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Trump Calls For Immediate Ceasefire In Ukraine, Suggests US Withdrawal From NATO
Extended price rises by fuel retailers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane must be urgently investigated, the National Roads and Motorists’ Association has declared, after its new finding that the three biggest petrol markets are more expensive than the smaller cities of Darwin, Perth and Adelaide. The NRMA is demanding the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission review the fuel-price cycles that trap motorists in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, pointing to their analysis that shows an average family spends at least $250 a year more on fuel in those cities compared with Perth. Motorists in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are being stung as a result of fuel-price cycles. Credit: afr That’s because Perth has a one-week price cycle among its fuel retailers, while service stations in the nation’s biggest capital cities consistently cycle their prices over a six-week period, which is too long for motorists to wait out high price periods before they fill their tanks. “There is no justifiable reason for our biggest cities to be among the most expensive – it just doesn’t pass the pub test,” said NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury. Prices take about two weeks to shift from the lowest point to the peak, but they remain elevated for weeks – taking about a month to cycle back to the budget end of the scale. In Perth, the same cycle only takes seven days. NRMA analysis found the price of unleaded petrol in Sydney was 9.7 cents more per litre compared with Perth in 2024, and 8.9 cents more in Melbourne. In Brisbane, a litre costs 13.6 cents more this year than in Perth, while the most expensive fuel was in the nation’s capital, Canberra, at 14.9 cents more than Perth. For an average family that fills one 55-litre tank with unleaded petrol once a week, the annual fuel bill is $277 more in Sydney compared with Perth, and $255 more in Melbourne. Khoury said petrol is the single largest weekly expense for most households, and NRMA is eyeing the upcoming federal election, due by May, to focus get political leaders to focus on addressing the issue. “It’s growing worse over time, and our expectation is there will be a heightened awareness of it in 2025 because it’s an election year,” Khoury said. “Cost of living is going to play one of the biggest parts in determining the outcome of the election, and we know that fuel has been a major factor which has put upward pressure on inflation. “The status quo isn’t working for Australians any more and the only avenue to do something about it is through the ACCC.” Australia’s major markets have only recently flipped from being among the nation’s cheapest to the most expensive. “Sydney in 2019 was the second-cheapest city in Australia, in 2020 it was the third-cheapest city in Australia. In 2018, Melbourne was the third-cheapest city in Australia. So they’ve gone from being in the top three-cheapest to being in the top three most-expensive,” Khoury said. A spokesperson for the ACCC said the NRMA’s call for an investigation was a matter for the government to consider. A spokesperson for Treasurer Jim Chalmers, whose portfolio includes the ACCC, said it monitored petrol prices to ensure fair pricing. “We don’t want to see service stations take Australian motorists for mugs,” the spokesperson said. “Petrol prices decreased in the last quarter in the five major Australian cities, taking pressure off consumers who are doing it tough.” Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg welcomed the prospect of an ACCC inquiry, which he acknowledged must be triggered by the federal government. “The appropriate mechanism to consider those measures and the effects of those measures would be an ACCC inquiry, noting that the federal government is responsible for price regulation,” Mickelberg said on Monday. The ACCC monitors fuel prices and its latest quarterly report found that “price cycles only occur at the retail level and are not driven by movements in wholesale prices or underlying costs”. “While petrol price cycles can be frustrating for motorists, and the longer cycles in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane make it more difficult for motorists to time their purchases in these cities, there are opportunities to save throughout the cycle. There is often a range of petrol prices available throughout any given price cycle,” an ACCC spokesperson said. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter .Cam Akers delivers clutch performance in Vikings’ win
Matthew Knies Is Growing Into the Maple Leafs X-FactorQUÉBEC — Quebec Premier François Legault says he's looking at ways to end prayer in public places, including parks, as his government promises to table new legislation to strengthen secularism in schools. Legault made the comments during a press conference in Quebec City on Friday to mark the end of the fall legislative session. He said he wants to send a "very clear message to Islamists" that Quebec will fight against any disrespect of its fundamental values, including secularism. The premier said that recent reports of teachers allowing prayers in classrooms and preventing girls from playing sports, which have triggered an outcry in Quebec, are "totally unacceptable." "There are teachers who are bringing Islamist religious concepts into Quebec schools," he said. "I will definitely not tolerate that. We don't want that in Quebec." Legault then went a step further when asked by a reporter if he was also bothered by prayer in public places. "Seeing people on their knees in the streets, praying, I think we have to ask ourselves the question. I don't think it's something we should see," he said, adding that his government is considering whether it can legislate on the issue. He went on to say he doesn't want to see people praying "in public parks or public streets." When questioned about the constitutionality of banning public prayer, he said the government is "looking at all possibilities, including the use of the notwithstanding clause," which allows governments to override certain sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Images of Muslims praying in Montreal have sparked controversy in recent months, including when a group gathered in a city park to celebrate Eid al-Adha last June, prompting the borough mayor to muse about banning all religious events in public parks. In a statement, the Canadian Muslim Forum said Legault's comments suggest that some politicians view Muslims as second-class citizens. "These remarks add to a pattern of political rhetoric that unfairly targets Quebecers, especially those of Muslim faith, based solely on their backgrounds," the statement reads. Legault's comments come as the province grapples with a series of reports about Muslim religious practices appearing in some of the province's public schools. On Friday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville declared the government will introduce a new bill aimed at reinforcing secularism in Quebec schools. The announcement followed a Friday report in La Presse that documented students at a high school in Laval, north of Montreal, praying in classrooms and hallways and disrupting a play focused on sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy prevention. Drainville told reporters in Quebec City that the behaviour does not represent "our Quebec" and is "completely intolerable and unacceptable." "These acts of a religious nature clearly contravene secularism obligations," he said in a social media statement. "One can easily imagine the psychological impact that some of these behaviours may have had on students." The news story is the latest in a growing number of incidents reported at Quebec schools involving Muslim teachers and students. The wave of allegations was sparked by a government investigation, made public in October, that found a toxic climate at a Montreal elementary school. The report found that a group of teachers at Bedford school, mostly of North African descent, yelled at and humiliated students. Some teachers didn’t believe in learning disabilities and attributed students’ difficulties to laziness. Subjects like science and sex education were either ignored or barely taught, and girls were prevented from playing soccer. Eleven teachers have since been suspended from the school. The government is now looking into 17 schools it believes may have breached the province's secularism law. The report on those schools is expected in January, but Drainville says he can already confirm that the government is going to act. Quebec used the notwithstanding clause to shield the province's controversial secularism law, Bill 21, from constitutional challenges. That law prevents certain public sector workers, including teachers and police officers, from wearing religious symbols on the job. The government also invoked the clause to protect its contentious language law, Bill 96. On Friday, Legault said the protection of Quebec's identity has been one of his top priorities over the last year and repeated his claims that temporary immigration is threatening the French language in Montreal. He also reiterated that he's "open" to the idea of a Quebec constitution, following a recent recommendation from a committee tasked with coming up with ways to boost Quebec's autonomy. He said a constitution could enshrine Quebec's values, including secularism and equality between men and women. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 6, 2024. — By Maura Forrest in Montreal The Canadian Press
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Robert Hinton scored 15 points as Harvard beat New Hampshire 72-62 on Sunday. Hinton shot 5 of 11 from the field and 5 for 7 from the line for the Crimson (3-7). Chandler Pigge scored 14 points while going 6 of 9 from the field and added nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Louis Lesmond had 13 points and shot 4 for 7 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. Anthony McComb III led the Wildcats (2-11) in scoring, finishing with 21 points. Sami Pissis added 16 points and two steals for New Hampshire. Caleb Middleton had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Harvard's next game is Saturday against Furman at home, and New Hampshire visits Stonehill on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel a Heisman Trophy finalistTimeline: Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024
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 15 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 15 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 160,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. 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. 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 On3.com 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.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.
The Baltic Exchange’s dry bulk sea freight index, which tracks rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, snapped a seven-session losing streak on Friday, supported by gains in larger vessels. The index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax and supramax shipping vessels, gained 7 points to 1,167 points, but the index was down over 13% for the week. The capesize index edged up 5 points to 1,535 points. The contract posted about 28% decline for the week. Average daily earnings for capesize vessels, which typically transport 150,000-ton cargoes such as iron ore and coal, increased by $37 to $12,727. Iron ore futures prices slid and headed for a weekly loss on Friday, as the wave of restocking for seaborne cargoes from steelmakers in top consumer China receded and high portside stocks as well as falling steel margins weighed. The panamax index rose 27 points to 1,067 points, recording a weekly gain of 4.8%. Average daily earnings for panamax vessels, which usually carry 60,000-70,000 tons of coal or grain cargo, rose $242 to $9,606. Among smaller vessels, the supramax index edged down 5 points to 974 points. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Anmol Choubey in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)Real prices of rice have fallen in the decade from 2010 to 2020, benefiting consumers but generating lower real incomes for producers, according to a paper presented at an event in Dhaka yesterday. However, real prices of the staple food climbed in the years following the turn of the decade. Real prices are those which have been adjusted for inflation and other market factors, as opposed to nominal prices, the current value of a good without accounting for such factors. For example, real prices of the grain were 35 percent higher in 2021 compared to prices in January 2020. The real prices had soared to 18 percent higher in 2024 compared to January 2020, Paul Dorosh, a senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), said while presenting a paper on food price policy in South Asia at a conference in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) organised the four-day event at the Lakeshore Hotel in the capital's Gulshan. Other than falling prices, other factors influencing the real incomes of rice farmers include low yields and higher input costs. Echoing those sentiments, Nicholas Minot, another senior research fellow at the IFPRI, said nominal prices are rising . He said rice prices in Bangladesh tend to rise and fall over a period of one to three years, adding that elimination or reduction in the rice import tariff may reduce price instability at little cost in terms of revenue for farmers. "Reducing the rice import tariff will reduce price instability while higher tariff increases price instability," Minot said. The researchers made the comments at a time when the country is reeling from elevated inflation, especially food inflation. In November, the government cut the import duty on rice to bring down the cost and encourage trade. Dorosh also elaborated on the rice stock scenario in South Asian countries. "Although Bangladesh, India and Pakistan all hold public stocks of rice, only India consistently intervenes in its domestic rice market," he said. India maintains the largest rice stocks in South Asia while Pakistan has significant wheat stocks. The wholesale prices of rice in Dhaka were close to import parity levels in 2018 and from 2021 to mid-2023, making private imports profitable in these periods, according to Dorosh. For most of the 2018 to 2024 period, however, domestic prices of rice were higher than imported parity prices, making private imports unprofitable. Private sector rice imports, including imports from India in some years, helped stabilise domestic rice prices in Bangladesh, Dorosh added. "Since the mid-1990s, private sector imports of rice (mainly from India) have prevented large spikes in Bangladesh rice prices," he said. At a public lecture, Prof MA Sattar Mandal said that although the total agricultural production is increasing in Bangladesh, the growth rate is decelerating very fast. "And there has been low diversification. Rice is still the dominant crop. In terms of numbers, we have over hundreds of crops grown in Bangladesh. But that is a misleading proxy." In reality, Bangladesh is contending with lower crop diversification and a huge yield gap, he said.
A new report and data from the latest Census has painted a grim picture of homelessness in Aotearoa, especially for women. Census data reveals there are more homeless women than men, with more than 57,000 women without a home. Meanwhile, a new study by Ihi Research has also found that four out of five homeless women in Aotearoa are Māori, with some being as young as 15-years-old. Many of them have been in state care, experienced sexual abuse and also the loss of their babies being uplifted. Ihi Research manager Dr Catherine Leonard told Saturday Morning that the "sobering" statistics were the result of "decades of inequity and intergenerational trauma", as well as gendered pay gaps, unemployment and structural inequality. "This culminates in increasing numbers of people becoming homeless, but increasingly more and more wahine Māori becoming homeless... and also their tamariki." The Census had found 13,000 children aged under 15 were severely housing deprived, and this had an intergenerational impact, Leonard said. Homeless women were "largely invisible", wanting to stay off the streets and instead staying in "terrible living situations" such as abusive relationships. "It's not just ... people sleeping on the streets, it's being in relationships that you have no choice - you can't leave." Disabled wahine were most likely to experience homelessness or unstable housing, which was another layer of disadvantage, she said. It was "incredibly challenging" for women in such situations to deal with health or personal care, such as showering, managing menstruation or pregnancy. "It hugely increases the risks for both the mum and the pēpī when they are homeless." Older women were vulnerable to homelessness, as they often had less savings, suffering the breakdown of long-term relationships, and even elder abuse in the form of children selling their home, she said. The Auckland City Mission had more than 200 women aged over 55, waiting for social housing. "There's just a huge demand ... in that demographic - and growing." There was some "amazing" support out there, she said - for example Housing First - but many organisations did not have the funding to meet current demand. The issues weren't just about housing - it encompassed many sectors, including employment, mental healthcare and benefits - and the solution needed to be "wrap-around" to care for our most vulnerable people. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Clippers vs. Pelicans Prediction & Picks: Line, Spread, Over/Under – December 30NEW YORK , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to: Altair Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTR)'s sale to Siemens for $113.00 per share in cash. If you are an Altair shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: MPB)'s merger with William Penn Bancorporation. If you are a Mid Penn shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Avid Bioservices, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDMO)'s sale to funds managed by GHO Capital Partners LLP and Ampersand Capital Partners for $12.50 per share in cash. If you are an Avid shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV)'s merger with BlueHalo LLC. Per the terms of the proposed transaction, AeroVironment will issue approximately 18.5 million shares of AeroVironment common stock to BlueHalo. Upon closing of the proposed transaction, AeroVironment shareholders will own approximately 60.5% of the combined company. If you are an AeroVironment shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-investigation-halper-sadeh-llc-investigates-altr-mpb-cdmo-avav-on-behalf-of-shareholders-302326334.html SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLP
House GOP to pick new committee leaders to advance Trump’s agenda in 2025
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NEW ORLEANS — Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and the Golden State Warriors secured a knockout round spot in the NBA Cup with a 112-108 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Stephen Curry scored 19 for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 in West Group C. Buddy Hield capped his 12-point performance with two free throws with 18.5 seconds left to help hold New Orleans at bay and ensure Golden State would advance out of group play as a wild card at least, if not the group winner. Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 24 points but missed a 3-pointer for the lead with 5 seconds remaining — a shot made possible by Brandon Boston Jr's steal of a Golden State inbound pass. Golden State's Draymond Green was fouled as he grabbed the rebound of Murphy's miss and hit both free throws for the final margin. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored 19 points, Brandon Ingram added 18 and Boston 16 for the Pelicans, who fell to 1-2 in group play and lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Jordan Hawkins returned from a seven-game absence caused by back soreness and had six points. New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) leaps to block Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Credit: AP/Gerald Herbert Takeaways Warriors: Depth and balance made a difference for Golden State. Green and Brandin Podziemski each scored 11 points. Pelicans: With rookie center and first-round draft choice Yves Missi sitting out because of a sore left shoulder, the injury-riddled Pelicans opened the game with their 12th different starting lineup of the season (Elfrid Payton, Daniel Theis, Javonte Green, Ingram and Murphy). Key moment Wiggins made a spin move and tossed in a 13-foot floater while being fouled by Robinson-Earl with 5:13 left. He completed the three-point play to make it 102-94 and the Pelicans got no closer that 110-108 after that. Key stat Golden State outrebounded New Orleans 52-42. Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Credit: AP/Gerald Herbert Up next Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Saturday night. Pelicans: Visit Indiana on Monday night.
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Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has reportedly been arrested by the FBI on federal public corruption charges. Shortly after the arrest, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy issued a statement about Anderson's alleged charges. “When her constituents elected Ms. Fernandes Anderson, she had a fundamental obligation to act with the utmost integrity,” Levy stated. “Public officials who line their pockets with taxpayer money erode the trust and confidence of the public and the officials who serve them.” Fernandes Anderson, 45, was reportedly arrested early Friday morning around 6:30 a.m. outside her home in Dorchester, CW affiliate WHDH-TV reported. According to an 11-page indictment , she is facing five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson murder: Cops have 200 pics of assassin and give 5-word update FBI investigates mystery drones flying over central New Jersey in recent weeks The indictment accuses the former councilwoman of a kickback scheme in cooperation with a relative she hired to work in her office and then paid a bonus too that was nearly twice as much as all the other bonuses in her office combined. She is further accused of receiving $7,000 of that bonus in a Boston City Hall bathroom. According to the document, Fernandes Anderson hired two members of her immediate family in 2022 after she took office. This move by the councilwoman goes against state laws allowing for the hiring of family members. After it was discovered in August 2022, she was forced to terminate the two staffers and pay a $5,000 fine. “From in or about early to mid-2023, Fernandes Anderson was allegedly facing personal financial difficulty, which included the outstanding $5,000 civil penalty payment to the Ethics Commission,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a statement. “It is further alleged that, in or about early May 2023, Fernandes Anderson told Staff Member A that she would give them extra pay in the form of a large bonus, but that Staff Member A would have to give a portion of the bonus back to Fernandes Anderson. Staff Member A agreed to the arrangement with Fernandes Anderson.” It was reported by the outlet that prior to her arrest, Fernandes Anderson said that her main focus was serving her constituents. “I’m not thinking about stepping down,” Fernandes Anderson told reporters who hounded her when she showed up to work on Wednesday. “I’m not thinking about any of that. I’m thinking about the work.” When she was hounded by reporters asking about what federal investigators are looking for, or if she did anything wrong, Fernandes Anderson remained tight-lipped. “I can not comment on the case itself,” she said. “I can not comment on it at all.” According to the outlet, Fernandes Anderson was elected to the position in 2021. She is the first African immigrant and Muslim-American elected to the council. After being arrested, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called on Fernandes Anderson to resign. “Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process,” Wu said in a statement. “But the serious nature of these charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city. I urge Councilor Fernandes Anderson to resign.” DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.
Carrier Board of Directors Announces an 18 Percent Increase in Quarterly Dividend to $0.225 per ShareMANCHESTER, England -- As scored to put 2-0 up over in the first half of their Women's Super League clash, the contrast between the scenes in the two dugouts could hardly have been more stark. United boss Marc Skinner spun on his heels and punched the air; Liverpool manager Matt Beard remained rooted to his seat, still shellshocked by Elisabeth Terland's opener which had only arrived a minute earlier. It showed how fine the margins are at the top level of the women's game, and just how quickly the fortunes of a manager and their team can change. United and Liverpool are arguably England's most formidable men's footballing institutions, with more than a century of success on both the domestic and European stage behind them. For their women's teams, though, earning a seat at the WSL's top table is proving considerably more difficult. United's win on Sunday temporarily moved them up the third -- though they were later usurped by following their victory over -- and into the Champions League places. But Skinner's side are six points off leaders , who also have a game in hand, and this season's charge for the title is seemingly already a two-horse race between the London club and . Liverpool, meanwhile, are down in seventh, having won just two of their nine WSL games so far this term. For both teams, the battle to consolidate a place among the division's long-established top three of Chelsea, City and Arsenal remains a work in progress. United's commanding victory over Liverpool at Leigh Sports Village -- secured thanks to goals from Terland, Galton, and -- was the perfect tonic after another difficult week for the club off the pitch. On Saturday, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who acquired a 27.7% stake in the club earlier this year, sparked controversy with his comments about the women's team. Speaking to , the INEOS chief said: "There's only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men's team. If not, you get spread too thinly. We need to sort out the main issue, the men's team. The women's team is an opportunity. Women's football is growing really quickly in popularity and size. We need to participate in that. The girls wear a Manchester United badge on their shirt and they're representing the club." It is not the first time Ratcliffe's perceived apathy towards United Women has caused a stir. Back in May, the 72-year-old opted to attend United's Premier League clash with Arsenal instead of the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley, where Skinner's side yielded the club's first major women's trophy with a win over . The following month, Ratcliffe drew further criticism after admitting in an interview with Bloomberg that plans for the future of the women's team were "TBC". While Ratcliffe's string of PR missteps are perhaps rooted in pragmatism, his behaviour has repeatedly undermined the "one-club mentality" United have tried to foster since their women's team was re-established in 2018. "I think you have to assess a lot," Skinner said after Sunday's game, when asked whether it is difficult to constantly have to field questions about matters off the pitch. "I think you have to take a lot as a human. "I think the role of a football manager has changed and it's evolving. You see that in the men's game. Of course we're human, we feel, we have our emotions. But we also have a role and a job and a responsibility to my players the fans and the club. I would be lying if I said it's easy, but also I have a job to do and I've got to do that to the best of my ability." The state of play at United has been further unsettled by the surprise departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth, which was confirmed by the club only hours before Skinner's side kicked off against Liverpool on Sunday. His exit has been viewed in some quarters as a further blow to the women's team, with the 53-year-old having only officially arrived in July after a £3 million settlement was reached with his former club . Ashworth has long been an advocate for the growth of the women's game and had forged a positive relationship with Skinner during his time at United. to supporters in the summer, Ashworth insisted that the women's team was a "key objective" of his job and had been a major part of his remit during his time with Newcastle, and the FA. "Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada have been fantastic and have both come in with real energy to speak to the group," Skinner said in a news conference earlier this season. "I cannot tell you how personable and authentic those conversations were. They genuinely love women's football and have a real burning ambition for it to be in the forefront of their direction. That will only improve." Whether Ashworth's successor is similarly passionate about empowering United Women remains to be seen. However, after the Liverpool game, Skinner was quick to emphasise the support he and his players continue to feel internally, reiterating his own determination to focus on performances on the field. "What I know about the club is that it has a love and an affinity with our women's team, I know that," he said. "I sense it every day when I go into the training ground. I know the love for our team is there. I don't know what that path looks like quite yet and I'm sure that is a part of the planning process from above to sell us that and I'm sure, over the next few weeks, we'll talk more about it. "But I want us as a team to focus on what we can control and that is the football part, and then away from that, I know we can be a massive part and are a massive part of this club and we've got to work out what that looks like." From a Liverpool perspective, Sunday's defeat was yet another bracing reminder of the gulf that still exists between them and the game's big hitters. Beard's side defied expectations last term to secure a fourth-placed finish, ending the season six-points clear of United, whom they toppled in both of their WSL meetings. Those victories seemed to symbolise an upwardly mobile Liverpool, capable of upsetting the league's top order. While injuries have been a major factor in the team's recent inconsistent form -- with a number of key players, including last season's top scorer, , currently sidelined -- they look some way off being able to compete for the game's top honours. "It's frustrating," Beard said after the game. "We know we've got one of the smallest squads in the division. I've said it before, we can only work with the resources we have budget-wise. I feel like we actually started the game quite well, but we had a moment of madness where two minutes killed the game for us." Beard's reference to the financial parameters he is working within at Liverpool again raises an important point about the disparity between the WSL's top three and the rest of the division. The club have come a long way since being relegated in 2019 -- incidentally the same year that Jurgen Klopp's side lifted the Premier League title -- and have gone to great lengths to improve the professionalism of the women's team, repurchasing Liverpool men's former training ground, Melwood, as a base for Beard's side and breaking the club's transfer record in consecutive summers to bring in Roman Haug and . But with the ruthlessness and knowhow of perennial winners Chelsea leaving little room for error in the WSL, it is clear it will take time for Liverpool to assemble a similarly well-stocked squad. "It's not always about the money," Beard said. "I don't know what all the other teams spend. I know what we spend and we've overachieved in the last two years. If you look at the investment from the other sides - - I'm not saying we've stood still, I don't think we needed many changes. We were consistent last season with team selection whereas this year I don't think I've been able to pick the same team twice." With seven first-team players missing this weekend's clash with United, it is perhaps little wonder Liverpool struggled against Skinner's side. But, with the WSL growing more competitive year-on-year, it is apparent both they and their hosts have a tough road ahead if they are to consistently compete at the highest level.