either fell ill or were addicted, or their heirs. Four years later, the landmark ruling was upheld by the province's Appeal Court. The companies then sought creditor protection in Ontario in order to negotiate a global settlement with their creditors. All of the legal proceedings against them were put on hold during the talks. That order has now been extended until Jan. 31, 2025. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press
Best Bets, Odds for the Titans vs. Texans Game – Week 12Green is poised to help scale Mechanized AI's revolutionary technology and drive operational excellence as the company enters a phase of rapid growth. ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mechanized AI , a pioneer in the enterprise AI and application modernization space, proudly announces the designation of Amy Green as its new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of industry experience, Green brings a wealth of expertise in operations, professional services and technology product marketing to the trailblazing enterprise AI and application transformation startup. Her appointment underscores Mechanized AI's commitment to combining groundbreaking technology with top-tier leadership to maintain its competitive edge in the marketplace. Based in Dallas , Green joins the team with an extensive background in operational management and strategic execution at Deloitte Consulting, where she built and grew the Product Engineering group within their Application Modernization & Innovation practice with Charles Wright , CEO of Mechanized AI. Prior to this, Green served on Deloitte's Global Strategy & Innovation team, where she advised teams across the global network on bringing technology products to market and driving scalable growth. A former Executive Search Consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates, Green has advised Fortune 100 clients on complex leadership challenges and recruited top executives to lead transformation at public and private organizations. Previously, Green also served as Strategic Engagement Director at AIG within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Green obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA from UC San Diego's Rady School of Management. "Amy's deep expertise in managing world-class organizations will be critical to ensure we have the people, processes and technology in the right places to drive our operations forward," says Wright. "Her mastery of leading companies through transformation journeys and category creations will be invaluable as we roll out new products and strengthen our collaboration with strategic partners. Amy has already hit the ground running as COO and she will be a crucial asset in building a client-centric business as we position ourselves for sustainable growth." As COO, Green will oversee delivery and customer success, human resources, operations and marketing—key areas vital to Mechanized AI's ongoing success and ambitious growth objectives. She joins a veteran team of startup and consulting executives, including Aditya Muralidhar (Chief AI Officer), Matias Kreder (CTO), Ian Easton (CCO) and recently, Jenny Allen (CMO). "I'm honored to join Mechanized AI as COO and to collaborate with such a talented, passionate team in the rapidly evolving AI space," Green remarked. "Having had the privilege of working with Charles in the past, I'm confident in his ability to drive the company's vision and direction. Mechanized AI is uniquely positioned for growth and innovation, so I'm excited to help scale the organization and deliver impactful solutions that drive transformation for our clients." Launched in 2023, Mechanized AI has grown its team of experts by over 50 percent in 2024 and has locations throughout the U.S. and South America . Green's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Mechanized AI expands its global operations and scales its enterprise AI and application modernization solutions across industries. About Mechanized AI: Mechanized AI was launched in 2023 to help companies unlock the power of enterprise AI and accelerate their application modernization journeys. Built and backed by a team with over four decades of combined AI/ML experience, the product suite enables end-to-end AI development and deployment and transforms traditional modernization workflows by automating complex, manual processes. The AI Factory platform is a turnkey solution to build Fortune 500-quality production AI for both enterprise and mid-market businesses. The mAI Modernize suite of products provides AI-powered code modernization for any tech stack, empowering clients to understand and modernize legacy code in hours versus months. For more information, set up a demo at Mechanized.ai , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and view open positions on our Careers page . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mechanized-ai-announces-expansion-of-executive-team-with-appointment-of-amy-green-as-coo-302330807.html SOURCE Mechanized AI
Russia’s evolving influence in Sudan: Shifting alliances and strategic gains
A is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after trying to squeeze between two trucks on a freeway. or signup to continue reading The 24-year-old Werribee man was riding on Melbourne's West Gate Freeway, near the Williamstown Road exit, in Spotswood when he collided with the trucks at 4.30pm on December 12. One of the truck drivers stopped after the crash but police are searching for the other driver, who they said left the scene, and was last spotted driving west on the freeway. "Investigators would like to speak to the driver of the truck and are appealing for anyone with dash cam vision, or who witnessed the collision, to contact police," Victoria Police said. Witnesses told police the motorcyclist was 'lane filtering' between the trucks when they collided. Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves between cars in stopped or slow-moving traffic at 30 kilometres per hour or less. It is legal in Victoria. The motorcycle rider was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. The collision caused major traffic disruptions in the area for several hours, police said. Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
Tetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level Media
Green is poised to help scale Mechanized AI's revolutionary technology and drive operational excellence as the company enters a phase of rapid growth. ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mechanized AI , a pioneer in the enterprise AI and application modernization space, proudly announces the designation of Amy Green as its new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of industry experience, Green brings a wealth of expertise in operations, professional services and technology product marketing to the trailblazing enterprise AI and application transformation startup. Her appointment underscores Mechanized AI's commitment to combining groundbreaking technology with top-tier leadership to maintain its competitive edge in the marketplace. Based in Dallas , Green joins the team with an extensive background in operational management and strategic execution at Deloitte Consulting, where she built and grew the Product Engineering group within their Application Modernization & Innovation practice with Charles Wright , CEO of Mechanized AI. Prior to this, Green served on Deloitte's Global Strategy & Innovation team, where she advised teams across the global network on bringing technology products to market and driving scalable growth. A former Executive Search Consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates, Green has advised Fortune 100 clients on complex leadership challenges and recruited top executives to lead transformation at public and private organizations. Previously, Green also served as Strategic Engagement Director at AIG within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Green obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA from UC San Diego's Rady School of Management. "Amy's deep expertise in managing world-class organizations will be critical to ensure we have the people, processes and technology in the right places to drive our operations forward," says Wright. "Her mastery of leading companies through transformation journeys and category creations will be invaluable as we roll out new products and strengthen our collaboration with strategic partners. Amy has already hit the ground running as COO and she will be a crucial asset in building a client-centric business as we position ourselves for sustainable growth." As COO, Green will oversee delivery and customer success, human resources, operations and marketing—key areas vital to Mechanized AI's ongoing success and ambitious growth objectives. She joins a veteran team of startup and consulting executives, including Aditya Muralidhar (Chief AI Officer), Matias Kreder (CTO), Ian Easton (CCO) and recently, Jenny Allen (CMO). "I'm honored to join Mechanized AI as COO and to collaborate with such a talented, passionate team in the rapidly evolving AI space," Green remarked. "Having had the privilege of working with Charles in the past, I'm confident in his ability to drive the company's vision and direction. Mechanized AI is uniquely positioned for growth and innovation, so I'm excited to help scale the organization and deliver impactful solutions that drive transformation for our clients." Launched in 2023, Mechanized AI has grown its team of experts by over 50 percent in 2024 and has locations throughout the U.S. and South America . Green's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Mechanized AI expands its global operations and scales its enterprise AI and application modernization solutions across industries. About Mechanized AI: Mechanized AI was launched in 2023 to help companies unlock the power of enterprise AI and accelerate their application modernization journeys. Built and backed by a team with over four decades of combined AI/ML experience, the product suite enables end-to-end AI development and deployment and transforms traditional modernization workflows by automating complex, manual processes. The AI Factory platform is a turnkey solution to build Fortune 500-quality production AI for both enterprise and mid-market businesses. The mAI Modernize suite of products provides AI-powered code modernization for any tech stack, empowering clients to understand and modernize legacy code in hours versus months. For more information, set up a demo at Mechanized.ai , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and view open positions on our Careers page . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mechanized-ai-announces-expansion-of-executive-team-with-appointment-of-amy-green-as-coo-302330807.html SOURCE Mechanized AIPublic support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. “As strikes wear on, they become more difficult to sustain, and if the public is not rallying behind you, it can be demoralizing for the union,” said Brock University labour professor Larry Savage. More than 55,000 postal workers have been off the job in a strike that has lasted more than four weeks. However, an end may be in sight. With the two sides seemingly still far apart, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Friday that he's asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look into whether a negotiated deal is possible before the end of the year. If the board decides it's not possible, MacKinnon is asking that it order workers back on the job and extend the terms of the current collective agreements until May 22, 2025. In the meantime, a commission would examine the dispute and provide recommendations on how new deals can be reached. Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiator Jim Gallant says on the picket lines, Canada Post workers have been getting the support they need — plus coffee, doughnuts, fried chicken, knitted hats and socks, and even turkeys from citizens. But Savage said he feels overall public opinion has been mixed so far on the strike. “It’s not clear to me that either party is winning the war of public opinion,” he said. “(It) seems like a good chunk of people seem to not care about the strike, but those who do seem evenly split between Canada Post and the union. And I think lots of people are just frustrated and surprised that the strike has lasted this long.” That divide was reflected in a recent Angus Reid poll, though it was conducted during the third week of the work stoppage. The survey of just over 3,000 Canadians found 34 per cent sided with Canada Post and its demands, while 29 per cent stood with the union. The rest were unsure, or didn't support either side. Social media posts reflect the mixed opinions, with some people expressing frustration with the disruption and others proclaiming their support for striking postal workers. Adam King, an assistant professor in the labour studies department at the University of Manitoba, said online discourse doesn’t tell the whole story. “It takes very little effort to post a comment on a story, but it takes much more to show up to a picket line,” he said. On the picket lines King has seen in Winnipeg, “CUPW has received lots of support,” he said, from the labour movement and the public. King and Savage said there’s been a broader trend of higher public support for striking workers in recent years. “The fact that Canada Post isn't a profit-making, billionaire-owned company complicates it a little bit, because it's easier to go after a grocery baron, for example, than Canada Post,” said Savage. But both said even for the public sector, which Canadians historically have had less support for amid labour disputes, the public has been surprisingly onside over the past couple of years. “I think the public has been generally very understanding and receptive of workers' demands coming out of the pandemic,” said King. “I think there was a level of understanding that maybe wasn't there in previous years, that people really do understand that people are in a crunch, union members are in a cost of living squeeze, and they're sympathetic to their demands.” As the Canada Post strike dragged on, "I think there might be maybe some shifts in public opinion, and it might be harder to maintain, especially as the Christmas season approaches,” said King. But for the most part, “I would fit this strike into that longer pattern" of stronger support for striking workers, he said. Gallant said as the strike continued, there has been a lot of pressure on both sides to reach a deal. “We don't want to be the people that ruin Christmas,” he said. Business associations had called for government intervention, saying the strike was harming business owners during the key holiday season. The day the strike started, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke posted on X that Canada Post is an essential service and shouldn’t be allowed to go on strike. But strikes are meant to disrupt “business as usual,” Savage pointed out — the anger of customers and business owners is intended to pressure employers to reach a deal. However, strikes “also risk alienating the public,” added Savage. “The trick is for the union to align its demands with the interests of the public. And that is like ... walking a tightrope,” said Savage. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said public support is important for workers during strikes because it not only boosts morale on the picket line, it puts pressure on the employer to come to the table. "I mean, they are really stuck, but there's pressure all the way around. There's pressure on the employer, and there's pressure on the union as well," she said. When a strike goes on for multiple weeks, "it's harder to see the end of the road," said Bruske. Groups within the labour movement like the Canadian Labour Congress try to keep the momentum going through social media, email campaigns and speaking to the media, she said. "Making sure that you maintain that momentum and that public support for the issue is critically important." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press