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Winnipeg emergency services were called to a fire at a hotel in the 600 block of Main Street on Sunday morning. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service worked to extinguish the fire from inside the building, bringing it under control within about 30 minutes. Firefighters searched the hotel to ensure all residents were safely evacuated. A Winnipeg Transit bus was brought to the scene to provide temporary shelter for the fire victims. The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team also attended to offer support to the evacuated residents. No injuries were reported. The building was damaged by fire, smoke, and water. The cause of the fire is being investigated. Residents are advised to use caution in the area as the water used to fight the fire has frozen, creating slippery conditions. City crews are monitoring the area and applying sand and de-icing agents to improve road and sidewalks safety.Robots Are Taking Over. The Future of Elderly Care Is Being Transformed.

The solo monohull 24-hour distance record fell again on Monday during the Vendee Globe as the race’s frontrunners capitalised on near-perfect conditions, repeatedly breaking the mark in a display of endurance and precision. Yoann Richomme, who held the record set five days ago, reclaimed the mark with a blistering 579.86 nautical miles sailed. Richomme led a group of record-breakers that included Thomas Ruyant, Nicolas Lunven, Charlie Dalin, Sebastien Simon and Jeremie Beyou. Sailing in flat seas and steady 17-20 knot winds, the fleet took full advantage of the conditions as they raced to stay within a fast-moving low-pressure system propelling them towards the Southern Ocean. As the top group battles to remain within the narrowing weather system, the pressure mounts. "It is a bit like in life, the rich get richer!” joked Romain Attanasio, currently in 16th place. Leaders Dalin and Ruyant are pulling away, widening the gap from the chasing pack, which now stretches to 273 nautical miles. “We’re not going fast just to break the record but to stay in the best position with this depression. The boat feels like it’s going at Mach 12, and survival comes down to being cautious, staying crouched, and holding on,” Ruyant, in second place, said as he recounted bursts of speed at 32 knots. The relentless pace has left no time for celebrations. “The game right now is staying with this depression,” Attanasio said. “Behind us, it’s soft, and to leeward, we’re unsure, so we avoid stepping out of this system.” However, Attanasio is optimistic about a Plan B — a second depression tracking just behind the fleet. “The Saint Helena high is reforming and will pass quickly in front of us, so we shouldn’t get trapped in the middle,” he said. This safety net offers some reassurance as competitors push their boats and themselves to the limit. The Vendee Globe is a solo, non-stop and unassisted sailing race around the world, starting and finishing in Les Sables-d'Olonne in France. The route spans approximately 24,000 nautical miles, with sailors dealing with harsh and remote conditions in the open seas. Forty skippers representing a record 11 nationalities and including six female competitors set off on the race on Nov. 10. Frenchman Yannick Bestaven won the last edition, finishing in 80 days three hours and 44 minutes. (Writing by Ossian Shine, editing by Pritha Sarkar)Kane tops Haaland, fastest to 50 Bundesliga goals

Humbug: vandal smashes gravestone of Ebenezer ScroogeCould Buying Archer Aviation Stock Today Set You Up for Life?Centoni, EVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer at Cisco, Brings Proven Expertise in Elevating Customer Success PLEASANTON, Calif. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Workday, Inc . (NASDAQ: WDAY), a leading provider of solutions to help organizations manage their people and money , today announced the election of Liz Centoni, executive vice president and chief customer experience officer at Cisco, to its board of directors. Centoni is a seasoned leader who has a passion for leveraging technology to drive customer success and deliver unparalleled experiences. Throughout her career, Centoni has been spearheading initiatives that have significantly enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty. "Liz's passion for championing customer success aligns perfectly with our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences, making her an ideal addition to our Board," said Carl Eschenbach , CEO, Workday. "Her expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that we continue to exceed customer expectations as we innovate and grow." Centoni has held a range of senior engineering and strategy roles during her 24 years at Cisco. In 2024, she led the company's $28 billion acquisition of Splunk, positioning Cisco at the forefront of the AI revolution. Centoni was also instrumental in developing Cisco's responsible AI framework, and has advocated for equity in tech at events including World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting. She is an active mentor and sponsor of underrepresented groups, including serving as Cisco's global executive sponsor for the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program. "Joining Workday's board is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with a company that shares my passion for empowering people and organizations through innovative technology and AI," said Liz Centoni , executive vice president and chief customer experience officer, Cisco. "I'm eager to leverage my experience to further strengthen Workday's customer-centric approach and contribute to its continued growth." Centoni's appointment is effective as of today. About Workday Workday is a leading enterprise platform that helps organizations manage their most important assets – their people and money . The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 10,500 organizations around the world and across industries – from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information about Workday, visit workday.com . © 2024 Workday, Inc. All rights reserved. Workday and the Workday logo are registered trademarks of Workday, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding Workday's plans, beliefs, and expectations. These forward-looking statements are based only on currently available information and our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. If the risks materialize, assumptions prove incorrect, or we experience unexpected changes in circumstances, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely on any forward-looking statements. Risks include, but are not limited to, risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our most recent report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K and other reports that we have filed and will file with the SEC from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Workday assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release, except as required by law. Any unreleased services, features, or functions referenced in this document, our website, or other press releases or public statements that are not currently available are subject to change at Workday's discretion and may not be delivered as planned or at all. Customers who purchase Workday services should make their purchase decisions based upon services, features, and functions that are currently available. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/workday-appoints-liz-centoni-to-its-board-of-directors-302321567.html SOURCE Workday Inc.

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The Idaho State women’s volleyball team broke its three-game losing steak and picked up a big road win Thursday night, downing second-place Sacramento State in four sets. The win puts the Bengals in a three-way tie for second in the conference standings, and positions them for their first 20-win season since 2015. ISU, 19-8 overall, finishes regular season play Saturday at Portland State. “It was a great win and nice to get the monkey off our back with winning at Sac,” said Bengal head coach Sean Carter after his team’s 26-24, 18-25, 25-19, 25-18 win over the Hornets. “I thought our serving and defending was the star of the show. Errors were the difference. We are able to win set one with seven less kills than Sac because we only had one attacking error and that set proved to be pivotal.” The Bengals had only 11 kills versus 17 by the Hornets in that first set. But Sac committed nine errors to ISU’s lone miscue. The Hornets then dominated the second set with 18 kills to ISU’s nine. But again, the Bengals played efficiently, committing only one error despite losing the set. “After set two, our serving and passing took off,” said Carter. “We only gave up two aces after set two and got eight aces in the remaining two sets. As normal, Sac scored at a really high rate with their outside hitters, but we were able to force them into more errors than they are used to.” Indeed, Sac committed nine errors in each of the last two sets, while ISU committed just five in each set. Senior Sadie Bluth led ISU with 11 kills, added two service aces, a block and six digs. Jamie Streit had 10 kills, an ace and seven digs. Aliyah Sopo’aga led all players with 33 assists and had eight digs, while sister Asiah Sopo’aga contributed 10 digs and three service aces. The win ties ISU with the Hornets and Weber State for second place in the Big Sky Conference standings at 10-5, behind Northern Colorado, which has clinched the regular season title at 13-2. The Bengals play their last regular season match Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. MST at PSU. A win would give them their first 20-win season since the 2015 Bengals under Rick Reynolds finished 23-15. The conference tournament then tips off on Wednesday in Sacramento.

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Replacing Storied Huey Helicopters as Part of U.S. Air Force Fleet Modernization Milestones for Boeing and 30-Year-Old Armor Firm TYSONS CORNER, Va. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's recent delivery of the first MH-139A Grey Wolf production aircraft to the U.S. Air Force is a milestone for both Boeing and Integris Composites, Inc . In 2018, Boeing was selected as the prime contractor with Leonardo as an original equipment manufacturer to develop the MH-139A aircraft that will provide improved capabilities and greater flexibility than the UH-1N Huey. This icon of military aviation since the Vietnam War is used by the Air Force to protect America's intercontinental missile bases. On Aug. 5, 2024 , Boeing announced delivery of the first production vehicle fitted with armor from Integris. For Integris Composites, this delivery marks the realization of a strategic goal established in 2015 — to be a credentialed Tier One supplier to aerospace manufacturers. "This event signifies the culmination of a nine-year journey," said Andrew Bonham , president of Integris Composites, Inc. "Our European business was previously established as a global aerospace supplier. In 2015, our U.S. management team set the goal of attaining Tier One supplier status with OEM aviation companies and U.S. Department of Defense decision-makers. By 2017, we achieved AS9100 certification, a vital credential for aerospace companies, ensuring compliance with stringent quality and safety standards," Bonham explained. "Then in 2018, Boeing awarded us a contract to develop and engineer the MH-139A armor system. Development, design, and qualification work with Boeing, and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation aircraft with the Air Force followed. Now, thanks to a follow-on contract with Boeing, we are manufacturing the armor kits for the production aircraft," explained David Cordova , chief commercial officer. Integris Composites, Inc. has become a credentialed Tier One supplier to aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and prime defense contractors. "Besides Boeing, we have contracts with Bell Flight , Airbus, Velocity Systems, QinetiQ, Battelle Memorial Institute, Mack Defense, American Rheinmetall Vehicles, and the Air Force Institute of Technology ," said Cordova. "Achieving Tier One aerospace supplier status enhances our already strong business and solidifies our reputation as a trusted provider of ballistic armor systems for vehicles, aviation, and personnel. These systems offer critical protection for personnel operating in hostile environments such as warfighters, tactical security personnel and elite law enforcement units," Cordova continued. "Integris Composites produces the most advanced strength-to-weight-ratio in armor for military organizations throughout the world," Cordova continued. Last year Integris Composites became the new name for TenCate Advanced Armour, a global company founded in Europe 30 years ago. Dusty Landing Photo: An MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter lands on a soft dirt field as part of developmental testing. Department of Defense photo by Samuel King Jr. , Air Force. Appearance does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Contact: David Cordova , Chief Commercial Officer Integris Composites USA , Inc. [email protected] +1 704 458 7796 Photos: https://www.prlog.org/13049620 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Integris Composites, Inc.PARIS (CP-AP) — Canadian striker Jonathan David scored twice to go past the 100-goal career mark for Lille in a 3-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1 play Friday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! PARIS (CP-AP) — Canadian striker Jonathan David scored twice to go past the 100-goal career mark for Lille in a 3-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1 play Friday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? PARIS (CP-AP) — Canadian striker Jonathan David scored twice to go past the 100-goal career mark for Lille in a 3-1 win over Brest in Ligue 1 play Friday. The 24-year-old from Ottawa turned in a man-of-the-match performance at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, assisting on his team’s other goal as Lille extended its unbeaten run to 10 matches. David now has 17 in 23 games in all competitions this season and leads the French top tier with 11 goals. David, who joined Lille in August 2020 in a $46.5-million transfer from Belgium’s KAA Gent, went into the game with 99 goals in all competitions. He finished it with 101 goals in 206 appearances for Lille. He put Lille ahead from the penalty spot after nine minutes and set up a second just before halftime when he got away from his marker and sent in a cross that Iceland international winger Hákon Haraladsson knocked home . Ludovic Ajorque got one back for Brest early in the second half but David restored Lille’s two-goal cushion when he pounced on a loose ball and scored. David, who tops Canada’s men’s scoring list with 31 goals from 59 appearances, is out of contract after this season and has been linked with a move to several top European clubs. Lille has not lost to Brest at home since 1989. Lille joined Marseille and Monaco in second place on 26 points, seven behind leader Paris Saint-Germain, which played Auxerre later on Friday. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Advertisement

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casino games bonus Musk's Net Worth Tops One-Third of a Trillion DollarsEasy upgrades that won’t break the bank. Remember how it felt to see your home for the first time? You probably knew right away that you wanted to rent or buy it. Over time, though, sometimes you need a special item or a new way to organize to remind you of that lost charm. These genius finds will surely make you fall in love with your space again, and even better, they all fall cost $30 or less. 01 A retractable drying rack with a nonslip base Take care of your cutlery with this retractable drying rack . Made of a high-quality material, it protects your cups and plates from scratches. With a nonslip base, it won’t slip or slide away. It's retractable to save space when it's not in use. That makes it perfect for apartments and dorms. 02 A silicone mat that keeps coffee spills from staining your counters For cleaner countertops, try this versatile mat . 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Choose from three colors — the pink is especially chic. 07 Over-the-door hooks that can hold 4 hangers These over-the-door hooks will streamline your morning routine. The night before, use them to set out your outfit. Their vertical design takes up no closet space. Made of sturdy steel, they're strong enough for heavy garments. Each hook has four grooves to fit four hangers. 08 A shower drain hair catcher to prevent expensive clogs This shower drain hair catcher is a smart investment. Instead of letting hair build up in your pipes, it stops clogs in their tracks. This saves you money on future visits from the plumber. Made of durable silicone, it won't get moldy or gross. After a shower, simply wipe hair away, and you’re good to go. 09 An adjustable kitchen organizer for boxes & bags This adjustable kitchen organizer is perfect for your pantry. With eight wire holders, it fits boxes of all shapes and sizes (up to three and a half inches wide). Move it around with its built-in handle. No tools are needed to set it up — just adjust its wire holders to fit your boxes. From snack bags to gallon bags, you can store so many essentials. 10 A powerful Wi-Fi extender for faster coverage that reaches a wider area Make the most of your modem with this powerful Wi-Fi extender . From thick walls to cement floors, it gets rid of dead zones for speed and stability. You can use it with over 45 devices at once. Streaming services and FaceTime will be faster than ever. It also strengthens connections for your TVs and smart home devices. 11 Garbage disposal drops with a fresh lemon scent to eliminate bad smells These garbage disposal drops come in a cost-effective pack of 50. Simply run your disposal with hot water, turn it off, add a drop, and turn it back on for a fresh-smelling kitchen. D-Limonene, its active ingredient, breaks up food particles and rinses them away. Buying them in bulk like this will save you money. 12 A waterproof shoe organizer box with side handles & adjustable compartments This shoe organizer , which has an overall score of 4.7 out of five stars on Amazon, holds footwear of every size. With adjustable compartments, it’ll store sneakers and heels alike. Its open top lets you see your whole collection at a glance. Dustproof and waterproof, it protects shoes from damage. Carry it around easily with its four side handles. 13 A double soap dispenser set with a built-in sponge caddy & brush holder Wash dishes and hands with this double soap dispenser set . Its dual pump design has two separate soap bottles, which are clearly labeled. It also has a built-in sponge caddy and brush holder for easy washing. Dirt and water will flow into its drainage base. This makes it super easy to clean. 14 Mold & mildew cleaning gel for a bathroom that sparkles & shines Breathe new life into your bathroom with this mold and mildew cleaning gel . Its concentrated gel formula works on tiles, silicone sealant, and more. Just apply it to the desired area, let it sit for three to five hours, and wipe it away. It's bleach-free and doesn't smell bad. Your sink will be sparkling in no time. 15 An LED table lamp that’s so chic, it looks like a vintage heirloom This LED table lamp proves that nice decor doesn’t have to be expensive. Tap the top of the lamp to choose between three color settings. It lasts about 20 hours on a full charge. Turn the metal cap to adjust its brightness. If you love vintage furniture and modern creature comforts, this is the way to go. 16 Mixing bowls with silicone bases that hold them in place while you stir Every baker should try these mixing bowls . With silicone bases, they stay put while you whip up a delicious batter. Each set comes with five bowls, which nest into one another for easy storage. Their polished mirror finish looks so chic. “I know it sounds silly to love a set of stainless steel bowls, but I do,” said one reviewer . “I love that there are five of them, their wide shape, the nonslip silicone bases that are different colors, and how easily they clean up. I keep asking myself why I waited this long to buy them.” 17 An oil dispenser with a food-grade silicone basting brush Cook a gourmet meal at home with this oil dispenser . Use its built-basting brush to evenly coat your food with flavor. It's made of food-grade silicone, which resists high heat. It's easy to control how much oil you use. Try it with olive oil, chili oil, or even soy sauce. Disassemble it for a quick clean. 18 A fridge deodorizer that works for up to 10 years If baking soda isn’t cutting it, try this fridge deodorizer . It eliminates odor at the source by absorbing bad smells, lasting up to 10 years. With its small size, it fits into full fridges. 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Its colorant is nontoxic and water-based, with a quick dry time. 26 Absorbent chenille towels that are more stylish than standard hand towels Tea towels are great for decor, but they’re not always absorbent — unlike these chenille ball towels , which thoroughly dry your hands. Built-in lanyards let you hang them by the sink. Their soft chenille is also gentle on sensitive skin. Your houseguests are bound to be impressed. 27 An electric spin scrubber with 6 replaceable heads & a bright LED display Use this electric spin scrubber for your next Sunday reset. Its powerful motor scrubs oil, mud, and grout off any surface. On its highest speed, its battery life lasts up to an hour. Its bright LED display shows you how much battery is left. With its six replaceable heads, you can tackle any job. 28 Shrink-proof cloth dish towels that are lightweight & super absorbent Lightweight and absorbent, these cloth dish towels are a kitchen staple. Their microfiber material picks up liquids in seconds. You can also use them to dust, dry dishes, or wipe down windows. When you're finished cleaning, toss them in the washing machine. They won't shrink or fade over time. 29 A sofa tray with stainless steel hinges to hold heavy snacks & drinks Take your TV-watching to the next level with this sofa tray . Measuring 13-by-9.5 inches, it's large enough for snacks, drinks, and miscellaneous items. Stainless steel hinges make it strong and sturdy. You can also use its phone stand to watch a show or FaceTime a friend. Adjust it to fit your couch, and wipe it down if it gets dirty. 30 Nonslip adhesive rug pads for less than $1 each If your carpets tend to slip and slide, try these nonslip rug pads . Their triangle design and strong adhesive keep your rugs in place. They'll also prevent bunching and curling, so your carpet will stay flat. If you rearrange your space, you can remove them with ease, and they won't leave any residue behind. 31 A shower mat with suction cups for a secure grip in the tub With over 250 suction cups on its base, this shower mat sticks to your shower floor for maximum safety. Drainage holes prevent mold and mildew. It also comes with two self-adhesive hooks, so you can hang it up to dry after a shower. Choose from 16 colors to best match your decor. 32 Magnetic door stoppers that protect against damage & allow airflow These magnetic door stoppers have a wide array of benefits. For one, their soft-catch design stops doors from slamming shut. This protects your walls, your doors, and your peace of mind. They can also keep your door open, allowing airflow. Install them with screws or adhesive stickers. 33 A wall outlet extender shelf that lets you charge all your devices at once Big families will appreciate this wall outlet extender shelf . With six AC outlets and two USB ports, it lets you charge up to eight devices at once. Before a long road trip, that could be a lifesaver. Its built-in shelf adds storage space where there was none. Surge protection adds a safety element, which helps your devices last longer. 34 A minimalist metal toilet paper shelf that ensures you’ll always have a roll when you need one This toilet paper shelf is a must-have in any bathroom. Mount it on your wall with screws or adhesive tape. Made of rust-resistant metal, it withstands water and humidity to last over time. Its minimalist design looks so chic on your wall. Keep it by your toilet, so you'll always have a roll when you need one. 35 Nonstick bakeware with built-in dividers to separate by ingredient With this nonstick bakeware , complicated recipes will be a breeze. Its built-in dividers let you separate ingredients with different cook times. They resist heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and they're dishwasher safe. You can also stack them for easy storage. Meal preppers will be obsessed. 36 A wood fiber cutting board with nonslip silicone corners & a groove for liquids This wood fiber cutting board is stylish, sturdy, and easy to use. Nonslip silicone corners keep it from sliding away. Its durable material is dishwasher-safe and lasts for years. Liquids will flow into its groove, keeping your countertops clean. Its resists heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, its material is gentle on knives. 37 A 2-in-1 sink stopper with a silicone basket & a tough stainless steel ring This two-in-one sink stopper costs way less than a plumber. Its strainer function traps food scraps, which prevents clogging, and its stopper function lets you fill the sink with water. Flip its silicone basket inside out to dispose of food. Its stainless steel ring lasts for years. Plus, it’s BPA and PVC-free. 38 Wall-mounted soap holders that keep your bars in great condition Add a little flair to your bathroom with these wall-mounted soap holders . With their slight downward slant, they drain excess water away. They're made of polypropylene plastic, which is durable and lasts forever. Stick them on your wall with their strong adhesive backing. You can use them on marble, tile, glass, and more. 39 A no-waste laundry soap station that’s big enough to hold value-size bottles Buying in bulk saves you money, and so does this laundry soap station . It holds big bottles on a downward slope. This way, you can use every last drop. Rubber feet and a fastening strap secure your bottle in place. Its molded edge catches spills, so your floor will be as clean as your clothes. 40 A nonslip indoor doormat that’s really chic Party hosts will appreciate this indoor doormat . It gives guests a place to wipe their feet, so your floors will stay clean during the festivities. Its nonslip backing keeps it from sliding around. Woven with two layers, it's built to last, standing up to wear and tear over time. Choose from 11 cool designs. 41 An under-shelf basket to instantly increase your pantry or cabinet space Overflowing kitchens will benefit from this under-shelf basket . It's so easy to install: just slide it onto a shelf for instant storage space. Use it for sandwich bags, tinfoil boxes, and more. Its steel material is sturdy and strong. You can also use it in the office for more space under your desk. It also comes in a single pack, as well as a pack of six. 42 Adjustable stacking basket bins you can use in any room of the house for more storage Declutter any room with these adjustable stacking basket bins . They take up almost no floor space, but they hold so many things. Use them in the bathroom for personal care products, the kitchen for fresh produce, or the office for pens and paper. They’re made of strong plastic. This company is all about realistic organization — if you’re intimidated by your space, start here. 43 An absorbent faucet mat made of microfiber to keep water from building up When you're doing the dishes, this faucet mat is essential. Made of absorbent microfiber, it catches excess water, keeping countertops clean. Snap it into place with its built-in buttons. It’s designed to fit most sinks. Use it in your kitchen, bathroom, or RV. If it gets dirty, wash it by hand or in the washing machine. 44 Tank top hangers that hold up to 24 pieces each If you consider yourself a shopaholic, try these tank top hangers to help sort out your latest haul. They hold up to 24 items each, helping you declutter your closet. Convenient hooks give you easy access to your clothes. Made of metal and wood, they stand the test of time. Your stuff won't slip or fall, even when you rummage through, looking for that perfect piece. 45 A dry food storage container with a 3.5-pound capacity Buy groceries in bulk, then keep them in this dry food storage container . Its ergonomic grooves and spout let you pour cereal, rice, and pasta with ease. Since it's clear, you can tell when you need a refill. Its locking lid keeps food fresh. Plus, it holds three and a half pounds at once. Time to make the most of that Costco membership. 46 Heat-resistant food storage containers that collapse down when not in use Restaurants are expensive — these collapsible food storage containers can help. Their lids are leakproof and secure, keeping your leftovers fresher for longer. Food-safe silicone stands up to everyday wear and tear, and it's heat-resistant. Pop these containers in the freezer, microwave, or dishwasher. When you’re finished, fold them flat for easy storage. 47 A wall-mounted broom holder made of stainless steel that holds 30 pounds This wall-mount broom holder is a great addition to any garage. Made of durable stainless steel, it holds up against the elements. With five slots and four hooks, it holds up to 11 tools at once, not to mention its 30-pound weight capacity. Install it with screws or a strong adhesive — both are included. 48 Flexible silicone draft stoppers that can lower your energy bills If your energy bill is too expensive, try these draft stoppers . They keep air conditioning and heat inside your space, making every room more energy-efficient. Seal them to your door with their 3M super glue. Their flexible silicone sticks to most materials. Cut them down for a perfect fit. 49 Soft felt pot & pan prevant scratches These pot and pan protectors make your cookware last longer. Made of soft polyester felt, they keep pots and pans from scratching one another. When you buy, you'll receive 12 protectors in three different sizes. Use them with cookware, bakeware, and other kitchen essentials. They’re also great for glass and ceramic. 50 A 2-tier organizer that fits seamlessly under your sink Add this two-tier organizer to your kitchen or bathroom. It fits seamlessly under your sink. You can slide out the bottom basket for easy access. Take it apart or put it together in no time flat. You'll always know where to find your cleaning products. Made of sturdy plastic and stainless steel, it’s built to last. 51 Powder-coated hooks that hang over your cabinets & won't rust or scratch over time For instant storage space in any room, try these hooks . They hang over cabinets and doors, holding up to 30 pounds each. Coated with powder, they won’t rust or scratch over time. The installation process is so easy — simply slide them into place. Use them to hang clothes, towels, and accessories. 52 A stainless steel towel rack with 4 arms that swivel for easy access This stainless steel towel rack is a great addition to any modern bathroom. It has four arms, all of which swivel to give you easy access. It comes with all the screws and instructions you need for an easy installation. Made of a strong and sturdy material, it won’t rust or corrode. Each rack holds up to 31 pounds at once. 53 Magnetic spice jars that come with 120 stickers to label your whole collection Ambitious chefs will be obsessed with these magnetic spice jars . They come with 120 stickers, so you can label your whole collection. Stick their magnetic base to any smooth surface, and clean it with a damp cloth if it gets dirty. Transparent lids let you see what’s inside. 54 An aluminum nonstick grill pan you can even put in the oven This nonstick grill pan brings the barbecue to you. Crafted from aluminum, it won’t warp or bend over time. It works on any stovetop, indoor or outdoor, and has a high heat capacity, as it’s oven-safe up to 302 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though it’s nonstick, it’s free of PFOA and PFOS. You’ll be flipping burgers like a pro in no time. 55 A universal knife block with a weighted base that can fit up to 12 blades at a time Cut down on countertop clutter with this universal knife block . It holds up to 12 knives with blades of up to eight inches. With its weighted base, you know it’ll stay in place. Knives don’t touch the surface of the block itself, keeping blades sharper for longer. A chic chrome finish makes it a stunning staple in any kitchen. Money

COSTA MESA, Calif. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Automatic, a leading fintech firm specializing in facilitating seamless connections between used independent car dealerships and lenders, today announced a strategic partnership with MeridianLink, Inc. (NYSE: MLNK), a leading provider of modern software platforms for financial institutions and consumer reporting agencies. This collaboration leverages Automatic's robust dealership network technology and MeridianLink's advanced decisioning capabilities to empower financial institutions within the automotive lending sector. Automatic's platform serves as a pivotal link for lenders across its expansive independent dealer network, offering tailored solutions that optimize loan aggregation and enhance operational efficiencies. MeridianLink's innovative Advanced Decisioning capabilities, integrated within Automatic's framework, augments decision-making for lenders across a vast network of dealerships. This integration enables real-time loan analysis, improves risk management capabilities, and facilitates faster, more precise lending decisions tailored to specific borrower profiles. "Partnering with MeridianLink ® marks a significant milestone for Automatic as we continue to innovate within the automotive financing landscape," said Eric Burney , CEO of Automatic. "Our mission to foster an 'Open Marketplace' is further realized through this collaboration, empowering lenders with tools to access new clients in a safe way." Financial institutions already integrated with MeridianLink will gain seamless access to Automatic's platform, empowering them to further streamline their lending processes, in the used independent space, enhancing member satisfaction, and capitalizing on market opportunities. For more information about Automatic and its comprehensive auto financing solutions, visit https://www.automaticusa.com . About Automatic Automatic is a pioneering fintech company dedicated to facilitating efficient connections between automotive lenders and independent pre-owned vehicle dealerships. Automatic's platform serves as a cost-effective solution for the automotive financing sector, fostering an open marketplace for stakeholders. About MeridianLink MeridianLink ® (NYSE: MLNK) empowers financial institutions and consumer reporting agencies to drive efficient growth. MeridianLink's cloud-based digital lending, account opening, background screening, and data verification solutions leverage shared intelligence from a unified data platform, MeridianLink ® One, to enable customers of all sizes to identify growth opportunities, effectively scale up, and support compliance efforts, all while powering an enhanced experience for staff and consumers alike. For more than 25 years, MeridianLink has prioritized the democratization of lending for consumers, businesses, and communities. Learn more at www.meridianlink.com . For media inquiries, please contact: nikki@automaticusa.co View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/automatic-partners-with-meridianlink-to-revolutionize-lender-dealership-connectivity-302331536.html SOURCE Automatic

Thirada "Tida" Kangwankiattichai's story is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work and an enduring love for animation. Born and raised in Bangkok, Tida grew up like many kids captivated by Disney's enchanting tales. Little did she know that years later, she would join the very studio that brought those magical worlds to life, playing a pivotal role as a layout artist in Disney's Moana 2. Tida's childhood was filled with artistic pursuits and a deep appreciation for movies. She remembers saving her allowance in high school to buy CDs of her favourite films, often cramming her cabinet to capacity. "I was a kid who loved drawing and watching movies," she recalled with a smile. "But I never expected to grow up pursuing a career in animation." Her journey into the world of animation was far from linear. After graduating from Nawaminthrachinuthit Bodindecha School, Tida pursued a bachelor's degree in management engineering and logistics at Silpakorn University. However, a move to Vancouver, Canada, was the turning point. "When I arrived in Vancouver, I realised animation could be a viable career," Tida said. "That's when I decided to take it seriously." In 2014, she enrolled at Vancouver Film School to study 3D animation and visual effects. Fast-forward to 2023, Tida's dream became reality when she joined Walt Disney Animation Studios as a layout artist. For her, animation is the perfect marriage of art, technology and storytelling. "It's a medium where I can truly express my creativity," she shared. Tida's passion for Disney runs deep. When asked if she considers herself a die-hard fan, she beams with pride. "The musical elements and adventurous storylines in Disney films make them timeless," she explains. "No matter how old I am, I can always relate to the stories." Her admiration extends to Disney's legacy in the animation industry. "The company's enduring success speaks to the incredible talent behind the scenes," she said. Collaborating with such gifted individuals has been a dream come true. "It's an honour to contribute to creating timeless classics that inspire future generations." Working on Moana 2 marked a significant milestone for Tida. As her first Disney credit, the project came with its share of challenges -- and immense rewards. The film, a sequel to 2016's Moana, takes audiences on an even more adventurous journey, reuniting Moana and Maui while introducing new characters and challenges. "The duration and quality we were striving for were the biggest challenges in creating Moana 2," Tida admited. Her role as a layout artist required meticulous attention to detail. From setting camera angles to determining camera movements, Tida played a key part in capturing the characters and story in the most engaging way possible. The process involved creating balanced compositions within scenes, ensuring the proportions of the characters were clear and using techniques like "Enhance Depth" to craft visually stunning shots. Every element, from the lighting to the effects, had to align with the story's emotional beats. "The camera movement has to feel purposeful," Tida explained. "It should never be too still or too complex; it needs to flow seamlessly with the characters." Action scenes were particularly demanding. "These sequences require great precision," she said. "Every movement must connect with the audience and keep them engaged." The result is a visually breathtaking film that raises the bar for animated storytelling. Tida's personal connection to the original Moana made working on the sequel even more special. "The first Moana is my favourite animated film," she revealed. "It's a princess story full of action, adventure, and catchy songs. It's so much fun!" She promises that Moana 2 delivers more excitement. Alongside Moana and Maui, the sequel introduces new characters embarking on a more challenging mission. "Fans of the original will love this sequel," Tida said. "It's packed with stunning visuals, unforgettable music and a story that will resonate with everyone." Her pride in the project shines through. "I hope audiences enjoy Moana's new adventure as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life," she shares. "And I'm especially proud that this film highlights the contributions of Southeast Asian talent." As the only Thai layout artist on Moana 2, Tida hopes her journey will inspire others from her home country to pursue careers in animation. "It warms my heart to see creative talents from Southeast Asia contributing to Disney's legacy," she said. Vineet Puri, general manager and vice president of Disney Entertainment Southeast Asia, echoed this sentiment. "It's incredible to see someone of Thai heritage bringing Moana and Maui's adventures to life," he said. "We hope Tida's work inspires future storytellers and animators from Thailand to pursue their dreams." For Tida, the journey is about more than personal success. It's about opening doors for others and showcasing the global appeal of animation. "I hope more people in Thailand recognise and support local animators," she said. "It's an honour to represent my heritage in a film that will be seen by audiences around the world." As Moana 2 hit theatres, Tida reflects on her incredible journey. From a movie-loving teenager in Bangkok to a layout artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios, her path is a powerful reminder that dreams can come true with dedication and passion. "Animation has the power to make imagination come alive," Tida said. "It's amazing to be part of a team that creates magic on screen." Audiences can now experience the magic for themselves. Set sail with Moana and her crew on a thrilling new adventure in Moana 2. With breathtaking visuals, unforgettable music, and a heartfelt story, it's a journey you won't want to miss. And behind it all is the remarkable talent of artists like Thirada Kangwankiattichai, whose passion and creativity continue to inspire a new generation of dreamers.

Nwifuru preaches love, kindness, generosityThe New York Rangers are still desperately seeking answers following their blockbuster trade of captain Jacob Trouba earlier this month. They'll try to regain some stability when they visit the Florida Panthers on Monday evening in Sunrise, Fla. New York is 3-8-0 since trading Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 6 in a roster shakeup that hasn't ignited anybody. They've dropped three in a row and six of seven, most recently losing at the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Saturday. "Right now, it's just frustrating," New York coach Peter Laviolette said. "We're in the business of winning hockey games and we're not getting it done right now, so it's tough to sit here and tell you good things. We're losing hockey games. We need to win hockey games and we're not getting that done." New York had high expectations after reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in three years last season. Hopes of getting past that hurdle and reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2014 were heightened after the Rangers improved to 12-4-1 with a 4-3 win at the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 19. They haven't won two games in a row since. "Result-wise, this is not what we wanted," Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. "We can talk about a reset, we can talk about whatever, but if the result is not there, it's not going to matter." In the loss to the Lightning, special teams once again played a big role. The Rangers went 0-for-4 on the power play while Tampa Bay went 2-for-5. "We don't score on our power play, we let in two goals, we put ourselves in a bad spot," Zibanejad said. "I don't think that's the effort. I don't think that's the team itself or how we came out, how we started. I don't think that's why we lose a game. We had (44) shots, we've got to get in front of a few more and get some quality chances, but I thought we did. It's frustrating." The Rangers will face a hungry Florida team that has been shut out the past two games, the second time that's happened this month. "Yeah, there is something to that. We are playing the perimeter game for the most part," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "That has a lot to do with it." The Panthers most recently fell to the visiting Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Saturday afternoon, failing to get one past a goalie making his NHL debut in Jakub Dobes. "I don't think we are going to dwell on this one, just kind of move on," Florida forward Sam Bennett said. "Mistakes are going to be made. It's about how you help each other and fix them. We are just going to move on from this game." Sergei Bobrovsky will start in goal for the Panthers. He's 5-2 in seven starts this month with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. He made 24 saves in a 3-1 win against the Rangers on Oct. 24. Overall, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner is 15-12-3 in 31 career starts against New York with a 2.83 GAA, a .908 save percentage and one of his 45 career shutouts. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin was pulled after giving up five goals on 13 shots in 28:08 against the Lightning. He took the loss against Florida in October while making 26 saves and is 4-3-0 with a 2.87 GAA and a .915 save percentage against the Panthers all-time. --Field Level Media

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss is set to return after missing a month with knee injuryBEIRUT — Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in one of the militant group's heaviest barrages in months, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut while negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. An Israeli bomb squad policeman carries the remains of a rocket that was fired from Lebanon on Sunday in Kibbutz Kfar Blum, northern Israel. Some of the rockets reached the Tel Aviv area in the heart of Israel. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on an army center killed a Lebanese soldier and wounded 18 others in the southwest between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanon's military said. The Israeli military expressed regret, saying that the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah and that the military's operations are directed solely against the militants. Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines. Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the latest strike as an assault on U.S.-led cease-fire efforts, calling it a “direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts” to end the war. Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. Hezbollah has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. The Israeli police bomb squad inspects the site after a missile fired from Lebanon hit the area Sunday in Petah Tikva, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes at Hezbollah, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war as Israel launched airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollah's top leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military said about 250 projectiles were fired Sunday, with some intercepted. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated seven people, including a 60-year old man in severe condition from rocket fire on northern Israel, a 23-year-old man who was lightly wounded by a blast in the central city of Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, and a 70-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire there. In Haifa, a rocket hit a residential building that police said was in danger of collapsing. The Palestine Red Crescent reported 13 injuries it said were caused by an interceptor missile that struck several homes in Tulkarem in the West Bank. It was unclear whether injuries and damage were caused by rockets or interceptors. Sirens wailed again in central and northern Israel hours later. Israeli airstrikes without warning on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 29 people and wounding 67, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. A flock of birds flies above the smoke from Israeli airstrikes Sunday in Dahiyeh, Beirut. Smoke billowed above Beirut again Sunday with new strikes. Israel's military said it targeted command centers for Hezbollah and its intelligence unit in the southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, where the militants have a strong presence. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanon’s population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel and in battle following Israel's ground invasion in early October. Around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the country's north. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for an "immediate ceasefire" in the Israel-Hezbollah war while on a visit to the Lebanese c... The European Union’s top diplomat called Sunday for more pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to reach a deal, saying one was "pending with a final agreement from the Israeli government.” U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week. Josep Borrell spoke after meeting with Mikati and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who has been mediating with the group. Borrell said the EU is ready to allocate $208 million to assist the Lebanese military. But Borrell later said that he did not “see the Israeli government interested clearly in reaching an agreement for a cease-fire" and that it seemed Israel was seeking new conditions. He pointed to Israel’s refusal to accept France as a member of the international committee that would oversee the cease-fire's implementation. The emerging agreement would pave the way for the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River in accordance with the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the monthlong 2006 war. Lebanese troops would patrol with the presence of U.N. peacekeepers. With talks for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza stalled, freed hostages and families of those held marked a year since the war's only hostage-release deal. “It’s hard to hold on to hope, certainly after so long and as another winter is about to begin," said Yifat Zailer, cousin of Shiri Bibas, who is held along with her husband and two young sons. Around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Most of the rest of the 250 who were abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack were released in last year's cease-fire. Talks for another deal recently had several setbacks, including the firing of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who pushed for a deal, and Qatar’s decision to suspend its mediation. Hamas wants Israel to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Israel has offered only to pause its offensive. The Palestinian death toll from the war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. On Sunday, six people were killed in strikes in central Gaza, according to AP journalists at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. How often do you buy something online ? A couple of times a month? A couple of times a week? A couple of times a day? Everybody's answer will be different, but collectively, it's done a lot: Online retail accounted for over $1 trillion of purchases in the U.S. in 2022 and a record $277.6 billion in the second quarter of 2023 alone. Retailers ranging from titans like Amazon and Walmart, down to local small-town shops work very hard to land their share of that business. Sadly and inevitably—so do criminals and scammers. At any given moment, they operate millions of bogus sites. So how can you spot those fake online shopping sites? Spokeo provides a guide. In the early days of the internet , it took some genuine skills to set up a website, but those days are gone. A quick search will show that there are lots of apps and services offering websites on a prefabricated "fill in the blanks" basis, and most web hosts provide those tools as part of the service when someone signs up with them. It's even easier on social media . If you were opening a "side hustle" business tomorrow from your home, you could set up your own Facebook page tonight in under an hour, with exactly zero knowledge of websites. Once that page is set up, you just need to throw a few dollars in the direction of Facebook's advertising department, and they'll start advertising your page to users. It's no harder to promote a website, except in that case, you'd give your advertising dollars to Google. This is a simplified overview, but the main point holds: Establishing a presence online has become a very democratized process, open to anyone with minimal skills and even the smallest budget for advertising. That's been a boon for legitimate entrepreneurs, but it also makes life very easy indeed for scammers. There are multiple types of bogus websites . Some are imposters, created to look very much like a legitimate commercial or government site that you're familiar with, such as Amazon or Netflix. Others don't imitate a specific site, but instead attempt to capture the look and feel of those sites in general (whether that be a retail site, a government or bank page, or even something relatively shady like a gambling or porn site). Next, scammers find ways to drive traffic to their site. Often that's through phishing texts or emails, but deceptive ads on social media or search engines like Google and Bing work just as well. Once a browser arrives at the criminals' site (or, in some cases, downloads their app), any number of bad things can happen. One is that they'll download malware onto your devices, which can capture passwords or steal personal information. A more straightforward risk is that the browser will cheerfully enter their personal and banking/credit card information, thinking they're making a legitimate purchase. That's largely why fake online shopping sites are so dangerous, and so useful to scammers and identity thieves. Most bogus sites share some or all of those characteristics, but shopping sites are a very specific type of bogus site with some quirks of their own. One characteristic to count on—whether the website directly impersonates a major retailer like Amazon, a niche retailer like MEC, or just positions itself as an anonymously general retail site—is that it will offer unusually low pricing on high-demand products. That might be a mass-market item like the latest gaming console, a suddenly in-demand item that's unavailable through normal channels (remember trying to get masks and sanitizing wipes during COVID-19?), or something as mundane as disposable diapers or high-capacity computer drives. Whatever the product, the advertised price will be low enough to get attention. The bogus site will have any number of ways to transfer a browser's money to its coffers, depending on the scammers' intentions and skillset. A few of the most common include: These are all aside from the potential to infect devices or steal payment information . Sites focused on identity theft might consider a faux purchase to be just the added gravy. How common is online shopping fraud? Well, the news is pretty bad. The FTC's 2022 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book recorded over 327,000 online shopping complaints, the fourth-highest category for overall complaints and second among fraud categories. You would expect these sites to be more prevalent during the final quarter of the year, corresponding to the holiday gift-giving season—Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas itself—and they are, but that doesn't mean you can relax during the other nine months of the year. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, or APWG, identified nearly a million fake or phishing websites during the first quarter of 2022 alone (not a busy time of year for shopping), for example. To be clear, only 14.6% of those were eCommerce sites, but that still translates to well over 140,000 bogus shopping sites. The true number is almost certainly higher because the APWG only tracks the ones that use a phishing approach. Many opt to simply buy advertising instead (or as well), and those won't be captured in the APWG's statistics. However you slice it, there's a definite risk of encountering these sites when you shop. The good news is that bogus shopping sites aren't hard to spot, once you're aware of the risk. They aren't built for permanence; scammers pull them together quickly and cheaply and then abandon them once they stop producing.That "just good enough" approach leaves plenty of visible signs you can detect. Below, here's what to look for when recognizing fake online shopping sites. Bad images Bogus sites don't have direct access to the real products' manufacturing images, so they resort to copying and pasting from legitimate sites. \That means bogus sites' product images (and often their fake logos, if they impersonate a legitimate site) are fuzzy and low-res. A URL that's slightly "off" Imposter sites obviously can't have the same URL as the legitimate site, so they'll usually have a URL that looks right, but isn't quite. They might have a typo in the name, or incorporate the real company's name into their URL in a non-standard way ("myfakesite.amazon.com.123xyz.com"), or—sneakiest of all—use a letter from a different language's character set , which looks the same to the eye, but not to the computer. Broken links The scammers may have simply copied and pasted user interface elements from a legitimate site, in which case many links on the site may be broken (or simply not clickable). Lots of missing elements A legitimate retail website will have several pages of legalese, often starting with a pop-up about its cookie policy or privacy policy. You should certainly expect to see a detailed document spelling out shipping policies, return and refund policies, and similar details. If those are missing or brief and vapid, it's probably a fake site. Limited options for payment Sites that plan to take your money and run will often show oddly specific payment options, from wire transfers to gift cards to cryptocurrency. The thing those payment methods have in common is that it's very difficult to get money back once it's spent. Sites geared around capturing your personal or payment information, on the other hand, may insist on getting your credit card. Typos, grammar, and linguistic errors Simple, silly language errors are often a red flag. Scammers may not be native English speakers, and it shows up in awkward or sometimes inappropriate phrasing. Errors in actual product listings aren't necessarily a smoking gun—you'll see them frequently on real Amazon pages—because they come from the manufacturers, who are often not English speakers. Language errors on the rest of the site are more of a concern. HTTP vs. HTTPS In the address bar of your browser, a legitimate retail site's URL will start with HTTPS, rather than HTTP, and will show a closed lock symbol. The majority of fake sites now also have an HTTPS URL and will show the lock (so this isn't as helpful as it used to be), but less-sophisticated scammers may miss that detail. You can automatically rule those ones out. And, of course, the biggest red flag of all is an unrealistically low price on the product you're looking for. We all want to get a really good deal, but that impulse will often lead you astray. If a shopping site fails those basic "eyeball" tests, the smart thing to do is just close that browser tab and walk away. If you want to dig deeper, or if you aren't sure, there are a few quick and easy ways to verify a site's legitimacy. Use a URL/website checker Remember those really sneaky fake URLs that use a letter from another alphabet? The best way to check those (and other problematic elements in a URL) is through a URL verifier/website reputation service, like the ones from URLVoid and Google . Just copy (don't click!) the link, and paste it into the checker. If the site is sketchy, they'll tell you. Look up the site on a registry Domain names all need to be registered and there are several lookup tools to check this, like ICANN's registration lookup (think of it as Spokeo for websites). If a site claims to be Amazon but was registered just a few weeks ago, that's a really big red flag. Similarly, if the site isn't located where it should be, or if the ownership data is obscured, that's grounds for concern. Turn to Google If you have a bad feeling about a particular site, do a quick Google or Bing (or whatever) search that pairs the site's name with keywords like "scam," "fraud," "bogus" or "ripoff" and see what comes up. If you get a lot of hits, that's definitely grounds for concern. Go Forth and Shop (Safely) If a given site fails any or all of those tests, then keeping your wallet in your pocket is definitely the smart choice. Instead of making the purchase, report the site instead to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and the FTC's Report Fraud website. That will get the investigative wheels turning and may help protect someone less wary from falling victim to the scammers. As always, wariness and skepticism are your friends when it comes to avoiding scams. Don't click on links in emails, texts , or social media messages; instead, go to the company's site by typing the URL directly. If you search a company's page on Google, scroll down through the actual search results until you find it instead of clicking on the sponsored results or advertisements at the top. Most of all, remember the golden rule of scam avoidance: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Keeping those principles in mind, and using the tips given here to screen out dubious sites means you'll be able to shop 'til you drop (safely), despite the vast number of scammers out there. And that—as the credit card ads like to say—is priceless. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Mainstream global opinion since Donald Trump won the US presidential election has been that his administration will bring instability to the world by imposing stiff import tariffs and abandoning America’s role as a security provider. We believe high tariffs and a withdrawal from providing global security are the two primary paths Trump has laid out to achieve his goal of making America great again. Therein lies a significant political and economic opportunity for China. For a start, Trump cannot aim these two policy thrusts solely at China; that would not help his goal at all. Making America great again has its own logic, which is to restore the country as the world’s leading manufacturing power. Only by protecting its domestic market and acquiring vast external funds can Trump ultimately serve his goal. The United States’ social system produced Wall Street, which led the country to develop and operate its economy along financial capitalist lines. Wall Street became an outsize part of the US economy and society. In this context, the decline of US manufacturing was inevitable, as was the loss of its crown as the world’s top industrial power. This has led to traditional manufacturing towns in the United States suffering from economic decline, unemployment and lower living standards.ECU CB Shavon Revel Jr. declares for NFL draft

quarterback is out for Week 12's matchup with the . Defensive end will not play either. Purdy did not practice on Friday, which made his status uncertain. But head coach Kyle Shanahan officially announced he was out when meeting with reporters after practice. will start at quarterback versus Green Bay. Additionally, left tackle is listed as questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision, according to Shanahan. Kyle Shanahan shares final injury updates ahead of . — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) Earlier on Friday, on its injury report. He was previously listed as questionable, but has now been officially downgraded. Bosa was also listed as out on the injury report due to hip and oblique issues. He suffered the injury in practice on Nov. 6 and played through the injury in Week 10's matchup with . The pass rusher left last week's matchup with the Seahawks in the third quarter and did not return. Following the game, Bosa told reporters that he while compensating for the hip injury. Williams suffered his injury in Week 10, as well. He played against Seattle after taking a painkilling injection for his ankle, but that may have made the situation worse. The veteran offensive lineman did not participate in practice all week. Brock Purdy is NOT practicing as 49ers final session underway in rain before flight to Green Bay — Cam Inman (@CamInman) Right shoulder soreness on Wednesday and Thursday, and he did not participate in the team's final practice session before traveling to Green Bay. General manager John Lynch that Purdy had an MRI and described his status for Sunday as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we’ll see," Lynch said. "I think it’s tenuous.” Brock Purdy shuts himself down mid practice. — Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) At Thursday's practice, Purdy's participation consisted of soft throws while San Francisco's other three quarterbacks went through drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Purdy stopped after approximately five minutes, had his shoulder worked on by trainers and went back to the locker room, according to reporters on the scene. Purdy appeared to suffer the injury during to the . He finished the game, yet did not make any throws over 10 yards following the hit that potentially injured him. There was no indication afterward that Purdy was hurt. Allen is in his second season with the 49ers after seeing no action behind Purdy and during the 2023-24 campaign. He played 2019 with the , followed by three seasons with the .AFC playoff picture: Bills clinch No. 2 seed; how Colts loss helps Dolphins, Bengals( MENAFN - Newsfile Corp) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 13, 2024) - Impact Development Group Inc. ( TSXV: IMPT ) (" Impact ", or the " Company "), a leading Panamanian developer of affordable housing solutions, would like to provide updates on its activities in the Republic of Panama in connection with the Housing Solidarity Subsidy (the " Program ") which governs subsidies issued in connection with homes built for social interest purposes. On July 1st, 2024 the Ministry of Housing and Land Management (" MIVIOT ") commenced a comprehensive review of the Program and other subsidies issued in connection with homes built for social interest purposes. MIVIOT has since paused the approval of subsidies in connection with the building and delivery of new homes, and the Program has lapsed effective June 30, 2024. Since August, MIVIOT has maintained a working group with housing developers across the country, generating several proposals for alternatives to the Program, all of which remain under review and have not yet been implemented. There has been no indication from the government of Panama that the Program will be resumed. MIVIOT is currently continuing to honor payments for homes that received certification pursuant to the Program prior to June 30, 2024. As of the date of this news release, the Company has a total of 125 homes that are pending subsidy payments or certification under the Program and 171 homes in inventory, either completed or under construction, that have not yet received MIVIOT subsidy certification under the Program. It is unclear if 171 of those homes will ever receive MIVIOT certification to receive subsidies pursuant to the Program. Given the current circumstances, the Company has been evaluating its strategic objectives as they relate to its operations in Panama to focus on the delivery of existing inventory, pause all new development, and consider opportunities to diversify the Company's business. In alignment with this proposed strategy, the Company recently completed the acquisition of Fusion Software, LLC (" Fusion Software "), a leading US-based platform for managing low-income housing tax credit portfolios for housing developers, syndicators and investors. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Impact's commitment to affordable housing solutions and expands the Company's capabilities in other markets. For further details regarding the acquisition of Fusion Software, please see the Company's news release dated October 25, 2024. To continue growing and diversifying the business, the Company is evaluating initiatives peripheral to building affordable homes under the Program. This includes evaluating options to expand into new residential or commercial development activities outside of the Program. Any new initiative pursued by Impact will seek to leverage its core competencies developed over the 11 years of its operational success in Panama. Other strategies currently under evaluation by the Company's management include geographic expansion to adjacent markets with similar programs and the diversification into new technology-enabled revenue streams in affordable housing. Any material change to the business following the conclusion of the Company's evaluations will be conducted in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations of the TSX Venture Exchange. ABOUT IMPACT Impact is a Panamanian based real estate developer that provides affordable housing solutions to Panama's growing middle-class and has historically been supported by longstanding subsidized government programs in Panama. The vision of the Company is effectuated by a vertically integrated model which coordinates all services necessary to develop high-quality residential and commercial buildings, including land acquisition, financing, architectural, engineering, off-site manufacturing, general contracting, property management, and administration. Impact also operates, through its subsidiary, Fusion Software LLC, an innovative software platform designed to streamline the administration of low-income housing tax credits for asset managers, developers and syndicators. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information, please contact: Tom Wenz, Director and CEO Phone: + 1 (702) 329-8038 Email: ... FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company's business activities in Panama; the Company's plans to continue growing and diversifying the business; the Company's 125 homes pending disbursement of the subsidy or approvals from the Program; and the Company's plans to evaluate its business in light of the recent changes to the Program. The forward-looking statements, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the Company being able to carry out its business plan as contemplated; the Company's ability to grow and diversify its business; the Company's 125 homes pending receipt of disbursements of subsidies or approvals under the Program; and the Company's plans to evaluate its business in light of recent changes to the Program. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: the limited business history of the Company; the Company's reliance on key management; risks related to the Company's growth strategy, including that previous and future acquisitions do not meet expectations or potential acquisitions cannot be completed; the Company's 125 homes not receiving disbursements of subsidies or approvals under the Program; the business of the Company being subject to broader economic and political factors, including but not limited to decisions made by the government of Panama; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; financial results of the Company's operations; unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit SOURCE: Impact Development Group Inc. MENAFN13122024004218003983ID1108991791 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Sheltered Venezuelan government opponents decry police and intelligence agents outside embassyHezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeksHigh 5: Washington’s Carly Woolard: Junior softball star has stellar flag football season

Far-right streamer Nick Fuentes, who usually welcomes publicity, received the type he probably didn’t want after Donald Trump’s election victory. The 26-year old white supremacist and antisemite, who has been banned from multiple social media sites for violating hate speech policies, posted on X: “Your body, my choice. Forever.” Although Fuentes has denied being a white supremacist, the U.S. Department of Justice characterized him as such in a brief related to the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. And, judging from the snippets of his opinions that I have heard, Including his trolling about women’s bodies, he appears to fit the description of an all-around bigot. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which tracks online hate speech, reported this consequence of Fuentes’ tweet: a 4,600 percent increase in the usage of the terms “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” on X during a 24-hour period, according to the Washington Post. In response, women started trolling the troll, posting messages aimed at Fuentes and “doxxing” him with suggestions to send tampons, sex toys and other appropriate gifts to his home. “His address, my choice,” one clever user wrote. Kids, do not try this at home. Two wrongs don’t make a right, no matter how amusing it may seem. Such is the price of carefully cultivated infamy. A long-time denizen of the internet’s dark fringes, Fuentes’ renown has grown by leaps after his suspended account on Elon Musk’s X was reinstated earlier this year. A known leader among the angry grievance gangs in the online hive of far-right and neo-Nazi trolls widely known as the “manosphere,” among other labels, Fuentes should not be viewed as anything more than a nuisance, in my view. And, in fairness — and under advice offered forcefully by my millennial generation son — I don’t want to give the impression that every fan of Joe Rogan, Andrew Tate or other hairy-chested manly-men streamers is a member of the angry manosphere. Rather, the manosphere conversation is a product of the widespread anger, frustration and disenchantment that has led to the surprisingly large drop-off in support AND votes for the Democratic Party’s candidates. Trump’s winning strategy involved luring and enlisting mostly a male-oriented following that was largely voting for the first time. That formerly apathetic group paid off well for Trump in his previous campaigns. But it worked for him even more in his contest against Democrat Kamala Harris. He pulled out all the stops and it paid off even more. Scott Galloway, a New York University marketing professor who has studied disengaged young men for decades, told CNN that this election should be remembered as the “testosterone podcast election.” For the first time in U.S. history, a 35-year-old man without a college diploma is making less than his parents were, Galloway observed, citing averages. ”Against that, do (such issues as) trans rights or the territorial sovereignty of Palestinians even register on your screen?” In other words, Galloway is saying what many other critics, including me, have said about today’s Democrats and Harris’ campaign: With its late start, unclear agenda and unfocused message, it failed to excite a critical number of otherwise persuadable voters as, day after day, the polls hardly moved from a 50-50 tie. Kamala Harris’s campaign was “predicated on the dominance and continuance” of a presumed “monoculture,” Jon Caramanica wrote in the New York Times. As a member in good standing of the monoculture, Harris could bask in the endorsements of Oprah, Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, Caramanica continued, “Trump, denied access to this monoculture, took an approach that was both fragmentary and more modern — and in many ways more attuned to the rhythm of a young person’s media diet. He leaned into the evanescent, the niche, the lightly scandalous.” Harris did do some fun podcasts like “Call Her Daddy” and “Club Shay Shay,” but as Caramanica pointed out, they did little to change the narrative of her campaign. Ever since Barack Obama made effective use of Twitter and other social media in the 2008 presidential race, we have seen new technology create new media that have played a central campaign role. But, contrary to Marshall McLuhan’s famous line, the medium is not always the message. Sure, give Trump credit for finding a medium through which to reach disaffected young men. In a tossup race, they helped put him on top. But one wonders if the result would have been different if Harris had reached out to this group with even a marginally more effective message, regardless of the media in question. To win over voters, you have to show them that you understand their problems and that, even when you may not have all the answers, you still truly want to solve those problems. As hard as it may be for Democrats to admit, Trump made a more persuasive case to those outside the monoculture. Email Clarence Page at cpage@chicagotribune.com.

 

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Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”

Itodo ang holiday shopping with Home Credit’s Todo Pasko dealsWhile there was high drama in Alexandra Palace on the first day back after the Christmas break, where Damon Heta threw a nine-dart finish, Humphries enjoyed a serene evening. He beat Nick Kenny 4-0 to set up a mouth-watering fourth-round meeting with two-time champion Peter Wright. Kenny was unable to produce the form that saw him beat Raymond van Barneveld in the previous round and Humphries did not need to be anywhere near his best. “It was one of those games I didn’t want to take for granted,” he said. “I expected a tough game and I wasn’t firing, I felt there is so much more to give, I felt there was more to come out of me. “I didn’t want to give anyone an inch because they can take a mile. “I’m not going to give up this world title without a fight, I wasn’t at my best but when someone pushes me I know I can come up with the goods.” Earlier in the day Heta set the tournament alight on its resumption with a stunning nine-dart finish before bowing out. The Australian, seeded ninth, achieved darting perfection in the second set of his match with Luke Woodhouse to earn a cool £60,000 payday. However, his joy was short-lived as Woodhouse won a thrilling battle 4-3, having trailed 3-1. Heta was millimetres away from throwing a nine-darter in the previous round when he missed the double 12, but he made no mistake this time in the first match after the Christmas break. Heta’s feat was the second time a nine-darter has been thrown in the 2025 tournament and the 16th of all time at the World Championship, following Christian Kist’s effort before Christmas. As well as landing the Australian a hefty payday, it also saw a lucky fan in Ally Pally win a £60,000, with £60,000 also being donated to Prostate Cancer UK. There were several other titanic battles, none better than Gerwyn Price’s sudden-death leg victory over Joe Cullen. Price looked like he was going to have an easy night when he coasted into a 3-0 lead, but Cullen hit back to send it to a decider, which went all the way. Cullen landed a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout to send the tie to a sudden-death leg on his throw but Price hit some big numbers to steal victory. “That was tough, I just wanted to get over the winning line,” he said during his on-stage interview. “He kept coming back, the crowd were way behind him. “I thought I was going to lose, but I kept in there right to the end and got the win. “He played some good darts at the right times. I put myself in that position, I got myself out of it and I’m still in.” Seventh seed Jonny Clayton also battled to victory after squandering a 3-0 lead against Daryl Gurney. Gurney then had six darts to send the decider to a tiebreaker but lost his nerve and Clayton stole a 4-3 win. Stephen Bunting and Peter Wright, who was suffering from a chest infection, enjoyed much more safe passages with routine wins over Madars Razma and Jermaine Wattimena respectively.TORONTO — Losses in the tech sector led Canada's main stock index lower in late-morning trading on Friday, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 93.03 points at 24,753.79. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 437.35 points at 42,888.45. The S&P 500 index was down 86.37 points at 5,951.22, while the Nasdaq composite was down 402.43 points at 19,617.93. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.39 cents US compared with 69.51 cents US on Tuesday. The February crude oil contract was up 66 cents at US$70.28 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up five cents at US$3.37 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$19.70 at US$2.634.20 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.12 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian Press

A second young person is on the run from the government's trial boot camp, after one vanished while at the funeral of another participant , Oranga Tamariki senior executives have told a parliamentary committee. On Thursday it was reported that one of the young men taking part in the boot camp pilot was on the run after attending the funeral of another who had died. Those taking part in the pilot were released from the youth justice facility in Palmerston North in October, and have been in the community phase of the boot camp programme. Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive of youth justice services and residential care Tusha Penny told a parliamentary select committee on Friday morning that two participants were actually on the run. One escaped from the tangi and another a day later, she said. Penny acknowledged the death of one of the boot camp's participants and their whānau. Speaking to MPs, Penny said the whānau of the teenager who has died was dealing with having to bury a son and brother, and that needed to be acknowledged first and foremost. "We sat here probably a year ago now and said transition is going to be tough, because it's evidenced up the wazoo and everyday people are fighting. The recidivism rates we have every week going into the youth justice residences are around 60 to 80 percent. "So I want to put that out there, because we need the reality." Penny says she was not going to give up, despite how tough it is, and everyone in the programme has had traumatic experiences. "Right now, two of the remaining nine rangatahi have absconded - one absconded from the tangi and one absconded a day later. "It's been tough, we've had two of the young people arrested on charges already, one of those people the charges were withdrawn," she said. "Do I think there will be further offending? Absolutely. "We also though have to look for the good cholestreol, because there's always some good. "We have one of our people in fulltime employment today, I say today because this is dynamic," Penny told MPs. "We have one of our young people on work experience, we have one likely to start work soon, we have six engaged in some education course." National MP Joseph Mooney, who chairs the social services committee, has worked as a youth advocate and criminal lawyer and got emotional talking to Penny about how tough it is to try and change young people's lives. Penny said the boot camps have been "incredibly politicised" but the programme was making change despite the whole thing not always "being successful". "I'm not saying this is the panacea, I'm not saying it's the answer, but I'm definitely saying what we're seeing could be an improvement for youth justice across the board with an operating model." Oranga Tamariki and Waikato police both confirmed the 15-year-old, who was granted bail on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral by the Youth Court, had absconded. Waikato police said he was wanted for arrest. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Employees at political news outlet The Hill are feeling increasingly nervous as parent company Nexstar is planning to lay off as many as 17 staffers after the holidays, multiple sources told The Independent . Adding to the growing anxiety is the uncertainty surrounding the status of the Beltway paper’s editor-in-chief, Bob Cusack, who is still engaged in negotiations with Nexstar over his contract, which is set to expire next week. “Things are not good,” one Hill reporter told The Independent . Editorial staffers were first made aware of the pending layoffs in a letter from The Hill’s guild this week, which explained that management revealed Nexstar planned to slash up to 17 jobs from the paper’s union of journalists during the most recent bargaining session. Urging guild members not to panic as the union’s position is that it would be illegal for Nexstar to conduct layoffs before a contract has been reached, the letter added that the layoff plan from corporate headquarters added another “layer of complexity” to the negotiations. The guild also noted that the next bargaining session, which is scheduled for next week, will include a first outline of how the layoffs will be conducted, as well as outstanding issues surrounding vacations, severances and raises. A Hill insider told The Independent that the staff is “freaked out” over the possibility of layoffs coming down the pike, adding that “people are very worried and upset that Nexstar would use their layoffs as a bargaining tactic.” Another staffer agreed with that sentiment, stating that they “keep hearing how well things are going, but now there’s talk about layoffs, which is the cruelest possible negotiating tactic a company can use.” The angst over the recent revelation about coming layoffs is compounded by the fact that Cusack, a much-beloved newsroom leader who has held The Hill’s top editor spot for a decade, may soon be gone. Earlier this fall, it was reported that the newsroom was taken aback when they saw Cusack cleaning out his office. They soon learned his contract was set to expire in mid-December and that he had reached an impasse with Nexstar management. At the time, sources said the main point of contention was that Cusack — who has sought to keep The Hill non-partisan — pressed the parent company not to interfere with the site’s editorial direction. During a post-election all-hands meeting, which included corporate management and leaders of Nexstar’s cable news channel NewsNation, staff was led to believe that Cusack had come to terms on a new contract. The Independent obtained and reviewed a recording of this meeting. After management gushed over the site’s traffic numbers and named former Fox News editor Bill Sammon as senior vice president of editorial content for NewsNation and The Hill , Newsnation president and managing editor Cherie Grzech said she was “happy to say” that Cusack was “staying with us at The Hill .” However, nearly a month later, it remains in doubt whether the longtime editor will stay past this holiday season. According to two sources familiar with the contract negotiations, Cusack was offered an extension that would keep him only until August of next year. On top of that, he has told others at the company that the biggest issue he has with the contract offer is the onerous no-compete clause that Nexstar has added. According to those who have spoken with Cusack, Nexstar has added a provision to the contract that would prevent him from working in an editorial position for most media outlets for up to a year if he leaves The Hill . Cusack declined to comment. Weeks after staffers thought Cusack’s contract situation was settled, they learned through a letter from the guild that he was still in negotiations, prompting many to contact the editor in chief to express concern. Multiple sources also pointed out that if Cusack does indeed leave this month, his departure would take place just weeks after The Hill’s general manager Joe Ruffolo resigned, leaving a leadership vacuum within the paper. The Independent has reached out to representatives from Nexstar and The Hill for comment.

Calgary, Alberta–(Newsfile Corp. – December 5, 2024) – Olympia Financial Group Inc. (TSX: OLY) announces that its Board of Directors has declared a monthly cash dividend on its common shares of $0.60 per common share. The dividend will be payable on December 31, 2024, to shareholders on record as at December 18, 2024. The ex-dividend date is also December 18, 2024. Olympia Financial Group Inc. designates the entire amount of this taxable dividend to be an “eligible dividend” for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended from time to time. Please contact your tax advisor if you have any questions with regards to the designation of the eligible dividend. About Olympia Financial Group Inc. Olympia Financial Group Inc. (“OFGI”) conducts most of its operations through its subsidiary Olympia Trust Company, a non-deposit taking trust company. Olympia Trust Company is licensed to conduct trust activities in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Olympia Trust Company administers self-directed registered plan accounts, corporate trust, and transfer agency services. OFGI also provides currency exchange and global payment services through its subsidiary Olympia Currency and Global Payments Inc., and offers private health services plans and information technology services to exempt market dealers, registrants, and issuers through its subsidiary Olympia Benefits Inc. OFGI’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “OLY”. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232715 #distro

Employees at political news outlet The Hill are feeling increasingly nervous as parent company Nexstar is planning to lay off as many as 17 staffers after the holidays, multiple sources told The Independent . Adding to the growing anxiety is the uncertainty surrounding the status of the Beltway paper’s editor-in-chief, Bob Cusack, who is still engaged in negotiations with Nexstar over his contract, which is set to expire next week. “Things are not good,” one Hill reporter told The Independent . Editorial staffers were first made aware of the pending layoffs in a letter from The Hill’s guild this week, which explained that management revealed Nexstar planned to slash up to 17 jobs from the paper’s union of journalists during the most recent bargaining session. Urging guild members not to panic as the union’s position is that it would be illegal for Nexstar to conduct layoffs before a contract has been reached, the letter added that the layoff plan from corporate headquarters added another “layer of complexity” to the negotiations. The guild also noted that the next bargaining session, which is scheduled for next week, will include a first outline of how the layoffs will be conducted, as well as outstanding issues surrounding vacations, severances and raises. A Hill insider told The Independent that the staff is “freaked out” over the possibility of layoffs coming down the pike, adding that “people are very worried and upset that Nexstar would use their layoffs as a bargaining tactic.” Another staffer agreed with that sentiment, stating that they “keep hearing how well things are going, but now there’s talk about layoffs, which is the cruelest possible negotiating tactic a company can use.” The angst over the recent revelation about coming layoffs is compounded by the fact that Cusack, a much-beloved newsroom leader who has held The Hill’s top editor spot for a decade, may soon be gone. Earlier this fall, it was reported that the newsroom was taken aback when they saw Cusack cleaning out his office. They soon learned his contract was set to expire in mid-December and that he had reached an impasse with Nexstar management. At the time, sources said the main point of contention was that Cusack — who has sought to keep The Hill non-partisan — pressed the parent company not to interfere with the site’s editorial direction. During a post-election all-hands meeting, which included corporate management and leaders of Nexstar’s cable news channel NewsNation, staff was led to believe that Cusack had come to terms on a new contract. The Independent obtained and reviewed a recording of this meeting. After management gushed over the site’s traffic numbers and named former Fox News editor Bill Sammon as senior vice president of editorial content for NewsNation and The Hill , Newsnation president and managing editor Cherie Grzech said she was “happy to say” that Cusack was “staying with us at The Hill .” However, nearly a month later, it remains in doubt whether the longtime editor will stay past this holiday season. According to two sources familiar with the contract negotiations, Cusack was offered an extension that would keep him only until August of next year. On top of that, he has told others at the company that the biggest issue he has with the contract offer is the onerous no-compete clause that Nexstar has added. According to those who have spoken with Cusack, Nexstar has added a provision to the contract that would prevent him from working in an editorial position for most media outlets for up to a year if he leaves The Hill . Cusack declined to comment. Weeks after staffers thought Cusack’s contract situation was settled, they learned through a letter from the guild that he was still in negotiations, prompting many to contact the editor in chief to express concern. Multiple sources also pointed out that if Cusack does indeed leave this month, his departure would take place just weeks after The Hill’s general manager Joe Ruffolo resigned, leaving a leadership vacuum within the paper. The Independent has reached out to representatives from Nexstar and The Hill for comment.Logging onto LinkedIn, your feed is likely full of “ Open to Work ” profiles and posts about the struggle of finding a job in today’s market. Your LinkedIn inbox is probably a lot quieter with fewer recruiters reaching out with job opportunities than at the height of the Great Resignation just two years ago. Whether you are a new graduate navigating a career pivot or just looking for greener pastures, the common sentiment of job seekers is that it’s becoming exceedingly difficult to land an interview, let alone an offer. With applications up 6% from October 2023 , competition remains stiff. To make matters more difficult, how hiring teams review applications has also changed. Application tracking systems (ATS) are now the status quo for companies to manage job openings and vet potential candidates. While not a new development, they are continuing to shake up the job application process and transform how talent is evaluated, engaged, and hired. Fueled by AI, these systems are now aiding hiring teams in ways that would have been unimaginable just a decade ago, through matching candidates to open roles, providing recommendations and explainable rankings, parsing résumés, and more. With these systems, recruiters are empowered to be more streamlined and efficient in managing applications, scheduling interviews, and connecting with potential candidates. | So, if the way recruiters approach their candidate search evolved, why haven’t job seekers’ strategies? As recruiters rethink their processes with AI, applicants should, too. Job seekers must figure out how to navigate a transforming landscape where AI shapes how we approach and think about the hiring system. Let’s dive into three key changes to the recruitment process and how candidates can respond and stand apart from their peers. Skills over experience Over the past several years, skills-matching technology has been the most notable advancement in recruitment to come out of the AI revolution. Recruiters have turned a growing focus towards skills-based hiring, ensuring a candidate is the best fit for a role based on the capabilities they have on hand. Gone are the days when an expensive degree or a specific internship on your résumé sealed the deal. If AI can’t “see” the skills they’re looking for in your résumé, it is likely moving on to the next applicant. With skills-matching AI in their toolbox, recruiters spend less time scanning through résumés and more time engaging with prospective candidates. What this means for you: It’s time for a résumé revamp. The experience-forward résumés of the past will not help you stand out to a large language model scanning for a specific skill. Don’t get me wrong: job experience is still valuable. But instead of just listing past job duties, focus on the how: what skills you used, and how they made an impact. This shift democratizes the playing field, making way for those from nontraditional backgrounds. If you can demonstrate the skills, you’re in the game. The automation of candidate communication and engagement Waiting to hear back from a potential employer can be stressful for job seekers. In fact, almost a quarter (23%) of candidates find the most frustrating aspect of the application process is feeling like their application is going into a digital black hole, per research from iCIMS . But that wait is not just about hearing if their application has been accepted or if they landed the job. A lot of the waiting is the result of scheduling interviews, asking clarifying questions on company culture, etc. Chatbots are becoming the go-to option to help streamline candidate communication so job seekers can get answers fast, schedule interviews more quickly, and leverage their recruiter contact strategically to understand what the hiring manager is looking for in the role. What this means for you: Don’t just dismiss the ping of a chatbot on a career page—use it to supercharge both your application and interview process. Chatbots are a safe space to ask the questions you want answered about company culture or an open position that you might be too nervous to ask a recruiter about. For example, you can ask chatbots about benefits, company offerings, the job description, and more. Use this knowledge to discern if the role is the right fit for you before applying and help prepare for your interviews once you progress in the application process. AI leveraged at every part of the recruitment process According to 500 TA pros , AI tools save them 2.39 hours a week on average, and 64% of those TA pros want to see more AI in their workflows. So, where is AI coming into play today? Thirty percent use GenAI specifically to write job descriptions and another 36% to draft interview questions. What this means for you: Use AI in your job search. There is a double standard with AI usage in today’s labor market. iCIMS research has found that 87% of recruiters say its adoption in the application process has raised red flags. As technology becomes more ubiquitous in culture and the workplace, AI will be seen as a tool—just like a search engine—to help fuel one’s job search. For now, use AI as more of a yellow flag. It will never be okay to blindly copy and paste AI-generated résumés or cover letters. Your unique insight and human touch will always be necessary and what recruiters truly want to see. Instead, use GenAI to prep for your interviews by feeding it the job description and asking what questions a hiring manager would ask, so you can come to an interview fully prepared. You can also use it to review your résumé and help streamline and identify the skills you want to highlight most for the job you are applying for. Just remember, when it comes to using AI in your job search, no one knows you or your work experience better than you do. Adapting to an AI-enhanced job market As the recruitment process continues to be infused with more technology, job seekers must move away from the mentality of “gaming the system” or “beating the AI” and instead see the new status quo of hiring and evolve their strategies to meet recruiters where they are at. With every instance of automation in the recruitment process, the goal has been to make life easier for candidates and their potential employers. However, this cannot be true without some adaptations and tweaks. Trying to go about the application process in the same ways we always have doesn’t make sense in a world where the entire recruitment journey has been AI-enhanced. The right opportunity is out there, and these small adjustments can make a big difference in helping you land your next role.Batteries not only power electric cars, but can supply energy to buildings and stabilize power grids, through bidirectional charging. Electric cars boast increasingly powerful batteries that are charged from the energy grid or rooftop solar systems. But when the car isn't in use, its battery can serve as storage for homes and the energy grid via a bidirectional charging process that can reduce power costs. How does it work, and are there drawbacks? What is bidirectional charging? Until recently, power flowed in one direction to electric vehicle (EV) batteries from the charging station. A charged battery could not only power the electric motor, electronics, lights and heating but external devices such as a fridge when camping, a drill on a building site or even another EV. These additional functions are called V2D (vehicle-to-device), and V2L (vehicle-to-load). But using the latest bidirectional chargers, EV batteries can also supply entire buildings with electricity using vehicle-to-home (V2H), or feed electricity into the public grid via vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. They can also simply charge car batteries. However, bidirectional devices are currently only available in select charging station locations. How much electricity can a car battery store? The batteries in EVs are becoming cheaper and more powerful. The battery in the Tesla Model Y, for example, has at least 62 kilowatt hours (kWh), the VW ID.4 has 77 kWh and the Renault small car (R5) has at least 40 kWh. By comparison, the electricity consumption of a two-person household in Germany is around 54 kWh per week. A mid-range electric car could therefore completely cover this electricity requirement with a full battery charge. In addition, the new ID.4 and R5 models are already designed to power buildings and feed electricity into the grid. With a bidirectional charging station, solar power can flow from the roof of a house into the car battery during the day, and back into the building from the car in the evening. This means residents can use cheap solar power both day and night. By linking to the electric car, homeowners can save on installing additional battery storage units for the solar system. In single-family homes, solar battery systems usually have a capacity of 5 to 10 kWh, and cost up to €10,000 ($10,440). Meanwhile, bidirectional charging is "not harmful to the car battery per se," said Robert Kohrs, an expert in smart energy grids at German research body, the Fraunhofer Institute. "If you do it right, controlled charging and discharging can increase battery life by 5 to 10%." How can electric cars stabilize the power grid? Cars are driven on average less than an hour a day in Germany. During the time that e-cars are parked, grid operators could use the batteries to temporarily store electricity and thus compensate for fluctuations in the power grid. This will help use the growing amount of solar and wind power flowing into national grids. In recent years, that has amounted to 70% of power generated in Denmark and just under 50% in Germany — though it's often available when it's not needed. EV batteries can temporarily store the surplus electricity from these renewable energy sources. When demand increases, the electricity can be fed back into the grid. This also relieves the pressure on gas or coal-fired power plants during periods of high consumption, while less battery storage is required to stabilize the electricity grids. Meet you at the charging hub! To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The savings potential for the shared use of car batteries in the EU could reach €22 billion annually, according to a recent study commissioned by the European environmental organization, Transport & Environment. The report said EVs could cover up to 9% of the EU's electricity requirements, and temporarily up to 20%, making them an important pillar of the electricity system. While the affordable and climate-neutral energy supply of the future will be based primarily on solar and wind power, according to a study published in Science magazine, this will require battery storage systems with a capacity of 74 billion kWh worldwide by 2050. By 2050, there could be 1.5 billion EVs worldwide, said the researchers. With batteries averaging 60 kWh per vehicle, this global fleet could store a total of up to 90 billion kWh of electricity. What are the benefits of car batteries for car, home and grid? According to the Fraunhofer study on EV power integration, e-car owners could save between €31 and €780 per year by sharing the battery power with their own home or the power grid. In France, private owners of the new electric Renault R5 were offered 10,000 kilometers (around 6,200 miles) of free driving electricity in return for connecting their car to a bidirectional charging station for an average of 15 hours a day. The offer has been "well received in France, we are getting a lot of interest," said Thomas Raffeiner from Mobility House, a German-Swiss company that markets bidirectional charging — and the low cost of energy for consumers who utilize the flexibility of car batteries . Raffeiner told DW that more such offers are in the works. According to a survey commissioned by energy supplier Eon, 77% of respondents would use bidirectional charging technology to supply their own buildings, while 65% would support electricity grids. Experts recommend that the new generation of private and public charging stations should function bidirectionally wherever possible. The Fraunhofer study estimated that this would increase the initial costs by roughly €100 for small charging stations (up to 22 KW), and by around €250 for a fast charging station. However, these additional costs would be offset by the savings made within a few months of use. Sources: https://www.transportenvironment.org/uploads/files/2024_10_Study_V2G_EU-Potential_Final.pdf This article was originally written in German Is range anxiety real? EV charging problems and advances To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

The New York Jets will look to simply finish the season strong with their playoff hopes essentially dashed, beginning with the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. A massive reason for the team's disappointing 3-9 season has been the play of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After many expected Rodgers to elevate the team to new heights, he has severely underperformed those expectations, despite claiming he's healthy, and playing in every game so far. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.None

TORONTO — Canada's premiers are meeting virtually Wednesday with the prime minister to discuss the threat of U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he hopes to talk about the country's approach to negotiations. It comes two weeks after the premiers' last meeting with Justin Trudeau, where they discussed how to respond to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's warning that he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico when he takes office next month. The federal government promised at the last meeting to update the premiers, Ford said. "They said they were going to come back with a plan to put together a proposal, No. 1 to strengthen our borders and hopefully meet our two-per-cent NATO commitment," Ford said. Trudeau has committed to meet NATO members' pledge to spend at least two per cent of GDP on national defence by 2032. Trudeau recently flew to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to dine with the president-elect and some of his cabinet nominees for an informal discussion on trade and border security. News of the first ministers' meeting comes the same day as Trump tauntingly took to social media to say it was a pleasure to dine with "Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada," a nod to a joke he made at the dinner that he might make Canada the 51st U.S. state. Trump has said the tariffs would remain in effect until Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent drugs like fentanyl from entering the U.S. Ontario has produced a slick ad to highlight the mutually beneficial trade connections between the province and the United States, and recently began rolling it out in a massive campaign that includes Fox News prime time, NFL football games and at Washington, D.C., airports over the holidays. The ads will also run in Washington on transit shelters and billboards, as well as across target states via digital channels and prime placement for Super Bowl streaming on the Fox Sports app, the premier's office has said. Ontario's minister of economic development, job creation and trade was in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with officials from the U.S. Senate and Congress, and said they had all seen Ontario's ads. "They also caught the subtleties, like we've got the critical minerals that you need," Vic Fedeli said. "They need us for these things that are very valuable for their military or chips that they want to make. So there's a lot of things they're going to need from us, and that's why we're running commercials. That's why we're taking these trips down there to make sure that all the right people are talking about all the right points." On Fedeli's last trip to the U.S. he met with both Republicans and Democrats, but this time focused solely on Republicans, he said. "We've got to start focusing now on people who are going to be crafting laws if these things happen to be done by legislation," Fedeli said. He is heading back to the U.S. in January, to Nevada, California, Michigan and to Washington, D.C. on inauguration day. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Allison Jones, The Canadian PressElon Musk says the first Starlink satellite direct-to-cell phone constellation is now complete

The Vikings have had starting inside linebackers Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman together for just six of 11 games this season, and now they’ll be without Pace for at least another four games. Pace was placed on injured reserve Tuesday because of the hamstring strain he suffered in the first quarter of Sunday’s win in Chicago. He left after five plays. He’ll now miss at least games against the Cardinals, Falcons, Bears and Seahawks. The earliest he can return is Dec. 29 vs. Green Bay. The Vikings signed fourth-year linebacker Jamin Davis off the Packers practice squad and to the active roster, joining Cashman, Kamu Grugier-Hill and Brian Asamoah on the depth chart. “We really feel for him,” Cashman said after Sunday’s win . “Hate to see one of your guys get injured. We gotta lean on him, be there for him, and we’re going to need him to get right because we have playoff football ahead.” Pace, the second-year undrafted linebacker, ranks third on the team with 59 combined tackles despite also missing two games earlier this season because of a knee injury. He also has three sacks and a fumble returned for a touchdown during the Oct. 20 loss to the Lions. The Vikings added Davis, a 25-year-old former first-round pick by the Washington Commanders. He spent the past month on Green Bay’s practice squad, where the Vikings acquired him from, after he had been released by Washington in October. Davis, drafted 19th overall out of Kentucky in 2021, was mostly an off-the-ball linebacker for the Commanders over three seasons, when he had seven sacks, six pass deflections and an interception in 36 starts. Washington used Davis sparingly on the defensive line this season before he was cut. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has previously used a committee approach to fill linebacker absences. Cashman missed three games due to turf toe as well. The Vikings leaned on 30-year-old veteran Grugier-Hill, who has played 138 defensive snaps, and safety Josh Metellus, among others, to fill the void.Visa and FPT Corporation collaborate to advance government’s digital transformation in Vietnam

TOM UTLEY: The infuriating reason every Christmas at the Utleys begins with smiles... and ends with blood on the carpet By TOM UTLEY FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 23:22 GMT, 5 December 2024 | Updated: 23:40 GMT, 5 December 2024 e-mail View comments The numbers get bigger every year, as our ever-growing family squashes round the table in a house that comfortably seats only six. Otherwise, it’s always the same in the Utley household, as Christmas Day draws to its close. After weeks of planning and shopping for presents and food, the lunchtime banquet that has kept my wife busy since the first glimmer of dawn is over at last, having stretched well into the evening. The plates and the worst of the debris have been cleared away. Now that blissful moment arrives when the youngest, exhausted after all the excitement, are bathed and tucked up in the travel-cots and camp beds that cover every square inch of spare floor space upstairs. At long last we adults, bloated and slightly sozzled, can top up our glasses, put our feet up in front of the telly and enjoy a little peace. Except we never can. For every Christmas, without fail, this is the moment a blasted son or a daughter-in-law chooses to bang on the table and issue the order: ‘OK, let’s play a game!’ Spoilsport At this, every fibre of my being groans. But all my pleas for mercy are overruled. ‘Come on, Dad. Don’t be a spoilsport. We need you to make up our team.’ Holidays and celebration concept -multi generations family having christmas dinner at home, drinking red wine and clinking glasses. No game played by the Utleys at Christmas, when we’re all full of turkey and booze, can ever be described as civilised, writes Tom Utley (Stock photo) This week Matter said that 63 per cent of families at Christmas have taken part in an initially friendly board game that soon became much less so (Stock photo) It’s not that I have any fundamental objection to the parlour and board games beloved of our four sons and their other halves. Indeed, I quite enjoy a civilised game of Charades , Boggle, Scrabble, Articulate or even Trivial Pursuit (though only when I win). What’s more, I’m proud to say that I was president of the chess club at school. It’s just that no game played by the Utleys at Christmas, when we’re all full of turkey and booze, can ever be described as civilised. The trouble is that apart from Mrs U, every one of my immediate family is fiercely competitive. (If you’re wondering where they get it from, I’m ashamed to say that I gave up playing chess after son number two started beating me; he was only eight at the time, and I just couldn’t bear the humiliation.) This means that whichever game our young insist on playing, it is sure to spark bitter recriminations and wild allegations of cheating, with all of us accusing our opponents of making up the rules as they go along. A day that began with smiles all round, and speeches of rapturous thanks for presents of novelty socks that we will never wear, is all but guaranteed to end with blood on the carpet. This week, a survey confirms that in that respect, my lot are far from unique. Having questioned more than 2,000 Britons, researchers commissioned by Mattel , the toy and games company, find that 63 per cent of us have taken part in an initially friendly board game that soon became much less so. Even more, 73 per cent, admit that games bring out their competitive side, with 23 per cent describing themselves as ‘extremely competitive’. Meanwhile, 46 per cent complain of cheating by friends or relatives, with more than a third saying that arguments have led to games being abandoned altogether. 73 per cent, admit that games bring out their competitive side, with 23 per cent describing themselves as ‘extremely competitive’ (Stock photo) 46 per cent complain of cheating by friends or relatives, with more than a third saying that arguments have led to games being abandoned altogether (Stock photo) The only surprise to me is that those figures are quite so low. To pick the obvious example, I can’t remember a single game of Monopoly that my family has played through to the end. Ever since our boys first learned to play it, our games have had to be abandoned half-way through, when one or other of them has left the room in a huff or hurled the board and all its pieces onto the floor. For months afterwards, miniature silver irons, green houses and red hotels would turn up behind the radiator or under the sofa. Unfamiliar As for the guessing games loved by my children and their partners, I fear I’m often the first to stir up acrimony by complaining furiously of foul play. Take the game that involves working out the name of a celebrity, living or dead, chosen by an opponent and stuck unseen to one’s forehead. How the devil is an old buffer like me expected to have heard of obscure American rappers, Second Division football managers or contestants on Love Island? I reckon it affronts the spirit of Christmas to choose a name unfamiliar to some of the players – and I’m never afraid to say so, at the top of my voice. Read More Playing family board games can lead to arguments and full-on relationship breakdowns So what if my opponents haven’t heard of the celebrity I’ve chosen – a junior minister in Margaret Thatcher’s government, say, or a former editor of the Financial Times? I say they jolly well ought to have done. And if they haven’t, well, don’t they deserve a taste of their own medicine? Before you know it, we’re all at each other’s throats. Then there’s the infuriating moment in the middle of a board game, when a daughter-in-law suddenly announces a house rule, known only to her. ‘Sorry. The way we’ve always played it in my family is that you lose a turn when you throw a double two.’ It’s no good pointing out that it says nothing about that in the official rule-book. A full-blown barney invariably ensues. But it’s worst of all when someone insists on playing a brand-new board game, unwrapped earlier in the day, which none of us has played before. In even my most sober moments, I find it increasingly hard these days to remember the rules of any game we may have played at our last family gathering, only a few weeks earlier. Maddening As for trying to master a completely new game, in my befuddled state after Christmas lunch, I find it all but impossible. Is it just me, or do rules become ever more complicated as the years go by? The truly maddening thing is that our sons and the mothers of our grandchildren seem to grasp those rules as soon as someone reads them aloud. Meanwhile, I’m still floundering after reading them again and again. ‘Don’t be an idiot, Dad. How many times do I have to tell you that you can only move three squares forward if the matrix card is in the ascendant and the arrow on the buzzle is pointing to the spy-circle?’ But you must forgive me if I sound a little jaded. My excuse is that to mark my birthday last week, my darling wife took it into her head to prepare a sit-down lunch for 24 people – 19 of them called Utley – though some of the young had to stand. So it was that, while Mrs U shopped and cooked, I spent much of the week shifting furniture and erecting fold-away tables and camp beds, before dismantling them all when the last of our guests left on Sunday. But since it’s our turn to do Christmas again this year, they’ll be back in force before the month is out, and we’ll have to go through the whole exhausting business again. Just one observation. My birthday lunch seemed to pass in perfect domestic harmony, from beginning to end, with a good time had by all. Could this have had something to do with the miracle that, on this occasion, we were spared any organised games? In the name of peace and goodwill to all men, is it too much to hope that the young will show similar mercy on December 25? Share or comment on this article: TOM UTLEY: The infuriating reason every Christmas at the Utleys begins with smiles... and ends with blood on the carpet e-mail Add comment More top stories

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British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canada’s premiers and the federal government have hatched a game plan over possible U.S. tariffs, where Conservative premiers lobby their Republican counterparts and left-leaning leaders court the Democrats, while the federal government focuses on president-elect Donald Trump. Eby says the premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about using their political diversity and connections to approach politicians and business leaders in the United States, as talks over Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico ramp up. He says it has been discussed that Conservative premiers Danielle Smith in Alberta, Doug Ford in Ontario and Nova Scotia’s Tim Houston are well-placed to lobby their contacts with Republican governors and business leaders. In a year-end interview, Eby says as a New Democrat leader he will likely have more in common speaking with Democrat governors and business leaders from the West Coast states. He says Canada’s diversity of representation, ranging from the right and left sides of the political spectrum, can bring leverage and advantages in tariff talks. Eby also says — if it is deemed helpful — he is prepared to appear on American’s right-leaning Fox News TV network as did premiers Ford and Smith.GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — After losing to San Francisco in the playoffs three of the last five seasons, the Green Bay Packers wouldn’t mind seeing the 49ers get left out of the postseason entirely. The Packers (7-3) could damage San Francisco’s playoff hopes Sunday by beating the 49ers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco (5-5) dropped to .500 after losing at home to the Seattle Seahawks, though the 49ers remain just a game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. “I think we’re motivated to keep winning more than anything,” Packers center Josh Myers said. “Obviously, they have knocked us out quite a bit. There’s that extra motivation behind it, but at this point, we’re just trying to churn out wins.” The 49ers will be playing this game without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who injured his right shoulder in the Seahawks game. Although an MRI showed no structural damage, Purdy's shoulder didn't improve as the week wore on. Brandon Allen will start in Purdy's place. Green Bay is third in the NFC North and two games behind the Detroit Lions, but the Packers appear on track to at least earn a wild-card playoff berth. History suggests their path to a potential Super Bowl would get much clearer if the 49ers aren’t standing in their way. The 49ers trailed 21-14 in the fourth quarter before rallying to beat the Packers 24-21 in the divisional playoffs last year on Christian McCaffrey’s 6-yard touchdown run with 1:07 left. Now, it’s the 49ers who are struggling to protect late leads, as they’ve blown fourth-quarter advantages in three games against divisional opponents. “You could look at, ‘Hey, we’re three possessions away from being 8-2,’ but you can’t really live like that,” 49ers tight end George Kittle said. “Those are the mistakes that we’ve made to be 5-5. It’s not exactly where we want to be. It is frustrating. The nice thing is we have seven games left to go out there and play Niners football and take advantage of those opportunities.” Green Bay’s recent history of playoff frustration against the 49ers also includes a 13-10 loss at Lambeau Field in the 2021 divisional playoffs and a 37-20 road defeat in the 2019 NFC championship game. Even the Packers players who weren’t around for last season’s playoff loss realize what this game means. “I think one of the first meetings that I was in here, we had a conversation about the Niners beating us,” said Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney, who joined the Packers this season. “So I understand how important it is, and we all do.” Red-zone concerns Both teams must figure out how to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. The 49ers are scoring touchdowns on just 48.8% of their drives inside an opponent’s 20-yard line to rank 27th in the NFL. The Packers are slightly worse in that regard, scoring touchdowns on 48.7% of their red-zone possessions to rank 28th. In their 20-19 victory at Chicago on Sunday, Green Bay drove to the Bears 5 without scoring on two separate series. Injury issues Purdy isn't the only notable player who won't be participating in Sunday's game. San Francisco won't have four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa available after he hurt his left hip and oblique against the Seahawks. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) also have been ruled out. Kittle expects to play for the 49ers on Sunday after missing the Seahawks game with a hamstring injury. 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable. Seeking takeaways Green Bay’s defense feasted on turnovers the first part of the season, but hasn’t been as effective in getting those takeaways lately. The Packers have 19 takeaways – already exceeding their 2023 total – but haven’t forced any turnovers in their last two games. Heavy load 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t eased McCaffrey back into the lineup in his return after missing the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey has played 91% of the 49ers’ offensive snaps the past two weeks. Jordan Mason, who rushed for 685 yards during McCaffrey’s absence, has just five snaps on offense the last two games. Shanahan said he’d like to get Mason more opportunities, but it’s hard to take McCaffrey off the field. Delivering on third down Green Bay nearly lost to the Bears because of its third-down struggles on both sides of the ball. The Packers were 1 of 5 on third-down opportunities, while the Bears went 9 of 16. The Packers’ defense could have a tough time correcting that problem against San Francisco, which has converted 45.4% of its third-down situations to rank fourth in the league. ___ AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Steve Megargee, The Associated PressTHIS is the incredible moment Ukraine unleashes a shotgun-wielding drone to hunt down and destroy Russians on the battlefield. The impressive footage, captured from the frontlines, shows the powerful mounted UAVs taking on Russian drones single-handedly and blasting them out of the sky with ease. Advertisement 6 Ukraine's impressive shotgun-wielding drone chases after a Russian drone on the frontlines Credit: X 6 Footage showed a compilation of videos showing the drone-on-drone attacks with Ukraine's new weapon coming out victorious every time Credit: X 6 The moment the shotgun drone strikes the enemy weapon and sends it erupting in flames Credit: X Foundation for Assistance to Defenders of Ukraine shared a compilation of the drone-on-drone executions on social media. The minute-long clip shows a small Russian aircraft soaring above a Ukrainian warzone before being ruthlessly targeted. In the insane video a Ukrainian drone stealthily appears above its Russian counterpart with two shotguns attached to its front. The operator takes aim and with near pinpoint accuracy fires - launching a deathly bullet straight to the Russian drone. Advertisement read more in Ukrainian drones SITTING DUCKS North Korean soldier's war diary sketches show Ukraine drones blitzing troops FIRE & FURY Moment Ukraine drone strike on Putin's oil depot sparks 'doomsday' explosion A quick flash of light erupts as the shotgun strikes the drone and sends it tumbling to the ground. Another clips sees the Russian war weapon approaching the destructive new invention over a snowy battleground. Within seconds, a shotgun bullet is fired and splits Vladimir Putin's drone in two as it plunges downwards and smashes off the ground. A third video shows a pair of drones battling it out in a wild chase. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Highlights WELL 2 GERS 2 Shambolic display leaves Clement on brink as horror Christmas week continues PURR-FECT 'You can be my Catwoman' cry fans as Scots singer stuns in plunging jumpsuit Exclusive IN FOR THE KEL Championship side make ex-Celtic starlet No1 target in new boss hunt Latest SNOW ALERT Exact date major snow blizzards to hit Scotland as grim New Year warning issued The shotgun-wielding Ukrainian can be seen hunting down the fleeing Russian drone. After a long, daring flight the flashy new Ukrainian weapon takes charge and finds its target with a devastating strike. HELL FIRE Watch as Ukraine drone spews thermite on bunker before being consumed by blaze The compilation of videos were followed by the caption: "For the first time on video - hard drive drones shoot down other drones with shotguns. "Defenders of Ukraine are testing the developments of Lesia UA technology." Advertisement Ukraine's use of drone warfare has kept Putin's troops at bay since the conflict started almost three years ago. They have repeatedly used impressive aerial tactics to strike key Russian infrastructure and to take out incoming fighters with ease. One of the most advanced drones being used is the dragon drone which spews flesh-melting thermite onto Russian bunkers. Terrifying footage has shown the drone beginning to spew the thermite across a trench and into the entrance of a snowy Russian bunker . Advertisement Anyone caught underneath the iron oxide and aluminium combination would be burned to death. After shooting the lethal mixture for around 20 seconds the drone catches fire itself and flies inside the bunker hoping to take Russian soldiers with it. Kyiv has been deploying the menacing weapon over tree lines and forests - attacking Russia with scorching hot molten. Earlier this month footage also showed Ukrainian drones equipped with machine guns being used for the first time to ambush Russian troops. Advertisement Ukrainian soldiers fitted a Wild Hornets drone with an AK-47 assault rifle and used it to fire on opposition forces . It comes just days after Russian despot Putin admitted he's open for peace talks with Ukraine again - but only "if it comes to that". The ageing tyrant welcomed Slovakian PM Robert Fico to the Kremlin before Christmas and claims the pair spoke about using Slovakia as a negotiating headquarters to help solve the nearly three-year conflict. Despite the comments, Putin launched a brutal missile and drone barrage on Ukraine in a horror Christmas massacre. Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun GHOST TOWN Former Scots shopping hotspot 'decaying' as multimillion pound revamp ‘failing’ VAX HORROR Striken Scots 'gaslit' by health bosses after complications from Covid vaccine Over 70 missiles, including ballistic projectiles, and more than 100 kamikaze drones were launched in a coordinated assault early on December 25. The attack disrupted festive celebrations across Ukraine, with families forced to take shelter in metro stations as air raid sirens wailed across the country. 6 The drone appears to feature two shotguns Credit: X 6 A cloud of smoke appears over the Ukrainian battlefield after a Russia drone is hit Credit: X Advertisement 6 Ukrainian troops have also equipped a drone with a machine gun for the first time to ambush Russian troops Credit: Supplied

The slump in the number of people heading to the shops during Boxing Day sales signals a return to declining pre-pandemic levels, an analyst has said. Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.NoneFrontier Group director Josh Connor sells $350,811 in stock

GoFundMe for paralyzed former Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm surpasses $700KMontebello just broke ground on its doggie happy place: the city’s first-ever dog park. The site sits at Acuna Park at 1700 W. Victoria Ave., where dogs and their owners gathered on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to breaking ground. City officials said the project will provide a safe, welcoming space for dogs and their owners. The park spans about 20,000 square feet, but the new dog park will include 14,000 square feet of dedicated off-leash space where dogs can roam, play, and and get to know each other. The park will feature separate areas for small and large dogs to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the big doggies and the little ones. The park will also include amenities such as: Related Articles News | Girl, 5, killed by family’s dogs in backyard attack near Covina News | Zoya, one of world’s oldest Amur leopards, dies at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens News | How Los Angeles saved crucial wildlife habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains News | Wild parrots are being shot at increasing rates in the San Gabriel Valley, wildlife groups say News | Mountain lion rescued from tree after fleeing beagle in OC Mayor Scarlet Peralta said the “creation of Montebello’s first dog park is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all our residents. We are proud to deliver a space that reflects the input of our community and provides a safe and enjoyable environment for our pets and their owners. This project is another step forward in building a stronger, more inclusive Montebello.” City Manager Raul Alvarez said “this dog park represents our city’s dedication to fostering community connection and creating spaces where everyone, including our four-legged family members, can thrive.” The park will be open during standard park hours. For updates on the park’s progress and opening details, visit MontebelloCA.gov or follow on social media @CityofMontebello.

Published 4:58 pm Wednesday, November 27, 2024 By Data Skrive Three games on the Thursday college basketball schedule feature a ranked team, including the matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa State Cyclones. 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 for a free trial. Get the latest news sent to your inbox Catch tons of live women’s college basketball , plus original programming, with ESPN+ or the Disney Bundle.By James Boyd, Charlotte Carroll and Jelani Scott The New York Giants shook up the 2025 NFL Draft while crushing the Indianapolis Colts’ playoff hopes in the process with a 45-33 win on Sunday. The Colts’ loss eliminated Indianapolis (7-9) from playoff contention. The Giants (3-13) picked up their first win at MetLife Stadium this season in their final home game thanks to career days from quarterback Drew Lock and rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. Advertisement Lock had a near-perfect passer rating (155.3), 309 passing yards and five total touchdowns — four passing and one rushing. Nabers’ Week 17 effort (seven catches, 171 yards and two TDs) gave the wideout his first 1,000-yard season. The Giants added three defensive takeaways and their first kickoff return TD since 2015. While the win gave the Giants a rare 2024 highlight, the aftermath clouds their chances for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants entered Week 17 holding No. 1 pick, but with the win, the Giants brought numerous teams back into contention for it. Indy’s playoff hopes go up in smoke The Colts needed to win Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. They couldn’t deliver and will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The Colts fell behind 21-6 with just under six minutes left in the second quarter and were never able to overcome Lock’s hot start. The Giants QB threw three TD passes on the Giants’ first four drives and finished the first half with more TDs (three) than incompletions (one). Colts QB Joe Flacco was hardly as successful. The 39-year-old passer, who filled in for the injured Anthony Richardson (back/foot), finished 26-of-38 passing for 330 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. His 13-yard and 7-yard TD passes to receivers Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr. cut the Giants’ lead to two points twice in the fourth quarter. But Flacco’s interception with 2:57 left proved to be the dagger. Jonathan Taylor tried to put the Colts’ offense on his back midway through the game, but it was to no avail. The running back finished with 32 carries for 125 yards and two TDs, notching his seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season. — James Boyd, Colts beat writer Giants’ shot at top pick in peril The Giants broke a franchise record 10-game losing streak and avoided going winless at home for the first time since 1974, but it’ll come with a hefty cost — potentially losing out on the No. 1 pick. With their third win, they’re no longer in control of the first pick. Their strength of schedule will determine their position fate. Advertisement While players and coaches looked thrilled, fans in the stands and on social media expressed trepidation at the possibility of losing out on the pick for the win. — Charlotte Carroll, Giants beat writer Terrible tackling dooms Indy in defeat Indianapolis’ season-long tackling issues reared their ugly head again at the worst time. Three of the Giants’ touchdowns came after the Colts missed open-field tackles, perhaps most egregiously on Nabers’ 59-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter that gave New York a 35-26 lead. The Giants’ rookie caught the ball near the sideline, and cornerbacks Kenny Moore II and Sam Womack III both whiffed on tackles near the sideline that allowed Nabers to race down the sideline and ultimately to victory. The Giants entered Sunday’s game with the worst scoring offense in the NFL at just 14.3 points per game. However, they exploded for a season-high 35 offensive points against the Colts, plus a 100-yard kickoff return TD by Ihmir Smith-Marsette to open the second half. Smith-Marsette’s long score marked the Giants’ first kickoff return touchdown since 2015. The Colts defense also failed to sack Lock and managed only one QB hit. — Boyd Required reading (Photo: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images)Ozone levels breaching limits in Delhi: NGT issues notice to Centre over CPCB's recommendations

THIS is the incredible moment Ukraine unleashes a shotgun-wielding drone to hunt down and destroy Russians on the battlefield. The impressive footage, captured from the frontlines, shows the powerful mounted UAVs taking on Russian drones single-handedly and blasting them out of the sky with ease. Foundation for Assistance to Defenders of Ukraine shared a compilation of the drone-on-drone executions on social media. The minute-long clip shows a small Russian aircraft soaring above a Ukrainian warzone before being ruthlessly targeted. In the insane video a Ukrainian drone stealthily appears above its Russian counterpart with two shotguns attached to its front. The operator takes aim and with near pinpoint accuracy fires - launching a deathly bullet straight to the Russian drone. read more in Ukrainian drones A quick flash of light erupts as the shotgun strikes the drone and sends it tumbling to the ground. Another clips sees the Russian war weapon approaching the destructive new invention over a snowy battleground. Within seconds, a shotgun bullet is fired and splits Vladimir Putin 's drone in two as it plunges downwards and smashes off the ground. A third video shows a pair of drones battling it out in a wild chase. Most read in The Sun The shotgun-wielding Ukrainian can be seen hunting down the fleeing Russian drone. After a long, daring flight the flashy new Ukrainian weapon takes charge and finds its target with a devastating strike. The compilation of videos were followed by the caption: "For the first time on video - hard drive drones shoot down other drones with shotguns. "Defenders of Ukraine are testing the developments of Lesia UA technology ." Ukraine's use of drone warfare has kept Putin's troops at bay since the conflict started almost three years ago. They have repeatedly used impressive aerial tactics to strike key Russian infrastructure and to take out incoming fighters with ease. One of the most advanced drones being used is the dragon drone which spews flesh-melting thermite onto Russian bunkers. Terrifying footage has shown the drone beginning to spew the thermite across a trench and into the entrance of a snowy Russian bunker . Anyone caught underneath the iron oxide and aluminium combination would be burned to death. After shooting the lethal mixture for around 20 seconds the drone catches fire itself and flies inside the bunker hoping to take Russian soldiers with it. Kyiv has been deploying the menacing weapon over tree lines and forests - attacking Russia with scorching hot molten. Earlier this month footage also showed Ukrainian drones equipped with machine guns being used for the first time to ambush Russian troops. Ukrainian soldiers fitted a Wild Hornets drone with an AK-47 assault rifle and used it to fire on opposition forces . It comes just days after Russian despot Putin admitted he's open for peace talks with Ukraine again - but only "if it comes to that". The ageing tyrant welcomed Slovakian PM Robert Fico to the Kremlin before Christmas and claims the pair spoke about using Slovakia as a negotiating headquarters to help solve the nearly three-year conflict. Despite the comments, Putin launched a brutal missile and drone barrage on Ukraine in a horror Christmas massacre. READ MORE SUN STORIES Over 70 missiles, including ballistic projectiles, and more than 100 kamikaze drones were launched in a coordinated assault early on December 25. The attack disrupted festive celebrations across Ukraine , with families forced to take shelter in metro stations as air raid sirens wailed across the country.

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( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) As the world of Cryptocurrency continues to evolve, changes in leadership and policy in the U.S. bring about unique challenges and opportunities. Under former President Donald Trump, crypto experienced a complex relationship with mixed sentiments regarding its role in the U.S. economy. Now, as Political dynamics shift, what lies ahead for digital currencies? Trump's Stance on Cryptocurrency Trump's administration was known for its ambivalence toward cryptocurrency, with the former president himself vocal about his skepticism. trump expressed concerns over Bitcoin, describing it as a potential tool for illegal activity and an unreliable financial asset. His administration took steps to implement regulatory frameworks, creating mixed reactions among crypto enthusiasts. Despite this cautious approach, the crypto industry saw unprecedented growth, with Bitcoin and other assets skyrocketing. Ironically, Trump's own policies indirectly facilitated market interest in decentralized currencies, as traditional financial markets faced regulatory constraints and limitations. However, his rhetoric consistently favored the dollar, casting crypto as a fringe asset. Opportunities for Crypto in Decentralized Sectors As governments contemplate crypto's role, decentralized sectors like gaming and entertainment are already seeing benefits. An example is the casino industry, where online casinos not on GamStop are exploring crypto transactions to attract an audience looking for flexible, secure payment options. For instance, platforms mentioned on This guide leverage blockchain technology to offer fast, anonymous transactions, which appeal to players who prioritize privacy and control over their funds. The use of cryptocurrency in online casinos exemplifies how decentralized finance can enhance user experiences and support industries beyond traditional finance. A New Regulatory Horizon Under new leadership, the crypto sector anticipates potential shifts in regulations. While Trump was often vocal against crypto, the current political landscape suggests a more open-minded approach. Policymakers are exploring how crypto can integrate with traditional finance systems and the larger U.S. economy. Potential upcoming legislation could include enhanced oversight of stablecoins, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, and crypto exchanges . These measures could provide the much-needed legitimacy for cryptocurrency, allowing it to flourish under legal and regulatory protections. Crypto and Mainstream Adoption Beyond the casino sector, other mainstream industries are increasingly warming to digital currencies. Financial institutions, once hesitant, are now introducing crypto-related services, catering to a demand that's hard to ignore. Institutional investments in crypto are at an all-time high, with firms like Grayscale and MicroStrategy pouring significant resources into Bitcoin. This mainstream interest suggests that crypto may gradually move from a speculative asset to a core financial tool. International Competition While the U.S. continues to debate the merits of crypto, other countries are moving forward with robust policies. China, for instance, has developed its own digital yuan, challenging the dominance of the dollar. Europe is also exploring a digital euro, emphasizing the importance of the U.S. in not falling behind in the digital currency race. Strategic policies around crypto could enable the U.S. to maintain its influence in global finance, potentially positioning the dollar as a leader among fiat and digital currencies alike. Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Crypto The future of cryptocurrency post-Trump is likely to be marked by a delicate balance between regulatory oversight and innovation. With newer, more crypto-friendly policies on the horizon, the industry may achieve legitimacy and stability. However, how this balance is struck will ultimately determine whether crypto realizes its potential as a transformative force or remains on the financial periphery. As industries like online casinos and international finance embrace crypto, it's evident that digital currencies are not only here to stay but are set to become a key player in the future economy. MENAFN15122024000153011029ID1108995014 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.draftkings casino games

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel’s $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President announced the agreement to provide with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones, the people familiar with the grant told The Associated Press. In August, the chipmaker announced that it would cut 15% of its workforce — about 15,000 jobs — in an attempt to turn its business around to compete with more successful rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Unlike some of its rivals, Intel manufactures chips in addition to designing them. Two years ago, President Biden hailed Intel as a job creator with its plans to open a new plant near Columbus, Ohio. The president praised the company for plans to “build a workforce of the future” for the $20 billion project, which he said would generate 7,000 construction jobs and 3,000 full-time jobs set to pay an average of $135,000 a year. The California-based tech giant’s funding is tied to that President has celebrated and which is designed to revive U.S. semiconductor manufacturing. Known as the , the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when stalled factory assembly lines and . The Biden administration helped shepherd the legislation following pandemic-era concerns that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession. When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for of advanced computer chip production. In August, the administration pledged to provide up to $6.6 billion so that a Taiwanese semiconductor giant could expand the facilities it is and better ensure that the most advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time. The Commerce Department said the funding for meant the company could expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub. The administration has promised to support foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers, which Washington sees as a security weakness. _____ Boak reported from Washington. Josh Boak And Sarah Parvini, The Associated Press

DARTS fans were baffled after spotting a cameraman's reaction to Dirk van Duijvenbode's walk-on at the Players Championship Finals. Dutchman Van Duijvenbode , 32, got the Minehead crowd going with an energetic entrance on Saturday night. 1 One cameraman was spotted enthusiastically dancing during one of the walk-ons He pumped his fists to those in attendance as he prepared to take on fellow countryman Jermaine Wattimena. Van Duijvenbode came through the clash in emphatic style, booking his place in the quarter-finals with a 10-5 win. But it was a moment prior to the start of the match which got many darts lovers talking on social media. As the coverage panned to a zoomed out shot of the stage, the cameraman could be seen moving to the music as he shook his head and arms back and forth. READ MORE IN DARTS LUK AT THAT Luke Littler leaves opponent applauding with moment of genius And the moment left viewers in hysterics as they hailed the individual's enthusiasm. One said: "Cameraman at the darts last night understood the assignment 😂." Another added: "Having himself a great time." While a third replied: "That’s brilliant 🤣." Most read in Darts 'HE GOT IT WRONG' The TWO major tactical mistakes Philippe Clement made against Dundee Utd COUGH UP Motorhome park owner shuts after guests leave without paying using shock trick STORM TERROR Mum’s horror as baby is trapped inside sinking car as streets turn into rivers WITNESS' NEW CLAIM I saw Alistair Wilson's 'assassin' moments before he gunned banker down CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS And a fourth responded: "This has broken me 😂😂😂😂😂😂." On Sunday, Van Duijvenbode moved into the semi-finals with a thrilling 10-9 win over Connor Scutt. Luke Littler reveals secrets to his success by playing against 'computer' The victory set up a last-four clash with world champion Luke Humphries .SINGAPORE: Singapore registered the highest year-on-year rise in identity fraud among countries in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, according to a study. The number of such cases surged by 207 per cent from 2023, according to verification and monitoring platform Sumsub’s latest Identity Fraud Report released on Tuesday (Nov 19). This was significantly higher than a 121 per cent increase across the whole region. Thailand and Indonesia followed closely behind with increases of 206 per cent and 201 per cent respectively. Among the top five identity fraud types globally are the use of fake documents such as fake IDs and passports; "chargebacks" where customers dispute legitimate transactions to obtain refunds; fraud networks where organised groups use multiple accounts for criminal activities; account takeovers; and deepfakes. The report was based on data from over 3 million fraud attempts across various industries, said Sumsub. It also conducted a survey in August this year of over 200 fraud and risk professionals; more than 1,000 end-users in sectors like banking, cryptocurrency, payments and e-commerce; and consumers from 18 countries. GLOBAL RISE IN DEEPFAKES Sumsub's report found a four-fold increase in the number of deepfakes globally, accounting for seven per cent of all fraud attempts. Deepfakes refer to manipulated images, videos or voices used to impersonate individuals. In Asia-Pacific, Singapore came in joint second with Cambodia for an increase in deepfake attacks, with a rise of 240 per cent. South Korea experienced the highest increase at 735 per cent. Concerns about deepfakes are high in the region, with 85 per cent of respondents expressing fear about their future impact on elections, the report found. In Singapore, the next general election must be held by November next year. Deepfakes have already made headlines in Singapore for nefarious reasons. In April, several Members of Parliament, including Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, were among dozens who received extortion letters with manipulated photos that depicted their faces superimposed onto obscene images. Last year, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong – who was then still prime minister – was in an altered video discussing an investment opportunity purportedly approved by the Singapore government, in an interview with a news presenter. More recently, deepfake nude photos of Singapore Sports School students were created and shared by other students. POTENTIALLY "DEVASTATING" IMPACT Associate Professor Natalie Pang, head of the communications and new media department at the National University of Singapore, said the report’s findings were “worrying” and pointed to challenges for Singapore, especially in terms of cybersecurity. “If they are not addressed, the losses and harms arising from the fraud and attacks can be devastating,” she said. Singapore is a prime target for fraudsters due to the high volume of digital transactions that take place in the country, said Assoc Prof Pang. “We also have a digital economy characterised by high trust which means that people are less skeptical of schemes that are fraudulent,” she noted. “Additionally, Singapore is one of the most globally connected which also means that it is easier for scams and frauds to reach us.” Ms Penny Chai, Sumsub’s vice president of business development in the Asia-Pacific, said the surge in fraud observed in Singapore emphasised that “even highly developed markets in the region are vulnerable to increasingly complex fraud schemes”. “Singapore’s push towards a cashless society, with the widespread use of digital wallets, QR code payments and contactless transactions, has introduced new avenues for fraud,” said Ms Chai. While such payment systems bring convenience, they also come with vulnerabilities that fraudsters can exploit, she noted. SINGAPORE’S APPROACH In response to queries from CNA, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) refrained from commenting on the contents of Sumsub's report, but highlighted the "serious" threat of deepfakes. Attempts to weaponise the technology for scams or fraud are projected to grow, due to the widespread accessibility of tools to create highly convincing deepfakes at a relatively low cost, a spokesperson said. “For example, AI technology has now made face swap technology increasingly accessible, hence making spoofed identities easier and highly-scalable, and able to bypass remote identity verification,” he added. “This is a trend that is likely to stay.” Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam revealed in April this year that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has received some reports alleging deepfake techniques used by scammers. But "the number is not high". Still, there have been recent moves in this area, including a S$20 million (US$15 million) initiative to grow new capabilities to keep pace with deepfakes; a Centre for Advanced Technologies in Online Safety; as well as legislation such as an Online Criminal Harms Act and a law banning deepfakes during elections. WHAT TO DO AS INDIVIDUALS Assoc Prof Pang urged people to be vigilant and practice good cyber-hygiene, such as enabling two-factor authentication to protect their accounts and encrypting sensitive data. “Staying informed of the various fraud schemes that are emerging, and enhancing one's AI literacy in order to recognise deepfakes, is essential,” she added. Associate Professor Hannah Yee-Fen Lim from Nanyang Technological University said that even with knowing the precautions to take, individuals can still be susceptible to ploys which use social engineering. “Most of the time, the fraudsters use highly emotive methods that provoke strong emotions that tend to override their logic and common sense,” she explained. “That's why love, kidnapping and inheritance scams have worked so well, because people are so drawn in by love and money that they cannot see through the fraud.” She added that there has to be greater awareness on the potential harms from mobile phone apps and social media usage. To avoid falling prey to deepfake scams, individuals need to have a healthy sense of scepticism regarding deals or promotions offered to them online, or through phone calls which are often made out as "urgent", CSA added. Its spokesperson offered a simple tip to expose fraudsters: Individuals should ask the caller a question that only a few people would know, such as when they last met in person.

Under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and Invest Saudi will hold the 28th annual World Investment Conference (WIC) in Riyadh from November 25 to 27. The event will gather global leaders in investment, government, and international organizations to tackle the theme “Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth: Scaling Investment Opportunities”. On the occasion, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said: “Under the wise leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salaman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed, the Kingdom, driven by its ambitious Vision 2030, has become a premier world investment destination and is experiencing unprecedented growth in overall investment amounts and diversity.” This year’s World Investment Conference in Riyadh “will be a platform for sharing our nation’s strategic vision with our partners, and an invaluable opportunity to highlight our status as a trusted partner for sustainable economic growth,” he added. “We look forward to welcoming investment leaders from around the world to forge partnerships that will benefit both the Kingdom and global economies,” he stressed. Vision 2030 has driven significant economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, attracting substantial foreign investment. Over 28,900 foreign investment licenses have been issued, reflecting the Kingdom's transformation into a major global investment hub. Key factors contributing to this growth include 100% foreign ownership in specific sectors, streamlined commercial register procedures, simplified visa issuance, and other investor-friendly initiatives that have created a favorable and appealing environment for investors in various sectors, including renewable energy, logistics services, and AI. The Kingdom's attractive investment landscape has also facilitated the development of a dynamic economy that leads in innovation and growth. WAIPA Executive Director and CEO Ismail Ersahin said: “WAIPA is excited to bring the 28th WIC to Riyadh, a city that perfectly embodies the future of investment. The conference will provide a crucial platform for Investment Promotion Agencies and investors to discuss emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.” “We deeply appreciate Saudi Arabia’s vision and leadership, which will ensure that this edition of WIC is an impactful gathering for all participants,” he remarked. Key highlights of this year’s WIC are a range of conference tracks, such as high-level dialogues with government ministers, insightful sessions on technology, sustainability, and economic cooperation, as well as practical masterclasses for investment professionals, a dedicated entrepreneurship track that will emphasize the transformative role of startups and innovators, and exclusive matchmaking sessions that will facilitate strategic partnerships between investors, SMEs, and potential collaborators. Participants will also have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Investment Promotion Agencies on the Awards Track, honoring innovation and excellence in investment facilitation. This year’s WIC promises to be a pivotal forum as it aligns with global investment drivers: the disruptive influence of technology and AI, global supply chain resilience, energy transition toward sustainability, and the transformative role of entrepreneurs and startups in reshaping investment landscapes traditionally led by multinational corporations. Leaders and stakeholders will discuss and explore how these factors are redefining economies and driving forward-looking investment models worldwide. With its focus on scaling investment opportunities, WIC is designed to equip attendees with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to drive meaningful economic impact.Special Counsel Jack Smith on Monday moved to dismiss the federal cases against US President-elect Donald Trump -- including one for election subversion -- citing an official policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Trump, 78, was accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden and mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House, but neither case ever came to trial. Smith, in a filing with the district judge in Washington presiding over the election case, said it should be dropped in light of the long-standing Justice Department policy of not indicting or prosecuting a sitting president. He cited the same reasoning in withdrawing his appeal of a ruling by a district judge, a Trump appointee, who dismissed the classified documents case earlier this year. Smith asked District Judge Tanya Chutkan to dismiss the election interference case "without prejudice" -- leaving open the possibility it could be revived after Trump leaves office four years from now. The special counsel paused the election interference case this month after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. "The Government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. "But the circumstances have." "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President," Smith said. "As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." In a separate filing, Smith said he was withdrawing his appeal of the dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump but pursuing the case against his two co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. Trump's communications director Steven Cheung welcomed the move to dismiss the election interference case, calling it a "major victory for the rule of law." "The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country," Cheung said in a statement. Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021, by a mob of the then-president's supporters. Trump is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. The former and incoming president also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump's lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office. cl/bgs

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Elon Musk, the richest person in the US, is being treated by lots of people — including President-elect Donald Trump — as a cost-cutting genius. That’s why Trump has put Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of coming up with plans to drastically slash federal government expenditures. But when you look at what’s happened to the value of X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, since Musk bought control of it two years ago and fired 80% of its employees, you see that his cost-cutting crusade has turned into a financial fiasco for him and his 19 coinvestors. It’s important to understand what Musk has wrought at X because he will be trying to do to America what he did to Twitter. And the massive mess that Musk has created at X hasn’t gotten anything like the attention it deserves. Here's a reminder. According to the most recent available numbers, which we’ll get to in a bit, Musk and his co-investors have lost more than $25 billion on their Twitter takeover. That’s right. More than $25,000,000,000. How can I know that when X is a private company that doesn’t release financial results? It’s because Musk’s coinvestors include the Fidelity group of mutual funds . Fidelity, you see, is required to value its funds' holdings in X at their market value rather than at their cost because investors buy and sell mutual fund shares based on the shares’ net asset value. According to Fidelity's financial filings, its funds' stake in X has fallen almost 80% in value since the Musk takeover. For example, Fidelity’s Contrafund (FCNTX) valued its stake at $53,469,000 when Twitter morphed into X in October of 2022 but valued that stake at only $11,383,550 as of Sept. 30, the most recent available number. That’s a 78.7% drop. Buying Twitter was a $46.5 billion deal: $44 billion went to shareholders and about $2.5 billion went to expenses. Musk and his coinvestors put about $33 billion into the takeover, with X borrowing the remaining $13.5 billion. Apply a 78.7% drop to that $33 billion investment, and you see that Musk and his coinvestors are down about $26 billion. Of this, about $20.4 billion is Musk’s portion of the loss, and the other $5.6 billion is the coinvestors’ loss. Obviously, I can’t prove that Musk eviscerating 80% of Twitter’s workforce is responsible for the almost 80% loss that Musk et al. have suffered. No one can. But the evisceration of the workforce and the subsequent evisceration of X’s value certainly raises the question of whether Musk can be trusted to cut federal spending to the bone without inflicting massive damage on tens of millions of people. We’re all entitled to answer that question in our own way. But even though Musk is arguably the most successful investor of our time, to me the Twitter/X numbers are telling us that the answer to this question is “no.” (Disclosure: I have bought one share of Musk’s Tesla (TSLA) and one share of Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT) to give me guaranteed access to the companies’ shareholder documents. I'll donate any profits to charity.) Allan Sloan, a contributor to Yahoo Finance, is a seven-time winner of the Loeb Award, business journalism’s highest honor. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo FinancePitt QB Eli Holstein carted off with leg injuryMoss Adams Wealth Advisors LLC Raises Stake in NVIDIA Co. (NASDAQ:NVDA)

Former NFL running back Wendell Smallwood , who spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, has been charged with COVID-19 and tax fraud. According to Xerzxes Wilson of the Delaware News Journal , Smallwood has been charged with three felonies: wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Federal prosecutors said Smallwood submitted fraudulent information to government agencies so he could receive tens of thousands of dollars in payments tied to the businesses he operated. Smallwood is also accused of engaging in a kickback conspiracy with others aimed at defrauding COVID-19 relief funds and lying to tax authorities. Smallwood is facing up to 50 years in prison. However, the former West Virginia running back likely won’t receive that harsh of a punishment since he has no previous criminal convictions. “Wendell has cooperated fully with this investigation. We will have more to say when we appear in December,” Smallwood’s attorney Mark B. Sheppard said. Smallwood has not yet been arraigned and has not entered a plea. Wilson said a hearing hearing for that is set to happen next month. A look at Wendell Smallwood’s NFL and college careers The Eagles selected Smallwood in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Philadelphia and won a Super Bowl with the team during the 2017 season. Smallwood was waived by the Eagles on Aug. 31, 2019, but was picked up by Washington the following day. During the 2019 season, Smallwood played in 15 games and registered 81 rushing yards on 22 carries. In 2020, Smallwood signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played in just one game during the 2020 season and spent the majority of his time on the practice squad. The following season, Smallwood re-joined Washington and played in three games. In his career, Smallwood rushed for 956 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 474 yards and two scores. Before the NFL, Smallwood played three seasons at West Virginia. In 2015, the Delaware native rushed for a Big 12 Conference-leading 1,519 yards and nine touchdowns on 238 carries. This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.CalMatters Commentary: $165 billion revenue error still haunts California’s budget

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HIP recognised at ‘Women Friendly Workplace Awards 2024’West Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away win NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. Canadian Press Nov 25, 2024 2:04 PM Nov 25, 2024 2:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message West Ham United's Tomas Soucek, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and West Ham United in Newcastle, England, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP) NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. The London club has been inconsistent all season and Monday’s win was just its fourth in 12 league games. West Ham was worth the win in the end but the three points came courtesy of slack defending by the home side. Emerson whipped in an out-swinging corner after 10 minutes and, with Newcastle defenders rooted to the spot, Souček stole in to nod home the opener. Then eight minutes into the second half, captain Jarrod Bowen found Wan-Bissaka in the penalty box and he was left unchallenged and had time to fire an angled drive past Nick Pope. Newcastle brought on Harvey Barnes, and then Callum Wilson returned from a long-term back injury to make his first appearance of the season but to no avail. The defeat ended a three-game winning streak for Newcastle and left the Saudi Arabia-owned club in ninth place, four points outside the top four. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Englishman Davis scores late to rescue point for Udinese and Lecce steals win at Venezia Nov 25, 2024 1:49 PM US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer Nov 25, 2024 1:43 PM Canada forward Evelyne Viens sidelined by injury ahead of Canada friendlies in Spain Nov 25, 2024 11:39 AM

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DALLAS — Scott Turner, President-elect Donald Trump choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development , is a former NFL player who ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term. Turner, 52, is the first Black person selected to be a member of the Republican's Cabinet. Here are some things to know about Turner: Turner grew up in a Dallas suburb, Richardson, and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was a defensive back and spent nine seasons in the NFL beginning in 1995, playing for the Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. During offseasons, he worked as an intern then-Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif. After Turner retired in 2004, he worked full time for the congressman. In 2006, Turner ran unsuccessfully as a Republican in California’s 50th Congressional District. Turner joined the Texas House in 2013 as part of a large crop of tea party-supported lawmakers. He tried unsuccessfully to become speaker before he finished his second term in 2016. He did not seek a third term. Turner also worked for a software company in a position called “chief inspiration officer” and said he acted as a professional mentor, pastor, and councilor for the employees and executive team. He has also been a motivational speaker. He and his wife, Robin Turner, founded a nonprofit promoting initiatives to improve childhood literacy. His church, Prestonwood Baptist Church, lists him as an associate pastor. He is also chair of the center for education opportunity at America First Policy Institute, a think tank set up by former Trump administration staffers to lay the groundwork if he won a second term. Trump introduced Turner in April 2019 as the head of the new White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Trump credited Turner with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” The mission of the council was to coordinate with various federal agencies to attract investment to so-called “Opportunity Zones," which were economically depressed areas eligible to be used for the federal tax incentives. HUD is responsible for addressing the nation’s housing needs. It also is charged with fair housing laws and oversees housing for the poorest Americans, sheltering more than 4.3 million low-income families through public housing, rental subsidy and voucher programs. The agency, with a budget of tens of billions of dollars, runs a multitude of programs that do everything from reducing homelessness to promoting homeownership. It also funds the construction of affordable housing and provides vouchers that allow low income families pay for housing in the private market. During the campaign, Trump focused mostly on the prices of housing, not public housing. He railed against the high cost of housing and said he could make it more affordable by cracking down on illegal immigration and reducing inflation. He also said he would work to reduce regulations on home construction and make some federal land available for residential construction.Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet.jili casino games

IN BRIEF: • AI-driven payroll solutions streamline complex international payroll operations, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency. • Automating payroll processes with AI improves accuracy, compliance, and employee satisfaction. • AI-powered chatbots provide quick, accurate responses to payroll inquiries, simplifying workloads and enhancing the employee experience. M anaging payroll for a global workforce presents a myriad of challenges due to constantly evolving political, legal, social, and economic factors. These changes impact regulatory requirements and reporting, making it difficult to navigate diverse labor laws, tax regulations, data privacy standards, and payment procedures. Consequently, the dynamic conditions increase employee inquiries, complicating payroll management. Companies need efficient, accurate, and cost-effective methods to address these inquiries, enhancing employee satisfaction and trust. CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL PAYROLL MANAGEMENT Payroll errors and delayed responses can lead to fines, damage organizational reputation, and frustrate employees, affecting costs and related functions like recruitment and retention. While preventing errors is crucial, traditional methods for handling these challenges are often costly and ineffective. Businesses are ready for an innovation — a solution that offers something greater than the sum of its parts. Finding a time-efficient, cost-effective, innovative, and globally adaptable solution that can grow with the organization demands taking stock of the entire system and adding something more: an ecosystem approach. HOW AI CAN HELP Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a significant opportunity to transform payroll functions and enhance efficiency. By automating data collection and analysis, AI can identify trends and anomalies, providing real-time insights into payroll performance. This technology can help monitor payroll metrics, track progress against targets, and identify areas where additional investment or action is needed. By leveraging AI, companies can improve the accuracy and reliability of their payroll processes while freeing up time and resources for more strategic activities. CASE STUDY: AI-DRIVEN PAYROLL SOLUTIONS Many organizations face the challenge of managing complex international payroll operations. One company needed a quick and accurate communication platform with their employees that would answer country- and employee-specific payroll questions within a broader global payroll operations environment. Weighing the desired outcomes and challenges, the company implemented an AI-driven payroll chatbot. This chatbot addressed employee payroll questions efficiently and accurately, providing accessible answers to employee questions easily and quickly. The cloud-enabled development of a large language model helped create a payroll chatbot capable of answering complex employee questions. The chatbot solved the company’s payroll needs in a way that was efficient for them as the employer, but it was also incredibly effective and beneficial for their employees. After the initial launch of a pilot version, the company scaled it to an enterprise-ready payroll chatbot that answered complex payroll questions by using an underlying large language model and vast compliance data. This solution helped reduce the burden on the employer while personalizing the employee experience. In very real terms, there were improvements across the board in providing accurate answers to queries, employee satisfaction, and first call resolution. There was also an overwhelming decrease in cost to serve. This is just one example of how AI can help accelerate and improve payroll management while simplifying the workload. AN INTEGRATED GLOBAL PAYROLL SOLUTION Taking control and driving efficiency with an integrated global payroll solution involves transforming global payrolls through a unified managed services approach, integrating domestic, mobile, and global payroll services. A centralized, modular platform handles the complexities of an international workforce, connecting legal, advisory, and compliance knowledge for an integrated payroll experience. In today’s fast-paced world, where talent is the key resource, managing the payroll of an increasingly international workforce has become complex and time-consuming. The rapid pace of regulatory compliance, labor and privacy law changes, managing the life experience of employees, and the scarcity of payroll talent are just a few of the hurdles that organizations face. Traditional payroll models struggle to keep up with modern business demands and new ways of working. The risks of noncompliance, data privacy issues, and the high costs and inefficiency of managing multiple vendors are significant challenges. Taking initiative involves governance, oversight, and control. It means having single-process ownership across employee entitlement, compliance requirements, and pay distribution. This approach provides a unified view of data, reduces duplication, ensures consistent decisions and reporting, and offers a holistic view of talent and compliance, enabling organizations to plan. Driving efficiency requires providing direct access to all subject-matter-experts and enabling effective risk management across the entire employee population. It helps reduce cost and labor leakage that occurs with disparate vendors, duplication of effort, gaps in essential knowledge and process, and inadequate business controls. Additionally, it improves in-house technology and data assets. Planning enhances the employee experience through advanced technology, streamlined processes, and easy access to on-the-ground knowledge. It also reduces the cost of developing and modifying technology. THE FUTURE OF PAYROLL A next-generation payroll managed service approach combines global reach and deep capabilities, consistent multiservice integration, and direct access to teams across the globe. Across payroll, labor and employment law, and mobility, teams can work together collaboratively to meet workforce compliance needs wherever they are. Global processes, technology, and data models are smoothly integrated, providing a single, cohesive, high-quality service. Access to core service delivery without subcontracting to third parties helps ensure effective communication and improved performance. Being part of an ecosystem facilitates the provision of comprehensive solutions beyond payroll, leveraging deep knowledge to address unique challenges. Organizations can address global payroll operational and service challenges by leveraging AI technology to create innovative solutions, such as a payroll chatbot. The proper use of AI can help simplify employer workload, answer complex payroll employee queries, provide regulatory compliance information, and enhance employee experience, leading to increased operational efficiency. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co. Aaron C. Escartin is a tax partner and Philippine Payroll Operate leader of SGV & Co.BOISE — Milk and beef remain revenue leaders in Idaho agriculture as producers contend with inflationary constraints. In an Agricultural Outlook Seminar hosted by the University of Idaho on Wednesday, industry leaders and academics discussed their expectations for 2025. Based on current projections, the state is poised to meet a number of all-time highs across the agricultural sector as it continues to contend with inflationary prices. “Idaho is a relatively small economy in the scheme of things, but very big in terms of agriculture,” said Brett Wilder, area extension educator and assistant professor at the University of Idaho, who provided a statewide outlook for 2024 and 2025. In 2023, the state ranked 38th in total gross domestic product, but 19th in total farm GDP. Historically, the state has been fifth in the nation in terms of farm GDP as a total contribution to the state, with 1 in 9 of the state’s jobs being in the agribusiness sector, Wilder said. In total, agribusiness accounts for 17% of the state’s economic output and in terms of total cash receipts — generated from sales — the 2024 fiscal year is estimated to bring in $11.3 billion in agricultural cash receipts statewide, Wilder said. “The biggest component of that is milk,” Wilder said. Milk accounts for $3.8 billion of the state’s cash receipts, up 10% from a year ago, Wilder said. Looking ahead to next year, the biggest gains in the dairy sector nationwide are expected to be in cheese production, as the industry contends with a “100 million pound cheese deficit across the country,” Dustin Winston, StoneX Financial commodity market analyst, said. Though Idaho’s cheese production is limited to a singular processing facility, 60% of Idaho’s milk is dedicated to cheese production, which would mean more direct impacts for Idaho stemming from this national push, Wilder said. An additional $2.8 billion comes from cattle and calves, accounting for 25% of the state’s agricultural cash receipts. Continued demand for both importing and exporting beef is expected to keep retail prices higher, as the industry nationwide is in “contraction,” Wilder said. “The industry terminology which means that we’re going to see tighter supplies and probably higher prices both for live animals and for the consumer,” Wilder said, adding that while demand has been historically strong, the consumer’s willingness to pay higher prices into next year remains unknown. A pivoting irrigation system stands over a green field at the Boise’s Twenty Mile South Farm in this April 2019 file photo. Idaho ranked 19th in the U.S. in total farm gross domestic product in 2023. On the crop side, sugar beets are also estimated to be at an all-time high of $70 million in cash receipts, up from $69 million in the prior year. Nursery crops are also expected to see a small increases as well, Wilder said. Since 2000, in inflation-adjusted dollars, the nation has improved 60% in terms of cash receipts from agriculture compared to Idaho improving 90% over the same period. Wilder said that the state’s performance is largely attributed to milk, which has cash receipts up 190% over the same period. With rising costs, however, these numbers don’t tell the full story, he said. “Even though we’re projecting a new all-time high in cash receipts ... it feels like a counterfeit number,” Wilder said. The difference between today’s dollars and inflation-adjusted cash receipts show a 25% gap, so while there are both technological and efficiency improvements across the agricultural sector, it remains difficult for these improvements to be implemented “at a pace that keeps up with the rate of inflation,” Wilder said. SHIFTING COSTS According to a Purdue University survey of agricultural producers’ sentiments, many are concerned about the ongoing impacts of inflation. The October survey found that a third of respondents said high input costs were their No. 1 concern. Looking back, this sentiment has remained quite consistent over the past 12 months, Xiaoli Etienne, University of Idaho associate professor and Idaho Wheat Commission Endowed Chair, said. While next year is projected to have the fourth-highest input costs on record — behind only 2022, 2023 and 2024 — the breakdown for individual inputs is more nuanced. The price of oil, for example, is expected to maintain its present downward trend into 2025. U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts predict oil prices to fall to $69 per barrel next year, down from the average of $76 per barrel seen in 2024. This is attributed to supply from countries outside of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), including the United States, Brazil and Canada. China’s shift to clean energy as well as policies from Donald Trump’s incoming administration that are expected to be more favorable for the energy sector are also expected to factor into the price decrease, Etienne said. “Most likely you will see more drilling activities taking place and also less regulatory constraint,” Etienne said. A farmer cultivates a field off Homedale Road near Caldwell in April of 2022. Domestic fertilizer production is forecasted to mitigate effects of projected natural gas price hikes. Natural gas, on the other hand, is expected to have a significant increase in price over the previous year. Though the price spiked in 2022 following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine War, the price has since plummeted and remained relatively stable since. Prices could approach $4 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) — compared to its current average of just under $3 MMBtu — in part due to continued investment into exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) out of the U.S., that is expected to increase demand, Etienne said. While this could be felt in the state’s electricity costs, of which more than a quarter comes from natural gas, the change could also have downstream effects on farmers since natural gas is a key ingredient in nitrogen-based fertilizers. Increased domestic fertilizer production over the next few years, however, is expected to mitigate these effects, Etienne said. For Idaho’s farmland, value increased an average of 5% in 2023 and 2024. The Federal Reserve, however, is continuing to lower interest rates — the Associated Press reported a 0.25% interest rate cut Wednesday — an outcome that is expected to ease some of the economic burden for agricultural producers. Whether it will be enough to reduce the effects of diminishing supply due to increased urbanization, however, remains to be seen, Etienne said. Looking ahead to next year, labor costs are expected to be a significant variable that the agriculture industry will need to grapple with. In 2024, average wages for all hired workers increased 3% and is expected to see a similar increase as the state contends with a shortage of workers, Etienne said. LEGISLATIVE FUTURE Compared to economic forecasting, the future direction of the Idaho Legislature is a bit harder to predict. The previous legislative session brought a number of positive outcomes for Idaho’s agriculture producers. HB 592 provided compensation for livestock lost to grizzly bears and wolves and funded prevention measures against future losses. HB 608 established agricultural protection areas, which requires counties to take into account agricultural producers with five or more acres of active production when making development plans, Dexton Lake, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation government affairs representative, said. The biggest piece of agricultural legislation that failed to pass was SB1245 , which would have shielded pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits over health issues that arose over using their products if their products had appropriate warning labels that were in line with federal regulation. Lake described the bill as a “common sense bill” that says individuals can’t sue about something they’ve already been warned about. Lake said the future success of similar legislation that benefits the agriculture sector is dependent on continuing to educate legislators on key issues for the sector and on stakeholders making their voices heard. “If we want agriculture to continue to have the voice that it does, people have got to speak on its behalf who work in the industry,” Lake said. “Unless they hear from you, from those people, they’re not going to assume that they have an issue with whatever might be coming down the pipeline.”

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The Swans stunned Pride Park into silence with less than two minutes on the clock when Zan Vipotnik sent a bullet past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom before Ronald slotted home his first of the season in the 14th minute. Cyrus Christie brought Tom Barkhuizen down inside the box and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing dispatched the resulting penalty to cut the deficit in half and, despite piling on the pressure, Derby succumbed to a second home defeat of the season. Williams told a press conference: “We started the game very well, we were good up until we scored the second goal then we lost the grip on the game and I thought Derby were the better team. “The next thing for us we have to be able to maintain that level throughout the game and we weren’t able to do that to be quite honest today. “They made it difficult, reacted very well after the second goal and didn’t go under, far from it.” Swansea leapfrogged their opponents into the top half of the table with their sixth win of the season and took three points back to south Wales following two last-minute defeats by Burnley and Leeds heading into the match. Williams added: “We’ve recently conceded late goals but they’re a very resilient group and we saw it out in the end. “We’ve dominated games a lot but probably failed to score when we’ve been that dominant and tonight we managed to score the goals when we were dominant. “We scored the goals at the right time today.” Derby had been unbeaten in their last three matches coming into this one but Paul Warne put defeat down to a poor start. He said: “We conceded two and didn’t get close enough, weren’t aggressive enough, not enough body contact and looked soft, that’s my fault. “Maybe I didn’t message it properly. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to shape and tactics but I thought that was what the difference was. “Credit Swansea for the win but after the 25 mins it looked like we would score. I really enjoyed it, that’s the truth. I had 70 minutes of a team giving everything, I don’t think we’ve had that many attempts in the Championship this season. “It’s a rude awakening, last year we would’ve won that 4-2.”

This week the British and Danish royal families will host state visits, which are often the most glamorous and formal events of the year. The Emir of Qatar will visit the UK from today, while on Friday Egypt's president will travel to Denmark. But in a "very unusual" move, King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark only announced their visitor on Monday evening despite state visits usually taking months of planning and preparation. READ MORE: Monaco's royals share Christmas card with a difference And in a blow to Britain's state visit, Queen Camilla has had to cancel her appearance alongside King Charles and Princess of Wales later today due to lingering effects from a chest infection. Today's events will be the first state visit Catherine has taken part in since her cancer diagnosis as she continues her gradual return to public duties. On Friday, the Princess will host her Together at Christmas concert inside Westminster Abbey alongside the rest of the royal family. There are two types of state visits: outward and incoming and they play an integral role in strengthening the host nation's relationships with other countries. They are the highest level of an international visit and help to promote links between the countries including social, commercial and cultural ties. Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers are invited to visit the royal family on the advice of the country's foreign office.  Likewise, invitations are issued to the royal family to travel overseas via Foreign Office. Across Europe's royal families, state visits follow a similar format. READ MORE: King Charles 'snubbed' by Church of England parishes They begin with a formal, or ceremonial welcome, by the host country followed by a guard of honour. The visiting royals are usually accompanied by the host King and Queen in a carriage procession to the palace where the formalities continue. Daytime events usually include visits to places of importance to both the host and visiting royals. The most spectacular part of a state visit is the state banquet, or gala dinner, at the palace, when the dress code requires formal wear and, for the women, tiaras. Later today, Charles will host the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, in London. The Prince and Princess of Wales will welcome the Qatari royals at their residence, on behalf of the King, on Tuesday morning, UK time (early evening in Australia). READ MORE: Queen Margrethe appears on stage at Christmas ballet performance They will then will travel with the Emir and his wife to Horse Guards Parade, in central London, for the ceremonial welcome by the King including a Guard of Honour. But Camilla has had to pull out of this part of the day's events due to a chest infection, on the advice of doctors, contracted after a busy tour of Australia and Samoa . It is understood doctors did not want the Queen to spend extended time in the chilly outdoor weather, with temperatures expected to reach seven degrees Celsius. The King and Prince and Princess of Wales will then ride in a carriage procession, with the Qatari royals, along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. There, the royals will attend a lunch and visit a Picture Gallery exhibition. Palace aides said Camilla will join the Emir and his wife for the lunch and hopes to be able to attend the gallery display. The Queen will attend the glittering state banquet in the evening and will pose for a group photo as it begins. But Camilla is expected to take a short break before dinner while guests are being met in a receiving line. The Princess of Wales will not be in attendance at the banquet, but Prince William will be there. The Qatari state visit is the last to be hosted at Buckingham Palace until the end of 2027, due to a $700 million refurbishment of the residence. Future state visits will take place at Windsor Castle. Since Charles III came to the throne, he has hosted incoming state visits by the President of South Africa , the Korean President and the Emperor of Japan . Charles has travelled abroad for outward state visits to France, Germany, Kenya and Samoa. On Monday evening, the Danish royal household announced the president of Egypt would be visiting Denmark for a state visit on Friday. A gala dinner, hosted by Frederik and Mary, will be held at Christiansborg Palace on Friday evening with Mary expected to wear a tiara and even part of the Crown Jewels. Royal expert for Billed Bladet Ulrik Ulriksen said the announcement by the palace took many by surprise. "It may be that it is for security reasons that they have chosen to wait so long to announce the state visit or perhaps there was uncertainty until the end whether the planned visit could be carried out," he said. "In any case, it is very unusual for such news to come so late." "The royal family has of course, behind the scenes, been ready for the visit for a long time and will undoubtedly be 100 per cent ready to carry out the state visit in the best possible way with a royal couple in top form at the helm," Ulriksen said. It will be the second incoming state visit to Denmark hosted by Frederik and Mary since the change of throne in January. Their first was in October when Iceland's President Halla Tómasdóttir, and her spouse, Björn Skúlason, visited Copenhagen. For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here . For the gala dinner, Mary wore the Pearl Poiré tiara and an antique diamond necklace, and earrings previously worn by her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe II and Queen Ingrid, Frederik's grandmother. Frederik and Mary have also attended three outgoing state visits since the change of throne. The first was to Norway , followed by Sweden and later Germany . FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE : Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.Pembina Pipeline Corp. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms market

Usyk retains world titles The electrifying clash between British Tyson Fury and Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk was watched by millions as all three judges scored the fight in Usyk’s favour by four points. Hence, Usyk retained all four WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight boxing championship belts after beating his rival in Saudi Arabia. In the closely matched contest between the pair, the judges were unanimous in the points decision, with all three scoring the fight 116-112 in Usyk’s favour. I salute Usyk for finding gaps in Fury’s defences, and despite giving up advantages in height, weight and reach to his opponent, Usyk worked hard and smart during the rematch. He landed punches more frequently and with greater vigor and impact. When the fight concluded, Fury left the ring, disappointed at the defeat. Usyk is the first boxer to hold all four heavyweight titles simultaneously since Lennox Lewis did so in 1999. Having retained the championship belts, the 37-year-old Usyk proved that no matter how difficult it was, his will to win took him through. Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu Fruit cakes Festive seasons have been around similar to previous years but I believe consumers have been deceived by very attractive packaging of Christmas cakes. The packages contain almost dry cakes with very little pieces of fruit. There are hardly any cherries, orange rinds etc. Several companies wholesale these Christmas delicacies in shops around the country with different prices. Cake lovers should not be lured by colourful packaging but enjoy delicious, moist fruit cakes come 2025. SARITA LAL, Lautoka Power and position There is a proverb which tells us: “Familiarity breeds contempt”. Sometimes, being too long in a position allows complacency to breed. In my view, the Prime Minister of Fiji, in our new constitution, should be limited to no more than two terms of four years, each. No more. A breath of fresh air can be vitalising. There are capable women and men around. Similarly, I am also of the opinion, EFL could do with a wholesome change in the position of CEO. Some modernisation could do well in Fiji’s benefit. Some up-and-coming MBA with required prerequisites, could revitalise the monopoly in power generation. Happy New Year Fiji. RONNIE CHANG , Martintar, Nadi Cabinet reshuffle Prime Minister is very frank in stating that he is loaded with extra work because some of the ministers’ performance are not up to par (FT25/12). Hence the need for a reshuffle. How can some ministers devote more time doing their actual duties when most of the times they are out of the country? And please don’t tell me it is important for them to attend to all the overseas meetings and conferences. We are not that gullible. Despite being assured that there will be a cut down on these junkets as promised during the election, nothing seems to have changed. On the contrary, the size of the delegation appears to have increased. I would urge the PM to also look into this and set ground rules for approving such travels in future. Let’s hope the PM will exercise his prerogative in reassigning the portfolios in a fair and transparent manner to the most capable members of his Cabinet so he is relieved from the nightmare of seeing the files in his sleep. SELWA NANDAN, Lautoka Flooding at Nadi Growing up I got used to referring to the Nausori airport as Luvuluvu, which in Fijian refers to the constant state of being flooded. I believe around the late 1960s major earthworks were undertaken along the Rewa River banks resulting in the flood-free status of the airport we now see. Nadi Town, being the major hub that tourists initially encounter and considering how important tourism is to Fiji, can something similar to Luvuluvu be undertaken for Nadi Town? We have to be thankful for the resilience of the businesses in Nadi, else it will become a deserted town. MAREKO VULI, Sydney, Australia April Fool’s Day? The papers are reporting that Donald Trump wants Greenland as the 51st state or as a protectorate at least. Usually, April Fool’s Day is April 1st, not December 25 but then again with some of the presents given over the decades, it’s not that certain. On the more serious side, Denmark is boosting the defence of Greenland and any increase in military action is always a worry. Does he also know that Greenland is mostly ice and Iceland is mostly green? A lot of 78-year-old seniors start to get confused easily. DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne, Australia Government assistance We have seen a few stories about the Seafaring Entrepreneurial Assistance Programme under which many people have been given boats, trucks, farming equipment and the like. It is always good to see that assistance is provided to people who are driven to succeed. I suspect we will see more and more of this as the election draws closer. My personal view is that people who are most successful are self-driven and motivated and do not rely on or ask for assistance. So, it would be interesting to know how these people who are being given assistance fare in a year’s time. On what basis is this assistance assessed? Is the basis on which the assistance handed out legal and based on equality and fairness? Is this type of assistance given depending on your ethnic background? On another note, what is this fixation with wrapping the boats, trucks and equipment with reels and reels of tapa cloth? I saw a report recently where even a new gravel road was adorned with tapa cloth. When did this tradition kick in? Where was the cake and the salusalu or is it the case that I will not understand because I am a vulagi? In addition, what is the fixation about ministers and assistant ministers having pictures plastered in newspapers and social media handing out this assistance. Is that to show us what a good job they are doing? They can pretend in the pictures all they want because I believe they are doing a hopeless job. JAN NISSAR, Sydney, Australia PM’s Christmas message Two years in office, and PM Sitiveni Rabuka has gone through a lot. Age is fast catching up and the PM has had to endure a lot in taking the People’s Coalition Government forward. I thank him for his patience and steadfastness in steering the nation forward ahead of challenges posed by the rise in crime rate, cases of drug abuse, violence and murder, littering, drop in literacy and numeracy rates and rise in cost of living. As Fijians celebrated Christmas, the PM reminded Fijians that Christmas was not just a celebration, but it was a time for peace, forgiveness and unity. As he spoke about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, he reiterated how that humble beginning was a reminder of God’s desire to bring people closer to him. He added that Christmas allowed us to focus on healing, restoring relationships and coming together as a community. Furthermore, the PM urged Fijians to seek inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, focusing on reconciliation, unconditional love, kindness, selflessness, sacrifice, compassion, care for each other, and the ability to forgive and seek forgiveness. He concluded on a positive note, hoping that our beloved Fiji would continue to grow in the spirit of love, hope and reconciliation. I thank the PM for his service to our nation. Two years and two more to go! A lot has to be done in terms of addressing the pressing issues faced by many Fijians. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM, Nadawa, Nasinu Municipal council CEOs The Local Government Ministry has reportedly begun the process of recruiting individuals to take on the roles of chief executive officers across ten of Fiji’s municipal councils. I believe the individuals who are to be appointed had applied in accordance with the advertisement. According to the advertisement, these leadership positions are critical for ensuring the efficient delivery of municipal services, overseeing transformative projects and spearheading key reforms. It is to be noted that most of the CEO positions have been vacant for a while because of the departure and expiry of contracts of individuals who had been there. It is good to know that the positions were publicly advertised which gives everyone a fair chance and opportunity to apply. The advertisement highlighted that the ministry is seeking candidates who could drive municipal operations toward modernisation, address community needs and promote sustainable practices. The councils seeking new CEOs are: Ba, Labasa, Lami, Lautoka, Levuka, Nadi, Tavua, Rakiraki, Savusavu. As a ratepayer, I am pleased to know that this process was taking place finally. Last but not the least, we hope that only the best candidates and candidates who are appropriately experienced and qualified are selected. We have seen enough of appointments made along party lines. Please don’t do that. SURESH CHAND, Nadi Thank you WHY should I say thank you today if I’m hoping for the best tomorrow, for you and I. AREKI DAWAI, Suva Difficult two years A VERY difficult two years, says PM (FT 25/12) of governing the country under a Coalition Government. Their consolation is the hefty pay rise they were able to give themselves. I believe the last two years were so much more difficult for the ordinary people of Fiji from what I gather from the public reaction to the quality of political leadership and governance in Fiji. Is the “people-centred” Rabuka government aware of that? RAJEND NAIDU, Sydney, Australia Rainy Christmas SUBSTANTIAL rainfall is anticipated in the western region this Christmas season. Given the current nationwide flash flooding and heavy precipitation, caution is advised. I urge everyone to prioritise safety and support one another during this time. JAHEED BUKSH, Sigatoka There is tomorrow SHALL we indulge in alcohol consumption on December 31 like there is no tomorrow? While there is reason to celebrate the coming of another year, let us be reasonable and make the work of our law enforcement officers easier and more importantly, our neighbours deserve a safe environment. By the way, may 2025 bring forth opportunities and challenges which allow us and our families to grow from strength to strength. FLOYD ROBINSON, Mirconesia Damaged ships MY request to the Coalition Government to stop handing new multi-million dollar Navy vessels to the Fiji military and Navy until they can first demonstrate that they not only have the capacity but also the discipline and the maturity to be entrusted with a significant national asset. SAVERIO BALEIKANACEA , Delainavesi, Lami Holding office ARE there any current female or male politicians around the globe that have a naughty video or pictures available publicly, but are still holding onto office? AREKI DAWAI, Suva Unkept resolutions IF resolutions are meant to be broken, then you’re just making them in jest, so when you make a list of them, you’re just adding to the long pile instead. Just do what you can, honestly and diligently, promises will remain just that, unless you’ll follow them up faithfully! EDWARD BLAKELOCK, Pacific Harbour

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended the ability of most public employees to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Under the ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, all public sector workers who lost their collective bargaining power would have it restored to what was in place prior to 2011. They would be treated the same as the police, firefighter and other public safety unions that were exempted under the law. Republicans vowed to immediately appeal the ruling, which ultimately is likely to go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That only amplifies the importance of the April election that will determine whether the court remains controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Former Gov. Scott Walker, who proposed the law that catapulted him onto the national political stage, decried the ruling in a post on the social media platform X as “brazen political activism.” He said it makes the state Supreme Court election “that much more important.” Supporters of the law have said it provided local governments more control over workers and the powers they needed to cut costs. Repealing the law, which allowed schools and local governments to raise money through higher employee contributions for benefits, would bankrupt those entities, backers of Act 10 have argued. Democratic opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by taking away the ability of employees to collectively bargain for their pay and working conditions. Union leaders were overjoyed with the ruling, which affects tens of thousands of public employees. “We realize there may still be a fight ahead of us in the courts, but make no mistake, we’re ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again,” said Ben Gruber, a conservation warden and president of AFSCME Local 1215. The law was proposed by Walker and enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in spite of massive protests that went on for weeks and drew as many as 100,000 people to the Capitol. The law has withstood numerous legal challenges over the years, but this was the first brought since the Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to liberal control in 2023. The seven unions and three union leaders that brought the lawsuit argued that the law should be struck down because it creates unconstitutional exemptions for firefighters and other public safety workers. Attorneys for the Legislature and state agencies countered that the exemptions are legal, have already been upheld by other courts, and that the case should be dismissed. But Frost sided with the unions in July, saying the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin Constitution by dividing public employees into “general” and “public safety” employees. He ruled that general employee unions, like those representing teachers, can not be treated differently from public safety unions that were exempt from the law. His ruling Monday delineated the dozens of specific provisions in the law that must be struck. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he looked forward to appealing the ruling. “This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges,” Vos said in a statement. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s largest business lobbying organization, also decried the ruling. WMC President Kurt Bauer called Act 10 “a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings.” The Legislature said in court filings that arguments made in the current case were rejected in 2014 by the state Supreme Court. The only change since that ruling is the makeup of Wisconsin Supreme Court, attorneys for the Legislature argued. The Act 10 law effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to bargain solely over base wage increases no greater than inflation. It also disallowed the automatic withdrawal of union dues, required annual recertification votes for unions, and forced public workers to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. The law was the signature legislative achievement of Walker, who was targeted for a recall election he won. Walker used his fights with unions to mount an unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. Frost, the judge who issued Monday’s ruling, appeared to have signed the petition to recall Walker from office. None of the attorneys sought his removal from the case and he did not step down. Frost was appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who signed the Walker recall petition. The law has also led to a dramatic decrease in union membership across the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of its workforce that is unionized. In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved a right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions. Public sector unions that brought the lawsuit are the Abbotsford Education Association; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 47 and 1215; the Beaver Dam Education Association; SEIU Wisconsin; the Teaching Assistants’ Association Local 3220 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695. More articles from the BDN

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Via Middle East Eye As this year comes to an end, the most populous Arab country remains a stagnant mammoth with a slowly rotting political order, lacking domestic legitimacy and kept alive only by a continuous lifeline of cash from the West and Arab Gulf states who fear the repercussions of the Egyptian regime’s implosion. The year started with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is now 70, renewing his presidential term until 2030 after an electoral circus whose outcome was determined from the start. His only serious competition, former parliamentarian Ahmed Tantawi, was swiftly jailed . Egypt’s secret police, Homeland Security , continued throughout the year targeting all forms and shades of dissent, both online and offline, keeping citizens incarcerated in an endless labyrinth of fabricated cases , dubbed by rights lawyers as a process of "rotation" . Prison conditions remain draconian, and detainees have repeatedly gone on hunger strikes to protest torture and maltreatment. More than 50 incarcerated people have died in interior ministry-run prisons, Homeland Security branches and police stations this year. Criticism of the president or regime officials in the mainstream media is virtually non-existent . Most media outlets are officially owned and micromanaged by one company created by the General Intelligence Service (GIS). A handful of online independent news sites operate under strict conditions, are censored and denied media licences and face constant harassment . At the time of writing, at least 24 journalists and media workers remained in prison, according to the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate. Street activism, which experienced a rare, sudden revival in October 2023 with the outbreak of the Gaza war , was quickly crushed by security services , who ensured the streets remained quiet. A year later, more than 100 people are still in prison for taking part in peaceful solidarity actions with the Palestinian people. Syria shows the way? While organized street dissent remains under siege, spontaneous social protests by politically unaffiliated citizens involving confrontations with state forces have become increasingly frequent. Specifically, there have been industrial actions over wages and working conditions, as well as protests over housing, evictions and road safety. Since the 2013 coup, the regime has embarked on one of the biggest demolition campaigns in Egypt’s modern history, part of its militarised urban restructuring . Architect Omnia Khalil estimates that roughly 10 percent of the residents of Giza and Cairo alone have been displaced since 2013. This onslaught has triggered long-running fights against evictions, which have turned into clashes with the military and police, such as in Jemima, Port Said, Warraq and elsewhere. These protests should be monitored because they will likely escalate in the coming year. Earlier this month, Egyptians watched in jubilation as the brutal dynastic dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad fell. How this will play out for the millions who live under Sisi's brutal dictatorship remains to be seen. With the destruction of the Egyptian opposition and almost daily acts of state terror against the slightest sign or gesture of dissent , a repetition of the 2011 domino effect is unlikely - at least in the short run. However, there are certainly those in Egypt who are watching the Syrian events and contemplating whether an armed insurgency is the only way to topple Sisi, just as the Syrian 'rebels' did. Needless to say, the rebels' victory will boost political Islam in Egypt and elsewhere . Sisi is also nervous about the events in Syria. Roughly one week after Assad's downfall, he met with military commanders, senior police officials, the GIS chief, the prime minister and several other top government officials at the defense ministry's strategic command headquarters in the new administrative capital to discuss the impact of the regional wars in Syria and Gaza. Humanitarian organizations and media reports have estimated that there are some 70,000 political prisoners under Sisi ... "Sisi's prisons are no less horrifying than the atrocities of Syria's prisons." After Syria's rebels freed scores of political detainees, Egyptians are calling for the same in Egypt. Since 2013, Egypt's President Sisi has detained over 60,000 political prisoners nationwide. pic.twitter.com/ZCdvGc7Knq Speaking to his publicists on the same day, he called on the people to unite and safeguard the Egyptian state. "There are two things I've never done, thanks to God," he said . "I neither stained my hands with anyone's blood nor took anyone's money." Military business Despite pressure from international donors - and occasionally, prominent Egyptian businessmen - on the regime to remove the army from the civilian economy, the military continues to expand its control . It manipulates free-market forces in its favor and uses its clout to impose itself in partnerships with local and global capital. In 2024, Sisi continued to dodge calls to privatize military corporations or curb their influence. On the contrary, they were given more monopolies and a larger share of the pie. Early this month , Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced plans to list several companies affiliated with the military on the Egyptian Exchange. However, this is not the first time such statements have been made. Sisi announced in November 2022 that two military firms - a petrol company and a bottled water producer - would be listed on the stock exchange. A few months later, Madbouly announced that 10 more army companies would be offered on the stock market. To date, no single military firm has been privatised. There is a good reason why the regime has been procrastinating all those years with selling those firms. At this point, Sisi’s loyal constituency is confined to the officer corps. His popularity among all social classes in Egypt, including sections of big capital, has hit rock bottom. Antagonising the brass or messing with their economic privileges could prove fatal in such turbulent times. So, is the regime finally embarking on privatizing the army’s firms? The devil is always in the details. According to Madbouly’s statements, parts of the firms will be sold directly to a "strategic investor", though no specifics were provided regarding the identity of these investors or the percentage of shares to be sold. Also, the firms will not be fully privatized, but a percentage will be offered in the stock market. Again, it is unclear what percentage. Some possible scenarios to watch in 2025 include stocks being sold to civilian investors who act as fronts for the military or to companies that the military partially or wholly owns. For instance, the army’s National Service Projects Organization (NSPO) holds a 20 percent stake in Taqa Arabia, which is seen as a potential bidder for Wataniya - one of the four firms to be listed. If Sisi takes something away from the army with one hand, he will compensate them for it with the other hand. This could mean more concessions in other sectors, allocated lands and so on. For example, while planning the privatization of Silo Foods, the Egyptian Air Force (EAF) is now, in effect, running the agricultural production sector and has recently been given a monopoly over grain imports . Crisis of hegemony In the summer of 2023, Sisi signed a law ending tax exemptions for government economic activities. But tax exemptions for army business ventures remained in place, as the new law included an exception for economic activities related to “national security”, which could be conveniently interpreted as anything related to the military. In the coming year, the regime is likely to continue evading calls to reform the military-economic complex. It will likely resort to maneuvers such as floating military firms in the stock market, only to buy them through other companies and businessmen who are fronts for the army, or curbing the privileges of military corporations in one sector, only to compensate in another. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi unveiled the new administrative capital and presidential palace, built 45 kilometers east of Cairo in the desert, during the D-8 summit. The mega city, comparable in size to Hamburg, cost $45 billion. pic.twitter.com/J1YnIm0ttG Meanwhile, news emerged this month that Ibrahim al-Organi , a criminal smuggler-turned-militiaman and state-sponsored businessman, is planning to launch a political party. An official declaration has yet to be made. But if the project proceeds, the proposed party will contest the parliamentary and senate elections in 2025. (I stress “if”, as Organi has not publicly confirmed this, and the project could ultimately be scrapped.) But we must ask why such plans are being floated. This is not necessarily driven by Organi’s personal ambitions. He is an agent for the state and can be easily replaced at any point if the regime deems him useless or harmful. Rather, this is driven by the regime’s crisis of hegemony . Sisi is ruling solely by coercion, unlike his predecessors and has eviscerated the civil society and political institutions that manufacture some necessary level of consent, which is crucial for the endurance of the regime and the state. Political desert Sisi desperately needs something a la former President Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP). But so far, he has failed to replicate it, including through the miserable Nation’s Future Party, whose public events for shoring up support for Sisi only backfire and turn into anti-regime protests . Attempts at rigging the votes in professional syndicates either fail or descend into pure thuggery , causing scandals that the regime has to scramble to manage. News of Organi’s proposed political party is the latest attempt to “create politics” in a country whose political scene has become wholly desertified. The total reliance on foreign debt has led to domestic fallout, widening class gaps in Egypt and a state of social decay , along with a decline in Cairo’s regional clout and soft power . From an active regional hegemon under previous regimes, Sisi’s Egypt is now dependent on foreign loans, grants and continuous bailouts by regional and international donors who see Egypt as "too big to fail" and do not want to risk further instability in the Middle East . As a result, Sisi has been unable to steer the course of events in Egypt’s traditional spheres of influence. Instead, he has either suffered diplomatic defeats or brought Egypt to a state of shameless complicity in the ongoing genocide on his eastern border under the watchful eyes of his military. In the coming year, Egypt will remain relevant to the Israeli - Palestinian conflict by virtue of geographical proximity, which puts it in control of Gaza’s only exit to the outside world - the Rafah crossing. While incapable of forcing Israel to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor along its border, Cairo will continue to pressure the weaker side - the Palestinians - into concessions and compromises to prove its own worth to the Trump administration in the US .Nigerian agency 'failed completely' to clean up oil damage despite funding, leaked files sayNone

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ian Schieffelin had 18 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in leading Clemson to a 75-67 win over Penn State on Tuesday and the championship of the Sunshine Slam Beach Division. Chase Hunter added 17 points, Chauncey Wiggins 14 and Del Jones 10 for the Tigers (6-1), who shot 44% and made 9 of 19 3-pointers led by Hunter's three. Ace Baldwin Jr. scored 20 points and had 11 assists, Yanic Konan Niederhauser added 14 points and Nick Kern Jr. 11 for the Nittany Lions (6-1), who shot 46% and were just 4 of 18 from the arc. Neither team had a double-digit lead in the game and it was tied with seven minutes to go. But Penn State had a six-minute drought without a field goal while committing three turnovers and the Tigers went up by six. A hook shot from Schieffelin with a minute to go made it a five-point lead and free throws sealed it from there. The eight-point final margin was the largest of the game. Konan Niederhauser's dunk to open the second half tied the game but a Hunter 3-pointer gave the lead back to Clemson. Penn State took its first lead of the second half on a 9-0 run, seven coming from Baldwin, to go up 57-54 with midway through the period. Penn State had its largest lead of seven in the first half but three consecutive 3s put Clemson ahead with three minutes to go and the Tigers led at 38-36 at halftime. Clemson had a 16-9 edge on points off turnovers. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballLang Ping's journey to becoming a national idol began in the 1980s, when she was a key player in the Chinese women’s volleyball team that won the gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Her powerful spikes, graceful demeanor, and leadership skills earned her the nickname "Iron Hammer", symbolizing her unstoppable force both on and off the court. After retiring as a player, Lang Ping transitioned to coaching, where she continued to make history by leading the Chinese women’s volleyball team to numerous victories, including gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

In a world dominated by fleeting trends and ever-changing aesthetics, Man Ying Shan's face is a breath of fresh air - a timeless beauty that transcends the limitations of time and space. With her enigmatic gaze and ethereal presence, she embodies the essence of Hong Kong's cinematic heritage, reminding us of the magic that can be captured on celluloid. Man Ying Shan is not just a face; she is a living work of art, a masterpiece waiting to be rediscovered with each click of the shutter.Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fightingAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade — two generations of college football players — that's all it has been: Ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

The decision to detain the individuals responsible for Bo's disappearance underscores the gravity of the situation and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to uphold justice and ensure the safety of the community. It also serves as a reminder that any act of wrongdoing will be met with swift and decisive legal action.

Moreover, the positive sentiment is also evident in the behavior of property developers and investors. There has been a noticeable increase in new developments and projects, signaling a resurgence in investment activity and a belief in the market's long-term potential. This bodes well for the future of the real estate sector, as it indicates a sustainable recovery rather than a temporary boost.

Donald Trump left the White House nearly four years ago. Given his self-confidence, I suspect he is now thinking: “What could be so different? I’ve got this.” Well, I just traveled from a reporting trip in Tel Aviv, Israel, to a conference in the United Arab Emirates to a deep dive with Google’s DeepMind artificial intelligence team in London, and I think the president-elect would be wise to remember a famous aphorism: There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen. What I saw and heard exposed me to three giant, shifting tectonic plates that will have profound implications for the new administration. The most significant geopolitical event. In just the last two months, the Israeli military has inflicted a defeat on Iran that approaches its 1967 Six-Day War defeat of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Full stop. Let’s review: Over the past few decades, Iran built a formidable threat network that seemed to put Israel into an octopuslike grip. It became widely accepted that Israel was deterred from striking at Iran’s nuclear facilities because Iran had armed the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon with enough precision rockets to destroy Israel’s ports, airports, high-tech factories, air bases and infrastructure. Not so fast. It turned out that Mossad and Israel’s cyber Unit 8200 had been forging what became one of the country’s greatest intelligence successes ever. They planted explosive devices in the pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah’s military commanders, developed human and technological tracking capabilities to find Hezbollah’s top leaders, painstakingly identified storage facilities in Lebanon and Syria for Hezbollah’s most lethal precision rockets and then systematically took many of them out by air in October. The result is that Hezbollah looks likely to accept a 60-day cease-fire with Israel in Lebanon negotiated by U.S. mediator Amos Hochstein. This is a big deal. It means that, even if just for 60 days, Hezbollah and, by extension, Iran have decided to delink themselves from Hamas in the Gaza Strip and stop the firing from Lebanon for the first time since Oct. 8, 2023, the day after Hamas invaded Israel. We will see if it lasts, but if it does, it will increase the pressure on Hamas to agree to a cease-fire and hostage release with Israel, more on Israel’s terms. There is a reason for this. Hezbollah’s mother ship has suffered a real blow. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s April strike on Iran eliminated one of four Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile defense batteries around Tehran, and Israel destroyed the remaining three batteries on Oct. 26. Israel also damaged Iran’s ballistic missile production capabilities and its ability to produce the solid fuel used in long-range ballistic missiles. In addition, according to Axios, Israel’s Oct. 26 strike on Iran, which was a response to an earlier Iranian attack on Israel, also destroyed equipment used to create the explosives that surround uranium in a nuclear device, setting back Iran’s efforts in nuclear weapons research. A senior Israeli defense official told me that the Oct. 26 attack on Iran “was lethal, precise and a surprise.” And up to now, the Iranians “don’t know technologically how we hit them. So they are at the most vulnerable point they have been in this generation: Hamas is not there for them, Hezbollah is not there for them, their air defenses are not there anymore, their ability to retaliate is sharply diminished, and they are worried about Trump.” Which means that Iran is either riper than ever for negotiations to curb its nuclear program or riper than ever for an attack by Israel or the Trump administration — or both — to destroy those nuclear facilities. Either way, Trump will face choices he did not have four years ago. It is not only a new Iran, but also a new Israel. There were legitimate reasons President Joe Biden denounced the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes in Gaza against a Hamas enemy that deliberately embedded itself among civilians. This same court never issued an arrest warrant for President Bashar Assad of Syria, whose army killed hundreds of thousands of his own people. The ICC said Syria is not a member. But neither is Israel. It is also odd that the ICC issued a warrant only for the Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, who is widely believed to be dead, and not for the very much alive Muhammad Sinwar (the younger brother of the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar), who is now reportedly running Hamas in Gaza and was a commander in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. But while the ICC warrants are questionable, they were also avoidable. The strategy that Netanyahu has imposed on his military is one of the ugliest in Israel’s history: Go into Gaza, destroy as much of Hamas as you can, don’t be too worried about civilian casualties, then leave the remnants of Hamas in charge to loot food convoys and intimidate the local population — then rinse and repeat. Why is he doing this? Because Netanyahu is being directed by the far-right Jewish supremacists he needs to stay in power and possibly out of prison on charges of corruption. And the stated goal of those Jewish supremacists is to extend Israeli settlements from the West Bank right through Gaza. They oppose any scenario in which the Palestinian Authority is gradually installed in Gaza as part of an Arab peacekeeping force to replace Hamas. They fear the Palestinian Authority might then become a legitimate partner for a two-state solution. When you fight a war with this many civilian casualties for a year and offer no vision of peace with the other side, you invite the ICC. Attention, President-elect Trump: Netanyahu will tell you that Israel is defending the free world in defeating the dark forces of Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. There is truth in that. But there is also truth in the fact that he is doing it to defend a Jewish supremacist apartheid vision in the West Bank and Gaza. It’s a dirty business. If you just unquestionably wrap your arms around him, you will get yourself and America dirty, too. You will also ensure that your Jewish grandchildren will one day learn what it is to be Jewish in a world where the Jewish state is a pariah. Artificial general intelligence is probably coming on Trump’s watch. Polymathic artificial general intelligence, or AGI, was still largely in the realm of science fiction when Trump left office four years ago. It is fast becoming nonfiction. And ASI — artificial super intelligence — may be one day as well. AGI means machines will be endowed with intelligence as good as the smartest human in any field, but because of its capabilities to integrate learning across many fields, it will probably become better than any average doctor, lawyer or computer programmer. ASI is a computer brain that can exceed what any human can do in any field and then, with its polymathic ability, it could produce insights far beyond anything humans could do or even imagine. It might even invent its own language we don’t understand. How we adapt to AGI was not part of the 2024 presidential campaign. I predict it will be a central theme of the 2028 election. Between now and then, every leader in the world — but particularly the presidents of America and China, the two AI superpowers — will be judged by how well they enable their countries to get the best and cushion the worst from the coming AI storm. President-elect Trump, if you think blue-collar workers without college degrees are facing challenges today, wait until four years from now. But that’s not Trump’s only challenge. If these AI powers fall into the wrong hands or are used by existing powers in the wrong ways, we could be dealing with possibly civilizational extinction events. History will not look kindly on you, President-elect Trump, if you choose to prioritize the price of toys for American tots over an agreement with China on the behavior of AI bots. — Thomas Friedman is a columnist with The New York Times.

First and foremost, it is essential to highlight that individuals with mental health issues are particularly vulnerable to various forms of abuse, including sexual violence. When a mental health patient is subjected to rape, the legal system must navigate a delicate balance between recognizing the victim's vulnerability and ensuring justice is served. Lawyers play a crucial role in advocating for the rights of these individuals and ensuring that the legal process is fair and equitable.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.”The prospect of a high-profile striker joining Manchester United has excited fans, who are eagerly anticipating the impact the new signing could have on the team's fortunes. With the club willing to invest heavily in securing the striker's services, expectations are high that the player will have an immediate impact and help propel Manchester United to greater success.

Tencent Video's decision to limit the number of devices for member login is a step in the right direction. By restricting the simultaneous logins, they are encouraging users to maintain their own individual accounts and discouraging the unauthorized sharing of login information. This move is likely to have a positive impact on both the platform and its users. Users will benefit from a more secure and personalized experience, while Tencent Video will see an increase in subscription revenues and user engagement.NoneThe "Chinese Landscape" in the World Economy: Insights on the Current Chinese Economic Landscape - Q&A Series Part Eight

The situation escalated when a group of protestors gathered outside Qiong Yao's house, demanding that she leave the neighborhood to restore peace and harmony to the community. The author, known for her romantic novels and melodramatic storytelling, remained steadfast in her refusal to bow to the pressure, emphasizing her right to live where she pleased without being judged for unsubstantiated claims.

First and foremost, medical aesthetics procedures are medical treatments that carry potential risks and complications. It is crucial for individuals considering such procedures to understand that these treatments involve intervention in the body, and therefore should be approached with the same seriousness as any other medical procedure. Medical professionals performing aesthetic treatments must prioritize patient safety above all else, ensuring that the procedure is suitable for the individual's health status and that all necessary precautions are taken to minimize risks.Title: Manchester United Staff Increasingly Anxious following Ruthless Sacking of Ashworth by Telegraph